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IT’S IN OUR HANDS PM signals quick end to emergency powers needs protocols buy-in

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said he hopes increased vaccinations and adherence to COVID-19 mitigation protocols will allow the government to remove emergency powers and end the state of emergency before August 13, the date to which the powers will be extended.

His comment came in the House of Assembly yesterday as he gave notice that at the next House sitting, members will debate a resolution to continue the state of emergency until August 13.

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

IMMIGRATION officials have been ordered to prove that they acted lawfully when they allegedly detained a Cuban woman who was placed in their care and custody after the boat she was on capsized in Bahamian waters when she and a group of other people tried to sail from Cuba to the United States two months ago.

Adriana Maria Caro, 22, was said to have been onboard a Cuban vessel that was intercepted

by Cuban, Bahamian, Turks

GOVT TOLD: MAKE LAND REGISTRY A PRIORITY

SEE PAGE FOUR

Island and US Coast Guard officials in early March.

According to court documents, for some “unknown reason” there was an accident on Cay Sal Bank and the boat subsequently exploded and sank.

While immigration officials have not confirmed if Mrs Caro is in their custody or where she is being held, relatives of the woman say they have reason to believe she has not been deported to Cuba and is still being detained at a local immigration facility.

Last week, a Supreme Court judge granted the SEE PAGE THREE

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Water & Sewerage Corporation’s debt to its main BISX-listed supplier has hit “an all-time high” of $21.7m as COVID-19 continues to erode the Government’s ability to prop up the cash-strapped utility.

Consolidated Water, unveiling its results for the 2021 first quarter yesterday, revealed the sums owed by the Water & Sewerage Corporation jumped by a further $2.2m in April with more than three-quarters deemed “delinquent” or over 90 days past due at end-March 2021. However, the operator remained confident that the Treasury would pay what is owed.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

Governor General Sir Cornelius A Smith has declared a new state of emergency, which took effect on Friday. It gives the competent authority potentially another six months of emergency powers. At this stage the government is opting to extend for just three months. This is the fourth state of emergency he has declared.

Dr Minnis said yesterday: “This resolution, it is our hope that we would not need the three months.

It is our hope that with the vaccination aggressively and progressively moving throughout the world and continuing

JUDGE GRANTS ORDER ON ‘MISSING’ CUBAN WOMAN

WSC WATER SUPPLIER OWED RECORD $21 MILLIONS

NOLAN’S BIGGEST BATTLE

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

NOLAN Sweeting was a model student, a perfect son - and then he faced a battle after being diagnosed with a disease that seemed to come from nowhere. Read about his battle with kidney disease in Face-to-Face on page eight.

Photo: Lundie’s Photography

OWNERS COOL ON INDOOR DINING MOVE

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

RESTRICTIONS banning indoor dining have now been lifted for those who are fully vaccinated, but some restaurants seem sceptical about embracing it.

The Tribune spoke with a few restaurants yesterday on the change, some who said they are not going to take part in the move at all

COMPASS POINT right now.

Compass Point’s general manager, Phil Smith said it really does not make

much difference to his establishment.

“I really don’t see it making much difference just now,” he said. “We have a fairly large outdoor seating area. We have not filled to capacity for some time. We will just continue to do the outdoor (dining) until we can open up and operate as we have before.

“The indoor dining accounts for perhaps 25 percent of our seating SEE PAGE FIVE

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

THE Government was yesterday urged to prioritise creating a land registry to reduce “far too many frauds and errors” scarring real estate deals and bring The Bahamas “into the 21st century”.

Gowon Bowe, Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) chief executive, said creating a database which registers ownership of every land parcel is “super important” to improving market transparency, ease of doing business, and ensuring households and businesses have secure title.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

A CONFLICT WITH NO END CONTINUES ITS BLOODY PATH

SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Tuesday, May 18, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Committee to hear Davis’ Deputy Speaker complaint

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net THE House of Assembly passed a motion yesterday to send to the Committee of Privilege Progressive Liberal Party leader Philip “Brave” Davis’ complaint that Deputy Speaker Don Saunders breached his privilege when he ordered the Sergeant at Arms to remove him from the chamber last week.

The controversy started

after Tourism and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar diverged from a debate on a compendium of insurance bills to discuss the air navigation services agreement signed earlier that day.

Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin then rose on a point of order to highlight the fact that Mr D’Aguilar strayed from the debate topic and made “misleading statements”.

Mr Davis eventually intervened in the argument

that broke out between Mr Saunders and Mrs Hanna Martin to protest the treatment of his colleague.

During the argument, Mr Saunders shouted for Mr Davis to take his seat, but the opposition leader refused to sit down.

At one point, Mr Davis said: “You have to act like a chair.”

Mr Saunders retorted: “Philip Brave Davis, the Member for Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador, is now to be escorted

out of this House, Mr Sergeant at Arms. Sergeant at Arms, please carry out your duties. The member for Cat Island is excused for the rest of the evening.”

Mr Davis questioned what rule he contravened, but then left the chamber when Mr Saunders repeatedly beckoned to the Sergeant of Arms.

House Speaker Halson Moultrie allowed Mr Davis to raise and address the matter of his privilege yesterday after being satisfied

that Mr Davis had made a prima facie case.

Mr Davis argued that he had committed no infraction that would warrant him being named according to House rules.

He said yesterday: “I was not disorderly nor was I asked to withdraw from the House. The member called the police, the Sergeant at Arms, that’s what he did.

That’s contrary to the rule.

“The chair of proceedings…deprived me and breached my privilege by

POLICE officers saluting at the scene on Friday after the body of Robert Wright Jr was found.

calling upon the Sergeant at Arms to…dismiss me out of the House. He had no such authority.

“I don’t know what got into the Deputy Speaker to have conducted himself in such a fashion to breach my privilege, but I think at the end of the day if this is the conduct to which this House is willing to (operate) fine, but it was despicable for the chair to call the police to remove a member because that member was only seeking to be heard.”

Photo: Vandyke Hepburn

POLICE OFFERED COUNSELLING AFTER OFFICER’S SUSPECTED SUICIDE

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net OFFICERS of the Eight Mile Rock division were provided grief counselling yesterday following the suspected suicide of a fellow officer over the weekend.

The grief sessions were held at Police Headquarters, where Assistant Commissioner of Police Ashton Greenslade described the incident as a “tragic event” for the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the family of the deceased officer.

“I am sure all of you are aware of the tragic event that knocked on our doorstep; our own PC Wright lost his life in the Holmes Rock community,” he said.

On Friday, police officers became concerned about the whereabouts of PC 4276 Robert Wright Jr who

was not seen or heard from since 8am on Friday by his family and colleagues.

Following an island-wide search, the officer’s body was discovered shortly before 8pm in the Deadman’s Reef area, in his vehicle with a single gunshot wound to the head. His service weapon was said to be clutched in his hand.

Police are actively investigating this matter.

ACP Greenslade said it was a solemn moment when he and a team of officers visited the scene.

“On the night in question I, along with my senior command team, investigators, and a majority of his colleagues visited the crime scene, and detectives had the hard task to investigate one of their own. And it was a sad moment for all of us,” he recalled.

“When we left the scene from Holmes Rock, I along with 15 commanders

proceeded to the residence of the parents of the young officer and (extended) our condolences and we left.”

ACP Greenslade thanked Rev Robert Lockhart, president of the Grand Bahama Christian Council, and Dr Gregory Swann for being available to provide some comfort and counseling to the grieving officers.

Gregory Lockhart, officer in charge of the Eight Mile Rock division, said: “A link in the family chain has been broken. Let us continue to cherish the fond memories of the late Constable 4276 Robert Wright, Jr. “On behalf of the officers of the EMR division, we extend sincerest condolences to his family, squad mates, colleagues, and associates as they navigate through this difficult time.”

Pastor Lockhart was surprised to learn of the officer’s death.

“I was not aware we had such an incident take place in our community and when hearing it was a police officer, it was even more shocking,” he said.

“For us that are civilians, we sometimes unconsciously see uniforms as iron shields and sometimes forget that all of us are human beings.

“I find myself reminding persons that they are just fellow Bahamians in uniform and that they are just like the rest of us; they feel like us and have experiences like us. All the challenges and pressures we would feel, you all feel, and the community is not sensitive to that because of the uniform you wear and the job that you do,” he said.

“And many times we call on you to be supermen and superwomen and today reminds all of us that is not the case,” he said.

Pastor Lockhart said that as the father of a 21-yearold son, he can imagine how the family feels.

“When things like this take place, one of the things that happen is that you begin to think about how you would feel if that was your son, and the impact it would have on you, and you begin to identify with what is taking place and begin to feel what those family members are feeling,” he explained.

He commended ACP Greenslade for providing a prayer and counselling session for the officers.

“I don’t know any of the circumstances that pertains to the individual that would have experienced his demise in such a way, but I want to say that all of us can come to very low places and points.”

Rev Lockhart said that he witnessed it first-hand as a pastor of his church during

the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.

“I (have) seen people traumatised from their trauma,” he said.

Dr Swann, a psychologist, said these are difficult and trying times for officers.

“These are difficult times for all of us,” he said. “We may find that some of you may need one-on-one (counselling).”

He noted that such an incident affects people differently.

He told the officers: “One of the things I want you to be aware of is that this is an abnormal situation, and your emotions may rise.

You may feel very uncomfortable whether in policing or normal life. Our role is to help you navigate through those emotions and get you back on track.”

He encouraged the officers to reach out for help and not keep their emotions and feelings bottled up.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, May 18, 2021, PAGE 3

‘Demolition left me homeless and cut me off from my family’

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

A HAITIAN man who survived Hurricane Dorian in 2019 says the demolition of his newly completed home in The Farm, Abaco, over the weekend has left him homeless and separated from his familyof-three, who are all now fearful of their future on the island.

The former shanty town resident, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told The Tribune he’ll never forget the heartbreaking feeling he experienced while watching construction workers tear his home apart with a bulldozer Saturday morning.

Last month, government officials raided the shanty town and placed signs in English and Creole warning of impending demolitions of illegally constructed buildings.

However, the man claimed yesterday he was caught off guard by Saturday’s exercise, adding that the demolition has not only left him displaced and sleeping in his car, but also

DEMOLITION work at The Farm in Abaco at the weekend. separated from his family.

“What the government do wrong is, they could’ve let us know what’s happening,” he told this newspaper.

“First, they come, they put a paper and then after that, they gone and then a month (later) when the guy come and put the number on in my house, then I asked him what they put the number there for and if he did tell me what the number was for then I

would’ve known what to do, but when I asked him, he was like he don’t know and he just doing his job and then he gone,” he told this newspaper.

“Now, we have nowhere to stay and nowhere to go.

I sleep in my car, but I let my girl and my two kids sleep by a friend because we can’t find no apartment right now.”

Similar sentiments were shared by another displaced

resident who told The Tribune on Sunday that recent demolition activities have left him struggling to find shelter for him, his girlfriend and daughter.

According to residents there, about ten occupied structures were destroyed over the weekend.

They also say another ten homes are set to be demolished this week.

“They did five down on Friday and five down on Saturday. They say they taking ten down every week,” the father-of-two said yesterday.

This comes after Works Minister Desmond Bannister said earlier this month that the government would move to the third phase of its plan to demolish structures in The Farm shanty town, which includes destroying structures occupied by people.

Officials have said it’s a move that could impact some 2,000 residents living on Abaco.

Yesterday, the displaced resident said many families impacted by last week’s demolition exercises are experiencing hardship and are also uncertain as to

where they will go next.

He added while many knew building in the area was illegal and wrong, they had no other options due to lack of available housing in the area, which has persisted to be an issue since Hurricane Dorian in 2019.

“We located to the Farm because we didn’t get nowhere else to go,” he said. “We couldn’t find no apartment or nothing… so we did buy all the materials (to build the house). I put in all together, almost $7,000.”

However, he watched his hard-earned money go down the drain when his house was destroyed before his eyes.

“When I see that, I was about to cry, but then I just walked away,” he said.

The man said he has been living in this country on a work permit for nine years.

Like many others, his home and belongings in the Mud — another shanty town — were destroyed by Dorian nearly two years ago.

Last week, the United Nations’ human rights experts urged the government not to demolish homes in the Farm, calling it a “serious violation

of the human right to adequate housing” that will likely result in increased homelessness and extreme poverty.

The UN noted that many people in The Farm were affected by Hurricane Dorian.

However, officials, including Mr Bannister, have already suggested that the government will not be swayed from its plans, arguing The Bahamas is a country of laws that must be upheld.

Mr Bannister went on to say that Bahamians must decide if they want to live in a country like The Bahamas or a country like Haiti where there is “dirt, garbage, shantytowns all over the place”.

On Sunday, Human Rights Bahamas released a statement condemning the government for “continuing to manufacture and perpetuate a humanitarian crisis in Abaco.”

The group said around 40 people, including 16 children, were left homeless after the demolition activities and that “no provision whatsoever” was made for their shelter or safety.

JUDGE GRANTS ORDER ON ‘MISSING’ CUBAN WOMAN from page one

attorneys representing Mrs Caro leave to issue a writ of habeas corpus against Attorney General Carl Bethel, Immigration Minister Elsworth Johnson, Immigration Director Clarence Russell and Peter Joseph, the officer in charge of the Carmichael Road Detention Centre.

One of the affidavits filed in support of the application was made by Mrs Caro’s cousin, Iliana Perez.

In the court document, she said she was told that Mrs Caro — who is like a daughter to her — may have been hospitalised at Princess Margaret Hospital after the accident.

“On March 7, 2021, I contacted Princess Margaret Hospital to check if Adriana was there,” the affidavit says.

“After several days of calling the hospital, I was advised by a female who identified herself as a nurse that Adriana was there, but she was discharged two weeks prior and handed over to the Department of immigration. She mentioned that the Cuban nationals were transferred to the Carmichael Detention Centre.

“The nurse suggested that I contact the Detention Centre to see if they would allow me to speak with her. I called the Department of Immigration for several days and got no response.”

Ms Perez said when she reached out to American, Cuban and Bahamian officials, she was told there was no information available and that the matter was under investigation.

She said when another relative called PMH the next day, a female nurse told her that Adriana was there but said she could not give them any information about her. However, Ms Perez said when she called again a few weeks later, she was told that Mrs Caro was in the emergency room two weeks prior and had been transferred to the Detention Centre after receiving treatment.

“I called the Detention Centre and spoke with several persons who told me that Adriana was not there,” the affidavit continued. “I explained that the hospital told me that she

was released and sent to the Detention Centre. The lady spoke to me with a very bad attitude and so I asked her if I could speak with the supervisor. She asked me to hold and then transferred me to (her). “(The supervisor) came to the phone and identified herself. I told (her) that my cousin Adriana was discharged from PMH and was transferred there, and I wanted to check on her.

I gave her Adriana’s full name and date of birth.

I spelt her name three times. She asked who I was to Adriana (and) I told her she was my first cousin, but she was more like a daughter to me.

(The supervisor) told me that Adriana was there and I said, ‘Great I will be flying to Nassau to visit her’ but (she) said no visitations were being allowed because of the COVID-19 protocols.”

Ms Perez said the woman assured her Mrs Caro was in good health and separated from the male detainees. However, when she asked to speak to her, she was told the phone in the area where Mrs Caro was was not working and she would have to call back another day.

“On March 24, 2021, I called back in the afternoon and asked to speak with (the supervisor). I had the phone on speaker, and I was with Adriana’s husband, Maykel Monteagudo, and an attorney in Florida. They were all listening to my conversation.

(She) came to the phone and said, ‘Yes I remember you called yesterday, I remember you Mrs Perez, but I am so sorry I made a mistake and gave you wrong information about Adriana.’

“I said how could you make a mistake when I spelt her name three times and gave you her date of birth and you confirmed that she was there and was fine.

I was confused and concerned that (the supervisor) confirmed that Adriana was safe and in less than 24 hours, was saying that she was not there. (Although she) was very pleasant the day before she terminated the call very abruptly.”

In a second affidavit, attorney Paul Whitfield said he believed Mrs Caro was being held

“incommunicado” at the Detention Centre. He said when he phoned the facility on March 25 to see if Mrs Caro was there, he was told that she was not in the system. However, when he told Mrs Caro’s family what he had been told, they became “extremely sceptical” since they had been informed that Mrs Caro was there just “days before”.

“At approximately 10.37am on March 26…I spoke with (the supervisor). I identified myself to her, informed her on whose behalf I was acting and gave her Adriana’s full name, nationality and date of birth. Rather than asking if Adriana was being held there, I decided I would adopt the posture that she was indeed there and instead asked what was being done with her.

“Without hesitation and without making any checks of the system, or with other Detention Centre officials, (the supervisor) answered my questions spontaneously by responding that Adriana was indeed being held at the Detention Centre; she was being taken to court that morning, she was being charged with overstaying; whether she would be deported or not depended on what the magistrate’s decision in court that day would be; and I would not be able to speak with her as she was already on her way to court.”

Mr Whitfield said when he contacted Mrs Caro’s relatives to relay the information to them, his call was interrupted by the supervisor who called him back in an attempt to “contradict everything” she had told

him “minutes before.”

He said the woman told him she had made a mistake; Mrs Caro was not being held at the Detention Centre and she was momentarily confused because the female being taken to court was a Peruvian national with a similar name.

“I responded by challenging (her) contradiction. I told her I did not believe her since she had originally answered my questions spontaneously, without hesitation and without checking their computer system or with colleagues.

I reminded her that I had given her Adriana’s full name, gender, nationality, and date of birth when I originally informed her who I was and why I was calling her. She continued trying to demonstrate with me, but I

refused to accept her new position...”

According to Ms Perez, despite the contradicting reports, they have learnt that Mrs Caro is actually being held at the Department of Immigration’s safe house, a fact they believe to be true.

