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Volume: 119 No.147, June 24, 2022
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CUBANS LEAD NEW WAVE OF REFUGEES
Pinder warns numbers now heading our way is ‘through the roof’ By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder said officials are seeing an influx of Cuban migrants into the country in higher numbers than before. Mr Pinder made the revelation in the senate yesterday in response to Senator Maxine Seymour’s concern about an $800,000 allocation for rent/living accommodations for the Department of Immigration
in the 2022/2023 Budget. Senator Seymour said: “Rent, living accommodations in general, I noticed that we’ve allocated $800,000. Last year would’ve been $270,000 actually spent and then before that $610,000. Mr Pinder replied: “As we see an increase in illegal migrants coming in, we would want to put immigration officers on-site. We would want to better operationalise officers based in SEE PAGE TWO
Her comments came as report card day for public school students from grades one to 11 has been delayed for 14 days due to technical challenges with Learning Management System (LMS). “BUT is in agreement for the report card day to be delayed,” Mrs Wilson said yesterday. “We will see if the 14-day deadline is achieved. SEE PAGE THREE
POLICE are trying to piece together the circumstances surrounding the murder of a serving Royal Bahamas Defence Force officer last night. The officer was ambushed by three armed men as he approached the door of his home at Pineyard Road. The victim, according to police, attempted to escape the assailants, but was pursued and collapsed. As police briefed the media last night at the scene, people believed to be relatives could be heard weeping as they were overcome with grief. Sometime after 8pm, police were called to Pineyard road as a result of a shooting incident. SEE PAGE THREE
‘WHY HIRE THESE NEW CONTRACT WORKERS?’
UNION SAYS SYSTEM HAS FAILED SCHOOLS BAHAMAS Union of Teachers has said that the Ministry of Education must admit that its Learning Management System has failed teachers and students, as it called for an operable virtual platform to be implemented. BUT president Belinda Wilson said an educational plan is needed forthwith as well as officials with adequate skills hired to ensure education in The Bahamas moves forward.
DEFENCE FORCE OFFICER MURDERED
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
PART of a group of 13 Cuban migrants who were brought to Grand Bahama earlier this month after being detained by US Coast Guard officials near Cay Sal Bank.
A FREE National Movement senator yesterday questioned increased funding in the Davis adminstration’s 2022/2023 Budget for contract workers. Senator Darren Henfield, former Foreign Affairs Minister, raised the concern in the Senate. “You’ve increased by quite a few bucks. Let’s look at contract workers. Can we have an explanation of the contracts?” the former Minister of Foreign Affairs asked. SEE PAGE TWO
LIGHTNING STRIKE HITS WATER SUPPLIES WATER and Sewerage customers residing in central, southern and eastern New Providence may experience periods of reduced water pressure over the next 24 hours. The water reduction is due to WSC’s Blue Hills desalination facility experiencing extended periods of substantially low water production volumes. The issue persisted from Monday to yesterday. During this period,
THE WATER and Sewerage Corporation’s headquarters. strategic storage levels fell from 28.0 MIG on the morning of Tuesday, June 21, to less than 22.0 MIG into Wednesday, June 22,
and continued on Thursday, June 23, due to lost production capacity. The corporation said the failure was initiated by a lightning strike, and was compounded by a super power surge. This overwhelmed the extensive integration of lightning arrestors and other control/ prevention systems. In a press statement yesterday, WSC said while the facility does have full SEE PAGE FIVE
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
DIANE PHILLIPS: A WHOLE LOT OF HOT AIR FOR WHAT?
SEE PAGE EIGHT
PAGE 2, Friday, June 24, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
CUBAN detainees pictured earlier this month after being detained and brought to Grand Bahama.
Cubans lead new wave of refugees from page one
ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder speaking in the Senate this week.
