05022023 BUSINESS AND FEATURES

‘Sky’s the limit’: New auto sales soar 40%

• Industry eyes ‘banner year’ and best in a decade

• Vehicle availability and pricing remain headwinds

• Auto Mall chief hopes no tax tinkering in Budget

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE BAHAMAS Motor Dealers Association’s (BMDA) president yesterday voiced optimism that “the sky’s the limit” for the sector in 2023 after new car sales increased by “almost 40 percent” year-over-year for the first quarter.

Ben Albury told Tribune Business the industry could enjoy “a banner year” if vehicle pricing and supply continues to further stabilise post-COVID, with dealers potentially enjoying their strongest sales collectively in almost a decade.

He added that his own dealership, Bahamas Bus and Truck, has received more new vehicle

inventor “in the last two months than we probably saw for the six months prior” as manufacturers and distributors start to catch up on the production order backlog that has plagued the industry since the world emerged from the first pandemic lockdowns.

“So far, so good,” Ben Albury told this newspaper. “Sales have been very robust, and demand is quite high. We’re seeing quite a lot of floor traffic, and that is reflected in the reports I’m

NIB ordered: Pay ex-chief seven years of pensions

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE National Insurance Board (NIB) has been ordered to pay a former director almost seven years’ worth of pension benefts after losing a legal battle over her due retirement entitlement.

Justice Diane Stewart, in an April 28, 2023, ruling found that NIB “negligently misrepresented” to Rowena Bethel that she could participate in its staff pension plan as “an inducement” to encourage her to sign a three-year contract to become its most senior executive in July 2013.

• Owing $673k after ‘negligent misrepresentation’

• Perry, Shane told eligibility key to director joining

• Attorneys demand ‘culture change’ on fairness

The verdict recorded how Ms Bethel “made clear” to ex-prime minister Perry Christie, and then-minister responsible for NIB, Shane Gibson, that taking the top job at the social security system depended on her receiving an NIB pension. However, it was only after she chose

Bahamas ‘closer to inflation peak’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE CENTRAL Bank’s governor yesterday predicted that The Bahamas is now “closer to the peak, if we have not yet seen it”, of inflationary pressures that have driven the post-COVID cost of living crisis.

John Rolle, speaking at the regulator’s 2023 first quarter economic briefing, said signs of pricing pressures easing in the US and other major world economies will eventually translate to The Bahamas after a time lag given that this nation imports virtually all it consumes.

“We cannot say at the Central Bank whether that has peaked yet,” he replied in response to this newspaper’s questions, “but what we can say is that to the extent there are signs of easing or moderation in the US and other countries, that means the levelling off and eventual decline in The Bahamas will not be far behind.

“I think that’s important, and we have started to see in the US some easing. Additionally, there is still a lot more by way of easing of inflation that everyone would like to see, but we think we’re closer to the peak if we have not yet seen it.”

The Central Bank, in its monetary policy committee (MPC) briefing for the 2023 first quarter, said: “During the 12 months to January 2023, inflation accelerated to 5.7 percent from 3.2 percent in the same period of 2022 led by restaurants and hotels costs, followed by transportation.”

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not to renew her contractfollowing “a breakdown in her relationship with key individuals at NIB” - that Ms Bethel was told she was not entitled to any pension payouts. This was because the NIB pension scheme’s rules stipulated that persons on a fixed-term contract such

seeing from across the BMDA.

I know that in our business we can probably attribute that to starting to see some inventory coming through. It’s still not as quick and to where we’d like to see it, but there’s definitely been a noticeable improvement so that’s encouraging.

“Sales are up quite a bit. We’re seeing about a 40 percent increase over the first quarter last year. That’s very significant; I didn’t even realise it was that much. If new car sales continue on the pace they’re on right now, we could easily see a year as good as maybe 2013 or 2014. These type of levels we’ve not seen since then; certainly at least for seven to eight years.” Ben Albury credited the robust post-COVID revival by tourism

and the wider Bahamian economy for stimulating consumer demand for new vehicles. “I would say that’s far exceeded expectations,” he said of the 2023 first quarter percentage increase, although he did not provide actual figures. “I know January, February and March were all outpacing the months before.

“I know during that period we were seeing quite a bit of inventory coming in, which is what I would attribute it to in my own personal business. It seems the demand has stayed very solid, and it’s got much better getting inventory. Inventory is coming through a lot better. There’s still some delays, and we have been having to adjust some orders to remove

Tackle ‘structural inefficiency’ before capping banking fees

as Ms Bethel, who was formerly the Ministry of Finance’s in-house legal adviser, did not qualify for any pension entitlement. Ms Bethel, asserting that she was never informed of this prior to agreeing to become NIB’s chief executive, initiated legal action seeking damages for “breach of contract or, alternatively, misrepresentation” after she received no pension for seven years.

Justice Stewart, in finding for Ms Bethel, awarded her damages equivalent to

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• But Central Bank pledges consumer protection regime

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE BAHAMAS will cause more problems than it solves if it seeks to “cap” bank fees without first tackling “structural inefficiencies” in the industry, the Central Bank’s governor warned yesterday.

John Rolle, speaking at the regulator’s 2023 first quarter economic briefing, pledged that it is developing “a suite of recommendations” to address consumer financial protection concerns related to the cost of, and access to, financial services throughout The Bahamas.

However, he argued that there needs to be a “comprehensive approach” to addressing these issues amid arguments by Fred

Mitchell, minister of foreign affairs, in the House of Assembly last week that the Government may need to intervene with legislation to address banking industry challenges amid a growing chorus of complaints from Bahamian consumers.

Mr Rolle said the Central Bank does not have a “negative stance” towards

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the 4-6 percent range he gave three months ago at end-January.

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE BAHAMAS’ stopover visitor numbers rebounded to 97 percent of pre-COVID levels in the 2023 first quarter, the Central Bank’s governor said yesterday, while slightly trimming his fullyear economic growth forecast.

John Rolle, addressing the regulator’s first quarter economic briefing, predicted Bahamian gross domestic product (GDP) growth “will moderate closer to 4 percent” in 2023 - a figure in line with International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank forecasts, but slightly less than

With the Bahamian economy’s rebound from COVID-19’s ravages almost complete, he said there were numerous indicators showing that growth was reducing back towards its long-run average of between 1-2 percent. For the 2023 first quarter, growth in total private sector foreign currency inflows through the commercial banks - while up by almost percent year-over-year - was down significantly on the prior year’s near two-thirds expansion.

And private sector foreign exchange outflows to purchase goods and services, while up 20 percent during the three months to end-March 2023, also showed moderated growth compared to the 37 percent expansion during the same period in 2022.

Nevertheless, Mr Rolle said The Bahamas’ external reserves, which support the one:one fixed exchange rate peg with the US

SEE PAGE B5

ROWENA BETHEL

JOHN ROLLE

BEN ALBURY

GB SET TO HOST THREE-DAY IMPACT AMERICAS FORUM

The Bahamas Financial Services Board (BFSB) and the Ministry of Economic Affairs have teamed with event organisers to host the second annual Forum for Impact Americas Dialogue on Grand Bahama next week.

The duo, in a statement issued yesterday, said they have partnered with the Forum for Impact (FFI) to host the threeday event from May 10-12. The three-day event will focus on the theme, ‘The convergence of resilience, conservation and investment’.

Ginger Moxey, minister for Grand Bahama; Michael Halkitis, minister of economic affairs, and AnnMarie Davis, spouse of the Prime Minister, will all engage in dialogue at the 2023 FFI Americas conference.

The Forum for Impact (FFI) describes its mission as to “engage the unengaged” in impact finance for the world’s family office and investor communities - key clients for the Bahamian financial services industry. FFI represents several family office principals, investors and private business owners. Michael Meehan, FFI partner and host for the event, said: “We feel Grand Bahama is an ideal location for this conversation for several reasons. The recent history of Grand Bahama is replete with challenging contradictions and impactful inconsistencies: An island balancing industry, environment and climate change; attracting investment in new infrastructure; and building resilience in the local ecosystem after the incredible destruction of Hurricane Dorian

in 2019 as climate change makes these storms more frequent and intense.

“We feel these impactful contradictions can provide an instructive backdrop for our dialogue regarding how truly sustainable investment requires all three aspects - financial, resilience and conservation - to be successful.” The Forum for Impact Americas Dialogue is an exclusive, invite-only event that aims to engage international and local investors in sustainable economic development while promoting The Bahamas as a promising location for sustainable investment.

“Our dialogue will highlight real world examples of how the Bahamian government and investors are addressing these challenges by finding the nexus incorporating finance, resilience and conservation,” said Mr.Meehan. He added that

UK DIPLOMAT HOSTS BAHAMIAN LIQUOR OFFICIALS IN EXPORT DRIVE

THE BRITISH High Commissioner has hosted Bahamian executives from the wine and spirits industry to further ambitions of increasing local rum and other drinks exports to the UK.

The UK High Commission, in a statement, said mixologists from Nassau’s bars; managers from Ocean Club, Albany, Dilly Club and the Art District Lounge; Bahamian rum producers such as John Watlings; hospitality lecturers from the University of The Bahamas; and importers such as Liquid Courage, Jimmy’s Wine & Spirits, Commonwealth Brewery, Bristol Wines and Young’s Wines, all met to discuss how they can work together to achieve this goal.

Besides exporting Bahamian rum and spirits to the UK, the talks also focused on promoting British gin,

scotch, and wine in The Bahamas as the British government seeks to ramp up trading relationships following the country’s exit from the European Union (EU).

Thomas Hartley, the British High Commissioner, said: “As High Commissioner my aim is to bring Britain and The Bahamas closer together. This year we are actively supporting the British and Bahamian economies with the promotion, distribution and education of quality and responsible wines and spirits in both countries –enjoyed in both countries, and a readily exportable product that will support local jobs.

“I am very proud of the British wine and spirits industry. English gin and Scottish whisky are already world renowned, but far fewer people know about

English wine, now regularly awarded as the finest sparkling wine and white wines in the world.