“We are not sure how Adriana came to be on that boat. She is married to a US resident since December 2020 and a US lawyer has been working on her documents to allow her to come to the US legally, so this was a complete surprise for the family,” her affidavit says.

“Adriana has two brothers and a family that is desperately trying to locate her. We are asking the Bahamian government not to send her back to Cuba as she will be in great danger if she is deported to Cuba.”

PAGE 4, Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Berry Islands mother lost fight against COVID-19

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net WHILE families were celebrating on Mother’s Day, Marissa Roberts, a mother of an adopted child, lost her life.

Ms Roberts passed away at 3am on May 9 at the Beach Villas in the Berry Islands.

A Ministry of Health release dated May 13 reported a May 9 COVID19 death of a 43-year-old woman resident of the Berry Islands.

According to Ms Roberts’ aunt, she thinks her niece was tested for the disease that Friday and the results came back positive.

“I have never seen nothing like that yet,” the aunt, who did not want to be named, said.

“I thought someone stabbed her when the doctor had me called to come down to the Beach Villa….I cried so much I probably wake up everybody (at) three o’clock that morning around there.”

Ms Roberts was overweight and reportedly had preexisting conditions.

“She had hypertension among other things the doctors say,” her aunt said.

She recalled seeing her niece on May 7 when she noticed something was amiss.

“Actually I was off the island for a week because I had attended the funeral on Andros, but when I came back she didn’t look good to me,” the aunt said.

“She didn’t look good so I didn’t go in the house.

I was afraid. I just went around to the back of the window….”

She claimed that her niece’s weight also presented some issues.

“So, I called the doctor and they told me not to go inside, but they refused to drive the ambulance because she was overweight — over 600…pounds.”

Asked if her niece had suspected where she contracted the virus, the aunt revealed she asked but she “could barely talk”.

Eventually, her niece would receive some help on

May 8.

“She got medical attention right around the house.

The doctors …they came (near) because there wasn’t no one to drive the ambulance,” her relative said.

“They just give it to (her) outside. I saw her pass out (something) about 10 or 11 times right there.”

“When I say outside they had to bring the oxygen tanks from the clinic and you had the doctor and about four nurses (giving her care).”

At one point, the woman did receive care at a clinic but was sent back home, the relative said.

While fighting for her life, Ms Roberts’s mind was on her seven-year-old adopted daughter.

The aunt said: “We spoke, she came out the clinic…I didn’t want her to talk because she sounded out of breath and she said ‘aunty everything going to be okay you know’ but she kept talking about this little adopted girl.

“I said you can’t worry about (the child). You gotta worry about your health,

THE TRIBUNE

TOTAL CASES

TOTAL DEATHS

NEWLY CONFIRMED CASES SUNDAY 41 CASES

RECENTLY CONFIRMED DEATHS

11,225 221 NEW PROVIDENCE 28 ANDROS 9 GRAND BAHAMA 2 BERRY ISLANDS 1 PENDING 1

TOTAL TESTS

92,954

HOSPITALISED

46

• A 56-YEAR-OLD MAN FROM NEW PROVIDENCE ON MAY 15.

CASES IN ICU

8

RECOVERED

10,080

ONE MORE DEATH AND 41 NEW CASES THE Ministry of Health recorded 41 more cases of COVID-19 on Sunday and one additional death.

The overall case count

now stands at 11,225 while the death toll is 221.

The latest deceased victim is a 56-year-old New Providence man who

died on May 15. Twentysix deaths are under investigation. Meanwhile, 46 people are in hospital with the virus.

but I can’t take this little girl. It would be a strain on me.”

At last report, confirmed cases for the Berry Islands stood at 80 up to press time.

Two hundred and twentyone people have died locally from the disease.

PM SAYS QUICK END TO EMERGENCY LAWS NEEDS PROTOCOLS BUY-IN from page one

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis in Parliament yesterday.

Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

through The Bahamas and with the cooperation with our populace in following the mitigation protocols of the pandemic, that we would see a turn and once that commences we’d love to remove all emergency power orders so individuals can return to their normal life following the new protocols of world standards that the world has put forth as quickly as possible. It is our hope that we will not need the three months.”

Sir Cornelius cited low vaccination numbers and the third wave of COVID-19 cases in New Providence and Grand Bahama as reasons for the state of emergency.

Meanwhile, the latest emergency order lifted the curfew on Abaco, Eleuthera and Exuma.

According to the latest order, fully vaccinated people can dine indoors. On Abaco, Eleuthera, Exuma and New Providence, this applies only Monday through Saturday, however.

Fully vaccinated people are no longer required to take an RT-PCR test to travel from New Providence

and Grand Bahama and will not be required to do secondary testing on day five of inter-island travel from those islands.

On Sunday, Philip “Brave” Davis, Progressive Liberal Party leader, said his party supports measures supported by science but cannot support the “continued suspension of civil liberties.”

“With the prime minister’s own attorney general acknowledging that necessary health measures could be enacted via ordinary legislation, Bahamians understand that any move to extend the emergency powers has more to do with the state of Hubert Minnis’ political health than with the state of public health,” Mr Davis said in a statement.

“This isn’t complicated.

Minnis is scared. He does not want to debate COVID measures in Parliament, he wants to act without having to defend his decision-making. He is worried that he cannot point to science or common sense to justify the restrictions on the public. He certainly does not want scrutiny of how, and with whom, he has spent pandemic funds.”

FOR SALE

WARNING: BE CAUTIOUS OVER BUYING OR EATING CONCH FIRE TRAIL ROAD LOT NO: #23A

PROPERTY DESCRIPTION: Multi-Family Residential (Vacant land)

PROPERTY SIZE: 43,560 sq. ft. or 1 acre LOCATION: On the southern side of Fire Trail Road

about 1,800 feet West of Gladstone. The subject property is approximately 420 feet east of entrance of Jubilee Gardens on the opposite side of the road. (Property before tract road and next to gated apartment complex.)

APPRAISAL VALUE: B$320,000 INTERESTED PARTIES SHOULD CONTACT: IAN SYMONETTE 397-6940 OR 376-1343 OR DISTRESSED.PROPERTIES@COMBANKLTD.COM

THE Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority’s (BAHFSA) Food Safety and Quality Unit has again advised consumers not to purchase or consume any raw fresh conch or conch that they suspect was not properly handled and/or fully cooked.

The advisory remains in place until the source of the contamination leading to recent conch poisoning cases can be determined.

“Note that the purchasing and/or consumption of raw conch will be at your own risk,” BAHFSA said in a press release.

An active investigation is currently ongoing to determine the cause of the suspected conch poisoning.

“Until their findings are known, we ask that all conch vendors discontinue the preparation and sale of raw (fresh) conch dishes immediately,” BAHFSA said.

“Upon the completion of the investigations, BAHFSA will make its recommendations with regard to the consumption of raw conch.”

BAHFSA strongly advises all consumers to only eat well-cooked conch at this time, heated at 100 degrees C (212 degrees F) for more than 10 minutes to ensure the destruction of any potential pathogenic organisms.

It is also advised that this cooked conch not be left at temperatures above 5 degrees C (41 degrees F) for more than two hours, otherwise, throw it out.

Anyone who has consumed raw conch and feels ill is asked to seek treatment at the nearest clinic, hospital or doctor’s office.

BAHFSA asks that those affected provide the place and date of purchase and any other pertinent information or personal samples requested by medical personnel. BAHFSA requests that all medical facilities, including those on the Family Islands, report any suspected cases of gastroenteritis or conch poisoning to the Surveillance Unit of the Ministry of Health.

Contact BAHFSA at bahfsa@bahamas.gov. bs, christopherworrell@ bahamas.gov.bs or patriciajjohnson@bahamas.gov.bs for any additional inquiries.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, May 18, 2021, PAGE 5

$2.4m paid out in rent to support Bahamians

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net THE government has paid out $2.4m in rental assistance to hurting Bahamians amid the COVID-19 pandemic over the last ten months, acting Social Services Director Kim Sawyer revealed yesterday.

“For the period July 2020 to April 2021, 2,118 persons/households have been approved for rental assistance and that’s New Providence and Grand Bahama,” she said. “Total spending is $2.4m.”

The revelation came after officials announced the launch of the Ministry of Social Services’ processing management information system, ProMIS, which aims to modernise services at the agency.

The system, which is set to go live in New Providence on June 1

and the remaining islands shortly thereafter, will allow Bahamians seeking social assistance to make applications for various programmes electronically.

This comes as the social agency continues to see increased demand for public assistance due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with some 7,000 people said to be receiving social assistance from the department by way of their prepaid Bank of The Bahamas card.

“Currently, approximately 7,000 persons are receiving their assistance through that means and that assistance includes groceries from local vendors throughout the Bahamas,” Social Services Minister Frankie Campbell said yesterday, while noting the ProMIS system will facilitate three methods of payments to approved applicants.

With the new upgraded online platform, social workers also will be able to better track recipients and reduce application turnaround times among other things.

“For years, those who wanted to apply for social assistance would have to attend Social Services offices and sometimes wait on long lines and sometimes wait on the outside, sometimes exposed to the elements,” State Minister for Finance Kwasi Thompson said at yesterday’s Zoom press conference. “(But) today, (the Ministry of) Social Services announces the launch of their online application for social services benefits that will allow for those who wish to apply to do so 24/7 from the comfort of their homes.”

Mr Campbell also said the new system will usher in a new era for the agency

and added it also brings it one step closer towards full digitisation of its services.

“I am pleased to announce that effective first of June 2021, ProMIS will be launched in New Providence and about two months thereafter will be fully launched throughout Grand Bahama and the remainder of the Family Islands,” he said.

“Our social protection, management and information system, ProMIS. Our ProMIS is an e-government system that electronically facilitates all steps related to the management of social assistance, including the application, identification and eligibility, the disbursement of funds and auditing.

“ProMIS integrates data from public and private sector institutions and provides 13 web-based services in one easily accessible online portal. Through the development of ProMIS, the

previously paper-based social assistance processes were all able to be standardised, integrated and converted into an electronic system.”

Mr Campbell said his ministry has established a standard process as it relates to providing social assistance “that builds on the existing operations” of its programmes.

He said: “When applying for some type of assistance, the applicant must meet some criteria.

Currently the Bahamas do not have a means of measuring income. Therefore, ProMIS utilises a proxy means testing, PMT… It was developed to generate a score for applicants based on fairly easy to observe characteristics of the household such as the location and the quality of the dwelling, the ownership of the durable goods, demographic structure of the household and the

education of the adults.”

A part of this process also includes visitations from social workers or urban renewal employees that fall in line with current COVID protocols for verification purposes.

Once the vetting process has been completed, officials said first time applicants can hear back from the department “anywhere from about two weeks to four weeks.”

However, they said, the matter is also dependent on what type of assistance for which they applied.

As for the total cost of the system, Permanent Secretary for Social Services and Urban Development Phedra Rahming said: “I think it was $250,00 to modify an existing management information system.

It also has a price tag of $110,000 for maintenance that’s tagged to that as well.”

OWNERS COOL ON INDOOR DINING MOVE

from page one

availability. We are certainly far below 75 percent of our restaurant business, so opening the indoor dining for persons who are able to dine with us indoors would present some difficulty in management of that process and one that we will likely just not take on right now.

“We will not take advantage of it and I don’t see how that can be advantageous to us at all right now.”

The management at Spritz Wine Bar Restaurant is pretty much in a similar position. Spritz supervisor, Anthony Thompson, said the restaurant does not want to discriminate.

“To my knowledge, the manager was saying he has to wait and see how that is going to play out,” Mr Thompson said. “You don’t want to start something and everyone sees those who are sitting inside and say, ‘hey why can’t we dine

inside too?’ So he says, before we fully open inside we (are) going to wait until we get to the point of no restrictions so there cannot be any discriminating.”

Enrico Gazoroli, owner of Graycliff restaurant, is not really affected by the restriction lift, but is happy for it as he says it will make tourists feel more comfortable.

“Because we are a hotel, we were allowed indoor dining, however we have a nurse here who was testing (for COVID-19),” Mr Garzaroli said. “So even though we are not directly affected we are very pleased with the new measures that make the tourists more at ease. Now they won’t feel oppressed by the measures.

“Even though we didn’t have that constraint here at Graycliff, I am sure the tourists will feel a lot better by this. Anything that is easier mentally for the tourists will help a lot. They have been under oppression because of COVID

THE OUTDOOR dining area at Compass Point. for a while now and everywhere they went there were restrictions telling them they can’t do this and they can’t do that. So they will now come here to The Bahamas, spend and enjoy and this should make them happy.”

Graycliff recently

became the only hotel and restaurant in the country to be awarded by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) for being COVID compliant.

CARPHA is the new single regional public health agency for the Caribbean.

An emergency order

Photo: Racardo Thomas signed by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis on Sunday lifted the ban on indoor dining, making it accessible to those who are fully vaccinated.

“A restaurant may operate on Sundays, between the hours of 6am and 9pm utilising drive-through,

takeaway and outdoor dining only,” the order states.

“A restaurant may operate utilising indoor dining provided that all patrons inside are fully vaccinated and provide documentary evidence of such vaccination.”

PAGE 6, Tuesday, May 18, 2021

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Hope of an end to emergency - but it’s up to us FIRST came the news that emergency powers were being extended – and now comes the prospect that things could end sooner than that. But there’s a big “if” attached to that.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday picked out August 13 as one possible end date for the emergency powers. He wants a debate in the House on a resolution to continue the powers until then.

That of course is a lot sooner than the six-month extension on Friday, and part of that is a pragmatic approach of not having to come to Parliament over and over to keep renewing the powers, rather extending them for longer than hopefully needed then curtailing them when necessary.

However, there is little difference between the state of infections in the country between Friday and yesterday, so clearly we’re talking about a need to change our position before then. That’s where that “if” comes in.

Put simply, if things stay the way they are, that state of emergency is going to keep on rolling. What can we do to ensure it doesn’t? Well, that’s in our own hands. First, there are the ongoing measures that we have been using for a while now – masks, distancing, washing, and so on.

The more crucial one is to take the vaccinations on offer.

Good news yesterday came with the announcement that the US is increasing the supply of vaccines it is going to donate to other nations – though we don’t know yet if any will be coming our way. We would hope so, as a neighbour of the US and a prominent destination for US travellers. There is also the prospect of supplies that could come from China.

But extra supply is only half the battle.

We also need extra demand. When Tribune staff tried to book appointments for vaccinations yesterday, there were plenty of slots available – so many in fact that it looks as if people are avoiding signing up.

The overly hopeful prediction of herd immunity by the summer, made

by Health Minister Renward Wells, has long evaporated. The challenge is if we don’t increase the number of vaccinations, we won’t gain herd immunity at all.

For those who are vaccinated, the prospect of a return to a more normal life is a tantalising one. The Centers for Disease Control in the US have suggested those who are vaccinated will no longer need to wear masks outside, or indoors with other people who are

vaccinated.

Here at home, it will be easier for vaccinated people to travel between islands, and each step towards a vaccinated population will mean that more restrictions can be lifted.

Beyond the restrictions themselves, how many people who have been eligible for the vaccine might have been spared catching the virus itself in the weeks since supplies arrived? We’re not just talking being able to get back to normal, remember, we’re talking about being able to stay alive.

The vaccine is here, the path to a more normal society is clear – we just have to take it.

Missing woman The mystery of Adriana Maria Caro is a sad one – and one which needs a resolution.

The Cuban woman was on a boat that capsized in Bahamian waters along with a group of other people trying to sail to the US from Cuba. Should the group have been trying to do so? No. Were they acting illegally? Yes. Did they put themselves in danger? Yes. There have been mixed messages about where Mrs Caro could be in the aftermath of that incident, however. A cousin says they were told she may have been taken to Princess Margaret Hospital. A woman there told the cousin that Mrs Caro was there, but was discharged and handed over to the Department of Immigration.

The Carmichael Road Detention Centre denied that Mrs Caro was there initially, then a supervisor reportedly said she was there, and in good health.

However, when a follow-up call was made, the cousin says she was told that a mistake had been made and the wrong information had been given.

Perhaps there has been a mistake.

Perhaps there has been a series of mistakes. But a person should not just disappear in the system. If there was an error and Mrs Caro never did actually arrive at hospital or the detention centre then that needs to be explained, clearly and in full. If she did arrive and can now not be located, that too needs to be resolved.

Until Mrs Caro’s location can be cleared up, we do not know for sure what the problem is – but the system clearly is not working smoothly, and we should do our best to solve those problems, and to solve the mystery of Adriana Maria Caro.

Minimum wage EDITOR, The Tribune.

APART from demonstrating that he understands next to nothing about the economy and economic history of The Bahamas, Tripartite Council Vice-Chair Peter Goudie’s rejection of the recent finding that the livable wage of New Providence is $2,625.00 confirms just how out-of-touch much of our business community is to life in the modern Bahamas.

For the edification of Mr Goudie and his fellow travellers, every forcible historic increase in the wages of average Bahamians (following the 1942 Burma Road riot, following the 1959 general strike, etc) has resulted in a tangible boost, not a decrease in economic growth.

The same is largely true for our region, where Barbados, Trinidad and the Eastern Caribbean all registered almost immediate

increases to economic growth following the introduction or increase in minimum wages.

Why? Because the nature of our traditional economic dysfunction is that too much capital ends up concentrated in the hands of the wealthy (who horde, rather than spend it) and too little in the hands of wage earners (whose consumption drives the local economy at all levels).

In The Bahamas, this is compounded by a government policy of heavily taxing the poor to spare the rich having to pay international norms of taxes on property and income and then pretending (hilariously) that this outrageously stupid and immoral policy has anything to do with attracting foreign investors.

While there are indeed countries that have the balance too much in favour of wage earners, distorting growth, this is

very, very far from Bahamian reality, where (in order to spare the wealthy paying their share of taxes and wages) both wages and public spending are far too low relative to the wealth of the country, dampening aggregate demand and reducing growth prospects.

