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NEW TAX RISES ARE INEVITABLE

Experts warn state of economy so dire govt will have to raise levies

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

ACCOUNTANTS have warned new and/or increased taxes “have to come” if The Bahamas is to slash its near-$10bn debt, as they branded the Budget “no game changer” for the nation’s economic crisis.

Craig A ‘Tony’ Gomez, managing partner of Baker Tilly Gomez, said while the 2021-2022 fiscal plan “don’t set off any alarm bells” for Bahamian businesses and

consumers it had merely postponed the inevitability of tax hikes in years to come to pay for the debt blowout sparked by COVID-19 and Hurricane Dorian.

While the Minnis administration was correct not to endanger the post-COVID recovery by across-theboard increase in VAT or other taxes, he added it was alarming that national debt is forecast to increase by almost $4bn in just five years.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

MOULTRIE BLASTS BUDGET FORECASTS AS ‘ILLUSION’

By FARRAH JOHSNON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

HOUSE Speaker Halson Moultrie has criticised the revenue projections of the 2021/2022 Budget, calling them an “unrealistic political mirage” and an “illusion”.

The government’s 2021/2022 revenue forecasts revealed it is projecting a 51.5 percent year-over-year increase in real property tax collections, together with a 77.5 per cent hike in

taxes paid by the web shop gaming industry.

Real property tax revenues are projected to increase by more than $54m to over $158m on the strength of greater enforcement and improved administration, while web shop gaming revenues are forecast to jump by $17.9m to $41m largely on the basis of the government finally implementing the long-awaited tax on patron winnings.

SEE PAGE FIVE

PLEASE HELP

A CHILD taking part in a demonstration in Abaco holds a sign asking for help as a fact finding team from the United Nations visited the island to assess the handling of shanty town demolition.

Meanwhile, residents have spoken out about the demolitions, and asked for help with a shortage of accommodation on the island. See pages THREE AND NINE inside today.

PILOT ERROR CAUSED FATAL CRASH

By TANEKA THOMPSON tmthompson@ tribunemedia.net

THE US National Transportation Safety Board has found that pilot error caused a 2019 helicopter crash that killed coal American billionaire Chris Cline and six others.

Cline, a 60-year-old American coal tycoon, his 22-year-old daughter Kameron and five other people, including the two pilots,

THE HELICOPTER after it was pulled from the water. were on board the helicopter, registration number N32CC, that departed Big Grand Cay in the Abacos around 2am on July 4, 2019

for Fort Lauderdale.

A report by the NTSB said based on the sequence of events and the flight crew’s actions and comments before the crash, it appears they lost awareness of the helicopter’s flightpath after takeoff over water during dark night conditions, which likely led to spatial disorientation and the subsequent collision with water.

SEE PAGE TWO

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

VACCINES ARE THE SOLUTION TO CRISIS

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

WITH COVID-19 cases and deaths on the increase, a local health official is imploring all Bahamians to protect themselves from the deadly virus by following health protocols and getting vaccinated.

Dr Nikkiah Forbes, director of the National HIV/ AIDS and Infectious Diseases Programme at the Ministry of Health, said the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh the risks.

She spoke after the country’s coronavirus death toll increased by one to 230 over the weekend. The latest death is a 60-year-old New Providence woman who died on May 27. The Ministry of Health also reported that 15 new cases were recorded on Friday, pushing the case count to 11,760 up to press time.

SEE PAGE FOUR

DEBT AND SUBSIDY PAYMENTS HIT $938M

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas “must walk and chew gum” on its fiscal and economic revival, a leading banker has warned, with $938.5m - one third of government spending - taken up by debt and subsidy costs.

Gowon Bowe, of Fidelity Bank (Bahamas), compared the public finances to “a turnaround situation” with a private company, adding the government needed to invest to stimulate growth and reduce debt and interest costs.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

INSIGHT IT’S NOT JUST MINNIS - IT’S AN OUTDATED PLAYBOOK

SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Monday, May 31, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

PILOT ERROR CAUSED FATAL CRASH from page one “The flight from Florida landed in Big Grand Cay at 0142,” the report notes.

“At 0145, the PIC (pilot in command) filed an instrument flight rules flight plan, but it was not activated.

While the flight crew was on the ground, the cockpit voice recorder (CVR) did not record them conducting a formal preflight instrument flight briefing.

The flight crew’s pre takeoff conversation was limited to discussing flight plan information, including altitude, heading, and navigation; programming the flight computer; and the number of passengers expected on board.

“They did not discuss how to take off at night, visual meteorological

conditions over water or their roles and responsibilities. The flight crew had a short discussion about the use of the flight controls and their automated functions during takeoff. Thus, their limited planning and communication for the takeoff from Big Grand Cay was indicative of inadequate crew resource management (CRM).”

The helicopter departed the cay around 1.52 am from a brightly lit helipad, but then flew over water in dark night conditions “with no visible moon, likely zero ambient illumination, and no visible horizon, which would necessitate the pilots’ reliance on the instruments in order to fly because of the very limited outside cues.”

The report also said the pilots’ failure to

A RECOVERY team at the wreckage site where the helicopter carrying four women and three men, including billionaire coal entrepreneur Chris Cline and his daughter, crashed.

Photo: Krystel Knowles/Bahamas ZNS Network via AP adequately monitor their instruments and respond to multiple warnings to arrest the helicopter’s descent was another cause of the crash.

The pilots were likely under pressure from Cline, the aircraft’s owner, to perform the flight, investigators said. The coal magnate’s

daughter and one of her friends were ill, and Cline wanted them taken from his private island to a Florida hospital, officials said.

“Contributing to the pilots’ decision was external pressure to complete the flight. Contributing to the accident was the pilots’ lack of night flying experience

from the island and their inadequate crew resource management,” investigators said.

Shortly after taking off, a witness saw the helicopter rotate to the left three to four times, followed by a “whoosh” noise and the sound of an impact, the report said.

The chopper was later found upside-down in about 16 feet of water with its rotor blades separated.

The wreckage of the helicopter was transported to Jacksonville for the NTSB to examine.

The report also noted the pilot’s apprehension about night flights.

“The PIC’s (pilot in command) girlfriend reported that he did not like to fly at night and that he ‘rarely did

it,’” the report states. “To her knowledge, the accident flight was his first night flight to The Bahamas. She said the PIC told her that night flying was ‘a whole different ball game.’ She added that he had informed her that the owner had been texting him all night and that he did not know if he had to fly to Big Grand Cay, but that he hoped he did not have to return.”

In addition to Cline and his daughter, others on board were Brittney Layne Searson of Palm Beach, Florida; Jillian Nicole Clarke of Los Angeles, California; Delaney Wykle of Washington, DC; co-pilot, Geoffrey Lee Painter of Barnestaple, United Kingdom and pilot David Jude of Kentucky.

CHRIS CLINE

MAN IN HOSPITAL ‘AFTER STABBING BY LOVE RIVAL’ AN ABACO man was flown to New Providence for medical treatment after he was attacked by the supposed boyfriend of a female companion.

Police said shortly before 9pm, officers received a report about a man being brought into the Marsh Harbour Clinic with serious injuries. As a result, officers conducted enquiries and discovered that a man and a woman were sitting inside a vehicle in Dundas Town, Abaco, when they were approached by another man claiming to be the woman’s boyfriend.

“They got into a verbal altercation that became physical, resulting in the male attacking both the male and female with a sharp object,” police said.

“All three persons received serious injuries about the body and were taken to the Marsh Harbour Clinic

for medical attention.” The driver of the vehicle was later flown into New Providence for further medical attention while police have arrested another man in reference to this incident.

In other crime news, Grand Bahama police arrested a man after a search of his home netted dangerous drugs.

Around 1.30pm on Friday, officers from the Rapid Response Unit, acting on intelligence and armed with a search warrant, went to a two-story residential structure in Pinder’s Point. Police met a male occupant at the home.

A search was conducted in his presence when officers discovered a quantity of dangerous drugs and a large sum of cash in the amount of $4,600, suspected to be proceeds of crime. The resident was arrested and an investigation is continuing.

LATE NEWS: MAN KILLED POLICE were at the scene of a homicide last night as The Tribune was going to press.

Officers reported that they arrived at the scene in Washington Street where a man was found dead.

No further details were available late last night.

For more updates, see www.tribune242.com today.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, May 31, 2021, PAGE 3

UN visitors see detention centre and shanty town

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net A UNITED Nations fact finding team has just completed a visit to The Bahamas which took in visits to the Carmichael Road detention centre and The Farm shanty town in Abaco.

After the tour at Carmichael Road on Friday, the UN delegation described the walkabout as “constructive” and recognised efforts are being made to treat the temporary residents with dignity.

Although members of the press were not allowed to take the tour with the UN’s team, which consisted of about five people, the representatives answered limited questions afterwards outside the compound’s gate.

Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were also onsite for the tour with the UN team, but opted not to speak with the press afterwards.

Although it is unclear what prompted the UN team to make the tour, it is believed that the organisation found it necessary after certain shanty towns were demolished recently and some of its occupants were transferred to the Detention Centre.

Gary Conille, UN resident coordinator for Jamaica, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Turks and Caicos and the Cayman Islands, told the press that this visit was not a one-time thing, but instead part of ongoing discussions.

“I just want to make the case that our visit here is much more than this visit here,” he said. “Although this visit is certainly an important part of what we want to discuss, it’s really looking, overall, how to work closely with the stakeholders on the ground and the government to make sure that the goals and the vision of the Bahamian people are able to be reached.

“Now the tour today, I think was extremely constructive. It allowed us to see the amount of effort that has been done to ensure that people are treated well, with dignity.

It also allowed us to discuss with the government possible areas where we can help improve because as you

UN representative Garry Conville. understand this is an ongoing process and certainly will be a part of continued discussions.

“We are going to have ongoing discussions around this issue. The idea really being looking at ways we can provide technical assistance, we can work with the government to improve the circumstances under which populations that find themselves under this type of stress continue to be handled with significant amounts of dignity.”

Mr Conille said the purpose of the mission is to broadly discuss with the government the cooperation and the partnership with regards to development and recovery from COVID-19.

“We’ve had excellent meetings with different stakeholders from the private sector, from civil society and actually from the government as well,” he explained. “Part of our goal is to make sure that we’re leaving no one behind and that we are addressing the more vulnerable populations and the populations at-risk.

“Of course, in the discussions with the government we agreed that we would come and visit here today because we know that this is an important issue. We visit this facility and really discuss with government ways we can work together to continue to ensure that this particularly vulnerable population is always treated with dignity, has access to due process and is, of course, handled in a context with commitments to human rights.”

Mr Conille was careful not to preempt any report his organisation might have in the making.

“Like I said it’s going to be more of an ongoing process of discussions,” he said. “This is an initial visit

UN delegates after touring the Carmichael Road Detention Centre.

Photos: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

‘POSITIVE’ DISCUSSIONS WITH UNITED NATIONS A STATEMENT issued by the UN yesterday said the delegation had been in the country for a consultative mission over the past week during which discussions around development cooperation, the environment, migration, disaster preparedness and response, the economy and recovery from COVID-19 were positive.

