05312023 NEWS, SPORT AND BUSINESS

WEDNESDAY

GOVT SILENT ON NIB INCREASE IN BUDGET

Sands: Administration ‘is dodging the issue’ over state of fund

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis is expected to discuss fiscal stability measures when he delivers his budget communication today – but officials have been mum on whether he will announce an increase in National Insurance Board contribution rates. The Davis administration faces pressure to help save the fund, which is

projected to be depleted by 2028. Whether Mr Davis announces a change in contribution rates while delivering the most anticipated House of Assembly communication of the year is among the matters observers will be watching today.

State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Myles Laroda, who is responsible for NIB, has repeatedly warned of the

munRoe Rejects cRiticism on mp Rape claim investigation

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

Rci spending $50m to RestoRe westeRn pi beach enviRonment

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

AN estimated $50m will be spent to restore the western Paradise Island environment that will feature Royal Caribbean International’s Royal Beach Club project if it gets final approval, according to RCI’s chief product and innovation officer Jay Schneider.

He led reporters on a tour of the 17-acre property yesterday.

The site features rundown houses, sprawling vegetation, and piles of trash scattered around. There are abandoned homes with destroyed roofs, broken furniture, and pools of muddy water.

“Right now, we estimate it’s going to cost about $50m in civil engineering, demolition and clean-up

SEE

page three SEE page five

Fate oF F t X chieF Rests in bahamas’ hands

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

T HE FATE of embattled FTX chief, Sam Bankman-Fried, rests in The Bahamas’ hands in determining how many criminal charges he will ultimately face over the crypto exchange’s multibillion dollar implosion, it was revealed yesterday. US federal prosecutors, in legal filings with

the southern New York district court, disclosed they will not proceed

with multiple counts and charges against Mr Bankman-Fried unless they obtain the Bahamian government’s “consent” to move ahead with them.

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe rejected criticism yesterday about the length of the police investigation into a woman’s allegations of abuse involving a sitting MP. Bjorn Ferguson, the lawyer of a woman who filed a complaint against the MP, recently said the length of the investigation shows a double standard in how police treat matters involving prominent people versus less influential people.

Mr Munroe countered yesterday that the length of investigations is driven by the facts of each case, not who a person is.

Lawyer for police ‘looks to quash’ a zario ruL ing

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said yesterday that the lawyer of the police officers involved in the killing of Azario Major had asked the Supreme Court to quash the finding of a Coroner’s Court inquest. Jurors concluded last week that Major’s death resulted from homicide by manslaughter.

roYal Bahamas Defence Force welcomed 116 new recruits yesterday during the passing-out parade at their Coral Harbour base. See PAGE 2 for full story.

Photo: Moise amisial

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Ready to serve the nation

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Royal Bahamas Defence Force welcomed recruits yesterday at a passing-out parade at the Coral Harbour base. The New Entry 60 and Women Entry 29 cohort consists of 90 men and 26 women.

National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said: “The men and women we see on this parade ground were selected from over 400 applicants. They have survived the rigours of training and stand before us, and I am proud.”

Mr Munroe told the recruits that their

recruitment comes as the RBDF is celebrating 43 years of service and the nation is observing its 50th anniversary of independence.

“The agency has always amplified the cardinal values of duty to country, honesty, fortitude, royalty and integrity, to name but a few,” he said. “Since 1980, the Defence Force has always been on the forefront of protecting the territorial sovereignty of this nation.”

“New Entry 60 and Women Entry 29, from this day forward, you will be responsible for protecting this nation from all who seek to harm it. This is my call, one of the noblest calls that any citizen can take up on

behalf of his or her country.”

However, the minister also noted that their task would not be easy but expressed confidence that the group would do well in their careers.

In closing, Mr Munroe highlighted the efforts made by the Davis administration to ensure that our armed forces are “combat ready.”

“The morale in our security forces is up,” he said. “We are focused on building capacity in all of our security forces, addressing their longstanding personnel issues and building community partnerships.”

“We’re ensuring that our forces are combat-ready ––the strongest and proudest in the region.”

MEMBERS of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force at yesterday’s passing-out parade.

Photos: Moise

RCI spending $50m to restore western PI beach environment

from page one

regrading getting the site into a natural habitat,”

Mr Schneider said. “Then we expect another fifty plus million and then infrastructure added on, whether that’s a guestfacing food and beverage venue, or it’s a wastewater treatment facility.”

Mr Schneider said the idea that there is “pristine property” in the area is misconceived, noting most properties are in disrepair.

He said RCI officials are hoping to retain most of the natural ecosystem.

“We want to get rid of the old Nicolas Cage house, you know, we want to get rid of all the trash that he left behind when he abandoned the property and then we bought it,” he said.

“You’ll see a house over here that literally the roof is falling off and the house is starting to slide into the

harbour. We want to get rid of that.”

Mr Schneider said an old conch shell graveyard on the western side of the property causes damage to the harbour. “We’ve been asked by the government to, when we clean this site up, remove that because during heavy winds, it actually lifts the conch shells and brings in the harbour and causes damage to the harbour,” he said.

Yesterday’s tour comes as RCI prepares for a public consultation event facilitated by the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection.

RCI recently released its first public consultation report for the Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island.

The event, which will allow residents to express their environmental concerns about the project, is scheduled for June 8.

Search endS for miSSing

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Royal Bahamas Defence Force has suspended its search for an American teen who reportedly jumped overboard from a pleasure vessel in Bahamian waters last week.

RBDF Commodore Raymond King told reporters yesterday: “That search, unfortunately, has been suspended.”

“We used the drones. We used divers. We used air assets from the Coast Guard without success in finding him.”

Cameron Robbins, 18, went missing on Wednesday night after he jumped from a pleasure vessel near Athol Island.

According to international reports, Robbins recently graduated from University Lab School and was on a graduation trip.

A video allegedly showing him splashing in the water before drifting away from the boat circulated on social media.

Commodore King said the area where the missing teen was last seen is known to be infested with sharks.

“We have worked along with regional partners and local agencies, and we have used a number of search and rescue units, a number of hours and days of search, and it’s most unfortunate that we weren’t able to locate that individual,” he said.

“But the harbour patrol unit, as they patrol that area, they continue to look for possible remains, but the probability of survival decreases significantly, particularly if persons are

american man

RCI’s chief product and innovation officer Jay Schneider looking over a plan of the western beach on Paradise Island. RCI is expected to spend $50m to restore the natural environment of the area as it awaits government pproval for a beach club project approval in this area.

not adorned with life vests and particularly if they’re perceived to being intoxicated.”

“Your vision, your judgment, everything has been impaired, and I can tell you that area where that individual reportedly jumped over, it’s an area that’s really shark-infested as well. I’m quite familiar with that area.”

Commodore King could not say what caused the teen to jump overboard.

“To me, it’s all speculation,” he said. “What concerns us is that an individual went overboard, and we tried our best with local and regional partners to locate him.”

Photos: Austin Fernander

CAmeRon RobbIns

Lawyer for police ‘looks to quash’ Azario ruling

from page one

Mr Munroe said officers want the ruling overturned, citing the pre-trial publicity of the case, particularly the publication of a nearly 20-minute video outlining the Major family’s version of what happened when Major was killed outside Woody’s Bar on Fire

Trail road on December 26, 2021. The video was shared more than 13,700 times and got over 20,000 reactions on Facebook.

“When a matter is extant because you have the ability to affect jury pools, I don’t make comment,” Mr Munroe said before a Cabinet meeting. “The most that I can say is I’ve been advised

that the officers’ attorneys are moving the Supreme Court to quash the inquest based on the pre-trial publications of the video.”

“That’s a matter that will be before the court. The court will have to consider that. These things are to be tried in the court of law, and not the court of public

opinion.”

“And so I don’t intend to be commenting on a matter that may go before a jury because I know that my comments would be said to be the minister of national security has said this or said that and the officers will do what they do –– instruct their lawyers and their lawyers will point to a case called Kofhe

Goodman where one of my predecessors said something that resulted in a conviction of Kofhe Goodman, the first conviction, being quashed.”

Mr Munroe’s comments come as those involved in the case wait to see if Acting Director of Public Prosecutions Cordell Frazier will charge any officer with a crime now

that the jurors have delivered their verdict.

The lawyer for the officers in the case, Keevon Maynard, filed a constitutional motion to stop the inquest on May 10. It is unclear if that is the motion to which Mr Munroe referred yesterday or whether the officers have officially appealed the ruling.

Munroe rejects criticisM on MP r a Pe claiM investigation

from page one

“So if you have an allegation with, we had them with tourists with the spring break things, it’s fairly simple: they say they were raped, they come immediately to the police station.

They’re carried to the hospital. All of that happens in a short compass. Whether the person in that instance is rich, powerful, famous, doesn’t really matter.”

“I did one with a young baseball phenom from the US. That happened quickly because the female made

the complaint right away. There have been others where if the longer it takes for you to come forward, then the more period of time that the police are investigating. That just stands to reason.”

“So if you make a complaint a month later, they

lyford c ay foundation, nPiPB a nnounce $250,000 toruisM scholarshiP Progra M

THE Lyford Cay Foundation and the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board (NPIPB) last week unveiled a partnership to announce a five-year scholarship programme worth $250,000.

The scholarships – each valued at up to $25,000 per year – seek to prepare promising industry professionals to move into industry leadership positions. Applicants must be accepted into an accredited university with a tourism or hospitality management programme either at the undergraduate or graduate level.

NPIPB CEO Joy Jibrilu said: “As the first Bahamian to hold the position of CEO, it is a great honor to partner with the Lyford Cay Foundation to provide these two scholarships in tourism leadership. We look forward to witnessing the impact these future recipients have on the tourism sector in The Bahamas and beyond.”

“This is the first tourism leadership scholarship to be offered by the Foundation and we are delighted to partner with an organization which represents

the leading hoteliers and business minds in the tourism sector,” said foundation board member Judith Whitehead, who credited tourism with transforming the economy.

“We all know how important the tourism sector is for The Bahamas…We enjoy one of the highest per capita incomes and qualities of life in the region,” she noted.

“Through tourism, many Bahamians have achieved significant mobility in their careers. Many have spent time abroad, worked in global properties and come back home to ascend to management positions. However, we know that many more need these opportunities, and we hope that by helping tourism scholars achieve higher education in competitive,

globally recognised tourism programmes they will be better prepared to lead the way.” Lyford Cay Foundation Executive Director Dr. Nicola Virgill-Rolle said the foundation was honoured to be selected by the promotion board to receive the gift. “We fully recognise the importance of providing leaders in our most important economic engine with the tools that will help them make the best decisions whether in banner times or unforeseeable crisis,” said Dr Virgill-Rolle. “Access to higher education at competitive schools combined with access to internships and mentoring will prepare citizens and residents for the top posts in the tourism and hospitality sectors.”

have to investigate your interactions and communications over that month. That takes longer than investigating your interaction (and) communications over one hour. So in my experience of 31 years, that’s been my experience. It’s been driven, not so

much by the person but by the facts that the police are investigating.” The woman filed a complaint with the police about her ex-boyfriend on April 7.

On April 15, she showed The Tribune a copy of a document she had signed and submitted to the police

when she met them for the third time.

Mr Munroe said he does not believe the police investigation has been excessive given the time between when the assault allegedly happened and when the alleged victim filed a complaint.

grand Baha M a residents concerned a Bout naked vagrant in neighBourhood

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Staff Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

CONCERNED resi-

dents of a Grand Bahama community complained to the island’s new top police officer about a man who roams naked, rummaging through their garbage bins.

Shirley Martin told Assistant Commissioner of Police B K Bonamy that this has been happening in her neighbourhood for the past four years.

During an FNM Grand Bahama Women Association meeting, the woman said past efforts to catch the vagrant have failed.

She said the young man visits the South Bahamia area around 6am or between 10am and 11am. She said residents have reported the man to police.

“We have a young man who runs around naked; we have been going through this now for the past four years, and we do not know what to do,” she said.

“We could never catch him, and officers try to chase him, but he is faster than a monkey. It is serious,” she

stated. “My neighbour just moved through the corner with three kids, and she is afraid because he is naked.”

The vagrant is barefooted and is sometimes seen wearing just a plastic bag or a sheet and turning over garbage bins, searching for food.

He goes from one garbage bin to the next, takes the bags, and runs off into the bushes. He does not accept food from anyone.

When a neighbour tried giving him a plate of food, he ran off. “The neighbour left the food on her porch, and he returned and took the plate of food and put it in the garbage, then took it out and left with it,” she said. “The man may be mentally ill. We know something is really wrong with him,” Ms Martin said.

She said the vagrant takes all the trash bags to an unoccupied duplex property, where he empties them in the yard.

“He spread everything out; it is very annoying.

Every three to four months, Bahamia Services (the maintenance company) has

to come there with their dumpster to collect the garbage,” she said.

The concerned resident said they tried locating his relatives, but were unsuccessful.

ACP Bonamy said he would try to address that problem.

He said he is concerned about the growing vagrant situation in Grand Bahama.

“I noticed we have vagrants. It is a form of mental illness that I am concerned about,” he said.

“I am in communication with the hospital about how to address it,” said the ACP.

Mr Bonamy said that doctors at the Rand Memorial Hospital must first determine whether a vagrant should be sent to the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre.

He encouraged family members and relatives of such people to get help for them.

“We would not want them to get injured or for them to get knocked down or anyone harm them,” he said.

Govt silent on NIB increase in budget

fund’s dire state.

In April, he told Progressive Liberal Party supporters at a meeting that the fund is “basically running on fumes” and can only be stabilised when the contribution rate is increased by 1.5 per cent for the third or fourth time in the future.

Mr Laroda said that while extending the retirement age, cutting benefits, or combining these two options have been considered solutions, only increasing contribution rates will address the problem.

Yesterday, Free National Movement Chairman Dr Duane Sands accused the administration of dodging the NIB issue.

“We have heard the Minister of State play good cop and the Prime Minister play bad cop, and they have played this game with the Bahamian people now going on two years,” he said. “I suspect they’re gonna continue to play the game. I don’t expect that we are going to hear much in terms of the specifics of dealing with the structural challenges facing the economy.”

The OPM, meanwhile, said Mr Davis’ speech today would be “focused on areas vital to national development”.

“The budget is poised to address salient issues while fostering economic

growth and resilience,” the OPM said in a statement. “It is designed to make strides in national security, to bolster economic stability, and to enhance social welfare.

“Our national security focus reiterates our commitment to the safety of Bahamians and our communities. We believe in building a nation where everyone feels secure, law and order prevail, and our borders are protected. We will continue strengthening our institutions, policies, and practices to foster a secure environment conducive to economic growth.

“The economic security of our nation is equally critical. We aim to create an environment where businesses can thrive and employment opportunities are within reach of every Bahamian. Our initiatives are designed to drive sustainable economic growth, encourage foreign investments, and promote Bahamian ownership and entrepreneurship in our economy. This budget underscores our ongoing commitment to fiscal stability and economic dignity for all Bahamians.”

The OPM said the administration is committed to reducing inflation’s impact, increasing resilience to climate change and improving food security.

“This is a pivotal moment for our nation,” the statement said. “We

understand the challenges we face, but we also see the opportunities ahead. Our

focus is on the future, a future where we not only recover from the trials we’ve faced

but also forge ahead towards greater security and progress. As we move forward, we are

confident that we can build a more prosperous and resilient Bahamas together.”

BUT will pUrsUe indUs T rial ac T ion if T eachers noT paid monies owed

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Union

of Teachers president

Belinda Wilson threatened to lead her union to industrial action if teachers do not receive their responsibility allowance by next month.

She claimed hundreds of teachers are owed money, adding: “Our patience has run thin.”

“They have marked examinations, and they have coached,” she said. “They have led departments as subject coordinators and they have led clubs and various different organisations in the schools and they should have been paid months and months ago,” she said.

“So, today, I will be sending out a survey to all of our members as to what course of industrial action we are going to take if the government doesn’t pay the responsibility allowances to all of our members that are owed by the end of June 2023 payday.”

“So, I don’t want people to be surprised when the

Bahamas Union of Teachers kick into industrial action and say where did this come from?”

Mrs Wilson spoke to reporters on the sidelines of a donation event involving the Straw Business Persons Society.

She also raised concerns about backpay for teachers.

“I would’ve submitted 978 names to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Service for teachers who are waiting confirmation, who are waiting reclassification, reassessment and backpay so we are not pleased as to the speed in which these matters are being resolved.”

