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Volume: 119 No.124, May 20, 2022

CLASSIFIEDS TRADER

ed

VAT includ

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: PRICE–$1

PM HITS BACK ON BREADBASKET VAT $15 PRICE TAG FOR LETTUCE IN CAT ISLAND

...while Watson claims tax reintroduction does not hurt consumers

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis told his predecessor yesterday to take his own advice, as he hit back over new criticisms levelled at his administration over its refusal to remove value added tax from breadbasket items.

Meanwhile, press secretary Clint Watson said it was not true the reintroduction of Value Added Tax on breadbasket items was hurtings some consumers.

Mr Davis said it was

former prime minister Dr Hubert Minnis who gave tax breaks to the rich not long after taking office in 2017.

“He ought to follow his own advice,” Mr Davis said. “If you notice when he came to office the very first thing that he did was to reduce the taxes on the rich.

Just look at the business license fees that were reduced when he came into office. All businesses I think earning over $50m had a tax break. He needs to take his own counsel.”

SEE PAGE THREE

BUDGET ‘TO PAY ATTENTION TO PEOPLE FEELING THE PINCH’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

PRESS secretary Clint Watson yesterday foreshadowed some of the features of the Davis administration’s budget, which the prime minister will present next week.

Mr Watson said there will be attention to the pinch Bahamians have been

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

feeling due to inflation.

“You see at the end of the day what’s happening is the Bahamian people what we are feeling the pinch of is inflation,” Mr Watson said yesterday. “Not because of an increase in VAT on breadbasket items and what you will see in the upcoming budget, I might as well say right now, is efforts SEE PAGE THREE

REMEMBER OUR FALLEN ANGELS RELATIVES of 16 nurses and support staff who died between 2020 and 2022 gathered at Princess Margaret Hospital to pay tribute yesterday. See PAGE TWO for the full story. Photo: Moise Amisial

GIBSON PREPARING TO RETURN AFTER POLICE REQUEST

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

LONG Island MP Adrian Gibson is making preparations to return to The Bahamas from abroad after police requested to speak with him as part of their ongoing investigations into the Water and Sewerage corporation, his attorney told The Tribune yesterday.

The former WSC executive chairman’s planned

ADRIAN GIBSON MP return to the country comes after police allegedly took several of his rental vehicles

on Long Island into custody last week.

Yesterday, Mr Gibson’s attorney, Romona Farquharson-Seymour could not say if her client was being investigated by police nor speak to the scope of investigations into the corporation.

She only said she would know more details about the police probe into WSC after officials spoke with her client.

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE FIVE

A CAT Island entrepreneur yesterday revealed her “shock” when she discovered a local grocery store was selling lettuce for $15, saying: “The realities are striking.”

Nikita Shiel-Rolle, of the Cat Island Mermaid and Ocean Soul Farm, told the Cat Island Business Outlook conference her experience highlighted the need to improve food security and sovereignty as well as the extent to which inflationary pressures are much greater on the Family Islands than in Nassau.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

MINISTER HOPEFUL OF SOLUTION AFTER SITOUT

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

EDUCATION Minister Glenys Hanna Martin said she was hopeful that teachers who staged a sitout at Gerald Cash Primary School yesterday would find resolve overnight, noting students were already at a loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The minister said she was uncertain of what the educators’ grievances were, adding that officials had not received any direct communication on the matter.

SEE PAGE FOUR

PAGE 2, Friday, May 20, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Tributes to our fallen angels

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

RELATIVES of 16 nurses and support staff who have died gathered at the Princess Margaret Hospital in remembrance of the contributions they made to healthcare.

The memorial was part of Nurses Month, which is currently being celebrated.

The 12 nurses, two patient care assistants, two surgical technicians and one renal technician all died between 2020 and 2022.

Public Hospitals Authority Acting Managing Director Aubynette Rolle,

a nurse of 37 years said she had the opportunity to work with some of the “fallen angels”.

“It is bittersweet that as we celebrate the work of our diligent nurses we memorialise those no longer with us,” she said in her remarks yesterday.

“In preparation for today’s service, I reflected on how in the midst of celebrations, educational events, school activities, and recognition this memorial service is a cognitive reminder to all of us in nursing and to others gathered here to those who serve that while we are here we do so on borrowed time,” she said.

RELATIVES of 16 nurses and support staff who died between 2020 and 2022 gathered at Princess Margaret Hospital to pay tribute yesterday.

Photo: Moise Amisial

PMH AT FULL CAPACITY, SAY OFFICIALS PRINCESS Margaret Hospital is full, officials reported last night – but not because of COVID-19.

The Public Hospitals Authority yesterday issued a statement saying that the hospital is operating at maximum capacity as a result of non-COVID patients.

The statement added: “The public is advised that PMH will continue to provide care to both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients as the hospital’s leadership and clinical staff have taken every possible step to mitigate the increase of COVID-19 cases.”

To deal with the high number

of cases being handled, the clinic at Agape House will offer limited services as nursing staff is redeployed to PMH. Only physicians will remain at Agape clinic, but all scheduled appointments will be honoured.

PMH said it anticipates an increase in bed capacity of 23 beds in the next day.

The statement said: “Non-COVID hospital operations, resources and services have been adjusted. Face-to-face outpatient services, including elective surgeries and specialty clinics are limited. Public/visitor access to our public

hospitals remains limited to ensure the safety of patients and staff and to minimise further transmission of COVID.” Currently, 40 patients at the emergency department are awaiting admission, and the department is restricted to emergency cases only, including major accidents, strokes, heart attacks, trauma with major bleeding, loss of consciousness and difficulty breathing.

Officials said they anticipate renovations to the Accident and Emergency area will ease wait times and increase capacity.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, May 20, 2022, PAGE 3

Three-year plan on floods

By PAVEL BAILEY SEVERAL prominent government ministers and senior representatives came together for a press briefing yesterday to discuss government’s three-year flood remediation plan.

Following last weekend’s unprecedented rainfall of more than 12.37 inches that flooded several communities in western New Providence, various government agencies explained how they planned to tackle future flooding incidents.

The officials came together at the Town Planning hearing room.

Henry Moxey, senior engineer at the Ministry of Works, during the briefing said his ministry had already commenced a drainage cleaning and well maintenance programme across New Providence.

Mr Moxey specifically highlighted that this programme had “remarkably” helped relieve the flooding in Pinewood Gardens due to recent well cleaning in the area.

While Mr Moxey called Saturday’s flooding a “freak phenomenon”, which had water from the lakes out west overflowing into the roads, he said the Ministry of Works planned to immediately address this issue.

“We have set in motion, in a very, very short time, our well drilling programme will start,” Mr Moxey said. “We will also not only be drilling wells, but also installing backflow valves so that we will also be holding back the tides that may come up through those wells during high

FLOODING on Gladstone Road at the weekend. tide events. So, that will be in the next few days those contracts will go out.”

“We have begun our aggressive maintenance programme. We will be beginning to, along areas that experienced flooding, particularly in the western New Providence, revisit those areas where the water actually kept and try to put in the proper drainage infrastructure that will allow those waters to come off. We are also going to be dealing with areas even looking at Coral Harbour.

We have designs already for the main road into the Coral Harbour area that are ready to go out for tendering.”

However, Mr Moxey attributed some of the

island’s recent flooding woes to a lack of proper drainage infrastructure being part of the planning of many of the capital’s communities.

“What we have in Nassau we are now putting in place drainage infrastructure in areas where drainage infrastructure should have gone ahead of the development.

So, the cart would have been put before the horse, but we are trying to put the horse back in front where it ought to be.”

Mr Moxey added that while they are trying to rectify that issue, his ministry in collaboration with the other relevant agencies, is also trying to find short and long-term plans to prevent flooding.

Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff “The initiatives that are already in place are the wells and squalls that are in place. The ARCO system is something that we are doing in the next few months.

We are going through the tendering process in order to bring on board the requisite contractor or the appropriate contractor who would go ahead and install the prototype system in the Pinewood Garden community.

“The deep well is something that we would hopefully get to sign off today that we can engage that contractor probably in the next week or so in order to get him started in an area that is notorious for flooding. That’s the Jones Heights community.”

During questions from the press Mr Sears said that in view of the issues arising from global warming, deforestation and increasingly severe hurricanes the time has come for the government to take “comprehensive” action against flooding.

He said: “What normally happens, which is cleaning of squalls and various wells, is not sufficient. And given that this will be a very active hurricane season and the fact that two years ago we had a category 5 where communities in our northern region were devastated, with a loss of up to $3.4bn, it is time that we take a more comprehensive approach to the issue of flooding,” Mr Sears said.

“Nassau, New Providence where we live, is an unplanned city and as Mr Moxey correctly stated, the cart has been well ahead of the horse. We are now trying to rectify as we seek to mitigate.”

The Minister of Public Works also noted his ministry is proposing a building code for land use that prevents people from developing on wetlands to further prevent future flood events.

In detailing how the government plans to roll out this initiative, Minister Sears said that funding will be determined in the upcoming budget and that budget will increase annually as the project is enacted and studied over three years.

PM HITS BACK ON BREADBASKET VAT from page one

Mr Davis said when he presents his government’s budget next week, people will see the effort and interest that is taken in respect to inflation and in respect to looking at what taxes will be raised to assist the government in its efforts going forward.

“He needs to take his own advice,” Mr Davis repeated.

Mr Watson, in saying it is not true that the reintroduction of value added tax on breadbasket items is hurting some consumers, pushed back at the “political rhetoric” that has emerged since the Davis administration’s decision to tax the items.

Mr Watson took exception to comments by former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis who on Wednesday told reporters that the government should increase taxes on wealthy property buyers, in order to be able to eliminate VAT on breadbasket items. This he said would alleviate the burden on struggling Bahamians.

However, yesterday, Mr Watson questioned what the former Minnis administration did to aid the poor during its time in office.

He said that the Free National Movement’s argument of removing the tax from the breadbasket makes no economic sense, explaining there is more financial benefit to Bahamians who now enjoy a cross-the-board VAT reduction, whereas before they paid 12 percent and had no tax on breadbasket items.

“We’ve been through this story so many times and it continues to remain a cloudy understanding for so many Bahamians because it’s being used as a political football,” Mr Watson said at yesterday’s press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister. “‘Oh, why are they putting VAT on breadbasket items? It’s hurting the poor man’ and that is not true.

It’s not true.

He also said: “If you look at the list of what are breadbasket items in our country it’s not what you go to the food store and fill up your trolley with and leave.

It may be a few of those items but definitely not the majority of those items.

“So, when you look at the fact that you may be paying an increase now on breadbasket items, which will be a few of the items in your trolly versus a decrease of two percent in the other

items in the trolly when you get to the cash register two things probably happens, it nets out to probably the same or you see a slight increase in savings and that is what’s being explained about the VAT on breadbasket items.

“It is not hurting the poor man as we like to generalise it in saying because at the end of the day when the poor man as we like to use looks at what their spending in a week whether it’s at the food store, the gas station, the wash house, wherever they go and spend money they’re now receiving two percent savings across the board than just focusing on this increase on breadbasket items.

“You talk to people and they say you know what we are seeing the savings.

We are feeling it so what is being used as a political football is simply not making economic sense.”

Mr Watson then set his attention on the track record of the former government.

“For the former prime minister to talk about the government taxing the rich and people always ask well if you believe this then why when you came to office one of the first things that you did is you removed and lessened business license

BUDGET ‘TO PAY ATTENTION TO PEOPLE FEELING THE PINCH’ from page one

toward that end that will address and look at matters regarding inflation.

“It will address and look at matters to ensure that the Bahamian people can be able to live and still thrive in a very difficult economy that’s happening globally. Those are some of the main issues that you will see coming out of the budget.

“Also you will see for the first time a lot of what has been reflected in the Blueprint for Change of the Progressive Liberal Party administration, you will see that reflected in the budget because this is now the Davis administration’s

budget and so you will see reflected in there the policies and the initiatives that have been outlined prior to governance by the administration what it will do in office.”

Mr Watson also responded to criticisms from Official Opposition Leader Michael Pintard, who said earlier this week that celebrations regarding the Grand Lucayan sale are premature.

Last week, Electra America Hospitality Group signed a $100m purchase agreement for the hotel.

The deal that was executed under the former Minnis administration with Royal Caribbean/ITM was cancelled last year by the Davis administration.

“Also there have been criticism of the Grand Lucayan deal and the Opposition Leader Michael Pintard calling it a premature celebration and I always say well who’s celebrating.

“The work is just now beginning.

“You may find that there are people who are excited about the fact that there is work happening just six, seven months into office.

The government was able to find a deal after four and half years of trying to scatter about for a deal that didn’t come into fruition.

“The administration in months was able to broker a deal that was in the best interest of the Bahamian people.”

fees for the bigger business?

“That was one of the first things that you did.

You decreased business license fees for the larger businesses. So, if you are taxing the rich, why did you remove taxes from the rich?

“One of the things that you removed in one of your first budget exercises as the former administration was

you removed a lot of the tariffs and you decreased a lot of the tariffs on what we would call luxury items.

So, what about taxing the rich, sir?

“So, now all of a sudden it’s convenient to use this example of taxing the rich if there are no examples in your administration of what you did. It makes you

wonder if now it’s just political rhetoric.”

He went on to note the Davis administration’s focus on collecting outstanding real property tax payments on high end properties, adding the government was not just talking but doing the things that are in the best interest of Bahamians.

Funeral Service For D’Alfer Quendé Gibson, 44 of Oceanview Drive will be held at Bahamas Faith Ministries Intl., Carmichael Road on Saturday, 21st May, 2022 at 11:00am. Officiating will be Rev. T. G. Morrison.

Interment will follow at Eastern Cemetery.

He is predeceased by his grandparents: Gertrude and Willis Wood; brother: Derwin Whitehead; uncle: Willis Wood Jr.; aunt: Shirley Hutcheson.

He is survived by his mother: Doreen Wood Whitehead Curtis; father: El-Sito William Gibson /Randolph Curtis Sr.; son: D’Alfer Gibson Jr.; daughter: D’Alphanique Gibson; granddaughter: Javanique Smith; sisters: Erica Robinson Keva Darville, Pauline D’thalynd, D’soraja, El-Sierra Gibson; brothers: Jerome and Jamal Whitehead, Dr. Darius & Tina Bain, Karil (Karlene), Kingsley (Jillian), D’Soraji, D’lavante, Elsito Jr., D’Lamar, D’Ceymande, D’Kathineau, Zante Gibson; nieces: Janae Decosta, Janasia Robinson, Takiya and Fantasia-Whitehead, Kaynell, Kaynesha, Shaniqua, Karinya, Kayria, Brayden, Payton, El’Shauna, Demerus; nephews: Weston Wesley Young, Kelito, Kingsley Jr., Kingston, Kairo, Lawerence, El-Sito III, Demerus; aunts: Shirlene Wood Butler, Laura Gibson, Mavis, Ruth, Naomi, Elenor, Cherrian Wood, Maragrette Deveaux; uncles: Eric and Freddrick, Father Richard Wood, Eric Smith and Rev. Luden. K. Gibson J.P.; relatives and friends: Maruean and Andre Caroll, Curtis Family, Higgs Family, Rev. Jeffery / Heather Wood and family, Rev. T. G. Morrison and Family, Rev. Lindo Wallace and family, Pastor Dave Burrows and members of B.F.M., Mark and Ted Roberts, The “A team” of B.F.M; Thedore Turnquest, Disaree Gibbs and family, Kevin and Lisa Wood, The Gibson Famliy, Lousie Smith, Stephen Gibson, Jackie Smith and family, Mauriel Black, Erris Hutchinson and family, Tarnisher Fowler, Kevin Wood and Family, Val Higgs and Family, staff of Curtis Funeral Home, descendant of the late John and Dimple Wood and family Williams Family, Kay Taylor, descendants of the late Willis and Gertrude and Family, Sonya Guthrie and family, Vernal Robertson and family O.W.B. and family, Nurse Wallace {Medical Surge} and family Nurse Strachan {Medical Surge}, Dr. Adderley, Dr.Burrows, Nuero Dr. Thompson surgeon and family, Anton Burnside and family, Class of 1995 A F. Adderley, Granville Hart and family, The Abaco family, Ridgeland Park west and Family, Marvin Coakley and family, the staff of J.O.A.Ts. and family, the staff of Talcove family, Gracie Seymour and Family, Tracey Braynen and family, Todd and Sherell Beneby and Family, Zion Baptist Church family, Debbie and Rakaya and family, Kamille Robinson and Family, Reginald Robinson and family, Rev. Leroy Major and Family, The Curtis Family, Marion Brown and Family, Betty and Rudolph Williams and Family, Keith’s Tire Shop Family, Derrick Dean and Family, The Williams family, Susan Robinson, Monica Higgs, Chris Outten and Family, Linda and Cicela and family, Sharon Wharwood and family, Demera Ferguson, Elder Karen and Rev. Nixon and Family, Theresa and Pedro Saunders and Family, Curley Powell and Family and other relatives and friends.

The body will repose at Curtis Memorial Mortuary from 11:00AM - 4:00PM on Friday.

PAGE 4, Friday, May 20, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

AG: Digital Bill meets obligations under law ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder said yesterday the Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges Bill 2022 fulfils both local and international obligations, while seeking to strengthen the economic regime that will bolster the middle class of the country.

The obligations to which he referred include those set out in the government’s recently released White Paper on the Future of Digital Assets in The bahamas along with the amended FATF recommendation 15, which requires that Virtual Asset Service Providers be regulated for anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism purposes, that they be licensed or registered, and subject to effective systems for monitoring or supervision.

Meanwhile, Mr Pinder told Senators that while the Opposition may try to claim credit for the legislation, meaningful implementation was being executed by the Davis administration.

The amendment was presented for second reading in the Senate yesterday.

He said: “In our Digital Assets Policy White Paper we made it very clear that we will be compliant with international best practices and regulations and position The Bahamas as a jurisdiction of choice in the financial technology space, which would include digital assets, and specifically virtual asset service providers.

