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VOLUME:115 No.124, MAY 22ND, 2018

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Gunned down as children played

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

GUNSHOTS cracked the air as seven children played on a South Beach park yesterday morning. Feet away from them, a man in his early 30s lay dead.

“I saw the body,” one boy playing on a slide said as The Tribune spoke to an adult.

“We saw it too,” the others chimed in.

The children ranged from five to 11.

Police Chief Superintendent Solomon Cash said it’s too early to say what the motive was for the latest killing, which happened shortly after 10am.

The victim was walking on South Beach Drive when a man approached him and

opened fire, hitting him about his body before fleeing on foot.

This was the 33rd murder for the year.

Rickell Thompson, the mother of the oldest girl on the South Beach park yesterday morning, said she worries how the killing will affect the children; one child told The Tribune the images will linger in his mind.

“This is a park where children play,” Ms Thompson said. “My cousin in Pinewood called me, she say ‘Kell you hear the shots? I say what shots? I ain hear nothing. I say let me put on my clothes and see what happen. One of my neighbours, she had a video of it where he get shot in his head and his chest.”

SEE PAGE THREE

THE Government’s exit from its $70m majority ownership of Aliv has been delayed by the Cabinet’s desire for “clarity and comfort” on the method of sale.

Gowon Bowe, one of the advisers to the planned sale, told Tribune Business that Cabinet ministers had submitted “detailed questions that needed answering” on the private placement offering model that was originally selected as the

Government’s exit route.

He disclosed that the queries had focused on whether a private placement to Bahamian institutional investors was “the only option” available to the Government, and how this “fits in” with the laws and regulations governing such offerings.

The Government would exit 51.75 per cent ownership in Aliv, the second mobile operator, by selling off HoldingCo, the vehicle that holds this equity stake.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net POLICE killed a man on Saturday afternoon after he allegedly shot at officers following a high speed car chase.

It marked the seventh time this year someone has been killed by police.

Assistant Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander told reporters: “Shortly after 4pm this evening, alert officers lying on patrol in Garden Hills, when they noticed a known male driving a vehicle in a suspicious manner in that area. They beckoned to the individual to pull over by using their horns and also their flashing lights.”

SEE PAGE FIVE

NEMA ALERT FOR NEW HURRICANE SEASON

GOVT DELAYS ALIV STAKE SELL-OFF

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

SEVENTH VICTIM OF POLICE SHOOTOUT

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

A2MAIN

THE body lies in the street after yesterday’s shooting near a park in South Beach.

PAGE 2, Friday, January 19, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

THE National Emergency Management Agency anticipates the upcoming hurricane season will bring seven hurricanes, with three of these expected to be category three or higher.

With the official start of hurricane season less than two weeks away, NEMA has advised all citizens to be prepared for what the season may bring.

The 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins on June 1 and ends on November 30.

Based on 30-year average predictions, the agency projected a total of 14 named storms and seven hurricanes.

SEE PAGE TWO

ANDROS CRASH FAMILIES BEG FOR CLOSURE

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net

EMPLOYMENT FOUR months after the OPPORTUNITY fatal North Andros plane

VICE PRESIDENT, crash, INTERNAL victims’ AUDIT families

are hitting out against the government for the “inhumane” treatment they have JOB SUMMARY received.

The position oversees the strategic planning and operational activities of the Banks’ internal audit function. The Vice Internal Audit is required to design programmes has APresident,major concern and initiatives to enhance or improve business controls while reducing the likelihood of fraud at the Bank andbeen its subsidiaries. The position is required to provide leadership delay for the repeated the senior to middle management team on an ongoing basis and be a key stakeholder of the Bank’s Executivein Management Team and testing, Audit Committee.

DNA which has prevented the families from CORE RESPONSIBILITIES • Provide strong leadership and direction relative to all phases of Audits including obtaining planning, control analysis, testing and reporting.death certificates, Commonwealth Bank is the premier Bahamian Bank with branches located in New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco and Eleuthera. We are committed to delivering superior quality service, to training and developing our employees, to creating value for our shareholders and to promoting economic growth and stability in the community.

• Develop and conduct comprehensive audit programs to ensure compliance with the Bank’s policy, local laws and industry regulations.

• Maintain a strong knowledge of the Bank’s credit and operational risk management practices and reporting requirements.

• Drive the development of control oriented policies and procedures as well as new and enhanced technology platforms.

• Perform fraud investigations and liaise with law enforcement where necessary.

• Assist External Auditors during audits as necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS CERTIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE Education: • Postgraduate degree in Business Administration (Finance specialization), Accounting or equivalent qualification from a recognized tertiary institution; or • Professional internal audit or related qualifications (CIA, CFE, CFSA, CBA, CPA,).

• Applicable Leadership training (QIAL etc.).

Work Experience: • At least twelve years’ experience within an internal or external audit function within similar or related industry of which four years is at the senior management level.

KNOWLEDGE, COMPETENCIES & PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES Specialised Knowledge The applicant should be proficient in the following areas: • Advanced knowledge of data analytics software.

• TeamMate audit work flow automation workbench.

• Bahamas Anti-Money Laundering regulations.

Competencies The applicant should demonstrate the following: • Business Insight – ability to apply knowledge of the business and the marketplace to advance the organization’s goals.

• Strategic Mindset – ability to look, plan and move into the future with clear intentions and purposeful actions.

• Customer Focus – ability to build strong customer relationships and deliver customer centric solutions.

• Ability to cultivate innovation.

WRECKAGE after the crash. receiving remains, and ultimately, giving their loved

ones the dignity of a proper burial.

With the assets of the deceased still frozen, no National Insurance benefits can be collected, and the relatives of three crash victims say they are prevented indefinitely from getting proper closure.

Kermit Adderley Jr’s 49-year-old mother, Margaret Adderley, was travelling to see her newborn grandchild that ill-fated morning.

SEE PAGE SEVEN

SOME of the debris in the aftermath of the plane crash off Andros on Wednesday.

Concerns raised over enforcement of air safety regulations

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net ALTHOUGH fatal airplane crashes are rare in The Bahamas, in the wake of Wednesday’s tragedy that killed six people near Andros, Randy Butler, CEO of Sky Bahamas, told The Tribune existing regulations governing the industry may be stiff but are still inadequately enforced.

He said at least 28 planes operate illegal charters

information related to the ill-fated flight.

“We’re still in preliminary stages and active investigations are taking place with representatives on the ground,” she said. “We are waiting on a preliminary report to be provided.

There is no definite word on whether requirements were followed or whether licences were in place – we will need to know what all the team has obtained. We should be getting a briefing

As far as he knows, Mr Butler said, no one has ever been taken to court for failing to comply with civil aviation regulations, despite the fact that authorities have found people not in compliance.

“If you find something wrong,” he said, “you should follow it through to the court system.”

As for unauthorised charter flights, he said the Department of Civil Aviation still lacks the

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

FELICITY INGRAHAM:

TRIBUTE TO A MENTOR SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Tuesday, May 22, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

NEMA ALERT FOR NEW HURRICANE SEASON from page one

Their findings are in line with a preliminary seasonal forecast released by Colorado State University (CSU) last month.

CSU’s report predicts this hurricane season will be “above average”.

The report also included the probability of major hurricanes making landfall.

For the entire US coastline, this is 63 percent; 39 percent for the US East Coast, including the Florida peninsula; 38 percent for the Gulf Coast from the Florida panhandle; and 52 percent for the Caribbean.

In an interview with The Tribune on April 6, chief meteorologist Basil Dean also urged residents to start making

preparations.

“Tend to those roofs that may have some needs and also you want to ensure that your shutters and things are in good working order,” he said.

“This is also a good time to do tree trimming because we are now into spring, so you want to make sure those things are taken care of especially those near power lines.”

HURRICANE Irma as seen from the International Space Station last year.

CONSTITUTIONAL LIMITS PROVE A CHALLENGE FOR EVACUATION BILL

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net WITH as many as seven hurricanes expected in the region this summer, Attorney General Carl Bethel said the mandatory evacuation bill Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis promised last year is still in draft form and “difficult to craft because of constitutional limitations”.

“Freedom of movement also means freedom not to move, no matter the threat,” he said.

Mr Bethel was asked yesterday if the bill would be passed before the official start of the hurricane season next month. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) expects between three seven hurricanes this year.

One thousand people were flown to Nassau from the southern Bahamas last year before Hurricane Irma made landfall. Hundreds failed to heed the government’s evacuation plea, however, prompting Dr Minnis on September 10 to

say a mandatory evacuation bill would be tabled in the House of Assembly the following week. The bill never arrived.

“I think it is essential that we have a mandatory evacuation [law],” Dr Minnis said. “Not only that, we must have a manual for evacuations so that we will have guidelines. A storm may be a category one or two, and that may not be a requirement for evacuation. But we would look and a requirement may be for a category four or five (storm). Those are the things that have to be discussed.”

