MONDAY i’m lovin’ it!
HIGH 85ºF LOW 74ºF
The Tribune Established 1903
24/7 BREAKING NEWS ON TRIBUNE242.COM
Biggest And Best!
VOLUME:115 No.114, MAY 7TH, 2018
HO US E & 16 THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1
INSIGHT: TIME TO ROCK THE BOAT ON CLIMATE CHANGE PAGES
‘Doctors put public at risk’ Sands braced for wildcat action by junior medics
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net HEALTH officials are bracing for a potential nationwide demonstration involving frustrated junior doctors, according to Health Minister Dr Duane Sands. The rumoured action comes after some nurses engaged in a “sick out” last week. “I spoke to the Bahamas Doctors Union president who acknowledged that union membership is prepared and determined to take some type of action (today),” Dr Sands said yesterday. “The public’s safety
DANCING IN THE STREETS
is in jeopardy here. I’m not certain (it will happen) because I’m not a member of the union but we’ve had this information confirmed by the members. “We’ve taken steps as we view this as a credible threat.” Asked if junior doctors will take industrial action today, BDU President Dr Macumba Miller told The Tribune yesterday: “We are entertaining all options. The staff is up in arms but we haven’t taken a strike vote. We won’t do anything illegal. We always view our patients’ care as more important than anything else.” SEE PAGE THREE
WEEKEND stabbings claimed the lives of a woman and a man in two separate incidents in Nassau. Both killings occurred on Friday and bring the country’s homicide count to 29. Police issued an alert for a suspect in relation to one of the killings. According to police, the woman was stabbed after
she got into an argument with a man on Malcolm Road off Baillou Hill Road. She was stabbed after 6pm and died shortly after being taken to hospital. Several hours later, police were called to an argument at Potter’s Cay Dock between a group of men. A man was stabbed as a result of that fight, and attempts by paramedics to revive him were unsuccessful. SEE PAGE THREE
BPL BLAMES WEATHER FOR POWER CUT AREAS of New Providence were hit by power outages last night - with Bahamas Power and Light blaming “inclement weather”. In a statement, BPL said the power supply was interrupted when the weather caused the Clifton Pier Plant to trip offline at 5.50pm. Repairs were under way last night - though portions of the island continued to have power problems as The Tribune went to press. As of 9pm, BPL reported that 60% of New Providence had power restored.
‘MINNIS DOES NOT TALK TO INGRAHAM’ SAYS CHRISTIE By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis gave an impromptu defence of his relationship with the country’s former leader, Hubert Ingraham, Friday night at a party celebrating the 90th birthday of Sir Arthur Foulkes. He was egged on by his predecessor in office Perry Christie who, in a lighthearted moment, spoke of the relationship the country’s former and current prime ministers share. “I thought it was difficult when Minnis wouldn’t talk to me,” Mr Christie said midway during his toast to Sir Arthur at an event at the Balmoral Club. “But when you don’t talk to Hubert then I know…” SEE PAGE SIX
TWO DIE IN STABBINGS By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
HOME
‘STAY HUMBLE’, PM TELLS FNM COLLEAGUES A DANCER during the Bahamas Carnival Road March at the weekend. Carnival weekend saw crowds turn out for concerts and take to the streets to dance. See page two for more photographs. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
TEN-YEAR COURT BATTLE ENDS AS KNOWLES EXTRADITED TO FLORIDA By TANEKA THOMPSON Tribune News Editor tmthompson@tribunemedia.net ALLEGED drug smuggler Austin Knowles was extradited to the United States Friday afternoon to face charges there, ending a more than decade-long court battle fighting against removal from this country.
He arrived in Florida after 5pm Friday on a Drug Enforcement Agency airplane, a well-placed source told this newspaper. He and five other Bahamians had been indicted on several drug related charges by a Florida court on December 12, 2003. Last October, the Court of Appeal dismissed
the legal challenges of the five men, including Knowles, who were fighting extradition. At the time, Austin Knowles, Nathaniel Knowles, Edison Watson, Ian Bethel and Sean Bruey aka Shawn Saunders, were committed to prison to
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
SEE PAGE FIVE
By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday urged his parliamentary colleagues to stay humble and not to underestimate the Progressive Liberal Party as the Free National Movement celebrated the first anniversary of its landslide election victory. Dr Minnis warned party members not to attack each other in the press or publicly criticise the government’s efforts because it would bolster the opposition’s agenda. He told those at a church service at Living Waters Kingdom Ministries the PLP violated the public’s trust last term, and SEE PAGE SIX
PAGE 2, Monday, May 7, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
Carnival fever BAHAMIANS flocked to the Bahamas Carnival Experience over the weekend - taking part in a host of events, from concerts starring the likes of DJ Khaled, right, or Machel Montano, below, or joining in the carnival road parade. Photos: Shawn Hanna/ Tribune Staff
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, May 7, 2018, PAGE 3
‘Doctors put public at risk’ from page one The demonstration fears reflect junior doctors’ agitation over impending changes within the public healthcare system that will impact their future. This month, heads of medical departments will rank senior house officers – junior doctors who work under the supervision of consultants and registrars – based on their performance. Likewise, the SHOs will rank the various medical departments, such as paediatrics, internal medicine and surgery, based on their preference. “Using an algorithm with appropriate oversight, people will be matched to a department,” Dr Sands said. However, not everyone will make the cut. Dr Sands expects that about 100 SHOs will not be chosen to participate in a residency programme within one of the medical departments. Those who do not make the cut will be mandated to participate in a “foundation programme” geared towards preparing them for private practice. At the conclusion of the programme, they will be required to take a Special Purpose Examination (SPEX) to qualify as a private medical practitioner. Those who fail the programme or the exam will be forced to exit the medical profession. Dr Sands said the changes have been planned for some time. Standards “Over a decade or more we’ve been gradually increasing the standards,” he said. “It used to be someone would get a private practice licence just after completing an internship but that doesn’t serve the public well. You cannot say ‘I’m a doctor’ but camp out in a place where
you’re neither fish nor fowl. Nobody envisioned young physicians being essentially permanently in a position where they cannot practice independently. Without qualifying to take the SPEX and passing the exam, the Medical Council won’t give licences to practice independently. And there will be no more staying as a mid-level doctor in a public hospital for 20 years.” Dr Sands said more than 200 SHOs have been trapped in the public system for years and must exit so newly-trained interns can be accommodated. “If we don’t deal with this problem now what am I going to say to 48 young doctors who don’t have a job and we say we don’t have a job for you?” he asked. “We have not dealt with this because it was too much of a political football and the chickens have come home to roost. I didn’t get involved in politics to maintain the status quo. Our country is in great trouble in large part because we have not tackled the serious problems, whether in education, immigration, in crime or what have you and we have paid a horrible price because of this inaction. An aggressive reform agenda is not anymore a choice but a necessity.” The number of SHOs – 261 at last count – is growing by about 15 per cent per year and the budget allocation for them siphons off money from other essential services, Dr Sands said. But junior doctors, often stung by negative experiences with the Medical Council of the Bahamas and the University of the West Indies’ post-graduate healthcare programmes, do not trust that the foundation programme will function fairly and are protesting the ministry’s effort to make it mandatory.
Junior doctors view Dr Sands as an elitist who, having gained his medical certifications in the United States, is unfamiliar with the “inadequacy” of Caribbean post-graduate medical programmes for which claims of bias are rampant. “All are concerned about this,” Dr Miller said yesterday. “Every single day I cannot walk the halls without getting questions about it. Some people are willing to join the foundational course but making it a requirement doesn’t make any sense.” Dr Miller said Dr Sands should have concentrated on improving UWI’s postgraduate programmes where matriculation rates are low even as Bahamian doctors perform well in similar programmes in the United States or the United Kingdom. The impending foundation programme, Dr Miller says, mirrors negative characteristics of UWI’s post-grad programmes. “Thus far we have not seen the list of lecturers or any curriculum for the foundation programme,” Dr Miller said. “If Dr Sands was truly interested in a postgraduate and certification system, he would strengthen UWI’s postgraduate programmes. It was strengthened before with the family medicine component where the government funded the programme to increase the number of lecturers. It now has about an 80 per cent pass rate. If done with all departments we can see an increase in matriculation percentages out of UWI Bahamas.” Dr Miller said Dr Sands told his group of doctors who can’t pass the SPEX exam at the end of the programme “should be taxi drivers or maids or wash dishes or become lab techs.”
TWO DIE IN STABBINGS from page one
He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police. Kevin Gardiner is being sought in relation to the killing at Malcolm Road. He is 27 years old, between 5ft 6in and 5ft 9in and slim with a dark brown complexion. Friday’s fatal stabbings follow a recent announcement by National Security Minister Marvin Dames that overall crime figures were “trending downward” for the first quarter of this year. Speaking in the House of Assembly two weeks ago, Mr Dames revealed murders were on the decline by 45.2 per cent, although he conceded “there is still a lot of work left to be done.” The minister added that armed robberies were down by some 31.8 per cent, crimes against the person and property showed a decrease of 14 per cent nationwide and stolen vehicles were down 13 per cent. Before Friday’s incidents, the last murder recorded in the country was on April 27, when Perez Dames was shot dead in Abaco. Meanwhile, police yesterday said they want to speak with a man known only as “Monkey,” who they believe can help with a murder investigation. Police are asking for his correct name and whereabouts. In other crime matters, police are asking for any information that may assist them in their investigations into an armed robbery that occurred Friday morning. A man armed with a firearm reportedly entered a Carmichael Road liquor store and robbed an employee of cash before escaping on foot sometime around 9am. Anyone with information on these crimes is asked to call police at 919, 911, or the Crime Stoppers hotline at 328-TIPS.