“In fact sections 1.6 and 1.7 of the White Paper provides that we will review the latest Guidance and implement any necessary changes to our anti-money laundering and countering threat financing regime.

“We committed to ensure that our legal and regulatory frameworks relating to digital assets are kept up to date and fully aligned with sound and accepted international standards, including FATF’s recommendations. This is how the new day government works, we fulfil promises without hesitation, we create frameworks for responsible, regulated economic diversification strategies and don’t waste time doing it.”

He said The Bahamas is currently rated partially

complaint for recommendation 15 with respect to the technical deficiencies related to not having specific provisions for licenses and registrants of the commission to assess money laundering and terrorism financing risks of new business practices, including new delivery mechanism or the use of new or developing technologies for both new and pre-existing products.

All in all, the attorney general said the passing of this amendment is not only important to be compliant with international best practices and strengthen the country’s anti-money laundering regime, it is fundamental for the continued development of the financial services market which naturally translates to strengthen the economic regime to bolster the middle class of the country.

He said the reforms today, the focused implementation of the digital asset, fin-tech regime will build on the successes and add to the story of the Bahamas as a financial centre.

RECLASSIFICATION BRINGS COVID DEATH TALLY TO 810

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Ministry of Health and Wellness has clarified that COVID-19 deaths have not increased as the country battles its latest surge of infections.

In a statement released yesterday, the ministry said several deaths that were previously under investigation from previous waves were recently reclassified as coronavirus related, therefore pushing virus related fatalities to 810 to date.

The figure was arrived at after two data cleaning exercises were recently conducted by health officials.

“Deaths added to the count have been the reclassification of deaths under investigation that occurred in the second, third and fourth waves,” the ministry said. “As part of its processes to ensure accurate reporting of data, the National Surveillance Unit has undertaken to resolve the number of deaths under

investigation that occurred during the pandemic.

“Two recent exercises have been completed. In the first exercise, eleven deaths under investigation were reviewed and of these, eight were reclassified as COVID-19 related deaths. All of these reclassified deaths occurred during the second wave of the pandemic and were confined to the period 2nd July, 2020 and 4th March, 2021. This batch of reclassified deaths were reported on 29th April, 2022. These eight deaths from the second wave were reported at the same time as three COVID-19 related deaths that occurred between 29th March and 11th April 2022,” health officials added.

“In the second exercise, the Surveillance Unit was able to report the re-classification of a further fifteen deaths under investigation. As a result, the total new number of COVID19 related deaths had increased by nine to 810.

These deaths were added to the total COVID-19 deaths on 18th May, 2022 and occurred in the third and fourth waves during the period from 9th September 2021 and 11th February, 2022.”

Noting that even one death is too many, the ministry reminded people that vaccinations have been proven to be effective in reducing the risks of hospitalisations and deaths.

“Vaccines are available throughout the Commonwealth and we encourage Bahamians everywhere who have not been vaccinated to do so,” the ministry added.

At the last report, over 165,000 people were said to have been fully vaccinated against the virus, comprising just over 51 percent of the eligible persons in the country.

People are encouraged to visit the nation’s online vaccination site vax.gov. bs to book a vaccination appointment.

MINISTER HOPEFUL OF SOLUTION AFTER SITOUT from page one Asked about it yesterday at the sidelines of an event, Mrs Hanna Martin said: “We’ve not gotten any direct communication as to what the issue is. I’m hearing that the teachers are concerned about the protocols which surprises me because there’s a nurse stationed at that school and then there’s a case the ministry of health is directly involved and stipulates what should happen and there’s also operating procedures. So I’m not sure what the issues are. I would have to find out exactly what it is.

“I’m not certain what their issue is. It would be good if they could inform us because in the meantime children are being deprived of an education.

They’ve lost two years in

the pandemic and if there’s an issue it would be my expectation that teachers who are charged with the wellbeing of these young people would bring it to our attention and we would see how we could answer their concerns. I trust that if they have concerns they will resolve it overnight and find a way and get into the classroom where that is able to happen in accordance with Ministry of Health protocols.”

The minister said she had not received any update on the situation from the Bahamas Union of Teachers.

However, she agreed with its President Belinda Wilson who advised teachers on Wednesday to be vigilant as cases continue to rise. She also urged the ministry to “utilise wisdom” as examinations get underway.

“We have COVID…

we’re seeing it in the private schools. We’re seeing it at the workplaces. We’re seeing it in different areas.

It’s not unexpected that you might see it. I think the issue is to where necessary do the testing, to make sure the protocols are undertaken, and if there are cases that show up in school to comply with the Ministry of Health protocols. The Ministry of Education is governed by the Ministry of Health protocols. It is her understanding that on the school campuses when there are cases that the Ministry of Health directs or mandates how those situations should be managed - not the Ministry of Education.”

The minister added the Ministry of Health was “very kind and able” to allow them to have nurses at schools all over the nation.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, May 20, 2022, PAGE 5

THE GRAND Lucayan Resort.

Vendors hopeful after sale of Grand Lucayan Resort

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

MANY vendors at the Port Lucaya Marketplace are optimistic about the sale of the Grand Lucayan hotel alongside the new mega cruise port venture, which are expected to revive Grand Bahama’s ailing economy.

These two major investments, agreements that were executed last week, will create 2,000 direct jobs and attract scores of visitors back to the island.

Electra America has entered an agreement to purchase the Grand Lucayan for $100m, and plans to invest $300m to develop the property.

Meanwhile, Carnival Corporation broke ground last Thursday to start construction of a $200m cruise port at Sharp Rock in East Grand Bahama.

As the island had been struggling since 2019 to recover from Hurricane Dorian and the COVID19 pandemic in 2020, both major developments have been welcomed news.

“We are extremely optimistic about what is about to take place here in GB,”

straw vendor Sybilene Watson told The Tribune.

This will definitely bring tourists to the market here.

She looks forward to the time when the hotel will once more be fully operational. “With the hotel coming on board soon, everybody is extremely happy to hear that and waiting with great anticipation.”

Ms Watson said that many young men will also be able to find employment when construction starts at the hotel.

Dorothy Pratt-Bain beamed about the tremendous prospects of both projects. “I feel great.

Things are on the horizon,” she said. “I am very optimistic about what these investments will do for us and I thank God for the new day government. It is everybody’s time now.

Netra, a vendor who called for the reinstatement of stipends for vendors at PLM, is looking forward to seeing some improvement with the sale of GLR. “Yes, we feel optimistic, and hopefully things pick up in the future with the hotel sale. I am looking forward to that because it is bad around here,” she said.

“We also need some ships and we (are) good.”

Another vendor, Colleen added: “I feel great because for what we are going through now in this Port Lucaya, we need that.

So, I thank God for the prime minister and the DPM, and the buyer. I feel great because they couldn’t do it in four-and-a-half years, and we do it in seven months.”

Other vendors were hopeful, but said they preferred to take a wait and see approach.

“It is a good thing to hear the hotel is sold. Let’s just hope and pray the sale will really go through because I know in the past we had many purchases, but nothing ever surfaced,” said one vendor who did not want to be named.

“We have to keep watching and praying that all goes well because we really need a boost. When you look at GB, you have persons unemployed from Dorian and the pandemic, which brought the economy to a halt. We pray God will work a miracle and allow all these projects to go through,” the vendor went on to note.

Mary Williams was among them also.

She said she was not convinced that the hotel was

GIBSON PREPARING TO RETURN AFTER POLICE REQUEST from page one “I spoke with Mr Gibson very briefly yesterday (Wednesday) and I believe he’s making preparations to return from abroad so he is making preparations to return back to the capital. On Sunday past, the request was made by ACP (Leamond) Deleveaux that he wanted and called in the morning that he wanted to speak to Mr Gibson at 1 o’clock,” she said.

“However, Mr Gibson was not in the jurisdiction so then I received word yesterday either Tuesday or Wednesday from officer Deleveaux asking for me to please let him know when Mr Gibson returns so that he can have a sit down with him.”

Earlier this month, The Tribune reported that police questioned WSC General Manager Elwood Donaldson for hours as part of their investigation.

He was placed on leave in December.

The attorney said she was told that the questions put

to WSC workers and former contractors by police were just general ones.

“I would know better and know more once he would’ve been interviewed by the police,” Mrs Farquharson-Seymour said.

“That, of course, would give you an idea to when they may be going and there are so many other attorneys involved who have taken in clients of persons who they questioned. From workers, it stems from those who worked at the Water and Sewerage Corporation and self-contractors to those who received contracts. So, it’s a very broad and general group and from some of the reports, it was just general questions.”

Mr Gibson’s tenure at the corporation was put in the spotlight last year after he was accused of awarding no bid contracts to a company that was allegedly owned by people he knew.

However, he has since denied the allegations, saying the false claims were the sad reality of “silly season” and “mud-slinging” that have become features

of Bahamian politics.

Yesterday, Mrs Farquharson-Seymour told The Tribune she believed her client was being targeted for political reasons, a sentiment shared by many members of the Free National Movement party.

However, when asked about the issue this week, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis dismissed accusations that his administration is on a political witch hunt regarding WSC. He also insisted that he will not interfere with ongoing investigations.

“All I’m aware of is the investigation is ongoing and they are deciding what they are going to do. It started off as an internal audit report that was presented to me. I turned it over to the Attorney General and the police investigations are continuing,” Prime Minister Davis told reporters.

“We are different from the FNM,” he added. “We understand what witchhunting is about because that’s their modus operandi. That’s not what we’re about.”

really sold. She’ll believe when the deal closes, she said.

“It is really sold for real?

If these people wanted to pull out, then they don’t have to buy it. I don’t know what to believe because this hotel been sold so many times now. So, you don’t what to believe. The one thing I believe in is God will take care of me. I am sure it is going to get better, but it is hard to believe anything right now.”

Mr McKenzie said the joint government-private initiative was good and brought some activity to the Port Lucaya Marketplace for three weeks.

“We appreciate the stipend and everything that has been done. The government is fighting for us.

But even after the attention came to PL we had business, and we still have Junkanoo up here, but when a cruise ship come here with 3,000 passengers we need some assurance and help with directing that traffic up here, at least 1,000 passengers or more.

“We want to have consistent business like everyone else because this is our livelihood. We looking for a consistent flow of tourists coming in this area.

We need government, the Ministry of Tourism and the

GB Port Authority to find a way to make this happen.

“On Friday a cruise ship was in, and it brought 2,000 passengers, and we saw ten people; we count them.

The store owners were also asking what is going on.

But it seems they diverted back to their ways, and we got the attention for three weeks and that’s it.”

Mr McKenzie hopes that officials can convince the cruise ships to encourage their passengers to visit PLM. “You give us the people and it is our job to sell the product. When we don’t have people, we have no one to sell to,” he said.

PAGE 6, Friday, May 20, 2022

The Tribune Limited

THE TRIBUNE

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How gas interests slowed Chile energy transition CHILE holds itself out as a global leader on climate change. Nearly 22% of Chile’s electricity is generated by solar and wind farms, putting it far ahead of both the global average, 10%, and the United States, at 13%. It was one of the first countries to declare a target for renewable energy, in 2008.

Yet even as solar farms have spread across the north and center of the long, narrow nation, imported natural gas, a polluting fossil fuel, has been able to sideline the clean electricity they provide thanks to a sweet deal won from the government.

Marcelo Mena, a former environment minister in Chile, witnessed that waste of clean power before he took the helm at the new Global Methane Hub, a nonprofit aimed at reducing global methane emissions. Natural gas is basically methane.

“They’re actually hindering the power that we can deliver from renewable energy,” Mena said of his experience with natural gas in an interview with the Associated Press. “It’s been more of an opposition towards 100% renewable target.”

Mena became disillusioned as he saw renewable energy pushed out by fossil fuels in the north of the country, where sunshine is most plentiful.

“At the same time, in the south of Chile, there is a big lack of natural gas for heating and people are heating themselves with wood and choking on it. It was such a big contradiction,” said Mena. “That’s my personal journey.”

Chile provides a view into the way fossil fuel companies can manage to stay on top, even under governments that try to pursue clean energy.

The shock that led to an energy transition in Chile came in the mid 2000s, when Argentina drastically reduced gas exports to Chile to focus on its domestic market. Chileans faced strict power rationing and regular blackouts.

After scrambling to come up with an alternative, the nation saw an opportunity.

Chile receives some of the strongest and most consistent sunshine on the planet, especially in the Atacama Desert, in the north. So it was natural for the country to seek investment in solar and wind projects through public auctions and quotas that required electricity companies to offer a minimum amount of renewable energy.

Investors heard their call. Developers built out hundreds of solar, wind and geothermal plants throughout the country, which stretches 4,300km (2,700 miles) from north to south.

But the devil was in the details. To provide power when the sun wasn’t shining, the government also invested heavily in fossil fuel infrastructure.

Natural gas importers and owners of gas-fired plants successfully argued that to secure long-term contracts for gas, they needed a guarantee that the Chilean power grid would take their gas-fired electricity even when other, greener generators were making plenty of power.

Chilean power generator Colbun, a large consumer of natural gas, said international contracts in which LNG importers must pay for gas whether they need it or not, along with a lack of storage, leave the sector vulnerable.

“It is important that the regulations recognize this condition so that the electricity market has enough natural gas to ensure the safety and competitiveness of the system,” the company said in an emailed response to the AP. The government allowed them to declare electricity from LNG imports as “forced gas,” meaning gas-fired electricity was given priority on the power market, which otherwise favors renewables.

“Any situation in the electricity market that preferences fossil fuel, taking space away from renewables, is a loss for the environment and for the energy transition,” said Ana Lía Rojas, who leads the Chilean Association of

Renewable Energies and Storage.

Another consequence of forcing gasfired electricity into the market is that it lowered electricity prices for all providers, meaning they got paid less, said Alfredo Solar, a solar plant manager with over 20 years of experience.

“I have worked in solar plants that, for example, were in default because the market price was much lower than what was projected,” Solar said, stressing that providers of renewable energy operate without contracts and depend on those revenues.

Emissions from burning gas, oil and coal for electricity, transportation and other uses are the chief driver of climate change. Last year, researchers calculated that nearly 60% of the world’s oil and gas reserves and 90% of the coal reserves need to stay underground by 2050 in order to meet the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement.

Natural gas or methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that has an even stronger impact on the environment than carbon dioxide, in the short term.

Methane traps heat 84 times more effectively than carbon dioxide over a 20-year period, making methane reduction one of the fastest routes to reducing global warming, experts said.

In November, during the U.N. climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, the Biden administration, the European Union and dozens of other nations pledged to reduce overall methane emissions worldwide by 30% by 2030.

Last year, the Chilean government reduced the advantage given to natural gas power providers. Their power still enters the grid at a reduced price, but is not supposed to displace renewables.

Yet the concept of “forced gas” still exists, and renewable advocates in Chile say the changes are not enough.

In other countries, battery storage is rapidly taking the place of new gas-fired power plants because they can provide electricity to the grid when the sun is down or the wind is not blowing. In the United States, this kind of stored electricity has increased 1200% in five years.

An amount equaling what three nuclear plants can provide was installed in 2021.

That was double the year before.

But large-scale battery storage is still too expensive to be widely used in Chile, said Daniel Salazar, former executive director of Chile’s northern power grid, now with consultancy firm EnergiE. “Chile has several projects, but they are still high-cost solutions that do not compete with other options,” Salazar said.

Even Rojas, of the Chilean renewable energy association, supported the role of natural gas. “Natural gas is the fuel of the energy transition, the technology that will allow us to make those adjustments, as long as it never takes space away from renewables,” she said.

In many other countries, the idea of natural gas as the fuel that enables the energy transition is fading. That’s because the fuel is only more climate friendly than coal if it does not leak out and is not deliberately released from wells and infrastructure along its path to the power plant. But studies and satellite imagery show both things do happen.

By 2030, solar power should account for 30% of total installed electricity capacity in Chile, according to the Association of Power Generators. That would make it the nation’s largest source of power.

Mena, the former environment minister, said the established energy companies used to tell him that phaseout of fossil fuels takes a long time.

Five years ago, he said, people were telling him the price of solar could never plunge. But it did. “My take-home message is change comes from unreasonable people,” willing to go up against what is supposedly impossible, he said pointing to Chile’s large and growing clean energy sector. “We need unreasonable people making that change.”

By DIANE JEANTET Associated Press

A UNITED Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the Boeing Starliner crew capsule lifts off on a second test flight to the International Space Station from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force station in Cape Canaveral, Florida., yesterday.

Photo: John Raoux/AP

Disaster looming for FNM? EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE Nassau Guardian’s front page article about police investigators wanting a discussion with Free National Movement (FNM) MP Adrian Gibson is just one more development in an ongoing saga that hasn’t received as much attention from the mainstream media as one would think it should.

Instead, the Bahamian people have been fed, over the past several weeks, a steady diet of rumours of a possible prosecution and by-election in the Long Island constituency by an unprofessional Internet news source.

I was of the position that Gibson, in light of the disturbing allegations at the Water and Sewerage Corporation under the previous FNM administration, should not have offered himself as a candidate in the September 16 general election. I am not suggesting that Gibson is guilty. He deserves the benefit of the doubt like all other Bahamian citizens.

However, by virtue of his position as an FNM Parliamentarian, this entire WSC probe casts a shadow over the FNM, particularly as it seeks to rebrand itself.

I appreciate the herd mentality of the FNM in attempting to show a measure of solidarity with Mr Gibson.

However, every effort should’ve been made by the former FNM executive to protect the FNM torch, even to the extent

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net of dropping popular candidates embroiled in controversy.

It looks like personal ambition took precedence over the entire organisation.

The WSC allegations showed to objective Bahamians a deeply flawed FNM government, the likes of which we were not accustomed to under former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham.

The WSC allegations were one of the many reasons I did not support the FNM in the last election.

Again, Mr Gibson is presumed innocent. The onus is on the state to prove its case.

I will take Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis at his word that this investigation isn’t a political witch hunt.

The members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force are professionals.