It added that Dr Conille, UN resident coordinator (RC) for Jamaica, The Bahamas, Bermuda, Turks and Caicos and the Cayman Islands, “recognises the ongoing challenges associated with irregular migration, and the health, sanitation and safety vulnerabilities linked with erecting informal buildings – challenges not unique to The Bahamas.”

and an initial assessment and we are always going to look at ways …. because this is a particularly vulnerable population. These are people that are already under tremendous strain and it’s always going to be about how we make sure that they have due process and are treated with dignity, and as quickly as possible rebuild their homes under appropriate circumstances.

“I won’t get into more specifics than that today, but again I am very, very happy with the process that was followed, with the level of transparency that we

It added that Dr Conille “also acknowledges the positive attempts of the government to treat these sensitive issues with due care and dignity.”

Dr Conille, the statement said, has committed his office to support and work alongside the Bahamian government and partners to help ensure that all processes to regularise migration as well as housing and building codes, maintain the health and dignity of all populations, are in keeping with Bahamian law, meet international best practice, recognise the human rights of all persons and uphold Bahamas’ human rights commitments.

“The RC commends the

government for its management of ‘back-to-back crises,’ – Category 5 Hurricane Dorian and the global COVID-19 pandemic. The RC also thanks the government for its engagement and support in the development of a new business plan for UN cooperation in The Bahamas. In this regard, consultations, led by the UN, will continue over the coming weeks among a wide cross-section of Bahamian stakeholders.

“The Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the people and government of The Bahamas the assurance of its highest consideration,” the statement said.

were given and the level of ongoing discussions that we are going to have.”

Pressed specifically on the UN’s thoughts on the ongoing shanty town demolitions, Mr Conille was again cautious with his response, staying away from specifics.

“Tomorrow (Saturday) we are going to be visiting Abaco,” he said. “We are going to be there, of course, with the partners from the government. Again, obviously it’s still the same thing. The government has to make very difficult decisions and we want to be there in support and, of

course, to make sure that at all times human rights is at the front of these decisions that are being made.

“What’s important for us, is that people all over, in any circumstances are treated with dignity and due process and their human rights are respected. That’s the fundamental (thing) we are here to preserve. The issue for us is working with the government in making sure that these steps are observed.

“Part of the reform process, the UN is increasing its footprint in The Bahamas. We just appointed a head of office (who) is

a native of the country to help us really discuss how we move forward in rebuilding better post COVID, how we make sure that we are targeting the most vulnerable populations in receiving access to education, health, protection when needed.”

A report is expected to be prepared after the visit, which will be shared with the government.

The visit comes weeks after UN human rights experts urged the government to halt plans to demolish hundreds of homes in the Farm shanty town in Abaco.

A YOUNG girl holding a sign saying she has nowhere to go during a protest in Abaco during the visit by UN inspectors. he said. “I just turned back investigate and look around to catch the officer who was to see what was what. dealing with a traffic acci“They did that to me dent on the Farm Road. I because I gave an interview rushed up in the front and to The Tribune, to ZNS and asked him ‘How do I go Eyewitness News. They about (addressing) this?’ spitefully did that to me.

“The fact of the matter They knew I was staying is they break and crush my there and they knew who I car and it was not junk and was.” they could have seen it was Mr François insisted not junk because the car he was targeted because was locked. And I know he was “one of the young officers looked in the car to men” from The Farm “who see what was in it, because had something to say” and anywhere they break, they stood up for himself.

“They probably got offended and that was a statement sent to me, that’s how I take it,” he said.

“Because if a car is locked, you see clothes and stuff in the car, and then next to the car you see a tent, why would you break my car?

The car could have never stopped the (equipment) from going around to break the house, it never was in the way, so why they choose to smash something that belongs to me and not the government?

“I understand you break the house, I’m not fighting for the house, I’m fighting for my car and my clothes and stuff that were damaged in the car. I’m staying in a tent with the same clothes I had on from work because how they mash the car, ain’t no way I could get inside to pick out my stuff from it. It’s smashed like a sardine can.

“When I started to take apart my house, I moved all the stuff and put it in my car and put my tent up.

So they spitefully did that to me because I gave my interview to the media and it went viral and the international news stepped in.

Even Channel 10 came here and they stepped in, so they spite me because of that.”

Over the weekend, delegates from the United Nations visited The Farm as part of their mission to this country. Mr François said although he saw the UN representatives, government officials did not

allow them to speak with residents. He claimed when they arrived, the officials escorted them “straight to the back” of The Farm where they first started breaking down houses.

“They stand there for the longest until Bahamas Human Rights came to let us know... that was the UN representatives driving around with the Deputy Prime Minister, (and) by the time they saw the Bahamian Human Rights team, they turn around, jump in the jeep and escort themselves straight out of the Farm Road and ain’t say a word to the people,” he said.

Last month, the Ministry of Works spearheaded the demolition of 45 “incomplete and unoccupied structures” in the shanty town after posting eviction notices on several illegally erected buildings.

Mr François said many of the residents whose houses were destroyed are now living in cars and tents.

“If Sir Lynden Pindling was alive today, this would have never happened because Sir Lynden never fought for Bahamian people, he fought for black freedom in the Bahama Islands,” he stated.

“I don’t care what part of the Caribbean a black person comes from, there’s only one God, one people, one destiny. What happened to the Farm Road is injustice and inhumane.”

ABACO RESIDENTS SPEAK OF FEARS AFTER DEMOLITIONS

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

ABACO resident Gerald François said he was distraught when he heard his home in The Farm had been destroyed as part of the government’s ongoing efforts to eliminate shanty towns on the island.

He said his feelings of helplessness quickly turned to anger when he learnt his 2012 Nissan Note had also been “crushed like a sardine can” during the demolition exercises.

When the 42-year-old first spoke to The Tribune last month, he said he feared for his future in view of the looming eviction and inevitable demolition of his newly built, 24 by 16 home.

Now living in a tent on the plot of land where his home once stood, Mr François said while he knew his home was one of the buildings that had been marked for destruction, he did not expect his car to be damaged during the planned demolition as well.

He said he believed officials destroyed his car because he had been vocal about sharing the plight of shanty residents with local and international media.

“My home and car were destroyed on Friday,” he said. “I had no idea because I was to work and when I got off around 4 ‘o’clock, at about 4.45pm when I entered the Farm Road, my friends was telling me I’m not going to like what I’m

AN IMAGE from video showing a car reportedly crushed during the demolition operation in The Farm shanty town. about to see. But before they could tell me, someone already call me to say ‘Bey they break down your car, they smash your car.”

Mr François said after learning about the government’s plan to demolish his home, he started to “take the house apart” because his co-worker had given him a piece of property to build on in the “meantime” and he wanted to reuse the lumber he had used to construct his home.

However, he said despite leaving a note on the door asking for a chance to dismantle the structure, when he returned home last Friday, he found his home broken down, and his car crushed with all of his clothes and documents inside.

“I was very p*****d off (and) ... I didn’t really take the time to look at my car,”

PAGE 4, Monday, May 31, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Vaccines are THE solution to crisis from page one

Dr Forbes admitted that the current COVID-19 wave is very challenging with a rise in cases and deaths ensuing. This, she said, can be reduced if a large number of people get inoculated with available vaccines.

“It is a challenging situation here and worldwide because of the ongoing outbreak, rise in numbers of cases and when there is a surge of COVID-19 there are also increases in the number of deaths and hospitalisations,” Dr Forbes continued.

“In the case of a robust vaccination programme… with a large number of people fully vaccinated, in any case, will help reduce the number of new infections and therefore COVID deaths … once a large proportion of the population gets fully vaccinated.”

Dr Forbes said vaccine reluctance and false information about the shot are still hurdles officials must overcome.

“We are seeing that there is vaccine hesitancy and there are also a lot of myths about the COVID vaccines that need to be combated to increase the number of persons that are vaccinated,” Dr Forbes said.

“I really implore everyone to protect themselves from COVID-19.

The public health measures work. And I encourage

TOTAL CASES

TOTAL DEATHS

NEWLY CONFIRMED CASES SATURDAY 36 CASES

NEWLY CONFIRMED CASES

11,796 230 NEW PROVIDENCE 30 ANDROS 3 GRAND BAHAMA 2 ABACO 1

FRIDAY

15 CASES

NEW PROVIDENCE 12 ABACO 2 GRAND BAHAMA 1

DR NIKKIAH FORBES people to know the facts on COVID-19 vaccines and COVID-19 in general. Go to reputable sources for information.

“The benefits of vaccines outweigh risks and are major solutions for seeing our way out of the COVID pandemic and for the situation to be better in (the) country. We are the third

wave of COVID-19 in The Bahamas. Cases are continuing to be high every day and the curve is not being flattened.”

Dr Forbes, a member of the country’s COVID19 Task Force, said people are suffering from “COVID fatigue” and she acknowledged that the potentially deadly virus is

ONE of the vaccination sites set up in New Providence.

TOTAL TESTS

97,272

HOSPITALISED

57

THURSDAY

61 CASES

NEW PROVIDENCE 44 CAT ISLAND 8 ANDROS 4 ABACO 3 ELEUTHERA 1 BERRY ISLANDS 1

RECENTLY CONFIRMED DEATHS • A 60-YEAR-OLD WOMAN FROM NEW PROVIDENCE DIED ON MAY 27.

CASES IN ICU

3

RECOVERED

10,730

being used as a political tool here and all over the world.

“COVID-19 is also being politicised in many places at home and abroad and (that) should stop because it’s not helping the COVID situation in the country. Additionally, there is COVID fatigue and so people are tiring of following the public health measures. Additional challenges exist in terms of balancing health, the economy and socialisation.

“If the public does not have an appetite for increased restrictions then the decision is that there will not be restrictions. In the face of people not following the public health measures, cases will continue to rise.”

MP DENIES CLAIMS OF DISCRIMINATION OVER FOOD AID

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net

INFURIATED by the opposition’s allegations of political discrimination in food assistance on Andros, local MP Carlton Bowleg said there is no truth to the claims.

Last week, Senator Fred Mitchell, chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party,

issued a statement to media claiming PLP supporters residing in North Andros were being politically victimised by not receiving food parcels provided by the government.

Andros and Cat Island have just completed the first week of a two-week lockdown ordered by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis due to high COVID-19 infection rates on those islands and the lack of

proper healthcare facilities.

Bullocks Harbour and Great Harbour Cay in the Berry Islands are also under a 14-day lockdown.

“Following up on credible reports of political discrimination against PLP residents in North Andros and reports in other islands of political victimisation in the distribution of food by the government during the two-week FNM imposed lockdown, the PLP gave

notice it will move at the next meeting of the Senate a request for a Select Committee to investigate the distribution of government assistance in the locked down islands,” Senator Mitchell’s statement read.

Strongly denying any discrimination was taking place in his constituency, Mr Bowleg, who represents North Andros and the Berry Islands, said the allegations are political mischief.

“There is no truth to this,” Mr Bowleg said. “I am aware (of the allegations) and I would say that this is the political season.

It’s the silly season. I will be addressing this matter in short order. I will be addressing this in the House (of Assembly). There is no discrimination going on. I will say this much. There is a structure that was put in place. That structure was carried out.

“The administrator did what needed to be done.

She gave her number to the residents and even said on the news what her number was. So that if anyone wanted to contact her for food … of course you are not going to be able to get to everyone … but if you get the number and you call her, I am certain that she would have made sure that food was delivered to those homes. And, that is continuing to happen today.”