KEVIN Gardiner
MINISTER of Health Dr Duane Sands during a previous tour of Princess Margaret Hospital. “We found that very insulting,” he said. Asked about this yesterday, Dr Sands said: “We practice a profession that has the power to result in life or death. If you cannot pass a certifying examination that says you are a fit and proper physician then you have to find another job. So, there is a possibility all people who don’t apply themselves and who are unprepared to safely practice medicine in The Bahamas will have to find work somewhere else. If it means you have to wait tables, that is not the function of an unkind Medical Council, that basically means you have not applied yourself. “That is the context in which those statements were made and I’m sorry if people are offended. We will do whatever we can to train somebody; we will give you opportunities for remedial study; we will provide you with mentorship but there must be personal responsibility. We’re talking about human lives here and when you’re talking about human lives, I, the minister, am sworn to protect the interests of the public.” Dr Sands said a meeting with BDU is expected at 2pm today.
PAGE 4, Monday, May 7, 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,
Publisher/Editor 1903-1914
SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,
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
(242) 322-1986 (242) 502-2394 (242) 502-2386 (242) 328-2398 (242)-352-6608 (242) 352-9348
jrolle@tribunemedia.net
WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK www.tribune242.com
@tribune242
tribune news network
Jeff Lloyd’s discipline is overdue LAST week PLP chairman Fred Mitchell lost his way in the murky world of “right and wrong” when he turned his anger on a government minister who was doing his job by letting certain government employees know that their days of cheating the taxpayers of this country are over. Last week, Education Minister Jeff Lloyd was “happy to report” that the “discipling process” at the Ministry of Education was underway. There have been some terminations, and “there will be more”, he said, and “there will be further disciplining of those who we think warrant it”. He said action had to be taken when it was discovered that about 200 employees “exhibited delinquent behaviour by not going to work or failing to perform when they do go”. Some persons in his Ministry, he said, “have missed work for 40, 50, 70 and 100 consecutive days, all while receiving pay”. If this is what is happening in this Ministry then we too — as will many Bahamians who are paying for this nonsense — are also satisfied with the action Mr Lloyd has taken. There would be something wrong with Mr Mitchell if these were his personal employees who were cheating him of the time for which he was paying them, if he also did not fire them for cause. For Mr Mitchell to have attacked Mr Lloyd for doing his job by trying to raise the standards of this Ministry, we can only speculate that this was Mr Mitchell’s excuse to keep himself politically relevant before the public. Unfortunately he has chosen the wrong subject. We recall an incident that happened many years ago when it was reported that a security officer at one of the Ministry’s schools also had a fish stall at Potters Cay dock. He reported for work at his stall, but was paid by the Ministry of Education, where he was seldom seen. We remember hearing young people talking of how they wanted to join the civil service, where one didn’t have to work hard. and no matter what one did — short of stealing – you couldn’t be fired. This has been going on for years. At last we have a Minister who not only knows about it, but, is himself an educator, and, unlike his
predecessors, is willing to do something about it. “It is the intention of our ministry,” said Mr Lloyd, “to engage as many persons who are suitably qualified and are interested and are capable and who wish to be a part of this revolution in education that is now presently underway, but there are obligations that they have to fulfil,” he said. “First of all.” he said, “they’ve got to come to work and when they do come to work they must come to work on time and they must do their jobs. I think that is only fair. That’s what the Bahamian people expect. That’s what the Bahamian people deserve, that’s what the Bahamian people demand and we are going to ensure that the Bahamian people get value for their money and that’s the only thing that we are doing. So the exercise that is underway now is an exercise of fairness and equality so that we, for the sake of those persons and for the sake of our country, get what they justly deserve.” Mr Lloyd said that the delinquent workers are not limited to a single department in the ministry. “These are contract workers in the Security Department, General Services Department and elsewhere. If not fired, workers could be disciplined, with this involving them receiving letters of warning or suspensions,” Mr Lloyd said. “It could also require that they submit to certain behavioural corrections and it may also require some people we see have talents and abilities may deserve one more chance and additional training and so on.” The next cry we expect to hear from the “corner of four” is that only PLPs are being fired. We have no idea of the politics of any of those who are losing their jobs. However, we would be surprised if the majority leaving were not PLP, bearing in mind that the PLP government burdened many ministries with their constituents, who knew how to vote, but not necessarily how to do the job for which they were employed. It is about time that not only education, but the civil service in general be brought up to standard. If not, The Bahamas will remain a debt-ridden country of mediocrity.
Nygard’s shame EDITOR, The Tribune.
only a few years ago the PLP leaders were snapped USUALLY it’s point- enjoying hospitality on his less to drag up old stories terrace, and reported as of political chicanery and praising him for benefaccorruption. The issues have tions to Bahamian youth, faded, and the evidence is accepting his political muddy and ambiguous. contributions, and overThis time it’s differ- looking the continuing ent. The disgrace of Peter environmental offences Nygard’s libellous and mali- around his Lyford Cay cious campaign to smear property. Louis Bacon has been It was only two or three made crystal-clear by the years ago that Cabinet courtroom confession and Minister Jerome Fitzgerapology of former ZNS ald led a movement to reporter Sherman Brown destroy Mr Bacon and about his many false and his Save the Bays chardefamatory allegations ity by claiming they were against Mr Bacon, fully importing millions to reported in this journal. “destabilise” the Gov The story goes far deeper ernment, enthusiastically than the conflict between supported by other Minthese two men and Mr isters. Prime Minister Nygard’s lap-dog attorney Christie did nothing to Keod Smith. It revives vivid suppress these inflammemories of the PLP’s matory charges of virtual support of this mendacious treason, later shown to be character. completely unfounded. We cannot forget that Current attempts to
resurrect the PLP by citing its past virtues, conducted by Mr Bradley Roberts and others, should be regarded with severe scepticism raised by Sherman Brown’s uncontested revelations of Nygard’s mendacity, long tolerated by the PLP. My views are non-partisan. I do not hesitate to criticise present Prime Minister Dr Minnis for his rash and unsubstantiated claims about the $500m financial costs of PLP corruption. While acts of corruption undoubtedly occurred, any assessment of dollar figures is meaningless propaganda, and only demonstrates his own habit of thoughtless publicity- seeking, similar to his hasty, garbled presentation of the Oban project. RICHARD COULSON Nassau, May 2, 2018.
Cutting out the corruption EDITOR, The Tribune. THE classic Hollywood movie “Casablanca” featured a police chief superintendent, Captain Louis Renault, who was cheeky, a liar, back-stabber and totally corrupt. He brazenly raided a casino on the same evening that he earlier had been a patron. When asked why the raid, he professed shock that gambling was taking place there. Seconds later a croupier brings him his winnings from a prior session at the tables. When it comes to the issue of corruption, we are a nation of Louis Renaults unable to see our own hypocrisy on this issue. Some learned people threw a conniption fit when the Prime Minister renewed his campaign promise to vanquish corruption which he first said was costing the state $200m a year and then he later revised that figure upwards to $500m. The PM was ridiculed because he provided no proof to support his claim that corruption was costing us as much as 5% of our GDP (hence $500m). But just as the PM offered no proof that he was right, his detractors could offer no proof that he was wrong. Some Bahamians view corruption as exclusively a swindle that the high and mighty perpetrate on the Treasury, or as shady deals that are designed to purloin the hard-earned money of taxpayers. Corruption is a monster with many heads and the Prime Minister is swinging in all directions in the hope of taming the beast. He is right so to do. Corruption runs to the very core of our existence and has since the beginning of our history. When Woodes Rodgers was sent here as the Royal Governor 300 years ago there was so much lawlessness that he saw it as his mission to kick out the pirates in order to restore commerce. Since then some people have made fortunes in these islands by having a contact inside the Customs House. In the days of rum-running until now, pulling a fast one on Customs has become a fast track to millionaire’s row for some. We should be clear that The Bahamas is not alone in the haemorrhage of money at its border. This is a vexing problem for many countries compounded by globalisation and free trade. As our thirst for foreign goods increases so too have the hands that are picking the pockets of Her Majesty’s Customs. While there is petty corruption taking place at our air borders with citizens fudging their customs declaration or paying off officers to look the other way as they
outright theft of public assets or the diversion of state revenues for private gain. In The Bahamas, rouletters@tribunemedia.net tine corruption is the most and their dutiable items sail common form. This is where out the door, airport cor- public officers ask for a bribe ruption pales in comparison to do their jobs. Pay now with seaports where the real and get what you want today or refuse to pay and wait for action takes place. It is no secret that in the cows to come home. Refuse to pay and you many developing countries, Customs ranks as the most could end up with an corrupt government institu- extreme examination of tion. Troubling for us, some your goods or a request for Bahamians either don’t rate documents that are difficult what happens there as cor- to produce. Another form of corruption or they see nothing ruption is fraud. This wrong with it. Bribes to expedite clear- involves the mislabeling of ance or to charge lower goods so that they attract a rates of duty are chalked up lower rate of duty. In this as the cost of doing business scenario, members of the and it is simply passed on to public are initiating the customers. Some merchants corruption and paying the who would otherwise abhor officers to turn a blind eye. We are also plagued with corruption are put in a no-win situation where they criminal corruption. This is typically how guns and have to pay to play. Given the amount of drugs get past the border, commerce that happens in or in the case of the immiour country it is not a stretch gration department how to see how the PM’s $500m illegal aliens easily get back figure can be easily reached in the country after being deported. and even surpassed. Stopping corruption Customs are our gatekeepers in addition to being works the same as stopping our chief revenue collec- traffic violations. After we tors. Since the explosion of found out that the police the drugs trade in the 1970s were conducting “popthey have also taken on a up” road blocks to check for minor infractions like national security role. We can imagine that it is not wearing a seat beat on next to impossible to smug- having valid licences and gle guns and ammunition on insurance papers, motorists airplanes, so the next best started to comply with the shipment method is by sea. law. Likewise, if the PM We need vigilant incorruptible customs officers to help stop persists with beating the the guns making it past the drum against corruption he increases the likelihood border and onto our streets. The Commissioner of that corruption will be Police will be a happier man detected, rooted out and if he got more support at punished. We must name the borders from Customs. and shame offenders if And that is another reason we are to change attitudes why the PM must look to amongst the public. Technology has a role to tighten customs management through training and play as well and customs technology if he truly wants and other government departments need stateto curtail corruption. Imagine if Customs were of-the-art computers and able to collect $500m more software, including liaison in revenue for the Treas- with officials at foreign ury. It would eliminate the ports. Not surprisingly, corbudget deficit, end the need for additional borrowing ruption festers in complex procedures and would in fact allow for bureaucratic the VAT money to be used that require face-to-face as intended, to pay down interactions between the public and officials. the national debt. You simply cannot clear It would also enable the government to computer- goods coming in here withise its bureaucracy and pay out personally interacting higher wages and benefits to with officials. Customs is the hardworking women and so deliberately complicated men in Customs who would and outdated that you must grudgingly accept whatever never countenance a bribe. If the government pays advice the officer gives you. down the debt it can do Few amongst us can navitwo things – reduce the gate the labyrinth that is tax burden or expand the the Customs codes. The PM’s battle against public services that we all must be rely on. We could build corruption better hospitals, schools enjoined, not castigated. wins when and roads without going Everybody nobody gets an unfair broke in the process. We must accept that cor- advantage from a public ruption is more than just service. bribery. It includes abuse of THE GRADUATE patronage such as padding Nassau, the payroll with ghost workers, extortion, nepotism, May 5, 2018.