I believe Gibson will be treated fairly and will be given due process. I don’t view this as a tit-for-tat by the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).

If Gibson was a normal person, would we be having this discussion about political witch hunts?

If this goes where I think it is heading, Gibson might be forced to resign from Parliament, which will then lead to a by-election in Long Island. I have a gut feeling that this might happen.

This is a potential political disaster for the FNM, as the PLP would then be in prime position to finally win a seat it hasn’t held since Philip Smith represented the island between 1977 and 1992.

The FNM has held Long Island since 1992, with the exception of the period between May 2002 and January 2006, before Independent MP Larry Cartwright officially joined the party.

A PLP win would increase its seat total to 33; while the FNM would be left with just six seats in the House of Assembly.

On the flip side of this saga is the potential to view a by-election in Long Island as a referendum on the governing PLP. This is a gamble Davis has to factor into consideration.

If the PLP were to lose, Davis can simply chalk it up as an insignificant loss in an FNM bastion.

Either way, this has all the makings of a potentially disastrous situation for both Gibson and the FNM, particularly from a public relations standpoint.

Whatever becomes of this WSC probe, Bahamians must remember that these allegations originated under the previous FNM leadership. It would be unfair to point the finger at current FNM leader Michael Pintard.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama May 19, 2022.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, May 20, 2022, PAGE 7

A PRESS conference held by Trade Union leaders to announce activities planned for the Sir Randol Fawkes Labour Day.

Unions get ready for Labour Day

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net TRADE Union leaders yesterday announced several planned activities to be held to celebrate labour week, including the Sir Randol Fawkes Labour Day parade.

This year’s celebrations - held under the theme “Labour Marches on and Remains Strong” - marks the 61st anniversary of the country’s celebrations of the Labour Day holiday.

“Throughout the week, we envision a media blitz where our workers will hear the voices of labour leaders past and present speaking on the issues of labour, delving into topics about minimum wage increase, the workplace and a future without C19, occupational safety and health, the ‘No jab, no job’ work policy,” said Alexandria Feaster, vice president of union of central bankers during a press conference yesterday.

According to National Congress of Trade Unions officials yesterday, labour week will begin on May 29 with a church service at the Church of God of Prophecy located on East Street at 11 am.

Other special events include a labour symposium that will be hosted by the University of The Bahamas’ Office of Employee and Industrial Relations Department in partnership with the National Tripartite Council and other unions.

The conference will take place between May 31 and June 1 and will feature such key speakers as State Minister of Education, Zane Lightbourne.

The annual Randol Fawkes Labour Day parade is also among the special events planned for this year’s celebration and will be held on June 3, the last day of labour week.

“The parade, synonymous with the display of the strength and pride of

the workers of this land, will take the anticipated route leaving the historic Windsor Park (Wulff Road junction off East Street) at 8am travelling north on East Street exiting to Bay Street,” Mrs Feaster added.

“The public and all affiliate unions are encouraged to display the Bahamian flag and wear its colours to represent the national pride and strength of our workers. Being mindful of safety and environmental concerns, each affiliate will assign marshals to monitor vehicles participating in the parade.”

During the march, several union representatives will also pay tribute to the four victims who lost their lives at the 2018 labour day parade at a wreath laying ceremony.

Members of this year’s labour week committee include Mrs Feaster and Ms Sherry Benjamin, vice president of the NCTUB.

TWO ACCUSED IN COURT OF FRAUDULENT MARRIAGE

By PAVEL BAILEY

TWO people were charged in a Magistrate’s Court yesterday with attempting to obtain a residence spousal permit by entering into a fraudulent marriage.

Kenold Dorsainvil, 43, and Edisa Adderley, 41, appeared before Assistant Chief Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans on charges related to a fraudulent marriage scheme.

Dorsainvil faced charges of fraud by false pretences, attempted fraud by false pretences and entering into a fraudulent marriage.

Meanwhile, Ms Adderley, a former staff member of the Registrar General’s office, faced a charge of abetment to commit fraud by false pretences.

On June 14, 2016, Dorsainvil with the aid of Adderley is alleged to have fraudulently obtained a marriage certificate. The names of Precious Wonderful Davis, a complainant/ witness in the matter, and Kenold Dorsainvil were on the certificate and it was obtained from the Registrar General’s Department on Shirley Street.

It is alleged that this fraudulent marriage was done with the aim of obtaining a resident spousal permit for Dorsainvil, which he unsuccessfully attempted to obtain on November 23, 2016, from the Bahamas Department of Immigration on Hawkins Hill.

In court, both accused pleaded not guilty to all the charges against them.

With there being no objections, $5,000 bail with one or two sureties was granted to Adderley. Under the conditions of her bail she is expected to report to East Street South Police Station every Sunday by 7pm.

Adderley was also warned by the magistrate that failure to comply with these conditions would result in her bail being revoked.

However, Dorsainvil was denied bail at this time on the basis that he has no status in the country. As such his bail hearing was deferred to June 2 while the court awaits an update from the Bahamas Department of Immigration in relation to his case.

Dorsainvil and Adderley’s trial is set for July 14.

WOMAN ACCUSED OF STEALING $4,800

By PAVEL BAILEY

A WOMAN was arraigned in a Magistrate’s Court yesterday for allegedly stealing more than $4,800 from the insurance company where she was previously employed.

Lashante Dames, 31, represented by Bjorn Ferguson, stood before Magistrate Algernon Allen, Jr, on two counts of stealing by means of employment.

On September 30, and October 28, 2021 Dames is alleged to have stolen $3,018.66 and $1,816.80

from Freeport Insurance’s New Providence branch where she was formerly employed.

In court, she pleaded not guilty to the charges.

As there was no objection to bail, it was granted to her in the sum of $3,000 with one or two sureties.

Photo: Moise Amisial

Funeral Service For Mrs. Viola Virginia Beneby, 69 affectionately called “Vi”, “Aunty”

of Cactus Avenue, Garden Hills #2 and formerly of Pine Field, Acklins will be held on Saturday, May 21st, 2022, 11:00 a.m. at Ebenezer Mission Baptist Church, St. Charles Vincent Street.

Officiating will be Reverend Jeffrey Deleveaux, assisted by other ministers. Interment will follow in Woodlawn Gardens, Soldier Road.

Viola was predeceased by her parents: Solomon & Verlean Miller; grandparents: Sarah Johnson and Edward Miller Sr., Lemuel & Gertude Williams; aunts: Clara Rolle, Doris Rolle, Alice Ferguson, Deslene Hepburn, Mavis Shepherd and Dec. Carina Symonette; sister: thereafter, Rosalie Miller.

Loving memories of her smile and quiet charisma will linger in the hearts of her dear husband: Randoll Beneby; adopted children: Ronnique Ferguson, Shanderia (Chovosky) Bowe & Shivarro Miller; brothers: Rudolph (Sandra), Lernis (Jenniemae) and Roger (Niccola) Miller; sisters: Carolyn Miller, Sandra (Andrew) Ferguson, Igallie Miller, Barbara Miller; nephews & nieces: D’Shea, Lavonda, Carlisa & Rudolph Jr. Miller, Renaldo & Ryan Ferguson, Rebirto (Latoya) Hanna, Adrian & Jerad Miller, Anishka Bain, Oniel (Sharisse), Lernis Jr., Vernica, Jamaal & Lance Miller, Lavardo, Demarco & Canderia Miller, Donovan & Mekeva Woodside, Harissa Moss, Isranique Bowe, Roshan Miller, Shaniqua (Clint) Brennen, Roger Jr. & Terrell Miller, Javon & Shanice Parker, Kevin (Selena), Nadeen & Sylvia Novella, Sean (Kumudu) & Jeffrey Miller, Pamela Charlton, Patricia Cunnigham, Christine Thompson, Tracey Boucher, Michelle Miller, Brenda Bannister, Leroy Miller, Andino Cunnigham and Shantell Williams; grandnephews & grandnieces: T’nesha Silvera, Dreshanae Rolle, Kyle Humes, Tristan Miller, Unique, Cute’Tel, Rebirto Jr. Hanna, Canrio Dean, Ryan Ferguson, Adrianique, Adria, Kaiden, Adrion, Destiny, Jerell, Jerad Jr., Genarie, Sharad & Jerido Miller, Neveah Fox, Ariana Brown, Arianna Johnson, Janae Butler, Gerrad Miller, Christy & Christal Riley, Princess, Egypt & Chance Brennen, Brenisha & Royalte Miller, Leshaun Miller, Anthony Dorsette, Harmony Miller, Dejah & Denajah Bodie, Kevario & Aden Miller, Theora & Theoniyah; brothers & sisters-in-law: Rev. Daniel (Beverly) Beneby, Elijah Beneby, Joshua (Donna) Beneby, Frances (Leroy) Jones, Princess (Harvey) Emmanuel, Margaret Beneby and Joan Ferguson; uncles: Japeth Darling, Ronald Darling, Edward Miller; aunts: Rev. Marietta Moss, Mother Inez Symonette, Hazel Davis, Gloria Williams, Lessie Williams, Juanita McTagget, Mabel Higgs; cousins: Melvelyn, Patricia (Robert) Gary, Deborah (ASP Roderick) McKenzie, Melvern Symonette, Rev. Michael & Renee Symonette, Ralston & Elizabeth Ferguson, Franklyn (Antionette) Moss, Annemarie Moss, Alerine Miller, Paigely (Reginald) Forbes, Lorenzo (Rosa) Moss, Kingsley Hanna, Shervin (Margarita) Hanna, Rev. Stephanie (Michael) Minns, Karen (Thomas) Minns, Sgt. Ulrick Johnson, Maureen Hepburn, Princess, Vanricka & Doralee Williamson, Judy Strachan; godchildren: Keisha Smith, Prudence Johnson; other relatives & friends: Apostle Karen Proctor, Apostle Dorinda Dean, Rev. Ozel & Viola Miller & family, Judd & Sandee Ferguson & family, Rev. Howard Williamson, Rev. Newton Williamson, Eunice & Diane Miller Virgilee Smith, Min. Pandora Neely, Venus Cox, Flossiemae Symonette, Harrison Williamson, Elton Williamson, Lawrence Miller, Enderlyn Ferguson, Edith Rolle, Dec. Alfred (Bessley) Gray & family, Dwayne & Dominique Beneby, Bernadette Coleman, Bonita Beneby, Kimberly & Darren Ritchie, Jackie Bruton, Maryann Newchurch, Agnes Beneby, Miami Fl., Bishop Trevor (Sharon) Williamson, Bettyann Ferguson & family, Pathisamae (Simon) Miller, Shirley (Min. Jamaal) King-Leadon, Rev. Mary Deleveaux, Gwendolyn (Levi) Johnson, Betty Greenslade, Peraline Frazer, Denise Sands, Joy Kelly, Rev. Helen Miller, Vernie Daxon, Joycelyn Frazer, Min. Judy Deveaux, Betty Davis, Dr. Amanda Lundy-Ferguson, Colliemae Ferguson, Garnet Cox, Kathy Symonette, Loveta Johnson, Ellis Taylor & family, Limus Taylor & family, Captain Vemal Black & family, Rev. Evangeline Beneby & family, Rev. Dr. Carolyn Rolle and family, Roscoe (Teresa) Black, Rev. Bradick & Briquell Cleare, Sharon Butler, John Telsmour, Mr. & Mrs. Delcita Austin, Stephanie & Natasha Storr, Mr. & Mrs. Halem Wilson, Holbert & Luellen McDonald, Mr. & Mrs. Welling Hall, Junior Strapp, Thelma Wright, Ophelia Turner, Nathalee Chuno, Perpehura Patton, David (Ceola) Smith, P.M.H. Dialysis Unit, Dr. Ilsa Grant, Dr. Farquharson, Nurse Sweeting, Nursing Officer Roker, Tory Rolle, Nurse Maycock, Hollyann Colebrooke, Rev. Amos Rahming & family, Dec. Elkin Collie, Jenny Bethell, Stacy Strachan, Rev. Alonzo Hinsey Jr. & The Golden Gates Native Baptist Church family, Rev. Dr.’s Vaughan (Wendy Cash) & Evangelistic Temple Church family, Rev. Jeffrey (Jennifer) Deleveaux & Gladtidings Mission Baptist Church family, Rev. Micahel Symonette & Ebenezer Mission Baptist Church family, Rev. Lockwood (Florence) Deleveaux & Hillside Missionary Baptist Church family, Rev. Jacob Moss & Divine Deliverance Baptist Church family, Rev. Ellison (Leila) Greenslade & Bible Truth Ministries family, E.P. Roberts School family, The Honorable Glenys Hanna Martin, The entire Acklins community, neighbours of Catcus Avenue, The Palm Beach Street & Englerston Community family, Restaurant Bahamas Limited, The Children’s Emergency Hostel, and numerous others. If we inadvertently missed your name, please forgive us as we are still grieving.

Viewing will be held in the “Celestial Suite” at Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium Ltd., Robinson and Soldier Roads on Friday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

PAGE 8, Friday, May 20, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

A legacy: Leah O’Brien of Cat Island Timothy 1:3-5: 3 I give thanks to God, whom I serve with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did.

I thank him as I remember you always in my prayers night and day. 4 I remember your tears, and I want to see you very much, so that I may be filled with joy. 5 I remember the sincere faith you have, the kind of faith that your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice also had. I am sure that you have it also.

What stands out in this text: My ancestors; Lois, Timothy’s Grammie; Eunice, Timothy’s Mother: It’s A Legacy!

Go back to book of Sirach, ch. 44 it reads. “Let us praise and let us sing praises of famous men, our ancestors in their generations.” It speaks much about the role of ancestors.

2 Timothy is also doing the same as Sirach, “Praising the ancestors.” The key in all of it is “praise our ancestors in their generations.” Many times, we want to judge our ancestors with the lenses of 2022. Look at their time, examine what they were given. Through it all, they trusted in God to see them through.

WHAT were Almeda, Granville, Leah, and Rachel given? They were born to a single mother, Jane Isadora McKenzie in the Bluff, Cat Island.

They were baptised as infants, and thus sealed in the Christian faith at the little church of St Paul in Rokers. They were born in a house that auntie Leah O’Brien and her siblings described as a 2x4 size. It still stands, today, in the bushes, next to the abandoned eyesore once the Bluff-All-Age-School, on the main road going up to the Bluff.

They travelled to Arthur’s Town in 1941 in search of a better life Leah and Rachel twins, on the horse back with all the worldly possessions they had. Mammie and Uncle Gran with Mama walked on either side of the horse. Mama Jane, our Lois, had an abiding faith in God as they journeyed to Arthur’s Town, at the break of day.

Arthur’s Town was their promised land, to which Mama Jane was convinced God was leading them over ten miles of rough terrain called a road. They were searching for a better way of life. Auntie Leah told and retold the story of their exodus again and again. How they were being led by God and how God

By the Rev Canon S Sebastian Campbell, CM provided for them in their land of promise.

They were recipients of a better life, yet hard and tedious. By the sweat of their brow, they still had to cut field and weed, and plant. But now they found employment in the fields of big shot Arthur’s Town farmers or hired out to do work at the residence of the priest, commissioner, headteacher, etc. the mucka-mucks-of Cat Island. But, oh, what a time they had to find a roof-over their heads, and to till the land, but first to find the land then to cultivate. But God led them through it all. Thanks be to God, the journey was made.

Here, Uncle Gran was to find a spouse, Auntie Sil, Mammie found a husband, Sebastian Campbell and my father produced us, their 14 offspring. They were poor but did not know it. One consistent testimony Auntie Leah gave was that they were a happy, happy, family sitting in an unknown land, where God had led them. They were immersed in this new culture, and no one could say they were not one with all their new found friends in Arthur’s Town. Here they ran with the baton of joy, involvement, especially in St Andrew’s Anglican Church, St. Andrew’s Burial Society, the Household of Ruth, the Odd Fellows, the school and, yes, indeed, they farmed and were well immersed in the thriving tomato industry in Arthur’s Town. God had bought them through. Tomato was king and it increased their income, shipping directly to the US from Cat Island.

Like Timothy’s Lois and Eunice, they were humans with much shortcomings. They too missed the mark, but there is no perfect being, save Jesus Christ. The names of Lois and Eunice are not symbols of perfection, but of instruction.

What are some of the lessons from their lives: 1. Be an example of an exuberant faith. Deuteronomy reminds us to exercise our faith with all our heart.

In 2 Timothy we are told that Lois exercised her faith in SINCERITY. Then she passed it on to Eunice.

Then on to Timothy.

Let Auntie Leah’s exuberance live on. Do we wish to immortalise her? Auntie Leah was the epitome of life: singing, dancing, travelling, a restless soul, always battle ready. A woman of action. Can you ever describe St Andrew’s, Arthur’s Town as dead?

Can you describe Christ the King as dead? Never, not as long as Leah O’Brien was involved. I agree, dead people come to church, and then characterise the church as dead. Leah O’Brien gave life: all the time, on time attendance in ministry as a Sunday School Teacher, both in St Andrew’s and Christ the King, in the Anglican Church Women, in the choir, in the Cursillo movement, in the prayer ministry and in her joyful giving through her tithes and offering. Her faith was challenged, but never shaken. She loved her God, as she loved her church.

She was in that procession, one sunny Sunday afternoon that marched from St Barnabas to the new mission of Christ the King that established Christ the King as a parish. Then in recent times, plagued by the setbacks of an aging body, walked again from St Barnabas to Christ the King to re-enact the first procession that got it all going. She is an original in Christ the King. When I moved in with her in 1971 it was a given, Christ the King or nothing. In our first conversation she said, “Welcome to the band, Christ the King, I expect to see you serving on the altar”. A lively faith and exuberant faith, teaches us the lesson: the power of influence. Anglicans have a legacy in her, this I saw, as well, in my mother. No one was going to talk bad about her church, in her presence. She cried at times when relating some fighting situations in the church. She protected her priest from the fiery darts of callous and insensitive parishioners. She was no rolling stone and remained faithful to her God and church. This legacy I cherish as a priest as I do battle with foes in the church of God. We can influence generations to come through a lively exuberant faith. Every niece

LEAH O’BRIEN, the aunt and foster mother of Canon Campbell. and nephew, with all the grands, she influenced for good. She was the glue of this family, calling all day long. Don’t let the devil fool us and lose it. Satan knocks at our door and is ready to sift us like wheat, we have a legacy to run with.