Before the PLP’s allegations were made, photos of the food parcels’ contents were circulated on social media captioned with

criticisms. Senator Mitchell addressed his concerns about this in his statement.

“We are concerned also about the nutritional adequacy of the food and supplies being offered,” the statement continued. “The committee if granted will have the power to send for persons and papers, leave to sit from place to place and leave to sit during the recess.”

Mr Bowleg accused PLP supporters of circulating those pictures and claimed to know who they are.

“If it was so people would not have been criticising what was in the bags,” Mr Bowleg said. “They were all people from the side opposite (PLP) that were doing that. There were people in North Andros that received groceries that probably didn’t need it, but took it just to make fun and I am sure and certain that I know a lot of them that did it.

“It is time now that the PLP realised that North Andros and the Berry Islands and this country at large does not belong to the PLP but to Bahamians.

And, they will be treated fairly. I am like this … I just want people to understand, I don’t fly to Andros. I live in Andros and I know my people. Politics has always been the problem in Andros and it is something that I will address. And, I will address it in Parliament.

“The funny thing is in this, food will go into Andros every week even before this situation (lockdown). During the whole

pandemic, food was going into Andros, but when you have people from the side opposite (PLP) with their wicked intentions to try to get publicity or to try to gain brownie points on people’s lives, then it is unfair.”

The North Andros MP reminded his constituents that the main purpose of this lockdown is to curtail the high number of COVID cases in the community.

“If we lose focus on what the whole purpose is then we are in some serious problems,” he said. “It’s not about FNM and it’s not about PLP. It’s about getting our people well and back into the field where they can do their jobs, as I know a lot of them want to do it. This has always been the problem in North Andros where people start to complain because of political views.

“Again, it is just a political ploy. Tune into my debate contributions this week. I will fix the (PLP) chairman. They want to talk about coming into Andros and forming a committee to do investigations? I don’t want them to get it mixed up. These are not the days of old when they used to do this.

“These are the days now when everybody in Andros will get what they need to get. I don’t see (political) colours. I want them to remember that. I don’t see colours. I don’t see red, yellow, blue, black or green. The only thing I see is my people: North Androsians.”

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, May 31, 2021, PAGE 5

Moultrie blasts budget forecasts as ‘illusion’ from page one

However, Mr Moultrie likened these projections to an “illusion”.

“The last Speaker that had control of this Parliament was Sir Clifford Darling in 1985. At that time the national debt was $500m. Now, since that control of Parliament has been evaporated by the executive branch, the national debt has grown to almost 10 billion,” he told reporters on Friday.

“If you listen to the budget speech just recently, it’s due to increase even more significantly than is being projected. I can forecast that the revenue projections are unrealistic. They are more of what I call a political mirage as opposed to an oasis. If you move down the desert, you will see something and you will think it’s an oasis, but it’s actually a mirage, it’s an illusion.”

Mr Moultrie also

revealed his plans to run independently in the next general election. He said he will launch his official campaign to be re-elected in the Nassau Village constituency sometime in June.

“I’m an independent Speaker, I’m not attached to any political party, and I believe that is the way the Speaker should be,” he said.

“In the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, all the nations are moving towards an independent Speaker and we’re beginning to see that in The

Bahamas now for obvious reasons. The Speaker should not be attached to the majority party because the majority party would influence the Speaker’s decision.

“So, what is happening throughout the Commonwealth Caribbean and the British Commonwealth is Speakers who are attached to major parties resign after becoming the Speaker and the major parties then would agree not to run a candidate against that Speaker for one term. And so that

Speaker has the independence and the autonomy to run the legislative branch free of the executive branch.”

Mr Moultrie said he believed the executive branch had a “stranglehold” on the legislative branch in the country, which made it impossible to “do anything in this branch of the government” without approval from the Cabinet.

“We have three arms of government: the legislative branch is the first arm of government. You cannot be an executive unless you are elected in the House of Assembly or appointed in the Senate... The second arm is the executive branch. The constitution calls for the legislative branch to have oversight of the activities of the executive branch and for obvious reasons, because if there’s no oversight, human nature being what it is, a man cannot be separated against himself.

“So, the British designed

increase in numbers “in terms of registered voters”.

“The Golden Isles constituency (has) more than 7,000 voters now and (is) approaching 8,000, while we have about four or five constituencies in New Providence that are still under 5,000,” he told reporters on Friday. “So that has been part of the challenge based on the constitutional mandate given to the commission to bring parity in the island where we can get parity and that is New Providence principally to Grand Bahama and Abaco.

“So, the challenge is whether we’re going to have to recommend that the constituencies be reconfigured in New Providence to bring about that parity, or whether there should be an increase in the number of seats. And

of course, the commission can make the recommendations but at the end of the day, (if) the Prime Minister decides that he wants a different configuration, he can bring the report to Parliament, table it in Parliament and have a resolution by Parliament to agree with the final configuration so that is where we are at right now.”

When asked if it would be better for larger constituencies to be cut to form new constituencies instead of being reconfigured, he stated: “Well one or two things can happen.

If you increase the number of seats for example, you can average out approximately 5,000 voters in New Providence...or you can reconfigure the constituency boundaries and try to maintain the same number

of seats in New Providence, but the count would be slightly higher. But the key is the constitution requires that we should seek to get parity. In other words, your vote shouldn’t be heavier than another person’s vote.”

Mr Moultrie said the constitution “understands” that because The Bahamas is an archipelago, it is not possible to get the same number of voters in constituencies in the remote Family Islands as it is in New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco.

He added that he did not believe the MICAL constituency was practical for “any representative” since there is no sea or air link between the five islands.

“Now you can come from New Providence into Acklins, Crooked Island

HALSON MOULTRIE, the speaker of the House of Assembly.

this system so when you walk into the House of Assembly, when the Prime Minister walks into the House of Assembly, the Speaker is MP-1, the Deputy Speaker is MP-2, and the Prime Minister is MP-3. The Prime Minister has no jurisdiction outside of this majority over the precincts of Parliament and the affairs of the legislative branch, nor does he have any jurisdiction — or the Speaker — over the judicial branch which is headed by the Chief Justice.

“The Chief Justice is responsible for the judicial branch of the government and there should be no overreaching by the Speaker into that branch, or by the Prime Minister into that branch. And it’s about time small, black, Third World nations understand the system that we have inherited and have adopted and abide by the tenants and conventions of those systems otherwise

we will continue to have the kind of chaos, the kind of corruption and the kind of plunder that has been plaguing The Bahamas now for decades.”

When asked what he thought his chances of success were running as an independent, Mr Moultrie said the pandemic has made it difficult to determine since the major parties are unable to campaign doorto-door or host large rallies in the current climate.

“All that needs to happen is for the young people in particular to take more interest in the affairs of state and to register and participate in the election because those young people are not loyal or attached— most of them—to any of the major political parties,” he said.

“The country really needs an injection now of an independent voice in Parliament otherwise we’re going to continue to slip and the burden on the people will continue to increase.”

and Long Cay, but to get to Mayaguana or Inagua you have to take a charter flight,” he explained.

“Likewise, with Inagua and Mayaguana you can fly in from Bahamasair or you can use the motor vessel... and you can go into Inagua and Mayaguana, but to get from Inagua to Mayaguana except on the days when Bahamasair is travelling is an expensive undertaking.”

Mr Moultrie said he recommends the country “returns to the previous configuration” where Inagua and Mayaguana had one seat and Acklins and Crooked Island and Long Cay had another.

“They were all connected and the reason for that is simple. For example, with the configuration that exists today, for the government

to cause economic development in the MICAL constituency it has to find investments for five islands.

Whereas, if the government — which is always usually making a political decision — wants to affect seats in terms of trying to retain the government, it is better to spend the money in New Providence because you will be affecting 24 seats.

“If you go into Grand Bahama, you will be affecting five seats, if you go into Abaco, two seats. You see and in MICAL you have to go into five islands for one seat. And you know over the years, we have always developed in the short-term, we’ve taken the short-term approach with no long-term planning. So, most decisions in The Bahamas regrettably are political decisions.”

CONSTITUENCIES COMMISSION FINALISING REPORT, SAYS SPEAKER

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net WITH election season approaching, House Speaker Halson Moultrie said the Constituencies Commission is now faced with the challenge of deciding whether to recommend the reconfiguration of New Providence constituencies or suggest an increase in the number of seats to bring about “parity” in the voting process.

Mr Moultrie said the commission was now in the process of finalising its report, although it is “still a work in progress”. He also said the group recently received statistics from the Parliamentary Registration Department which showed that a number of the constituencies continued to

GRAND BAHAMA WARY OF BUDGET AS ‘POLITICAL’ TOOL

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

WHILE Grand Bahamians welcome the significant concessions and benefits announced by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis in his budget communication last week, some see it as a “political” tool to entice voters before the next election.

“I believe it is a campaign budget…that is just filled with promises,” said Freeport businessman Darren Cooper, of D’s Car Rental.

He is disappointed that the government now sees fit to offer small businesses concessions four years into its administration.

“I listened and I am disappointed in the fact that after four years the government now sees the need to offer small businesses a concession when we have been asking (since) they took office,” he said.

Mr Cooper said Grand Bahamians want to see the manifestation of what is being promised, and not just hear about the pledges.

“I welcome the announcement of the projects, but I would feel better when we actually see the start of the work on those projects,” he said.

“I think that a bunch of promises have been made in the budget, and we want to see the manifestation.

We are grateful for the concessions, but businesses were longing for these concessions four (years) ago and could have used them to sustain their businesses.

“I am grateful for what we have gotten and hope there will be no red tape in being able to embrace or enjoy the concessions.”

Businessman Brian Seymour believes that Dr Minnis is selling dreams and promises to Grand Bahamians.

He was sceptical about the plans announced for a four-story tower at Rand Memorial Hospital.

“What he said about the hospital about putting a tower up — that is a dream he is selling people.

It cannot happen. If you understand how the government works, that will take 18 months before a shovel could hit the ground.

“What I expected from him was that the hospital by July 1 would be fully functional and operational, not a new dream,” Mr Seymour said. “So that is unrealistic and he is out of time.”

Mr Seymour said jobs are needed on the island.

“What people need are jobs, and he did not have anything like for Freeport.

We need the economy to open up, and I was dismayed when he said…most of his Cabinet had been fully vaccinated, knowing we (are) in a situation with vaccine hesitancy. Why would you volunteer that information if all (of) Cabinet is not fully vaccinated when they are trying to open the country?”

The Freeport businessman said that the extension of the special economic recovery zone (SERZ) order is good and needed to happen.

When asked about customs duty and VAT concessions for construction-related work and purchase of property, Mr Seymour said he feels that it is only beneficial for a specific group of people.

He said: “Most people could hardly find money for food, so he was speaking to another segment.

But the reality in Grand Bahama is people looking for something to eat, they looking for work, and they ain’t looking to buy no property. He (Dr Minnis) is speaking to one part of the community that is not really

hurting, but most of the people I know have some serious issues.”

Businessman Anton Brookes, the owner of Island Traders Shop and Ship, thinks the concessions that the government has put forth are timely.

“I really appreciated the concessions from a business point of view,” he said.

“I thought that extending the SERZ order was well received by the businesses, especially the hardware and appliance businesses.”

Mr Brookes said that it will encourage people to shop at home and not spend their money in the US. “This will allow people to keep their jobs, especially in these economic times,” he added.

