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• Innocent victims of freak Labour Day tragedy • Families’ agony as hope turned to despair

• Question remains how did truck run out of control?

• Minnis: Cabinet to review its disaster response • PMH boss tells how staff dealt with chaotic early scene THE tragic deaths of four people during the Labour Day march on Friday brought the nation to a halt.

The families of the four women killed when a truck ran out of control - also injuring 24 others told The Tribune of their “shock and disbelief” in the aftermath of the incident.

The driver of the truck

was not inside the vehicle at the time that it lost control, and the authorities are investigating to find out how the accident happened.

In a national address, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said the Cabinet would consider a policy to prevent future incidents.

SEE PAGES 2,3,4,5

CLOCKWISE from top left, Tabitha Haye, Kathleen Rogers Fernander, Tami Gibson and Diane Gray Ferguson.

12% - NOW THE BACKLASH

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Repo rter madderley@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Institute of Chartered Accountants President Gowon Bowe believes the government’s plan to increase value added tax will create further distancing between the “haves and have-nots” and possibly create the conditions for class unrest, he told The Tribune.

During his budget

DEPUTY Prime Minister Peter Turnquest. address to Parliament on Wednesday, Finance Minister Peter Turnquest

announced an increase of the VAT rate from 7.5 percent to 12 percent.

This decision immediately sparked controversy across the nation.

In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Bowe discussed the emotional response to the increase, its potential economic and social ramifications, its impact on businesses, and tax alternatives.

SEE PAGE 12

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

VAT INSIGHT THE BAHAMIAN PEOPLE AGAIN HAVE TO SUFFER TAX BURDEN

SEE PAGE SEVEN

PAGE 2, Monday, June 4, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

‘If I could rewind

By BRENT STUBBS and KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporters

she and her mother developed an undying bond.

“I felt like over the years, I watched her grow. I don’t FOR triple jumper Dan- know if many people can nielle Gibson when her say that about a parent,” younger sister Dominique said Ms Gibson, of her called her on Friday morn- mother, a banker by proing while she was in the fession and twin sister to locker room at the track Tanya Miller. facility at Penn State in “I watched my mother Philadelphia, it sounded evolve from being shy of like a script from a movie. being herself to be more Soon, reality set in. Her outgoing with people in difmother, Tami Gibson, was ferent aspects of her life. one of four women killed in “With us, she was always the Labour Day tragedy. fun, always being crazy, “I figured out that she always calling. Every mornwas crying, saying some- ing, you would get that text thing was wrong with about a Bible scripture mommy, but she wasn’t verse or something. She sure,” said Ms Gibson in an loved us so much. We had a interview with The Tribune tight relationship.” on her immediate return The last time they home. interacted as a family “A lot of uncertainty was was when proud parents in the air. And I just tried Tami and Dwight Gibson, my best to keep her calm brother Dustin and sister and to assure her that if it Dominique Gibson was mommy, worst case travelled to Philadelscenario, she would be phia to attend the athlete’s okay, people around so she graduation from Penn State would be at the hospital. on May 5. It’s an occasion She would be safe. that the bio-tech“Best case scenology major with ‘What hurt nario, it didn’t a 3.0 grade point happen, noth- me more average said she ing happened to was to hear will cherish for the her, so no need to rest of her life. my daddy’s worry. I was 100 “I’m kind of percent sure that voice. It was torn because I’m she would have so empty.’ happy that we got been okay.” to share that expeThen reality set rience. My brother in. It was confirmed her Dustin won’t get to experimother had died. ence that,” said Ms Gibson “I went into shock. I was of her younger brother, who in disbelief. I didn’t want to is attending Fisk University believe it,” said Ms Gibson. in Tennessee. “I was happy “What hurt me more was that we were together. That to hear my daddy’s voice. was a good memory. That It was so empty. I heard my was the last good memory brother crying, my sister that we had together.” crying, all my cousins and Mrs Gibson’s death has my aunts in the background also been a hard pill to swalscreaming. It was like I was low for her brother, who so far away, I can’t do any- told The Tribune yesterday thing. I didn’t know what relatives are struggling with to do. I didn’t know what “disbelief” as questions to say. I was so worried for linger about the horrific them.” incident that killed the wife As the oldest of three and mother of three. children, Gibson, 22, said Mario Williams reflected

TAMI Gibson pictured left at Dannielle Gibson’s graduation with Dominique and Justin Gibson and Tami’s husband, Dwight. on the relationship he had with his younger sister, recalling that as the older sibling, since they were children and even into adulthood, instinctively he always saw himself as her protector.

In the aftermath of Mrs Gibson’s death, Mr Williams told this newspaper if he could have, he would have rewound the hands of time to shield his sister from harm that day.

Mrs Gibson recently retired from FirstCaribbean Bank and planned to study theology in September.

Four women - Gibson, 48, along with three others - Diane Ferguson, 55, Rodgers-Fernander, 51 and Tabitha Haye 41, were killed when a Ford F-150 truck ploughed through Labour Day

march participants. The truck’s driver had got out of the vehicle, which then descended a hill and hit other persons and a vehicle.

Three persons were on the back and another individual inside the truck, police said Friday.

In total 31 people, including seven children, went to hospital by ambulance and a private vehicle.

Two women of the group were taken to the morgue; one of them died at Doctors Hospital and another died upon arrival at Princess Margaret Hospital.

Police yesterday said they have not concluded the investigation into the matter and appealed to anyone who might have seen what transpired during the tragic incident to give this information to assist authorities with closing the case.

Mr Williams said he heard of the incident early Friday morning while delivering souse from a cook-out the family was having for another relative stricken with breast cancer.

He had heard earlier in the day that something happened during the Labour Day Parade, but placing his sister there at the scene was far from his mind.

“Then I came home and was telling my wife that they said there was an accident on the march and some people died,” Mr Williams said during an interview at his home. “Then the phone started ringing here with people saying an accident happened on the march and saying they were trying to

reach Tami, my sister, and no answer.

“Right then we decided to all just go to the hospital.”

After waiting to get word of his sister’s condition, Mr Williams said the moment of truth came.

“If I could rewind the day I would,” he said. “If I could have been there for my sister I would have. I feel like the protector. If I could have been there

to warn her I would have wanted to do that.”

As the family seeks closure, questions linger, Mr Williams told The Tribune.

“I was saying it must have been a standard shift truck on top of a hill and someone must have been unable to handle it,” he said of his theories.

“I have also thought about it being a parade and people shouting and carrying on. If the horn blows,

TAMI Gibson with her husband, Dwight.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, June 4, 2018, PAGE 3

the day, I would’

MARIO WILLIAMS, the eldest brother of Tami Gibson, who died in the Labour Day March accident, alongside fellow family members.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff nobody looks up. If people cheer out loud, no one is going to do anything.

“If people are shouting ‘get out of the way,’ odds are people will look around first.

“And then you hear someone was driving and they got out of the truck.

Then you start thinking well, why did they got out of the truck? Certainly, you have questions.

“I have thought about who might be driving the truck. The thing about that is how do you process that into the feelings? You don’t know whether you hate it or you love it. Do you want something done?

“I had a good deal of friends on that parade. My wife had a good deal of friends on the parade and the person driving the truck being closely related to those on the parade. It made me

wonder well how do they feel?

“First it might be grief and it might be anger.

“Do I want something to happen to someone because of this? I really don’t know. It was an accident and I don’t know if everyone would view it the same way.

“Could it have been avoided?

Maybe so.”

For the relatives of Kathleen Rodgers-Fernander, another victim of Friday’s tragedy, the death was a shock. It is hard, they said yesterday, to come to grips with the fact that she was alive and well on the morning of her death.

Her daughter, Nahshan FernanderBrice, and sister, Katherine Rodgers, said these past days have been about focusing on Rodgers-Fernander’s legacy.

Rodgers-Fernander, a 56-year-old mother of two, was remembered as a loving, energetic and passionate woman who loved family and God. For their part, the family of Rodgers-Fernander said they’ll continue to remember the great woman she was.

Mrs Fernander-Brice said: “She was very loving and strong. She was very passionate. She was outspoken and came with a lot of leadership capabilities.

“She was always the life of the party. Her personality was bubbly.

“You want to be angry. You want to be upset, but you don’t know what this life brings. Because you can count it as negligence, but at the end of the day an accident is an accident. We only hope the law gives justice for it,” she said.

‘NO WORDS’ TO DESCRIBE TRAGEDY

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE tragic and untimely death of Tabitha Charlene Haye, 41, has left family and friends “traumatised and reeling,” some remain “unable to process”.

Speaking to The Tribune just before her family convened a meeting to discuss the outcome of Friday’s tragedy, Vanessa Arthur, Haye’s younger sister, said there are no words to describe the horror, pain and grief she and members of her family are now experiencing.

Haye was one of four women killed when a truck ploughed through a group of people at the annual Labour Day parade.

The driver was not in the truck at the time, police said, however three people were on the back and one person was inside the vehicle.

The mother-of-six – two biological children and four adopted from a deceased sister – participated in the parade as she did every year; with her children.

“The family isn’t doing well,” said Ms Arthur. “We know what happened, but I don’t think we have been able to process how and why this happened.

“The kids are not doing great but we are doing all we can to help them. They all witnessed the accident,” she continued. “One was injured as well.

“The eldest tried to help her mom and begged persons to assist her to no avail.”

Ms Arthur said the family was doing all it could to help the children cope with what they saw.

“Presently they are surrounded by family who are trying to keep their spirits up,” she said. “We have spoken to them collectively and individually.

“They understand that

everyone grieves in their own way and we want them to be free to express themselves. So they can scream, cry, run for comfort, sleep in her bed or whatever is necessary to help them cope.

“There are those of them who want to talk about it and one or two that don’t,” she added. “We are not pressuring them to.”

Haye, a former teller at FirstCaribbean International Bank, marched under the banner of the Financial Services Union.

According to Labour Minister Dion Foulkes, FSU President Theresa

Mortimer was among the 24 injured.

Investigators believe most of those injured in Friday’s tragedy were associated with the FSU. At the time of her death, Haye was an employee of Mount Tabor Church, where she and all of her children worshipped.

Haye was also a beloved member of the One Family Junkanoo group.

Yesterday, One Family said Hayes joined the group in the mid-90s.

“She was an avid team player and did what was necessary when requested

of her,” the group noted in a statement. “This led to many victories for the group in the area of choreography.”

Family commitments caused her to step out of the spotlight for a few years, while remaining a supporter of the group.

One Family said its members are saddened by her death.

PAGE 4, Monday, June 4, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

‘Chaotic’ scene as hospital tackles tragedy

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

WHEN Emergency Medical Services made its first call to the Princess Margaret Hospital at 10.15am on Friday the hospital went into mass casualty mode for an “all hands on deck” operation, Medical Chief of Staff Dr Caroline BurnettGarraway said yesterday.

The scene just one street away from the hospital was “chaotic” and horrific, prompting PMH into lockdown mode to facilitate nearly three dozen victims.

Moments before the first call, the Ford F -150 truck mowed down Labour Day parade participants. The result – four deaths, all women and countless other injuries.