Rather than face the problem, government then goes on a perpetual hunt for endless “foreign investment”, looking for new things to sell (airports, telecoms companies, vital infrastructure, oil, aragonite and the list will go on) apparently clueless that all new external investment will produce the same distorted outcome when subjected to the regressive internal wage and tax policies that Mr Goudie and others will always howl to defend.

ANDREW ALLEN Nassau, May 14, 2021.

Apostle Williams EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE advent of the pandemic and the economic and social fall outs would have either driven Bahamians closer to God or they would have caused many to fall off spiritually and question: ‘Where is God in the middle of all of this?’ The Bahamas Christian Council and many of our churches are not doing enough, publicly, in my view, to assure doubtful and fearful Bahamians that The Lord is still on the throne.

These are the times when men and women need to strengthen or reconnect to their spiritual and not necessarily religious roots. In the natural most of what we hear; feel and perceive, since the pandemic, may well appear to be doom and gloom. Tens of thousands are without regular employment. Thousands have been evicted from apartments and homes foreclosed on.

Students in most cases are obliged to stay at home and be taught virtually. Parents who are not computer literate are not able to assist their school aged children.

God forbid that their residential electrical supplies may have been disconnected due to inability to pay the same. Life as many of us used to know it has been turned upside down literally. The Bahamas needs nuggets of wisdom from The Lord now more than ever before. Where do they go to get these?

Of course many of us have our church homes where we would have been there for years. It is unfortunate at least in my

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net personal experience that many of the people who preach the Word either did not receive it from The Lord or if they think that they did they do not appear to know the Scriptures and the fundamental patterns and truth thereof.

A simple case in point.

With economical and social dislocation most Bahamians speak negativity over their dire straights and strong words of doom and gloom. Well has it been written: “The power of Life and Death are in the tongue”. In other words these are the trying times when people should be uttering, vocally, what it is that they need God Himself to do for them and not acts and words which fuel the raging fires of defeat; doubt and lack.

May I suggest that if you are under the anointing or lack thereof of a pastor or the equivalent whose socalled ministry is impacting your life and that of your family separate yourselves.

Find a ministry based on biblical principles. Where you might ask can one find such a phenomenon? Life Changers Ministries International @ Bacardi Road headed by Apostle Valentino Williams and his wife, Doctor Cleopatra Williams is the place in my experience and opinion.

The late Dr Myles Munroe, founder of Bahamas Faith Ministries International, was a pioneer

in teaching why people need to change their mindset about biblical patterns and come to understand that God is not a God of lack or want. He wants those who call upon His name, believing and having faith, that He is more than capable and willing to meet their requests. He thought that God’s words must always come to manifestation and not return to Him void.

Dr Munroe started his ministries decades ago.

People, including myself, used to perceive him as being a religious charlatan or worse. It was only some years later as the # 1 rated radio talk show host @ MORE 94.9 FM that I came to appreciate and understand those biblical and spiritual principles. His most untimely death along with others, left a void in the spiritual life of the nation. That void remained unfilled for many years.

God, in my view, has now sent a successor and teacher in the form of Apostle Valentino Williams. Selah.

May I be so bold as to invite you, dear reader, to visit with us at Life Changers International Ministries any Sunday at either 7:30 am or 9:30am. Your life will never be the same and you will learn the biblical patterns to break generational curses; how to allow the Word of God to dig you out of a life of confusion; lack and want. To God then in all things be the glory.

ORTLAND H BODIE Jr Nassau, May 17, 2021.

Economic injustice EDITOR, The Tribune.

PERMANENT residents with the right to work and contributing to The Bahamas for 50 plus years are receiving valuations on their land some 400 percent more than what they are worth. Even with appraisals Real Property Tax is being completely unreasonable yet again.

Middle and lower income Bahamians are having the same issues with tax bills in excess of $2,000-$3,000 for homes worth $375,000$550,000 (some .60 percent tax rate) if owner occupied, tying up approximately 4plus/- weeks of the average Bahamians salary.

Homes in certain gated communities selling for $32,000,000, $35,000,000, $44,000,000 and so on and what whopping penalty do they pay to Real Property Tax? $60,000 (a mere .17 percent tax rate) or 70

percent less than the poor and middle class pay. I’ll catch holy hell from my colleagues for this stance, but this should be physically sickening to all. There’s a word used for situations like this when big elitists money and government are in bed together... Fascism!

Any home worth over $2.5m, double the tax rate immediately and all properties under $950,000 Bahamian or Permanent Residency (with the right to work) owned lowered by 20 percent now.

It’s a mere $120,000 (which these people make an hour) on these luxury properties and would still be 50 percent less than the many countries around the world where some of these same elites have similar valued homes (and numerous ones at that). Again the freebie for the obscene wealthy should be over at this point and to use their

very own language and narrative... “start paying your fair share!” And don’t get me started on the “secondary unofficial” ports of entry for the very same “Communities.”, makes certain areas of Bimini look like a walk in the park.

Monopolies for certain MP’s (or their families) on PCR tests; Government cronies going from $80,000 per year to $120,000 during a nation shutdown, etc.

All properties under $950,000 Bahamian or Permanent Residency (with the right to work) Owned lower by 20% immediately.

I suggest Bahamas Government (another group of elites) study how the French Revolution started and nip these economic injustices now!

CHRISTOPHER ARMALY Nassau, May 11, 2021.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, May 18, 2021, PAGE 7

Progress made on Abaco water storage tanks

THE Water and Sewerage Corporation has made progress with construction of new storage tanks in Marsh Harbour and Treasure Cay, Abaco.

A 1.5 million imperial gallon tank is being built in Marsh Harbour by WSC contractor Florida Aquastore. The dome structure at the Marsh Harbour site is near completion.

The tank is projected to be completed and ready to fill by the second or third week of June.

The Marsh Harbour tank had been severely damaged during Hurricane Dorian. A 750,000 imperial gallon tank is being built in Treasure Cay that is anticipated to be ready to fill by the first week of June. The Treasure Cay tank was completely destroyed by the monster storm. Both of the new tanks are three times the size of each of the damaged tanks that previously serviced these areas and the surrounding communities.

‘MAN SET OUR HOUSE ON FIRE’

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A WOMAN testified yesterday that she believes her mother’s former partner set their house on fire and threatened to kill her.

Randy Miller was accused of making death threats to Hellisha Demeritte last September.

When he first appeared before Senior Magistrate Derence Rolle Davis last year, he denied the allegation and the case was adjourned for trial.

Yesterday, Ms Demeritte gave sworn evidence against Miller in court.

She said Miller was in a relationship with her mother and he lived in their home for a “couple of months”. She said after they broke up, her mother

“kicked him out” of their home and he “busted her windows”.

Ms Demeritte said a few days after the split, her mother came to her and said she saw Miller lurking around the area, so she was going to look for him.

She said sometime later, her sister told her that their house was on fire.

“Apparently the house was on fire in the front room and my room,” she said. “Me and my uncle (put) out the fire with pails of water and pots.

All the neighbours came out and we were standing outside. My mom came back and then went to the station.”

Ms Demeritte said Miller then called her uncle and he placed the call on speaker phone to allow them to listen. She said

when she asked Miller why he tried to kill her and her sisters he told her: “Next time I’m going to kill all of you.”

“I felt very scared (so) I went to the Central Detective Unit and reported the incident,” she continued. “I just had to (put) out the fire with my siblings, now here it is, this guy is threatening my life.”

When Miller’s attorney told Ms Demeritte she had no way to prove it was his client who started the fire in their home, she responded: “My neighbour said she saw when Randy come into the house. After a fire, why would somebody call and say ‘What going on ‘round here?’ If Randy didn’t start the fire, why is he threatening me?”

The case continues on July 7.

WOMAN DENIES SMUGGLING FIREARMS

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A 25-YEAR-OLD woman who denied trying to smuggle several firearms and ammunition in addition to a large quantity of drugs into the country was yesterday granted bail before her trial.

Shandea Rolle appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt charged with five counts of attempted importation of firearms, five counts of attempted importation of ammunition, one count of attempted importation of a component of a firearm and

two counts of attempted importation of dangerous drugs into the country.

Prosecutors allege Rolle tried to import a black AM15 multi-caliber AR-15 pistol, one Stoeger STR 9c pistol, one black Glock 41 pistol, one black Smith & Wesson MP .380 pistol, and a black Taurus G3 pistol into the country on May 13.

She is also accused of trying to smuggle into the country 100 rounds of .9mm ammunition, 64 rounds of .380mm ammunition, 80 rounds of .40mm ammunition, 60 rounds of .45mm ammunition, 116 rounds of .223 ammunition and a

black .45 magazine clip on the same day.

Rolle is also accused of conspiring to import 411 grams of Indian hemp and 493 grams of THC gummy bears.

During the hearing, she pleaded not guilty to all of the allegations and the case was adjourned to December 7 for trial.

Rolle, who is represented by attorneys Wendawn Fraser and Ian Cargill, was granted $50,000 bail until that time.

She is required to report to the Carmichael Road Police Station every Wednesday on or before 6pm leading up to her trial.

BAIL GRANTED IN GRIEVOUS HARM TRIAL

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A 51-YEAR-OLD who was accused of seriously injuring another man was granted $8,000 bail ahead of his trial.

Emmanuel Jerome appeared before Senior

Magistrate Derence Rolle Davis after he was accused of causing grievous harm to Charlemagne Paul on May 13.

During his arraignment, he pleaded not guilty, and the case was adjourned to September 13 and 14 for trial.

In the meantime, Jerome

was granted $8,000 bail.

He was also warned not to interfere with any of the witnesses involved in the matter.

Magistrate Rolle Davis said if he did, his bail would be revoked, and he would be remanded into custody until the start of his trial.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, May 18, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

A model student, perfect brother and son – then fate cruelly intervened

F

OR Lyndon Sweeting and his wife Terah L HannaSweeting, they could not be more proud of their three children. They are all smart, talented and they aspire to great things in life.

The Sweetings worked hard for their children to have a good education.

Nycholas and Nolan, the two elder brothers, graduated from St John’s College.

Nycholas attended Shaw University and Nolan attended St Augustine’s University, and they share an apartment together in North Carolina.

Their younger sister Taylor graduates from St John’s in just a few weeks.

This is the point at which Lyndon and Terah should be breaking out the champagne, knowing they did a fine job of raising their children to adulthood. They will be out of the woods with high school fees and hopefully can begin the countdown to the end of college fees, then look forward to seeing all of their children blossom on their own.

But this family took a serious blow when Nolan was diagnosed with a disease that seems to have come out of nowhere and doctors cannot explain, given that there is no family history of the disease.

Nolan Earnel Wade Sweeting is an outstanding achiever.

In 2016, he graduated from St John’s as Deputy Head Boy and a member of the school choir, soccer, volleyball and track and field teams. Outside of school, he also ran with Tonique Williams Track Club.

Nycholas and Nolan enjoyed swimming with the Flamingo Swim Club under Coach Moxey. Nolan was even a participant in the prestigious Gentlemen’s Club.

But long before this, Nolan was making an incredible mark on the world. He is a lifetime member of St Barnabas Anglican Church and he actively participated in the youth choir, marching band and concert band

before heading off to university. He also sang in a group directed by Kaylen Jervis, and other choirs throughout his upbringing. He has served as a soloist in every choir he has participated in. He is an avid drum player, but his mother says he can pick up any instrument and learn how to play it, and he has several theory levels. He has written, directed and performed in plays for school and for his family on occasions such as Christmas since he was a youngster. His love for music is just as strong as his love for poetry.

Nolan is known as a young leader who dedicates himself to whatever task or project he is assigned. His parents, teachers and mentors always described him as “self-motivated and creative”. They say he has always given of himself freely to help family, friends and people in general, regardless of the activity or event.

Last year, Nolan graduated from St Augustine’s with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a stellar track record. He was the 20192020 president of the Student Government Association.

He became a lead vocalist in the University Choir now known as the Chamber Singers, which allowed him to travel and represent his school and his country. Nolan also became a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity on campus and served as Vice President of the Gamma Psi Chapter 2018-2019. He was very involved and was elevated to the rank of Chief of Staff for the Raleigh, North Carolina undergraduate brothers.

Nolan’s dream is to become a veterinarian. So, once he got his Bachelor’s, he applied to North Carolina University to study Veterinary Science, and he was accepted.

“I began my efforts towards my aspiration and goal at Marathon Veterinary Clinic where I shadowed the Doctor at this Animal Hospital,” he

ABOVE: The Sweeting family.

RIGHT: Nolan’s high school graduation photo.

BELOW: Nolan always helped to fight for the rights of others, now he is in the fight of his life.

shared in his personal statement to the University.

“Further determination to meet my goals led me to become an intern at The Bahamas Ministry of Agriculture Veterinary Unit. Other experiences included a Veterinary Fellowship at the Ann Road Animal Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. I also completed a mandatory senior research course, and details are found in my resume.”

In the statement, he referred to a quote by Rudyard Kipling: “If you can fill the unforgiving minute with 60 seconds worth of distance run, yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, and – which is more – you’ll be a man, my son!”

“Life is a continuous forward motion of experiences

and opportunities that we can either loathe or cherish for a lifetime,” Nolan said.

“Four years of college experiences shows one a glimpse or fraction of the forward motion.

The lessons of knowing what to loathe and what to cherish during this time period has been an education for me. Rudyard Kipling’s verses have made me to understand more the worth of time in a lifetime by comparing what we’ve done with the amount of time we spent doing it.”

“Along with my educational pursuits, I worked part-time to assist in paying my financial obligations and also to connect more with the community. Most Saturdays are often “futsal Saturday” (a football game played on a hard court), played with close friends and local undergraduate students. This is a recent community project that my brother and I are working on to bring more people together. Our goal is to bring the community together through entertainment.”

Nolan said his St Augustine’s experience provided him with the opportunity to gain more “knowledge, listening skills and the inspiration to become the student leader of over one thousand students”.

He said it gave him “four great years of lessons and opportunities” that he could now use as he has to “traverse the next run” towards his goal.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he did not start classes at North Carolina University in the Fall. He was scheduled to begin classes this January, but his plans would be seriously derailed after what he thought would be a quick visit to the emergency room.

Nolan had been experiencing headaches. His parents thought it may have been stress. He was working and preparing to begin studying for his Master’s degree in a matter of weeks. Because they were consistent, he called his mother on December 21 to say he was going to Urgent Care to have it checked out. They immediately sent him to the hospital next door to the emergency room, because his blood pressure was extremely elevated.

When he told her what his pressure reading was, Terah exclaimed: “Wow, that’s stroke pressure!”

“I never in my wildest dreams thought that his headaches would be associated with high blood pressure,” she told me.

“He was only 22-yearsold, he is an athlete, he eats healthy food, he is small – he isn’t overweight - I would have never thought. He had me on a video call and left it open so I could hear what was going on as he was being seen by the doctors and

nurses at the ER. This went on for about half an hour or more.

Then I heard the nurse say, ‘Well, Nolan, we are going to admit you and we are moving you to the Intensive Care Unit’. Well, when she said that, I burst out crying.

I started sobbing. Then I heard him say, ‘Mommy, mommy, hey, hey, hey! What is that? Why are you crying?

Stop that!’ I pulled myself together and I said anyway, when you get settled in, call me back. He did.

“They ran tests on him.

The next day, I decided, I would go to North Carolina. My child is in ICU and I couldn’t wait for someone to tell me what was happening with him. My job was to end in a couple days for the Christmas holiday. That evening, I told my husband, I will take Taylor with me, since it’s the holiday.

The next morning, I was convinced he should come too, even though my flight was leaving at 1 o’clock that afternoon. Somehow, I had no doubt that I would be able to get the extra tickets for them. Because of the pandemic, seats were available. I was supposed to pick up my daughter’s passport from the US Embassy the next day.

But I called and thank God her passport was ready and they let me pick it up. I had to dash around and get the tickets, pick up the passport, go to the bank to get money changed, and we were off!

“We went to our boys’ apartment and left our bags. We went to the hospital. They only allowed one person in at a time. It was difficult but through it all, God has been good. This was the first time my family had been all together at one time in about two to three years.

“Despite the circumstances, it was a good trip.

We envisioned that we would be going for about two weeks at the most. We ended up staying there two-and-a-half months. I have nothing but praise for the medical team at the hospital. I would stake out the room; I sat there for hours and hours at a time with him. The nurses and doctors were very informative every step of the way. It’s very emotional talking about it.

“Nolan was officially diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease. We are stepping out in faith and moving towards the goal. He is getting ready to go back to school in the fall and he is determined.

All I am here to do is help him achieve his goal and

NOLAN with his mother and sister at the Gentleman’s Club ceremony. help him to stay well. It could take three to five years for him to get a transplant. His case has been handed over from Rex Hospital to Duke Hospital. Doctors have a high interest in his case because he is so young with no family history.”

Nolan’s official diagnosis is End Stage Renal Failure. He has gratefully been moved up the transplant list. Through the entire ordeal, Terah said her son was upbeat and bubbly and kept saying, “Mom, I’m not sick”. She said she feels this great attitude helped him to handle his dialysis very well. He has to eat special foods and have treatments on a regular basis, and he cannot even take in too much liquid.

“His parents will bring him home this weekend for a special cookout fundraiser on Whit Monday in his honour.

They want him to stay for two weeks, but due to the cost of dialysis three days per week here, he doesn’t want to stay long; rather, he wants to return and continue dialysis in North Carolina where his insurance allows his parents to pay less fees.

He has strong family support and a great legacy. He is the grandson of ER and Carol Hanna, and Wilfred and Hilda Sweeting. Carol is a veteran educator, former principal and former Deputy Director of Education.

Nolan’s bills are mounting daily and currently exceed $200,000.