Iguana for plans that we have in the Office of the Attorney General to ensure that the remote court facilities are adequate there to be able to have magistrates come in, but you do need immigration officers there.” He then quoted from The Miami Herald on Cuban migrants. “If you’ve noticed The Miami Herald actually a couple days ago, said the Cuban migrants coming into South Florida this last year is larger than the Mariel boat lift number. I think they’ve had some 180,000 thousand Cubans. “We’re seeing illegal migrants,” he continued, “Typically you would see them primarily leave from Haiti, but we’re seeing a significant amount of Cuban migrants coming in now and we think that we have to redeploy immigration officers
throughout the archipelago to better fight this. “Our numbers of illegal migrants, seizures, and repatriations is through the roof, frankly and much higher than we’ve ever seen before and so this is an effort to try to mitigate that activity and in part of that you have to redeploy immigration officers throughout the archipelago and this is going to be the living expense to be able to house them.” Earlier this month, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis expressed concern about Cuba’s absence from the 2022 Summit of the Americas, saying sanctions on the island nation have sparked desperation among residents posing an “existential threat” to the national security of The Bahamas. The situation, Mr Davis said at the time, had left the country to grapple with irregular migrants from Cuba. In May, The Tribune reported that the Royal Bahamas Defence Force had seen
‘WHY HIRE HESE EW O R from page one Attorney General Ryan Pinder answered: “So, there would be an increase in contract workers’ allocation as you point out. As the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the other place would have said there’s a desire and a plan to open up some new missions and consulate offices abroad. “Certainly, within the first instance, there’s a Toronto
office scheduled and then I think he also may have spoken about Houston and possibly a Los Angeles office scheduled and this increase provides for the additional staff in various missions and a new consulate office in Toronto.” Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell had said earlier that along with new hires, the government was looking at opening consulates in Toronto, Los Angeles, Dubai, Jamaica,
Trinidad and Panama. However, Senator Henfield pressed further: “We have to draw attention to the line item. It is a $3m increase. Last time, we spent $608,000. We (are) spending $3.4m. It ain’t no $900,000. Mr Henfield also questioned contract workers at the Ministry of National Security. “We spent $682,000, a projected $48,000. We’re now projecting to spend $953,000. The Ministry of
National Security needs all the help in the world it can get, but can you say what kind of workers we’re hiring here on contract?” he asked. For his part, Mr Pinder explained that this was to accommodate new staff salaries in the Ministry of National Security as they roll out different programmes to address crime and national security to the country in specialty strategies. “You know we’ll have to
a marked increase in illegal migration activity over the last three months, with nearly 1,500 migrants arrested in Bahamian waters within that time frame. The statistics at the time showed there had been 1,892 migrants apprehended by local authorities since the beginning of the year, with most of those arrests taking place in March. January and February saw 329 and 253 apprehensions. In March, 741 migrants were apprehended, while 491 foreign nationals were arrested in April. So far in May, 78 migrants have been arrested in Bahamian waters. Apprehensions of Haitians were the highest at 1,688 followed by Cubans at 192, Columbians and Ecuadorians at four each, three Hondurians and one African, according to the latest RBDF report. There were also 30 interdictions. The Budget was passed in the Senate.
WORKERS?’ hire on a non-permanent basis certain employees to help roll these strategies out where there are community based strategies or otherwise and this is supposed to support that.” But Mr Henfield was left wondering about specifics. “What kind of strategies are you talking about? You mean like crime interrupters? Explain that a little bit more,” he said further. “He is hinting at the controversial appointment of
former senator and talk show host Rodney Moncur at the Ministry of National Security as an independent contractor as a violence interrupter,” Mr Pinder said. “The urban renewal activities are partnered with law enforcement and so you would need staffing from both national security as well as from social services to properly address the community policing and assisting the community on that side,” he went on.
OR WO E ’S SHE ER By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net THE government has allocated $500,000 for a new women’s shelter, it was revealed in the Senate. Violence against women in The Bahamas has increased in recent years, leading such advocates as Khandi Gibson of Families Of All Murder victims to advocate for a facility that provides shelter for abused women or those who have fallen on hard times. Ms Gibson told The
Tribune in an interview recently that in consistently supporting the rights of women, she now looks forward to the shelter and partnering with the government for the initiative. “This is something that I’ve been advocating for years, under the previous administration and under this new administration,” she said. “I was even prepared to get arrested during the Duke and Duchess’ visit to The Bahamas. Safe houses and shelters is something that women need.” Ms Gibson added that
in 2017 she requested Crown land to build a women’s shelter, but was unsuccessful. Ms Gibson stressed that women who are victims of domestic violence are faced with the brutal reality of being told “no” when asking for a place to stay or any kind of assistance. With the shelter being built Ms Gibson believes it will provide a safe environment and also an opportunity to empower victims. During her contribution to the Budget debate, Senator Maxine Seymour raised questions of government over the funding allocated for the shelter. “I spoke with a professionally trained architect and a commercial project manager. They both felt like $500,000 is a very low number for a comprehensive shelter that includes living areas (dormitory), commercial kitchen, common eating areas, classroom or lecture halls, laundry, storage, mechanical rooms, security, entertainment areas, etc. particularly outdoor positive space,” she said. Ms Seymour questioned the kind of shelter the government expects to build for the funding it is allocating. “How is the government going to build a shelter for women across the archipelago because we may have to fly in those from other islands? How is a $500,000 building going to accommodate or cater to the needs of women and children in our country who are abused on a daily basis?”
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, June 24, 2022, PAGE 3
Defence force officer murdered from page one “On arrival of our officers they found a male lying on the verge of the street suffering from gunshot wounds,” press liaison Superintendent Audley Peters said at the scene of the incident. “The Emergency Medical Services came to the scene and following their assessment they determined that there were no signs of life.