At 10.30 the first ambulance was sent to the scene, said Dr Burnett-Garraway, who was on duty during the incident.

Police had quickly closed Sands Lane and East Street north to allow ambulances easy access.

“After they did the scene assessment they realised that there was more than five victims so they called back to have us send a doctor and a nurse in the second ambulance, which is protocol to assist with the triage and sorting of patients and the initial stabilisation,” she told The Tribune.

“Just at the same time the telephone operator started calling as well, so EMS informed the emergency department as well as the telephone operator and she activated the mass causality

CAROLINE Burnett-Garraway at the press conference after the tragedy. incident plan which would include calling the hospital administrator, the principal nursing officer (and) the medical chief of staff.

“The initial response in the emergency department is by the most senior emergency medicine consultant on duty and what that person did, which was me, was start preparing the emergency room.

“First of all you put the emergency department and staff on stand by and those off duty just informing that we may need them to come in.

“We started clearing out the emergency room. So if we had admitted patients we tried to get them upstairs to the ward and we cleared out the resuscitation room, which is a four-bed area where the most critical will be evaluated. Then you assign the areas where you are going to treat the different categories of patients.

We assigned a green area where the walking wounded would go and the main top floor area where the not-socritical (will go).

“We informed security because we lock down the Emergency Department when we have a mass casualty incident and secure all the entrances and doors.

We don’t allow any family members or visitors in when we’re preparing. “(It was a) all hands on deck sort of thing.”

She said the blood bank, pharmacy and laboratory was also put on notice services might be needed.

A call was also placed to the operating theatre to stop elective surgeries in an effort to prepare rooms in the event victims needed emergency surgeries.

Officials further set up a command centre for administrative purposes to assist with registering patients and keeping a proper log of personal information.

“We informed our sister hospital, Doctor’s Hospital because we have an agreement that if either of us is overwhelmed then we help each other.

“The Department of Public health responded to know if they needed to open a clinic (because) if the numbers are that large we don’t want to bring those ones - triage green/walking wounded into the hospital. You just bring the critical patients to hospital.

“So we worked very closely with EMS. They were were constantly telling us one more victim or two more coming (or) the scene is clear. We worked very closely with the police. The response was amazing.”

As the patients started to arrive, Dr Burnett-Garraway said health officials conducted a second triage

Hospital’s Blood Bank received some 40 pints of blood in a 24-hour period as donors responded to an urgent appeal for blood

following the Labour Day tragedy.

Chief phlebotomist Dr Glennville Roberts told The Tribune the bank

THE VEHICLE that ran out of control is seen after it crashed into a white car, right of picture, and with a passenger in the near-side seat and occupants in the rear, in this image from video posted to social media. of the victims while many surgeons descended on the accident and emergency area to offer assistance.

“One of the big challenges of course was crowd control. A lot of people were responding. A lot of people were emotional.

Everyone wanted to help.

Families started coming to the emergency department when they heard the news.

“So we moved all the family and friends to the food court. We set up a press room. We had clergy coming in, they want to help. We had ministers of government. We had to respectfully control the crowd because you can’t have these persons in your work area. I turned around and said who are these people and why are they there?”

“So you put people out who can’t help you and put

people to work who can and that worked quite well.”

Officials were at the same time careful not to ignore patient confidentiality rules.

The hospital was also burdened with other patients needing the attention of accident and emergency personnel.

“So I made an announcement in the waiting area that we have this mass casualty incident and a lot of critical patients were expected (and) the wait time was going to increase.

If you felt you didn’t need to be there you could go home. If you could wait until tomorrow or later to see physicians or speak with the triage nurse and let her know what you’re experiencing, that was a way to clear out “For the emergency department I only called in two additional consultants

to help.

“We were fortunate because most of the patients were walking wounded (patients with minor injuries, strains, sprains, lacerations, extremity fractures, bruises or burns).

“They would be the last set of people to come into hospital and the last cared for. There were only three that had to be admitted and then one that coded and came in very unstable and she died. So there were only four red patients.”

This activity continued in the emergency department until about 12pm when emergency teams said the scene was clear.

By this time, Dr Burnett-Garraway said most patients were receiving x-rays and cat scans where needed and operations were returning to the normal flow.

received close to 20 pints on Friday and had collected around 20 pints by noon on Saturday.

When The Tribune visited the bank on Saturday, there were about ten people waiting to be processed and another four undergoing transfusion.

Staff confirmed there was a steady flow of volunteers coming to the bank, with standing room only for most of the day.

“We are having an excellent day so far,” said Dr Roberts. “We have a steady flow of donors coming in and the blood bank staff is here available to go.”

Anyone interested in becoming donors should ensure they have eaten a full meal half an hour to 40 minutes before they give blood. Those suffering from the flu will not be allowed to donate blood for at least two weeks after recovering from the illness, said Dr Roberts, adding people are also barred from donating blood for a year after a major surgery.

“We will give a questionnaire to fill out,” Dr Roberts continued, “and we want them to be truthful in answering the questions.

We do all screening in the back, blood pressure, iron level, and pulse. If they fit the criteria, we can put them on the bed. It’s an easy insertion of the needle, it’s not that difficult. You’re giving blood to save a life and you will

be helping people whose family cannot even help themselves.”

Dr Roberts said just one pint of blood - the maximum amount one person can donate - had the potential to save three lives.

“So we’re here just waiting so that the people can come,” he said. “So far we have about 20-something pints, so we’re here with staff on willing to take the blood. All blood types are important, it doesn’t matter what type. (Friday) we had close to 20 pints donated, we were here until 9.30pm.

The response was very well, (Saturday) has been excellent.”

Labour Day celebrations were plunged into tragedy when a truck mowed through a crowd of people Friday morning, killing four women and injuring 24.

Dr Roberts said: “When you come the blood can go to whomever is in need of it with that blood type. I believe we have the influx based on what happened (Friday). A lot have given and said they came based on the incident.

“On Saturdays, we usually have a good flow of persons coming to donate for a relative or someone they know that’s receiving surgery.”

One of those regular donors on Saturday was Ada Bethel, who told The Tribune she routinely visits the blank to offer blood after her sister died at

PMH because of an alleged shortage.

“And that made me realise we have a crisis in this country,” Ms Bethel said.

“A crisis in our medical system in which we have to learn the gunshot victim cannot mean more in this country than an average person sick and dying needing blood – that’s why I’m here.”

The Tribune asked Dr Roberts whether violent crime trends had an impact on the demand for blood from the bank; however, he noted the high turnover was not linked primarily to shooting deaths, but general illness.

“Some days it’s busy, some days in between,” he said. “Blood is always constantly moving in and out.

It lasts in the refrigerator around 35 days on average.

Blood is always constantly in and out that’s why it’s important (to donate). We encourage the people to be a volunteer, every two months they can come and give blood.

“You can’t say the need is in relation to the crime, sometimes it’s people in hospital that have surgery and need blood, could be anaemic, cancer patient, kidney patient, but we are in the business of saving lives so whether it’s a shooting incident or ordinary situation we still need the blood.”

The blood bank closed at 4.30pm on Saturday.

PUBLIC RESPONDS TO CALL FOR BLOOD DONATIONS

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE Princess Margaret

ACCOUNT INFORMATION UPDATE Please be advised that Bahamas Registered Stock (BRS) holders are required to complete,and return a BRS Account Information Form to the Central Bank. This information is mandatory to ensure that all accounts are updated and accurate in advance of the Bank’s migration to the Centralized Securities Depository (CSD) electronic BRS registry.

To ensure full compliance, the completed form along with copies of one’s NIB smartcard, and driver’s license or passport, should be submitted via email to domesticdebt@centralbankbahamas. com or delivered to the Banking Department no later than June 30, 2018. Delays in receipt of this information may result in a delay in settlement of payments.

Any additional concerns and queries should be directed to the Banking Department at the Central Bank of The Bahamas at 302-2600 or the Markets Unit at:

domesticdebt@centralbankbahamas.com.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, June 4, 2018, PAGE 5

PM: We’re doing all we can to help families

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net A DAY after he visited the victims of the Labour Day Parade tragedy, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis told The Tribune yesterday that Cabinet will discuss the level of government involvement needed in the wake of a national tragedy with the aim of developing a policy.

However, he said on Friday that the government is committed to doing “all that we can to assist the family members of the deceased and those injured and their families”.

Referring to both the tragic traffic accident at Friday’s Labour Day Parade and the fatal January North Andros plane crash, Dr Minnis said yesterday whatever Cabinet decides will be “policy moving forward.”

The annual Labour Day Parade turned calamitous when an unmanned truck struck a crowd of people Friday morning, leaving four women dead and two dozen people injured.

On Saturday, Dr Minnis visited victims in hospital and the families of the deceased. The deceased are Dianne Elizabeth GrayFerguson, 55; Kathleen Augusta Fernander, 51; Tabitha Charlene Haye, 41; and Tami Patrice Gibson, 48.

The prime minister also delivered a national address that aired on Saturday night on ZNS. During his televised remarks, he offered condolences, called for national unity, and promised support to the families of the victims.

When asked yesterday if the government plans to do anything special for the victims of the Labour Day parade incident, Dr Minnis said the matter would be discussed on Tuesday.

“We have Cabinet on Tuesday and we will discuss that at length as to government involvement,” he told The Tribune after a NEMA church service.

“As you know we had another tragedy when you had the plane crash going to Andros and there were quite a number of individuals that had died in that plane crash. That’s still under investigation.

“So, I think the matter has to be discussed at Cabinet. Because whatever we come out with, it’ll be a policy moving forward.”

Dr Minnis explained that the policy will be in response to tragic events.

On January 17, a Piper Aztec plane flying from North Andros to Nassau crashed shortly after takeoff. All six people aboard were killed in the accident.

On January 26, a memorial ceremony was held for the victims. It was attended

by Dr Minnis, Cabinet members, Leader of the Official Opposition Philip Davis, and a number of other government officials.

When asked if he foresees a similar event being held for the Labour Day Parade accident victims, Dr Minnis reiterated that there would be a response after Cabinet.

“Yeah, but you must remember that (memorial) was organised by the community. The community had organised that,” Dr Minnis said.

“And therefore, one has

POLICE at the scene of the crash on Friday. to discuss these matters at a Cabinet level because as I’ve said, whatever is done will be policy moving forward.”

On Saturday, the prime minister and a delegation visited the families of those who died during the Labour Day Parade accident.

He was accompanied by Health Minister Dr Duane Sands, Labour Minister Dion Foulkes, Bahamas Christian Council President Bishop Delton Fernander, and state media agency Bahamas Information Services (BIS). Private media agencies were not invited to accompany the prime minister.

THE NATIONAL ADDRESS IN FULL

MY fellow Bahamians and residents, good evening. Yesterday’s celebration of Bahamian workers during the annual Labour Day march took a tragic turn leaving four loved ones dead. Approximately two dozen people were injured.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force and other relevant authorities are investigating the matter.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force will report their findings and what subsequent actions may be taken in the wake of this tragedy. But today we grieve the dead and we comfort those who have lost their loved ones.

