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The Tribune

Volume:114 No.119, MAY 12TH, 2017

Weekend

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

Friday, May 12, 2017 art books film fashion music food style garde ning carnival

Weekend

Flower power Pages 14&15

Stirring it up

WEEKEND: THE MARLEY RESORT COOKS UP A TREAT

Marley is back on the men Food, u page

Minnis sets out plan for govt

8&9

OBSERVERS POINT TO LACK OF TECHNOLOGY IN ELECTION

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net WHILE The Bahamas has maintained its record for executing free and fair elections, the country is in last place in the region when it comes to election technology.

In preliminary reports, electoral observers deployed by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the Organisation of SEE PAGE TEN

Bethel and Turnquest tipped to fill AG and Deputy PM posts

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

NEWLY elected Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis told The Tribune that during his first few days in office, his administration expects to review the government’s structure, look at various boards and compose the new Cabinet of The Bahamas.

While Dr Minnis would not reveal his Cabinet appointments, including who will fill the posts of attorney general and minister of finance, reliable sources informed this newspaper that former Senator Carl Bethel and party Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest will likely fill the two posts

respectively. However when asked, Mr Bethel denied the speculation.

The prime minister spoke briefly during a cocktail reception to celebrate his swearing in yesterday evening at Government House at Mt Fitzwilliam. As Dr Minnis was sworn in, Baha Mar’s first developer Sarkis Izmirlian was among wellwishers and supporters gathered to witness the fourth prime minister take the oath of office. During a brief interview with reporters, Mr Izmirlian said the Free National Movement taking office signalled a “great day for the country and for the prime minister” and was a wonderful day for The Bahamas.

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

and wide-reaching social programmes aiming to help at-risk youth.

Shortly after Dr Hubert Minnis was sworn in as the country’s fourth prime minister, his administration’s presumptive education and national security ministers addressed concerns surrounding the respective portfolios, with both men touting sweeping changes and innovative policies on the horizon.

SEE PAGE SIX

SEE PAGE SIX

EDUCATION AND CRIME ARE FIRST ITEMS ON FNM AGENDA THE incoming Minnis administration is expected to implement several of its campaign proposals in education and national security once the new session of Parliament convenes later this month, with officials signalling an end to social promotion, enhanced work environments for teachers

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis with Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling after being officially sworn in yesterday.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

ROKER VOTED AGAINST PLP AS THE NATION TURNED AGAINST CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Progressive Liberal Party Cabinet minister Loftus Roker told The Tribune yesterday that he voted against his party in the MICAL constituency on Wednesday out of respect for the country.

Mr Roker, who served in

ELECTION RESULTS

PAGE 10 the Pindling era, has spent much of the last three years speaking out against the flaws of the Christie administration.

Speaking to The Tribune from his home in Acklins

yesterday, Mr Roker said that while he respects the work of former Prime Minister Perry Christie during his time in public office, the alleged corruption that happened on his watch brought The Bahamas to a “new low”.

To that end, Mr Roker said the people of The Bahamas repaid Mr Christie in kind.

“Well, he is the first

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

prime minister to ever lose his seat and be pushed into retirement so strongly,” the former minister of immigration said.

“That is also a new low.

When you lose touch with the people generally, they lose confidence in you and they show you exactly how they feel in the way that they vote.”

SEE PAGE SEVEN

PAGE 2, Friday, May 12, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

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PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis speaking after being sworn in yesterday.

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FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham with JAMES ALBURY, MP for Central and South Abaco. Fred Smith QC.

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert A Minnis and GoverBRENT SYMONETTE, MP for St Anne’s, and Ren- nor General Dame Marguerite Pindling pictured ward Wells, MP for Bamboo Town. at yesterday’s ceremony.

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By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net  FORMER member of Parliament for Tall Pines Leslie Miller said yesterday he was not surprised that the Progressive Liberal Party was “wiped out� by the Free National Movement because “the hate� for former Prime Minister Perry Christie “was strong� throughout the country.

In an interview with The Tribune, after suffering another agonising defeat at the polls, Mr Miller said Bahamian people do not vote parties in, they vote them out. He said the PLP did not fulfil its promises to the people and “so we had to go.�

Mr Miller said he expects Mr Christie will resign as leader of the PLP and he predicted former Deputy Prime Minister Phillip “Brave� Davis will become the new leader of the party.

Mr Davis was one of only four PLP MPs who were reelected on Wednesday.

According to unofficial results, the FNM was able to pull off a stunning defeat of the PLP, securing a massive 35 of 39 constituencies. The Parliamentary Registration Department did not release full election results up to last night.

However from the unofficial numbers, it appeared that the PLP only captured four seats: Englerston; Cat Island and San Salvador; South Andros as well as Exuma and Ragged Island.

Mr Miller said the PLP will have to “regroup� and come up with a plan in the next few days. “I said from the beginning that the hate for Chris-

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By SANC lastRe thaatPLP wipeout. mitted of porter as al THE HEADLINE Leslie Miller warned f November iller ad Mr M Tribune Staf media.net uld have co t en ne m bu rn tri ve sett@ in the counthe go tie was see him to anymore, pu sob- they bad� for Mr Christie but the sdorstrong e assist the done mor ic like om Les- voted on try, much stronger than the us all out.

It was party needs to chart “a new ec P h M ug S E to N g LL PI lic durin is to Mhave he war FN ay e rd th ste people’sTA dislike for Dr Huand in war you course without him.� id ye sa id t bu es tim of lie M iller sa rt s no t of his pa bert Minnis. some ofd ha the troops to “Phillip ‘Brave� Davis tter an no be lu believes mos lleagues will kill so alternative co y leader.� d an “MrliaChristie everythe will be the new leader of the fereto mentary took ’s get ar ye xt ne r te af “gone� tio be with ost US one out him.

BahamiInns.2007, a report party,� Mr Miller said. is the mby l election. “T his election since 1967 generaare is th id sa an people funny when political strategy consultants “We will get together, ren so tio M r M iller al “extremely crucial elec us into a new ke they gowillagainst Greenberg Quinlan Rosner group and have a reflection ta ill w be anyou, they d an o , wh for the M illerChristie’s M r Mr ection say go against we found and chart our new course h� elThey future,�that e tougyou. ad y tr rt of Pa l er ra ist in Libe ressive we served as mwas Progwhat didn’t do should the without Mr Christie. I feel first there leadership the reason and predicted ges� and industry in (PLP)and tion, have done so it was the PLP lost that election bad for him, he went out in an inistra ch m e ad siv as ie “m ist be hr C ill Assemblyand time forw us to go.

I knew advised that he should a devastating fashion. Mr of se ou H . e said in th sy and te. win not be ea 2017 voto we wereafte not step “T down.

Senior PLPs deIngraham quit, Sir Lynden his will r thegoing r fo e ng Th hi yt ith w iewthink interv nnot take an caagainst we this easy but I did not cided acting then quit, but this is the first time In an up id e sa ar le r M iller d. The peop e, Mthis. antestalwart ibunlike - grthe it wouldTrbe The councillors a sitting prime minister did change, d frusand nt an wa y le gr op an pe e e set, th r people ar of Parliaout Dhis mandsubsequently ab de good members buttressed not get his seat. I will survive re ill ca “w t n’ d do they trated an , peoe FN M ey head to en thvoted ment who have been position. same consultthis loss but I feel for the and th sThe ni in ge� wh M t chan ou ex ts the said governmenin runHedo te involved vo out had nothing with ants were people, my loss is their loss. e pl at the polls.to th of r exodus� r hate fo e thei caus be cted “mass ke us, or ourpeperformance. ning the 2017 campaign, It is a pity it has to be like ns disliand ria r ta ei en th s am ed rli ce pa curren e group exto r sources, thaccording at “This was anotjudgment on adthis, but that is how life is.� wh y. t gu ou ab he ill t be t for the ot Movemen the primew minister hisl leadvised that MrSEChristie Mr Miller said the FNM REE E PAGE THwas Free Nationa t a reflection bu ership. The af-le be polling unfavourably. will not have an easy job but to offer went haspeople peop ow ba ter him, there sod�much Mr Miller, who had pre- he hopes the party can turn of “hwas

FF QUITS A T S F O F IE H C L A IT HOSP RS’ PAY O T C O D N O T H IG F AMID

hatred like what happened with Hubert Ingraham in 2012. The people got tired.

They got to their breaking point; they didn’t want to

dicted in November that most PLP MPs would be gone after the election because of people’s anger and frustration, said he “feels

the economy around or they will “be out just like us.�

Mr Miller lost his seat to FNM candidate Donald Saunders.

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R employA H A R BOU urdered in m d un fo s wa ee t in Freeport his apartmen orning after m y da es Tu on up to work. he did not show wayne Jack D , im ct vi e Th ier employed son, a cour rt Harbour po ee Fr at the bbed to deat was found sta 11am insid re fo be shortly Maxim Cou his unit at the f Ponce d of , ts Apartmen Leon Drive. understan The Tribune co -work e al that a fem to check who had gone he did n r Jackson afte , saw blo rk report to wo underne om fr g in ep se t’s door the apartmen e. lic po e th d te er al cident pu This latest in a’s mu m ha Ba nd ra es G d is the count to 16 an the cou homicide for rding to this year, acco s. rd Tribune’s reco SEE PAGE T

MINNIS: BTC PROBE JUST A DISTRACTIO

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By SANCHE Repo f Tribune Staf med ne sdorsett@ tribu nal FR EE Natio r D er ad Le ment yester M innis said ent’s the governm t of into the sale mu m mas Teleco TC) Company (B ss le ble and Wire an th nothing more e th tion� from real issues. w In an intervie advanced polling day.