LETTERS
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, May 7, 2018, PAGE 5
‘Deputy PM unfit for office’ By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net PLP Leader Philip “Brave” Davis criticised Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest over the termination of internet service for months at the Sweeting’s Cay Primary School in his constituency of East Grand Bahama. Mr Davis said the minister of finance is “unfit” for office. Mr Davis travelled to East End on Friday when he, along with Senators Fred Mitchell and Michael Darville, took a ferry to nearby Sweeting’s Cay as part of his two-day visit to Grand Bahama. “I was deep in Peter Turnquest’s East End seat yesterday, and I am telling you now he is unfit for service,” he told persons at a rally in Eight Mile Rock on Saturday. The PLP leader stated that while at the primary
school he learned that the school’s internet service had allegedly been terminated for lack of payment by the government. “Internet service off for months now,” he said. “The government has failed to pay for the service. You think Peter Turnquest or Jeffery Lloyd concerned about the education of children? Now how do you do that to your constituents?” Pointing out that some $1.7bn was borrowed in ten months, Mr Davis said children lack the basic services of the country when it comes to education. Touching on the controversial subject of the Oban Energies deal in East Grand Bahama, Mr Davis said he wanted to know who is behind the company. “There is a company called Clean Marine. I want to know whether the mystery man or woman is associated with Clean
Marine and what Clean Marine’s role might be in this Oban deal,” he said. “I will leave it there for now. But I am going to ask this - what are you hiding, prime minister?” The FNM government signed a heads of agreement with Oban Energies for a proposed $5.5bn oil refinery and storage terminal to be developed on 600 acres of Crown Land in East Grand Bahama. But, the project has received much opposition from environmental groups which believe it would damage the natural pristine environment and beaches of East End. Meanwhile, Mr Davis said the PLP was hard at work on Grand Bahama and had opened the Memories Hotel, and started major capital works projects to build the fire station, fixing Fishing Hole Road, and beginning construction of schools and clinics on the island during
its last term in office. He said the party was also working on increased airlift out of North America, and the implementation of the Grand Bahama Shipyard’s Employment Programme. He said the shipyard programme was designed by the PLP to get Grand Bahamians back to work. “Your PLP government, along with the port subsidised initiative, was focused on training some 200 Bahamians starting in 2016, and 600 Bahamians over the next four years. We aimed to deliver real job opportunities to you to put our people back to work,” he said. Mr Davis claimed the FNM allowed the programme to collapse while alleging scores of foreign workers were coming to work at the GB Shipyard. “This week some 500 foreign workers landed on Grand Bahama,” he alleged. “And where is the government? Don’t they
want residents in communities of Eight Mile Rock to work?” However, Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes pushed back at the assertion, saying he had no information on his desk in reference to this, while accusing Mr Davis of being irresponsible. “I have absolutely no knowledge about that, I do not know where he got that from,” Mr Foulkes told The Tribune. “There has been no application before the Department of Labour for work permits (of that amount) for the shipyard. “On average we get 10-15 applications a week, if there is a big job ... there may be more, but they are normally for limited periods for three to four weeks. It’s very irresponsible of him (Mr Davis), I don’t know who told him that – being the (leader of the) Official Opposition, he should check his facts,” Mr Foulkes said.
While in Grand Bahama, Mr Davis also claimed all the FNM has delivered in one year are witch hunts to hurt people, no real investment, victimisation and intimidation. “They delivered mass unemployment, sending home scores of workers across the country. And while doing that on Grand Bahama in particular, foreigners are coming in to take your jobs in the shipyard,” he claimed. Mr Davis called on PLPs to band together and to encourage their friends and neighbours to join the PLP party. “We are retooling our vision, image, and message - VIM I call it. It is a programme we are working on to have a battle-ready political machine,” Mr Davis said. The PLP leader also said the party has begun the process of reforming its constitution to make it relevant and modern.
TEN-YEAR COURT BATTLE ENDS AS KNOWLES EXTRADITED TO FLORIDA from page one
await their extradition after then-Court of Appeal President Dame Anita Allen, Justice Jon Isaacs and Justice Stella Crane-Scott affirmed then-Supreme Court Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs’ refusal to grant them writs of habeas corpus in 2016. When contacted Saturday, his attorney Damian Gomez, QC, said Knowles’ extradition happened after his client withdrew his application from the London-based Privy Council to appeal the lower court’s decision. He is expected to be arraigned on drug charges in the US this week, Mr Gomez said. The other men still have applications before
the London court, Mr Gomez told this newspaper. “He is the only one who withdrew his application before the Privy Council,” Mr Gomez said. When asked why his client withdrew his intent to appeal, Mr Gomez said, “It’s up to him. They all had applications and he chose to discontinue (his) and that information was communicated to the registrar of the Privy Council and to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.” The five men had previously been committed to prison to await extradition to the US in November 13, 2003 by former Magistrate Carolita Bethel. They were accused of alleged drug trafficking and conspiring to import cocaine into the US.
On November 25, 2003, an application on behalf of each appellant for a writ of habeas corpus was filed in the Supreme Court seeking their release from custody. The men were released on bail in 2005, prior to their committal to prison last year. In May 2015, the Nassau Guardian revealed that files relating to the men’s extradition case had gone “missing” from the Office of the Attorney General. That same month, lawyers for the five men appeared before Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs for a status hearing into their previous challenge to a magistrate’s approval of the US’ extradition request for them.
AUSTIN Knowles at a previous court appearance.
PAGE 6, Monday, May 7, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
‘Minnis does not talk to Ingraham’ says Christie
from page one “I don’t have to hide the fact that Minnis and I have a better relationship than him and Hubert.” “Notwithstanding the fact that (Dr Minnis) led to my defeat, I went to a church service and he and I sat together; he didn’t speak to me but I spoke well on him, so you owe me. “…Now that I’ve taken advantage of the occasion to ensure that as a result of what I’ve said the two Huberts will make up on (Sir Arthur’s) 90th birthday, our democracy will be advanced by that much.” Mr Christie’s jokes – steeped in an awkward truth, people familiar with the three men say – stirred the audience. Near the end of his 11-minute reflection on Sir Arthur, Mr Ingraham referred to it. “Perry, I shall not take your bait,” the former Free National Movement leader said. “I will talk to you at the bar at Baha Mar later tonight.” Dr Minnis also addressed the comments. “Perry, if there’s one thing I’ve learned from you, you always said, ‘the man who speaks last has the greater advantage’,” Dr Minnis
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis flanked by former prime ministers Perry Christie and Hubert Ingraham at Sir Arthur Foulkes 90th birthday celebration on Friday. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff said. “So let me clear the even share the same name came to rap to us and very to the room, we told both between 2007 and 2012 record now. Ingraham and Hubert Alexander. And interestingly, the one who Delores and Pat and they before succeeding him as I have always been friends; then I want to remind you was rapping to Hubert, her laughed and they said if leader of the FNM. we’ve always loved each that Hubert, myself, Delores name was Delores and the they were fools they could Mr Christie and Mr other and that won’t change. and my wife Pat went on a one who was rapping to me, have kept both of you,” the Ingraham, former law part“Throughout our years, cruise, Delores and Pat went her name was Pat. That was prime minister said. ners turned political rivals, Dr Minnis served as remain very close and comwe’ve always learned to to their rooms and Hubert extremely coincidental. “You would remember minister of health in municate frequently, The agree to disagree. Our rela- and I went to a casino. There tionship is so tight that we were two young ladies who that Hubert, when we got Mr Ingraham’s Cabinet Tribune understands.