Earlier today, accompanied by Doctor the Honourable Duane Sands, Minister of Health, Senator the Honourable Dion Foulkes, Minister of Labour and Bishop Delton Fernander, president of the Bahamas Christian Council we visited the families of Tabitha Shelley Haye, Katherine Augusta Fernander, Tami Patrice Gibson and Diane Elizabeth Gray-Ferguson. We also visited with two individuals admitted at Doctors Hospital and two at Princess Margaret Hospital and spoke with their physicians. All others admitted to hospital have since been discharged.

We heard many wonderful stories about these fine women who each in their own way contributed to our country.

No words can begin to describe the heartbreak and loss felt by their spouses, children, parents, families, friends and colleagues of Tabitha, Katherine, Tammy and Diane.

I assured the families of the deceased of the support of all of us during the many difficult days ahead. In times like these we ask why, but there are no easy answers in life.

So, we must rely on our faith and our loved ones. St Paul reminds us in Romans Chapter 8, Verse 38 through 39: “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God

that is in Christ Jesus Our Lord.”

I ask to support these families and to pray for them. I also ask all churches throughout the country to offer special prayers for the deceased and their families as well as for those who were injured yesterday and their families.

We pray that the physical wounds of the injured will heal in time but we know that the psychological, emotional and spiritual wounds caused by yesterday’s tragedy and the subsequent traumatic stress and pain will require different kinds of healings.

In the midst of this tragedy, we saw many acts of love and generosity. I want to thank the march participants, first responders, onlookers and the professional teams at the Princess Margaret Hospital and the Doctors Hospital who worked with great compassion and urgency to care for the deceased and the injured.I commend all those who came to the aid of those affected by this tragedy.

I thank the various government ministers and officials who quickly responded throughout yesterday.

We will continue to offer care and support to those in need of assistance. As I said yesterday we are committed to doing all that we can to assist the family members of the deceased and those injured and their families. And as our union leaders and workers demonstrated during yesterday’s march we are one people united in love.

We will be united in this time of tragedy and suffering. Let us demonstrate this love through our prayers and acts of generosity for those who need our comfort and care during this difficult time.

Once again on behalf of the people and government of The Bahamas and on my own behalf - and that of my wife Patricia - I extend heartfelt condolences to the families, colleagues and friends of those who lost their lives yesterday.

May God bring consolation to the bereaved at this time and may he continue to bless our Bahamas.

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According to a BIS report, during his visits, the prime minister offered condolences and Bishop Fernander prayed with the families.

Dr Minnis also visited Princess Margaret Hospital and Doctors Hospital to visit the injured victims who were in hospital at the time.

Two were admitted at each hospital, and the prime minister and his delegation also spoke with the victims’ physicians. The Tribune understands only one victim remains in hospital.

“The families of the deceased and the recovering victims in hospital responded overwhelmingly

Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff to the visits by the prime minister and his team, indicating that the gesture ‘cheered’ them up after facing such an ordeal,” the BIS article stated.

In his national address, Dr Minnis said police and “other relevant authorities” are investigating the incident and will report “what subsequent actions will be taken in the wake of this tragedy.”

“No words can begin to describe the heartbreak and the loss felt by their spouses, children, parents, families, friends and colleagues of Tabitha, Kathleen, Tami and Diane,” Dr Minnis told the nation.

“I assured the families of the deceased of the support of all of us during the many difficult days ahead.

“As I said yesterday (Friday, June 1) we are committed to doing all that we can to assist the family members of the deceased and those injured and their families,” he said Saturday.

“As our union leaders and workers demonstrated during yesterday’s march, we are one people united in love,” Dr Minnis added.

“We will be united in this time of tragedy and suffering.”

PAGE 6, Monday, June 4, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

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‘Birdie’ thanks God for Hanna Martin and PLP “THANK God for Ms Hanna Martin and the PLP government. The Tribune takes credit why?”

Anyone who is a regular reader of Tribune242 will immediately recognise this comment as coming from none other than staunch PLP supporter “Birdie Strachan”. “Birdie”, we know not whether our feathered friend be a he or a she as some who exchange comments refer to “Birdie” as a “she”, while others assume our bird is a “he”.

Anyway, whoever he/she is, they bring great mirth to the 242 site as other writers enjoy picking his/her feathers and sending him packing. However, Birdie is made of sterner stuff, no matter how much he is ridiculed, he holds his ground, giving as good and he gets.

On this occasion, “Birdie” was commenting on The Tribune’s lead story of Thursday, May 17, when Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar announced that at last foreign aircraft will pay a fee to fly over The Bahamas. However, the paragraph that ruffled Birdie’s feathers was the paragraph that said: “In a long-running campaign, The Tribune has repeatedly warned we should be like the vast majority of countries around the world who generate significant sums for their treasuries by charging overflight fees.”

Of course, former Transport Minister Glenys Hanna Martin (PLP) also dismissed these reports as “fake news” and “bogus”.

It is true Mrs Hanna Martin (PLP) had succeeded in negotiations with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in cancelling the ridiculous situation in which Bahamian carriers were being charged to fly through their own airspace.

It was estimated that over a three-year period the cancellation of these charges would save Bahamasair about $1m.

Sky Bahamas chief executive Randy Butler said that Bahamian airlines have been annually paying the FAA more than $100,000 in fees to fly over The Bahamas — their own country.

The fact that at long last Bahamian pilots could now fly in their own airspace without charge was a limited victory won by those with limited vision. Mrs HannaMartin saw The Bahamas’ airline future as being able within ten years to build its own complex facilities to manage its own airspace. For this period, the FAA would remain in charge. After that, The Bahamas would have done the impossible. It would have built its own control centre, trained its own traffic controllers and managed its own air space — something that far richer countries shunned. But not so the little Bahamas. Its leaders did not understand that they did not lose control of their sovereign rights by having a more expert entity administer those rights and pay The Bahamas what was its due in overflight fees by foreign carriers. Obviously the concept was too vast for them to grasp.

In the meantime, Capt Randy Butler kept knocking at The Tribune’s door to try to publicise the futility and unfairness suffered by Bahamian pilots as they tried to operate their businesses in their own country.

Eventually, he met up with a member of The Tribune staff who most often than not thinks “outside of the box”. Robert Carron became interested in Capt Butler’s complaint. Robert’s research began. Using “Freedom of Information”, he discovered the overflight revenues of other nations and the formula used to justify such charges. His investigations took him from country to country around the world – if his questions did not get coherent answers by email, he telephoned the man in charge until eventually the answers started to make sense — it opened new horizons, new possibilities for The Bahamas.

For example, Robert discovered that while a British colony The Bahamas had actually been charging 15 shillings for those flying in our sovereign airspace.

This token alone maintained sovereignty. Nothing to get excited about in those days because “Pappy” Chalk’s little seaplane operating during Prohibition days to ferry bootleggers, their customers and even Customs agents to Bimini was the only aircraft flying in Bahamian airspace. Chalk’s was founded in 1919.

“Pappy” was also known for taking anyone of note, from American writer Ernest Hemingway to mobster Al Capone to Bimini. Pappy was soon followed by Pan American Airlines seaplanes. And so there was not sufficient traffic in those days to expect more than pennies to be falling from heaven. But not so today.

As years passed and air traffic over The Bahamas grew, the PLP government, under Sir Lynden Pindling, agreed to the succession of the FAA as the air traffic control authority, which had been delegated to the US at the IACO special

meeting in Cuba in 1952. For 33 consecutive year,s the PLP reaffirmed this authority, while failing to re-institute any over-flight fees for The Bahamas similar to that being done by 180 other nations around the world. The FAA kept every penny of the fees it charged since 2006.

It was interesting what Robert discovered in discussions “off the record” about The Bahamas’ attitude to the problem — an attitude that one can only attribute to the Bahamian negotiators’ lack of understanding of the complex issues. However, in a statement on the record in 2006 the Air Traffic Control Reform Newsletter explained why the US had assumed control of The Bahamas’ airspace. It was done, said the Newsletter, “without protest from the Bahamas government or the Ministry of Aviation and Transport”. Unfortunately Bahamian aircraft had been caught in the zone change and were then charged for passing through their own air space. This air space now came under the designation of Miami Ocean East (ZMA) and was considered a part of the US’s enroute airspace. It is this that while Aviation Minister Mrs Hanna Martin had negotiated that Bahamian aircraft could fly through their own airspace free of charge, she failed to grasp the larger picture, which she hoped to have under this country’s control in ten years’ time. In the meantime, the Bahamas would still get no overflight fees, although hundreds of foreign aircraft would continue to fly daily through our air space. All fees – in the millions – would be paid to the FAA. However, Robert was given an International Organisation’s (CAO) document in which it was “regretted that while the FAA presented The Bahamas government with an ‘Air Navigation Service Provider Proposal in 2006… no official dialogue commenced until a meeting at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was convened in March 26th 2014” — eight years later. Note these statements and observations on the performance of Mrs Hanna-Martin’s Ministry were made, not

by The Tribune, but by the ICAO and FAA. In all this time the Bahamas could have been getting its fair share of the fees being charged aircraft for flying over Miami Ocean East (ZMA), part of which The Bahamas owns.

As a result between between 2012 and 2016 the FAA collected $591m in overflight fees. The Bahamas got nothing. From 2009 through the fiscal year 2016 the FAA billed almost $800m again The Bahamas got nothing and on Mrs Hanna Martin’s plan would have to wait another ten years in the hope that our now bankrupt treasury would have built and staffed our own facilities.

In the meantime, The Bahamas remained one of “20 small and relatively poor countries” in the world that didn’t charge for ATC services.

Larger countries that could afford their own facilities have wisely come together to have their airspace managed by one entity. For example EuroControl, founded in 1960, has 41 member nations and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. It employs about 2,000 people and operates with an annual budget in excess of half a billion Euros. Each member nation is paid millions as its share of the collected fees.

At the end of his investigation Robert obtained a real-time colour satellite map that showed so many flights criss-crossing The Bahamas that the islands could not be seen. He outlined the revenue sharing possibilities. His project was published in The Tribune.

Some laughed it to scorn — it was so simple it seemed impossible. However, more sober heads took it seriously.

A meeting was held in Nassau early last month when FAA representatives flew in to meet with Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar. At the end of the meeting, Mr D’Aguilar announced The Bahamas government had finally given the go-ahead to charge foreign aircraft for flying through our air space. “The FAA,” said Mr D’Aguilar, “were extremely supportive, understood perfectly what we were attempting to do and were very helpful.” In fact, from what Robert learned in his extensive research is the FAA was always very supportive and could not understand that over the years they had been dealing with Bahamian governments that did not grasp the basic principle that sovereignty is not lost, but management of that sovereignty can be delegated with a handsome profit.

At last the penny had dropped in the minds of an island people as new vistas can now be seen to be opening on the horizon. No longer will the Bahamas be listed as one of the “small and relatively poor countries” of the world yet to understand the advantage of global cooperation.

And, yes, “Birdie”, it was The Tribune’s persistence that broke through the darkness.

FNM is a jungalist EDITOR, The Tribune.

A VAST majority of Bahamians voted for the Free National Movement and, by extension, the elevation of Dr Hubert A Minnis (FNM-Killarney) to the post of Prime Minister.

We were all dead tired of the juvenile leadership of the former Prime Minister, Perry Gladstone Christie.

