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JEERS NOT CHEERS FOR PLP ASSESSING FOUR YEARS IN GOVT - SEE INSIGHT

BUYING A HOME? GUIDE INSIDE TODAY

Gay weddings ‘not while I live’

PM say he is ‘almost embarrassed by referendum debate

By RASHAD ROLLE and RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporters

AS debate rages about the implications of the government’s proposed amendments to the Constitution, Prime Minister Perry Christie insisted that same-sex marriage will never happen in the Bahamas during his lifetime.

Mr Christie appeared agitated by the continued argument that the fourth Constitutional Amendment Bill could lead to same-sex marriage, telling The Tribune on Friday night that he is “almost embarrassed by” this line of thinking.

As for calls from those campaigning against the referendum to be given public funds considering the government has funded the YES Bahamas cam-

CARNIVAL IS A WIN

WIN

WIN

paign, Mr Christie suggested he is not swayed by their arguments saying this administration has chosen to be on the “moral” side of the issue.

Mr Christie also called talk that the referendum is a smokescreen to legalise gay marriage through the back door “nonsense.”

“For me, I’m almost embarrassed by it,” he said on the sidelines of Junkanoo Carnival.

On the issue of funding the “no” campaign, he said: “People can ask and they can even go to the courts.

We have to do what we have to do. I believe I have taken the morally correct position.”

“I hope everything goes well,” he added. “We support strongly the ‘yes’ side.

We’ve made an effort to

PRIME Minister Perry Christie is expected to make a major announcement on the government’s renewed approach to addressing the stagnant economy of Grand Bahama this morning in the House of Assembly.

Claiming that the revelations could lead to significant investments on the island of Grand Bahama, Mr Christie told The Tribune

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts called on the Royal Bahamas Police Force to fully investigate allegations that a Nassau Street brawl captured on video was the result of a homophobic attack.

Human rights activist Erin Greene issued a similar call yesterday, although she urged people not to be hasty and label the incident a hate crime.

In a statement released yesterday, Mr Roberts condemned the alleged attack as “brutish, barbaric and unprovoked” as he added that “bigotry and hatred have no place” in our society.

SEE PAGE SEVEN

MINNIS CALLS FOR EXTENSION OF HURRICANE AID ORDER

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday urged the government to extend the exigency order originally granted to residents of the southern Bahamas adversely affected by Hurricane Joaquin last year.

Dr Minnis even insisted that tax collection be halted in those islands until 2018 to ensure that life in those areas returns to normal as soon as possible.

“I have spoken with many of those residents and what they are telling me is that (more than) six months later and it is still tough for them.

SEE PAGE SIX

SEE PAGE THREE

‘MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT’ ON FREEPORT DUE TODAY

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

INVESTIGATION URGED OVER ‘HOMOPHOBIC ATTACK’

on Saturday his administration was prepared to address a number of key factors related to the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA).

“It is going to be a defining moment, particularly in the life of Grand Bahama, one where we have taken a comprehensive examination of all the affairs of the Port Authority and all its subsidiary companies and we are going to report it,” he said.

SEE PAGE SIX

MIAMI POLICE HELP HOMELESS BAHAMIAN MOTHER

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net VANDIA Sands among carnivalgoers during the Road Fever parade on Saturday and, right, Wyclef Jean performing in Friday night’s concert.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net AS thousands danced to the music of carnival on Friday night, Prime Minister Perry Christie beamed at the “success” of the event, saying it is a “win-win” for The Bahamas.

Mr Christie’s comments came during an interview with The Tribune as Gram-

my award winning Haitian artist Wyclef Jean entertained the crowd at the mega stage in Clifford Park.

He spoke positively about the impact he expects Junkanoo Carnival to have on launching the SEE PAGES 10-12

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

MIAMI police have raised more than $11,000 for a Bahamian mother who was homeless in Florida as she awaited surgery for her young son.

Bahamian Ebony Edgecombe, 37, and her three children were forced to sleep on a public bus bench after losing the savings meant to support them until her baby Joshua’s surgery in Florida, according to US media reports.

Joshua, 17 months old, suffers from hypospadias, a genital birth defect that SEE PAGE SIX

PAGE 2, Monday, May 9, 2016

MAN SHOT DEAD AFTER ARGUMENT IN PARK

By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net

A YOUNG man is dead after he was shot in the chest during an argument with another man late Thursday night.

Police said that shortly after 11.30pm, the victim was involved in an argument with another man at

a park on Quarry Mission Road that led to him being shot.

The suspect fled the scene on foot in an unknown direction.

The victim was rushed to hospital where he died of his injuries shortly after his arrival.

Police have not identified the victim but The Tribune understands he is Denero

Burrell.

This latest killing took the country’s murder count to 46 for the first five months of 2016, according to The Tribune’s records.

Anyone with information on this homicide is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328TIPS.

NELERENE HARDING

THE TRIBUNE

FAMILY CALLS FOR BLOOD DONATIONS FOR UNION CHIEF THE family of Airport Airline and Allied Workers Union (AAAWU) President Nelerene Harding has made an urgent appeal for blood donations for the unionist.

According to reports, Ms Harding collapsed last week and is currently in hospital.

Yesterday, a relative made an appeal on Facebook, asking concerned citizens to make blood donations at Doctors Hospital.

Ms Harding was first elected as the union’s president in 2003.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, May 9, 2016, PAGE 3

‘Attorney General bullying people into a yes vote’

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net PASTOR Cedric Moss yesterday accused Attorney General Allyson MaynardGibson of bullying Bahamians into making a “blanket yes” vote in the upcoming gender equality referendum.

Pastor Moss said that Mrs Maynard-Gibson and the Progressive Liberal Party did not have a true moral voice in the referendum because of their stance against the failed 2002 referendum, noting the irony of the current situation.

“What is most ironic is that in 2002 when the current governing PLP was in opposition and voted for the 2002 Constitution Amendment Bills in Parliament,”

CEDRIC MOSS he said in a statement, “they did an about face and led a blanket ‘vote no’ campaign against those bills.”

Pastor Moss added: “We have not forgotten that the current attorney general was a part of the then ‘vote no’ campaign. It is amaz-

ing that she and others who were a part of that ‘terrible shame’ back in the day are today lecturing voters who are minded to do in 2016 what they did in 2002.”

“We believe that the politically motivated blanket ‘no’ vote in 2002 was wrong, and a similar one would be doubly wrong 14 years later.”

The senior pastor at Kingdom Life Church was responding to Mrs Maynard-Gibson’s comments last week. The attorney general said it would be a “terrible shame” if Bahamians vote “no” to the constitutional referendum questions because of concerns that the fourth amendment would lead to legal samesex marriage.

Pastor Moss argued that Mrs Maynard-Gibson

should be taking the government to task over its unfair one-sided support of the YES Bahamas campaign, instead of berating voters over their valid concerns. Pastor Moss is leader of the Think Bahamas! group, which opposes three of the four referendum bills.

He said: “The attorney general should use those efforts to castigate the government for the grossly unfair manner in which it is abusing public funds for its one-sided, double dipping YES Bahamas campaign, while refusing to give any funding to the three official groups who oppose one or more of the Constitution Amendment Bills.

“This is yet another ‘terrible shame’ that seems to be

conveniently overlooked,” said Pastor Moss.

The gender equality referendum will be held on June 7.

Think Bahamas only supports the first Constitutional Amendment Bill, which seeks to give Bahamian women who are married to foreign men the right to pass on their Bahamian citizenship to any child of that union no matter where that child is born.

Referring to controversial bill four, Pastor Moss accused the government of ignoring the public calls for it to adopt more protective measures outlined by the Constitutional Commission. He pointed to recommendation 25 of the commission’s report, which advised for language that would ensure legislation

that prohibits same-sex marriage would not be considered inconsistent with constitutional rights on discrimination.

Pastor Moss said that the government’s failure to allay the public’s concern over same-sex marriage has increased fears.

“Further,” he said, “the government has stood idly by and ignored the cries of the Bahamian people to have a bill five that would give voters an opportunity to amend our Constitution to define marriage as a voluntary union between one man and one woman.

“Mrs Maynard-Gibson should therefore not be surprised at the pervasive same-sex marriage concerns of the Bahamian people; she has helped to fuel them.”

PRIME Minister Perry Christie speaking to Obie Wilchcombe during one of the weekend’s carnival events. He has said the government does not plan to provide funding to the ‘No’ referendum campaign.

from page one

GAY WEDDINGS ‘NOT WHILE I LIVE’

get the best lawyers from within the commonwealth to speak to the question of whether a backdoor to same-sex marriage could be opened and they’ve all said no. I’m almost embarrassed by it. One could argue what one might like. But I said to all of the religious leaders present (at a meeting with the late Dr Myles Munroe in 2014) that in my lifetime we will never have same-sex marriages. I don’t believe in it and my government doesn’t believe in it so it’s nonsense to speak about

backdoor entry to same-sex marriage.”

