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VOLUME:116 No.112, JUNE 4TH, 2019

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

HEALTH: 800 GRAMS CHALLENGE FOR LIVING WELL

Carnival’s payment for sailing violations

$20M: A DROP IN THE OCEAN

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

CARNIVAL Corporation has reached a settlement with US federal prosecutors that would see it pay $20m in fines for violating terms of its probation.

The company admitted to six violations of its Environmental Compliance Plan (ECP), one of which involves having its ship, Carnival Elation, discharge plastic mixed with food waste in Bahamian waters on December 16, 2018 in violation of the International Convention

for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). Other violations include falsifying records, communicating with the US Coast Guard through a back channel, failing to give enough authority to the company’s environmental compliance officer and rushing to clean up ships ahead of visits by a court-appointed monitor.

Carnival had a net income of $3.2bn in 2018.

The genesis of the company’s legal setback is a 2016 case in which it pleaded guilty to dumping waste

FORMER Cabinet minister Cornelius Alvin Smith yesterday issued a public apology for his premature announcement of his appointment as the country’s next Governor General.

Mr Smith broke the news to staff at a farewell luncheon at the Passport Office in Grand Bahama - a move he later explained was done in “strictest confidence”.

SEE PAGE THREE

SEE PAGE EIGHT

PROPERTY ARREARS HIT $480M

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

SEE PAGE FIVE

“I wish to assure the Bahamian people that this was a private discussion that was never intended to be made public,” his statement read.

“I extend sincerest apologies to Governor General Her Excellency Dame Marguerite Pindling and to the Most Hon Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and the government for any embarrassment or inconvenience resulting from this unintended breach of protocol.”

KITI’S PATH TO A ROLE ON THE WORLD STAGE

THE government has no plans to write-off its $480m in real property tax arrears and will “pursue” all delinquents “with vigour”, Marlon Johnson, the Ministry of Finance’s acting financial secretary, has warned. He told Tribune Business that it will continue to target every tax cheat through private sector collection agencies and the soon-to-be created Revenue Enhancement Unit.

NEW ROLE BEGINS WITH AN APOLOGY

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

FACE-TO-FACE

GET HOOKED, GIRLS

MORE and more Bahamian women are learning how to fish. Find out why in Woman which takes a look at the Off Da Rock Ladies Fishing Weekend.

DEATH WHICH SPARKED BAIN TOWN RIOT RULED LAWFUL

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A TEENAGER’S death at the hands of a police officer that sparked the 2010 Bain Town riot was justified, a Coroner’s Court jury ruled yesterday.

The five-member jury unanimously ruled that 19-year-old Bradley Newbold’s shooting death at Corporal Ricardo Rolle’s hands on November 20, 2010 was a lawful killing.

With its verdict, the jury agreed with a police

THE BAIN Town riots of 2010 officer’s assertion that Newbold pointed a gun at Cpl Rolle after leading them on

a foot chase through a yard on Hospital Lane.

Newbold died of two gunshot wounds to the torso. Based on press reports at the time, his death sparked chaos and anarchy in the Bain Town community.

Police officers and their vehicles were said to have been stoned by members of an angry mob and at least one car was set ablaze.

Even news reporters covering the riot were harassed by the angry mob.

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE SEVEN

STAFF IN MORGUE WALKOUT

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net STAFF at Princess Margaret Hospital’s Morgue Department staged a walkout yesterday due to the discovery of mould. The matter has been remediated, according to PHA deputy managing director Lyrone Burrows, who explained the development was likely due to the improper use of an air-conditioning closet.

SEE PAGE TWO

PETER YOUNG

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE FEEL ABANDONED

SEE PAGE TEN

PAGE 2, Tuesday, June 4, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

STAFF AT PMH MORGUE WALK OUT DUE TO MOULD from page one

The Tribune understands several people who visited the morgue were turned away following the discovery yesterday morning. Mr Burrows said: “There appears to have been an

issue with condensation, some of that has to do with items improperly stored in an A/C closet. They were using the A/C closet as filing station, perhaps due to inability to find alternative space that along with some duct taping coming off of an A/C vent, resulted in condensation which created the

possibility of mould. He said: “But that has been corrected, items that were in the A/C closet were removed to allow the A/C to function properly.

“Services were not suspended,” he added.

“They ceased services when they walked out of the morgue. I know

that all of the issues have been resolved and communicated effectively with the head of the area.”

The Public Hospitals Authority’s budget has been increased to $223,455,825 from $216,000,000 in the 2019/2020 Budget. #The allocation for building

maintenance also saw an increase to $448,659, up from $100,000. #Equipment maintenance, maintenance of generators, A/C and other machinery, grounds maintenance, and office furniture upkeep seem to be new line items all receiving $31,100; $279,050; $1,195,425 and $20,000 respectively.

Fears of oil spill at Arawak Cay

AN OIL spill in the waters near Arawak Cay. Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net ACTING Port Controller Dr Raymond King called on the maritime industry to immediately advise the Port Department of any oil spills after officials were unable to recover any of the spilled oil found at Arawak Cay yesterday.

In an interview with The Tribune, Dr King said investigating the matter was difficult because officials weren’t able to collect an oil sample.

He said: “We were advised this morning [Monday] via

social media of the oil spill.

A team was dispatched from the Port Department along with a representative from the Department Environmental Health Services and we found no oil residue in that area.

“Which means that the oil spill would have occurred sometime earlier, and we were only notified of it. The oil has completely disappeared and there is no trace of it.

“If we [could have] got an [oil] sample we could have investigated the vessels in the area to see from the analysis to see which vessel the oil originated from but

having no trace of it makes it extremely difficult. I wouldn’t want to speculate which vessels may have attributed to that oil spill.”

He added: “We continue to be vigilant and we also rely on the community, persons from the maritime industry if they detect or find any oil spills immediately advise the Port Department so we can be more diligent in our effort to determine the source of the spill and to prevent any recurrence.”

The port controller said The Bahamas should implement sustainable development methods and

procedures consistent with international laws.

“In terms of how oil discharges should be dealt with and the sort of [things] that should be done to prevent oil spills given the negative consequences to the environment as well as marine life,” he said.

“There is no positive of oil spills only negative and that is why oil spills and pollution should be prevented with good shipborne practices and adherents to the international mark holder.

“The only prevention is awareness so we will work with some infomercials advising mariners of

the dangers of oil pollution to the environment and marine life. You never know when a spill will occur, so we continue to monitor the harbour and the port as well with the assistance of the defence force Harbour Patrol Unit.”

Shanendon Cartwright, executive chairman of the Bahamas Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority, posted on Facebook warning the public to be cautious if in the area of the spill.

The post read: “The Bahamas Public Parks & Public Beaches Authority wishes to advise the beaching public that an oil spill

has been discovered on the northern side of Arawak Cay. The Department of Environmental Health, Port Department and oil spill teams have been mobilised to assess and contain the concerned area.

“Presently there is no immediate concern for beach goers on Long Wharf Beach as the spill is restricted to an area however we are advising the public to proceed cautiously when approaching the area of concern. The Bahamas Public Parks & Public Beaches Authority will keep you updated on the containment process.”

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, June 4, 2019, PAGE 3

NEW ROLE BEGINS WITH AN APOLOGY FROM CA SMITH from page one

The farewell lunch marked Mr Smith’s resignation as the non-resident ambassador to Panama, and a portion of his remarks were recorded on a cell phone and shared on social media. In the video, he explains his resignation was prompted by the appointment, adding the swearing-in ceremony will be held on the last Friday in June.

Mr Smith said in the video: “… As a teacher when I was in the classroom, one of the things that always insulted me was the fact that there was a saying that if you want to keep a

secret from Bahamians, just put it in a book. Obviously this secret was not put in a book because if it was none of you would have known about it.

“It is no secret that I tendered my resignation effective today to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and after midnight tonight will no longer be ambassador to six Central American countries. But the resignation was really more not of retirement but more a transition. As a result of Her Majesty the Queen appointing me to be Governor General I found it necessary to have to resign in the position; I had to be transited to another position. The swearing-in will take place on the last Friday

of June in Nassau. All of you will be receiving invitations to attend. I understand and it’s not quite firm yet that we may be arranging for Bahamasair to put on a couple of flights, reduce the costs for one day so that my friends from Grand Bahama could be there. It’s gonna be cheaper than going on your own.”