The Progressive Liberal Party and a preponderance of its leadership cadre had ceased to check for those Bahamians whom they professed to have once “believed in”. The PLP and Christie had to go.

There was and even today is, only one real and viable political force that could bring about the PLP’s electoral defeat. The now near-invisible Democratic National Alliance and its then politically naive leader, Branville McCartney, were actually, in my considered view, playing doll house styled politics. They gyrated to the drums of a different drummer but were unable and incapable of harnessing the vibrancy of opposition politics. The bottom line is that Minnis and crew sold us a Bill of Dreams; smoke screens and a whole lot of mirrors.

In opposition, I was dead sure that I knew Minnis and a few of those who now lord it over the unwashed masses. Minnis declared in

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net opposition that VAT was a cruel tax to impose on the backs of the poor and middle class. That is what he said in broad daylight.

A now cabinet growth minister of something, used to holler for the much anticipated, but which will never be enacted prior to The Rapture, Freedom of Information Bill. He was the mover of The Spy Bill, which has been “approved” by the House of Assembly, but in opposition he hollered that the PLP were on a dictatorial run.

Minnis and them say that it is the “people’s time” as it is indeed, but, so far, Minnis & Company have refused/failed to tell us, the unwashed masses, which “people” they were/are talking about? This should not be a big deal but the PM and his clueless Minister of Finance, Deputy Prime Minister cum Member of Parliament for the badly depressed and neglected East End, Grand Bahama (hey is Oban still in play?), would die the death of a thousand cuts before they tell us that. Look around and see for yourselves.

The economy of the USA, right next door is booming, thank God for the visionary and focused

leadership of Donald J Trump, the best thing to have happened to the USA since sliced bread. Facts may be disputed but they may never be successfully denied.

Unemployment in the USA is at 3.9% and trending down. If Minnis and them had any political and economic savvy we would have, by now, fully embraced the model of President Trump. So what if he said that he had groped some whatever? How many of our own politicians did some groping and a whole lot more?

Minnis and the FNM have been unmasked and what we now see is not the beautiful and virtuous damsel that presented herself before the fateful elections of May, 2017. We now see with the destructive and mean spirited budget being rolled out by this diabolical administration that she was no more than a transitory mirage.

She, alas, was in fact, all along, an ugly and wicked political jungalist straight from the fabled Dowdeswell Street. The mask has been ripped off. The scars and facial distortions now revealed, big time, are from the very pits of Hell.

To God then, in all things, be the glory.

ORTLAND H. BODIE, JR Nassau, June 2. 2018.

Downtown derelicts EDITOR, The Tribune.

He decreed that the private sector Downtown FOR over ten years Nassau Partnership (DNP), many of us have been led by well-known activist staring at the decaying Ed Fields, would be responstructures blighting eastern sible for choosing the Bay Street, and agitating companies to engage in the for their reconstruction, development of our capital replacement, or demolition. city. The DNP was forecast Never seeing any action, to announce big plans that our eyes now just glaze over very afternoon. as they scan the continuing Wonderful. “Action this dilapidation in the Zombie day!” Winston Churchill Zone. used to demand as wartime We were given a ray of leader. hope when last February 14 Not quite yet in The Prime Minister Minnis told Bahamas. During the folthe press that “we cannot lowing three and a half have the derelict buildings months, we have not just sitting in the centre seen a lick of new paint, of the city; that cannot a repaired sagging roof, happen”. a restored antiquity, or a

freshly unboarded shop window along the whole dismal stretch. The abandoned Corona Hotel still sits as a dark cock-roach haven fronting a whole city block.

The DNP has not issued a peep of what its plans might be. A couple of sources have told me of intense activity “behind the scenes”. Well, why not drag it out in front of the scenes?

Does not every rightthinking citizen believe in the modern principle of “transparency”?

RICHARD COULSON Nassau, May 28, 2018.

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2018

The Bahamian people are again sacrificial lambs

By MALCOLM STRACHAN

STAGGERED from the shock experienced after the government’s announcement of the imminent 4.5 percent VAT hike, many citizens are left trying to make sense of it all. Among the questions floating around the heads of many Bahamians, none may be more pertinent than those concerning survival.

How are we going to be burdened further in this economy? While we are a group of people intelligent enough to understand the severity of our fiscal situation, increased taxation is a bitter pill for anyone to swallow – particularly those in the low to middle income brackets.

Treacherously, the emotions of citizens tuning into Wednesday’s Budget Com- THE FNM government walking across Rawson Square towards the House of Assembly, with Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest carrying the traditional red briefcase munication were hoisted holding the 2017/18 budget communication.

Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff up only to be plummeted the current government’s There is no greater slap is about to experience. account the logic of Finan- in three years when the by the government’s pretty tenure, one would be hard- in the face.

Unfortunately, there have cial Secretary Marlon deficit is supposedly paid packaging of the disturbing pressed to point to a single It is no secret many in been no assurances out- Johnson, the increased down, the government news. Certainly, we have successful initiative they government, in particular side of the government taxation must not be a will have a lot of explaingrown not to trust what is have created to spur eco- the prime minister and his not having intentions to long-term solution. Surely, ing to do when Bahamians said by double-talking poli- nomic growth. deputy, are worth millions. increase VAT for the “fore- they may have met a dif- would have suffered for ticians. This much has been Baha Mar aside, the pros- Notwithstanding the fact seeable future”. Sadly, with ferent reception from the three years prior. Without confirmed when we reflect pect of jobs has been far that inflation affects eve- their most recent shocker, Bahamian people if their question, they will have on snippets of the prime and few in between. The rybody, the reality is they their promises are of little plan included a short-term to ask themselves if putminister and his deputy government has not shown haven’t a clue of how this value. increase in VAT, while ting their political futures attacking the former gov- its ability to create jobs as will impact the majority Nonetheless, in order for the government chan- and the livelihoods of ernment for its decision to well as it has been able to of families and deter eco- the economy to grow, taxa- neled some of the revenue many Bahamians on the implement value-added tax. downsize the public service nomic growth. tion alone will not suffice. into the development of line was worth it.

You may recall the prime with hundreds being fired to As businesses raise their The government has yet to natural resource-based Make no mistake, when minister’s condescen- date. Undoubtedly, this has prices, Bahamians will have show an interest in devel- industries. the Bahamian people have sion towards the former made the government look to become stingier with oping industries focused on Not doing so will surely the opportunity to let the government. like a band of hypocrites. their spending. Conversely, our natural resources. depress the Bahamian government know how they “I don’t believe in Certainly, there are no if businesses want to While we take into economy further and feel they will not be shy. increasing taxes, I believe Bahamians who feel as achieve their margins, they in decreasing taxes and though the announcement will have to become more increasing opportunities. made by Deputy Prime creative so their businesses Increasing taxes is a lazy Minister Turnquest was can continue to operate at way out. When you don’t consistent with the hearts of a profitable level. This will want to think, you just tax”, the people. be no easy tango between he said.

While Financial Secretary producers and consumFor a prime minister Marlon Johnson was able to ers, as there will be many whose utterances are rid- delineate the practicality of casualties. dled with inconsistencies, it being necessity to pay our However, this is usually who would be bills now rather how it happens. The decisurprised that later, sions that will impact the ‘Understandably, than he has, yet questions still greatest amount of people Bahamian people again, misled loom with the are made without consultathe Bahamian are angry. We government’s tion and consideration of people. decision to how they will manage. feel duped by Likewise, keep us in the While the Bahamian Deputy Prime our leaders, yet dark. The deci- people are resilient and will Minister and again. Every sion to increase figure out ways to endure bearer of bad VAT to 12 what is to come, it still burelection cycle, news, Peter has dens the heart that we are we are promised percent Turnquest, obviously been once again expected to be castigated the world by our a methodical the sacrificial lambs for the the previous exercise under- sins of our leaders. political sweet government taken by the Undoubtedly, the horiahead of the talkers, only to government. zon looks bleak. However, 2015 imple- have our hopes However, the it is our sincere hope that mentation of entire country in tandem with the higher VAT. He said: and dreams experienced taxes being imposed on “While the dashed away whiplash as a the Bahamian people the government result of last government becomes more once power is will force the week’s startling imaginative. initiation of in their clutch.’ announcement.

We would like to see this increase in Now, with real growth take place in Bahamians’ cost of living, only four weeks before the economy – the kind of it is doing so without due our cost of living - which is growth Deputy Prime Minconsideration to the cir- already one of the highest ister Turnquest spoke of on cumstances of ordinary in the world - skyrockets the eve of the party’s conBahamian families who are to an unprecedented level, vention in July 2016. currently suffering from a many people feel hopeless.

“Unlike our prime mincontinued slow economic Rightfully so. ister, who tells the world recovery, where jobs are The reality is there is zero The Bahamas has no natuscarce despite the failed trust between the major- ral resources, we believe promise of 10,000 new ity of the populace and the The Bahamas is teeming jobs.” government. with natural mineral and To both Prime Minister Many brothers and sis- human resources, waiting Minnis and Deputy Prime ters across the country took to be discovered, tapped Minister Turnquest, the no time before vehemently and exploited”, he said of Bahamian people would voicing their discontent the then-Prime Minister like to know where is their with the government’s plans Christie.Turnquest continconsideration. Has it some- to increase our taxes by 60 ued: “We know about the how only been able to apply percent. salt, aragonite, seaweed, when their political ambiSocial media memes sponges, fisheries, bush tions suited it? saturated our collective medicine, teas, craft prodPerhaps this has been an channels, as the “good ucts, etc. which have been unavoidable turn of events news” of exemptions and underperforming for to which we were expo- tax breaks on bread basket Bahamians. nentially fast-tracked by items have been laughable “With investments to the former government’s in comparison with what we jump-start the research fiscal recklessness. How- face as a nation. and the eventual processever, this government has Understandably, Baha- ing of these and other raw done nothing to develop mian people are angry. We materials in a locally domithe confidence within feel duped by our leaders, ciled production facility for the electorate that it can yet again. Every election export, we can create new innovate and shepherd us cycle, we are promised the jobs and entrepreneurs. through what it is undoubt- world by our political sweet Again, we must think deep edly to be a trying time for talkers, only to have our and not be afraid to invest Bahamians. hopes and dreams dashed in our young people and in If there was any honesty away once power is in their research and technology to the prime minister’s sen- clutch. They selfishly make to identify and utilise all of timents, it is that increasing the decisions and rules the natural assets we have taxes is what a government by which we have to play, available to us.” does when it is lazy and and without consideration, This is the kind of innolacks imagination. speak to us as if they are vative thought that is In fact, the proof is in also subject to the struggles required to dull the pain the pudding. One year into we endure. of which the populace

PAGE 8 MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2017

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

AN AERIAL view of the dump near Milo Butler Highway.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

BIGGER OR NOT? OFFICIALS INSIST DUMP IS NOT EXPANDING

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

YOU can only really see it from the air. Hundreds of feet below New Providence’s landfill stretching out into the distance and now visibly right upto the edge of a major highway.

The stench of the dump particularly as the weather heats up - has long been a major cause of complaint for residents whose homes border the landfill. When the wind blows the awful smell the dump produces invades every home; windows tightly shut to keep the smell outside.