“At the residence we always serve the English champagne, ‘Camel Valley’, which has the royal warrant from King Charles and beats Bollinger in blind tastings. And if it is good enough for the King, it is a pleasure to serve it to the guests of the High Commission. And I am very proud of the Bahamian producers, too, and we are actively working behind the scenes with The Bahamas Trade Commission to see them exporting to the UK soon.”

This was the first event since the UK High Commission secured the services of Steve Boon, president of Wine and Spirits Guys, to support The Bahamas’ ambition to increase exports of locally-produced

focus will be placed on strategies to mitigate the impact of the climate crisis on The Bahamas.

“These will include examples of investment in mangrove restoration (Bahamas Mangrove Restoration Project), marine conservation, waste recycling (Clean Marine), coral protection and resilience with Coral Vita, carbon offset markets, and ecotourism already underway in Grand Bahama,” Mr Meehan said.

“We want our participants to see how their investments can create real change on the ground, and how the convergence among these macro trends can result in impactful and meaningful change while generating investment returns.”

Dr Tanya McCartney, BFSB’s chief executive and executive director, said

last year’s FFI event in Nassau gave the wide range of family office principals, investors and private business owners who attended a first-hand view of sustainable investment opportunities in The Bahamas. “Grand Bahama has an even more compelling story to tell. The individuals, companies and organisations who will be exposed to the Grand Bahama story are also representative of BFSB’s target market for financial services offerings in The Bahamas. It provides us with a unique opportunity to profile both ESG (environmental, social and governance) engagement in The Bahamas and what we have to offer to high net worth individuals and families,” she said.

Topics to be covered at the Grand Bahama event include:

* Rebuilding Grand Bahama through the lens of conservation, resilience and investment

* Building resilience to promote sustainable economic growth - the confluence of policy, innovation and investment in impact

* Three stages of building impact - investing in innovation, growth and collaboration in the global impact community * Pioneers in conservation and the restoration economy - how impact investment can support local initiatives with global potential, building from the grassroots up

* The role of sustainable economic development - the convergence of impact and resilience for lasting change in The Bahamas

alcohol to the UK. The British High Commission is actively supporting three Bahamian rum exporters to access the UK market, and John Watling’s rum will be the drink served at the UK House of Lords tomorrow at an official event featuring Bahamian prime minister, Philip Davis This follows an industry event organised by the UK High Commission in March

with the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC), which discussed how to export to the UK and attracted more than 50 exporters.

The British High Commission said it plans to continue supporting the promotion, distribution, education and responsible consumption of British and Bahamian spirits through-

out 2023, including at the International Food & Wine Festival with either an English champagne or Gin & Tonic stall; attendance at the Jollification; and training and education opportunities for Bahamian mixologists and bar staff provided by the Court of Master Sommeliers and Distilleries Guild in the UK.

Gov't, GBPA and businesses in downtown Freeport boost

THE GOVERNMENT, Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) and private sector united to drive increased commercial activity to downtown Freeport this Saturday past.

The Ministry for Grand Bahama, Ministry of Tourism and the Downtown Freeport Business Association teamed with the GBPA for the launch of the first 'Food Truck Saturday', which attracted multiple persons to the downtown area. Food truck vendors from across Grand Bahama sold their dishes from one location, combining with businesses to offer a variety of food, drink and entertainment.

Ginger Moxey, minister for Grand Bahama, said: "My hat goes off to the Downtown Business Association for the work they have done so far. This is really a partnership. And partnership is what is required to get Grand Bahama to where it needs to go.”

The event also showcased the recent winners of the E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival, who have performances in song, drama and dance. “I want to thank the community for coming together for a celebration of talent, and a celebration of our children and the launch of ‘Food Truck Saturday’,” said Mrs Moxey.

“The winners of this year’s E. Clement Bethel

National Arts Festival have worked incredibly hard to showcase their talents,and today’s event provides them with a platform to perform to a broader community. We should all take pride in our children’s talents, and

events such as this allow that to happen. “Simultaneously, our entrepreneurs can showcase their culinary skills and creativity. I’m sure that that the food truck vendors brought their ‘A’ game today, and I’m confident that they will

GINGER MOXEY, minister for Grand Bahama (right), enjoys a light moment during ‘Food Truck Saturday’ in downtown Freeport on Saturday. Sitting with the minister at the opening ceremony were (from left) Nuvolari Chotoosingh from the Ministry of Tourism; Derek Newbold, chief investment officer at the Grand Bahama Port Authority; Norris Bain, deputy director for the Northern Bahamas at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture; and James Carey, president of the Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce.

impress us all with their delectable offers.”

Mrs Moxey continued: “I am pleased to see you, the residents of Grand Bahama, have turned out to support our efforts. Seeing our community unite in this way is heartwarming and illustrates the power of working together. The power of collaboration.

“Again, I would like to extend my gratitude to the

downtown Freeport business association, the E. Clement Bethel National Arts Festival participants, and the food truck vendors for their efforts in making today’s event a resounding success. Let us all continue to support our children, entrepreneurs and community as we work together to create a brighter future for Grand Bahama.”

UK high commissioner to The Bahamas, Thomas Hartley, and Steve Boon, with the British Bar at the British High Commission.

MINIMUM WORK AGE RISE MAY BACKFIRE SAY STORES

FOOD retailers yesterday warned that raising the minimum age for work in The Bahamas to 16 could backfire as it would result in more idle teenagers roaming the streets and getting into mischief.

Philip Beneby, president of the Retail Grocers Association (RGA), which represents more than 130 food store operators, said increasing the minimum age in the Employment Act from the present 14 to 16 years-old could have unintended consequences as it would result in teenagers being introduced to the working world at a later age.

Numerous teenagers work as packing boys and girls in food stores, and Mr

Beneby said “many of them want to work”. He added that preventing them from working before they turn 16 could also have a negative impact on themselves and their families.

“A lot of them are in situations where they have to work because they are the providers for their families and other siblings, and they really have expressed a desire to work,” Mr Beneby said. “A lot of them want to work, and if the proprietors cannot hire them then they will be engaged in other mischievous activities.

“I prefer for the minimum age to remain the way it is. If they go up to 16 then they are going to create another problem. If you push the younger boys away then you will create another problem for the country and the society, with more young boys engaging in mischief.”

Mr Beneby was responding after it was confirmed that the National Tripartite Council will review the Employment Act to assess whether the minimum work age should be raised to 16, aligning it with the school leaving age and other child protection legislation.

The issue was raised in the national report that The Bahamas submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) is pushing the country to change the minimum employment age, according to a report UNESCO prepared ahead of the human rights review.

“The minimum age of employment is 16 years in the Child Protection Act (article 7) or 14 years in the Employment Act (article

49 and 50(1). Due to this inconsistency, the age at which compulsory education ends (16 years) cannot be considered aligned with the minimum age of employment,” the report says. “Raise the minimum age of employment to 16 years in the Employment Act to align with the end of compulsory education.”

Francis Delva, a manager at the Phoenix Supermarket, East Street South, also warned against raising the minimum age to 16. He said: “I think it’d be doing a disservice to the country. Because you have young people coming out of school who are idle, but who want to stay active.

“So we encourage them by coming in and packing and so on and so forth. A 16 or 17 year-old may not be inclined to do that work. They should leave the age

alone or else they are going to create an environment where you will have a lot of idle people on the streets and that’s only going to lead to trouble.”

Mr Beneby, meanwhile, said the Government had previously enacted stipulations requiring packing boys to be aged 13 years and older. Their parents and guardians must also be notified when they are working. He said this was introduced after several young boys under the age of 14 were murdered in Freeport in 2003, all of whom worked as packing boys for local food stores.

Robert Farquharson, director of labour, said the National Tripartite Council - the body responsible for reviewing all labourrelated matters in The Bahamas - has yet to begin consultations on altering the

Activists renew fears over PI ‘decimation’

By FAY SIMMONS jsimmons@ tribunemedia.net

Tribune Business Reporter

ENVIRONMENTAL

activists yesterday voiced fears to Bahamian regulators that “the complete decimation” of western Paradise Island will be “irreparable and irreversible” if they approve Royal Caribbean’s $110m project.

Taking Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister, at his word after he urged them to address their concerns to the regulators, local activists wrote to the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) on April 29, 2023, setting out 12 separate issues over the proposed Royal Beach Club that they are demanding be addressed.

The letter, written by Joe Darville, Save the Bays executive chairman, to Dr Rhianna Neely-Murphy, DEPP’s director, said: “As Bahamian citizens and environmentalists, we are counting on you to fulfill your mandate to protect our nation’s precious natural resources and unique environment by demanding detailed answers from Royal Caribbean – in as transparent a manner as possible – regarding its plans and promises.

“From what the cruise line has revealed publicly, we fear that if the project receives your approval, the full transition and complete decimation of this small, fragile strip of Paradise Island land will be inevitable and irreversible.” Royal Caribbean has thus far rejected the environmental concerns, pledging that all issues raised will be addressed.

However, Mr Darville asked how Royal Caribbean determined that the average daily guest number of between 2,750 to 3,000 passengers will be sustainable. “Was it based at all on an analysis of the capacity of this narrow, fragile strip of land to hold up under such

density and intensity of use?” he questioned. “On 17 acres, that’s 176 people per acre. Given the requirement to dedicate land for the site’s power plant, waste treatment facilities, buildings, restaurant areas, performance stages and other structures, the density of people-per-acre will be even greater. Does this comport with DEPP best practices and established standards?”

The Save the Bays chief also asked: “Royal Caribbean has promised to build no over-the-water structures. But where will the required over-the-water docks be built to handle the intense daily water taxi activity? Has Royal Caribbean submitted detailed construction plans, not just renderings, so that the DEPP can properly assess the proposed project’s environmental impact?

“Royal Caribbean representatives have estimated that those plans will not be available until the end of 2023. No environmental approvals would be appropriate without review of the final plans.” Mr Darville also asked if Royal Caribbean had mapped surrounding coral and detailed how it plans to mitigate any damage to those structures.