Mr Brookes was excited

about the new employment tax credit.

“I have not gotten all the details of it, but from what I hear it sounds like it would be a good incentive to encourage businesses to hire more people, and get a tax break on VAT. So, it was some good stuff,” he said.

However, he would like to see the government move toward having taxes more equitable and not just putting them on the small man’s back.

Winston Pinnock, the owner of Jamaica Bahama Imports, criticised Dr Minnis on the timing of the “all goodies” promises made in his Budget Communication in the House.

“I think Hubert Minnis’s attempt to comfort us…is a day late and a dollar short.

No doubt that there are lots of goodies in the package; the goodies we welcome.

“But, I see it as a politically motivated plan to entice people and the business community to warm up to the wickedness that this administration has done to us for a long time in so many ways.”

Mr Pinnock stated that Grand Bahamians have been through a lot in the last four years.

“There are lots of goodies and businesses should take advantage of them, but I am not prepared to credit Hubert Minnis for caring about Grand Bahama and the business community because of this budget and what he has done, but we welcome things that benefit us; we should have gotten

them three and two years ago; it would have been much more appreciated,” he said.

“The timing of this budget is political. You cannot demonstrate kindness after being vicious to me for years and then all of a sudden you throw out the goodies. No, I am saying I am taking the goodies because I pay taxes and VAT, and as a citizen, I am deserving of whatever I get from the government, whatever they can offer. But had it come two or three years ago, I would have said well done. But in the fourth year, I am not prepared to say that after what you did in the previous years. You are giving lots of goodies, but I know what the motive is,” he said.

PAGE 6, Monday, May 31, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

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The devil’s in the detail for the economy IT can be easy to get lost in the big numbers when it comes to the economy, but the simple fact is this – we have more money going out than we have coming in.

The Bahamas has a debt of around $10bn, and the amount of money coming in has plummeted because of COVID-19.

We know that. We see the hotels that have been shut down for long periods of time.

We know people who have been waiting for the economy to open back up to get back to work. We see restaurants with limited numbers, businesses that have been tightening belts and limiting hiring. The evidence is right in front of our eyes.

Just as when you’re balancing your own budget, so too does the country have to balance its budget. Not bringing in enough money? Well, you can either raise more money, cut your costs, or borrow to cover the shortfall. You’ve always got to pay it back, though – and the more you borrow, the more of a cost it is ongoing.

So where does that leave the country? Well, as Craig A “Tony” Gomez comments in today’s Tribune, one of the prospects is that of increased taxes. Raising more money – from you and me – to pay for the shortfall. The trouble is, you can’t do that too soon either with so many out of work and not having any more to pay. If you’re charging someone 20 percent now and they can’t pay it, you’re not getting any more if you charge them 30 percent and they still can’t pay.

As for cutting costs, well, around a third of government spending is taken up by debt and subsidy costs.

That’s $938.5m – with $742m forecast spending on civil service wages, salaries and allowances. Are those being cut? Well, in the same Budget, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced a slew of hirings of young people to add to the civil service.

Looking further, we can see that around 3/5 of the whole Budget for the coming year is accounted for by wages, debt servicing costs and subsidies to state-owned enterprises alone.

The hope is that the future sees the economy recover and bring in more money to balance up against some of those costs – but Mr Gomez, for one, thinks it won’t be long before extra taxes are brought in as well. “It has to come,” he said. “There will be increased taxes or even a personal income tax.”

We wrote in this column last week of how the Budget needs everything to go just right if it is to achieve its goals – and Mr Gomez pointed out the danger of that.

“We have a history of falling short on the revenue side of the Budget,” he said.

Even if we rebound, there are areas that need addressed. The subsidies to state-owned enterprises have long been an issue. The new Budget even adds to that, with the Ministry of Finance spending allocation including $6.117m to cover payments to investors who hold bonds for the Education Loan Authority, with the public picking up the cost if the authority runs into arrears. The last published accounts show 88 percent in default.

As ever with a Budget, it is the fine detail that comes out after the speech that shows the true position – and while the government has avoided increases in VAT and so on this time around, it’s not a financial position that would fill you with too much confidence. We really do need that recovery to get into full swing – and soon.

Vaccine sense

One of the smartest and clearest voices throughout the pandemic has been that of Dr Nikkiah Forbes. Her assessments of our situation as waves of infection have affected The Bahamas have been clear, non-partisan and consistent.

We write above about the economic peril facing the country, while at the same time we face a peril to our health. There is one solution that can help both: get vaccinated. “We are seeing that there is vaccine hesitancy and there are also a lot of myths about the COVID vaccines that need to be combated to increase the number of persons that are vaccinated,” Dr Forbes said, adding: “I really implore everyone to protect themselves from COVID-19. The public health measures work. And I encourage people to know the facts on COVID-19 vaccines and COVID-19 in general. Go to reputable sources for information.

“The benefits of vaccines outweigh risks and are major solutions for seeing our way out of the COVID pandemic and for the situation to be better in the country.”

Turning the country around won’t be simple. But it can start with something as simple as getting your jab. Book it now, get it done.

Clear the red tape EDITOR, The Tribune.

A YOUNG man recently lamented: “I’m now going on five plus months in my venture to form a company, and obtain a business licence for a web-based business...”

He further states: “It’s beyond frustrating. Every step is met with delays, bureaucracy, incompetency, and unnecessary paperwork.

Not to mention the various government departments and agencies that have absolutely no idea what’s being requested or conveyed by their counterparts...”

He makes another point: For a procedure that takes just minutes in other countries, we Bahamians spend months trying to navigate a web of outdated information, poorly trained (rude) bureaucrats, and endless red tape – all while start-up funding (& dreams) dwindle to zero.”

Open a time capsule from 1999 where it took a restaurant owner ten months to receive the numerous permits and licences to open a $350,000 investment delaying the hiring of 60 employees. Not to mention the other spending in the economy that would be necessary to conduct their ongoing business.

Potential Solutions Chamber as Advocate: The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce & Employers Confederation (The Chamber) can become a real advocate for business instead of continuing to operate in a form of collusion with Government.

The Chamber, should challenge these many procedures in court instead of trying to “negotiate” the best deal possible for its member firms and other businesses/ entrepreneurs. With a hat tip to Dr Milton Friedman, we paraphrase some of his recommendations.

Use a Registration Process: Registration requires individuals to list their names in some form of an official register, for a fee of course. There is no provision here to deny anyone the right to engage in an activity so long as his name is listed. Registration is also useful for things such as crime prevention and solution and of course taxation.

Use a Certification Process: Certification is a little more difficult to justify because private enterprise can do this for itself, through agencies like Consumer Reports, Better Business Bureau’s, Good Housekeeping and Automotive Service Excellence, etc. While an individual may have the experience and ability to complete a certain task, he can be denied the opportunity to perform this task by government regulation. It is interesting that we tend to believe government should certify us on the one hand yet technical schools, colleges and universities certify the quality of their graduates themselves.

Licensing, has become extremely difficult to justify because it goes furthest in the direction of trampling upon the rights of individuals to enter into voluntary

contracts. Licensing tends to use political means to control entry and prevent “non-members” from competing within their market.

The undesirable aspects of “permits” are: • Those with permits have control over entry by others into their occupation – leading to a monopoly situation.

• Trust is placed in government for protection and the individual is less reliant on his own judgement or ability to make good decisions.

(One can cite numerous cases of licensing not protecting against poor quality of goods and or services).

• They lead to “rent seeking” with bribes becoming the way to do business.

Ongoing Licensing and Inspection: Then there is the annual inspections and processes to renew a business licence.

Some businesses face numerous inspections and applications like hotels and restaurants for example causing waste of man-hours that people could be devoting to their business instead of catering to bureaucrats.

Surely some of these licences and inspections can be eliminated and others amalgamated into one department. If any Government is serious about economic growth and ease of doing business, the business licensing and renewal processes would be a good place to start.

THE INSTITUTE Nassau, May 30, 2021

NASSAU

A call for help to UN delegation EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE following letter was delivered by hand to the UN delegation which visited The Bahamas over the last few days.

To: The United Nations Delegation, We, the dislocated victims of Hurricane Dorian in Abaco, thank you very much for this visit. We are extremely glad that you are able to witness firsthand, the treatment and conditions we have suffered ever since being made homeless by the storm in September, 2019.

After losing everything, we tried to re-establish our homes and lives, many of us having lived there lawfully for decades. However, we were intentionally targeted and subjected to systematic persecution at the hands of the Bahamas authorities.

Following the storm, in February 2020 all remaining structures in our communities, including those that had been spared extensive damage, were fenced in to block access by residents, then summarily and arbitrarily demolished and the remains, including all of our personal property, were disposed of against our will. Many lost all of their savings, belongings, travel and other documents, as a result. Some have no way of proving their identity and may be rendered stateless.

Since then, a number of families have sought to rebuild. However, the new homes, the only shelter our families, our children, could hope for under the circumstances on an island with a chronic housing shortage, have again been targeted for arbitrary demolition.

For example on April 22, forty-five (45) structures in our community were destroyed, rendering an unknown number of persons homeless. Then on May 15, eleven (11) more homes were destroyed, rendering some forty (40) persons homeless again including ten (10) children.

If the Government proceeds with its stated plan, up to 1,000 persons will be displaced in further demolition exercises. Among them

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net will be hundreds of children and many with disabilities, who will suffer severely if deprived of shelter.

In these demolition exercises, we have not been afforded due process as mandated by Bahamas law. Rather, we were collectively accused of various violations of construction regulations without regard to the individual merits of each case. Furthermore, in public statements, senior officials sought to conflate the home destructions with the issue of undocumented migration, even though the vast majority of members of our communities are citizens of the Bahamas or have some form of legal status.

We believe these to have been tactics aimed at inciting and inflaming public opinion against us. We feel that we have been specifically targeted because many of the people in our communities are of Haitian ethnic background. After all, the construction violations and other breaches which the authorities have alleged (but not proven) against us, exist in abundance in ethnic Bahamian traditional communities as well; however, the latter are not targeted for demolition.

On April 12, 2021 three days before demolition exercises, the authorities raided our community with armed soldiers in combat fatigues, terrorising and striking fear into the families, the children. They proceeded to confiscate appliances and foodstuffs, leaving the families with no way to feed themselves. It was claimed that the goods were suspected of being part of an illegal enterprise, however no charges were ever brought against any individual. We believe these to have been nothing more than intimidation tactics, designed to strike fear into our communities and drive us from our homes.

Furthermore, the Government of the Bahamas has indicated its intention

to continue with demolitions, not just in Abaco but also in communities of Haitian ethnic background in New Providence, where demolition notices were posted on 28 homes on May 25, 2021.

Our communities have been the target of clear-cut discrimination at the hands of the authorities, who have previewed their intention to demolish hundreds more homes, and ordered us to find alternative housing.

However, our plight has been compounded by discrimination on the part of Bahamian landlords, who have refused to rent to us.

We have been targeted, stigmatized, marginalized and pushed into a corner.

There is nowhere else for us to go. We live in constant fear that the authorities will return any day with their machine-guns and bulldozers and force our families into the bush.

The Government’s actions has caused an especially hard impact on the children, who were terrified by the demolitions and distraught over being without shelter. In addition, their online schooling has been interrupted by the arbitrary loss of their homes and belongings, including electronic schooling devices.