Like Dr Minnis, Former Prime Minister Perry Christie said several times that mandatory evacuations were necessary, although his administration never moved to introduce a law allowing for it.

NEMA’s forecasts for this season are based on 30-year average predictions and project a total of 14 named storms and seven hurricanes, three of which will be of Category 3 or above.

Their findings are in line

with a preliminary seasonal forecast released by Colorado State University (CSU) last month.

CSU’s report predicted this hurricane season will be “above average”.

The report also included the probability of major hurricanes making landfall.

For the entire US coastline, this is 63 percent; 39 percent for the US East Coast, including the Florida peninsula; 38 percent for the Gulf Coast from the Florida panhandle; and 52 percent for the Caribbean.

In an interview with the Tribune on April 6, Chief Meteorologist Basil Dean urged residents to start making preparations.

“Tend to those roofs that may have some needs and also you want to ensure that your shutters and things are in good working order,” he said.

“This is also a good time to do tree trimming because we are now into spring, so you want to make sure those things are taken care of especially those near power lines.”

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, May 22, 2018, PAGE 3

Gunned down as children played from page one

PEOPLE gather near the scene of the shooting in Garden Hills as seen in this image from video circulating on social media.

She said she found the children on the park when she arrived. They told her they had just bought treats from a nearby shop when they saw part of the incident from the park.

She said: “When I heard there were gunshots I say I hope ain’ none of the people children and ain none of mine caught in this.”

She said she’ll tell her daughter, “you got to be careful, got to play safe, if you going some place let me know and I’ll go with you.”

“This usually a peaceful place,” she added. “We usually don’t have these kinds of things around here.”

The oldest boy in the group agreed.

“We might see like fat women fighting ‘cross the road (but that’s it),” he said.

Yesterday’s murder came after a particularly bloody holiday weekend which saw a number of shootings and stabbings.

On Thursday, police reported a man was stabbed in the area of KFC in Oakes Field. The victim was attacked by a group of people and subsequently stabbed shortly after 4pm.

Shortly after 9pm that same day, police were called to an incident in the area of the Produce Exchange at Potter’s Cay Dock where a man was

TEACHING THE NEXT GENERATION OF NURSES

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THIRTY high school students completed the Nursing Cadet Programme hosted by the Grand Bahama Health Services and the Ministry of Health.

Britany Bastian, of the Bishop Michael Eldon High School, and Mevanda Green, of Seventh Day Adventist School, were the two most outstanding cadets. Parents packed the hospital foyer on Friday afternoon for the presentation of certificates ceremony.

While delivering the keynote address, retired nurse Patricia Hanchell told the cadets that nursing is a noble profession that requires them to provide the highest quality of care

to vulnerable patients, children, the elderly, trauma victims, and the mentally challenged.

She stated that they must be committed to excellence as nurses play various roles while caring for patients.

Ms Hanchell said nurses are educators, mentors, managers, counsellor and sometimes a friend to their patients.

“You will use your knowledge, critical thinking and nurturing skills every day. Always remember, nurses provide care based on patients individual needs.

“Patients must feel cared for, respected, and listened to.”

Ms Hanchell recalled nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale believed nurses must be caring, compassionate and committed.

Hospital administrator Sharon Williams congratulated the cadets on their achievement noting many of the cadets had passed their final examination with a 90 percent mark or higher.

She stated they represent some 30 potential nurses who may be available for service to the Grand Bahama Health Service within the next four to six years.

Ms Williams said that providing quality service is critical.

“Cadets, committed to excellence, first means paying close attention to a key phrase that is within

our health care system… and that is, first to serve.

“It is your desire to serve that drives all other desires and characteristics of nursing… so that you can care for and serve the people of our country.

Nurses Kellander Gibson and Paulette Dean were commended for providing training to the cadets. Plans were also announced to introduce a scholarship for the highest achiever in the cadet programme.

The programme caters to high school students in private and public schools.

This year’s theme was ‘Nursing: Committed to Excellence.’

fired upon and shot.

Police yesterday said both men were listed in stable condition.

In the early hours on Sunday In the early hours of Sunday morning police were called to another incident where a man, sitting in his vehicle at the Shell service station on Tonique Williams Darling Highway, was shot by a man with a firearm.

Then just after midnight on Monday another incident occurred in the Douglas Road, Gambier area that left two men hospitalised while their assailants fled in a grey coloured Honda Accord.

Two hours later police were called to another incident at a party in Eastwood Estates where a man had been shot during an argument with several other men.

While the shooting victims in the non-fatal incidents are listed in

stable condition, police yesterday said the stabbing victims are listed as being in serious condition.

Anyone with information that might assist police investigations are asked to call police at 919 or Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, May 22, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

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The clock’s running on this polarising president WITH the month of June just around the corner, American electoral politics is beginning to heat up along with the weather. While there have already been some very expensive and highly newsworthy bi-elections and early primary votes in a few states, the most meaningful phase of the 2018 congressional election season is just beginning.

For many months, commentators have wondered how much more of Donald Trump the American voter can really stomach. We won’t know until November, of course, and the signs have been confusing. Those who have confidently predicted that an administration so corrupt, dysfunctional, incompetent and different as is Trump’s could not prevail have been knocked back by Trump’s slowly growing poll popularity numbers.

But there is another side to those numbers. Democrats are registering new voters much more successfully than Republicans, and large numbers of political newcomers, including many women, are enrolling to compete in primary elections across the country. It has been reported that a majority of these hopefuls seem likely to fail in contests against entrenched, mostly Republican, incumbents. Still, observers who despise Trump note that no one really thought Trump could win the election 18 months ago, so maybe most of what we thought was political orthodoxy is out the window anyway.

In any case, nearly half a year separates the American voter from answers to the many questions raised by this amazingly polarising president.

One of the most perplexing and significant of those questions concerns the one-year-old Robert Mueller investigation into Russian election meddling and the Trump campaign, the obvious beneficiary of that meddling. More and more people are wondering if the Mueller probe will somehow lead to the impeachment and conviction of Trump in the Congress, or will Mueller actually indict Trump and cause him to tried and convicted in a court of law and thus removed from office?

Millions of Americans increasingly feel Trump and what he has enabled have begun to undermine American democracy. They want him gone and look to the Mueller investigation to set in motion his departure from the White House. But is this even realistic?

In the United States, the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel is charged with interpreting the law. Its interpretations are binding on the executive branch of the American government, including the White House. Robert Mueller, appointed by Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, is also bound by this executive branch interpretation.

The Office of Legal Counsel has twice issued opinions that sitting presidents are immune from prosecution.

According to these opinions, criminal proceedings against an incumbent president may only go forward after the president has already left or been removed from office.

Is that the last word? Not in this era of Trump. According to the New York Times, “nothing in the Constitution or federal statutes says presidents cannot be indicted while in office, and no court has ever ruled that (presidents) enjoy immunity from prosecution.”

Is there a lesson from history? In the Watergate scandal 45 years ago and the impeachment of Bill Clinton 20 years ago, special counsels left to Congress the question of what to do with the evident misconduct of the chief executive.

Now, even loudmouth Rudy Giuliani, the once admirable New York City mayor who has now morphed into just another aggravating voice in the present cacophony, has basically confirmed that Mueller won’t indict Trump.

Assuming that Giuliani is correct, the matter of removing Trump falls to Congress. This, surprisingly, is bad news for both American political parties. Republicans running for office in November face the reality of Trump and his profound lack of appeal to many voters.

They may be judged on their loyalty to this president.

The Democratic left is braying for impeachment. But Jerrold Nadler, a constitutional lawyer and the putative chair of a Democratic majority House Judiciary Committee, has said there would have to be “overwhelming” evidence of misdeeds or an impeachment effort “would tear the country apart”.

So there appear to be two possibilities.

One is that Mueller presents so much overwhelming evidence that impeachment or resignation become inevitable.

The other is the US and the world will have to deal with Trump for another 30 months at least.

Prime Minister is not elected EDITOR, The Tribune.

PRESIDENTS of the United State are elected, Prime Minister of the Bahamas are selected!

An opinion writer in his quest to downplay the promise that Hubert Minnis made about term limits for prime minister, painstakingly laid out the difference between The Bahamas using the Westminster system and the United States, where the President is elected.

But what was not said was the glaring fact that the Americans have all the say in who they wanted to be their commander in chief.

We, on the other hand, had a general election and elected the FNM with the majority of seats. The party went into a smoke filled room and said, “goosey goosey gander” and lo and behold we ended up with their choice as to who they wanted to be prime minister. We, the Bahamian

people had no choice.

It is high time for us to revisit the system that has been used. The MPs, should not be responsible or have the last say. The Bahamian people should have all of the say who should lead us.

