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VOLUME:115 No.112, MAY 3RD, 2018

OBITS OFFICIA

CLASSIFIED TRADER: CARS, CARS, CARS & MORE CARS

INSIDE

Signed and sealed Freeport jobs boost ‘WE COULD HAVE BUILT IT’

New law lures $50m tech hub from New York

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Government’s mission to establish a Grand Bahama “technology hub” yesterday received a major boost from an investor pledging an annual $50m economic impact by 2020.

GIBC Digital, a New York-headquartered technology firm, unveiled ambitions to triple its initial Freeport workforce to 150 staff within three years following the planned opening of its office this month.

The seven year-old company, in a press statement, said its initial $2.5m investment would result in 50 jobs at an office that will serve as both GIBC Digital’s global training headquarters and a data/artificial intelligence centre.

And its chief executive, Greg Wood, suggested The Bahamas could become “the Silicon Valley of the Caribbean” within ten years if it pursued its technology hub ambitions through to fruition.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

THE Minnis administration is not in the business of “moving away from fully capable officers” within the prison system, according to National Security Minister Marvin Dames who yesterday pushed back against social media claims that dozens of contracted officers were facing terminations in the coming weeks.

In an interview with The Tribune yesterday, Mr Dames said such assertions were “misguided” and “not based in truth”.

The Mount Moriah MP insisted plans are in the works - as is the case every year - to review the performance of officers on post-retirement contracts.

This is a process Mr Dames said was consistent with traditional practices.

SEE PAGE SIX

L SOUR CE

OVER-THE-HILL - BUT A THIRD UNDER THE WIRE

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

ONLY 30 per cent of businesses in Over-the-Hill communities operate within the formal economy, a hurdle for owners that may seek to benefit from the government’s rejuvenation plan for the area, Financial Secretary Marlon Johnson indicated during a town hall event last night.

The town hall was the first since the government released a white paper outlining its plan to rejuvenate the communities.

The distinctive prominence of the informal economy in the Over-the-Hill communities is highlighted by the fact that overall, 70 per cent of businesses in The Bahamas exist within the formal sector, according to 2012 Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) study.

Mr Johnson said: “Although (Over-the-Hill SEE PAGE FIVE

TURNQUEST: WE’RE HITTING OUR NUMBERS

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

DAMES: CLAIMS OF SACKING PRISON OFFICERS ‘MISGUIDED’

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

$1

BAHAMAS Contractors Association president Leonard Sands has insisted that a Bahamian company could have built The Pointe development, pictured under construction. See page nine for the full story.

POLICE SLAPPING - ROUND TWO

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

ANOTHER viral video of a police officer’s physical attack on a person has prompted criticism across social media.

In a one minute clip posted online yesterday, a police officer strikes a man in the face at least twice. The video is blurry but the man did not appear to be resisting arrest.

The caption on the video posted to a Facebook page said: “Two police officers were caught on camera moments ago, beating down a young

A BODY camera being worn by a Bahamian police officer. The RBPF has been increasing the use of body cameras, but it is not known if they were in use in either of the two incidents involving officers slapping people. man in public. He was even beaten more as his friends watched because he began

crying from getting slapped.”

At one point in the video, an officer in a khaki police uniform can be heard asking the man, “What you crying for?”

He then struck him in the face again.

The video has since been shared hundreds of times on Facebook. One user said: “They need to fire all them.”

Another said: “The way some of y’all police act, y’all act as if y’all don’t have family and loved ones and y’all ain’ want them to be treated the way y’all treat people family (sic)…”

SEE PAGE THREE

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

THE Deputy Prime Minister yesterday said the Government is “not resting on our laurels” over a “stubbornly” high fiscal deficit, despite forecasts it is on track to hit its 2017-2018 fiscal targets.

K P Turnquest told Tribune Business that despite Central Bank data showing key revenue and spending indicators were largely on plan with two-thirds of the fiscal year gone, the Government faced a continual “balancing act” between competing demands.

With the $224.7m deficit for the eight months to endFebruary 2018 equivalent to 70 per cent of the fullyear goal, Mr Turnquest said the fiscal performance to date was “too close” for himself and the Ministry of Finance to rest easily.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

AND THE AWARD FOR THE DUMBEST PLAN GOES TO...

SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Thursday, May 3, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Helping BNT to protect our paradise

A CHEQUE is presented to the Bahamas National Trust from Paradise Games.

BAHAMAS National Trust and Paradise Games on Friday announced a three-year partnership.

BNT will receive an annual gift of $25,000 for the next three years for a total commitment of $75,000.

The agreement will support the organisation’s educational initiatives as well as assist with general natural resource conservation.

The first installment of this pledge was delivered to the BNT recently at the Retreat Garden, on Village Road, one of the 32 parks managed by the group.

The gift will enable BNT educational programmes to provide environmental education experiences to the students of the E P Roberts and Gambier Primary Schools, two schools that the principals of Paradise Games are keen to support.

“BNT’s educational activities celebrate the beauty, uniqueness and fragile nature of Bahamian ecosystems,” a press release

said. “Special activities help students acquire the knowledge, values and skills needed to generate respect for the unique culture, nature and history of The Bahamas while gaining a better understanding of the value of national parks.

“One such programme is the Discovery Club, BNT’s award winning youth environmental education programme.”

The BNT currently operates nearly 60 Discovery Clubs on nine islands including; New Providence, Grand Bahama, Andros, Abaco, Eleuthera, Exuma, Inagua, Cat Island and Long Island. BNT’s education programmes focus on creating environmental stewardship especially amongst Bahamian youth.

This is achieved through fun, conservation-based classroom lessons, hands on activities and field trips.

BNT executive director Eric Carey said: “Paradise Games has

demonstrated the type of corporate responsibility we hope other companies will emulate. Their generosity powerfully impacts the BNT’s efforts to continue to make outstanding advances in preserving and conserving, our natural resources for present and future generations through stewardship and education.”

Paradise Games said the funds will not only make educational programming available to more government schools but will assist in offsetting some of the costs to otherwise fund the general maintenance and operations of the more than 30 national parks and sanctuaries.

“This commitment perfectly encapsulates the ethos of our overarching charitable philosophy, which is a commitment to the improvement of the quality of life of the communities in which we live and work,” Paradise Games noted.

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis meets with Florida Senator Marco Rubio, a Republican candidate for the 2016 US presidential election, during a visit to the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday.

Photos: US Embassy Nassau Facebook Page

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, May 3, 2018, PAGE 3

Police slapping - round two from page one The video comes less than a week after another video of a police officer slapping a man on a beach prompted Police Commissioner Anthony Ferguson to open an investigation into the matter.

In that 14-second clip, an officer steadily walked toward a man and slapped him across the face, causing the man to stumble more than once.

Commissioner Ferguson said the matter is being investigated by Deputy CommissionerTHE TRIBUNE Emrick Seymour.

Yesterday, Deputy Commissioner Seymour said the matter has been sent to the Police Complaints Unit. He would not give a timeline when that investigation will be completed. As for the new video, he said he had not seen it.

Critics have long derided the process by which

complaints of abuse against police officers are investigated, not least because it is controlled and overseen exclusively by officers.

Often, the public is not informed about the outcome of particular A5MAIN investigations.

National Security Minister Marvin Dames has said the

Bailiffs fail to deliver summons for lawyers EXPERT IDENTIFIES in contempt hearing

government will form a committee to review complaints against officers “to ensure that there is balance in investigations by police”; however, it’s not clear when the committee will be established or whether it will feature public reporting mechanisms.

Mr Dames has also said an inspectorate will be

introduced for oversight compliance for all law enforcement agencies amid concerns about corruption.

A poll commissioned by Transparency International last year suggested Bahamians are more concerned and familiar with police corruption thanSeptember corruption from Tuesday, 20, 2016, PA any other institution.

FORENSIC DNA SAMPLES IN MURDER CASE Tuesday, September 13, 2016, PAGE 5 appears for Save the Bays as a result of construction

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

AN AMERICAN forensic analyst yesterday testified how DNA samples from the man accused of murdering pregnant teacher Marisha Bowen matched the DNA samples obtained from a vaginal swab of the Guyanese woman.

Rachel Oefelein, a forensic DNA analyst at DNA Labs International in Florida, testified before Justice Carolita Bethel about how the DNA profile obtained from a “sperm fraction” found on Bowen’s vaginal swab matched the DNA profile obtained from Allister Williams.

Ms Oefelein said the chance that an unrelated person, chosen at random from the general population, would match that DNA profile is approximately one in every 160 quadrillion individuals.

Additionally, Ms Oefelein said her forensic analysis of Bowen’s fingernail clippings, which showed indications of blood matter, revealed a DNA profile “foreign” to the victim.

And that foreign DNA profile, Ms Oefelein said, indicated at least one male contributor. Ms Oefelein said Williams could not be ruled out as a possible contributor to that foreign DNA profile, thus, it was reanalysed using probabilistic genotyping methods.