“Many of these matters have been outstanding for years and years and every year, we have to echo the same sentiments so we are impressing upon the Ministry of Education. I know that this is now the time for the budget and we hope that the budget has a line item in there for the reassessment, confirmation, reclassification and backpay that’s owed to our hundreds and hundreds of members.”

Claiming that hundreds of teachers are owed money, Bahamas Uniont of Teachers president Belinda Wilson said ‘our patience has run out.’ She said if teachers don’t receive the monies owed to them by next month there will be industrial action taken.

YesterdaY, Free National Movement

Chairman Dr Duane Sands accused the administration of dodging the NIB issue.

The Tribune Limited

Will a decision be made on NIB at last?

ALL eyes will be on Parliament today for the Budget – and while there are many questions about how the government will tackle income and spending for the year ahead, the thorny one of what to do about the National Insurance Board fund persists.

Back in February, the Minister of State with responsibility for NIB, Myles Laroda, told reporters that a decision had been made about what to do with the fund – which has been headed towards depletion by 2028 if nothing is done about it.

That suggestion was echoed by press secretary Clint Watson – though Mr Watson seems to be headed for a new job title at ZNS imminently. He too said that “a decision has been made”.

And yet, when Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis was asked about it during a visit to Eleuthera, he said that an increase in the NIB rate was “one of the options that we are looking at”.

It has been some months now since that little rollercoaster, and no announcement of a decision has been forthcoming – although NIB has continued to lose money at around $6m a month.

But today the government unveils its new Budget plan – and officials are coy about whether the issue of NIB’s dwindling fund will be addressed in it.

Fail to address it and NIB’s black hole will keep getting larger. Increase the rate and we will all have to dig a little deeper to fill that hole.

Worst of all would be to try to somehow patch a fix outside of the Budget – as everyone will adjust to the new changes only to perhaps have to

adjust again if contributions are raised separately.

It is some months since the supposed decision was made, there really should be no reason for it not to be included in the new Budget.

FNM chairman Dr Duane Sands suggested yesterday that the government is dodging the issue, saying: “I don’t expect that we are going to hear much in terms of the specifics of dealing with the structural challenges facing the economy.”

The Office of the Prime Minister, meanwhile, spoke in non-specific terms about being “focused on areas vital to national development” and saying we will “continue strengthening our institutions, policies and practices to foster a secure environment conducive to economic growth”. Low on detail, high on rhetoric – but the proof shall be on show in today’s speech.

The FNM, of course, cannot boast of having dealt with the NIB conundrum during their terms in office. This is a crisis long in the making.

How bold will the current administration be? Will it change the retirement age? Cut benefits? Reduce costs such as the NIB workforce size? Increase contributions? Or do nothing at all?

There are limited options – and we await today’s Budget eagerly to see if the matter is addressed.

Elsewhere, there will be a keen eye on the cost of government overall, and the expected size of the deficit and national debt.

Sometimes, it is not just about the decisions one makes, but the decisions one chooses not to make. Today we will see which is which.

Left to wait

EDITOR, The Tribune.

AFTER conferring with my doctor last week and doing the paperwork I was scheduled to have my blood drawn and tested today at the Rock Sound clinic. I fasted from the moment I arose at 6am, went to work

and visited the clinic at 8am as told by the doctor. I gave the registration my NIB card and waited hungrily outside the clinic with a score of other patients. At 10.30am, no nurses or doctors on the job. I retrieved my card and left the clinic to feed my hunger.

Haitian gangland and control

EDITOR, The Tribune.

What’s going on in this country? Nurses and doctors show up to work when they feel like it? No accountability. We’ve failed. Get it right.

GEORGE MAJOR

Eleuthera, May 26, 2023.

THE historic violence Haitians are experiencing today can find its foundation in various groups trying to control essential commodities such as oil, gas, kerosene and diesel. When a national or economic crisis happens, those who control the means of energy and food sources control the population. Haiti has never been able to escape its exhaustion caused by continual natural and climatic disasters over the years. Unable to nationally and economically heal, Haiti had looked to the world for help, realizing that assistance from outsiders has a cost. Haiti’s natural resources and production fall into that category.

The population reeled at the assassination of Haiti’s President. There is no wellestablished government to name or rely upon. The gangs of Haiti are many, allied to certain governmental and political parties, these gangs are fighting over gas stations, production facilities of anything

energy focused, all in an effort to gain control and profit from Haiti’s on-going bad luck.

There are about 51 gangs in Haiti, some solely independent, others allied or controlled by various political identities all vying for regional and national political power. The days of Duvalier may have well returned.

Tyranny has a sound history here, and many Haitians seem to be willing to lose their democratic franchise in order to be able to live in a somewhat peaceful community. Haiti’s dependence upon the various energy sources placed their democracy in peril.

The power grid collapses often, and most of the islands thermal generating plants rely upon imported fuel. Gangs have forced duties upon all items entering the island, even the fuel coming from charities and friendly nations. Food goes bad and is now scarce.

Power outages have many affects upon the Haitian people. Factories, grocers, homes are shut down, food supplies are lost, the very security of the community is placed in jeopardy as the limited staff of police, emergency services are worn thin. The gangs rule the night, and their influence is felt during the day. The gangs declared what they want. The President of Haiti to resign, but he is not willing to do so. So, criminality, uncertainty and multiple violent acts are inflicted upon ordinary Haitians. All this while, Haitian gangs sell fuel at $10.00 a liter, and the police are not able to express their authority without suffering and inflicting mass killings. Fuel has been the heart of this conflict even before the blockades began. Haitians struggle to live in a land that seems ready to expel them. Mass exodus from Haiti has begun and will not halt any time soon.

STEVEN KASZAB Bradford, Ontario, Canada. November 11, 2022.

A patriot and nation builder

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE National Family Island Regatta Committee is saddened and heartbroken by the sudden passing of George A Smith. My family and I mourn the death of one of the greatest Bahamians who ever lived and one who taught me so much by how he lived his life and lived his dream of trying to make life better in The Bahamas for all Bahamians. His is a life worthy of celebrating. Over the coming days, many persons will speak

to his contributions to politics, civil society and to his faith community as is appropriate. He had a passion for sloop sailing and made many contributions to the growth and development of the sport.

I know that I speak on behalf of sailors, boat builders, boat owners and sailing fans throughout The Bahamas, when I say that we have all lost a true and great friend of sloop sailing.

George was a rare human being, a Bahamian Patriot, a nation builder who served his country with passion and

distinction. He is without a doubt a national hero of the first order and a beloved Bahamian patriarch.

George has gone on to his eternal reward for his life as his Faith has promised. We will miss him, but we will never forget him. Rest in peace my brother and friend.

DANNY STRACHAN Chairman & Commodore DALLAS KNOWLES Chairman & Commodore Elect National Family Island Regatta Committee May 27, 2023

A FITNESS display during yesterday’s passing-out parade by members of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

Photo: Moise Amisial

Ministry of Transport expresses ‘deep concern’ about rise in traffic fatalities

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

CITING an increase in road fatalities, the Ministry of Transport and Housing expressed “deep concern” yesterday about the rise in traffic deaths while urging people to exercise caution.

The ministry said there has been a dramatic increase in the number of women dying in road accidents.

“During the first five months of 2021, the number of traffic fatalities was 13,” the ministry said. “In 2022, the number of traffic fatalities rose to 19. So far for 2023, the number of fatalities stands at 22. This is a worrying trend.”

“Approximately, 78 per cent of the fatal traffic accidents occurred between the hours of 4pm to 8am, with the majority occurring on the streets of New Providence and Grand Bahama.

“The number of females that died in traffic accidents so far for 2023 is

eight. This is a dramatic increase to the three fatalities in 2022 and the one female fatality in 2021.

The ministry urged members of the public to exercise extreme caution on the roadways.

The statement came after two women were killed in separate traffic accidents in New Providence over the weekend.

The first incident occurred on Friday around 3.30pm on Prince Charles Drive.

According to reports, a white Daihatsu Mira driven by a woman was travelling east on Prince Charles Drive when it collided with a white flatbed truck travelling west.

Consequently, the truck driver lost control and hit a utility pole and a vehicle parked on the street’s southern side.

Both drivers were injured, however, the woman, identified as Phillippa Deveaux, was seriously injured and died at the scene.

Around 11.15pm the same day, a black

coloured GMC Canyon truck and a silver coloured Nissan Cube collided at McKinney and Johnstone Avenue,

AbAco Dump continues to burn A s residents’ concerns not addressed

By LETRE SwEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net

SOME Abaco residents believe the government’s failure to address issues involving the burning of debris at Abaco dump sites has subjected people to health problems.

Residents have complained about the smoke and debris at the Spring City debris management dump site and the Great Abaco sanitary landfill on Snake Cay.

“Nothing’s changed,” said Roscoe Thompson, chairman of the Marsh Harbour/Spring City Township. “It’s still burning. It’s a continual burn. That’s the sad thing. With Spring City, especially at night with the fumes, the winds coming out of the south will push it up into Marsh Harbour. So

there are still concerns in regards to that, Spring City being where it is.”

“Two of my members who sit on my township board have not stopped complaining. It’s an ongoing issue, an ongoing battle. It needs to be addressed.”

Mr Thompson said he would wait to see if Minister of Environment Vaughn Miller addresses the issue during this year’s budget debate in Parliament.

He said: “Where does it fall on the priority of the government? Here you still have burning and it’s not just in Abaco. I know it’s been happening in other Family Islands. That’s the concern there: when will it be addressed?

I’m waiting to see what the budget looks like, if they’ve increased travel

mA n on murDer ch A rge gets bA il A fter fA ileD to ch A rge A nkle monitor

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN awaiting retrial for a murder charge was granted bail after he was accused of failing to charge his court-ordered electronic monitoring device (EMD).

Roscoe Knowles, 38, was charged with three counts of violating bail conditions. He had been granted bail after he was accused of killing Robens Simbert on Augusta Street in 2015.

While on release for this charge, between April 16 and May 18, Knowles allegedly failed to charge his EMD on three occasions.

He pleaded not guilty to this offence and bail was granted at $2,000 with one or two sureties.

• Two men were jailed yesterday after being accused of an armed carjacking on Charles Saunders Highway earlier

this month. Justin Edgecombe, 24, and Njeri Ferguson, 36, were charged with armed robbery and receiving.

On May 13, around 3.42am, the defendants were riding a white trail bike when they reportedly rode up to Monique Dawkins as she sat in a dark 2016

Kia Optima in the parking lot of a business on Charles Saunders Highway.

The suspects allegedly pulled out a gun, forced Dawkins out of the car, and sped off with the vehicle while one of them followed behind in the bike.

• A man was remanded to prison after he was accused of threatening two police officers with a gun.

Adari Wright, 26, was charged with two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. On May 22, Wright allegedly threatened the lives of PC 4239 Thompson and WPC 4635 Albury with a handgun.

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budget or they’re starting to look at doing other things.”

Mr Thompson, who also sits on the Central Abaco District Council, said: “Until the minister lets us know they have a plan for a new landfill, it’s going to be a continual burn. They don’t have enough space out there to keep burying it and plus they’re moving debris from the Spring City site up to the Snake Cay so that’s filling it up even quicker.

Dump fires plaguing Central Abaco residents have been a concern since 2019, when the management of the sites was transferred from the local government to the Ministry of Environment.

In March, Mr Thompson said his communication with government ministers and officials got no response.

Stapledon Gardens. Both drivers were injured, but only the woman driver of the

Nissan Cube died of her injuries at the scene of the accident. Police also urged

people to follow the rules and regulations governing the streets due to the increased traffic fatalities.

Vehicle involved in an accident on Prince Charles Drive which resulted in the death of the driver last week.

Customer service and ways to improve it

CUSTOMER service in

The Bahamas is, more often than not, severely lacking in professionalism and care. Jobs in this area are often considered entry-level and pay minimum wage or close to it. Employees need to do their jobs, but are not necessarily motivated to do more than the bare minimum or even, in some cases, the bare minimum itself. The work environment can be unfriendly and uncomfortable, and managers can be uninspiring and/or disrespectful. The expectation that everyone do their jobs at the highest level is generally unreasonable, but customers should expect to have questions answered, be advised of their options, and have smooth transactions when they decide to make a purchase. Unfortunately, this is not the norm.

In cases where there is commission, the service may be a bit better, but this depends on a number of factors, including the rapid assessment that the employee makes of the customer and their budget. People on commission generally do not want to spend time on customers they deem less likely to make a purchase or assume will spend less than another who may walk through the door at any moment. There are two clear sides here. There are employees who are underpaid, not even making a livable wage, and there are customers who typically find prices to be too high and have to make difficult decisions to enable them to buy what they need. Neither side is happy. None of these people are at an advantage. The business owner, however they may grumble about the struggle of doing business in The Bahamas —which is certainly far from easy — tends to have more power than the employee and the customer. They choose to be in business, and they choose the way they operate, from sourcing products and markups to staffing and hours of operation. They have their own interests, of course, at heart, and everything else is lower on their agendas. Their money comes first. Consumers have a certain degree of power, and we do not always tap into it and use it for our own good, much less the collective good. In many cases, there are constraints to the exercise of consumer power that even keep us from recognizing it. Living in a small place like this that produces very little of what we need means that we have to spend more money to get what we need than people do in places that produce more of it. Another consequence of being in a small place is having fewer options. It is not as easy to stop supporting certain businesses when they are the only ones that can meet the needs, especially when so many businesses have the same bad practices.

By Alicia Wallace

We have come to expect subpar service. We know employees are sometimes unwelcoming and unfriendly, and some of us know it has less to do with us than it has to do with the work environment, (lack of) benefits, personal struggles, and lack of training. We know the prices are high, and some of us realize that this is often the case because of shipping costs, exorbitant customs duty, and the overall cost of doing business which includes time spent applying for and paying whatever is required, electricity outages and the associated loss and costs, and theft. Some of us also know that greed exists, and the capitalist system does not work in the favour of the average consumer. The way we choose to respond to this knowledge varies, but we generally accept the notion that we are cogs in a wheel.

We generally expect businesses to operate during the opening hours they advertise in print ads, television and radio commercials, social media ads, and signage. We do not expect to be unable to enter a store at 9.05am or 4.50pm when the store is open from 9am to 5pm. We do not consider ourselves responsible, for example, for the time it takes for the staff to clean, reconcile cash, and close. We expect systems, from the internet to the credit card machine, to work, and if any systems are down, we expect the business to have another way to take our orders, process payments, and deliver products and services. We expect people to help us when we walk into a store or call a business to request an item or a service. We expect them to know what they have to offer, give accurate information on those products and services, including the price, know or be able to quickly determine what is in stock and when they may have a particular item available again, and provide this information in a pleasant manner. Our expectations are not always met.

People are becoming more and more frustrated with the level of customer service in The Bahamas, and it seems to be much worse in New Providence. People complain that employees act as though they are being asked to do them a favour. In some cases, there are additional complaints, sometimes even worse complaints, about managers and owners who have terrible attitudes and no interest in maintaining good

relationships even with long-time customers. Some are quick to tell people to go elsewhere rather than address a problem being brought to their attention. Sometimes managers and owners refuse to leave their offices to address complaints, so employees are left to try to appease customers or adopt the same attitude of indifference.

More and more, people are choosing to order just about everything they need. The combination of internet service—which is also terribly inconsistent from every provider—and freight forwarding companies in the country, it is easy to click, click, click, use a credit or debit card, and order and ship whatever we need. From school supplies to furniture, there are many options at various price points. It is often less expensive and more gratifying to order exactly what we need, not having to compromise based on what is in store, ship it, and pay the additional fees at the time of pickup. There are, of course, some items that it is not particularly advantageous to ship due to the dimensions which impact the freight charges or the duty, so some homework is required. When people want something and have the money for it, they generally want it right away, so going to a store to buy it or ordering it for delivery within the next day or two is generally preferred. Anything that requires a wait is a bit less attractive, but tends to be a good second option.

Participating in the local economy is not fun. It often feels like more trouble than it is worth. It can be hard to find what we need, the prices are often higher than we want to pay, and then we have to deal with employees who clearly do not want to be at work, doing whatever it is that they do. Business owners need to do much better at recruiting, training, and retaining employees and making the work environment a safe and healthy one. At the same time, consumers can do more to support good business practices ad encourage greater investment in customer service. This is, after all, where we make our judgments of our overall experience with a business.