“Has Royal Caribbean shared with you any plans to provide emergency and life safety services on their site? Do they have a fire prevention and response plan that is sensitive to the environment, and has been reviewed by the appropriate agencies and authorities?” he continued.

“Royal Caribbean has made a pledge to achieve net-zero carbon emissions on its site by 2030. It has also stated that it will generate its own energy. If Royal Caribbean is proposing to use solar power, where will a solar panel field large enough to provide the required amount of energy for the company’s intended uses be located on the restricted 17-acre site?

“If diesel generators are to be used prior to solar conversion, how does Royal

Caribbean intend to mitigate the anticipated levels of air and sound pollution? Does Royal Caribbean’s net-zero carbon pledge include the anticipated impact of intense private water taxi traffic they intend to introduce to transport thousands of staff and visitors across the harbour every day?” Mr Darville wrote.

“While this is not a comprehensive list of our questions and concerns, it does demonstrate the inadequacy of Royal Caribbean’s public pronouncements and the absence of public disclosure to date.”

Mr Darville subsequently told Tribune Business: “He [the Deputy Prime Minister] has given us the indication that the company is mindful of all of the regulations that should be put in place. And so what we’re doing by that communication is actually sending an open letter to the press, and to the deputy prime minister and to the DEPP, with specific areas where which we would like to have satisfactory answers.

“And also to be given a chance to actually pose those questions and get a valuable answer from the company and from the DEPP. It was said that it’s going to be open, and the Prime Minister said that the company will concur with all of the environmental matters entailed in that development.

“We want to know exactly how that will take place. And, of course, at one point, we would like to be on the site with the developers to make sure that they see every inch, and the significance of every inch of that particular little gem remaining on Paradise Island.”

Dr Rhianna Neely-Murphy, the DEPP director, said a public meeting will be held to respond to the queries raised by environmentalists about the Royal Caribbean project. The date has not been announced as yet, and all concerns must be submitted within 21 days of the meeting.

She said: “We will set a date for an actual meeting that will be announced very shortly. All questions, concerns and comments will be addressed appropriately during that meeting and then 21 days following.”

Eric Carey, former Bahamas National Trust (BNT) executive director, previously voiced concerns about the volume of visitors that will frequent the site. In addition to the environmental concerns, Mr Carey, who will review Royal Caribbean’s Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on behalf of Atlantis, questioned the socio-economic impact of the development

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and maintained that it bypasses downtown Nassau businesses.

Meanwhile, environmentalists yesterday voiced concern over Stoney Coral Tissue Loss Disease (SCTLD) reaching the Sandy Cay Reef, a popular scuba spot within the Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park in Abaco.

The Perry Institute for Marine Science, in a statement, said the coral disease was discovered in March in Sandy Cay and is “wreaking havoc on its famously diverse array of corals, including the colossal pillar and mountainous star colonies that

minimum work age in the Employment Act. While reform would “bring us in line with best practices”, he added that a careful examination of the proposal is vital. “There are some cultural differences,” Mr Farquharson said. “We have children on the Family Islands who work in fishing and who work in the farming industry. All of that has to be considered. This analysis can’t be Nassau-centric. “We have to go to Cat Island; we have to go to Andros. How many children who are 14 and 15 go with their parents on fishing trips? Is that considered work? Are they being paid? That’s the cultural aspect of our country. We have to be extremely careful. Is it a criminal offence for a child who, during the summer, catches crabs and uses that money? Is that work?”

have flourished there for centuries”.

It added that coral disease has an effect on the Bahamian economy, damaging both the tourism and fishing industries. The Perry Institute said: “The repercussions of SCTLD extend far beyond Sandy Cay and Mermaid Reef, however, as coral reefs provide essential ecosystem services, including coastal protection and food security, for millions worldwide.

“The Bahamian economy heavily depends on tourism and fishing, both of which rely on the health of its coral reefs. The spiny lobster fishery, for example, is worth $90m a year and employs 9,000 people.”

JOB OPPORTUNITY

Caregiver For Two Young Children

This position would suit a responsible mature minded person who has a genuine interest in children. A native spanish speaker is preferred. We are seeking a longterm placement. Caregiver MUST LOVE TODDLERS and have at least 2 years’ experience in a caring role where they were in sole charge of more than one child throughout the day. You must be patient, show empathy, care, and appreciate the challenges that these formative years have on a child.

The suitable applicant must meet the following criteria:

• First Aid Certification

• Driver’s License

• Police Check Day to day duties include:

• Meal preparation

• Playing with children

• Reading and counting with children

• Taking children to clubs, after school activities, weekend activities etc.

• Outings to the park, ensuring they arealways safe

• Some light housework duties are required; general tidy up after meals, laundry and folding for the child.

Please forward your resume and introduction letter by email to

TACKLE ‘STRUCTURAL INEFFICIENCY’ BEFORE CAPPING BANKING FEES

the Canadian-owned commercial banks and other institutions outsourcing back office and other functions to other Caribbean nations if it results in financial services being provided more cheaply and cost-effectively to local consumers. The outsourcing of call centre functions to the likes of Jamaica and Trinidad was among Mr Mitchell’s primary complaints.

Reiterating his and the Central Bank’s belief that commercial bank fees and other costs are “symptoms” of the cost of doing business in The Bahamas and other factors, the Governor nevertheless left room for the end-2024 deadline for the elimination of cheques to be altered. He added that a “steering committee”, featuring representatives from the banking industry, insurance, credit unions, government and private sector, will advise on the timeline’s “feasibility”.

Mr Rolle also denied he was “disappointed” that just over $1m worth of Sand Dollars, the digital version of the Bahamian dollar that is backed by the Central Bank, are presently in circulation amid concerns that the adoption has been relatively slow. He described the transition as “a journey”, and added: “It’s not expected to happen overnight.”

“I just want to say there is a continued trend in the banking sector to identify efficiencies where they can find these and, therefore, we see a lot more regionalisation of operations,” Mr Rolle said, pointing out that outsourcing works both ways, with some Bahamasbased functions supporting operations in other Caribbean countries.

“We manage this against the other risks that may be present in the banking operations. When we look at how these services can be delivered more positively in the minds of the consumers,

the Central Bank is taking a holistic approach looking at consumer protection issues in the financial sector and, as we go through that exercise, we are going to be putting together a suite of recommendations to address issues in the banking sector.

“But there isn’t any negative stance in the Central Bank’s policy approach to banks around outsourcing, and we allow... banks to become more efficient in how they provide services. However, we are going to put more emphasis on how consumers are satisfied around reliability and access to services. We are not insensitive or unaware of the concerns, but we have to take a comprehensive approach in terms of how we deal with these issues.”

Promising that “there will be a consumer financial protection regime in The Bahamas”, Mr Rolle said the Central Bank is already dedicating

resources to “formulating some of the issues that will be addressed in that framework”. He acknowledged that Bahamian businesses and consumers all have a vested interest in how the commercial banking sector’s drive for cost savings and efficiencies will impact them.

“We all have an interest as users of the banking system to reduce the cost of operations and the impact of those costs on us as users,” the Governor said, “so we are looking at how we make the banking sector more efficient overall. Let us also understand that the fees and the adjustments in the service are symptoms around how the financial services providers are responding to the environment in which they are operating.

“So the Central Bank’s objective, first of all, is to get everyone to appreciate we have inefficiencies in the banking sector, as well as policies and reforms such

as digitisation, but making sure persons have access.... to the digital platform that services are provided from.

“That is an area where we can make interventions, but we address comprehensively the areas where we can make the system more efficient and prepare users of the system to operate within the system when the modes of delivering services changes.”

Mr Rolle said Bahamian consumers need to better understand, and recognise “what are the structural issues that are linked to inefficiencies in the banking system. Because if we do not address this we will not solve the problem by capping fees. We will cause other problems to arise in the system. We have to address the structural issues and that is where there is a lot of work that the Central Bank is putting emphasis on”. As for the drive to reduce, then eliminate, the use of paper cheques as

NIB ORDERED: PAY EX-CHIEF SEVEN YEARS OF PENSIONS

FROM PAGE B01

the monthly $8,207 payment she had chosen to receive as pension benefits upon her departure. These payments are to take effect from the date of her early July 2016 departure, which means that she is presently due some 82 outstanding pension payouts worth a collective $673,000 according to Tribune Business calculations. She will also receive these payouts going forward.

Callenders & Co, the law firm that represented Ms Bethel in her claim against NIB, yesterday voiced hope that Justice Stewart’s ruling will help “change the culture” that too often sees Bahamian professionals forced to take legal action to receive what is legally due to them.

Kandice Maycock, an attorney who worked on the case with Fred Smith KC, said: “Callenders & Co is extremely pleased with the result and always happy to be able to represent Bahamians who are

unfairly treated and must seek redress in the courts. “Far too often, accomplished professionals find themselves forced to take legal action in order to receive what is entitled to them. It is our hope that rulings such as these have an impact going forward and change the culture that gives rise to these unfortunate situations.”

Ms Bethel alleged that NIB made monthly $713.44 deductions from her salary as pension contributions after she signed a threeyear deal to become its top executive on July 31, 2013. In March and April 2015, she was purportedly enrolled in the staff pension scheme that was managed by CFAL and provided with a pension account.

Enrollment in the scheme was said to have been critical because of a medical condition that Ms Bethel faced, and her need to financially plan for the future because of it. The pension was “a key reason for her accepting employment with NIB, as it allowed her access to the

scheme in order to meet anticipated medical care costs for the condition”, and this was made clear to all prior to her signing the contract.

Ms Bethel decided not to renew her initial three-year contract upon its expiry due to a combination of “deteriorating health” and breakdown in relationships with other key NIB staff. Her departure was mutually agreed, and she received a letter on July 13, 2016, saying her pension benefit was being calculated.