Due to it being reanalysed, Ms Oefelein said the DNA profile obtained ed shocked and from the fingernail clippings questioned how is approximately 31,000 and more 10-year-old times probable if the e sample with theoriginated sudden from Williams pregnant and Bowen than months

DY IN LLING

eath, the relative

as a watching brief to the proceedings, said the attorneys should have been A JUDGE yesterday present. declared that she will not “Mr Keod Smith is an ofallow two lawyers “to frus- ficer of the court,” he said. trate the process” of a con- “He has counsel. Counsel tempt proceeding that had has confirmed both of his been initiated as a result of clients for scheduled heartheir accusations of bias on ings. I simply say the whole the part of the judge who is recusal process initiated by presiding over a judicial re- Keod Smith was found to view concerning expansion be answerable and called of a property in Lyford Cay. on by the court to show Keod Smith and Derek cause why they should not Ryan were due to appear be committed.” before Justice Rhonda Bain “These judicial review for a contempt hearing to proceedings have been held show cause why they should up by Mr Smith. The time not be committed to prison has come for the court to concerning a series of af- take some strong action for fidavits filed by Mr Smith, him to make himself availwho was represented by able to the court.”

Mr Ryan, in January 2014.

As for Mr Ryan, Fred However, they were no Smith added that the letshows for both the morning ter should have been made and afternoon sessions of available at an earlier opcourt. portunity.

Notices to Show Cause Justice Bain adjourned were issued by the Supreme the proceedings to 2.30pm Court last month - August to consider the next step.

18 - addressed to both men.

When the matter reThe same had also been sumed, both lawyers were sent to Elliot Lockhart, still absent and Justice Bain QC, who represents both made a decision. lawyers in the contempt “As this is a matter for matter.

Keod Smith and Derek It was revealed by Justice Ryan to show cause why Bain in yesterday’s morning they should not be cited session of court that “de- for contempt and commitspite numerous attempts ted to prison, it is imperaby the bailiff, the court tive for Keod Smith and was unable to effect service Derek Ryan to be personon Keod Smith or Derek ally served and for them to Ryan”. be present in court to show Justice Bain said that cause,” the judge said. specifically in the case of “Nevertheless, the court Mr Smith, bailiffs had been will not allow Keod Smith denied at his law firm Com- and Derek Ryan to frusmercial Law Advocates. trate the process. The court Bailiff Jack Davis filed an adjourns this matter to a affidavit concerning the date to enable the court to failed attempts in this re- make further effort to serve gard.

Keod Smith and Derek Mr Lockhart was asked Ryan. If the court is unMARISHA BOWEN about his client’s wherea- successful with effecting service on Keod Smith and if it originatedbouts. from Bowen were turned over to DNA “I’ve not seen Mr Keod Derek Ryan on the return and an unknown person.

Smith in two monthsLabs and Intl date,for theanalysis, court willsuch then to his chamorder of locus substiTherefore, I’ve she not saidbeen there as bed make sheetancuttings, for the year,” sen- tuted Bain is very strongbers support that theswabs, oral service,” swabs, Justice and belt ior lawyer said. stressed.

Williams and Bowen conbuckle swabs.

Concerning Mr Ryan, Mr The two lawyers will tributed to that mixedsaid DNA Williams is on over12 Lockhart he received a now have untiltrial October September 12 to voluntarily make themprofile, ratherletter thandated Bowen allegations he murdered the fromperson.

Dr Jean-Marie G Eu- selves available for Bapservice and an unknown former CW Saunders gene of the Grema Medical or the documents are inThe aforementioned September Services, LLC based intist Portteacher directly on served by other information isStcontained inindicating 9, 2016.court-approved means.

Lucie, Florida, that Mr Ryan concerning two reports prepared

by Ms“has been He isA ruling charged witha my care for the past site visit to Nygard Cay has Oefelein, oneunder dated Janumurder, robbery, and three months for (a) chronic been adjourned to Wednesary 12, 2017 and onedisease”. dated receiving in connection medical day, September 21. has to come for the Justice BainConcernis presidApril 24, 2018. “Mr TheRyan former with incident. frequent visits for ing over the judicial review report contains the office analyinghis the robbery charge, treatment. Therefore, I for- filed by the Coalition to ses of other specimens thatat thisittime is alleged Williams bid him to travel Protect Clifton Bay also which outside the United States of is challenging an applicaAmerica not to jeopardise tion by Peter Nygard to furhis treatment plan,” the let- ther develop his premises in ter stressed.

Lyford Cay and gain a lease No information was given for Crown land reclaimed by the physician with re- from the sea. spect to when his patient Fred Smith, lead counwould be able to travel to sel for the environmental the Bahamas for the pro- group, alleges that over the ceedings. last 30 years, Nygard Cay Fred Smith, QC, who has nearly doubled in size

work undertaken without the appropriate permits and in a manner that had caused significantBowen damage of to two the cell robbed surrounding environment phones and an iPod. of Clifton Bay. According In January 2014,toKeodinitial ALISTER Williams at a previous court appearance. reports, Smith filed Bowen, a series of who affi- was davits claiming Justice pregnant, wasthat found shortly Bain should recuse herself after 8am on the date in from a judicial review proquestion byhadother tenants ceeding as she allegedly made series of decisions of a acomplex on Red Sea based on off her affiliation Road, SumnerwithStreet, the Free National Movesuffering from a single ment. wound to thelater, body.

Ten months Keod Smith withShe attempted was topronounced draw at thethe applications for dead scene. the recusal, notwithstandDuring previous proceeding a section of an affidaings, Corporal vit filed Detective in January entitled “Justice Frazer Bain, whosaid is she?”

Javod how he He alleged the judge once saw on walls, workedblood under former Prime the floor Minister and Hubert miscellaneous Ingraham, that she was to a items in appointed the Guyanese high-rankingapartment position in thebefore ALISTER WILLIAMS, 30, who is charged with killing Marisha Bowen. woman’s Attorney General’s Office Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune ultimately finding because of her ties toher the “lifeless” andthat “nude” FNM and her twobody sons lying werea fathered a person in “large byaccumulation” he blood claimedin is aher close friend of bed. and advisor to Mr IngraDet Cpl Frazer said the ham.

Keod Smith claimed woman had also what appeared thatbe Justice Bain haddress made with to a yellow several rulings in favour of By LAMECH JOHNSON “Has he been seen Sumner Street, according to suspected Fred Smith, whoblood in the pastcoverTribune Staff Reporter initial reports. She was also physician?” the chief m ing her affiliated face, aswithwell a had been the as ljohnson@tribunemedia.net pregnant. trate asked.

FNM, and “can only exblack cloth beltbewrapped Williams was told that he Mr Smith said no, plained as coming about as A MAN was arraigned withstanding his req would not be allowed to enaround her neck. He said a result of her bias.” in connection ter a plea to the charge until Chief Magistrate F heJustice noticed visible injuriesyesterday to Bain, in Decemwith the September 9 kill- he is formally arraigned be- made a note for Willia the woman’s neckSmith and chin ber 2014, found Keod ing of schoolteacher Mari- fore a judge in the Supreme be seen by a physician guiltyalso of contempt the with and a grey for towel sha Bowen. prison but could not o Court. “scandalising” affidavits he Alister Williams, 30, He is also set to return to Smith’s subsequent re blood stains in the area of had filed which undermined stood before Chief Mag- Magistrate’s Court on Oc- that his client be detain her arm. the right integrity of the judge istrate Andrew Forbes for tober 24 for a presentation the sick bay in the inte and the judicial system. also His said Det Cpl Frazer the murder of Ms Bowen, a of a voluntary bill of indictWilliams will have t then lawyer, Mr Ryan, while at the Randwas Labnative at of Guyana who had ment, which will facilitate ply for bail at the Sup also informed that he “can- taught at Charles W Saun- the transfer of the case to Court if he desires a Princess Margaret Hospinot escape liability” for the ders Baptist School since the higher court. ahead of trial. tal just days later, he noted affidavits.

2014.

Before he was remanded At a contempt hearing a that Ms Bowen had susShe was found lifeless to prison to await trial, his month later, Mr Lockhart tained multiple injurieswith to a slit throat shortly lawyer Nathan Smith made appeared for Keod Smith, a after 8am on the day in allegations that his client her and Liberal chin, both formerneck Progressive question in her apartment “suffered significant injueyelids, of both Party MP,the andinsides expressed by other tenants of a com- ries while in police custohis reservations about the her upper and lower lips,plex as on Read Sea Road, off dy”. proceedings and argued well as injuries to the right that the court had already side ofather upper back and arrived a determination without firstupper considering rear of her right arm. any evidence refute the comAfter theto autopsy pair of contempt. menced in his presence, The judge ruled, after a Det Cpl Frazer said Dr hearing in March 2015, thatCaryn the court would Sands, the proceed pathologist with notice against atconducting the the operation, torney to show cause why further pointed out injuries he should not be committed to the left and right sides of to prison.