Here are a few actions businesses can take to improve customer service: Provide customer service training to all employees. This is important for every single employee, regardless of their position. There is

no telling when a manager, usually tucked away in an office on a computer, will need to be on the floor due to being short-staffed or in the midst of a rush because of a holiday or an unexpected situation. Sometimes an accounts manager needs to explain to a customer why they are not able to make a purchase on credit, or someone from the warehouse is stopped and asked a question because the uniform indicates that they work there. Everyone needs to know how to speak with customers, what to do when they do not have the answer to a question, and who to call for assistance.

Cross-train staff. Employees need to understand more than just their job. This can help them to better support one another and to connect customers with the right people when they have questions and/or concerns.

Retain and recognise excellent employees. When people excel, acknowledge it. Words of affirmation are nice, but it is important to do more than that. Raise pay, offer time off and/or more flexibility in the schedule, promote people in line with their demonstrated skills and interests, and show them how they can move up in time. Pay a liveable wage and provide benefits. When people have their needs met, they are better able to focus at work, are less tired (from working multiple jobs or losing sleep over bills), and can perform better. When they have access to healthcare and have sick days, they do not have to resentfully drag themselves to work when they are not feeling well. Create a healthy work

environment. Ensure that everyone is aware of policies regarding time off and breaks. Make provisions for people who need to do school drop-off and pickup within specific hours, take medication, breastfeed or pump, see doctors, and do errands during business hours. Encourage employees to support one another as a way of building a happy, functional team, not as a way of making them responsible for filling in deficiencies that management needs to handle.

Acknowledge customer complaints and commit to resolving them. Follow up to let customers know the steps that have been taken and what is changing in response to their complaints. Thank them for bringing issues to your attention. Offer them something in acknowledgement of the inconvenience they experienced and the kindness extended to you in communicating their frustration. Remember that they could have chosen to make a scene in your store or office, post online, leave bad reviews, and any number of other damaging options.

Here are a few things customers can do to combat subpar customer service:

Ask to see the manager about things that are not going well. It is not productive and it is generally unfair to complain to frontline employees about systems they did not choose and are required to work within.

Employees usually have to help a number of people after you, so refrain from unnecessarily draining their energy and monopolizing their time to rant. Report excellent

customer service. Let the employee know that you appreciate their help, and then share it with their supervisor and/or manager. If you can do it in-person, great, but it is also good to follow up in writing as it is more likely to get attention, can be included in performance reviews, and may encourage others to improve their own service. Where possible, stop supporting businesses with bad practices. There are limited options, but when there is at least one other one, do not stick with what you know just because it is what you know. If you can afford to make a change—maybe to a place that is further away or where the product or services costs a little more—do it. If you value good customer service, factor it into the cost. Consume less. There are some things you simply need to purchase and some services you must pay for, and there are some that you can do without. What are you prepared to cut out, or drastically reduce? It could be a particular fast food item, brand of a product you use frequently (that can be substituted with something else from another store), or something you can order supplies to make on your own. The next time you think about how you only ever go to that particular place for this one item, and if it were not for this one item you would never go there again, think about alternatives. There isn’t always a replacement or a workaround, but sometimes there is, and you may find it if you decide to think about it.

‘Provide customer service training to all employees. This is important for every single employee, regardless of their position...’

What happened in London won’t stay in London

By TOM HARTLEY British High Commissioner to The Bahamas

IF READERS permit, I would like to write a ‘part 2’ to my note on the coronation, offering reflections on the impact on the Coronation week, and its lasting impact for the UK and The Bahamas.

With nearly 500 world leaders gathered in London for the Coronation, it was a unique moment for international discussions.

For the UK, the only thematic event we organised was dedicated to small island states (SIDS), so we could continue The King’s and the UK’s priorities for helping those wrestling with climate change, in particular: it was a deliberate signal of our highest national priorities. Separate to that, the royal family and senior ministers had over 600 engagements, covering 185 countries (including The Bahamas!), to discuss important bilateral matters.

For The Bahamas, as a Realm, the Coronation also offered opportunities for diplomacy and negotiations: Prime Minister Davis attended four exclusive events on Friday, including with Commonwealth leaders at Lancaster House, a reception with world leaders at Buckingham Palace, and a lunch with The King at Buckingham Palace, where they sat next to one another and talked at length. The Governor General, similarly, sat next to Britain’s Prime Minster at Windsor Castle. In the hours before the Coronation I observed Prime Minister Davis at Westminster Abbey speaking openly and at length with Prime Ministers of Canada and Australia, as well as Grenada and Antigua, all without their minders, and with time to talk whilst waiting for necessary protocol to have its way; the British Foreign Secretary soon joined too, and there followed in-depth conversations about defence, trade, climate change, and on-going climate science research in The Bahamas covering all corners of the world.

And, after the Coronation too, world leaders gathered again for a reception with British Cabinet Ministers; the moment, energy, and positive atmosphere meant leaders were relaxed to stay and talk – more business was done even with the most surprising pairs: I was grateful that The King of Jordan spoke to me for as long as he did!

Overall, the Coronation allowed time and space for world leaders to come together. It created a moment for diplomacy to take place at a time when it is needed most.

But, away from the Coronation, the week also demonstrated the breadth, depth, and strength of the modern British-Bahamian relationship: the Prime Minister and his delegation travelled early to London to allow time to undertake an important series of events. At The National Archives I was proud to show the Prime Minister papers and maps held in British archives that relate to the history of The Bahamas, including aboutPindling’s successful petition of Her Majesty the Late Queen for Black Majority Rule in 1967, or the original handwritten Court documents from 1832 of the trial of Black Dick from Cat Island

FROM top, King Charles talking to Governor General Cornelius Smith and Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis at Buckingham Palace; Mr Davis visiting the National Archives with High Commissioner Tom Hartley, second from right; John Watling’s rum being served in the House of Lords; and Mr Hartley with Bahamian High Commissioner Andy Gomez and Bahamian fashion student Tray in London.

– an important moment in the journey to emancipation in 1834 (I am hoping to get some of these digitised to allow a wider audience to see them too).

At Andrew Lloyd Webber’s ‘Arts Ed’ school, the Prime Minister discussed how the innovative education model might work for The Bahamas as he looks to strengthen the Orange (Arts) Economy.

At the House of Lords, the Prime Minister gave a speech to 200 Lords, Ladies, Ministers, and Diplomats, about his future vision for ‘the greatest small nation in the world’ (few disagreed!).

In meetings with the Lord Mayor of London – the UK’s representative of The City – he pressed on financial services, including hurricane insurance, unequal implementation of financial rules, and access to British correspondent banks. At the end of a roundtable event with the Commonwealth Economic Institute (CWEIC) the Prime Minister signed an MOU that brings with it support on climate change and investment. And at a trade and investment conference, the Prime Minister spoke of the opportunities for British companies to invest in infrastructure, tourism, health system, or logistics (the British business community were also very pleased to see and hear from the honourable Leader of the Opposition Michael Pintard – a demonstration of the strength and stability of Bahamian democracy, a key factor in investment decisions, as is the overlapping legal system).

Overall, the week covered every key element of what the UK and The Bahamas cares about and, for the UK, it catapulted forward our relationships and objectives with one of our closest and most important partners in the Caribbean.

It was a busy week. And an excellent opportunity to meet old friends and make new. In that spirit, I took

great pleasure in seeing my friend, His Excellency Andy Gomez, take up his position in London as the new Bahamian High Commissioner. He kindly invited me to join his event for Bahamians living in the UK, and I am excited about the years ahead as we both strive to bring The Bahamas and Britain ever closer together, as the Coronation has done. There will be more important moments for The Bahamas and the UK in the year ahead. I am pleased that British businesses are already taking advantage of the reopened British High Commission in The Bahamas to seek new investment opportunities: the British company building Freeport airport and its sea defences, and the British company that will operate it, and the British financing that will enable it, are all down payments in what will be a flourishing season of investment. We are already active in supporting Bahamian exports to Britain – initiatives such as with the spirits industry or Harrods for example – and we are excited to organise a virtual speed-dating for British and Bahamian companies in June, and a major trade mission of British companies to Nassau and Freeport in October. They will bring with them Bahamian jobs, sustainable energy commitments, ethical business practices, and long-term investment in local communities. Beyond business, education remains a top priority, and we are gearing up to announce further new scholarships, striving to foster new institutional partnerships, and promote easier access to British schools and universities for those who wish to consider them (they are the best in the world!). And amplification of cultural cornerstones, such as sailing, food and drink, and junkanoo will continue to grow, although I promise no more dad-dancing from this British High Commissioner! Building international relationships is a marathon not a sprint, but I am excited by the huge potential even just for the next few years ahead: the week of the Coronation – and the diplomacy and activity that surrounded it – demonstrated the huge breadth and depth of our partnership and friendship. Long may it continue.

FROM top, Mr Hartley with Dame Marguerite Pindling and Lynn Parotti at the diaspora reception; and Prime Minister Davis with British Foreign Secretary James Cleverley in a pause before the coronation.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2023

Ras Delancy named Player of the Year

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

Ras Jesse Delancy, in completing his sophomore year at Benedict College, added another feather to his cap when he was selected last week as the 2023 Division II National Player of the Year.

The Division II National Player of the Year is awarded to the nation’s best player on a NCAA Division II men’s volleyball team during the regular season.

While Division I and Division II schools compete for the same national championship and individual awards, this award is the only national player of the year solely for Division II players.

“This was like the icing on the cake,” said Delancy about his latest achievement. “This gave me a different feeling because this wasn’t based on my conference, but it was on all division II schools, so I had a wide range of competition. It was a little different.”

A voting committee of about 30 men’s volleyball coaches and volleyball media members from around the nation determined the winner of the Division II National Player of the Year.

The top three vote-getters were named finalists for the national honour.

Delancy, who played with several Bahamians including Donovan Wilmott, Clint Forbes, Terran Walkin and Zion Beckford, received 30 votes to edge out the runner-up

Denisha caps off fantastic year with NCAA Division II track & field title

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

VERSATILE Denisha Cartwright capped off another fantastic year at Minnesota State by adding another NCAA Division II Track and Field Championships title and a pair of five finishes to her résumé over the weekend.

“I felt pretty great going into each event.

I felt that all my hard work this season paid off and just trusting the programme and my coach,” said Cartwright after her performances.

“It was what I expected.

I just wanted to come into this championship and do my best and put it all on the line.”

Cartwrigjt won the women’s 100 metre hurdles in 12.94, well ahead of her nearest rival Kiara Smith, a junior at Missouri Southern, who did 13.13.

Cartwright, however, had to settle for second in the 200m in 23.10 as Duvonne Franklin, a senior at California, was the winner in 22.77. And in the 100m, Cartwright

Jazz, Page 12

CHERISH WALKER IS NOT YOUR ORDINARY STUDENT ATHLETE

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

CHERISH Walker is not your ordinary student-athlete.

This 16-year-old phenom has been a versatile athlete for the Knights and a high academic achiever in the classroom at CR Walker Secondary High.

She brought a lot of that tenacity from her humble beginnings at Oakes Field Primary and with the SC McPherson Junior High School where she starred for the Sharks.

“I started dancing when I came out of the womb, and I was born on the track,” said Walker in trying to describe how she got involved in some of her favourite sporting activities, although she lists her hobbies as singing, dancing, swimming and reading.

“I started competitive track and field at the age of four or five, the same as dancing.”

With a 3.9 grade point average, Walker plans to take her talents to the University of Missouri St Louis in August where she hopes to major in data science.

While her focus is on academics, Walker said she plans to pursue her athletic career as well in whatever sport she can become part of. She considers gymnastics her favourite sport where she is a member of the Paradise Gymnastics Academy.

Although a late bloomer in the sport in 2019, she moved up the ranks from level one without any experience. Her biggest accomplishment came at the Atlantis Crown Invitational where she got the

SEE PAGE 13

NATIONAL AMATEUR GOLFERS IN WIN COLUMN

AFTER three days of competition at the Ocean Club, Albany and Lyford Cay, the Bahamas Golf Federation concluded its national amateur golf championships over the weekend.

A total of 87 golfers competed for the title in the various divisions.

The winners are as follows:

Regular Division

Jenna Bayles - Female Alexander Rowland

- Male

Mid Amateur Division

Nolan Johnson

Seniors Division

Ashley Glinton - Male

Adriane Von Eckardstein - Female Super Senior Division

Leroy Williamson - Male

Legends Division

placed fourth in 11.13. The race was won by Franklin in 11.09.

“They were all personal best performances.

“I enjoyed them all honestly but my favourite is

hurdles, what’s next is to rest up and get ready for this summer,” Cartwright said.

Cartwright, who represented the Bahamas at the C0mmonwealth Games

last year, is expected to come home to compete in the Bahamas Association of Athletics Associations’ Nationals in a bid to qualify for the World Championships

in Budapest, Hungary, August 19-27.

The 23-year-old former volleyball player is also eager to compete in the Bahamas Games, scheduled for July 6-14.

James Steven Wallace - Male Winner of the 2023 National Amateur Golf Championships Female Division Miss Jenna Bayles. Winner of the 2023 National Amateur Golf Championships Male Division Master Alexander Rowland Winner of the 2023 Prime Minister’s Cup - Master Alexander Rowland.

RAS Jesse Delancy added another feather to his cap when he was selected last week as the 2023 Division II National Player of the Year. The Division II National Player of the Year is awarded to the nation’s best player on a NCAA Division II men’s volleyball team during the regular season.

CHISHOLM JR HAS ‘TESTING TO DETERMINE THE NEXT STEPS IN HIS PROGRESSION’

(AP) — Miami Marlins star outfielder Jasrado “Jazz” Chisholm Jr, who is nursing a turf toe injury, underwent testing yesterday to determine the next steps in his progression.

Miami Marlins manager

Skip Schumaker has told reporters Chisholm Jr will miss four-to-six weeks due to turf toe in his right foot.

Chisholm Jr, who plays in centrefield, was put on the 10-day injured list on May 16 because of a right toe turf injury. A first-year outfielder, Chisholm collided with the centre-field wall

while attempting to catch a drive hit by Henry Ramos in Miami’s 6-5 loss against Cincinnati. Chisholm Jr remained down on the warning track for a couple of minutes before he reached his feet and limped off the field. “Not what you want from your star centrefielder,” Marlins manager Schumaker said at the time. “We put a lot on his plate early in the year and in spring training, and he’s done nothing but grow in that position,” he added. Chisholm has seven homers and was tied for

second in the NL with 14 steals before the injury about two weeks ago. He homered in consecutive games before his injury.

The 25-year-old Chisholm was voted starting second baseman in the 2022 AllStar Game but didn’t play because of a back injury he sustained in June that sidelined him the remainder of the season.

Chisholm spent his first three seasons with Miami primarily at second base but agreed to the move to centre, where he started 38 of the first 41 games.

CUBS BULLPEN SHINES, DEFEATS LEAGUE-LEADING RAYS 2-1

CHICAGO (AP) — Nico Hoerner homered and the Chicago Cubs made the most of a rare gaffe by Tampa Bay, handing Shane McClanahan his first loss of the season with a 2-1 victory over the Rays last night.

The game was tied at 1 when Ian Happ led off the sixth with a shallow fly ball that dropped between Tampa Bay second baseman Brandon Lowe and right fielder Josh Lowe in a miscommunication between the fielders.

That was enough for Chicago, which topped the majors’ best team for the second straight day after entering the series with a four-game losing streak.

Julian Merryweather (1-0), Mark Leiter Jr. and Adbert Alzolay combined for four innings of onehit ball in relief of Kyle Hendricks.

Merryweather earned his first major league win, and Alzolay got six outs for his second save.

McClanahan (8-1) allowed six hits, struck out seven and walked two in 5 2/3 innings. The left-hander was bidding to become the first pitcher in franchise history to begin a season 9-0.

RANGERS 10, TIGERS 6 DETROIT (AP) — Jonah Heim drove in four runs, Josh Jung homered

and Texas improved to 35-19, the best record in franchise history at the onethird mark.

Texas second baseman Marcus Semien extended his hitting streak to a career-best 19 games with a fifth-inning single. Rangers reliever Grant Anderson (1-0) won in his major league debut, striking out seven of the nine batters he faced.

Miguel Cabrera had three hits and drove in two runs for Detroit. Cabrera passed Ken Griffey Jr. for 15th place with 5,272 total bases.