Progressive Liberal Party leader Philip “Brave” Davis released a statement on Sunday, saying Mr Smith broke “all protocols” with his announcement.

“I was shocked out of my socks to see the statement by former Ambassador C A Smith on video that he has been appointed by the Queen to be governor general,” Mr Davis said.

“This is a violation in my view of all protocols. These announcements must come from the Queen and normally do not come until the Queen has agreed that the now Governor General should emit office.

“This is another example of the loosening of standards under the FNM. Anything goes and our traditions and conventions are dispensed without so much as a by your leave. To make matters worse Mr Smith goes on to predict that the national airline is going on to make special arrangements for his swearing-in as governor general. Who will pay the price for those arrangements and does he now speak for Bahamasair?

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

DWAYNISHA Shepherd outside court yesterday. Below, Antonio Coleby and Reynaldo Thompson.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

BAHA MAR EMPLOYEE TOLD TO REPAY SUPER VALUE SWINDLES

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A FEMALE Baha Mar employee was ordered yesterday to pay back the $1,000 worth of goods and cash she swindled various Super Value supermarkets out of via fake Cable Bahamas cheques.

Senior Magistrate Derence Rolle-Davis ordered Dwaynisha Shepherd, 25, to compensate several Super Value locations the $1,134 she defrauded them out of earlier between May 1 and 7 of this year.

He also fined Shepherd, a housekeeper at the West Bay Street resort, $1,200 for having committing the six offences she was charged with. She is ordered to pay $2,334 in total.

Of that sum, $750 was to be paid yesterday, and to be applied to the fines. She faces six months in prison if she defaults.

Her sentence came after she admitted to defrauding Super Value’s Seagrapes Plaza, Winton Shopping Plaza, and another Super Value of $378 worth of goods and cash last month.

She also admitted to being found in possession of three Cable Bahamas cheques, worth $378 each, made payable to her.

According to a summary of the facts read by Inspector Lakesia Moss, the prosecutor, Kendrick Moss, an operations manager at Super Value, reported to police that sometime between May 1 and 7, three cheques were negotiated at various Super Value locations.

The cheques were all drawn on Cable Bahamas’ account, and worth $378 each, the prosecutor said.

They were each dated May 1, 2019 and made payable to Dwaynisha Shepherd.

Insp Moss also said that a National Insurance Board number, ending with the digits 6925, was used as a form of identification during the cheque payments.

However, she said the

cheques were returned because they were suspected of being fraudulent.

Pursuant to a complaint

by Super Value, officers went to Cable Bahamas and spoke with the accounts manager, who gave them certain information and pointed out discrepancies in the cheques in question by comparing them to authentic Cable Bahamas cheques.

Officer subsequently went to the National Insurance Board (NIB) and inquired about the NIB number ending in 6925, and discovered that it was attached to Shepherd’s name.

In response to a question by the senior magistrate, Shepherd indicated that the cheques in question were given to her by Antonio Coleby, who was charged before Magistrate Samuel McKinney with six fraudrelated offences.

He is alleged to have been caught in possession of a blank, magnetic striped card as well as a Gamer’s Reef magnetic striped card that both had Shepherd’s name embedded in their magnetic strips on May 27.

He is also accused of being caught in possession of a gold, Scotiabank Mastercard with the name Desmond Smith affixed; a Scotiabank Advantage Mastercard with the name Linwood Saunders affixed; a gold MasterCard with the name Dario Curry affixed; and a CIBC First Caribbean (FCIB) Visa card with the name of Desmond Smith affixed on May 27.

He denied the charges and returns to court on July 12 for trial.

Another man, Reynaldo Thompson, was charged before Magistrate McKinney with several fraud-related offences.

He is accused of being caught in possession of various blank, white, magnetic stripped cards issued

by HSBC France; Ing-Diba bank in Germany; Wells Fargo Bank in the USA; and the National Westminster Bank PLC, in the United Kingdom, on May 27. He denied the charges and returns to court on July 2 for trial.

A 28-year-old man was sentenced to four years in prison for swindling a BTC retail store out of almost $2,500 by using a fake Visa debit card bearing the name of a United States Embassy special agent.

Travis Alexander Coakley was jailed after admitting he purchased two iPhone XRs worth $2,493 from BTC in George Town, Exuma by using a fake debit card with Christopher Shary’s name on May 24.

However, the Hooper’s Bay, Exuma native claimed he was under duress when he committed the acts, stating yesterday that someone named Neko Flowers told him if he didn’t, he would “put a bullet in my head”.

Nonetheless, Senior Magistrate Derence Rolle Davis said the only reason Coakley avoided the maximum seven year penalty was because he pleaded guilty from the outset.

The magistrate noted Coakley has previous convictions which he said he factored into the sentence.

According to the facts read by the prosecutor, Inspector Lakesia Moss, Mr Shary reported to police that on May 24, he was unable to withdraw funds from his bank account.

He subsequently made inquiries at his bank, and found his account had been compromised and that a transaction he didn’t approve, in the sum of $2,493 occurred at BTC’s George Town, Exuma location.

An investigation was launched, which revealed the transactions were conducted by Coakley.

He was arrested in Exuma on May 28. A search of his premises revealed a fraudulent National Insurance Board card ending in the number 1769 bearing the name Hosea Mackey.

That person’s photo was

CA SMITH “This is all quite incredible. It is a shocking breach of protocol and insulting to the present holder of the office.”

Mr Davis also said he was not consulted as leader of the Official Opposition.

Yesterday, Bahamasair chairman Tommy Turnquest said he was “not

aware” of any organised travel related to Mr Smith’s swearing in.

He told this newspaper via text: “I am not aware of any organised travel, but Bahamasair can offer chartered aircraft where the cost per passenger is lower than the normal published fare.”

Mr Smith was elected four times from 1982 to 2002. He served as minister of education (1992-1995), minister of public safety and immigration (19951997) and minister of tourism (1997-2000) and minister of transport and local government (20002002). Mr Smith declined to comment further yesterday.

Editorial View - Page 4

FOUR YEARS IN JAIL AFTER USING FAKE VISA DEBIT CARD

TRAVIS COAKLEY

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

affixed to the card.

Coakley was subsequently transported to New Providence and interviewed by police and admitted to the crimes. He further claimed that on May 23, he got a package from Niko Flowers that contained a Visa debit card bearing Mr Shary’s name. He said he was told to go to BTC’s George Town, Exuma location, where he purchased the two iPhones.

He also acknowledged that he did not have Mr Shary’s permission to

conduct the transaction, and admitted to being caught with the NIB card in his possession. His attorney, Arnold Forbes, submitted to the senior magistrate that incarceration would not benefit his client, and that an evaluation and counselling would be better suited to remedy Coakley’s actions.

However, the senior magistrate noted that Coakley has antecedents and that he needed to send a message that society must be protected crimes like this.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, June 4, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

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Empty promises means empty pockets FIRST, the good news. A deal is on the table from Carnival to settle with prosecutors after one of its ships dumped plastic and food waste in Bahamas waters last year. The company will pay $20m in fines.

Now, the bad news. We’re not getting any of it.

There’s something surreal about a cruise ship committing an offence in Bahamian waters – in this case violation of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) – but paying the US government as a result.

It comes about because of an earlier case of dumping waste into the ocean and, worse still, covering it up. Carnival were ordered to pay a $40m fine for that and serve a five-year probation. The 2018 dumping breaches that probation.

The US fills its coffers. Our pockets remain empty.

Even if we wanted to take Carnival to court for damage to Bahamian waters, we couldn’t. We don’t have the laws to protect our waters in that way.

Such laws were promised on the campaign trail by the FNM. An Environmental Protection Act, they said. As it is, such promises have turned out to be as empty as our pockets.

Attorney General has suggested such

laws could come by the end of the year, possibly even by the end of the summer, as he tries to ensure that the stable door is bolted even as the horse gallops off into the distance.

More to the point, the longer we go without such laws in place, the longer offenders can get away with damaging our environment without consequence.

Do we suppose these are the only incidents of dumping? Are we to think that Carnival is the only company to do this? Or that there has been absolutely no other dumping that has failed to be reported.

We previously reported on how one bridge officer – on Carnival Conquest – offered to cover up the illegal dumping. He offered to cover up dumping by changing the time and location of the discharge. While his offer was not followed through, how are we to know that others haven’t been falsified?