MsHowever, Bowen’s the skull,judge and also stayed contempt proceedpointed out the an embryo. ings pending outcome continues. of The Keodtrial Smith’s application before the Court of Appeal.

In January of this year, Mr Lockhart was unable to convince appellate court judges that his client’s appeal was not premature and Mr Smith’s appeal was dismissed.

Mr Smith represented the Mount Moriah area from 2002 to 2007.

SUSPECT ACCUSED OF SLITTING TEACHER’S THROAT FACES COUR

57-YEAR-OLD MAN ACCUSED OVER STABBING OF PAIR WOMAN IN DISPUTE CHARGED OVER TRIPLE SHOOTING

cked and hurt by id. “She was lovhis was very unexmissed.” inistry of EducaTechnology, in a st hours after the

By NICO SCAVELLA said school was Tribuneparents Staff Reporter urged to nscavella@tribunemedia.net students from the A 57-YEAR-OLD ntimely death of

It is alleged that on required to enter a the Bahamas Department from page one the day in question, he plea and the case was of Correctional Services attempted to murder Prear- adjourned to June 20 for until that date or until such accused complained to line Armbrister. service of a voluntary bill time that he applies to the a magistrate that his cliAccording ent to police received of indictment.

Supreme Court for bail and had allegedly man has been formally reports, officers deathresponded threats from prison He was remanded to is successful in doing so. inmates. charged with attempting to to a domestic complaint t murder C W Saunders In the arraignment before a woman follow- shortly after 11am.

Upon Andrew Chief Magistrate ing a domestic dispute last arrival, they Forbes, discovered a Carey, Quentino Friday.

23, through his lawyer Berwoman with injuries. nard Ferguson - said he had Wilfred Armbrister, She was taken to death hospithreats from of Marshall Road, stood tal and was received said to atbethein Bahamas inmates before Chief Magistrate serious condition.

Department of CorrectionPolice al Services.

Joyann Ferguson-Pratt on said a man was in custody Magistrate Forbes one count of attempted assisting themChief made with a note the of the commurder stemming from the incident. plaint and said he would aluation.

Followcircumstances surrounding April 27 incident. with the Armbristerspeakwas not Commis- JAKOTA JOHNSON, left, aged 19, and Cuentino Carey, aged 23,

ALLING OVERBOARD

observations, the s released and is riends and family. stigation into the

of Prisons about the incident issioner continuing Carey’s security while he trial for the deaths and the generalawaited public will Mackenzie Telusnord be informed of accordingly, and Mark Davis in Peardthe RBDF said.ale.Carey and co-accused

SEARCH FOR MISSING SAILOR POLICE and residents of Eleuthera are searching for a man who was reported missing at sea.

According to reports, shortly after 9am on Tuesday, a man, believed to be a Haitian, left Spanish Wells in a 17’ white Carolina skiff en route to neighbouring Max Patch Cay. He has not been seen or heard from since.

Galleria Cinemas

who are charged with the murder of two men and the attempted murder of a young boy in Peardale.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Mohs Surgery in Nassau

being concerned together the scene while Davis died on September 13, caused of his injuries in hospital deaths of Telusnord and three hours later.

Thethenext Mohs surgery The session ThenotSkin Shortly after 9am yesteraccusedatwere 19-year-old Jakota Johnson Davis. day, the boat was required to enterMay a plea to It waswill furtherbe alleged that on faced recovered two counts of murder Centre held Friday, 11th, the charge and were told they attempted to cause and a on chargeMax of attempted washed ashore 2018. the death of eight-year-old that their case would be murderthe afterperthey were esPatch Cay, with fast-tracked to the Supreme corted into the Nassau and Avanti Morley. sonal effects of theStreets missing According to initial re- Court on October 24.

South court comMohs an were advanced Before isthey reports,Micrographic shortly after 7pm, Surgery a man; however, plexhe by was armednot police officmanded to prison group of men ers. procedure for were skinstandcancers located on without the head located.

The murder charges fall ing outside a home when bail, Mr Ferguson also rePolice are under appealing to or three neckindividuals or for emerged very large questedor thatrecurrent his client beskin Section 291 (1)(B) of boaters in thethe area of North by a physician from nearby all with Penal Code, meaning cancers.

Itbushes offers the seen highest cure because rates for theon accused will not face the handguns and opened fire of an ongoing medical conEleuthera to be the lookbasal and squamous cell carcinomas dition.

The court said it and into the crowd. discretionary death penalty out for the missing man. a note of it.

Telusnord and Davis were would make if a conviction is reached at simultaneously minimizes the sacrifice of Investigations are Johnson was not reprethe end of trial in Supreme struck about the body along normal, unaffected tissue surrounding the skin ongoing. with young Avanti, who was sented in his arraignment Court.

It is alleged that the pair, also shot. Telusnord died at and offered no complaints.

cancer.

Our visiting Mohs surgeon is the director of the Mohs Surgery unit at the University of Toronto and has over 10 years of experience in a dedicated world class Mohs unit.

For more information please call or email us at the contacts listed below.

The Skin Centre Telephone: 393-SKIN (7546) Nassau, Bahamas Email: info@theskincentre.com

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PAGE 4, Thursday, May 3, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

The Tribune Limited NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914 Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

Published daily Monday to Friday

Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207 TELEPHONES

News & General Information Advertising Manager Circulation Department Nassau fax Freeport, Grand Bahama Freeport fax

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Jamaal Rolle will return tomorrow

Offshore finance demise EDITOR, The Tribune.

RECENT events are somewhat discouraging www.tribune242.com @tribune242 tribune news network which I can only conclude will bring about the termination of the Bahamas as an Offshore Financial Centre and place even more emphasis on Tourism YESTERDAY, The Tribune reported generally no funding has ever been as the main and only driver that all but five striking nurses — they provided to carry them out. To comof the Bahamas Economy. officially called it taking “sick leave” — plete these projects, said Mr Brown, For many years The Bahahad returned to work after walking out the Public Health Authority (PHA) mas has promoted itself as on patients and a hospital that anywhere would need $43,181,178. In his letter an offshore financial centre else would have been condemned for dated September 25, 2017, Mr Brown which saw numerous banks said the strengthening of the health not being up to acceptable standards. establish a physical presHealth Minister Dr Duane Sands, system also had a hefty price tag of ence here. The banks in who has inherited a problem that the $27,050,616.63. Where was this money turn created employment nurses have been arguing about for to come from? opportunities at all levels, “Collapsing infrastructure, broken several years without solution, and especially for Bahamians. a hospital that is short of money even equipment, inadequate provision of This employment created for medical supplies, described their staff; particularly nurses, doctors and had a significant trickle down allied health personnel has led to a absence as a “peculiar sick out”. impact on the local economy We sympathise with the nurses, but situation in which access to healthcare which in turn diversified our not with their actions. They now have services and patient dignity – particularly dependence on tourism. The a new administration that has inherited in Accident and Emergency (A&E) and amount of diversification an impossible situation that cannot be the Maternity ward, are compromised was never confirmed by hard solved overnight. The nurses should on a daily basis,” wrote Mr Brown. facts but on a best guess basis know this, because what they are now “Indeed our inability to properly budget was somewhere between arguing about is not new. They have and allocate sufficient finances for medi15%-20% of GDP. been arguing about it for years under cine, medical and surgical supplies, All was fine until the previous administrations with no relief. equipment, staff and infrastructure OECD, EU, FATF and However, the Princess Margaret Hos- upgrades and maintenance has directly IMF bodies decided offpital has been so mismanaged and impacted the delivery and quality of our shore financial centres were neglected that none of its problems can services and the ongoing deterioration expanding too quickly and be solved overnight, including the con- of our physical infrastructure.” needed to be curtailed if On maintenance of equipment, he cern of the nurses. So going on strike not destroyed. The most — or “sick out” if indeed that is today’s warned Dr Sands: “Without this essenwell-known of the forefashion – helps no one, least of all the tial equipment and instruments, patient going — the OECD is at patients, who should be the first con- care can and will be compromised. best an oxymoron. How “Further, failure to maintain existsideration of a truly dedicated medical can a group of theocrats ing or purchase new equipment, has staff. operating under the label More than a year ago, we had the mis- meant that healthcare professionals are of Organisation for Ecofortune of spending a weekend at the hampered in their ability to correctly nomic Cooperation and PMH with our critically ill infant grand- diagnose and treat patients.” The PHA, Development take every son. In those few days, we saw that there he said, had not had an equipment opportunity to destroy The was a major problem among the nurs- budget for “many years”.

