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VOLUME:116 No.84, APRIL 25, 2019

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No-show reserves still paid salaries

Widespread abuse uncovered which cost force thousands

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net COMMANDERS or supervisors who signed timesheets for reservists who failed to work may face disciplinary action if the recommendations of a recent branch audit are followed.

Due to improper management of timesheets, the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Reserves audit found it was possible for the police force to disburse more than $800,000 monthly and just over $9.8m annually on salaries.

The report was tabled in parliament yesterday, and highlights “unexplained

anomalies” surrounding timesheets that festered due to the “longstanding neglect of duty”.

Those anomalies concerned observations in submitted hours and persons appearing on the payroll, and translated into officers salaries “ballooning into full-time employment”.

Discrepancies were most prevalent in New Providence, the report noted.

The audit investigation sparked a crackdown, according to the report, which noted the Commissioner of Police has requested only Commanders sign off on timesheets.

THE Minnis administration finds Carnival Cruise Lines’ unlawful dumping of sewage and food waste in Bahamian waters “disturbing”, Transport and Local Government Minister Renward Wells said yesterday, adding the matter is to be comprehensively investigated and appropriate measures taken.

According to the

SEE PAGE THREE

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Attorney General yesterday warned the web shop industry’s tax hold-outs they are on “very shaky ground” in failing to comply with the settlement agreed with the government.

Carl Bethel QC told Tribune Business that the Minnis administration had strong legal arguments against the position being taken by Wayne Munroe QC and his three web shop clients - Island Game, Paradise Game and Asure Win. Two of these operators are understood to have only paid taxes due for July 2018, while the other and Craig Flowers’ FML Group of Companies have yet to pay anything at all for the 2018-19 fiscal year.

NEW BODY TO PROBE AIR CRASHES

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

SEE PAGE FIVE

minister, direct communication has been made with the cruise line which has pledged complete transparency and co-operation as a probe is undertaken.

Reporters also asked Attorney General Carl Bethel if there were plans to strengthen the country’s environmental laws in light of the Carnival revelations, to which Mr Bethel said an “aggressive” package of environmental laws is in the works.

BETTING SHOP REBELS TOLD: STOP YOUR GAMES

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

TOUGHER MARINE LAWS IN PIPELINE

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

L SOUR CE

MAKE MY DREAM COME TRUE

ELIJAH STEVENS, pictured above with his mother Petra, left The Bahamas at 17 to pursue his dream of becoming a classical pianist and studying in America. After overcoming several hurdles - including being homeless - Elijah is now hoping to study at the Manhattan School of Music - if he can raise the money. Read his inspiring story in Tribune Weekend, out tomorrow.

TOURISM and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar tabled a bill in the House of Assembly yesterday to create an Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority.

The goal is to make accident investigators independent from the Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority.

Delvin Major, the chief investigator of air accident investigations, said the bill and its accompanying regulations are necessary to bring The Bahamas in compliance with the International Civil Aviation convention, to which the country is a signatory.

Annex 13 of that convention was recently amended.

SEE PAGE TWO

CARMICHAEL ABUSE CLAIMS ‘IRRATIONAL’

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel yesterday described Rights Bahamas’ application to the InterAmerican Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) as “ill-founded and irrational”, adding all the previous issues spotlighted at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre have been remedied.

Earlier this month, Rights

ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel Bahamas, a human rights group, announced it will go back before the IACHR

in May to bring reports of abuses against migrants to international attention.

Mr Bethel was asked about this hearing yesterday on the sidelines of a money-laundering forum at the Hilton hotel.

“Yes, that’s correct,” Mr Bethel told reporters about the May 10 hearing. “The Bahamas will be fully represented there. We will have a legal team and our minister of state will be

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

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from page one “The biggest change is that annex 13 requires signatories go towards establishing an independent accident investigation unit that is separate and apart from the civil aviation authority or its departments,� Mr Major said. “With accident and investigation being under Civil Aviation departments, when an accident happens, the Civil Aviation is the regulator and the investigator. That is a serious conflict because Civil Aviation would in a sense be investigating itself and there is no objectivity in that. We had an audit a few years ago that showed that we needed revised legislation and regulations that would empower us to carry out our functions, including making findings and following up with safety recommendations and making sure the (Department of) Civil Aviation and any other entity we may be investigating to ensure they carry out the The Tribune recommendations.�

There currently Th T bun are d four investigators The privinilegethe Air Accident Investigation Department. The new

bill specifies how records received in the course of investigations must be protected. It makes it illegal for a person to circulate, publish or give access to a draft investigation report or any document obtained during an investigation of an accident or incident. “This new bill also provides protection for a lot of the records and information that we gather as a result of our investigations,� Mr Major said. “It now strengthens us from having to release that information to the public that do not have a need to know. We have to protect a lot of information we receive, some of it confidential, some medical, some proprietary that manufacturers do not want released to the public. Our laws had to be strengthened so these records cannot be reviewed by anyone other than for safety reasons and in order to get those records they would have to undergo a lengthy process.�

The government also tabled the National Crime Intelligence Agency Bill 2019 which does not vary much nefrom the 2017 verTheeeTrkeibu nd the bill tabled by the sion W of Minnis administration.

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OH, AND THERE’S AN ELITE WATER LIST TOO

Revealed: Names list and on the eliteowed what they

not be officials could to press time. reached up

By AVA TURNQUEST to sources Reporter of According Tribune Chief matter, as media.net close to the Wells has since aturnquest@tribune Mr Progres- Monday his accounts FOUR former Cabinet paid $9,000 on balParty an outstanding ARNOLD sive Liberal more than with $8,600.

FORBES ministers owedat Bahamas ance of some also said as $62,023 The source Forbes was one $20,000 each Mr Light, with Power and in arrears of Monday the company former minister as of July, in talks with balance over settle the Mr for some $60,000 a list obtained to three-month period. a according to PLP Mount

by The Tribune.and Collec- Forbes, former MP, was appointed The Credit 2015, listing of Moriah in January the tions Department and board to Cabinet served as MPs, senators the period and previouslythe Bahamas of for members 31, revealed chairman and Industrial ending July State Minister Agricultural that former of Works Corporation. the “do not on Ministry Others in the owed BPL list are: former Dr disconnect�

Arnold Forbes of Health Tall $62,023.14.

by The Minister former The list obtained delin- Perry Gomez, Leslie Miller, Tribune contains of six Pines MP Youth Minister of former quent accounts Cabinet minis- former Johnson, PLP Danny Dion former PLP MPs, Dr Village MP ters, two former Tourism DR DANIEL entities, and Nassau two private Cabinet min- Smith, former JOHNSON Obie Wilchcombe, one sitting $24,413 Town MP Minister South Beach MP and former ister: Bamboo Hamilton State Renward Wells. who owed Cleola of Mr Wells, $3,703.96 at former Minister Damian Affairs $9,277.07 and locations - for Legal two separatetotal – did not Gomez.

SEE PAGE EIGHT $12,981.03 in yesterwant to comment other former day, and the

DR PERRY GOMEZ $24,498

LESLIE MILLER $42,219

ing

By NEIL HARTNELL Editor $25m, five-year maximum contract Tribune Businessedia.net BPL management nhartnell@tribunem and Minnis if the board wish it to go.

Power & BAHAMAS board will administration which will The meeting,PowerSecure Light’s (BPL) meeting� attended by hold a “crunch today, be their attorneys executives and as key with PowerSecure likely crit- from the US, is viewed the with the outcome whether the to determining whethermake and ical in decidingas manager. sides will “kiss latter remainsTribune Busi- two separate. up� or Multiple - SEE BUSINESS yesterday US FULL STORY ness sources that the confirmed

DION SMITH $9,275

RENWARD WELLS $12,980

DAMIAN GOMEZ $3,413

OBIE WILCHCOMBE

CLEOLA

FRIDAY i’m lovin’ it!

By AVA TURNQUEST Reporter Tribune Chief edia.net aturnquest@tribunem Sewerage WATER and Chairman Corporation yesterday Adrian Gibson existence the confirmed disconnect� of a “do not by scores list populatedthe governof elites at utility owned to ment he pledged provider as on initiate a crackdown accounts. delinquent told The Mr Gibson “confidential Tribune the 221accounts, list� held total of with a combined the period $175,000 for2017. ending June he plans He said that corporathe to direct all persons tion to notify arrears owing excessive or face debts to resolve disconnection.a list confi“There is the Long dential list,�

Island MP said. would think I fact, “In corporations that all the year or two, in over the last and more particularly year, there May of thisclose attenhas been that list by tion paid to with the management changing the a view to lists usually way those operate. this con“As it stands, a number has fidential list on it, and of persons it’s being really and trulypersons by used to notify or letters. courtesy call that as the I can say toothe corporachairman of to direct tion I am going owing that all personswho are excessive arrears EIGHT SEE PAGE at the end of

BPL WHO RUNS is quite willCRUNCH DAY OVER utilityto operator from it “walk away�

were spent under ers’ dollars administration. the Christie is evidence He said if there the new VIRGIL

By KHRISNA Reporter the of “criminality�, will allow Deputy Chief ia.net government course. its kvirgil@tribunemed his law to take after his parMoments as the naAFTER leadinglandslide maiden speech Minleader, Dr ty to a stunning tion’s next dealing a parathat under victory and to the Progreswill nis promised Bahamians lysing blow Party last night, his watch, to fear from sive Liberal have nothing Prime Minister pointing to incoming the government, Minnis declared which he said Dr Hubert have abused “imvictimisation, that those who trust “have is “unconstitutional� of “wrong�. positions moral� and to unofficial to fear�. something to thousands of According able FNM was Speaking at the Q House today. results, the defeat pledged that to pull off a stunning masjubilant supporterslast night, ment Dr Minnis will give securing a E Sports Centre National Move- his administration Terrance of the PLP, Free 39 constituencies. the General it sive 34 of also announced ment leader be sworn in as Auditor the resources that he will fourth prime Bastianto probe how taxpayThe Bahamas’ at Govern- needs 5pm minister at

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Living the dream

From Andros to the

JOURNE Y WHICH

POLICE LAUNCH IVE FOX HILL OFFENS

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MAN’S DREAMS

FULFILL ED A

Watch the film - every agonising, wrenching, awful second.

Then give up Eugene’s killer

$4,911 HAMILTON they owed $6,118 list and the amount since that date. disconnect�

BPL “do not made or further debt incurred named on the NINE individualsdo not include any payments July. The sums

PUT SOUTH ISLANDS ON MARIA ALERT

THE PEOPLE’S

gardening art theatre music film books fashion food culture RACE

No.215, SEPTEMBER

WEEKEN D: A

e n u b i r T The HURRICANE

INSURANCE

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safeas well as of homicides DORSETT guarding the residents

By SANCHESKA Reporter in Fox Hill.

Tribune Staff walkabout edia.net During a Acting prepared. live national sdorsett@tribunem on Tuesday, ROLLE During a Ferguson Commissioner Fox Hill his office

By RASHAD Reporter ACTING Fergu- Commissioner and address from Dr Minnis Tribune Staff Anti-Gang a.net of Police Anthony yesterday said the Inveslast night, Maria is rrolle@tribunemedi Tracing and announced dev- son establishment of two Firearms Unit will operate fore- said: “Hurricane the potentially Bahamas tigation WITH we the DetecMaria another hurricane that separate Royal anti-crime out of the Central the cast for Hurricane Force storm to pass astating monitor.�

(CDU) while projecting the Baha- must carefully Though most Police aimed at eliminating tive Unit SEE PAGE 11 units counHe added: near the Southeast Prime was spared gang activity in the morning, of mas Friday Hubert Minnis of the Bahamas the number try, reducing Minister Dr of those SEE PAGE TWO and is urging residents be vigilant islands to

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EXUMA ELEUTHERA 242.336.2304 ABACO 242.332.3211 GRAND BAHAMA NEW PROVIDENCE 242.350.3500 242.367.4204 242.394.5555 BROKERS &

Dr Hubert MinPRIME Minister Kendera Woodside, nis meeting murdered Eugene the mother of

this Yes I feel for our countries.than I can say.� more ensure has a responsibility one mother said he will Each citizen information Dr Minnis provided to and whatever that forward. medical attention is is pregnant. the composure. said he felt the fam- has we must bring among us.� who after feel live Dr Minnis Mrs Woodside, the grieving and days makes me Three These criminals who emphasised country’s he “You can see of those pushed the ily’s pain. “What through,�

Mrs Minnis, that her appearis that most during murder that violent crime into ROLLE she’s going someI, even worse

By RASHAD Reporter not a pain “I assured her that the family the yard, struggle with spotlight yet again, them was doctor, to will have we see in Tribune Staff a.net ance before called on women said. today (Friday) we to look the national as a medical acute. rrolle@tribunemedi come my my years political move,one day this week time her pain remained live a life, medical personnel she’s pregand comforting cried. “He ain’t even to wear blackfor murder victims.

Dr THE hugs her because sure that Prime Minister wife God,� Mrs Woodsidegive my upon after in mourning I’m calling words of I have to make infant are and his a baby. I could my really nant. “As a mother, Hubert Minnis couldn’t answer “He’s right now just for because I this,� her and her unborn will also make take all mothers can stop the Patricia Minnis that consumed breath be right here. They well and we to to make sure believe mothers who was tearful both the questions yesterday as babyheart out my body. who arrangementsmedical personnel They said Mrs Minnis, eight- my Kendera Woodside have our sons on a only son. for her son, killed times. “We birth and as they necessary her and see her “This my my daughter too after she grieved of them at from the safety who was still with look almost shoot (the house) with would’ve delivered most knowing we cradle basis to ensure infant.� year-old Eugene, men we are to me with regular they inside four days ago. people ain’t tell- and What they do to my family? so they are closer patients,� Dr becomeWe have to speakshould of her and her unborn PAGE TWO SEE are my former “Why these bringing my son me. they do to us? by pro- them. I think all women week me? I they we them. ain’ carry one day this ing me they she cried between What Minnis, a gynaecologist “The message “Why they wear black what’s happening in tried to He’s a baby.� right now?� fession, said. the entire Bahamas Dr Minnis and mourn Eugene’s to live 29 years, send alone.

Rosescreams as must this Woodside, their Tonio family at wife even is the police can’t fight Eugene console the consoled his home where on father, struggled to maintain bud Road a stray bullet as he was shot by did his homework. he Monday as

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PLP CASUAL HIRES COST EXTRA $10M

Y AG WARNS ECONOM’ IN ‘GRAVE DANGER

he told Parto In June, cost the ROLLE such liament of

By RASHAD Bahamians $10,149,738. by the Carib- Tribune Staff Reporter so alarmed Action Task rrolle@tribunemedia.net increases was comes after bean Financial draft The revision more than

By NEIL HARTNELL Editor Rolle, minForce’s (CFATF) BRENSIL Tribune Businessedia.net services he included that were not The Bahamas report on his staff ister of public nhartnell@tribunem 1,700 workers Gen- that he instructedaddressing and National Insurance, in his original count.