‘STAY HUMBLE’, PM TELLS FNM COLLEAGUES from page one
maintained the party has not changed as its leader Philip Davis was only a continuation of its former leader Perry Christie. “Our opponents suffered a mighty defeat on May 10,” Dr Minnis said. “The Bahamian people saw that their rule was all about self-interest. The people’s resources and money was being wasted by a party that was leading our Bahamas down the path to ruin. Dr Minnis continued: “The Bahamian people are wise. They knew that the PLP had lost its way. But we must not be arrogant because of the magnitude of our victory one year ago. We must not underestimate our adversary. “The PLP is an old party,” he said. “They will attack our accomplishments at
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis at the FNM anniversary service. every turn. More than any- like the planned Over-thething else, the PLP craves Hill revival scheme and the power for the sake of power. revamped breadbasket items “As FNMs we must stay as evidence of the governunited in our mission to ment’s commitment to social bring good governance to transformation in tandem our country. The Bahamian with economic development. people entrusted us with “This FNM government this solemn responsibility. has led the country back to “We should not attack economic growth,” he said. each other in the press. We “Our national security should not be public critics team is having success in the of our government’s work. crime fight; we are transformIn doing so, we give aid to ing the electricity network the PLP.” and tackling other longstandDr Minnis said his admin- ing issues; we are leading istration has led the country a revival of Over-the-Hill back to economic growth, communities, which the PLP underscoring initiatives ignored for decades; we will
lead the recovery of Grand Bahama, and bring new opportunities to the Family Islands; we are cleaning up corruption in government; we are embarked on one of the most ambitious social transformation efforts in our nation’s history. “We have many successes to come,” he said, “there is so much talent and creativity in our party.” Dr Minnis said: “If we stay united in the cause of good governance, and the improvement of the lives of our people, we will remain formidable. “Let us use this time we have been granted to bring about change and progress for our people. Though we may at times falter, our vision is clear. We are resolute in our values and our conviction to create a new Bahamas, where there is greater opportunity and justice for all.”
MONDAY, MAY 7, 2018
THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS
TIME TO ROCK
THE BOAT By ALISON LOWE AS a small island state, The Bahamas is often subject to the whims of other nations. It’s rare that we get to impact world affairs. Yet last month we did. In fact, we had what’s likely to be an historic impact on the course of climate change. So why is no one talking about it? I’ve got some ideas. And I think a few people have some explaining to do. But first, let’s set the scene. There are few issues in the world today with more potential to impact The Bahamas than changing weather patterns and rising sea levels resulting from climate change. We’ve felt its destructive power most recently with the passage of Hurricanes Irma, Maria and Matthew. We’ve seen Eleuthera cracked in two by surging seas. We don’t need a PhD in climate science to see that coastal erosion, coral bleaching and flooding are all becoming more evident. If the sea level were to rise five feet, 80 per cent of The Bahamas would be uninhabitable. So we might think that on this topic, our government would be making its voice heard in our defence. You might think we’d be singing from the same hymn sheet as those other small island nations loudly calling for stronger, faster action to reduce the carbon emissions that threaten our existence. Quite to the contrary. We have succeeded in leading the agenda on climate change - but in all the wrong ways. And we’ve placed ourselves in opposition to, rather than solidarity with, our fellow small island states who have rightly called for emission cuts to take precedence over shipping interests and government revenue. To fully appreciate the significance of what’s happened we need to take a closer look at the shipping industry. Ships carry 90 per cent of world trade but there has been no regulation of their carbon emissions. Container ship fuel has 3,500 times more Sulphur than car diesel. It’s responsible for a full three per cent of global carbon emissions more than planes. While other sectors have succumbed to pressure to commit to emissions reductions, shipping has long dodged such targets. The sector was excluded from the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The International Maritime Organisation, the UN division responsible for global shipping, the body charged with handling carbon emissions from marine fuels, wasn’t doing much handling. You might think this is likely to be yet another area where The Bahamas is vulnerable to the agendas of the
global community. Yet that’s not necessarily the case. Besides being among the top five states considered most vulnerable to the climate change that these emissions are exacerbating, The Bahamas is also the sixth biggest registry and the sixth largest contributor to the International Maritime Organisation’s budget - depositing $1.2m in March 2018. This year, we were re-elected to the IMO Council. In this particular field, we’re an unusually big fish. We could help to move the needle on this issue. And we did.
PROPOSAL
The story went like this: under increasing pressure to act, the IMO finally approved a road map for curbing greenhouse gas emissions in October 2014. The road map would require shipping companies to start reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but not until 2023. The strategy needed fleshing out. Hailed by environmental organisations for their leadership in this movement, the world’s third largest shipping registry, the Marshall Islands, responded by calling for 100 per cent decarbonisation by 2035. For good reason. The Pacific island state is a fellow Small Island Developing State and member of the Alliance of Small Island Development States - a grouping of countries considered by the UN to have similar sustainable development challenges, including vulnerability to natural disasters and fragile environments. Their proposal isn’t a pipedream. An OECD study found that technology exists that would allow for the shipping industry to be decarbonised by 2035. The European Commission, also pointing to the OECD study, wanted the IMO to cut emissions by at least 70 and up to 100 per cent. David Paul, the Marshall Islands’ minister of the environment, told BBC on April 12 this year that there was no conflict between the Marshall Islands’ position as a leading ship registry and its call for shipping emissions reductions. “We don’t look at that as a problem, we really look at that as an opportunity, because right now we have a lot at stake, so I think we can influence the whole process. It is really about the very survival of our country. If your very survival is at stake then everything else is irrelevant,”
presaid industrial Mr Paul. levels, which The submissions were requires worldwide emisall building up to an April sions to be at least halved 2018 meeting of the IMO from 1990 levels by 2050. It where its future strategy on is certainly not compatible greenhouse gases would be with the earlier campaign determined. Then things by SIDS, including the took a troubling turn. The Bahamas’, for “1.5 to stay Bahamas, a natural ally of alive” - an acknowledgeThe Marshall Islands, took ment that some nations a different tack. will experience the adverse In September last year, effects of global climate we put forward a submischange at an increase of sion to the IMO opposing even 1.5 Celsius, let alone the Marshall Islands’ two. demands for more stringently regulate shipping emissions. The submission The Bahamas’ evident by Bahamian officials urged the organisation to commit influence over the outcome “to the decarbonisation of was not publicised in the international shipping” - but Bahamian media. Not the not until “the second half of outcome, or the justificathe century”. We proposed tion for our position. Not cuts that would see emis- before and not after. Why sions reduced to 50 per cent not, you might ask? If it was in our best interests one of 2008 levels by 2050. might think a The govrelease ernment of We have succeeded press announcBelize, the ing our International in leading the achievement Chamber of agenda on climate in swaying Shipping, the change - but in the global Baltic and agenda International all the wrong would have MaritimeCoun- ways. And we’ve been in cil (BIMCO) order. and the placed ourselves in It’s not the International opposition to, rather first time The Association than solidarity Bahamas has of Independpushed back ent Tanker with, our fellow small island states on attempts Owners to regulate (INTERwho have rightly the sector TANKO) attempts - three of the called for emission which advoworld’s big- cuts to take cates said gest shipping precedence over would have industry fedincentivised erations - all shipping interests emissions got behind and government reductions. the Bahamian revenue. In 2015, proposal. the IMO’s Panama, another large shipping reg- national delegates debated istry, and Saudi Arabia, a regulations that would have major oil producer, also required the 50,000-strong enthusiastically backed a global merchant fleet to provide data on their carbon watered down submission. We were successful. If you footprint. Some big busican call it that. The IMO nesses, such as AstraZeneca, said the strategy agreed at H&M and Volvo expressed the close of its April meet- an interest in knowing how ing envisions cuts of exactly green the ships are that the size proposed by The carry their products, so they Bahamas. But critics say could tell their customers. this is too little too late and They signed up to the Clean would essentially give the Shipping Index, a register industry a free pass for the showing the environmental next few decades, allowing performance of more than emissions to grow dramati- 2,000 ships from 50 carriers. But there was demand for cally in the meantime. By 2020, shipping’s share all shipping companies to do of global emissions is better. Yet while Norway, Ireland expected to rise to 20 per and several other countries cent. This is not compat- supported this mandatory ible with the internationally reporting, other countries agreed goal of keeping - again including The Bahaglobal temperature increase mas - objected that data to below 2°C compared to from ships was commercially
SILENCE
sensitive and should not be published. This was a serious road block given that it is flag states under which ships are registered who must implement regulations. According to one publication which reported on the meeting, the negotiator for The Bahamas said he could not support publishing data that might be “badly misinterpreted” by third parties. It’s not just the lack of publicity around the Bahamian input into these critically influential positions that should be scrutinised. It’s worth asking where these arguments fit when looked at in light of statements made by our elected officials on climate change and by the Bahamas Maritime Authority about the kind of business they want to attract. The Bahamas Maritime Authority argues that it attracts the world’s premier shipping companies to its registry because it upholds stringent standards. “We are totally committed to achieving and maintaining the highest possible international standards – in our fleet, from our crews, among our ship owners and of course from our staff, especially our teams of Inspectors worldwide,” says the BMA on its website. It goes on to add that while growth of the register may be “gratifying” for the authority, its policy is not one of “growth at all costs”. “Quite the contrary. The authority, like the Bahamas government, believes that standards should not be sacrificed in order to attract tonnage,” says the BMA. While he has not spoken on this issue directly, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ comments on climate change would suggest he might agree on this point. At the 10th Caribbean Conference on Comprehensive Disaster Management (CDM) in December, Dr Minnis spoke of the extreme vulnerability of small island states to climate change and the economic, social, environmental and psychological toll that will stay with The Bahamas and the region for some time from the recent mega storms. “Various climate models suggest that damage from natural disasters have increased sharply. Such damage is likely to worsen, especially from flooding,” he said, warning that “tropical storms are likely to bring: higher wind speeds; more precipitation; and bigger storm surge in the coming decades.” Dr Minnis added: “As a
region, we must continue to press through CARICOM, the Alliance of Small Island States, the United Nations and in other international forums, for the promised assistance from developing countries to help countries in our region to mitigate against the effects of climate change, overwhelmingly caused by developed countries.” It’s also worth asking where our bid to postpone and water down emissions reduction targets fits with Minister of Transport Frankie Campbell’s statement in the wake of our re-election to the IMO Council late last year. Mr Campbell declared at the time that The Bahamas’ successful bid represented a significant achievement not only for the nation, “but also regionally for the Caribbean, and globally for small island developing states, for whom The Bahamas will strive to ensure equal representation during the international meetings.” Is foregoing our long-term interests and this solidarity the price to pay to secure the roughly $17m in annual revenue that our shipping registry delivers for The Bahamas? Was our position related to efforts by the BMA to secure growth in the registry after a downturn in market conditions and increased competition from other countries? And are we simply selling ourselves to the lowest bidder? Unfortunately, we can only speculate. One answer might come in the form of a recent report by InfluenceMap, a London-based non-profit. It claims that the shipping industry has remained outside of the UN Paris Agreement on climate through “corporate capture” of the IMO. Whether this is true or not, it’s time we had a conversation about whose interests are being represented at the international level by the unelected officials at the Bahamas Maritime Authority and whether this trade off over the movement of international trade is worth it. It’s time we had a debate about why we are choosing to not just back but lead with proposals to international bodies that run contrary to what is necessary to secure our survival. The BMA and the minister should be asked to account for their actions. When contacted, Mr Campbell declined to comment and referred this newspaper to the BMA. An attempt to seek comment via email from the BMA on the justification for its position was unsuccessful. • Alison Lowe is a former Tribune news reporter and Nassau Guardian business editor. If you’d like to share your opinion on this article, please email alisonlowe242@gmail.com.