The goal of course is to prevent dumping full stop. But if there’s no penalty to be paid by companies even if they do, how are we to prevent it?

Instead, we look at the US settlement with envy, thinking to ourselves what might have been – if only we’d got on with putting laws on the books. Too slow, too slow by far.

Off on the wrong foot WELCOME to the job, Mr Smith!

CA Smith has started on the wrong foot as the country’s next Governor General to follow Dame Marguerite Pindling, and apologised yesterday for his breach of protocol.

He should have waited, of course, and let the Queen make the announcement – but instead told staff at a farewell luncheon, an event that was being recorded.

In the recording, he talks about being annoyed about the saying that if you want to keep a secret from Bahamians,

just put it in a book, going on to say “Obviously, this secret was not put in a book because if it was none of you would have known about it”.

He says his words were in “a private discussion that was never intended to be made public”. Intent or not, Mr Smith, we do hope you’re sorry for your breach of protocol – and not just that you got caught on tape.

So we start a new era for the Governor General’s office with a stumble. Might we suggest protocol officers have a quiet chat to avoid any further stumbles?

I would ignore this private study group EDITOR, The Tribune BAHAMIANS may be alarmed at a headline calling our corporate tax the world’s most “corrosive”— according to the Corporate Tax Haven Index 2019.

They should relax. This Index is the brain-child of a private study group named Tax Justice Network (TJN), which does a good job of publicising itself with periodic alarmist reports about the secrecy and tax minimisation practised by rich individuals and big companies. It is not backed by any of the well-known inter-government bodies like the IMF, EU, OECD, FATCA, IDB, etc., and thus has no way to enforce its views.

That impotence does not prevent the Index from imposing precise rankings

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net on countries “that have dealt the global corporate tax system a devastating double blow.” The top ten of this rogues’ gallery puts the UK overseas territories Bermuda, BVI and Cayman at the head of the list, followed by The Netherlands, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Jersey and Singapore with The Bahamas in ninth place, topping only Hong Kong. Seems like much of the world is out of bounds for an honest guy.

TJN issues many overheated bulletins of questionable accuracy like “an estimated (how? by whom?) 500 billion in corporate tax is dodged

every year, enough to pay the UN’s under-funded human-aid budget 20 times over.” With no head office, TJN is a UK registered private company led by two English nonuniversity economists supervising a scattered staff of about 20 directors and employees. Its 2017 annual report shows its entire funding of about one million pounds was provided by grants from the Ford Foundation and several lesser known charitable think-tanks.

Our own tax and compliance systems may be far from perfect, but I trust we will not need to rely on any expertise provided by Tax Justice Network.

RICHARD COULSON Nassau May 31, 2019

WTO: Don’t keep dancing around EDITOR, The Tribune THE debate in the public square over whether we should accede to full membership in the World Trade Organization has produced a virtual cornucopia of old wives tales, misplaced fears and a general lack of knowledge of some of the facts that should inform the debate.

While some of it is deliberate (and even political) mischief making, most of it reflects genuine trepidation of the unknown.

It‘s better we stick with the devil we know, the argument goes, even if that devil cannot possibly serve our needs in the new global dispensation that we did not create but nonetheless must conform to.

We are the only country in the entire Western Hemisphere that is not a member of WTO, and one of only 16 in the world, keeping company with the likes of Azerbaijan, Iraq, Somalia and Syria.

Most striking in the debate is the belief that we have no business being in the WTO because we have precious little to trade with other countries.

This is where the fallacy starts, and it truncates plain old common sense. Nations trade with each other to earn foreign exchange, the true currency of globalisation.

We need foreign currency to pay our foreign bills, the bulk of which are due to our having to import oil to run our imported generators and our imported cars; imported food; imported

medicines, and just about everything that is not grown here.

Even local food involve some elements of foreign exchange because farmers invariably import seeds, fertilizers and equipment.

We tried our hand at manufacturing products like toilet paper but outside of the manpower component, everything else is imported. Because we have a high wage bill, the manpower component renders this prohibitive.

To compete, we resort to protectionism, placing high duties on foreign imports to protect domestic products even if 80% of it is also “foreign”.

In the past our Caribbean neighbours earned foreign exchange by planting and selling agricultural products like sugar and bananas.

This was lucrative only so long as the former colonial master could impose protectionist measures of their own to give Caribbean agriculture a competitive fighting chance in the UK. The European Union which is an anchor of the WTO and its predecessor the GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade), were forced by the US to drop the preferential treatment given to former colonies.

Even though the US export neither sugar nor bananas it nonetheless threatened action to protect the profits of their multinational corporations like Dole and Chiquita who own mega plantations in Central and South America.

As a result, the farm lands in the Caribbean lay fallow and the sugar cane stills rusted so the region en bloc turned to tourism.

Unlike typical exports, with tourism the consumer comes to the supplier. But make no mistake, tourism is our principal export and we make over $2.5 billion a year from it. Yet the current debate doesn’t capture this fact.

We tax this export heavily.

Before the tourist even steps onto Bahamian soil, we charge him over $100 in airport related taxes for the “privilege” of coming here.

Before he rests his head on the fluffed pillows of our hotels, we “tax” him for that slumber.

Few have a problem with this although intellectuals like former tourism minister Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace rightly argue (but in vain) the economic truism that if we lowered the airport tax, more tourists would come and contribute more than the sum total of what the Treasury would lose by lowering airport taxes.

The WTO is well aware of the importance of tourism as an export. It is the world’s largest industry generating over $8 trillion a year.

The WTO Working Group on Tourism Services accepts as the main components of tourism expenditure items like accommodation, meals, local transport, entertainment and shopping.

That means the maid, the waiter, the taxi-driver, the straw

vendor, the lounge singer and the shop clerk are all components of our thriving export trade. They have a stake in our WTO negotiations but not in the negative way in which the debate is currently being framed.

In addition to being labour intensive, tourism is also capital intensive and for Mr. Vanderpool-Wallace’s theorem to be proven we will need to build thousands more hotel rooms across the price spectrum and on places other than Nassau/ Paradise Island.

Expanding tourism should be a part of the debate. How will WTO accession help us maximize our earnings from tourism to replace what will be lost at the border from lowering duties on “boxed” imports?

It will mean that we import more food to feed the tourists (because it is cheaper than growing it ourselves) while helping our farmers to take advantage of the global demand for organically grown, indigenous crops like pineapples, that fetch higher prices at Harrods in London than they ever could at Potter’s Cay Dock. The Eleuthera farmer is incentivized to become an important foreign exchange earner.

It could help fishermen sustainably trap lobsters and allow for ease of entry of live fishstock into Japan where the demand for sushi is infinite. The fisherman becomes a serious forex player.

While we don’t need full WTO membership to take advantage

of these opportunities, lowering the cost of inputs into their business makes our lobsters and pineapples price competitive with other countries.

When Alfred Sears ran against Perry Christie in 2017 for the leadership of the PLP he was a lone voice articulating a bold new economic plan for The Bahamas. He envisioned a new paradigm to replace the very same Stafford Sands model that many are begging the government to cling to, decades after its sell-by date.

That model ordains customs duties in perpetuity while requiring us to tax most of what enters the country, contributing to high prices for consumers.

This is unsustainable.

Lower taxes at the border and merchants will have to become transparent in their pricing and profit ratios. They will have to explain why a jug of Tide washing liquid that sells for $18 in Miami fetches $43 in Nassau.

As a share of total exports our tourism receipts makes us number seven in the world at 76%. Yet with so much of our economy hyper dependent of this export, it is folly for us to keep our head in the sand and say the WTO has nothing to offer us.

Facts are immovable objects.

Little wonder then that the current debate prefers to dance around them.

THE GRADUATE Nassau July 1, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, June 4, 2019, PAGE 5

$20m: A drop in the ocean

ONE of Carnival Corporation’s cruise ships and, inset, Carnival’s CEO Arnold Donald.

from page one into the ocean and covering it up.

The initial settlement required the company to pay a $40 million fine and serve a five-year probation in which it would be supervised by a court-appointed monitor.

The monitor’s reports for the first two years revealed how Carnival ships dumped 66,000 gallons of ballast water and hundreds of thousands of gallons of treated sewage and food waste in Bahamian waters. The first report also highlighted the company’s efforts to comply with the ECP. The Bahamas Maritime Authority is conducting its own probe into Carnival’s actions in Bahamian waters.