1. Her Legacy: she was there at my birth, a spitty rainy day. She was there with nurse Turner to welcome me in this world.

She boiled the water and kept things going. She was among the first to hear my cry, when she got the word, “It’s a boy!” she was never shy saying “I love you!

I love you!” becoming a Canon after thirty-three years as a priest, I received because of people like auntie Leah. She shopped and prepared for three of my big days: ordinations as both deacon and priest.

To this Julian can also testify. Although Julian was ordained at St John the Divine in Antigua, oh yes, she was there. She led in prepping Christ the King Hall for my ordination reception, for days. She shopped afar for matching clothes to match my robes for my installation as a Canon. She has a legacy of love.

When dispatched by Mammie from Cat Island, I was told to go to Leah and Rachel. This family has a legacy of closeness. I got a hacker to bring me over the hill, followed the instructions, came to the house, this was the 31st December 1971. Auntie Leah cried out “Junior, you come to spend the new year with us.” I said, “yes, and to go to high school.” I was accepted and stayed in Ridgeland Park, twins close as I attended Blue Hill High School and later St John’s College until my elder brother Oscar took me out. Every niece and nephew can give a testimony of this legacy of love. The Majors, the

Campbells, and O’Briens.

Oscar, you’re the oldest one, lead us. She sent us toys every Christmas, box on the boat, she always presented herself live in living colours. Spending time with us in C.I. The Anglicans of Cat Island, what a legacy.

She gave herself and of herself in annual pilgrimages of fund raising for the 11 Anglican churches on Cat Island.

She has a political legacy.

She was in the Progressive Liberal Party at its formation and promised to die a PLP; she probably did, but not before going on an excursion to the United Bahamian party, the National Democratic party and being hailed in high remarks in the Free National Movement. She indeed had a presence in all of them and left a legacy of exuberance and dynamism.

I thank her for playing a motherly role to all of us, her nieces and nephews, as we journeyed from Cat Island and tried to find a new life in New Providence and then further afield. She stood with me in Rawson Square at rallies when I led a campaign for National Heroes, National Honours, etc. she warned me not to get stressed out and lose it.

She was our Santa Claus who sent wrapped gifts every Christmas. Many, many persons will confess that she was generous to a fault, so generous that some unscrupulous might have taken advantage of her.

What about our legacy?

In short order, a stone will be placed at the head of her grave. It will read 1936-2022. A dash separates the years. The dash is the accumulation of all she was. What are you placing on that dash right now? Is it good or bad, negative or positive. Have we been faithful to the gem of an aunt? Did we cherish her, call her, visit her, provide

for her, had time for her, or did we wait patiently for the funeral? It’s a good time to repent.

Our broken promises, broken dreams, ripping her off. Are we able to place love on that dash? To us all: family, church, political allies, Leah O’Brien placed on that dash for all of us the fruit of the spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Auntie was unselfish and all my life I was a recipient of this unselfishness. She was naive in her unselfishness and was ripped off many times as a result. We are recipients of so great a legacy.

Due to Lois and Eunice’s’ legacy and family we got a companion to Paul called Timothy. Because of their legacy we can build a firm Christian foundation even in 2022. Let auntie Leah continue to live on.

Remember we have a soul to save, so radical a change we need make, that Jesus describes it as being born again. A radical change we all need. See again Jesus’ encounter with Nicodemus in St John’s gospel. All of us need it. Her legacy we follow in all her imperfections, walk hand in hand with Jesus, she did it as she walked hand in hand with all of us who were privileged to know her in this garment of flesh. Let us go on handing down this faith given to us, that she lived by: To our children and to the generations yet unborn.

2 Timothy 3:14-15: 14 But as for you, continue in the truths that you were taught and firmly believe. You know who your teachers were, 15 and you remember that ever since you were a child, you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

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THE TRIBUNE

Warning for hurricane season as it’s looking like the year of Katrina

By NICK SHAY University of Miami THE Atlantic hurricane season starts on June 1, and the Gulf of Mexico is already warmer than average. Even more worrying is a current of warm tropical water that is looping unusually far into the Gulf for this time of year, with the power to turn tropical storms into monster hurricanes.

It’s called the Loop Current, and it’s the 800-pound gorilla of Gulf hurricane risks.

When the Loop Current reaches this far north this early in the hurricane season – especially during what’s forecast to be a busy season – it can spell disaster for folks along the Northern Gulf Coast, from Texas to Florida.

If you look at temperature maps of the Gulf of Mexico, you can easily spot the Loop Current. It curls up through the Yucatan Channel between Mexico and Cuba, into the Gulf of Mexico, and then swings back out through the Florida Strait south of Florida as the Florida Current, where it becomes the main contributor to the Gulf Stream.

When a tropical storm passes over the Loop Current or one of its giant eddies – large rotating pools of warm water that spin off from the current – the storm can explode in strength as it draws energy from the warm water.

This year, the Loop Current looks remarkably similar to the way it did in 2005, the year Hurricane Katrina crossed the Loop Current before devastating New Orleans.

Of the 27 named storms that year, seven became major hurricanes. Wilma and Rita also crossed the Loop Current that year and became two of the most intense Atlantic hurricanes on record.

I have been monitoring ocean heat content for more than 30 years as a marine scientist. The conditions I’m seeing in the Gulf in May 2022 are cause for concern. One prominent forecast anticipates 19 tropical storms – 32% more than average – and nine hurricanes. The Loop Current has the potential to supercharge some of those storms.

WHY THE LOOP CURRENT WORRIES FORECASTERS

Warm ocean water doesn’t necessarily mean more tropical storms. But once tropical storms reach waters that are around 78 F (26 C) or warmer, they can strengthen into hurricanes.

Hurricanes draw most of their strength from the top 100 feet (30 meters) of the ocean. Normally, these upper ocean waters mix, allowing warm spots to cool quickly. But the Loop Current’s subtropical water is deeper and warmer, and also saltier, than Gulf common water.

These effects inhibit ocean mixing and sea surface cooling, allowing the warm current

and its eddies to retain heat to great depths.

In mid-May 2022, satellite data showed the Loop Current had water temperatures 78 F or warmer down to about 330 feet (100 meters). By summer, that heat could extend down to around 500 feet (about 150 meters).

The eddy that fueled Hurricane Ida in 2021 was over 86 F (30 C) at the surface and had heat down to about 590 feet (180 meters).

With favorable atmospheric conditions, this deep reservoir of heat helped the storm explode almost overnight into a very powerful and dangerous Category 4 hurricane.

Within a storm, warm ocean water can create towering plumes of rising warm, moist air, providing high-octane fuel for hurricanes. Think about what happens when you boil a large pot of spaghetti on the stove and how the steam rises as the water gets hotter. As more moisture and heat rise within a hurricane, the pressure drops.

The horizontal pressure difference from the center of the storm to its periphery subsequently causes the wind to speed up and the hurricane to become increasingly dangerous.

Since the Loop Current and its eddies have so much heat, they don’t significantly cool, and the pressure will continue to fall. In 2005, Hurricane Wilma had the lowest central pressure on record in the Atlantic, and Rita and Katrina weren’t far behind.

LA NIÑA, WIND SHEAR AND OTHER DRIVERS OF A BUSY SEASON

Forecasters have other clues to how the hurricane season might shape up.

One is La Niña, the climate opposite of El Niño.

During La Niña, stronger trade winds in the Pacific Ocean bring colder water to the surface, creating conditions that help push the jet stream farther north. That tends to exacerbate drought in the southern U.S. and also weaken wind shear there. Wind shear involves the change in wind speeds and wind directions with height. Too much wind shear can tear tropical storms apart. But less wind shear, courtesy of La Niña, and more moisture in the atmosphere can mean more hurricanes.

La Niña has been unusually strong in spring 2022, though it’s possible that it could weaken later in the year, allowing more wind shear toward the end of the season. For now, the upper atmosphere is doing little that would stop a hurricane from intensifying.

It’s too soon to tell what will happen with the steering winds that guide tropical storms and affect where they go. Even before then, the conditions over West Africa are crucial to whether tropical storms form at all in the Atlantic. Dust from the Sahara and low humidity can

HURRICANE Katrina pictured in 2005. Conditions in the Loop Current are similar this year to how they were in the year that Katrina devastated New Orleans. both reduce the likelihood storms will form.

Climate change has a role As global temperatures rise, the ocean’s temperatureis increasing. Much of the heat trapped by greenhouse gases that are released by human activities is stored in the oceans, where it can provide additional fuel for hurricanes.

Studies suggest that the Atlantic is likely to see more storms intensify into major hurricanes as those temperatures rise, though there won’t necessarily be more storms overall. A study examined the 2020 hurricane season – which had a record 30 named storms, 12 of them hitting the US – and found the storms produced more rain than they would have in a world without the effects of human-caused climate change.

Another trend we have been noticing is that the Loop Current’s warm eddies have more heat than we saw 10 to 15 years ago.

Whether that’s related to global warming isn’t clear yet, but the impact of a warming trend could be devastating.

• Originally published on www.theconversation.com

Friday, May 20, 2022, PAGE 9

PAGE 10, Friday, May 20, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

Biden lauds NATO bids of Sweden and Finland A$AP ROCKY, left, and Rihanna at the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute benefit gala in September.

RIHANNA HAS BABY BOY LOS ANGELES Associated Press

RIHANNA and A$AP Rocky have welcomed a baby boy, according to multiple reports.

The couple, who first revealed her pregnancy with a belly-baring Harlem photo shoot in January, became parents May 13 in Los Angeles, said TMZ, the first to report the birth Thursday based on unnamed sources. A representative for Rihanna did not immediately return an email from The Associated Press seeking confirmation.

During her pregnancy, Rihanna stunned in designer looks that showed

off her growing bump, but her pregnancy wasn’t drama free.

The 33-year-old A$AP was arrested April 20 at Los Angeles International Airport in connection with a shooting in Hollywood last year, authorities said. The rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was accused of firing a handgun at an acquaintance, who sustained a minor injury and later sought medical treatment, police said.

People magazine, citing an unnamed source, said A$AP and Rihanna, 34, are home in Los Angeles with the baby, their first.

The two went public with their relationship in 2020.

WASHINGTON Associated Press FLANKED by the leaders of Finland and Sweden, President Joe Biden forcefully supported their applications to join NATO on Thursday as Russia’s war in the heart of Europe challenges the continent’s security. The US president rejected Turkey’s opposition, insisting the two countries “meet every NATO requirement and then some”.

Biden walked to a White House Rose Garden appearance with his hands on the shoulders of Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson of Sweden and President Sauli Niinistö of Finland for an event designed to emphasise US backing of their NATO candidacies.

The firm show of support was targeted not only at Russia, but also Turkey’s

PRESIDENT Joe Biden with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, left, and Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, right.

Photo: Andrew Harnik/AP President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who earlier emphasised his opposition to the two countries joining the military alliance.

Erdogan’s new comments added to uncertainty about whether he is determined to derail the expansion, which needs the unanimous support of all 30 NATO members, or whether he is using the threat to gain concessions from the two nations as well as the United States.

Biden, in a notable pledge, said the US and allies would “deter and confront any aggression while Finland and Sweden are in this accession process”.

Once-neutral Finland and Sweden are abandoning what in Sweden’s case has been 200 years of military non-alignment, driven to join NATO’s mutual defense pact in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and ongoing war there.

Acceptance of the countries would bring into the alliance two well-equipped, modern militaries on Russia’s doorstep. It would also serve as a powerful and lasting rebuke to Russian President Vladimir Putin about the consequences of his invasion.

The two leaders also visited the Capitol and met with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who said she was honored to “offer the fullest support and endorsement to your request to be part of NATO, the greatest defense alliance in the history of the world”.

Separately, the Senate approved $40bn in fresh economic and military aid for Ukraine, sending the bill to Biden for his signature.

At the White House, Prime Minister Andersson said: “Russia’s full-scale aggression against a sovereign and democratic neighbour... was a watershed moment for Sweden.

And my government has come to the conclusion that the security of the Swedish people will be best protected within the NATO alliance.”

Not only are Sweden and Finland fully qualified, she said, but “having two new NATO members in the high north will enhance the security of our alliance”.

Even as the three leaders were gathering, however, Turkish President Erdogan was hardening his public stand against the expansion effort. He accused the two countries — as he often does the US and Western nations in general — of being too receptive to Turkish Kurdish groups that Erdogan calls terrorists.

Erdogan’s abrupt objections on that point have brought uncertainty to an application process that had been expected to win quick approval.

CDC ADVISERS URGE PFIZER BOOSTER FOR CHILDREN CHILDREN aged 5 to 11 should get a booster dose of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, advisers to the US government said yesterday.

If the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention agrees, as expected, it would open a third COVID-19 shot to healthy elementary-age kids — just like what is already recommended for everybody 12 and older.

The hope is that an extra shot will shore up protection for kids ages five to 11 as infections once again are on the rise.

Earlier this week, the Food and Drug Administration authorized Pfizer’s kid-sized booster, to be offered at least five months after the

youngsters’ last shot.

The CDC takes the next step of recommending who actually needs vaccinations. Its advisers debated if all otherwise healthy 5- to 11-year-olds need an extra dose, especially since so many children were infected during the huge winter surge of the omicron variant.

But the US now is averaging 100,000 new cases a day for the first time since February. And ultimately, the CDC’s advisers pointed to growing evidence from older kids and adults that two primary vaccinations plus a booster are providing the best protection against the newest coronavirus variants.

“This always perhaps

should have been a threedose vaccine,” said Dr Grace Lee of Stanford University, who chairs the CDC’s advisory panel.

The booster question isn’t the hottest vaccine topic: Parents still are anxiously awaiting a chance to vaccinate kids under five — the only group not yet eligible in the US. Dr Doran Fink of the Food and Drug Administration said the agency is working “as rapidly as we can” to evaluate an application from vaccine maker Moderna, and is awaiting final data on the littlest kids from rival Pfizer. The FDA’s own advisers are expected to publicly debate data from one or both companies next month.

RISE IN MONKEYPOX CASES MADRID Associated Press

HEALTH officials in Spain reported seven cases of monkeypox and Portugal updated its number of confirmed cases to 14 yesterday as an outbreak of a viral disease typically limited to Africa expanded in Europe.

In Spain, all of the reported cases to date involved men in Madrid, officials said. Health officials are currently testing another 22 suspected cases, said Antonio Zapatero of the regional health department.

“It’s possible that more cases will emerge in the coming days,” Zapatero told Spanish radio network Onda Cero.

Officials said all of the cases identified so far were mild and that the infections appeared linked to close contact among two chains of transmission. No details were given as to whether the men had traveled to Africa or whether the cases were connected to other reported cases across Europe.

Portuguese authorities said yesterday that the 14 cases confirmed in the country all were reported in the area surrounding the capital city of Lisbon.

Meanwhile, the tally of confirmed cases in Britain rose to nine. Britain’s Health Security Agency said Wednesday that recent cases reported this week had been seen “predominantly in gay, bisexual or men who have sex with men”, though it noted that it was unclear how exactly people had gotten infected.

In Rome, the Lazzaro Spallanzani Hospital said yesterday it had confirmed one case of monkeypox in a patient who had recently traveled to Spain’s Canary Islands. Sweden’s public health agency also reported one case Thursday, saying it remained unclear how the patient became infected.

Monkeypox has not previously been documented to have spread through sex, but can be transmitted through close contact with infected people, their clothing or bedsheets.

The US state of Massachusetts on Wednesday reported one case of monkeypox in a man who recently traveled to Canada, prompting officials to probe potential links to the outbreak in Europe.

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said yesterday that the probability of transmission without close contact is

low. But it warned that “the likelihood of further spread of the virus through close contact, for example during sexual activities, is considered to be high”.

It recommended that authorities and community organisations raise awareness of the outbreak among men who have sex with other men or who have casual sex or multiple partners.

Suspected cases should be isolated, it said, and the smallpox vaccine administered to high-risk close contacts.

Monkeypox typically causes fever, chills, a rash and lesions on the face or genitals resembling those caused by smallpox. A vaccine developed against smallpox has been approved for monkeypox, and several anti-virals also appear to be effective.

Most people recover from monkeypox within weeks, but the World Health Organization says the disease is fatal for up to one in ten infected people. Sporadic cases of monkeypox have been seen previously in countries including Britain and the US, but nearly all have been in people who were likely infected during their travels in Africa.

SPORTS PAGE 11

FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022

COLEBROOKE MAKING THE ADJUSTMENT TO PRO RANKS

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

AS he prepares for his professional stint, Exuma native Samson Colebrooke is trying to blaze his own destiny among the world’s elite male sprinters.

Colebrooke, who ran a season’s best of 10.01 seconds in the 100 metres on April 9 at the Cheney Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, came back on Wednesday night and clocked 10.28 for fourth place at the Emory Final Qualifier at the Emory University Track in Atlanta.

Representing the Atlanta Track Club, Colebrooke trailed Chris Royster of Altis, who won in his season’s best of 10.07; Atlanta Track Club’s Mario Heslop, second in 10.15 and Ojie Dayo Edoburun of Adidas, who got third in 10.28.

“I was happy with my time,” Colebrook said.

“Other than my opener, all season long, my body hasn’t been working with

SAMSON Colebrooke

me. I had some minor glitches here and there.

“Over the past few weeks, I wasn’t able to run at top speed without feeling pain in my leg. In this race, I actually ran without feeling anything.

I got off to a bad start. I was actually in seventh place, but I am able to move and catch the pack.”

Colebrooke, a graduate of Purdue University, is now training with the Atlanta Track Club with coach Oneil White. He said while he’s making the adjustment from the collegiate to the pro ranks, he is just trying to get his body in sync with the vigorous training he’s getting.