The cookout is set for Whit Monday, May 24, 2021 on the campus of St John’s College (a curb-side affair) beginning at 11:00am until 5:00pm. Contact 557-3006, or 424-7728 or email carol. hanna24@gmail.com to help 23-year-old Nolan overcome his health challenge and go on to live a full life.

THE TRIBUNE

The Peter Young column THOSE watching the hostilities between the Israelis and Palestinians unfold will surely be shocked by the violence that has erupted. It has been described by the UN as “utterly appalling”. The fighting, which has now entered a second week, is the most recent manifestation of a feud that continues to blight an historic landscape that has been torn apart by bloodshed for several centuries, and in recent decades it has intensified in what seems to have become a cyclical pattern.

To most observers, it is inevitable the conflict will continue until some sort of political settlement is reached to enable the two communities to live together in peace in Palestine, which was the name originally given to the geographic region between the Mediterranean and the River Jordan. After the Second World War and the Holocaust, the United Nations called in 1947 for Palestine to be partitioned, allowing for the

Tuesday, May 18, 2021, PAGE 9

A CONFLICT WITH NO END CONTINUES ITS BLOODY PATH

A PALESTINIAN firefighter extinguishes a fire from a beachside cafe after it was hit by an Israeli airstrike in Gaza City yesterday.

A war between Israel After a period of relaformation of a Jewish state. for those living in Europe But this was not accepted and elsewhere – and to the and Arab countries fol- tive quiet, it appears that by the Palestinians and recognition by the League lowed, with the latter the spark for the curagreement to a two-state of Nations in 1922 of the sending armies into Pal- rent clashes that have opinion solution seems as far away British Mandate over the estine with the aim of galvanised as ever as the interests of territory that had been strangling the new nation amongst Israeli Arabs and the two sides have become preceded by the Balfour at birth. The Israelis pre- set off long-simmering Declaration of 1917. This vailed and large numbers resentment – as well as irreconcilable.

The modern history of formally promised Britain’s of Palestinians fled to triggering waves of more the Arab-Israeli dispute is support for establishment neighbouring countries like than an estimated three seen generally as starting of a “national home for the Jordan, Lebanon and Syria; thousand rocket attacks from the creation of Israel Jewish people”. Meanwhile, but Jordan assumed admin- by Hamas on Israel – was as an independent state Jewish immigration was istrative control of the not only Palestinians being in 1948. But the seeds of growing, Britain’s adminis- West Bank and Egypt held evicted from their homes in the conflict go back much tration of Palestine ended Gaza. In the subsequent East Jerusalem and other further to the Ottoman and the issue was passed to 1967 conflict (the six-day places in the West Bank Empire, Zionism – a move- the UN, whose two-state war), Israel reconquered to make way for Israeli ment at the end of the 19th proposal was accepted by these territories and also settlers. It was also the century whose dream was the Jews but rejected by the took control of the Golan storming by heavy-handed to build an independent Palestinians, and the state Heights and the Sinai Pen- police of the sacred Alinsula. The Yom Kippur Aqsa Mosque compound Jewish nation as a haven of Israel was founded. war, against a coalition of in Jerusalem. Reportedly, Arab states, followed in this is the third holiest 1973 and Israel invaded site in Islam after Mecca Lebanon in 1982 to attack and Medina and is also the terrorist organisation revered by Jews for whom compensation and for a are contestable, nothing Hezbollah. Then, between it is known as the Temple regulator to issue fines should be beyond ques1987 and 1993 there was Mount. So this was said for breaching the leg- tion. So, such freedom is a Palestinian uprising – to be a major issue, and it islation.

In response, an essential part of higher the Intifada – as a protest helped to precipitate interuniversities have urged the education. The clash of against some twenty years communal confrontation, government to be “pro- competing views can of repression and confisca- with Israeli citizens – Jews portionate” since existing produce new ideas and tion of land by the Israelis. and Arabs – fighting one laws and regulations on challenge old orthodoxMeanwhile, the US was another on the streets in freedom of expression are ies. Thus, such education brokering peace deals; for clashes that had not been sufficient to protect aca- should be all about the example, the Camp David seen for many years. The demic freedom. They add free exchange of ideas Accords in 1978 and the fate of Jerusalem, with its that instances of “no plat- rather than shutting Oslo Accord of 1993 which deep religious and national forming” have been few down debate. Freedom provided for interim Pal- significance to both sides, and that universities in of expression protects estinian self-government lies at the heart of the longBritain remain determined the right of everybody to and a degree of autonomy standing Israeli-Palestinian that their campuses should have different views and in parts of the West Bank conflict. be places where students ideas which is the essence and Gaza without offering In the current worsenare exposed to a diversity of democracy. The role statehood. Later, in 2011, ing situation, one aspect of ideas and views. of the academic, therethe Palestinians delivered that seems to have received Be that as it may, in the fore, should be to prompt a formal request to the relatively little media view of many people it is debate that pushes the UN for recognition of its attention is the Abraham vital in a democracy for boundaries of knowlstatehood.

Accords. Brokered by Presthe government to defend edge and to develop in The latest clashes were ident Trump in 2020, these freedom of thought and their students an intelpreceded in recent years by saw Arab states like Bahexpression. Its plans for lectual robustness and an repeated Israeli assaults in rain and the United Arab legislation have already ability to argue against Gaza on Hamas that were Emirates agreeing to norstimulated debate on ideas they disagree with severe enough to merit a malise relations with Israel the issue, not least in -- or find unpleasant or UN war crimes investiga- through unprecedented the context of “woke- objectionable -- rather tion. Hamas was designated co-operation across a wide ness” which is defined than to shield them from a militant terrorist group range of sectors, including as an alertness to racial such debate. The prevenwhich, backed by Iran, security and intelligence. or social discrimination tion of offence cannot be was firing rockets indis- The latest clashes may have and injustice. Former placed above the right to criminately on to Israeli soured these new relations Labour leader and Prime debate opposing ideas. territory. which will no doubt now be Minister Tony Blair has So students should not be unleashed a stinging allowed to decide about public attack on what he by-passing debate in order has termed the “woke to protect themselves left” which has mounted from allegedly offensive an aggressive assault on or distasteful ideas and free speech that is sweep- thus determine who can or ing the country. It is cannot speak on campus. claimed that too many of Against this background, those in authority either many will hope that the endorse “wokeness” or government’s new legislafail to stand up against it tion about free speech will – for example, the Arch- fulfil its purpose. bishop of Canterbury Interestingly, the issue who, reportedly, is not of “cancel culture” is also actively supporting one growing in the US, not of his priests who, in stat- just in colleges but more ing the Christian position, broadly in the corporate preached the importance world where people are of tolerance but was criti- penalised in different cised for doing so and lost ways for views that do his job in the process. not accord with what is Some argue that a deemed to be acceptable fundamental tenet of aca- “group think”. But that’s a demic freedom is that, wider subject for another since most claimed truths time.

ACADEMIC FREEDOM ESSENTIAL IN HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE Queen’s Speech at the reopening of the UK Parliament last week, when she set out the government’s priorities and legislative agenda for the year ahead, there was one item which has apparently escaped much media attention. This was the government’s plan to introduce new laws protecting free speech on university campuses.

It appears that new requirements and safeguards will be imposed on universities and students’ unions to ensure freedom of expression both for its members and for visiting speakers. The Ministry of Education says it is worried about the “chilling effect on campuses of unacceptable silencing and censoring” – and there is also the general perception that Left-wing attitudes tend to prevail in universities so that noncompliance with what is deemed to be the progressive view about, for example, equality and diversity is frowned on if not sanctioned in some way.

Legislation is the government’s response to this and, specifically, to a number of recent high profile cases of “no platforming” when outside speakers invited to address the students on a particular subject have been cancelled and banned from speaking on campus because a vocal minority of students claimed their ideas or views might have been offensive or distasteful and that they and other students should be protected from these.

The new requirements could provide for speakers who have been “no platformed” to sue for

CENTENARY OF ROYAL BRITISH LEGION LAST weekend marked the 100th birthday of the Royal British Legion. Its annual Poppy Day appeal is often in the news, but there may be less public awareness of this wonderful organisation’s commitment to care for veterans and their families which sometimes can be life-saving. Its reassuring presence is a symbol of hope for the Armed Forces community as it honours and supports veterans for their service in protecting their country. In his message on the occasion of this important commemoration of its centenary, Prince

Charles spoke in particular about the Legion holding a special place at the heart of society.

On 15 May, wreaths were laid at the Cenotaph in central London and in other parts of the country to mark the exact moment the Royal British Legion was formed in 1921 – and its Director General spoke of the organisation’s pledge to ensure that those who have given so much for their country will continue to receive the recognition, support and fair treatment they deserve.

This is surely a good moment as well to pay

tribute to the extraordinarily effective contribution that Adina Munroe-Charlow, Chairman-Treasurer of the Royal British Legion – Bahamas Branch, has made over many years in running this important body and supporting numerous individual Bahamian veterans as well as organising so many Remembrance services and events. Her interest in the Nassau War Cemetery, which is owned and maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, has also been much appreciated. May she long continue her excellent work.

Photo: Khalil Hamra/AP put on hold since the Arab states concerned will not wish to be seen as too close to a country which is killing Palestinians, whatever the provocation from Hamas.

As international outrage over the continuing bombardment of Gaza intensifies, there is now increasing pressure on the US and UN to help to negotiate a ceasefire and de-escalation of hostilities.

Egypt and Qatar are also involved in the diplomacy.

The Israelis will be pressed by all to stop their retaliatory air strikes, having succeeded in taking out Hamas’ military structure in Gaza and destroying part of its network of tunnels alongside the border. But this has been at a terrible cost of civilian casualties.

The people of Gaza have already suffered from Israel’s direct external control over the territory, but it is also important to note that Hamas is a violent terror group which does not recognise Israel’s right to exist.

As to the future, the prospects of long-term successful political negotiations remain remote.

Israel considers Jerusalem to be its capital and it was boosted by the move of the US embassy there from Tel Aviv in 2018. But the Palestinians claim the eastern half of Jerusalem as the capital of a hoped-for state of their own. The US will surely continue to recognise Israel’s right to exist and defend itself against rocket attacks from Gaza. But it is said the Palestinians believe that violence can be justified because of what they claim is Israeli occupation of lands rightfully belonging to them. It is no exaggeration to say that the situation remains hideously complicated.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, May 18, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Biden: US to give away 80m vaccine doses WASHINGTON Associated Press PRESIDENT Joe Biden said yesterday that the US will share an additional 20 million doses of COVID19 vaccines with the world in the coming six weeks as domestic demand for shots drops and global disparities in distribution have grown more evident.

The doses will come from existing production of Pfizer, Moderna or Johnson & Johnson vaccine stocks, marking the first time that US-controlled doses of vaccines authorised for use in the country will be shared overseas. It will boost the global vaccine sharing commitment from the US to 80 million.

“We know America will never be fully safe until the pandemic that’s raging globally is under control,” Biden said at the White House.

The announcement comes on top of the Biden’s administration’s prior commitment to share about 60

million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which is not yet authorised for use in the US, by the end of June.

The AstraZeneca doses will be available to ship once they clear a safety review by the Food and Drug Administration.

Biden also tapped COVID-19 coordinator Jeff Zients to lead the administration’s efforts to share doses with the world.

“Our nation’s going to be the arsenal of vaccines for the rest of the world,” Biden said. He added that, compared to other countries like Russia and China that have sought to leverage their domestically produced doses, “we will not use our vaccines to secure favours from other countries”.

The Biden administration hasn’t yet said how the new commitment of vaccines will be shared or which countries will receive them.

To date, the US has shared about 4.5 million doses of AstraZeneca vaccine with Canada and

Mexico.

Additional doses of the Pfizer vaccine manufactured in the US have begun to be exported as the company has met its initial contract commitments to the federal government.

The US has faced growing pressure to share more of its vaccine stockpile with the world as interest in vaccines has waned domestically.

“While wealthy countries continue ramping up vaccinations, less than 1 percent of COVID-19 vaccine doses globally have been administered to people in low-income countries,” said Tom Hart, the acting CEO of the ONE Campaign.

“The sooner the US and other wealthy countries develop a coordinated strategy for sharing vaccine doses with the world’s most vulnerable, the faster we will end the global

pandemic for all.”

More than 157 million Americans have received at least one dose of a COVID19 vaccine, and 123 million are full vaccinated against

the virus. Biden hopes the U.S. will have 160 million people fully vaccinated by July Fourth.

Globally, more than 3.3 million people are

confirmed to have died from the coronavirus. The US has seen the largest confirmed loss of life from COVID-19, at more than 586,000 people.

identified in India under close observation and taking swift action where infection rates are rising,” he said. “I urge everyone to be cautious and take responsibility when enjoying new freedoms today in order to keep the virus at bay.”

Cases of the variant have more than doubled in a week in the UK, defying a sharp nationwide downward trend in infections and deaths won by hard-earned months of restrictions and a rapid vaccination campaign.

A surge testing and stepped-up vaccination effort was being conducted in the northern England areas hardest hit by that variant.

Health Secretary Matt

Hancock said the variant, formally known as B.1.617.2, is more transmissible than the UK’s main strain and “it is likely it will become the dominant variant”.

On Monday, people in England will be able to eat a restaurant meal indoors, drink inside a pub, go to a museum, hug friends and visit one another’s homes for the first time in months.

A ban on overseas holidays is also being lifted, with travel now possible to a short list of countries with low infection rates. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are following similar but slightly different reopening paths.

Patrick Dardis, chief executive of brewery and pub chain Young’s, said the

indoor opening — which follows the reopening of outdoor patios and beer gardens last month — is “a big step back on to the path to normality”.

“The weather has been pretty dire, and people are hardy, but we really needed this next step to come,” he said.

But hospitality and entertainment venues say they won’t be able to make money until they can open at full capacity. That’s due to happen June 21, the date set by the government for lifting its remaining COVID-19 restrictions, including social distancing and mask-wearing rules.

Johnson has said if the new variant causes a big surge in cases, it could scupper that plan.

Britain has recorded almost 128,000 coronavirus deaths, the highest reported toll in Europe. But new infections have plummeted to an average of around 2,000 a day, compared with nearly 70,000 a day during the winter peak, and deaths have fallen to single figures a day.

Almost 70 percent of British adults have received a first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and more than 38 percent have had both doses.

Health officials, backed by the army, are carrying out surge testing in Bolton and Blackburn in northwest England, where cases of the new variant are clustered. Pop-up vaccination sites have been set up to speed the inoculation drive,

with authorities aiming to inoculate all members of multi-generational households to stop the variant spreading within families.

Across the country, the government is shortening the gap between doses for people over 50 from 12 to eight weeks in a bid to give them more protection.

Hancock said scientists had a “high degree of confidence” that current vaccines work against the Indian-identified variant.

Critics of Britain’s Conservative government say lax border rules allowed the new variant to enter the country. They accuse the government of delaying a ban on visitors from India, which is experiencing a devastating coronavirus outbreak.

BRITAIN MOVES A STEP CLOSER TO LIFTING LOCKDOWN LONDON Associated Press

TRAVELLERS in England were packing their bags, bartenders were polishing their glasses and performers were warming up as Britain prepared for a major step out of lockdown — but with clouds of worry on the horizon.

Excitement at the reopening of travel and hospitality vied with anxiety that a more contagious virus variant first found in India is spreading fast and could delay further plans to reopen.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged Britons to “take this next step with a heavy dose of caution”.

“We are keeping the spread of the variant first

ISRAEL STRIKES GAZA TUNNELS GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip Associated Press

THE Israeli military unleashed another heavy wave of airstrikes Monday on the Gaza Strip, saying it destroyed militant tunnels and the homes of nine Hamas commanders. International diplomacy to end the weeklong war that has killed hundreds appeared to make little headway.

Israel has said it will press on for now with its attacks against Hamas, the militant group that rules Gaza, and the United States signaled it would not pressure the two sides for a cease-fire.

The latest attacks destroyed the five-story building housing the Hamas-run Religious Affairs Ministry, a building Israel said housed the main operations center of Hamas’ internal security forces.

Israel also killed a top Gaza leader of Islamic Jihad, another militant group whom the Israeli military blamed for some of the thousands of rocket attacks launched at Israel in recent days. Israel said its strikes destroyed 15 kilometers (9 miles) of tunnels used by militants.

At least 200 Palestinians have been killed in the week of airstrikes, including 59 children and 35 women, with some 1,300 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Ten people in Israel, including a 5-year-old boy and a soldier, have been killed in the ongoing rocket attacks launched from civilian areas in Gaza toward civilian areas in Israel.

Violence has also erupted between Jews and Arabs inside Israel, leaving scores of people injured. On Monday, a Jewish man attacked last week by a group of Arabs in the central city of Lod died of his wounds, according to police.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with top security officials on

AN ISRAELI air strike hits a building in Gaza City yesterday. Photo: Hatem Moussa/AP Monday evening and later said Israel would “continue to strike terror targets” in Gaza. “We will continue to operate as long as necessary in order to return calm and security to all Israeli citizens,” he said.

The new airstrikes, which hit Gaza overnight Monday and again in the evening, hollowed out one floor of a multistory concrete building and killed five people. A woman picked through clothing, rubble and splintered furniture in a room that had been destroyed. One strike demolished the wall of one room, leaving untouched an open cabinet filled with bedding inside. Children walked over debris in the road.

A car in the street that witnesses said was hit by an airstrike was bent and torn, its roof ripped back and what was left of the driver’s side door smeared with blood. A beachside cafe

the car had just left was splintered and on fire. Rescue workers tried to put out the blaze with a small fire extinguisher.

Gaza City’s mayor, Yahya Sarraj, said the strikes had caused extensive damage to roads and other infrastructure. He said water supplies to hundreds of households were disrupted. “We are trying hard to provide water, but the situation remains difficult,” he said.

The UN has warned that the territory’s sole power station is at risk of running out of fuel. Gaza already experiences daily power outages for between eight and 12 hours, and tap water is undrinkable. Mohammed Thabet, a spokesman for the territory’s electricity distribution company, said it has fuel to supply Gaza with electricity for two or three days.