“Our investigations thus far indicate that the victim had just arrived home when he was approaching his door. “Three suspects armed with firearms approached him and discharged their weapons at him. “He attempted to run however he collapsed on the verge where the officers found him.” Mr Peters continued: “At this juncture we can confirm that the victim was a serving member of the Royal Bahamas
Defence Force. “The criminal procedure code requires us to follow a certain protocol and so we cannot divulge his identity until identification by a next of kin. “We ask members of this community who may hear, see or know of any details concerning this event to contact our police department at 502-9991 or 2 or walk into the Elizabeth Estates Police Station where they can communicate with Chief Superintendent Damian
Robinson who is the area commander or anyone at that station.” Mr Peters said he was unable to divulge the victim’s identity or age. He was also unable to say whether this was an armed robbery gone wrong. “We do not know the details. We are led by some information at this time as we put the pieces together. At some point we would know the cause of this incident.
“We are following significant leads. This investigation seems to be promising. All the details must come together and we have to get the information from other stakeholders to know what happened, who is responsible, what is the cause of this incident and bring it to some closure so that we can get the adjudication process started. Commodore King said it was a tragic event and he extended condolences to the family.
UNION SAYS SYSTEM HAS FAILED SCHOOLS from page one “However, the Ministry of Education must admit that the LMS EMIS platform has failed the teachers and students and they must seek to have a proper operable virtual platform implemented. “It is so sad that students are being disadvantaged and again the Education system has failed the students of this nation. Unprecedented times call for creativity and sustainability. “An educational plan is
needed forthwith and the officials with the adequate skills hired to ensure that Education in the Bahamas moves forward. At this time, sadly, the education system is going backwards.” Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin has previously revealed that a study conducted by the Department of Statistics showed that about half of students said they were either unable to sign on to the ministry’s learning management system or had experienced other challenges.
THE BAHAMAS Union of Teachers president, Belinda Wilson.
TECHNICAL PROBLEMS DELAY REPORT CARD COLLECTION By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net THE Ministry of Education has announced a delay in report card collection at all public schools due to technical challenges with the ministry’s Learning Management System. To address the issues, the
distribution of students’ academic reports has been delayed for 14 days. Therefore, students in grades one to 11 will not be issued their reports. Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin has previously revealed that a study conducted by the Department of Statistics showed that
about half of the students said they were either unable to sign onto the ministry’s learning management system or had experienced other challenges. “The Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training announces that the collection of report
cards for grades 1 to 11 for all public schools shall be delayed by 14 days so as to address technical challenges related to report card generation encountered in the Ministry’s Learning Management System,” the ministry’s statement said yesterday. “The Ministry will
provide specific details on the date and hours of report card collection in due course. “The Ministry of Education and Technical and Vocational Training has consulted with the Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT), the Bahamas Educators Managerial Union
(BEMU), and the Bahamas Educators Counsellors and Allied Workers Union (BECAWU) and apologizes for this inconvenience to students, teachers and all relevant stakeholders. “Parents will have the option to receive report cards either by hard copy or digitally.”
OYS’ HO E ES EE ONE MORE DEATH FROM COVID RECORDED ‘ E HRE ’ By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A 16-YEAR-OLD boy was sent to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services after escaping Simpson Penn School for Boys and threatening a man with a gun. He was yesterday represented by Attorney Nicholas Mitchell and appeared before Magistrate Kara TurnquestDeveaux on one count of escape and another count of assault with a deadly weapon.
On June 11 the accused escaped remand from Simpson Penn for an earlier offence and then later on June 20 he is accused of assaulting Albert Johnson with a firearm. While the accused pleaded guilty to the escape charge, he pleaded not guilty to assault. He was denied bail and was remanded to Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until further notice. The juvenile is expected to return to court for the continuation of the hearing of both charges on September 14.
THE Bahamas has recorded another 77 COVID-19 cases and one death, according to the Ministry of Health & Wellness. The latest cases were contained in two separate reports - Wednesday, June 22, and Tuesday, June 21. In yesterday’s report, there were 52 new cases. At New Providence, 39 were recorded, eight at Grand Bahama, one at Eleuthera, one at the Berry Islands, one at Exuma, and two on Andros.