The displaced victims of Hurricane Dorian in Abaco hereby ask that your delegation do everything in its power to raise awareness of our urgent plight on the international stage. We are in desperate need of any assistance that may be available.

In particular, we ask that you intervene with the Government of The Bahamas and ask that they stop this senseless, heartless and illegal action that is being driven by xenophobia and discrimination. As you know, The Bahamas has committed to the implementation of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the cornerstone of which is “Leave no one behind”.

Kindest regards, THE DISPLACED VICTIMS OF HURRICANE DORIAN IN ABACO May 30, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, May 31, 2021, PAGE 7

Minnis: We have not yet completed marijuana legislation

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net DESPITE recent talks of marijuana legislation being tabled in the House of Assembly in upcoming weeks, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said the bill, which will specifically look at the regulation of medicinal cannabis in the country, has yet to be finalised.

He made the comments while speaking to the press after viewing the body of former Cabinet minister, the late Sir Charles Carter, who lay in state in the House of Assembly last Friday.

“With respect to marijuana, we have not yet completed the marijuana bill,” he said. “We’re looking specifically at medicinal marijuana, and we’ll have just like we did with the National Drug Plan where they had specific committees that monitored disease processes so that new diseases can be added to the list of the requirement(s) for marijuana.”

Dr Minnis said they would also have a “specific committee” to ensure that even the physicians who are involved in prescribing marijuana as a medication will go through “special training and understanding” to avoid any “abuse or mishandling”. He also said it would be handled “almost similar to narcotics”.

“As you know, as a physician, we can only prescribe a certain amount of let’s say morphine, cocaine, etc, and that is to monitor the situation so that we don’t end up in a situation where individuals or physicians themselves abuse it, so we’re looking at it very closely,” he explained.

When asked if he could

say when the bill would be tabled in the House of Assembly, Dr Minnis said he could not answer that question at this “particular point in time”.

“Obviously you know we’ve gone through a process already in the House of Assembly and we would be doing the budgetary items at this point in time,” he said.

“So, we would meet as a grouping — ministers, parliamentarians — and we would prepare to present our budget and our future plans for the Bahamian people and we would be specifically concentrating on delivering, making available at least about $50 million annually for young people and for Bahamians at large, so that they could use that to invest and start their entrepreneurship and businesses that they want to.”

If a draft amendment to the Dangerous Drugs Act — which was circulated earlier this month — becomes law, people who are caught with two ounces of cannabis or less would face a fixed penalty of $500.

The penalty, if finalised, would be one of the largest fines in the region among countries that have decriminalised small amounts of marijuana. The maximum fine in St Vincent and the Grenadines for having two ounces of cannabis or less is $185 while the fine in Jamaica is only $5. Some Caribbean countries offer no penalties for possessing specified amounts of marijuana.

A draft Medical Cannabis Bill has also been circulated, which outlines that medicinal marijuana would only be allowed to be smoked in a private residence or a medical facility.

A patient smoking medical marijuana outside these

areas would be committing an offence.

The leaked bills are not the final versions of the legislation.

Nonetheless, it would remain illegal to possess any amount of marijuana for non-medical purposes in the country if the draft legislation passes Parliament and is enacted. However, people caught with two ounces or less of the substance would be given a notice similar to what traffic violators receive when they commit offences. They would not be arrested or detained.

According to one of the draft bills, people would have 30 days from the date of their notice to pay their penalty to the Public Treasury in New Providence or in Grand Bahama or to any Magistrate’s Court or Administrator’s Office on other islands.

Police officers can refer people to the National Drug Council, or another body prescribed by the minister if a person in possession of two ounces of cannabis or less is either under 18 or is older than 18 but has received a fixed penalty notice more than once within a three-month period.

People who do not pay the fixed penalty would be required to perform unpaid work for no fewer than 40 hours and no more than 360 hours as specified by courts.

Judges can fine such people $1,000 if they are not satisfied that arrangements can be made for them to perform work under an order or for them to be properly supervised.

Under the draft bill, people who have more than two ounces of cannabis could still face severe punishment, including up to ten years in prison or a fine not exceeding $100,000.

MAN ADMITS PUNCHING MOTHER OF HIS BABY

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN who admitted assaulting the mother of his children was ordered to keep the peace for one year.

Police arrested Pedrow Poitier after he punched the mother of his five-monthold baby in her face and about her body on May 23.

He owned up to the offence when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Derence Rolle Davis.

The court was told that on that day, the complainant told police that her child’s father had forcibly gained access to her home

and assaulted her once he got inside. Officers investigating the complaint arrested Poitier a short time later. When he was questioned in custody, he admitted being involved in a verbal altercation with the complainant, but denied putting his hands on her.

During the hearing, Poitier told the magistrate that he went to his “baby mother’s” house to “kindly” ask her to see his son. He said she was being difficult which made him angry so he “held her by her hands”. He insisted he never punched her about the body.

In response, Magistrate Rolle Davis said men are

supposed to protect women and not attack them. He also told the accused that if his former partner was not allowing him to see his child, the proper thing to do would have been to come to the courts.

As a result, he bound Poitier over for one year.

As a part of the agreement, the accused is not allowed to go around the complainant for any reason. Magistrate Rolle Davis said anything related to their child would have to be done through a third party and warned Poitier that if he breached the conditions of his release, he would be fined $1,000 or sentenced to 14 days in prison.

FINED $500 FOR THREATENING EX-GIRLFRIEND

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A 21-YEAR-OLD man who threatened to kill his former girlfriend was on Friday fined $500.

Sebastian Johnson was arrested after he hurled verbal death threats at his former partner on May 25.

He admitted the offence during his hearing before Assistant Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain.

The prosecution said around 7.20pm that day, Johnson called the complainant and told her he was going to kill her and

her entire family. An investigation into the complaint led to the accused’s arrest a short time later. During his interview with police, he admitted using his neighbour’s phone to call and threaten his ex-girlfriend.

On Friday, Johnson told the magistrate the incident only happened because his ex-girlfriend had sent some guys to fight his current girlfriend. He claimed when he came home from work that day, he found his girlfriend crying and holding her stomach. He said when he asked her what was wrong, she told him she had been stopped by three

men in a Honda car who questioned her about an argument she and Johnson had gotten into with his exgirlfriend. He claimed one of the men hit his girlfriend in the stomach area during the confrontation.

“I was scared, and I didn’t know what to say in the moment,” he said. “I just wanted her to leave us alone and the fact that she was sending people after me, made me scared.”

After listening to his explanation, Magistrate Swain fined Johnson $500.

If he fails to pay the fine, he could risk spending two months in prison.

PEACHES HANNA, aged 21, left, and Alexis Williams, 28, were both arraigned for arson and theft.

Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

ACKLINS WOMEN ACCUSED OF ARSON AND THEFT AFTER BLAZE

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

receiving $22,500 on the same day.

Prosecutors alleged that Williams also stole another TWO Acklins women $41,254.29 from 700 Wines were charged on Friday & Spirits, which she had with several stealing and access to by reason of arson offences in connec- employment, sometime tion with a fire that recently between April 8 and May destroyed a number of busi- 20. nesses on the island.

It is further alleged that Alexis Williams, 28, Hanna set fire to a commerand Peaches Hanna, 21, cial building worth $500,000 appeared before Chief on May 20, which resulted Magistrate Joyann Fergu- in $89,168 worth of invenson-Pratt after they were tory from 700 Wines & accused of conspiring to Spirits being destroyed. commit arson and theft on Also $35,609.90 worth of May 19. equipment belonging to the The pair, who are from National Insurance Board, Lovely Bay and Mason’s in addition to $70,000 worth Bay respectively, were fur- of inventory from McKinther accused of dishonestly ney’s Grocery Store, was

said to have been destroyed in the blaze.

Hanna is also accused of causing fire to be set to two vehicles worth $47,995 and $8,000 and assisting Williams to steal by enabling her to avoid the due process of the law.

Due to the nature of the charges, neither accused was required to enter a plea and the case was adjourned to August 25 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment.

Williams and Hanna were remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until that time.

They both have a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.

MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

Minnis isn’t so much the problem as is an outdated playbook

By MALCOLM STRACHAN THE major takeaway following last week’s Budget communication by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis is that we are continuing to traffic in hope and prayer.

Long-term relief seems to be dependent on a tourism rebound hinged to vaccinations of tens of thousands of Bahamians.

While Bahamians are still largely sceptical about taking the vaccine, the greater challenge is the current lack of supply – a hurdle the government is still working through with pharmaceutical manufacturers and other countries.

In the meantime, the age-old practice of borrowing is alive and well as the government is gearing up to borrow $871,645,371 for the next fiscal year and an additional $68m to cover our bills and keep the economy afloat to the end of June. Now, facing a whopping $10bn in the nation’s debt column, many would say the dual catastrophes of Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19 have left us with few alternatives. Certainly, it would be hard to disagree.

However, the severity of such a conundrum must always be a consideration of successive governments.

We are navigating through

a natural disaster and a deadly virus at the same time – but we must also seek to future-proof ourselves. Saying it more simplistically, we are looking at a two-headed boogeyman – one that can bring tourism-dependent economies to their knees.

The extent of the shock to our economy has become an extremely frightening reality.

If we’re just considering the economic losses suffered from both catastrophic events, what’s been indicated in the government’s spending plans for the next fiscal year is a clear attempt to buoy the economy until tourism can fully

rebound.

Hurricane Dorian’s losses of up to $3.4 billion and government direct spending to respond to COVID-19 amounting to $290m hardly captures the country’s aggregate losses when we factor in unemployment and the nosedive in economic activity. The 15 percent shrinkage in our economy in 2020 – a year where global tourism shut down - speaks volumes to how important it is for visitors to return to the country.

The philosophy underpinning the 2021/2022 Budget is clearly indicative of a desire to create jobs – or as the Prime Minister coined it, a “people-centered”

approach, in that it would we’ve experienced at any be focused “on maintain- point during our battle with ing and supporting families, the virus. small businesses and communities and growing our Either the players or the economy”. playbook needs to change.

But what happens when At one point, politics – not if – there is another was a young man’s game.

Dorian or COVID-19?

When Sir Lynden Pindling How does the intention led the Progressive Liberal to further bloat the public Party to Majority Rule, he service – a practice which was 37 years old and in his the IMF has already warned prime. Twenty-five years against – benefit us rather later, when Hubert Ingrathan becoming a burden ham became the nation’s when individuals who are, second Prime Minister, he in most cases, low skilled accomplished this feat at and hired as a the age of 45. voting incen- ‘Governance is Former Prime tive are now not just about Minister depending on replacing the Perry Christie the governwas 59 when ment to serve administration he assumed as a buffer in that went before leadership, hard times? while in 2017, you. It requires Prime MinisIs this innovation and ter Dr Hubert money well unconventional Minnis spent? became the Many more thinking at times oldest leader – something questions ever elected loom as the COVID-19 has in our country government since Majorfaces a great been producing ity Rule at the deal of criti- the world over. age of 63. cism for what The Budget failed And with his many are only realistic referring to to do that as we threat being as an election are, yet again, Philip Brave Budget.