NIB then write to her again on September 20, 2016, giving her two choices by which to receive payment - a monthly $8,207 payment or a $282,913 initial lump sum followed by lower monthly payments of $6,616. Ms Bethel chose the first but it was only after she wrote to NIB on October 22, 2016, saying she had received no payments that she was informed her fixed-term contract made her ineligible for an NIB pension.

“NIB accepts that Ms Bethel had not been

previously made aware at any time that, because of the provision of the scheme, a pension would not be paid to Ms Bethel but denies Ms Bethel is entitled to any compensation for not being made a member of the scheme,” the former director said in her evidence.

After the Minnis administration took office, Ms Bethel alleged she met twice with Brensil Rolle, the then-new NIB minister, in a bid to resolve the matter. She was told at the second meeting he had spoken to Father James Moultrie, NIB chairman during Ms Bethel’s tenure, and then-chair of the Public Service Commission, who “assured” she was entitled to an NIB pension and that he had given the necessary instructions for this.

However, Ms Bethel never received any pension payments. She was also faced with loss of her $25,684 contributions via the monthly salary deductions plus some $130,217 in financial entitlements due from her previous government service that were supposed to have been transferred, and applied to, her NIB pension. Ms Bethel argued that as an alternative she was entitled to “restitution” worth almost

$156,000 representing these two combined sums.

NIB, though, rejected her claim and argued that she “accepts she is not eligible for participation in the pension plan”. Ms Bethel, though, argued that it was “a clear, factual warranty” that she was entitled to participate by virtue of clause 15 in her contract, which stipulated: “You are eligible for participation in the Board’s occupational pension plan.” She and her attorneys dismissed NIB’s argument that this was “void for mistake”, given that the social security system knew better than her the eligibility and qualifying criteria. As a result, it had committed “negligent misrepresentation” in not alerting Ms Bethel to this and, instead, enticed her to sign on as NIB director.

“Her evidence was that she and Father James Moultrie had a clear conversation during which he stated that she was entitled to participate in the pension scheme,” Justice Stewart said of Ms Bethel. “She stated that he had been surprised that [NIB] was still objecting to paying her the money.

“She also stated that she had a conversation with the prime minister, Perry

a payment mechanism by end-2024, Mr Rolle said the Central Bank was finalising the consumer education drive to facilitate this initiative in conjunction with the private sector steering committee.

He added that the committee will “be looking at a range of issues around reducing reliance on and usage of cheques”, and it “is going to help guide the Central Bank in terms of assessing the 2024 timeline as well as the feasibility of adjusting that timeline” - an indication that it might not be set in stone yet.

Mr Rolle said this work will be undertaken “before we get to the second half of 2023”, with the education campaign set to launch during the latter part of the year. Promising that this will focus on the virtues of using digital and other alternative payment means, he added: “The education campaign is not about persuading anyone that we need to get rid of cheques”

Christie, and then minister for national insurance, Shane Gibson, whom she informed that she would not accept the role as director and chief executive unless it was guaranteed that she would be able to participate in the pension scheme.” Negotiations over her contract were also held with the then-NIB Board.

NIB, though, said the whole issue stemmed from a mistake and Ms Bethel could not receive damages “for something she never had and could not lose”. It also suggested that the pension clause in Ms Bethel’s contract was a condition and not a warranty.

Justice Stewart, though, ruled that because NIB agreed Ms Bethel’s contract terms it was “reasonable and equitable” to find she was supposed to participate in the pension scheme. “I accept, therefore, that there was a breach of the implied term and consequently a breach of contract,” she ruled, also dismissing NIB’s claim that it was void on the grounds of mistake. Ms Bethel’s claim of “negligent misrepresentation” was also upheld.

Ms Bethel, in a statement, thanked her attorneys by saying: “I think it shows that Callenders’ strong human rights advocacy extends to all persons in The Bahamas no matter their status, national origin and gender etc.”

Bahamas ‘closer to inflation peak’

And the Bahamas National Statistical Institute, in its recent February 2023 consumer price index, said: “ The monthly inflation rate in The Bahamas, which represents the overall change in prices, for 2023 decreased by 0.1 percent when compared to January 2023. This decrease is reflected in the overall price of items purchased by the average consumer during this period.

“This February 2023 decrease followed a 0.1 percent decrease between the months of December 2022 and January 2023. The category of miscellaneous goods saw a decline of 3.4 percent when compared to the previous month. The food and non-alcoholic category also recorded a decline of 1.1 percent. Meanwhile, over this same period, health services saw an increase of 2 percent for the month of February.

“On a year-over-year basis, the consumer price index (CPI) rose 5 percent over the same period last year in 2022. The major categories that contributed to this rise included recreation and alcoholic beverages along with food and nonalcoholic beverages with increases of 20 percent, 11 percent and 9 percent respectively.

“Diesel prices were up 20 percent, and gasoline rose 9 percent compared to this period in 2022. However,

compared to January 2023 diesel prices declined by 2 percent while gasoline prices increased 6 percent for the month of February 2023.”

Elsewhere, the Central Bank’s lending conditions survey for the 2022 second half revealed that lenders continued to cite “high debt service ratios (DSR), delinquency in prior loans, underemployment and no collateral as top reasons for rejections” of new credit

applications during the period. The regulator said:

“Some 16,037 applications were received during the review period, higher than the second half of 2021 by 12 per cent. The majority of applications, 83 percent, were processed in New Providence. Consumer applications increased by 16.5 percent year-on- year, representing 92 percent of total loans processed. Over the same period in 2021, the

GOVERNOR TRIMS GROWTH FORECAST ‘CLOSER TO 4%’

FROM PAGE B1

FROM PAGE B1 dollar, stood at a “healthy” $2.7bn this week and, while expected to end 2023 below last year due to private sector demand in the Christmas run-up, will remain more than sufficient.

“As regards tourism, the recovery trend during the first quarter still conveyed elements of pent-up travel demand. Taking average pricing increases into account, the stopover industry’s seasonal earnings are projected to have already fully recovered, even though visitor volumes still have a small amount of capacity to regain,” Mr Rolle said.

“For 2023, balanced against downside risks, tourism earnings are also expected to exceed prepandemic estimates on a calendar year basis. As to visitor head count, comparing season with season, it is estimated that at the end of the first quarter, based on air arrival trends, stopover visitor volumes were approximately recovered to about 97 percent of their 2019 levels, which would

have been the pre-COVID high.”

However, the Governor added: “With stopover visitor volumes being closer to full recovery from the pandemic, the pace of growth was, as expected, strongly moderated in comparison to the same period of 2022.... The tempered pace of growth was captured in the foreign exchange markets trends.

“In particular, total private sector inflows through commercial banks grew by almost 10 percent in the first quarter compared to more accelerated recovery-paced gains of almost two-thirds in 2022. Other than tourism’s impact, the outcome also points to potentially slowed contribution from other foreign exchange earning activities, such as real estate and foreign direct investments.

“In the meantime, foreign exchange outflows through the private sector, mainly an indicator of domestic demand for imports of goods and services, rose by about 20 percent in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the

recovery-propelled boost of 37 percent in 2022. Because private sector outflows grew faster than inflows, it led to reduced net sales of foreign exchange from commercial banks to the Central Bank,” he continued.

“While this helped moderate the seasonal build-up in external reserves, the transactions with the public sector had the greater impact. In particular, in the first quarter the Central Bank made a net sale of foreign currency to the public sector as compared to the net purchase in excess of $300m in 2022, which was timed with the bulk of the previous fiscal year’s external borrowing activities.

“As of the beginning of May, the external reserves measured approximately $2.7bn, still a healthy position. On a seasonal basis, these balances are expected to peak later in the year before being drawdown over the closing months of the year. The reserves are expected to end 2023 below their closing levels of 2022. This is in keeping with stronger private sector demand for imports

of goods and services, some of which could be driven by expanded private sector credit.”

While unemployment has fallen from its COVID peak, Mr Rolle said the jobless rate is still likely to be higher than it was in 2019 before the pandemic. “The unemployment rate would also have fallen significantly from the elevated setback, projected in excess of 20 percent, during parts of 2020 and 2021,” he added.

“The prospects for further reduction in the employment rate will depend on the speed at which the economy grows after 2023, catering both to the surplus of new labour that accumulated during the recession and workers who were only temporarily unemployed.”

Mr Rolle said: “Turning to the outlook, the Central Bank expects that growth in the economy will moderate closer to 4 percent in 2023 after regaining about 14.4 percent in 2022, according to the Bahamas National Statistical Institute. Correlated with this would also be more moderated

changes in bank liquidity, healthy evolution of the external reserves and room for further reduction in the Government’s budget deficit.

“The domestic environment is expected to be able to support both increased lending to the private sector and allow the Government to increase its reliance on local borrowing to finance the deficit..... Bank lending to the private sector remains constrained overall. Based on the latest Lending Conditions survey through the second half of 2022, the volume of requests for loans has increased, but new lending was still pacing slower than debt repayment.

“Hence, even over the first quarter of 2023, total private sector contracted. However, the contraction was more moderated than in 2022, still holding out prospects for a more incremental increase in total credit by the end of 2023. In the meantime, the domestic banks continued to record healthy reductions in the credit delinquency rate over the first quarter of the year.

approval rate firmed to 83.2 percent.

“Mortgage applications contracted by 22.2 percent year-on-year. Relative to the last half of 2021, the approval rate for this category rose by 4.3 percentage points to 37.9 percent.

Commercial credit requests fell by 14.1 percent year-onyear, attributed to reduced demand in New Providence. Comparable to the second half of 2021, the approval rate rose by 8.3 percentage points to 90.6 percent.”

Continued reduction in the delinquency rate, along with increased use of the credit bureau, is expected to further improve the environment for lending.”

Mr Rolle said inflation, and particularly higher fuel costs that might affect transportation and the tourism industry, as well as interest rate rises in the US and major economies all represent risks to The Bahamas’ economic outlook. “In this environment, the Central Bank’s monetary policy position is to continue to be accommodating for lending to the private sector,” he added.