US SUPREME COURT TO HEAR CASE OVER ABORTION RIGHTS WASHINGTON Associated Press THE Supreme Court agreed yesterday to a showdown over abortion in a case that could dramatically alter nearly 50 years of rulings on abortion rights.

With three justices appointed by President Donald Trump part of a 6-3 conservative majority, the court is taking on a case about whether states can ban abortions before a fetus can survive outside the womb.

Mississippi, which is asking to be allowed to enforce an abortion ban after 15 weeks of pregnancy, is not asking the court to overrule the 1973 Roe v Wade decision confirming a woman’s right to an abortion, or a decision 19 years later that reaffirmed it.

But abortion rights supporters said the case is a clear threat to abortion rights. “The court cannot uphold this law without overturning the principal protections of Roe v Wade,” Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a call with reporters.

Even if the court does not explicitly overrule earlier cases, a decision favorable to the state could lay the groundwork for allowing even more restrictions on abortion, including state bans

on abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, as early as six weeks.

The case probably will be argued in the fall, with a decision likely in the spring of 2022 during the campaign for congressional midterm elections.

Mississippi’s ban had been blocked by lower courts as inconsistent with Supreme Court precedent that protects a woman’s right to obtain an abortion before the fetus can survive outside her womb.

“States may regulate abortion procedures prior to viability so long as they do not impose an undue burden on the woman’s right, but they may not ban abortions. The law at issue is a ban,” Judge Patrick Higginbotham of the 5th US Circuit Court of Appeals wrote in affirming a lower-court ruling that invalidated the law.

The Supreme Court had previously turned down state appeals over previability abortion bans.

More than 90 percent of abortions take place in the first 13 weeks of a woman’s pregnancy, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

John Bursch, vice president of the anti-abortion Alliance Defending Freedom, said the high court has repeatedly held that states can regulate abortions later in pregnancy.

PAGE 11

TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2021

Shauntae loses out on Miss Universe title but wins Bahamians’ hearts

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

SHE may have not walked away with the crown, but Bahamians are commending Shauntae Miller on her “stellar performance” at the 69th Miss Universe competition on Sunday night.

Scores of well-wishers made it known they were tuning in just to see how the Bahamian beauty queen performed and they were not disappointed.

Many of them said she carried herself in a graceful confident manner, making her way through the preliminary rounds at the beginning of the pageant to be selected as one of the 21 contestants to advance to the swimsuit segment of the pageant.

Unfortunately, Shauntae did not make the cut when the top 10 contestants were selected to compete in the evening gown segment. Out of that crop of beauty queens, five were selected for the question and answer session.

Shauntae posted a ‘thank you’ message on her Facebook page letting her fans and fellow Bahamians know she appreciates their support.

Her post said: “In all things give thanks...Lord, I thank you.

The Bahamas, I hope I made you proud.”

Shauntae is the sister of Bahamian gold medal-winning Olympian Shaunae Miller. She is also a health and fitness advocate, track coach and aspiring entrepreneur.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Pre-Medicine Biology, a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counselling and is currently pursuing a PhD at Carson Newman University.

The beauty queen is being praised by Bahamians everywhere for how well she represented the country.

One pageant fan, Codel, posted said: “Officially thee the best reign we’ve ever seen in pageant history in the Bahamas, the support showed it all. We love you, queen.”

Fellow fan Randeika also shared her sentiments on the queen’s Facebook page: “I was on the edge of my bed the entire time. God knows how bad I wanted to hear the Bahamas called to see Shauntae Ashleigh Miller walk across that stage, but trust me, there is nothing more that she could have done to represent The Bahamas as she did from she stepped foot into the Hard Rock. She slew during pageant week and her swimsuit performance are one for the books. And

MAIN Shauntae in her national costume Benjamin Askinas/Miss Universe that yellow gown was so perfect for her skin. You may not have won Miss Universe tonight, but check the vlogs baby! You put The Bahamas on the map! You set trends and you brought us (fame).

It is only up from here for you.

You are still blessed and highly favoured and were chosen for such a time as this. God makes no mistakes. You should be proud.”

Bahamian makeup artist Dominic posted: “From ‘You think I should compete?’ To what you did this weekend, you have proven that with God you can accomplish any and everything. You may have not won the crown, but you won the heart of the Bahamian people.

For the first time in forever, they

united because they saw what you were doing for our country. You elevated the pedestal for the next queen to be noticed. Keep your head up and your smile bright.”

The competition was held in Hollywood, Florida, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.

Access Hollywood’s Mario Lopez and Olivia Culpo, the 2012 Miss Universe, co-hosted the event.

At the end of the night, Mexico’s Andrea Meza has crowned Miss Universe.

She beat out 73 other women, including Miss Brazil Julia Gama, who was the runner-up, and Miss Peru Janick Maceta Del Castillo, who was the second runner-up.

The ‘boyfriend’ fashion trend for 2021

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

THE “boyfriend” jeans or shirts have become a staple in almost every woman’s wardrobe.

No boyfriend? No problem.

There is always an oversized tee you can borrow from your dad, brother or male family member’s closet to add to your fit; ideal for those days a lady wants to feel carefree in her outfit of choice.

Even a celebrity like Kim Kardashian, who has access to countless designer pieces, admitted to wearing her soon-to-be ex-husband Kanye West’s clothing from time to time.

“When I can’t figure out what to wear, I look in my husband’s closet,” she said in 2015.

But with big brands like Fashion Nova, Forever 21, H&M and others incorporating the boyfriend fashion trend into their newest collections, it has given us ladies the option to leave our men’s closet alone and seek even better sartorial choices.

The trend now known as the boyfriend style is any type of women’s clothing that has a looser fit or looks as if it’s a size too big; everything from shirts and blazers

to trousers and jeans. The style is versatile and can be worn with other garments that are more fitted. For example, a boyfriend T-shirt paired with skinny jeans

or leggings completes an “errand day” look. The boyfriend jeans, which appear baggier on a woman, can be worn with a more fitted top to complete an ensemble for any

occasion. The style can be dressed up or down as is needed.

“One of the greatest perks to wearing your boyfriend’s clothing is how effortlessly it comes together by just pairing the outfit with some heels or big earring hoops,” said local fashionista Karissa Forbes.

“I have worn my boyfriend’s clothing before, but apart from that, I fell in love with wearing oversized shirts. They are just so cute, comfortable and free-flowing. Whether it is lunch, dinner or just a day out, they are my go-to.

With braids or with a high-top bun, you can never go wrong with a shirt dress style, trust me, it’s chic.”

Crystal Johnson said all that is needed for her is a statement piece and she is good to go.

“I like my husband’s button-up shirts. He is much taller than I am, so they flow perfectly for outfits that I have in mind. For example, they make for the perfect beach cover-up once the material isn’t too heavy. Make sure it’s a light fabric shirt, throw on your favourite sandals, the biggest shades you can find and a crossbody bag, and honey, that’s an entire look, you hear me, a look!”

She added: “If you have a stylish brim hat that is even better.

Not a soul would know you are wearing something that doesn’t belong to you, but your spouse.

He may not even know until you tell him.”

Fashion enthusiasts all agree that the boyfriend fashion trend is versatile and perfect for when the occasion calls for casual and chic.

Branique Cooper said whether you are in a relationship or not, the options for boyfriend fashions are plenty, with loads of potential “bomb” outfit ideas.

“Thank God, we have the option to purchase the styles ourselves. God forbid you’re in a relationship, break up and don’t have the option of playing around with your boyfriend’s clothing anymore. I love that the trend is fun and can be mixed and matched or paired up with any stylish piece for any occasion,” she said.

“I think pulling it off also has to do with style too, though. The saying is true, you can have all the fashion pieces in the world, the most expensive ones too, but my dear, if you don’t have style, you won’t pull it off.”

PAGE 12, Tuesday, May 18, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

How best to compromise in marriage

By CARA HUNT Tribune Features Writer cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

Compromise is essential in any marriage. When you’re single it’s easy to make your own decisions, but when you have a life partner who will also be affected by the choices you make it’s a different story.

But while it is easy to make concessions when it comes to smaller things in a relationship, how you handle the larger, more important decisions can determine how supportive and lasting a relationship will be.

This week, our female readers explain how they handle the decision-making process with their spouse.

“I think my husband and I try to just be considerate of each other,” said Tanya, who has been married for 11 years.

“You learn what is important to the other person and so if it’s something you know you feel less strongly about it’s easy to say, ‘OK, let’s do that because then there will always be something else that you will care for and it’s your turn. For example, on our last vacation, I wanted to do a cruise with our kids, but my husband instead wanted us to travel to visit his brother in Detroit because they were having a family event. The event came up after we booked our cruise, but I knew he wanted to go, so we changed our plans. We ended up having a great time and he knows that next

to the vacation, after COVID, is my cruise.”

Tiana said she and her husband of three years weigh the pros and cons of each side before coming to a mutual decision.

“So, we talk it through. The most important thing to me is that you at least hear me out. So, we each say our piece, and usually so far just having a calm rationale conversation where we listen respectfully has helped us. We usually are on the same page on the same stuff. We have yet to reach an issue we couldn’t agree on thankfully,” she said.

Larissa said being on the same page is vital to compromise.

“No one in a marriage will ever get what they want all the time, that’s unrealistic, and if you are the spouse who always gets

Review: Exclusive women’s club sparks a new mystery novel

By ALICIA RANCILIO Associated Press

what they want, remember that comes at a price. Your partner could very well end up resenting you, because if you ask someone to give too much of themselves, eventually they may not have anything left,” she said.

Larissa said that she and her husband of two years had a major conflict when he wanted to move into an apartment owned by his parents to save money.

“The area was across town from everything - my family, where our son’s school is and my job. I spent all my time in traffic driving in the morning and the evening.

I tried to make it work and think about my husband’s point of the money being saved. But it was just impractical. I would just be miserable every day. We ended

“A Special Place for Women,” by Laura Hankin (Berkley) If you’ve harboured curiosity or skepticism about secret societies or clubs, “A Special Place for Women” by Laura Hankin will be right up your alley.

It starts with a woman named Jillian Beckley in need of a win. She recently lost her mother to cancer, the news website she wrote for has shut down, and she needs to move out of her mom’s house — which just sold — but she’s seriously low on cash and has no place to go.

A chance meeting with one of New York’s power players, Margot Wilding, at the opening of her best friend Raf’s restaurant, gives her a story idea that could turn things around.

up fighting a lot because I was so frustrated,” she said.

Matters came to a head when she missed an important meeting at work because an accident made her an hour late one day.

“I blew up and we had a huge fight. I told him that I was no longer going to do it and he had a choice: we could move into a cheap apartment closer to everything or I would stay with my parents through the week,” she said.

Fortunately, when her husband realised how the situation was affecting her, he agreed that it would be better to move.

“There are times when you just have to say, ‘You know what, it’s not worth making my partner unhappy’,” she said.

Wilding is one of the founders of an exclusive women’s club called Nevertheless. It’s so top secret, no one even knows where the meetings are held or what the group does for that matter, except you need to be invited to join and the membership fees are significant.

To a journalist like Jillian, getting inside could be the investigative scoop that would kick-start her career.

But how far is she willing to go to be accepted by this elusive group of women?

Comedian Samantha Bee has acquired the rights with Paramount Television Studios to turn the mystery novel into a TV series.

2021 International Day of Families: Director recommends SPICES for families to cope with new technology challenges “Families and New Technologies” was the topic during a special broadcast in observance of the United Nations 2021 International Day of Families.

During the broadcast, which sponsored by the National Organisation Development (NOD) Connections International, Dr Jacinta Higgs, Director of the Department of Gender and Family Affairs, shared her insights gleaned from the UN’s webinar on Friday, May 14, 2021, celebrating this occasion.

The event was also attended

by Cheryl Walkine-Alexandre, Organisational Development Consultant and Executive Director of NOD Connections International.

Dr Higgs stated that just as spices and herbs have been used for medicinal purposes in healing the body, they can also be used for healing families. She offered the SPICES acronym as a prescription to help families cope with new technologies challenges:

S – Be spiritually smart and guided in your words, thoughts and actions P – Be physically present when your children explore the internet and work together as a family by learning about new technologies I – Be intuitive, interested and intellectually wise by asking

DR Jacinta Higg

DR Timothy Rarick

CHERYL Walkine-Alexandre

children to share, show and teach you as a parent, information they learn on the computer C – Be calm, cool and collected when your child or family member shares or learns information from the computer that is shocking or inappropriate. (“Please, for God’s sake, do not row them out! This will cause them to be secretive with you and not share disturbing or damaging experiences going on in their lives in the future”) E – Be eager to educate yourselves. Whether in new technology or parenting education, humble yourself and allow your

children and other family members to teach you new computer skills. Ms Walkine-Alexandre added: “This education will also help to bridge the technological divide and help individuals and family members become more marketable in the workplace.”

S – Be socially supportive. Let technology be used to help not hurt family members.

presenter in NYC on the Status of Women. He spoke to the importance of recognising responsibility as an important component of the human right of technology, as proclaimed by the UN. He said that it is “not loving” for policymakers to determine a right without taking first the responsibility of teaching the use, benefits and negative impact of the right, in this case, technology, to children, parents and other stakeholders.

Dr Rarick explained that it would be irresponsible to say it is your right to have a car, without first teaching how to drive the car

Contributing to the talks was Professor Dr Timothy Rarick, Head of the Home and Family, Brigham Young University-Idaho, and frequent United Nations

and the consequences of misuse of that car. Hence, governments and civil society must consider the protection and facilitation of rights in recommendations of family-oriented policies and legislation.

During the webinar, the new background research paper on “Technology Use and Families: Implications for WorkFamily Balance and Parenting Education” launched by Dr Susan Walker, Researcher and Associate Professor, University of Minnesota, gave guidance and insights to stakeholders on how programmes and policies can be framed for the Bahamas, a UN member.

“New Technologies” as the focus of the 2021 International Day of Families is the first of four “megatrends” impacting families that the UN’s Division of Inclusive Social Development of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs will spotlight in its annual observance preparations leading up to the 30thanniversary of the International Day of Families in 2024.

The other megatrends impacting individuals and families that will each be the focus in 2022 -2024 are demographic shifts, rapid urbanisation and migration trends and climate change.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, May 18, 2021, PAGE 13

BODY AND MIND

THE prevalence of diabetes in the Bahamas has reached “epidemic proportions”, according to a local physician who continues to educate Bahamians on preventable illness.

Statistics shared by Dr Graham Cates, founder of ACE Diabetes, an organisation geared towards diabetes awareness, paints a grim picture of how widespread the illness is local.

“One in seven Bahamian adults has diabetes or is pre-diabetic, and 50 percent of these persons do not know,” said Dr Cates.

The only way to know is by education, awareness and proper screening. It’s a message ACE diabetes has touted and will continue to sound the alarm on.

The organisation’s first Zoom meeting tomorrow evening will be an extension of its efforts so far.

Entitled “Diabetes 101”, to begin at 6.30 pm, the onehour Zoom session will focus on “Living Well with Type 2 Diabetes”.

The dynamic, fun and information-packed presentation will be led by Nurse Anita Cates, co-founder of ACE Diabetes, Diabetes Education Network and the and Family Medicine Centre.

A question and answer period will follow the presentation.

Registrants are also invited to submit questions before the meeting so that they can be addressed during the presentation and to get the chance to receive a goodie bag.

Diabetes at ‘epic proportions’ in the Bahamas

ACE puts spotlight on prevention in upcoming Zoom meeting

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

Bahamians are encouraged to take an hour out of their day to tune in and learn how they can prevent diabetes.

ACE Diabetes, in collaboration with BAF Financial & Insurance (Bahamas) Limited and Cash N’ Go, launched a campaign earlier this year to expand and reinforce diabetes awareness in the Bahamas.

The social media campaign aims to highlight the connection between diabetes and other health conditions, whilst educating and encouraging people to take a more active role when it comes to their health.

Type 2 diabetes is an impairment in the way the body

regulates and uses sugar (glucose) as a fuel. This long-term (chronic) condition results in too much sugar circulating in the bloodstream. Eventually, high blood sugar levels can lead to disorders of the circulatory, nervous and immune systems.

In times past type 2 diabetes used to be known as adult-onset diabetes, but both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can begin during childhood and adulthood. Type 2 is more common in older adults, but the increase in the number of children with obesity has led to more cases of type 2 diabetes in younger people.

While there is no cure for type 2 diabetes, proper health and lifestyle choices can make a big difference.

According to Dr Cates, Bahamians are born with a high genetic

predisposition to diabetes. Combined with poor lifestyle choices, like eating fast food and lack of exercise, this can lead to pre-diabetes or diabetes.

The doctor reiterated good health starts with prevention.

While it is true that genetic predisposition is a major factor in diabetes, lifestyle also plays a vital role.

A healthy lifestyle, Dr Cates, said can help keep diabetes under control and can even delay or prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

Getting annual physicals and knowing where your health stands are important in preventing or living well with diabetes.

The diabetes campaign emphasizes educational aspects of healthy living, including the seven key areas of self-management for those living with diabetes; healthy

eating, being active, monitoring, taking medication, problem-solving, reducing risks and healthy coping.

ACE Diabetes is pleased to partner with BAF and Cash N’Go. The Zoom meeting, titled “Diabetes 101”, is pertinent - providing an educational overview of how to live better with diabetes but also timely as it coincides with BAF’s 101st anniversary this year.

“Diabetes is a silent disease impacting Bahamians of all ages and walks of life. With the right diet, exercise, education and awareness we can all do our part to fight against diabetes in the Bahamas; even those already diagnosed can reverse some of the effects and live healthier lives,” said Deborah L Parker, BAF Vice President of Health and Employee Benefits.