The world’s largest cruise operator, Carnival has nine cruise brands and 105 ships worldwide. Through the new settlement agreement, the company has agreed to allow additional audits and visits from its monitor and third party auditor.

The agreement says: “The company agrees that within 30 days of the signing of this agreement it will issue a statement to all employees in which the CEO of Carnival Corporation & PLC personally accepts management responsibility for the probation violations in connection with the court’s acceptance of the proposed joint resolution of the petition.”

It adds: “The company acknowledges that there have

been discharges and other releases made in violation of MARPOL during the period of probation that have not been reported to the country in whose waters the violation occurred.

Accordingly, the company agrees to a special condition of probation that includes a new obligation governing the reporting of environmental discharges and releases in violation of MARPOL, the ballast water convention, the London dumping convention or any future maritime environmental convention to which the United States becomes a party and which goes into effect during the period of Princess’s probation.”

US District Court Judge Patricia Seitz approved the

agreement yesterday. At a previous hearing she threatened to block Carnival from docking in US docks. According to the Associated Press, she said yesterday: “The concern I have is that senior management has no skin in the game. My goal is to have the defendant change its behaviour.”

She reportedly said future violations might be met with prison time and criminal fines from individuals. The Associated Press said Carnival’s CEO Arnold Donald stood in open court and admitted the company’s responsibility for probation violations. “The company pleads guilty,” he reportedly said six times.

Sam Duncombe, head of local environmental group reEarth,

was one of three people behind an emergency motion seeking to be recognised in the proceedings as a victim and granted the powers and responsibilities that come with that distinction. According to The Miami Herald, prosecutors filed a motion telling the judge they should not be considered victims under the Crime Victims Rights Act. Up to press time last night the fate of the motion was unclear.

In response to local outcry, Attorney General Carl Bethel has said there will be an environmental protection law by the end of the summer, enabling the Bahamas to go after polluters.

Editorial View - Page 4

PAGE 6, Tuesday, June 4, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Christian Council president Bishop Delton Fernander has called for a “amicable solution” in the matter involving the beating of a seventh grade student by an administrator at St Augustine’s College last week.

This comes as police press liaison officer, Superintendent Shanta Knowles confirmed that preliminary investigations into the matter were continuing, with police having not made a decision on whether any charges will be brought.

Supt Knowles said once a formal decision is made, the public would be notified.

On Sunday, she told this newspaper the official had been questioned by police and released last week.

Meanwhile Bishop Fernander, who described the school official as a friend and a “veteran educator admired and respected by his peers,” called for patience and understanding in the mediation process surrounding the matter. He said the BCC is willing to help mediate if needed.

Highlighting his own lengthy tenure as a school administrator in the Baptist system, Bishop Fernander said there needs to be a thorough discussion about the scope of punishment being handed out in schools and those appointed to carry it out.

Bishop Fernander contended that the necessary discussion needed over the issue is being overshadowed by competing narratives on whether students should be physically punished while in school.

He said the discussion should be centred around the merit of physical discipline and how it relates to the behaviour and actions that mandate it.

“As a society we know that certain infractions comes with some level of discipline. Therefore the conversation should be based around when physical punishment is used, by whom and to what end,” he said. “We can’t allow ourselves to get lost in the whole debate on what beating did for me, or to me, as a child.

“That’s not productive right now,” he said.

A photo shared by Ian Mills, the child’s father, attracted more than 400 comments, 144 likes, and 173 within hours of being posted to Facebook last Tuesday.

A caption posted alongside the photo of the boy’s bruised buttocks claimed the child was punished for

BAHAMAS Christian Council president Bishop Delton Fernander

Bishop urges amicable solution to beating row “clowning and talking in class.”

Mr Fernander said of the problem: “I know [the SAC official] personally.

He’s a veteran educator, not only known in the area of sports, but also in the area of school administration.

Knowing him, I know there was no malice in his actions.

I think that’s where the largest part of this discussion should come, because in most cases, if not all, administrators and teachers are acting from the standpoint of discipline.

“We hope we can mediate this situation if an apology is needed, we would look to that. The heart must be known in this situation, hurting a child is not in the intent of [the school official]. As a former school administrator myself, I have always been very firm in the way I discipline,” he added.

“As a country, we need to work towards that happy

medium. It can’t be ‘beating was good for me and made me better’, versus ‘there should be no beating at all in school’. Like I’ve said, we can’t allow ourselves to get lost at that point.

Certain infractions should come with some form of discipline. If not suspension, then what? There has to be something.

“There has to be consequences for actions… that’s the way it is in society and that is the way it must be relayed to our children as we bring them up. For every action in a derogatory or negative, there needs to be a reaction and some response to signal that that act cannot stand or be tolerated.”

The use of corporal punishment in public schools has been discouraged in recent years, with Education Minister Jeffrey Lloyd stating that children should only be beaten in schools if

all other options have been exhausted, and in the most egregious of circumstances.

Last week he, an alumnus of SAC, declined comment on this latest incident.

However, he reiterated the ministry’s position on corporal punishment, noting the public tension over whether the practice should be discontinued.

“There is a debate where those who feel that corporal punishment should be eliminated, there are those who believe that corporal punishment should remain as at least some possible sanction in the hand of a mother, teacher, or administrator. That debate obviously will continue, the government will have a final position sometime after proper vetting of the discussion with relevant stakeholders.

“However, there is a very clear rule in the government’s manual with

regard to corporal punishment,” Mr Lloyd said, “it is administered as a last resort and it is only administered by an administrator in the presence of another administrator.

“So this issue of corporal punishment being willy-nilly applied is something that is not sanctioned by the government, and it is repudiated at every instance, anywhere that it occurs. Our children are not to be abused, that is not the intention, that is not going to be accepted and any incident of abuse whether its physical, moral, intellectual, or otherwise will be strictly met with the most vigorous of resistance by this minister and the ministry.”

Mr Lloyd made his comments although there has not been a clear resolution in the case of an Abaco physical education teacher who was captured on video

beating six students in April.

He has since indicated that a formal investigation into the matter had been concluded, but little has been said publicly about the outcome of that investigation.

Early last month he said disciplinary action in the case was in the hands of the director of education, however it is unclear what has happened since then.

Meanwhile parents of the seventh grader met with school officials last week. SAC has declined comment.

The Bahamas Catholic Board of Education does not have any regulatory oversight of SAC as the school has its own private board.

Catholic Archbishop Patrick Pinder has also declined comment, referring to the active investigation of the incident.

BETHEL ACCUSES PLP OF HYPOCRISY OVER NIA ACT

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

THE National Crime Intelligence Act 2019 passed in the Senate yesterday despite the Official Opposition’s attempts to have the upper chamber accept various

amendments to portions of the legislation.

Ahead of its Senate passage, Attorney General Carl Bethel blasted the Official Opposition for what he called a hypocritical stance.

The Progressive Liberal Party has lashed out at the legislation and the new agency it will create, with

PLP Leader Philip “Brave” Davis saying last month the new law contains elements that are “dangerous” and “unconstitutional”.

However during the last Christie administration, there was no legislation to support the newly formed National Intelligence Agency, which was housed

on Nassau Street, prompting criticism from some quarters that the former government had created an “illegal spy agency”.

The NIA was disbanded shortly after the Free National Movement took office in May 2017.

“Let me say doctor’s take what they call the Hippocratic Oath after the great Greek physician Hippocrates, but it seems that colleagues opposite have taken the ‘hypocritic’ oath today and they are manfully adhering to their oath of hypocrisy (sic),” Senator Bethel said during the wrap up of debate of the bill.

“I have to say that in respect of the overall position that the members opposite have taken but in particular the comment was made when members on this side – I did and Senator (Jamaal) Moss in particular pointed to the building on Nassau Street that was housing this agency that had no statutory or public authority that was being funded in the PLP’s budget for five years, that was engaged in something we don’t know what [and] all kind of disc on top of the antenna and everything at that building.

“They had no statutory warrant or authority - the comment was made opposite that the police are doing those thing they have that power but in fact that wasn’t the case because when we came to office we met [Royal Bahamas] Defence force

officers running it. It wasn’t the police. It was set up as a body that was separate from the law enforcement agencies with the hope that it would be doing for them what they presently do.”