“Although this increases the potential for net foreign currency outflows, it is still projected to leave the external reserves in a healthy position overall, and therefore maintain solid support for the Bahamian dollar fixed exchange rate. As regards to other foreign exchange market policies, the Central Bank will maintain a very measured approach to investment currency reforms, while favouring increased administrative efficiencies in processes governing trade payments, and both inward and outward direct investments.”

‘SKY’S THE LIMIT’: NEW AUTO SALES SOAR 40%

FROM PAGE B1

certain components or certain features that it may be problematic securing the necessary components for them to work.

OSAMU Furukawa stands next to his new BYD ATTO 3 electric car, that’s parked besides a Volkswagen converted into an EV, in Yokohama, south of Tokyo, Tuesday, April 25, 2023. BYD Auto is part of a wave of Chinese electric car exporters that are starting to compete with Western and Japanese brands in their home markets. They bring fast-developing technology and low prices that Tesla Inc.’s chief financial officer says “are scary.”

CHINESE ELECTRIC VEHICLE BRANDS EXPAND TO GLOBAL MARKETS

By JOE MCDONALD

AND YURI KAGEYAMA

AP Business Writers

OSAMU Furukawa has driven lots of Japanese cars for his business converting classic gasoline-powered models to electric. But his favorite ride is an import: A battery-powered SUV from China's BYD Auto.

BYD Auto is part of a wave of Chinese electric car exporters that are starting to compete with Western and Japanese brands in their home markets. They bring fast-developing technology and low prices that Tesla Inc.'s chief financial officer says "are scary."

Furukawa said he ordered an ATTO 3 when it went on sale Jan. 31, for its user-friendly features and appealing price of 4.4 million yen ($33,000) — or about one-quarter less than a Tesla.

"It's perfect," Furukawa said in his office in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo.

Other ambitious Chinese EV exporters include NIO, Geely Group's Zeekr and Ora, a unit of SUV maker Great Wall Motors.

Some compete on price. Others emphasize performance and features, putting pressure on Western and Japanese premium brands.

NIO Inc., which has persuaded buyers in China to pay Tesla-level sticker

prices of up to 555,000 yuan ($80,000), says its latest SUV goes on sale this year in Europe. The ES6 boasts voice-activated controls and a range of 610 kilometers (380 miles) on a charge.

"We are very confident the ES6 will compete in this premium SUV market," NIO's founder and CEO, William Li, said in an interview at the Shanghai auto show.

Sales of battery-powered vehicles and gasoline-electric hybrids in China almost doubled last year to 6.9 million vehicles, or half the global total.

That was supported by multibillion-dollar subsidies from the ruling Communist Party, which is trying to make China a creator of clean energy and other technologies. That rattles U.S. and European leaders who see China as a strategic and industrial competitor.

Chinese brands are "serious competition," according to David Leah, an analyst for GlobalData.

They have "more competitive battery technology" and can "achieve greater economies of scale," Leah said in an email.

BYD Auto, owned by battery maker BYD Co., edged ahead of Tesla in total 2022 sales at 1.9 million vehicles. Half were gasoline-electric hybrids, while Tesla's fleet is pure electric.

“But, overall, we’ve seen more inventory come through in the last two months than I probably saw for the six months prior. It just seems that if we can continue to stabilise the supply and get some sort of consistency it seems like the sky’s the limit this year. I’m very optimistic we’ll have a banner year this year,” the BMDA president told this newspaper.

“I’m still holding my breath because suppliers have been telling me for a while that things are going to get better, things are going to get better. I’ve been hearing that for over a year. I’m not 100 percent confident, but it’s good to see that improvement and good to see the results of that improvement. I’m optimistic, though, that these trends will continue so let’s keep our fingers-crossed.”

Ben Albury, who revealed that the BMDA’s Car Show is likely to be held for the first time in four years as it makes its post-COVID return, said that apart from lingering supply chain and inventory issues, the only other major headwind facing the Bahamian auto industry is the slow, steady

increase in vehicle prices stemming from high shipping and raw materials prices.

“I’m still seeing steady prices increases every month,” he told Tribune Business. “They can range. Some are 3-5 percent, and some maybe a bit more minor, 1-2 percent, but if it’s consistently increasing 1-2 percent over the previous month that can really make a pretty big difference.

“They’re [suppliers] still citing components, shipping costs and raw material costs. The thing with prices is once you see them go up they never come back down. They cite all these challenges in making the increases, and when things start to level off and taper they don’t go back and make adjustments to their pricing while giving you less inventory than they did before.”

Fred Albury, principal at the Auto Mall, the Toyota, Hyundai and Suzuki distributor, echoed the BMDA president’s views on vehicle pricing and inventory availability. “It’s way up, but a lot of that is fleet business with the Government there,” he said of the sales increase. “Whether that is going to continue through I don’t know, but the market has been very strong. Demand is very strong, and dealers seem to be getting more inventory as well.

NOTICE

International Business Companies Act No.45 of 2000

MCS Investment Ltd (the “Company”)

Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, No.45 of 2000, the Dissolution of MCS Investment Ltd, has been completed, a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued and the Company has therefore been struck off the Register. The date of completion of the dissolution was the 3rd day of April 2023.

Luciane Ribeiro Moreno Liquidator

“I haven’t looked at the numbers out there, but the numbers have increased considerably especially from one of the distributors in particular because of the fleet business they’re getting from the Government.” While Auto Mall was “still kind of light” on brands such as Toyota, Suzuki and Hyundai, there were signs of inventory shortages easing for many dealers.

Nevertheless, Fred Albury said: “If I order 50 vehicles for the month I’m lucky to get 30. But this is a lot better than the last few years. Sales have been strong for the first quarter. The dealers needed that kind of uptick to get profitability levels back up. It translates into profitability in the future from service and parts; spare parts.

“Suppliers are still saying that the chip shortage is with is, and it’s going to take the rest of the year to level out there. The other thing that might slow things down is pricing. Prices are increasing because raw materials have increased, because shipping has increased, so it might slow things down somewhat. Some months we’re

seeing 1-2 percent increases, and that continues for four months, and then we might see a 2 percent rise.”

The Auto Mall chief also voiced concern that the Government may be tempted to tinker with the industry’s tax structure and rates in the upcoming Budget, which is due to be unveiled on May 31. “I just hope that when Budget time comes around the Government doesn’t tweak the numbers hoping to get more revenues as they will shoot themselves in the foot,” he said.

“We’re having trouble finding people to work these days. Just about every company about town is having issues as well. That’s a good indicator the economy is on the up and up, so sales are strong. It’s back. Toyota was our number one band last year for sales. Hyundai has started getting some bigger shipments in as of the last month, and Suzuki is getting some shipments in.

“Nassau Motor Company is getting shipments, and Kia as well. The playing field is more level, and everyone can share in it.”

COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS IN THE SUPREME COURT

PROBATE SIDE

IN THE ESTATE OF RICHARD JOHN DOXFORD late of 11c Tournay Road, Fullham in the City of London, deceased.

NOTICE is hereby given that all persons having any claims and/or demands against the above Estate are required to send the same duly certified in writing to the undersigned on or before the 6th June 2023 after which date the Executor will proceed to distribute the assets having regard only to the claims of which they shall then have had notice AND NOTICE is hereby given that all persons indebted to the said Estate are requested to make full settlement on or before the date hereinbefore mentioned.

SWEETING O’BRIEN

Attorneys for the GLINTON Executor 303 Shirley Street Nassau, The Bahamas (A. 13, A. 23, S.3)

Photo:Yuri Kageyama/AP

STOCK MARKET TODAY: ASIA SHARES MIXED ON HOLIDAY MODE TRADE

By YURI KAGEYAMA

AP Business Writer

ASIAN shares were mixed Tuesday with some markets closed or anticipating holidays and investors showing muted reaction to the latest historic U.S. banking failure.

Japan’s Nikkei 225 edged up 0.2% to 29,175.44 in morning trading. Trading

in Tokyo will be closed for Golden Week holidays the rest of the week. Trading was closed in Shanghai for Labor Day.

Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 dipped 0.2% to 7,319.40.

South Korea’s Kospi gained 0.8% to 2,522.09.

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng was virtually unchanged at 19,885.48.

NOTICE

DELTA ENERGY HOLDINGS LIMITED

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

(a) DELTA ENERGY HOLDINGS LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b) The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 26th April, 2023 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c) The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

Dated this 2nd day of May, A. D. 2023

Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

NOTICE

FOREVER PROSPEROUS INVESTMENTS LIMITED

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

(a) FOREVER PROSPEROUS INVESTMENTS LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b) The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 21st April, 2023 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c) The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

Dated this 2nd day of May, A. D. 2023

Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

The Reserve Bank of Australia was holding a policy meeting, but no change was expected. Economic and inflation reports are also expected in Europe ahead of the central bank meeting later in the week.

Markets are also bracing for what is hoped to be the last interest rate hike by the U.S. Federal Reserve for some time. Oil prices

and currencies were little changed. Recent China’s manufacturing data showed a contraction, reflecting how the weakening export market is starting to hurt the domestic economy, according to analysts.

“We believe that the government will resume subsidies on electric vehicles, which would benefit

NOTICE

DESMOND PE ASSETS LIMITED

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

(a) DESMOND PE ASSETS LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b) The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 26th April, 2023 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c) The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

Dated this 2nd day of May, A. D. 2023

Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

NOTICE

BUCKSFIELD HOLDINGS LIMITED

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

(a) BUCKSFIELD HOLDINGS LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b) The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 26th April, 2023 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c) The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas Dated this 2nd day of May, A. D. 2023

Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

both the manufacturing and services sector. The government might also push infrastructure construction faster,” said Robert Carnell and other analysts at ING in their report.

On Wall Street, the S&P 500 was virtually unchanged after regulators seized First Republic Bank and sold off most of it in hopes of preventing more turmoil in the industry. It dipped 1.61, or less than 0.1%, to 4,167.87. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 46.46, or 0.1%, to 34,051.70, and the Nasdaq composite fell 13.99, or 0.1%, to 12,212.60.