It was also noted that 45 people were hospitalised and were considered moderately ill. As for Tuesday’s cases, 25 were recorded. New Providence recorded 18, there was one at Grand Bahama, and six at Cat Island. One new COVID-19 death was also noted, which took place on June 14. The fatality was a 50-year-old man of New Providence. This death took the COVID-19 death toll to 816. To date, a total of 35,755, cases of the coronavirus have been recorded in The Bahamas since the pandemic began. The Ministry of Health and
Wellness reminded members of the public that community clinics such as South Beach Health Centre, Flamingo Gardens, Elizabeth Estates, and Fleming Street still remain open for primary care services. They also said that if people have COVID-19 symptoms they should contact a health provider. It is also advised to get tested and receive proper care before symptoms become too strenuous to manage. The ministry urged persons to take the necessary precautionary measures such as washing their hands, wearing a mask, and social distancing in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
PAGE 4, Friday, June 24, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
THE MEDAL ceremony to present the Henry Dunant Medal to Christine Lightbourne.
Red Cross award for Abaco woman By JADE RUSSELL jrussell@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas Red Cross Society has named Christine Lightbourne as the first Bahamian recipient of the Henry Dunant Medal. Ms Lightbourne, the administrator of the Red Cross Abaco branch, received the award yesterday from the Council of Delegates of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva, Switzerland. The medal was established by the International Red Cross Conference in Vienna in 1965 in honour of Henry Dunant who founded the International Red Cross in 1863. Ms Lightbourne was bestowed this highest award because of her exceptional work during and after Hurricane Dorian. She played an instrumental role in assisting those in need and representing the Red Cross to a high standard. Ms Lightbourne worked frontline in facilitating services and care to residents in Abaco. The Henry Dunant Medal is used to recognise and reward outstanding efforts within the organisation. It is awarded to an individual who displays excellent pioneering achievements in the humanitarian field at a national or local level.
CHRISTINE LIGHTBOURNE The recipient of the medal should aid in enhancing international outreach by the Red Cross/Red Crescent. The recipient of the honour must embody the seven fundamental principles of the Red Cross: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality. These principles are at the core of
the organisation’s way of helping the public during times of armed conflict, natural disasters and other emergencies. Ms Lightbourne’s efforts have proven that she embodies the core principles of the Red Cross Society. The Bahamas Red Cross would like to congratulate her on this accomplishment and are very proud of her.
LEADER AWARD FOR BAHAMIAN FARMER By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS lmunnings@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIAN farmer Deon Gibson, an agricultural enthusiast, has been recognised as a “Leader of Rurality”. Mr Gibson has received the “Soul of Rurality” award by the Intern-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). He has been described as a farmer dedicated to focusing on empowering and providing technical support to other local farmers, and collaborating with ongoing agricultural education at high schools. The award pays tribute to men and women who are leaving their mark and making a difference in the rural communities of the Americas.
“A farm is a living organism,” Mr Gibson, also known as Gibbie the farma, has said. “Everything existing on a farm is alive, and just like each of us monitors our own health, we have to monitor the health of plants and animals, ensuring that they aren’t sick and that they have enough water and food. IICA representative Mari Dunleavy was thrilled to nominate Mr Gibson for the award. “As our spokesperson for ‘Buy Fresh. Buy Local. Buy Bahamian’ national campaign, I recognised Deon’s influence and contribution to food security in The Bahamas,” she said, “So, nominating Gibby da farmer to be recognized as a Rural Leader in Latin America and the Caribbean was important for
IICA Bahamas,” the representative also added. Mr Gibson is also the face for the “Buy Fresh, Buy Local, Buy Bahamian” campaign, which is done in conjunction with the IICA, the Tourism Development Cooperation (TDC) and the Ministry. Minister of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Clay Sweeting also sent his congratulations. “Mr Gibson is a prime example of the type of farmer we need more of in The Bahamas. He is passionate about growing and sustaining food security in the country and passing his knowledge on to the youth. We are very proud of what he has been able to accomplish and we are looking forward to him continuing to excel in all his ventures,” he said.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, June 24, 2022, PAGE 5
LIGHTNING STRIKE HITS WATER SUPPLIES
from page one standby power, which was readily available, the communications and controls systems within the facility failed and extensive local and international resources had to be utilised to fully restore the systems which
are required to operate the facility. The plant is now fully operational, but its operators are presently conducting an extensive review to prevent a recurrence, which could reduce production over an extended period, the water provider said.
“Given the falling storage levels, and in the abundance of caution, WSC took steps at 6pm Thursday to reduce our water into supply to preserve, and to rebuild strategic storage levels and this reduction of water into supply may result in some customers experiencing periods of low
pressures or no water over the next 24 hours,” WSC said yesterday. “Customers should note that normal supply pressures are expected to be restored at 6am on Friday, June 24, 2022. The corporation extends its apology to its valued customers for any inconvenience caused.
“Customers should further note that due to the 2022 Hurricane Season, the corporation will also be taking steps over the next seven to 10 days to regain our strategic storage levels by ramping up production, and implementing limited water conservation
measures, which should have minimum impact on customers. “But customers are being asked to exercise water conservation measures to the extent practical, and report signs of leaks and/or wastage to our Help Centre at 302-5599 or our Emergency Number 325-0505.”