The US system is fair.

The system has been used by the British, have a monarchy that has been there for centuries. These same people made sure they planned for the well connected to continue to have a say about who should wield the power.

So this unfair system has caused us to be led by the powerbroker behind the scene, as opposed to who the people really want. But we acquiesced to this foolishness for far too long now.

In the United States, Donald Trump has been sitting in boiling water since his inauguration, and possibilities exist that he may be forced to answer for his indiscretions. On the other hand, because we have such a mysterious system, do we

think that Minnis would ever be called on the carpet for his transgressions? The Oban deal is a case in point.

So therefore, no rightthinking sober-minded individual can say with a straight face that there is any merit to our system and not help to lobby for us changing what has been to the masses disadvantage and detriment for hundreds of years.

Finally, there is no logic that the leader of any political party is automatically the prime minister. We know better! We can cite many incidences otherwise.

It has been said the Bahamians do not read. But what can also be said is that cunning writers can muddy information so that you get lost in it. So stop this spinning, it is making me dizzy.

Nothing personal.

Reading is fundamental!

IVOINE W. INGRAHAM Nassau, May 218,2018.

Overtime at the hospital EDITOR, The Tribune.

I CANNOT see how persons at PMH cannot see when a person is crazy.

Man, they work at the hospital and can’t pick that up.

There is a lady that oversees a department that deals with your files, they call that kind of person an AO. She is also in charge of all the clerks you see her on the baby ward and clinics and the other wards.

I was at PMH one day last month the whole day. I overheard the staff talking about this lady in the hallway: they said how short of staff they were, because persons died and no replacement, persons retire and no replacement and persons also leave and it’s no replacement. They have fifty-two weeks workers that the former government deploy and they are not hiring them. They talked about wards not having clerks, they said it’s about seven wards without clerks.

So patients on these wards can’t get their appointments made upon discharge sometimes there is no files pulled for the doctors to work

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net with, etc, it has been like this for the past four years I heard.

It was said that they send a memo about only working two days a month for overtime and they said the crazy AO is enjoying that rule, but their department is short bad. And so now because they trying to save money and cut back in the budget, they only allowing them to work two days a month on overtime with a skeletal schedule.

PM and Minister of Health, it is not about the overtime, it’s about rendering healthcare and if the place short that bad and you not hiring, let the staff fill in and get the work done. Fish fry, fry fish.

Team work makes PMH dreams work.

I listen to them talk about how she cut the overtime down almost to none. So work just backing up more.

The department with the files by A&E what’s the use to run twenty-four hours

only has one shift now and that the morning shift.

The 4pm-12 midnight shifts she trying to cut that out cause she don’t care if persons come or not, she leaves that empty and say no overtime. She cancel the 12 midnight-8am from last year, so if your family in A&E and no clerks in that file department they dead if the doctor needs the notes to help save your life. The daft woman ain’t care about patients it seems she is worrying about the money.

I found out what persons don’t know is that AO has a purple, pink or red card, she is really daft and that is why SRC didn’t want her working up there, because you cannot be a patient up there and worker also.

I suggest you either hire persons to do the work or let the staff that is there work like they were working before. And please put that daft woman to stay behind her desk to work with paper and leave the staff alone please, address this please.

OUTPATIENT THAT DAY Nassau, May, 2018.

Fishing confusion EDITOR, The Tribune

AFTER the Government finally made the decision that the Flat Fishing Regulations will stand it needs to urgently ensure that the law is transparent and functions as designed.

Once one gets past the misplaced anger and xenophobic rhetoric by the leadership of the Bahamas Fly Fishing Industry Association (BFFIA) it is important to note that: Everyone agrees with permit fees for foreigner and Bahamian anglers alike.

There is unison that protecting the flats and breeding grounds is important.

However, the confusion remaining over the functioning of the law is in

urgent need of rectification.

The outstanding issues are: Licenses and fees should be made accessible. One should be able to determine license fees, apply, pay the required fees and receive their license online. Lodges, marinas and fishing supply stores should also be able to pay government the fee in advance and simply issue the permit to people at their location?

Where the law enforces penalties for not hiring a guide a list of licensed guides should also be easily accessible online and at all lodges, marinas and fishing supply stores.

The same access should apply to all fees and penalties to avoid confusion and rent seeking by public officials.

The government also needs to clarify if money has been put into the proposed “conservation fund” and who the committee members charged with management of it are?

Finally, how those interested can take the mandated course to become a guide is in need of clarification.

It seems only logical that laws should resolve confusion instead of creating more as is the case at the moment. The onus falls directly on the government Minister responsible to sort this out in the coming days not weeks or months.

Yours in Liberty, RICK LOWE Nassau, May 21, 2018.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, May 22, 2018, PAGE 5

THE BODY of the man shot by police lying in the vehicle at the scene of the incident.

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

Seventh victim of police shootout from page one “The driver quickly sped off and stopped just a short distance away. The officers were able to exit their vehicle and order the individual in the car to exit. He refused. It was at this time he opened fire at the officers. He was armed with a handgun.

“Officers being in fear of their lives, they returned fire. The driver sped off again and the driver drove right across

Independence Highway where the vehicle came to a stop just in the middle of the street.”

Mr Fernander said: “As the officers checked, they discovered he was shot.

EMS was dispatched and they confirmed that the individual was dead. We are actively investigating this matter. We have briefed the coroner who was also on scene so the matter will be turned to the coroner to continue the investigation. This is a busy corridor so around that

time a number of persons would have have been driving past.

“We encourage members of the public who would have been in this area at the time, if they saw anything to please come forward to the coroner’s office to assist with whatever information to bring some closure to this incident.

“A loaded pistol was recovered from the vehicle,” he added.

“The officers were a little shaken but they’re alright, no injuries to them.”

ASSISTANT Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander speaks with the media.

HOLIDAY WEEKEND BLIGHTED BY SERIES OF ARMED ROBBERIES

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

POLICE are investigating a spate of armed robberies which occured over the holiday weekend.

In the first incident in the early hours of Friday morning, a man was approached by two men outside his home in Hope Town, Abaco, one

of whom was armed with a gun. He was robbed of cash and some personal items before the two men fled on foot. The victim was uninjured.

On Saturday, two men armed with a handgun robbed a convenience store on Blue Hill and St Vincent Roads just before 4pm.

According to police, the men held an employee “at bay” and robbed the store

of an undetermined amount of cash before escaping on foot.

Minutes after midnight on Sunday, two men armed with a gun robbed a couple as they arrived at their home on Marigold Farm Road. The man and woman were robbed of cash and the armed robbers escaped in a silver car.

Police were called to the area of Love Beach less than two hours later, when

two women were robbed of cash by two men armed with a gun.

The women were driving in the area when their vehicle was bumped from behind. When they stopped, two men approached with a

firearm and robbed them before escaping in a car.

In the last reported incident on Sunday, a man had his car stolen in the parking lot of The Prescription Parlour Pharmacy on East Street South shortly

before 11pm. The man was approached by two men who had a gun, and escaped in the gray 2007 Honda Accord with a license plate AC2041.

Investigations are ongoing in all matters.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, May 22, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

35 percent rise in bookings at hotels in The Bahamas

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas has experienced a 35 percent increase in hotel bookings and a 20 percent increase in total gross demand in bookings over the past year, according to Expedia Group manager Betty Julia Estrada.

Ms Estrada, senior business development manager for the Caribbean, said new properties such as Baha Mar, and displacement from last year’s hurricane season contributed to the country’s growth.

She spoke to reporters during an Expedia Event held at Breezes Resort during which the group went over the latest travel trends, marketing insights, new developments, The Bahamas’ booking numbers and the Bahamas Ministry

of Tourism and Aviation’s campaign results.

Ms Estrada said out of the group’s 200 companies in 75 countries in 35 languages, The Bahamas is one of its “premier destinations”.

“We have a wonderful partnership with the

THE BAHA MAR RESORT ministry as well as with the Nassau Island Promotion Board and individual properties,” she said.

When asked how marketing has increased tourism in the country, Ms Estrada said: “At this time last year, we saw a year over year

demand in growth from 2016 to 2017 of nearly 10 percent.”

“This year we’re at nearly 30 percent for the same time period in total gross demand in bookings.

She said: “Total gross bookings would be air and hotel. On the hotel side alone, 2016 to 2017 we were at a growth of about five percent.”

“This year, for the same time period, January through March, we are over 40 percent increase… in bookings. So those are numbers to be proud of.”

However, the main contributors to the country’s growth are “new properties such as the Baha Mar complex that [have] come onto the scene, as well as some displacement from last year’s hurricane season,” Ms Estrada said.

“Our audience is very interested. They are in love with the Bahamian product.

So it’s not a difficult sell,” she noted.