Davis, now hoping and Certainly, aged 69, an the Minnis praying for the election loss administration best-case scenarios to the PLP will did not see to play out.’ only continue itself facing a trend. the enormous Britdifficulties it has encoun- ish author and historian tered after supplanting the David Cannadine asked a Progressive Liberal Party poignant question when four years ago. Life was considering how some easy when the Bahamian political eras favour either people only wanted to see younger or older political the backs of the previous leaders – “which is better?” government walking out As what used to be the door. the political ideologies But governance is not just of young men have now about replacing the admin- evolved into the outdated istration that went before thinking and practices of you. It requires innovation old men, a country in dire and unconventional think- need of innovative thinking at times – something ing and problem solving COVID-19 has been pro- can only pray for the best as ducing the world over. we continue to weather the The Budget failed to do storm. And we do this in that as we are, yet again, hopes that hurricane season hoping and praying for the does not present us with an best-case scenarios to play actual one – an incompreout. That said, here we are, hensible prospect. on the eve of hurricane The time will come when season, and more Bahami- we must ask ourselves the ans becoming infected and same question – “which is dying from COVID-19 than better?”

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INSIGHT

MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021 PAGE 9

ELECTION FEVER IS ABLAZE AS THE GOVERNMENT PANDERS TO THE “HATE-THE-HAITIAN LYNCH MOB”

By FREDERICK SMITH, QC

THE bulldozers have been rolling in Abaco.

When the dust settles and night descends, several families were left out in the rain with nothing but the clothes on their backs and a few garbage bags containing what meagre possessions they managed to rescue from the ruin of their homes.

Video footage widely seen on social media showed mothers wailing in despair as the dream of building some sort of post-Dorian life for their children disappeared right before their very eyes.

Abandoned to fend for themselves after losing everything in the mega-storm, they invested blood, sweat, tears and every last penny they could into these structures, the only place in the world they could call home.

Now, they once again, have nothing to their name and nowhere to go.

According to reports on the ground, on May 21, 11 homes were crushed by Ministry of Works wrecking crews and around 40 people, at least 16 of them children, were left homeless.

Meanwhile, presumably with the premeditated aim of heaping misery upon misery, terror upon terror, the Immigration Department surrounded the community blocking off both entrances and trapping everyone still inside, then began rounding people up and spiriting them away.

If the FNM is to be taken at its word, this is only the beginning. Wrecking crews are soon to descend on informal communities in Nassau and, if the government has its way in the courts, they will return to finish off the job they started in Abaco, rendering 3,500 people homeless in the process.

None of this should have happened. The Supreme Court is currently considering its decision on whether those very communities being targeted should be covered by an existing injunction preventing demolition while a Judicial Review of the home destruction project remains underway. The authorities are supposed to respect the judiciary and follow due process. Instead, they have acted preemptively, threatening to undermine the courts and render the judge’s verdict meaningless in practice. An injunction cannot protect a community if that community has been wiped from the face of the earth.

A few days before the tractors rumbled in, several United National Special Rapporteurs issued a joint statement urging the Bahamas government not to violate its international obligations and create a humanitarian crisis in Abaco.

“The planned forced evictions and demolitions constitute a serious violation of the human right to adequate housing and will result in arbitrary internal displacement,” they said.

But appeals from both international observers and local advocates were ignored. The UN was essentially told to take a hike and mind its own business.

Thankfully the UN was on the ground this weekend, taking a look for itself on what is really going on.

The government claims this is all about preventing illegal building and improving hygiene and living standards in the targeted areas. Yet it is doubtful that those who have been pushed into the street, or into the bush, would agree that their standard of living has been raised.

Certainly, forcing people

DEMOLITIONS taking place in Abaco as a resident watches.

into homelessness can only make concerns about sanitation, hygiene, outbreak of disease, even more acute.

Why not make a virtue out of humanitarian necessity? Parcel out the land and sell the lots to the occupants, bring in utilities and promote a the growth of a “Farm Road Town”? But I suppose that’s too simple?

After all, let’s be realistic; election fever is ablaze and the government must pander to the xenophobic “Hate-The-Haitian Lynch Mob”!

What this is really about, what it has been about from the beginning, is an FNM administration that finds itself up against the political ropes, a government that must call an election within the year but is not sure it can find a way to win again.

Therefore, in true Trumpian style, it has resorted to agitating the basest fears and prejudices of certain sectors of the public, raising the alarm and warning that we are on the cusp of become a Haitian-style failed state.

As the Deputy Prime Minister suggested, failure to act could mean garbage piles and shanty towns everywhere!

This kind of fear-mongering, stigmatising and marginalisation of people and peddling of false emergencies is a classic hallmark

of anti-democratic, mob rule governments that seek to circumvent the law in order to stay in power.

Manufacture a crisis, and you can swoop in to heroically save the public from the unwashed, unsanitary Haitian hordes – due process and the rule of law be damned!

On a deeper level, this is about our entrenched culture of distain for and dislike of all things Haitian; a culturally reinforced impulse to erase and eradicate all traces of Haitian heritage, customs, language from the face of the modern Bahamas.

Around the world, minority ethnic groups thrive and flourish in distinctive communities meant to preserve their culture and identity; every major American city has a Little Italy or Chinatown.

The same is true of most urban centres in Europe.

Minority communities and cultural centres often become major tourist attractions and are of huge economic value to the host nations. But not in The Bahamas, we recoil in horror at such ideas.

People of Haitian ethnic background must either assimilate, or be driven into the bush.

But the joke is on Bahamians. Because for all the scare-mongering and scapegoating of Haitians, for all

A YOUNGSTER holding a sign during a protest in Abaco while United Nations inspectors visited.

the efforts to conflate housing demolitions with illegal immigration, it turns out the vast majority of the people living in these communities are either Bahamian citizens, or have some other form of lawful status in the country.

According to the statistics compiled by the government’s own Shanty Town Action Task Force (SATF), in Abaco 80 percent of residents in the government’s crosshairs have some form of status. AND 560 of those individuals whom the authorities would make homeless are Bahamian citizens.

That is to say nothing of the hundreds who are married to Bahamians and have been granted spousal permits, or the children of these unions, who are all Bahamians in waiting according to the Constitution.

And, thanks to the customary vindictiveness of the Immigration Department, many who have a legitimate right to be here, and perhaps many citizens as well, are being sucked up in raids and round-ups, to be disgorged into the putrid bowels of the Carmichael Concentration Camp, unable to prove their status having lost all documents, passports, birth certificates, etc. in the floodwaters of Dorian, and having been prevented by the government in its aftermath from

even going back into the communities to salvage what may not have been washed away. Never mind that the law does not even feature a requirement to be able to produce “papers”.

It turns out that the Shanty Town demolition project is actually a plan to arbitrarily dislocate and send hundreds of Bahamians, and others, into a manufactured humanitarian crisis that can only compound the already dire situation on the ground in Abaco following Dorian.

In the wake of the UN’s statement, the Minister of Social Services sought to sugarcoat the discrimination by claiming the government would find alternative housing for these unfortunate people, in a reversal of an earlier pledge not to subsidise the newly homeless. But it is hard to see how this can happen; the Abaco chain has a severe and well-documented housing shortage across the board. There is physically nowhere to put those who the government insists on forcibly displacing, except of course, “da bush”!

If the FNM was really concerned about illegal home construction, living standards and so on, and if they are really determined to destroy peoples’ homes, there is a perfectly lawful process which they can follow. This must begin with a demonstration of respect for the judiciary by awaiting, and then abiding by, the court’s imminent ruling regarding the proper reach of the injunction. If the ruling goes their way, the government would then have to investigate the individual circumstances of each suspect structure and if appropriate, issue eviction notices based on the facts in each particular case, in accordance with the law.

Of course, it doesn’t have to be this way either.

There was never any need to put thousands of people, including hundreds of Bahamian citizens, out in the street in the first place. All of the issues that are complained of in the Abaco communities – Building Code violations, building on Crown Land, lack of title to land, lack of

running water and proper sanitation, illegal electricity hook-ups – feature in many inner-city communities throughout The Bahamas.

But those communities are not targeted for demolition, or referred to as harbingers of the “Haitianisation” of The Bahamas.

The FNM‘s Over-TheHill Revitalisation Project acknowledged the very same issues in traditional Bahamian communities in New Providence, but the solution in those cases was to help the communities do better, support the residents and work with them to find solutions, improve conditions and raise the standard of living.

There is no reason such an approach couldn’t work in Abaco. The only real difference is that the residents there, while for the most part citizens or permanent residents, are perceived as being of Haitian parentage or ancestry. Somehow, this gives us the right to treat them differently.

Well, quite frankly, we need to grow up and get over it. A citizen of The Bahamas is a citizen of The Bahamas, regardless of their background. And culturally diverse or different communities are nothing to be afraid of. If we want people to live within the standards aspired to buy the majority of the population, we should stop stigmatising and marginalising and targeting them.

Only with a mature attitude to these issues can we craft a recipe for a healthy and cohesive society out of the various ingredients which exist here.

If we cannot find a way to do this, we will continue to be the target of scrutiny by the international community, continue to shame ourselves as a nation on the global stage and continue to violate the human rights conventions we have signed up to. All at a time when The Bahamas needs as much international assistance and good will as it can get.

Perhaps worst of all, unless we commit to doing better, we will continue to allow blind hatred and xenophobia to drive us into actions that harm innocent people irreparably, including our own fellow citizens.

PAGE 10 MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

Get illegal immigrants vaccinated MUSICIAN CHAVA ILIZALITURRI, with the band Migrant Motel, originally from Ciudad de Mexico, is vaccinated by registered nurse Annette Gerosa, as the Mariachi Serenade performs at the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles earlier this month. CHIRLA, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, and the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles held two days of COVID-19 vaccination clinic, where members of the immigrant community could get their vaccine without an appointment.

Photo: Damian Dovarganes/AP

NOT vaccinating illegal migrants against the coronavirus would be a fatal mistake in every country.

Unvaccinated people pose a real threat to subduing COVID-19 and will delay the opening-up and recovery of economies.

There are two issues related to this matter.

First, governments may be reluctant to inoculate illegal migrants for fear that, by doing so, they will create attractive circumstances for more people to enter and remain illegally on their shores. Second, illegal i,migrants may be reluctant to be inoculated because of concerns about exposing themselves to arrest and deportation by police.

This matter is an issue

Public Viewing for

VERNELL JOYCE STORR, 87 of Kensington Gardens, will be held on Wednesday 2nd June 2021 at the Sir Lynden Pindling Centre (PLP Headquarters), Farrington Road, from 12 noon to 1:00 p.m. and on Thursday 3rd June at Bethel Brothers Morticians & Crematorium, #44 Nassau Street, from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Cremation will follow.