‘We have not been consulted by govt on marijuana legislation’ By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS lmunnings@tribunemedia.net HIGH priest Rithmond McKinney said the Davis administration has not consulted with his community regarding their sacramental rights as officials move to finalise legislation that will regulate medical cannabis and industrial hemp industries. In the Senate on Wednesday, Attorney General Ryan Pinder said the Davis administration intended to advance comprehensive legislation to regulate a medical cannabis industry and a separate framework for industrial hemp. “We will advance a comprehensive suite of legislation on the regulation of cannabis, creating a new agribusiness industry in The Bahamas,” Mr Pinder said yesterday. “This legislation is internationally benchmarked against the countries around the world that are in this industry. In response, high priest McKinney, of the local Rastafarian Bobo Shanti Tribe, said while this was a step in the right direction, the community remained hopeful that the government would come to the table to discuss the matter. “Well we didn’t hear anything about our sacramental rights and I didn’t hear nothing concerning the rasta man and the rasta man Constitutional rights towards their sacrament,” he told The Tribune in an
HIGH Priest Rithmond McKinney. interview yesterday. He also hopes the Davis administration will uphold recommendations made by the previous administration’s Bahamas National Commission on Marijuana. “Well I hope that this administration has something to talk to us about,
concerning how best they could work it out concerning our sacrament,” he said. “So, we still are hoping to hear from them and see how best something can work out for the Rastafarian community. We were hoping to hear something concerning our sacramental
rights and how they would go forward with implementing in our community, but, so far we still have hopes that something can be worked out.” When asked by The Tribune, whether he was satisfied with the pace of the process, he said he is
thankful that things are moving in the right direction, adding that it was something that could be used by all people. “It’s a positive step in the right direction concerning marijuana. But the same time they can’t forget about fundamental constitutional
rights as Rastafarians,” he said. While there is no definite timeline for the proposed legislation, the attorney general has previously marked the end of summer as the timeframe for conclusion of the legislation.
CAPITAL GROUP GIVES $50K TO YOUTH EDUCATION By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net TO celebrate its fifth year in business, IX Capital donated $50,000 for youth education in Financial Services. Robert Berkeley, chief executive officer of Infinox
To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394
Capital Group Ltd, the company that owns IX Capital, said the donation was “very important” to help the country and industry. Acting Prime Minister Chester Cooper, who attended the celebration, said: “Let me say how thankful I am on behalf of
the people in The Bahamas to accept the donation of $50,000 towards education. “We’re not just open for business, we are committed to advancing your industry and we are committed to continuous innovation, as we brought the DARE (Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges) Act,” Mr
Cooper added. “As we continue to innovate, as we’ve attracted the crypto business to our shores, digital asset business generally, we will continue to move forward in this way.” He continued: “We all have an interest in the happier endings. So,
I welcome the discussions and ideas from you about what you see for the future. Our administration needs such input in order to fashion the appropriate environment for mutual prosperity. We are open to hearing of any concerns that you may have. Certainly our doors are open
to collaboration.” Senator Michael Halkitis, Minister for Economic Affairs, added: “This provides an opportunity to pivot and evolve, retrain and really understand the business at a deep level so that they can occupy the highest levels of companies.”
PAGE 6, Friday, June 24, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
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We need to talk to Cuba WHEN Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis flew to the Summit of the Americas held in Los Angeles earlier this month, he pointed out a notable absentee. Cuba. For long-standing political reasons, Cuba was one of the nations left without an invite to the gathering – with the consequence that issues pertaining to that nation went without an important voice in the discussion, and without the chance to negotiate solutions to some of those issues. Mr Davis said at the time: “We have to appreciate that Cuba is at our doorstep. We have to appreciate that as long as these embargoes and blockades and sanctions exist against Cuba what it does is it hurts the population and it increases the misery of those people. Hence, the desperation to leave and so we then are faced with the irregular migrants coming from Cuba into The Bahamas, which is an existential threat to our national security. “Why, because there is a very huge power lobby in South Florida in respect to the regime in Cuba and as we move to live up to our international obligations of repatriation those in South Florida do not accept that we have that obligation and as you recall our consulate was stormed several years ago and so it’s a threat to our Bahamians who have travelled to South Florida and do that in droves every year.” The effects of that are ably demonstrated on our front page today – with Attorney General Ryan Pinder warning that we are seeing an influx of Cuban migrants that is higher than ever before. We are used to significant numbers of migrants from Haiti – although this year officials report more migrants from Haiti heading towards the US than previously. Instead, we have a spike in numbers
coming from Cuba. When it comes to Haiti, at least we have an opportunity for dialogue with officials there – although the turbulence the government there is in helps no one, in Haiti or overseas. But the chance to speak to Cuba was spurned at the Summit of the Americas – and building that dialogue raises concerns from that South Florida bloc. It’s hard to negotiate a solution when you don’t have all the voices involved. The government is increasing funding, but we also need to talk about the roots of the problem and how to avoid the boats coming in the first place, as well as what to do with the migrants once they’re here. The first thing we should be doing isn’t waiting for an interception by Cay Sal Bank. It should be talking.