When asked how The Bahamas compares with other countries in the region, Ms Estrada said while it is difficult to directly compare different destinations, she reiterated The Bahamas is one of the company’s most “popular destinations and one of our most popular products”.

“Like I said, it’s not a tough sell and people are interested and they want to learn more.

“And they kind of get their first taste coming to Nassau, and then they begin to realise ‘oh my goodness, there’s a universe of experiences that I can have’.

“So we want to help those travellers stay in-destination longer, and really go out and island hop a little bit and explore the culture, the music, the cuisine, everything that it has to offer.”

Promotion is about “getting the right message, to the right traveller, at the right time,” she added.

These include dedicated email blasts, expandable video ads, display banners, and social media campaigns.

In terms of the latter, Ms Estrada also discussed the company’s new concept, “The Creative Partnership for The Bahamas”.

“We’re working with both the private and public sector to bring this project to fruition where we would send in five travel influencers to have a very unique and diverse experience.”

“The Bahamas is a complex and a beautiful destination. It really merits a lot more than a banner, or a video, or even a television commercial.”

“So we want to bring The Bahamas to life through this creative partnership where we send in top social travel influencers that have their own independent audiences as well as leveraging our platforms and data to showcase The Bahamas through their eyes, inviting the public to share and layer on top of that their own experiences and then coupled with a satellite media tour, to really bring out all of the different types of experiences and activities, the biodiversity.”

“There’s nearly 1000 islands. How can you put that into just one little banner?”

Ms Estrada could not reveal who these influencers would be yet, as the project is currently still in the development stages.

She also could not give a specific launch date for the project. While she said they would like to launch in the “softer fall season”, a number of factors still need to be “worked out” before a date can be confirmed.

However, she is confident the initiative will bring a lot more of what The Bahamas has to offer to a “greater audience”.

Ms Estrada also referenced the importance of having gatherings with industry partners on a regular bases.

“We meet on an individual basis and very regularly as well, to communicate new opportunities and new features that Expedia’s offering to help them develop their business on their own and then collectively,” she said.

FROM UNION LEADER ROLE TO LABOUR DIRECTOR FOR PINDER

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net VETERAN unionist John Pinder has been appointed as acting Director of Labour.

The Ministry of Labour announced on Friday the former Director of Labour, Robert Farquharson had been re-classified as Executive Manager effective from May 1.

Mr Pinder’s appointment was also effective from the same day, however, both gentlemen take up their duties today.

“Mr Robert Farquharson

JOHN PINDER has been Director of Labour from September 23, 2013 to present,” a ministry statement read.

“He has had many years

of experience in industrial relations and dealing with labour issues and protocols.

It added: “Mr John Pinder has been president of the Bahamas Public Services Union for 15 years.”

In its 2017 party manifesto, the FNM pledged to “eliminate the practice of appointing persons to the post of Director of Labour who served as head of a trade union immediately preceding that appointment”.

Mr Pinder did not contest BPSU’s elections last September, which ushered in new president Kimsley Ferguson.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, May 22, 2018, PAGE 7

WOMAN KILLED AS TRUCK HITS TREE

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A WOMAN is dead and a man is in hospital after the truck they were in collided with a tree early on Saturday morning in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

According to reports, the accident occurred shortly before 4am in the area of East Mall Drive and Explorers Way. ASP Terecita Pinder reported that when police arrived at the scene, they found a grey GMC truck with two occupants inside.

The female passenger had

died at the scene, she said.

According to Ms Pinder, the truck was reportedly travelling south on East Mall Drive on the eastbound lane when it went off the road and crashed into a tree. The driver was taken to the Rand Memorial Hospital, where he is listed in stable condition.

Ms Pinder said police are continuing their investigation into the accident and are appealing to motorists to drive within the speed limit and to buckle up.

This incident marks the fifth traffic fatality for Grand Bahama this year.

In other news, a second

male pedestrian who was struck last Thursday at the Warren J Levarity Highway has now died in hospital.

ASP Pinder reported that the other pedestrian who had died at the scene has been identified as Afifi of Indonesia. According to reports, the victims were among a group of men walking along the highway when they were struck by a vehicle. The men, who worked onboard a ship docked at the GB Shipyard for repairs, were heading back to the shipyard when a Plymouth Voyager hit them.

Flowers were left at the scene.

THE CRASH scene at East Mall Drive and Explorers Way.

Andros crash families beg for closure from page one Last Thursday, Mr Adderley wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, criticising the government for its role in prolonging the families’ pain.

Mr Adderley told The Tribune that no government official has provided the families with updates on the status of their loved ones’ remains, adding the only updates in the investigation have come through the media.

The week of the accident, he provided DNA samples to help identify his mother.

At that time, Mr Adderley said an officer at the Princess Margaret morgue indicated to him that “only legs” had been found.

However, Mr Adderley was not taken in a room to see any of the remains, nor was it confirmed to whom they belonged.

“We didn’t get a word as to whether it was remains of six people, whether it was remains of two people; nothing of that nature was ever relayed back to the families,” Mr Adderley said.

He said he was simply

asked: “Whether I was aware [of] the colour fingernail polish that my mother had on her toes.”

Desiree Russell and her ten-year-old daughter, Destinique Wilson, were also among the victims of the crash.

Yesterday, Russell’s sister Vandeka Stuart relayed similar sentiments.

Ms Stuart said her family provided DNA samples about three days after the accident. However, they have received no updates since then.

“My sister just went [to the morgue] sometime last week or so and every time we go there the DNA results [aren’t] ready yet,” she said.

When they inquire about the delay, the family is simply told that there “are people who are ahead of [them] that’s also waiting on DNA results.”

Mr Adderley added that while he understands that DNA analysis can take a while, “four months is ample time”.

“We have no idea who to reach out to,” he said.

The families also criticised the way the search for the wreckage was handled.

On Facebook, Mr

Adderley criticised “a particular minister” for “[going] as far as to denounce the discovery” of the plane.

He told The Tribune the minister’s remarks were a “blow” to his family.

Officials suspended their search and rescue on January 19, stating “the complete aircraft could not be located and retrieved”.

On February 16, a video was uploaded to Facebook purportedly showing that locals had found the wreckage and human bones at the site.

Tourism and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar responded to the video four days later, calling for the wreckage to be thoroughly investigated before any confirmations were made.

At the time, Mr D’Aguilar said: “It’s important that we get the right plane as it has been brought to my attention there was a similar plane that went missing about two to three years ago.”

Six days later, crash investigators confirmed that it was from the North Andros plane.

Ms Stuart said she “broke down” upon seeing the video.

“[I] broke completely down. Because I was like… if they had done their job the right way, we could’ve gotten the remains [earlier]; maybe could’ve find whole bodies.”

“We could have gotten more answers,” Ms Stuart continued, “and make more sense out of what happened.”

Mr Adderley added the minister’s remarks were “heart-wrenching”.

“No one ever knew, from being from Andros, of another plane crashing in that area,” he said.

“So for you to come and say…that’s a plane that crashed four years ago, we’ll have to see if that’s the plane; that was utmost foolishness.”

The repeated delays of the DNA results have also had financial ramifications on the families.

“We don’t have a death certificate in our hand even to conduct business on her behalf,” Mr Adderley said.

“All the bank accounts and whatever else, they [are] basically on freeze.”

Mr Adderley said: “[My mother’s] name was on my younger brother’s account, the same thing happened.

He has no access to it now

because again, there is no death certificate to say that she has expired and someone else will conduct business on his behalf.

Because he is still a minor.”

Ms Stuart added that her family has not been able to collect anything on her sister’s behalf from National Insurance.

Dr Hubert Minnis told reporters these concerns were “reasonable” outside a service held for the victims on January 26.

The prime minister said: “I think families want resolution, quick resolution; you know the problems with insurance, etc. And there will be especially the kids... who are certainly wondering when their parents are coming home, when their friends are coming home.

“But with resolution those questions will be answered. And therefore we will, as you know DNA takes some time. But we will do to ensure it is done as quickly as possible to bring resolution to this tragedy.”

Four months later, both families are still seeking closure.

“We just want closure.

Mother’s Day passed, and honestly it was hell,” Mr

Adderley said.

“There was nothing I could have absolutely done, there was no place I could have taken an arrangement.

I just was glad when the day was over.”

Ms Stuart said her sister left behind four sons, aged 16, 13, 12, and five.

Her voice broke when she described the impact the delays have had on her nephews.

“The baby [is] always expressing his feelings, he always complaining about why he don’t have a tomb to go to visit his mom or his sister,” she said. “[He] really does take it hard.”

Mr Stuart said that Russell’s eldest son had to spend Mother’s Day with a photo of his mother and sister. She added that no one has reached out to provide counselling for the kids.

When asked if there is anything she would say to government officials, Ms Stuart answered through tears.