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YEARS 0 0 1 HANNA MARTIN VOWS TO KEEP YGOING AS OUNG FOR ALLENEENW: AULR OUSTED MPS TURN THEIR BACKS ONCEPOLITICS CELIA RBTHETATENRNEL

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

QUEST

By AVA TURN Reporter f ie Ch e Tribun bunemedia.net aturnquest @ tri resignation TH E shock Margaret ss ce in Pr of the al chief ic ed m Hospital’s is sympay rd ste of staff ye discord er ep de tomatic of th adal he ic bl between pu d physicians, an ministrators e Consultant according to th f Associaians Staf Physicmy spend time with fam- as possible.�DR JAMES JOHNSON unofficial results. tics. I ran for the first time to carry out the initiatives tion (C PSA) . onths into Care Centre upon, esily,� Mr Gray, Ju former Like Alfred Sears, who in 2012 and was successful. we’ve m ’s Day embarked da- “We could’ve done better en m m co st fourMP re d ds at St Joseph a/Tribune Staff By AVA TUR r ar en D eg fri S sr d C di an M ily to , of rm ran on the PLP’s ap Hann Chi for MICAL, said. out tickettm inent (as a government),� he he conWhatever I do I’mPhnever those within y with fam cond te Tribunemy oto: Shawnpecially his se“I’m r 100th birthda signed tions on the poin lebrated were st @ t Johnson re ors. nqueseSmith cethere of politics andJaI’m Fort Charlotte, Mr ceded. “I going to back away from ministry, but not to mesfinished. aturthe doctRolle LIA think n CE e. ig af CE or re m ct fo r fe o fo ef o tw tw iate rday. See page individuX yeste with imamed e met numerous I should’ve gone long said he hardworking politics and advancing ideas vere extent that I’ve lost my PAGE SImany impass SEEresireaching an ospitals TH E imp ter stick H time ago. I will with dents who expressed perals.

Make no mistake about that will benefit the people capacity to understand what ic bl Pu e th nment’s er with n sio ci de its er the church andAdevelop my sonal affection for him but it: there was a lot of hard work of The Bahamas.� this new paradigm means. ov y rit utho bid to inst Christian life.� said they found other rea- to be done and a lot of hard Regarding the future of My team alone, their heart, an Re Urb e w gramm Mr Gray declined to dis- sons not to vote for the PLP. work that was done, but the the PLP, Mr Dorsett said the way they fought, the d un realisethe cuss the future of his party. “I ran into people who electorate told us we didn’t such matters should be ad- time they fought over cording to mian.� and days He said it would make no said ‘look man you are one work as hard as we should.� dressed internally and dismany weeks and a Baha hts as rig s er Commissio ad le n . io of daunting o un of affairsthe e intwthe sense to do so because he of the best we have ever Outgoing MP for South- closed confines face presAl Th statewithin on nt rrn re s du ge es ts gr en m LA Union Con their state e sures, SCAVEL eparty. mo ad ad st m Tr in Ju “won’t be a part of any po- had, we think you did your ern Shores Kenred Dorsett of the stood up and had rce

By NICO Fe en e er porter President Obi ional ing a press conf ich was general el e Staff Reaudit UC)for (TAs Tribun litical groupsâ€?. job,’ but‌â€? also said a forensic oft Mrs Hanna-Martheir voice Nat re, wh expressed - I edia.ne son, along with e Unions Rawson Squa a number of acknowle vella @ tribunem gu ca ns ad Khaalis Rolle, the outMr Rolle said he will de- the election in his constitu- tin, she said she was “disapcould never walkusaway.â€?s of the Tr by of ed Congress i- attend tic rio um- pointedâ€?

B) Pres C TUmost tatives of va (N going MP for Pinewood, cide with his wife whether ency will performed that of her to future leadenSpeaking untry’s two to as es m pr re E co ha Ba THbe is t o d envi- bling of t pu wh an , ay , er rd us io nd ste Pi lig ye re unions chalked the election result he will stick with politics. determine happened. at the polls.civic,ership of the PLP, said: horit dent John lost put she Aut brellawhat the colleagues ent of the l groups who the ort behind as � al“Of entathink e presid wer so th eir supprumours empoof up to the fact that the coun“I’ve already started to “Wethheard course the Bahamian that nd in light rvice ronm“I pp ay hi Se id be Fr t ic bl or ck la Pu su theirthe y bo ming “B money Bahamas utor onfeel upco i- people d m lle . try had an “impatient and look at what the next steps to what happened, have spoken, I results which was very ha ca ch Ba ar ), r m U fo calling Union (BPS � upcoming protest,and effortvery ughout very SI X that he thro intolerant electorate�. are, whether I’m returning being spent alls of that. honoured, punctuated, I GE think “make anI’m SEE PA ans and worker to come out workers to of the march in rt as pa m “When you ignore them to the business community It’s speculation.

We’re waitproud that the people of (PLP Leader Perry Chrisa ha be Ba The displeas- to r to “demonstrate your their place laytake sometimes they send you or not,� he said. ing for recount Englerston have sufficiently tie) will review the meaning orde and “dispto rcu s y’ tr e coun e� indotha messages and they are inIn charting its future, Mr then weurwill complete weighed my own involve- of it and he will do what he

GLENYS Hanna Martin, the only Progressive Liberal Party member to win a seat in New Providence, said yesterday the party will “keep going� despite its crushing “setback� at the polls on Wednesday.

She said the PLP is built on an ideology and will go full “steam ahead� despite the daunting task ahead.

The former minister of transport and aviation also dismissed rumours she had resigned in the wake of the PLP’s massive defeat.

Mrs Hanna Martin won Englerston with 1,814 votes.

Meanwhile, former Min- discriminate when they ister of Agriculture V Al- send messages,� he said. fred Gray said he is finished “It’s not the first time we’ve with politics and will now seen something like this. commit himself fully to We have to ensure our phichurch work and his Chris- losophy and our operation tian faith. and conduct are in line with The two were among sev- the needs and expectations eral PLP incumbents who of the electorate. When spoke to this newspaper a they go to the polls, they tell day after their defeat to the you if it is or not.

FNM. “If you don’t constantly The PLP won just four walk people through and seats, the party’s worst explain to people what you showing in an election. are doing and how it’s going Multiple senior PLP to benefit them long term, politicians, some consid- sometimes you create that ered powerhouses in party level of impatience,� Mr strongholds, lost their seats. Rolle said.

On Wednesday, outgoing Mr Rolle said he always MP for Golden Isles, Mi- knew it would be a tough chael Halkitis, also told this election to win and that’s newspaper that he too will why he never became comexit politics. fortable.

Others said yesterday that “I did my work,� he said. the party must now rebuild “If you look at my cameven as they were unsure of paigning, I did so everyday Friday, 12th May 2017 I needed to talk to their political futures. because “I’m going to relax and as many of my constituents

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Rolle said the PLP needs “real introspection that is devoid of emotions�.

As for advice for the incoming Minnis administration, he said the new government should dispassionately consider what the Christie administration did in determining the way forward for the party.

Mr Rolle lost to FNM candidate Rueben Rahming who won 2,284 votes to his 1,654, according to

examination.� ment and the involvement thinks is appropriate. He Calling the result an of the PLP to the extent will be given that opportuoverwhelming show of sup- that they have again given nity to do what he thinks is port for the FNM, Mr Dor- me a renewed mandate on appropriate. “The PLP will sett suggested his political their behalf in the House of keep going. This is a party career will continue.

Assembly. that is perpetuated by an th 2 25this berfor “I don’t think, to be hon“I would never turn my ideologyNand oveamlove est to myself and the people back n ontothe people who country. We’ve had a setsoo entrusted minghave of The Bahamas, I willco nevme with back, it’s a major one but er be done with politics,� their voice in the House of like people say it’s a set back he said. “I was very much Assembly, and how difficult for the great comeback. As interested before I graduat- it will be or not be Igdon’t difficult as it may appear, as er in Newspap Leadfearful. s’ not land Is ed university, when I came know, but I’m daunting as it is, we are cea am ah B & sau Nas back in 1985. I was always “I’m disappointed we mented in what we believe, behind the scenes in poli- don’t have an opportunity so full speed ahead.�

PAGE 4, Friday, May 12, 2017

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,

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

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FNM must not rest on their laurels after election win WHILE the Free National Movement’s overwhelming victory at the polls on Wednesday has sent seismic shockwaves through the whole nation, we hope that members of the new government will not be tempted to indulge in excessive selfcongratulation.

For, with the Progressive Liberal Party all but wiped out and in total disarray, the battle is over and it is never too soon to try to rebuild unity in this small country which needs to come together for the common good.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and his group of new parliamentary colleagues, many of whom are fresh to politics, would be less than human if they were not now enjoying with gusto the sweet smell of success. He, in particular, must be savouring his landslide victory after enduring unrelenting criticism, not only from the PLP but from his own party during the FNM’s lengthy period of internecine warfare.

But they should be careful not to rest on their laurels since they clearly need to embark quickly on the Herculean task of fixing what is wrong with this country, much of which has been caused by mismanagement and poor governance, laced with corruption and scandals, during the last five years and for which the PLP has now finally been held accountable.

Nor is it too early to warn the winning FNM, which now dominates the House of Assembly, against political hubris. A small, weakened opposition, ill-equipped to challenge effectively a sitting government, is not good for democracy; but those exercising political power should always remember that they are representing the voters who elected them and it is the people who, ultimately, will hold them to account so that, if they fail to perform, they will be forced out of office.

The post-mortem on what went wrong for the PLP is unlikely to reveal reasons for its collapse which we do not already know. The causes of widespread dissatisfaction with the party and the Christie government are well documented and they go far deeper than simple fatigue with an administration which had been in office for too long.

In a nutshell, the public lost faith in, and respect for, the PLP leadership after an endless litany of ills - unfulfilled promises, unacceptable behaviour, dishonesty and other wrongdoing, corruption at every level and generally inefficient governance including rank bad management of the economy. Arrogant PLP politicians acted, unashamedly, in their own interests and for personal gain while neglecting even their own supporters. In reac-

tion, younger voters especially, without the traditional party loyalties, were not prepared to put up with such blatant misuse of political power and they demanded change.