Ms. Storr is preceded in death by her Sister: Mrs. Elma Thompson and her Grandson: Kennedy Storr II. Deeply missed and remembered by her Children: Jacqueline Bourque (Francois), Stafford Clarke, Gwendolyn Sealy (Paul), Kennedy, Mark, and Carolyn Storr; Grand Children: Ricardo Turner, Patrick Deveaux (Tenovia), Aisha Deveaux, Dennis Deveaux (Dr. Teykia), Elijah Clarke, Jamaal Bethel, Javon Clarke (Clementina), Jewel Demeritte (Wendell), Kendii, Elyssa and Ashland Storr, Dr. Kenya Jones (Paul), Kendra Kelly and Kenva Bethel; Great Grandchildren: Dylan and Meredith Deveaux, Shaniece, Jordan, Elijah Jr, Shavon, Jay’el and Travano Clarke, Jade Bethel, Robert Taylor Jr., Shavon Lauren and Ashley Jones, Brazil Roache and Kennedy Storr III; Great Great Grandchild: Jhaveno Clarke; Nieces and Nephew: Judith and Joy Thompson, Cheryl Arnett (CSP Bruce) and Kerry Thompson and Sidney Bernard Thompson (Delphine); Numerous Grand Nieces, Nephews, and Cousins including: Anthony and Wesley (Rosalind) Bastian, Ella Davis (Dr. Anthony), Norma Woodside, Clarice Jones, Rita Mae Adderley, Minister Rozelda Woodside, Randy, Wayde, Aneka Johnson, Iris Smith and family, families of the late ‘Boy’ Wilkinson, Sidney Lightbourne, Edwin, Ulysees, Herbert and Fred Woodside, Christopher Johnson, including Patrick, Therese, Victoria, Sandra and Stephanie, Jodine, Carlotta Klass, Willamae Smith, Janice and Shelly Lewis, Bannister family, and the entire Johnson and Woodside families of Staniard Creek, Andros; Special Friends: Venerable G. Kingsley Knowles, Clergy and People of Christ The King Anglican Church, Ridgeland Park, including the Choir, ACW, Prayer Band, Visitation Group, Fr. I. Ranfurly Brown and family, Fr. Whitfield Hutcheson and family, Rosalie Minus, Gladys E. Ferguson, Carolyn Sinclair, Cynthia Armbrister, Charlene Rodgers, Emily RolleForbes, Leah O’Brien, Druscilla Ferguson and family, Katie Longley and adopted grandchildren Olivia and Ericka Longley and family, Jane Bullard, Brenda Lewis and family, Charles Clarke and family, Dr. Lenora Black, Shirley Lockhart, Debbie Barnard, Barbara Lloyd, Geneth P. Davis, Violet Wright, Julie Dean, Theresa Davis, Elaine Smith, Antoinette Bethel, Eleanor Munroe, the entire Kensington Gardens Community, including Gary ‘Super’ Johnson, Peggy Johnson, Burrows family, Sealy family, Sandy Bethel, Dale and Avon Bethel, Elders and Members of Highbury Park Church of Christ, Lorraine Smith, Floria Devalon Sweeting and family, Denise Beneby, Annie Adams, Dr. Sandra G. Smith, Sis. Portia Ferguson, Sis. Rochelle Smith, Corporal Brian Roache, and the Officers and Members of the Taxi Cab Union; The Officers and Members of the Progressive Liberal Party including Hon. Philip ‘Brave’ Davis and Mrs. Davis, Rt. Hon. Perry G. Christie and Mrs. Christie, Hon. Fred D. Mitchell, Hon. Glenys Hanna Martin, Hon D. Shane Gibson and Mrs. Gibson, Mrs. Hope Strachan and family, the Stalwart Councillors of Golden Gates, Iris Hudson and family, Derek and De’Angelo Hudson, Kernitha Sands, Louise McPhee, Lulamae Smith and Portia Nottage; Special thanks to Doctors Locksley Munroe, Margo Munroe, Mercianna Moxey and Alethia Lewis.

May Her Soul Rest in Peace!

Social distancing will be strictly enforced.

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS for all Caribbean Commu- illegal migrants. nity (CARICOM) states Dr Carissa Etienne, from Belize in the north the Director-General of to Suriname in the south, PAHO, has explained why including the Caribbean it is in the interest of Carislands. It is well known ibbean countries to ensure that The Bahamas is home that illegal migrants are to illegal Haitians, Trinidad vaccinated. She said: “By and Tobago now accommo- offering vaccines to trandates Venezuelan refugees sient populations, countries as does Guyana which also in the Caribbean and Latin has a share of Haitians and America can deter addiDominican Republicans. tional burdens to their In truth, every CARICOM national health systems country has a population of due to infections while illegal immigrants to some mitigating further transextent. The problem, there- mission of the virus. This fore, is region wide. alliance (between PAHO The and Canada) is COVID-19 pivotal to offer ‘First, make it pandemic much-needed clear that illegal demands technical coopnational plans migrants who eration for a to deal with compreheninoculating ille- seek inoculation sive response gal immigrants will not be against for the safety rounded up by COVID-19, of the citizens to save lives and legitimate the police and and leave no residents of deported. Such one behind.” each country, a programme of To emphasise and as part of Dr Etienne’s the process information could point: counof economic be disseminated tries that fail recovery. The in communities to inoculate Economic illegal migrants where illegal Commiscould incur sion for Latin migrants are huge medical America and believed to live, costs, treating the Caribbean citizens and has recently and on social residents who reported that media platforms.’ get infected. the decline Wider infecin Gross tion will also Domestic Product in Latin mean a longer period for America and the Carib- economic rebuilding. bean in 2020 “represents Even if every Caribthe greatest decline in 120 bean country inoculates years”. all its citizens and legal On May 27, the govern- residents, the entire sociment of Canada partly ety remains in real danger opened the way for of infection while unvacciCARICOM countries to nated illegals move around implement programmes to in their country. Illegal vaccinate illegals, as part migrants tend to live in of a wider programme to heavily populated areas reach vulnerable people. with poor sanitation faciliIn a new collaboration with ties, where transmission the Pan American Health of communicable diseases, Organization (PAHO), such as COVID-19, is more Canada has provided close likely. They also work on to $40m to support PAHO’s construction sites, in farmwork to vaccine at-risk ing communities or in the women, migrants, refugees homes of people as domesand transient people. tic help. Their nearness to But, this money is for use their employers and fellow in more than 30 countries workers puts everyone at in Latin America and the risk.

Caribbean, although I have The onus is on govbeen informed that there is ernments to tackle this a carve-out of $5m for the problem directly in several Caribbean Public Health ways. Here are four steps Agency (CARPHA) which that might be considered. has done remarkably well First, make it clear that in providing testing and illegal migrants who seek other COVID-19 related inoculation will not be services. rounded up by the police All CARICOM coun- and deported. Such a protries, in thanking Canada gramme of information for this generous dona- could be disseminated in tion to Latin America and communities where illegal the Caribbean, should migrants are believed to ensure that they establish live, and on social media with PAHO their inter- platforms. est in implementing a Second, the health programme to inoculate authorities should consider

organising mobile facilities to go into the areas where illegals live and work, offering them inoculations in an environment in which they feel relatively safe.

If mobile facilities are not available, setting up special clinics in the locations where migrants congregate might also be an option.

Third, the government should provide an undertaking that the gathered information would not be provided to the police or immigration departments for the purpose of deportation. The information should be used only for the purpose of issuing a vaccination certificate and providing a date on which a second dose of the vaccine would occur.

Fourth, recognising that many, if not all, of the illegal migrants would have no official identity cards, a requirement could be that they provide two passport photographs, one of which could be attached to their certificate and the other kept in the records of health authorities to verify identities at the time of the second vaccine.

Munya Radzi, the head of Regularise, a UK based campaign to obtain rights for undocumented migrants, points out: “In my experience people do want to get the vaccine, people do want to be part of the solution to control the spread of the virus but it’s the fear of what happens to me if I go to get this vaccine”. He adds: “Unless they get a strong assurance that their data won’t be shared, they will not go.”

The adverse consequences of not vaccinating illegal migrants are great, both for curbing the spread of infections and for delaying the ability of countries to open their economies and get recovery going. The UN says that “the decline in GDP and the expected increase in unemployment rates will raise the number of people living in poverty and extreme poverty in Latin America and the Caribbean by 45 and 28.5 million, respectively”.

Not vaccinating illegals as part of the population is not an option in these circumstances. Every country in the world will have to face the problem, however reluctantly.

The Caribbean could lead the way globally.

• Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s 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 Massey College in the University of Toronto.

The views expressed are entirely his own.

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INSIGHT

MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021 PAGE 9

Can people vaccinated against COVID-19 still spread the virus?

By SANJAY MISHRA Project Coordinator & Staff Scientist, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University

VACCINES DON’T ALWAYS PREVENT INFECTION

Researchers had hoped WHEN the US Cent- to design safe COVID-19 ers for Disease Control vaccines that would prevent and Prevention changed at least half of the people its guidelines about mask- vaccinated from getting wearing on May 13, COVID-19 symptoms.

Fortunately, the vaccines 2021, many Americans were left a little confused. have vastly outperformed Now anyone who is fully expectations. For example, vaccinated can participate in 6.5 million residents of in indoor and outdoor Israel, aged 16 years and activities, large or small, older, the Pfizer–BioNTech without wearing a mask or mRNA COVID-19 vaccine was found to be 95.3 physical distancing.

Anthony Fauci, chief percent effective after both shots.

Within medical adviser two months, to President ‘What we know among the 4.7 Biden, said the for sure is that million fully new guideline is “based on if someone does vaccinated, the detectthe evolution get sick with able infections of the science” fell by 30-fold. and “serves as COVID-19 after Similarly in an incentive” vaccination, in California and for the almost what is called a Texas, only two-thirds of “breakthrough 0.05 percent of Americans who fully vaccinated are not yet fully infection”, health care vaccinated to go symptoms will workers tested ahead and get positive for be milder.’ the shot.

COVID-19.

But some Vaccine people cannot be vaccinated because of developers often hope that, underlying conditions. in addition to preventOthers with weakened ing illness, their vaccines immune systems, from will achieve “sterilising cancer or medical treat- immunity,” where the vacments, may not be fully cination blocks the germ protected by their vaccina- from even being able to get tions. Children aged 12 to into the body at all. This 15 became eligible for the sterilizing immunity means Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine someone who’s vaccinated only on May 10, 2021. And will neither catch the virus no COVID-19 vaccines nor transmit it further. For are yet authorized for the a vaccine to be effective, nearly 50 million children in though, it doesn’t need to prevent the germ from the U.S. younger than 12.

As restrictions are lifted infecting an immunised and people start to leave person.

The Salk inactivated their masks at home, some people worry: Can you polio vaccine, for instance, catch COVID-19 from does not completely stop someone who’s vaccinated? polio virus from growing

in the human gut. But it is extremely effective at preventing the crippling disease because it triggers antibodies that block the virus from infecting the brain and spinal cord. Good vaccines provide effective and durable training for the body’s immune system, so when it actually encounters the disease-causing pathogen, it’s ready to mount an optimum response.

When it comes to COVID-19, immunologists are still figuring out what they call the “correlates of protection,” factors that predict just how protected someone is against the coronavirus. Researchers believe that an optimum amount of “neutralising antibodies”, the type that not only bind the virus but also prevent it from infecting, are sufficient to fend off repeat infections. Scientists are also still assessing the durability of immunity that the COVID-19 vaccines are providing and where in the body it is working.

CAN A VACCINATED PERSON SPREAD CORONAVIRUS?

Immunologists expect vaccines that protect against viral illnesses to also reduce transmission of the virus after vaccination. But it’s actually tricky to figure out for sure if vaccinated people are not spreading the germ.

COVID-19 poses a particular challenge because people with asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic infections can spread the disease – and insufficient contact tracing and testing mean those without symptoms are rarely detected. Some scientists estimate that the

A BAHAMIAN BUSINESS

HERE TO HELP

number of asymptomatic COVID-19 infections in the overall population could be 3 to 20 times higher than the number of confirmed cases. Research suggests that undocumented cases of COVID-19 in people who either were asymptomatic or experienced very mild disease could be responsible for up to 86 percent of all infections, though other studies contradict the high estimates.