“Speed up the process,” she said “try do something so my family can begin to heal. Because it isn’t easy.

There’s no closure at all, none whatsoever.”

PAGE 8, Tuesday, May 22, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Farewell to a mentor T

HIS past weekend, a noted member of the press and the legal fraternity was laid to rest. She was an attorney with passion as a legal advocate for women and children, a journalist and a communications specialist.

More importantly to me, she was like a big sister throughout my childhood years.

Her younger sister, my godsister Cresstina (Tina) and I are in age set and we looked up to her growing up; she had a brilliant mind and a beautiful smile. She carried herself with a poise she maintained all the days of her life. She spoke the Queen’s English, as it is called, very well and at all times, and she had the etiquette and diplomacy to sit in the presence of royalty and the everyday man. Her life was celebrated in a funeral at St Anslem’s Church, Fox Hill, on Saturday on the day Prince Harry and Meghan Markle married and became the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. She would probably have had it no other way. She, like the newest member of the British royal family, took international platforms to defend the rights of women and girls.

Gina Patrice Morley played a part in inspiring me to be the journalist I am today. As a child, I would always hear the elder family members brag about Gina.

When Tina and I were children, Gina was studying and then working in Jamaica, making strides in the media and legal profession.

I knew from a very young age that I wanted to work in the media and the arts, so it was always fascinating to hear the stories of Gina’s continuing success.

She was one I could pattern myself after. She had no qualms about expressing her opinion and standing up for equality and justice, just as I do today. She always encouraged me in my career as I gained experience in radio, television, print and internet mediums.

As a media professional, Gina thought it important to honour people for the work they do and she used media as a platform to do that. I have adopted the same philosophy and it is with pride that I prepare my column each week, sitting Face to Face with great people and sharing their humbling and motivating stories of trial and triumph.

I was planning to sit down with “big sis” Gina

Face to Face

By FELICITY INGRAHAM

and prepare her own Face to Face one day. She had recently undergone surgery, but we were expecting her to recover. As fate would have it, she has left us and has also left an indelible mark on the lives she touched. Her voice, her words may not be heard in this article but her life was fully lived and a story worth telling.

She was born on October 7, 1962, in Georgetown, Exuma, to Cressel and Beatrice (Betty) Morley who chose the name Gina, which means “great”, from Johny Matthis’ hit song at the time. There were some complications following her at-home birth, and mother and baby had to be immediately flown to Nassau for medical assistance at Princess Margaret Hospital.

Gina’s parents and her paternal grandmother, Helena Ferguson, watched

Gina spent her early years growing up in beautiful Exuma but her parents, both former educators, decided to send her and her brother Derek (Ricky) to Nassau to live with their Aunt Mavis and Uncle George Smith, former Member of Parliament for Exuma. She attended Queen’s College and stood out among her peers. She loved participating in school plays and won many debate competitions, receiving the EP Roberts trophy in the junior division of inter-high school competition. This would lay the foundation for the future with her love of being in action in the court room.

After graduating from Queen’s College in 1978, Gina worked at ZNS TV, the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas for a short while. During this time, she had the opportunity

FELICITY Ingraham with Gina’s mother, Beatrice (Betty) Morley; her mother, Agatha Watson; and Gina’s sister, Tina, at the graveside. and prayed as she fought for her life. Being the “fighter to survive”, a characteristic she would become known for throughout her life, Gina pulled through.

“Mama” Helena would become the matriarch of Gina’s childhood home and the two would form an immense bond throughout her upbringing. Her mother’s parents were Helen Glass, a loving, warmhearted native of Jolly Hall, Exuma and Eddie Granger, brother of Dean William Granger, noted Anglican priest. Cressel Morley was the first manager of the Exuma International Airport and was the first licenced broker on the island, who continues to run a brokerage in the capital, Georgetown – CP Morley & Associates.

to interview the late great Robert Nesta ‘Bob” Marley on his historical visit to The Bahamas in 1979. This was a monumental moment in her life because she was a fan and considered him “one of the most fascinating people in the world”.

Shortly after, Gina travelled to London to further her studies. She attended the International School on London where she attained an international Baccalaureate in World Literature, World History, Philosophy and French. She worked at The Voice newspaper, the leading black newspaper in London at the time, where she served as Caribbean Correspondent.

She became a noted writer and travelled throughout the Caribbean for several

years in this capacity.

Gina then decided to pursue a career in law, first attending the University of the West Indies in Cave Hill, Barbados and then the Norman Manley Law School in Kingston, Jamaica, where she graduated with a first class honours degree in law. She rallied her Bahamian counterparts at the school and became President of the Bahamas Student Association there. She was later called to both the Bahamas Bar and Jamaica Bar Associations nearly 27 years ago.

The Government of Jamaica employed her as a prosecutor in the legal clinic, a position which she enjoyed. Eventually, her passion for media would draw her to the Jamaica Observer where she served as legal advisor. Her writing bug needed to be quenched and she did so by creating the “All Woman” magazine which is today, similar to The Tribune’s “Weekend”, still a favourite part of the Observer newspaper.

Very passionate about women’s affairs, Gina used her platform to promote this cause and in 1995, she attended the United Nation’s Fourth Conference on Women held in Beijing, China, where she had the opportunity to interview former US Secretary General Hillary Clinton – another momentous occasion for her.

A devout Catholic, Gina became affiliated with St Marten de Porres church in Gorgon Town, Jamaica, as well as the Sisters of Mercy Association. She served with excellence in Jamaica and was recently honoured by the Observer just after her passing. The newspaper honoured her for “championing the cause of women’s and children’s rights”. Longtime friend Marcia Thwaites, who travelled from Jamaica to attend the funeral, told the Observer: “She was a Bahamian who came to Jamaica in the 1980s and totally fell in love with Jamaica. Every opportunity

children.

In

GINA Morley.

Photo: Vincent Vaughn she had to come to Jamaica, she did.

She even sent her daughters back here to school at Hampton. She was very passionate about helping women understand their legal rights. I will miss her friendliness and her visits.

I will continue to have the friendship through her children.”

Mrs Thwaites also commended Gina’s energy when it came to volunteerism. She volunteered with Women Inc in Jamaica for nearly ten years, working its Crisis Centre Hotline.

She also worked hard on the Justice Committee for Sisters of Mercy. In addition, Gina was committed to teaching Sunday School in Jamaica and in The Bahamas.

Gina was raising her daughters Mia and Makeda in Jamaica when she received a proposal to join a law firm in Nassau.

She accepted and gladly returned to the country of her birth with high hopes of continuing to excel in the legal and media profession.

She served as a managing partner at Grangers Chambers Counsel and Attorneys at Law, working with a wide portfolio including gender rights, media law, constitutional and employment law, civil litigation, and copyright and trademark law. She rejoined the Broadcasting Corporation as a legal secretary and officer and in her four years there, she not only dealt with the corporation’s legal business, but she also educated its journalists on libel, slander and defamation via a series of seminars and a manual she created of do’s and don’ts for journalists.

While serving as an attorney, her passion for media led her to Guardian Radio 96.9FM where she hosted the programme “It’s the Law”, giving free legal advice to the public on a variety of issues. She also hosted “Bahamian Bio” an evening radio programme where she did work similar to what I am privileged to do for The Tribune, sharing the life stories of great Bahamians.

After returning home and making new roads towards her passions, Gina gave birth to her son, Duval. As a single mother, Gina worked arduously to provide the best in upbringing and education for her

the past few years, Gina faced multiple health challenges which hindered her mobility; yet, she persevered as the fighter she was always known to be. On April 6, Gina was admitted to hospital. Her sister Tina rushed from the family brokerage in Exuma to be at her side and never left.

For all the selflessness that Gina paid to others, her sister is now repaying it to her even in her death.

Tina has taken on the awesome task to raise Gina’s children. She has made the decision to remain in the capital and raise them along with her own three children. Tina is also in the media profession, once serving as the host of a popular morning show on Exuma’s the Breeze 98.3FM. When asked how she was able to make such a mammoth decision to take on Gina’s teenage children, Tina said: “My decision to become guardian of my nieces and nephew was very instinctual, it was very natural. It wasn’t something I had to think about, it was very natural for me; I love them deeply. Gina gave me instructions and it is my honour, my duty, my privilege. I am my sister’s keeper.”

The Eleutheran newspaper also honoured Gina’s passing, reporting the comments of the president of the Bahamas Press Club, Anthony Capron.

“Ms Morley was a valued member of the Bahamas Press Club,” he said.

“She contributed much to the progress of the BPC and her sage advice will be sorely missed, especially as we plan this year’s media awards. Ms Morley was responsible for the 2017 Media Awards theme: ‘Uncovering The Bahamas’, held at the British Colonial Hilton Hotel, at which she proudly displayed some of her creative artwork.”