“This was just a race to see where I’m at after not racing in four weeks,” Colebrooke said. “This was just to see if we need to accelerate our speed or we need to slow it down.

“I actually messed up at the start of the race.

So there’s a lot of room for improvement, but I’m happy about where I’m at and what I need to do to prepare for the rest of the season.”

This weekend, Colebrooke is expected to be back in Jacksonville, Florida in an American Track League meet at the North Florida University where he considers them to have the best “track facility” and where he “loves competing there”.

So far this year, Colebrooke has run the fastest of any Bahamian male sprinters and was followed closely by Grand Bahamian Terrance Jones, a freshman at Texas Tech, who posted his season’s best SEE PAGE 12

Men’s national soccer team is announced

THE Bahamas in action against the Turks and Caicos at the weekend.

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

COMING off the twogame split of their friendly matches against the Turks & Caicos Islands over the weekend, the Bahamas Football Association has selected its men’s national team that will represent the Bahamas at the CONCACAF National League.

The Bahamas will host St Vincent & the Grenadines on Thursday, June 3 at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium and head coach Nesly Jean said the matches against the Turks & Caicos Islands were used as a tune-up to see what is needed for a competitive men’s team.

Although the team selected is slightly different from the one that played in the friendly, Jean said he’s confident that the Bahamas

will prevail.

Selected to the team are the following: Lesly St Fleur (defender), Jean Francois (defender), Julio Jemmison (goalkeeper), Troy Pinder (defender), Evelt Julmis (defender), Wood Julmis (defender), Ian Lowe (goalkeeper), Alexiou Cartwright (midfielder), Roen Davis (midfielder), Vance Wheaton (goalkeeper), Kenaz Swain (defender), Michael Massey (midfielder), Derrick Ferguson (defender), Jordin Wilson (forward), Nathan Wells (midfielder), Christopher Rahming (midfielder), William Bayles (midfielder), Omari Bain (forward), Quinton Carey (defender), Marcel Joseph (midfielder), Logan Russell (midfielder) and Ncolas Lopez (midfielder).

“We have a different

team from the one that just played. We added some veteran players who didn’t play,” Jean said. “We feel these guys will help us out tremendously in regards to what we’re looking for as we move forward.”

While he declined to comment on any weaknesses on the team, Jean said they have a strong team that can play all over the field, which is a plus going forward.

“We will have a very competitive team,” he said.

“It all depends on how well they adjust to the plans that we have presented to them.

If they stick to the game plan, we should do very well.

“I expect like any coach out there, for our team to go out there and win.”

The Bahamas has been placed in League B in Group C, which includes

St Vincent & the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago and Nicaragua. Following their home match, the team will travel to Trinidad to play on Monday, June 6. Their match against Nicaragua has not yet been determined.

As they prepare for their first match, Jean said they just need to be patient and ride the wave of having the fans in the stands at the stadium to cheer them on.

“It’s always important to have that third man in the stadium because whenever we travel, we face teams that have so many fans cheering for them,” Jean said. “So we are encouraging the Bahamian fans to come and cheer the team on.”

This is going on his third year as the head coach of the national team, but the former national team player

said it’s been a challenging one ensuring that the players buy into the system that he and his coaching staff, including Kevin Davies, has instituted.

“It’s good to see the different side of the field,” Jean said. “Going out there and training these guys every day has helped me to understand what coaching is all about.

“For the last year or so, I think I have improved and the players are getting a better understanding of what we are trying to implement. So as long as they do that, it makes the job that much easier. But it’s a learning process and I’m glad to have the opportunity to coach them at this time.”

The team, which according to Jean could change in player personnel from match to match, will be managed by Larry Minns.

DEANDRE AYTON’S STATUS WITH SUNS WILL BE ADDRESSED ‘AT THE PROPER TIME’

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

DEANDRE AYTON of the Phoenix Suns. (AP photo)

DEANDRE AYTON’S contract situation and status with the Phoenix Suns next season was one of the main talking points as the franchise’s staff conducted exit interviews for the 2021-22 season.

Suns general manager James Jones and head coach Monty Williams both addressed the upcoming offseason for the franchise, highlighted by Ayton’s impending restricted free agency.

“Deandre had an amazing season and he’s progressed every year and improved every year. He’s been here and so he’s a big part of what we do. His future with us is something we will address at the proper time which is in the future,” Jones said in appearance on Arizona Sports 98.7 show “Burns and Gambo” on Wednesday, “He’s a free agent and I’ve said all along, he’s about the same things we’re about which is winning. We’ll address it at the proper time.”

In his fourth season, the 23-year-old centre averaged 17.2 points on a career high 63 percent from the field and 10.2 rebounds per game in 58 appearances.

As an restricted free agent, Ayton is free to sign an offer sheet with another franchise but the Suns would still have the ability to match the deal and retain

his rights if they choose to do so.

“Deandre had a great season, a really productive season. I think across the board, when you look at what he did, he improved.

That’s a testament to him and the hard work. That’s what you expect from a player of his caliber,” Jones said in his exit interview. “As far as free agency and those things, we’ll address them at the proper time. That happens in July, end of June, but we want to continue to keep our consistency and continuity and keep the guys that we have and continue to help those guys improve upon the things that we did this year.”

Contract negotiations between Ayton and the Suns reached an impasse last April after both sides failed to reach an agreement on a rookie contract extension.

He was eligible for a five-year, $172.5 million extension that could have reached as much as $207 million if he reached benchmarks and incentives.

“The Deandre situation is something that we’ll deal with this summer,” Williams said, “I don’t want to say anything in regards to that.

[General manager] James [Jones] and I are going to have conversations about the team in general.”

Ayton appeared in only 17 minutes of the Suns’ SEE PAGE 12

PAGE 12, Friday, May 20, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

COLEBROOKE MAKING THE ADJUSTMENT TO PRO RANKS FROM PAGE 11 of 10.09 on April 16 at the Percy Beard Track in Gainsville, Florida.

At the same meet that Colebrooke ran 10.01, Ian Kerr clocked his seasons best of 10.14 to set the stage for what could be an exciting showdown at the Bahamas Associations of Athletic Association’s National Championships next month.

Colebrooke, having qualified for the World Championships in Eugene, Oregon in July, said he hopes to chase after his first major international medal on the global stage, but he also wants to pursue the Bahamian national record of 9.91 that Dixie State University women’s track and field head coach Derrick Atkins established as a silver medalist at the World Championships in Osaka, Japan in 2007.

“There are a lot of guys chasing that record, so we will see who will get it first,” said the 25-yearold Colebrooke, who encouraged everybody to stay healthy and get their bodies in the right gear to compete.

“It’s going to be a dog fight.

“You have Ian and Terrance both running well and with me in the mix, the competition is growing in the Bahamas with the male sprint, so I believe the record will fall quickly.”

And, between the three and any other male competitors, Colebrooke said the Bahamas should be able to field another 4 x 100m relay team that could contend for a medal as well.

CANADA WINS AT WORLDS AFTER FIRE DELAY, US BEATS BRITAIN TAMPERE, Finland (AP) — Canada was on the ice until nearly midnight to extend its perfect start at the world hockey championships by beating Kazakhstan 6-3 after a fire at the rink played havoc with the schedule on Thursday.

A small fire at the Helsinki Ice Hall set off the alarms shortly before Germany and Denmark were due to start their afternoon game. The arena was evacuated and players were shown waiting outside wearing full uniforms and skates.

The International Ice Hockey Federation said no one was hurt, but the incident still pushed back the Germany-Denmark start and the following Canada-Kazakhstan game.

Buffalo Sabres forward Dylan Cozens had a hat trick in Canada’s fourth win from four games. Still, it wasn’t easy against winless Kazakhstan, which briefly had the lead twice in the first period and made it a one-goal game with 12 minutes to go in the third before Cozens scored Canada’s fifth goal and then added an empty-netter.

The United States also needed time to find its groove against a winless team as it beat Britain 3-0. The U.S. was scoreless in the first period and committed four penalties before Ben Meyers gave the U.S. the lead midway through the second.

Kieffer Bellows scored two power-play goals in the third.

Germany edged out Denmark 1-0 for its third win and the Czech Republic swept aside Latvia 5-1 to start its recovery from a surprise loss to Austria.

AWARDS will be presented to all divisional winners and runners-up, most outstanding awards to the winners in all age groups and all master winners will get trophies and medals will be presented to the first three finishers in each category.

The Oaktree Sonja Knowles Track Classic this weekend

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

ALL systems are set for what organiser Tito Moss has predicted will be the biggest track and field meet held in the Bahamas this year: The Oaktree Sonja Knowles Track Classic this weekend.

The meet, designed for athletes from ages under-7 to the masters, will get started on Saturday at 1pm and Sunday from 2pm.

This year’s honouree will be William ‘Knucklehead’ Johnson, the Bahamas men’s national 1,500m record holder and a coach of the St Augustine’s College Big Red Machine’s track and field team.

“It’s a pleasant surprise anytime you are selected to be honoured and remembered for something that you would have done in the past,” Johnson said. “When you set out, you don’t think this far in terms of recognition and what comes down the road.

“You just go out and perform to the best of your ability as you represent the country. So it’s a pleasant surprise and very nice of coach Moss and the RedLine Athletics Track Club to recognise me for what I’ve done.”

Johnson, however, said that after 40 years, he’s more surprised that no one has broken his national record of three minutes and 45.72 seconds that he established on May 17, 1983 in Austin, Texas where he competed for the Texas Christian University (TCU), graduating in 1983.

“I’ve seen middle distance runners who were far more talented than myself, people like David Bell, who is really talented,” he said. “But in order to perform the way I did, you have to be persistent and consistent. Success doesn’t come overnight in distance running.

“It’s not like the sprinters

SONJA Knowles

WILLIAM ‘Knucklehead’ Johnson

where you can hear them out there setting records.

Distance running takes a little longer because it takes a lot of perserverance. Success doesn’t come overnight.”

Moss said Red-Line Athletics is excited about hosting their second version of the Track Classic, being named in honour of Sonja Knowles, the past long-time principal of St Augustine’s College.

With over 700 athletes and more than 45 clubs from New Providence, Grand Bahama and Andros registered, Moss said they are looking forward to some keen competition.

“We will have heats and finals in the 100, 200 and 400m and so we are looking forward to some keen

DEANDRE AYTON’S STATUS WITH SUNS WILL BE ADDRESSED ‘AT THE PROPER TIME’ FROM PAGE 11 123-90 elimination loss to the Dallas Mavericks in game seven of the Western Conference semifinals last Sunday night at the Footprint Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

He finished with just five points, four rebounds and two assists. Williams told reporters postgame that Ayton’s limited playing time was the result of an “internal” decision and did not expand on the matter.

Days later at his exit interview, Williams said the two have yet to speak about the incident.

“I’ll keep the internal stuff internal but it was just a decision that I made,” he said, “No, we haven’t talked. I’ve talked to the team [today] but I have not talked to DA personally.”

Several players in Ayton’s 2018 NBA draft class have received max contract extensions including Trae Young of the Atlanta Hawks, Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jaren Jackson Jr of the Memphis Grizzlies, Kevin Huerter of the Atlanta Hawks, Michael Porter Jr of the Denver Nuggets.

competition,” Moss said.

“We will have competitors of all ages competing in all events on the track and the field.”

Awards will be presented to all divisional winners and runners-up, most outstanding awards to the winners in all age groups and all master winners will get trophies and medals will be presented to the first three finishers in each category.

With all of those awards being presented, Moss said Red-Athletics will go beyond the budget of any normal meet by presenting the overall male and female athletes as well as the club winners of the meet.

“It’s expensive, but we just want the clubs who prepare these athletes to go home with something

TITO Moss tangible that they can add to their mantle,” he said.

“They can have bragging rights until the next meet next year.”

This year, however, Moss said they are delighted to continue to recognise Knowles for her contribution to the club since its formation out of Club Monica Track Club and St Augustine’s College.

And he added they are excited to be able to pay tribute to William Johnson, the manager of the Physical

Plant at St Augustine’s College.

“We feel proud and very excited to be able to honour him for his contribution to track and field,” Moss said.

“I had an opportunity to coach under him when he served as the head coach for SAC and I got to learn a lot from him.”

To the athletes competing in the meet, Johnson encouraged them to embrace the opportunity that is being afforded to them.

“Not everyone will go on and become an Olympic champion, but if you are talented enough, you can go on and get an athletic scholarship,” he said.

“I know the school that I attended, TCU, you’re talking about over a quarter of a million dollars for a college education at the bachelor’s level. So if you are able to save your parents that big chunk of change, it would be worth it.”

Johnson gave thanks to God for blessing him with his talent and people like the late Winston ‘Gus’ Cooper and Bernard Nottage as well as his coach Frank ‘Pancho’ Rahming for preparing him to compete.

While the coronavirus pandemic is still in high gear, Moss said they are encouraging both athletes and spectators to wear their masts, sanititise and ensure they adhere to the social distance protocols that will be in place this weekend.

For those spectators coming in, there is a twoday pass for $16 for adults and $8 for children under 11. But for those who only intend to come for one day, there is an entry fee of $9 for adults and $5 for children.

“We want to see everybody come out for the two days because it’s going to be action-packed each day,” Moss said. “So we expect to see the stadium rammed packed as we support the athletes as they compete.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, May 20, 2022, PAGE 13

MCILROY POWERS TO A 65 FOR EARLY LEAD AT PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer TULSA, Okla. (AP) — Rory McIlroy was more interested in his own history in the majors than the peculiar heritage at Southern Hills on Thursday at the PGA Championship.

Southern Hills has proven to be favorable to frontrunners. As for McIlroy, he has failed to break par in the opening round 15 times in the 27 majors he has played since winning his last one.

So there was reason for that bounce in his step when he finished with an 18-foot birdie putt for a 5-under 65, giving him a one-shot lead at end of a warm and windy day.

He was asked — yes or no — if it was the start he wanted.

“Yes or no? No, I’d rather shoot 74 and try to make the cut tomorrow,” he said. “Yeah, look, it was a great start.

“I’ve been carrying some good form. I think when your game is feeling like that, it’s just a matter of going out there and really sticking to your game plan, executing as well as you possibly can, and just sort of staying in your own little world.”

It’s a different world for Tiger Woods, who chose a different path on a right leg shattered in a car crash 15 months ago and feeling worse on this day than it did at the Masters last month.

Three bogeys in the middle of his round ruined a good start for Woods.

Two bogeys at the end gave him a 74, his worst start to the PGA Championship since 2015. And then he limped away for an afternoon of ice baths.

“I just can’t load it,” Woods said of his right leg, injured in February 2021. “Loading hurts, pressing off it hurts, and walking hurts, and twisting hurts. It’s just golf. I don’t play that, if I don’t do that, then I’m all right.”

McIlroy had a one-shot lead over Pebble Beach winner Tom Hoge and Will Zalatoris, who finished his 66 with a 30-foot birdie, his fourth putt of 25 feet or longer.

Justin Thomas, trying to shake off a sinus infection and allergies, made one of only four birdies on the 18th hole for a 67 in the afternoon, when greens had more foot traffic and scoring was more difficult. Also a 67 were Matt Kuchar and Abraham Ancer.

The start was just what McIlroy needed as he tries to end nearly eight years without a major, many of those chances doomed by bad starts.

This was his lowest start to par in a major since a 5-under 66 when he won the PGA at Valhalla in 2014, the last of his four majors.

In seven previous majors at Southern Hills, the winner had at least a share of the lead after the first round and every champion was atop the leaderboard from 36 holes until it over.

That bodes well for McIlroy, and so does his game. He chose to attack with driver, leaving him wedges to par 4s and and 3-iron into a pair of par 5s that measure 628 yards and 665 yards.

“I feel like this course, it lets you be pretty aggressive off the tee if you want to be, so I hit quite a lot of drivers out there and took advantage of my length and finished that off with some nice iron play and some nice putting,” he said.

Masters champion Scottie Scheffler had to save par from a tee shot in the water on 18th hole for a 71, his first time over par in two months.

“I didn’t shoot myself out of it,” he said.

Jordan Spieth, who joined Woods and McIlroy in a group that drew a loud and thoroughly entertained crowd, opened with a 72 in his bid to capture the only major keeping him from the career Grand Slam.

MIAMI Marlins’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. scores on a sacrifice fly hit by Jesus Aguilar during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Wednesday, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

On form Jazz Chisholm Jr leads the Miami Marlins

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

MIAMI Marlins’ Jazz Chisholm Jr. hits a double during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Monday, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

JAZZ CHISHOLM JR continues his transition to breakout star for the Miami Marlins and is not only a team leader, but among the league leaders in several offensive categories.

Chisholm overcame an undisclosed illness to go 2-2 with a walk, a triple, a home run, two runs scored and two RBI in Wednesday’s 5-4 extrainning loss to the Nationals at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida.

Wednesday night’s gutsy performance began with a leadoff triple, but also included a game tying solo home run in the fifth inning, and a sac fly that sent the game into extra innings in the ninth inning.

‘I could get out there and play anytime you need me, I’ll push through it,’” Chisholm told reporters, “I went out there and I did it. I just had to stay focused when it was time to get focused – turn the switch on when it was time to.”

The 24-year-old infielder leads the Marlins with seven home runs, six stolen bases, 27 RBIs and a .963 OPS. He also already has seven doubles and four triples.

He currently leads the leagues in triples, ranks fifth with a .617 slugging percentage, seventh with a .964 OPS, tied for ninth in RBI with former MVPs Bryce Harper (Washington Nationals) and Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Angels) and is one of just 24 players in the league batting over .300.

His numbers this season are well ahead of his 2021 pace when he hit .248 with a .728 OPS, slugged .425 with 115 hits, 70 runs

“I haven’t been swinging as hard as I was last year. I’m trying to be more controlled at the plate instead of just trying to launch everything, even though that’s what’s still happening.

But I’m trying to be more controlled and consistent.”

Jazz Chisholm Jr scored, 20 doubles, four triples, 18 home runs, 53 RBI and a team leading 23 stolen bases.