The Rangers took a 1-0 lead in the second off Alex Faedo (1-3) on back-toback doubles by Jung and Heim, and Cabrera tied it with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the inning.

ORIOLES 8, GUARDIANS 5 BALTIMORE (AP) — Anthony Santander hit a bases-clearing triple during Baltimore’s five-run second inning, then added a pair of doubles to lift the Orioles over Cleveland.

Kyle Gibson (7-3) won his third straight start, allowing three runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Félix Bautista pitched a perfect ninth for his 14th save in 18 chances.

Josh Bell hit an RBI single in the fourth for

Cleveland. Santander doubled in the fifth and scored on Henderson’s single, which chased Guardians starter Cal Quantrill (2-4).

Bell hit a sacrifice fly in the sixth, and Andrés Giménez followed with an RBI double. Josh Naylor hit a two-run single in the seventh.

BLUE JAYS 7,

BREWERS 2 TORONTO (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Alejandro Kirk each had three hits, Whit Merrifield reached twice and drove in two runs and Toronto snapped a four-game home losing streak. William Contreras hit a two-run home run, his second homer in two games, as the Brewers lost for the fourth time in five games.

Yusei Kikuchi (6-2) allowed two runs and three hits in five innings, snapping a three-start winless streak. Kikuchi walked a seasonhigh five and struck out four. Adrian Houser (1-1) came in having pitched 11 1/3 scoreless innings over his previous two outings. He gave up seven runs, six earned, and a career-worst 11 hits in 4 1/3 innings.

REDS 9, RED SOX 8

BOSTON (AP) — Jose Barrero hit a grand slam to lift Cincinnati to a fourth

straight win. Will Benson had three hits to back Ben Lively (3-2), who pitched 5 2/3 shutout innings. He struck out six for the Reds, who blew it open with a five-run seventh inning.

Raimel Tapia had three of Boston’s 14 hits and drove in a pair of runs. The Red Sox lost their second straight and have dropped six of eight.

Boston scored all eight of its runs in the final three innings, getting five in the ninth but couldn’t quite catch the Reds, who clinched the win when reliever Alexis Diaz struck out Triston Casas for the final out and his 13th save.

Brayan Bello (2-2) threw 33 pitches in the first inning and left after the fourth with the Red Sox down 1-0. Bello allowed one run on five hits, struck out four and walked two.

PADRES 9, MARLINS 4 MIAMI (AP) — Xander Bogaerts sparked a fiverun ninth inning with a tiebreaking single and Matt Carpenter drove in two runs with his second double of the game, lifting San Diego over Miami.

Bryan De La Cruz hit a two-run homer for the Marlins, who came home after a three-game sweep at the Los Angeles Angels. NL Cy Young Award winner Sandy

Alcantara failed to hold a 4-2 lead and is 1-5 in his last nine starts. He allowed four runs, five hits in 6 1/3 innings while walking five, one shy of his career high.

Nick Martinez (3-2) pitched a scoreless eighth around a single and walk, retiring Jorge Soler on an inning-ending double play grounder.

Padres starter Ryan Weathers allowed three runs, seven hits and three walks in four innings.

Philadelphia got 6 2/3 encouraging innings from left-hander Ranger Suárez (0-2), who entered with a 9.82 ERA.

CARDINALS 2, ROYALS 1

ST. LOUIS (AP) — Miles Mikolas pitched eight shutout innings, Nolan Arenado hit an RBI double and Nolan Gorman drove in a run with a sacrifice fly as St. Louis split the two-game set between the I-70 rivals.

Mikolas (4-1) matched a career high with 10 strikeouts and allowed three hits.

Gionvanny Gallegos replaced Mikolas in the ninth and gave up a double and single to start the inning.

Vinnie Pasquantino scored on a fielder’s choice by Bobby Witt Jr., cutting the deficit to a run. Gallegos went on to retire the next two hitters and record

his seventh save.The Cardinals got a run in the sixth with two outs against Carlos Hernández (0-2). Paul Goldschmidt reached first on an infield single. Arenado hit a run-scoring double to left-centre.

Zack Greinke started for the Royals but didn’t figure in the decision. He pitched five scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk with six strikeouts.

METS 2, PHILLIES 0

NEW YORK (AP) — Kodai Senga allowed one hit through seven dominant innings and Francisco Lindor homered to help New York shut out Philadelphia in the first meeting this season between the NL East rivals.

Eduardo Escobar added an RBI single and Mets center fielder Brandon Nimmo robbed Nick Castellanos of a potential home run with a leaping catch at the fence.

Senga (5-3) struck out nine and permitted one baserunner — a soft single by Kody Clemens that fell in front of left fielder Tommy Pham in the third. Adam Ottavino worked a hitless eighth, getting a huge lift when rookie Fran- cisco Álvarez threw out fellow catcher J.T. Realmuto trying to steal second after a leadoff walk.

French Open’s No. 2 seed Medvedev loses to 172nd-ranked qualifier Wild

By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer

PARIS (AP) — If anyone thought a couple of recent runs to Week 2 at the French Open and a claycourt title a little more than a week ago made Daniil Medvedev a little fonder of the red stuff, forget it.

A first-round loss as the No. 2 seed at Roland Garros — against Thiago Seybolt Wild, a qualifier ranked 172nd who never had won a Grand Slam match anywhere until yesterday — sure reminded Medvedev of his distaste for the slow surface used in Paris.

“I had a mouthful of clay since probably the third game of the match, and I don’t like it. I don’t know if people like to eat clay, to have clay in their bags, in their shoes, the socks — white socks, you can throw them (into the) garbage after clay season,” said Medvedev, who won the 2021 US Open and reached three other major finals on hard courts.

“Maybe some people like it. I don’t.”

Seybolt Wild needed to win three matches in qualifying rounds last week just to make it into the men’s bracket — something he’d failed to do on eight previous attempts at Slams — but looked very much like he belonged on Court Philippe Chatrier. He hit big forehands and kept his nerve down the stretch to oust Medvedev 7-6 (5), 6-7 (8), 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. It’s the first time the second-seeded man lost in the

first round of the French Open since 2000, when Pete Sampras — no fan of clay himself — was eliminated by Mark Philippoussis.

“It definitely was the happiest day of my life,” said Seybolt Wild, a 23-year-old from Brazil. “I knew it was going to be a tough match, but I knew how to play. I have watched him play 1,000 times already. I just had to believe in myself.”

So what was his game plan going in?

“Walking on the court, I really just wanted to get the angles, try to get to the net as much as possible, try to use my forehand against his,” Seybolt Wild explained. “It worked pretty well.” Did it ever.

Employing a high-risk, high-reward style, Seybolt Wild compiled a 69-45 edge in total winners, including 47-15 on the forehand side.

He hadn’t even played a tour-level main-draw match at all in 2023, instead competing on the lower-level ATP Challenger Tour. At his most recent event, in Turin, Italy, Seybolt Wild made it to the quarterfinals and left with a paycheque for $5,950.

“His life is going to be better if he plays like this every match,” Medvedev said. “He’s going to get more money, more sponsors, win big titles. But he has to play like this. Not once on the Philippe Chatrier, but a lot of times in different tournaments all over the world throughout the year.” At his news conference, Seyboth Wild drew the sort

of attention and questions that arrive when a relatively unknown player pulls off a stunning win.

One reporter pulled out some puns related to Seyboth Wild’s last name, including references to whether this was his “wildest victory” and exceeded his “wildest dreams” — to which the response was: “I honestly don’t know how many times I have heard that joke, but it never gets old.”

Later, a query arrived about a far more serious matter: The Rio de Janeiro state prosecutors’ office charged Seyboth Wild in

June 2022 with domestic violence against his ex-partner. He has denied any wrongdoing; a ruling is expected sometime this year.

“I don’t think it’s a subject we should talk about ... right here,” Seyboth Wild said. “I don’t think it’s a question you should be (asking).”

Medvedev’s exit was the most significant result as the first round closed, although there was one former French Open champion sent home: Barbora Krejcikova, who won singles and doubles titles at Roland Garros in 2021, lost

in the first round of singles for the second consecutive year. She was defeated yesterday by Lesia Tsurenko

6-2, 6-4.

Bianca Andreescu, who won the 2019 US Open but has been as far as the fourth round at a Slam just once since then and is now ranked 42nd, took out two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka 2-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Top women’s seeds advancing included defending champion Iga Swiatek, 2022 runner-up Coco Gauff, reigning Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina and two-time major finalist

Ons Jabeur. So did No. 4 Casper Ruud (the runnerup to Rafael Nadal a year ago), No. 6 Holger Rune, No. 9 Taylor Fritz and No. 16 Tommy Paul among the men.

Good as he’s always been on hard courts, Medvedev never was known for his prowess on clay: He began his French Open career with a 0-4 record. But he’s been showing signs of improvement, reaching the quarterfinals in Paris in 2021 and the fourth round last year, and claiming the trophy on the surface in Rome this month.

He just could never quite get the upper hand during a 4-hour, 15-minute contest. Medvedev, who was treated by a trainer for a nosebleed in the third set, didn’t help himself by double-faulting a career-high 15 times, something he blamed in part on the wind that topped 15 mph (24 kph). By turns, Medvedev credited Seybolt Wild for playing well, saying the guy could end up ranked in the top 30 by year’s end, but also seemed a bit miffed.

“I honestly hope he’s going to play like this later on,” Medvedev said, “because if not, I’m going to be disappointed. I’m going to be like, ‘Why today? Why not in two days?’”

He was asked how he would characterise his relationship with clay, now that this portion of the tour calendar is done.

“Every time it finishes, I’m happy,” Medvedev replied.

“So I’m happy. I’m happy again.”

BRAZIL’s Thiago Seyboth Wild reacts after winning a point against Russia’s Daniil Medvedev during their first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros stadium yesterday. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

A TRAINER and Miami Marlins left fielder Bryan De La Cruz help centre fielder Jazz Chisholm Jr after an injury during the 8th inning against the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday, May 13, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

CR Walker Lady Knight Valtinique steals spotlight at soccer nationals

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

VALTINIQUE Simmons turned in an impressive showing at the Samuel P Haven Jr soccer nationals and at the Government Secondary Schools Sports Association (GSSSA) soccer championships.

The young athlete had been preparing for moments like this ever since her adolescence. She started her love for the sport at the end of fourth grade going into fifth grade at CH Reeves and has never looked back.

Simmons is only a tenthgrader at CR Walker and has been playing with the national team since the age of 12. Currently, she plays for United FC and has made the national junior and senior team three times.

The young athlete wears many hats as she plays basketball, volleyball, softball, runs track and plays soccer. The various accolades and sporting disciplines primed Simmons for a big week

DELANCY

FROM PAGE 11

Concordia opposite

Uriel Batista by nine votes.

Daemen outside attacker

Zach Schneider finished in third place with 17 votes.

“When I found out I was a finalist against two other players, my confidence just rose to another level. I just felt that I had it,” Delancy said. “Then it came out and I was actually the winner. It just confirmed how I felt before the announcement was made.”

This is the seventh year that Off the Block has presented the Division II National Player of the Year.

Off the Block is a national award winning website that launched in 2011 and is the nation’s leader in college men’s volleyball coverage.

Delancy had a nationbest 5.38 kills per game average and had seven matches with at least 20 kills, including three matches with more than 30 kills. Among those top offensive performances from Delancy featured a season-high 36 kills in a conference victory against Fort Valley State.

The sophomore also had a career-best .318 attack percentage and was third in the conference averaging 0.33 aces per game to help Benedict reach the SIAC Tournament semifinals.

“I still think I underperformed,” he said. “I know there are some aspects of my game that I need to improve upon. If

CHERISH

FROM PAGE 11

All-Around gold and finished first in every event.

Three months later, she competed in her first international tournament where she got first all-around and captured gold in all of her events.

A couple months later, she was elevated to level six where she secured a third place all-around. She also was placed in the America’s top 100 gymnasts where she was pegged at number 30.

“I feel very proud of myself since I didn’t have as much training as the other gymnasts did and I was still able to excel and achieve all that I have,” Walker said. “I felt like I took a big step and I succeeded.”

As for track and field, Walker held her own in just about every event she competed in as a member of the Ambassadors Track Club, headed by coach Fritz Grant.

“I feel accomplished in that as well because even though it wasn’t my first love, I still took the time out to run because it was fun, and I love to do it and I felt I did good in that aspect as well.”

at the Roscow A L Davies national soccer field.

She got to work early as the tenth grader played a big role in her team defeating the Big Red Machine in the Knights’ quest to win consecutive championships.

In their first game of the week, Simmons scored a hat-trick to wrap up St Augustine’s College 3-0. Her teammates supported her efforts as they kept the school scoreless which would be a common theme as the week progressed.

After a brief intermission for the return of the 2023 GSSSA soccer championships, Simmons once again left it all on the field this time against the RM Bailey Pacers.

The Knights came into the matchup as the pennant winners.

Despite playing backto-back days, the Lady Knights once again collected another win behind the efforts of Simmons.

She pulled out another hat-trick, making it her second in two days of soccer competition this

I strengthen these, I know I would be a much better player. But that’s what I am working on the most right now.

“I’m not really worried about the attacking aspect. It’s more the skills, like my service receiving, my blocking and my service. Once I get that down packed to a more consistent level, I know I would be unstoppable.”

Now home from school as he prepares to work out with the local players for the sixth Bahamas Games

Additionally, she is a very competitive swimmer, but she also runs track from the 100 to the 800 metres as well as swims and plays soccer. Her latest feat came last week when she played with her Knights teammates as they won the Bahamas Football Association senior girls’ title at the National High School Championships.

She credits a lot of her success to her mother, Cherrise Walker, whom she admits pushes her to the limit. Her sister, Vanaillan Walker, has been a big inspiration as a former athlete and a math wizard.

Cherry Walker, who serves as an official in the Bahamas Association of Certified Officials, said it was roller coaster ride moving from one sporting event to so much social and church activities that she was more exhausted than her daughter, but she admitted that her efforts were not in vain.

“She had me going on the road and on the road from the Bahamas National AllStars to dance, so whenever something comes up, and now she wants to get into junkanoo, so it’s something that I have to be there

and the CVC Volleyball Tournament, Delancy said he’s looking forward to transferring to the University of Charleston in West Virginia in August where he hopes to improve on his game. “I can’t play division one because you have five years to be eligible and I wasn’t aware of that rule,” said Delancy, who just surpassed that clause even though he’s only played volleyball for the past two years.

“Charleston is a good fit for me because we will

time to secure the championship hardware for her school. The tenth grader also came away with the Most Valuable Player honours.

With only a one-day break between the teams’ next match at the nationals against the 2023 Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools (BAISS) soccer champions, the Knights were determined to keep the momentum going.

The team rose to the challenge and collected the win over the QC Comets 1-0, booking their ticket to the finals. Simmons scored the lone goal for the team, increasing her count to seven goals in three days.

On the final day, the Lady Knights claimed their Samuel P Haven Jr national high schools championship win after maintaining a clean sheet in the tournament.

Although after the final whistle Simmons and her team looked fatigued, she talked about the overall game and competition.

“This game was tough for

me because I hurt myself at last night’s game [Friday night],”

She seemed a bit down following not one of her better performances on Friday, but was happy and grateful for the efforts of her teammates.

“I feel like a lot of games in the matter of three weeks back-to-back kind of beat us up but [we] are two-time champions. It’s well-deserved and I am really proud of them,” she said.

The multi-talented athlete amassed four goals in total at the soccer nationals and seven goals overall.

Her next target is to play for United FC in an upcoming tournament. However, she said she might be unable to due to a nagging leg injury.

Although the competition ended on a bittersweet note for the Knights’ athlete, she definitely made her name known and presence felt on the field at the Samuel P Haven Jr high schools soccer nationals and 2023 GSSSA soccer championships.

and support her,” Cherry Walker said.

“With the accolades she has achieved, I just want to ensure that she obtains the best for her life. She adapts to everything and every situation she finds herself in as she goes after what it is she wants to achieve.”

Vanallan Walker, a former track star who also played soccer, golf and softball, is now a teacher at the Patrick J Bethell High School in Abaco. Cherrise Walker said she’s proud of both of her

still get to play division one schools, including the University of California-San Diego, who reached out to me. So I will still get some division one exposure.”

At Charleston, Delancy said he hopes to carry the same intensity level and to help them win the NCAA Division II title. “For the first time this year, Charleston was ranked nationally as one of the top 15 schools for division one and two,” Delancy pointed out.

daughters as she constantly stressed to them both to “impact and empower” the people around them.