People with diabetes or who have family and friends with the condition are urged to attend this free, fun virtual event on Tuesday, May 18th from 6.30 pm to 7.30 pm. Register at www.acediabetes. org/diabetes101.

ACE Diabetes is a non-profit organisation, established in 2012 by Dr Cates and his wife Anita Cates to address the overwhelming need in the Bahamas in regards to diabetes. “ACE” stands for “awareness, compassion and education”. Its goal is to reduce the burden of diabetes and its long-term complications for Bahamians.

Young Rotarians assists Elizabeth Estates Clinic, mothers in need and children

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Writer acadet@tribunemedia.net

It has always been important to the members of the Rotaract Club of South East Nassau Centennial to give back to the community as this is the foundation of the organisation.

Giving back in various ways allows members to help those less fortunate as well as restore hope in humanity.

The Club recently recognised April as “Maternal and Child Health Month” by creating various programmes, volunteering and donating to improve maternal health as well as aid in the development of children under five. A diaper drive was also hosted to help mothers and their kids.

“As a club we were elated to accept donations, which were matched by the club, to give to the Elizabeth Estates Clinic,” said Javon Morley, vice president of the Rotaract Club of South East Nassau Centennial.

This initiative has come to an end, however, anyone wishing to donate to further causes can still help out by visiting the Facebook page for the Rotaract Club of South East Nassau Centennial or emailing rotaract.senc.bahamas@ gmail.com.

“We look forward to making more donations to other organisations such as Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support groups and others that help those in need

COMMUNITY Service Director Walter and incoming Community Service Director Malika delivered Pampers to the Elizabeth Estate Clinic for mothers in need. throughout the community,” said Javon.

He told Tribune Health the diaper drive was the first of its kind for the Club.

According to Rotary District 7070 in Ontario, Canada, the month of April is when Rotarians all over the world focus on the important Rotary foundation area

of focus which is serving vulnerable mothers and their children.

The website stated that everyday mothers risk their lives by giving birth, and millions of children die each year from treatable, preventable causes.

Moreover, at least seven million children under the age of five die each year due to malnutrition,

poor healthcare and inadequate sanitation. To help reduce this rate, the Rotary District 7070 provides immunisations and antibiotics to babies, improves access to essential medical services, and supports trained healthcare providers.

Javon added that the Rotaract Club of South East Nassau

Centennial chose to assist the Antenatal Clinic of the Elizabeth Estates Clinic as they’ve done several projects in the Elizabeth Estates community as well as in the eastern part of New Providence, an area often neglected by other organisations. Donations were accepted throughout April and donated by Community Service Director Walter Lockhart and Community Service DirectorElect Malika Lynes on Friday, April 30.

During the past Rotary year, which commenced on July 1, 2020, Javon admitted that it has been difficult to host their usual activities, however, the organisation was able to organise several beach clean-ups in partnership with various other Rotaract Clubs.

“In addition to the beach cleanups, in December 2020 we were able to partner with other Rotaract and Rotary Clubs, as well as the Friends of the Blood Bank to host a national blood drive, which was a huge success,” said Javon.

The blood drive is an initiative the Club looks forward to hosting again this year.

“Furthermore, in February 2021, we were able to host our annual Gift of Love drive, while not on the level of previous years, we were elated to get out into the community and spread love to those in need, in particular the homeless. The love included a hot breakfast with a care package consisting of hygiene kits as well as feminine products,” said Javon.

PAGE 14, Tuesday, May 18, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Brachytherapy: Cure prostate cancer in one hour and go to work the next day One in six Bahamian men and residents will develop prostate cancer in their lifetime. Advancing age and African ancestry are strong risk factors for developing prostate cancer. Early diagnosed organ-confined prostate cancer has an excellent cure rate of 95 to 98 percent at ten years. The key to curing prostate cancer is early diagnosis. There are several curative treatment options for prostate cancer that do not require surgical removal of the prostate gland.

Minimally invasive with minimal recovery

Prostate brachytherapy is a type of internal radiation therapy used to cure low-risk and intermediate risk prostate cancer. Curative brachytherapy for prostate cancer can be performed in less than one hour in an outpatient procedure, with most patients able to return to work the very next day. There are no surgical incisions used and no sutures are placed. A small probe is placed into the rectum for the strategic placement of the radioactive seeds into the prostate.

Brachytherapy has had great long-term success in the treatment of many malignancies, including cancer of the cervix, endometrium, rectum, skin, breast and head and neck. Brachytherapy is an excellent curative treatment modality for prostate cancer that involves the minimally invasive strategic placement of radioactive tiny seeds near or inside the prostate cancer tumour. The radioactive seeds are the size of a grain of rice. The brachytherapy seeds target and damage the DNA of prostate cancer cells that leads to the destruction of only the prostate cancer cells and leaves the rest of the healthy noncancerous cells of the prostate ONE day after surgery, patients are back to work gland intact. Urologists, radiation oncologists and nuclear physicists work in conjunction, relying on medically for a finite period of Types of prostate MRI or CT scans with ultrasound time. brachytherapy imaging during brachytherapy Prostate cancer brachytherapy There are two types of prostate planning and delivery to ensure management is a minimally inva- brachytherapy, temporary prosthat encapsulated radiation seeds sive procedure that is performed tate brachytherapy and permeant are placed precisely within the seed prostate brachytherapy. prostate gland. Brachytherapy under anaesthesia and can occur Temporary brachytherapy as an outpatient in usually less can deliver radiation to the prosinvolves placing radioactive wires tate gland with less of a radiation than one hour. There are minimal dose to surrounding normal tissue side effects associated with this into the prostate gland for only than external beam radiation treatment and little recovery nec- a few minutes then the wires are essary. The rate of post-treatment removed. This form of brachythertherapy.

Brachytherapy for prostate issues such as erectile dysfunction apy involves placing continuous cancer can be offered as cura- and stress urinary incontinence is radiation or using pulsed dose tive treatment option for early much lower for prostate brachy- rate (PDR) delivery of radiation prostate cancer or as a salvage therapy than for prostate removal in pulses once per hour instead of or rescue therapy for prostate surgery, a radical prostatectomy. continuously. The procedure may cancer that has not responded The survival rate for low risk be repeated the next day and can to other treatment options such prostate cancer patients that happen in an outpatient setting.

This is a form of high dose rate as external beam radiation or it can be used as a part of trimodal received brachytherapy is equal brachytherapy.

Permeant prostate brachytherapy. Trimodal, or triple, ther- or superior to those who received apy for high-risk prostate cancer da Vinci robot assisted prostate therapy involves placing low dose could involve brachytherapy with gland removal. Low-dose per- radiation seeds into the prostate external beam radiation therapy meant seed brachytherapy is gland, with radiation being disand androgen deprivation ther- successful in eliminating prostate persed a few millimeters from the implanted seeds over a period of apy; lowering testosterone levels cancer in 95 percent of cases.

time. Most commonly radioactive isotope agents iodine and palladium contained in a titanium shell are used and these radioactive seeds become inactive over a period of 8 to 10 months. Brachytherapy patients pose no threat or radiation exposure to others as the implanted lose radiation seeds only disperse low dose radiation a few millimeters in every direction of the implanted brachytherapy seeds. After prostate brachytherapy, individuals can safely be around treated patients for any length of time but for the first two months after brachytherapy management, patients should not have children or pregnant women in their laps for more than 20 minutes per hour. The risk is very minimal for patients sitting in the laps of prostate brachytherapy implanted seed patients but being overly cautious is advised.

radiation therapy, focal cryotherapy and high intensity focused ultrasound therapy. Focal cryotherapy involves freezing and destroying prostate cancer cells.

High intensity focused ultrasound uses high frequency sound waves targeted at prostate cancer tumor by creating heat to destroy prostate cancer cells.

Prostate cancer is a very curable disease with an excellent cancer specific survival if diagnosed at an early stage. Every man should have an annual PSA blood test starting at age 40. Seek comprehensive, confidential and compassionate urological care.

THE UROLOGY DOCTOR IS IN...

Can prostate cancer recur after brachytherapy?

Patients are surveilled after brachytherapy with scheduled prostate specific antigen (PSA) blood tests and magnetic resonance imaging or PSA PET CT scan imaging, where applicable.

It is extremely rare for there to be prostate recurrence within the prostate gland itself after curative brachytherapy. If prostate cancer recurs, it is usually present in lymph nodes or bones and it is typically treated with chemotherapy or hormone deprivation therapy.

Brachytherapy is a very well tolerated, minimally invasive curative prostate cancer treatment. Other prostate cancer curative treatments that don’t require the removal of the prostate gland, include external beam

Dr Greggory Pinto • Dr Greggory Pinto is a board-certified Bahamian urologist and laparoscopic surgeon.

He can be contacted at OakTree Medical Center, #2 Fifth Terrace & Mount Royal Avenue, Nassau.

Telephone: (242) 322-1145-7.

Email: welcome@urologycarebahamas.com, or visit the website: www.urologycarebahamas.com.

Coping with COVID fatigue – Part II Alexandria Johnson, MSc Bahamas Psychological Association In this article, we shift our attention toward children.

Pandemic fatigue is the physical and mental exhaustion experienced due to an increased level of stress in response to a pandemic.

COVID fatigue, which can manifest as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic, is not just something that adults experience and respond to. In fact, COVID fatigue affects children just as it does adults and sometimes even more.

Take a few minutes to go with me into your child’s world. Imagine being a child hearing about a deadly disease that is spreading across the globe. Imagine what your child could be thinking or feeling about this. Imagine what it must be like for your child to have to learn quickly how to masterfully navigate digital learning platforms (for example, Google Classroom, Zoom or Microsoft Teams) to attend virtual classes.

Imagine what it is like for your child to have to sit quietly and attentively before a screen for five to eight hours to attend classes then have to complete - two, three, four, or five pieces of homework for the next day, and or prepare for quizzes, and or complete coursework.

Imagine what it must be like for your child to have to make the shifts between attending school in person one day and then virtual classes the next day and so on.

Imagine what it must be like for your child to hear conversations in the home about the house being up for repossession, the lack of money for rent or food, or that the utilities will be disconnected soon.

Imagine what it must be like for your child who may have contracted COVID-19 or experience the death of relatives to COVID19. Imagine what it must be like for your child to have less time to hang out with friends or have little to no opportunity to participate in after-school club meetings, programs, or sports activities.

Imagine what it must be like for them to give up birthday celebrations, graduation celebrations, holiday activities, and have to spend vacations at home. Imagine them having to do this for the past fourteen months with little hope of a break in sight. These can affect the mental health of children.

Children can experience pandemic-related depression, anxiety, and stress.

These can be displayed as follows: Feeling fearful, angry, sad or grieving Lack of interest in doing things that they used to find fun Changes in sleeping patterns sleeping more or sleeping less Changes in appetite – eating more or eating less Difficulty concentrating and focusing Regression- engagement in behaviors from an earlier developmental stage Self-injuries and self-destructive behaviors

Here is how you can provide the best support for children during this time: Keep routines (i.e. morning routines, bedtime routines, leisure routines) Make mask-wearing and sanitising a fun activity for your child or children

Do not discuss any challenges with paying bills (i.e., mortgage, car, rent, utility bills) when your child or children are around Avoid applying academic pressure to your child or children during this time Set stricter boundaries around your work hours or business hours to have more time to spend with your child or children Avoid making your child or children the object of your frustrations Give your child or children an opportunity to connect with friends and family via social media Give your child or children a ‘break day’ from school when it becomes overwhelming Seek professional help and guidance if you are unsure about what is happening to your child or children.

Let us always remember that good mental health helps children to thrive. Make it a priority to do your part in promoting good mental health for your child or children. Remember that assisting your child or children to navigate smoothly through this time requires you to take care of yourself first. When you are well, you are better able to help your child or children. Fostering good mental health in your child or children is not about being perfect. It is about understanding that your child or children have mental health needs and being intentional about making small daily commitments to engage in behaviours that promote good mental well-being in your child or children. You have got what it takes to do it. After all, mental health is health, too.

PAGE 20, Tuesday, May 18, 2021

Water Corp’s debt to top supplier at ‘all time high’

FROM PAGE 24 the Water & Sewerage Corporation and The Bahamas government and, as a result, payment schedules are developed for Water & Sewerage Corporation’s delinquent accounts receivable.

“All previous delinquent accounts receivable from the Water & Sewerage Corporation, including accrued interest thereon, were

eventually paid in full.

Based upon this payment history, Consolidated Water Bahamas has never been required to provide an allowance for doubtful accounts for any of its accounts receivable, despite the periodic accumulation of significant delinquent balances.”

“As of March 31, 2021, we have not provided an allowance for doubtful accounts for Consolidated

Water Bahamas’ accounts receivable from the Water & Sewerage Corporation,” Consolidated Water continued.

“We believe the delays we have experienced in collecting Consolidated Water Bahamas’ receivables have been extended by the severe adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on The Bahamas government’s revenue sources. Based upon our discussions and collection history with The Bahamas government, we believe that our accounts receivable from the Water & Sewerage Corporation are fully collectible.”

Consolidated Water added, though, that it could be challenged to maintain “sufficient liquidity to meet its obligations” if the situation continues, which would force it to take a provision for doubtful accounts and stop the recognition of revenues on water supply agreements with the Water & Sewerage Corporation.

And Consolidated Water is far from the only reverse osmosis supplier to experience challenges in obtaining payment from the Water & Sewerage Corporation. Tribune Business has reported extensively on how Aqua Design Bahamas, operators of plants in south Eleuthera, San Salvador and Inagua, had threatened to cut off water supply over a $3.8m debt that

was set to increase to $4.5m.

Adrian Gibson, the Water & Sewerage Corporation’s executive chairman, revealed last year that it faced a “roughly $9m shortfall” in residential customer payments as a result of being directed to cease all disconnection activity since late March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It was also dealing with a $30.8m “backlog” on payments due to vendors at end-August 2020, a sum that continues to grow, and a $15mplus year-over-year decline in revenue for the year to-date.

For the 2021 first quarter, Consolidated Water said its bulk water revenues fell year-over-year from $6.44m to $6.246m due to its Bahamian subsidiary reporting $166,000 less revenue due to lower energy costs, which reduced the expenses it passed on to the Water & Sewerage Corporation.

“Gross profit for our bulk segment was $2.091m (33 percent of bulk revenue) and $1.876m (29 percent of bulk revenue) for 2021 and 2020, respectively. Gross profit in dollars and as a percentage of revenue increased in 2021 as compared to 2020 principally due to a decrease in operating expenses (primarily repairs and maintenance costs) for Consolidated Water Bahamas of approximately $188,000,” the company said.

MARKET REPORT www.bisxbahamas.com

MONDAY, 17 MAY 2021

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX:

CLOSE

CHANGE

1948.91

0.37

%CHANGE

YTD

YTD%

0.02 -143.55

-6.86

(242) 323-2330 (242) 323-2320

BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 5.20 33.05 1.50 2.90 1.78 6.00 6.96 3.60 6.00 4.03 6.16 12.00 2.75 7.50 10.71 9.01 14.60 4.25 8.97 16.00

52WK LOW 3.13 22.65 1.46 1.62 1.44 5.00 6.00 2.70 4.25 2.75 5.00 9.75 2.10 4.90 9.50 8.00 13.00 3.42 8.15 15.20

PREFERENCE SHARES 1.00

1.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1.00 10.00 1.00

1.00 10.00 0.90

SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Benchmark Bahamas First Holdings Limited Bank of Bahamas Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Cable Bahamas Commonwealth Brewery Commonwealth Bank Colina Holdings CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Emera Incorporated Famguard Fidelity Bank Bahamas Limited Focol Finco J. S. Johnson

SYMBOL AML APD BBL BFH BOB BPF BWL CAB CBB CBL CHL CIB CWCB DHS EMAB FAM FBB FCL FIN JSJ

LAST CLOSE 5.20 32.12 1.50 2.61 1.44 6.00 6.96 3.53 4.30 2.90 5.91 9.75 2.34 6.80 11.36 9.00 14.00 3.99 8.19 15.50

CLOSE 5.20 32.12 1.50 2.61 1.44 6.00 6.96 3.53 4.30 2.90 5.94 9.75 2.31 6.80 11.38 9.01 14.00 3.99 8.19 15.50

1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00

1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00

SYMBOL FBB22 BFHB

LAST SALE 100.00 100.00

CLOSE 100.00 100.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00

BAH29 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0307 BG0330 BG0407 BSBGR1252380 BSBGR1271398 BSBGRS870288

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.86

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.86

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Bahamas First Holdings Preference Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 8 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Cable Bahamas Series 10 Colina Holdings Class A Fidelity Bank Bahamas Class A Focol Class B

BFHP CAB6 CAB8 CAB9 CAB10 CHLA FBBA FCLB

CORPORATE DEBT - (percentage pricing) 52WK HI 100.00 100.00

52WK LOW 100.00 100.00

115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 102.00 100.00 100.00 100.66

104.79 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.66

SECURITY Fidelity Bank (Note 22 Series B+) Bahamas First Holdings Limited

BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing) Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y BGS: 2015-10-7Y BGRS FX BGR125238 BGRS FX BGR127139 BGRS FL BSBGR870288

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.03 0.00 (0.03) 0.00 0.02 0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

VOLUME

1,000

1,202

1,000

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

EPS$ 0.239 0.932 0.000 0.110 0.070 1.760 0.369 -0.438 0.140 0.184 0.449 0.722 0.102 0.467 0.646 0.728 0.816 0.203 0.939 0.631 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

VOLUME

DIV$ 0.170 1.260 0.020 0.030 0.000 0.000 0.260 0.000 0.000 0.120 0.220 0.720 0.434 0.060 0.328 0.240 0.540 0.120 0.200 0.610 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