During another interview on Saturday, he said: “I have said and will continue to say without fear of contradiction, this vote has nothing to do with samesex. I have given them (religious leaders) that assurance and some continue to push a no vote, which is okay.”

“But my government has gone to great lengths to ensure that a yes vote would mean exactly what we say, a move to ensure that our sons and daughters are equal in the eyes of the constitution.”

He added: “The legal minds in The Bahamas have given us the nod and told us we are good to go, similarly with legal minds in the US, the UK and other major places around the world.”

“A point in fact here, many of those legal minds have said that our laws as presently constituted does more to allow same-sex marriage than any changes proposed in this referendum and that is what is strange.”

“And it is an amazing contradiction on their part.

“But, as it stands I can

only hope that they can understand that government has taken the position that it is correct to have equality between our daughters and our sons and that our sons should not be superior to our daughters.”

One of the groups opposing the fourth referendum question, Save Our Bahamas, has formally written Mr Christie, requesting $100,000 to fund its campaign.

The organisation believes the fourth question would open the door to same-sex marriage. The other three questions deal with issues of citizenship.

The government has not revealed how much it has spent on the YES Bahamas campaign. Mr Christie would only say that the amount was not “that large”. He went on to say that the final amount still had to be totalled.

The country is still awaiting clarity on the total cost of the upcoming referendum.

National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage, who has responsibility for referenda, told The Tribune late last month that he would speak to the issue of costs and funding during a

contribution in the House of Assembly later that week.

However, he has not yet spoken on the matter.

On the weekend, Mr Christie suggested that the cost could be in excess of $1m.

The gender equality vote will take place on June 7.

PAGE 4, Monday, May 9, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

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Time for Mr Christie to list China’s investments in The Bahamas WITH a foreign publication predicting that the once promising Baha Mar resort would bankrupt the Bahamas, the resort’s court appointed receiver has announced that there is a “good expectation” that the $3.5 billion hotel will be sold before September. Obviously, the hotel’s opening date will follow.

However, there have been so many aborted opening dates since December 2014 that angry Bahamians now believe nothing that they are being told about an enterprise that promised to boost our economy and make us the envy of the Caribbean.

This week, several Bahamians turned their attention to The Pointe, a box like structure that will be turned into a glass palace in the heart of Nassau — an area steeped in Bahamian history.

They want to know how China Construction’s $250m downtown resort could have received its permits in such an incredibly short time when nothing was meant to start until Baha Mar had been completed.

Recalling the Permanent Secretary’s observation in a 2012 report to the Prime Minister in the Nygard Lyford Cay reconstruction case, still in dispute, that what was “conspicuously missing” from Mr Nygard’s permits was “building approvals from the Ministry of Public Works”.

They recalled the Permanent Secretary’s telling comment in his letter to the Prime Minister that “the structures that now maintain at Nygard Cay would never have been approved by the Ministry of Public Works. The development is foreign to the Bahamas and has no Bahamian character whatsoever.”

If this is true, how could the Ministry of Works have approved The Pointe, which when completed will stand out like a sore thumb in our colonial style town. Have the rules changed to accommodate Beijing?

As to why government did not insist that Baha Mar be completed before permits were issued to China Construction America (CCA) was another mystery they now want clarified.

In August 2015, Mr Christie confirmed that construction on The Pointe was not meant to start before Baha Mar had been completed.

When government and CCA broke ground while Baha Mar, still in dispute was closed, Mr Christie was asked about the impact that might have on Baha Mar. He repeated that he thought they were “waiting on negotiations to be completed”.

Asked whether the two projects would conflict, the prime minister’s reply was that ”it was always intended for this (The Pointe) to start when Baha Mar was completed.” He then launched into an implausible explanation. The fact is that The Pointe, with no Bahamian architectural characteristics to recommend it, is nearing completion. Baha Mar is still closed with no end in sight — except, of course, the continuing promises that have so far come to naught. However, Mr Christie predicted that The Pointe will be a catalyst for the redevelopment of downtown Nassau. This does not satisfy angry Bahamians, who are jobless, and Bahamian businessmen, who are out of pocket while they await payment after Baha Mar’s future has been finally decided.

However, the question that we would like answered is why – with Baha Mar still closed and in dispute with CCA – was Deputy Prime Minister Phlip “Brave”

Davis down in Panama City extolling CCA’s virtues and praising the jobs it had brought to The Bahamas. The following is the report that we received from Panama on April 29, 2015 on the opening of CCA’s Latin American Regional Headquarters in Panama City: “Deputy Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis congratulated CCA on its expansion into Panama, one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America over the past decade. ‘This expansion evidences the fact that success comes only to those whose goals are so strong that obstacles act only as the investor’, said Mr Davis.

He acknowledged CCA’s contribution to the Bahamian economy and commended CCA for its resourcefulness, expertise and professionalism. ‘For The Bahamas, we are grateful for the contribution of CCA in our efforts to improve our economy through foreign direct investment, the creation of jobs, and the provision of training opportunities’. As the financier, investor and builder of the Baha Mar project, CCA has helped create thousands of jobs for the Bahamian people and hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue for local businesses. ‘Finances, dedication, network capability, and other resources are major assets of CCA; and these assets accomplish the seemingly impossible’. The company’s most recent British Colonial Hilton Nassau hotel project is estimated to create 250 jobs during construction and 500 permanent jobs after completion for Bahamians, contributing $750m to the Bahamian GDP in 20 years.”

Today it is for jobless Bahamians and businessmen, who are deeply in debt, to decide how much Mr Davis said in Panama was true. We think some explanation from him is still needed, because we can find little truth in his Panama statement.

While he was in Panama cutting ribbons and saying how much good CCA had done to boost our economy, the confusion CCA left in its wake has done almost irreparable damage to the reputation of our hotel industry.

With our government seemingly doing somersaults to accommodate these state controlled companies, we think the Opposition should demand that the Christie government reveal — in addition to Baha Mar and The Pointe — what footprints Beijingcontrolled companies have in our country.

We recall January 2015 when Mr Christie announced that he planned to request funding from China to support our national budget, and refinance and restructure The Bahamas’ debt.

He said his government’s proposal would seek to acquire funds from a US$3 billion dollar investment fund, revealed a month before by China, to finance cashstrapped Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries.

Mr Christie made the announcement during the first ministerial meeting of the CELAC-CHINA (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) Forum in Beijing.

How far did Mr Christie get with this plan, and what is the position today?

With the control that Beijing is indirectly exerting on our economy through its hold on Baha Mar, the Bahamian people are entitled to know exactly how far this Communist country has planted its roots in our tiny nation — through loans and/or investments.

It is now time for the Christie government to tell us exactly what is happening in our country.

Emergency sirens

EDITOR, The Tribune.

ON May 3, 2016, at approximately 4:22pm, a myriad of vehicles on Bernard Road attempted to pull off to the side of the road as the result of hearing the blaring siren of an ambulance owned by the Public Health Authority (PHA).

One can imagine the confusion created on that narrow congested roadway at that time of day. Imagine my surprise when, just a few

minutes later, the very same ambulance (EMS #3, Licence #1569) was waiting patiently at the red light at the junction of Village Road and Bernard Road, sirens off of course. The male ambulance driver and his female co-pilot, heartily engaged in conversation, oblivious or rather numb to the confusion that occurred a few minutes earlier because of their blatant abuse of privilege.

When one hears the howl of a police or ambulance siren

one rightly expects, that in giving way, a life will potentially be spared or a crime averted.

For those given that privilege to abuse it to avoid traffic jams is almost unforgivable.

This seems symptomatic of an endemic problem with those given authority in this country.I hope an appropriate course of action is taken in this regard.

JB Nassau, May 4, 2016.

The use of public funds EDITOR, The Tribune.

I SERVE as the lead person for the referendum education group Think, Bahamas! It is our view that public funds should not be used to fund referenda campaigns. However, if public funds are used, we believe they should be made available to all sides in a fair manner. That’s the way it is done in functioning democracies.

It is for this reason that I am pained to observe the government lavishly spending public funds on its YES Bahamas campaign while at the same time denying funding to groups who oppose one or more of the four Bills. Clearly, what the government is doing is unfair and an abuse of public funds.

What is sad and ironic is that the government is spending an enormous amount of public funds to promote its message of equal rights even as it denies equal rights to funding for groups like Think, Bahamas! This glaring con-

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net tradiction seems to be overlooked by those who are the public face of YES Bahamas, and they clearly have no difficulty in supporting this unfair arrangement and abuse of public funds.