“I just thank God for having kids like them,” she said. “I can see how God is moving through them. We hear about how parents talk about their children being rebellious. I try to instil in them to please God and everything else will fall into place for them.”

During her ninth grade, Cherish Walker said she remembers how her mother took her and her sister to New York where they met Mother Delores from Africa at the United Nations. Also, during that visit, Walker said she made a presentation on why Colombia should choose a woman as their president.

As a government high school student-athlete, Walker said she can make the case that people should not judge them because of whether they go to a private or public school but look at them at their achievements.

As the deputy head girl at CR Walker, Walker said she doesn’t feel any peer pressure to do what she has done.

“It isn’t any pressure. Once you have your mind set on what you want to

“So they have an amazing coach and a great programme, so I know once I get there and I put in the same effort and work on the things that I need to work on, I can get to where I want to go.”

Delancy, 23, even predicted that Charleston could be one of the most feared schools next year and he intends to make his presence felt just as he did at Benedict College. He is the son of Felicity Ingraham

accomplish, nobody can take that away from you,”: she pointed out. “I know that all these worldly things that are lined up with what I want for my future, I just have to distance myself away from them and focus on what I have to do.”

As she prepares to leave for college, Cherry Walker said she will miss Cherish

and Eugene Delancy. His elder brother is Ras Elijah, a golfer who has played on the national team. His other siblings are Malia, Emmanuel, Victory and Victorious and they are considered to be his biggest fans, along with his grandparents golfer Agatha and Eugene ‘Paco’ Delancy and Agatha Watson and Allan Ingraham, Bahamas Hall of Fame footballer, rugby and basketball player for the Beck’s Cougars.

just as she did with Vanallan, who is 10 years older. But she is confident that she has instilled in her the will of God and is pleased to know that she is heading in the right direction.

“I know I’m going to miss being home,” Cherish Walker said. “But I am looking forward to what is ahead of me.”

WNBA: SUN HOLD OFF FEVER

UNCASVILLE, Conn.

(AP) — Tiffany Hayes scored 22 points, Brionna Jones had 19 points and 11 rebounds and the Connecticut Sun held off the Indiana Fever 81-78 last night.

Rookie Aliyah Boston made her first career 3-pointer to pull Indiana within 79-76 with 48.1 seconds left. After a timeout, DeWanna Bonner missed a contested layup and Indiana raced the other way, but Jones blocked a shot at the rim. Indiana retained possession and Boston made a putback to make it 79-78. Hayes was fouled with 9.4 seconds left and made two free throws for a three-point

lead. Indiana found Lexie Hull open in the corner for a potential tying shot but her 3-pointer came up short. Boston finished with 20 points and Kelsey Mitchell added 19 points for Indiana (1-3).

DREAM 83, SKY 65 COLLEGE PARK, Ga. (AP) — Rhyne Howard scored 20 points, Allisha Gray and rookie Haley Jones each added 13 and the Dream eased past the Sky. Cheyenne Parker had 10 points and eight rebounds for Atlanta (2-2). The Dream led 40-25 at halftime after Chicago shot just 28 percent and turned it over eight times.

VALTINIQUE SIMMONS, a 10th-grader at CR Walker, has been playing with the national team since the age of 12. Currently, she plays for United FC and has made the national junior and senior team three times.

CHERISH WALKER

RAS Jesse Delancy added another feather to his cap when he was selected last week as the 2023 Division II National Player of the Year. The Division II National Player of the Year is awarded to the nation’s best player on a NCAA Division II men’s volleyball team during the regular season.

EQUESTRIANS CELEBRATE IN GRAND STYLE AT END OF YEAR AWARDS EVENT

IT was a festive atmosphere at Balmoral House this weekend as equestrian athletes, trainers and federation officials gathered with friends and family to celebrate the end of the 2022-2023 competition year, which featured strong performances at home as well as successes in regional and international competitions.

Over 40 young riders were honoured at the event, which featured awards given for performance in the show ring, as well as for scholarship and sportsmanship.

Romell Knowles, president of the Bahamas Olympic Committee, accompanied by BOC vice-president Cora Hepburn, were on hand to present awards to the athletes and congratulate them for their achievements.

Award winners were as follows:

Caribbean Equestrian Association 2022 Top Scorer – Katerina Coello

Bahamas Interscholastic

Equestrian League - Champions: Mariposa Gold Drops; Reserve

Champions: Mariposa Monarchs

Leadline Walk/Trot - Champion: Haley Curry; Reserve

Champion: Selin Karabas

Walk - Champion: Haley Curry; Reserve Champion: Kennedy Albury

Walk/Trot - Champion: Reagan Moxey; Reserve Champion: Emery Dunn

Walk/Trot/Jump an X - Champion: Isla Whylly; Reserve

Champion: Avery Roberts

Walk/Trot/Jump a Line - Champion: Reagan Moxey; Reserve

Champion: Ava Higgs

Short Trot Course - Champion: Reagan Moxey; Reserve Champion: Ava Higgs

Walk/Trot/Canter - Champion: Madison Miller; Reserve Champion: Kyra Isaacs

Walk/Trot/Canter/Jump a Line

- Champion: Madison Miller; Reserve Champion: Kyra Isaacs

Crossrail Equitation Division - Champion: Anouk Formige; Reserve Champion: Marlo Pinder

Short Stirrups Equitation Division - Champion: Sienna Jones

Pre-Novice Equitation Division - Champion: Emma Johnston; Reserve Champion: Amalia Good Novice Equitation Division - Champion: Katerina Coello; Reserve Champion: Storm D’Arville

Low Childrens Equitation Division - Champion: Hannah D’Aguilar; Reserve Champion: Ella Saidi

D’Aguilar Junior High Point Rider Trophy: Anouk Formige Lady Marie Dupuch Trophy (Bahamas Junior Classic Winner): Hannah D’Aguilar Puddle Jumpers 1 Division - Champion: Mr. Cassanova (owned by Erika Adderley); Reserve Champion: Casino Royale (owned by Erika Adderley)

Puddle Jumpers 2 Division -

Champion: Lea’s Pride (owned by Lea Beauchesne); Reserve Champion: Lucky Star (owned by Erika Adderley)

Pre-Novice Jumpers DivisionChampion: Valentine (owned by

Erika Adderley); Reserve Champion: TGIF (owned by Erika Adderley)

Novice Jumpers DivisionChampion: Lucky Star (owned by Erika Adderley); Reserve Champion: Coraggio di Essere (owned by Alexis Osazuwa)

Hopeful Jumpers Division -

Champion: Shadowfax (owned by Peyton Wong); Reserve Champion: Valhalla (owned by Erika Adderley) Jumper Horse of the Year –Lucky Star (owned by Erika Adderley)

Jumper Pony of the Year –Mr. Cassanova (owned by Erika Adderley) Dr. Francis Adderley Perpetual Trophy (High Point Jumper) Winner – Lucky Star (owned by Erika Adderley)

All-Bahamas Equestrian Scholars: Kennedy Albury, Johanna Campbell, Katerina Coello, Haley Curry, Storm D’Arville, Emery Dunn, Anouk Formige, Lucia

Good, Aveni Gunst, Kyra Isaacs, Emma Johnston, Selin Karabas, Yasmin Kennedy, Madison Miller, Reagan Moxey, Melania Nixon, Alexis Osazuwa, Marlo Pinder, Avery Roberts, Hailey Roberts, Ella Saidi, Gabriela Souza, Ella Tomlinson, Isla Whylly.

Junior Sportsmanship Award

Nominees: Arielle Arthur, Isabella Coello, Katerina Coello, Shiloh Cox, Hannah D’Aguilar, Marlo Pinder, Hannah Ritchie, Ella Saidi, Connor Watkins. Junior Sportsmanship Award Winner: Ella Saidi

STABLES, TRAINERS TRY TO MOVE THROUGH GRIEF OVER EUTHANISED HORSES

By GARY B GRAVES AP Sports Writer

LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (AP) — Frank Sumpter has spent the past few weeks reflecting on Wild On Ice’s remarkable journey to somehow work through his grief over the horse’s catastrophic injury just nine days before he was supposed to race in the Kentucky Derby.

Coming so close has provided some consolation through a rollercoaster of emotions.

“I felt that if heaven felt like this, I can’t wait to get to heaven, you know?” the Texas owner and trainer said of his colt, who was euthanised after a preDerby workout at Churchill

Downs on April 27. “It kind of jerks the rug out from under you. For the trainer, myself and his family, it’s very devastating.”

The numbers suggest that horse racing is the safest it has been for the animals since at least 2009.

Yet every death draws fresh criticism that the sport is far too cruel to continue and it sends every stable into mourning all over again, often out of sight. Trainer Joe Lejzerowicz said he frequently flips through his phone for photos of Freezing Point, the horse he brags about like parents do about their children.

In many respects, the majestic animals are like family to their handlers and

owners. It makes their stunning deaths all the more painful to grasp. That grief has been felt in particular with a recent spate of horse deaths at the home of the Kentucky Derby.

Wild On Ice was the first of seven thoroughbreds to die at the track leading up to the marquee race on May 6, including two on the Derby undercard.

More horses have been euthanised since then, include two last week to bring the shocking total to 12 at Churchill Downs over the past month.

The deaths have affected 11 trainers and 10 stables.

Industry officials set up an emergency summit this week to discuss the problems at Churchill Downs,

but the deaths stretch beyond the famous track.

The Preakness undercard in Baltimore was marred when Havnameltdown, trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, was euthanized following a leg injury.

The incident provided a sad footnote to a triumphant day in which Baffert-trained National Treasure won the second jewel of the Triple Crown. “When he got hurt, it’s just the most sickening feeling a trainer can have,” Baffert said.

While the sport endures scrutiny over the safety of its horses, their owners, trainers, jockeys and handlers must move forward after the wrenching decision to put a horse down

simply because it is considered so difficult to heal a leg injury. The emotional challenge is huge, especially at smaller stables run by Lejzerowicz and Sumpter.

Lejzerowicz struggled for words after 3-year-old Freezing Point went down with a leg injury during the Pat Day Mile before the Derby.

Just like that, his Keeneland-based stable was down to one horse and the trainer still chokes up recalling the close relationship; Lejzerowicz even slept in a corner of Freezing Point’s stall one cold night last December at Fair Grounds track in New Orleans. He hung the horse’s halter outside an empty stall after his death.

“That’s just the way that horse and I were,” said Lejzerowicz, who came up with the nickname of “Snowball” for the gray colt to reflect the slim chances he faced in buying the then2-year-old at auction for $13,000.

Freezing Point earned $102,910 with a win and two thirds in six starts.

“There were so many people saying how much that horse loved me, and I loved him,” he said.

“It’s very hard getting past.

“I mean, it’s kind of like losing a child.”

In the absence of organised grief counselling, horsemen find solace and support within the commu-

around the barns.

nity

ELLA SAIDI, winner of the Junior Sportsmanship Award, is presented with the Pyfrom Floating Trophy by EB President Cathy Ramsingh-Pierre.

ANOUK FORMIGE, of Mariposa Stables, receives the D’Aguilar Trophy for the Overall High Point Rider from EB Treasurer Mrs. Sabrina Wong. Photos courtesy of Tanya Maycock @ TanyaSimonePhotography

BOC President Romell Knowles stands with Bahamas Interscholastic Equestrian League riders.

HANNAH D’AGUILAR, winner of the Bahamas Junior Classic, celebrates with her trainer Kimberly Johnson after being awarded the Lady Marie Dupuch Perpetual Trophy.

NBA Finals set for June 1

HEAT VS NUGGETS FOR THE LARRY O’BRIEN TROPHY TOMORROW NIGHT

By TIM REYNOLDS AP Basketball Writer

CANCEL that flight plan, Denver. Turns out, the NBA Finals are starting in the Mile High City after all.

And Jimmy Butler was proven right.

Finally, we have a titleseries matchup: The Miami Heat, champions of the Eastern Conference even after getting in as only the No. 8 seed, will take on the Western Conference champion Nuggets in Game 1 of the NBA Finals.

The series starts in Denver on Thursday night.

The Heat got there by winning Game 7 of the East title series in Boston on Monday night.

It came one year to the day after the Celtics won a Game 7 on Miami’s floor to win the East title a year ago.

“Next year, we will have enough and we’re going to be right back in the same situation, and we’re going to get it done,” Butler vowed that night.

The Heat made those words prophetic.

The Nuggets had a flight to Boston tentatively scheduled for yesterday

afternoon, just in case they would be facing the Celtics — who would have had home-court advantage in the title series.

But the Heat had other ideas, won the deciding game to avoid becoming the first team in NBA history to fall after claiming a 3-0 series lead, and Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets now await.

The Heat are in the finals for the seventh time and seeking their fourth championship; the Nuggets are in the finals for the first time in franchise history.

“When we wake up tomorrow morning, we know who we’re playing,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said Monday, a few hours before the Celtics and Heat tipped off in Game 7.

“We know who we’re preparing for and we can kind of turn the page and really focus in on that.

“The Eastern Conference finals has been a hell of a series.”

Malone will try to win an NBA title for the first time, and if Denver prevails he’ll become the 36th coach in league history to win a championship. Miami’s Erik Spoelstra is seeking

his third title as a head coach; if he wins it, he’d join only Phil Jackson, Red Auerbach, Heat President Pat Riley, John Kundla, Gregg Popovich and Steve Kerr as three-time champion coaches. Denver hasn’t faced any real trouble yet in these playoffs. The Nuggets are 12-3 in the playoffs, winners of their last six games — and grabbed control of their matchups against Minnesota in Round 1, Phoenix in Round 2 and the Lakers in the West finals right away.

Two-time MVP Jokic averaged a triple-double against both the Suns and the Lakers, and enters these finals averaging 29.9 points, 13.3 rebounds and 10.3 assists per game.

One of his signature moves of late has been pointing to his ring finger while looking at his family; he’s now four wins away from the piece of jewelry he

wants most. “Nikola is still a humble, selfless person and he cares about home, he cares about family, he cares about his horses -the guy is just who he is,” Malone said.

“I couldn’t have more respect for him as a man because of that.”

A week ago, Miami was in position to do what Denver did — get to the finals with a sweep. It’s almost like the Heat forgot they were a 44-38 team that needed two play-in games just to get into the playoffs; they ousted No. 1 overall seed Milwaukee in Round 1, got past New York in Round 2 and then avenged last season’s loss to Boston in the East finals by somehow going onto the Celtics’ home floor and winning a Game 7 to avoid the permanent stench of being the first team in NBA history to waste a 3-0 series lead.

“Sometimes you have to suffer for the things that

you really want,” Spoelstra said. “And this group has shown fortitude. ... We still have more to do.”

It was a hellish week, for certain. But the Heat got there, just the second No. 8 seed to ever make the finals.

“Everybody rallied around each other,” Heat centre Bam Adebayo said.

Miami has three players with championships – Udonis Haslem has been part of all three Heat titles, Kevin Love won a championship with Cleveland and Kyle Lowry got a ring with Toronto.

The Nuggets have one champion on their roster; Denver’s Kentavious Caldwell-Pope got one with the Lakers at the NBA’s restart bubble in 2020 against the Heat.

Also back from that Heat finals team: Butler, Adebayo, Duncan Robinson, Tyler Herro and Gabe Vincent. The only Denver player besides CaldwellPope with finals experience is Jeff Green, who played in the title series alongside Love with Cleveland in 2018.

So, most players will be seeking their first ring. Haslem is trying to end

his career with a fourth, and Lowry is among the lucky few who are trying to smudge the Larry O’Brien Trophy for the second time.

He remembers how long it took him in 2019, after the Raptors won their title, to start thinking about winning his next one.

“Maybe like the day after,” Lowry said. “And every champion, every NBA champion, would tell you this: There’s a high that you never have felt and you want that high again. And there’s nothing like that.”

Denver swept both games against Miami in the regular season. And both sides will inevitably say that those games won’t matter much starting Thursday.

“The Heat are playing an unbelievable high level,” Malone said. “Jimmy Butler, what he’s been doing since Round 1 against Milwaukee, continued that Round 2 against New York and now what he’s doing against Boston is just historical in nature.

“And Erik Spoelstra … obviously Spo is one of the best coaches in the league, someone who I have a tremendous amount of respect for as a coach but also just as a friend.”

Future of Brown-Tatum tandem in spotlight as Celtics enter offseason

By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer

BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics began their season in chaos. They ended it confronted with a decision that could shape the franchise for years to come.