The irony is that when the newlyelected PLP government came to power in 2012, it was notably popular. But it botched its chance to provide good governance and consolidate its position and the now former Prime Minister must take responsibility for this failure, which resulted in large part from his lack of decisive leadership and refusal to exercise proper control over his own government.

The FNM must embark without delay on the serious business of governance.

With a clear mandate, which has validated his leadership both of his own party and at the national level, Dr Minnis now has a similar opportunity to take this country forward. Expectations are high, not least because he has displayed strength in response to continued denigration of him as a leader. As a relative newcomer to politics with a fresh vision and energy, he has also spoken out with conviction against our pervasive culture of corruption and he is known to be business-oriented and to possess good management skills.

The next few years will be critical for The Bahamas and the new government faces huge challenges. The economy, crime, unemployment and corruption are major issues. In particular, this country is in a critical economic position with record high deficits, low growth and unsustainable levels of debt and public expenditure. More responsibility, transparency, professional management and accountability are required. Issues like renewable energy and climate change are also of concern to us, a small island state, and we urge the new government also to address other matters like inequality, poverty and social deprivation.

The outcome of the 2017 general election could turn out to be a major step in the development of the Bahamas. Outmoded ideas and practices hanging over from the Pindling years have now been consigned to history together with many PLP political dinosaurs, so there is a chance for the country to modernise and move forward.

If Dr Minnis, adopting a new constructive approach, can improve the efficiency of this country and lead it to greater political maturity - with, where possible, new bipartisan co-operation across-theboard in a spirit of inclusion - he will establish for himself an important legacy.

The election is over. Now is the time for change. We should all wish him and his colleagues well.

Where is the plan?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT’S NOT about gold and purple or red and white, it’s about the Bahamas, our collective vision for the future, and what kind of world will our children, my daughter, inherit.

If not we shall remain victim to: • This ever revolving door of five-year political cycles, and small minded politicians who can only see through lenses divided by this time construct and/or period.

• What standard of living, type of existence, or world do we want our children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren to live in?

• The power to make the change is in our hands; it is for each of us to do our individual parts to fulfil our purpose(s), and to give the

world the gift of our talents which were placed on our heart’s by God. • Ten years from now is too late, the time is now.

• If each of us do our individual parts, the politicians will eventually “catch sight of the vision afterwards”.

But this is OK, we have to start the work, let it begin with us, let it begin in my family and with me.

• Let each of us put our “shoulder to the wheel and push” for a better community, better Bahamas and a better world.

• If not then we shall be like other countries who are also experiencing the same fate as us, and reaping the rewards of their four-year cycles, the polarisation of communities, states, families, and the nation as a whole, all because they refuse to submit or simply do

not have one collective vision that will be there after politicians have each made their contributions and passed the baton on to the next leader of the day. Let us be different.

• Let us be the change that we desire to see in the world.

• If we do set a long-term goal, paradigm and/or vision for our country, then we too can experience human growth such as other nations around the world - Singapore, South Korea, China and many others with our plans for sustainable development for the Bahamas.

• It is up to you, the choice is yours.

PAUL A CUMBERBATCH Nassau, May 11, 2017

No term limits for PMs EDITOR, The Tribune THERE remains a constituency of people throughout The Bahamas who are of the opinion that our system of governance should morph into a creature that resembles the American system.

In America, a Presidential election is held every four years and Americans find themselves at the polls principally to elect a man (or woman) who they feel suits the job.

However, the President is only permitted to hold that position for eight years. The man at the helm presently, Donald Trump, has more than seven years remaining on his potential tenure.

Last November, Americans braved the cold to replace Barack Obama. He served for eight years and, according to American law, he could not run again. He was what Americans call a “lame duck” President.

I have always opined that the American system of electing a President as far as limiting the amount of times he (or she) is permitted to offer themselves for service, is undemocratic.

If the citizens want the man (or woman) for more than eight years, then they should have him (or her) for more than eight years. That is what democracy is all about - acquiescing to the

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net will of the people.

And if a post eight-year President proves to be unworthy of the job, then he can always be removed from power by engaging certain legal processes before the constitutional election day (or on election day) by the people. This eight-year restriction does not apply to senators or congressmen.

Some of these politicians make a career out of politics; staying in power 20, 30, even more than 40 years.

Why can’t the President do the same?

In The Bahamas, we have bandied about this “term limit” phenomenon for years. Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham even promised to step down after he would have been in power for ten years. He “effectively” stepped down in 2002 (notwithstanding the FNM lost that election). And every astute and well informed Bahamian knows what I mean by “effectively”. Bahamians, after being subjected to five years of PLP governance, voted Hubert Ingraham back into power in 2007; and he ruled for five more years. If this had been America, Hubert Ingraham would not have been allowed to return.

During this recent election cycle Dr Hubert Minnis expressed on more than a few occasions that his party will seek to limit the terms that Prime Ministers will be allowed to serve the Bahamian people at the helm (emulating the US). That election promise, if executed, will be a grave mistake.

How many people live in America - 350 million?

And how many live in the Bahamas - 350, 000? That means that America has at least 1,000 times more people than The Bahamas. We are not as fortunate as the Americans in that we do not have 350 million people to pick, choose and refuse from in the leadership pool. And so, if we find that there are quality people who are willing to seek the top vocation in this country, we should be ecstatic that they would offer themselves for service.

Forget term limits. Leave that to the Americans with their millions and millions of people. There is no need for us, in the Bahamas, to tie the hands of the electorate. If we feel the Prime Minister and his party have served too long, as has happened in 1992, 2002, 2007, 2012, and 2017, then all we need do is vote them out.

MARVIN G LIGHTBOURN Nassau May 11, 2017

New faces EDITOR, The Tribune

IT IS heralded as “The people’s time”. We, the people, were frustrated and felt helpless to the ills that abound. We needed to be rid of the leeches that were draining our blood; fattening only themselves and their own.

The results are in. We breathe a sigh of relief and celebrate the victory. Let’s do that, but also ready ourselves for what is to come.

Of the newly-elected Parliament, more than half are new faces. Presumably that

means new ideas and less baggage. But they should also be bringing with them the talents and ideas of their network; those persons who were disenchanted but are now reinvigorated.

Here is a real opportunity to galvanise that optimism and draw upon the knowledge, expertise and renewed energy within our populace.

Ordinary people like me now have a part to play. It is not enough to have marked an ‘X’ and figure we can lay dormant for five years.

That ‘X’ was an indication

that we wanted a change.

Now is the time that we must be prepared to make our individual contributions and work toward that change.

Let’s hope that we all live up to our duty as dwellers in this land and not abdicate that responsibility to be a contributor to our community. When called, answer.

We voted for it to be “The people’s time”. I trust our actions will speak even louder than these words.

LM May 11, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, May 12, 2017, PAGE 5

Robinson and Chipman joy at defeating giants

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Movement members of Parliament-elect Travis Robinson and Reece Chipman yesterday both expressed “happiness” after defeating two political giants in the Progressive Liberal Party in Wednesday’s general election.

Mr Robinson, 22, handily defeated PLP incumbent Dr Bernard Nottage, 71, in Bain and Grants Town, an area Dr Nottage has represented since 2007 and which was considered a PLP stronghold.

In a surprising and humbling defeat at the polls, former Prime Minister Perry Christie lost his seat in the Centreville constituency to Mr Chipman by a handful of votes after representing the area for more than 40 years, according to unofficial results.

Mr Christie has held the seat since 1977 and has been leader of the Progressive Liberal Party since 1997.

In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Robinson, who is five decades younger than Dr Nottage, said the

win was a “humbling” experience for him. He said the real work in Bain and Grants Town now begins.

“It’s a new day in Bain and Grants Town and certainly a new day in the country,” Mr Robinson said.

“I am definitely excited about this win, it is a heart-warming experience and humbling experience. I am overwhelmed with thankfulness. Now my work begins. I have a vision for my community, the people believed in me as an individual and chose me to champion the cause.

They recognise that I am a young man who brings new ideas to the table and the type of solutions we need.

The people elected me because they believe I have the mental capacity to be able to speak on their behalf.”

Meanwhile, Mr Chipman said he believes the people of Centreville voted him in because their former representative had done nothing for them in 40 years.

“I feel very good, I feel excited about what is to come, I feel excited about the future of the community,” Mr Chipman said.

“I know Mr Christie

would have held the seat for 40 years, however, there is nothing to show for it.

The community has lost its true spirit. I am inspired and motived to begin to rebuild the community, to re-establish programmes and to ensure that adequate resources are there to assist our young people. “There are a number of reasons why Mr Christie lost but my strategy including my faith in God. I also knocked on every door, including the doors of PLPs, and we assured them that we are a party for all. Mr Christie was their MP and nothing happened, I am going to change that.”

According to unofficial results, the FNM was able to pull off a stunning defeat of the PLP, securing a massive 35 of 39 constituencies.

Fox Hill was said to be in a recount on Wednesday night, but yesterday officials said the seat went to the FNM candidate Shonel Ferguson.

From the unofficial numbers, it appeared that the PLP only captured four seats: Englerston; Cat Island and San Salvador; South Andros as well as Exuma and Ragged Island.

TRAVIS ROBINSON, MP for Bain and Grants Town, at yesterday’s appointment ceremony for Dr Hubert Minnis as Prime Minister of The Bahamas at Government House.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

HENFIELD: INVESTIGATE AND CHARGE PLP PIRATES

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

NOW that the Progressive Liberal Party has been “eliminated” from the seat of governance, the incoming Free National Movement administration should have the PLP’s “pirates of the Cabinet” investigated and if convicted, jailed without a commission of inquiry, We March organiser Ranard Henfield has demanded.

Mr Henfield also said the We March organisation is prepared to function as both a “pressure group and the opposition” should the four PLPs that managed to secure their seats “can’t be effective” in Parliament. Mr Henfield also called for Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis to “fire and prosecute” every

member of his administration that “delves in any form of corruption”.