Bahamas’ offshore indus“This unfortunate situation is and will ing staff, some of whom seemed to have try? I am of course referring a chip on their shoulders. Unless, they continue to have significant implications to the recent “blacklisting” get over this, their future in their profes- on the delivery of care,” he wrote. “For of The Bahamas. sion is bleak. This does not only apply example, a lack of sufficient working The Bahamas Governto some of the nurses, but also to team radiology devices (which is currently a ment was shocked by this members in the other departments. It is major problem at PMH in particular) action and is now trying to only by working together and with the prevents diagnosis of many diseases. In actively yield to the OECD/ new Minister and his board that a hos- addition delays in patient diagnosis can EU forces in order to be pital that anywhere else in the world often impact timely treatment of disde-listed. From learning would be condemned as “terminally ill” eases, leading to poor health outcomes.” about the mandate that We understand the problem is has any hope of being resuscitated. this group was demanding On his retirement after almost 40 that the unionised nurses get overtime the resultant “blacklisting” years in the public service, Public Hos- - in some instances time and a half pay should not have come as a pital Authority’s head, Mr Herbert after working eight hour shifts while surprise. Initially we were Brown left a report for the new min- non unionised nurses – the foreign staff only exempt due to Hurriister. It revealed the areas of massive – like most hospitals around the world– cane Matthew. underfunding and inefficiencies which work 12-hour shifts with no overtime For many years, The he warned were having a direct affect pay until they reach 36 hours a week.

Bahamas has boasted itself on patient outcomes and health. The For some reason, the local nurses are as an independent nation crisis went back years and, while not upset with this situation. They apparand as such claimed it had naming them, Mr Brown’s finger seemed ently want the foreign nurses to be on an advantage over the other to point directly at the defeated PLP the same pay scale as themselves — they regional island centres such probably don’t want to be shown up. government. as Cayman, British Virgin “Government,” he wrote, “had Yet they just got a pay increase, lump Islands, Barbados etc., approved a whole list of projects to sum payments and other benefits as This has turned out to be improve the health care system but a result of contracts executed by the a false belief and now the without giving the tens of millions of former chairman, Frank Smith. small Island nation of The And then out of the shadows comes dollars needed to actually carry out the Bahamas can no longer work.” In this “unacceptable” state of PLP Leader Philip “Brave” Davis with stand tall and proud and is public health services, Mr Brown said, the suggestion that the political directobeing compelled to bow to access to service is compromised on a rate be “more responsive to the concerns the demands of the OECD/ daily basis, physical infrastructure is of the nurses”. It is a pity that Mr Davis EU/FATF/IMF groups. deteriorating, and there is a more wor- didn’t have this solution sooner when he At this early stage, there rying unnecessary patient risk factor, was in government and could have been are discussions that (a) The blamed on poorly functioning medical more responsive instead of leaving their Bahamas will have to introunfinished business for the FNM govequipment. duce taxation — possibly His eight-page letter, sent to Dr Sands ernment to solve. corporate tax as opposed Yes, concern should be shown for the about two weeks before he retired from to individual tax and (b) to the service, highlighted a catalogue nurses. But everyone involved should disclose the names of the of capital works projects, just a few understand that the health of the Bahaultimate beneficial owners of which have been started. However, mian people must always come first. of the various offshore structures. If the Bahamas Government plans to fulfill these objectives it will result in major changes to our current laws. From what we have learned any proposal of taxation has to specifically disavow any form of “ring-fencing” — ie favouring a targeted group. Consequently one EDITOR, The Tribune. proven to cause…. fact…everyone should has to assume that one of 1) Extreme weather, be extremely concerned the significant elements of I THOUGHT it was probability of more intense and screaming at your the offshore structures – paramount policy of the hurricanes.

MP… International Business FNM that they would safe2) Acidic oceans (will kill Have any studies con- Companies (IBCs) will guard the environment our coral reefs more than cerning EIA and Safety have to be removed as - our fishery resources and the present) been completed by Mr a vehicle of choice. The assist in the global project 3) Climate warming Wayne Heastie/BP&L or IBC Act makes provision to curtail-control climate 4) LNG actually adds there is one decision…LNG for such a company to be warming? a much higher level of will save us probably after exempt from all forms of LNG might be cheaper Methane than burning accounting for the ineffi- taxation for a period of than Bunker C but…. coal. ciency and debt servicing of 20 years. As IBCs will no Where we should be Where is Environmen- BP&L just a few cents per longer be allowed to be deciding solely to con- talist and awardee of the KW. ring-fenced it simply means centrate on Solar we are US Embassy ‘Woman of that the IBC Act will have committing for the next Courage Award’ Ms Sam J K MURPHY to be annulled. This will 15+ years to a polluting Duncombe? It is useless Nassau, mean that IBCs will only be gas which scientifically is making noise after the April 29, 2018. allowed to continue in the

Health of Bahamian people must come first

LNG and effect on climate change

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net BVI & Cayman, etc, but not The Bahamas. Secondly the House recently passed a bill to create a Register of the ultimate beneficial owners of all offshore structures — ie IBCs and regular companies in addition to trusts, foundations, partnerships, etc., The Government has downplayed this requirement by stating that this information is to be retained in The Bahamas and will not to be divulged to other countries similar to the automatic exchange of information that applies to other information.

What has prompted this requirement other than a demand of the aforementioned groups? What is really behind the purpose? Why is it not possible for the licensees to have this information on their respective files as they do now and agree to disclose when there is good and sufficient reason?

Giving information to a Regulator or Government Department is inviting a disaster. What Government body or Regulator in The Bahamas has the means to secure this information — ie prevent hacking — a worldwide phenomenon?

Furthermore it is known that Government employees tend to be on a lower payscale than their commercial counterparts. Such a situation automatically leads to the rather obvious situation of a government employee (disgruntled or not) seeking to harvest this information and sell it to the highest bidder. To the best of my knowledge the Government does not have provisions in place that restrict and prevent such an act by a “rogue” employee . This is not a fairy tale it has happened before in other jurisdictions.

Another recent enactment taken by The Bahamas Government relates to the “automatic exchange of information” which is scheduled to apply to multi-national companies whereby full disclosure of information will relate to all operating activities undertaken in the jurisdiction. This information relates to a topic labelled BEPS (business erosion and profit shifting) whereby a business is established in a jurisdiction for the purpose of either reducing its tax liability on its global operations and/or incurring costs to minimise its ultimate profit. Such practices have been ongoing for some considerable time throughout all areas of the World.

Last year there was much focus on Apple, Starbucks, Google, Walmart establishing companies in various jurisdictions to significantly reduce their tax liabilities — all very legal. The problem however was not one of legality but of morality. As a result changes are being considered to prevent a continuance of this practice as it is deemed to be providing some countries from their considered share of tax revenue. The Bahamas Government has already “stepped-up-to-the -plate” and signed up for meeting the OECD’s initial phase of being amenable to providing the information to the home countries of the parent corporation.

I have had the opportunity of attending meetings on these topics which have been presented through the Bahamas Financial

Services Board (BFSB) in conjunction with Government Officials. Although these presentations were to allow an expression of views no debating ever took place as the representatives of Government had already made the decision and were telling the practitioners/licensees what to expect. This is most unfortunate, and with the utmost respect the Government does not know or understand the offshore business.

Like many occasions over the years no Government ever accepts local input.

The only way to have any measure of success is to bring in experts from other parts of the World — usually as far away from The Bahamas as possible. This is most disrespectful to the pool of Bahamian intellect that is locally available but as stated above it continues to be the same story ie that the Bahamas Government knows best.

Already some parties have published their views in the press some of which are duplicated in this communication.

Hopefully sufficient information will be presented to make Government think again about the steps and consequences they are taking.

It has also been put forward that on this occasion it is time for The Bahamas to consider an alternative approach. Recently a Government Minister stated that we have little input as a small Island Nation.

However as we are not the only jurisdiction affected by the OECD/EU/FATF/ IMF mandates why do we try to go it alone? Why not expand our role to that of the Caribbean Region (which for this purpose is defined as being from Bermuda to Trinidad and Tobago). This should help prevent us from being viewed as unimportant due to our island size, if we present ourselves as a much larger and visible area which the OECD and others cannot easily ignore.

The respected Sir Ronald Sanders has been an advocate of this strategy for some time.

Failure for The Bahamas Government to listen will surely result in the demise of the financial sector —which has already been advised that one cannot do business as we did in the 70s. I have been around long enough to know how business was conducted in the 70s and believe me those business practices have died a long time ago. At the moment we still have an offshore financial sector which has modified its business practices along the way. We still have some offshore banking services even though the number of licensees has been reduced significantly and could become dramatically worse when Barbados tackles its blacklisting issues.

However implementation of the proposed Government changes will lead to the erosion of the Bahamas financial sector resulting in an even bigger reliance on Tourism. Is this really what the Bahamas wants — i.e. lose its diversity of contributions to the country’s GDP? In my opinion it is time for the Bahamas to work along as part of a Caribbean Group and see if we can get the attention of the OECD et al and maybe they will then listen.

FAIR BALANCED Nassau, May 1, 2018

AND

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, May 3, 2018, PAGE 5

Over-the-Hill - but a third under the wire from page one communities) have a strong small business community, formal businesses are underrepresented in the community.”