Pain, disbelief and uncertainty hung with the Celtics as they walked off the court following their Eastern Conference finals Game 7 loss to Miami, ending their attempt to return to the NBA Finals.

The matchup with the Heat highlighted all the imperfections of a Boston team that seemingly never recovered after having its season turned on its edge following the suspension of former coach Ime Udoka just days before training camp, when he was given a yearlong suspension for having an inappropriate relationship with a woman in the organisation.

“That was an adjustment,” Celtics star Jayson Tatum said.

“We all figured it out. Obviously, we wanted to win the championship. Didn’t happen.”

There are the usual questions about the roster heading into the offseason. And other ones, like whether interim-turned full-time coach Joe Mazzulla is the right person to lead the Celtics as they try to capitalise on their championship window.

But the most pressing revolves around Boston’s

two biggest stars in Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

The 24-year-old Tatum is signed for the next two seasons, still under his rookie extension that kicked in last season. He won’t be eligible for a supermax extension until the summer of 2024. It would start in 2025-26 and could be worth more than $300 million.

Brown, 26, is eligible for a new deal this offseason, and by virtue of making the All-NBA second team this season could be offered as much as a five-year contract extension worth as much as $295 million.

With the league’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement bringing more limitations on how teams construct their rosters and additional luxury tax penalties, it may be a commitment the Celtics aren’t willing to make for a duo that hasn’t yet brought Boston a title.

During the regular season, Brown averaged career highs in points (26.6), rebounds (6.9) and assists (3.5).

But each of those numbers dipped in the playoffs. And with Tatum reeling from an ankle sprain he sustained on the first play of Game 7, Brown had a disastrous night. He scored 19 points but shot just 8 of 23 from the field with eight turnovers.

It left any thoughts about his future in the immediate aftermath after Monday’s loss the furthest thing from his mind.

“We failed. I failed,” Brown said. “It’s hard to think about anything else right now, to be honest. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”

Asked about his thought process entering this summer, he said that also is foggy at this point.

“I don’t even really know how to answer that question right now,” Brown said. “My thought process

is take it one day at a time, focus on getting better. Focus on what the future holds and see where we are from there.”

For his part, Tatum said he’d like to see the front office keep together a tandem that has made it to at least the conference finals in four of its six seasons together. “It’s extremely important,” Tatum said.

“He’s one of the best players in this league. He plays both ends of the ball and still is relatively young. And he’s accomplished a lot so far in his career.

So, I think it’s extremely important.”

There was a vote of confidence from the locker room for Mazzulla, who led the team to a 57-win season. But he did struggle in the playoffs to make game plan

and in-game adjustments. It contributed to extended series in the first two rounds and Boston’s 3-0 deficit in the conference finals.

Tatum said it shouldn’t diminish the job he did throughout the season.

“It was his first year. We got to the conference finals Game 7,” Tatum said.

“We all figured it out. Obviously, we wanted to win the championship. Didn’t happen. But I think Joe did a great job. We won 50-some odd games. We got to the Game 7 conference finals. Obviously, everybody can be better, learn from this. But I think Joe did a great job this year.”

The team’s resilience to make the run it did despite the challenges it dealt with at the start of season is what Mazzulla will take away.

“What do we have to do to get better, I think, is what we have to learn from that,” he said. “Regardless of those circumstances, the guys, the locker room showed a sense of toughness and togetherness, starting out the season a certain way and getting to this point and just got to figure out how to be better.”

MIAMI Heat forward Jimmy Butler dribbles during the second half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals against the Boston Celtics on Monday night in Boston.

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

BOSTON Celtics forward Jayson Tatum rests during a timeout during the second half in Game 7 of the NBA basketball Eastern Conference finals against the Miami Heat on Monday in Boston.

(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Debt limit deal heads to vote in full House while McCarthy scrambles for GOP approval

By LISA MASCARO, KEVIN FREKING AND STEPHEN GROVES

Associated Press

UNDER fire from conservatives, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy worked furiously Tuesday to sell fellow Republicans on the debt ceiling and budget deal he negotiated with President Joe Biden and win approval in time to avert a potentially disastrous U.S. default. Meeting behind closed doors over pizza for more that two hours at the Capitol, McCarthy walked Republicans through the details, fielded questions and encouraged them not to lose sight of the bill's budget savings, even though they are far less than many conservatives wanted.

"We're going to pass the bill," McCarthy said as he exited the session.

The hard-fought measure is now headed to a House vote Wednesday. Quick approval by both the House and Senate would ensure government checks will continue to go out to Social Security recipients, veterans and others, and prevent financial upheaval worldwide by allowing Treasury to keep paying U.S. debts.

Overall the 99-page package restricts spending for the next two years, lifts the debt limit and includes policy changes such as new work requirements for older Americans receiving food aid and approval of an Appalachian energy pipeline that many Democrats oppose. The House Rules Committee on Tuesday voted 7-6, with two Republicans opposed, to advance

the measure to the floor, signaling the tough vote still ahead.

With few lawmakers expected to be fully satisfied, Biden and McCarthy are counting on pulling

majority support from the political center, a rarity in divided Washington, to prevent a federal default. Some 218 votes are needed for passage in the 435-member House.

Leaders of the hard-right House Freedom Caucus lambasted the compromise as falling well short of the spending cuts they demand, and they vowed to try to halt passage by Congress.

A much larger conservative faction, the Republican Study Committee, declined to take a position. Even rank-and-file centrist conservatives were not sure, leaving McCarthy desperately hunting for votes.

Biden was speaking directly to lawmakers, making more than 100 oneon-one calls, the White House said. Top administration officials are heading to Capitol Hill to brief Democrats privately ahead of Wednesday's planned vote.

Late in the day, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office said the spending restrictions in the package would reduce

Boating industry watches for VAT yacht charter ease

FROM PAGE A24

where they stay, Mr Maury said spending by yacht charter guests and crews was felt more directly - and quickly - by “the street economy” in the Family Islands. The industry’s clientele also tend to be higher earners and spenders than other tourist markets, and it played a major role in reviving the tourism economy postCOVID by spreading the wealth impact around the country.

However, in a move opposed by the ABM and many marinas, but praised by Bahamian tour boat and excursion operators as well as environmentalists, the Government imposed VAT on yacht charter fees in the 2022-2023 Budget on the basis that foreign vessels were under-taxed and should be contributing

more for use of this country’s natural resources, waters and their upkeep.

The Government also noted there were problems collecting existing taxes from the sector but, when added to the pre-existing 4 percent levy paid to the Port Department on the same charter fee, VAT more than tripled the tax rate to 14 percent while also exposing The Bahamas to suggestions that the country was ‘double taxing’ the industry.

Asked how much VAT’s imposition, and the subsequent loss of yacht charter business, had cost his Bay Street Marina operation, Mr Maury replied: “Easily 20 percent of our gross revenue. That’s what we submit our VAT and Business Licence fee on - our gross revenue. Add that up by 60 marinas. There are marinas

much larger than what I am and have larger costs.”

Pointing out that vessel owners could choose to base their boats “all over the world”, and select territories where they can maximise their profits, he added: “It depends a lot on what the charter market is saying. It’s like anything with pure economics. If it costs you $20,000 in taxes to go charter in The Bahamas, and costs you $20,000 less to charter in the Caribbean, they go to the Caribbean. If the owner can save a lot of money by going to the Caribbean, that’s where the boat goes.

“Last year we had people in government say who will go to the Caribbean?

It’s too far, too costly. But if it takes only one day to get down there, they spend three months there

and it takes a day to get back, what’s the difference? I don’t think there was a lot of consideration of the effect on local businesses and Family island communities.

“I’m hopeful that they will see errors that were made and can fix it. In the meantime, until they get rid of VAT, it’s very complex for boats to get TIN numbers (Taxpayer Identification Numbers) and file.”

Mr Maury said that, even if the VAT was adjusted or eliminated, it will take time to attract the yacht charter business lost back to The Bahamas.

“Caribbean charter season is coming to an end, and people have booked for next year, 2024, already,” he revealed. “Then the brokers all have to feel comfortable with saying: ‘Come back to The Bahamas’. They have

to feel comfortable enough about the situation to go back to clients and say The Bahamas has dropped their tax.

“There are so many moving parts to it. It was so easy the way it was. We had gained so much momentum. Now we have to go to these shows again and say:

‘Come back to The Bahamas’. The brokers then have to call their clients. This is how it works. It’s not done on a whim. The Mediterranean crossings, the Atlantic crossings, this stuff is booked a year in advance.”

Mr Maury said the yacht charter industry was typically viewed as having a wealthy customer base who can afford to pay increased taxes, but outsiders did not understand how negatively boat owners react

deficits by $1.5 trillion over the decade, a top goal for the Republicans trying to curb the debt load.

But in a surprise that could further erode Republican support, the GOP's drive to impose work requirements on older Americans receiving food stamps ends up boosting spending by $2.1 billion over the time period. That's because the final deal exempted veterans and homeless people, expanding the food stamp rolls by some 78,000 people monthly, the CBO said. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said it was up to McCarthy to turn out votes from some two-thirds of the Republican majority, a high bar the speaker may not be able to reach. Still, Jeffries said the Democrats would do their part to avoid failure.

if they feel they are being over-taxed.

Noting the variety of businesses, such as provisioners and cleaners, who depend on vessels being in The Bahamas, he added: “Now, with no boats here, everybody is cannibalising each other. And we cannot tax them if they are not here. This is what I don’t get. We were doing fine. All that private money was coming in and was free to The Bahamas.

“It didn’t cost us anything. They flew in on their jets, came in on boats. Wherever they went money flowed through the economy, and every business was paying 10 percent back to the Government? What did we do? We shot ourselves in the foot. All the businesses are suffering and the Public Treasury is not seeing the benefit of additional revenue. It’s crazy. It’s not good for the business.”

SPEAKER of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., walks to the House chamber at Capitol Hill, Tuesday, May 30, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Forecast 78% deficit slash ‘significant ask’

comments to this newspaper by Simon Wilson, the Ministry of Finance’s financial secretary, who said fiscal performance over the final months of the current 2022-2023 period is critical to “creating the platform for next year” that will enable the Government to hit its much-needed deficit reduction.

“If that doesn’t happen it’s going to be a challenge that 78 percent from where I sit at this time,”

Mr Edwards added. While the Bahamian economy has reflated post-COVID, and regained much of the output that it lost due to the pandemic, it has not grown much beyond where it was at the end of 2019.

“It has come back, and come back in a rapid way, but has not gone significantly beyond where it was,” he said of the economy. “A 78 percent reduction at this stage, I think, is going to be a significant ask but I do anticipate

there will be a reduction in the deficit.”

Mr Edwards added that the forces shaping the Budget had been outlined by Mr Wilson, with the Ministry of Finance and Department of Inland Revenue “doubling down on these tax initiatives in order to get the revenue to a level where it needs to be” via tougher enforcement actions.

“While he did not explicitly say so, he left enough information on the table in response to you which indicates the Government has serious concerns about the conditions it will face if it’s unable to deliver the level of revenue needed through traditional channels,” he added, identifying these as VAT, Business Licence fees and real property taxes.

“In my mind the failure to get these numbers is going to put the fiscal space under constant pressure. If that becomes a challenge, the Government is going to have to look at alternative measures of taxation. I believe we are going to see

a projection which suggests that significant revenue is going to come from real property tax enforcement and collection efforts, and significant revenue is going to come from VAT collection and enforcement efforts.”

Mr Edwards said the Government’s financial goals had effectively been set out in its latest Fiscal Strategy Report, which aims to grow revenues by almost $1.2bn to over $4bn by the 2026-2027 fiscal year when compared to the current 12-month period that ends at June 30. It is also aiming to expand the Bahamian economy from a $13.236bn to a near-$16bn enterprise over the same period.

“I think basically this Budget has to be the first layout of how we’re going to get to that,” he added.

“How we are going to get the revenue and, certainly, how we’re going to secure the type of government revenue which is going to allow us to maintain the credit rating or improve the credit

rating, and then certainly start to see a reduction in the debt-to-GDP ratio.....

“It certainly will have to lay out policies and programmes driven by government to increase revenue because revenue right now is extremely narrow and it needs support. Whether that is going to be increases in taxes or there is going to be an early leaning in on a corporate income tax, we don’t know for sure.

“But one would anticipate that having laid that out, and pretty much told the world what it’s going to do, I would expect that they’re to double down and make sure that the numbers are pointing in that direction or, if the numbers do not suggest the level of robust performance that we anticipate, then we might have to look at cutting expenditure.”

Mr Edwards also warned all businesses and Bahamians to “look out” for an announcement on longawaited National Insurance Board (NIB) rate increases, although some observers

voiced doubts that this would be included as part of the Budget presentation as it would break down the traditional separation that has been maintained between the social security system and the Government’s fiscal affairs.

While adding that implementation of any NIB increase could be delayed to July, or even New Year’s Day 2024, to give employers and their staff time to adjust, the ORG economic development committee chief also predicted that the Government will try to reduce external foreign currency debt as a proportion of its $11bn-plus national debt - and even refinance or replace it with the domestic variety - in a bid to lower interest and debt servicing costs. Calling for the Government to attack the $400m-$500m collective taxpayer subsidy provided to state-owned enterprises (SOEs), and reduce this in the 2023-2024 Budget, Mr Edwards also urged the Government to “look at

Businesses awaiting Budget with ‘anxiety’

FROM PAGE A24

Ben Albury, the Bahamas Motor Dealers Association (BMDA) president, told this newspaper that many in the private sector would have been worrying about what to expect in today’s Budget because of the annual uncertainty over the actual tax, legislative and other measures it may contain.

“I wish I knew what to expect,” he said. “This is always a time of some anxiety because you really don’t know what to expect.

I hope there will be some relief somewhere on the horizon, and I guess we’ll have to be patient and see what happens. People always associate this with a change in taxation, so I hoe we don’t see anything to worry, especially in our sector.

“We’re still trying to rebound now, and get things on an even keel. We’re still facing some challenges with the supply of parts and vehicles. All I can do right now is hope for the best. We haven’t had any consultation or any questions asked as it relates to our industry.

“I’m trying to remain optimistic, and tomorrow [today] we’ll let the chips fall where they may. I know there’s a lot of people feeling the same way, a lot of business people feeling a little anxious right now and concern out there. It’s definitely a little nerve-wracking.”

Both Mr Albury and Mr Lightbourn backed the Government’s drive to collect outstanding real property tax arrears, the former saying: “I know that the Government has

been pushing aggressively in trying to collect taxes, which is good, especially that larger hanging fruit and things where people may have been getting away for a while.”

Real estate is a sector that typically sees tax rates, structures and related legislation altered with every Budget. However, Mr Lightbourn voiced confidence that this year might prove to be an exception.

“I personally don’t think there’s going to be any amendments to any of the tax rates,” he said. “They’re just going to keep going after people to pay their taxes.

“I personally don’t have a problem once they’re going after people with proper valuations. Some of the assessments are so out of line. They’re going to reduce the rates on some

things, increase them on others.”

The Government, in a statement on today’s Budget, pledged: “We’d like to emphasise that our approach is comprehensive and aimed at advancing and safeguarding the nation’s progress and fiscal stability. This Budget serves as a testament to our commitment towards the common good and reflects the highest ideals of governance, transparency and accountability.

“Our priorities are focused on areas vital to national development. The Budget is poised to address salient issues while fostering economic growth and resilience. It is designed to make strides in national security, to bolster economic stability, and to enhance social welfare.”

Turning to the economy, the Government said: “We aim to create

an environment where businesses can thrive and employment opportunities are within reach of every Bahamian. Our initiatives are designed to drive sustainable economic growth, encourage foreign investments and promote Bahamian ownership and entrepreneurship in our economy. This Budget underscores our ongoing commitment to fiscal stability and economic dignity for all Bahamians.

“The third area of focus is social security. We are dedicated to ensuring every Bahamian has access to quality health services, education and essential social services. By investing in our people – our greatest resource – we aim to foster a society where everyone can achieve their full potential. The Government is devoted to improving social welfare, enhancing

how it is better able to facilitate the private sector in terms of the ease of doing business.

“The Government has outlined a very ambitious recovery plan in terms of its Fiscal Strategy Report,” he added. “The question is: Is it doing enough, fast enough, to ensure the change in infrastructure matures fast enough to ensure delivery of this change.”