“I haven’t been swinging as hard as I was last year.

I’m trying to be more controlled at the plate instead of just trying to launch everything, even though that’s what’s still happening,” he told Christina DeNicola of MLB.com “But I’m trying to be more controlled and consistent.”

Chisholm was named to MLB Pipeline’s AllRookie Second team in 2021 and credited his early improvement with improved pitch selection.

“I know a lot of guys can’t beat me with their fastballs.The hardest pitches to hit in baseball are sliders, curveballs, offspeed. I’d rather be on for [breaking and offspeed pitches] than a fastball because I can always react to a fastball,” Chisholm said,” I’m going to be prepared to hit everyone’s offspeed pitches because I know I can hit their fastball.”

The Marlins open a three game series at home against the Atlanta Braves tonight.

CALL FOR NATIONWIDE YOUTH WELLNESS PROGRAMME

By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation executive Nardo Dean continues to advocate for a nationwide youth wellness programme.

Dean - who has represented The Bahamas as an athlete in bodybuilding and fitness, as a coach, and as a team manager for various bodybuilding and fitness teams said placing benchmarks in place for each demographic is the first step toward a more fit Bahamas.

“In a lot of our systems, school, military, society at large, we don’t know what the standards are we can’t really assess whether we are a fit nation,” he said. “We look at the obvious signs whether a kid may look overweight or be slower than the other kids in terms of their physical ability but we need

to actually implement programmes to test our school kids across the board to see if they are meeting the standard for their demographic.

“Kids at a younger age right now in our society, especially the ones that are not athletes, they do not know what their standard should be in terms of fitness. For example, the average 10 year old, male or female, should be able to run a halfmile in a certain time, do a certain amount of pushups and complete agility drills is a certain time based on their age and sex. So there are benchmarks and a table that we should be testing our kids against in terms of resting blood pressure, BMI and other health factors.”

Dean added that fitness assessments can also be vital in helping student-athletes build their recruitment profiles and athletic resumés for collegiate recruitment.

“The beautiful thing about this is now how things are going in

terms of scholarships,” he said.

“Right now along with sending your transcript and resume of your academic qualifications, you can send a sporting or athletic resume.

For example - if you’re a basketball player, instead of waiting on the scouts to come here to watch you play, you can send an athletic resumé based on those measurables. No matter what the sport is we can taper a particular resumé that encapsulates everything a coach would want to see to get an athlete in for a scholarship.

“It can be implemented right away. In partnership with an entity in the United States - Microfit that actually has a full assessment lab that can be set up in either the government ministries or in independent settings, NSA or a location of our choice where we can invite kids to come in and be assessed on their fitness levels such as BMI, range of motion, agility standards,

vertical leaps and more.”

The BBFF will host a Family Fun, Run hosted on June 11 which serves as a fundraising and community outreach project to further projects outside of its traditional competitions.

“We want to expand our fitness programmes to obstacle courses, fitness assessments and programmes throughout the schools and really reach out because no matter what sport you are in you are going to be in the gym. Maybe not for bodybuilding but for fitness, wellness and of course overall athletic ability,” he said.

“This should also be done for the military forces, first responders, all of our uniform services. I have reached out to the Ministry of Education, the Police Force, Urban Renewal and others letting them all know that we are interested in instituting these programmes in their communities.”

PAGE 14, Friday, May 20, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

AFTER METS LOSE SCHERZER, ALONSO HR IN 10TH BEATS CARDS 7-6

By RONALD BLUM AP Baseball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — There are two constants to the Mets’ season: injuries and wins.

They learned Thursday that Max Scherzer will join fellow ace Jacob deGrom on the injured list for a lengthy stretch. Then New York wasted a ninth-inning lead against the St. Louis Cardinals and fell behind in the 10th.

Pete Alonso ended an afternoon of twists with a two-run homer into the left field second deck leading off the bottom of the 10th for a 7-6 victory that sent the Mets flying even before they headed to Colorado for the start of a six-game trip.

“We’re just a bunch of resiliant guys, and we’re gritty,” Alonso said after a 447-foot drive that was so emphatic he patted his chest five times with both hands before starting his trot. “When you get guys that are talented and love to win and are a group of tough men, you get games like this.”

New York took three of four from the Cardinals and at 26-14 is tied for the fourth-best 40-game start in Mets history. In a game with four lead changes, Jeff McNeil had a tiebreaking, two-run single, three RBIs and made two snazzy catches.

The Mets said during the game that Scherzer had been diagnosed with a strained oblique muscle in his left side after leaving Wednesday night’s win following a pitch. Scherzer is expected to be sidelined for six to eight weeks, another blow to a team that leads the NL East despite missing deGrom, No. 5 starter Tylor Megill and catcher James McCann to injuries, along with relievers Sean ReidFoley and Trevor May. “It’s a great opportunity for guys that we’re talking about bringing in here,” manager Buck Showalter said. “Got some guys that will meet us in Denver and try to hold fort..”

McNeil, hitting .400 with runners in scoring position, had a run-scoring infield groundout in the first and a two-run single in the fifth off Nick Wittgren that put the Mets ahead 5-3.

He climbed the wall in left-field foul territory to grab Paul Goldschmidt’s seventh-inning sacrifice fly, pushed off with his right foot and threw to second to nab Brendan Donovan, who tried to tag up from first. Then, with a runner on first in the eighth, McNeil made a sliding catch on a soft liner to deny Dylan Carlson and threw to second from his back.

“He’s the Flying Squirrel for a reason,” Alonso said.

Goldschmidt had four RBIs for the banged-up Cardinals, who trailed 2-0 before rookie Juan Yepez homered in the second for the first of his three hits.

Goldschmidt went deep in the third off Chris Bassitt and his RBI double gave St. Louis a 3-2 lead in the fifth but Brandon Nimmo’s RBI grounder tied the score in the bottom half.

Harrison Bader reached on an infield hit leading off the ninth for his third single, stole second for the second time on the day and advanced to third on a groundout. Goldschmidt tied the score 5-all with a two-out infield single off a foot of shortstop Eduardo Escobar as Edwin Díaz blew a save for the second time in 11 chances.

With the Cardinals in extra innings for the first time this year, Albert Pujols brought home the automatic runner with a run-scoring double-play grounder off Colin Holderman (1-0) in the 10th.

Alonso took a slider from Giovanny Gallegos (0-2) and turned on a fastball for a 114 mph drive, his third game-ending home run.

Alonso has 10 home runs and leads the major leagues with 36 RBIs. New York moved a season-high 12 games over .500 and finished 5-2 against the Cardinals to win the season series for the first time since 2014. The Mets have won 10 of 12 series this year and are 3-0 in extra innings.

“Pete saved us,” Bassitt said.

CHICAGO White Sox’s Luis Robert (88) and Yoan Moncada (10) celebrate with Jose Abreu (79) after they scored on Robert’s two-run home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals Thursday, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Robert homers, drives in 4 as White Sox beat Royals 7-4

By MARC BOWMAN Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Luis Robert homered and drove in four runs as the Chicago White Sox rallied past the Kansas City City Royals 7-4 Thursday to win the fivegame series.

Robert delivered a pair of RBI singles before hitting a two-run homer into the left field stands in the eighth. His sixth home run of the season capped Chicago’s sixth comefrom-behind win.

“I was trying to not strike out,” Robert said. “I was just trying to put the ball in play.

I was expecting a fastball and he just made a mistake and I took advantage of it.”

Pinch-hitter Adam Engel gave the White Sox their first lead with an RBI single in the seventh off Gabe Speier (0-1) that broke a 4-all tie.

“Guys at first and third, I was already in a good situation there,” Engel said. “Just had to put the ball in play and keep it up the middle there the best that I can. In order to do that I just looked for a pitch over the plate and tried not do too much.”

Tim Anderson had two hits, two walks, two RBIs, and stole two bases, recording his 10th multi-hit outing in his last 18 games.

“I was just trying to get a run in and get that egg off the board,” Anderson said of stealing second and third

top of the zone. I’m not really happy with the outing.”

Royals starter Carlos Hernandez struggled with his control, walking five and allowing five hits in threeplus innings. “(Hernandez’s) tempo was a little bit slow,” Royals catcher Sebastian Rivero said. “He was trying to think on too many things at one time.

“He was not feeling the ball. He couldn’t grip it the way he wanted to. The ball wasn’t doing what he wanted.”

Chicago loaded the bases on consecutive hits to start the fourth before Anderson hit a two-run single, driving Hernandez from the mound.

CHICAGO White Sox’s Josh Harrison (5) beats the tag by Kansas City Royals third baseman Emmanuel Rivera to advance to third on a single by Tim Anderson during the sixth inning of a baseball game Thursday, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) ahead of Robert’s first RBI single, opening the White Sox scoring in the third. “I was being myself, playing my game, and having fun while doing it. Just putting us in the best position to be successful.”

Said Chicago manager Tony La Russa: “He’s very special. He’s as special as our fans think he is. The more people around the country that know it, the better.”

Chicago took three of five from the Royals. It was

the first five-game series at Kauffman Stadium since Chicago also won three of five in April 2018.

Bennett Sousa (2-0) earned the victory as four Chicago relievers held Kansas City scoreless over the final four innings.

Liam Hendriks worked around a pair of singles for his 12th save.

Hunter Dozier had three hits and drove in three runs for the Royals. He had a tworun homer in the first and an RBI single in the third.

Kansas City scored in each of the first three innings against Vince Velasquez, recording an extra-base hit in each frame.

He went five innings, allowing four runs on six hits, fanning three.

“It seemed like my stuff was working very well today, but they were just guessing right,” Velasquez said.

“Dozier was hunting fastballs the whole time. I could have been a bit better with executing fastballs up at the

TRAINER’S ROOM Royals OF Michael A. Taylor was placed on the COVID-19-related injured list.

TRANSACTIONS Royals OF Dairon Blanco was selected from Triple-A Omaha.

UP NEXT White Sox: Continue their road trip in New York where LHP Dallas Keuchel (2-3, 5.54 ERA) faces Yankees LHP Nelson Cortes (2-1, 1.35 ERA). Royals: LHP Daniel Lynch (2-2, 3.30 ERA) goes against Twins LHP Devin Smeltzer (0-0, 1.80 ERA).

DARVISH LEADS PADRES PAST PHILLIES 2-0 WITH 7 SHARP INNINGS

By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Yu Darvish put the tying runs on base and the heart of the Phillies lineup was coming up.

With the way Kyle Schwarber and the suddenly silent bats have been swinging, Darvish breezed through the order in the sixth inning without a run allowed, a peak performance for the Padres ace.

Darvish escaped a jam and retired $179 million of offence in Schwarber and Nick Castellanos in a key spot, pitching seven shutout innings to lead the San Diego Padres to a 2-0 win over Philadelphia on Thursday.

The Padres took two of three from the Phillies and moved 10 games over .500 (24-14). The Padres have won five of six road series this season.

Darvish (4-1) struck out five, walked none, allowed six hits and continued a run of solid starts. But it was the veteran right-hander’s work in the sixth inning that helped the Padres win the series.

“I asked him how he felt after the sixth and he said he felt fantastic,” Padres interim manager Ryan Christenson said.

With good reason.

Darvish allowed one-out singles to Rhys Hoskins and Alec Bohm that put runners on the corners with the Padres ahead 2-0. Schwarber, batting .189, struck out swinging. Castellanos, the cleanup hitter, grounded into an inning-ending forceout.

“I wish I would have got the job done there,” Schwarber said. “That’s the thing that will sit with you. You’ve got to put the ball in play. You don’t know what can happen from there.”

Bryce Harper lobbied hard for the Phillies to sign Schwarber and they gave the outfielder a $79 million,

“We’ve had guys with struggles for a substantial period of time,” Phillies manager Joe Girardi said.

“Everybody’s struggled a little bit.

But eventually numbers get back to what’s on the back of a baseball card.

These guys have some good times coming.”

TRAINER’S ROOM Harper hasn’t played right field since April 16 and will remain as DH whenever he returns. He took light swings each of the last two days. OF Mickey Moniak (broken wrist) started a rehab assignment in extended spring training in Clearwater, Florida. SS Didi Gregorius (left knee sprain) has no timeline for a return.

SAN Diego Padres starting pitcher Yu Darvish throws a pitch during the second inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Thursday, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola) four-year contract. Castellanos got a $100 million, five-year contract.

That’s $179 million on two sluggers that have gone cold as Harper sits out with a sore elbow. The Phillies were shut out for the fifth time this season.

Harper missed a fourth straight game from the lingering effects of platelet-rich plasma injection in his right elbow.

The Phillies hope Harper can return Friday against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

“It’s a presence that’s missed,” Schwarber said.

“But it’s a team. We all want Bryce in the lineup. He’s a staple MVP. We want him in the lineup. When he’s not in the lineup, we need to be able to pick that up.”

The Padres have won each of Darvish’s last six starts since April 17 and he’s 4-0 over that span.

“He had all of his pitches working.

He was in the zone,” Christenson said. “It was just a great game by him.”

Luis Garcia got two outs in the eighth. The Padres move to bring in lefty Taylor Rogers to face the lefthanded Schwarber backfired when he lined a single up the middle. But Rogers got Castellanos to ground into another forceout to end the inning. Rogers worked the ninth for his 15th save.

Every Padres starter had a hit.

The Padres and Phillies each won 3-0 games in the first two games of the series and this one also had little offense. Robinson Cano lined an RBI single to right -- and nearly took out teammate and baserunner Wil Myers -- off Kyle Gibson (3-2) and Ha-Seong Kim added a sacrifice fly for a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning.

Gibson struck out seven, walked none and gave up eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.

TIP OF THE CAP Harper seemed to find a hat in the stands a fan was wearing that he liked more than his own Phillies cap.

Harper tossed his maroon Phillies hat into the stands and the fan threw his back to Harper for the trade. The fan who claimed he got the hat tweeted it was autographed by Harper.

DOG DAYS As concession stand prices soar in all sports, the Phillies scheduled only two $1 hot dogs promotions this season. Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania got the message from fans the team needed more cheap meat and tweeted, “I agree, more Dollar Dog Nights. @Phillies, let’s do this.”

Aramark, the Phillies’ food service provider, said at least one more discounted dog day would be added.

“The Phillies and Aramark work together on the dates. We are planning for another dollar dog night, and we will be announcing that in the near future,” the company said in an email.

PAGE 16, Friday, May 20, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

‘BEYOND TIME’ FOR KEY LAND REFORMS FROM PAGE 22

when a location is labelled a UNESCO World Heritage site, and said San Salvador was well-placed to exploit niches such as eco-tourism due to the presence of multiple rate and endangered species - especially birds on the island.

The steep ‘drop-off’ in ocean depth close to the island also made it attractive for deep-sea fishing and diving, Mr Johnson added, describing these experiences as “second to none” and existing all year-round rather than merely being seasonal. San Salvador, he said, had previously been

ranked as the world’s third best dive location by both Dive and Scuba magazines.

Mr Johnson described San Salvador as having “been holding its own” in the tourism industry for the last 15 years, averaging around 15,000 visitors per annum COVID excepted.

However, Club Med’s two-year closure, with its re-opening set to occur in October 2022, had driven home the need for the island to reduce its reliance on the so-called ‘anchor’ resort.

“There needs to be a decrease in dependency,” he acknowledged. “We’re excited about Club Med’s

return, but increasing the number of guests outside Club Med will be critical for situations where we’re not solely dependent on one major resort. We’ve seen what’s happened over the last year with that property being closed, what it’s done to our economy.”

Mr Johnson said San Salvador needed two extra resort properties able to accommodate a combined 300-400 guests, while noting that it was also open to receiving smaller cruise ships - not the 3,000 passenger variety - such as those operated by now-defunct Crystal Cruises that called on the island last year.

Confirming that San Salvador faces similar airlift challenges to other Family Islands, he added: “We’ve been working with Bahamasair to find that sweet spot. It’s challenging in terms of airlift to San Salvador right now.

It’s something all Family Islands face but it’s one of those things we can get over once we have guests coming in on a regular basis. One of the challenges is visitors coming in and having to overnight in Nassau, not having the ability to come in the same day.”

Mr Johnson conceded that San Salvador’s heritage and historical sites “should

be better maintained, better presented” but added that the Ministry of Tourism was “working diligently” to improve the situation. “My director from last year has been pushing us to provide signage for those areas, so we’re working on that.”

Dr Kenneth Romer, the Ministry of Tourism’s deputy director-general and acting director of aviation, said it was “aggressively” seeking new airlift for Cat Island to ensure it received its “fair share”. He admitted that the ministry was “not pleased” with existing seat capacity into the island, which received just 0.1 percent of total stopover

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 90° F/32° C Low: 73° F/23° C

TAMPA

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

A stray a.m. t‑storm; cloudy, humid

Cloudy, warm and humid

Partly sunny, breezy and humid

Mostly sunny, breezy and pleasant

Breezy in the morn‑ ing; mostly sunny

A t‑storm; breezy in the morning

High: 86°

Low: 77°

High: 85° Low: 75°

High: 86° Low: 76°

High: 84° Low: 73°

High: 85° Low: 75°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

93° F

84° F

96°-80° F

95°-80° F

93°-73° F

93°-77° 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: 83° F/28° C Low: 78° F/26° C

7‑14 knots

S

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 76° F/24° C

6‑12 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 79° F/26° C

E

W S

E

W

WEST PALM BEACH

N

| Go to AccuWeather.com

TONIGHT

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 74° F/23° C

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 76° F/24° C

MIAMI

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 79° F/26° C

7‑14 knots

KEY WEST

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 80° F/27° C

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 77° F/25° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2022

N

uV inDex toDay

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

tiDes For nassau High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

12:07 p.m. ‑‑‑‑‑

2.4 ‑‑‑‑‑

6:15 a.m. ‑0.2 6:12 p.m. ‑0.2

Saturday

12:39 a.m.

1:12 p.m.

3.1 2.4

7:15 a.m. ‑0.1 7:17 p.m. 0.0

Sunday

1:41 a.m.