Gina would often recite her favourite poem “Still I Rise”, authored by Maya Angelou, because of its personal and literal translation in her life. Her own struggles serving as a catalyst for empathy with all women and their plight.

As the poem says, in part: “You may write me down in history with your bitter, twisted lies… you may trod on me in the very dirt… but still… like dust… still I rise.”

THE TRIBUNE

PAGE 8A, MONDAY, MARCH 9, 2015

Tuesday, May 22, 2018, PAGE 9

asked for prote ThePolice urgent need for by environmental gr a Human Rights Act

By FREDERICK SMITH, QC

T

HE Bahamas has a problem with human rights.

Specifically, this society harbours a deep distain for two basic propositions: 1. That all individuals should be equal in the eyes of the law, and 2. That as members of the human race, every single one of us is entitled to enjoy certain non-negotiable rights and personal freedoms.

Most Bahamians do not believe, for example, that irregular migrants should have the same legal protections as citizens; that women should have the same rights as men; that same sex couples should enjoy the same privileges as their heterosexual counterparts. Nor do they believe all people should enjoy freedom from arbitrary detention; that everyone should be considered innocent of wrongdoing until proven guilty; that each of us has the right to move about the country without hindrance.

This perspective has led to a disturbing capacity for and toleration of all manner of abuse – from ridicule and stigmatisation, to physical and sexual abuse, to indefinite deprivation of freedom and even murder.

Many, if not most, Bahamians can calmly witness their fellow man being mercilessly brutalised, provided there is some convenient excuse – the victim must be an “illegal” Haitian, an “uppity” woman, a “sissy” man, etc. In The Bahamas, only certain categories of people qualify for sympathy.

Stoking the fire The events of the past few years have only fanned the flames of this bigotry. The harsh, xenophobic immigration policy introduced by former minister Fred Mitchell - which was clearly no more than a cynical attempt to effect ethnic cleansing as a scapegoat for the PLP’s political floundering and to make himself politically relevant - found a public already well conditioned to scorn those perceived as being different or of lesser value. The result was an inferno of victimisation that threatened to engulf anyone and everyone who even looked or sounded as if they might be “foreign”.

Nurses began turning people away at public clinics because of their accent; NIB workers refused to hand out payments to those with insufficiently “Bahamian” names; traffic police took it upon themselves to stop drivers and demand proof of their right to be in the country. Banks illegally froze their own clients’ accounts because they did not have “papers”! Perhaps worst of all, principals and teachers began turning children away from schools.

The PLP had clearly sought to use our conditioned distain for the concept of basic human equality to its advantage by stirring up racist emotion; but in their attempts to pass a referendum on gender equality, both they and the FNM learned that discrimination is a double-edged sword.

In successive elections, the effort of the governing party to protect women’s rights contributed heavily to their loss of power. Like Dr Frankenstein, our politicians created a monster, only to see it lead to their downfall.

Generally speaking, Bahamian women have a particularly bad time; not least because their inequality under the law has been vocally reaffirmed through successive public votes.

They also must live with the knowledge that their spouse can rape them without facing any legal repercussions – a situation casually accepted by the public and viscerally defended by regressive institutions such as the Christian Council.

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Tribune Staff Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

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“The day was to on behalf of our clients in PROTESTORS in KKK masks marching against Fred Smith. and respect tural of The a legal and enforcement eventssetting at the centre occasionof of the event, actions setting set peaceful Then there is the plight of protection duties on the framework Junkanoo, in that officialcitizens standards lets everyof the claimsenforcement were held on of could voice out below and request LGBTQ individuals, with authorities. andJuly approprian unprecone know where the battle 14 andofficial December 6 you investigate mate calls for a chan the matstandards the gender equality referThis model makes a key ate tools to edented lines the are law. and Instead encourages last year and on January 1, the ters further, deploying aplets everyone enda sparking an upsurge assumption — that rights tackle it. international the voices of progress to 2015. was hijacked by a gro propriate measures against in harassment, intimidation will be protected not simply As a result, display of speak more loudly and with know where the PROTESTORS in KKK masks during the New Year junkanoo pa“While directors and aggressive protestors those responsible.” and several instances of vio- through after-the-fact deci- hate speech battle lines are toxic hatred confidence. rade. members of Save The Bays The letter added that intent was to disrup lence including the brutal sions by courts, but also by

beating of two locals and a tourist last year on suspicion they might be gay.

This trend towards intolerance has been further from page one exacerbated by the increasingly connected nature of our society. Social media has nexthand timeempowI will on“The the one comment on that be if ered thousands of will formerly or when there isgrassroots a formal disconnected legal at the peoplepresentation to become part of the national hearing whichconversation. takes place Butthethe flow of informaon 20th (of March),” Mr tion goessaid. both ways and the Mitchell same tools have “Generally webeen areused adto virally spread messages of hate that reinforce and enhance long-held prejudices while inciting the mob to target specific individuals.

This trend shows no signs of slowing down and if Bahamians are to hope for a future that is more tolerant and inclusive, more equitable and fair, we urgently need to pass a law that explicitly bans such behaviour.

and anonyand vile Such an Act would take establishing opportunities mous digital and encourages discrimination. enormous political will. But and obligations for reviews abuse have the voices of This inci- the government of the day of rights by ministers, MPs quickly dent did not go came to office promising progress to speak and public officials prior to become the without reper- to be a fearless and deterany judicial action. chief modes of more loudly and cussions for mined force for change – a dressing the issues which public defensive a policy the country’s human rights not New Zealand’s Human attack since The Bahamas; differentThe kindIACHR of adminiswith confidence.’ have Act, beenpassed raisedin by our on requiring itsone recent Rights 1993 minor-that all people record. the shock- tration, thatreport finally that put own examinations in the country have Just last Mr Mitchaccept interests various first. alleg protects individuals into fromthe ity livinggroups ingweek,images the people’s discrimination in a number including matter.” a passport of their nationmade first the appearhuman rights undocumented madeelltheir wayhis around Whileabout in opposition, the of areas public life, list-ad- migrants, Whileof the Christie ality came into effect ance at the level segmembers of the last world, while the high sustained FNM Carmichael courted humanRoad rights ing the areas and grounds ministration enjoys con- LBGTQ November. ment ofoftheharassment, Human Rights ity until allegatio community and campaign defenders andthepromised where discrimination is civil Mr siderable support from Mitchell has repeatCouncil Geneva, proven society organisations, of which the in protests were Switto defend thefalse. constitution. prohibited. also as edly BahamiansThe overAct its efforts where he went expressed IACHR’s well ascountered a primary criticisms arena but azerland, part, and which There is The no better way to do r prohibits political inten- on toconcern includeabout serious physi- this, than to bring to a compreto clampsexual downand on racial illegal of from localcombat, and internationinternational pointed alleg harassment and the the exciteslander and organised cal threats the lives and seek hensive Human Rights are Bill “ immigration, govern- tional al human rights organisareportstowhich he said that detainees ment assassination. safety of the led to to theinsufficient floor of Parliament mentof racial has disharmony. been on the character tions that threaten to mar vilify thevictims, country. food A Human Rights ComOne need only look at the the country being cautioned for debate, thereby placing mission exists to mediate recent revelations of dis- by the Inter-American Com- us on the path of true and alleged cases of rights graced journalist Sherman mission on Human Rights in meaningful progress, once infringement. If the com- Brown, who admitted to the Washington DC. To this day, and for all. mission is unable to create Supreme Court that, at the no action has been taken to The human rights comMEMBERS of thetoDema resolution, an Office of behest of Peter Nygard, he bring those responsible munitytimer andand all Chairman of its ocratic National Alliance’s drew Wilson, Human Rights Proceedings engaged in a long-running justice. international partners recent stand team, which ready in- turned tothis The Ba provides free legal repre- smear campaign against A leadership human rights law could to assist in effort; cluded party Leader sentation to victims. second homeowner Louis define, criminalise and out-Branall of from our Cuba. experience and Legislation creating a Bacon and others, includ- line ville McCartney, Deputy in disposal Cuba, appropriate penalties expertiseWhile is at the board or commission that can ing Leader Christopher with of myself, spreading for all forms of harassment Morof theleaders Minnis met administratake immediate action in the ever-proliferating streams or hate speech, includ- tion. All the government face of alleged human rights of false and malicious accu- ing online attacks and the has to do is have the courabuses is precisely what The sations through a number incitement of intimidating age and conviction to ask.

MITCHELL PUTS FOCUS ON OWN REPORT, NOT RECOMMENDATION

Meaningful action But, many will say, fundamental rights are already enshrined in the Bahamas Constitution, a document which prohibits discrimination and arbitrary detention, while protecting freedom of expression, movement and speech. But the Constitution provides protection only as between the State and the person abused. It does not provide protection as between private persons and institutions.