I am one who has consistently been calling voters to vote on each Bill based on its merits or demerits, but I must confess that as of late I find myself fighting the temptation to vote “no” to all the Bills because of the government’s abuse of public funds and unfair conduct. But I’ve resolved not to yield to that temptation.

I will vote for each Bill on its merits or demerits, and once again I encourage all voters to do the same. So, this means that on June 7, 2016, I will vote “YES” to Bill 1 because of its merits and “NO” to Bills 2, 3, and 4 because of their demerits.

Only the Lord knows what the outcome of this referen-

dum will be. However, whatever success the government achieves in terms of any of the Bills being approved will be stained by the unfair manner in which it was achieved. I realize that for some, how a desired result is achieved does not matter; but it should. Whatever we achieve, we should achieve in a fair and honest manner.

Even though we are disappointed in the government and its abuse of public funds to finance its YES Bahamas campaign, we are not disheartened — because God is still on the throne. We will continue to work and pray and do our best to educate voters on the four Bills and to encourage them to think and then vote. In the end, the results are ultimately in the sovereign hands of our sovereign Lord who does all things well.

Think, Bahamas!

PASTOR MOSS Nassau, May 7, 2016.

CEDRIC

Hope for Grand Bahama?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I APPLAUD Terry Gape’s letter to the Editor in Thursday’s Freeport News. So many valid points about ‘the forgotten island’ of Grand Bahama.

The popular view is that extension of the Hawksbill Creek Agreement will be approved by the government.

Frankly, what other choice do they have although there are valid arguments that taxing foreign owned land might stimulate development.

Given the dire state of Grand Bahama’s economy, removing any form of existing concessions would only be another nail in the coffin.

With school graduations upon us, another wave of young people will be turned loose to join the swollen ranks of the unprecedented numbers of unemployed in Grand Bahama.

Hutchinson can’t wait to unload their loss-making hotel properties and one has to wonder who would consider making the purchase given such a horrendous track record of losing millions for so many years.

While Hutchinson may finally admit they are not capable resort operators in this part of the world, who will take on the challenge to turn it around? We will know shortly. Whoever it is will have to have some very deep pockets.

Apart from major renovations required at the Grand Lucayan of dozens of rooms to make them sellable, substantial new airlift will be needed to fill them and the other neighboring properties.

Three flights a day on American Eagle’s small jets and Silver Airways ‘puddle jumpers’ will not do it. We will need jumbo jets.

Thus the new owners would probably have to be a major hotel name brand, preferably with casino connections and a very large client base.

They will also need a spare million or two to market their new acquisition.

Even if this proves to be a good result - what of the further development of Grand Bahama - do we stop there?

As Mr Gape observed, the entire Barbary Beach area is prime property waiting for a multi resort de-

velopment. Let’s not forget West End, equally poised for similar reasons. While multimillion dollar resorts are under development in Exuma, Abaco and other Family Islands, we seem unable to give Grand Bahama away – for years. Perhaps that is the answer - give the land away to major investors. Whatever it takes, the GBPA and Hutchinson need to start thinking out side of the box. Nothing has worked for over fifteen years.

My fear, however, is that Hutchinson will now have another 20 years’ ‘free ride’ on their land bank of undeveloped property with the HCA extension. Having sold the hotels, they have no reason do anything else with the exception of the Container Port expansion where the money is.

Regrettably, the Chinese are for the most part on the ‘300-year plan: So is Grand Bahama going to be swept along on a tide of nothingness for decades to come?

As they say on movie sets “hurry up and wait”.

CHRIS PAINE Freeport May 6, 2016.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, May 9, 2016, PAGE 5

Zhivargo Laing backs Pintard to run for Marco City seat

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net FORMER Free National Movement Senator Michael Pintard has received the support of the party’s Marco City Constituency Association to become their standard bearer in the 2017 general election, according to sources yesterday.

The recommendation

will go on to the FNM’s Candidates Committee and then the party’s Central Council for final approval.

Mr Pintard declined comment on the matter when contacted yesterday.

The MCCA’s letter follows a public endorsement of Mr Pintard by former FNM MP for the area Zhivargo Laing.

Mr Laing emphasized

his support for the former chairman as he quashed rumours that he was returning to frontline politics in a Facebook post last week.

“I want to make something abundantly clear,” Mr Laing wrote.

“I have no interest or intent to run in Marco City or any other constituency in the upcoming general elections. I fully endorse

Michael Pintard as the potential candidate for the constituency I once had the privilege to represent in the House of Assembly.

“He is a capable and intelligent Bahamian who can bring much good to Marco City and to our country. I want all to know, including the leader of the FNM and his brother, Boxer Minnis, I am not behind the scene or in the

scene participating in any political activities.

“I am focused on matters dear to my heart and essential to the well-being of my family. I trust and hope that all and sundry will let the dead stay dead,” Mr Laing added.

Mr Laing lost his bid to represent Fort Charlotte in the 2012 election.

Former FNM Marco City candidate Norris Bain

lost to current MP Gregory Moss by less than 300 votes in 2012. Tolonus Sands was the standard bearer for the Democratic National Alliance.

The FNM has ratified several candidates, including Dr Duane Sands and Shonel Ferguson to run on its election ticket in the Elizabeth and Fox Hill constituencies respectively.

HEALTH CONCERNS OVER GROWING CONCH SHELL PILE AT MONTAGU

DISCARDED conch shells pictured on Montagu fish ramp.

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net THE confusion surrounding which government agency is responsible for the collection and disposal of discarded conch shells at the Montagu fishing ramp has led to mounds of decaying shells at the site and raised health fears.

There is speculation that the piles of shells encrusted with a thick layer of algae and trash could attract sharks to the ramp, which is next to the popular Montagu beach where locals swim.

Vendors at the ramp offered varying opinions to The Tribune on whether the condition of the shells should be ruled a health hazard but none could name the party responsible for collecting discarded shells.

One vendor claimed that employees from Ministry of Works would, at times, come in and haul away small loads of shells but indicated that that had not

happened for months. Another suggested that the piles of shells have helped people using the ramp by shielding the stall area from large waves crashing against the dock.

That vendor pointed out that while the mounds were unsightly, they could serve a purpose by correcting the flaws that existed in the construction of the ramp.

“When they are at this height, we can stand on top of them and get fresh water. This ramp wasn’t build in the way where we could get down there and get our fresh conch, get fresh water or even access to down there,” he said. “When its like this, the waves don’t slam up against the ramp and interfere with what we up here doing. The waves have a hard time fighting through the shells.”

A third vendor explained to the Tribune that he had petitioned for months to have the situation corrected but had been given the run around. He said that while the health hazard and issue

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff of a shark attack might be an extreme overreaction, the appearance of the shells is something that should not happen, explaining that in years past there were scheduled pick-ups through the Department of Environmental Health (DEHS).

Those pick-ups were guaranteed, he said. “Once we got our shells in the big dumpster, they would take it away. The dumpster is still here. I don’t know what is going on with the (removal) now though.”

Attempts by The Tribune to interview officials at the DEHS have been rebuffed on several occasions. Suggestions by officials at the department that the collection and disposal of shells are the responsibility of the Department of Marine Resources were rejected by of-

ficials in that ministry.

A source in the department asserted that the issue of collection and disposal has never been the responsibility of Marine Resources and has always fallen under the purview of Environmental Health.

There are also suggestions that a change in operations at Renew Bahamas, the company managing the New Providence landfill, has resulted in the DEHS having to find a new way to dispose of the discarded

shells. Renew Bahamas has implemented a more stringent protocol with respect to the waste coming in to its Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) at the landfill, with bio-degradable items, medical waste and a number of other non-recyclable materials no longer being accepted.

There have been some reports suggesting that Renew Bahamas, despite being contracted to manage all forms of waste at the site, has opted only to focus

on the materials it deems profitable in the recycling market.

At present, vendors that want to avoid “adding to the problem” are attempting to find a market for their discarded shells, often passing the loads off to craftsman and artisans who put the shells to use. However, that option is limited.

There are about 20 vendors at the Montagu ramp, of which less than half are considered predominately conch sellers.

PAGE 6, Monday, May 9, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Miami police help homeless Bahamian mother

from page one

affects the opening of the urethra. According to international reports, he is scheduled to have the surgery at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital on May 16.

“Ms Edgecombe and her two oldest sons worked very hard to save up money to come to the US to have the surgery for Joshua,” read a GoFundMe account set up to raise funds for the family.

“The money was supposed to last them until after the recovery, but due to a series of unfortunate events the money was lost and they were kicked out of their motel with nowhere else to go and no money for food.”

The family was found sleeping on a Biscayne Boulevard bus bench by North Miami officer Ryan Michel, who first noticed the family at the start of his midnight patrol on Tuesday.