PAGE 8 MONDAY, MAY 7, 2018
INSIGHT
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
We need a “Pointe” of clarification By MALCOLM STRACHAN
WITH the Bahamian Contractor’s Association (BCA) making a statement at the end of last week disqualifying China Construction America’s (CCA) claims that the particular skills needed for this phase of construction could not be found locally, many of us are left smelling a rat. It was communicated to the Bahamian people via a press release from the Department of Labour that the current phase of construction at The Pointe does not require Bahamians at this time, as this stage demands for “specialised post tension concrete construction workers”. It was suggested that it was due to a lack of able Bahamian men that the current labour composition at the resort’s construction site, ironically enough, has the inverse of the ratio signed off on under the Heads of Agreement. The press release, which came from the office of Labour Minister Dion Foulkes, noted that there are 73 “non-Bahamian” workers and 24 Bahamian workers. Quite a carefully scripted choice of wording, might we add. Perceivably, the minister should be able to tell the Bahamian people of which nationalities are the 73 “non-Bahamian” workers comprised. Adding more insult to injury, the tone in which the release was written read as if it was intended to passively mislead the Bahamian people by not directly stating if the non-Bahamian workers were Chinese. Additionally, making mention of the Bahamians working at British Colonial Hilton, when they are of no consequence to the Heads of Agreement that only speaks to the construction of The Pointe, also seems like an attempt to manipulate any public perception that CCA was in breach of the agreement. Naturally, many among us were taken aback by the claims that Bahamians were unable to build a
superstructure, especially disingenuous act on the having done so on previous part of CCA. landmark projects in the There is no two ways country. about it – this is an overt This is certainly not our breach of the agreement first rodeo. between CCA and the Indubitably, it has been Commonwealth of The astounding that the labour Bahamas. The document minister contends that does not speak to what the based on CCA president’s workforce should look like assurances (for whatever in phases. It plainly states – they’re worth) of even- 70 percent Bahamians. tually living up to the 70 Unsurprisingly, the mere percent Bahamian, 30 per- idea that it may have been cent non-Bahamian labour inferred by the labour minrequirements that they ister in last week’s press are not in breach of the release that the nearly 300 agreement. Bahamians employed at The minister, after having the British Colonial Hilton supposedly been in the dark would negate a breach of about CCA’s the agreedecision to Making mention ment has disregard been widely the required of the Bahamians rejected. labour com- working at British No one is plement, per Colonial Hilton, going to buy the Heads of that hogAgreement, when they are of wash, and did not ques- no consequence it would be tion why to the Heads of downright he was not insulting to Agreement that notified. the BahaSurely, mian people only speaks to the a foreign construction of The if that were investor in the slightPointe, also seems withholding est what was information being suglike an attempt to that is disad- manipulate any gested by vantageous Minister to the Baha- public perception Foulkes. mian people that CCA was While must not the governin breach of the sit well ment is on with Min- agreement. one hand ister Dion promoting Foulkes. After all, he has empowerment for citizens been given charge of over- from some of our most seeing the country’s labour impoverished communities, affairs, has he not? to ignore what is happening Quite the contrary, at The Pointe is a disservice from the time the prime to the Bahamian people. minister stated his satisfacSome of our hardtion with CCA acting in est working, blue collar accordance with the agreed entrepreneurs had their upon terms and Minister beginnings in the Over-theFoulkes’ defense of CCA Hill communities. BCA after a Tribune investiga- President Leonard Sands, tion showed otherwise, the to name one, hailed from government has refused to Bain Town. Now, he, along take a strong stance. with thousands other conFurthermore, what has struction experts are being been even more discon- undermined by a Chinese certing is the fact that the construction conglomerate minister is abetting an on Bahamian soil and our outright lie from a serial government simply looks bad actor in CCA. By the the other way on it. Bahamian Contractor’s It is one thing to talk Association debunking about empowerment, but CCA’s false claims, which when the opportunity prethe minister seems to be sents itself, the government in support of, this confus- has to be ready to act on it. ing turn of events is leaving While we are not suggestthe minister with a lot of ing an outright cancellation explaining to do. of the agreement, as the In his capacity as labour economy needs all hands on head, he would be privy deck, the last thing we need to job postings from The this administration doing is Pointe attempting to enlist rolling over for the Chinese. local expertise whereas With that being one of Bahamians could have been the major campaign tenets given some of these oppor- of the prime minister, one tunities during the current would have assumed that phase of construction. his self-proclaimed pasPerhaps he can clarify sion for the poor would to the Bahamian people if, have led to him setting a in fact, CCA has tried to fire under the labour minengage the local contrac- ister to rebuke CCA for tors. As it stands currently, its supposed lack of combased on everything we’ve munication on the resort heard from the BCA, the project’s labour situation. communication has been Not having done so minimal as BCA President makes the labour minister Leonard Sands has not seem complicit in covering been shy about delineating up the breach of the Heads the woes of the construc- of Agreement, which is not tion industry as a result in an attractive look for the the lack of “robust activity” ‘pro-Bahamian’, “people’s for local players. government”. No doubt, it is astonishing Certainly, it is necessary that after the prime minister for the government not to would have given his stamp allow this to be swept under of approval with regards to the rug. Now that the BCA the upholding of the labour has confirmed that the local terms in The Pointe Heads expertise exists to complete of Agreement. this phase of the project, Again, either the gov- we expect the government ernment has to admit that to take another look at they are not doing their this and be honest with the job properly and allowing Bahamian people. How CCA to continually call does this not constitute the shots on Bahamian soil, as an overt breach of the or call it like it is – another Heads of Agreement?
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
INSIGHT
MONDAY, MAY 7, 2018 PAGE 9
Good journalism is like a toothache: it hurts but it warns REPORTERS Without Borders (RWB) just released its 2018 press freedom report, and, apart from two of them, the lowest mark for rated Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries is “fairly good”. The worst rated, as “problematic”, are Haiti and Guyana. Jamaica is the only CARICOM country rated “good”. For unknown reasons, The Bahamas and Barbados are not included in the 180 countries that were assessed. In between the extremes of Jamaica on the top end, and Haiti and Guyana on the other end, Suriname, Belize, Trinidad and Tobago and, collectively, the six countries of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) are scored as “fairly good”. There are two further categories “bad”, and “very bad”, but no CARICOM country is included in them. Based in Paris, RWB describes itself as an independent non-governmental organisation with consultative status to the United Nations, UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the International Organization of the Francophonie. It says that it was founded by four journalists in the southern French city, Montpellier, in 1985 and is now one of the world’s leading NGOs in the defence and promotion of freedom of information. RWB has been producing the World Press Freedom Index for a number of years and it claims that, “as an evaluation and advocacy tool, the Index is increasingly used by such bodies as the UN Refugee Agency, the World Bank, and the Millennium Challenge Corporation in determining the
World View
By SIR RONALD SANDERS
allocation of development aid”. If the latter claim is true, Caribbean Governments should pay greater attention to the Index than they have in the past, particularly as the methodology used by RWB for rating countries lacks clarity and fatal miscalculations could be made. For instance, RWB says that “the degree of freedom available to journalists in 180 countries is determined by pooling the responses of experts to 87 questions”. The questionnaire is targeted to “media professionals, lawyers and sociologists” and “scores are calculated on the basis of the responses of the experts selected by RWB, combined with data on abuses and violence against journalists during the period evaluated”. While RWB claims that teams of specialists, assigned to different geographical regions, “keep a detailed tally of abuses and violence against journalists and media outlets”, it provides no details of the sources for the data. The current report is awkward for the CARICOM region, because two countries are omitted from it and the OECS six are lumped together as if each of their media and all their journalists exist and operate in an identical environment. If the RWB report is to
particularly in countries run by despots and tyrants be taken seriously in the and those who are increasCaribbean it would have to ingly less tolerant of media, non-traditional cover the area better than including ones. it has in this report, and its The organisation has methodology would have drawn attention to assasto be far more detailed and transparent than it is. sinations of journalists in As an example, it would India, Mexico and Brazil have been useful if it had over the past year and to identified the institutions killings of two investigathat provided the lawyers, tive reporters inside the sociologists and media spe- European Union (one in cialists who answered the Malta) which has long been 87-questions in each of the considered the most mediaCARICOM countries that friendly region. It has also drawn attenare rated. It would also be construc- tion to the United States tive to know how a tally of where, it says, President abuse and violence against DonaldTrump has been journalists in these coun- vocal in his antagonism to the press, calling reporters tries was compiled. In the event, there is the “enemy of the people”. reason for satisfaction with According to the RWB, the RWB report by 9 of “the lack of commitment by the 14 CARICOM coun- the US government to one tries. Of the 180 states in of the most precious demothe report card, Jamaica at cratic principles, is a key number 6, Suriname at 21, factor in the worsening situthe collective OECS at 35, ation facing media workers” and Trinidad and Tobago and is a poor example to at 39, rate better than the leaders in other countries United States of America who will feel emboldened at 45. This suggests that to do the same. CARICOM societies the level of media freedom in these nine CARICOM have come a long way in countries is reasonably high recognising the importance if the methodology is uni- of media freedom, and form and the measurements people now resent onesided information pedalled accurate. Other CARICOM coun- by both government-owned tries, Belize at 47, Guyana and privately-owned media. In part, the public at 55 and Haiti at 60 would appear to have improve- response to traditional ments to make if the RWB media is due to the advent and spread of social media. report is correct. Having said all that, RWB Information spreads more has done remarkable work rapidly on Whatsapp, Facein trying to maintain and book and Instagram than improve media freedom, any radio or television
station can match, and far more rapidly than newspapers can deliver. Also, social media provides opportunities for sharing information and for frank discussion by individuals. Therefore, it has a greater influence on opinion-formation than the traditional media. All this still leaves room for good journalism in the Caribbean, provided it is “good”. Poor journalism degrades the profession, especially when owners of media – both state and private – coerce journalists into following their line rather than giving their audiences objective and unbiased analysis of events. Good journalism also requires good journalists and objective and informed analysts, the fundamental criterion for whom is a capacity to pursue
facts, weigh-up as many sides of an event as possible and deliver it to an audience only after being satisfied that the reportage is accurate, or the analysis is balanced. Bad journalism is easily recognisable and quickly dismissed. On the other hand, good journalism is like a toothache; it hurts but it indicates that something is wrong and needs fixing. • Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are his own.