In recent weeks, residents have become convinced the dump has undergone a major expansion with trucks visible on the horizon dumping and compacting waste.

But officials insist this is not the case and that no new areas have been brought into use and that none of its ongoing operations infringe on surrounding properties.

Thomasina Wilson, senior deputy at DEHS with responsibility for all

landfills in the country, told The Tribune efforts to compact several sections of the landfill and develop a southern entrance have led to the speculation.

Ms Wilson assured the public any move to expand the property would come with adequate consultation, adding her office has undertaken a systematic process to complete both projects in a timely manner.

Over the past two weeks, The Tribune received reports of heavy machinery operating at, or very near properties which border the landfill to the south and the Milo Butler Highway to the east.

Those reports also suggested these operations led to loads of waste being pushed closer to the bordering properties.

In response, The Tribune visited the landfill on several occasions to monitor operations.

Ms Wilson said: “I don’t know where these types of reports come from, but trust me, everything we are doing here falls in line with compacting and the Fire Trail entrance.”

She said the compacting aspect of the operations have been common place, suggesting that those persons taking issue with it, may very well be the same persons opposing the Fire Trail Road entrance.

According to Ms Wilson, residents in the area took issue with the move and the influx of traffic it could cause.

She explained that repairs to the main Tonique Williams Highway entrance have forced officials to utilize Fire Trail Road entrance, a rarity until recently.

“Shortly after we started the Fire Trail entrance we

got calls and complaints from those residents, so we tried to work with them,” Ms Wilson said.

“But, if we stopped sending trucks around back, it would limit the amount of loads we could take a day.

The choice came down to cutting loads and that entrance. We can’t cut the loads,” she added.

“It isn’t possible.”

Ms Wilson said limiting loads would, in time, slow ongoing improvements at the property.

“We are doing what we can,” she said. “But there is a lot to get through and every move we make causes an issue with someone.”

“We want to do our best, it will take time but the public needs to work with us. It is going to take some give and take on both sides.

We understand that, I hope the public can come around to that.”

This comes as the government continues its evaluation of the seven firms that have launched bids for the remediation and management of the landfill.

The firms announced include Apapa International (Nassau) Ltd, Bahamas Waste, Bahamas WPT Ltd, Eastern Waste Systems Ltd, Marine Contractors Inc, Providence Advisors and Valoriza Sevicios Medioambientales, S A. The government is expected to make its choice this summer.

Renew Bahamas, the last firm to manage the landfill, withdrew services in October 2016 amid several disagreements with the former government.

DEHS, under the supervision of Ms Wilson, subsequently took over operations.

Confidence Insurance Bahamas Agency Ltd. will be

CLOSED for our annual FUN DAY

Friday, June 9th, 2018 Sorry for any Inconvenience caused

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INSIGHT

MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2017 PAGE 9

Let PM Mia Mottley’s seed sprout across the Caribbean IN the wake of the clean sweep by the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) of all the seats in general elections on May 24 for the Barbados House of Representatives, the problem of no parliamentary opposition has rightly become a matter for wider discussion in the Caribbean and farther abroad.

This development in Barbados, that occasioned the unseating of the Democratic Labour Party (DLP) which had presided over the steady decline of the economy for ten years, followed a similar circumstance in Grenada just two months before where the ruling New National Party (NNP) won all the seats.

One country without an opposition leader in parliament is cause enough for concern, but when the situation occurs in a second country, it provokes debate about how to ensure no Caribbean nation is deprived of an opposition in the House of Representatives in future general elections.

Before going any further in this commentary, note should be taken that there were no credible claims of elections-fixing in either the Grenada or Barbados polls.

The results of the elections in both countries demonstrated the free will of the majority electors in each constituency to put in office the candidates and parties for which they voted.

In such a democratic process, parties that win all the seats in the House of Representatives cannot be blamed for the failures of their opponents, nor can they be reproached for the non-representation of an opposition in parliament.

Political parties do not campaign in elections to

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

win some of the seats; they have to campaign to win all on the assumption that they will lose a few. When any political party loses all the seats, it is because the electorate is punishing it for very poor performance.

In the aftermath of the elections results in Grenada and Barbados, suggestions have been made that, in the absence of a parliamentary opposition, the media should become the opposition to the government, and, if not the media, the people.

These are extravagant ideas but neither of them is practical or desirable.

With regard to the amorphous “people”, it should be recalled the people of a country comprise not only persons opposed to the government but also the same voters that elected it. The term “people” and its identity should not, and cannot, be highjacked in the name of opposition.

As for the media, in every nation the media has an important role as an objective reporter and fair analyser of political events, including the conduct of government and opposition political parties, but it is not the media’s function to be an opposition. When any of the media assume an opposition role, it ceases to serve the interest of society as a reliable and credible source of objective information and analysis and becomes, instead, a political tool.

It has also been suggested by one writer that since the Constitutions of Grenada and Barbados provide that the Governor-General appoints the Leader of the Opposition, that authority should be exercised to cure the problem. However, the Governor-General can only appoint a Leader of the Opposition from “among the members of the House of Representatives in opposition to the Government”.

In the absence of any elected opposition person in the House, the Governor-General can appoint no one to the post, and the problem remains.

Having said all that, even electorates that obliterate political parties at the polls prefer that a parliamentary opposition should exist. Not only is it good for democracy that opposition voices and divergent arguments should be heard on legislation and policy that affect the nation, but the parliamentary Leader of the Opposition has important constitutional roles, the most vital of which is to head the public accounts committee that keeps a check on government spending and holds the executive to fiscal responsibility.

In cases where parliament is comprised of two chambers – the elected House of Representatives and the appointed Senate which reviews legislation – the Leader of the Opposition also has the

BARBADOS Prime Minister Mia Mottley. responsibility to appoint Senators who will offer opposing arguments to government positions.

All this is good for democracy; good for keeping governments accountable; and good for helping electorates to make informed judgments about policies that affect them.

These debates also allow the public to assess the quality of the representatives in parliament and to determine the value of the policies they advocate.

How then could a parliamentary opposition be achieved in circumstances where only one political party is elected to all the seats in the House of Representatives? The new Prime Minister of Barbados and leader of the BLP, Mia Mottley, may have, in part, showed the way.

Recognising, that the absence of a parliamentary opposition is unhelpful to democracy and that, in any event, the BLP won 22 percent of the votes cast in the general elections, Mottley has proposed to amend the

Constitution to allow the party securing the second largest number of votes in the election to name two members for appointment to the Senate.

But, while this manoeuvre would give the opposition party a voice in the reviewing chamber, it would still leave opposition parties with no voice in the main House, and the constitutional functions of the role of the Leader of the Opposition would also remain unfulfilled.

However, Mottley’s idea could be the basis for a constitutional solution to the issue across the Caribbean.

Recognising that clean sweeps could happen in every country, resulting in no parliamentary opposition in the House of Representatives, legislatures might now consider constitutional amendments that would automatically give a parliamentary seat to the party that secures the second highest number of votes in general elections, in the event that only representatives of one

political party are elected to the House.

In this way, Caribbean countries could be assured that, even as the will of the majority of the electorate is respected, there will be a Leader of the Opposition, voicing opposition concerns and carrying out the constitutional functions of the office.

The winning political party and its supporters will lose nothing, while democracy in Caribbean societies continue to be served.

The seed that Miss Mottley has planted should germinate across the region.

• Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com

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

0 MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017 PAGE 10, Monday, January 23, 2017

PAGE 8 MONDAY, JUNE 4, 2017

WEEK IN RIBUNE

INSIGHT

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GAIN AN EDGE

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International Airport and summa cum laude; you just with that. See, you’ve BTVI college unlocked a technology Her his that associate ofhasarchitectural through ook’, a weekly proached Smith, she the generos- whole new worldjects ters, my Mrs dadyears Commonwealth Bank in have to get there before been lazy all your life, and under his company’s for her and hope is that her training science degree of donors toschool the Lyford ngpulled in The Ba-aside TVET is a first option for does not work out. could sense theity exhaustion.

The Bahamas. they get there. You don’t now someone comes to me management have included her on a path towards will help the country closer in set architecture Cay Foundations. some is an important step as a society, Mrssaid, Smith worked As an ofalumnus of the have to be stronger or offer you six figures but all and ‘Look, if hard - Unfortunately, success.

She has used every provide a wider array The University of Texas from COB in 1993 the towards progression. The we road place to white collar jobs both did,Although 183rd class of Harvard Busi- smarter than them; you just you have to do is show up you areparents not going tofor they Associate’s medical laboratory services and continued on oftoher at Engineering graduation has not been an moment day child Dallas that is talented with on a pedestal.

Our educawanted the best for their ness School’s Advanced have to be willing to work early and work hard. How do well in college, you can programme to explore all locally without having to complete of building; al-a bachelor William B Management a 28-page sec- easy one, Stephanie their handsDr is just as inteltionalhas system separates the children.

Programme, harder. Working hard is the are you going to learn that aspects of the little-known send the more complex labquit wasting your time and science master of Dean ways kept her focus on and the to the best in I’ve Learning at ligent as the childCentre who asstudents with a“great “Mummy, made a dewas invited to give equaliser.” on the fly? Graduates, you field ofpotenmedical technology. oratories abroadFred for testing. my money.

This your prize graduating the students Univerfashion, food, pires toBaptist pursue University; medicine. tial”, and forat those cision.

I want toshining do hairlast and -architecture Dallas the keynote address at The have to stay committed to The 2016 prestigious “It’s an exciting field that She also hopes to spread the time you garcan bring a sity withhome a college degree thatbest. tainment, of Texas at Arlington. and SocialHarim equityGroup begins headwith we give our nails.”

University of The Bahaworking hard; your hard American Institute of allows you to make sure word at home about the imGPA less than a 2.0.’

I had enable make ahe al matters, 1996, began such his us, for the carpenter and mas New Providence spring Architects (AIA) College work has put you in those countries Vexed, fit-Mrswill Smith re-herIntoHowever, quarters in Seoul, South that doctors are giving their portance of this critical field. toplied, learn“Girl how to work hard. difference in The and interviews career in design andeducacon- the doctor both end up con- commencement exercise. of Fellows Fellow, who is seats.” as Bahamas Finland, whose you crazy aye! patients the right diagno“College prohas allowed me the Additional through medicalstruction. technology.

View - that NaughI All had a second chance,” tributing to the society as a The Lyford Cay Korea. tional system rivals most, money we plunkHe shared

sis through testing,” she involved chance to the really look towardsage advice with part of the AIA Large-Firm jects so many aspiring take on tothe Fred recalled. whole. have Thus, failure to have shows that 45 said. percurrently cent of ing out put youLike in private scholar (1990) is the historic “Gain An Edge” is a continued Stephanie Princess knows thatMargaret the future and seek out op- 900 plus class of Roundtable, students, Stephanie’s first HosBahamas both TVET and traditional Takingand hisyou dad’s students a technical school say warning you wan’ the chief choose executive officer 2018. weekly collaboration of the sharing key truths about although there are many portunities where I couldn’t major thethe road to etoFinish Line, pital, the College academics available ofin The all track as US-based opposed to designthe tra- physicians doheart, what?! youtohurdle better he Girl began turn onof “Graduates, you have to becoming successful.