Mr Michel told The Miami Herald that he stopped to investigate after he spotted the family had not moved by the end of his shift at 7am, and that Ms Edgecombe was holding a baby.

According to the Herald, Ms Edgecombe and her boys travelled to Miami in December 2015. Ms Edgecombe works in Nassau as a housekeeper, according to the Herald report, and her two older boys, Koby and Adrian, are aged 17 and 21.

Ms Edgecombe told the Herald that in addition to donations from friends to cover accommodations, she intended to rely on her credit cards and $3,500 that she saved and kept tucked into her bra. She lost the money however, and her credit cards were quickly maxed out.

Since he met the family on Tuesday, Officer Michel has been working tirelessly to find the family tempo-

rary housing that will allow them to stay together.

The GoFundMe page read: “With no shelter or bed space available Miami police officer Ryan Michel gave the family all of the money he had in his wallet.

This was enough for a couple more nights at the motel and meals for the family for a couple of days.

“This would have held the family over until they received some money from family back home via Western Union. Two days passed and the Western Union money transfer never came.

“Luckily for the family, Officer Michel did a follow up on his day off,” it continued.

“For the better part of his day off Officer Michel tried tirelessly to find the family shelter, to no avail. Officer Michel reached into his pocket yet again and paid for two more days worth of motel stays and meals.

THE GOFUNDME page had generated more than $11,000 in support by last night.

“Officer Michel’s supervisor told him that he was so very proud and impressed by his actions and Officer Michel replied ‘I know what it’s like not to have anything at all, not

DAMAGE in Long Island following Hurricane Joaquin.

even peace of mind’ and ‘this is no way for a mother and her family to spend Mother’s Day’”.

Sergeant Eduardo Perez set up an online GoFundMe account titled

“Edgecombe family fund” on May 6, and in less than two days raised $11,079 from 228 donations.

You can find the web page at https://www.gofundme. com/edgecombe.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

MINNIS CALLS FOR EXTENSION OF HURRICANE AID ORDER

from page one “How do we now all of sudden expect them to make a full recovery within a 90-day period?

Six-months have gone by and these residents are still struggling to get back up.

These are Bahamians, our people, they are working to put their lives together but they need all the help they can get,” he said.

“If we extend the exigency and halt tax collections we would not only keep more money in the hands of residents in those islands,

but we will enable them to get the materials and appliances they need at the most cost effective level. Breaks on everyday items would allow residents to put every extra penny into fixing their lives.”

His comments on Sunday were not the first time he has spoken out in support of an extended exigency order.

Back in October, days after the storm laid waste to about 12 settlements in the southern Bahamas, it was Dr Minnis who called for an initial extension.

At that time, Dr Min-

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nis said the 90-day timeframe might not be long enough for persons to rebuild their lives, after losing practically everything during the category four hurricane.

Additionally, he recommended that the government consider sending therapists to hurricane affected islands to prevent a “medical meltdown”.

Acklins, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Exuma, Inagua, Long Cay, Long Island, Mayaguana, Rum Cay, Ragged Island, Samana Cay and San Salvador were all affected by the

massive storm.

In February, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) sent a letter to Prime Minister Perry Christie calling for Hurricane Joaquin related tax breaks to storm-devastated businesses.

The BCCEC suggested that a relief model would have acted as an “economic stimulus” throughout the Bahamas.

Yesterday, the Killarney MP also criticised the Christie administration for its handling of a number of pressing issues, suggesting

that the ignorance shown could lead to “major problems” for the country.

He raised concern with the “calibre of young officers being recruited” by the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF).

Dr Minnis claimed that two of the RBPF’s latest recruits had to be rejected from the force’s recruitment process due to alleged criminal pasts.

He claimed that one recruit, at the time of his acceptance to the programme, was being monitored by police for a serious offence.

He also said he was told

that a third officer was excused from the programme for a medical issue.

Dr Minnis also questioned if the police force has weakened its vetting process.

“Drug testing is down, proper background checks seemingly thrown out the window. The Bahamas cannot move forward like this. “ . . . If the vetting process within the police force isn’t where it is supposed to be, we as citizens will find ourselves in a dire situation. We have to fix this now before it gets effectively worse,” he added.

‘MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT’ ON FREEPORT DUE TODAY

from page one

The Tribune understands that his speech will focus on a potential deal between the GBPA owners, Hutchison Whampoa, Mediterranean Shipping Company and the government on the way forward for the island.

On Friday, Tribune Business reported Justice Indra Charles’ ruling in favour of the judicial review action brought by two Callenders & Co attorneys, which suggested that the stakeholder consultation over proposed

reforms to the Hawksbill Creek Agreement was “procedurally unfair” as crucial information was withheld from the public.

Justice Charles, in her written ruling, concluded that without the benefit of the McKinsey Report, the consultation process was fundamentally flawed.

On Saturday, Mr Christie said that he has met with “several parties on several matters”, adding that his administration was closer than ever to “locking down” a workable, non-partisan scheme to move Grand Ba-

hama forward.

Yesterday, the GBPA released a statement on Justice Charles’ ruling, saying the judgment was a “fair one.”

The GBPA added: “The judgment does not have a derailing effect on the progressive dialogue and negotiations which ensued between the Bahamas government, the Port Authority and the relevant stakeholders of Freeport after the completion of the hearing before the Supreme Court.”

“Notwithstanding our

differences concerning the consultation process, in the full spirit of co-operation, the Bahamas government and the Port Authority and major licensees continued fruitful discussions for the implementation of arrangements to bring significant growth and job creation to the economy of Freeport.”

The statement added that, prior to the delivery of Justice Charles’ judgment, the government and stakeholders “successfully concluded an agreement on the way forward.”

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, May 9, 2016, PAGE 7

Roberts hails PLP’s success four years after election win

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Chairman Bradley Roberts branded the FNM impact as inconsequential and bereft of political prowess as he marked the fourth anniversary of his party’s electoral victory in 2012.

But in a statement released last night, FNM Chairman Sidney Collie pushed back, questioning exactly what the government has to celebrate in the face of the unopened Baha Mar resort and a record murder count.

Mr Roberts highlighted the PLP administration’s progress across sectors of labour, health, energy, education and crime in a statement released on Friday.

“The incredible progress our country has made over this short period of time reflects the indomitable spirit and confidence of the Bahamian people,” he said in a statement.

“I am proud of the work the country has done together.

“Since 2012, when unemployment had doubled during the previous five years, the economy has added over 20,000 jobs in just four

PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts. years. We remain confident of an imminent resolution to Baha Mar to the benefit of thousands of Bahamian families and our national economy.

“The approval and execution of scores of heads of agreements for tourismrelated projects in various stages of development will sustain the growth of the Bahamas economy in the near to medium term.

“I have said this before

and I will say it again: when the FNM clearly lacked the strength of leadership, courage, confidence and political will to make the difficult, unpopular but necessary policy decisions to secure the future of our country, the PLP government stared down these national challenges and boldly confronted them.

“The FNM was practically inconsequential over the last four years - literally

betting against the Bahamian people every step of the way.”

Mr Roberts pointed to demonstrable signs of growth and economic diversification in several Family Islands, and the ongoing progress restoring hurricane-ravaged communities.

“We are especially optimistic about the strides made in Grand Bahama with its infrastructural development,” he said, “the reform of the Grand Bahama Port Authority; the apprenticeship programme in the industrial sector; the depth of stakeholder involvement in that island’s economic future and the overall confidence investors have expressed in the potential of our country’s second largest market.”

He also commended the government on fiscal and gaming reforms, which he termed as tough but successful policy decisions.

The PLP chairman noted that Bahamians were on the verge of universal healthcare for the first time in history, and encouraged citizens to rebuff naysayers.

“We are encouraged by the level of stakeholder consultation and the expansion of the country’s health infrastructure. Just

as the government of The Bahamas made good on its promise to bring relief to thousands of CLICO policyholders in making the policies whole, the government is fully committed to universal health insurance coverage.

He also pointed to recent meetings between international heads of state on matters of energy and crime as a testament to the government’s commitment to sustainability and citizen security.

However, Mr Collie said that while PLP officials celebrate, the people “are suffering.”

“The dubious achievements that they celebrate have brought The Bahamas to the brink,” Mr Collie said. “In the last four years the country has taken giant steps backwards as the PLP has failed to deliver on their many promises. In fact the only consistencies we’ve seen in the past four years are the PLP broken promises and empty rhetoric. The PLP chairman’s celebratory back-slapping was simply more of the same.”