December Progressive THE Attorneyslammed to begin work on June.

Amid the said between 2017, the criticism May flaws from early eral yesterday

by Liberal Party’sadministrablasted the 2016 and in the nation’s the ballooned Mr Bethel deficiencies adminis- public purse laundering of the of the Minnisof its firings anti-money former Christie to tackle $16,532,738 because because “entirely unacfailing administration’s tion regime as SEE PAGE SIX they had tration for with the Christie public service ceptable�, warning “in great known weaknesses hiring of new that period. during put The Bahamas necessary urgency.

BUSINESS workers danger�. told Trib- FULL STORY - SEE Carl Bethelhe had been une Business

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Christie denies claims ong spendin HT AS PROM

FORMER PM TELLS OF LAST TALK WITH NOTTAGE

traditions. just a short ROLLE “Earlier today,present ParBy RASHAD Reporter the while ago, Tribune Staff officially disa.net liament was Christie said. rrolle@tribunemedi Mr Perry solved,�seat in the House of “Every PRIME Minister the prover- Assembly is now vacant. the to you, Christie rang morning, “It is now left beloved bial bell yesterday that the 2017 citizenry of our who will announcing be held on nation, to decide in the next election willMay 10. fill those seats In doWednesday, address, givof Assembly.

His televisedOffice of the House you will also be dethe ing so, en live at the came mowho will form Prime Minister, Commis- ciding of the BahaPolice government five years. ments after Greenslade, for the next that mosioner Ellison as provost mas “You will make in what in his capacity decision proclamations pray marshal, readHouse of As- mentous hope and fair elecoutside the Governor Gen- I earnestly be free and Pin- will following a spirited sembly from Marguerite Let tions eral Dame Parliament. peaceful campaign. dling dissolving said he is but the forthcoming Mr Christie election will us contestwith all the vigour confident the and will fol- elections fair at our command.� be free and and peaceful SEE PAGE TWO low a spirited is consistent campaign that political with this country’s

ED 170,000 HAVE REGISTER DAY AHEAD OF POLLING

with correctnow engaged the voter ROLLE ing and editing it of its

By RASHAD Reporter register, ridding errors.

Tribune Staff a.net much-publicised staff to rrolle@tribunemedi “We have enough “We 170,000 peo- do this,� Mr Hall said.certiJUST over sure it’s to vote have to make after tople have registered 10 general elec- fied some 14 daysdate.� for the May Comday’s (Tuesday’s) with the tion, Parliamentary Hall said In accordance Elections missioner Sherlyn pubParliamentary yesterday. what he de- Act, Mr Hall will give of This follows election in a “mad rush� notice of the week, statscribed as to vote lic this of newspapers people registering place in conthe last day ing the date, times when on Monday, and registration. 172,000 peo- stituencies papers must be There were to vote in the nomination delivered. ple registeredelection.

SEE PAGE THREE 2012 general Regis The Parliamentary Department istration

IS • FORMER PM BY DAVIS TRIBUTE OF ‘DISAPPOINTED’ NS TO LEGACY COLLEAGUE FNM ALLEGATIO • SAYS GOVT DID NOTHING WRONG OVER $8M PAYOUT • CALLS FOR REVIEW OF DOCUMENTS

ROBERTS: PEET A ‘POLITICAL ENEMY’ FOR ANDROS BID

ROLLE

By RASHAD Reporter Tribune Staff a.net rrolle@tribunemedi Nottage’s DR Bernard forever be will “footprints the Bahamian etched on landscape� fordevelopmental work as a through his of the Bahamer president of Athletic mas Association the Bahamas the Associations, Medical Association, and as a afMinDoctors’ Union consumer FORMER Prime reminister for health and to accept the ister Perry Christie a defeat, was as I did when I fairs, education, Opposifor it arrears, into pictured yesterday. W. national security, who was in sponsibility response to Photo: Terrel Philip “Brave� airport tenant described recent resigned,� he said in Staff levelled tion Leader as Carey/Tribune the criticism recent from accusations Mr Christie Davis said Wednesday. in questions on 71, died administration spending, misfea- moves made by the government pandering at his administration Dr Nottage, the Cleveby a party of irresponsible WELLS at a “misstep� thought

By RICARDO Reporter Wednesday He will receive sance and cronyism. that weeks. never any he was “disap- to its base. acceptmaintained Tribune Staff “There was land Clinic. ia.net He also said allegations being in arrangethat I was degree relating Mr Christie by the rwells@tribunemed gova state funeral announced, documents would on my part for any Per- pointed�around by the new be a review of irresecments to Prime Minister tossed matters that to these two controversies of any ing responsibility of criminality,notion to the press the FORMER condemned concerning as according the whatsoever term administration and yesterday ernment Office of his last absolve his and prove that much sponsible spending ry Christie retary for the bare’ is just Minnis administra- transpired during Anthony is as noth- that ‘the cupboard is wrongdoing efforts by the his government in Prime Minister, prime minister.at accusations from of the FNM’s rhetoric slogans.� tion to portray as he challenged Newbold. “political political slogans.�

Hitting back Minnis adminislight, SEE PAGE SIX ing more than challenges I have SEE PAGE THREE a negative leader to carry out a of the the controvergovernof the members “One of the the nation’s who led the $8m to examination tration concerning of more thanclean up as the person led the government “dispassionate who sial pay out at and for hurricane record�. interview to an ment one vendor off of $1.2m During a lengthy home on Thursand the write his Cable Beach defended his day, Mr Christie

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energy. solar, to produce of agreeof Works The heads the governMINISTER said challenges, Desmond Bannister ment requires to “address concerns� pressed certain and BPL delayed today marks which he suggestedof docu- he has “serious Power and ment and consistent WHILE with Bahamas to “keep the reliable of electricity on the for both sitsubmission the deadlineformer parlia- the tell- supply Providence, Light’s ability are chal- lights on this summer,� of island of New ting and to file financial ments. the abiliAmong these the lack will include finanmentarians Public Discloing The Tribuneprevent the whichmeet the requirements with obtaining may ty to disclosures, Chair- lenges from spouses, cial records in situations reliability from fulfilling of the project.� sure Commission the instalLaroda told requireoper- government This involves supporting man Myles yesterday that particularly Mar all the necessary they may have all lation “of The Tribunestill some that wherebank accounts prior ments in the Baha necessary to ated there were He said there heads of agreement.he is al- infrastructure that SEE PAGE FIVE are “outstanding�.yesterday, to marriage. some unwillingHe added at new, alIn an interview in his dis- was also and apprehension ready “looking including said ways,�

Mr Laroda some persons ness SEE PAGE THREE ternative cussions with to make who are required they exthe disclosures,

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Six shot dead in 48 hours including 15 boy aged

rch ‘We will still ma ion’ without permiss

observed would be the holiday date of the historic the PLP month that the 50th on the actual January 10. nounced last mark event, Tuesday, in the public holirevealed a march to Rule.

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Office on organian attempt This latest the permis- that forth� the Cabinet group’s the same route by many as back for the a blow to and government’s DORSETT rejected the Rawson another set planned to protest on ernment to strike event by We without the Wednesday in

By SANCHESKA sation that of a second Reporter 9 - the original sion. with The Trib- application to protest Tribune Staff Squares because Monday, January announced for success Bahamas. edia.net In an interview II said “there March Parliaments date another sdorsett@tribunem SEE PAGE SIX Mr Bostwick and the and conflicts with for that observance Day. the une, it compromise� by this the “event Majority Rule this month being denied will be no already booked be deterred DESPITE that However, earlier and Parliament group will “not fascist coercion event� in Parliament Party date.

Majority use of Rawson Liberal rights and attempt toward a protest on an- was announced Progressive Squares for January, We March and the abuse of our Bradley Roberts Rule Day in John Bost- constitutional freedoms�. lead or- Chairman Facebook, demonBahamas organiser In a post on yesterday the wick II said go on as planned, on stration “will

AS ZIKA ‘STAY VIGILANT’ TO 25 CASE TOTAL RISES

BASIS FOR ROLLINS: NO LEGALREBEL SEVEN DISCIPLINING THE

HUSBAND KILLED AFTER GUNMEN FORCED COUPLE TO STOP CAR

DORSETT

By SANCHESKA Reporter Tribune Staff edia.net and sdorsett@tribunem of Bimini toDORSETT the islands

By SANCHESKA bringing the Eleuthera, cases Tribune Staff Reporter CHIEF Superintendent

By AVA TURNQUEST officeredia.net Reporter tal to 25 confirmed Clayton Fernander, Tribune Chief sdorsett@tribunem media.net of the Central nationwide. in-charge Unit, warned a lull, quiet aturnquest@tribune MP “This is like said.

Detective FORT Charlotte last to be “exDr McMillan samofficials yesRollins said no get HEALTH residents to period,� drivers yesterday Dr Andre after armed will be continue to tra cautious� couple to stop terday urged against en- “We they send them in for night that “there a action� taken as no furmen forced in the middle remain vigilantfactors that ples Nabut we have good. disciplinary seven Free their vehicle vironmental who against the shooting despite testing which is road before and tional Movement MPs Dr ther cases, breed mosquitoes Key, Rich- of the driver.

Leader local transmis- We’re still monitoring Chipman, Edison Neilly, and and killing the Fernander the “lull� in ousted party as leader of Theo from left, Hubert Zika virus. doing our surveillance.

Chief Supt have been Hubert Minnis Staff be- THE REBEL SEVEN of, Butler-Turner, Neko Grant, sion of the believe armed Public Health Hanna/Tribune “I think we as it relates the Official Opposition, Director of said police be the motive basis ard Lightbourn, Loretta yesterPhoto: Shawn well may out cause there is no legal progressing Dr Pearl McMillan Executive CommitHe said the that there to getting the message Andre Rollins. case robbery the killing. have “hapheeding for such a move. a formal support FNM’s not have a day confirmed widespread tee would group’s actions for and persons no new conthat could came He added been lodged solidify a new leader.� have been since the de- there Zika thing the incidentto anyone�. because the around on it. This July, which is when objection has pened firmed cases came in an “were consistent with took place press release protected His remarks case against “the bogus charges� down in The murder to quespartment’s and the get our first to 9pm on Tuesconstitutionally 5, which raised against him e-mail in response shorty after December of cases in New we usually MillenSEE PAGE SIX levelled members of Parliaright of parliamentarians leadfrom The Tribune. the area of the number six other Tonique in the tions Rollins echoed the recall a parliamentary have day in from 22 to 23.on Dr Gardens, offHighway, longer Island who took partDr Minno nium Providence they ment Long each of case er when ability Williams Darling sentiments There is one action of removing Butler-Turner confidence in his/her the country’s post. Dr Rollins MP Loretta Hubert and brought to 109 for the nis from the number of and St Anne’s MP week to lead.� count said a growing who last to The TribSEE PAGE THREE murder admitting “that were Chipman, year, according FNMs are of action for said the if the matter the une’s records. court, the the best course Fernander take under to to be taken to Chief Supt is the party to victim, identisaid the present circumstances as Kendrick fied by police driving with was of the foreign Simms, when another car mians, most won’t re- his wife, committee of them forcemployees tee next month, Smith said formerall that is due to them. pulled aheadstop. ceive ROLLE them to they will, Chairman James

By RASHAD Reporter Smith said a “high ing“The man was drivMr yesterday. money was givMillennium Tribune Staff a.net however, receive Since the ing through basis by rrolle@tribunemedi SEE PAGE FIVE figure�. en on an ex-gratia SEE PAGE FIVE former em- the China Export-Import FOREIGN will and was inBaha Mar Bank (EXIM) for Bahaployees of the government tended primarily be paid by Commitappointed Claims

PARTIAL PAYMENT

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By SANCHESKA Reporter Tribune Staff edia.net sdorsett@tribunem are dead, SIX people ju15-year-old including a another man is venile, and his life in hosfighting for four separate pital after in less shooting incidents in the capital. than 48 hours took the The homicides count to country’s murder 43 days of the 26 for the first to The new year, according Tribune’s records. an isPolice launchedlast night of land-wide search suspected for two men dead in Yelthe shooting a man Gardens in low Elder latest incident.bloody weekDespite the Commisend, Assistant Police Stephen sioner of “hundreds� of Dean said were patrolpolice officers over the past ling the streetseffort to keep an few days in well as visitors the public as safe. officer-inMeanwhile Central Decharge of theChief Superintective Unit, Fernander tendent Clayton after a implored parentsto “keep a killing on Friday on their chilwatchful eye� their young dren, especially boys.

Fernander Supt Chief have launched said police for the a massive manhunt the weekend suspects in killings.

SEE PAGE THREE

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TURNQUEST: CHANGES TO MONTAGU ARE SHAMELESS

By AVA TURNQUEST Reporter Tribune Chief media.net aturnquest@tribune MoveFREE National Leader Peter ment Deputyyesterday acTurnquest government of cused the gerrymander“shameless recently tabled ing� over that he boundary changes the “deliberclaims affect of middle ate elimination from the forclass areas� constituency. mer Montagu with The In an interview characterised Tribune he boundary and the proposed a “desperate changes as emoattempt to the perverted� tionally manipulate electorate.

SEE PAGE 11

EQUIPMENT AT FAULT FOR SERIES OF BPL OUTAGES

By AVA TURNQUEST Reporter Tribune Chief media.net aturnquest@tribune “catastrophic�

THE outages that island-wide Providence plagued Newstemmed from late last year equipment Pier widespread the Clifton to failures at according Power Station, and Light. vehicle.

Bahamas Power reported escape in a were taken The companyof its investo reports, The victims they are on According findings DORSETT shortly after midnight re- to hospital wherebut stable on the into two islandtigation

By SANCHESKA officers in serious and another Reporter Sunday, the domestic inci- listed wide outages, Tribune Staff occurred a edia.net condition. that shortly major outage that 29 and sponded to sdorsett@tribunem in Valentine Police said November dent at a homeoff Johnson an officers arrested officers, a also between 4 last year, in after 4am, TWO police wife, are in Subdivision While at the the shooter, who was December sent to the a Terrance. with a from gunshot internal memo husband and stable condition home, a man armed the of- suffering Police also recov- government and obtained serious but multithe shot approached wounds.

by The Tribune. after they were responding shotgun both of them ered a shotgun from SEE PAGE 11 ficers and shot to flee ple times whileincident�. attempting The suspect.

SEE PAGE 12 to a “domestican adult male, before police said.

HowPolice have by one of the the scene, returned fire. con- officers suspect was able to who was shot custody in ever the officers, in the shooting. with nection

shootings one of six fatal area on Friday, Staff in the Englerston in the calendar above.