However, Mr Henfield urged the Minnis administration to avoid victimising “those that have been victimising our people,” instead encouraging the FNM to “show them how we as Bahamians are supposed to live and treat each other”.

Mr Henfield’s statements were made in a Facebook post after the PLP was driven from governance, in which he made a series of demands of Prime Minister Minnis, a first-time prime minister, ranging from the scrapping of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival, to the unsealing of the controversial Baha Mar deal, and the enactment of the Freedom of Information, as well as Fiscal Responsibility and Whistle Blower’s Acts.

Mr Henfield also called on the FNM to remove value add tax (VAT) on breadbasket items and to provide “tax incentives” for the inner city.

Mr Henfield said We March still plans to issue an “updated” list of demands to Dr Minnis, similar to the organisation’s demands on former Prime Minister Perry Christie last year.

“Our role at We March is once again to be a pressure group and the opposition if the four PLP’s can’t be effective,” Mr Henfield said, referring to Philip “Brave” Davis, Glenys Hanna Martin, Chester Cooper and Picewell Forbes. “While we have shed a couple members, we’ve grown tremendously in influence. We know who’s here to lobby for change and who was around for political gain.

“We are focused, strate-

gic and now more than ever, able to realize the changes we seek.”

Last week, Mr Henfield officially endorsed the FNM before the general election, at the time stressing his confidence in Dr Minnis.

In a Facebook post on Wednesday of last week,

Mr Henfield wrote that endorsing someone other than Dr Minnis would be a “regrettable” mistake, despite the existence of “amazing candidates” like the Democratic National Alliance’s (DNA) Brenda Harris and the PLP’s Cheryl Bazard.

He also portrayed Dr Minnis as a politician of a

higher calibre than usual, one who refuses to “protect the status quo” like “career politicians that have raped” the country.

However, Mr Henfield said if Dr Minnis doesn’t do what he promises to do in 100 days, We March would be activated to protest once again.

PAGE 6, Friday, May 12, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Minnis sets out plan for govt from page one

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and his wife Patricia, left, with Sarkis Izmirilian and his wife yesterday.

DR DUANE SANDS, MP for Elizabeth Estates, greets former Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes yesterday.

DESMOND BANNISTER, MP for Carmichael, alongside Lanisha Rolle, MP for Seabreeze.

Asked if he was still looking for a way to possibly reacquire Baha Mar, Mr Izmirlian said: “My offer has always been on the table for Baha Mar and nothing has changed with that.”

Speaking to those gathered during the ceremony, Dr Minnis said his swearing in marked a new day for the country, adding that he will respect the Constitution and abide by the long standing conventions of the country’s parliamentary democracy.

He said: “Your excellency, today represents a new day for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. It is a new day steeped in ancient traditions. Today also represents a renewal and reaffirmation of our democratic heritage exercising a cherished right that is still not universal.

“The Bahamian people freely elected a new government. We will honour this mandate for change.

Though we are a small country, our democracy is rightly the envy of many countries throughout the world that mark the manner of our bearing.

“Yesterday’s general election was peaceful and free of violence with civility and nobility. Bahamians from all walks of life join hands and hearts to forge a new direction for our country. Now we are witnessing another orderly transfer of power with tremendous gratitude.

“I again thank the Baha-

PRIME Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis alongside Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling at his swearing in ceremony yesterday.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff mian people for reposing half of my colleagues, I “have something to fear.” their trust in my party. We pledge our commitment to He also pledged that his will honour this trust with serve with integrity as Her administration will give an unwavering commitment Majesty’s Bahamas gov- Auditor General Terrance to good governance, the ernment. I look forward to Bastian the resources his rule of law, transparency the most cordial relations department needs to probe and accountability. We will with your excellency in the how taxpayers’ dollars were respect the constitution and service of our country. We spent under the Christie we will abide by the long- commit ourselves to the administration. He said if standing and testing con- common good of the Com- there is evidence of “crimiventions of our parliamen- monwealth of the Bahamas. nality,” the new government We rely on the blessings of will allow the law to take its tary democracy.”

He continued: “I thank the almighty God who is course. my colleagues for repos- the source of all power and According to unofficial ing their confidence in me grace,” Dr Minnis said. results, the FNM was able On Wednesday, Dr Min- to pull off a stunning defeat as prime minister. In turn I pledge an unwavering nis led the FNM to a stun- of the PLP, securing a mascommitment of collegiality, ning landslide victory, deal- sive 35 of 39 constituencies. corroboration and collec- ing a paralysing blow to the The persons who will fill tive responsibility. Ours is Progressive Liberal Party the posts of attorney genan extraordinary system of (PLP). eral and minister of finance During his speech at the are expected to be pregovernance. I will honour the spirit and traditions of party’s victory rally, Dr Min- sented with instruments of nis declared that those who appointment and officially our democratic heritage.

“Your excellency on be- have abused positions of trust sworn in today.

EDUCATION AND CRIME ARE FIRST ITEMS ON FNM AGENDA from page one Marvin Dames, the member of Parliament-elect for the Mount Moriah constituency, on Thursday said plans to tackle crime from a societal viewpoint continues to be the mandate of the new administration.

Mr Dames, a retired senior police officer, said the community elements advanced by the party must be set in motion on day one.

“We know that we need to get Bahamians back to work if we want to reduce crime. That is the major concern for this administration. Poverty in our country has played a tremendous role in the advancement of criminality in our society,” Mr Dames said.

“In order for us to discuss crime, we must start with our people and the economy. It is the only way.

More importantly we need to respect our young people and get our young people to work.

“Over the years we have lost so many of our young people to crime and those in the position that I now find myself in have been unable to fix that.

“That is a priority. The youth of this nation must be at the forefront in the resolution because they are primary in the issue. We need to aid our youth.”

The FNM, ahead of the general election, declared as one of its main principles that it believed it to be the right of every citizen to live and work in a safe and prosperous community.

The party further presented 20 ways it planned to decrease crime and improve the effectiveness of the police force.

The party said it planned to enforce a zero tolerance for crime; develop a modern, efficient crime fighting machine; establish, build and equip an independent forensic lab; work with community based partners; eliminate habitats where criminality flourishes; enact legislation

to establish the National Intelligence Agency; enforce Marco’s Law and establish the sexual offences register; use state of the art technology; establish a national neighbourhood watch consultative council; establish a public sector anti-corruption agency; conduct a comprehensive review of police officers compensation and re-institute term limits for the commissioner of police, commodore of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the commissioner of corrections.

Additionally, the party pledged to reorganise the police reserves; strengthen the RBDF satellite bases; implement aggressive measures to arrest the trafficking of narcotics and firearms; arrest gang violence through educational programmes; establish a Guns and Gangs Unit; undertake a comprehensive manpower audit of the police force and identify an external inspector for our law enforcement agencies

whose responsibility will be to review the efficiency and effectiveness of our enforcement agencies.

Education For his part, South Beach MP-elect Jeffery Lloyd said the new Minnis administration intends to end social promotion - a programme he labelled “a blight” on education.

Mr Lloyd said the party would look to make public several of its “brisk and aggressive” plans in the coming weeks.

“We are a party of reformation and transformation and those will be the two pillars on which we will build our new education model,” he said.

“We will redeem education and give it its full due.

We have to bring accountability back to the process if we want to improve education. This is about ending social promotion which has been a blight on our system.

“This is about expanding educational reach down to

the earliest possible ages.

This also is about making education recognised for the value that it is to our society.

“We also understand and appreciate that technical education is one that has been assaulted in its recognition and importance to our country. We will address that.”

In its manifesto the FNM said it would look to implement comprehensive changes, all of which would be hinged on four fundamental principles.

The manifesto noted: “The Free National Movement proposes to comprehensively address the identified challenges in the following manner: end social promotion in the school system; increase investments in education – human resources and training, private sector involvement and technical vocational training; by greater investment in the continuous training, retraining and professional development of teachers and educational profession-

als; increase expenditure on educational infrastructure to reduce class sizes and provide greater resources for the educational establishment; recruit interested Bahamian candidates for teaching careers through attractive incentives; increase investment in technical and vocational education in high schools; encourage and financially support through tax breaks and subventions, private sector involvement in education subject to rigorous regulatory standards.”

The party is also expected to amend the Education Act to mandate pre-school learning.

The party has yet to name any members of its new Cabinet.

However, sources in the party have tapped Mr Lloyd as the next minister of education and Mr Dames and the next minister of national security. The country’s new minister of finance and attorney general are expected to be sworn in at Government House today.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, May 12, 2017, PAGE 7

Grand Bahama throws out the PLP

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama is truly Free National Movement country following a sweep of all five seats in the May 10 general election – the first for a political party here on the island.

One of the biggest upsets was perhaps the win by Pakesia Parker Edgecombe over incumbent Obie Wilchcombe for the West Grand Bahama and Bimini seat, the first by a woman. It also marks the second time that the FNM has won the seat since 1997.

Grand Bahamians took to the streets from 9pm in celebration after PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts conceded the party’s defeat, honking car horns. Supporters gathered at the Social Affairs Convention Centre and celebrated well into the early morning hours.

Many chanted: “Obie gone!”

It was a surreal moment as jubilant supporters danced in the streets.

West Grand Bahama constituent Lionel Morley said that the win by Mrs

Parker Edgecombe was very exciting.

“She is the first female MP for the West End and Bimini constituency and she is also a former Eight Mile Rock Blue Jay. I am a Blue Jay too and it is more than exciting to see what she has achieved. It is a big win and she is going to be quite an MP,” he said.

Mr Morley said if Mrs Edgecombe wants to remain a sitting MP for a long time she must remember that she is a servant of the people who many will look to for guidance.

Resident Shane Carey said Mrs Edgecombe was able to pull off a hard win.

“We thought it was going to be hard to do but she pulled it off,” he said.