“This government celebrates progress while Baha Mar sits vacant and empty and the 5,000 promised jobs go unfulfilled. Our

economy has shrunk for two straight years and our national debt continues to increase at an unsustainable rate and yet the PLP boasts of progress. “Thousands more Bahamians are unemployed today than four years ago. Homes and businesses are being foreclosed left, right and centre due to the PLP’s unfulfilled mortgage relief programme and more and more Bahamians are being added to the poverty statistics and yet this uncaring governing party brags and celebrates.”

He added: “The PLP boasts of progress while hundreds of our young men and women literally die on our streets each year. The fear of crime stalks our land as our murder rate hits record highs in the past two years and is well on its way to hitting another record this year. This government proclaims progress as taxpayers are forced to foot the bill for a $100 million bailout of the struggling Bank of the Bahamas . . .”

Mr Collie added that Mr Roberts and his party must be living in “La La Land”.

The PLP will hold a thanksgiving service at New Destiny Baptist Church on May 22.

• See Insight

INVESTIGATION URGED OVER ‘HOMOPHOBIC ATTACK’

from page one

A video recording of a fight that took place on Saturday went viral over the weekend alongside a voice recording of a distraught woman, who claimed that two of her gay friends were beat up because of their appearance.

In the video, a group of men and women can be seen swinging metal chairs and fighting. Although several police officers were standing by, only a male inspector is seen making an attempt to break up the fight as three other female officers observe the scene.

“My two gay friends just get beat like a dog,” the unidentified woman sobs in the voice recording.

“We was on Nassau Street and they beat them just for having on tight shirt, they beat them bad. My friend teeth out his mouth and everything, they ain’t do nothing they just was walking over to Super Value.

They just was walking, they get beat for nothing,” the woman claimed.

Assistant Commissioner Stephen Dean yesterday confirmed that the incident captured on video was one of several fights that took place on Saturday; however, he said that no complaint had been filed in connection with the matter. He said he had not received any report that the matter involved members of the LGBT community.

In his statement, Mr Roberts warned that hate speech used on social media to advance an agenda

against the upcoming gender equality referendum could encourage “hate crimes”, and called for a full investigation and prosecution.

Mr Roberts said: “I am being advised that various anti-gay slurs and obscenities were hurled at these two young victims during the attack; the victims have reportedly received medical attention for their injuries.

“The Progressive Liberal Party condemns all forms of violence, but unprovoked mob violence and crimes fuelled by hate and bigotry are particularly heinous,” he said.

“The inflammatory vitriol and hate filled rhetoric that various groups have spewed on social media could have unintended consequences and inflict collateral damage in the form of hate crimes as these groups advance their misguided agenda against the upcoming gender equality referendum.”

Mr Roberts stressed that the “dastardly” act was an “isolated” incident, and offered assurances to the international community that the country was still a safe place to visit.

“Cowardly acts of this nature are intolerable and the PLP has every confidence that the perpetrators will be swiftly caught and swiftly punished,” he added.

Yesterday, Ms Greene said she found the video troubling due to the large number of women participating in the brawl. She also pointed out that three of the police officers did not appear to be trying to re-

CHOIR HIT BY THIEVES IN FLORIDA THE College of The Bahamas’ Concert Choir had thousands of dollars worth of items stolen during a trip to Florida last week ahead of several performances.

According to international reports, the group of 31 students and four professors stopped at a restaurant in the Hollywood, Florida area around 10pm last Wednesday.

Around 1am, as they were leaving the establish-

ment, the group realised their vans had been broken into.

According to Florida reports, nearly $6,000 in cash and valuables was stolen, including some of the choir members’ passports.

Local 10 News reported that nine members had their passports stolen and were issued emergency travel documents.

The choir has performed at several international ven-

MAN FOUND DEAD IN POOL

By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sbrown@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was found dead floating in a swimming pool off East Bay Street early Friday morning.

According to police, shortly after 8am officers received reports of a body floating in a pool. When officers arrived they discov-

ered the submerged lifeless body of an adult male.

The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death.

Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.

solve the matter, with one officer in the video walking away from the altercation.

Ms Greene said: “I’m asking law enforcement and the Attorney General’s Office, the minister of national security to make available whatever resources are necessary to determine exactly what happened and to bring those responsible to justice whether the victims are LGBT or not.”

She feels the matter was “absolutely” connected to the tone of current national discourse on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights. Ms Greene noted that even if the victims were not gay, if they were perceived to be gay then it proved that heterosexual people can also be victims of violence directed at the gay community.

“Whether it is a matter

of LGBT people being attacked randomly or whether it was random or not that I call on political, religious, and social leaders to moderate and measure their words when they speak to ensure that they do not promote or incite violence of any kind,” she said, “but particularly violence toward vulnerable minority communities.”

She added: “As citizens in a democracy we must

always remember that we have to balance our faith to our obligations as citizens to the state and each other.”

The June 7 referendum seeks to eliminate gender discrimination from the Constitution.

However some critics fear that the fourth referendum question, which seeks to eliminate discrimination based on sex, could lead to gay marriage.

PAGE 8, Monday, May 9, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

VENDORS AWAIT RULING OVER CABBAGE BEACH ACCESS

THE ACCESS to Cabbage Beach on Paradise Island.

By RICARDO WELLS whether vendors had a right Tribune Staff Reporter to work on the beach. rwellls@tribunemedia.net According to Halston Moultrie, legal representaLEGAL counsel for the tive for the CBBOA, JusCabbage Beach Business tice Turner acceded to a Owners Association (CB- summons put forward by BOA) on Friday said they legal counsel for Access Inwere awaiting Supreme dustries, suggesting that the Court Justice Bernard association did not hold the Turner’s written ruling to legal position to file an indetermine the best way for- junction or block the propward in their bid to guar- erty’s owners from restrictantee access for vendors to ing vendors. the popular Paradise Island The summons insisted beach. that the association did not Justice Turner on Thurs- have the right to exist beday sided with Access cause vendors were not emIndustries, the landown- ployees hired by property ers, over the dispute over owners but each operator

was contracted to provide a service. Access Industries is further charging that those vendors signed agreements giving the property owners the right to cancel the contracts at any time.

In 2014, the ownership of the Cabbage Beach property was transferred from Atlantis (Brookfield) to a subsidiary of Access Industries, the One&Only Ocean Club. Prior to the sale of the property, Atlantis (Brookfield) had allowed access to the beach via an easement through their private property; however, the company had

petitioned the government on several occasions to address the unregulated vendor operation there.

In early December the vendors association filed an injunction in the Supreme Court to prevent Access Industries from restricting access via the easement. Subsequently, a 30-day injection was put in place. Further applications were made to get that injunction extended, but motions were eventually denied, allowing Access Industries the leeway to erect a fence to restrict access to the beach atop its

property.

Mr Moultrie on Friday said he was not able to properly advise his clients on the best way forward. He explained that without Justice Turner’s written ruling in hand, he and other legal representatives for the CBBOA were unable to plot the proper course of action, stating: “We need to know his exact reasoning before we take our next step. We know he sided with them, but we need to know clearly why.”

Mr Moultrie Told the Tribune that there are two courses of action facing the

Photo: Tim Clarke/Tribune Staff CBBOA; to appeal or for individual vendors to petition the court to have access granted.

An appeal is expected to be filed if Justice Turner’s written ruling is not backed by legal claims beyond those of Access Industries.

If it is, Mr Moultrie is expected to lead single petitions by each vendor, sustaining that if the CBBOA does not have the legal right to block the closure, with vendors being viewed as businessowners should.

Justice Turner’s written ruling will be presented on Tuesday.

Defence Force officer and girlfriend charged over break-in at BTC store

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A ROYAL Bahamas Defence Force officer and his girlfriend were arraigned in a Magistrate’s court on

Friday for their alleged involvement in a break-in and theft at the Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s JFK location last week.

Darien Miller, 32, and his girlfriend, 25-year-old Ste-

phenique Jones, of 8 Blue Hill Road, appeared before Magistrate Andrew Forbes to face shop breaking, stealing from a shop and receiving charges in connection with last week’s controversial theft from the RND

Plaza store.

It is alleged that both Miller and Jones stole upwards of $20,000 in cash, cheques and mobile phones and other devices and also allegedly received over $1,000 worth of mobile phones albeit knowing that they were obtained or appropriated by an offence.

Their arraignments came days after two former policemen, constables Ricardo Henry Bain and Herman Lawrence Pinder, pleaded guilty before Magistrate Forbes to stealing three Samsung Galaxy J1 phones after responding to a break-in at the store last Thursday.

The two men were dispatched to investigate the break-in, but instead allegedly helped themselves to the three phones which they stuffed in their chest

area. The alleged theft was captured on the store’s hidden camera.

Both constables have been ordered to pay a fine of $3,000 by Friday or spend 18 months at the Department of Correctional Services.