As part of a survey conducted in 2016, Mr Johnson said, the Business Licensing Unit “went out and uncovered that just under 600, 700 businesses or quasibusinesses (existed in the area), yet under 200 of them were actually in the formal sector. So you have business going on, you all know it, you live in the communities, yet a relatively small number are registered and formalised.”

Businesses operating in the grey zone don’t pay taxes or make National Insurance Board (NIB) contributions.

“A lot of the prevailing wisdom is you avoid getting registered because you don’t have to pay your tax, your business licence fees or because it had been a hassle in a lot of ways to get registered,” Mr Johnson said.

“The challenge with that when you are outside the formal community is getting access to credit, getting access to concessions, it becomes difficult; so the happy challenge we have is to lower the barriers for businesses within the community to become a part of the formal sector and find ways to become low cost and low hassle and that then opens the door for them in the formal sector to access credit and get the concessions and the things they need in order to go and to thrive.”

Last night, as he opened the town hall, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis told residents that his vision to transform inner city areas was not confined to the Over-the-Hill area. He promised the plan would expand to other areas in due course.

“My vision was broad, and included any areas experiencing issues such as high levels of crime, poverty and social decay,” Dr Minnis said. “But as we all know, every journey begins with the first step, and what you are seeing today is the first step in that process.

“Let me be clear, what you are seeing before you is not just a tax exemption plan as many persons have described it.

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis.

“Yes the plan does include exemptions on certain categories of items.

This bold new initiative is designed to provide financial assistance to residents and businesses in the area.

But more importantly, the white paper outlines a plan to not just give a man a fish, but it presents a plan to teach a man to fish.

“For those persons and businesses outside the Bain and Grants Town, or Centreville zone, do not lose hope. As this is all new, we

‘The Bahamas’ own street philosopher’

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are simply beginning of a process, to create a blueprint or model. We will reach out to other communities in due course.

“I am confident that through this process initiatives will be introduced designed to restore these communities,” Dr Minnis said.

Under the Over-theHill initiative, residents in the designated economic empowerment zone and businesses that make less than $5m per year will be

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff exempt from real property taxes, business licence fees, stamp tax, excise tax and customs duties on materials necessary for construction.

Non-registered businesses won’t benefit from some of the tax exemptions.

Critics believe the initiative could spur gentrification. Some business owners in the area are concerned that businesses will come from outside and encroach on their markets.

Mr Johnson, however, said it is desirable to have a

combination of growth for existing businesses in the area and the emergence of businesses from outside as well.

“You want commercial activity,” he said. “Primarily you gear it at people who are already living in the community and working in the community but the idea is also to create additional economic opportunity. The more businesses that are there, the more employment it will create. The idea is to create a hub and to

have an influx of businesses to the community.”

During last night’s town hall, residents expressed a wide range of concerns.

Some persons lamented the state of the environment.

Others bemoaned longstanding land issues that have left people living on properties without a legal title.

Officials stressed that though the white paper was released last week, the government is listening to suggestions for how the initiative could be improved.

PAGE 6, Thursday, May 3, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

DAMES: CLAIMS OF SACKING PRISON OFFICERS ‘MISGUIDED’ from page one

MARVIN DAMES, Minister of National Security.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

“This isn’t something that just started, let’s be clear here,” he told The Tribune. “This is common practice throughout our law enforcement services.

We often, as we say in the ministry, re-engage officers who would have just retired from the force due either to age or having serviced the maximum years of service.”

Mr Dames said the practice was instituted to guard against the respective services losing officers “still ready and able to contribute.”

“This happens with the police and I think one or two occasions with the defence force. One thing we said as a government is,

we wanted the process to be transparent and out in the open. And I think our push to do just that is where all those empty noise is coming from. That is why you would have heard us speak about going the way of a commission to oversee this process moving forward,” he said.

“We know we have officers that are done as it relates to their ages and years of service, but those that work with them would say to us, ‘he or she still has something to offer.’

Those were the officers targeted. There is an application process where they can apply to come back year-to-year. That application is reviewed by the commissioner, in this case the commissioner of the Department of Correctional Services, and he will make a ruling on that application and then pass it on to me.”

According to Mr Dames, once an officer is approved at both levels, he is then offered a year-toyear contract. At the end of each year, that officer is required to apply again for reinstatement.

Mr Dames said he was unsure how many officers were employed under the scheme, but assured The Tribune that process, by design, prevents officers “only collecting cheques” to continue to serve.

“What we are talking about is a process that gets into the quality of service delivered by an officer. We take a look at the quality of his or her service and make a determination on that. In the future, we hope to open that up even more by removing the process from the public

service and to a commission. Once that is done, it will be clear why an officer has been asked to come back on and, in other cases, asked not to,” Mr Dames said.

These comments come in the wake of shocking viral videos purported to have been taken of inmates at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services and a subsequent raid on the Fox Hill compound by more than 200 officers across three law enforcement agencies last month.

Of the video clip, Mr Dames said he was unsurprised given longstanding challenges of corruption within law enforcement agencies.

He, at that time, stressed these incidents were the result of the greed of a small minority, which would be flushed out of the system as the government works to radically transform standards for recruitment, training, development and succession planning.

Four videos were shared on Facebook, one of which shows only the hands of the men breaking down what appears to be a package of marijuana. Another video shows two men making hand gestures and making profane statements, while another depicts four men in a smoky cell with a portable speaker.

In the wake of the clips, many suspected the resulting fallout to include the firings of some officers.

However, to date, no officers have been fired in connection with the ordeal.

Mr Dames yesterday suggested this could have been the motive behind the rumours of mass firing within the service.

MITCHELL BLASTS LLOYD FOR TONE OVER FIRINGS

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Chairman Fred Mitchell yesterday condemned the tone struck by Minister of Education Jeffrey Lloyd in his comments on the firings of dozens of contract workers, calling the minister compassionless and shameful.

Mr Mitchell, a senator, took issue with Mr Lloyd’s use of the word “happy” as he told reporters outside Cabinet on Tuesday that his ministry had begun its disciplinary process for non-performing workers and foreshadowed more firings were on the horizon.

The former Fox Hill MP said the minister’s comments evidenced his party’s suspicions that Mr Lloyd had taken leave of “common sense and decency,” further claiming Mr Lloyd has done nothing but talk since taking up office.

“How could the minister of education say that he is happy to have dismissed people from the Ministry of Education?” Mr Mitchell asked in a press statement.

“Mr Lloyd has exceeded the callousness of the prime minister, the minister of tourism and the minister of health. Just when we thought that callousness had reached its heights, when corned beef was attacked by the minister of health, along comes the minister of education boasting about firing people.

“At the same time, however, he was able to effect tens of thousands of dollars in renovating his ministerial suite.”

Last November, Mr Lloyd confirmed to The Tribune he had remodelled his office but it is unclear how much was spent in this regard.

“I have remodelled my office,” Mr Lloyd said last year. “So there’s (no rumour) about it, I have rearranged my office. I have taken up the dirty carpet that was here and I have changed it and put in plants, and (made) my office the place that I want to be since I spend so many hours a day here. There’s no rumour

that’s a fact.”

On Tuesday, it was revealed the Ministry of Education terminated the contracts of a “couple dozen” contract workers who “violated their employment agreement,” according to Mr Lloyd, who did not reveal an exact number.

“Some weeks ago I informed you that we identified 200 plus individuals who have in a sense violated their employment agreement and arrangement with the Ministry of Education,” the South Beach MP said. “I indicated to you that those persons were either disciplined or terminated and I am happy to report that the disciplining process is underway and there have been some terminations and there will be more and there will be further disciplining of those who we think warrant it.”

The action came weeks after he revealed some 200 employees have exhibited delinquent behaviour, not going to work or failing to perform when they do go. Some people, he said, have missed work for 40, 50, 70 and 100 consecutive days, all while receiving pay.

Mr Lloyd has previously stated plans to address the problem of delinquent workers regardless of the criticism he may receive for firing people.

However, Mr Mitchell maintained yesterday the matter would not have been used as a “boasting point” by a PLP administration.

His statement continued: “The public service is warned now that no one is safe. The rule of law means nothing to this government.

Poor people are treated like dirt. This would not have been a boasting point of the previous minister of education under the PLP. “The public service dealt with disciplinary issues and separations as a matter of routine. What the PLP was concerned about was educating our people, making sure that they had work and were in work.

“All this crew can talk about is firing people,” it added. “The minister’s actions are lousy and a natural disgrace.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, May 3, 2018, PAGE 7

FISHERMEN: DREDGING IS HURTING OUR BUSINESS

DREDGING at Montagu Beach and, below right, workers at the scene.

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net DREDGING taking place near Montagu Beach is a hindrance, affecting water quality, marine life, and their businesses, local fishermen have said.

When asked how the work has affected business at the Montagu fish ramp, Donna Rolle, who works at a conch stand, pointed to the water.

“Well, actually we can’t use the water. That’s number one. We can’t keep the conch in the water because the mud is killing out the conch.”