W. Carey/:Tribune as shown at Peardale Park Photos: Terrel from the scene to be a deadly February, boy is taken a 15-year-old 12 so far in what has proven THE BODY of and one of over the weekend,

S IN HOSPITAL TWO POLICE OFFICER D BY SHOTGUN AFTER BEING BLASTE

UNVEILS SELF-HELP

to “fully undo much more senseless set derstand this and have law

By NICO SCAVELLA Reporter of killings,� respond “as Tribune Staff edia.net enforcement and in nscavella@tribunem as possible� in Perry quickly meaningful way�

PRIME Ministerlikened a “very fighting efforts. their crime Mr ChrisChristie yesterday crime situThese efforts,would likely the Bahamas’“Wild West,� suggested, a “subation to the recent wave tie dedicating the as he said in the capital include number of officstreets of of murders a “major� and stantial� to patrol the and simust solicit effort by his ers New Providence them “continuous� to “flood multaneously giving in to interdict administration with officers “the capacity of people the streets� that is necesmovements incorporata bid to do “all this madness the on the streets,� police ofsary to bring ing more reserve to a halt�. speaking and “if necessary�

Mr Christie, yesterday, ficers, Royal Bahamarines with reporters occur- incorporating Defence Force said the “madness� activity mas efforts. gang to policing in ring is due also said he Mr Christie with and retaliation. past bloody be speaking He said the a “shocking would SEE PAGE THREE weekend is that will reto development� government press speaking at a Staff quire the Greenslade of Police Ellison Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Photo: COMMISSIONER conference yesterday.

Act, Chapter Suppression boxer was of human trafficking.53, of 106.

The former with three JOHNSON James Coakley, Andros

By LAMECH Reporter also charged filed under on Ross Staff Cargill Creek, of rape before Chief edia.net a double shooting lamented Tribune was broughtJoyann Fergu- counts 6(a) of the Sexual ljohnson@tribunem recent inciyesterday, Section 99. It nature of the three mosthave left one Corner in Magistrateto answer to two Offences Act, Chapter in “too bold� in the capappeared WELLS he engaged in perdents, which three others the A MAN yester- son-Pratt

By RICARDO Reporter occurring of trafficking Section is alleged that man dead andserious condi- crimes as he insisted Magistrate’s Court as- counts to Tribune Staff SEE PAGE SIX in ia.net ital recently, of sexually of prolific sons contrary Trafficking in hospital rwells@tribunemed a “handful hell-bent day accused woman during 3(1)(a) of the and of the that remain saulting a holidays. and po- tion.

Persons Prevention Officer-in-charge Unit, offenders� the public.

AS the country the Christmas a victim in Detective to grapple on terrorising alleged to be lice continue spate of vio- CentralSuperintendent ClaySEE PAGE THREE She is speaking to with the latest law enforce- Chief Fernander, scene of lent crimes, are seeking ton media on the ment officials assistance in the DORSETT the public’s

By SANCHESKA Reporter Tribune Staff edia.net sdorsett@tribunem placed authorof an law as it investigatallow the ity solely in the hands POLICE are sura judiciary, The bill will of police, or independent ICB met ing the circumstances of a commissioner on his behalf, the the death was that the

By AVA TURNQUEST Reporter standards rounding boy who person actingwarrant from a adding Tribune Chief media.net recent three-year-old in a car to obtain a to in- international aturnquest@tribune Court judge per- and also addressed found unresponsive daycare yesof the Listening General Supremeand examine a front of his tercept from criticismsAct by the Privy in ATTORNEY terday afternoon.

Devices communications the toddler ns opera- Council.

Allyson Maynard-Gibson the In- son’s The body of shortly afand telecommunicatio any suggestiona yesterday defended said providers discovered a She was was of Communica- tors, internet Monday by terception ter 2pm on that the legislation an important postal services. yesterday, “spying bill� was false.

SEE PAGE SIX tions Bill as tool that would In a statement exanti-crime privacy of lawSEE PAGE FIVE was Mrs Maynard-Gibson enhance the rather than that this move in Bahamiabiding citizensit, as detrac- plained unprecedented encroach upon FOR YOU... tors claim.

SO GOOD

certain neighbourhoods� do so DORSETT and the suggestion to no

By SANCHESKA and makes Reporter is “emotional Tribune Staff edia.net sense�. came sdorsett@tribunem His comments rethe country after the country DESPITE homicides in hours its 27th homicide for of corded Seven people have recording 13 the year.

13 days, Commissioner Greenslade been killed since Friday. afternoon, Police Ellison is not in a On Monday said the Bahamas and the reported that “crisis� police also outside a state of can conwas stabbed Nassau on day man average Bahamian about their the an establishment men were tinue to “go two without Street while in the area of as normal day� attacked. shot while victims fear of being conference Ross Corner. These stable on At a press to be in of were said in hospital. at police headquarters a weekend Monday afterCommissioner condition Commissioner it is simso“carnage�, said said the only for people Greenslade country’s crime Greenslade not enough at the lution to the “keep prolific ply the finger to crisis� of He to “point problem is times bars�. in their offenders behind Bahamas police to “manage not yet refuse said the Royal (RBPF) is SEE PAGE THREE Police Force implementing considering “locking down a curfew or

ONE DEAD,

LATEST ATTACKS THREE HURT IN

EX-BOXER ON RAPE,

TRAFFICKING CHARGES

3, FOUND BILL BOY, : INTERCEPTION IT DEAD IN CAR ATTORNEY GENERAL PRIVACY, NOT HARM WILL ENHANCE

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FIGHTING DEPRESS

By AVA TURNQUEST Reporter Tribune Chief media.net aturnquest@tribune Bahamas Bar FORMER President ElsAssociation yesterday worth Johnsoncalls for Bajoined activistorganise prohamians to resistance tests and public tabled Interto the recently he ception of Communications 2017, which Bill (ICB) spying called “dangerous� legislation. who was Mr Johnson, week as the ratified last Movement’s Free National Yamacraw, for pubcandidate the level of bill, questioned on the lic consultationthat it imunderscoring entrenched deeply pacted SEE PAGE SIX

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Hurriis so devastated the island as Ragged Island remained on “Every home has Minnis warns with those who last week. destroyed. The Minister Dr Hubert Rag- discussion battered their homes has been has been health facility on storm-stricken Min- cane Irma Prime teachers’ residence no water. destroyed. The and safety conditions to deteriorate, urged the 18 been has been destroyed. The is no light. There is HEALTH he smell the school will only continue destroyed. There about, you can yesterday as The in the afterged Island Minnis said to evacuate “As we walkcarcasses, dead animals. deister Dr Hubert on the island reduced will stench of dead of the individuals remaining residentsIrma, which has them REPORT that we get of rubble and SPECIAL health conditions Russell, math of Hurricane it’s essential there to piles Words: Khrisna W Carey teriorate and Dr Minnis said. most structures the only Pictures: Terrel island unlivable. Dr Minnis off this island,� reluctant to leave for rendered the stay here,� saw for the understandablyhome, expressing concern “They cannot as Many were and a delegation and days ever known through said after he damage left by Irma place they’ve hurricane ripped of their residences, first time the Five monster will have about the safety personal belongings. behind. We Defence by the smell after the Category island. “They are concerned may have left and the exacerbated of all es- whatever materials they the small southern a vessel here the same physical condition, the destruction still Force dispatch the cleanup and at The island’s carcasses and strongly urge those the Defence Minnis said. THREE of rotting animalled Dr Minnis to small community can Force will try to commence security,� Dr SEE PAGE that there is sential services, to leave until the time ensure Island has been on Ragged Ragged Island and be restored. to the residents; a walk through “I’ve spoken Minnis said following Dr devastated,�

THURSDAY

THE ELECTION

host Deal� with LAMECH JOHNSON “The Real Reporter

By KHRISNA Reporter Archdea- By BROWN Tribune Staff edia.net Ortland Bodie, Deputy Chief

By SANCHESKA said this elecia.net Reporter con Palacious “difficult� for ljohnson@tribunem kvirgil@tribunemed Tribune Staff edia.net Sr was tion will be and the FNM Move- sdorsett@tribunem of OMAR Archer both the PLP is no FREE National Dr Hubert Archdea- and at this point there how yesterday convicteda senment Leader to harm ANGLICAN gauge said said the threatening way to “properlygo.�

Minnis yesterday“all hands con James Palacious officer through need that the Progres- the results will came one ior police his social media FNM will vote the Pro- yesterday Party appears a post to two years ago.

His comments on deck� to Party gov- sive Liberal its life�

Deputy Prime nearly he to be “fighting for neither day after Phillip “Brave� page 45-year-old Nassau gressive Liberal of office as that The ernment out Day, May and predicted party nor the Ministerpredicted that the Village resident appeared Davis heralded Election seats in the SEE PAGE SEVEN Movement that will bring the governing will win 30 10, as a day Free Nationalseats in next PLP SEE PAGE TWO 30 change. spoke dur- will wingeneral election. at month’s Dr Minnis on conference as a guest ing a press Appearing SEE PAGE THREE

WIPEOUT: Prime

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WELLS

By RICARDO Reporter Tribune Staff ia.net rwells@tribunemed concern ADMITTING Bernard Notin over what Dr have battled last tage may his isolation during Prime Minisdays, former yesterday for ter Perry Christie admiration the expressed forth by the effort put security to former national the build-up minister in election. the May general from his Breaking away since being public silence office in hisof a voted out last month, toric fashion Mr Chrishis visibly troubled portions of his tie detailed with last conversation and longfriend on childhood colleague time political Thursday.

Centreville The former Nottage as Dr MP saw “fought tehis someone who throughout naciously� loved and he those he life for a trait he said supported, up to their saw on display last conversation. PAGE SIX SEE

A TRIBUNE medical treatment.

Liberal were obtaineda from a ther’s PROGRESSIVE Bradley The emails EMAILS leaked following of China Con- by The Tribune Party Chairmanout at his highdata breach (CCA) Roberts lashed story in December of CCA struction America’s colleague Vinthat from the breach former party night, accusservers show2013, Jerome lighting by a San Francisco cent Peet last North Anto servers China Construction as early as was seeking ing the former Islands MP hacker.

Fitzgerald of dollars eventually paid 24 bitcoins dros and Berry enemy� $24,000) secure millions trucking, and (the equivalent of of being a “political an independin brokerage, to their servat Baha who mounted because he to have access it aplimousine contracts showing a resat in Cabinet ers restored; however, ent campaigna nomination forwarded leaked emails Mar while he of Educathat emails ONE of the Education, Sciwas denied party.

Minister of as the Minister and Tech- pears relating to personnel quest from or Jerome Fitzgerald. from the governing tion, Science Tribune has to, to PLP supcompromised, ence and Technology Speaking at CCA were in The nology, The a rally in North officials at Baha porters at night, Mr Robagent for Limolink despite top they were not learned. which his Bahamas. You are encourcontradict the saying at from Andros last is war� as faThe emails this week de- Mar clientele with a reference by the hack if erts said “this writes, “I limousine company was vote aged to get of Viacom Minister, who his office to concerned the crowd toPerry Mr Fitzgerald matime. the president feel free he urged Dr nied ever using to himself the an email dated May 18, am aware that interior arrive miliar. with regard the you wish. Please In for incumbent that a vote “Also Izmirlian terials have began to really we direct contracts me personally adding business from the mul- 2013, sent to Mr the to contact with contact Gomez, hotel. I would or his family resort. is a vote for be limousine meet with or have your agents Mr Fitzgerald, Cur- for the for Mr Peet Movement. it if we couldbro- are ready to he Shelly ti-billion dollar - the Pro- by our Managing Porter, appreciate anytime,�

National Porter Free official Mr Quentin Mr Fitzgerald Party MP your people Fill copied, appointed your SEE PAGE SIX his Director directly.� tis and Alarice 1st 2013.� writes. gressive Liberal we really ker for June - appears also Mr Fitzgerald indicates a request TWO & THREE “As indicated cusSEE PAGES for Marathon start brokerage $20,000 He then makesfor limouto highend for readiness to only cater to be requesting official Baha Mar’s and trucking services and of Mr Izmirlian Baha Mar, tomers and are the project a month from Sarkis services at of Baha Mar of re- sinehe touted the level original developer the ex- the as the brokers citing remain Izmirlian, were necessary for the property. penses that cost of his fa- cord to cover the Healthcare hisMarsh Harbour a tortured ROLLE Centre has missed deadBy RASHAD Reporter tory, one of of shoddy Tribune Staff a.net claims lines and all without rrolle@tribunemedi of- workmanship, accountability.

GOVERNMENT the any clear facility’s original The bankrupt. ficials commissioned Healththe contractor went of Marsh Harbour in Abaco yesConstruction care Centre a longcentre began as it Ingraham terday, touting to the island healthcare under the former awaited boost adminisin and the Christie Health administration.

Christie adhealth centre When the Staff tration’s National tours the new came to power, RASPBERRY Perry Christie the W. Carey/Tribune Insurance plans. and Ado- ministration renovating Photo: Terrel ICED TEA PRIME Minister it spent $1m Like the Child SEE PAGE SIX Abaco yesterday.

Robert Smith lescent and that was (CARS) Complex last year, the commissioned

R HEALTH MARSH HARBOU

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By SANCHESKA Reporter Tribune Staff edia.net sdorsett@tribunem yesFIREFIGHTERS a large blaze terday battled Providence at the New three weeks Landfill, nearly a massive that after tackling city dump fire at the nearly a month. burned for Charge of Fire Officer in Chief SuperinServices, Evans said tendent Walter is “not confire the the current any way to this nected� in and at previous blazedo not know time officials the fire. Howwhat caused Minister ever Environment told rehe Kenred Dorsett the site that porters at “sabotage� in said suspected the fire. He relation to the team he “instructed�to have the of firefighters “before and blaze extinguished day� today nomination Baha Mar’s certainly before Friday. opening on started shortly The blaze and Wednesday after 3am said officEvans Chief Supt battle the fire to but ers expect another day for at least wind is a “huge� he said the factor.

SEE PAGE SIX

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ManEmergency actiThe National after they agement Agency (NEMA) the police management cations with from entering the vated its emergency evacuation and an DORSETT were blocked at the Kenplan yesterday

By SANCHESKA Reporter area. were also shelter was established at the Tribune Staff edia.net Several persons with respira- dal G L Isaacs Gymnasium Centre sdorsett@tribunem to the hospital Elizabeth Sports during Gar- rushed on Queen as a shelter in Jubilee tory complaints.

Tribune arrivedwere which was used - for displaced RESIDENTS to evacuate their When The residents last hurricane dens were forced after a massive the scene, several as the the believed on their roofs,homes. residents. landfill homes yesterday the dump is smaller Providence pouring water their a The fire at fire at the Newcommunity in thick, blaze grew closer to started by for Tall to have been Road.

Parliament blanketed the smoke.

Member of Miller was also assist- bush fire off Fire Trail black hazardous the Royal Bahamas Pines Leslie in hosing down their TWO AND THREE entrance Members of SEE PAGES blocked the visibility ing residentsproviding transportaPolice Force as homes and who needed help. residents to the subdivision tion for those zero. Angry dropped to in verbal alterbecame involved fire off Fire a smaller bush to the city spread have ed by Movement fre- Trail Road that blanketed Jubilee Gard smoke in Jubilee the Free National The fire areas in prevent the in bush to dump. flees from the DORSETT YOUNGSTER done enough the New Providence Gardens and surrounding landfill that started at and threatened A at the New Providence to evacuate their homes.