CAVES VILLAGE Premium Office Space for Lease 1,081 sq.ft. 2 open plan areas, conference, reception, kitchenette, bathroom and IT closet. $4,233.92 pm inc. CAM + VAT 1,056 sq.ft. 4 offices, conference room, reception, kitchenette and bathroom, IT closet. $3,696.00 pm. Inc. CAM + VAT Contact Mr. Simon Chappell on 327 1575 or 477-7610 Email: simon@cavesvillage.com
2017 23, 2017 10 MONDAY, MAY 7, 2018 PAGE
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net EMAIL: insight@
INSIGHT
THE TRIBUNE JUSTIN JACK
GAIN AN EDGE A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
GAIN AN EDGE
A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON HIGHER EDUCATION
Scholarship that opened doors prescription for diversified brighter L isfuture ation key
Question: How does it to overcome the challenge. YFORD Cay scholar Justin feel to be on the brink of I was happy to connect with Jack didn’t college graduation? other Bahamian students at always envision Justin: The journey has the university and even get himself going to college been a great experience involved with the Caribwas growing up thus far and the completion bean Students Association. t when two he years the small of my Bachelor of Science Question: What are your y.inEven now settlement of South Andros. His in mechanical engineering plans after graduation? t Bluff, to graduate, community ’ve been ablewas modest and with a minor in math and Justin: After graduation, versity at all unassuming. Some neighphysics is just one mile- I’m going to continue on ,”bours says Stephcooked their food stone. Last semester was at the University of Arkanwho soon fire and most withwill a wood one of the most challeng- sas to get my Master’s in sociate’s providedDefor their needs systems, Justin discovered ing that I’ve experienced mechanical engineering and Failure to have both althrough Laboratory self-employment in how vital the petroleum and because it was filled with then my PhD. from Keiser TVET and traditional fishing and crabbing. A col- power industries are to run- the many creative capstone Question: How do you Florida. lege education available was not onein ning small island nations. projects and labs that come plan to use your education academics one of 39 Lyofall Justin’s earlyprogrammes aspirations. This experience led to his with being a senior. But to benefit The Bahamas? school olars interest in engineering. Atwho a will young believed age, Justin with hard Justin: Once I’ve earned in her potential Stephanie’s ultimate goalwork, I was able year joinfrom histoclassis aand disservice After attending the stood out toBahamas maintain a 4.0 grade my PhD, I plan to return enough to invest in her. It is to return to The s of of Thewithpoint ourScholars children and mates. His teachers quickly former average throughout to The Bahamas to help neededCollege to and partner an estabn able to com- was the boost she Bahamas for lished two laboratory years mycompany recognised his thirst for undergraduate studies. develop the tertiary educabelieve in herself and purcountry, says Remiska ollege educaand earning tohis associknowledge his internal In fact, I was just recog- tion system with regards her own dreams. expand its business to incally or inter-andsue Wildgoose, English ate’s degree in engineering, drive to achieve. By senior Stephanie is convinced clude more diverse medical nised as a “senior scholar” to engineering. Graduate Cay scholar mean to you? er instructor the past 45 at BTVI wentaon technology to attend theservices. First, I’d like to thank the that college unlocked yeargenerosof high school, JustinhasJustin by my Her university for this studies will not only open the Arkansas as her whole new worldUniversity for her andof hope is that training named class valachievement. the door for me to conduct Lyford Cay Foundation for tohad thebeen Lyford TVET is a first option for school does not work out. her on towards will help the country closer What was your research, but also give me supporting me as I worked asome mechanical engineering edictorian andset wona path Question: ons. is an important step Unfortunately, ashad a society, success. hasmajor used every a of widerbiggest array challenge of with theprovide assistance many awards in both She acacomplet- the knowledge to share my hard to make my dream the to towards progression. The we road place white collar jobs moment of her aAssociate’s medical laboratory services Lyford Cay scholarship. and sport. ing college? ideas and experiences on come true. s demics not been an that is talented with on a pedestal. programme Our educa- to child explore all without having Amid theis locally hustle and For me, being selected While in separates senior high Justin: to My biggest chal- the university level. I would phanie has altheir hands just as inteltional system the aspects ofhis the little-known send the more complex lab- adapting to the like to be able to expose as a Lyford Cay scholar bustle of finishing focus on Justin the school, spent lenge was ligent as the child final who proasstudents with “great potenfield of medical technology. oratories for testing. -summers graduating forabroad his new at jects environment of Arkan- more Bahamian students to screams excellence, diverpires in to preparation pursue medicine. tial”, and foremployed those students “It’s an exciting field that She also hopes to spread e Bahamas degree that May 12th graduation, Justin community and Electrical Corposas. It the was hard at first, research during their under- sity, Social equity begins with we give our best. allows you to make sure word at home about the imerration’s toHowever, make a countries made to shareand his but making Bluff Power Station friends and graduate studies and seek leadership. Besides being us, forthe thetime carpenter such that doctors are giving their portance of this critical field. The Bahamas the doctor both end up conthoughts about college, in Andros. Through beingmeinvolved with activi- funding for the technologi- afforded the opportunity as South Finland, whose educapatients the right diagno- “College has allowed the alconversations technology. tributing to and the society as a tional system sis rivals most, graduation giving back to obtain an engineering with his ties and honour societies cal resources to do so. through testing,” she chance to really look toward many aspiring whole. Thus, failure to have shows that 45 per cent of supervisors about power to The Bahamas. around campus helped me What does being a Lyford degree, the scholarship said. Stephanie knows that the future and seek out opphanie’s both TVET and traditional studentsfirst choose a technical although there are many portunities where I couldn’t ontrack the road to academics available in all as opposed to the tra- physicians in see them before,” said Stephcation wasacademics*. fi- well-trained school programmes is truly ditional What The Bahamas, there is “This opportunity was n still remem-who can take a a disservicea to anie. our children if Joshua, need for equally well- the just the first rung on a very ntcar thatapart I foundand great and ultimately our country. put it back trained healthcare technol- tall ladder. I plan to continue arded a scholAt this pivotal moment, together, or Gabrielle, who ogy professionals. to climb and I’m going to conThe Foundathere is no simple answer can paint nails like artwork CONFLICT resolution puberty, many children act In the workplace After graduation, Steph- tinue my education by any flected. “I was solve our social and ecoa canvass, had the op- totopursue out their emotions in the When people work isonwhen two oranie more parplans a means possible.” moments nomic ills. Nevertheless, portunity early on to be form of teasing, gossiping, together, conflicts is often ties find abepeaceful solution Bachelor’s degree in bio• “Gain An Edge” is a that I’dasbeen of our answers lies in seen a success for sciences who one and physical aggression. unavoidable because of to a disagreement amongst logical or clinical weekly collaboration of olarship, I was placing diversified educathey are, as opposed to the If left unchecked, these differences in work goals them. biology. She will also do the Lyford Cay Foundacalling the that tion at the forefront. All expectations society same behavioural pat- and personal style. Almost The need for resolution further study to become a tions, Bahamas Technical l them thatonto I especially deprojects them? specialist For countries, terns will transfer over everyone encounters a difcertified in hema- and Vocational Institute to conflicts has risen in ming because veloping countries, need students like tology these, techto the teenage years. The ficult person now and then and microbiology. and University of The Baour schools, homes, work afford balanced development nical it.” vocational education By SERGEANT school should include in their personal and proThis combination of train- hamas aimed at promotplace and community. It is hanie, being through all RANGER of the educaand training ing (TVET) is her NATHALIE will allow the versain its curriculum, conflict fessional life. Handling and ing a national dialogue on scholarship inevitable that conflicts are tional sectors in order to first choice. tility to pursue career fields higher education. Tosituations share management, to we must accept our share of REMISKA WILDGOOSEteach resolving conflicts that arise in that often ere were peogoing to happen whenever significant progress While therethatare stillfrommake range pathology your thoughts, email gainSTEPHANIE STUBBS, Keiser University Lyford students how to Graduate resolveand in the Cay work place is one of the responsibility and elimilead to escalated conalong with her you haveneeded peopletowith dif- in terms of national develchanges be made educational duce instantaneous results, and lookwith to 2027, whenpeers. our well-diversified to public and allied health. anedge@tribunemedia.net. scholar. and prevent conflicts. The the biggest challenges manveferent family, who flicts their nate the concept of blame. opment (Bennell,1996). in our expectations, educational system, views iscan onealso smallorganise but sig- a it agers is an alternative that will educational system pro- system school and employees face. see school beyond 2017 duces embracing theHowever, fact that Duringmore adolescence into In the and concerns. in We must step on towards long- make aoften tremendous differthan enough nificant workshop this subject We feel uncomfortthe developing order to resolve a conflict Children find themselves qualified, economic prosperity visionarystages citizensof term matter and get parents ence. able or dissatisfied with the our nation. who could build a world ininvolved. For many students at the result because no resolution While further investment Bahamas Technical and class resort that would rival In the home has been achieved. Conflicts developing our educa- Vocational Institute, TVET most. Implementing TVET intoEvery family has disa- in the workplace are caused programmes and having a tional system may not pro- is their only choice because greements, which keeps by poor communication, it is what they love. As leadthe communication chan- ers, different values, different teachers, and parents, nel open. However, the it interest, personal is incumbent that we clashes conhandling of those conflicts tinue and to poor performance. embrace TVET as will result in either a win/ an alternative In the community at all levels so win outcome or destruc- all individuals How we can handle conbecome tive situation. Most family valuable flicts within a community contributing mem- is conflicts are because of bers important to the long-term of society. poor communication skills, success of athatcommunity. Stories like of Rolack of family values, lack chelle, Conflicts in the whose namecommuhas of respect, poor interper- been nity changed are caused different forby the prusonal skills, lack of effective pose beliefs, resources, of this article, preferare common. Like role models/poor parenting much ences,too needs and risk. Too manyof others, medicalare skills, sibling rivalry, finan- somany our citizens didup notinwork out. In cial problems, lack of trust, school caught conflicts that end, pursued lack of accountability, and the they doshe not still know how to she loved beauty lack of Godliness. If God what manage. Our -community is out of the home, then the trades. should come together and enemy will take charge and form a conflict resolution Sourcesso that the commudestroy the peaceful envi- forum *Mark (2012). ronment of the home. nity can Phillips move forward in a Why should we care about Vocational Education? **Bennell, P (1996). General versus vocational secondary education in developing country: A review of rates of return evidence. The Journal of Development Studies. “Gain An Edge” is a weekly collaboration of the Lyford Cay Foundations, Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute and University of The Bahamas aimed at promoting a national dialogue on higher education. To share TECHNICAL vocational education and training is important to your thoughts, email gainanedge@tribunemedia.net. help students, says Remiska Wildgoose.