Regarding the charges against Miller and Jones, it is alleged that some time between April 28 and 29, both individuals, being concerned together, stole $10,023.44 in cash, $9,098.76 in cheques, 50 mobile phones and devices valued at $1,580.50 and a steel safe valued at $2,000, all property of BTC. It is also alleged that both Miller and Jones received three Samsung J5 mobile phones valued at $623.22 and one LG G4 mobile phone at $542.18, together valued at $1,165.40, whilst knowing the aforemen-

tioned were obtained or appropriated by an offence.

It is also alleged that sometime between April 28 and 29, both Miller and Jones, being concerned together and with others, broke into and entered BTC with the intent to steal.

Both Miller and Jones pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Jones also faced a separate charge of stealing by reason of employment from a matter that allegedly transpired earlier this year.

It is alleged that Jones, on February 21, stole $90 from Esso On-The-Run on Prince Charles Drive, to which she had access by reason of her employment.

She plead not guilty to the charge.

Magistrate Forbes, after hearing the not guilty pleas, adjourned both matters until July 4 at 10am.

DUTCHWOMAN ADMITS IMPORTING ECSTASY PILLS

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A DUTCHWOMAN on Friday pleaded guilty to importing three pounds of ecstasy pills into the Bahamas last week.

Natasha Euredise Juliette Mital, 37, stood before Magistrate Andrew Forbes facing four drug-related charges stemming from a seizure at the Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) last Saturday.

According to police reports, around 3.30pm on April 29, officers from the Drug Enforcement Unit, acting on information, con-

ducted a search of a suitcase at the LPIA, where they uncovered just over three pounds of ecstasy pills.

Two adult women, one from Amsterdam and the other from Jamaica, were subsequently taken into custody.

On Friday, Mital was charged with possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply, conspiracy to possess dangerous drugs, importation of dangerous drugs and conspiracy to import dangerous drugs. She pleaded guilty to all of the charges.

Before Magistrate Forbes delivered his judgement however, Mital’s attorney

asked the court to exercise leniency, claiming that she was remorseful and “deeply apologetic” for her actions.

Mital’s attorney also noted that she pleaded guilty at the earliest convenience and as such, was not desirous to waste the court’s time.

However, Magistrate Forbes ultimately convicted Mital on all four counts, imposing a fine of $15,000 and two years’ imprisonment, to run concurrently.

On payment of the fine and/or completion of her term in prison, Mital is to be handed over to the Department of Immigration, Magistrate Forbes ordered.

THREE AMERICANS ARRESTED OVER FIREARMS THREE American men have been arrested for possession of firearms and ammunition after a search of their boat in the Cat Cay area in the northern Bahamas.

Police reported that on Saturday shortly before 5pm, Royal Bahamas Defence Force Officers on board HMBS Cascarilla stopped and searched a 40ft vessel in the Cay Cay area.

They discovered two 9mm pistols and 56 rounds of ammunition on board which the men had failed to declare to Bahamas Customs.

The three American men were taken into custody along with the vessel and handed over to police officers in Bimini. They are expected to be arraigned before the Magistrate Court this week.

Grand Bahama Police also reported that a pistol was seized Saturday evening from a man on East Sunrise Highway.

Shortly after 7pm, officers were on East Sunrise Highway when they arrested the man after he was discovered with a 9mm pistol with ammunition. He is expected to be arraigned before the Magistrate Court this week.

PAGE 4 MONDAY, MAY 9, 2016

Today Insight - taking Bradley Roberts to task on four years of selfcongratulatory PLP government; Richard Coulson on Jerome Fitzgerald and the plot to destabilise government Business - the developer of Blackbeard’s Cay, Samir Andrawos, says his 90 staff are threatened with “irreparable harm” by ongoing legal issues affecting the troubled $9m project, Neil Hartnell reports Sports - Bahamian track stars

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

THIS WEEK IN The Tribune

Shaunae Miller and Jeffrey Gibson win in Jamaica and the latest in the series of ‘242 on the Road to Rio’

mayhem by Inigo “Naughty” Zenicazelaya

opinion from Adrian Gibson on the hot topics in the country

Wednesday

Plus the latest properties for sale and rent in the Home Buyers’ Guide

‘On da Hook’, a weekly look at fishing in The Bahamas

Tribune Tech - a weekly look at what’s new in the world of technology

Friday

Tuesday

Plus Larry Smith’s forthright Tough Call column

Woman and Health - weekly advice on taking care of your mind and body and women making waves in The Bahamas Plus comment from Nicole Burrows and sporting mischief and

Thursday Obituaries and Religion, a weekly review Young Man’s View - trenchant

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

Sports - The Finish Line, a look at the local sports scene, by Brent Stubbs

Saturday The Tribune’s Top 5: a special video review of the week’s top stories by Khrisna Virgil on www.tribune242.com Every day in The Tribune, news, business, sports and Classifieds Trader.

Plus breaking news and updates on your mobile-friendly tribune242.com

New energy needed in the Caribbean

“The cost of electricity per kilowatt hour is as high as 45 US cents in the Caribbean; in the United States it is five US cents.

Doing any kind of business in the Caribbean, when compared with the US, is extremely high. And, the comparison is not true only in relation to the US; a similar contrast exists with costs in European Union countries and many states in Latin America.”

World View

Weekend - a 28-page section devoted to the best in arts, music, fashion, food, books, entertainment, gardening, animal matters, fitness, history and interviews

Plus A Comic’s View - Naughty’s unique take on the week in The Bahamas

THE transformation of the energy sector in Caribbean countries is the key to improving the economies of all of them. Sustainably cheaper energy supplies for tourism, manufacturing, transportation and agriculture would contribute significantly to reduced costs in each of these sectors,

boosting their production and making them more competitive internationally.

On the flip side of this argument, unless Caribbean countries do transform their energy sectors, their costs of production will continue to rise and they will become increasingly uncompetitive. In turn, this will reduce employment, expand poverty, shrink the amount of revenues available to governments for spending on health, education and infrastructure.

Apart from Trinidad and Tobago, which is an oil and gas producer, the cost of electricity per kilowatt hour is as high as 45 US cents in the region; in the United States it is five US cents.

The comparison speaks for itself. Doing any kind of business in the Caribbean, when compared with the US, is extremely high. And, the comparison is not true only in relation to the US; a similar contrast exists with costs in European Union countries and many states in Latin America.

The energy sector, therefore, presents a great opportunity for every Caribbean country if advantage is taken of it. Doing so, however, is by no means easy. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat estimates that $20 billion in investments will be required if countries are collectively to fulfil by 2027 the roadmap and strategies that they have set themselves.

One thing is for sure: cash-strapped and highly indebted as many Caribbean governments are, the required investment cannot come from public finance resources alone; much of the capital outlay will have to come from the private sector, particularly foreign companies with an established track record in renewable energy sources rather than oil.

That proposition raises a number of issues, not least among them resistance from local companies with a vested interest in maintaining the present energy system. In some Caribbean countries, companies responsible for delivering electricity or selling it to the national grid currently earn huge profits from their operations, particularly as they are either poorly regulated or not regulated at all. Hence, they set rates without any independent

calculation or verification of their costs; they simply negotiate rates with governments, many of whom have little room for hard bargaining.

The establishment of strong, effective and wellqualified regulatory agencies in many parts of the Caribbean is, therefore, an important first step in energy transformation. Rates have to be set on justifiable and transparent grounds with a reasonable level of profitability for dividends to shareholders and reinvestment for expansion and upgrading of plant and equipment.

Another key area is creating conditions for investment. Such conditions should not involve giving away taxes and duties. Investment in the energy sector ought to be focused on renewable energy sources, such as thermal, solar and wind so that they can be added to the energy mix, resulting in lower costs to consumers. And, such investment should allow reasonable rates of return on investment without governments giving away tax revenues.

Attracting such investment will require legislation for fair regulation, rights to repatriate dividends from profits, and provisions against nationalisation without compensation at market prices.

The task, while hard, is not impossible. Studies show that the US Virgin Islands, in 2015, had reduced dependency on fossil fuel by approximately 20 per cent from seven years ago.

And Costa Rica produced 99 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources in 2015 and is still developing new geothermal and wind resources that will generate more energy in the future.

These are only two examples of many, but both these countries are competitors of the 14 CARICOM nations. The comparison underlines the point that, without energy transformation, CARICOM countries will become uncompetitive in almost every sector and their economies will decline.

Addressing energy transformation assumes a greater urgency because many of the existing power plants are old and inefficient. The cost of replacing them and their distribution systems, which must be undertaken as much for the social needs of the local population as

for the imperatives of economic growth and development, would be considerably cheaper and sustainable in the medium and long term if sustainable energy sources are employed.