By SANCHESKA Reporter quent fires have caused some of thick, black smoke officials fire were asked Photos: Shaw Tribune Staff prompting issues. edia.net Landfill that Many residents respiratory mas- several homes, sdorsett@tribunem them to develop SEE PAGE THREE came as a owners in JubiTheir comments at the landfill, raging ANGRY home was startyesterday expressed sive fire was lee Gardens concern that neither which officials believe nor disgust and Liberal Party the Progressive desp WELLS spon

By RICARDO offe cases of im- Tribune Staff Reporter ia.net enced alleged dev officials solicitROLLE migration from migrants rwells@tribunemed

By RASHAD Reporter his developer ing bribes Tribune Staff beatings of a.net THE originalMar resort wil and alleged prisoners in rrolle@tribunemedi of the Baha the resort’s Ma migrants and States has de- im yesterday said THE United Bahamas custody. the Ministry continued completiondates wo the Yesterday, the opening highlighted “intimida- of Foreign Affairs said lays, missedsupposed stag- tr government’s cr “inaccurate� and “now of the en- se report had tion of non-governmental and efforts and in some cases “incom- gered opening� into late next p organisations� and autire property Sarkis plete� information. an incident year shows that superi- B by the government inhibit “free Referring to Minoffer “is thorities to criminal Education Izmirlian’s Fitzgerald or� to the current situation. for in which speech through as problems this, and ister Jerome libel laws�

However, despite SEE PAGE 12 in its latest the Bahamas report. human rights also referThe report

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THE TRIBUNE from page one This came as The Bahamas National Trust yesterday pointed to Carnival’s guilty plea in 2016 to serious pollution charges and the violation of its probation conditions.

In light of this, the BNT said it was very concerned about these “destructive and illegal practises,” urging the government to do what was necessary to discourage future occurrences.

Carnival ships dumped hundreds of thousands of gallons of treated sewage and more than 8,000 gallons of food waste in 2017, according to a US courtmandated report.

In so doing, the corporation violated the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), which specifies how food waste and sewage must be disposed.

In a statement yesterday ahead of the House of Assembly’s morning session, Mr Wells said the government was carefully reviewing information regarding Carnival Cruise Lines’ vessels within and around the coastal waters of this country over the course of 2017.

“The government of The Bahamas finds these allegations most disturbing and takes the matter seriously and as such has engaged all relevant government ministries and departments to facilitate a comprehensive review and to review and

Thursday, April 25, 2019, PAGE 3

Tougher marine laws in pipeline to provide an appropriate response commensurate to the actions,” the minister said.

“Whilst the ships named are not Bahamas flagged, the allegations if founded would be considered serious violations of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships 1973/1978 to which the Bahamas is party. As the port and coastal state in which the violations may have occurred, The Bahamas will investigate and take measures as appropriate.”

The statement continued: “The government has asked the Port Department and the Bahamas Maritime Authority to engage with Carnival and other relevant parties to conduct the investigation into these allegations.

“Contact has already been made with Carnival, who is cooperating fully with The Bahamas and have pledged full transparency

in the investigation into the circumstances of this matter.

“Having regards to the US courts ordered five-year environmental compliance plan of Carnival, the BMA has requested from Carnival the US Court auditors ECP 2018 report. The government has been reassured of a comprehensive investigation by the BMA in accordance with international standards.

“Any recommendations arising from the investigation will be implemented to ensure that such incidents do not recur.”

Yesterday, Mr Bethel also weighed in on the controversy, saying stronger environmental laws are being worked on. “. . .The Minister of Environment Romi Ferreira has been aggressively pressuring my drafting officers to work on an Environmental Protection Act for several months, and we are engaged in that process

with his ministry and the Bahamian people can rest assured that we hope that before the end of this year, and hopefully before end of the summer, we will have a comprehensive series of environmental protection laws to further enhance the ability of this country not only to in a sense manage its own environment in an environmentally friendly way, but also properly sanction those who would abuse the privileges that they enjoy to come, for example, and sail in our waters,” Mr Bethel said.

“There are also instances of dumping habits that contribute to the pollution and plastic pollution in our oceans and these practices by guests in our country must be eradicated forthwith. Forthwith.

“And so yes, the Bahamian people can rest assured that we will have [a] very aggressive suite of environmental protection laws that will give

It is time that the government brought into force, the environmental bylaws which the Grand Bahama Port Authority prepared nearly 20 years ago and has been begging the government to implement so that protecting the environment can have regulatory teeth within Freeport for all residents and licensees.”

Earlier this week this newspaper reported how Carnival Corporation broke international environmental laws many times in

Bahamian waters, according to a newly-released court mandated report.

The report, which covers April 2017 to April 2018 and was prepared by a US court-appointed monitor, reveals how Carnival illegally dumped hundreds of thousands of treated sewage in Bahamian waters along with more than 8,000 gallons of food waste.

And in December 2016, the Princess Cruise Lines, a subsidiary of a Carnival Corporation, pleaded guilty to seven felony counts related to vessel pollution and efforts to conceal that pollution, one count of conspiracy, four counts of failure to maintain accurate records and two counts of obstruction of justice. The cruise line had to pay a $40 million criminal penalty, the largest ever for deliberate vessel pollution.

The dumping violated the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) which specifies how food waste and sewage must be disposed.

The US government has extracted millions from companies over the years by aggressively enforcing compliance with MARPOL, but

the minister all necessary powers to sanction and to prevent, and where he can’t prevent, to obtain recompense of those who violate and destroy or damage our environment.”

When asked how these laws would be enforced, Mr Bethel acknowledged the country’s geographical makeup would make it difficult. “. . .It’s extremely difficult for a country with a population our size and the limitations of geography to police every square inch

of our waters. And also remember that there are several major international shipping routes through The Bahamas. And so, it is a difficult job. But all I can say is that we will do what we have to do to arm the necessary government agencies with the lawful authority to deal with any breaches either as they occur, before any damage is inflicted, or after they occur.”

Asked if there are current laws that can be used in this situation, Mr Bethel said: “We are looking at all of the powers - and there are certainly certain rights under the international convention…. and I have my officers exploring everything as we speak.”

In the face of backlash over the situation, Tourism and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar told The Nassau Guardian on Monday new legislation may be necessary to prevent long-term environmental damage by cruise lines.

it is not clear whether The Bahamas has the legislative framework in place to do the same.

Yesterday, Attorney General Carl Bethel said the government hopes that by the end of the year, and “hopefully” by the end of the summer, “we will have a comprehensive series of environmental protection laws to further enhance the ability of this country”.

Meanwhile, the BNT noted it is “very concerned about this issue” and is “taking a close look at this matter”, in a statement

released yesterday. “We trust that the relevant government agencies are aware of these charges, and will be tracking developments so as to discourage future occurrences of such destructive and illegal practices, in Bahamian waters and elsewhere in our oceans,” BNT noted.

The BNT added it is prepared to lend its support to help the country create any policies or legislation needed to “better regulate the cruise lines and visiting pleasure craft, as well as the local pleasure and commercial fleets.”

MP RENWARD WELLS

SMITH: WE NEED AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

THE Carnival Cruise line dumping fiasco highlights the “urgent need” for the Minnis administration to pass a comprehensive Environmental Protection Act (EPA), says attorney Fred Smith, QC. In a statement released yesterday, Mr Smith also noted the over $40m fine imposed on Carnival by United States courts for various offences provides The Bahamas with a “perfect model” for cruise ship oversight legislation.

He added that if The Bahamas had previously passed an EPA — as the Minnis Administration promised while in opposition — The Bahamas could have had its own environmental officers inspecting each cruise ship that enters its waters, thus creating jobs.

The Bahamas National Trust also released a statement highlighting its concern about the dumping saga.

“Revelations of the dumping of sewage and food waste by cruise ships within our maritime borders is a clear sign of the urgent need for the Bahamas to police its own waters,” Mr Smith said, adding the country can no longer leave protecting its environment in the hands of the US or international agencies.

“In order to do this, however, the government must immediately pass a comprehensive [EPA] applicable to all marine and terrestrial operations, ventures, developments, etc. that take place within this jurisdiction.

“This was a promise made by the [Free National Movement] while in opposition, which they seem to have conveniently forgotten in the two years since coming to office.”

Mr Smith also highlighted the response of the US courts “and the opportunity it reveals for the Bahamas in our own efforts to protect the marine environment from pollution and other major environmental pressures”.

“The courts found that the dumping was the

FRED SMITH, QC. result of individual cases of human error, not any plan or policy on the part of Carnival, and imposed a $40 million fine, which the company has paid.

The incidents came to light because in 2016, the courts had ordered that Carnival assign, at their own cost, environmental compliance officers to each and every ship who would report to the court on a regular basis,” Mr Smith continued.

“Here, we have what I believe is a perfect model for our own legislative regime of cruise ship oversight – continuous monitoring with hefty fines and penalties. In fact, if the government had moved swiftly on its promise to pass an [EPA], we could have already had our own environmental officers on each and every ship that passes through our waters, funded by the cruise companies, and the $40 million paid by Carnival to the US courts could have been collected into our own special fund for use in environmental protection initiatives.”

Mr Smith also noted under the Hawksbill Creek Agreement and under the Freeport Act, the Grand Bahama Port Authority has been “begging” the government to implement environmental bylaws for Freeport since 1993, “as they were required to do so”.

“We have huge land and sea projects that are on the table over the coming years in the Bahamas, and particularly in Freeport.

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PAGE 4, Thursday, April 25, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

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A day late and a dollar short OF all the questions raised in the wake of Carnival cruise ships dumping sewage and food waste in our waters, perhaps the most pointed is this: Where are the laws that would bring us compensation when incidents like this occur?

Across in the US, incidents involving Carnival led to a $40m fine – money which, if it was in Bahamian coffers, could pay for remediation of any damage, costs of the court case and a good chunk left over for the Treasury.

We wouldn’t have known about the dumping at all if it were not for the monitoring by the US. Without such laws here, how are we to know about any other incidents of no importance to our American neighbours? Each of those could bring more fines if we knew about them – and are we really to believe this is the only cruise line that will ever have done this?

Unfortunately, such laws aren’t in place in The Bahamas – and so our coffers will go unfilled.

It’s not for a lack of promises, however.

Fred Smith QC is quite right to point out that on the campaign trail and in Opposition, the FNM said they would introduce an Environmental Protection Act. Next month marks two years since Dr Hubert Minnis was elected prime minister – and as yet, no sign of any such act.

Its absence leaves us poorer both in terms of protecting the environment and in financial terms – had such a bill been in place, Carnival might be paying us right now.

When will they come? Well, yesterday Attorney General Carl Bethel was spinning hopes – by the end of the year, he says, hopefully by the end of the summer. In this case, such laws will be more than a day late and more than a dollar short. The PLP has nothing to crow about in this either – from them we have less than promises.

There will be of course a balancing act in creating such laws. The absence of such laws is sure to play a part in investors choosing to come here rather than financing projects in more restrictive countries. Carnival themselves have an investment in the shipyard in Grand Bahama – you can bet they didn’t invest in the shipyard just for our sunshine and clear waters.

But those clear waters do play a major part in what brings the tourists Carnival and other cruise lines to our shores, and so it is fair that we have laws that will protect them. Hand in hand with that go punishments that will serve as an incentive to follow the rules, and there lies the balancing act, making those fair rather than excessive.

Mr Smith even sees such laws as being financially beneficial of themselves for The Bahamas – with Bahamians working as environmental officers examining ships passing through our waters, paid for by the cruise lines to keep standards high.

Such laws might also kickstart investment from organisations committed to environmental protection work. After all, staff would need to be trained, and that expertise can boost the community as a whole.

It sounds like a no-brainer – so where are the laws? With them not featuring in the first two years of the government, are we really to believe they are considered any kind of priority for the FNM? Were those promises just words, or will they back them up with substance? Without them, we’re already out of pocket. Without them, any further dumping by cruise lines will leave us still without any legal remedy. And on the political front, without them, we know how much weight to give the next lot of promises from the FNM when election time comes around again.

Time to ensure our passport office works EDITOR, The Tribune I BEGIN by acknowledging the efforts of the staff at the passport office who are courteous and hardworking but lament the poor system that is in place to serve the Bahamian public.

I visited the office to renew passports for my children and arrived around 10am to find a mass of people waiting inside and outside some standing, many with children. No numbers were available so I could not be served that day.

I was told to try come around 7am. I did so and met the same situation and was told persons had

arrived from 4am and I should return next week.

Surely Bahamian taxpayers deserve to be served better by the public service and treated with dignity.

I appeal to the authorities to establish an online application, payment and appointment system and eliminate the need for applicants to bring in government issued documents, certainly if I provide my passport number, pertinent information, national insurance number the relevant government agencies can communicate with each other to verify my birth and anything else.

In the meantime we can make the requirements

for first time passports, renewals, etc, universally available online and post the information in public spaces and inside and outside the passport office. Information desks at the passport office where persons can verify that they have the correct documents would also be useful.

As currently setup it appears that we do not care about each other and I know that this is not the case. The time has come to provide this essential service in a dignified manner.

SONIA BROWN Nassau April 19, 2019

We need help from the US coast guards EDITOR, The Tribune RBDF … well no excuses now dem boys have radar… range 50 miles that is on shore of Haiti and Dominican Republic! Problem is at HMBS Coral Harbour they miss Haitian sailing sloops sailing under wind right up to their doorstep … will that change?

We hear 100,000 square miles of sovereign territory has to be policed…that ain’t true…maybe 5-6000 square miles off Haiti and Dominican Republic and to the

north less than 100 square miles facing the US. We still can’t patrol this without the constant assistance of the US Coast Guard and sailing public.

These 55 drones the government are planning to acquire? I think the Minister should advise the public of their technological capabilities before any purchase is made. Can the drones listen into cellular conversations? Clearly over flying private property they will video intruding our private space. What and why 55

drones? We know the capabilities of Israeli drones - I raise this as interesting right after the RFP was issued we saw the Minister in a photo-op with a senior Diplomat from Israel…has the Bahamas purchased super technology for spying on us? You don’t need drones to catch speeding traffic just a patrol car driving up and down 24/7…Life can be so simple and it will work.

MARCIA SMITH Nassau, April 21, 2019.

Facing the brutality of politics on the ground EDITOR, The Tribune NOW that we have celebrated and observed the Easter Season, we are faced with the brutality of politics on the ground. The stark inability to resolve so-called issues in the public arena is debilitating and retards the positive development of our wonderful nation.

Communication skills are also missing in action in our political; social and even religious intercourse or interaction with each other.

May I, with your anticipated leave, to discourse on precisely what I mean.

The late great and deeply lamented Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling, our first Prime Minister and recognised “Founding Father”, was a master communicator.