And Mr Edwards warned that, “if the trend isn’t broken, we are likely over the next year, year-anda-half, to be sitting at a total public sector debt at or near $13bn. That will not augur well for fixing the circumstances of the country moving forward. If we assess that against the $16bn growth we are trying to achieve, rather than expanding the difference between revenue and expenditure, it will continue to narrow and that will not be a good thing”.

our education system, promoting arts and culture, and cultivating our young generation’s skills and talents.”

Promising “prudent” management of the country’s fiscal resources, the Government added: “The Government remains committed to reducing the impact of inflation, increasing our resilience to climate change, and improving food security.

“This is a pivotal moment for our nation. We understand the challenges we face, but we also see the opportunities ahead. Our focus is on the future, a future where we not only recover from the trials we’ve faced but also forge ahead towards greater security and progress. As we move forward, we are confident that we can build a more prosperous and resilient Bahamas together.”

FTX chief’s fate lies in Bahamas’ hands

However, the fact the US has had to revert back to The Bahamas for permission to proceed further highlights the haste with which both the criminal case against Mr BankmanFried was put together and his extradition from this nation sought. Many will also interpret it as a tacit admission that the former FTX chief and his attorneys had a case with their arguments that multiple charges should be dropped because the US violated The Bahamas’ Extradition Act and treaty.

The development also places an unwanted spotlight back on The Bahamas, temporarily at least, given that much of Mr BankmanFried’s fate once again rests in this nation’s hands. Many had hoped his extradition to New York would have diverted much of the unwelcome publicity surrounding FTX’s collapse away from these shores.

The FTX chief and his legal advisers are arguing that many of the charges brought against him subsequent to his extradition run afoul of The BahamasUS extradition treaty, and specifically its Article 14. Known as the “rule of specialty”, this stipulates that someone being extradited

from The Bahamas “may only be detained, tried or punished” in the US “for the offence for which extradition was granted”, while setting out other criteria.

The alleged breach occurred because of the charges added following Mr Bankman-Fried’s extradition, and the US is now moving to correct this by seeking The Bahamas’ permission to proceed with the new grounds. “There is no basis for dismissal of any counts at this stage of the proceedings because the US treaty with The Bahamas does not place limits on charging a defendant with new offenses post-extradition,” federal prosecutors alleged.

“The treaty expressly reflects only an agreement between the two countries that the extradited person will not be ‘detained, tried, or punished’ without the consent of the executive authority of the extraditing country..... Accordingly, the mere fact that the [latest] indictment contains new charges cannot violate the rule of specialty.”

Confirming that The Bahamas’ permission to move ahead with the additional charges has been sought, and a reply is now awaited, the US prosecutors added: “The Government has notified

The Bahamas, which is the only party that would have standing to object on specialty grounds to trying, punishing or detaining the defendant on new charges, of the additional charges in the [latest] indictment and is seeking a specialty waiver from The Bahamas.

“The country’s response will be dispositive: The [US] government will proceed on the new charges in the [latest] indictment if The Bahamas consents to trial on these charges, and will not proceed on those counts if The Bahamas denies the government’s request. Because the decision whether to waive the rule of specialty is for the extraditing country to make, the second circuit has long held that a defendant lacks standing to assert the rule of specialty.”

The new charges not included in original extradition warrant for Mr Bankman-Fried, but which were added subsequently, involve the alleged bank fraud, Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and unlicensed money transmission business violations. However, these are not the only counts in peril if The Bahamas’ “consent waiver” is not obtained. “The [latest] indictment also adds substantive charges of commodities

fraud and securities fraud, in addition to the charges of conspiracy to commit these crimes that were in the original indictment,” US prosecutors add. “In his motion, the defendant does not challenge the inclusion of these counts. However, the US is also seeking a waiver of the rule of specialty from The Bahamas with respect to these counts and will proceed only if The Bahamas consents.”

The same applies to the alleged US campaign finance law violations. “In an abundance of caution, the US has conveyed to The Bahamas its understanding that the omission of the campaign finance charge was inadvertent, and informed The Bahamas that, absent timely information to the contrary from The Bahamas, the US intends to proceed on this charge. If The Bahamas objects, the government will not proceed on this charge,” prosecutors added.

Acknowledging that Mr Bankman-Fried had sought the US campaign finance charge’s dismissal because it was not included in the extradition “surrender warrant”, prosecutors nevertheless asserted it was incorporated into the original indictment that formed the basis for seeking his removal from The Bahamas

as well as the “diplomatic note” presented to the Davis administration.

“Taking the extradition record as a whole, including the fact that the defendant specifically consented in Bahamian court to be extradited on this charge, it would not violate the rule of specialty to proceed to trial on this charge and, in any event, the defendant lacks standing to raise this issue,” they argued.

Among the Bahamian government ministers likely playing a key role in the decision on the “consent” will be Fred Mitchell, minister of foreign affairs, and who signed Mr Bankman-Fried’s “warrant of surrender”, and attorney general Ryan Pinder KC.

“The only question is whether the [US] government can now proceed to trial against the defendant, who is present in this country as a result of his extradition from The Bahamas, on the additional charges included in the [latest] indictment,” federal prosecutors added.

“And, on that question, the US is seeking the consent of The Bahamas before proceeding to trial on the additional charges in the [latest] indictment, as contemplated by the Extradition Treaty.... The Government is seeking a

Corporate tax paper ‘setting foundation’ to broaden base

FROM PAGE A24

but that does not represent a material change.

Observers will be watching keenly this morning to determine if there is any major revision to the forecast 2022-2023 outturn, with the period still having a full month to run, and if the Government sticks to the projected $450m year-overyear reduction in the deficit for 2023-2024. The upcoming fiscal year is a precursor to achieving a rare, almost unheard of fiscal surplus of $278.8m in 2024-2025.

Mr Bowe, though, warned that Budget communications were often divorced from the much tougher reality. He added that they frequently focused on how the Government is “going to address all the hardship people are experiencing, and going to attempt to bring relief.

“The reality is that it’s setting people up for false expectations,” he warned.

“I think we now need to have a direct communication that the country’s fiscal circumstances require taking very deliberate action that is not going to be popular but we need to make these decisions to ensure the future is brighter.

“I think is is still unfortunate that we are pandering to the political whims, when there are many structural issues the outside world is watching, to think we can make significant changes other than increase revenue and get expenditure under control.”

Asked whether he anticipated any new and/or increased taxes in today’s Budget, Mr Bowe replied:

“My expectation is that

the Government needs to increase its revenue base.

They said there will be no new taxes, but I find, again, it’s more political sentiment than realistic. “I don’t think it was coincidental that the corporate income tax ‘green paper’ was produced in advance of the Budget because it’s setting out the foundation for an increased tax base but to do so on a fairer and more equitable footing.”

The Government’s financial goals have effectively been set out in its latest Fiscal Strategy Report, as well as a prior document detailing its ambition to achieve a 25 percent revenue-to-GDP ratio by 2025-2026.

It is aiming to grow revenues by almost $1.2bn to over $4bn by the 2026-2027 fiscal year when compared to the current 2022-2023 period that ends at June 30. It is also aiming to expand the Bahamian economy from a $13.236bn to a near$16bn enterprise over the same period.

Acknowledging calls for the Government to collect all past due tax arrears, and reduce its spending, before eyeing new and/or increased taxes, Mr Bowe said a large portion of expenditure is already fixed due to debt servicing costs, civil service payroll and emoluments, and rents and other costs.

Targeting cuts elsewhere could impact essential public services such as national security, health and education and, while many felt “the Government has gristle on the meat that they would like to see reduced, at times it’s exaggerated how much fat is there”.

Mr Bowe predicted that, even if this “gristle” was eliminated completely, it was unlikely to alter the fiscal position by itself and The Bahamas will still be facing large annual deficits.

“It’s important that we have that frank conversation that either we reduce the social benefits government provides us with or increase the revenue base,” he added.

“I don’t say that to say it’s void of growing the economy. But the ‘green paper’ doesn’t speak about economic expansion. Increasing taxation doesn’t expand an economy. Tax

breaks and tax concessions do that. We’re not at the point of extending tax breaks or tax concessions because we’ve been doing that for the past 50 years.

“We need to right-size our revenue structure and look at how we use tax breaks and concessions to stimulate the economy. We’re more at the point where the piper is blowing, and have to pay the piper. I don’t have any great expectations for the Budget. It has taken us 50 years to get where we are. No single Budget will reverse that course. No single

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY

DEED POLL

The Public is hereby advised that I, NAOMI ROLLE of #8 Tudor Bend, New Providence, Bahamas intend to change my name to NAOMI JOHNSON. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O.Box N-742, Nassau, New Providence, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

Budget seeks to give that impression.”

Mr Bowe said he was “hoping, perhaps naively”, that the narrative around the Budget focuses on conversations around what reforms are necessary to ensure the National Insurance Board’s (NIB) long-term viability and the Ministry of Finance’s drive to increase revenue.

waiver from The Bahamas, and while that request is pending, the court should deny the defendant’s motion to dismiss counts nine, ten and 13 on specialty grounds.”

As for Mr BankmanFried’s demand that US prosecutors produce all “diplomatic correspondence and notes relating to his extradition”, US prosecutors retorted: “The defendant is not entitled to communications with The Bahamas because those communications are not in the possession of the prosecution team.

“To the extent that the Department of State and the Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs have engaged in diplomatic communications with The Bahamas, those entities are not part of the prosecution team. Finally, to the extent that the defendant argues that affidavits of law enforcement agents or prosecutors in connection with a request transmitted to The Bahamas are disclosable under Rule 16, he is wrong. Those materials constitute ‘internal government documents’ that are expressly shielded from disclosure.”

“I may be seen as more of a pessimist but I’ve been around long enough to listen to the euphoria,” he added. “I’m awaiting the numbers to bring us back to reality. We’re at the point where we need to educate the masses and demonstrate to them that we’re not making decisions to keep the party going but making decisions to keep the country viable and sustainable for generations to come.”

NOTICE

PORTLAND ESTATES LIMITED

In Voluntary Liquidation

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, PORTLAND ESTATES LIMITED is in dissolution as of May 18th, 2023

International Liquidator Services Ltd. situated at 3rd Floor Withfield Tower, 4792 Coney Drive, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator.

THE Government is moving to create a dedicated unit that will improve customer service for major tax-paying businesses while also boosting its revenue collections.

Prime Minister Philip Davis KC confirmed the initiative, which he has spoken of previously, is moving ahead during an address last week to the Bahamas Chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organisation (YPO)/ He explained that the Large Taxpayer Unit will improve client service for the firms contributing to the bulk of the Government’s revenue collections. He added that his administration had invested heavily in creating a seamless interface for receiving their tax payments, as each taxpayer was special and deserving of the best the Government can offer.

“The Large Taxpayer Unit will thus not only streamline tax payments and guarantee fair and courteous treatment for all taxpayers but, in turn, it will also increase compliance and overall revenue for the government,” Mr Davis said. “A win-win situation, my friends, for us and for you.”

to create Large Taxpayer Unit

He added that the Government is committed to partnering with the business community to create an enabling environment in which companies can thrive. “We are more than ready to meet you half-way and work collaboratively to tackle the challenges you face as entrepreneurs,” Mr Davis said in the event held at the Balmoral Club.

“One area of focus for us is improving the ease of doing business, and so we especially welcome your suggestions and insights, as individuals who deal with such challenges on a daily basis. I also invite you all to read and submit feedback on the green paper on corporate income tax strategies, available on the Ministry of Finance’s website.

“We are keen to facilitate a thorough consultation process prior to undertaking any policy action, and so I encourage you all to share your thoughts and take a stake in the fiscal future of this country.” Mr Davis said that, as established business persons, YPO members can help to streamline and energise commerce in The Bahamas through mentorship of other entrepreneurs.

“There is no time like the present to mentor the next generation of Bahamian entrepreneurs,” he said. “It is up to us to work together and invest in our young men and women by teaching them vital technological skills and sharing strategies for innovation. In this way, they will be all the more prepared for the opportunities and challenges of the digital age.”

Mr Davis said young professionals are drivers of change, and they will soon be leading the charge in advancing The Bahamas’ economy. “With this in mind, let us commit to creating the right environment for their success,” he said.

“YPO is already wellequipped to do this as a generational organisation which facilitates the transition of older members to the World Presidents’ Organisation. Leveraging this continuity is paramount, so that the wisdom of outgoing members is not lost on younger generations.”

Mr Davis said the 60-member strong organisation represented some of The Bahamas’ “most outstanding leaders”.

He added: “From Felix Stubbs of IBM to Myra

Lundy-Mortimer of PwC and Nicolas Rees of Kanoo Pays, this truly is an impressive cohort of enterprising professionals,” he said.

“It is, and I say this unequivocally, truly heartening to bear witness to a community so driven and so zealous in its pursuit of excellence. You, and the enterprises you lead, form the economic engine of this country, and for your contributions to Bahamian

commerce, I say thank you.” The Prime Minister asserted that entrepreneurship was not just about business. “It is a vital driver of national development, spurring innovation, creating jobs and bolstering our economy,” he said. “Your efforts have been instrumental in animating the Bahamian economy and will remain crucial as we forge a more dynamic and

vigorous commercial ecosystem for The Bahamas.”

Mr Davis Davis said his administration is seeking to strike a balance between generating revenue to support public services and shaping “an attractive environment for businesses to grow and thrive”.

“We are entering a new fiscal year, and we understand that there may be concerns about the direction of the Government’s fiscal and taxation policy,” the Prime Minister said. “But rest assured, we have your best interest at heart. With every decision we make, we put the well-being of Bahamians first.

“So, members of YPO Bahamas Chapter, rest assured that the Government is here for you. Your leadership is recognised, and your input is highly valued. Let us partner together to nurture a resilient economy, and foster the entrepreneurial spirit of The Bahamas.”

Trade show gives off a sweet aroma

THE first annual 'Smell & Tell' trade show, held under the theme, 'Smell the Essence', was held on Saturday, at 1er Cru's premises located on Gladstone Road Hill Top.

The event was hosted by the orange economy development department of the Bahamas Agricultural & Industrial Corporation (BAIC) in partnership with Bristol Wines & Spirits.

Troy Sampson (pictured addressing the audience), BAIC's general manager, was among the attendees and spoke on behalf of executive chairman, Leroy Major.

The event featured artisans and producers of a variety of aromatic products, including candles, soaps, body scents, essential oils, potpourri, perfume and bath products. There were also competitions for 'best booths' and 'best products.'

Photo:Ulric Woodside/ BIS

PRIME MINISTER PHILIP DAVIS KC

HALF OF ROYAL CARIBBEAN’S PI INVESTMENT ON SITE CLEAN-UP

A SENIOR Royal Caribbean executive yesterday disclosed around half the investment in its Paradise Island project will be spent on cleaning and restoring much of the 17-acre prior to construction starting.

Jay Schneider, the cruise giant’s chief product and innovation officer, estimated that the cost of such activities will amount to $50m. “Right now, we estimate it’s going to cost about $50m in civil engineering, demolition, clean-up, regrading, getting the site into a natural habitat,” he said. “And then we expect another $50-plus million in infrastructure added on with it.”

Mr Schneider led a media tour of the site yesterday, and pointed out several dilapidated houses on the property. He asserted that the majority of the site is in disrepair, and that Royal Caribbean’s environmental commitments exceed those of any other development in The Bahamas.

He said: “There’s been a lot of speculation and misconception of what is actually on the site. It’s been described as pristine property, a pristine beach. We wanted you all to see the actual property itself. And I think because you saw, and you’ll continue to see, most of the property is in significant disrepair.

“If you think of the various commitments we’ve made, we’ve addressed all of the significant environmental concerns and gone far above any other tourist destination in New Providence or, frankly, anywhere else in the Bahamas.”

The six environmental cornerstones, or pillars, of the cruise line’s environmental commitments surrounding its Royal Beach club project include zero waste going to the New Providence landfill, now known as the New Providence Ecology Park, no dredging and transparent environmental monitoring. Mr Schneider said the project is environmentally positive, and proposed changes to the coastline will improve the beach.

“We’ve made a series of environmental commitments,” he added. “One of the most important ones is zero waste to landfill. So the trash generated from this property will never make it into a Bahamian landfill….

So whether it is zero trash

to the landfill, or zero waste to landfill, whether it’s 100 percent green energy by 2030, whether it’s the bestin-class waste treatment so wet waste will actually never make it into the ecosystem. It’ll either be reused after treated or composted.