First Republic has been feared as the next to topple following March’s failures of Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank. That fueled a larger worry that runs on smaller and midsized banks could take down the economy, like the financial industry’s woes did in 2008.

But analysts and economists see big differences between then and now. The biggest U.S. banks are feeling less pressure now, and several banks under scrutiny have said their deposit levels have strengthened since late March. And the stock market’s reaction indicates investors see First Republic Bank, which plunged 75% last week, as an isolated rather than systemic problem.

Shares of JPMorgan Chase, which is buying much of First Republic’s assets, rose 2.1%. It’s becoming even bigger following the deal.

Still, many other questions continue to hang over Wall Street that could shake things up. They include worries about corporate

profits and the U.S. government’s latest squabble over the country’s debt limit.

Above all is what the Federal Reserve will do with interest rates. At its next meeting, which concludes Wednesday, most traders expect the Fed to raise short-term rate by another quarter of a percentage point, up to a range of 5 to 5.25% from virtually zero early last year.

The hope is that may be the final increase for a while, which would give the economy and financial markets more breathing room.

The Fed has been raising rates sharply in hopes of getting high inflation under control. But high rates are a notoriously blunt tool that slow the entire economy, raise the risk of a recession and hurt prices for investments. If banks limit their lending following their industry’s recent struggles, even if there are no more failures, that could act like rate increases on their own.

Many investors are preparing for a recession to hit later this year.

A report on Monday from the Institute for Supply Management said manufacturing activity shrank again in April, though not as badly as most economists expected. Other reports this week will give the latest updates on U.S. services industries and hiring across the economy.

One lever that’s propped up Wall Street in recent weeks has been a stream of companies reporting better profits for the first three months of the year than expected.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that BRIAN SYLVESTRE, of East Street North, Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 2nd day of May 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that ALBERTE FLEURIMON of Fire Trail Road, New Providence, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 2nd day of May, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that ANDRICKA DESROSIERS of #13 Sandpiper Drive, Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 2nd day of May, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that EVA BEAUGRIS, of Key West Street, New Providence, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 25th day of April 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

Dementia cases on the rise in the Bahamas – Call for national plan of action

By CARA HUNT Tribune Features Writer cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

Dementia is a sad reality that many Bahamian families are affected by, and the number of cases will significantly rise in the future, according to Wendyi Poitier Albury, president of the Bahamas Alzheimers Association.

“It is estimated that there are more than 2,000 persons diagnosed with dementia today, and by 2050, there will be more than 6,000 people living here in this country with this disease – an increase of over 200 percent,” she said.

(These numbers are based on statistics by the Institute of Health Matrix and Evaluation)

Mrs Poitier Albury made this statement as a member of the Eta Psi Omega Chapter of Alpha

Kappa Alpha Sorority during the organisation’s recent “Women’s Mock Parliament” session in the House of Assembly.

During her presentation, she noted that in 2017, the Bahamas agreed as part of the World Health Organisation to develop a national dementia plan, either a standalone plane or one integrated into other polices. However, she said this has unfortunately not happened.

Dementia is not a specific disease but rather a general term for a condition which manifests as a set of related symptoms.

The symptoms involve progressive impairments in memory, thinking and behaviour, which negatively affects a person’s ability to function and carry out everyday activities.

Mrs Poitier Albury said dementia numbers are growing and the

disorder is more likely to affect women.

“Women are at a higher risk of developing dementia, and when they do develop it, the symptoms are more severe,” she said.

It is also predominately women who become the carers in this scenario.

“It is women who provide either formal care, either being hired as caregivers, or informally caring for family members; often without pay. Women are the ones who have to juggle caring for the children and caring for the parents. Women have to stop working on outside of the home to provide care on the inside of the home, leaving them with higher financial burdens and carer burnout,” she said.

Mrs Poitier Albury said it is important to implement a national plan of action as soon as possible.

“If you have something that is disproportionately affecting more than half of your population, you need to have a plan on how to address it. We need a national dementia plan in this Bahamas. It would provide funding for Bahamian-focused research to study the impact of the disease,” she said. She also called for ongoing education and training for healthcare providers so that they can recognise the signs and symptoms of the disease and help to provide better treatment and support to those who are affected.

Additionally, she said, a national plan would facilitate financial assistance for those living with the disease and their caregivers, especially the women who have to do a lot of the heavy lifting.

Such a plan, she added, would also help identify risk reduction measures, as well as bring awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding the disease.

“As we move into the 50th anniversary as an independent nation, I ask where is our national dementia plan? The need now is (greater) than ever,” she said.

“The national dementia plan would not only mark an achievement and growth of our country, but say to our people, and indeed the world, that we care for all, no matter how they mark the manner of their bearing.”

Think about the last time you made a big purchase, say $1,000 or more. Did you go out and buy the first thing you saw? Take one recommendation from somebody? Or did you research it, learn some things, compare it to other options, and select something that was right for you?

Most people tend to research large purchases like cars, televisions, or the newest iPhone. So why do we so often fail to do this with healthcare?

By becoming more educated, healthcare consumers we can go from passive patients who take the first recommendation that comes from a practitioner, to an active consumer who weighs options and makes choices.

Here are some questions to talk through with your practitioner the next time a healthcare decision comes up.

What are the benefits or expected results?

When a treatment or procedure is recommended, the patient often assumes that it will make them “better.” But what the patient expects and what the healthcare provider expects are often two different things. For example, a patient having back surgery expects to be pain free after surgery. The surgeon probably doesn’t expect that to happen.

Outcomes from back surgeries are terrible.

A large study of 1,450 patients in the Ohio worker’s comp system showed that after two years, 26 percent of patients who had surgery returned to work. Compare that to 67 percent of patients who didn’t have surgery. There was also a 41 percent increase in the use of painkillers in the surgical group.

What are the risks and downsides?

Patients want to hear about the benefits of a treatment, but they often don’t ask or care about the risks. To be an educated consumer, you need to. If one treatment has a three-percent edge over another, but has a high risk of making you itchy or causing frequent headaches, do you want it?

Going back to the back surgery study from before, the researchers found a 1 in 4 chance of a repeat surgery and a 1 in 3 chance of a major complication. With surgery you risk infection, blood clots, complications with anesthesia, and a whole host of other things. These risks need to be compared with other treatments. In the case of back pain, physical therapy is a valid alternative with a much lower risk profile. You might have some soreness with physical

therapy, you might sweat some and be challenged with exercise, but the risks of PT compared to surgery are minimal.

What are the alternatives?

Don’t feel bad asking about alternative treatments. If you were looking at a certain car you wouldn’t go out and just buy it. You’d at least consider the competitors and probably even test drive them. You should at least look at the other options in healthcare too. Maybe the first recommendation that your practitioner makes is the right one for you, but if you don’t consider the alternatives you’ll never really know.

Why this treatment over the other ones?

This is the question where the rubber meets the road. You’ve learned about all the options, now you can see if your practitioner is balancing the risks and benefits to make the right choice for you. Staying with the back pain example, research shows that more than 40 percent of people who seek care for back pain will not receive a treatment of known effectiveness. Back pain is also the number one reason for

opioid prescriptions, despite a recommendation from the CDC to avoid prescribing opioids for back pain and to opt for non-drug treatments like physical therapy. By asking for the rationale and carefully weighing options, you can avoid being one of the people who gets an ineffective treatment.

What does it cost?

This last question is becoming more important as patients bear an increasing share of the cost of healthcare. Even if you don’t have a high deductible plan or hefty co-pays with your insurance, by being financially responsible today, you’ll probably see smaller price increases in your premiums down the road. That back surgery that we’ve been talking about?

It’ll likely cost between $60,000 and $80,000. So if we put the whole picture together, a patient who takes the first recommendation for surgery will have a $60,000 procedure that leads to a higher risk of disability, and a higher risk of long-term painkiller use, while risking infection, and blood clots. Don’t forget the 25 percent chance that you’ll get to do it all again in a repeat surgery. Seems like a bad deal. An educated consumer would learn that physical therapy is a viable alternative to surgery with comparable outcomes, much less risk

and lower cost. In fact, a large study of 122,723 subjects showed that people with back pain who got physical therapy in the first 14 days lowered their healthcare costs by 60 percent. It’s easy to see why bargain shoppers love physical therapy!

• For questions and comments, call Hannah Foster-Middleton at 356 4806, e-mail genesisphysiotherapy@gmail.com, or visit www.physiotherapybahamas. com.

Are you a passive patient or an active consumer of healthcare?

Hannah FosterMiddleton BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, MCSP, SRP

WENDYI POITIER ALBURY, president of the Bahamas Alzheimers Association.

A man’s shortcomings Part I

Sex is a part of the basic requirements for survival of a given species. Although in the animal kingdom it is a simple act to propagate the species, we humans derive pleasure from the act itself. Men place great importance on sex since it is generally regarded as an important component of their masculinity and identity.

Throughout history, many cultures and communities have viewed penile size as a sign of masculinity and sexual ability. Some men feel that having a bigger penis makes them more attractive and appealing to potential sexual partners and that it is ultimately a status symbol. However, it is important to recogniae that emphasiaing penis size is largely a social construct that may not accurately reflect the reality of sexual attraction and satisfaction.

A standard penile size needs to still be clearly defined, even though several studies have tried to address this question. Most studies are flawed in using selfreported measurements that carry volunteer bias and social desirability bias. There are geographic variations in the size distribution as well as in the exact method utilized to measure the length and the various parameters taken. These have only fuelled the insecurities of men who feel like they have an inadequate penile size.

In the real-world setting studies have shown that 84 percent of women were satisfied with their male partners penile length and a further 2 percent found it to be larger than what they would consider the ideal size.

On the opposite spectrum, 55 percent of men weren’t satisfied with their penile size and 45 percent would like to have a larger size. In essence, there is a great number of men that feel inadequate for their partner, but

their partners are in fact satisfied with the length. It is important to note that sexual preferences and desires can vary among individuals, and there is no one “right” way to approach sexuality.