A Lyford Cay Foundations scholar aims to serve through medical technology
cial equity
gave me the opportunity to network with people from many different countries. The foundation helped me to become more involved with community building and has inspired me to become a role model to the many other brilliant Bahamian minds that value tertiary education or may have lost hope along their academic journey.
HOW TO RESOLVE CONFLICTS IN A PEACEFUL MANNER Police advice
positive direction. When faced with a conflict, agree to resolve it. 1. Use your brain and not your hands or a weapon 2. Talk about what is bothering you in a calm and respectful way 3. No name calling 4. Take turns talking without interrupting 5. Be willing to listen to the other person and be sure to understand how he or she feels and sees the problem 6. The less angry you are the easier it will be to resolve the problem 7. Think of positive options, how can you meet each other’s needs and be fair 8. If you still can’t agree, ask someone else (an outsider) to help resolve the conflict. It is important to control anger and settle disputes peacefully because violence is becoming worrisome and threatening in our country because of the lack of knowledge on how to resolve conflicts. By resolving conflicts there will be fewer crimes, better relationships in the home, school, workplace and the community.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, May 7, 2018, PAGE 11
FORMER Minister of Labour Shane Gibson.
Shane Gibson case delayed until Friday By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net FORMER Labour Minister Shane Gibson’s case management session for his upcoming bribery trial has been postponed to Friday. Wayne Munroe QC, one of the lawyers on Mr Gibson’s team, said last Friday’s session was adjourned to allow the prosecution more time to compile its list of revised charges. Mr Munroe said the prosecution’s team was expected to advance its list of new charges, however the court was informed the new roster of charges
was still in draft form and absent of all particulars. To that end, Mr Munroe said the court made the decision to give prosecutors the time needed to compile its list, inclusive of particulars, with a view to presenting the list on May 11. In April, the prosecution indicated it would only pursue bribery charges against the former Cabinet minister, but did not give the exact number of charges or particulars. Mr Gibson initially faced 36 charges: one count of misconduct in public office, 16 counts of bribery, two counts of conspiracy to commit bribery, two counts
of conspiracy to commit extortion and 15 counts of extortion, when first arraigned last August. It is alleged that Gibson solicited more than $250,000 from contractor Jonathan Ash in 2017. About an hour after his initial arraignment, Justice Cheryl GrantThompson granted the former Golden Gates MP $40,000 bail with two sureties on the condition he does not reoffend and attends his trial. She did not impose any travel restrictions on Gibson, and neither was he required to surrender his travel documents or check into any police station.
PAGE 12, Monday, May 7, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
90 years old - and urging youth to ‘get in the game’ By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net SIR Arthur Foulkes extolled the nobility of politics when he celebrated his 90th birthday on Friday night, urging young Bahamians to “get in the game” despite society’s cynicism and the “perceived misbehaviour” of some politicians. The former governor general’s birthday celebration at the Balmoral Club drew family, friends and admirers from across the political spectrum. Looking younger than his age, Sir Arthur read without glasses, embracing his statesman role to remind the audience of the importance of friendships and how much politics has contributed to progress for Bahamians. “Nation building is a never-ending process in which all of us are engaged or ought to be engaged in one way or another,” he said. “Those of us who have chosen the political arena, and I’m speaking primarily to young people, are often distressed to hear some people say negative things about politics. I trust that young people contemplating a career in politics will not be put off by the perceived misbehaviour of some in the political arena. “Unfortunately, we
SIR Arthur Foulkes speaking at his 90th birthday celebration at Balmoral Club on Friday. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff humans have the capacity For those who scoff at the the highest voluntary voter to abuse even divine insti- practice of politics I ask, turnouts in the world. tutions. There is nothing how do you think all those “The Bahamian people intrinsically wrong with pol- beautiful things got written know politics can bring itics. On the contrary, apart down on that piece of paper change and progress. For from the sacred ministry, I we call our Constitution? example, there is a big difcan think of no more noble How can those institutions ference today from the way to serve humanity than of the state which ensure old days when most chilthrough the practice of our stability be maintained dren had to leave school except through the prac- at the age of 14. I mandemocratic politics. “It is indispensable to the tice of democratic politics? aged to leave at the age advancement and expan- How can we pursue the of 15. Today, despite the sion of what I call the high aspiration of a people challenges which remain civilisation movement,” he and protect their rights in education, we have added. “It is indispensa- and freedoms without the thousands of young Bahable to the establishment of practice of democratic mians with college degrees, laws and good order that politics? I am proud of the including doctorates and are handmaidens to jus- Bahamian people for their of course we have our tice, which is sovereign. It keen interest in politics very own University of is indispensable to the full over many, many years. The Bahamas. So to those flowering and security of all They have demonstrated young people who would be those freedoms and rights that interest in every gen- so inclined, do not be hesiwhich we so idly cherish. eral election with one of tant, prepare yourself, get
SIR Arthur Foulkes with former prime minister Perry Christie. in the game, we still have a the platform to just do magnation to build and we need ical things with words and I our very best to this task.” dreamt one day I would be Three of the men who able to do the same. You have served as prime min- captured the aspirations of isters in the country, Hubert young persons who watched Ingraham, Perry Christie you, who listened to you… and Dr Hubert Minnis, I’ve seen the success of toasted Sir Arthur during your family and broadly the event. speaking, not just your chil“His has been a life dren, but your siblings too of politics which would and the success of a family have included high points that never started off with and sad disappointments, a silver spoon proverbially of measured progress,” in their mouths but made it said Mr Ingraham, who the old-fashioned way.” appointed Sir Arthur govDr Minnis said Sir ernor general in 2012, a Arthur’s vision for the position he held until 2014. Bahamas lives on and con“He’s had a hand in virtu- tinues to influence public ally every consequential policy today. political movement in our “The progressive Overcountry in the past 60 years. the-Hill transformation Consistently, in my view, plan my administration he proved to be a man of is leading today,” he said, vision, a man of purpose, a “is in part inspired by the man of conviction, a man social vision of Sir Arthur of courage. In particular, he who served as the member can be credited with playing of Parliament for Grant’s a pivotal role in the crea- Town.” tion of a viable two-party “We have undoubtedly system in our country, fail- made tremendous proing which our democracy gress as a nation. Still, had would not have flourished we remained more faithto the extent it has.” ful to Sir Arthur’s vision, Mr Christie reminisced we would have made even about Sir Arthur’s impact greater progress in terms of on his own then budding equality and social justice. political career. You have given your life“When I was younger, blood and every measure aspiring to be something, I of devotion for our country. looked to you, an ideologue We revere and love you.” I thought, who was a part Born in Inagua, Sir of the movement to bring Arthur served as news youth into the Progressive editor of The Tribune Liberal party,” Mr Christie after starting his career in said. journalism at the Nassau “You and your colleagues Guardian. He was elected allowed me as a youngster to Parliament in 1967, then to sit in the back of the again in 1982. In 1992, he room, even to claim to be became the country’s high a member or a part of the commissioner to the United group. I remember being Kingdom, the first among attracted to your rhetorical a number of ambassador skills and your ability on roles he held.