He also said: “The PLP established a unit which they funded, which had no lawful authority to do what it was doing. This law provides a legal framework for a body separate and apart from the police and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force to perform intelligence-based operations for the protection of the overall nation.”

The opposition has also contended that the provisions of the new law will target Bahamians.

However, Mr Bethel said this was not the case, insisting it only aimed to crack down on people or groups outside the borders who pose serious threats to the democracy, economy, constitution or system of government.

The legislation also passed with the support of consultative Senator Ranard Henfield who also honed in on the former Christie administration’s handling of the their version of the NIA. He said for any one to speak out against the Minnis administration’s NCIA legislation would be “playing politics”.

He said: “From the outset I wish to say that I support the legislation to regulate the intelligence agency. For the life of me I don’t understand how the PLP could be

AG Carl Bethel opposed to it. In fact I won’t pretend that this business of an intelligence agency is an FNM idea.

“The fact of the matter is this whole business of an intelligence agency is all the PLP. This intelligence agency is the PLP’s creation.”

For her part, opposition Senator Jobeth ColebyDavis said she had “great trepidation” over the legislation. She urged the government to park it, just as the former government did with its version.

She said this Act contained blurred lines that made it hard to decipher between a spy agency and existing law enforcement organisations.

The Official Opposition has maintained that the legislation is “unconstitutional” and “unworkable” because it calls into question the independence of the body and appears to leave the door open to political interference among other things.

The legislation must be enacted before it becomes law.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, June 4, 2019, PAGE 7

GROUP ‘SPEAKING OUT ON BEHALF OF NATION’S CHILDREN’

By FARRAH JOHNSON

A GROUP is calling on the public to take a stand against incidents of child molestation, incest and sexual abuse in the country.

Following a demonstration in Freeport late last month, Weapons of War Ministries will bring its March for Justice Against Child Molestation to Nassau on Thursday.

Speaking to The Tribune Prophetess Rosie Reckley said the group will no longer remain silent and is speaking out “on behalf of the nation’s children”, and other survivors who have been gravely affected by these issues. from page one The incident was so chaotic that then Member of Parliament for Bain and Grants Town, the late Dr Bernard Nottage, subsequently called for an independent public inquiry into Newbold’s death. At the time, Dr Nottage said referring it to the Coroner’s Court was “not good enough,” nor was even an internal police inquiry.

During the inquest, former Sergeant Trevor Greene said sometime around 12.10pm on the date in question, he and Cpl Rolle were on foot patrol in plainclothes in the Bain Town area. At that time, they were walking west on King Street, approaching Hospital Lane. Cpl Rolle pointed out three men sitting on a wall on the western side of Hospital Lane, Mr Greene said.

Mr Greene said he and his former partner approached the men and identified themselves as police officers, and told them that they were going to be searched for firearms or drugs. After doing so, Mr Greene said he stood back, with his right hand on his waist, as Cpl Rolle conducted the search.

Mr Greene said one of the men, wearing blue jeans and a light-coloured shirt, glanced at his police badge, turned around, jumped the wall and ran.

Mr Greene said Cpl Rolle jumped the wall and gave chase, and he followed. Mr Greene said when he got to the back of the house, he saw the young man clutch his waist, then extend his hand from his waist in Cpl Rolle’s direction. Mr Greene said when the man’s hand was almost fully outstretched was when he noticed what would later be identified as a black, Kel-Tec 9mm Luger pistol.

Mr Greene said when he saw Cpl Rolle headed directly towards the pistol, he drew his service revolver because he feared that his former comrade would have been shot. At that point, Mr Greene said he heard Cpl Rolle say “drop it” to the suspect. Mr Greene said that fearing for his own life, he aimed his service revolver towards the suspect.

At that point, the former officer said he heard a single shot. Fearing that Cpl Rolle had been hit, Mr Greene said he ran even faster towards the other officer. While doing so, he said, he noticed that the suspect’s weapon had dropped on the ground. However, he said the suspect stopped running, picked up the pistol, and then continued running.

Mr Greene said the suspect again pointed the pistol towards him and Cpl Rolle. He said Cpl Rolle ordered the man to drop the weapon a second time, but the suspect instead continued to point the weapon in their direction.

Then, Mr Greene said he heard a second shot. A few seconds later, he said he saw Cpl Rolle fall on top of the suspect while on top of a cesspit.

Mr Greene said as he caught up to Cpl Rolle and the suspect, he noticed that the suspect’s gun had dropped on the cesspit next to his right hand. Mr Greene said because he didn’t think Cpl Rolle saw where the gun dropped, and fearing that the suspect might have retrieved the gun again and shot Cpl Rolle, he ran as fast as he could to reach them.

“While I was in prayer, the Lord began to show me visions of the molestation that was going on in the country with boys and girls,” she said. “The Lord said it’s time to put the spotlight on this monster of a demon that has been rampaging your country from its conception.”

Ms Reckley said the March for Justice against Child Molestation, which was “birthed out of prayer”, will “expose” sexual offenders and give a voice to the “survivors” of these crimes.

She added the growing epidemic of sexual abuse has created a negative cycle where “broken children” become “broken adults,” and said if the problem

is not adequately addressed, the country will suffer tremendously.

“We met with a lot of principals and every principal - primary and high school - said that this is at their heart because they deal with it on a daily basis. “. . .We want to take this further [so] that the laws have to be changed. We need stiffer penalties for the law to let the law makers know, let the molesters know, and let the survivors know that we are here as the body of Christ, as the church and as citizens of this country.”

Minister Elaine Hinsey, the deaconess in charge of intercessory prayer for the nation, also confirmed the march has been

approved by the Bahamas Christian Council, who she says is in full support of the initiative.

“We have quite a few pastors who are on board with us. We have Bishop Arnold Josey who represents the children’s council... along with Pastor Alfred Stuart the father of intercession to the nation and he too is the person responsible for prayer for the Christian Council.”

Mrs Hinsey added she is expecting people to come out in full support because she is certain that every family knows someone who has been affected by this issue in “some way, shape or form”.

The event will commence at Clifford Park at 11am and will

conclude at Rawson Square in front of the House of Assembly.

The group also plans to march in Bimini and Abaco.

“I believe the Family Islands have been damaged more than any other place. So for sure we have to take it to all of the islands,” Mrs Hinsey said.

Earlier this year, Social Services Minister Frankie Campbell said there were roughly 2,442 cases of reported child abuse from 2015 to 2018. Of that number, there were 562 cases of physical abuse, 600 cases of sexual abuse, 1,070 cases of neglect, 53 cases of abandonment, 96 cases of incest, 30 cases of verbal abuse and 31 cases of emotional abuse.

Teenage death that sparked Bain Town riot is ruled lawful the deceased on the date in question.

Instead, all Mr Fernander said he heard was the order “don’t move” from the two men whom he said came “out of nowhere” and were in plainclothes. He said because he didn’t know who it was, or what to expect, he remained stationary.

However, Mr Fernander said Newbold opted to flee, something he said he found to be “somewhat” strange at the time. Mr Fernander said although he couldn’t say whether Newbold ran because he might have had a previous history with the officers, his friend ran “like he trying to get out”.

Contrary to Mr Greene’s assertion that his friend was shot by Cpl Rolle in the heat of the foot chase, and after he pointed a weapon at the officers, Mr Fernander claimed the officer got down on one knee, lined his friend up in his sights and shot him as if it was target practice.

Mr Fernander said despite there being rumours at the time that Newbold had a gun, he did not see a gun, and neither did he see Newbold brandishing a firearm.

Cpl Rolle was represented by lawyer Bjorn Ferguson.

Damien White represented Newbold’s family.

Crown attorney Anishka Missick marshalled the evidence in the matter.

Mr Greene said when he managed to catch up with them, and whilst training his service revolver on the suspect, latched onto the suspect’s right arm to prevent him from grabbing the gun lying next to him.

Mr Greene said he subsequently knocked the gun away from the suspect’s arm.

Mr Green said at that point, he noticed that the suspect’s breathing was “laboured”. He said Cpl Rolle indicated that he was okay, and so he holstered his service revolver and contacted police control room. He said he told police control room what had happened and requested both EMS and police assistance.

He said he also transmitted the serial number of the suspect’s pistol to his colleagues.