The reality is most Bahamians remain unaware of even their Constitutional rights and protections, while the authorities routinely contravene and ignore them.

And powerful monied interests abuse with impugnity.

Meanwhile, only a handful of Bahamians can afford the cost of mounting a lengthy constitutional challenge in the courts when their rights are infringed upon.

Human rights legislation, on the other hand, could establish various means of immediate recourse, between private persons and between the state and persons; for example a human rights board empowered to review and rule on complaints, as well as a clear regime of prohibitions and penalties which would serve as guidelines for the authorities, thereby helping prevent rights infringements before they happen. It is an approach that has worked well for other countries.

The UK passed human rights legalisation in 1998, essentially incorporating European Convention on Human Rights into domestic law. The result was a legal framework allowing individuals to take action when their rights are infringed, as well as the imposition of new rights

DNA MEETS CUBAN

PAGE 10, Tuesday, May 22, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Resistance of the Rastafari is a lesson for us all T

HE use of force is still very much a part of the foreign policy and diplomatic considerations of all states, even small ones. nIn the latter case, what they consider is not using force themselves, but force being used against them.

Force is seldom military in today’s world; it is more often economic. The wide and liberal use of sanctions, particularly by the member countries of the Organization for Co-operation and Development (OECD), is ample evidence of how other nations are coerced into submitting to the will of the powerful.

The OECD’s actions against Caribbean countries in relation to taxation and the provision of financial services are good examples of the use of economic force by powerful countries to get their own way.

If small countries could individually resist these coercive economic measures, they would. But, since each of them is powerless to do so on their own, each surrenders its sovereignty, believing that resistance would lead to unbearable consequences.

The notion that they might substantially overcome their powerlessness by joining together to resist coercion is hardly entertained by many developing countries, small ones in particular.

Driven by a lack of faith in alliances among themselves, and practical experience of betrayal and disunity within their own ranks, each small country surrenders to the demands of the powerful. The result is the powerful succeed in their policies by the threat

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

of economic coercion.

Representatives of some small countries even brazenly trumpet their surrender as a victory, fooling no one, including themselves.

The role of power and fear in the colonial history of the Caribbean came into sharp focus at the Organization of American States (OAS) on May 14. The occasion was an historic one, at which my ambassadorial colleague, Franki Tafari, a leading representative of the Rastafarian community in Antigua and Barbuda and the wider Caribbean, and I reported to the OAS Permanent Council on the apology made by the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, for the ancient wrongs done to the Rastafari.

Resisting the economic and military power of the British colonial administration in the Caribbean, the Rastafarian community refused to relinquish their African culture and heritage. They were also obstinate in rejecting every attempt by the British administration to coerce them into giving-up their identity by adopting European values and traditions. For sure, others did.

Not because they desired it, but because the use of force overwhelmed them.

The many slave rebellions and pre-independence movements were met with

violent oppression that wore-down resistance.

Regrettably, as Prime Minister Browne pointed out in his public apology, “Even as the Colonial establishment retreated from whence they came and people born in Caribbean countries replaced them in authority, the Rastafari continued to be marginalised. That discrimination went on for decades, preventing the Rastafarian community from escaping the confines of poverty, and denying them the right to explain who they are, what they believe and what part they wish to play in the homelands that are now our collective heritage.”

This historical reality is all the more reason for admiring and respecting the Rastafari community. They were strong in their resistance, preferring poverty, marginalisation and discrimination to losing their identity, their culture and their religious beliefs.

Out of a dark colonial past of their forebears, and the indignities they endured, Rastas have risen-up to affirm their self-dignity, their African heritage and their worth as human beings.

Today, they are the bestknown Caribbean figures, internationally, in the performing arts. They also occupy respected positions in medicine, law and academia while retaining their pioneering role in

FRANKI Tafari addressing the Organization of American States. healthy eating habits and in farming.

The Rastafari are living testimony to the value of unity in the preservation of identity.

Diplomacy is bargaining.

It seeks outcomes which might not be ideal for either party but are better for both. If Caribbean countries could bargain together on all external matters, they might not get everything they want in their dealing with the powerful, but they would get more than they do individually.

Regrettably, that sense of justice and willingness to sacrifice for its preservation, which characterises the Rastafarians, is not alive in the broad political and economic leadership of Caribbean countries today.

There is also no trust in unified action. Fear of betrayal from amongst their own ranks, coupled with a perception of their powerlessness to stand-up to the mighty, paralyses representatives of Caribbean governments.

In their struggle with the OECD in the financial

services sector, the political elite of Caribbean states, who treasure and proclaim their sovereignty in relation to each other, compromise that sovereignty so regularly with powerful countries that it is now an expectation.

Yet, it is only by pooling their individual sovereignties to bargain with the powerful that they have a ghost of a chance to preserve any semblance of independence.

Troublingly, there appears to be little willingness for such collective bargaining. The dangerous and unrealistic notion by some countries in the region that they can go it alone and get what they want from the powerful has infected policy-making. Thus, in the international community, some Caribbean countries forego the utility of their collective strength for transient individual gain.

The trials of the Rastas in their resistance, and the triumph of their success despite their marginalisation, should teach all Caribbean countries a lesson. The song of the

iconic Bob Marley has long summoned the Caribbean, but while it is heard, it appears not to be absorbed: “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our minds.

Have no fear for atomic energy, ‘Cause none of them can stop the time.

How long shall they kill our prophets, While we stand aside and look?

Some say it’s just a part of it: We’ve got to fullfil the book.

Won’t you help to sing This song of freedom.”

• Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com The writer is the Antigua and Barbuda Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are his own.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, May 22, 2018, PAGE 11

The degree that keeps on helping A10INSIGHT

2017 23, 2017

A10INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

THE TRIBUNE

IMAGINE having completed your Information Technology (IT) Management degree two years ago, yet what you learned then still helps you solve issues today.

Mystique Stevenson is a service desk technician at A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON HIGHER EDUCATION Baha Mar, who feels she BTVI’s career resource Richine Bethell also has been well equipped A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON HIGHER EDUCATION with the requisite knowl- graduated from BTVI in officer, Michael Smith, edge and skills to get the 2016. Within weeks, she works daily with students job done. She credits landed a job as a guidance regarding their career trathe Bahamas Technical counsellor at Mt Carmel jectory. He helps them to discover the possibilities and Vocational Institute Preparatory Academy.

The young woman was of what opportunities exist (BTVI) and specifically chair of the IT programme a part of BTVI’s office once they graduate from Anthony Ramtulla for posi- assistant programme and the institution, adding tioning her for the world of speaks highly of many of there are personnel from the courses she still draws companies who often call, t work. two years on today, includ- requesting students and “He now embedy. Even RICHINE BETHELL ing introduction graduates. in us to keep t ded to graduate, BTVI,” said Mr Smith.

“For example, barbers, successfully perform.” electrical engineers and to business, record it simple.

That by ’ve been able Additionally, in March technicians, digital experts Mr Smith added the keeping and hair stylists, carpenters, far hasat been versity all the advanced key- construction workers, IT most requested areas are 2018, six of BTVI’s car- for the LED wall and that has ,”one saysthing Stephstudents, heating ventila- the technical and beauty pentry students and six signage, carpenters, and rigboarding. helped me a lot who will soon electrical installation stu- gers for the heavy ceiling “I did not have tion and air conditioning trades. with troubleshootsociate’s DeFailure tothat have both “There was an auto stu- dents proved their job installations. an assistant for (HVAC), auto mechanics, problems aling Laboratory “BTVI now has the my department, welders, plumbers and the dent who was retained readiness. MoVi Group from Keiser I TVET come across in and traditional Florida. which meant I like. We also get requests immediately after his 160- founder, Burton Wallace opportunity to get students my work,” said academics available in one 39 Ly-graduhad to complete for office workers, clerks hour internship period. He made the request for the involved in practical training the of2016 allwho school olars will ate, who also programmes received her all tasks by myself. Thank- and junior accountants,” was sent to Puerto Rico paid assistance. Students in the industry as we have believed in her potential Stephanie’s year joinNetwork+ is aand disservice to and said Mrgoal Smith. for further training. We helped with the infrastruc- plenty more jobs where we fully, the teachings from ultimate CompTia enough to invest in her.