SIR Arthur Foulkes with fellow former governor general Arthur Dion Hanna.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, May 7, 2018, PAGE 13
Videos spark concern over restaurant safety By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net A VIDEO of a cat nestled among debris on a cluttered shelf in what appears to be a local restaurant’s kitchen has sparked ire across social media. It was posted in a popular Facebook group last month. In the 26-second clip, the cat, which appeared unharmed, is seen lying on a shelf, surrounded by items. As the camera pans away, viewers can see that right next to the cat are
racks of meat in various stages of preparation, some raw and some cooked, and an uncovered garbage bin. A few feet away, a worker can be seen handling Styrofoam food containers in the unsanitary, dirty kitchen. This video follows on the heels of two other videos featuring animals in or near food establishments. In one video, a rat is seen being kept in a cage at the backdoor of what is claimed to be a Chinese restaurant. The cage is covered by cardboard. Construction workers can be seen working on the building as the
person recording says: “When I tell y’all stop eating them Chinese, y’all didn’t believe me right? “Lone rats,” he adds. It is unclear from the footage whether the rat is being kept on purpose or is in a trap. In another video, posted in March, a woman is heard angrily yelling at a man who has brought a cat inside a food establishment. In the woman’s expletive filled diatribe, she implies that the man has brought the cat to give to the restaurant’s owners. The woman exclaimed:
“Talk ‘bout (that isn’t) my business and you bringing a whole **** cat for these people? I ask you where this cat come from, you ga’ talk ‘bout this ain’ my business? And I eatin’ from this place?” The man eventually leaves with the cat, but it appears he was heading to the back of the restaurant. The person who posted the video asked, “Do you think the authorities need and should address this viral video?” The identities of the restaurants in question could not be ascertained from
the videos. The Tribune spoke with Director of Environmental Health Services Melanie McKenzie about the videos posted on social media. While Ms McKenzie was unfamiliar with the clips, she said her department does investigate complaints that come to their attention. She added that animals are not allowed in food establishments. When asked what infraction this is breaking, Ms McKenzie said: “Animals aren’t allowed in food places. So that would be the infraction.
“Not necessarily the kitchen you know — any part of the food establishment.” In terms of penalties, Ms McKenzie said that is up to the court system. The maximum penalty for such an infraction is $50,000, she estimated. The Environmental Health Services director told The Tribune that she does not know of any restaurants being closed recently for such violations. However, she said that the agency would investigate any complaints they receive.
TRIBUTES PAID TO JOURNALIST AND PRESS CLUB MEMBER By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas Press Club expressed profound sadness on the death of former journalist and attorney Gina Morley. Ms Morley was hailed as a faithful member and colleague in tributes following her death on Thursday, May 3. She was a former journalist who became an attorney and hosted the genealogy programme “Bahamian Bio” on Sunday nights at 7pm, and “It’s the Law” legal tips, which aired at various times during the weekday lineup on Guardian
Radio. BPC President Anthony Capron said: “Ms Morley was a valued member of The Bahamas Press Club, who contributed much to the progress of the BPC and her sage advice will be sorely missed, especially as we plan this year’s media awards.” Ms Morley was responsible for the 2017 media awards’ theme: “Uncovering The Bahamas,” held at the British Colonial Hilton, at which she proudly displayed some of her creative artwork. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to her immediate family. May her soul rest in eternal peace,” Mr Capron said.
RFP
JOIN THE FUN, FAST-PACED TEAM AT BURGER KING NASSAU! Managers: Email resume to: edmiranda@restaurantsbs.com
GINA Morley at The Bahamas Press Club Media Awards, at the British Colonial Hilton in November. Photo: Vincent Vaughan
Crew Members: Apply in-store at your nearest Burger King Nassau location.
PAGE 14, Monday, May 7, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
BNT elects new council
THE BAHAMAS National Trust’s executive team: Simon Townend, honorary treasurer; Geoffrey Andrews, deputy president; Janet Johnson: president and Andy Fowler, honorary secretary.
THE Bahamas National Trust recently held its annual general meeting and spring council meetings to elect its new council and officers for the year to review progress over the past year and to discuss plans for the work of the organisation. The BNT membership elected 15 members at the AGM to serve on the 29-member council. Following the AGM, the council met to further discuss the way forward and elected its officers for the 2018-2019 year. The following persons will lead the council: Janet Johnson, president; Geoffrey Andrews, deputy president; Simon Townend, honorary treasurer; and Andy Fowler, honorary secretary. The 15 elected members are: Geoffrey Andrews; Marvin Arrington: Mr. Glenn Bannister; Kevin Cartwright; Hank Ferguson; Andy Fowler; Colin Higgs; Marcus Laing; Rachel Lightbourne-Graham; Neil McKinney; Deno Moss; Karin Sanchez; Andy Smith and Simon Townend. Newly appointed Governor General’s Representatives Edward Fields and Dr Livingston Marshall bring new expertise and experience to the BNT Council. The full list of council members can be found on the BNT’S website www.bnt.bs. The AGM also provided an opportunity for the BNT to recognise outstanding support from three outstanding entities. This year
the BNT recognised the Royal Bahamas Defence Force for the long-term support and partnership with the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park. The Rotary Club of East Nassau was also recognised for its longterm support of the BNT’s educational initiatives, volunteerism at BNT events and ongoing commitment to the national parks of the Bahamas that spans over 25 years. Former BNT Council Member Teresa Butler was thanked for her tireless support and advice to the BNT. “Recognising and thanking our supporters is important and essential to the success of our organisation. The defence force supports our wardens on a daily basis. The long term support and partnership from the Rotary Club of East Nassau brings together an outstanding group of Bahamians who respect and understand the importance of our national parks. Ms Butler has provided guidance and insight on a number of issues, as the BNT has grown over the past 25 years. Her belief in us as an organisation is inspirational and we feel honoured to have had her serve on the BNT Council,” said Lynn Gape, BNT deputy executive director. The BNT is a non-governmental, non-profit, membership organisation working to protect Bahamian natural resources by building a network of national parks and promoting environmental stewardship.
31 HOMES DESTROYED AS HAWAII VOLCANO ERUPTS PAHOA, Hawaii Associated Press THE number of homes destroyed by Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano jumped to 31 on Sunday as scientists reported lava spewing more than 200f (61m) into the air. Some of the more than 1,700 people who evacuated prepared for the possibility they may not return for quite some time. Hawaii officials said the decimated homes were in the Leilani Estates subdivision, where molten rock, toxic gas and steam have been bursting through openings in the ground
created by the volcano. Officials updated the number of lost homes after an aerial survey of the subdivision. “That number could change,” Hawaii County spokeswoman Janet Snyder said. “This is heartbreaking.” Amber Makuakane, 37, a teacher and single mother of two, said her threebedroom house in Leilani Estates was destroyed by lava. The dwelling was across from a fissure that opened Friday, when “there was some steam rising from all parts of the yard, but everything looked fine,” Makuakane said. On Saturday, she received alerts from her security system that motion sensors throughout the house had been triggered. She later confirmed that lava had covered her property. “They don’t really understand,” she said about her children. “My son keeps asking me, ‘Mommy when are we going to go home?’” Makuakane grew up in the area and lived in her house for nine years. Her parents also live in Leilani Estates. “The volcano and the lava -- it’s always been a part of my life,” she said. “It’s devastating ... but I’ve come to terms with it.” Lava has spread around 387,500sq ft (36,000sq m) surrounding the most active fissure, though the rate of movement is slow. There was no indication when the lave might stop or how far it might spread. “There’s more magma in the system to be erupted. As long as that supply is there, the eruption will continue,” US Geological Survey volcanologist Wendy Stovall said. Traditional Hawaiian beliefs say it depends on Pele, the volcano goddess who is said to reside in Kilauea. “You have to ask Pele,” Steve Clapper said when asked whether he had any idea when he’d return to his Leilani Estates home. Clapper had to put his ailing 88-year-old mother into a car and leave shortly after hearing an ominous rumbling behind the house. He believes he saw its roof still standing in photos of the area but can’t be sure. Still, the California native was sanguine as he assessed his situation.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, May 7, 2018, PAGE 15
Dream turns nightmare as cruise ship hall floods THE Carnival Dream cruise ship was likened to the water-logged cabins of the iconic “Titanic” when a mechanical issue flooded a deck hallway. A cruise passenger told the media it felt as though she and her family had been transported to a scene from the late 90s disaster-romance film when a break in the ship’s fire suppression system dumped gallons of water onto Deck 9. Marla Haase, in photos and video posted to her Facebook page on Thursday, asked social media
CREW members baling water out of the hallway in this image taken from video on social media.
THREE HAITIANS DETAINED OFF GREAT INAGUA THREE Haitian men, including a boat captain, were apprehended off the west coast of Great Inagua when Royal Bahamas Defence Force officers boarded a 45ft Haitian sail sloop on Friday. The two Haitian men failed to produce legal documents, according to a RBDF report, which noted there were five Haitian nationals on board the sloop. “While on routine patrol,” the report read, “HMBS Kamalamee, under the command of Senior Lieutenant Valentino Rolle stopped and
boarded a 45-foot Haitian sail sloop approximately six nautical miles off the west coast of Great Inagua. Investigations conducted by the boarding team revealed a total of five Haitian nationals were on board. “Two of the passengers did not produce the necessary documents to enter the country,” the report continued. “Both passengers along with the captain of the sloop were subsequently taken into custody and handed over to police and immigration officials in Inagua for further processing.”
friends to pray for her and other passengers as water poured from the walls. “We heard the violins and the silverware all came crashing down. What in the world... say a prayer for (us) all,” Ms Haase wrote, referring to an iconic scene from the 1997 movie. The incident - which happened on day five of a seven-day Western Caribbean route - was said to have affected 50 staterooms on that level. “Our onboard teams began cleanup immediately related to this clean water from a fire suppression system,”
said Carnival in a statement to Fox News. “We appreciate our guests’ understanding and sincerely apologise for this disruption. We also thank our crew members for their quick action and hard work.” The ship left New Orleans on April 29, and was due to return on Sunday.
To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394