Some women may prefer larger penises, while others may prefer smaller ones, and many women report that they are more concerned with other aspects of sexual performance, such as intimacy, communication, and emotional connection.

It is also important to recognise that sexual satisfaction depends on many factors beyond penis size, such as sexual technique, communication and emotional connection. Both men and women can work together to explore and experiment with different techniques and positions to find what works best for them.

For most men the above may be enough, but for the few that don’t, we can tailor an approach to finding solutions for their concerns.

False penile shortness

Some may be born with this condition and is known by various names such as buried, webbed, or concealed penis. This happens because of abnormal development of facial layers around the penis; allowing it to be incorporated into the tissue surrounding the penis and appear non-existent and small, hence the word buried. In occasional instances in very young children, it may resolve without any medical treatment. However, for most, it will require surgical reconstruction to correct the anomalies. Various surgical techniques have been developed and in use to address the above problem.

Perhaps the more alarming and increasing incidence in this subcategory is the case of Adult Acquired Buried Penis (AABP).

Originally described by Dr Keyes in 1917, the incidence of AABP is on the rise with obesity being the main risk factor. Chronic inflammation of the penile fascial layer called the dartos, lead to scarring with progressive retraction of the penis. The retraction leads to the creation of a moist environment leading to bacterial and fungal overgrowth in turn exacerbating the vicious cycle of chronic inflammation and healing. More and more cases are seen requiring surgical intervention. The indications for surgery vary from self-esteem, difficulty with voiding, personal hygiene to erectile problems.

Congenital penile shortness

It may be regarded as the “true micropenis”, as this is a proportionally small penis from the outset, through the development process. The development of the male genitals in utero is under hormonal control. The process is a very well-orchestrated sequence of delicate events in terms of hormonal changes and any such disruption can significantly influence the outcome. Several genetic syndromes can lead to a true micropenis such as Klinefelter’s syndrome. Defects in and around the urogenital system can lead to micro penis such as the bladder exstrophy-epispadias syndrome. This is a rare occurrence and usually requires a multiple teams involved as they may be burdened with issues regarding psychosocial and psychosexual dysfunction coupled with a high likelihood of infertility, therefore surgical interventions and outcomes need to be carefully considered and aren’t easy as some such as those having the bladder exstrophy-epispadias

syndrome have undergone numerous surgeries to achieve functional status.

Acquired intrinsic penile shortness

These patients have usually had a normal penis size growing up but due to certain conditions the effective length of the penis has been reduced. The causes can be varied from botched circumcisions, post radical prostate/ bladder cancer surgery to scarring of penile tissue known as Peyronie’s disease. The problem is best approached by an experienced reconstructive urologist and several teams such as the plastic surgeons maybe involved in the care depending on the requirements and complexity of the surgical procedure.

Body dysmorphic disorder/Penile dysmorphic disorder

Body Dysmorphic disorder (BDD) as defined by the American Psychiatric association is a clinical diagnosis where there is extreme distress generated by perceived defect(s) or flaw(s) in the physical appearance of the said individual. The flaw(s) may not be observable by others or if present appear only slightly. Amongst these patients, if there is exaggerated focus on the size/ shape of the penis this can be subclassified as Penile Dysmorphic disorder. If one has concerns as stated above, then it is advisable to seek the help of medical practitioner/ urologist trained in male reproductive disorders and management. You are likely to have a detailed interview and on examination the doctor may take specific measurement of the penis

to determine the length and the girth, they may also document other factors such as scrotal skin anomalies, curvature, shape, and the presence of fatty tissue above the base of the penis. Based on the concerns raised you may be asked to fill in various validated questionnaires to aid in quantifying the severity and aid in understanding the various parts of this complex clinical problem. A psychological assessment maybe required in some patients. Currently, there are no recommended routine imaging studies.

A psychosexual assessment is very important when a patient with a short penile complaint has a normal penis size upon examination. Psychosexual assessment is a clinical evaluation of an individual’s sexual thoughts, feelings, and behaviours. It typically involves a comprehensive interview, standardised questionnaires, and behavioural observations. The assessment can help identify sexual dysfunctions, explore relationship issues, and guide treatment planning.

THE UROLOGY DOCTOR IS IN...

Healthy Bahamas Coalition highlights benefits of cancer screening during National Cancer Awareness Month

May is recogniaed nationally as National Cancer Awareness Month.

As National Cancer Awareness Month begins, Melissa Major of Healthy Bahamas Coalition (HBC) is urging individuals to take advantage of cancer screening opportunities and prioritise early detection.

Cancer is a leading cause of death in the Bahamas, with numerous lives affected each year. However, many cases of cancer can be successfully treated if caught early through routine screenings. Unfortunately, too many people skip or delay these

important tests due to fear, lack of information, or other barriers.

“Screening tests are essential tools for detecting cancer early, when treatment is most effective,” said Ms Major. “We want to encourage everyone to talk to their doctor about cancer screening and make sure they are up to date on recommended tests for their age and risk level.”

In addition to detecting cancer early, screening tests can also help identify pre-cancerous conditions, allowing for early intervention to prevent cancer from developing altogether.

During National Cancer Awareness Month, Ms Major is calling on individuals and communities to take action to reduce the impact of cancer on our lives.

“Get involved any way you can, because together, we can create change”, she said.

Additionally, Dr Phillip Swann, chairman of the HBC, reminded the public that just as important as getting screened is taking steps to reduce one’s chance of developing cancer.

“This may include changes in lifestyles such as quitting smoking or alcohol consumption, reducing one’s weight through the adoption

of a healthy diet and commencing an exercise programme, or ensuring that your child has been vaccinated against HPV. These are but some of the steps that can be taken to reduce one’s likelihood of developing cancer,” he said.

The public is invited to stay tuned for more messages on Cancer Awareness during the month of May from the Healthy Bahamas Coalition. Follow HBC on Facebook and Instagram to automatically receive updates and health information on adopting a healthier

lifestyle, and maximising one’s health.

• The Healthy Bahamas Coalition (HBC) is the National Non-Communicable Diseases Commission for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas whose sole goal is to advocate for the reduction of the risk factors and incidence of non-communicable diseases. You can follow HBC on Facebook for regular information and tips on better health and wellness, and what you can do to reduce your risks of developing a non-communicable disease, and to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with them.

Dr Greggory Pinto

MELISSA Major of Healthy Bahamas Coalition

Local minister and entrepreneur opens one-stop beauty shop

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

Most people know Felicia Archer as a minister of the gospel and a motivational speaker. However, over the years, she has done everything from producing a talk show and publishing books to hosting various community initiatives throughout the islands.

But now she is going in a slightly different direction and fulfilling a long-held dream by opening a beauty salon. It is called Signature Bundles and Beauty Bar and is located on Robinson Road west.

“This has always been a dream in my heart from the time I have known myself,” Felicia told Tribune Woman. “I have always desired to open a hair company and salon. The sole purpose is because I believe that a woman should always be well-groomed and feel beautiful. When you look good, you feel good.

“Unfortunately, due to a lack of finances and a busy schedule, I was unable to make this dream a reality, but I didn’t stop believing. I spent many nights trying to find good vendors and ordering hair samples until I was satisfied with the product.”

It was after opening True Vine Publishing and Marketing that Felicia said she began operating her new beauty brand as a part-time venture from the same location. And exactly one year after opening the book store, on March 12 this year, Felicia opened the doors of the Signature Bundles and Beauty Bar.

“Two storefront businesses in the space of two years…I certainly give God all of the glory. Ironically, this dream didn’t come to fruition until during the pandemic when I was challenged to take a leap of faith. This business started in my car. I spent

many days delivering hair to clients in Nassau and shipping hair to the Family Islands. The journey wasn’t easy, building from scratch, but it was worth it,” she said. She said the concept of the Beauty Bar was inspired by a combination of ideas from Pinterest, her imagination and the store’s contractor, Alloyios Kemp of Clear Solutions. Felicia said she wanted a luxurious theme, hence the reason the black and gold colour scheme. She also wanted the store to be a one-stop shop; a place where customers can purchase hair, have it

Bahamian women celebrated by local chapter of the IBPOEW Elks Order

Nine Bahamian women were recently honoured by the Presidents of the Bahamas State Association (of the Improved Benevolent Protective Order of Elks of the World) Grand Temple Officers’ Boosters Club. The women were honoured during a special Soup, Salad and Wine Dinner, an event that included a presentation on the purpose of the dinner and an introduction of the women’s suffrage movement.

Honorees included head of the Office of the Spouse, Ann Marie Davis; first female Attorney General and Member of Parliament Janet Bostwick; former Deputy Prime Minister Cynthia “Mother” Pratt; Minister of Education Glenys Hanna-Martin; first woman registered to vote Ruby Ann Darling; former Minister of Social Services Melanie Griffin; first female Speaker of the House of Assembly Rome Italia Johnson; and former head of the Women’s Bureau and Permanent Secretary Phedra Rahming-Turnquest.

The event ended with a fun callup fashion show. All guests were invited to wear Androsia print or African attire in celebration of the spring season for cultural awareness and national pride.

Book club recommendation: ‘Natural Beauty’ is a cautionary tale about wellness

By ALICIA RANCILIO Associated Press

“Natural Beauty,” by Ling Ling Huang (Dutton)

From bee sting facials to fish pedicures, to Instagram filters and apps that allow us to completely edit our appearance in photos, it seems people will try almost anything to look better. It also makes the posh wellness and beauty store setting of Ling Ling Huang’s novel “Natural Beauty” within the realm of possibility and intriguing from page one.

“Natural Beauty” (a tonguein-cheek title if there ever was one) is told from the perspective of an unnamed narrator, a tactic used many times over years from Daphne de Maurier’s “Rebecca” published in 1938 and even 2003’s “The Nanny Diaries” by Emma

McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus. This narrator is a talented pianist who puts her music aspirations aside to support her parents, who are Chinese immigrants, after an accident. She takes a job at Holistik, a “clean” beauty retailer that capitalises on people’s desire to look as beautiful as one possibly can.