Mr Greene said while he and Cpl Rolle waited for EMS and police backup, and while looking around, an irate group of some 30 to 40 people, mostly young men, came from “every direction” shouting and cursing. Fearing that he and Cpl Rolle would be mobbed or run over, and not knowing if those people were armed, he said he grabbed the suspect’s gun and told Cpl Rolle that they would have to stand back-to-back.

Mr Greene said as the crowd continued to thicken and advance towards them, he told Cpl Rolle that they would

have to move from the suspect’s body. He said he then slipped the gun to Cpl Rolle discreetly and told him to put it in his pocket to secure it.

Mr Green said he did so because in the event they were shot at, Cpl Rolle, being the fastest, would have been able to escape with the weapon.

Mr Greene said rather than cause a confrontation by trying to secure the scene and consequently ward off the mob, he and Cpl Rolle were forced to leave Newbold’s body and move to the porch of the apartment building on the property. After that, he said they went back onto Hospital Lane, unable to ever secure the scene.

Mr Greene said about 15 to 20 minutes later, an ambulance and police assistance arrived. But by that time, he and Cpl Rolle had already moved from the suspect who was being “crowded by just about everybody who was around there.”

Mr Greene said Cpl Rolle handed the gun that the suspect was wielding to another officer before “everything else got out of control” and he and Cpl Rolle left the scene.

Meanwhile, Newbold’s lifelong friend Ryan Fernander claimed that neither Cpl Rolle nor Mr Greene identified themselves as police officers when they initially approached him, his younger cousin, and

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PAGE 8, Tuesday, June 4, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

A

BAHAMIAN has been elected to chair the North American and Caribbean region of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy (WCPT). Kitiboni Adderley, a zestful, caring physical therapist with more than 18 years experience was elected by her peers during the WCPT’s 2019 Congress held last month in Geneva.

The WCPT, which consists of five regions covering 113 countries, represents more than 450,000 physical therapists worldwide.

Kitiboni has been representing The Bahamas at the WCPT for a decade.

She also recently completed her term as president of the Bahamas Association of Physical Therapists, a position she held for the past four years. WCPT is the sole international voice for physical therapy and states its commitment to furthering the physical therapy profession and improving global health.

For Kiti, as she is affectionately called, it is a chance to continue to do something she is passionate about – “advocating for and teaching people about physical therapy”.

When she graduated from St. Augustine’s College in 1992, the school’s yearbook the “Beacon” stated that Kiti had her heart set on becoming a marine biologist. However, that summer, a cousin of hers who lived in England came to visit.

She had just completed her tertiary education in physical therapy. Coming to The Bahamas to spend time with Kiti was her graduation treat. The entire summer, Kiti’s cousin raved about physical therapy until Kiti became intrigued. At the time, she was due to attend the College of The Bahamas to study biochemistry, so there was no need for her to change her major at that point. What Kiti did, however, was to volunteer at Princess Margaret Hospital with physical therapist Velma Burrows and from there Kiti began on the path she wanted in life. She went on to study at Florida International University and then at the University of the West Indies in Jamaica before returning home to practice her craft.

Kiti loves to learn, and so she made it mandatory that she continued to learn more about her field by doing refresher courses and studying new areas of her

CLOCKWISE, from left: Kitiboni Adderley in Geneva, Switzerland; Kiti’s mother Ann, centre, with her children and grandchildren; Kiti enjoying a stream in Grenada; Kiti on the radio educating listers about physical therapy

Kiti’s path from Andros to a role on the world stage field as often as possible.

She tells her three daughters (Karièl, 25; Jaydynn, 13; and Khalaire, nine) that in their careers, they should strive to put something new on their resume every six months. Kiti sets an example by attending courses in the US and the Caribbean. In 2014, she became a certified lymphedema PT specialist and recently, she became certified as a kinesio-taping instructor. In 2017, Kiti earned her doctorate degree from Utica College in New York.

As Kiti expands her reach to the world stage, she remains humbled by her background and upbringing. She was born in

Nassau but before her first birthday, her parents Javan and Dr Ann Rolle moved to Andros. Her father is an electrical engineer and his job at BEC required him to move there. Her mother, a nurse at the time, gladly moved with her husband to the island to help serve residents there.

In Nicholl’s Town where the family settled, Kiti enjoyed many days enjoying nature, something she still does today: “Nothing stills my soul like being on the Family Island close to the beach, or hearing the wind whistling through the needles of the pine trees… close to nature. It has shaped who I am today. I

thoroughly loved growing up on the Family Island.”

But The Bahamas wasn’t Kiti’s only childhood experience. Her mother hails from Carriacou in Grenada.

Therefore, Kiti had the opportunity to spend many summers there. She would watch her grandmother pick her own cocoa seeds and pound them before making lovely desserts like cocoa balls. Both of her grandmothers were steeped in agriculture and often relied on herbs and trees to heal their families. Today, her mother carries on that tradition as she is a holistic practitioner, who focuses on metabolic health.

With a Grenadian mother in the kitchen, Kiti grew up enjoying native dishes from her mother’s country, allowing her to appreciate both cultures that make up her tapestry.

Her father played an important role in helping his children, including brother Javan Jr and sister Ailleen, who have a deep appreciation for their Bahamian roots and a strong desire to learn of and respect other cultures. He made sure each child read the

family’s monthly subscription to National Geographic and Reader’s Digest. He also took the time to take the kids trekking through Andros forests to look at old abandoned homes, finding relics like old lanterns while on their adventure, explaining how people lived in times long gone. He would also take them to look at old churches and study their architecture, noting the difference in design and denomination. In this way, Kiti’s parents gave their children a well-rounded experience that she feels has positively shaped her today.

Her parents met in England while attending university. They also married there before her mother made the decision to move to The Bahamas with her father.

Kiti attended Mastic Point Primary, then Nicholl’s Town Primary in Andros before the family returned to Nassau. She then attended Queen’s College for a year before spending her final three years of primary school at St Francis & St Joseph’s. Her parents always stressed the importance of education.

KITI’S parents, Javan and Dr Ann Rolle and siblings, Javan Jr and Ailleen; inset, Kiti’s daughters Karièl, Jaydynn and Khalaire

She says of her mother: “My mother is a fantastic woman. She has served The Bahamas for more than 40 years as a nurse, often going into areas in the Family Islands where other nurses did not want to go. She was giving selflessly to AIDS patients in the early 1980s when there was a stigma attached. She worked with people like Father Jim and Sister Claire to form the Good Samaritan Ministry.

My mother is always going above and beyond to make sure her fellow man is good.”

There is no doubt that Kiti has followed in her mother’s footsteps. To meet her is to meet an exuberant, enthusiastic therapist who puts her all into what she does. She has a high energy level and a willing smile and she can often be heard on the radio explaining the importance of physical therapy in improving one’s life. She enjoys being able to help patients such as breast cancer survivors and other oncology patients. Too often, they have treatment but do not get the physical therapy they need, which could have a detrimental result down the road. By educating them, Kiti has helped many cancer survivors have a better quality of life. She advises that cancer patients visit her from their first diagnosis to help map out a plan to preserve their muscles and body. She also works with persons with disabilities, and is excited to be helping popular activist Erin Brown prepare for the Paralympics. She has served as physical therapist for The Bahamas national team, and has travelled around the world doing so, as they participate in meets such as IAAF, CAC games and Carifta. She enjoys volunteering with the Kingdor Parkinson Foundation, and also serves as Lead of Physical Activity for for the Healthy Bahamas Coalition.

Kitiboni Adderley owns Handling Your Health Wellness Rehab in the Henrea Carlette Plaza, West Bay Street, telephone 322-5496, or visit hyhwellness.com.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, June 4, 2019, PAGE 9

Joining WTO a threat to economy, argues pastor

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net LOCAL civic activist Pastor Eddie Victor believes the country’s accession to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) is a threat to the economy and to workers.

Mr Victor, founder of Coalition of Concerned Citizens, stressed every Bahamian ought to be concerned about it.

“We are hearing much about the Bahamas’ accession to the WTO—every Bahamian across this country needs to be concerned about our entry into the WTO,” said Mr Victor.

The Bahamas is the last nation in the Caribbean region, and in the Western Hemisphere, which is still not a member of WTO. WTO was established on January 1, 1995 on the signing of the Marrakesh Agreement. It is the only global international organisation dealing with the rules of trade between nations and is dedicated to facilitating trade between member states.