One might not know what he sometimes projected as “public policy” but he had a way with words and a manner of oratorical delivery that few Bahamians, before or since, save for me perhaps, seem to possess.

The FNM and its vaunted leadership cadre, starting with The Most Honourable, have the opportunity to usher in a gilded age in The Bahamas but, for inexplicable reasons, they seem reluctant or, God forbid, reluctant to do so. Their communication skills and non interest in fleshing out their public policy positions, they remain mute and self delusional. It was by a natural political disaster that they came to office almost two years ago.

The then Christie led regime had lost it’s political way and forgotten the original mission statement of the PLP. Now that the unwashed masses, especially right here in New

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Providence, would have witnessed the performance of these people and the FNM government, there is quiet discontent on the streets. It is conceded that too many Bahamians, over the decades of massive political abuses and perceived and overt corruption in the public sector, now expect instant changes and instant political and economic salvation. It does not go like that.

The FNM could well be like most previous administrations which would have been ushered into high office, pardon the pun, and unceremoniously driven out at the end of a single term. What are the alternatives? Of course, we have the iconic Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) waiting in the wings for the “fall” of the current political Minns-Lite regime. That is the narrative. One which I do not subscribe to and let me, again, be clear as day, I am a New Deal PLP who is motivated pure by the original manifesto of the party promulgated back in the 1950’s. It worked quite well then and it will work, again, God willing, one day.

The PLP is not communications savvy, even though we have the available raw resources and access to technology. We also appear to still be shell shocked by the political wipe out which was imposed by God Himself, on us back in 2017. As a party and the one of preference by most right thinking Bahamians, we, under Christie’s benign leadership, fumbled

badly and misread the tea leaves. To this very day, despite meetings and seminars, my party has yet to announce formulated alternative public policy positions to the almost non existent ones of the FNM protectorate.

We are fast becoming the party of reaction instead of the juggernaut to keep hitting this group, where and when necessary with alternatives and not just acting like cry babies and reactionaries. It is okay, sometimes, to be critical but there comes a time when a party that wants power again, must stand and deliver. An age old biblical questions is: “Can these dry bones live again?” God answered the prophet and those same dried up bones, with a great sound, were resurrected.

This is the question which I now pose to my beloved party and leadership “Can these politically dried up bones live again?”

I say yes but there is much work to be done. The continued reactions will not get us too far. Protesting the administration’s choice/s for certain public positions, Like Brother Murphy up at The Bahamas Correctional Centre or sending senior officers on accumulated vacation time prior to eventual retirement. All administrations have the right to appoint whomsoever they will. Publicly questioning the independence and personal integrity of the Auditor General, a creature of statute, is a no no.

To God then, in all things, be the glory.

ORTLAND H. BODIE, JR. Nassau April 21, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, April 25, 2019, PAGE 5

CALL FOR LIMIT ON RETIRED OFFICERS JOINING RESERVES

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

RESEARCHERS are calling for a moratorium on the enlistment of retired officers into the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Reserves after a branch audit uncovered “disturbing” management failures and overall neglect of the programme.

The audit found that management of 1,255 reservists was not based on absolute policy but an interpretation of the rules, and in the absence of proper systems or internal controls, nearly 40 percent of enlisted officers were inactive and had not reported for duty in over a year.

There are 237 reservists serving across five senior posts; however, only two of those ranks are included in the Police Force Act. The report noted 65 reservists were holding positions that were in violation of the act, these included: reserve senior assistant commissioner, reserve assistant commissioner, reserve chief superintendent, and reserve superintendent.

The assigned officers holding unaccounted ranks were all retired senior police officers, according to the report, which

from page one However, the audit said the crackdown unearthed “many dishonest practices”.

The report stated: “Several reserves were submitting timesheets to Commanders who had never supervised or met them. When questioned who they were, where and when they worked many were left speechless. A few senior officers could not be accounted for any divisional duty rota yet they requested pay via timeheets for more than 200 hours.”

The report found some officers were not considered active in their assigned divisions/stations but were still compensated by the Payroll Office; however due to poor personnel management - and the police force’s lack of economic analysis - there was no proper documentation to determine the actual working hours and active status of reservists.

“Throughout the assessment period it was also determined that the police force had turned a blind eye to the established systemic approach of managing the time sheets for police reserves,” the report read.

“As it was discovered, there were Commanders at the respective divisions who never assessed, monitored or evaluated any reserves’ timesheets under their purview.1 It continued: “Unfortunately, it was also noted some officers were falsifying their actual duty hours when deployed on assignments such as cook-outs or band practice. Many had

noted Cabinet approval was granted for the rank of superintendent and higher.

The report, tabled in Parliament yesterday, follows a manpower audit of the RBPF last year that recommended an independent report was done on the reservist branch.

Unorthodox practices revealed by the manpower audit were also present at the reservist level, and upon enlistment, many retired career officers retained their senior ranks or were promoted during the last exercise.

While the police Reserves were commanded by a reserve assistant commissioner, who served as national commandant, there was another officer who held a higher rank of reserve senior assistant commissioner.

Similar to the wider police force, gender disparities persisted in the reservist branch with women accounting for 28.9 percent of enlisted officers.

Based on the 2018 Manpower Audit it was determined that two (or 1.44) reservists were required to complement the strength for every vacant career officer post.

There are 700 officers needed at the constable rank within the police force, according to the audit report, which indicated a

subsequent requirement of 1,011 reservists.

The report calls for a costbenefit analysis to determine if the reservist programme is “truly beneficial in light of the exorbitant salaries and senior members currently serving.”

It also asks National Security Minister Marvin Dames to establish fundamental duties and responsibilities for reservists through mandatory ministerial regulations to limit the discretion of the police commissioner in considering whether to implement the suggested recommendations; and for the Police Act and Force Consolidated Orders to be amended to formally establish standardisation.

The report further calls on the police force to implement policies to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation, and the establishment of a “core committee” to monitor the implementation of the audit’s recommendations.

The report calls for all reservists who have not reported for duty in 13 months to be dismissed, and for all related materials to be returned within seven business days; officers who have not reported for duty between six to 12 months will be required to show cause for their absences,

follow due process set to be established, or face immediate dismissal; and officers who have not reported for duty within the last five months will be issued a letter requesting they report for duty.

The audit report recommends the branch introduce a ceiling cap of 1,000 officers inclusive of retired officers and civilians; enforce the mandatory retirement of all volunteer officers at age 65; and further calls for widespread standardization to incorporate the reservist branch into the RBPF’s overall management system.

It found the roles and expectations for reservists were not clearly defined or understood by the officers or their commanders, while its senior command was “over saturated and facilitated ranks that were in contravention with the Police Act.” Ultimately, the report concluded that it could not be systematically determined whether reservists significantly impacted the police force’s crime reduction mandate or overall policing services due to the branch’s failure to collect timely and relevant information.

“The leadership of the organisation failed to develop and maintain a sound management

system of internal control and governance that would have prevented and detected any form of irregularities and exploitation within the branch,” the report added.

Other recommendations include: establish clearly defined roles and expectations for enlisted reservists, specifically civilian officers, and develop job descriptions for each rank; provide orientation sessions for reservists and clearly communicate their powers as volunteer-civilians are only authorised when on active duty.

It is further recommended the police force introduce a crest for each reservist that identifies them as volunteer police along with an assigned number.

It recommends a new hierarchy structure for reservists: commandant or chief superintendent, deputy commandant or reserve superintendent, three assistant commandants or reserve assistant superintendent, and four reserve inspectors.

The audit was produced by the Research and Development Section of the Ministry of National Security, and prepared by Lt Commander Ricardo Barry, Dr Jennifer Bethel, Chief Officer Derek Noville, and Inspector Lethera Sweeting.

Reserves still paid salaries but don’t show up for work

been allowed to document their own hours on the time sheets then proceeded to have them signed by a desk officer or, in some instances, the reserve’s supervisor.”

In other instances, the report stated it was implicated that some officers serving in ranks of inspector

or higher were abusing their positions by not reporting for duty but still received a full allowance for 150 hours per month.

In one example, an officer claimed to have worked 331.5 hours in one month, and 403.5 hours in another month.

“This practice could only be described as exploitation based on an abuse of entrusted power for personal gain,” the report read.

In addition to the implementation of a clocking terminal at various divisions/departments, and an established policy to

strengthen the verification process, the report also calls for the matter to be forwarded to the Auditor General for further investigation.

This phenomenon was acknowledged by Cabinet in 2013, according to the report.

Reservists are required to work an average of four hours per week with four weeks of entitled vacation, and are not permitted to work more than eight hours per day except for operational contingencies. This schedule amounted to 192 hours per year; however, the report identified the existence of a decade-long culture that saw reservists allowed to work up to 150 hours per month.

Of the 768 officers who turned up for active duty in 2018, the report found 510 officers averaged less than 150 hours; 235 averaged between 150 and 200 hours; while 23 officers worked 200 hours or more.

The phenomenon resulted in the Payroll office having to use contingency funds on a monthly basis to meet reservist salary requirements because budget allocations were based on observed trends.

As such, the budget allocation for reserve officers bloomed from $5.73m for the 2014/2015 fiscal year to $6.82m for the 2017/2018 cycle. The allocation peaked in 2017/2018 at $7.54m.

Recommendations include: establish a formal database to be monitored by the Payroll Office to accurately account for all reservists, and that the Payroll Office conduct a mandatory verification process each year.

“A culture in which Reserve Officers devised their own schedule and failed to report for assigned duties seemed to become entrenched, once again, due to poor management practices of this branch,” the report read.

TECHNOLOGY CENTRAL TO FERGUSON’S POLICING PLANS

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net COMMISSIONER Anthony Ferguson’s 2019 policing plan was tabled in the House of Assembly yesterday featuring among other things a reliance on technology to prevent and reduce crime.

Although the plan utilises much of the same strategies from years past, it proposes to use a broad multifaceted approach to disrupt and end acts of violence wherever they occur.

To do this, the police force is planning to focus on crime hotspots, repeat offenders and collaboration with other law enforcement agencies and the community to strengthen crime prevention.

Organised criminal groups involved in drugs, illegal weapons fraud and other criminal activities will also be targeted by police.

Commissioner Ferguson also plans to heighten police visibility through ongoing patrols in Over-the-Hill communities and strengthen activities that discourage corruption. This effort will be supported by the optimisation of technology, the plan said.

Body worn cameras and a policy for them will also be created and the same will be done for the Shot Spotter technology that was unveiled recently.

The police also say a real-time crime centre will be constructed.

However, no timeline was given for this technological arm.

COMMISSIONER Anthony Ferguson tabled his policing plans for 2019 in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Closed circuit television will also be utilised and expanded in high crime areas, the plan said.

Additionally, drones are to be used in certain areas.

The plan also says that police will ensure DNA laboratory capabilities are expanded.

An online reporting site or an application for non-emergency offences is also to be developed.

The plan seeks to ensure much

of the success achieved by the force in 2018 is repeated in 2019.

These included a 25 percent reduction in murder, an 18 percent decline in the number of reported armed robberies, a 19 percent reduction of attempted robberies and a six percent decrease in robberies.

Last year also saw a 23 percent reduction in shop-breaking and 20 percent reduction in stealing, in

addition to a 19 percent reduction in stolen vehicles.

There was also a 16 percent reduction and six percent reduction in crimes against people and property respectively.

Overall, the plan said there was an eight percent reduction in overall crimes when compared to 2017.

The police further clamped down on other offences.

There were 285 illegal firearms seized and 6,254 rounds of ammunition confiscated. Additionally, 8,439 marijuana plants were uprooted, 10,292 pounds of marijuana seized and 183 pounds of cocaine confiscated.

Authorities further recorded 492,631 answered 911/919 calls and 32,185 non-emergency calls were answered.

The commissioner’s policing plan places further focus on public and road safety.

Noting that traffic fatalities increased by 28 percent in 2018, officers will be deployed at strategic check points and problematic locations at peak times, it was noted. CCTV will also be used to ensure order on the street among motorists.

Speed detection technology and increased use of speed guns are also planned for 2019.

Police also want to collaborate with driving schools and increase speaking engagements on road safety in schools and other public forums.

Also, to ensure compliance the plan wants to deploy adequate police resources to all public events in order to prevent and control incidents of disorder or criminal activity.

This priority further suggests there will be a clampdown on night clubs and bars to ensure there remains compliance with the terms of their licences.

The police will also be working along with the Business Licence Unit to ensure the law is followed.

PAGE 6, Thursday, April 25, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Symonette: Act will boost our economy

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net IMMIGRATION Minister Brent Symonette said yesterday amendments to the Immigration Act will not allow foreigners to compete with Bahamian businesses, but instead will add millions to the economy.

During debate of the amendments at Parliament, Mr Symonette said $430m in salaries could potentially be generated in The Bahamas with $16.5m added to the National Insurance Board.

The amendments will establish two separate visas – a BH1B visa for for a principle employee and a BH4S permit for spouses and dependents.

It ties into the Commercial Enterprises Act and applies to those specialty skill sets defined under that law.

It also allows for exemptions for short-term visas.

The bill was initially tabled on March 27.

“The idea here is this is to come in to meet with a local company and get back out,”

Mr Symonette told the House of Assembly yesterday. “This is not meaning that a person can come in and do an audit for a company and go back out.”

He also said: “The intent is not giving competition or take away work from Bahamians.

“The officer at the airport will see the stamps in your passport and at that point will say work permit needed. While some may feel we are allowing people in the back door that is not what the bill does. The bill allows for denial of entry and prosecution.

“We have to find a way of developing The Bahamas and creating extra revenue.”

Mr Symonette further revealed to the House that as of September 2018, 78 percent of persons who applied for a work permit were processed.

He said the turnaround time is now down to three weeks when it was much more before.

The minister further credited this to the newly installed computer system at the Department of Immigration.

IMMIGRATION Minister Brent Symonette

BY-ELECTIONS SET FOR SEVEN AREAS THE Parliamentary Registration Department announced yesterday that local government by-elections will be conducted in seven areas following vacancies that have been created for committee members in the Family Islands.

Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling issued writs of elections yesterday for by-elections in seven local government districts and town areas: Mathew Town, Inagua; Dunmore to Gordons on Long Island; Cartwrights to Turnbull on Long Island; Hope Town, Abaco; Marsh Harbour and Spring City, Abaco; Cherokee Sound, Abaco; Green Turtle Cay, Abaco; and Deep Creek, Andros.

Nominations for the existing vacancies will take place on May 7 from 9am to noon.

Nomination papers may be obtained from the Administrator’s Office in each of the Family Islands, or from the Parliamentary Registration Department, located on Farrington Road in New Providence.

In the event that more than the required number of persons are nominated for the existing vacancies, elections will be held on Thursday, May 23, in the respective districts and towns between the hours of 8am and 6pm.

JAMAICAN GROUP CALLS FOR ASYLUM BILL CHANGES

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE Hummingbird Association - a civic group for Jamaicans living in The Bahamas - has called for an “extenuating circumstances” clause to be included in the proposed Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill (NIAB) 2018, affording applicants for citizenship up to one full year to apply if the initial deadline is missed.