Lyford Cay Foundations, well-trained in see them before,” said Stepha college education was fie things local sports school programmes is truly ditional What Bahamas, get out my face and pray Bay Rec around one grade at build firm,academics*. the Beck The Group.

Bahamas, there is a theanie.

“This opportunity was stay committed to work“Some of us won’t be the Bahamas Technical and nancial.

“I can Some still rememntaabout Stubbs a disservice to our children if Joshua, can take for a equally with your time. what to do of who his great acclaimed Condominiums, Nassau need wellthe just the first rung onhard; a veryyour hard work successful because we are Vocational Institute and ing ber the moment that I found and ultimately our country. car apart and trained put it back life!” healthcare technol- tall ladder. I planhas to continue put you in those seats. comfortable with being University of The Bahaoutretreated, I was awarded a scholurdayRochelle At this pivotal moment, together, or Gabrielle, who ogy professionals. to climb and I’m going to conLet me tell you that you average. Some of us won’t mas aimed at promoting a arship from The Foundaune’s Top 5: there is no simple answer artwork heartbroken, despond- can paint nails like After graduation, Stephtinue my education by any to be the smart- be successful because if national dialogue on higher don’t have tions,” she to reflected. was had the op- to solve our social and ecodeoent, review of determined on a “I canvass, but was anie plans to pursue a means possible.” est, you don’t have to be a your boss or your pro- education. To share your stunned!

Just moments opmake storiesherby mother nomic ills. Nevertheless, portunitybe-early on to bedegree proud.

Bachelor’s in bio• “Gain An genius, Edge” isyou a don’t have to fessor tells you ‘You are thoughts, email gainfore I learned that I’d been gilShe on prayed www. long and hard seen as a success one of our answers lies in for who logical sciences or clinical weekly collaboration of cum laude or average,’ you are good anedge@tribunemedia.net. be the magna a scholarship, I was omand decided to awarded placing diversified educathey are, as opposed to the pursue medbiology. She will also do the Lyford Cay Foundacalling the that inicine.

The Trib- contemplating expectations tion at the forefront. All society study to become a tions, Bahamas Technical college to tell them thatonto I further usiness, especially deprojects them? specialist For countries, As sports, Bahamians, we know certified in hema- and Vocational Institute wouldn’t because d this Classifieds veloping countries, need students like tology these, techstory all too well. be Wecoming and microbiology. and University of The Bacouldn’t best to I justthe balanced development nical it.” vocational education giveguide our children best afford This combination of train- hamas aimed at promotFor Stephanie, being e, education real estate, through all of the educa(TVET) is because we have and training ing will allow her the versa- ing a national dialogue on scholarship andhopes more.that theyawarded tional sectors in order to choice. tility to pursue career will becomea first fields higher education. To share REMISKA WILDGOOSE meant that there were peoingdoctors news and make significant progress While therethatare still and lawyers. Carrange from pathology your thoughts, email gain- STEPHANIE STUBBS, Keiser University Graduate and Lyford Cay ple out there, along with her your mobilein terms of national devel- and look to 2027, when our well-diversified educational duce instantaneous results, be made penters and massage ther- changes neededtotopublic and allied health. anedge@tribunemedia.net. scholar. family, who ne242.com (Bennell,1996). educational system pro- system is one small but sig- it is an alternative that will our educational system, opment apists should own only supportive be the in alternative when medical embracing the fact that We must see beyond 2017 duces more than enough nificant step towards long- make a tremendous differqualified, visionary citizens term economic prosperity ence. who could build a world in our nation.

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

Stories like that of Rochelle, whose name has been changed for the prupose of this article, are much too common. Like so many others, medical school did not work out. In the end, she still pursued what she loved - beauty trades.

A prescription for Fred Perpall’s journey to success Why diversified a brighterisfuture education key to social equity

R

A Lyford Cay Foundations scholar aims to serve through medical technology

TECHNICAL vocational education and training is important to help students, says Remiska Wildgoose.

Sources *Mark Phillips (2012).

Why should we care about Vocational Education? **Bennell, P (1996).

General versus vocational secondary education in developing country: A review of rates of return evidence.

The Journal of Development Studies.

“Gain An Edge” is a weekly collaboration of the Lyford Cay Foundations, Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute and University of The Bahamas aimed at promoting a national dialogue on higher education. To share your thoughts, email gainanedge@tribunemedia.net.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, June 4, 2018, PAGE 11

Off-duty police officer shot as men tried to steal his car

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

A POLICE officer is recovering in hospital after being shot by men he pursued while off-duty early Thursday morning.

Police said they launched an island-wide manhunt for the suspects, who they believe are connected to a string of armed robberies in the capital in recent weeks.

The off-duty officer was at Primer Avenue off Tonique Williams Darling Highway when he was approached by two men who tried to get into his car shortly after 2am Thursday.

“The officer managed to thwart the attempt resulting in the suspects getting into a gold vehicle, which was occupied by other men and made good their escape,” a police report read.

“However, the officer pursued the vehicle, which came to a stop at Robinson Road and Lincoln Boulevard. The men got out of the vehicle and fired at the

MAN DIES AS CAR HITS POLE POLICE in Grand Bahama are investigating a Labour Day traffic accident in Grand Bahama that left a man dead.

On Friday, shortly after 3pm, police were called to a traffic accident on Bay Shore Road in Eight Mile Rock, where a silver

Nissan Fit vehicle had collided into a utility pole.

The male driver died on the scene.

Traffic officers are investigating this matter and are again appealing to the motoring public to wear their seat belts and to drive within the speed limit.

officer, resulting in him sustaining gunshot injuries.”

According to the report, the police officer returned fire with his service-issued weapon, but the men escaped on foot. Up to press time, the officer was said to be in stable condition receiving medical care in hospital.

Meanwhile, police are searching for the culprits of three armed robberies and an attempted armed robbery.

Two men were robbed outside a home on Roosevelt Avenue off Jerome Avenue shortly after 11pm Wednesday.

According to police, the victims were approached by two armed men who got out of a white Ford vehicle and took their cell phones before returning to the vehicle and speeding off.

The next incident was reported around 1am Thursday at a residence at Seaview Drive off West Bay Street. A man was approached by an armed man who demanded cash; however, the request was not unsuccessful and the culprit reportedly fired two shots before running away.

In another incident, a man was standing outside a home on Soldier Road

sometime around 1am Thursday when he was approached by four men in a white Ford Taurus vehicle. Police said one of the men was armed with a firearm and robbed them of a cell phone and cash before they got into the victim’s gold Nissan Sylphy and both vehicles sped away.

An hour later, a man was robbed as he pulled up to his home on Constitution Drive, Chippingham.

In that incident, the victim was approached by a man armed with a firearm, who ran away after robbing him of a black bag that reportedly contained two cell phones.

Police reported two armed robberies that involved a white Ford Taurus earlier last week.

A white Ford Taurus was stolen from a Ridgeland Park home shortly after 10pm on Tuesday. An hour later, police reported that a white Ford Taurus was used in the commission of another armed robbery on St Alban’s Drive.

Investigations are

TWO DROWNINGS BEING INVESTIGATED

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

POLICE are investigating two apparent drowning incidents which occurred in the past few days, one in Grand Bahama and the other in Abaco.

Grand Bahama police are investigating the drowning of a man in the Fortune Bay area over the weekend.

Police have not released the identity of the man, but he has been identified on social media as Michael Wilson.

According to police, shortly before 4pm on Saturday, June 2, police were called to the Fortune Bay area at Blackbeard’s Beach where a male reportedly went swimming in the canal and began experiencing difficulties.

ASP Terecita Pinder reported that the man was seen floating in the waters but efforts to retrieve him were fruitless due to strong currents.

She said that the body was later recovered from the water by boat.

Police in Abaco are

investigating a drowning incident at Guana Cay involving a 72-year-old man.

Shortly after 4pm on May 30, police were told two men on a 44-foot vessel were swimming in the area of Baker’s Bay dock on Guana Cay when the other man was discovered floating.

“CPR was rendered but the male victim never regained consciousness,” a police report noted. “He was transported to Marsh Harbour Government Clinic and pronounced

dead by (a) doctor.”

In other news, ASP Pinder reported the police Rapid Response Unit arrested three persons for various offences on Grand Bahama recently, including possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply, and for outstanding warrants of arrests for a male who is wanted for causing grievous harm and attempted armed robbery.

The suspects are expected to be formally charged in Magistrate’s Court this week.

continuing in all matters.

• Police are investigating a shooting incident on Saturday, which left two men with injuries.

Shortly after noon, two men were standing outside a home on Eaton Street in Yellow Elder Gardens, when a silver Toyota Passo vehicle pulled in front of the home, police were told.

Occupants of this vehicle fired shots at the men, injuring both of them before speeding off. Both men were transported to hospital and are listed in serious condition.

Police are following significant leads into this matter. Investigations are ongoing.

Police also took two illegal weapons off the streets.

Around 1pm on Friday, Mobile Division officers were on routine patrol on Plantol Street when they observed a group of men in an abandoned building acting in a suspicious

manner. As the officers approached, the men ran from the building. Officers conducted a search of the building and recovered a .22 pistol and one round of ammunition.

In the second incident, shortly after 11pm Friday, Drug Enforcement Unit officers acting on information, went to Marlin Close off Cowpen Road, where they conducted a search of a vacant lot and recovered from under an old sofa, a Smith and Wesson .44 pistol and six rounds of ammunition.

No arrests were made in either of these incidents.

• Last night, a man was injured in a shooting incident.

Short after 6pm, the victim was on Bernard Road when occupants of a silver Nissan March pulled up and opened fire, hitting him to the body.

He was taken to hospital, where he was in stable condition.

PAGE 12, Monday, June 4, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

12% - now the backlash from page one

“There’s always an emotional response when you hear about an increase in a particular tax rate,” Mr

Bowe said.

“And ultimately what we have learned, even with the implementation of VAT (some) two and a half years ago…was that the actual impact is not as drastic or

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dramatic as people believe it will be simply from an emotional standpoint.

“It will have an impact because until persons are comfortable that it is a rate they can bear, there will be the apprehension about spending… Because it will be the uncertainty or unknown about what the price is going to be when you get to a 12 per cent line.”

Mr Bowe added that people are speculating whether they will be able to absorb these new taxes.

“I know a lot of people have jumped to say well it’s going to be 27 per cent now when you go out for dinner. Well in reality it was 22.5 (per cent),” he said, referring to the 15 per cent gratuity added at restaurants plus VAT. Consequently, he advised people not to create an “exaggerated difference.”

GOWON BOWE, President of the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA) alongside Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest and Acting Financial Secretary Marlon Johnson.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff Mr Bowe also addressed concerns about the poverty line.

“I do not foresee that it’s going to say drive people who are on the poverty line further below,” he said.

“I think what it is going to do though is it’s going to create a further distancing between the haves and the have-nots. And the danger you create in that one is… class unrest.

“Because if you are saying ‘I’m trying to do something to accommodate things being cheaper for those on the lower income spectrum,’ you’re also bucketing them to say that they will only be able to purchase those cheaper items.”