2:20 p.m.

3.0 2.4

8:17 a.m.

8:27 p.m.

0.0 0.2

Monday

2:44 a.m.

3:27 p.m.

2.8 2.5

9:17 a.m.

9:37 p.m.

0.0 0.3

Tuesday

3:46 a.m.

4:29 p.m.

2.7 2.6

10:14 a.m. 0.0 10:43 p.m. 0.3

Wednesday 4:44 a.m.

5:24 p.m.

2.5 2.7

11:06 a.m. 0.0 11:42 p.m. 0.3

Thursday

2.5 2.8

11:53 a.m. ‑0.1 ‑‑‑‑‑ ‑‑‑‑‑

5:37 a.m.

6:13 p.m.

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:23 a.m. Moonrise 7:50 p.m. Moonset

12:03 a.m.

10:46 a.m.

Last

New

First

Full

May 22

May 30

Jun. 7

Jun. 14

CAT ISLAND

E

W

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 78° F/26° C

N

S

E

W

7‑14 knots

S

7‑14 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 82° F/28° C Low .................................................... 77° F/25° C Normal high ....................................... 84° F/29° C Normal low ........................................ 71° F/22° C Last year’s high ................................. 83° F/28° C Last year’s low ................................... 72° F/22° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ............................................... 14.30” Normal year to date ..................................... 7.55”

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 79° F/26° C

visitors to The Bahamas in 2021. San Salvador attracted just 0.2 percent market share.

The Ministry of Tourism is planning to “change the narrative” by marketing The Bahamas as a destination featuring 16 different islands, with Dr Romer noting that 70 percent of the country’s 892,977 stopover visitors in 2021 went to Nassau/ Paradise Island with 26 percent heading to the Family Islands and the 4 percent balance going to Grand Bahama.

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 78° F/26° C

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

N

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 77° F/25° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

tracking map

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

6‑12 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 85° F/29° C Low: 80° F/27° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS

are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

RAGGED ISLAND High: 85° F/29° C Low: 80° F/27° C

H

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 88° F/31° C Low: 80° F/27° C

N

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

8‑16 knots

8‑16 knots

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

Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday:

WINDS SE at 6‑12 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots SE at 7‑14 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ESE at 7‑14 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ESE at 6‑12 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots SSE at 6‑12 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots SE at 7‑14 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 10‑20 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots SE at 6‑12 Knots E at 7‑14 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots SE at 6‑12 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots

WAVES 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 0‑1 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet

VISIBILITY 6 Miles 5 Miles 3 Miles 6 Miles 7 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 5 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 7 Miles 10 Miles 7 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles

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

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, May 20, 2022, PAGE 17

ENTREPRENEUR’S ‘SHOCK’ OVER $15 LETTUCE PRICE FROM PAGE 22 driven by external forces and events this nation has no control over given its propensity to import virtually all it consumes. The impact is far greater on the Family Islands, due to

the extra transportation and logistics costs incurred in delivering food and other products, as well as the absence of economies of scale due to smaller populations.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that SAMUEL CABRERA of Hospital Lane, 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 20th day of May, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that MONICA ETIENNE of Fredrick Street, Marsh Harbour, Abaco, 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 13th day of May, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that ASHLEY MICHEL of P.O. Box SS-5338, #8 Windsor Avenue, 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 20th day of May, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that GREGORY WAYNE FRANCIS of P. O Box CR-55750, Faith Avenue, Carmichael Road, New Providence, 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 13th day of May, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that MICHAEL ANTONIO TINKER of Miami 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 18th day of May, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

Ms Shiel-Rolle said such challenges underscored “why so many people don’t stay in Cat Island” but migrated to New Providence and further afield in search of work, adding: “It requires a special kind of love.” She reiterated that Cat Island and, by extension, the rest of The Bahamas must focus on creating “real economic opportunities to move out of crisis mode, move out of poverty, into a state of thriving”.

Noting that “how we respond to our changing climate is at the heart of our future”, Ms Shiel-Rolle said “one of the big drivers” for the Cat Island Conservation Institute is to have its own research vessel that can also be equipped with hospital and medical facilities delivering care up and down the length of the island.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister, addressing the same conference yesterday, said the Government had “failed” his San Salvador constituents by failing to provide sufficient quality healthcare facilities that may have encouraged Club Med not to shutter the island’s ‘anchor resort’ when COVID-19 struck.

“We must learn from the painful lessons of the past. The Government did provide a suitable airport to facilitate the requisite airlift into San Salvador to support the anchor resort there, Club Med,” Philip Davis QC said.

“Regrettably, the Government fell down in its public obligations, and failed the people of San Salvador in its inability to complete the construction of - and open a suitable healthcare facility on San Salvador, especially as COVID became an increasingly formidable existential public health threat.

“The result was the closure of the hotel because the owners and operators could not be assured by the Government of prompt and timely access to proper health services, should any of their staff or guest fall ill.”

Pledging that his administration plans to embark on an “aggressive” infrastructure development programme featuring public-private partnerships (PPPs), involving private sector developers and capital, Mr Davis added: “As we plan and strategise, fellow delegates, we must

not allow weighty political considerations to become a stumbling block to progress and growth to the detriment of our people and their livelihoods.”

Dionisio D’Aguilar, former minister of tourism under the Minnis administration, previously admitted that the thengovernment had a “difficult mountain to climb” to persuade Club Med to re-open before 2022 due to San Salvador’s limited airlift and healthcare capacity.

“It’s devastating for the economy of San Salvador for it to be that long,” Mr D’Aguilar said of the twoyear closure that is set to end this October. “That’s a very special situation given the fact the whole property’s focus is on the European market. It’s a bit different. Most of our Family Island properties are very American-centric, and it’s so much easier and closer to come up with a ‘Plan B’.

“If you’re an American in the Out Islands it’s much easier to get home if you fall sick even though it has to be by private plane. Most people if they’re ill want to go back home, but if you’re coming from France and Italy, which is the greatest

NOTICE

source of visitors to Club Med, it’s a long way away.

You can’t put them on a commercial plane, and you can’t put them in our healthcare system as challenged as it is.”

Mr D’Aguilar confirmed that the main fears behind Club Med’s decision were the inability of San Salvador’s healthcare facilities to cope with a major COVID19 outbreak, which was “compounded with the lack of international airlift” given that the resort operated just one flight per week in and out of the island from France.

“That was not considered sufficient,” he added.

“They’re working their way through all the resorts in terms of what are the safest locations to open, given that there are not sufficient healthcare facilities on the island, given that there was no robust trans-Atlantic or international airlift, it reached that point where it ranked low in all their resorts in terms of opening.

“There wasn’t much the Government of The Bahamas could have done in terms of removing those significant obstacles. They [Club Med] would wish for a scenario where COVID19 is mitigated substantially, receded substantially or a vaccine is in place, would be my guess, before they go to a small remote location.”

NOTICE

POLES CAY, LTD.

Bremasip Ltd.

(In Voluntary Liquidation)

Pursuant to the appointment of the undersigned as Liquidator of the above-mentioned Company, NOTICE is hereby given that all persons having any outstanding claims against the Company should send particulars thereof to the Liquidator at the Registered Office of the Company, Callenders & Co., P.O. Box N-7117, One Millars Court, Nassau, Bahamas on or before the 10th day of June 2022.

Pursuant to the Provisions of Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act 2000 notice is hereby given that the abovenamed Company has been dissolved and struck off the Register pursuant to a Certificate of Dissolution issued by the Registrar General on the 27th day of April 2022.

DATED the 11th day of May, A.D., 2022

MARKET REPORT www.bisxbahamas.com

THURSDAY, 19 MAY 2022

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX: BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 6.70 53.00 2.05 2.90 2.60 6.10 10.05 3.50 9.02 3.10 8.00 16.60 2.39 10.25 11.25 10.85 15.20 4.00 11.00 16.50

52WK LOW 4.75 32.12 1.49 2.20 1.30 5.75 6.96 2.82 4.25 2.27 5.93 9.75 1.99 6.50 10.02 9.01 13.10 3.50 8.00 15.50

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

PREFERENCE SHARES 1.00

1.00

1000.00 1000.00

1000.00 1000.00

1.00 10.00 1.00

1.00 10.00 1.00

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

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

52WK LOW 100.00 100.00

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

CLOSE

CHANGE

%CHANGE

YTD

YTD%

2447.60

11.26

0.46

219.36

9.84

SYMBOL AML APD BBL BFH BOB BPF BWL CAB CBB CBL CHL CIB CWCB DHS EMAB FAM FBB FCL FIN JSJ BFHP CAB6 CAB9 CHLA FBBA FCLB SYMBOL FBB22 BFHB

BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing) 115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 95.41 100.71 100.53 100.43 100.34 100.23 100.00 100.00 100.98 100.00

104.79 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 95.41 100.26 100.28 100.43 100.04 100.23 89.62 89.00 90.24 90.73

MUTUAL FUNDS 52WK HI 2.52 4.69 2.22 207.86 212.41 1.73 1.83 1.82 1.05 9.37 11.83 7.54 16.64 12.84 10.77 10.00 10.43 14.89

52WK LOW 2.11 3.30 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.68 1.73 1.75 0.99 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57 9.88 8.45 11.20

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 BGR138250 BGRS FL BGRS68023 BGRS FL BGRS70022 BGRS FL BGRS75022 BGRS FL BGRS81037 BGRS FL BGRS88028 BGRS FX BGR129249 BGRS FX BGR131249 BGRS FX BGR132249 BGRS FX BGR136150

BAH29 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0307 BG0330 BG0407 BSBGR1381502 BSBGRS680232 BSBGRS700220 BSBGRS750225 BSBGRS810375 BSBGRS880287 BSBGR1292493 BSBGR1312499 BSBGR1322498 BSBGR1361504

LAST CLOSE 5.35 39.95 2.04 2.31 2.25 6.05 9.75 3.30 7.52 2.81 8.00 16.60 2.40 10.25 12.00 10.85 15.20 3.75 10.00 15.50 1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00 LAST SALE 100.00 100.00 107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 95.41 100.71 100.53 100.54 100.05 100.23 89.62 100.00 100.00 100.00

CLOSE 5.35 39.95 2.04 2.31 2.25 6.10 9.75 3.30 7.52 2.81 8.00 16.60 2.59 10.25 12.08 10.85 15.20 3.98 10.00 15.50 1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00 52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks 52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume Change - Change in closing price from day to day Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings

VOLUME

5,000 200

5,000

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

CLOSE 100.00 100.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 95.41 100.26 100.53 100.54 100.34 100.23 89.62 100.00 100.00 100.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 (0.45) 0.00 0.00 0.29 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

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 RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - Equities Sub Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - High Yield Income Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - Alternative Strategies Fund Colonial Bahamas Fund Class D Colonial Bahamas Fund Class E Colonial Bahamas Fund Class F

MARKET TERMS

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.19 0.00 0.08 0.00 0.00 0.23 0.00 0.00

(242) 323‐2330 (242) 323‐2320 EPS$ 0.239 0.932 0.000 0.140 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

VOLUME

100 500 52 47 1,000 50

NAV 2.52 4.69 2.21 197.44 202.39 1.73 1.82 1.82 0.99 9.37 11.79 7.54 15.94 12.47 10.74 N/A 10.43 14.89

DIV$ 0.170 1.260 0.020 0.080 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

INTEREST Prime + 1.75% 6.25% 6.95% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.50% 6.25% 4.25% 6.05% 4.62% 4.50% 4.43% 4.87% 4.33% 5.55% 5.60% 5.65% 5.69% YTD% 12 MTH% 0.99% 4.22% 0.36% 5.78% 0.67% 2.74% -2.97% -2.35% -4.72% 6.04% 0.83% 2.82% -0.18% 3.72% 0.76% 3.55% -3.55% -3.85% -0.02% 10.36% -0.33% 18.23% 0.22% 3.05% -3.89% 14.76% -1.04% -2.57% 0.81% 4.20% N/A N/A 3.00% 25.60% 7.90% 48.70%

P/E 22.4 42.9 N/M 16.5 N/M N/M 26.4 -7.5 53.7 15.3 17.8 23.0 25.4 21.9 18.7 14.9 18.6 19.6 10.6 24.6 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

YIELD 3.18% 3.15% 0.98% 3.46% 0.00% 0.00% 2.67% 0.00% 0.00% 4.27% 2.75% 4.34% 16.76% 0.59% 2.72% 2.21% 3.55% 3.02% 2.00% 3.94% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%

MATURITY 19-Oct-2022 30-Sep-2025 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-Jun-1950 21-Jul-2023 29-Jul-2022 7-Sep-2022 26-Jul-2037 26-Jul-2028 15-Apr-2049 15-Jul-2049 15-Oct-2049 21-Apr-2050

NAV Date 31-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 25-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021

YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths NAV - Net Asset Value N/M - Not Meaningful

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

PAGE 18, Friday, May 20, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

CAT ISLANDERS TARGET JULY IN AIRPORT REVIVAL PROPOSAL FROM PAGE 22 an “essential services cluster” and “resort cluster” in north and central Cat Island. The third element in their strategy is the development of an “industry, information and education cluster” targeted at the whole island.

Breaking down the three areas, he added that “the desire” was to provide the necessary transportation, healthcare, education and

safety infrastructure needed for the sustainable growth of north and central Cat Island’s community. This requires that Arthur’s Town airport be “redeveloped as a high functioning airport, with regular domestic and international commercial airlift concurrently, with the redevelopment of New Bight airport to service south Cat Island” as a priority.

With Philip Davis QC, Cat Island’s MP, now in

the Prime Minister’s chair, the Government yesterday signalled that both airports will get focused attention. Dr Kenneth Romer, acting director of aviation, revealed to the same conference that the Government’s airport private-public partnership (PPP) initiative has been adjusted to include a “third bundle” of airports, namely the New Bight and Arthur’s Town facilities.

Notice!

The 42nd Annual General Meeting of the Public Workers’ Co-operative Credit Union Limited will be held on Friday, May 27th, 2022, commencing at 5:00 p.m. at the Church of God Auditorium, Joe Farrington Road, for the following purposes: 1.

2.

3.

4.

To receive and ratify the Board of Directors’ Report To receive and ratify the 2021 Audited Accounts To receive and ratify the (proposed) 2023 Budget To elect members to the Board of Directors, Supervisory, Credit and Nomination Committees and 5. To ratify the appointment of Auditors for 2022

All members in good standing are encouraged to attend and participate.

Public Workers’ Co-operative Credit Union Limited “The Family Credit Union.”

This indicates that the Davis administration will eventually be seeking a private sector partner to finance the construction and redevelopment of both airports, and take over their management and operation under a lease concession agreement, although no details or timelines were provided.

Not planning to wait, Mr Mackey said of the Partnership: “Accordingly, the architectural and engineering plans, along with the fund-raising and structuring of the management and operation Arthur’s Town airport, along with the redevelopment of Bennett’s Harbour Dock into a ferry and commercial terminal, are proceeding extremely well.

“We are confident the proposal for the management and operation of both facilities, along with the introduction of a partner airline for Arthur’s Town airport, will be presented to the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation and to the general public in July.”

The potential airline partner was not identified, but Mr Mackey said north Cat Island residents have had to endure “several years” of inconvenience if they wish to leave their island as a result of the Arthur’s Town airport closure. This has forced them to spend between 40 minutes to up to an hour to New Bight airport even though Arthur’s Town has “one of the best and longest elevated airstrips in The Bahamas”.

TO ADVERTISE TODAY IN THE TRIBUNE CALL @ 502-2394

Besides the airport and Bennett’s Town dock, the MoneyMaxx chief added of the “essential services cluster” that “a commitment has been made by the Orange Creek Redevelopment Partnership to facilitate the construction and sustainable operation of a new healthcare facility, child care centre and new housing community in north and central Cat Island”.

Turning to the economy, Mr Mackey said: “We recognise that economic vitality is key to population growth and sustainability. Tourism has been used for generations to spur economic growth and our view is that to reinvent the wheel is not as important as [adapting] it for the terrain. Our terrain is one where there is no interest in large mega resort type developments that are environmentally deleterious”.

With niche, boutique resorts the better fit for Cat Island, he added: “As such, we are in the planning and fund-raising stages for three types of property in north and central Cat Island. One is a new beach resort with a very interesting concept.

Another is a villa and cottage marina resort that seeks to do a marina in a different way, and the other is a new type of Airbnbstyle resort with community ownership that will create a new model for Family Island tourism.”

As for the third element in the Partnership’s strategy, Mr Mackey added: “We want Cat Island to regain prominence as a deep well for academic, professional, artistic and entrepreneurial talent.” It aims to partner with the Agricultural Producers co-operative to establish an agricultural and industrial processing centre, along with a business incubator facility.

“We also intend to establish the Cat Island Financial Centre, which will be a state-of-the-art mixed use development with meeting

spaces, short and long-term residences and office and commercial spaces,” he added, suggesting the facility would be targeted at firms in the digital assets and decentralised finance space. Classroom facilities, so that high school and tertiary-age students can take financial and computer programming courses, will also be provided.

The cost and strategy involved in rolling-out these plans was not disclosed.

However, Mr Mackey said the Partnership’s members are drawn from persons on Cat Island, in The Bahamas and living abroad. He identified himself and Harold Newbold, a retired educator and public servant, as having executive roles, while Cheryl Rolle was chair.

The Partnership has been structured as two entities.

The Orange Creek Redevelopment Partnership Ltd is the for-profit arm, which aims to expand the business and entrepreneurial community in north and central Cat Island by investing in both start-ups and existing firms. The non-profit is the Orange Creek Redevelopment Association, which is focused on healthcare, education and historical preservation.

Mr Mackey said the Partnership’s plans and vision had been “well received” by the Prime Minister.

While many Cat Islanders, and descendants, wanted to return home and bring their families with them, he identified several obstacles that bar their way including “concerns about the consistency and availability of health that meets a particular standard”.