Michael Pintard won Marco City; in Central Grand Bahama Iram Lewis also won; Fredrick McAlpine won the Pineridge seat, defeating the PLP’s Dr Michael Darville.

Mr Carey, who supported Mr McAlpine, had predicted that Dr Darville, who served as minister for Grand Bahama the past five years, would lose.

“There was no accountabil-

ity with Dr Darville. He was supposed to be running Freeport and it was run worse now than when had no minister before. They did not do anything for Freeport,” he said.

“What happened on May 10 is proof that old-fashioned politics is not going to work anymore,” he said.

While it was expected that Peter Turnquest would win in East Grand Bahama, Mr Carey said he did not expect such a huge win against the PLP’s candidate

Reverend Preston Cooper.

The East Grand Bahama seat has been an FNM seat for the past four decades, under different incarnations. It was first held by the FNM’s Maurice Moore, who was the MP for High Rock, and then in 1997 by FNM MP Kenneth Russell, before it was renamed East Grand Bahama.

Mr Turnquest thanked supporters Wednesday evening at the Social Affairs grounds following the candidates’ win at the

polls in Grand Bahama. He told them that he was very humbled by the results and thanked them for their overwhelming support for the FNM and its candidates.

Mr Carey said that newly sworn in Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis withstood the many blows against him over the past few years and never faltered.

“I don’t know who has been guiding him, but God must have been guiding him. He never faltered, he

took the blows and went full speed ahead,” he said.

“We have given the FNM five straight and we in Grand Bahama are looking for at least three Cabinet ministers in GB. We have a deputy prime minister in Mr Turnquest and we are really proud of that,” he said.

Attempts were made to reach all of the FNM candidates for comments, but none could be reached and were in New Providence on Thursday.

away from the political arena as a “contented soldier”.

“My people are awake again. They are focused and prepared to take that next step. You can’t spit in the face of the voters and expect good treatment in return any more. You have to earn your keep as a politician. Our democracy grew stronger on Wednesday,” he concluded.

One local political commentator said the PLP’s wipe out signals a new era for Bahamian politics and national development.

Admitting his shock at the party’s margin of defeat yesterday, Dr Christo-

pher Curry, the chair of the School of Social Science at the University of The Bahamas, said the results of the 2017 general election served as an indictment of the legacy and work of Mr Christie.

Dr Curry said Wednesday’s results will now stand as a “remarkable study” of the Bahamian electorate and how it addresses governance and political structure in The Bahamas. He added that the “loud and clear” statement made by voters is unlike anything seen before in the country’s independent history.

“This went beyond portfolios, personalities, legacies and policies. It would suffice to say Mr Christie lost the entire nation and his entire team bore the brunt of the blow,” Dr Curry, who through his position at the university has taken a prominent role in national discussion on politics and development, told The Tribune.

“These results show that he could no longer move the desires and hopes of the people. He stayed on one term too many and refused

to see what the people were showing him,” he added.

Dr Curry said the former prime minister’s inaction on crime, in addition to economic strife and the mounting global anti-establishment sentiment, all culminated in the “perfect wave”.

“It became a whirlwind of failures and in a short time, it all became apparent that nothing was being done to correct these things,” Dr Curry said.

Dr Curry said the perception of the Christie

administration - claims of corruption and financial mismanagement - had grown to levels to where “arguments of truth and facts could not change minds.” He said the claims of “corruption and scandal” which plagued both Christie administrations, 2002-2007 and 2012-2017, became the “calling card” for all associated with the party.

He said voters on Wednesday “clearly chose” not to look beyond this particular factor.

VOTERS at the West End All Age Primary School on election day in Grand Bahama.

ROKER VOTED AGAINST PLP AS THE NATION TURNED AGAINST CHRISTIE ADMINISTRATION from page one

“That is what I did to Mr (V Alfred) Gray on Wednesday and I love my party and what it stands for.

“Mr Gray had to go because he was not honest with the people (in MICAL). I, like many, didn’t vote for the FNM. I voted to send a message to the core of the PLP. Message sent,” he said.

In December 2015, Mr Roker declared that it was time for Mr Christie, 73, to step aside and “open up the field” for new leaders. He did so as he suggested that present day politicians had warped the structure of the country’s “true system of governance” in favour of a “party based system that rewards loyalty to nonsense.”

Mr Roker at the time warned that “anarchy and chaos, the likes of which we have never seen” would soon play out across the country, as a result of voters now becoming aware of the truth. Yesterday, when reminded of his claims, Mr Roker chuckled and said he had to speak truth to power.

Mr Christie represented the area of Centreville, which in 1977 was Farm Road. He lost his seat on Wednesday in a humiliating defeat to FNM candidate Reece Chipman.

Change Meanwhile Maurice Moore, considered to be one of the founding fathers of the Free National Movement, said the FNM’s landslide win signalled the “ushering in” of a new age of Bahamian identity.

He said the margin by which the FNM unseated the PLP marks a “message of change.”

The FNM won 35 out of 39 seats in the House of Assembly, many of them considered to be PLP strongholds. Of the four seats captured by the PLP, only one was in New Providence.

“Voters presented a stamp on Wednesday,” Mr Moore said. “They served notice to not only Christie, but everyone coming in with the FNM. This is serious work and foolishness will not be accepted. The leaders of the PLP underestimated the young people of this country. They could see as clear as day the PLP taking this country down a road of blatant corruption.

“The PLP failed in a manner in which they had nothing to come with to the people. Their leadership failed. They were trying to do a lot of things, but were not able to get anything consummated. I expected a win by the FNM, but I didn’t expect the FNM to win by such a large margin.”

Mr Moore said the results brought him comfort, adding that he could now walk

Funeral Service For Mr. Mark Anthony Wilson, 55

ton Street.

a resident of Palm Beach Street, Wilson Tract, will be held at Holy Family Catholic Church, Robinson & Claridge Road, on Friday 12th May, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Officiating will be Monsignor Alfred C. Culmer, assisted by Deacon D’Arcy Rahming. Interment follows in St. Bede’s Cemetery, Sut-

He will remain forever in the hearts of his family Mother: Hilda Wilson; Brothers: George (Carleen), Eugene (Irie), Andrew (Susan), Patrick (Leonie), Philip (Sandy), Leonard, John (Simone), and Gregory; Sisters: Angela, Rosetta, Monique, and Monalisa; Aunts: Helen Thompson, Alma Thurston, and Alva Cox; Nieces: Celestial Anne (Donald), Georgie, Chrissy, Joy, Shonel (James), Samantha, Alexandria, Daniella, Dale (Jaketo), Davina, Denia, Valencia and Kyanna; Grand Nieces: Alyssa, Janelle, Derania, Alecia, and Krizia; Nephews: Shayne, Graham, Harold, Brandon, Wayne, Ikechi, Jafar, Khambrel, Marcus, Kendal, Ricardo, PJ (Avanel), Michael, Arnold, Leslie, Jostin, Jordin, Gregory, and Darrio; Grand Nephews: Caellum Tobias, Justice, Jaycob, Kemron, Ricardo, Akiel, and Ashton; Host of friends and relatives including: Margaret Moxey &Family, Elsie Strachan & Family, Myrna Wilson & Family, Linda Wilson & Family, The Delancy Family, Mrs. Wright & Family, Aunt Esther Culmer, Jeffrey Johnson, Elvardo Lewis, Harold Ferguson, Palm Beach St. Family, and others too numerous to mention; We wish to thank the staff of the Orthopedic Clinic and the Male Surgical Wards for their care of Mark over the last 3 years. We are most grateful for the kindness and care extended to our brother.

Friends may pay their last respects at Demeritte’s Funeral Home, Market Street, from 1-6:00 p.m. on Thursday & on Friday at the church from 9:00 a.m. until service time.

PAGE 8, Friday, May 12, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Closing the lid on Christie and his toilet party A Comic’s View

By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA

T

HERE is an old er in the day would have no Bahamian saying effect on the overall results.

“Cut skin ain’t Thank God! got no owner”.

That proved to be shock- 4 Yellow shirt, red vote ingly true on Wednesday night as the results from Another shocking develvarious polling stations in opment was the amount of our General Elections were brazen, PLP shirt-clad votreturned. ers exiting polling stations It became painfully obvi- bragging how they took the ous the nation was voting ‘gifts’ and still voted the party ‘get the PLP out and PLP out. the FNM in quick, fast and In some cases it appeared in a hurry’! to be several orders of reI’m quite sure by today, venge dishes, being served former PM on a tray of ice.

Perry Christie ‘Brazen, PLP I know my knows exactly Bahamian peohow General shirt-clad voters ple aren’t loyal George Arm- exited polling when it comes strong Custer stations bragging to certain felt. Centreville things, but to let Mr Chris- how they took talk it, immeditie know “it the ‘gifts’ and ately after they was the toilets still voted the voted, and seetime”, turning ing the results, things into a PLP out.’ it’s clear my Ba‘Gold Flush’ so hamian people to speak for the PLP. were loyal to the cause of The FNM capturing 35 voting the PLP out. of a possible 39 seats was astounding, but it was just 3 The DNA was DOA one of many shockers on election day. Here are the As we predicted here top five: in an earlier edition of ‘A

5 Strange happenings The amount of irregularities that occurred at various polling stations throughout New Providence and the Family Islands was shocking.

News outlets were abuzz with news from Elizabeth, Nassau Village, St Anne’s and Seabreeze regarding ballot irregularities, while social media was flooded with conspiracy theories and cries of “87 all over again”.

As the results rolled in, it was obvious that the ‘strange occurrences’ earli-

Comics View’, the DNA did not win any seats.

However, for them to lose traction and secure less votes than last election and some candidates losing their deposits, was shocking to say the least.

In all honesty the DNA was a non factor this election cycle.

2 Giants fall Centreville showed Mr Christie “it was the toilets time” and, along with the rest of the voting populace, served up a ‘Gold Flush’ to Christie and the majority of

SHANE Gibson was among the giants to fall on election day in The Bahamas. his cabinet, flushing them and the PLP in to oblivion.