Instead of using seawater to clean fish and the stalls, area workers have to buy fresh water to complete these tasks.

Ms Rolle also referred to the potential human impact of the works.

“We can’t put our conch in the water, because automatically it will be conch poisoning to people… because of the situation in the water,” she said.

A fisherman, who wished to remain anonymous, made similar comments; saying that on average he loses half his catch of conch in the area.

“If I put out 100, I’ll lose like 50 conch because they’re clogged up with mud,” he said.

The workers now have to bring in conch from other areas, such as Potter’s Cay Dock or Arawak Cay. “We take our conch home or first thing in the morning we have people bringing fresh conch for us every day,” Carson Culmer, of the same conch stand as Ms Rolle, said.

Mr Culmer added that the ongoing work has also changed the patterns of the fish.

“All the small fish that were normally around the seashore, all of them…left or just leave because of the mud.”

The Royal Nassau Sailing Club is responsible for the work in the area.

Yesterday, Commodore Brock Cole told The Tribune that the purpose of the dredging exercise is to restore a dock that was destroyed by Hurricane Matthew.

The work began in late December and is expected to be completed at the end of May. “We are rebuilding what was destroyed,” Commodore Cole said. “We (are) also adding some land area

to the land that we own, because we actually own part of the seabed.

“The bit of land that we have reclaimed we actually own that. And some of the bit farther out to where the breakwater is, is a government lease, which we’ve had for years and years and years. And we are basically reclaiming our docking facility and sailing facility.”

Contrary to speculation that the organisation had no permissions to engage in these works, Commodore Cole was very firm that everything was done “by the book”.

“We’ve received approval from three (agencies): the Ministry of Works, the Port Authority, and Environment; and the BEST Commission,” he said.

When asked if he is concerned at all about any environmental impact, Commodore Cole said according to their employed engineers and contractors, the impact will be “minimal, if any”.

He added he was not aware of any negative affects on conch or the patterns of fish.

However, Commodore Cole said a silt net is in use.

“We are

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

employing Bahamas Marine Construction, who are the contractors. We have subcontractors, electricians and plumbers. And our engineers are CCS (Caribbean Coastal Services).

“As far as we are concerned, everything was done by the book, and we will continue to do so.

“This is not the first dredging that’s happened in the Bahamas nor will it be the last,” he added.

Numerous requests for statements from the ministers of works, environment, and fishing and marine resources were unanswered up to press time.

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PAGE 8, Thursday, May 3, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

And the award for gross stupidity goes to...

I

F there were profit to be earned, some savvy entrepreneur would create an award that rewards the dumbest ideas ever. The scheme could work just like other awards, except it would be funnier. Like this letter which I received a little while back. It was sent to me by a well-known retailer.

Here is what it said. I kid you not, I could not make this up.

“We are writing to inform you that your card is being cancelled as of this date because we cannot find an address for you.”

I wrote back and told them that I was sorry they could not find an address, but they may be pleased to know their letter reached me at the address they did not have. I added, just for their enjoyment, that I have had the same address for more than 30 years.

I also used the opportunity to inform them ever so politely that I would no longer be needing their card as I had a personal preference to do business with people and companies that did not qualify for the dumbest award ever.

Opportunities to present the dumbest award abound. Here’s a local one.

In Nassau, Potter’s Cay is one of the most heavily trafficked areas along the northern coast. On a good day, traffic is painfully slow as cars, trucks, cycles and pedestrians crawl past conch and fish stalls along a crowded, narrow U-shaped roadway with as many lumps and bumps as a row of camels.

Further north on Potter’s Cay under the bridge there is even more traffic weaving

CONSTRUCTION work at Potter’s Cay in 2016 - but try getting to the parking area east of the Paradise Island bridge on the New Providence side for an exercise in frustration.

By Diane Phillips

in between the produce exchange, intermingling with trucks and cars coming and going from Bahamas

Ferries, the Mail Boat and other inter-island carriers, vying for a place to cut in with all the traffic to cargo

offices and trailers. there is almost an artistry On a Friday afternoon, about it. trying to get into and out Here is one scenario in an of Potter’s Cay on to East actual applicant’s words.

Bay Street is like being 17 “I went to the Passport and trying to talk your way Office to apply for my out of losing driving privi- son’s passport where I had leges a week after you got to establish where I came your driver’s licence, forgot by my surname. Keep in to put fuel in the car and mind this was my (at least) ran out in the middle of fourth passport. I had the nowhere forcing Daddy to same surname. At 37 now, I come and get you and bring had to establish my maiden a jerry can of gas. Good luck name. This meant I had to with those privileges for the have my parents (who were next few weeks. There’s no unmarried at the time of reasoning that’s going to my birth) sign an affidavit work to calm Daddy down. stating my maiden surname Anyway, back to the was, in fact my surname.

Dumb Awards. There is Once drafted and signed I simply no had to take explaining that to the ‘To access the why the parkRegistrar ing area to parking lot - which General’s the east of serves businesses Department the Para- all the way from the to be filed. dise Island I was marbridge - on bridge to Seafront ried out of the south Sushi at the corner country and side - was of William Street - is already had designed a previous the way it you have to enter a e-passport in was.

The mile west and drive myhyphenated concept was through Potter’s Cay, maiden-marlovely. Take ried name. an unused leaving those conch Still, I was grassy knoll, and fish stalls to asked to clean it up, your left as you head obtain the plant it, build long form a boardwalk north, and to your (certified and create a right minutes later copy) of my parking lot when you attempt to marriage for all those certificate. exit and eventually Apparently, businesses, offices and come back out again the short the two resversion preon to East Bay.’ taurants viously used across the would not street that previously had do. There were times dealalmost no parking for cus- ing with the Passport Office tomers and staff. that I was so turned around The only problem is that they had me wondering to access the parking lot - if I really was Bahamian. which serves businesses all Of course, I am Bahamian the way from the bridge to and my family has been Seafront Sushi at the corner here since that time. My of William Street - is you other two children have have to enter a mile west their Bahamian passports and drive through Potter’s but for my son the entire Cay, leaving those conch ordeal took six to eight and fish stalls to your left weeks.” as you head north, and to I could add my own your right minutes later ordeal but will try to see when you attempt to exit the same humour in it as in and eventually come back the letter from the company out again on to East Bay. saying they did not have my What a great idea - add to address. the congestion and make When I renewed my it unlikely anyone visiting passport this time, I those offices, restaurants, returned to the office to businesses would actually see if I could collect about use the parking lot unless two to three days ahead they worked there. of the nearly one month it All that had to be was going to take because done was to create a cut- I unexpectedly had to through from east of the travel. I was sent from bridge to the end of the one office to another, the strip. It could even be collection office and from where the exit is now just there, out the door, and opposite the east side of to the next door, Queries. the Out Island Traders They had a question for Building. me. They also had a phone Moving on, prob- number (like the letter ably nowhere in The had an address). But they Bahamas is there a govern- hadn’t called. ment office more deserving After three weeks I was of an anti-success award on the list to be called today, than Passport. The Passport they said. They needed Office has so mastered the a better copy of my marart of requiring applicants riage certificate. The copy to line up, to line up that had the “R” missing from

Registrar General indicating that my husband I were indeed married by the egistrar General. Same dates, same names, public record.

Also, same marriage that was good enough for the last passport but apparently not a strong enough marriage by the egistrar for the renewal.

This was my third trip to the office and a woman who did take pity on me after I waited well over an hour (this time) said she would do me a favour and give me my passport but I would have to bring back a certified copy of the marriage certificate the next week or it would be pulled. What?

My citizenship? I asked, stunned. “No,” she said, “the paper.” Oh the registrar general paper. Well, at least they weren’t cancelling my marriage.

It was not just me. On one side of me in the Queries office, a woman came in bearing and carrying all sorts of documents and her elderly mother in tow. That was not good enough. Yes, she was Bahamian. No one questioned that, but she did not bring her grandmother’s birth certificate.

Her grandmother’s birth certificate?

On the other side stood a man whose patience was running thin. His passport was supposed to have been ready three days earlier and he was back again and could not get it because they had to “edit” his documents. “Why didn’t you call me?” said the elderly gentleman. “We probably did and you probably did not answer or your phone probably did not work,” they said. “My phone works…” well, you can see where that conversation was going.

What were they editing?

“You don’t have any hair on your head.” This fact did not seem to surprise the man with no hair. He had submitted photos so we were a little surprised that the photos could suddenly have sprouted hair or that they did not notice before and being still of the bald variety, would have to make yet another trip back.

Maybe instead of the dumbest idea award, we could find one that rewards a dose of commonsense.

But if you have a business plan for dumbest idea ever award, please submit wherever you want and I’ll be the first to purchase a ticket and salute those who contribute to the disarray of our world.

Here’s to those who create chaos out of order and whose tales, once told in the light of the rear view mirror provide a cocktail hour musing and a laugh. If we did not laugh, we might just cry.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, May 3, 2018, PAGE 9

WORKERS at The Pointe development on Bay Street.