The Bahamas applied to become a member of WTO in 2001. There are 164 countries who have joined WTO, representing more than 98 percent of total world trade. There are 22 ‘observers’, most seeking membership. The Bahamas has observer status.

In order to join WTO, the Bahamas government must ensure that its legal and regulatory framework is compliant with WTO rules. To align its national legal framework with WTO rules, certain legislative amendments

PASTOR Eddie Victor is founder of Coalition of Concerned Citizens. must be implemented and the operations of certain institutions will have to be modernised, including the Customs Department, the Registrar General’s Department, and the Ministry of Agriculture.

The government will also be required to make tariff commitments on imported goods, as well as commitments on the level of openness of various services sectors within the Bahamian economy.

Pastor Victor believes joining WTO will not be beneficial for The Bahamas.

“The Commonwealth of the Bahamas is what our country is known, but when we really look at it wealth is not common in our country. And so, the greatest resource that country has is its people,” he said.

“We believe it is time for people across the country to unite together and work together to bring paradigm shift in our country where

Bahamians have opportunity to prosper.”

He noted that recently the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and the Employers Federation released the WTO impact accession report that was conducted by Oxford Economics.

“Now, this report raised several concerns about the Bahamas’ readiness for accession into the WTO. And the consultant said that joining WTO does not

solve the structural problems in the Bahamas.

“And we believe that the Bahamas’ entry into WTO is a threat to the economy and to workers across our nation,” Pastor Victor said.

In an effort to provide Bahamians with vital information on WTO and how it will affect them, Pastor Victor said the Coalition of Concerned Citizens and the Coalition of Labour Union hosted a town meeting last night at Mary Star

of the Sea Auditorium.

The featured speakers were attorney Paul Moss and Gilbert Morris.

Zhivargo Laing, WTO chief negotiator for the Bahamas, however, believes that this country would benefit by joining WTO. Last November, he argued that full WTO membership will provide the platform for the Bahamian private sector to expand beyond this nation’s borders and grow gross domestic product (GDP) by millions of dollars, since it will provide “certainty and fair treatment” for both local and international investors.

Mr Laing said also the Bahamas would better secure market access for its products, services and exporters under the WTO’s rules-based regime, while foreign investors will have more clarity over which industries they can invest in and the rules protecting their capital.

He also argued full WTO membership, which the Bahamas hopes will be ratified by mid-2020, will ensure this nation “does things for ourselves” in modernising the Bahamian economy through initiatives such as competition law and intellectual property rights protection that will help domestic businesses to grow.

“Your competition rules, your intellectual property rights, all of the things Bahamian business people want to happen to give them transparency and certainty in operating in the country will extend to international investors,” he added. “You make the jurisdiction more attractive for doing business as a Bahamian and international person.”

PAGE 10, Tuesday, June 4, 2019

I

T IS said the rise of populism is a dangerous phenomenon in world politics. This has come to the forefront again following the heavy losses suffered by the mainstream political parties in last month’s European Parliament poll.

A wave of populism arising from antagonism between voters and the so-called political elite is sweeping through Europe and the issue will doubtless be debated once more in the run-up to next year’s US presidential election.

Populism has been defined as a political stance or approach that seeks to appeal to ordinary people who feel their concerns and interests are disregarded by established elite groups, especially those promoting globalisation, and it is normally associated with right-wing politics. But others maintain, rather than categorising it in this way as a political movement, it should be described more accurately as an expression of resentment against existing authorities - elected politicians and governments, big business, multinational corporations and banks - which are claimed to be depriving the people of their rights and prosperity.

So this can be considered as a reflection of the public’s dissatisfaction with the ineptitude and hypocrisy of the existing political class in a situation that leaves people feeling marginalised and left behind by a global economy, technological change and growing inequality. They also perceive politicians as being more interested in feathering their own nests than protecting the interests of their constituents when it is clear that power and wealth in the world is in the hands of too few at the top of the tree.

Critics of the spread of populism are quick to

THE TRIBUNE

Populism and nationalism - what happens when the people feel abandoned The Peter Young column blame leaders like President Trump for cashing in on all this by promising to overturn the status quo and restore the rights of individuals. But, in so doing, such leaders are accused of distorting the truth and stoking up anger and division and preaching that existing democratic freedoms are insufficient while failing to propose an alternative way forward. Such critics consider populism is dangerous because it can destabilize society.

That is the received wisdom among political scientists, but perhaps it underestimates the reality that it is the people with genuine concerns who are speaking and that in practice this is not really distinct or far removed from democracy itself.

To that extent, it can be argued populism is democracy in action through direct contact with people – for example, the Trump mass rallies and his endless tweeting. Nonetheless, it seems some politicians remain complacent and increasingly disrespect the electorate while conveniently forgetting their existence in positions of power and influence is dependent on the will of the people.

The debate about populism invariably includes not only globalisation but also the related important issues of nationalism and patriotism that some regard, incorrectly, as virtually synonymous.

The nation-state in today’s world can be traced back to the break-up of the medieval structures in Europe in the 16th and 17th centuries into groupings of people united by language, culture and customs. This led to establishment of control over territories that developed into countries.

The concept of national sovereignty and non-interference in the affairs of others dates back to what became known as Westphalian sovereignty -- from the peace treaty of that name in 1648 which ended the Thirty Years’ War in Europe.

This also saw the birth of nationalism. The traditional definition is the readiness of people in a territory with shared interests to establish an

Oh to be at the Oval, on West Bay Street

CRITICS of the spread of populism are quick to blame leaders like President Trump for cashing in on all this by promising to overturn the status quo and restore the rights of individuals.

independent state, and it is generally accepted democracy works best within such a state. Nationalism creates a sense of community and belonging and, as such, has for long been considered the foundation and basis of modern society.

But there is also the darker side of people behaving belligerently because they consider their country superior to others. This may be seen to justify not only the legitimate pursuit of a country’s interests but also projection of those interests at the expense of others and, ultimately, domination of them, and that can lead to xenophobia and racism or even war.

This was recognised by the European Union whose founding principle was that integration was essential

FANS of the great game of cricket will be enjoying the spectacle of the World Cup now taking place in England and Wales. Ten countries are involved in a competition being played over a period of six weeks culminating in a final at the iconic ground of Lord’s, the headquarters of world cricket, on July 14. So far, it has been sunny and dry and a good summer is forecast.

The West Indies team has begun successfully with what famous former captain Clive Lloyd described as a clinical win over Pakistan which is considered a top team. During the heyday of West Indian cricket in the 1980s, teams comprising players mainly from Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad were formidable competitors who dominated their rivals in world cricket with classy and inspired batting and athletic fast bowlers who struck fear in even the most experienced batsmen.

Here in Nassau, the Haynes Oval on West Bay Street is home to the Bahamas Cricket Association and is a fine venue for the game. Cricket is said to be the oldest sport being played in the country since it dates back to 1846, and the national team now plays in the International

because nationalism causes war, though this is a questionable claim when trans-national ideologies like fascism, communism and Islamic fundamentalism have caused the worst conflicts of the modern era.

The ugly side of nationalism can lead to demagogy and totalitarianism. It is also the antithesis of globalisation, but the rise of supra-national institutions and even the doctrine of the international community - have weakened the aggressive nationalism of the past while the benefits of economic globalisation, bringing millions out of poverty and reducing inequality, will help further.

By comparison, patriotism is seen as positive because it means admiration for and love of one’s

country together with feelings of pride and loyalty and a belief in, and appreciation of, its values and way of life. But this is generally in a passive manner that eschews jingoism and aggression.

Attitudes do, of course, vary considerably. But, while pride in one’s country is desirable, globalisation involving elimination of barriers to trade and the promotion of improved communications and exchanges at all levels among nations should surely also be welcomed. To paraphrase Abraham Lincoln’s famous dictum - you can’t please all of the people all the time. But it is now up to politicians to find a way of bringing huge numbers of disaffected people back into the fold.

CLIVE LLOYD lifted the cricket World Cup twice for the West Indies Cricket Council Americas Championship.

The cricket club’s restaurant and pub, pictured left, has deservedly become very popular. Owned and operated by Chris Robertson, who hails from Sussex in southern England, and his Bahamian wife Connie, it is open all hours of the day and offers splendid Bahamian and English cuisine together with a wide range of beers and other drinks, all at reasonable prices and in a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. One can either stay

inside in the air conditioned bar and watch live sporting events on large TV screens or sit outside on the balcony and watch a little cricket or admire the ocean view.