1. No concession What can I say, even for-

mer PMs Pindling and Ingraham faced the nation and conceded when it was clear their respective parties had been defeated.

But not our former PM

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

Perry Christie; what an all around sad ending for a sad government .

• Naughty presents ‘Mischief and Mayhem in da AM’ from 6am to 10am,

Monday to Friday and ‘The Press Box’ sports talk show on Sunday from 10am to 1pm, on KISS FM 96.1.

Comments and questions to naughty@tribunemedia.net

READERS REACT AS FNM SWEEPS TO LANDSLIDE VICTORY AS the nation watched the FNM storm to a landslide victory in the general election, readers gave their reaction on tribune242. com.

Islandboy242242 said: “Nice job, tomorrow starts the cleanup, plenty of work to do and time sensitive hurdles like the Baha Mar agreement in relation to fixing the dump and BPL. Looking forward to progress and change.”

Bahamiangoddedd awaited “revelations”: I can’t wait for the revelations to begin, BAMSI, BAHA MAR,

VAT, CARNIVAL and the list goes on. I am sure we will hear some shocking stuff!”

Banker had this to say: “I think that his first steps, true to his dogged, stolid nature, will be governance.

First you have to right the ship, and then after you

are safe, punish those who steered it onto the reef. Finally, this will be the seminal event to correct the revisionist history of the Bahamas, and the PLP, and prove that, from their very inception, they were a criminal racket. This is a good first step. Many, many more are needed.”

Birdiestrachan focused on Grand Bahama: “Grand Bahama has given five seats to the FNM – they should be able to turn around the economy of Grand Bahama. Grand Bahamas need investors. The Bahamian

people appear to be against Chinese Investors. Pintard has lots of money it is my hope he continues to spend as he has been doing.”

There was this from The_ Oracle: “I will be quick to criticise this FNM admin, if caught doing wrong, as I did the last, if only because I expect better from them.

I expect more sensibility, honesty, public inclusion and consultation that results in action. Kind of pointless to criticize a PLP Government who had no shame nor care in the world that we all knew what they were doing, and they did it anyway. Scandal after scandal, breach of trust as a modus operandi. Seems the majority of Bahamians do not like arrogance.”

Alfalfa thought everyone

should “do their part”: “I assume we are all Bahamian voters, and as such have had our opportunity to decide the Government whom we wish to guide us for the next five years. We should all do our part to make their term a success, as this translates to a better country for all Bahamians.

This does not mean we turn a blind eye to any indiscretions on their part. We should hold their feet to the fire to ensure they perform their duties to the benefit of all Bahamians. But most importantly, we need to give them a chance to do what they say they are going to, and thank them for ridding us of the most corrupt government in our history.”

DaGoobs paid tribute to the new Prime Minis-

ter: “Congratulations for Dr Minnis for staying the course despite the slings and arrows, the bad mouthing, the smears that have been thrown at you by people within your party who portrayed themselves as your friends and your foes in the PLP. You can take comfort from the fact that despite all of this crap that you have had to endure that firstly the people within your party on more than one occasion and now an overwhelming majority of the voters in the Bahamas have demonstrated their faith and belief in you that you are the best person to lead them and this country at this time.”

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

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, May 12, 2017, PAGE 9

‘The Bahamas’ own street philosopher’

Third parties hit by desire ‘to vote out the PLP’

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

REGISTERED voters were not prepared to vote for third parties or independent candidates on Wednesday if these votes meant allowing the Progressive Liberal Party to retain the government, a fringe political party official told The Tribune yesterday.

According to unofficial results, the Free National Movement was able to pull off a stunning defeat of the PLP, securing a massive 35 of 39 constituencies. It was first reported that the FNM secured 34 seats, with Fox Hill being in a recount on Wednesday night. However yesterday, results showed that the constituency went to Shonel Ferguson of the Free National Movement over the Progressive Liberal Party’s incumbent, Fred Mitchell.

The Parliamentary Registration Department did not release full election results as the last numbers came in from the government agency around 11pm on Wednesday.

From the unofficial numbers, it appeared that the PLP only captured four seats: Englerston; Cat Island and San Salvador; South Andros as well as Exuma and Ragged Island.

The Democratic National Alliance, The People’s Movement, Bahamas National Coalition Party, Bahamas Constitution Party nor independent candidates were able to win a seat in Parliament this election cy-

cle or win a significant number of votes.

Once the official results are released, observers will be able to analyse the little impact third parties and independent candidates had on Wednesday’s vote.

Aaron Cox, administrative chairman of the BCP who unsuccessfully contested the Nassau Village constituency, attributed the rejection of independent candidates and alternative political parties to the electorate not taking a chance.

“The PLP has made so many mistakes against the people of the Bahamas that they weren’t taking any chance on other parties,” Mr Cox said yesterday.

“They had to make sure the PLP is gone. They weren’t giving nobody else an opportunity, not looking at the character (of persons) who offer themselves for public office as an alternative to the major parties to become the next government. But in all fairness, I am pleased with the outcome because the PLP is gone basically.

“Most of the candidates that the FNM party (had) are brand new people so like the late Dr Myles Munroe said, ‘you will see new faces in Parliament.’

I’m just hoping that they are the ones to take the country forward and take us out of all this disaster, downgrading that we’re in,” he added.

“I will try my best to watch what they’re doing and support them. They need an opportunity to prove their worth under the leadership of Dr Hubert

Minnis so we’ll see how it goes from that. As for the other political parties who offered themselves, the independents and the BCP included, we did the best that we can and most of us had financial difficulties, so were not able to canvas most of our areas the way we wanted to.”

In the May 2012, general election, the Progressive Liberal Party won 29 of the 38 seats in Parliament to the Free National Movement’s nine, though figures released by the Parliamentary Registration Department showed the PLP received 75,806 votes while the FNM secured 65,518 votes - a disproportionately small difference when judged against seats won.

The DNA, despite not securing any seats in Parliament, received 13,186 votes in 2012.

The BCP won 96 votes of the 155,000 plus votes that were counted in the 2012 election after a decade’s absence when it won 12 votes in 2002.

“As you can see the Bahamas Constitution Party only had 18 candidates and that was not a sure win for us because in order for a government to be formed, you have to have your 39 seats in play,” Mr Cox said yesterday.

The BCP chairman congratulated the FNM on becoming the new government and said that it had “five years to prove themselves, to pull our country together, I will be watching and waiting giving them my best opinions that I can lend.”

PAGE 10, Friday, May 12, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Observers point to lack of technology in election

from page one

American States yesterday urged officials to act on repeat recommendations to modernise the process, impose campaign finance regulations, and bolster the independence of the Constituencies Commission.

Both missions zeroed in on the electoral organisation for the advanced poll, and the last minute replacement of the parliamentary commissioner, which was said to have created unease leading up to the May 10 poll but ultimately did not impact the quality of the election.

CARICOM Deputy Chief of Mission Orrette Fisher said the team was surprised to discover the manual registration system and voter’s card, adding that much of the problems encountered during prepoll activities could have been averted with an electronic system.

“For example,” Mr Fisher said, “that the list of advanced polling, that the people who applied were unable to go online and to confirm whether or not they were eligible to vote on that day. I think the whole issue of how the application is made to be on that list, and then the manual entry of the people in the list.”

He continued: “Having an entire database and then extracting the list from that would have been a much cleaner process and the technology is available and is being used elsewhere.

“So I think that is some-

thing that would definitely far as I’m concerned as to THE Electoral Observation Mission of the Organization of American States (OAS/EOM) held a press conference at The Hilton on the 2017 General Election. Pictured seated L-R are: Melene Glynn, OAS Deputy Chief of Mission; Sherry Tross; OAS Chief of Mission, who gave remarks and Brend Santamaria, Chief Electoral Observation Section DECO/OAS. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff stituencies.

Ms Tamai said: “What we require some consideration where you are: polling day and there are other areas activities forward, those observed on Election Day within which technology are fine. But leading up was outstanding. It’s just can be used to advance the to polling, the registration these activities leading up process.” process and such, there is a to the day that created some Mr Fisher, director of lot that can be done in that shadow in terms of the perception, in regards to the elections in Jamaica, noted area. that the country was at the “I would not want to election.

“Definitely we will be “forefront of technology” stand in judgment,” he said, when it came to its police “but I would say that you looking at the boundaries force. are behind the rest of the commissioner, the issue of technology - that’s a maHe said: “Your poll day Caribbean in that regard.” activities are comparable The CARICOM team jor issue that can create to what I’ve seen anywhere was led by Chief of Mis- improvement, and camelse in the Caribbean but sion Josephine Tamai, chief paign financing regulations. the registration process, elections officer of the de- Those would be the top your voter registration partment of elections and three.”

The missions held discuscard, those are behind boundaries of Belize, and everybody else. So there observers visited 223 poll- sions with national stakeare two distinct areas as ing stations across 20 con- holders, inclusive of the

major political parties, civil society and members of the international community.

Both missions also noted that the categories of persons eligible to vote in the advanced poll had been expanded to include candidates and agents, which contributed to an unforeseen increase in workload at the Parliamentary Registration Department and difficulties with producing the advance poll register.

Speaking to campaign finance reform, OAS Ombudsman Sherry Tross said: “The mission heard concerns from several stakeholders regarding the influence of foreign money in the current electoral process and the absence of a level playing field. The Bahamas has no regulations regarding political - electoral financing or disclosure of sources of funding.

“There is no public funding for political parties or candidates, meaning electoral campaigns are privately funded.

“The origin of private funds is not regulated and there are no prohibitions on foreign and anonymous sources. Also, the Bahamas sets no limits on campaign spending and political parties are not required to disclose their finances.”

Ms Tross pointed to recommendations submitted by the OAS following the 2012 election calling for the establishment of a legal framework for the financing of political parties and campaigns, and noted that there had been no action by the government.