‘We could have built it’

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Contractors Association President Leonard Sands is adamant a Bahamian company could have built The Pointe development.

Speaking at a BCA meeting yesterday, Mr Sands discussed the controversial project, which is being developed by China Construction America.

The Heads of Agreement between CCA and the government states 70 percent of the workers are supposed to be Bahamian and 30 percent should be foreign.

Despite this clause, a monitoring exercise of the site by Tribune photographers in early April revealed that with the

exception of three or four Bahamians and a guard at the gates of the development, everyone else appeared to be Chinese.

A government investigation into the matter has been launched since The Tribune’s revelations.

Labour Minister Dion Foulkes and other officials were scheduled to meet with representatives from The Pointe yesterday to discuss the investigation, but when contacted yesterday, Mr Foulkes would not say what occurred. However, he said a statement would be issued later.

Mr Sands has been a vocal critic of the make-up of the project’s workforce.

In a speech yesterday at The Poop Deck West, he said: “I’m the president

of the (BCA) and I could say without a doubt that I know a Bahamian construction firm can take The Pointe development from out of the ground to 15 stories with not a problem.”

To bolster his point, he added the contractor and his firm were “in the room”.

“So, I stand in a room full of people who have the expertise, the skill, and the experience…to do the work.”

Referring to the government, Mr Sands added: “I need our leaders to come and sit and talk with us sometime and understand ‘who do we know’ that’s in our membership.

“Who has a wholly Bahamian workforce, that has done tens of millions of dollars of high

rise construction, not only inside The Bahamas but outside (as well).”

Mr Sands also pleaded for more transparency in the matter.

“We’re just saying one simple thing: give us more information about it. There have been communications coming from that development that ‘they’re not ready for Bahamians yet.’ Why? That’s the first question we have. Why were you not ready?

“What part of the work do you think we can do, and when? And thirdly…

How did you get to a place that you can say that in The Bahamas? That’s a really serious thing for the (BCA).”

In mid-April, The Tribune reported that developers told the government that a

full complement of Bahamian workers were not needed at the time, but would be called upon once this portion of construction is finished.

This referenced the laying of an apparently intricate steel foundation for the next phase of the $200m development.

The Tribune was also told CCA informed labour officials that 100 Chinese nationals remained in the country to complete this task.

“So, we’re not…knocking them,” Mr Sands said.

“We’re just saying, these are prevailing points that we need to just understand the answers to those questions. How did we get to that place in The Bahamas, at this day and time?”

Speaking to The Tribune after the event, Mr Sands described the situation as a “lament”.

“That building is the typical type of construction that we’re very good at,” he said.

“So, if they needed to find the kinds of people that could work on a project, they really could reach out to us.

“And the government has to ensure that they communicate with the BCA, because we have a work force and a contractor base that would like to really be a part of the project in a meaningful way.

And maybe that’s (going to) happen in the future.

“But for right now, at this present day, we don’t see that engagement and we’re concerned about that.”

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PAGE 10, Thursday, May 3, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

FLAMES and smoke rise from an Air National Guard C-130 cargo plane after it crashed near Savannah, Georgia, yesterday.

Photo: James Lavine/AP

At least five National Guard dead in plane crash PORT WENTWORTH, Georgia Associated Press

AN Air National Guard C-130 cargo plane crashed onto a busy highway moments after taking off from an airport in Georgia on Wednesday, narrowly missing people on the ground but killing at least five National Guard members from Puerto Rico.

An orange and black

fireball rose into the sky after the plane crashed onto state highway 21, about a mile (less than two kilometers) from the Savannah/ Hilton Head International Airport, around 11.30am, authorities said.

The huge plane’s fuselage appeared to have struck the median, and pieces of its wings, which spanned 132 feet (40 meters), were scattered across lanes in both directions. The only

part still intact was the tail section, said Chris Hanks, a spokesman for the Savannah Professional Firefighters Association.

“It miraculously did not hit any cars, any homes,” Effingham County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Gena Bilbo said. “This is a very busy roadway.”

Motorist Mark Jones told the Savannah Morning News that he saw the plane hit the road right in front of him.

“It didn’t look like it nosedived, but it almost looked like it stalled and just went almost flat right there in the middle of the highway,” Jones said, describing how people stopped and got out of their cars following the explosion.

“I’m still shook up and shaking. My stomach is in knots because I know they’re people just like me.

I wasn’t that far from it and I could have just kept going and it would have been me

and we wouldn’t be talking right now,” Jones said.

At least five people were killed, said Capt. Jeff Bezore, a spokesman for the Georgia Air National Guard’s 165th Air Wing.

Initial information indicated five to nine people were aboard, Puerto Rico National Guard Spokesman Maj. Paul Dahlen told The Associated Press. All were Puerto Ricans, and the plane belonged to the 156th

Air Wing, on a mission to Arizona. Dahlen did not have details on the mission.

The cause wasn’t immediately clear; firefighters were still working to make the site safe for investigators, said Senior Master Sgt. Roger Parsons of the Georgia Air National Guard.

“Any information about what caused this or any facts about the aircraft will come out in the investigation,” he said.

STARBUCKS SETTLES IN DISCRIMINATION ROW PHILADELPHIA Associated Press

TWO black men arrested for sitting at a Philadelphia Starbucks without ordering anything settled with the world’s biggest coffee-shop chain Wednesday for an undisclosed sum and an offer of a free college education.

Separately, they reached a deal with the city for a symbolic $1 each and a promise from officials to set up a $200,000 program for young entrepreneurs.

The men portrayed the twin settlements as an effort to make sure

something positive came out of the April 12 incident, which touched off a furor around the US over racial profiling.

“We thought long and hard about it, and we feel like this is the best way to see that change that we want to see,” said Donte Robinson, one of those arrested. “It’s not a right-now thing that’s good for right now, but I feel like we will see the true change over time.”

Business partners Robinson and Rashon Nelson, both 23, were led away in handcuffs and accused of trespassing last month after the manager of a Starbucks in the city’s well-to-do

Rittenhouse Square neighborhood called police, saying the men refused to buy anything or leave. After spending hours in jail, they were released and no charges were filed.

The men said they were there waiting for a meeting with a third man about a potential real estate opportunity.

The incident proved a major embarrassment for Starbucks, which has long projected an image as a socially conscious company.

Yesterday, Starbucks announced it reached a financial settlement with the men. The amount was not disclosed.

GIULIANI: TRUMP REPAID COHEN $130K PAYMENT TO PORN STAR WASHINGTON Associated Press

PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s new lawyer Rudy Giuliani said last night that Trump repaid his personal attorney Michael Cohen for a $130,000 payment to porn star Stormy Daniels, directly contradicting the president’s past statements.

During an appearance on Fox News Channel’s “Hannity”, Giuliani said the money had been “funneled ... through the law firm and the president repaid it”.

Asked if Trump knew about the arrangement, Giuliani said: “He didn’t know about the specifics of it, as far as I know. But he did know about the general arrangement, that Michael would take care of things like this, like I take care of things like this for my clients. I don’t burden them with every single thing that comes along. These are busy people.”

Trump told reporters several weeks ago that he didn’t know about the $130,000 payment to Daniels as part of a nondisclosure agreement she signed days before the 2016 presidential election.

Asked aboard Air Force One whether he knew about the payment, Trump said flatly: “No.” Trump also said he didn’t know why Cohen had made the payment or where he got the money.

Giuliani, who joined Trump’s legal team last month, said the president had repaid Cohen over several months, indicating the payments continued through at least the presidential transition, if not into his presidency.

He also says the payment “is going to turn out to be perfectly legal” because “that money was not campaign money”.

Daniels says she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006 and was paid to keep quiet as part

of a nondisclosure agreement she is now seeking to invalidate. She has also filed a defamation suit against Trump, who denies having sex with Daniels.

Daniels’ lawyer, Michael Avenatti, called the comment “a stunning revelation”.

“Mr. Trump evidently has participated in a felony and there must be serious consequences for his conduct and his lies and deception to the American people,” he said.

Cohen’s payment to the president’s accuser in the weeks leading up to the presidential election could be cast as an illegal contribution but not if he were acting on the president’s behest and with his money.

Also yesteray, Mr Trump hired a veteran attorney who represented Bill Clinton during his impeachment process as the White House shifted to a more aggressive approach to the Russia investigation that has reached a critical stage.

The White House announced the hiring of lawyer Emmet Flood after disclosing the retirement of Ty Cobb, who for months has been the administration’s point person dealing with special counsel Robert Mueller.

It’s the latest shake-up for a legal team grappling with unresolved questions on how to protect the president from legal and political jeopardy in Mueller’s Russia probe, which is nearing its one-year anniversary.

White House spokesman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said that Cobb had been discussing the decision for weeks and would retire at the end of May, and that Flood would be joining the White House staff to “represent the president and the administration against the Russia witch hunt”.