It prepared is to returnme to The Bahamas s CompTia of Scholars “The benefit of a BTVI even had a student who ture set up and break down can bring them in… we’ll these courses A+ certifications our children and to andonpartner an estab-is, in my humble finished his programme at for the four-day Cisco con- definitely do this again. We n while able toatcomforneeded this transition a largewitheducation BTVI. was the boost she believe in herself andI’ve pur- always lishedbeen laboratory company country, Remiska ollege educasecond to none. BTVI, went off to school ference at Baha Mar. Cisco have another job (coming scale. a opinion, “You couldsays ask him anysue her own dreams. to expand its business toour in- students leave and was hired by a Euro- is a world leader in techni- up) that’s maybe almost five cally or interWildgoose, English When thing IT-related and he very organised person and Stephanie is convinced clude more diverse erwould the past 45you go into industry, they pean carmaker during his cal solutions. times the size of this, and I give aBTVI sensible during the office assistant andmedical instructor at that college has unlocked a technology services. Her the generosThe students worked told them I’ll need almost 50 answer. He has such vast course I wondered where I are job ready from day final semester in college. whole new world for her and hope is that her training toknowledge the Lyford TVEThave is a the firstopportunity option for one, having been exposed It speaks volumes for the alongside with the light- people from BTVI alone,” would his field,” shea path school doesin not out. setwork her on towards will help the country closer ons. some isthe an skills important step hard of and soft skills to foundation they received at ing and sound technicians, said Mr Wallace. to use acquired; Unfortunately, success. as a society, added.

She has used every provide a widerto array the road towards progression.

The we place to white collar jobs the opportunity was awaitAlthough there is the moment of her Associate’s medical laboratory services s theoretical not an component childmethat is talented with on abeen pedestal.

Our educaMt Carmel of to ing programme exploreright all atlocally without having to phanie has altheir hands is justaasdepartinteltional system separates the having to build all programmes at BTVI, aspects of the little-known send the more complex labfocus on the ligent from as the child whoup,” asstudents with ground Mystique said “great the fieldpractical ofpotenmedical ment technology.theoratories abroad for testing.

-aspect graduating piresMs toBethell. pursue medicine. tial”, and for those students said really prepared her “It’s an exciting field that She also hopes to spread the e for degree thatbest.

Social equity begins with we givecareer our “When her path. allows you to make sureI found word atmyself home about the imer to make a us, that for situation, the carpenter and However, countries sucharein I quickly “Not everywhere gives that doctors giving their portance of this critical field.

The the doctor and both end conas Bahamas Finland, educaadapted didup what you hands-onwhose training the patients the right diagno“College has allowed me the alway technology. toneeded the society asbe a tional system rivals most, Itributing knewshe BTVI does.

That was testing,” sis through chancetoto really look toward many aspiring whole. Thus, failure to haveI shows that reason 45 said. per Icent of done on future what the major chose Stephanie knowsbased that the and seek out opphanie’s first both TVET and traditional studentsSo choose aI’m technical An examBTVI. now very although therehad are learned. many portunities where I couldn’t oncomfortable the road to working academics available in all track as opposed to the traple was the filing system in physicians well-trained in see them before,” said Stephcation wasacademics*. fischool programmes is truly ditional What I implemented for my my position because I can that Bahamas, there is a anie. “This opportunity was n still remem-whoThe a disservice to our children if Joshua, can take a equally department.

I organised easily solve most ofneed these great for wellthe just themy first rung on a very ntcar thatapart I foundand put it back and ultimately our country. in a waytall thatladder. if I was issuesa scholbecausetrained I’m healthcare not office technolI plan to continue arded Ataround, this pivotal moment, together, or Gabrielle, who not persons would afraid of the equipment,” ogy professionals. to climb and I’m going to conThe Foundathere is no answer cansaid. paint nails like artwork be able to simple simply follow she After graduation, Stephtinue my education by any flected.

“I was to solve our put social and ecoonIna fact, canvass, had the op- tothat system in place and Mystique said anie plans pursue a means possible.” moments be-early nomic ills.done.”

Nevertheless, portunity on into the bedegree get the job what she learned Bachelor’s in bio• “Gain An Edge” is a that I’d been one of our answers lies in seen as a success for sciences who While some weekly BTVI gradCompTIA A+logical and Netor clinical collaboration of olarship, I was placing diversified educathey are, as opposed to the uates to Lyford become Cay Foundawork+ in addition biology.

She will alsogodoon the callingcourses, the that tion at the forefront.

All expectations society othersBahamas work micro computer applifurther study toentrepreneurs, become a tions, Technical l to them that I countries, especially deprojects onto them?

For comcations is still certified helping specialist her for inlarge hema-reputable and Vocational Institute ming because veloping countries, need students like these, techtology and microbiology. and University panies including Cable of The Batodayit.” on the job. afford balanced development nical vocational education combination of train- hamas aimed at promotBahamas, “I use knowledge hanie, beingthe This through all the of theBahamas educaand training (TVET) is her ing will allow the versaing a national dialogue on ComI scholarship learned in my everyday Telecommunications tional sectors in order to first choice. tility to pursue career fields higher education.

To share pany (BTC), Baha Mar, troubleshooting…

I freREMISKA WILDGOOSE ere were significant progress Whilepeotherethatare stillfrommake range pathology your thoughts, email gain- STEPHANIE STUBBS, Keiser University Graduate and Lyford Cay Atlantis, Bahamas Power quent my BTVI notes and along with her in terms of national devel- and look to 2027, when our well-diversified educational duce instantaneous results, changes neededtotopublic be made and allied health. anedge@tribunemedia.net. scholar.

Light (BPL), Friendly books often, especially vetext family, who opment (Bennell,1996). in our educational system, and educational system pro- system is one small but sig- it is an alternative that will Ford and the Royal Bahawhen I’m working on proWe must see beyond 2017 embracing the fact that duces more than enough nificant step towards long- make a tremendous differmas Defence Force. jects,” she added. qualified, visionary citizens term economic prosperity ence. who could build a world in our nation.

For many students at the While further investment Bahamas Technical and class resort that would rival most. Implementing TVET into developing our educa- Vocational Institute, TVET programmes and having a tional system may not pro- is their only choice because it is what they love. As leaders, teachers, and parents, it is incumbent that we continue to embrace TVET as an alternative at all levels so

By RASHAD ROLLE all individuals can become Tribune Staff Reporter valuable contributing memrrolle@tribunemedia.net bers of society.

Stories like that of RoTHE Crown’s lead attorchelle, whose name has ney in the Frank Smith been changed for the prubribery and extortion trial, pose of this article, are Edward Jenkins, QC, conmuch too common. Like ceded on Friday there are so many others, medical discrepancies between the school did not work out. In call logs of virtual comthe end, she still pursued plainant Barbara Hanna what she loved - beauty and Mr Smith’s phone bill. trades.

He suggested the Crown does not intend Sources to dispute the fact. His *Mark Phillips (2012). admission came at the Why should we care about end of Friday’s hearing Vocational Education? which featured cross-exam**Bennell, P (1996). ination of Corporal General versus vocational Cory Adderley, a police secondary education in deanalyst. The Crown submitveloping country: A review ted Ms Hanna’s call logs of rates of return evidence. to the court as evidence.

The Journal of DevelopThe defence submitted Mr ment Studies.

Smith’s phone bill.

“Gain An Edge” is a Corporal Adderley weekly collaboration of admitted under cross-examthe Lyford Cay Foundaination by Damian Gomez, tions, Bahamas Technical QC, that there were numerand Vocational Institute ous discrepancies between and University of The Bathe logs and the bill. On FORMER MP Frank Smith at a hamas aimed at promotThursday, a former BTC previous court appearance. ing a national dialogue on higher education. To share auditor, Marlon Gary Photo: Terrel W. Carey/ Smith, said the discrepanTribune Staff TECHNICAL vocational education and training is important to your thoughts, email gainanedge@tribunemedia.net. cies could be due, but not help students, says Remiska Wildgoose. limited to, changes made to his alleged solicitation of the log prior to its submis- $65,000 in bribes from a woman he is said to have sion to court.

But Mr Jenkins suggested assisted in getting a conthe inconsistencies are tract. He is currently out on immaterial to the Crown’s $50,000 bail.

It is alleged that Smith, case.

“The billing does between April 2016 and not show all alleged April 2017, in respect of his duties as a public officer, calls,” he said.

Chief Magistrate Joyann demanded and obtained Ferguson-Pratt thanked $5,000 per month from Barbara Hanna, knowing he him for the admission.

She insisted the trial be was not lawfully authorised dealt with expeditiously. to do so.

He is also alleged to have She, the prosecution and the defence laboured to attempted to extort another lock down a date to resume $5,000 from Ms Hanna.

Concerning the bribery the trial, mindful that witnesses may want to take a charge, it is alleged he solicvacation during the summer ited $5,000 a month from months. The trial was even- Ms Hanna for aiding her in tually adjourned to June 11 securing a contract with the Public Hospitals Authority. at 10am.

Smith has pleaded not Smith is facing 15 criminal charges concerning guilty to all charges.

GAIN AN EDGE

prescription diversified for brighter future ation is key A Lyford Cay Foundations scholar aims to serve through medical technology

cial equity

CROWN ADMITS TO PHONE DISCREPANCIES

GAIN AN EDGE