Failing system The news that technical problems mean that students will face a delay before they get their report cards is just one more nail in the coffin of the Learning Management System. It seems the system has been plagued by problems – admittedly in the most trying of circumstances with so many students having switched to virtual learning because of the pandemic. Still, the system ought to be able to handle essentials such as giving students their reports. Instead, there will be a delay of two weeks. It is hard not to sympathise with the Bahamas Union of Teachers when they say the system has failed teachers and students. If the platform is not fit for the job, then it should be replaced. For now, however, it is getting an F on its own report card.
Referenda and citizenship EDITOR, The Tribune. ONCE again the government, through Attorney General Ryan Pinder, has foreshadowed its plan to introduce legislation to bring about citizenship changes which the referendums of 2002 and 2016 did not. In my view, this is rather unfortunate. The Attorney General is quoted as saying that the citizenship changes the government is seeking to bring about have been impossible to attain through referenda. While it is true that they were not obtained through referenda, it is not true that they have been impossible to attain that way. The sad reality is that the 2002 referendum was politicised; voters were told that the outcome of the referendum would determine the winner of the impending general election. And the sadder reality is that the 2016 referendum was sexualised; the government derailed what was otherwise a referendum on citizenship by trying to get voters to amend Article 26 of the constitution to add “sex” as a ground of non-discrimination. Accordingly, Bahamian voters voted resoundingly “no” in each referendum. Some have wrongly accused Bahamian voters of being incapable of thinking through the referendum questions, and others have even gone as far as to say that Bahamian voters will
never amend the constitution. Such assessments don’t give Bahamian voters the credit they deserve. It is rather unfortunate that Bahamian voters were not given the opportunity to consider amending certain citizenship provisions in the constitution in a proper referendum that was not freighted with other concerns like politics and sex and its meaning. And now the government is resorting to grant some citizenship rights that ideally should have been and would have been approved by Bahamian voters in a proper referendum. This is sad. It did not have to be this way. Also, I add my voice to other voices calling upon the government not to withdraw the appeal before the Privy Council that will settle once for all the proper construction of Article 6. If indeed the proper construction of Article 6 is that any child born in the Bahamas is a Bahamian at birth so long as one of his parents is a Bahamian, without regard to marital status, we owe citizenship to all those to whom it has been denied since July 10, 1973, and they should be allowed to have the privilege of citizenship by constitutional right and not legislative favour. The Privy Council should be allowed to rule whether this is indeed the case. On the other hand, if the proper construction
of Article 6 is the one that currently prevails (that unmarried Bahamian men cannot pass citizenship on to their out of wedlock children at birth), the Privy Council should be allowed to affirm it and close the legal debate on the issue. Either way, I believe it is proper and fitting for the government to allow our final court to have the final say on this very important matter. To my mind, it does not seem right that a 3:2 decision of the Court of Appeal should be allowed to settle what is perhaps the most important constitutional question in our nation’s history to date, bearing in mind that it is about the sacred gift of Bahamian citizenship and who is constitutionally entitled to it at birth. The government is free to move ahead with its legislative plans regarding citizenship as it sees fit. But I still maintain that it is unfortunate that Bahamian voters were not given a proper opportunity to confer certain citizenship rights constitutionally through referenda. And I pray that the government allows the Privy Council to rule on the proper construction of Article 6. PASTOR CEDRIC MOSS Nassau, June 21, 2022.
