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VOLUME:114 No.107, APRIL 26TH, 2017
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TOUGH CALL: SMOKE AND SECRECY AT THE LANDFILL - PAGE 8
Mackey owned stolen vehicle PLP chairman says FNM candidate owes $21,000 to Road Traffic By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net DELIVERING on his promise of a second “bombshell,” Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Bradley Roberts yesterday released a stinging missive on Free National Movement candidate Howard “Rickey” Mackey that outlined allegations of further tax evasion and ownership of a stolen vehicle. Mr Roberts reiterated his charge that Mr Mackey is unfit to hold public office, and in making his case, claimed that the North Eleuthera candidate allegedly owed a little over $21,000 in unpaid license fees to the Road Traffic Department for a fleet of vehicles; and has no liability
By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE country recorded its sixth murder in six days, after a 23-year-old man was found shot to death in Coconut Grove early on Tuesday. The killing took the country’s murder count to 50 for the year and marked the 11th homicide in April, according to The Tribune’s records. SEE PAGE SIX
POLICE SHOOT ROBBERY SUSPECT DEAD AFTER CHASE
insurance for his propane business, nor the licensing required to operate the business. For his part, Mr Mackey told The Tribune yesterday that he did not have time to respond Mr Roberts’ allegations, which he said he was aware of, and that a response would likely come from his constituency association. A response did not come up to press time. “I take no glee in presenting these facts, but was challenged by the FNM Chairman Sidney Collie and FNM candidate Howard ‘Rickey’ Mackey who urged me to tell it all,” Mr Roberts said. “It should be abundantly clear to the voters of North Eleuthera that Howard SEE PAGE SIX
REPORTS OF JOB CUTS AT BAHA MAR ‘BASELESS’ BAHA Mar denied “baseless” social media rumours that the resort has laid off dozens of staff members, while revealing that reservation availability for the Grand Hyatt Baha Mar has been moved up to May 8. The resort also said it is offering Bahamian residents a special rate. The mega resort released
50TH MURDER VICTIM OF YEAR FOUND DEAD IN ROAD
a statement last evening in the wake of social media rumours that alleged that about 100 workers had recently been laid off at the property. Instead, the resort said it is “actively expanding its associate base” and currently employs more than 1,600 people. SEE PAGE THREE
THE SCENE in Pride Estates where two suspects were shot by police and two firearms recovered following a high-speed chase. One of the suspects died later in hospital. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net POLICE shot and killed a car robbery suspect and critically injured another alleged thief during a highspeed chase in western New Providence yesterday afternoon. The drama unfolded shortly after noon on Carmichael Road and ended after the suspects crashed
their vehicle into a wall in Pride Estates. Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean said officers arrested three men on the scene. Two of the suspects were taken to hospital where one man died a short time later. One of the men is listed in critical condition and the other suspect was unharmed during the shooting. Senior ACP Dean said criminals should know “if
you engage the police, be prepared for the consequences”. He said police suspect the men to be part of a car theft ring and can “assist police with a number of murder and robbery investigations.” When The Tribune arrived at the scene there were more than 30 shell casings on the ground. “What we have here is excellent example of text book police work, we told
2,600 ENROL IN NHI IN TWO DAYS By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
MORE than 2,600 people have enrolled in the National Health Insurance programme in the two days following its historic launch on Monday, according to the NHI Secretariat yesterday. Health Minister Dr Perry Gomez yesterday said the milestone had positioned the nation among first world countries on the mat-
ter of healthcare services; however, he acknowledged that there was still no decision on how the government would fund the scheme. “I think it’s a wonderful thing that’s happening,” Dr Gomez said, “the fact that we have reached this point, the beginning of NHI, many people thought it wouldn’t happen and particularly didn’t think it would happen at the time we said it would happen, this month. “I’m happy that we have
met the target and the work begins in getting people enrolled and subsequently into care and it’s a momentous day for our country. We now join all first world countries to have the presence of NHI in their countries, when I say all first world countries we have to watch what (American president Donald) Trump does in the United States to eliminate Obamacare, which is NHI.” SEE PAGE SIX
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
members of the public that the police will be out in full force to ensure their safety and peace and tranquility in our community. Despite some acts of violence I can tell you that police are out in full force in every area of New Providence,” Senior ACP Dean said. “Today, officers from the Mobile Division were on patrol off Carmichael SEE PAGE TWO
BNCP ANGRY AT ELECTION ‘SABOTAGE’
By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net EXECUTIVES of the Bahamas National Coalition Party said they were “shocked” to learn of “glaring” errors in the listing of symbols and party affiliations published by Parliamentary Registration Department yesterday in The Tribune. BNCP Leader Wesley SEE PAGE TEN