A few Caribbean countries have started down the road of developing renewable sources of energy. For instance, the possibilities of geothermal energy are being explored in Dominica, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and St KittsNevis. In Antigua and Barbuda, a three megawatt solar plant has been installed and is operating. Jamaica is now way ahead of the pack with huge private sector investments in wind and solar energy, contributing to an average price of electricity of US 24 cents per kilowatt hour, down from US 40 cents in 2011.

In Washington, DC, on Wednesday, a US-Caribbean meeting was held, under the Chairmanship of US Vice President Joe Biden.

The meeting was beneficial because it exposed Caribbean countries to US companies with which they might partner in transitioning the energy sector from total reliance on fossil fuels to a mix with renewable energy sources.

The most significant event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Inter-American Development Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank, the United States Department of Energy and the CARICOM Secretariat. Importantly, one of the goals of the MOU is to establish an “Energy co-financing Facility for Caribbean Sustainability”, particularly focused on efforts to attract international investors.

It is on access to funding that greater emphasis and effort have to be devoted to attract investment on terms that benefit both the investor and the countries in which they invest, and to give the Caribbean region the energy it needs.

Sir Ronald Sanders is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organisation of American States. He is also Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, London University and Massey College, Toronto University. The views expressed are his own. Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com

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PAGE 10, Monday, May 9, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

DESTRA, Queen of Bacchanal, during her concert on Friday.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Carnival is a win, win, win

from page one

careers of a new generation of Bahamian music stars.

“When we launched Junkanoo Carnival we did it on a basis that it was going to be strengthening the culture of The Bahamas, adding another dimension to it and creating an opportunity for Bahamians to make money out of doing what they love,” he said.

“We believe that they will be inspired by it, that it will be an engine where thousands of Bahamians enjoy themselves and new stars will be born in The Bahamas.

I’ve been interviewed now by a number of American news stations, by yourself, and we are generating a tremendous amount of interest.”

With news of high murder rates often reverberating throughout the commonwealth, Mr Christie said events like carnival provide

D Mac’s dancers heat up the stage. an important counterpoint is on watching this happen.” to the narrative “naysayers” On Friday night, local promote about the direc- band Visage entertained tion in which the country is the crowd performing a headed. medley of their hits. Next, “This is the key ingredi- contestants in the finals of ent of success,” he said. “We the Music Masters contest can assemble thousands of took to the stage all vying people to enjoy the music for the grand prize. and have no violence, no Trinidadian singer Destra criminality, no misbehav- closed out the event, taking iour because the emphasis the stage after Wyclef Jean.

PATRICE Roberts on stage at Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival.

DESTRA encouraging an audience member to take off his pants on stage during carnival.

WYCLEF Jean making a grand entrance in Junkanoo style.

SAMMI Star in action during the Music Masters event.

THE TRIBUNE

LADY E in action at Music Masters.

Monday, May 9, 2016, PAGE 15 11

TARRUS Riley on stage during Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival.

EBONY on stage in an eye-catching costume.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

FANSHAWN, who won the Music Masters event ahead of Sammi Star, in second, and Lady E, in third and fourth.

AMONG the entertainers taking part were, from left, Colyn McDonald, Jive and Terrelle Tynes-Wilson.

WENDI LEWIS, of the Visage Band.

WYCLEF Jean playing a guitar with his teeth.

DESTRA getting into the mood during Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival.

PAGE 12, Monday, May 9, 2016

A CARNIVALGOER taking part in the Road Fever parade on Saturday.

THE TRIBUNE

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

ROAD FEVER HEATS UP THE STREETS

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE Fetish Junkanoo Carnival Company was crowned the winner of the second annual Road Fever Parade, which was hailed as “a step in the right direction” despite being marred by delays and confusion throughout Saturday afternoon.

The 60-strong group captivated the crowd with its theme ‘Sun, Sand and Sea’, depicting the “sensations of a true Bahamian escape.”

Showcasing several indigenous cocktails to the Bahamas, Fetish incorporated choreographed dance routines that mimicked the drinks’ creation, style and presentation.

The group beat Bahamas Masqueraders, last year’s winner, to secure the $7,500 grand prize. The runnersup received $5,000, while third placed Enigma received $2,500.

In the best use of indigenous materials, Barabbas Carnival Tribe was awarded the first placed prize of $7,500. The second placed prize of $5,000 went to Enigma and the third placed prize of $2,500 went to Friends of Gus. Additionally Enigma emerged victorious in the best section category and was awarded $7,500. Bahamas Masqueraders claimed both the second and third place prizes for a total of $7,500.

Local singer Fanshawn Taylor won the 2016 Music Masters competition on Friday night. Her song ‘Dig up the Road’, was also voted best Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival Road Fever song.

Saturday’s parade arrived at Da Cultural Village around 7pm, approximately eight hours after revelers departed the Thomas A Robinson track and field stadium.

According to parade organisers, the first of the 26 groups due at Da Cultural

Village had been set to arrive at 5pm. However Bahamas Masqueraders did not reach the stage-gate until 7.05pm, 35 minutes after the arrival of the BTC title sponsor pace group.

Organisers blamed a markedly longer parade route for Saturday’s delays.

This year’s route was lengthened by co-ordinators to appease members of the carnival band community who had demanded a sizeable increase in the route.

After leaving the Thomas A Robinson stadium, participants marched onto Bethel Avenue en route to Tonique Williams-Darling Highway, north on Blue Hill Road, west on Poinciana Drive, north on Nassau Street and finally into Da Cultural Village.

Once at the Western Esplanade finish line, things became more perplexing as many of the bands had merged along the route, meaning judges had to scramble to determine themes and identify sections of each band.

Ahead of the parade each group had been allotted 10 minutes to parade across the judges’ station. Of those 10 minutes, two were allotted for each section of the group; any additional time resulted in penalties.

The third group to enter the judges’ station was a mesh of five bands - Spilligate, JunkaBrations Limited, Junkanoo Commandos, STARZ and Indigenous Road Fever Carnival Band - all with separate themes and multiple sections.

The confusion forced judges to again slow the pace of the parade further to ensure that each band was properly judged and scored.

Other mergers included the Reckless Pirates, Sting Carnival Group Bahamas and Empire of Love; Fusion Mas Band and Euphoria Madness Junkanoo Carnival; and finally, Rhythms Bahamas Carnival Band

and Explosion.

Road Fever spokesperson Freddie Munnings Jr admitted that Bahamas National Festival Commission officials would have to adjust a number of key elements to the parade to ensure that it flows more efficiently in the future.

Mr Munnings acted as parade marshal on Saturday.

“Obviously we need management, more marshals and a more cohesive plan to ensure that no matter the size of the parades or the amount of groups that we would be able to efficiently move the parade through,” he told The Tribune at the conclusion of the Road Fever Parade.

“I mean we get it. We understand that people, once on the road, want to have as much fun and enjoyment as possible. We know that participants want to put on a performance and all that comes with it. So moving forward we have to find creative ways to fold in these critical elements to ensure that those on the road are happy, while spectators are

able to watch in an enjoyable way.”

Mr Munnings said he was “unequivocally” impressed by the success of the parade. He noted that despite timing and organisational issues, the parade must be graded on its ability to draw participants and grow the Bahamian culture.

Mr Munnings said that of the 26 groups involved in Saturday’s parade, nearly 20 incorporated the natural sound of Junkanoo, all incorporated authentic Junkanoo costume designs and one, Enigma, incorporated an entire Junkanoo section into its band.

Prime Minister Perry Christie, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe, Agriculture Minister V Alfred Gray and Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Bradley Roberts were all present to take in the sights and sounds of Saturday’s parade.

Mr Christie was also at the start of the parade, touring many groups and spurring on participants.

Mr Christie told The Tribune that the Road Fever

MEMBERS of the victorious Fetish group in Road Fever.

Parade has quickly grown to a level to which the government could “completely stand back from it”, implying that the parade and its organisation was now at a place where private resources and planning could take over and sustain the project.

In 2015, the government offered all the participating bands funding packages to allow them to offer costumes to the public

at a discounted price. The mechanism was engineered to ensure both band and public participation.

This year, the government did not offer any seed funding to groups, however, with an increase in corporate sponsorship, parade participation doubled.

Bahamas Masqueraders, the largest group in Saturday’s parade, had some 400 people participating in Road Fever.

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PAGE 14, Monday, May 9, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Failings in Freedom of Information consultation

By MATTHEW AUBRY DURING Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald’s comments last Wednesday in Parliament, he spoke to the need for greater public consultation on the proposed Freedom of information Act (FOIA) 2015. He referenced that there would be public consultative meetings on the revised bill over the next six weeks and that the bill and other pertinent information is available on the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology’s (MOEST) website and Facebook page.