Mr Bowe clarified that “haves and have-nots” refers to what people have the ability to purchase.

One such unintended consequence, he said, would be “that really what you’re now doing is… restricting equilibrium between those who are earning more and those who are earning less. By making certain items… labelled as ‘poor man’s food’ and ‘poor man’s items’ and other items being luxury.

“And that creates social unrest, which is what we

really have to be very careful of.”

Mr Bowe explained that when the cost of living increases, the purchasing power of those on the minimal sustainable line decreases.

“There’s always the emotion to say that ‘yea, you’re now making poor people poorer,’ but in reality, what you’re probably doing is just creating a divide.

“And that is possibly equally as dangerous, because you don’t want there to be such a class separation. You want us to all feel equal and…able to afford the same luxuries.

“My income level should not dictate whether or not my children can be treated to things when they have good grades.

“But if certain items get taxed out of my range simply because of a tax strategy, then that is not what the government would intend.”

Mr Bowe noted that such class segregation is very dangerous in a small community.

He added that the message should instead focus on elevating persons on the lower income level— such as expanding opportunities for them, increasing

employment, increasing take home pay, so they can purchase items regardless of exemptions or concessions.

Mr Bowe also discussed the impact of the sudden hike in VAT on businesses.

For example, businesses that have both taxable and non-taxable items will have to change systems to accommodate it. Mr Bowe said there could possibly be a time where people will inadvertently be charged for things they should not be or vice versa.

Businesses will also have to look at expenditures they previously made where they were able to deduct the VAT they paid on them, a large portion will no longer be deductible.

“And when the cost base of a business increases… there’s only two ways a business can recover that.

Either reduce other expenditures, and the principal expenditure of a lot of businesses are payroll costs, and if not with payroll costs in terms of reduction of staff sizes, then the possibility of increase in prices,” he said.

“So, it really bears the question on whether a proper empirical analysis has been performed.”

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, June 4, 2018, PAGE 13

‘No point lying’ - Lucayan deal has been complex

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net DEPUTY Prime Minister Peter Turnquest has admitted negotiations for the sale of the Grand Lucayan Hotel have been a complicated and difficult process with the four parties at the table.

Mr Turnquest – who is on record saying the negotiations were “coming along very nicely” – was upfront with workers at the Labour Day rally in Grand Bahama on Friday.

“We know we have to get this hotel opened,” he said. “It has been a complex negotiation – no point in lying to you; it has been difficult.

“We have four people at the table, and whenever you have two people, it is difficult. We have four people, so it is complex because they all have got to agree, then we have to put it in writing, and then everybody’s got to agree again.

“But it is coming together, and we expect a resolution. We expect that property to open,” said the minister of finance.

The parties involved in negotiations are the Wynn Group, the purchasing company; the government of the Bahamas; Hutchison Whampoa and the Grand Bahama Development Company and the Grand Bahama Port Authority.

The sale of the hotel property on the Lucaya strip is critical to the survival of Grand Bahama’s economy, which has been struggling since the three-resort hotel closed following significant hurricane damage.

There are some 300 workers employed at Lighthouse Point, which is the only property still open.

The Sir Randol Fawkes Labour Day March began at 9am, and climaxed at the park at St George’s High School. Minister for Grand Bahama Senator Kwasi Thompson, Pakesia Parker Edgecombe, MP for West Grand Bahama, Rev Frederick McAlpine, MP for Pineridge, and PLP Senator Fred Mitchell were present.

Michelle Dorsett, president of the Commonwealth Union of Hotel Services and Allied Workers, urged the hotel workers to remain positive and give 100 percent service to guests.

“We have 320 plus workers still up there working, and we are a strong supportive union for the workers and our members,” she said. “The deputy prime minister said there are four

THE GRAND LUCAYAN RESORT persons involved in the Kirk Russell, area vice hotel sale and we have to president of the Trade be patient as leaders and Union Congress, expressed workers.” serious concerns about the Ms Dorsett said the union status of workers, particuand its officers are working larly casual workers in the to protect workers’ benefits, industrial sector, as well as provide counselling and the high employment of assistance. foreign workers.

In response to the govThe government must ernment’s plan to increase seek to address the issue, VAT from 7.5 percent to 12 said Mr Russell who percent, she said: “I appre- stressed that something ciate the government being has to done to ensure truthful about what is going that “casual” workers on in the country – we have can become permanent a crisis. The country is workers. facing some challenges, and Mr Russell said there is we have to stand together also concern about a large and pray for the country’s number of foreign workturnaround. ers at the Grand Bahama “We ask hotel workers Shipyard. to remain positive and to He feels that there are a come into work and make lot of jobs in Grand Bahama sure they carry-out their that can go to Bahamiduties 100 percent so that ans, and said Bahamians our guests are pleased when are frustrated when they they leave,” Ms Dorsett see buses of Filipinos and said. other foreigners collecting

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pay cheques when they are jobless.

Quinton Laroda, area vice president of the Bahamas Union of Teachers, said the union wants to see students, teachers and administration staff relocated from the Eight Mile Rock High School, which has been plagued with mould.

The union executive claimed that the school’s administration and students continue to experience consistent health problems.

“Too much money has been spent in the EMR school when we could use

the new facilities,” suggested Mr Laroda.

On the positive side, Mr Turnquest, when he spoke, highlighted some positive things that are underway in Grand Bahama.

He commended Mr Thompson for introducing beekeeping on Grand Bahama.

“Today, we have almost 100 young people trained in the business of beekeeping and apiary, producing honey,” he said.

Mr Turnquest also mentioned the government is working on a project in West Grand Bahama

that will transform the community.

“This ain’t no Ginn project, this is going to be a transformation for the Ginn project, and we have another project in West Grand Bahama that is also doing some expansion.

There are other things we are working on, but we promised the investors we wouldn’t speak about it,” he said.

“But even though things are tough, we remain optimistic that Grand Bahama is going to rebound – I ask for your continued patience, prayer, and support.”

PAGE 14, Monday, June 4, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

100JAMZ seeks review over licence takeover decision THE People’s Radio lost confidence in URCA Spectrum Licence (ISL) Station, 100JAMZ, has ini- and question what has issued by URCA in 2010 tiated legal action against prevented the Attorney to “Messrs Frank Rutherthe Broadcast industry’s General and Deputy Prime ford (original licensee) and watchdog – URCA – for Minister responsible for Philip Smith (deceased) approving the takeover oversight of the Electronic for Nevette Broadcastof ZSR Sports Radio Communications Sector ing & Entertainment Co 103.5FM on the grounds policy from exercising their Ltd” concluding that it was that the regulators’ legal oversight obligations. “defective and void”. It interpretation of the grant As the pioneer of FM claimed that the “appropriof the Bahamas govern- radio broadcasting in The ate regulatory measure to ment’s individual Broadcast Bahamas, the applicant is remedy this matter was to License approval was affected by any decision of amend the existing licence an unauthorised, illegal and URCA that has the effect and the reissuance (sic) unlawful abuse of power. of licensing a new entrant of the same (“defective In an affidavit filed by into an already over- and void”) document to Fred Smith, QC, of Cal- crowded radio broadcasting Paramount. lenders & Co, in support market.

“It is beyond the realm of Tribune Radio’s of ridiculousapplication for ‘URCA should be taking steps to ness,” said Mr Judicial Review, Carron, “to The People’s reduce the number of licence holders accept the logic Radio Station in order to reduce the financial risk that the acting also charges and chaos by its decision to issue director of that the Utilities electronic comRegulation and 47 radio licences for a population of munications Competition “deci- 377,000. Compare this to New York could reission” (published City, with a population of over 16 sue the same on February 2, licence to 2018) has further million with only 42 radio licences.’

Paramount… disrupted an “over having just saturated” market – 47 In explaining URCA’s ruled no more than a few Broadcast licences – by per- decision to reject what the sentences earlier that the mitting Paramount Systems acting director of electronic said Individual Spectrum to use the 105.3FM fre- communications claims Licence (ISL) was “defecquency – breaching its own was an application for a tive and void” meaning it moratorium and materially change in control of a licen- does not exist, was abolcontradicting its earlier pro- see submitted by Brickell ished, nullified, useless, nouncements that it laments Management Group on revoked, empty, invalid, “....there is also no capacity behalf of Newman Net- without force; or, “as if it for additional FM broad- works Ltd and Messrs had never been”. casters in New Providence Frank Rutherford on the The radio broadcastconsequential to FM spec- grounds it was “ineffectual” ing market in its present trum exhaustion”. It is and ruling that URCA con- form in The Bahamas, Mr claimed that the decision sidered the grant of the Carron said, is unsustainwas made to ease the radio Bahamas Government Indi- able. “URCA,” he said, delay hardship of Mr Sabas vidual Broadcast License “should be taking steps Bastian at the expense of Approval(s) “contrary to to reduce the number of other licence holders. the Communications Act, licence holders in order to Tracing the history of 2009”. reduce the financial risk the nation’s first private Yet, URCA “approved” and chaos by its decision radio station, Tribune the takeover of radio to issue 47 radio licences Radio founder Robert station 103.5FM by yet for a population of 377,000.

Dupuch Carron said many another company, using Compare this to New York broadcasters have now the same current Individual City, with a population of

over 16 million with only 42 radio licences”.

“Let’s not forget that URCA proudly took full responsibility for issuing broadcast licences like confetti; lamenting the fact in its official pronouncement in 2015 that it could not issue any other frequencies because ‘...there is also no capacity for additional FM broadcasters in New Providence consequential to FM spectrum exhaustion,’” Mr Carron recalled.

“Unless the regulator admits it had an epiphany before granting approval for ‘Paramount’ to use a completely new interim frequency of 105.3FM – instead of 103.5FM – it would be hard-pressed to provide any explanation for its contradiction of the ‘laws of physics’

and URCA’s official pronouncement in the 2015 consultation document,” Mr Carron said.

“So why,” he asked, “hasn’t URCA approved 47 mobile licences or 47 power generation (BEC) licences? Why hasn’t the Government issued 47 number house licences, 47 casino licences, 47 airport concession licences, 47 cable licences, 47 national airline licences or an unlimited number of taxi, limo or bus transfer plates for markets whose revenue ranges from $500m to $74m, while the revenue of our tiny FM broadcasting sector is far below that?”

And to add insult to injury, he claimed that URCA is suggesting that it can force “licencees” to pay for URCA’s spectrum spacing mismanagement

in the award of radio spectrum “licences” by “forcibly removing incumbent broadcasters from their assigned frequencies (within 90 days), reducing their transmitting power by 80%” to make room for new entrants.

Tribune Business revealed on March 29 that URCA had allowed Paramount to broadcast for a week without a licence, as its three-month temporary permission had expired on March 21. As a result, Tribune Radio’s Judicial Review is also challenging URCA’s failure “to enforce the law”.

URCA subsequently used the police to seize Navette’s broadcasting equipment and take if offair, paving the way for Paramount to take over the 103.5FM frequency.

NIB DIRECTOR RESIGNS

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Insurance Board Director Patricia Hermanns has tendered her resignation from the corporation effective June 15.