P/E 21.8 34.5 N/M N/M N/M N/M 18.9 -8.1 30.7 15.8 13.2 13.5 22.6 14.6 17.6 12.4 17.2 19.7 8.7 24.6

YIELD 3.27% 3.92% 1.33% 1.15% 0.00% 0.00% 3.74% 0.00% 0.00% 4.14% 3.70% 7.38% 18.79% 0.88% 2.88% 2.66% 3.86% 3.01% 2.44% 3.94%

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%

INTEREST Prime + 1.75% 6.25%

19-Oct-2022 30-Sep-2025

6.95% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.50% 6.25% 4.25% 5.00% 5.00% 4.33%

20-Nov-2029 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2022 15-Oct-2038 15-Jan-2039 26-Apr-2028

MATURITY

MUTUAL FUNDS 52WK HI 2.42 4.43 2.16 202.18 190.86 1.69 1.83 1.78 1.24 8.58 10.26 7.35 14.59 12.84 10.31 10.00 10.43 14.89

52WK LOW 2.11 3.30 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.67 1.73 1.75 1.03 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57 9.88 8.45 11.20

FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund Leno Financial Conservative Fund Leno Financial Aggressive Fund Leno Financial Balanced Fund Leno Financial Global Bond Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Equities Sub Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - High Yield Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Alternative Strategies Fund Colonial Bahamas Fund Class D Colonial Bahamas Fund Class E Colonial Bahamas Fund Class F

NAV 2.42 4.43 2.16 202.18 190.86 1.69 1.75 1.75 1.03 8.58 10.14 7.35 14.59 12.64 9.99 N/A 10.43 14.89

YTD% 12 MTH% 1.11% 4.62% -0.08% 0.88% 0.64% 2.75% 0.14% 5.02% 3.25% 31.13% 0.72% 0.80% -2.20% -1.87% -0.37% 0.01% -2.48% -11.52% 1.14% 4.22% 1.09% 3.04% 1.01% 4.65% 4.93% 42.27% -1.56% 0.80% -0.60% -4.90% N/A N/A 3.00% 25.60% 7.90% 48.70%

NAV Date

31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021 26-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021 28-Mar-2021 28-Mar-2021 28-Mar-2021 28-Mar-2021 28-Mar-2021 28-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021

MARKET TERMS

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00

YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price

52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks

Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity

52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks

Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity

Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume

Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price

Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume

Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week

Change - Change in closing price from day to day

EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths

Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today

NAV - Net Asset Value

DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months

N/M - Not Meaningful

P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings

TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | CAROLISLE 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225 | BENCHMARK 242-326-7333

THE TRIBUNE

Bahamas needs 28 cruise tourists for every stopover

FROM PAGE 24

give potential travellers more confidence to travel,” the IDB said. “Vaccinated people may still exhibit a ‘home bias’ in making their travel plans and choose domestic destinations, but, that said, the geographic proximity of The Bahamas may give it an advantage over other more distant international destinations.”

The multilateral lender said there were also opportunities to boost domestic tourism, adding: “In addition, even though domestic tourism only averaged 19 percent of total tourism expenditure within the country (between 2015 and 2019), the archipelago contains many natural wonders that could serve for an expansion of the domestic segment during a recovery phase.

“Many analysts believe that business travel will recover more slowly than leisure travel, but in The Bahamas business travel accounts for only 11 percent of total tourism expenditure, half the global average.” Hotels, though, rely heavily on group business to drive and organise bookings, with leisure travellers scheduled around them.

However, noting that the Bahamian economy’s output contracted by 16.3 percent in 2020 due to COVID-19 lockdowns, restrictions and the curtailment of tourism, the IDB said this nation suffered the largest decline of all major Caribbean destinations.

“Overall, 2020 represented a contraction of

international visitor arrivals of 76 percent for The Bahamas, 67 percent for Barbados and 69 percent for Jamaica,” the report added. While The Bahamas attracted visitor arrivals comparable to 84.6 percent of 2019 levels during the 2020 first quarter, which was only hit by COVID in the latter two weeks, tourism fell to zero in the subsequent three months.

Tourist arrivals for the 2020 third and fourth quarters were equivalent to just 2.1 percent and 1.2 percent of prior year figures, as The Bahamas fought a second infection wave, thus dropping 2020 arrivals below those received by Barbados and Jamaica in percentage terms compared to pre-pandemic.

“The speed of the recovery will depend upon whether travellers from traditional source markets will prefer domestic tourism over international tourism,” the IDB said. “Traveller preferences have shifted toward the familiar, predictable, and most trusted - in the pandemic context, it turns out that there is no place like home (or near home).....

“Globally, domestic tourism is expected to reach pre-pandemic 2019 levels by mid-2022, while international tourism is not expected to recover until the second half of 2024.

Even more importantly, by 2024 domestic tourism is expected to be around 25 to 30 percent higher than 2019 levels in some markets.

“This trend is an opportunity for many countries, but it could indeed have a dampening effect for Caribbean destinations going forward, as domestic tourism looms large in the key source markets for the Caribbean.”

THE TRIBUNE

‘Almost inhuman’ to extend furlough wait FROM PAGE 24 extension. “I am very concerned because this last week I had a conversation with a number of these workers. They are extremely frustrated, particularly those from the hotel sector.

“I told them that the government has set the protocol, and that you have to comply. It has created a serious, serious problem for many workers in this country. They are indicating to me that they are prepared to do whatever it takes to find ways to feed their families.

“Some have had to resort to social activities we do not consider acceptable.

Some of them, especially the younger ones, they’ll do whatever they have to do to find sufficient means to take care of their families.

It’s something that we don’t condone, I don’t condone, things that are not socially and morally acceptable in our society. We don’t want to encourage it, and I’m recalling what they told me.”

Mr Ferguson did not explain what he meant by “social activities we do not consider acceptable” despite pushing by this newspaper.

However, he added: “It’s a very difficult position. It’s almost inhuman to expect to keep taking care of their families.

“They could have got redundancy pay and at least have some income to survive, but as long as this furlough is in place and extended by the government, there is nothing you can do. You could go to court, but because the system is not responsive to that type of hearing that could take from one to three years.”

Mr Ferguson said the implications of the government’s emergency orders extension for furloughed workers were especially concerning given the recent University of The Bahamas (UoB) research that found Nassau’s monthly living wage is $2,625 while that for Grand Bahama is $3,550 per month.

However, Peter Goudie, the National Tripartite Council’s vice-chairman, yesterday argued that ending the furlough period and paying workers their due severance brought with it other consequences for both employers and employee alike.

While workers may gain short-term income, Mr Goudie said this could ultimately turn out to be merely a temporary reprieve as the depressed economy meant their prospects for finding alternative employment once the severance pay is used up are markedly diminished.

And he pointed out that, as a result of COVID-19 lockdowns and related measures over the past 14 months, many employers simply lack the financial wherewithal and cash flow to make severance payments to furloughed workers.

Mr Goudie, a private sector representative on the TUC, said of the furlough extension: “I am really, and I am going to use the word ‘tired’, but I’m tired of Obie [Ferguson] and Bernard [Evans, the National Congress of Trade Unions president] wanting redundancy payments and for people to be put out of work. There’s nothing more to be said.

“It just makes no sense.

I can’t say anything else. I have to leave it at that. You either want the job or you don’t and you quit. Both union leaders reacted to the comments I made about the livable wage study, but even they admitted the country cannot afford it, so where are they coming from? I just don’t get it. Once you are made redundant they’re not going to call you back.”

Mr Evans, meanwhile, said that while he understood the need for the government to extend the COVID emergency orders as case numbers rise amid relatively slow progress on vaccinations, there was a requirement to “simultaneously” provide that employers offer full redundancy packages and associated benefits to workers who want to take them.

“They need to think more carefully about how workers are faring in these times,” he charged. “I think they should simultaneously or commensurately bring relief to the workers by also providing some kind of relief as it relates to the Employment Act and the extension.”

The prime minister yesterday told the House of Assembly he hopes the government can end its planned emergency powers extension before they expire on August 13, but much depends on the pace of vaccination roll-outs and if The Bahamas can get to grips with its current infection numbers.

John Pinder, acting director of labour, yesterday voiced optimism that fewer and fewer Bahamians will remain on furlough as the economy continues to open up and tourist arrivals increase, thereby ensuring hotels will recall more staff.

“A lot of persons from the hotels are returning to work,” he said. “It’s only a matter of getting these ships in port and we’ll be better off. It all hinges on how quickly we get this vaccination programme out to a reasonable amount of persons so we can bring some level of normalcy back, or a new way of business.”

Tuesday, May 18, 2021, PAGE 21

Banking chief: ‘Far too many frauds and errors’ FROM PAGE 24

Carl Bethel QC, the attorney general, told Tribune Business in January that he had been asked by the prime minister to move ahead with legal reforms that would achieve what Mr Bowe and others have urged on multiple occasions - the ownership “of every scrap of land” in The Bahamas being recorded on a central database accessible to all citizens and residents.

Disclosing that the Attorney General’s Office had almost finished work on the proposed Bill, he added then: “What the government intends to do is move to a system of land registration.

We have a Bill that we have been working on that is basically finished, and the Prime Minister has indicated he wants to proceed with that.

“Starting in the developed areas, and moving to the Family Islands, every scrap of land will be registered on a registry. It’s where the owner of record will be recorded in the land registry as owning that land. It will give greater security over titles with respect to land ownership. The prime minister has recently asked me to do that.”

Mr Bethel said all charges, such as mortgages, and claims relating to every piece of land

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that JOHNNIAN GOODIN, of Carmichael, New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 18th day of May 2021 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that JEFFRY JACKSON DORZIER, of Peach Street, New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 11th day of May 2021 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that HENRICK AYALA HONORE, of Canaan Lane off Shirley Street, New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 17th day of May 2021 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

in The Bahamas would be recorded in such a registry.

However, mapping and registering every parcel of land in The Bahamas, and the different types of ownership such as commonage and generational land, would likely be a mammoth undertaking requiring decades of work.

There will also be much scepticism as to whether a land registration system will ever get off the ground. For the last Ingraham administration led similar efforts almost a decade ago to develop a three-strong package of Bills that would have overhauled the existing system.

These Bills - the Land Adjudication Bill, the Registered Land Bill and the Law of Property Bill - would also have created a land registry in The Bahamas, and given commercial and residential real estate buyers greater certainty that they had good title to their properties. However, they never made it to Parliament.

Acknowledging previous promises had failed to materialise, Mr Bowe told Tribune Business yesterday: “I started my career in 2000, and I remember a land symposium with the very capable Paul Adderley [late attorney and ex-Cabinet minister]. He spoke at that time as having spoken about it for decades.

If he said that, I’m sure it’s something that’s been spoken about since the 1980s.”

He added that the current system was “almost what I would call medieval times”, as purchasers in some instances engaged in a “first past the post” system where the first person to record

their ownership at the Registry of Records won the race from competing purchasers in cases where the same parcel was sold to multiple buyers.

“In this digital time we should be thinking about having property registered and all the information attached to it accessible,” Mr Bowe urged. “Title searches should become a click of a database as opposed to hours in the registry searching title documents going back centuries.

“It should be a priority because it links to the ease of doing business. It’s a very real hindrance to the ease of doing business when you are dealing with real property transactions. That should not exist in the 21st century.

We’ve taken too long with some of the low hanging fruit on the ease of doing business.”

Estimating that 70 percent of the legal work associated with real estate transactions involves registry searches, the Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) chief executive said switching to a land registry/central database would save significant time and costs for the parties involved.

This, in turn, could make the Bahamian real estate market more accessible to an increased number of persons given that fees and taxes VAT on the purchase price, realtor’s commission, legal fees and other closing costs - can often add up to a sum ranging between ten percent to 20 percent of the actual purchase price.

Many have referred to the present system as “a lawyer’s

dream”, with attorneys earning a set fee - normally equal to 2.5 percent of the purchase price - for conducting title searches and providing “opinion on titles”. Those not employed in the legal profession find it virtually impossible to navigate the system as structured and perform their own title searches.

Courts at all levels of the Bahamian judicial system have previously warned how the present system is wide open to abuse. Appeal Court justice, Stella Maureen ScottCrane, warned in a 2016 ruling that the Bahamian court system was susceptible to being “an unwitting pawn” in the commission of land thefts/frauds.

She said the Quieting Titles Act, in particular, was effectively being employed as a tool to steal land, given that “material facts” relating to title applications were often hidden from the courts.

In contrast, a land registry would contain all information relating to a specific parcel of land in one database, including its location, dimensions, ownership interests and all encumbrances, such as mortgages and other liens/ charges.

Moving to a such a system - and registering land - would remove the need for attorneys to conduct expensive, time consuming title searches that are sometimes prone to error, and move the Bahamian real estate market away from being based on “first to record” title deeds.

PAGE 22, Tuesday, May 18, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Little immediate impact Curfew’s continuation ‘huge from indoor dining ease blow’ for night businesses

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net RESTAURANTS yesterday said the easing of COVID-related indoor dining restrictions for fully vaccinated persons will have little impact in the short-term, with some voicing concerns about discrimination.

Jacques Carlino, owner/operator of the Blue Sail Bar & Grill, told Tribune Business the move “does not do much” for him at present because so few Bahamians and residents are becoming inoculated and achieving the “fully vaccinated” status of two jabs.

He said: “Truthfully I don’t think for me it will make much difference.

We’ve got the outdoor dining, and it’s not going to be enough people for me to justify restarting the AC and putting people inside from the sun. It’s not going to pay my electricity bill to open the inside for the number of vaccinated

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

people who will want to sit inside.”

Mr Carlino added that he does not want to discriminate between persons who can sit inside and those who have to remain outside, saying: “I don’t want to be a part of that myself.

“For later it may make a difference, but for now I just don’t think it will be efficient for me to go and turn on my AC and cooling the inside down with nobody inside. Right now it’s not open, and I don’t have the AC on. I just leave the doors open and that’s okay for me. So its no big change for me.”

The Minnis administration, unveiling its latest Emergency Powers (COVID 19 Pandemic) (Management and Recovery) Order 2021, said patrons must provide documentary proof that they have received the two shots required for full vaccination to take advantage of this easing as well as continue to comply with social distancing, mask wearing and hand-washing protocols.

Christopher Robertson, owner/operator of the Cricket Club, said that as long as fully vaccinated patrons have “genuine certification” he does not have a problem with starting to seat people inside his restaurant.

Describing his “biggest concern”, Mr Robertson added: “I want to be able to prove that people have been vaccinated, and I

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, DaSHANTE VERA LONGLEY, of Fire Trail, Harper Street, New Providence, The Bahamas, intend to change my name to DaSHANTI VERA LONGLEY. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Deputy Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, The Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

don’t want any Mickey Mouse people coming into the restaurant with vaccination cards that have been doctored. I want to make sure that it’s the genuine article. I want to make sure the documents are not falsified” Acknowledging the logistical challenge that checking every patron for legitimate vaccination cards will present, he said he has the staff to monitor persons and check those that come into his premises.

Athena Adderley, administrator at Acropolis Café, said that while permitting indoor dining for fully vaccinated persons “won’t hurt”, she is not expecting to be “overrun with customers” at the outset given that so few are fully vaccinated.

She added: “I hope that guidelines for proper vaccination cards are being printed or presented to restaurant owners so that we know how to identify them.

I don’t really want or have the capacities to police that.

How do you know what is a forgery?

“I don’t foresee customers presenting false credentials, and if customers have the credentials then we will support that and welcome that. If they want to go to the extreme of being seated in air conditioning and have the tables inside, then I’m for that and I don’t think anyone’s going to try go that far.”

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

BARS, restaurants and other night-time businesses yesterday branded the government’s decision to maintain existing curfews on New Providence and Grand Bahama as a “huge blow” for the sector.

Kyle Jones, owner/operator of Sandyport-based Bon Vivants Cocktail Lounge, told Tribune Business he would have preferred that the government shorten the curfew and maintain the prohibition on all indoor dining in the latest version of its COVID-19 emergency powers unveiled at the weekend.

However, the Minnis administration has maintained the existing curfews, set at 10pm for New Providence and 11pm in Grand Bahama, which will continue to force early closures and reduced operating hours for companies reliant on night-time trade as the government bids to control COVID-19’s continued spread amid the ongoing vaccination drive.

“The curfew being in place is a huge blow for us,” Mr Jones said. “The curfew is something that affects restaurants and bars particularly. I would prefer no indoor dining and [shorten] the curfew to be honest. For safety reasons we can still do this properly outdoors. If they gave us more time we would make more money, to be quite honest.”

BTC UPGRADES INTERNET SPEED FOR ALL SUBSCRIBERS THE Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) yesterday said it has upgraded broadband internet speeds to all customers connected to its latest network technology at no extra costs.

The carrier, in a statement, said that with effect from yesterday all subscribers using its fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) technology have been upgraded to a minimum of 100Mbps (megabits per second) following the expansion of network infrastructure to multiple

He added that he and his staff have been working on the necessary protocols both they and patrons will have to follow after the government permitted fully vaccinated persons to dine inside restaurants on New Providence and Abaco.

Patrons must provide documentary proof they have received the two shots required for full vaccination to take advantage of this easing, as well as continue to comply with social distancing, mask wearing and hand-washing protocols.

Mr Jones said: “We want to be as safe as possible now that we are letting people come inside. But at the same time we want to make sure we’re still doing things correctly and not thinking everything is all good.”

Marcian Sawyer, owner of The Crew Pub Restaurant and Bar, described the curfew as a “politically motivated sham”, and suggested bars and restaurants were less responsible for spreading the virus than what he termed “COVIDcesspools” in food stores and at banks’ automated teller machines (ATMs).

Arguing that it is unfair to nightlife establishments to continue the curfew, Mr Sawyer said: “As a business, trying to regulate people coming into the bar with the proper vaccination credentials is not a problem for me.

“There’s going to be a lot more problems with the persons who are either lawfully vaccinated and

misplaced their cards or forgot to bring it with them for whatever reason. It’s not as slick as a credit card that you can just slide into your wallet.