The recommendation came as a part of the association’s review of the proposed bill, with the group’s president, Hazel Burke, surmising the clause could prevent the denial of citizenship and the imminent deportation of a person to a country they are not familiar with.

The clause relates to section 7 of The Bahamas Nationality Act - one of two acts that will be repealed to give way to the NIAB 2018.

Ms Burke contended that

upon proof of extenuating circumstances, an applicant should be afforded up to 12 months from the date they are mandated to apply, expires.

She said: “My point is simple, there are many circumstances that can leave a person unable to apply in the window. I don’t know, a person could be ill or away or in school or not financially able at the time.”

Ms Burke continued: “As it has been presented, the language is so definite

and direct. It worries me because there’s so much that can go wrong and that leaves a person void of something so important.

“This law will have these people picked up and deported… I am of the view that persons should be given a chance to make this right… there should be some fail-safe thing in place to give them a chance to do the right thing.”

Ms Burke said while the laws of The Bahamas should be respected and adhere to, laws of this type should be worded to give room for situations where things go wrong and backup options are needed.

Additionally, she suggested, the relevant laws should mandate the granting of such citizenship be concluded within 12 months from the date of such application.

According to the constitution, children born in the Bahamas to non-Bahamian parents are entitled to apply for Bahamian citizenship between the ages of 18 and 19. Under the proposed new law, those born in this country after July 9, 1973 to foreign parents – who failed to apply to be registered as citizens by the age of 19 – would lose that right. Persons in this category would have six months after the law is enacted to apply for

legal status or risk being deported.

Additionally, children in this category will be given an opportunity to apply for a resident Belonger’s permit if they are in the custody and care of a parent or guardian who has the right to live in The Bahamas.

This classification of person will now have a right to legally live and work in The Bahamas up to the time they apply to be registered as a Bahamian citizen and while that application is being processed and/or appealed.

The NIAB will also look at addressing, through a clause, the granting of Bahamian citizenship to children born abroad to a married Bahamian mother and her non-Bahamian spouse; a point Ms Burke also noted.

Article 9 of the constitution states that a person in this category is not automatically granted citizenship, but has a right to apply from their 18th birthday to their 21st birthday, to be registered as a citizen.

The new law would also establish that these people lose their constitutional right to be registered after their 21st birthday.

In her review, Ms Burke noted that the Bahamian constitution affords

equality to all. In line with that, she asserted that like their male counterparts, Bahamian women should be allowed to pass on their citizenship to their children whether she is married to a foreign man or not.

This issue was one of several rejected by voters in a constitutional referendum in 2016.

“I am a firm believer in equality and the same privileges being given to both sexes,” she said. “I think we should see this reflected in laws and government policies.”

Nonetheless, she said she was happy to see the clause included in the proposed new bill.

Ms Burke further suggested Bahamian women be given the right to pass on their nationality to their male spouse.

She said this option should be permitted only with proof of validity of marriage within no more than three years.

“The constitution affords equality to everyone.

Therefore the Bahamian female, like her male counterpart, should be allowed to pass on her citizenship to her non-Bahamian husband. The bill failed to address this,” she said The NIAB 2018 has been out for public consultation for three weeks.

DO THE BAHAMAS NEED CARNIVAL MORE THAN CARNIVAL NEEDS THE BAHAMAS? AFTER government officials launched an investigation and started talks with Carnival Corporation over reports that the company’s ships unlawfully dumped sewage and food waste in Bahamian waters, readers posted their responses on tribune242. com.

Joeblow had this to say: “The government needs Carnival more than Carnival needs The Bahamas.

Economics has already made the decision. I expect nothing to come out of this!”

That prompted this reaction from SP: “WRONG!!

The Caribbean basin is THE biggest cruise ship destination in the world!

Carnival needs The Bahamas far more than The Bahamas needs Carnival.

Nothing may not happen, because the Government is too corrupt and ignorant to the fact that Carnival and the whole cruise industry are using and abusing the Bahamas like personal playthings!”

DDK said: “Just go away.

Horrible floating hotels.

They are far too big and can no longer be overlooked. They do almost

nothing for the economies of the ports they visit and cause irreparable damage to the environment . . .”

Well_mudda_take_sic posted this comment: “The Minnis-led FNM government, more than any other government we have ever had, has been zealously kowtowing to every want and need of the cruise ship industry. Our despicable politicians have been telling us all along to ignore fears about the likely ghastly environmental impacts of the cruise ship industry’s development projects in the Bahamas.

They have been telling us to trust them to ensure the necessary environmental impact and other studies will be done in advance by ‘independent’ consultants and experts to prove such fears are unwarranted.

Now we, the Bahamian people, learn that we have been sold out (betrayed) by

our politicians, the cruise ship industry (especially Carnival cruise lines) and the so called ‘independent’ environmental consultants and experts. And we would not be learning this if it were not for legal actions initiated against Carnival in the US.” And there was this from Milesair: “Catering to cruise ship passengers adds practically nothing to the Bahamian economy since cruise ship passengers don’t even have to get off these ships to spend any money.

Why the government even wants more cruise ships in the Bahamas will remain one of life’s great mysteries as is the proposed ‘Oban’ oil refinery on Grand Bahama. Once you screw up the environment it will take a long time to clean it up. The environment (clean water, reefs and beaches in the Bahamas) are certainly great assets that should be protected. The Bahamas should concentrate on getting tourists to come by air and private boat and cruise ships should be last on the list.”

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

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, April 25, 2019, PAGE 7

from page one

Carmichael abuse claims are ill-founded and irrational, says AG Bethel

there to show the political commitment. “The Bahamas is in this instance faced with an ill-founded and irrational application for thematic review, the general review of immigration law, policies, et cetera.”

Mr Bethel went on to list some of the improvements the Detention Centre has made in the last five years.

“I think it was in 2014 we were subjected to a similar exercise. All of the defects that were identified in terms of the Detention Centre have long been corrected, they were corrected right up until earlier this year. We’ve brought in a lot of safety measures, safe houses were developed, a clinic has been set up at the Detention Centre, and we have made incredible improvements.

“The bedding has been changed so that no longer can items in the bedding be forged into weapons, it’s all done properly.

There are cooling units in the various dormitories, there’s a segregation of the sexes, children and their mothers are separated from the general population.

“So there have been vast improvements in the quality of the services, if you will, extended to immigrant populations at the Detention Centre.”

However, Mr Bethel noted the Detention Centre’s major issue is “not the main interest” of the activist group.

“The biggest problem that we face in terms of the Detention Centre is not the main interest of Rights Bahamas - it is a lot of persons who have lost their passports or who are in states we can’t have relations with because of international restrictions.

And so you would find that those are mainly the long-term residents of the Detention Centre,” Mr Bethel said.

“Certainly all the protocols are followed when there’s any suggestion of human or of sex trafficking or of anything of that nature. So we are confident that the Bahamas will do very well in this review.

And we will continue to live up to our international obligations.”

The hearing will take place in Kingston, Jamaica.

It will be the second time Rights Bahamas, in a joint request with the Washington-based Robert F Kennedy

THE CARMICHAEL Road Detention Centre.

Human Rights, is granted a hearing before the independent human rights arm of the Organisation of American States.

In a statement released earlier this month, Rights Bahamas said its request “calls for an examination of the treatment of migrants in the Bahamas in light of the many reports of human rights abuses, illegal detention and deportation exercises, the implementation of racist and xenophobic policies, the targeting of persons of Haitian descent born in the Bahamas, denial of the right to school to

children of migrants and the ongoing inhumane and unsanitary conditions at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre.

“Also under scrutiny will be the government’s plan to forcibly and illegally evict residents and demolish homes in communities of predominantly Haitian descent,” the statement added.

The group added a special emphasis was placed on the November 2014 policy and admissions by the government that it had deported at least five people to Haiti who were born in the Bahamas and

had a constitutional right to apply for citizenship.

Rights Bahamas, formerly the Grand Bahama Human Rights Association, had an audience before IACHR in Washington, DC

in 2015 on matters concerning raids, deportations and the related due process; and allegations of physical and verbal abuse, among other issues.

Government

representatives also attended the hearing and called the allegations about its immigration policy— introduced by the Christie administration— “bizarre and outlandish”.

PAGE 8, Thursday, April 25, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

$95m overhaul promises to be end of BPL generation woe

PATRICK ROLANDS, executive director of Bahamas Power and Light, talks about the refurbushment of Clifton Pier Power Station during a media tour.

Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net THE acquisition and installation of seven new Wärtsilä tri-fuel generation engines by Bahamas Power & Light was yesterday pitched as the “end” to the utility provider’s longstanding electricity generation woes.

Patrick Rollins, BPL’s executive director, suggested the $95m generation overhaul should resolve legacy generation shortfalls — effectively ending blackouts, load shedding exercises and the need for rental generators.

All of this is expected, he said, as early as this summer.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a tour of BPL’s Clifton Pier facility organised for URCA representatives, Mr Rollins said the power provider has committed itself to generating electricity more efficiently and reliably.

He said the new generation should also, over time, result in a “significant” cost reduction for consumers, but insisted those savings would be offset or enhanced by fluctuations in fuel cost.

“If everything goes as planned, I would say by

summer… engines will be in by next month, we just have to connect them up and get everything going,” Mr Rollins said. “We are going to put seven generators in [Station B], so that’s 132megawatts of power; and that is what we are doing right now, getting the hall ready for that.”

He added: “The engines [will be ran on] tri-fuel.

They’ll start on heavy fuel oil (HFO) and they’ll switch to LNG once LNG becomes available in The Bahamas.”

The LNG component is expected to be incorporated as early as 2021, according to Mr Rollins.

He continued: “…We are trying to get this ready for end of May. That is the timeframe we are working with to get all the work done. But the engines will be going in parallel with some of the work being done.”

“Phase one [will include] installation of 132 megawatts of generation. Phase two will be some more 90 megawatts more of generation plus the LNG. “After this, we are going to do some work on a second set of generators and then we are going to do some work on our distribution networks, get it all modernised, bring it to the

-

21st century so people can get the kind of power that they deserve.

“Going into the summer, our peak period, we want to keep power as reliable as possible. We’re bringing in 25 more megawatts of rental generation just to get us through the summer, this summer. This will be our last summer of renting generators,” Mr Rollins insisted.

As it stands, BPL currently depends heavily on the 90 megawatts of rented Aggreko power generators - 80 megawatts at its Blue Hill Road facility and 10 at its Clifton Pier facility.

An additional 40 megawatts are generated at the Blue Hill facility by engines owned by BPL. While at Clifton, Station B is producing another 50 megawatts of power.

Station C, which suffered through a major fire last year, is still offline.

Mr Rollins said BPL has completed several reports that outline the cause and the extent of the fire, all of which are either with Cabinet or insurers.

When pressed for detail on those reports Mr Rollins sidestepped questions, telling reporters: “We are not at liberty to disclose any information regarding the fire.”

When asked exactly when or if Station C will be up and running again, he said that determination will have to be made by the insurers, who are reportedly still in the process of reviewing BPL’s claim.

The BPL/Wärtsilä deal was officially announced on March 4. BPL is responsible for the full $95m price tag for the upgrades.

The engines are expected to arrive in the capital in the coming weeks, and will BPL will move into installation soon after the arrival.

In March, shortly after the announcement of the BPL and Wärtsilä deal, Bahamas Electrical Workers Union president Paul Maynard demanded that members of his union be trained to work with and eventually manage the new engine.

His comments came amid reports that Wärtsilä, a Finnish technology group, would require BPL to keep its personnel around to manage the new engines, given that no one at BPL possessed the skill set to work with them.

“My main concern is (Wärtsilä Business Development Manager Edmund Phillips) saying Wärtsilä gonna run this plant,” Mr Maynard said. “In which country they gonna run a plant? Not in this country and not as long as I’m union president, you gotta be crazy. That ain’t happening “Let me tell you something, it will be a cold day in hell before Paul Maynard allows Wärtsilä to come in here on a plant we pay $95m for and run it, sending the staff that I represent home.”

Regarding the dispute yesterday, Mr Rollins said it was being “addressed”.

He said BPL has identified several employees to be trained in the management of the new engines, but could not provide reporters with a definite number of employees being trained or the timeframe of that training.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, April 25, 2019, PAGE 9

Apparent suicide of man in his 50s fourth of the year

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net POLICE are investigating an apparent suicide after a man was found hanging from a beam in a closet of a residence on Haven Street off Lightbourn Street, Chippingham yesterday.

The man, said to be in his mid-50s, was found unresponsive by a family member around 4pm.

This is the fourth suspected suicide for the year.

In February, a man was found with what police believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his upper body at an apartment in Kennedy Subdivision. In March, two people allegedly committed suicide in separate incidents: a man at a Winton Estates residence and a woman at a residence

on Paradise Island. The man, 41-year-old Dimaggio Darrell, was a father of four.

Earlier this month, Royal Bahamas Defence Force marines thwarted the suicide attempt of a 53-year-old man in the Cowpen Road area.

Marines Michael Gibson, Cyral Davis and Alexis Strachan were at a security checkpoint on Cowpen Road around 10am on Saturday, April 13, when a man’s unusual behaviour sent them scrambling to save his life. They were waiting for youth participants in the Governor General’s Youth Award (GGYA) programme to reach the checkpoint during their 30-mile hike.

Able Seaman Gibson said: “We witnessed an individual coming from the southern side with a belt

around his neck. One of my comrades said: ‘Something has to be wrong’. The man looked at us; he said ‘hi’, then he said ‘bye’ as if to say this is his last goodbye. He walked towards the bushes.

“When I saw that I turned the bus on and started to approach him. He ran up the tree. Marine Seaman Davis hopped out of the bus. By the time Davis got out of the bus (the man) had already tied the knot on top of the limb, stepped off and was hanging. Davis tried to lift him from the bottom to relieve the pressure on his neck.”

Two young cadets with the RBDF Rangers programme were on the bus at the time and helped the marines.

“One of the Ranger cadets attempted to climb the tree to lift the

gentlemen’s body to relieve pressure from his neck,” AB Gibson said.

“I had a knife on me so I climbed the tree and cut the belt loose. The man dropped and was unconscious. Davis caught him.

We lifted him to the side of the street. He was out for a minute or so. We poured water on him, tried to bring him back. When he did come back, he was in tears. Everything happened really fast.”

The man said nothing, marines said, only nodded to paramedics and police officers that responded to the scene.

Those who may be having suicidal thoughts and think they might need help are asked to contact the National Suicide Hotline at 242-322-2763 or the Bahamas Crisis Centre at 242-328-0922.

SEXUAL ASSAULTS TOP CRIMINAL CLAIMS ON CRUISE SHIPS

By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net

ALLEGED sexual assault remains the most reported criminal activity on board cruise ships according to international statistics.