Holistik may appear perfect, with its homogenized, appealing aesthetic and its employees buy into what Holistik is selling as well, taking the idea of selfimprovement to extremes. One only eats an ounce of raw meat daily. Another practices a religion called Dianaism — where the goal is to live like, you guessed it, Princess Diana. The staff is also provided with an attractive necklace that comes with an alarm reminder to take supplements, but our protagonist later learns it

actually is a tracker of emotions and movement.

At first, our narrator devotes herself to blending in. She notices over time that her appearance has transformed. Her eyes are larger, her body different, her hair thicker and curled. It doesn’t take long though for the strange, intrusive practices of Holistik to be glaringly questionable and unethical, and no longer excusable as innovative. The story then shifts from satirical to horrifying and the treatments encouraged and sold by Holistik become freakish.

“Natural Beauty” has already been optioned by “Fresh Off the Boat” and “Crazy Rich Asians” star Constance Wu. The novel would be great for book clubs, prompting discussions of beauty standards, where to draw the line and how the growing industry is unregulated.

installed, and have their make-up done all in one location.

Signature Bundles and Beauty Bar specialises in Grade 12 A virgin, Remy hair; signature units, lace frontal units, closure units, bundles, beauty products, and accessories. The salon offers hair braiding, basic sew-ins, lace front installation, lash installation, and waxing services.

“All products are high quality and all of our services are done by certified professionals in their respective fields. The salon is unique because we cater to the whole woman by helping each client to find their signature look,” said Felicia.

For further information. contact the store at 605-7212 or 804-5640.

access to experiences that build confidence, strengthen community and sisterhood. It was also to help the wives who were relocating to Andros to identify a village to help raise their children, particularly during date nights and other important events.

The diverse group of wives have since evolved into entrepreneurs, networking and allowing the older wives to mentor the younger wives according to biblical scripture (Titus 2:4-8 NLT).

“These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to work in their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands,” said Mrs Russell-Trott.

“Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. With marriage as the bedrock of any society, the aim is to encourage wives to form into the paradigm of biblical wifehood as described in Proverbs 31.”

Andros Wives Club Tea Party inspires women

A diverse group of wives, decked out in their finest spring fashions, recently met at the Chiccharney Hotel for a chat over tea and cake.

Sporting fascinators, hats and pearls, the members of the God First Wives Club celebrate their inaugural signature event in the form of an afternoon tea.

The club, founded in early 2015, initially started with three members - all wives who relocated from various parts of the Bahamas and the Caribbean.

According to the club’s president, Shakara Russell-Trott, the idea was to provide wives with

THE WEATHER REPORT

Those in attendance enjoyed tea, assorted sandwiches, fresh fruits and more as they engaged in conversations and a brief talk on the theme, “My Cup Runs Over”.

The purpose was to remind the wives that they must look to God, who appoints the husband to also facilitate provision and protection. The evening ended on a high note and was both enlightening and uplifting as presentations and prizes were given to all in attendance for their hard work, dedication and commitment.

The group now consists of 27 members and is not limited to Andros only. Members hail from the US, Canada and across the Bahama Islands.

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Shown

MEMBERS of the God First Wives Club of Andros at their inaugural tea party (l-r): Denice Mitchell, Shakara Trott, Patricia Russell, Francis Whylley, Vernita Coakley, and Michelle Johnson.

Young beauty queen overcomes personal struggles to shine a light on anxiety

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

SEVENTEEN-year-old Alaysia Dames may have not been crowned winner of the Miss Teen Bahamas International 2023 pageant; however, she feels she still has accomplished an important goal: shedding light on the important but often overlooked topic of anxiety.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, experiencing occasional anxiety is a normal reaction to stress and can be beneficial in some situations, as it can alert us to dangers and help us prepare and pay attention.

However, people with anxiety disorders frequently have intense and persistent worry and fear about everyday situations. A person’s social, occupational and personal function can be significantly impaired by anxiety, and it may even manifest in physical and cognitive symptoms.

Alaysia has been affected by anxiety for several years now and she decided to use the platform Miss Teen Bahamas International gave her to open up about her battle with the disorder and educate the pageant community and general public on the topic.

With May also being Mental Health Awareness Month, Alaysia felt this presented the perfect opportunity to shine a light on the condition.

In Alaysia’s case, her anxiety was triggered by a medical condition she was diagnosed with three years ago.

“I have been battling with anxiety since 2020 due to my diagnosis of pheochromocytoma that year,” she shared with Tribune Woman.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, a pheochromocytoma is a rare but treatable tumour that forms in the middle of the adrenal gland.

“It became very stressful dealing with that during the pandemic, especially when I was only 14 at the time and I quickly became fearful of what could’ve been the outcome of my diagnosis,” said Alaysia.

A pheochromocytoma releases hormones that may cause high blood pressure, headaches, sweating and symptoms of a panic attack. If it isn’t treated, severe or life-threatening damage to other body systems can result.

Should you tell your friend her partner is cheating on her?

By CARA HUNT Tribune Features Writer cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

For many women, friendship means being able to share just about everything with their besties.

But what happens if that something is catching their significant other displaying “naughty” or unfaithful behaviour?

To tell or not to tell, that is the question Tribune Woman put to readers this week.

“I definitely am telling any of my girls if I catch their men out doing fool. I telling them, because I would want someone to tell me. AIDS and STDs are very real. Women have to look out for each other, cause these man don’t be decent,” said Nadine.

Her friend Lanae agreed, saying that they have already established a pact that they would tell each other.

“I would want to know because I hate the idea that people would pity me as the fool who didn’t know what was going on. And if he is so bold to be out in public, I definitely want to know,” said Lanae. Vanira said when she saw her friend’s husband out in public with another woman, she tried to

be discreet about the matter and exercise caution in divulging the information.

“You definitely have to be subtle about things like this. I mean, I couldn’t swear what they were doing there, but they looked very suspicious to me. I really wanted to say something to this friend, because I knew that they were having issues in their marriage, and I knew that might help her make a decision to leave or not,” said Vanira.

“So what I said was, ‘Oh, I saw your hubby having dinner at the Fry last night. Just enough information for her to take it where she wanted and she could do her own investigating after that. It turns out he was with exactly who he was not supposed to be with.”

Brooke was very blunt with her friend when she saw her husband at the airport in Miami with his presumed “sweetheart”.

“I took a photo with the caption, ‘Look who I see’, and sent it to her. Then I went to him and said ‘Hi’, so he knew that he was busted. If you are innocent then you have nothing to fear,” she said. However, some women said they prefer minding their own business in such situations.

Pam said it is really not her place to interfere.

“You really need to mind your own business. You never know what arrangements people have in their relationships. Maybe she knows and doesn’t care. Or maybe it’s nothing and then you cause problems,” she said.

Thea agreed.

“It just won’t end well. If you tell her and it leads to a breakup, then she may feel negative towards you because of your role in the break-up. Similarly, if they work things out, you are the friend who tried to ruin their relationship,” she said.

“Only open your mouth if you are willing to take the risk of losing a friend.”

Sharon said you have to be one hundred percent sure of what you’re reporting on and be willing to live with the consequences of sharing the information.

“I remember one time my sister, who lives abroad, was back home and was at lunch with one of our brothers at a fancy restaurant. Within hours, the local grapevine had spread the story that one, our brother was cheating on his wife with this unknown woman, and two, on the other side, that my sister was meeting with an old boyfriend…ridiculous,” she said.

when something is making me anxious,” she said.

Anxiety affects everyone differently. While there is no one-size fits all approach to managing anxiety, generally experts suggest various coping strategies to ensure it does not get out of control.

For Alaysia, that means taking deep breaths.

“I’ve been practicing a breathing method where I inhale for 10 seconds then exhale. It has been a very simple but effective method whenever I become anxious about something. I also try not to think too much about things that I know would trigger my anxiety. I tend to block them out of my mind,” she said.

But her anxiety levels were triggered during the final of the Miss Teen Bahamas International pageant.

“I was just thinking, ‘I hope I remember everything and the judges and everyone watching become so informed about anxiety once I’m done’. Also, I felt the same way during the unveiling. My anxiety was at an all-time high. It was so nerve-wrecking having to walk and reveal yourself as an MTBI contestant to many people; many people who may judge, support or do neither,” she said.

However, she managed to push past all of her mixed of emotions she had been experiencing to make her presentation on “Anxiety Awareness”.

In most cases, the tumour is not cancerous but requires surgical removal.

After her diagnosis, Alaysia underwent surgery to have the tumour removed. And while the tumour is gone, she has been left with feelings of anxiety.

“I was supported and taken care of by my family and doctors who successfully removed the tumour through laparoscopic surgery,” she said.

Since the surgery, her family has been doing their best to ensure Alaysia’s condition is properly managed.

“My family has never been shy to check up on me or make sure that I am doing OK mentally. This has definitely helped me a lot because I know I am able to talk about my anxiety and express

“It was important for me to highlight anxiety awareness as my platform because it was very personal. I have experienced anxiety for a few years and I thought it was time that we spread more awareness about the disorder, especially because I personally feel that it is often overlooked in this world compared to other mental health issues,” she said.

Her advice to others suffering from anxiety is: “In those moments when you feel anxious you may think it will not go away, but it will. Remember to breathe and block out whatever you’re thinking that is triggering your anxiety. I also will add that remember this quote, ‘Feel the feeling, but don’t become the emotion. Witness it. Allow it. Release it. You may feel fear, worry, doubt, or nervousness, but don’t become those emotions. Witness them. Allow them. Then release.”

MISS Teen Bahamas International 2023 contestant Alaysia Dames.

“It was important for me to highlight anxiety awareness as my platform because it was very personal. I have experienced anxiety for a few years and I thought it was time that we spread more awareness about the disorder...