A copy of her resignation letter was shared on social media on Friday, and its validity was confirmed by incoming Labour Director John Pinder.

In her letter to staff members, dated May 31, Ms Hermanns said the decision came after “careful consideration and reflection.”

“I am grateful for the opportunity afforded to me to serve this organisation and the people it represents and I appreciate the support you have given to me during my tenure with the Board,” she wrote.

“I encourage you as I leave to continue to strive toward excellence and wish you the greatest of success in your endeavours.”

Ms Hermanns was appointed to the post on September 1, 2016. The post is described as the CEO of NIB, heading the executive management team responsible for the day-to-day operations of the socialsecurity organisation.

PATRICIA HERMANNS She entered the post as a former banking and insurance executive with more than 30 years experience in the financial services sector, credited with managing

corporate transitions for greater efficiency and effectiveness, and successfully launching new life and health insurance as well as investment products and services.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, June 4, 2018, PAGE 15

Abaco man guilty of killing uncle

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net AN Abaco man was convicted of the manslaughter of his uncle and sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Shannon Walkins aka “Shannon Watkins” accepted a plea deal and pleaded not guilty to murder, but guilty to manslaughter in the stabbing death of his uncle during a domestic dispute in 2015.

The two years and four months he spent on remand was deducted from his sentence, so Walkins will serve nine years and eight months behind bars.

Justice Estelle Gray Evans presided over the matter. Erica Kemp appeared on behalf of the Crown, and Simone Brown

represented Walkins.

The matter was fasttracked to the Supreme Court by a voluntary bill of indictment in April 2016 when the accused was charged with murder.

According to the particulars, on December 21, 2015, the accused stabbed Alfred Walkins, 38, of Spring City, Abaco, during an altercation. The uncle was taken to the clinic for medical treatment but died in hospital on January 1, 2016.

During an interview with police, Walkins admitted to stabbing his uncle after being struck in his face. Before his death, the uncle gave a statement to police. He told officers he was talking to his nephew about being disrespectful to his mother and poked him in the face. There was

SHANNON Walkins was convicted of manslaughter in the Supreme Court and sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment on Thursday.

Act Chapter 91A on May 18-year term be reduced by judge if he accepts the 11.

1/3 to 12 years given the cir- facts, Walkins replied, “Yes The discussions were con- cumstances of the case; that ma’am”. cluded on Thursday, May it would be further reduced Justice Evans convicted 31. It was agreed Walkins by two years and four Walkins of manslaughter should plead guilty to man- months spent on remand; and sentenced him to 12 slaughter in consideration that the sentence will total years in prison to run from of the following: in pleading nine years and eight months May 31, with two years and guilty to the offence of man- from the day of conviction. four months deducted from slaughter, the parties agree Ms Brown accepted the the sentence, resulting in to the term of 18 years’ summary of facts. nine years and eight months imprisonment; that the When asked by the to be served.

a struggle and the uncle was stabbed.

Mrs Kemp said the issue of provocation arose and manslaughter would have been left to the jury if there was a trial.

The Crown entered into discussions with Walkins and his counsel under the Criminal Procedure (Plea Discussion and Agreement)

ROBBER IN DEADLY RAID JAILED FOR 25 YEARS

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

PAUL Belizaire was sentenced to 25 years imprisonment on Thursday by the Grand Bahama Supreme Court for the armed robbery of Barry and Sheena Johnson.

Justice Estelle GrayEvans delivered her ruling around 3.45pm during a sentencing hearing following arguments submitted by the Crown and the lawyer for the accused.

On May 10, a jury found Belizaire guilty in an 11-1 decision of armed robbery, but the hung jury could not reach verdicts on the two murder counts. Sentencing for the armed robbery conviction was set down for May 31.

During the proceedings, Crown prosecutor Erica Kemp told the court that Belizaire is “a danger to society,” and suggested that the court uses its discretion to deter others from committing such an egregious crime that had resulted in the “heinous killing” of two people.

However, Geoffrey Farquharson argued that his client tried to save the victims by “putting his life on the line” trying to prevent their deaths and that should be taken into account.

Barry and Sheena Johnson were shot to death at their residence in Deadman’s Reef on the evening of September 12, 2015 by four masked men armed with firearms. The couple was robbed of their GMC truck valued at $8,000 and a set of keys.

Belizaire, and co-accused Devaughn “Short Man” Hall, and Kevin Dames were on trial for the murders and armed robbery.

After a nine-month trial, Hall was found guilty on all three counts. The jury failed to reach verdicts on any of the charges against Dames, who gave the men a ride to Deadman’s Reef on the night of the murders.

Belizaire, 31, declined a probationary report before his sentencing.

Prosecutor Kemp presented several aggravating factors to the court.

She said Belizaire invaded the Johnsons’ home and was heavily armed with an assault rifle when he and others assaulted Mr Johnson, putting him in fear of his life.

The prosecutor said Belizaire and others fled the

PAUL Belizaire at an earlier court appearance. scene leaving the injured couple without any assistance or calling for help.

The prosecutor also pointed out that although two of the co-accused positively identified Belizaire, he insisted on a full trial despite the strong evidence.

“He was involved in the commission of armed robbery in which two persons were heinously killed; he is a danger to society and has shown no remorse,” she stressed.

Due to the armed robbery for which Belizaire was convicted, Mrs Kemp said that two innocent persons were gunned down.

“We say because of greed and selfishness, the convict, a healthy strapping young man, instead of looking for employment, armed himself and invaded the home of the Johnsons,” she said.

“The egregious nature here is he did not meet Mr and Mrs Johnson on the street and rob them.

He invaded the safety of their home and their lives. He was looking for a big payday of cash and cocaine,” Mrs Kemp said.

The prosecutor called for the court to use its discretion in the sentencing by imposing a custodial sentence commensurate with the crime.

“We submit the court impose a sentence to deter others who would wish to follow Paul Belizaire,” she said.

“This case cries out for the court’s discretion. Due to the egregious nature of this armed robbery, the court is asked . . . to impose a sentence of 30 to 35 years, having regard to the fact that two persons have been killed.”

Mr Farquharson argued that Belizaire did not steal the truck, but was an innocent rider.

“With respect to the truck and keys, the Crown had made it clear that the decision to steal the truck

and keys were a spur of the moment decision, and that no charge was presented in court with respect to stealing any cocaine or $2m,” he said.

In a mitigating plea, Mr Farquharson told the court that Belizaire is a young man with no antecedents.

“There is no suggestion he is beyond reform. Why should he be thrown into the dungeon like a sack of potatoes to rot forever? It is ridiculous,” he argued.

He noted that co-accused Alan Alcime was the thief, and not his client.

“Belizaire innocently took a ride. He did not agree with Alcime to steal the truck; he never assisted in the taking of the truck or keys,” Mr Farquharson submitted.

Alcime stole the truck and keys, he said.

“He was leaving the scene, and Belizaire got inside and took a ride.

There is no evidence of any invasion to get the truck.

The only thing Belizaire did to make himself liable to armed robbery was catching a ride; there is nothing aggravating about catching a ride.”

Justice Evans noted that in the cases cited by the Crown the sentences imposed ranged between 20 and 25 years. She said that in the case of armed robbery where a firearm is used the sentence ranges from 25 years to life imprisonment.

She noted that Alcime and Virgil Hall pleaded guilty to the charges thereby avoiding trial, but Belizaire was found guilty by a jury after a trial that lasted nine months.

Justice Evans noted that Belizaire, armed with an assault rifle, was one of four gunmen that accosted Barry Johnson in his home for whatever reason, took his keys from him, then drove away in Mr Johnson’s truck without his permission immediately after one of his accomplices callously killed the husband and wife.

Taking everything into account, Justice Evans sentenced Belizaire to 25 years imprisonment, with the period of two years and eight months spent on remand to be taken in consideration and deducted.

Shirley Stubbs, the mother of Sheena Johnson, was pleased with the sentence imposed, but said it would not bring her daughter back.

“I give thanks to the Lord for He is good; I thank God

for what take place - that ain’t going to bring my daughter back, but I give God thanks,” she said.

Greg Johnson, the nephew of Barry Johnson,

was satisfied with the custodial sentence imposed by the judge. “I feel it was justice,” he said.

Devaughn Hall who was convicted of the murders and

armed robbery is expected to be sentenced on July 5.

The prosecution is expected to retry Belizaire on the murder counts, and Dames on all counts.

PAGE 16, Monday, June 4, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

One in four Bahamians has been a smoker TWENTY-FIVE percent of Bahamians have smoked at some point in their life, according to a 2017 National Household Drug Survey, which revealed 13 percent of teenagers smoke tobacco.

Bahamians surveyed were between the ages of 12 and 65, with men found to be smoking at a rate four times higher than women.

The findings were released by Health Minister Dr Duane Sands at a press conference to mark World No Tobacco Day on Thursday. The day is celebrated by member states of the World Health Organization to draw public attention to the health and other risks associated with tobacco use.

“A Global Youth Survey conducted among Bahamians teenagers between the ages of 13 and 15 years, showed that 13 per cent smoked tobacco,” Mr Sands said.

He flagged links between tobacco use and cardiovascular diseases including stroke, which when combined are the world’s leading causes of death.

“World No Tobacco Day hits at the core of my Ministry’s mandate to ensure that the highest quality of services for health promotion,

health protection and health care are accessible to all people of The Bahamas, Mr Sands continued.

“Further, it coincides with a range of initiatives by my Government aimed at not just treating the health ailments of the Bahamian people but also aggressively moving the paradigm more towards preventive medicine.”

The Government was said to be revising the Tobacco Bill to bring a comprehensive approach that will include: the monitoring of tobacco use in The Bahamas; better facilitate prevention policies; protect the Bahamian people from exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke by creating and increasing completely smoke-free indoor public spaces and workplaces; strengthen partnerships for smoking cessation programmes and other interventions; implement effective anti-tobacco media campaigns that inform the public, especially the youth, about the harms of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure; and create a mechanism for the enforcement and levying of fines and penalties for infractions.

Dr Sands said: “My Ministry led a review process involving multiple health

and non-health partners from October 2017 to January 2018, which informed recommendations and guidance to the Attorney General’s Office, who was given charge of reviewing the draft Bill. I look forward to submitting this to Cabinet and starting the process in the Honourable House of Assembly of passing this Bill.”

Legislation to establish an indoor smoking ban was said to be before Cabinet in 2014.

In an interview with The Tribune, acting Chief Medical Officer Dr Delon Brennen said the proposed regulations came as the country neared the end of a five-year window to honour the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), a treaty signed with the World Health Organisation in 2009.

The treaty calls for an advertising ban for tobacco products, and the removal of any incentives to its production and sale.

The FCTC represents the first and only legally binding convention on health, according to Dr Gerry Eijkemans, the Pan American Health Organisation’s country representative for The Bahamas and Turks & Caicos at the time.

ELLISON GREENSLADE, Bahamas High Commissioner to London, and his wife Kimberly, senior manager of The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism in London, were among guests who attended a garden party at Buckingham Palace on Thursday. Mr Greenslade described the occasion in a tweet as a “truly delightful afternoon with memories for a lifetime!”