Great surroundings, great hospitality and a great experience - and don’t miss the full English breakfast which seems to be on the menu all day long. Congratulations to Chris and Connie who have been running this highly successful restaurant and bar for no less than 22 years – long may they continue to do so and to prosper!

Boris in the dock? What a British farce FOR those who follow the news in Britain, I wonder whether any were as shocked as I was at the recent announcement that Boris Johnson – the colourful and charismatic MP

and former Foreign Secretary and Mayor of London and now frontrunner in the Tory leadership contest – was facing a court summons on a charge of misconduct in public office.

Curious to learn whether this might have been a spoof, I was dismayed to discover it was indeed true.

He is being dragged before the courts to answer a criminal charge that, in public

comments before the 2016 referendum on the UK’s future relationship with the European Union, he had lied by saying Britain gave the equivalent of $450 million per week to the EU as a membership fee when the figure was quite a lot less because of an annual rebate.

Still reeling, I learnt this was a private prosecution by a member of the public who reportedly admitted he was hoping Brexit would be cancelled. A district judge sitting in Westminster Magistrates’ Court ordered the case should be sent to the Crown Court for trial before a jury.

Whether or not the facts as presented by Mr Johnson during the referendum campaign were accurate, the evidence suggests he used the figure in good faith and that his briefing was faulty. So it was clearly not a deliberate lie. But, even if it were, this would not have been a surprise because the sad truth is politicians on the campaign trail constantly lie, and that is the nature

WOULD-BE PM Boris Johnson of politics. Nonetheless, this surely should not have developed into a criminal case. His lawyer is reported to have said it is the first time in English legal history that the criminal law is being used to regulate the content and quality of political debate. Flying in the face of hundreds of years of democratic tradition, it constitutes an attack on free speech.

Commentators consider this is politically motivated and, in legal terms, vexatious. Politicians should not be taken to court for dissembling or making false promises because they do this all the time; and contending opinions and

vigorous argument - even if the facts may not always be wholly accurate - are the essence of democracy.

Charges of misconduct in public life should be reserved for abuse of public office and not used for lying or making contested claims based on disputed facts in heated political debate and, most importantly, MPs need extensive free speech protection so that debate can be fierce and fearless.

This case may be bordering on the farcical, but it is also depressing - even sinister - in Britain’s ordered society that the judiciary should involve itself in the political process and seek to interfere with free speech in this way. The English legal system is based on the common law with judges exercising commonsense.

So one can only hope wiser heads will prevail and the case will be thrown out by a higher court.

• Peter Young is a retired career diplomat and former British High Commissioner to The Bahamas where he is now a permanent resident.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, June 4, 2019, PAGE 11 JULIEN BELIEVE, left, singer, songwriter and music producer, and Jamaal Rolle, aka “The Celebrity Artist”, in action in Hamburg

ROTARIANS TAKE THE BAHAMIAN MESSAGE TO GERMANY ROTARY International President Barry Rassin wanted to introduce the world to the sights, sounds and colour of his beloved home country, the Bahamas. Over the past year, he has achieved this as he travelled the globe, never failing to remind his fellow Rotarians of his roots.

To further enhance that knowledge and to share his passion for his home country at the Rotary International Convention in Hamburg, Germany, Mr Rassin has arranged that several talents from his home will be featured on stage during the event.

The opening ceremony on Sunday June 1 spotlighted two Bahamian artists.

Julien Believe, singer, songwriter and music producer, wowed the thousands of assembled Rotarians and VIPs, performing the Bahamas National Anthem with ‘first lady’ Esther Rassin holding the Bahamas flag. He rounded out the opening with a 20 minute set, including favourites Junkanoo, Caribbean Slide and Down on Bay. Also featured was Jamaal Rolle, aka “The Celebrity Artist”, also a Rotarian, who created a work of art live, depicting a child receiving immunisation against the dreaded disease polio; its eradication has been a major focus by Rotary for the past three decades – and it’s now at countdown to zero.

“Mr Rassin has had a spectacular year, representing both Rotary and its contributions to humanity and his beloved home, the Bahamas. As his year in office draws to a close – it all ends on June 30, 2019 – not only Rotarians but also his country, the Bahamas, gives a huge thank you to him for representing them both at their very best,” a Rotary press release noted.

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PAGE 12, Tuesday, June 4, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Pomp plus protests for Trump in London

LEFT: President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump walk with Queen Elizabeth, Prince Charles, and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, for a State Banquet yesterday. Above, President Trump inspects an honour guard during a welcome ceremony in the garden of Buckingham Palace.

LONDON Associated Press PRESIDENT Donald Trump plunged into his long-delayed state visit to Britain yesterday, welcomed with smiles and a cannon salute by the royals but launching political insults at others in a time of turmoil for both nations in the deep, if recently strained, alliance.

It was a whirlwind of pomp, circumstance and protest for Trump, who had lunch with Queen Elizabeth and tea with Prince Charles before a grand state dinner at Buckingham Palace. The queen used her toast to emphasise the importance of international institutions created by Britain, the United States and other allies after World War II, a subtle rebuttal to Trump, a critic of NATO and the UN.

But most of the talk and the colorful images were just what the White House wanted to showcase Trump as a statesman while, back home, the race to succeed him — and talk of impeaching him — heated up. Yet Trump, forever a counter-puncher, immediately roiled diplomatic docility by tearing into London Mayor Sadiq Khan.

Later this week come D-Day commemoration ceremonies on both sides of the English Channel and his first presidential visit to Ireland, which will include a stay at his coastal golf club. With the trip already at risk of being overshadowed by Britain’s Brexit turmoil, Trump unleashed a Twitter tirade after a newspaper column in which London’s mayor said he did not deserve red-carpet treatment and was “one of the most egregious

examples of a growing global threat” to liberal democracy from the far right. “@SadiqKhan, who by all accounts has done a terrible job as Mayor of London, has been foolishly ‘nasty’ to the visiting President of the United States, by far the most important ally of the United Kingdom,” Trump wrote just before landing. “He is a stone cold loser who should focus on crime in London, not me.”

During the palace welcome ceremony, Trump and Prince Charles inspected the Guard of Honor formed by the Grenadier Guards wearing their traditional bearskin hats. Royal gun salutes were fired from nearby Green Park and from the Tower of London as part of the pageantry accompanying an official state visit, one of the highest honors

Britain can bestow on a foreign leader.

But the US president arrived at a precarious moment. There is a fresh round of impeachment fervour back home and uncertainty on this side of the Atlantic. British Prime Minister Theresa May has undergone months of political turmoil over Britain’s planned exit from the European Union, and French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to use the 75th anniversary of the World War II battle that turned the tide on the Western Front to call for strengthening multinational ties the US president has frayed.

As Trump crossed London, he was shadowed — at a distance — by demonstrators, who planned to fly again a huge balloon depicting the president as a baby.

SPACEY MAKES APPEARANCE AT GROPING CASE NANTUCKET, Mass.

Associated Press

KEVIN Spacey made an unusual appearance yesterday at a Massachusetts courthouse where his attorney asked for a swift trial in the groping case against the actor, saying Spacey is “suffering” as he awaits a chance to clear his name. Attorney Alan Jackson called the case alleging the former “House of Cards” star groped a young man in a Nantucket bar in 2016 “ridiculous” and accused prosecutors of withholding information from the defense. Jackson pushed for a trial date for this summer, but the judge said the earliest it could happen is in the fall.

“He is suffering every day that this goes on,” said Jackson, who occasionally placed his hand on Spacey’s shoulder throughout the hearing at the Nantucket District Court.

“That’s a day he is not getting justice.”

BOAT DEATH TOLL NOW UP TO NINE BUDAPEST, Hungary Associated Press

DIVERS yesterday recovered the bodies of two more victims who were on a tour boat that capsised and sank in the Danube River after a collision with a river cruise ship, bringing the accident’s death toll to nine, while 19 of the 35 people who were on the sightseeing boat remain missing.

The Hableany (Mermaid) carried 33 South Korean passengers and two crew members when it was struck by the larger cruise ship, near the Hungarian Parliament building in Budapest.