While the Organization for Responsible Governance (ORG) applauds the MOEST and the Minister for their initiative on this matter, we must inform them that there is no schedule of upcoming meetings on either the MOEST website or Facebook page nor is a copy of the draft bill available to the public on the Ministry’s website. Further, notices on one MOEST website asks citizens to send their comments or questions on the proposed FOIA draft to a MOEST email and/or a call in number.

Sadly, in at least three cases, the ORG has been unable to obtain a reply after submitting such en-

The Organisation for Responsible Governance, Citizens for a Better Bahamas, The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce, The Nassau Institute, The Bahamas Bar Association, We the People, HeadKnowles and Save The Bays, have partnered to arrange a Public Education Forum on Tuesday, May 10, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts, Mackey Street, at which the public can learn about the importance of freedom of information, the government’s proposed legislation as well as express their opinion. quiries. Additionally, calls made by the ORG to the listed phone number have gone to a generic voice mail and have not been returned.

The ORG implores the Ministry of Education and the Attorney General’s Office to ensure that the necessary revised draft FOIA legislation is provided to the public in advance of a suitable number of scheduled public education and consultation town hall meetings, to be held around the country.

A strong Freedom of Information Act will have long-reaching implications to the future of our nation, similar to those of the Gender Equality Referendum.

Freedom of information is the first critical step to the correction of a massive number of serious government ailments that are undermining the stability of the Bahamian government and the Bahamas. Both the public perception and/or reality of government corrup-

tion, cronyism, nepotism or extortion are significant problems for the socioeconomic wellbeing of the Bahamas, and these ills will only be combated by the enactment of a highly respected and effective freedom of information act.

The ORG has assembled a committee of local and international experts who will compare and contrast the Bahamas FOIA legislation, when released, with a number of other highly respected acts as recognised by the Centre for Law and Democracy’s Right to Information Rating as seen at http://www.rti-rating.org/.

We must ensure that the Bahamas Freedom of Information Act draws from international best practices and relevant benchmarks.

An example would be India, which has legislation that is written in English; is no.3 on the Right To Information Rating; and as a Commonwealth nation, shares a similar legislative system.

ORG’s committee remains ready and willing to work with the Government’s appointed FOIA committee to integrate these practices into their proposed legislation to ensure the strongest FOIA legislation possible for the Bahamas.

There are a number of issues in the 2015 Proposed Bill which should draw the concern of the Bahamian public. For example, the 2015 draft gives the Minister of Information overwhelming power to withhold information from the public as well as stipulates that the “Independent” Information Officer be selected by the Prime Minister. In ORG’s opinion, and that of our experts, this is most assuredly a case of the fox guarding the hen house and is unacceptable. This is why public input from citizens, local experts and civil society organizations, like ORG is essential.

However, it is impossible for there to be any meaningful civil society consultation without the issuance of the revised FOIA draft or some reference material. There must be sufficient time for any number of civil society organisations to digest the revisions and properly compare and contrast the draft against other highly respected FOIAs and then to

formulate a meaningful response to the Government.

In his comments to Parliment, Mr Fitzgerald noted: “This bill is for the people and therefore the people must have a forum by which to voice their concerns and give their feedback and comments.” The irony is that there seems to be no transparency surrounding the very act that is to provide government transparency.

The Ministry of Education must be aware of its failure to achieve the required consultative objectives as only 15 people attended its public consultative meeting in Nassau two weeks ago, and only four attended the Grand Bahama meeting the following week.

FOIA has generated a tremendous amount of social media chatter over the last six months indicating that the poor attendance being attained at the MOEST public meetings is due to poor scheduling and inadequate marketing of the meetings.

To facilitate greater public education and participation, ORG, Citizens for a Better Bahamas, The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce, The Nassau Institute, The Bahamas Bar Association, We the People, HeadKnowles and Save

The Bays, have partnered to arrange a Public Education Forum tomorrow from 6.30pm to 8.30pm at the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts. There the public can learn about the importance of freedom of information, the government’s proposed legislation as well as express their opinion.

Once Bahamians make their concerns known, the government must abide by the public’s stated wishes and demonstrate a commitment to transparency and the rule of law, both cornerstones of good governance.

FOIA’s success is highly dependent on an Independent Information Officer and Regulatory Body free of government influence (except on matters of National Security), and freedom of the press and free speech free of political victimisation or government reprisal. The media and press are heavily encouraged to take a proactive role in ensuring that these pillars of freedom and democracy are upheld no matter the cost. Knowledge is power.

Matthew Aubry is the Executive Director for the Organization for Responsible Governance

Company’s anger at Clifton plant over covering of soot

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net A LOCAL landscaping company is calling for heightened environment awareness of pollution from Bahamas Power and Light’s (BPL) Clifton Pier plant after its entire facility was covered in soot.

Mark Thompson, of Nature’s Way, said the plants, trucks and buildings on his five-acre plot at South Ocean were covered with a black greasy residue when he arrived on Friday morning.

He believes BPL’s Clift-

on Pier plant is the culprit, pointing out that the change in wind direction had sent what appeared to be “black snow” inland rather than out to sea.

“I’m pretty sure it’s the soot from the Clifton Pier plant because the wind was blowing from the west,” Mr Thompson said. “Normally winds are from the east so it blows it out to the ocean.

Now it’s all over my property. It’s residue from the exhaust and it’s everywhere.

It’s a lot and when you wipe it it’s greasy.

“I’m not talking about a little bit so you can imagine the volume that’s daily go-

ing into the ocean. It’s still all over the ground. It’s all in the ponds that we have, with fish in them, the water lilies.

“This is another example of what’s happening ecologically with BPL. In my mind it’s a pretty big problem because it shows how much is being pushed out into the air from BPL. They are lucky it normally goes away from land but now it’s all over the place like it snowed last night.”

The electricity company has dispatched a team to investigate the complaint, according to BPL Commications Manager Arnette

Ingraham, who said the company will conduct remediation if necessary.

The Clifton Pier Power Station been heavily scrutinised for a litany of pollution-related issues and is at the centre of a bid by the Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay, the environmental activist group, to obtain a Supreme Court injunction barring the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) from further oil-related discharges at Clifton Pier.

In Supreme Court documents obtained by Tribune Business, Bharti Jones, BEC’s safety and environ-

ment manager for New Providence, revealed that the corporation is currently dedicating $920,000 annually to the clean-up and mitigation efforts at Clifton Pier. Of this budget, some $500,000 covers labour costs, while $100,000 and $300,000 are allocated to materials and supplies, respectively. The $20,000 balance goes towards maintenance.

On February 9, PowerSecure signed a five-year management services agreement with the Government to run BPL, BEC’s newlycreated operating subsidiary.

SOOT covering one of the vehicles of the company.

HOPE TO BRING MEDICAL SCHOOL TO GRAND BAHAMA

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie and Minister of Health Dr Perry Gomez led high level discussions with medical officials of the University of Miami in Freeport on Friday concerning a possible extension of a medical school in Grand Bahama, where there are plans for a new state-of-theart medical facility.

The discussions were with Dr Pascal J Goldschmidt, MD, an internationally renowned cardiologist and cardiovascular researcher who is Senior Vice President for Medical Affairs and Dean of the University of Miami Leonard M Miller School of Medicine.

Dr Goldschmidt also serves as Chief Executive Officer of the University of Miami Health System (UHealth), which includes three hospitals and more than a dozen outpatient facilities in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Collier counties, with more than 1,200 physicians and 8,000 staff.

“I am very happy we have had advanced discussions … I have argued that this is the best place to have an extension of the University of Miami medical school,” Mr Christie said. The Prime Minister said that the Minister of Grand Bahama, Dr Michael Darville, has had discussions with about private/public partnerships to actually build the institution.

“He is projecting between $100m and $150m,

but again if we are going to establish a relationship with the University of Miami we want the University of Miami to have some kind of interest in what we are doing with a view to giving us advice and having benefit of that advice,” Mr Christie stated.

He explained that while government is committed to the push to develop medical tourism it must proceed with due diligence. “There was a time when I was Minister of Health … but where The Bahamas had negative publicity because we were offering last hope, last chance clinics where people would come in with the hope of being cured from cancer and leave in body bags.

“It attracted the newspapers in Florida and what I said to my colleagues when we won the election in 2012 and we saw that applications were coming into The Bahamas that we must not take any step toward offering anything to people abroad without legislative support,” Mr Christie said.

Dr Goldschmidt said he is supportive of the Prime Minister for the future of medicine and future medical intervention in the country. “I find there is a very significant consistency in moving towards greatness and that is what we want to be a part of, and we will see how we can best contribute to that wonderful project,” he said.

The new facility will be a part of the College of The Bahamas, soon to become the University of The Bahamas, and the new hospital in Grand Bahama.