According to data released in the US under the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act (CVSSA), there were a total of 25 reported incidents from January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019 - 18 of which were sexual assaults. Of these incidents, 13 involved

passengers, four involved crew members and one case was listed as “other”.

The numbers also show that during the specified time period, there was one reported incident of alleged assault with serious bodily injury and six incidents of alleged theft of less than $10,000.

The statistics are published on the United States’ Department of Transportation website. This crime data is tracked for major cruise lines with routes to The Bahamas, such as Carnival Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean.

Alleged criminal activities on board cruise ships have decreased for the first quarter of 2019.

According to the CVSSA statistics, during the period of October 1, 2018 to December 31, 2018 there were a total of 34 reported incidents, 22 of which were sexual assaults.

The numbers show that during the specified time period, there were two suspicious deaths; two assaults; and eight incidents of alleged theft of less than $10,000.

Up to September 30, 2018 there were 86 incidents

reported – 60 of which were for sexual assault.

In 2017, 76 percent of reported crimes on board Carnival vessels were for sexual assault; as was 68 percent of crime reported on board Royal Caribbean vessels.

There was the same number of sexual assault incidents reported for that time period in 2017, out of 85 incidents.

There was a total of 106 incidents reported for 2017.

In 2016, officials recorded 92 incidents with 62 of them for sexual assault.

To advertise in The Tribune contact 502-2394

PAGE 10, Thursday, April 25, 2019

Au revoir mes amis - Arnaud moves on

LEAVING office after a successful tenure can be the occasion for lots of interviews. This has been the case for Gerard Arnaud recently. He has been France’s ambassador to the US for the past five years, and was the French Permanent Representative (ambassador equivalent) to the United Nations in New York for several years before that. In Washington, Arnaud lived at his government’s expense in a stately brick mansion along the capital city’s embassy row just a couple of houses down the street from first daughter Ivanka Trump and first sonin-law Jared Kushner. Now, as he heads to retirement from public service, Arnaud might be regarded as a kind of latter-day Alexis de Tocqueville, the 19th century French diplomat who was able to interpret America to Americans as few of them can do for themselves.

“I think I have a great advantage on the Americans,” he told the Washington Post. “First, I am not an American, which means I am not emotionally committed to what is

GERARD ARNAUD happening in your country.

So I can be coldly clinical.” He said the political scenes in Europe and the US are comparable. Anger and resentment are being translated into nationalism, he said. Arnaud concluded the election of President Donald Trump is much more the effect than the cause of this rising nationalism and xenophobia.

“I want to emphasise, and when I say this, most of my liberal friends are fainting, that foreign policy between Obama and Trump has lots of things in common – especially that the two men understood the fatigue of American public opinion for foreign involvements,” Arnaud said.

Of the current American chief executive, Arnaud said: “France is still trying to adjust. We really don’t want to enter into a childish confrontation and are trying to work with our most important ally, the most important country in the world.”

THE TRIBUNE

Careful picking friends when times are tough

At least no team loses on draft night

THE death toll is now reported at more than 350 in the shocking Easter Sunday bombings in Sri Lanka that made headlines everywhere and reminded some of that small nation’s geographic position at the foot of the massive Indian subcontinent. But there may be other reasons for us to think about Sri Lanka.

Perhaps there is a lesson for smaller Caribbean nations like The Bahamas in the experience of smaller South Asian nations like Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Maldives and Bangladesh. All are the grateful beneficiaries of grants, concessionary loans and other investment

by China. And all are in the political, military and economic orbit of a significant and respected Chinese rival. For the South Asian nations, that rival is India.

Here in The Bahamas, it’s the US. Nilanthi Samaranayake is director of strategic and policy analysis at a Washington-area think tank, specialising in South Asian issues. In a recent report, she looked at the struggles of the four South Asian nations to find the development capital they need to develop infrastructure while grappling with the reality of debt financing time bombs waiting down the road in the intermediate future.

Samaranayake writes that “on balance, small South Asian countries have benefited from China’s growing economic and military engagement with them and the region. Chinese projects

ARE you excited about the Day One of the NFL Draft? America’s premier sports league is the envy of its competitors in the US and countless commercial enterprises around the world for its amazing marketing ability to transform a fundamentally mundane event into must-see prime time television for millions of viewers who will expectantly tune in tonight, tomorrow and Saturday to see whom their favourite pro-football team will choose.

After the first day, during which more than three hours on two different networks are devoted to selections by the NFL’s 32 teams of college players whose success as professionals no one can accurately predict, there are two more days, and evenings, and six more rounds, of choosing and trading of draft choices and players. By the time the last man is selected, viewers and telecasters alike are exhausted. That last man, given the nickname “Mr Irrelevant” many years ago, has occasionally developed into a quite serviceable professional football player, contrary to expectations. It all simply demonstrates the imprecision of projecting 20-year-old college players for success in a much bigger, faster, more complex and violent game.

And the whole process is accompanied by duelling commentary on ESPN and the NFL network, larded with indecipherable statistics and saccharine hyperbole, usually to support a selection the announcers all know may or may not turn out to be wise. The draft is still largely a crap shoot and a guessing game.

But your team never loses on draft night. The losing comes five months later in September when the actual games begin.

And losing teams can often ruefully look back on draft day mistakes that looked good when they were made. Their fans can then remind their families their team should never have made that pick.

BODIES of victims lie inside St Sebastian’s Church damaged in blast in Negombo, north of Colombo, Sri Lanka on Sunday.

STATESIDE with Charlie Harper have helped increase connectivity within these countries as well as with external trading networks.”

She also notes the predominant military presence of India in the region, as well as the traditional economic development role played by Japan and, to a lesser degree, by the US. These factors have limited

Chinese influence which is nonetheless growing.

“Countries whose leaders pursue infrastructure through debt financing have responsibility for those decisions and for sustainable economic policies,” Samaranayake writes.

For now, she concludes, despite fears of the “debttrap diplomacy” of China,

the small South Asian nations remain in the sphere of Indian military influence and this has, for now, kept concerns of growing Chinese hegemony in check.

“Prudence and caution are needed from political leaders,” she writes. That seems to be a wise if sometimes elusive prescription when times are tough.

What golf tells you about Trump

SAMUEL L JACKSON on the golf course. Inset, the president

WHILE we’re on the subject of Mr Trump, Rick Reilly has a new book out.

Reilly, the brilliant, sarcastic long-time writer and columnist for Sports Illustrated, is the author of Commander in Cheat: How Golf Explains Trump. To be fair, it’s good business for Reilly to go out on a book promotion tour and seek headlines. But he and others dropped some tantalising nuggets on the circuit, as reported in the Post.

On Trump’s TV network nemesis MSNBC, Reilly said: “Trump cheats like a mafia accountant.

He cheats whether you’re watching or not. He cheats whether you like it or not.”

Reilly reported that in a round they played four years ago, Trump called a gimme on what should have been a chip shot. And other erstwhile playing partners have piled on. An LPGA

pro, Suzann Pettersen, has declared that Trump “cheats like hell. I’m pretty sure he pays his caddy well, since no matter how far into the woods he hits the ball, it’s in the middle of the fairway when we get there.”

American tough guy actor Samuel L Jackson has declared himself the better golfer. “Oh, I am, for sure,” Jackson said. “I don’t cheat.”

Trump, cheater or not, however, is by most accounts a fine golfer. Even Reilly admits the president plays to a handicap under three shots per round. That’s good enough to beat many club players at one of Trump’s courses or anywhere else.

Here’s Trump on Reilly: “I always thought he was a terrible writer. I absolutely killed him (on the golf course). I would say that he’s a very dishonest writer. I don’t do gimme chip shots.” OK, then.

BAKER MAYFIELD, first pick in the 2018 NFL draft

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, April 25, 2019, PAGE 11

NEW AC SYSTEMS BEING INSTALLED AT PMH

THE installation of six 7.5 tons split HVAC units has begun at the Princess Margaret Hospital.

The units replace aged and outdated air conditioner systems and it is anticipated the new HVAC units will provide reliable air conditioning for much of the hospital’s main campus.

Two of the 7.5 ton units will deliver air conditioning to the Children’s Ward, another two units will service Male Surgical Wards I & II, and the final two units will service the former Intensive Care Unit and Recovery Area.

Additionally a 20-ton package unit will be installed to service the legacy Operating Theatre. In total a complement of approximately 86 patient beds will be supported by the upgrade.

Left and above: the new equipment comes in. Right, the older equipment is taken away.

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PAGE 12, Thursday, April 25, 2019 THIS Saturday (April 27), The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) will commemorate Earth Day with its 2nd Annual National Park Day, a celebration across the country. National Park Day will host activities in 10 National Parks on seven islands. Residents on Grand Bahama, Abaco, Andros, New Providence, Eleuthera, the Exuma Cays, and Inagua will have the opportunity to connect with nature and build memories on this special day. Depending on the park you visit, you will be able to participate in exciting activities such as snorkeling, kayaking, guided tours, bird watching, yoga, bush tea tasting, arts and crafts, and much more. Patrons of the parks can expect to learn more about the natural treasures that are Bahamian national parks while having the time of their life.

Around the world, April 22 is celebrated as Earth Day – a day in which communities across the globe acknowledge the importance of respecting the space we occupy, our environment, and our planet home. Last year, the BNT introduced National Park Day as the beginning of its movement to connect Earth Day to national parks. National Parks are important conservation tools. They are defenders of our environment and the natural resources of our planet. The theme of this year’s National Park Day is “Protect Our Species”.

Celebrating Bahamian national parks as a part of Earth Day is appropriate as

THE TRIBUNE

BNT to host activities at ten national parks across seven islands PEOPLE enjoying last year’s National Park Day at Bone Fish Pond National Park, Gladstone Road.

national parks protect ecosystems that are vital to the survival our special island species, such as Bonefish, the Bahama Parrot, Conch and Grouper.

Last year’s National Park Day was a huge

success.

Hundreds of people visited their local national park and became engaged in the work of the BNT. This year is the 60th anniversary of the BNT and the birth of our country’s national

park system. This makes National Park Day 2019 especially significant. The 10 national parks that will welcome guests on Saturday, April 27 are The Retreat Garden on Village Road, Bonefish Pond

National Park, Cowpen Road, Primeval Forest off Frank Watson Blvd.

Lucayan National Park in Grand Bahama, The Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve in Governor’s Harbour Eleuthera, The

Marls Of Abaco Protected Area, Blue Holes National Park in Andros, Inagua National Park, and The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. Admission for the event at all locations is free and kicks off at 8am.

NEW VOICE TO SUPPORT CONSERVATION GROUPS IN BAHAMAS Areas Fund, the first of its kind conservation trust in the country, has formally established its office at the Old Fort Bay Town Centre in New Providence.

“A tremendous accomplishment for the country, the fund is tasked with

ensuring sustainable financing for the management of protected areas, other natural resources, and adaptation to and mitigation of the effects of climate change,” a press release noted.

“The roots of the

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Bahamas Protected Areas Fund (BPAF) go back to the country’s efforts to protect ecologically diverse areas across The Bahamas, such as the Blue Holes National Park and Westside National Park in Andros, the Inagua National Park, and the Adelaide Creek Wild Bird Reserve that contribute to approximately 14 million acres currently protected across the country.

“These areas have been proven to be both ecologically and socio-economically beneficial to The Bahamas in a number of ways - maintaining breeding grounds, supporting tourism, providing food, and mitigating against strong storm events.”

BPAF’s press release also noted that a recent study commissioned by the Bahamas Reef Environment Educational Foundation (BREEF) estimated that marine protected areas alone contribute at least $5 billion to the country annually.

“This is a time of which

we can proud, when we as a country have put measures in place to safeguard the resources of our beautiful islands”, said Kelley Bostwick-Toote, chairperson of BPAF. “I am especially pleased to see both the government of The Bahamas and private sector come together to make the establishment of this office possible. We are grateful for the generous office space donated

by Terry White of the New Providence Development Company Ltd, as well as the donation of our furnishing provided by AndBank (Bahamas) Ltd.” Executive management and control of the fund rest with its board of directors, supported by an executive director. The fund commenced its operations in 2017 and has worked with key partners, including The Nature Conservancy and the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, to establish operating policies and procedures and to strengthen its governance.

Executive Director Karen Panton said, “We are now positioned to open our doors to the public in preparation for the rollout of our grants programme.”

The grants programme is in progress and will be funded by sustainable finance mechanisms, contributions from the Caribbean Biodiversity Fund, grants, and general philanthropic activities.

Grants will be provided to protected area managers including the Bahamas National Trust, the Ministry of Environment, the Department of Marine Resources, NGOs, the University of The Bahamas, research institutions, and other organisations whose purpose is aligned with BPAF. The official opening of the Bahamas Protected Areas Fund is slated for Friday, April 26 at Old Fort Bay Town Centre. Minister of Environment Romauld Ferreira is schedule to attend.

BLACKBEARD’S TOWER SUBDIVISION LOT NO. 14 & 15 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION: Single family residential PROPERTY SIZE: 47,343 sq. ft.

ACCOMMODATION: Ground floor comprises guest bedroom with ensuite bathroom, one bedroom, one bath, powder room, foyer, living room, family room, sitting room, kitchen, breakfast nook, laundry room, two car garage. First floor comprises the master bedroom suite, upper living room, two additional bedrooms, each with an ensuite bathroom and walk in closets. The lower level comprises one bedroom, one bath, storage room and recreation room.

LOCATION: Traveling east along the Eastern Road from Fox Hill Road, take the 2nd corner on the right, Blackbeard’s Terrace. Follow the road until it turns right and the subject property is on the immediate right building number 18.

APPRAISED VALUE: $1,971,000

INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD CONTACT: SHERRY THURSTON: 397-6510 OR 376-1343 / IAN SYMONETTE: 397-6513 OR 397-6940

FOR SALE

FOR SALE

INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD CONTACT: SHERRY THURSTON: 397-6510 OR 376-1343 / IAN SYMONETTE: 397-6513 OR 397-6940

STAR ESTATES SUBDIVISION LOT NO. 67 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION: Four Units Apt. PROPERTY SIZE: 7,000 sq. ft.

ACCOMMODATION: Two bedrooms each with one bathroom living/dining room, laundry room, kitchen and balcony.

LOCATION: Traveling east along Prince Charles Dr. after passing Colony Village, take the 1st corner on the right, next to Sea Grapes Shopping Plaza on to Jupiter Way. Follow Jupiter Way around the bend to the right and then take a left at the T-junction or 3rd corner to the left, continuing on Jupiter Way. The subject property is the 3rd lot on the left, next to the subdivision park.

APPRAISED VALUE: $626,000

INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD CONTACT: SHERRY THURSTON: 397-6510 OR 376-1343 / IAN SYMONETTE: 397-6513 OR 397-6940

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, April 25, 2019, PAGE 13

Chances of making it as a pro athlete?

Not high...

By ANGELA FARMER Assistant Clinical Professor, Mississippi State University

WHEN the NFL draft takes place, it will represent a professional dream come true for the 224 college football players who get picked.