This had “obviously dampened the potential homeward flow”, while a lack of variety in, and availability of, lodging, transportation and entertainment options makes it difficult to attract visitors to Cat Island outside of Rake N’Scrape and regatta season.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, May 20, 2022, PAGE 19

‘FIX LOW HANGING FRUIT’ BEFORE LUCAYAN CLOSE FROM PAGE 22

9pm-10pm until Hurricane Dorian came and we lost the lights, but now they’re back and nobody can explain the early closure.

Even in the small Family Islands it’s a dawn to dusk operation.”

Mr Alnebeck said the situation was impacting private aviation traffic in particular, with international arrivals as well as those who have to journey to Nassau, needing to be “wheels down” before 6pm. Commercial aviation is also enduring reduced operating hours as a result.

“People flying back and forth on private planes are having a big problem with this, and people coming in to attend meetings are asking why the airport is closed at 6pm,” he told Tribune Business. “We’re getting that from businesspeople who have been coming in since Hurricane Dorian two-and-half years ago.

“The lights aren’t even an issue. We should at least be open dawn to dusk. It doesn’t make any sense.

While we’re waiting for big things to happen, let’s address the small things.”

The Government, via the Airport Authority, acquired Grand Bahama International Airport from Hutchison Whampoa and Port Group Ltd for a nominal $1 under the former Minnis administration.

However, the Government’s (taxpayer) share of the severance paid to thenairport staff was around $1m, and as part of the deal’s terms, it allowed the former owners to depart while retaining a multimillion Hurricane Dorian insurance claim payout that sources suggested was worth up to $25m. None of these proceeds was invested in restoring the Doriandevastated airport.

Since taking office on September 17, 2021, the Davis administration has focused on near-term repairs at Grand Bahama International Airport. It has moved to acquire generators and a new elevator for the control tower, plus make further upgrades to the latter, while also improving the working conditions for staff and the numerous government agencies that are stationed at the gateway.

These upgrades are due to be installed imminently, but the Government has made no mention of the early closure concerns raised by Mr Alnebeck. It has moved to secure the airport’s long-term future, in preparation for upcoming tourism investments, by launching the pre-qualification phase of a bid process seeking a private sector partner to finance and oversee a post-Dorian transformation as well as manage the facility. Early

29025 is being targeted for the first phase of a revived airport.

Mr Alnebeck said the hours’ issue was likely “a left over from the previous airport owners [Hutchison] who were more focused on saving costs than building a destination, and since the Government took it over they were probably not really able to focus on it.

“It seems odd that one of the major airports in The Bahamas is the only one that closes at 6pm,” he added. “People coming to attend meetings or flying from Nassau are wondering why there is such an early closure. If we want to send a signal we are ready for business - it’s not big numbers coming in at the moment we should have an airport that is at least open as long as North Eleuthera and Marsh Harbour.”

Meanwhile, Floridaheadquartered Electra America is to acquire the Grand Lucayan for $100m.

It plans to invest some $300m in transforming the property via a project billed as creating 2,000 construction jobs (likely spread over the duration of the building phase) and 1,000 full-time posts.

The buyer has agreed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government and will pay a $5m deposit once a sales agreement is signed.

That deposit becomes

Union of Public Officers P.O. Box CB-11645

PUBLIC NOTICE The UPO wishes to announce that

General Election to fill all Executive Positions

will be held Tuesday, June 2nd, 2022 between 9:00am - 4:00pm at the Church of God of Prophecy, Baillou Road.

non-refundable after a 60-day due diligence period closes, with the $95m balance to be paid within 120 days of the MoU signing.

Mr Alnebeck said it was too early to judge Electra America’s plans, or its chances of success, but agreed that its impact on the Grand Lucayan and Freeport needed to be the equivalent of what Sir Sol Kerzner achieved for Nassau/Paradise Island with Atlantis.

“It’s 1,300 rooms in a destination that, today, I think is struggling to have 400 hotel rooms open,” he added of the Grand Lucayan. “Whoever comes in has to be the driver of the destination, be the one that takes it on and pulls it in the right direction. It’s very similar to what happened on Paradise Island in the early 1990s, when everything was a bit of a mess there.

“I’m not sure whether what worked 30 years ago will work now, but all we can do is help, hope and work hard. Sometimes we get so pre-occupied by the dollar amount. I keep saying the biggest amount that has been invested in the tourism industry in Grand Bahama in the last 20 years was $120m in the

Ginn project and look what we got for that.”

Electra America’s plans rely on bringing in brand names to flag and operate its three resorts, casino and golf and country club.

However, Mr Alnebeck said the best fits may not be internationally-known resort names, pointing to the Grand Lucayan’s failure under the Westin and Sheraton brands as well as the fate of the Four Seasons Emerald Bay. The latter was rescued by Sandals, with the Pelican Bay chief again pointing to what Sir Sol achieved with Atlantis. “It needs the right brand for the destination,” he added. “When Sir Sol came to Nassau nobody knew of Atlantis; that was a brand he created. Maybe there’s a brand being created that really fits. That’s always the challenge; to make sure it works.

“That becomes more an owner issue than a brand issue since they’re [the brand] just interested in making money and have no equity interest whatsoever.

The good owner makes sure they get the right brand. It may not be the most internationally-known brand; it may be their own brand. Pelican Bay is its

own brand, and we’re one of the hotels on Grand Bahama that has survived.”

Three resort properties have been detailed by Electra America. A four to five-star branded luxury lifestyle hotel, featuring 198 rooms and 24 villas and targeted at corporate and leisure business; a fourstar convention hotel with 535 rooms, featuring an amphitheatre and convention centre; and a 257-room condo-hotel style family resort with suites that are double the size of the Grand Lucayan’s existing rooms.

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PAGE 20, Friday, May 20, 2022

‘BEYOND TIME’ FOR KEY LAND REFORMS

FROM PAGE 22

the present structure, “not even the most prudent and exhaustive title search gives the purchaser complete security” because land title is “not absolute” - unlike in a registered land system.

Noting that there has been “no meaningful change” to Bahamian laws involving the sale, transfer and recording of land ownership for more than 100 years, besides the Quieting Titles Act and the law dealing with condominiums, Mrs Smith said: “I begin with a clear proposition that there is a need for change in land administration in The Bahamas.

“This need becomes apparent when you consider that except for the controversial Quieting Titles Act of 1959, and the Law of Property and Conveyancing (Condominium) Act 1967, we’ve not had relevant legislation to address the conveyancing of land - that is the procedure whereby the ownership of land is transferred and the rights related to land are recorded - for over 100 years; since 1909 to be exact.”

That was when the Conveyancing and Law of

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Property Act was enacted into law, and Mrs Smith acknowledged that there has been “no meaningful change” or upgrading of such critical legislation for multiple generations.

While successive governments since the early 2000s have identified land reform as a critical issue, they have ultimately failed to follow through and bring the necessary legislation to Parliament.”

“The need for change is real because of the state of landholdings in The Bahamas. It is precarious, confused and far less than desirable,” Mrs Smith said, summing up the current system.

Referring to the InterAmerican Development Bank-sponsored Land Use Policy and Administration (LUPAP) project of the early 2000s, she argued that the fact it drew support from both PLP and FNM administrations should give Bahamians “confidence that the change will in fact come and, when it does, it will enjoy bi-partisan support”.

Tribune Business, though, previously reported that there will be much scepticism as to whether a land registration system will ever get off the ground. For the last Ingraham administration led similar efforts more than one 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 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 were ultimately shelved and no subsequent administration has seen fit to revive them, although the current government’s position is unclear.

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, and Parliament tends to be dominated by the number of attorneys who are MPs and Senators by profession.

Mrs Smith yesterday said the IDB’s follow-up report to the LUPAP project identified multiple serious deficiencies with The Bahamas’ current system that still have not been fixed more than a decade later.

These include “overlapping claims” to land ownership

and rights, meaning that numerous parties are claiming ownership of the same property, plus “high transaction costs” associated with real estate sales and general uncertainty over land ownership.

In reference to the latter, she added: “This is the result of the fact that title deeds are not required to be recorded, and the questionable description of title deeds in the properties that are recorded. This allows the same parcel of land to be sold multiple times using different descriptions.”

Besides the long-standing issues with commonage and generational land, especially in the Family Islands, Mrs Smith said concerns over “outdated policies” for Crown Land divestment and administration were especially problematic given that 70 percent of all land in The Bahamas is estimated to be Crown Land.

“The project found that 15 percent of the parcels in the country were in dispute,” she added. “This is particularly significant given the observation that, by and large, 70 percent of the land is controlled by the Government. That leaves only 15 percent of the land, which is in private hands, not in dispute. Expressed differently, an IDB study in the early 2000s found half the land in private hands was in dispute.”

LEGAL NOTICE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT, 2000

SOLEADO INC.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in accordance with Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act, 2000, as follows: a) SOLEADO INC., is in dissolution under the provisions of the International Business Companies Act, 2000. b) The dissolution of the said Company commenced on 4th May, 2022. c) The Liquidator of the said Company is Amicorp Bahamas Management Limited whose address is: Bahamas Financial Centre, 3rd Floor, Shirley & Charlotte Street, P.O. Box N-4865, Nassau, Bahamas.

Yours Sincerely, Amicorp Bahamas Management Limited Per:

Mrs Smith acknowledged that “undoubtedly contributing” to land ownership insecurity, and holding back social and economic development, is the misuse and abuse of the Quieting Titles Act as a tool to steal land.

The Act allows persons using, or squatting, on a piece of land to petition the courts for a certificate of title after a certain period of time and potentially dispossess the existing documentary owner.

And she added that the Limitation Act 1995 had made it even easier to remove a documentary title holder if a trespasser enjoys undisturbed adverse possession and use of a property for 12 years or more. As a result, Mrs Smith said it was “beyond time” for The Bahamas to introduce a system of registered land and follow most of its counterparts in other Commonwealth Caribbean countries.

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 registration system would remove the need for attorneys to conduct expensive, time consuming title searches that are sometimes prone to error, and move

THE TRIBUNE

the Bahamian real estate market away from being based on “first to record” title deeds.

“In addition, under our present system, the Registrar General’s Department must enter into the public records all deeds that are properly presented to it regardless of whether the contents are true and correct,” Mrs Smith said, adding that such mischief would be eliminated by a registered land system since it would be the Government’s responsibility to ensure all information is accurate.

Turning to a recent ruling, which found all conveyances of land in a subdivision that was not approved after the Planning and Subdivisions Act came into effect, Mrs Smith said the law needed to be reformed. “At the moment we find ourselves with a law that allows a law breaker, some rogue subdivider of land, to keep the monies paid and keep the land,” she asserted, which would force victims to initiate lengthy, expensive legal action to recover their funds.

Mrs Smith said “that cannot be right”, and called for a return to the prePlanning and Subdivision Act status “where a person who subdivides land without proper approval is fined heavily to make it commercially nonsensical but issues of title are avoided”.

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL

The Public is hereby advised that I, AMORAE BRADFORD GRANT-DELANEY of No. 3, Rose View Close, Winton Heights, New Providence, Bahamas, intend to change my name to AMORAE BRADFORD DELANEY. 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, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

The Companies Act, CH. 308 NOTICE OF VOLUNTARY WINDING UP

POLES CAY, LTD. (In Voluntary Liquidation) Registration No. 43,85 lC To: The Registrar of Companies TAKE NOTICE that the above-named Company was put into liquidation on the 11 day of May, 2022 a resolution passed at a meeting of the Company held on the 9th day of May, 2022.

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that Gregory J. Szal of 6048 Avenida de Castillo, Long Beach, CA 90803, USA has been appointed voluntary liquidator of the Company.

Dated this 11th day of May, 2022.

DIVIDEND NOTICE TO ALL SHAREHOLDERS

The Board of Directors of Bahamas Waste Limited has declared a Dividend for Ordinary Shares, to all shareholders of record as of May 27th, 2022 of $0.16 cents per share

The payment will be made on June 8th, 2022, through Bahamas Central Securities Depository Limited, the Registrar & Transfer Agent Robert V. Lotmore Corporate Secretary

business@tribunemedia.net

FRIDAY, MAY 20, 2022

$6.30

$6.48

$6.35

‘Fix low hanging fruit’ before Lucayan close

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Government was yesterday urged to fix “the low hanging fruit” by ensuring Grand Bahama International Airport remains open beyond 6pm while it moves to close the sale of the island’s major resort.

Magnus Alnebeck, Pelican Bay’s general manager, told Tribune Business that the airport’s early closure was creating inconvenience and concern - especially for the island’s corporate visitors and travellers - while failing to “send a signal that we are ready for business”.

Questioning why “one of The Bahamas’ major airports is the only one that closes at 6pm” despite the post-Dorian restoration of its night lights, with those in remoter Family

• Hotelier concern at early GB airport close • Doesn’t signal ‘we’re ready for business’ • Hotel buyer must have Kerzner impact

GRAND LUCAYAN RESORT

Islands staying open longer, he suggested the situation may be a legacy of the operating situation that existed under its previous owner, the combination of Hutchison Whampoa and the Grand Bahama Port Authority’s (GBPA) Port Group Ltd. Agreeing that the Grand Lucayan’s prospective purchaser, Electra America Hospitality Group, must do for Freeport what Sol Kerzner achieved on Paradise Island in the early to mid1990s, Mr Alnebeck told this newspaper: “We need some action in Grand Bahama, but at the same time we have some low-hanging fruit we can address immediately.

“I think we have the only airport in The Bahamas that closes at 6pm, and nobody has explained why. It used to be

SEE PAGE 19

Make San Salvador World Heritage site

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A MINISTRY of Tourism executive yesterday urged The Bahamas to “lobby in earnest” for the entire island of San Salvador to be designated a UN World Heritage Site, adding that this typically boosted business volumes by 8-15 percent.

Jermaine Johnson, senior executive with the Ministry

of Tourism, Investments and Aviation’s San Salvador tourism office, told the Cat Island Business Outlook conference that the island was a natural for the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) title because of its deep history and heritage as well as rare wildlife and five national parks.

Besides being the location where Christopher Columbus first set foot in the western

hemisphere on October 14, 1492, he added that San Salvador was also the headquarters for the renowned pirate, John Watling. And the island also boasts the Dixon Hill Lighthouse which, along with its counterpart in Abaco, is one of the last two manual kerosene-operated lighthouses in the world.

The former Crown loyalist Farquharson Plantation, and the history of the Lucayan/ Guanahani Indians in The

Bahamas, also provide “great selling points in terms of history and heritage”. Mr Johnson argued: “San Salvador can become, and should be, a World Heritage site.

Holding this prestigious title will boost tourism. The Bahamas should begin in earnest to lobby for this designation.”

He added that tourism numbers typically increase by between 8 to 15 percent

SEE PAGE 16

‘Beyond time’ for key land reforms

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net IT is “beyond time” for The Bahamas to reform a “precarious” land administration system where half of all privately-owned parcels were previously estimated to be in dispute, an attorney said yesterday.

Sharlyn Smith, senior partner at Sharon Wilson & Company, used the Cat Island Business Outlook conference to renew previous calls for The Bahamas to make the long-needed switch to a registered land system as a means to eliminate the abuses that are undermining social and

economic development throughout The Bahamas.

In particular, she argued that implementing such a comprehensive overhaul would enable The Bahamas “to do away with, at least in its present form” the muchderided Quieting Titles Act that has increasingly been used to steal land by fraudsters, scammers and other con artists.

And Mrs Smith added that a registered land system would also prevent persons submitting title deeds to the Registrar General’s Department for recording despite not owning the land parcel in question. She acknowledged that, under

SEE PAGE 20

Cat Islanders target July in airport revival proposal

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net CAT Island stakeholders are aiming to present a proposal to upgrade Arthur’s Town airport and other critical infrastructure to the Government by this July, it was revealed yesterday.

Karlos Mackey, MoneyMaxx’s president and executive director, told the Cat Island Business Outlook conference that what started as “a simple What’s App group” for Orange Creek residents has evolved “into a very serious and structured partnership” that is determined to create “the most

desirable settlement and island to live and work in in this part of the world”.

Disclosing the Orange Creek Redevelopment Partnership’s ambition to increase Cat Island’s population to between 5,000 and 7,000 persons by 2035, he said himself and its 100plus “financially active members” were focused on three specific development areas in their bid to revive the island’s economy and society.

A Cat Island descendant himself, Mr Mackey - who has an executive role with the Partnership - said it was focused on the creation of

SEE PAGE 18

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Entrepreneur’s ‘shock’ over $15 lettuce price • Food ‘realities are striking’ on Cat Island • ‘Special kind of love’ needed on Out Isl. • PM: Gov’t ‘failed’ San Sal on Club Med

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A CAT Island entrepreneur yesterday revealed her “shock” when she discovered a local grocery store was selling lettuce for $15, saying: “The realities are striking.”

Nikita Shiel-Rolle, proprietor of the Cat Island Mermaid and Ocean Soul Farm, told the Cat Island Business Outlook conference that her experience further highlighted the need for The Bahamas to improve its food security and sovereignty as well as the extent to which inflationary pressures are much greater on the Family Islands than in Nassau.

“The other day I was really shocked when I went into the grocery store and lettuce was $15. It was regular Romaine lettuce,” she disclosed. “This is where the realities are striking.

We are dealing with food insecurity. How do we develop food sovereignty?”

Such concerns had partially motivated her to create Ocean Soul Farm, a hydroponic start-up that aims to grow the fruits and vegetables “that most Cat Islanders cannot afford to purchase” and help make it possible for those living in Nassau to return home.

Delving deeper into Bahamian food security, an issue that continues to gain traction following the COVID-19 pandemic and now soaring price increases driven by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and supply chain shortages, Ms Shiel-Rolle said this nation first had to define what the topic meant.

Asking whether it was “OK” for Cat Islanders to subsist on a diet of tuna and/or corn beef and grits, she added that the deeper questions revolved around health concerns and whether residents have access to fresh fruit and vegetables, if all do, and whether they can afford to purchase them.

The $15 price for Romaine lettuce further exposes the deepening cost of living crisis faced by many Bahamians, which is being

SEE PAGE 17