“In order to guarantee a more level playing field and transparency in the electoral process,” she added, “the mission urges the Bahamas, once more, to consider introducing legislation to regulate political campaign financing.”

She congratulated the country for taking steps to ensure that eligible citizens who live abroad had the opportunity to vote, which she said is unique in the region.

The OAS deployed a team of 11 international observers, which included specialists in electoral organisation, electoral technology, campaign finance, constituency boundaries, gender and political analysis.

The team observed a total of 29 constituencies and visited 157 polling stations, according to Ms Tross, who praised the professionalism and thoroughness of poll workers, supervisory personnel and the police.

The Bahamas government also invited the United States and the Commonwealth of Nations to observe the May 10 poll, and the Commonwealth group is expected to provide their preliminary report today.

For its part, the US Embassy deployed 30 observers to more than 100 polling stations in New Providence, Grand Bahama and Eleuthera on May 10.

In a statement yesterday, the embassy congratulated the country on a successful election, noting a safe and peaceful atmosphere with minimal irregularities.

ELECTION RESULTS 2017 Official results Bains Town & Grants Town Name Party Votes Brenda Harris DNA 129 Joshua Darling BCP 8 Bernard Nottage PLP 1252 Travis Robinson FNM 2175 Allan Bain BNCP 26 Bamboo Town Name Party Votes Anastasia Bethell TPM 28 Greg Burrows PLP 1512 Branville McCartney DNA 604 Renward Wells FNM 2561 Englerston Name Party Votes Wesley Campbell BNCP 8 Glenys Hanna Martin PLP 1814 Stephanie Lightbourne DNA 214 Alex Morley IND 7 Raymond Rolle FNM 1672 Hector Smith BCP 23 Elizabeth Name Party Votes Jay Armbrister IND 7 Dione Pratt BCP 8 David Bastian TPM 75 Craig Bowe IND 106 Terneille Burrows IND 237 Prodesta Moore DNA 12 Alex Storr PLP 1419 Duane Sands FNM 2863

Fort Charlotte Name Party Votes Mark Humes FNM 2153 Cindy Knowles DNA 172 Randy Rolle BNCP 8 Alfred Sears PLP 161 Lavida Thurston BCP 10 Fox Hill Name Party Votes Shonel Ferguson FNM 2444 Fred Mitchell PLP 2198 Kendal Smith DNA 221 Angela Cox BNCP 26 Free Town Name Party Votes Dionisio D’Aguilar FNM 2389 Karen Davis DNA 160 Wayne Munroe PLP 1379 Andrew Stewart BNCP 76 Garden Hills Name Party Votes Youri Kemp DNA 300 Sharell Ali McIntosh BCP 25 Kendal Major PLP 1613 Brensil Rolle FNM 2392 Rodney Curry BNCP 22 Golden Isles Name Party Votes Stephen Greenslade DNA 541 Michael Halkitis PLP 2214 Kareem Hanchell IND 10 Vaughn Miller FNM 3394 Darvin Russell IND 18 Killarney Name Party Votes Reneika Knowles PLP 1087 Arinthia Komolafe DNA 422 Hubert Minnis FNM 4163

Nassau Village Aaron Cox Mario Lockhart Halson Moultrie Paul Rolle Dion Smith

BCP DNA FNM BNCP PLP

22 350 2535 17 1598

Pinewood Name Party Votes Lincoln Bain DNA 380 Alecia Hart IND 9 Don Wesley Lockhart BNCP 15 Brunell McKenzie IND 9 Reuben Rahming FNM 2284 Glen Rolle TPM 53 Khaalis Rolle PLP 1654 Seabreeze Name Party Votes Hope Strachan PLP 1558 Michael Cox BCP 14 Anne Marie Glinton-Rolle BNCP 28 Lanisha Rolle FNM 2783 Chris Mortimer DNA 416 South Beach Name Party Votes Randy Butler DNA 275 Cleola Hamilton PLP 1285 Jeffrey Lloyd FNM 2893 Leyvon Miller IND 63 Claridge Williams BCP 13 Southern Shores Frankie Campbell FNM 2592 Kenred Dorsett PLP 1791 Livingstone Lynes Jr IND 41 Marlin Newton IND 14 Madlene Sawyer DNA 266

St Anne’s Name Party Votes Charles Clarke PLP 899 Otis Forbes IND 25 Margo Burrows DNA 230 Brent Symonette FNM 3547 St Barnabas Name Party Votes Shanendon Cartwright FNM 1829 Karen Butler IND 19 Gerrino Saunders DNA 145 Cheryl Bazard PLP 1269 Dwayne Huyler BCP 24

Central and South Abaco Name Party Votes James Albury FNM 1947 Eva Bain PLP 917 Ruth Flowers DNA 70 Churtan Toote BCP 26 Long Island Name Party Votes Loretta Butler-Turner IND 252 Adrian Gibson FNM 883 Glendon Rolle PLP 526 Mangrove Cay and South Andros Name Party Votes Farrington Austin IND 273 Picewell Forbes PLP 849 Zendal Forbes FNM 720 Cyril Miller DNA 21 North Andros and Berry Islands Name Party Votes Carlton Bowleg Jr FNM 1224 Perry Gomez PLP 1087 Samuel Kemp DNA 8 Vincent Peet IND 94 Denise Rolle BCP 10 Urill Usher BNCP 1

Results presented with o nly FNM and PLP results Pineridge Name Party Votes Michael Darville PLP 2025 Kendel Knowles BCP -Leslie Lightbourne DNA -Frederick McAlpine FNM 2495 West Grand Bahama and Bimini Name Party Votes Shane Faustin BCP -Pakesia Parker-Edgecombe FNM 2638 O’Brien Rolle IND -Obediah Wilchcombe PLP 2376 Exumas and Ragged Island Name Party Votes Navarro Bowe FNM 1410 Chester Cooper PLP 1520 Colin Miller BCP --

Tall Pines Name Party Votes Philip Ewing BCP 14 Leslie Miller PLP 2293 Fredrick Rolle BNCP 3 Donald Saunders FNM 2514 Kishon Turner DNA 209

Yamacraw Name Party Votes Melanie Griffin PLP 1700 Elsworth Johnson FNM 2581 Kendal Lewis BNCP 21 Charlis Robins DNA 103 Carol Thompson BCP 17

Central Grand Bahama Name Party Votes Iram Lewis FNM 3654 Donald Mortimer IND -Jedrick Robinson DNA -Julian Russell PLP 2025

Family Islands

Marathon Name Party Votes Romauld Ferreira FNM 1774 Jerome Fitzgerald PLP 1456 Paul Moss TPM 51 Emily Williams DNA 157 Denise Wilmore BNCP 13

Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador Name Party Votes Philip Davis PLP 852 Gadville McDonald FNM 548 Samuel Strachan DNA 12

Outstanding results Carmichael Buscheme Armbrister DNA Desmond Bannister FNM Keith Bell PLP O’Brien Knowles BNCP

337 2959 1584 35

Mount Moriah Name Party Votes Marvin Dames FNM 1366 Leroy Butler BNCP 11 Leon Higgs DNA 81 Arnold Forbes PLP 787 East Grand Bahama Name Party Votes Preston Cooper PLP 1626 Elkanah Pinder DNA 261 Peter Turnquest FNM 3709 Marco City Name Party Votes Norris Bain PLP 1181 Michael Pintard FNM 2328 Nevar Smith DNA 89 Central and South Eleuthera Name Party Votes Hank Johnson FNM 1742 Clifford Scavella PLP 1679 Derek Smith DNA 32 North Abaco Name Party Votes Claire Basden DNA 66 Renardo Curry PLP 980 Darren Henfield FNM 1836 Kathleen Knowles BCP 10 Cay Mills IND 122 North Eleuthera Name Party Votes Howard “Ricky” Mackey FNM 1047 Clay Sweeting PLP 907 Candace Weatherford DNA 20 Mayaguana, Inagua, Crooked Island, Acklins and Long Cay Name Party Votes Miriam Emmanuel FNM V Alfred Gray PLP

Unconfirmed results Centreville Name Party Votes Lorraine Arthur BNCP 15 Reece Chipman FNM 1900 Perry Christie PLP 1893 James Darling BCP 12 Celi Moss DNA 139 Frederick Sawyer IND 28 Harold Ward IND 5

Golden Gates Name Party Votes Sharmaine Adderley TPM 34 Rudolph Dean DNA 276 Michael Foulkes FNM 2374 Shane Gibson PLP 181 Agnes Glinton BCP 35 Anthony Rahming IND 14 * Shane Gibson number as reported last night but being queried for transcription error

THE TRIBUNE

YOUR NEW PARLIAMENT

Friday, May 12, 2017, PAGE 11

PETER TURNQUEST, East Grand Bahama

DESMOND BANNISTER, Carmichael

IRAM LEWIS, Central Grand Bahama

JAMES ALBURY, Central and South Abaco

HANK JOHNSON, Central and South Eleuthera

PRIME Minister Hubert Minnis, Killarney

RENWARD WELLS, Bamboo Town

TRAVIS ROBINSON, Bain and Grants Town

MICHAEL FOULKES, Golden Gates

VAUGHN MILLER, Golden Isles

ADRIAN GIBSON, Long Island

MIRIAM EMMANUEL, MICAL

ROMAULD FERREIRA, Marathon

MICHAEL PINTARD, Marco City

REECE CHIPMAN, Centreville

DUANE SANDS, Elizabeth

MARK HUMES, Fort Charlotte

DIONISIO D’AGUILAR, Free Town

BRENSIL ROLLE, Garden Hills

FREDRICK MCALPINE, Pineridge

REUBEN RAHMING, Pinewood

LANISHA ROLLE, Seabreeze

MARVIN DAMES, Mount Moriah

HALSON MOULTRIE, Nassau Village

DARREN HENFIELD, North Abaco

CARLTON BOWLEG JR, North Andros and Berry Islands

HOWARD ‘Ricky’ Mackey, North Eleuthera

PAKESIA PARKEREDGECOMBE, West Grand Bahama and Bimini

ELSWORTH JOHNSON, Yamacraw

JEFF LLOYD, South Beach

FRANKIE CAMPBELL, Southern Shores

BRENT SYMONETTE, St Anne’s

SHANENDON CARTWRIGHT, St Barnabas

DONALD SAUNDERS, Tall Pines

SHONEL FERGUSON, Fox Hill

THE OFFICIAL OPPOSITION

PHILIP ‘Brave’ Davis, Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador

GLENYS HANNA MARTIN, Englerston

CHESTER COOPER, Exumas and Ragged Island

PICEWELL FORBES, Mangrove Cay and South Andros

COMPOSITION OF PARLIAMENT FNM: 35 SEATS PLP: 4 SEATS

PAGE 12, Friday, May 12, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Bell denies Christie govt was preparing for anarchy

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net FORMER State Minister of National Security Keith Bell has denied that the Christie administration was preparing for potential anarchy in the country, claiming that the two armoured vehicles the former government recently received from the Chinese were only “gifts” to bolster the “arsenal for our law enforcement agents”.