A MODEL wears a creation as part of the Louis Vuitton men’s Spring Summer 2023 collection presented in Paris, France, yesterday. Photo: Francois Mori/AP
Jonquel Jones and Christianity EDITOR, The Tribune. I AM hoping that Bahamian WNBA player Jonquel Jones’ public swipe at BTC will not cause any significant retaliation from the US towards The Bahamas. That country is currently governed by a farleft president who officiated the same-sex wedding ceremony of two White House staffers, Brian Mosteller and Joe Mahshie, in 2016. The LGBTQ community is backed by Washington, Hollywood, Disney, Silicon Valley and other powerful lobbyists, who have a massive influence internationally. The Bahamas is rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic. The last thing this country needs is the perception that it hates the homosexual community. Many Bahamians are devout Christians who love the homosexual but hate homosexuality. The issue of Jones not getting a lot of endorsements in the US is not unique. During the 2019 NBA Finals in 2019, an average of 15.14 million watched the games, compared to just 231,000 who watched the WNBA Finals in 2018. During the 2019 NBA regular season, an average of 2 million viewers watched the games, compared to just 246,000 who watched WNBA games. Professional basketball in the US is a male dominated sport with a huge market that many multimillion dollar corporations pay huge sums of money to market their products. That’s why the Golden State Warriors could afford to pay Stephen Curry $45 million in 2021, compared to the $221,000 the highest WNBA earners made that same year, which is $93,000 more than the average WNBA salary. Jones is obviously good at her craft, winning the 2021 Kia WNBA Most Valuable Player award, to go along with her other impressive accolades, such as being named an All-Star four times and being named the 2018 Kia WNBA Sixth Player of the Year and the
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net 2017 Kia WNBA Most Improved Player. With the African-American concept of wokeness being co-opted by the feminist camp in the US, I seriously doubt that her sexual orientation has anything to do with her lack of marketability. The same can be said about the entire WNBA with its 20 percent gay population. Jones plays for the Connecticut Sun with fellow lesbians Natisha Hiedeman, DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas, Jasmine Thomas and Courtney Williams. Sun coach Curt Miller is also openly gay. According to the proLGBT site, Outsports, 25 percent of the players in the WNBA 2021 Playoffs were gay. The site claimed that Atlanta Dream owner, Renee Montgomery, is also a lesbian, and is married to Sirene Grace. Minnesota Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve is married to Lynx executive Carley Knox. The issue with Jones and the WNBA is that most women in the US aren’t big on sports, as they are with reality TV shows such as Keeping up with the Kardashians and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. According to Statista, whereas 39 percent of men surveyed said that they’re avid sports fans, only 13 percent of women said that they are. And while 18 percent of men aren’t sports fans at all, 42 percent of women said that they are not fans at all. Despite its launch 26 years ago in 1996, the WNBA has failed to resonate with sports fans for any number of reasons, not including homophobia or misogyny. In the June 23 edition of The Nassau Tribune, Jones is reported to have said that she’s conflicted with herself as a lesbian and being a follower of Christ. This conflict arises from an inward conviction caused by our God-given conscience that says that homosexuality is
a sin which, left unrepented of, will lead to catastrophic consequences in this life and in the next. That Jones would believe that she can be gay and Christian at the same time is proof that she has a distorted understanding of Christianity. Jones is not a true “follower of Christ.” According to Romans 8:29-30, God’s goal in redemption is to conform His church to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. When a homosexual comes to Christ, like a Joe Dallas, he seeks to conform to God’s moral laws through the power of the Holy Spirit and godly counseling. The cliche “come as you are” does not mean you persist in indulging in an ungodly lifestyle. Being a Christian means being Christ-like. For a practising homosexual to claim that he is a Christian is as oxymoronic as a serial killer claiming to be a devout follower of Christ. There are too many biblical passages that speak out against homosexuality for even a casual Bible reader to be uninformed on the matter. Those who would seek to defend the WNBA All-Star forward would only be guilty of impugning God’s character. Being born and raised on Grand Bahama, Jones obviously knows that most Bahamians are traditionalists who believe in moral absolutes. As an accomplished professional basketball player whom many Bahamian girls look up to, it is disappointing that she has used her celebrity status to promote an unbiblical lifestyle. It is also disheartening that she would embrace the leftist ideology of the US, while discarding the traditional moral values she received growing up in The Bahamas. Whatever nominal Christianity Jones had on Grand Bahama has been, in my opinion, thoroughly deconstructed by the WNBA. KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama June 23, 2022.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, June 24, 2022, PAGE 7
Juveniles put on probation for gay slurs and throwing rocks By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net TWO male juveniles were put on a year’s probation by a Magistrate’s Court yesterday for hurling rocks and homophobic slurs at a man last year. Clifford Almonor, 19, and a 17-year-old boy, whose identity was withheld due to his age, both appeared before Assistant Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain. Accompanied by their respective mothers and both represented by attorney Milton Cox the defendants faced a charge of assault with a dangerous instrument. On November 8, 2021, at Soldier Road the accused reportedly accosted a man they believed to be
a homosexual. They then taunted the man with homophobic slurs, including calling him a “sissy”, and proceeded to throw rocks at him. In court, both accused pleaded guilty to the charge. After hearing the facts of the case, the magistrate called both accused homophobic bigots and told them that what they did was disgusting. Magistrate Swain further admonished the accused and their mothers for their children’s abhorrent behaviour saying it was their responsibility to educate themselves to become more tolerant. The prosecution also mentioned that such an attack would be considered a hate crime elsewhere in the world.