“What I see as being the biggest problem is a police officer coming inside and seeing 30 people, and asking each person for their COVID vaccination cards.

What are they going to do?

Go to every single person and ask them to show their papers? That’s going to take them a half hour to do that at least.

“It’s going to disturb every single patron patronising my business,” said Mr Sawyer. “While I’m thankful to be able to have people come indoors, because I haven’t been able to make any money since last year, every time we think this Emergency Order is over they renew it again.

This past year has been too much for me. The hotels are making a lot of money; it’s the small guys that are getting hurt in all of this.”

However, he praised the relaxation on indoor restrictions, adding: “I think this is the direction we should be moving in with regards to getting us back to some normalcy.”

“But it’s more the fact that they stipulate in the emergency orders that all patrons have to be vaccinated in order to have indoor dining. That’s a little more difficult as a restaurant and bar to handle. The majority of people aren’t necessarily on one side or the other.”

Bahamian islands.

It added that this fibre network footprint has been expanded to more than 41,000 residents across The Bahamas, with hundreds of miles of infrastructure added in recent months.

Andre Foster, BTC’s chief executive, said: “This is truly a game changer for BTC. We are doing what no other telecoms provider has ever done. Each fibre customer will now receive a minimum of 100mbps, and customers

are getting up to 600Mbps on our top tier plans.

“This is definitely a first for BTC and for The Bahamas. Despite setbacks due to the pandemic, we continued the expansion of our fibre network in keeping with our commitment to connect more households to our futureproofed network. We’ve also bolstered connectivity in our current footprint to enable faster, more resilient and reliable Internet for our residential customers.”

Newly upgraded communities in New Providence include Sunshine Park, Flamingo Gardens, Faith Avenue, Carmichael Road, Gladstone Road and Coral Harbour. BTC has also expanded its fibre network to reach Fortune Bay in Grand Bahama.

The islands of Bimini, San Salvador, Rum Cay and Ragged Island are all fully fibre connected and, earlier this year, BTC expanded its fibre coverage to span the Exuma Cays including Black Point, Staniel Cay, Bahama Sound and Forest. The Seabeach community in western New Providence was also upgraded in late 2020.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that ROJAY CLINTON REID, of Eastwood, New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 18th day of May 2021 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, May 18, 2021, PAGE 23

MICROGRID TO SAVE ISLAND’S OWNERS $700K ANNUALLY A RENEWABLE energy provider says the owners of a Bahamian island will save $700,000 in annual energy costs following the recent installation of a 1.1 megawatt (MW) microgrid.

Solar FlexRack, a division of Northern States Metals, said in a statement that it had teamed with Bahamas Energy and Solar Supplies and Azimuth Energy in supplying a solar photovoltaic (PV) racking solution for the latter’s project on Highbourne Cay. It added that the microgrid is designed to withstand up to 180 mile per hour (mph) winds and provide

reliable around-the-clock power. It includes a 2 MWh (megawatt hour) battery plant that enables all resort generators to be switched off for the first time in 50 years, resulting in cleaner air and reducing annual carbon emissions by 1,800 metric tons for up to 100 residents and resort guests.

“This project has demonstrated that it’s possible to provide environmental benefits and long-term savings through solar-plus-storage microgrids built even in the most severe climates,” said Chris Wilson, president of Bahamas Energy and Solar Supplies.

HIGHBOURNE Cay has improved its resilience and financial performance with a microgrid from Bahamas Energy and Solar Supplies, Azimuth Energy and Solar FlexRack solutions.

Azimuth Energy said it selected Solar FlexRack’s G3-X mounting solution

due to its suitability for very high winds, adaptability, corrosion resistance and

quick installation time.

“We have used Solar FlexRack for dozens

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 69° F/21° C

TAMPA

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

Mostly sunny and windy

Partly cloudy with winds subsiding

Very windy; a shower in the p.m.

Very windy; a shower in the p.m.

Very windy; sunny to partly cloudy

Some sun, a t‑storm possible; windy

High: 85°

Low: 75°

High: 85° Low: 73°

High: 85° Low: 74°

High: 84° Low: 73°

High: 85° Low: 72°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

88° F

74° F

86°-72° F

86°-71° F

86°-70° F

87°-70° F

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

N

almanac

E

W

ABACO

S

N

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C

10‑20 knots

S

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 76° F/24° C

10‑20 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

E

W S

E

W

WEST PALM BEACH

N

| Go to AccuWeather.com

TONIGHT

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 71° F/22° C

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 72° F/22° C

MIAMI

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 76° F/24° C

7‑14 knots

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 82° F/28° C Low .................................................... 75° F/24° C Normal high ....................................... 84° F/29° C Normal low ........................................ 71° F/22° C Last year’s high ................................. 90° F/32° C Last year’s low ................................... 68° F/20° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday .................................. trace Year to date ................................................. 3.36” Normal year to date ..................................... 7.36”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 75° F/24° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2021

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C

N

KEY WEST

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 77° F/25° C

uV inDex toDay

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

tiDes For nassau High Today

Low

Ht.(ft.)

12:48 a.m.

1:16 p.m.

2.6 2.0

7:25 a.m.

7:16 p.m.

0.5 0.5

Wednesday 1:40 a.m.

2:15 p.m.

2.6 2.1

8:17 a.m.

8:18 p.m.

0.4 0.5

Thursday

2:37 a.m.

3:16 p.m.

2.6 2.3

9:10 a.m.

9:24 p.m.

0.3 0.4

Friday

3:35 a.m.

4:16 p.m.

2.6 2.6

10:03 a.m. 0.1 10:29 p.m. 0.3

Saturday

4:33 a.m.

5:12 p.m.

2.7 2.9

10:56 a.m. ‑0.1 11:31 p.m. 0.0

Sunday

5:30 a.m.

6:07 p.m.

2.7 3.2

11:47 a.m. ‑0.4 ‑‑‑‑‑ ‑‑‑‑‑

Monday

6:25 a.m.

7:00 p.m.

2.7 3.4

12:30 a.m. ‑0.2 12:37 p.m. ‑0.7

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

N

S

E

W

8‑16 knots

S

12‑25 knots

6:24 a.m.

7:49 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

11:55 a.m.

12:58 a.m.

First

Full

Last

New

May 19

May 26

Jun. 2

Jun. 10

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 77° F/25° C

N

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

tracking map

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C

H

Ht.(ft.)

CAT ISLAND

E

W

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

of projects, and we are able to install their G3-X system quickly and consistently to safeguard PV modules and our clients’ investment during drastic weather events,” said Marc Lopata, Azimuth Energy’s president and chief executive. “Solar FlexRack’s responsive customer service and project support are key in our product selection process.”

The project partners said that besides lower maintenance costs, the microgrid will pay for itself in just five to six years due to diesel power plant savings alone.

Previously costly generators had run around the clock, and they added that twothirds of the island’s diesel fuel consumption will be eliminated as a result.

10‑20 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 84° F/29° C Low: 76° F/24° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS

are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

RAGGED ISLAND High: 82° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 84° F/29° C Low: 76° F/24° C

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E

W

E

W

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S

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6‑12 knots

6‑12 knots

marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday:

WINDS NE at 10‑20 Knots ENE at 12‑25 Knots NE at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 10‑20 Knots ENE at 10‑20 Knots ENE at 12‑25 Knots E at 6‑12 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 10‑20 Knots ENE at 12‑25 Knots ENE at 10‑20 Knots ENE at 12‑25 Knots NE at 12‑25 Knots ENE at 12‑25 Knots NE at 6‑12 Knots ENE at 7‑14 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots ESE at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 12‑25 Knots NE at 6‑12 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots NE at 10‑20 Knots ENE at 12‑25 Knots

WAVES 4‑7 Feet 6‑10 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑3 Feet 4‑8 Feet 6‑10 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet 4‑7 Feet 6‑10 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑6 Feet 4‑8 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 7 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 4 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 79° F 79° F 82° F 80° F 84° F 83° F 83° F 83° F 80° F 80° F 79° F 78° F 81° F 80° F 83° F 83° F 82° F 82° F 82° F 82° F 81° F 81° F 83° F 83° F 82° F 82° F

business@tribunemedia.net

TUESDAY, MAY 18, 2021

$4.86 Bahamas needs 28 cruise tourists for every stopover

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas now needs to attract 28 cruise visitors to match the spending of one land-based or stopover visitor, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) revealed yesterday.

The multilateral lender, in its first regional “quarterly bulletin” of 2021, highlighted that The Bahamas’ increased dependence pre-COVID-19 for cruise visitors to drive the majority of arrivals growth was not being matched by a spending increase of similar proportions.

However, it suggested that the imminent start of home porting in The Bahamas by Royal Caribbean and Crystal Cruises, with potentially Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) to follow, could help boost cruise passenger spending yields.

“Cruise visitors continued to represent three-fourths of arrivals to the country,” the IDB said of the pre-pandemic tourism environment. “However, based on data on the average expenditure per tourist, it now takes 28 cruise visitors to equal the spending of one stopover visitor.

“Home porting of cruise lines could help significantly in increasing the amount that cruise visitors spend in the country, as many would spend (at least) a night in a hotel before embarking and upon disembarking.

This could boost spending on hospitality, food services, and other items per cruise ship passenger, and it could also increase the overall flow of cruise ship passengers.”

The cruise industry will have been absent from The Bahamas for almost 15 months by the time Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas begins sailing from Nassau on June 12. The IDB report, meanwhile, added that The Bahamas’ dependence on US travellers could see its tourism industry rebound faster than Caribbean rivals despite suffering the greatest COVID-related decline of all major regional destinations.

It argued that The Bahamas’ proximity to the market that supplies 81 percent of its visitors could give it an advantage over Caribbean rivals during the early stages of post-pandemic rebound.

“Moving forward, one of the positives is that the US is accelerating its vaccination programme, which should

SEE PAGE 20

$4.91

Banking chief: ‘Far too many frauds and errors’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

T

HE government was yesterday urged to prioritise creating a land registry to reduce the “far too many frauds and errors” scarring real estate deals and bring The Bahamas “into the 21st century”.

Gowon Bowe, Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) chief executive, told Tribune Business that creating a central database which registers ownership of every land parcel in this nation is “super important” to improving market transparency, the country’s ease of doing business, and ensuring households and businesses have secure title to their businesses.

Acknowledging that establishing a land registration system has been a discussion topic for decades, but never acted upon, he argued that such fundamental reform would reduce - if not eliminate - the risks and costs associated with long, paper-based title searches by attorneys to prove clients have proper ownership rights to the subject real estate.

• Fidelity boss: Prioritise land registry reform • Will bring The Bahamas ‘into 21st century’ • Much talk, but change never acted upon

GOWON BOWE Pointing out that “a tremendous amount of land fraud exists even today”, as unscrupulous persons exploit loopholes in the title ownership chain, the Fidelity chief urged the government to “expedite” the transition to a land registry and associated land registration system on the basis that all parties involved will derive advantages from the reforms.

“It’s super important,” Mr Bowe told this newspaper. “One, it brings us into the current age, and two, it allows for greater transparency on ownership as well as liens on particular assets

“The primary benefit is we have a system today that is open, unfortunately, to a significant amount of fraud and error. It relies on having the physical document that we know can be replicated by those who have ill intent.

“It lends itself to errors because, if you lose a document in the chain of title, and the subject property gets involved in a future transaction, the attorneys then have to do a Quieting Titles Act action and you have to hope there are no competing or rival claims,” he continued.

“We’ve been talking about a land registry or registry of assets so that there’s a central database, which one hopes is well controlled and secure, so anyone can go in and see who the registered owners are and what liens are secured against the property.

“How many times have persons sold the same property multiple times? How many times has a person pledged the same asset to

THE Water & Sewerage Corporation’s debt to its main BISX-listed supplier has hit “an all-time high” of $21.7m as COVID-19 continues to erode the government’s ability to prop up the cash-strapped utility.

Consolidated Water, unveiling its results for the 2021 first quarter yesterday evening, revealed that the sums owed by the Water & Sewerage Corporation jumped by a further $2.2m in April with more than three-quarters deemed “delinquent” or over 90 days past due at end-March 2021.

However, the operator of the Blue Hills and Windsor reverse osmosis plants that supply all the Corporation’s New Providence customers with their daily water said it had taken no provisions, and was not treating the debts as so-called “doubtful

secure different loans? If we had a registry we would have a central database where it would say lot 6A in a particular subdivision, who is the registered owner and how many liens are secured on it, including a first and second charge.”

Asked how often commercial banks, such as Fidelity Bank (Bahamas), had issued mortgage loans secured on real estate only to later discover title problems, Mr Bowe replied: “Unfortunately far too many times.

“To put a percentage on it, I would say, would be a misrepresentation. Even if it was ten percent [of transactions] it shouldn’t happen. I would say the answer is too many times.

You find that the shoddy workmanship has already created a title insurance industry. It shows you the consequences of not having a land registry and how often it happens. Insurance shows there’s a risk of loss.”

SEE PAGE 21

‘Almost inhuman’ to extend furlough wait

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A TRADE union leader yesterday argued it was “almost inhuman” to expect already-furloughed workers to hold on for another three months without severance pay due to the COVID emergency’s extension.

Obie Ferguson, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) president, told Tribune Business that the government’s bid to extend its emergency powers until August 13, 2021, threatens to inflict “additional serious hardship” on thousands of workers - especially from the hotel and tourism industries - who have yet to be recalled to work.

Describing those persons as “extremely frustrated”, he added that the move will extend the long-running furlough period - introduced last year when the COVID-19 pandemic hit as a means to protect jobs

• Union leader fears ‘extra hardship’ for workers • Redundancy pay bar pushed to September • Tripartite vice-chair: Fears ‘make no sense’

OBIE FERGUSON

PETER GOUDIE

BERNARD EVANS

- until mid-September as it lasts for 30 days beyond when the emergency powers end.

This suspended the Employment Act provision requiring employers to either recall or pay full severance to a worker once they have been sent home for 90 days, or 13 weeks.

The effect has been a double-edged sword because, while it has preserved jobs,

it has meant that some workers - who now face the prospect of being furloughed for up to 18 months - have had no severance to support them.

They are now faced with having to rely on the government’s $100 weekly unemployment assistance for a few more months at least, and Mr Ferguson disclosed that he had been told by several furloughed

workers that they will “do whatever it takes to feed their families” - even if it involves activities that he described as “not morally and socially acceptable”.

“Needless to say it’s going to cause additional serious hardship for these workers,” the TUC president and labour attorney said of the emergency powers

Water Corp’s debt to top supplier at ‘all time high’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

$4.94

• Hits record $21.7m at end-April 2021 • Sum rose by $2.2m during that month • Govt and utility increasingly cash strapped accounts”, because it remained confident that the struggling Public Treasury would eventually come through and pay what is owed.

Consolidated Water Bahamas’ accounts receivable balances (which include accrued interest) due from the Water & Sewerage Corporation of The Bahamas amounted to $19.5m as of March 31, 2021, and $16.8m as of December 31, 2020,” the BISX-listed water supplier said in its form 10-Q filed with the US Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC).

“Approximately 78 percent of the March 31, 2021, accounts receivable balance was delinquent as of that date. The delay in collecting these accounts receivable

has adversely impacted the liquidity of this subsidiary.

As of April 30, 2021, Consolidated Water Bahamas’ accounts receivable from the Water & Sewerage Corporation totalled an alltime high of approximately $21.7m.”

The latter date is one month after the 2021 first quarter ends. The fact the Water & Sewerage Corporation’s debts have continued to increase is a further sign of both the increasing financial strain it is facing, as customer difficulties in paying their bills persist, and that of the government as the latter’s revenue streams have yet to fully recover from the pandemic amid a $1.327bn projected deficit.

The government, meaning the Bahamian taxpayer, has traditionally been relied upon to bail out the Water & Sewerage Corporation and keep the latter’s debts to Consolidated Water under control, but COVID-19 has made this an increasing challenge as the reverse osmosis supplier indicated last night.

“From time to time (including presently), Consolidated Water Bahamas has experienced delays in collecting its accounts receivable from the Water & Sewerage Corporation,” the BISX-listed firm said.

“When these delays occur, we hold discussions and meetings with representatives of

SEE PAGE 20

SEE PAGE 21

$4.89 Airline chief eyes 75,000 vaccinated for travelling boost

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net A BAHAMIAN airline executive yesterday said 75,000 locals need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by September to produce a significant change in domestic travel habits.

Faron Sawyer, president of Cherokee Air, told Tribune Business that while the relaxation of health travel protocols for fully vaccinated passengers will be a “big boost” this summer, greater success will occur once that inoculation target is hit.

Mr Sawyer said: “I know some people that were hanging on, so I think a return to domestic travel will happen right away with the relaxation of the restrictions. I think that’s going to create change in our economy. I’m pretty sure we’re going to see travel begin to pick up around the islands.

“I know some people are sceptical of taking the vaccine, but I think gradually the travel bug is going to kick in. It’s just that some people are slower than others. I would say that by September if we can get 75,000 fully vaccinated that would be a good indicator of how strong the end of year will be for airlines.

Seventy-five thousand is a good number.”

In what it likely hopes will be a further incentive for Bahamians to become inoculated, the government’s latest emergency orders exempt fully vaccinated persons from taking an RT PCR test for COVID-19 to travel from New Providence and Grand Bahama.

They will also be exempt from secondary testing on day five of inter-island travel when travelling from New Providence or Grand Bahama.

This brings domestic travel into line with the international variety, as fully vaccinated travellers - including citizens and residents - are not required to take an RT PCR test for COVID-19 to enter The Bahamas.

For international travel, a fully vaccinated traveller is defined as a person who has received the required number of doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, and two weeks have elapsed since they completed the process. Fully vaccinated travellers are still required to obtain a Travel Health Visa. However, visa fees for fully vaccinated persons have been reduced for citizens and residents.