Mr Bell, in an interview with The Tribune just hours before the Progressive Liberal Party was trounced from office, dismissed assertions that the armoured vehicles delivered in the capital last week were imported for the sole purpose of quelling potential riots during the election cycle, claiming that there would be “no need” to do such a thing as The Bahamas has been “one of the (most) politically stable countries in the world.”

He also said the two armoured vehicles, just two items on a ‘shortlist’ of gifts to the Bahamas from the People’s Republic of China, were only given to “assist” the efforts of law enforcement and only “adds to the resources that are desperately needed in New Provi-

ONE of the armoured vehicles delivered to The Bahamas.

China. dence.”

The name of the ship Mr Bell was responding to The Tribune’s questions was Mu Dan Song, and the about the arrival of two cargo was loaded at Dalian armoured vehicles at the Port in China. In addition Nassau Container Port at to the two containers – the contents of which are unArawak Cay last week.

At the time, The Tribune known– there were two arreported that the vehicles, moured vehicles.

The cargo was delivered with two 20ft containers, were offloaded by the Chi- to the Royal Bahamas Dena Ocean Shipping (Group) fence Force base in Coral Company or COSCO Harbour. The armoured veGroup and consigned to the hicles were painted in camMinistry of National Secu- ouflage, but had no visible rity from the government of guns.

When questioned on the matter, Mr Bell insisted that the two vehicles were as announced by the former PLP government in January 2016. He said the arrival of the armoured vehicles now provides law enforcement with “proper vehicles that we can actually traverse the terrain” of various parts of New Providence.

“In law enforcement, you would appreciate you could never have enough resources,” he added. “And so the

two vehicles that came in, that was part of a cadre of gifts from the government of China. Those things were part of the arsenal for our law enforcement agents.

“When you look at our landscape, we have 100,000 square miles of land and water. And right now when you go into the Defence Force, if you look at areas on our outskirts in New Providence alone, it may seem like it’s just a dot on the map. But when you begin to look at the terrain from Marshall Road and going along the southern corridor... you need all terrain vehicles.

“And so those vehicles were given to us to assist us.

They’re very expensive, and what is in my view, and it adds to the resources that is desperately needed in New Providence.”

When asked if the armoured vehicles were imported to possibly to quell public upheavals, Mr Bell said: “Absolutely not.

The Bahamas is one of the (most) politically stable countries in the world.

We’ve never had any major incidents in terms of where we have an insurrection, other than when the era that issued in civil rights movement, black majority rule, those kinds of things, and even then we talked

about this being a quiet revolution.

“And so my party, the PLP, the (former) government, it has never entered our minds, plus there is no need for it. And so it is utter nonsense that those vehicles for some purpose that we suspect that we’re going to have some major incident in the country. The answer is absolutely not.”

Last year, the government announced that it had received a $1.2m gift from the People’s Republic of China. At the time, then National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage said the gift was the result of a 2015 meeting with the Chinese government that afforded the RBDF an opportunity to outline its needs.

At the time, Dr Nottage explained that the money would be used to purchase military equipment, including armoured vehicles, anti-riot grenade launchers, tear gas grenades and other items.

Dr Nottage said at the time: “We have got a shortlist here of 33 different types of items which include two armoured vehicles for the defence force, two 38-automatic anti-riot grenade launchers, anti-riot gear sets, and portable lowlight level night vision goggles - 60 of those.”

JURY DIRECTED TO ACQUIT MAN ACCUSED OF MURDER AND ATTEMPTED MURDER

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net A SUPREME Court jury was directed by a judge yesterday to acquit a man of murder and attempted murder.

The trial of 24-year-old Richard Brown was initially scheduled to be heard on May 7, 2018, but an opening in the court’s calendar for May 8, 2017 became available last week resulting in Brown receiving an earlier date for trial.

Although the jury was selected on Monday, the start of evidence was adjourned to yesterday May 11.

Brown is charged with the murder of Devano Decosta and attempted murder of Shavano Rahming.

After 10pm on May 18,

2016, Decosta and Rahming were standing in front of a home on Burial Ground Corner when two men with a handgun and shotgun approached and fired several shots at them before fleeing on foot. Decosta was pronounced dead at the scene

and Rahming was taken to hospital for treatment.

However, when yesterday’s matter commenced, the Crown offered no evidence against the accused.

The virtual complainant of the attempted murder charge did not wish to

proceed with the case, The Tribune understands.

Brown had denied the allegations against him and had retained attorney Sonia Timothy to represent him while Eucal Bonaby and Cephia Pinder-Moss represented the Crown.

Rotary Club of East Nassau Rotary Club of East Nassau. - The public is invited to attend the weekly luncheon of The Rotary Club of East Nassau (RCEN) today at The Nassau Yacht Club.

The club meets for fellowship at 12.30pm and are seated at 1pm The guest speaker on Friday will be David McLaughlin, a former race driver and the chairman of Bahamas Motor Speedway.

Not only will David present about the annual Edukarting summer program, he’ll also speak about UN Global Road Safety Week (May 8-14). His team is focused on spreading the message about the dangers of speeding and distracted driving.

They will host an event at the Mall at Marathon this Saturday, May 13, featuring previous Edukarting students and encourage people to take the on-line road safety pledge.

More information about the programs can be found Facebook at Edukarting Bahamas.

RCEN was chartered in 1953 and enjoys a strong membership of 120 community minded individuals.

The club meets at 12.30pm every Friday for lunch at the Nassau Yacht Club. People interested in Rotary are encouraged to visit the website at www.RCEN.org for more information.

Rotary Club of West Nassau Rotary Club of West

JOIN THE CLUB OUR Clubs and Societies page is a chance for you to share your group’s activities with our readers.

To feature on our Clubs and Societies page, submit your report to clubs@ tribunemedia.net, with “Clubs Page” written in the subject line.

For more information about the page, contact Stephen Hunt on 5022373 or 447-3565.

EDUKARTING Team Members show their race kart to RCEN Community Service Director Keith Sands and President Diane de Cardenas.

Nassau. - The Rotary Club of West Nassau recently inducted its newest member. The Rotary Club of West Nassau is a member of Rotary International. RI is the largest non-profit organization in the world with over 1.2 million members worldwide. The members are made up of professional men and women committed to making the world a better place.

Michael Wright is the Data Protection Commissioner. He was born March 9, 1967, in Nassau. He has more than 23 years’ experience in finance and financial services. A finance executive for most of his professional career, Mr Wright has successfully built or spearheaded the

implementation of strict corporate governance regimes, developing thereby a strong foundation in corporate law and Industry Compliance.

He has been credited for his strict adherence to control guidelines in his various roles in strategic management. He has acquired international assignments and personal experiences as a result of the critical responsibilities placed under his management in multinational companies and personally through his deliberate network with Global firms and industry professionals. This network has resulted in his participation, through attendance and presentations, at best

practices forums in various countries.

He holds a Bachelor of Administration Degree from Fort Valley State University (Georgia) and is a graduate of St Augustine’s College (Bahamas). He aggressively pursues opportunities for continuing education, certification and training in various areas of management, trade negotiations, data migration and specific areas of law. An active member in notable civic and fraternal organisations, Mr Wright is committed to affecting positive change among young men and others through volunteer initiatives. He is the father of three children and married to his wife Tanya for over 22 years.

MICHAEL WRIGHT

PAGE 14, Friday, May 12, 2017

8 2 4 1

THE TRIBUNE

PIECES OF CHICKEN

(2 THIGHS, 2 RIBS, 2 LEGS & 2 WINGS)

Large sides biscuits 2 Litre Pepsi

25

$

INCL. VAT

A 70LB bull Mahi Mahi with Corey Inman and friends.

ERROL Thurston and Bronson Russell celebrate a catch.

M y Su other’s Da th nd ay M a y 14

Personalize a Perfume Bottle!

May 12 & 13th

KEEP checking the Bahamas Sport Fishing Network (BSFN) expert page for fishing reports throughout the Bahamas: this will be helpful in tracking the “hot spots” and providing advice on gear and fishing methods being used.

For a sample of the spectacular fishing to be had in The Bahamas, expert ad-

vice, tournament dates and results, informative features and photo galleries visit the BSFN page at tribune242. com or www.bsfn.biz or on Facebook - Bahamas Sport Fishing Network.

BSFN slideshows can be found on USA Today’s website in the Travel section at experience.usatoday.com.

A BIG Mahi Mahi landed

by Daniel Hulme.

Customize a perfume bottle for FREE, by renowned engraving artist, Oscar Hernandez.

AUSTIN Long hit on a Yellowfin Tuna.

*on selected perfumes; messages 20 characters or less.

John Bull Southwest Plaza Friday, May 12th 12:00 - 6:00PM

Marathon Mall Sarturday, May 13th 10:30AM - 8:00PM

BRONSON Russell with a nice Kingfish in Abaco.