The replacement of Cobb with Flood may herald a more adversarial stance toward the Mueller team.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, May 3, 2018, PAGE 11

The phone call that led to changing children’s lives THEY say it takes a village to raise a child, and thanks to some wonderful local mothers and their group of supporters, life at the Grand Bahama Children’s Home is getting better.

These mothers, the “Friends of the Home,” have focused their efforts on ensuring the children have food and necessary supplies – along with a big dose of love - each month.

What started with a phone call to see how she could help, turned Dunya Alnebeck and her friends into full-time supporters of the home and advocates for the children. “I was interested in giving back,” said Ms Alnebeck, a transplanted St Lucian native.

“I’d seen the requests for help on Facebook, and my kids were a bit older so thought I would lend a hand.”

How was she to know

that, five years later, she and her dedicated ‘Friends of the Home’ team, started

by Wendy Buck-Gher, would be organising annual Christmas fairs, diaper fundraising lunches and, most recently, a fundraising dinner at the home she shares with her husband, Magnus Alnebeck, Pelican Bay general manager, and her own children. Over 80 guests were welcomed by her family and the ‘Friends of the Home,’ and treated to a night of international cuisine and dancing while, of course, being brought up-to-date on the work and needs of the home.

The Grand Bahama Children’s Home has provided a safe haven for up to 40 children who have been abandoned, abused and/or neglected for over 40 years.

The home, which has cared for children not just from Grand Bahama but also the Northern Bahamas,

GRAND Bahama Children’s Home. receives a government sub- private donations. sidy of $195,000 per year “The ladies have been – which is less than half nothing short of a miracle of what it costs to run the for our home and our chilhome with the very basics dren,” said Shelia Smith, and necessities. The bal- GBCH administrator. ance needed to keep the “When we are short on doors open must be raised food, diapers, shampoo… through corporate and you name it…these ladies

find it for us. They have used their resources to help the home in so many way as well as spending time and playing with the children – which to be honest is so wonderful for our children.”

The group recently held an event that raised $5,000

which the ‘Friends’ will use to buy the everyday items that are so desperately needed from month to month.

To learn more about the home, visit www.gbchildrenshome.com or call 242-352-7852.

READERS RESPOND TO TERMINATIONS AT EDUCATION MINISTRY THE news that the Ministry of Education had terminated contracts of a “couple dozen” contract workers who “violated their employment agreement” prompted a lively reaction from readers on tribune242. com.

John said: “One time ago the public service was labeled as a place where ‘they don’t pay much, but you don’t have ta work hard. And once you get a job dere you ain’t gatta worry about getting fire.

You could stay rite there till time fer dey ya give ya one lil pension. You cud even move through out

the system without losing seniority’. But today civil servants want to earn the same pay as they do in the private sector. They want the same benefits and the same recognition. So, of course, they have to be held to the same standards: Work or be fired!”

But BahamaPundit had this to say: “What I don’t like is the FNM seems

to pick on and fire the small man, while leaving sacred cows, such as BISX, URCA, BAMSI and the Securities Commission untouched. These institutions basically do nothing and are hugely overstaffed with fat cats that sit around and soak up tax payer funds with their six figure paychecks. Very unfair. It’s easy to pick on the small man, but the optics are terrible!”

Which prompted this response from Clamshell: “The ‘optics’ would be better if everybody — including ‘da little man’ — actually did the work

they’re paid to do.”

And this reply from Athlete12: “This isn’t about other institutions.

This is about our education system and workers within it should come to their job on time and aspire to do it well! If that is not the case then go home. We cannot excuse laziness and lack of social responsibility.”

Tribune Business reported that the Water & Sewerage Corporation is aiming to cover 100 per cent of its expenses by 2020, with chairman Adrian Gibson saying it will “aggressively” pursue deadbeat customers

owing more than $45m.

Birdiestrachan said: “He is correct to try to collect the bad debt. It will be good if he can inform the public how much he is able to collect.”

Well_mudda_take_sic offered this: “Many W & S Corp customers owe thousands of dollars but Gibson says nothing at all about taking the larger delinquent customers to court. Also, note how Gibson conveniently fails to explain why so many properties owned by ‘influential’ and/or ‘well connected’ individuals continue to receive W &

S services even though the current owners of the properties refuse to settle the long past due accounts.

Even if the water bill was left unsettled by a previous owner of the property, it is the current owner who is liable to pay it. Gibson conveniently avoids the opportunity to remind the public of this fact. He is your typical showboating politician giving nothing but lip service to what is a well known serious problem.”

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

PAGE 12, Thursday, May 3, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

AUTISM CENTRE IS GIVEN A HELPING HAND THE Brice-Newball Foundation recently presented the autism centre at Garvin Tynes Primary School with ten Samsung tablets and 15 ringing bells during a special assembly at the school.

Since 2016, the BriceNewball Foundation has provided support to the autism centre of Garvin Tynes School. This unit provides specialised education and instruction to about 40 children diagnosed with autism.

Garvin Newball and Leander Brice are

Co-CEOs of A Sure Win gaming company and the founders of the BriceNewball Foundation. The foundation is the charitable arm of the gaming company.

“Two years ago, we made a commitment to assist the kids of the Autism Unit at Garvin Tynes Primary School,” Mr Newball.

“Since then, we have tried to assist the school with as many of its needs as possible.

“This year, the donation of the ten tablets and 15 ringing bells were

STUDENTS and teachers of the autism unit at Garvin Tynes Primary School pose with officials from the Brice-Newball Foundation and Jet Blue. a priority for them. We trained teacher and one level and access to educa- we are happy, to not only know that these items teacher’s aide. tion as children anywhere donate, but help to bring an are critical for the develThe unit has grown over else in the Bahamas,” Mr awareness.” opment of children no the years and presently Brice said. “The Brice-NewThe foundation is also matter their learning there are four classrooms, ball Foundation is especially helping to underwrite the capabilities.’ four trained teachers, six proud of the work at this cost of shirts for the chilThe Centre for Autism teacher’s aides and 42 school because it focuses dren of the unit as well as was established at Garvin students. on the needs of children the printing of pamphlets Tynes Primary School in “The children who are living with autism. Many for public distribution to September 1999. It started taught and nurtured at the times children with special assist in sharing informawith one classroom; one autism unit deserve the same needs can be overlooked but tion on autism.

Resident calls for help over rusty water at Cable Beach

By FARRAH JOHNSON A CABLE Beach resident is sounding the alarm on rusty water conditions alleged to have persisted in the area for years.

The Westward Villas homeowner, who requested anonymity, is calling on the Water & Sewerage Corporation to address the water issue.

The concerned resident claimed WSC installed a filtration system 15 years ago, but now, the company only changes the filters twice a week.

“The water is not potable water,” the resident said.

“I don’t drink the water, I don’t cook with it. I only

do all the other essential things. It’s gotten to the place where I’m sick and tired of this.”

The resident explained the water doesn’t run through her house due to the use of additional filters; however, without them the water coming out of faucets was like “blood”.

“Everything was (at risk of being destroyed)… if you washed white stuff, you couldn’t wear it,” the resident continued.

“This is a concern, and I am constantly on to Water & Sewerage about this situation, and it seems as if they just can’t get it sorted out...

I need something to be done.”

The resident claimed the tap water is undrinkable, and at times smells. “...The bottom line is I’ve had enough of it and it’s time to have the issue splashed where it should be splashed...the bottom line is that I am concerned about this to have it sorted out once and for all.”

The resident said WSC has never addressed the problem directly, or informed residents on why the issue has been going on for so long.

“They were checking to see what’s going on, but it seems as if the problem couldn’t be corrected,” the resident continued.

“The main concern is to

get this out to the public because there is a problem.

It’s not potable water, you cannot drink it, you cannot cook with it.

“I’m even afraid to take a shower because even though I’m not taking a tub bath, the shower is the same.”

The resident told The Tribune homeowners in newly developed areas do not experience the same water issues, and theorised it was because they have PVC pipes laid down. The resident questioned if older areas still utilised old cast iron pipes.

“This has been going on from when they were bringing the water in - barging the water in from Andros to Arawak Cay, so I don’t know whether they changed all the pipes or some of the pipes, and to me, this unacceptable,” the resident said.

The resident is concerned about the possibility of water contamination because her filters only capture rust and she wonders if harmful pollutants may still be present in the water.

The Tribune contacted Visna Armbrister, WSC public affairs manager, who said the government entity

SOME of the water filters tainted by rust. is not aware of any recent think that it is the correct or “renewed” complaints assessment of the situation. from the Cable Beach area We try to work with cusabout poor water qual- tomers when they call to ity. However, she added say they have an issue.

WSC representatives will We make ourselves availdefinitely look into the able for any complaints our customers might have, situation.

When asked whether old but I am not aware of any pipes may be causing the complaints from the Cable alleged issue, Ms Armbris- Beach community in recent ter said: “I don’t know what days, and it is something the basis for that (allega- we will definitely have to tion) is, but I certainly don’t investigate.”