In one study, the CDC tested volunteer health care personnel and other frontline workers at eight US locations for SARS-CoV-2 infections weekly for three months, regardless of symptoms or vaccination status.

The researchers found that fully immunised participants were 25 times less likely to test positive for COVID-19 than were those who were unvaccinated.

Findings like this imply that if vaccinated people are so well protected from getting infected at all, they are also unlikely to spread the virus. But without contact tracing to track transmission in a larger population, it’s impossible to know if the assumption is true.

What we know for sure is that if someone does get sick with COVID-19 after vaccination, in what is called a “breakthrough infection”, symptoms will be milder. Studies have found that people who tested positive for COVID19 after getting just their first vaccine dose had lower levels of virus in their bodies than unvaccinated people who tested positive.

The researchers believe the decreased viral load hints that vaccinated people who do contract the virus will be less infectious because they will have much less virus that could be spread

to others.

A preprint study which has not yet been peerreviewed suggests that the Moderna mRNA COVID-19 vaccine can produce coronavirusfighting antibodies in the oral and nasal fluid. Since that’s where SARS-CoV-2 makes its entry, antibodies in the mouth and nose should block the virus from getting into the body, effectively providing “sterilising immunity”. This would also mean vaccinated people probably wouldn’t spread the virus through respiratory droplets.

These bits of evidence are promising. But without more studies, scientists cannot yet conclude that COVID-19 vaccines really do protect against all transmission. Studies attempting to directly answer this question through contact tracing are just beginning: Researchers will track COVID-19 infections among vaccinated and unvaccinated volunteers and their close contacts.

PROTECTION AND PREVENTION GO HAND IN HAND

Vaccines help slow down the spread of an infectious disease by breaking the chain of infection. Those who are infected eventually have fewer and fewer unprotected people to pass the virus on to. This is how a vaccine increases herd immunity – susceptible and not-yet-immunised people are surrounded by a “herd” of people who have become immune, thanks to vaccination or previous infection. But studies suggest that, for a combination of biological and social

reasons, vaccination alone is unlikely to achieve herd immunity against COVID19 and fully contain the coronavirus.

In fact, vaccination alone can take a long time to eradicate any disease. Even diseases that are nearly “eliminated” – such as chickenpox, measles and pertussis – can resurface with waning immunity and declining vaccine rates.

The recent outbreak of infections among the vaccinated New York Yankees shows that vaccinated people not only can still get infected, they might also transmit the coronavirus to close contacts. Highly tested groups, such as professional sports teams, spotlight the fact that mild, asymptomatic infections among the vaccinated in the general population might actually be more frequent than reported. A similar outbreak in airport workers in Singapore shows that, even among the fully vaccinated, new and more infectious variants can spread fast.

The CDC’s relaxed guidelines on masking are meant to reassure vaccinated people that they are safe from serious illness.

And they are. But the picture is less clear-cut for the unvaccinated who interact with them. Until near herd immunity against COVID19 is achieved - and clear evidence accumulates that vaccinated people do not spread the virus - I and many epidemiologists believe it is better to avoid situations where there are chances to get infected.

Vaccination coupled with continued masking and social distancing is still an effective way to stay safer.

• Originally published on theconversation.com

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PAGE 12, Monday, May 31, 2021

TWO DEAD, 20 HURT IN FLORIDA SHOOTING

TWO people died and an estimated 20 to 25 people were injured by gunfire in a shooting outside a banquet hall in South Florida, police said.

The gunfire erupted early Sunday at the El Mula Banquet Hall in northwest Miami-Dade County, police told news outlets.

The banquet hall had been rented out for a concert. Three people got out of an SUV and opened fire into a crowd outside with assault rifles and handguns, police director Alfredo “Freddy” Ramirez III said.

Authorities believe the shooting was targeted.

“These are cold-blooded murderers that shot indiscriminately into a crowd and we will seek justice,” Ramirez said in a tweet.

Two people died at the scene, police said. As many as 25 people went to various hospitals for treatment.

No arrests were immediately announced.

“This is a despicable act of gun violence, a cowardly act,” Ramirez said.

THE TRIBUNE

200 CHILDREN’S BODIES FOUND AT SCHOOL SITE TORONTO Associated Press

CANADIAN Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked yesterday that flags at all federal buildings be flown at half-staff to honour more than 200 children whose remains have been found buried at what was once Canada’s largest indigenous residential school.

Chief Rosanne Casimir of the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc First Nation in British Columbia said the remains of 215 children, some as young as three, were confirmed last weekend.

She described the discovery as “an unthinkable loss that was spoken about but never documented at the Kamloops Indian Residential School”.

From the 19th century until the 1970s, First Nations children were required to attend statefunded Christian schools and were forced to convert LYNN Karonhia-Beauvais and grandson Jamieson Kane walk past shoes representing the remains of 215 children outside St Francis to Christianity. Many were Xavier Church in Kahnawake, Quebec, yesterday. The remains of 215 children, some as young as three, have been found buried on beaten, and up to 6,000 are the site of what was once Canada’s largest Indigenous residential school. Photo: Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP said to have died.

As vaccine rates rise, BRITISH PM JOHNSON MARRIES virus rules are eased BRITISH Prime Minister Boris Johnson has married his fiancée, Carrie Symonds, in a small private ceremony that came at the end of a tumultuous week during which a former top aide said he was unfit for office.

The couple wed on Saturday at the Roman Catholic Westminster Cathedral in front of a small group of friends and family, Johnson’s office said yesterday, confirming newspaper reports. Photos taken after the ceremony in the garden of the prime minister’s residence showed Symonds in a long white dress and floral headband. Johnson wore a dark suit.

“The Prime Minister and Ms. Symonds were married yesterday afternoon in a small ceremony at Westminster Cathedral,’’ Downing Street said. “The couple will celebrate their wedding with family and friends next summer.”

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island Associated Press

JUST in time for Memorial Day weekend, more US cities and states are shrugging off lingering COVID-19 restrictions as vaccination rates rise and the number of infections falls.

Massachusetts lifted a mask requirement Saturday, a day after New Jersey dropped its mandate. In New York City and Chicago, officials reopened public beaches, though winds and cool temperatures kept crowds away.

“Welcome back, Chicago,” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a video announcement. “The lakefront is open.”

Chicago’s Navy Pier also reopened retail stores and restaurants, carnival rides, and tour boats and cruises after the pandemic forced months-long closures at the

busy tourist destination.

It’s one more sign of progress that reflects increasingly positive health data. On Saturday, Illinois’ Department of Public Health reported 802 new confirmed and probable infections, the second-lowest one-day total in the last six months.

For businesses nationwide, the improving outlook and long holiday weekend offered a chance to welcome customers back to in-person shopping.

Midtown Scholar Bookstore in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, opened its doors to customers for the first time in nearly 14 months Friday. Masks are still required.

The business had switched to internet orders, sidewalk sales and virtual author events to survive the pandemic.

“We had to get creative, we had to pivot,” store manager Alex Brubaker

said. “Our readers and our customers have been incredible. It’s a rainy weekend, but the bookstore is full.”

Minnesota lifted all statewide coronavirus restrictions for bars and restaurants Friday, though local governments can maintain their own social distancing and mask rules.

About 50 percent of the US population has now received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, according to the latest numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 40 percent of the population is fully vaccinated.

Vermont boasts the nation’s highest vaccination rate, with nearly 70 percent of its residents having received at least one dose.

The governor is expected to drop all pandemic-related restrictions once 80 percent of Vermont’s eligible population has received at least one

dose, a milestone the state expects to hit next week.

In neighboring Massachusetts, Gov Charlie Baker lifted a mask mandate effective Saturday, though face coverings are still required in certain places, including on public transportation. The state also still encourages unvaccinated people to wear masks in indoor or public areas.

CDC director Dr Rochelle Walensky threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park before the Red Sox played the Miami Marlins on the first day that Massachusetts dropped limits on crowd sizes. Red Sox president Sam Kennedy said about 24,000 tickets were sold.

“It’s such a bright moment right now,” Walensky told reporters, encouraging people to get vaccinated. “It’s been a really long year, and we’ve seen some really, really

dark times... I’m thrilled we’re back where we are right now.”

According to Massachusetts officials, 78 percent of all adult residents have had at least one vaccine dose.

“New cases have dropped by 94 percent since they peaked in January,” Baker said Friday as he announced the end of the restrictions.

“Hospitalisations are down by about 90 percent since their peak. This progress has made it possible for us to lift all remaining COVID restrictions across the commonwealth.”

Virginia relaxed its distancing and capacity restrictions on Friday. President Joe Biden celebrated the progress with a visit to a rock climbing gym in northern Virginia.

Millions of Americans planned to travel over the long weekend, and airports reported some of their highest traffic since the pandemic began.

BACK TO LOCKDOWN TOUGH AS SOUTH AFRICA CASES SURGING CAPE TOWN, South Africa Associated Press SOUTH African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced yesterday that his country will return to stricter lockdown measures in the face of a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases that indicate the virus is “surging again” in Africa’s worstaffected nation.

Positive cases in South Africa in the past seven days were 31 percent higher than the week before, and 66 percent higher than the week before that, Ramaphosa said in a live TV address. He said some parts of the country, including the commercial hub Johannesburg and the capital city Pretoria, were now in “a third wave.”

“We do not yet know how severe this wave will be or for how long it will last,” Ramaphosa said.

In response, Ramaphosa said that from Monday the nighttime curfew would be extended by an hour to start at 11pm until 4am. A maximum of 100 people would be allowed at indoor social gatherings and no more than 250 at an outdoors gathering. The number of people attending funerals will be limited to 100 people and after-funeral gatherings were banned completely, Ramaphosa said. Nonessential businesses must close by 10pm.

“We have tended to become complacent,” Ramaphosa said, warning virus infections were “surging again” at a time when the country moves into its

winter months and people were more likely to gather together indoors, likely further increasing infections.

South Africa’s decision to go back to a stricter lockdown reinforces — as the crisis in India has already done so starkly — how the global pandemic is far from over.

“We have seen in other countries the tragic consequences of leaving the virus to spread unchecked,” Ramaphosa said.

“We cannot let our guard down.”

South Africa has more than 1.6 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and more than 56,000 deaths, more than 30 percent of the cases and 40 percent of the deaths recorded by all of Africa’s 54 countries, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

NETANYAHU COULD LOSE PM JOB JERUSALEM Associated Press

A FORMER ally of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday said he would seek to form a coalition government with the Israeli leader’s opponents, taking a major step toward ending the rule of the longtime premier.

The dramatic announcement by Naftali Bennett, leader of the small hardline Yamina party, set the stage

for a series of steps that could push Netanyahu and his dominant Likud party into the opposition in the coming week.

While Bennett and his new partners, headed by opposition leader Yair Lapid, still face some obstacles, the sides appeared to be serious about reaching a deal and ending the deadlock that has plunged the country into four elections in the past two years.

“It’s my intention to do my utmost in order to form a national unity government along with my friend Yair Lapid, so that, God willing, together we can save the country from a tailspin and return Israel to its course,” Bennett said.

The pair have until Wednesday to complete a deal in which each is expected to serve two years as prime minister in a rotation deal, with Bennett holding the job first.