For most players, however, going pro will never be more than a fantasy.

Fewer than 2% of college student-athletes ever play professional sports at any level for any amount of time.

But that statistic often fails to register with many of the thousands of young people across the nation who enter a university, singularly focused on the rare chance that they will join the ranks of professional athletes. I know this because I worked as a volunteer with Division I football players for the summers of 2015 to 2017 to help develop their leadership skills and build unity among team members.

In that capacity, I learned directly from the football players that most of them were focused on going pro and that going to college was just a means to that end.

My impressions are consistent with a 2015 NCAA survey – the latest available – that shows 64% of Division I football players believe it is “somewhat likely” that they will become a professional.

Given that only 1 in 4,233 high school players go from high school to college to the pros, there is a giant gap between college players’ dreams and reality. In baseball, for instance, only 2.1% of all college players transition from college to the pros. Most other sports have lower rates of going pro than that.

For student-athletes who do not earn college degree, whether it’s because they’re no longer eligible to play, ran out of money for college or declared themselves as eligible for the NFL draft but didn’t get drafted, the end game is the same. They find themselves at the proverbial finish line without a degree or a professional contract. Clearly, this is not the goal.

While only one college football player wins the coveted Heisman Trophy each year, a college degree, on the other hand, is attainable by every player on every team. More importantly, a college degree enhances a person’s ability to get a job and earn a living. New

research, however, shows that many college football players are not earning their degrees.

The troubling statistics can be found in “Black Male Student-Athletes and Racial Inequities in NCAA Division I College Sports,.”

The report, by USC’s Shaun Harper, points out how at Power Five schools, black men make up 55% of their football teams and 56% of their men’s basketball teams, but just 2.4% of the overall undergraduate population.

Are the student-athletes being brought on campus to earn a degree or play sports? Harper’s research reveals that only about 55% of black male studentathletes graduate within six years. That’s significantly lower than the 60% of all black undergraduate men, 69.3% of all studentathletes and 76.3% of all undergraduate students who graduated within that time frame.

It’s not hard to see why graduation rates are lower for players at schools where football is a priority.

Being a college athlete is a demanding and intense fulltime job. An NCAA survey, for example, revealed that practicing and playing college football alone required 43.3 hours per week. This practice time doesn’t include the time it takes to attend class, complete assignments and study for exams.

The lower graduation rates for student-athletes are troubling for many reasons, particularly or those who don’t get drafted. As the NCAA acknowledges in one of its ads, “there are more than 380,000 studentathletes and most of them will go pro in something other than sports.”

The best bet for studentathletes to realize their full potential, then, is to make sure that they stay dedicated to earning their degrees, while continuing to work on becoming professional athletes. This will enable student-athletes to continue to dream the illustrious dream and at the same time, finish the attainable degree.

But student-athletes cannot be expected to do this on their own. They also need the support of people at their institutions – from administrators to coaches to faculty – to help make reaching their academic goals just as important, if not more, as reaching their goals on the field. theconversation.com

PAGE 14, Thursday, April 25, 2019

A LONG Island-based beautician has had her conviction overturned for robbing a local web shop manager of $17,000 four years ago, but will remain behind bars for conspiring to commit the robbery.

The Court of Appeal ruled that Daphne Knowles should serve the remainder of her 11-year sentence for conspiring to rob Andrea Carroll, despite quashing her conviction for robbing the woman of $17,477 sometime between November 28 and 29 of 2014. Carroll was killed during the robbery.

The reason for quashing Knowles’ robbery conviction, the appellate judges said, was because the Crown’s case in relation to that charge bore no “direct evidence” linking the accused to the offence.

And in the absence of such evidence, the judges said Knowles being part of a plan to rob Carroll was not sufficient to prove she took the $17,000 from the victim, or that $17,000 found in her shop belonged to the victim.

However, the justices found there was “no error” on Knowles’ conspiracy conviction as her actions both prior to the robbery and afterwards “showed her participation in a plan” to commit the robbery.

According to the ruling, sometime between November 28 and 29, 2014, Carroll, a manager at Bowe’s Web Shop was robbed and murdered. She was found lifeless with cuts, bruises, a broken neck and a broken spinal cord.

Knowles’ house was subsequently searched and $17,477 was found that was believed to be the property of the deceased. She was subsequently arrested and charged with murder, robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery.

Beautician has robbery conviction overturned

She later stood trial before Justice Bernard Turner after denying the allegations.

At trial, the Crown’s case was circumstantial and came from four witnesses.

The first, Kelson Smith, was a security guard in October 2014 and worked for Carroll at her home in Long Island. He also knew Knowles, who also worked for Carroll and whom he had seen in Carroll’s home on previous occasions.

In October 2014, while working at Carroll’s premises, Mr Smith said he heard a car approaching. The vehicle had no lights, so he got up and walked to the street light in front of the yard. He said he heard two doors open and close, and upon looking at the car, he saw Knowles who told another person “let’s go, let’s go”.

He said Knowles and the other person got into the car and headed north.

The following month, Mr Smith and his brother Rafford Smith went to Knowles’ house to speak to her son, Fano. While they were in the kitchen talking, it was alleged Knowles came in and said: “We need to rob Andrea.”

Mr Smith said after Knowles noted that he worked with Ms Carroll, he in turn told her that he could leave a window open. When Mr Smith and his brother were leaving Knowles’ house, she told Mr Smith she would give him $2,000 to leave the window open.

On the 28th of that month, Mr Smith was at his day job at Island Luck

when Knowles visited him sometime after 6pm. The two arranged to meet later that night after a concert they were due to attend.

Mr Smith told Knowles he had left Carroll’s kitchen window open.

Four days later, Knowles visited Mr Smith at his workplace and told him she had the $2,000 for him. She also told him they could blame Carroll’s murder on her boyfriend at the time, Noel Turnquest.

On December 5, 2014, Fernando Knowles and a group of police officers conducted a search of Knowles’ home, where they discovered a large sum of cash wrapped in elastic bands amounting to $17,478.

Knowles, meanwhile, denied committing any of the offences or having any conversations with Mr Smith. She further claimed she did not go to Carroll’s home between November 28 and 29, as she was at a concert from 8pm with her boyfriend Stanley Pinder and another person, Rico Archer. And around 4am the following morning, she said they dropped Archer home.

Knowles also admitted to having $17,000 in her shop, “Daphne’s Spot”, but said it was obtained largely from selling drugs.

Following the trial, the jury returned a hung verdict of 7-5 on the murder charge, which is not acceptable in law. However, she was unanimously convicted of the robbery and conspiracy to commit robbery charges.

She was subsequently sentenced to 14 years in

prison on both charges, to run concurrently. However, she was credited for the three years she spent on remand, resulting in her being ordered to serve 11 years.

Knowles appealed both her conviction and sentence on five grounds, one of which asserted that the trial judge erred in law when he allowed the jury to consider the robbery charge, which did not arise from the facts of the case.

The Crown, meanwhile, contended that although

there was no direct evidence of robbery, Knowles’ actions prior to and after the offence was committed showed a plan to commit the crime.

The appellate judges sided with Knowles on that ground, asserting their finding that there was insufficient evidence to support a finding that the money found in Knowles’ shop was taken and/or obtained from Carroll.

“The evidence that the appellant was a part of a plan to rob does not

in our view become sufficient evidence that the money found in (Knowles’) shop was taken from the deceased,” the appellate judges said. “Accordingly, there is merit in this ground as there was insufficient evidence that (Knowles) unlawfully took the $17,477 from the deceased or that it was the property of the deceased.”

However, the appellate justices dismissed the other four grounds and affirmed the conviction and sentence for the conspiracy charge.

FOR SALE

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

THE TRIBUNE

MARKET STREET PROPERTY DESCRIPTION: Two Storey Commercial Building PROPERTY SIZE: 4,600 sq. ft.

ACCOMMODATION: The ground floor comprises of upholstery and furniture making store with reception area, one office, display area, manufacturing area and restroom (currently being occupied by a church). The 1st (first) floor comprises of two, two bedroom apartments, and one bathroom apartment, each with one bathroom, living/dining room and kitchen.

LOCATION: Traveling north along Market Street from Wulff Road, come to the 5th corner on the left (Brougham Street).

The subject is the 2nd lot on the left. A two storey building painted white. Building #156 APPRAISED VALUE: 278,000.00

FOR SALE

INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD CONTACT: SHERRY THURSTON: 397-6510 OR 376-1343 / IAN SYMONETTE: 397-6513 OR 397-6940

TOWERS OF CABLE BEACH APARTMENTS LOT NO. 1B PROPERTY DESCRIPTION: Multi family Residence PROPERTY SIZE: 888 sq. ft.

ACCOMMODATION: Two bedrooms with closet, one bathroom, bedroom corridor, foyer, living/dining area and kitchen.

LOCATION: Traveling west on West Bay Street, two properties after Sandals on the right hand side.

APPRAISED VALUE: $260,000

FOR SALE

INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD CONTACT: SHERRY THURSTON: 397-6510 OR 376-1343 / IAN SYMONETTE: 397-6513 OR 397-6940

WEST WINDS ESTATES LOT NO. 3 PROPERTY DESCRIPTION: Single Family Residential PROPERTY SIZE: 6,047 sq. ft.

ACCOMMODATION: Split level house consisting of three bedrooms with walk-in closets, three bath, living room, dining room, family room, laundry, kitchen with custom wooden cabinetry and granite counter tops, front entrance porch and two car garage.

LOCATION: Traveling west on West Bay Street, turn left into main entrance of West Winds (gated community) then traveling south turn 1st corner right, traveling west subject property is the 2nd on the right.

APPRAISED VALUE: $548,000

INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD CONTACT: SHERRY THURSTON: 397-6510 OR 376-1343 / IAN SYMONETTE: 397-6513 OR 397-6940

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, April 25, 2019, PAGE 15

US MEASLES CASES HIT HIGHEST MARK IN 25 YEARS NEW YORK Associated Press

MEASLES cases in the US this year have climbed past 680 to their highest level in 25 years, a resurgence largely attributed to misinformation that is turning parents against vaccines.

Health officials in New York City yesterday reported 61 new cases since last week, in what would make this the nation’s worst year for measles since 1994, with eight months still to go. Other states are reporting more cases, too.

The official nationwide count will not be released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention until Monday. CDC officials said they are reviewing the latest reports.

Roughly three-quarters of this year’s illnesses in the US have been in New York state, mainly in two ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities in Brooklyn and suburban Rockland County. Most of those cases have been in unvaccinated people.

The number of cases is likely to go even higher. Measles is

highly contagious and can spread through the air when someone coughs or sneezes. And in recent days, Jewish families have been gathering for Passover meals. It can take 10 to 12 days for symptoms to develop. The CDC recommends the vaccine for everyone over a year old.

The vaccine is considered safe and highly effective, and because of it, measles was declared all but eliminated in the U.S. in 2000. But it has made comebacks since then, including 667 cases in 2014.

Public health experts say some

US communities have low vaccination rates because of the spread of bad information — especially the now-debunked notion that the measles-mumps-rubella vaccine is linked to autism — through social media, pamphlets, hotlines and other means.

“Many parents are afraid. And if you want to believe your kid doesn’t need that many shots, there’s plenty of places to find people who agree with you,” said Dr. Jonathan Fielding, former head of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

“It’s not so easy to discern what is real and what is not.”

For most people, measles is not life-threatening. The most common symptoms include fever, runny nose, cough and a rash all over the body. However, a very small fraction of people can suffer complications such as pneumonia and a dangerous swelling of the brain.

According to the CDC, for every 1,000 children who get measles, one or two will die from it.

No deaths have been recorded this year.

Sri Lanka: US had no prior knowledge COLOMBO, Sri Lanka Associated Press THE US had no prior knowledge of the Easter bombings in Sri Lanka that killed over 350 people, the American ambassador said yesterday, despite local claims that foreign officials had been warned an attack was looming.

As the investigation into Sunday’s Islamic State-claimed attack continues, FBI agents and US military personnel are in Sri Lanka assisting the probe, Ambassador Alaina Teplitz said.

While declining to say whether US officials had intelligence on the local extremists and their leader who allegedly carried out the assault, Teplitz said America remained concerned over militants at large. She also said that “clearly there was some failure in the system” that caused Sri Lankan officials to fail to share the warnings they received prior to the attack.

“I can tell you definitively we were not warned and we did not have any prior knowledge of this,” Teplitz told foreign journalists from her office at the US Embassy in Colombo. “We did not know because believe me, if we had, we would have tried to do something about it.”

SRI Lankans carry coffins of victims of the Easter Sunday bombings.

Sunday’s bombings ripped called National Towheed Jamaat, through Christian worshippers at whose leader, alternately known church celebrating Easter and at as Mohammed Zahran or Zahran hotels in Sri Lanka, an island nation Hashmi, became known to Muslim off the southern tip of India. The leaders three years ago for his attacks killed at least 359 people incendiary speeches online. and wounded some 500 others, On Tuesday, the Islamic State marking Sri Lanka’s worst violence group asserted responsibility for the since its 26-year civil war ended a attack, sharing images of the leader decade ago. and other men with their face covAuthorities have blamed a ered before an IS flag to bolster its local Islamic extremist group claim. The extremist group, which

has lost all the territory it once held in Iraq and Syria, has made unfounded claims previously. Asked about whether American officials received warnings or knew about the group and its leader before the bombings, Teplitz declined to comment, saying she would not discuss intelligence matters.

“If you look at the scale of the attacks, the level of coordination, again, the sophistication of them, it’s not implausible to think there are foreign linkages,” she said. She added that the U.S. believes “the terrorist plotting is ongoing” and said that’s why America continued to warn its citizens in Sri Lanka to be careful.

Prior to the bombings, Sri Lankan officials received intelligence reports and warnings that such an attack could be looming.

However, that information failed to stop the assault.

Teplitz said the current political situation in Sri Lanka could have exacerbated that. President Maithripala Sirisena ousted Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in October and dissolved the Cabinet, but Sri Lanka’s Supreme Court later reversed his actions.

Stateside - Page 10

BOEING’S JET COSTING $1BN TO FIX SO FAR Associated Press

BOEING is already estimating a $1 billion increase in costs related to its troubled 737 Max and has pulled its forecast of 2019 earnings because of uncertainty surrounding the jetliner, which remains grounded after two crashes that killed 346 people.

The $1 billion figure is a conservative starting point.

It covers increased production costs over the next few years but does not include the company’s spending to fix software implicated in the crashes, additional pilot training, or compensation for families of the dead passengers.

The estimate was disclosed yesterday in a presentation for investors as Boeing released first-quarter financial results, which missed Wall Street expectations. While lacking many details, the disclosures gave the clearest picture yet of the financial damage that the accidents are causing to the aerospace giant. Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg repeated that the company is making progress on updating key software in the Max with the goal of convincing regulators to let the plane fly again.

PAGE 16, Thursday, April 25, 2019

THE TRIBUNE