“We’re committed to not dredging anywhere in and around the island. We don’t believe we have to. We committed to no development on the northern shore and then, on the southern shore, only doing things that are necessary based on studying the kind of coral and marine life in and around the habitat. And the last, we’ve committed to making sure there’s a local company who’s doing transparent environmental monitoring during construction operations.

“The changes that we’re making to the coastline have been deemed [to be] actually improving the ecosystem of the beach, not harming it. And so if you look at the totality of what we’re proposing, it is environmentally positive.”

Mr Schneider revealed that proposed changes to the western Paradise Island site, which is located in the vicinity of Colonial Beach near the lighthouse, include pushing the existing seawall back several feet “Across the entire property there are a couple of changes that we’re proposing making,” he explained. “And these are largely done with the advice of coastal engineers.

“We’re trying to figure out how to improve the actual habitat of the island itself. And so one of them is the sea walls that exist, the [one on the] eastern beach basically sits on the beach itself. And so the recommendation is to push back that seawall as far up into the vegetation off the beach. To make it significantly beneficial for the health of the beach itself.

“We want to get rid of the old Nicolas Cage house. We want to get rid of all the trash that he left behind when he abandoned the property and then we bought it. You’ll see a house over here that literally the roof has fallen off, and the house is starting to slide into the harbour. We want to get rid of that.

“You’ll find an old conch graveyard on the western

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that ABELINO ENRIQUE AVILA TOMAS, General Delivery, Spanish Wells, Eleuthera, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 24th day of May 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that CAROLINE ILIENUS of Palm Beach Street, New Providence, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 31st day of May, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

side, and we’ve been asked by the Government to - when we clean this site upremove that because during heavy winds that actually lifts the conch shells and brings them to the harbour and causes damage into the harbour, and so generally everything that we’re doing is progressing the site in a very positive way.”

Royal Caribbean assembled 13 of the 17 acres it plans to use for the Royal Beach Club by steadily acquiring multiple residential properties on western Paradise Island from their owners, including Mr Cage. While extensive clean-up is required with some of those properties, and other parts of the 13 privately-owned acres, environmental activists yesterday disputed that the same was true for all the project site - especially the four Crown Land acres that Royal Caribbean is leasing.

Eric Carey, the Bahamas National Trust’s (BNT) former executive director, who will review Royal Caribbean’s Environmental Management Plan (EMP) on behalf of Atlantis, maintained that the beach itself and the Crown Land are untouched and pristine despite the derelict homes on the portion already owned by the cruise line.

Mr Carey acknowledged that these buildings should be removed, but argued that their demolition should not be tied to acquiring Crown Land and creating an environmental issue due to the high volume of guests the development is projected to attract daily. He said: “The pristine beach and our Crown Land is not in disrepair. There are some dilapidated buildings there which might be part of an operation that was there, but the beach itself is still very much pristine.

“They have purchased acres with derelict properties, that’s great…. We’re happy that someone is going to take care of derelict buildings on Paradise Island. It’s great there’s someone who is prepared to clean them up, but cleaning

them up shouldn’t be tied with taking away Crown Land from Bahamians and also creating other environmental issues.”

“They should not have purchased them, because what they’re proposing is to then tie that into the use of the last pristine beach on Paradise Island. So in addition, to taking the tiny little beach, you’re now putting all of these people, all of this infrastructure, on 17 acres, thousands of people a day.”

Royal Caribbean last week released environmental and other questions asked about the Royal Beach Club project at an earlier public hearing, together with its answers to those queries. Mr Carey yesterday maintained that the responses did not answer the difficult questions and provided minimal details. He argued that until more details are revealed the environmental community’s concerns will not be eased.

He said: “The public consultation report is a regurgitation of the

questions asked in the Town Meeting. We don’t think that most of the difficult questions have been answered. Atlantis doesn’t think that they’ve adequately addressed all of the components that they’ve laid out because they have provided zero details. You cannot address concerns by just glossing over stuff. You have to provide the details. And so far, no details have been provided.

“We hear what you’re saying ‘we’re going to do the gold standard’, but your record doesn’t give us comfort. There are two things. Your environmental record doesn’t give us comfort. That’s one, and secondly, you provided no details. So we don’t have anything to review from an expert perspective.

“We’re waiting to see what details they put together so that we can review it. We want to see how it measures up against the EIA and what’s in their EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment). But so far, there is nothing in the public domain that gives

anybody any level of comfort, any level of detail, as to how they plan to actually execute this gold standard because their record does not give us comfort that they know how to do it.”

Mr Carey insisted it is nonsensical for a foreign conglomerate to create a Bahamian experience from a socio-economic and environmental perspective. “It really is an extreme, complex oxymoron that we’re asking a foreign conglomerate to set up a Bahamian experience. It doesn’t make sense from the socio-economic perspective and, from the environmental perspective, we still don’t think it makes sense,” he argued.

Royal Caribbean has pledged that the Government, together with private Bahamian investors, will have a combined 49 percent ownership in the Royal Beach Club, while much of the operation and management will be run by Bahamian firms and entrepreneurs.

PORT AUTHORITY WRANGLING ‘NOT NEEDED’ BY FREEPORT

By YOURI KEMP

THE Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce’s president yesterday said the recent political back and forth over the Grand Bahama Port Authority’s (GBPA) ownership and future is not helping Freeport.

James Carey told Tribune Business that the public battle between former Pineridge MP, Frederick McAlpine, and foreign minister and PLP chairman,

Fred Mitchell, over whether the Government should seek to acquire Freeport’s quasi-governmental authority and buy-out the Hayward and St George families is “not needed”.

And, while it is “time to review” the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, Mr Carey does “not believe the GBPA should be divested from what it’s doing”. He said: “While the GBPA has actioned a few things to be done, especially with the bye-laws, it needs government intervention to do it.”

The Hawksbill Creek Agreement first established

Freeport and its free trade zone in 1955, but “the world has changed tremendously and it needs to be reviewed to either confirm it or to tweak it in keeping with the time”.

Mr Carey added: “I think some of the requirements of the GBPA in the Hawksbill Creek Agreement perhaps need some reinforcement on their responsibilities in the Port area, and there is no denying that more things need to happen in this town. There is no denying that.

“I think the power of legislation can help that, but I think the GBPA itself in its

Tourism ministry sponsors Walker’s Cay tournament

THE Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation (BMOTIA) served as the title sponsor for this year’s third annual Walker’s Cay Blue Marlin Invitational Fishing Tournament.

The three-day tournament, held from May 24-27, was anticipated to attract hundreds of anglers with 50 boats competing for more than $1m in total cash prizes.

This year’s event featured

signature categories ranging from Largest Wahoo to Tuna (Bigeye, Yellowfin or Blackfin) and Dolphin (MahiMahi). Blue Marlin, White Marlin and Sailfish were also eligible for catch and release.

John Pinder II, parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Tourism, Investments and Aviation, said: “Walker’s Cay has always been known as a fisherman’s paradise. For over 50 years, the best of the

current position can carry out the mandate with some tweaking and perhaps with some involvement from the Government participating with the GBPA.”

Mr Mitchell last week said the Davis administration will “not play footsie with the GBPA”, and the Government is growing increasingly “impatient” with what it views as the failure by the St George and Hayward families to live up to their development obligations.

“Obviously, he (Fred Mitchell) is talking about the development of

best flocked to Walker’s Cay to pull in the biggest catch. After several years’ hiatus, I am proud to see Walker’s Cay has risen from the ashes and destruction and once again is hauling in fishing enthusiasts from all over the world.

“This Walker’s Cay Blue Marlin Invitational is the third annual, and continues to be an annual success with 50 boats participating. This tournament is putting

Freeport and I think this can come about with the persons sitting around at the table and contributing to the process,” Mr Carey added. “As president of the Chamber I suggested on a couple of occasions for the Prime Minister to talk to the business community and the community at large about what’s happening in Grand Bahama, and also mapping out a way forward together.

“While there is some change that is needed for Freeport, I don’t believe the GBPA should be stripped down and restarted. We do

Walker’s Cay back on the map as the premier deep sea fishing destination, with some of the world’s best anglers at the reel. With a $1m payout, that’s a lot of Marlins. I look forward to Walker’s Cay continuing to attract the best of the best to our shores and seas.”

Walker’s Cay has been renowned for more than 50 years as a premier deep-sea fishing location. The resort’s marina has a mean lowwater depth of 12 feet, with newly-renovated slips available for vessels over 100 feet in length, making it a much more accessible destination than before.

need something to happen, but I think it has to be more of a collaborative effort.”

The GBPA is acting based on the agreement it has with the Government to operate like a municipality, but the major difference is that a government with elected officials in a municipality can be voted out or changed. This is not the case with the ownership of the GBPA because it operates as a private for-profit company first. “Perhaps more involvement and transparency will go a long way in aiding this process,” Mr Carey said.

JOHN PINDER

FTX chief’s fate lies in Bahamas’ hands

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE FATE of embattled FTX chief, Sam Bankman-Fried, rests in The Bahamas’ hands in determining how many criminal charges he will ultimately face over the crypto exchange’s multibillion dollar implosion, it was revealed yesterday.

US federal prosecutors, in legal filings with the southern New York district court, disclosed they will not proceed with multiple counts and charges against Mr Bankman-Fried unless they obtain the Bahamian government’s “consent” to move ahead with them.

• US needs nation’s permission on SBF charges

• Or fraud, bribery, corruption counts to be dropped

• Would massively weaken case versus FTX founder

Should The Bahamas not grant permission, this will result in the US Justice Department abandoning multiple fraud, bribery and corruption-related charges against the FTX founder. Those subject to being discontinued include “conspiracy to commit bank fraud”; “conspiracy to

violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act’; “conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmission business”; commodities fraud; securities fraud; and US campaign finance law violations. Such an outcome would result in close to half the charges against Mr Bankman-Fried being

Boating industry watches for VAT yacht charter ease

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A FORMER Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM) president says the industry is “eagerly” waiting to see if the VAT on yacht charters is adjusted in today’s Budget as he blamed its imposition for a 20 percent gross revenue fall at his business.

Peter Maury, who operates Bay Street Marina, told Tribune Business that the Bahamas had “shot ourselves in the foot” with the Government’s decision in last year’s Budget to impose the 10 percent levy on yacht charter fees and, in so doing, more than triple the tax rate on this niche.

Speaking as well-placed sources, speaking on

• Ex-ABM president blames imposition for 20% revenue fall

• Says Bahamas ‘shot ourselves in foot’ with taxation tripling

• Adds: ‘We cannot tax them if vessels are not in country’

condition of anonymity, suggested the Davis administration may adjust or completely eliminate the yacht charter fee in today’s 2023-2024 Budget, he warned that even if such reforms were unveiled it would take some time to woo yacht charters back as many vessels had already settled their itineraries for 2024.

Mr Maury told this newspaper that the loss of yacht charter business, as boat owners diverted their vessels to lower tax jurisdictions, had been especially hard for the Family Island communities that were typically boosted by spending from guests and crew.

“Everybody is in agreement. Based on our performance, it definitely

dropped, and would represent a major weakening of the criminal case against him over the massive losses suffered by FTX clients and creditors. The federal authorities’ legal documents confirm that The Bahamas’ permission has been requested, and a response from the Davis administration is now awaited. Given the nature of The Bahamas’ relationship and economic dependency on the US, the source market for 90 percent of its tourists and 85 percent of the country’s imports, it would be a stunning development if this nation refused to grant the “waiver” sought by the US Justice Department and its prosecutors.

SEE PAGE A19

Corporate tax paper ‘setting foundation’ to broaden base

hurt occupancy,” Mr Maury said of VAT’s imposition. “I ran through the Exumas at the weekend and a lot of the marinas were not full like they were last year. In some of the Out Island marinas, they’re seeing it a lot worse than we are, which is bad thing.

“The Out Island marinas are not like Nassau. They depend on visitors coming in there. The yachts coming in buy a lot of fuel, groceries, visit the amenities, visit the restaurants and it starts to add up and make a big difference in these small communities. This is a great industry to go to the Out Islands and costs the country nothing.” Unlike hotel guests, who often become “captured”

SEE PAGE A17

Forecast 78% deficit slash ‘significant ask’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

ACHIEVING current projections of a 78 percent year-over-year cut in the Government’s fiscal deficit will be “a significant ask” based on existing trends, a governance reformer warned ahead of today’s 2023-2024 Budget.

Hubert Edwards, head of the Organisation for Responsible Governance’s (ORG) economic development committee, told Tribune Business in a recent interview that he is “not 100 percent bullish” on the Davis

administration’s ability to fufill the cut forecast in its 2022-2023 mid-year Budget. The Government’s latest projections call for the

projected $575.4m fiscal deficit for the current year to be slashed by more than $450m, or some 78.3 percent, to $125.3m during the 2023-2024 fiscal period as a precursor to achieving a $278.8m Budget surplus the following year. A $125.3m deficit, which measures by how much government spending exceeds its revenues, and is a measure of net new borrowing to fill that gap, would be the lowest for at least a decade if it can be achieved. Given that it is intended to set the Government up to run a surplus the following year, representing one of the

few times in Bahamian history when revenues have been higher than expenditure, the 12 months to end-June 2024 represent a pivotal fiscal period.

However, Mr Edwards told this newspaper ahead of today’s Budget, when projections may be revised: “I am not 100 percent bullish on the ability to shrink the deficit at the level that was initially projected. I do anticipate some level of decrease in the deficit, but it’s a significant ask.”

The ORG economic development committee chief said he was basing his assessment on recent

SEE PAGE A18

Businesses awaiting Budget with ‘anxiety’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN business owners yesterday admitted to feeling “some anxiety” over today’s Budget as the Davis administration was urged to prioritise ease of doing business reforms to generate faster economic growth.

Mike Lightbourn, Coldwell Banker Lightbourn Realty’s president, told Tribune Business that the sellers in one real estate transaction he has been involved with have been waiting for over a year to receive the sales proceeds but the deal has been

unable to close because the Government has yet to confirm it agrees with the VAT due on the purchase.

“There’s so many things they can do to help,” he argued. “There’s a sale that was completed over a year ago, but the attorney is

holding the money because they are still trying to find out how much tax is owed.

They’ve [the Department of Inland Revenue] lost the file. We gave them another file and they lost it again. ‘It’s just endless, all the hoops you have to go

through. We don’t know if they agree, disagree [with the valuation and VAT due]. No response. It’s been over a year, and the vendors need the money for a legitimate purpose but the lawyer cannot release the money until the sale is completed. You can multiply that by hundreds. “That would be the greatest thing they could do in this Budget; making it easier to do business. Make that the number one priority, and the economy will generate a lot more revenue because there is a lot more activity taking place.”

SEE PAGE A18

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A PROMINENT banker yesterday asserted it was no accident that the Government released its corporate income tax ‘green paper’ just days before the Budget, adding: “It needs to increase its revenue base.”

Gowon Bowe, the Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) chief executive, told Tribune Business that the launch of tax reform consultation was likely “setting the foundation” to increase the Government’s tax base - albeit in a more equitable fashion - as it heads into today’s 2023-2024 Budget unveiling.

Disclosing that he “doesn’t hope for things coming out of the Budget”, describing the communication as the “selling of euphoria” and the subsequent debate as “political theatre”, he argued that The Bahamas had reached the stage where it cannot afford “to keep the party going” and instead requires tough decisions to ensure the country is viable and sustainable for future generations.

Asserting that today’s Budget should not be drastically different from what has been projected over the past two years if The Bahamas is to maintain its credibility with rating agencies, creditors and investors, both at home and abroad,

Mr Bowe told this newspaper: “The exercise I do is to analyse what key priorities are being addressed or not.

“I start by saying that the Budget is projected two years forward and, under my professional view, there should be no material change from last year because you are then able to demonstrate you are not managing the country on a year-by-year basis but managing over a particular cycle, which is a minimum of three to five years.”

The Davis administration, over the past 12 months, has consistently predicted it will slash next year’s fiscal deficit for the period to end-June 2024 to $125.3m - representing a more than 78 percent cut compared to the $575.4m worth of ‘red ink’ forecast for this fiscal year. The latter figure was revised upwards slightly by some $11.4m,

SEE PAGE A19

SAM BANKMAN-FRIED

HUBERT EDWARDS

GOWON BOWE

MIKE LIGHTBOURN BEN ALBURY

$5.74 $5.85 $5.74 $5.95