During his plea of mitigation, Attorney Cox cited the two boys‘ youth, clean record and early plea of guilty to spare the courts time as reasons for the Magistrate not to impose a custodial sentence. He said a criminal conviction at such a young age would tarnish their futures. In view of this, Magistrate Swain placed both accused on one-year probation and ordered each of them to compensate the victim. Defaulting in any of these conditions would result in the teenagers facing 30 days in jail. Before the accused were released, the magistrate again warned them to abandon their prejudices and not to discriminate against those who were different from them.
WOMAN ATTACKED BUSINESS PARTNER WITH PIECE OF WOOD By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A WOMAN was put on six months’ probation yesterday after threatening and attacking a former female business partner with a piece of wood. Yvonneisha Cooper, 24, faced Magistrate Derence A Rolle Davis on charges of assault with a dangerous instrument and threats of harm. On June 19 at Multiplex Beauty Parlor on Alexandria Blvd the accused, during an argument, threatened and attacked with a piece of wood her beauty business’s co-owner, Alicia Grant. In court, the prosecution
moved to reduce the assault with a dangerous instrument charge to simple assault after hearing Cooper’s side of the story. Cooper explained to the court that they had got into an argument over closing down their business. Cooper went on to say that Grant agreed with their landlord to close the parlour down without consulting her and that the complainant had already started putting their equipment in storage. It was only after learning of all of this that the accused, in anger, approached Grant with the piece of wood. After explaining the situation, the charge was reduced to simple assault, to which Cooper pleaded
guilty in addition to the other charge. During Cooper’s plea of mitigation, it was stated that Cooper, who had no record, was remorseful for her actions and spared the court’s time with her early plea of guilt. In addition, she mentioned that she was the mother of a six-year-old child who regularly volunteers with the elderly. It was argued that giving Cooper youth anger management and conflict resolution classes would be more beneficial to her societal development than would a prison sentence. In view of this, Magistrate Davis placed the accused on six-months probation, failing which would result in a fine of $150.
TWO ACCUSED OVER WEAPONS By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net TWO men were separately sentenced in a Magistrate’s Court yesterday - one in connection with possession of a component part of a firearm and another for carrying arms. Prescott Strachan, 25, stood before Assistant Chief Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans accused of having a black 9mm magazine without a licence. He pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $2,500 or eight months in prison. The second man, Cory
Higgs, represented by Attorney Milton Cox, appeared before Assistant Chief Magistrate Subosola Swain on a charge of carrying arms. On October 20, 2021, in New Providence Higgs, who was reportedly found carrying a knife, was unable to give a satisfactory account for possessing such a weapon. While the accused’s lawyer argued that the weapon was just a pocketknife similar to what he used to pick his nails in his youth, the weapon logged and shown in evidence was in fact a switchblade.
Despite this, during his plea of mitigation the lawyer asked that the court spare his client a custodial sentence. He cited Higgs’ early plea of guilt to save the court’s time and his clean record as reasons for the Magistrate to consider a conditional discharge. In view of this, Higgs was bound over to keep the peace for one year. If he failed, he faced a twomonth sentence in the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. The weapon was ordered to remain confiscated and would eventually be destroyed.
TEEN JAILED FOR CAUSING HARM By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Court Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net AN 18-year-old youth was sentenced to 18 months in prison yesterday after being found guilty of grievous harm. Alvin Janvier, 18, was
tried before Assistant Chief Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans. On June 21, 2020, Janvier is accused of attacking another teenage boy in New Providence, causing him grievous harm. After several witnesses had earlier
given testimony in the matter, Magistrate VogtEvans found there was sufficient evidence to proceed against Janvier. Before being taken into custody, Janvier was informed of his right to appeal the court’s sentencing within seven days.
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PAGE 8, Friday, June 24, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
A whole lot of hot air and for what? MONTAGU MADNESS CONTINUES – ILLEGAL SIGNS NEED TO GO
ONE sign with a permit, above, but from last year, and one sign for an event that is over.
Good news is just around the corner. I can feel it in my bones. Or maybe I am just dreaming but the other day, I awoke and walked Montagu foreshore and all the illegal signs were gone. Beaches and Parks Authority had done a wonderful job and I wrote and thanked them. No longer were the views of Montagu Bay and the boats obscured by signs advertising elder care or blinds repair. No longer was the sight of the fish market blocked by a sign advertising a financial services event that had already passed. The view was open, clean and I was singing “I can see clearly now.” And then I woke up.
ON a bright Saturday morning, a short, paunchy man with a ruddy complexion, round face and a cherubic grin climbed the stairs and entered the front door. His personality was as sunny as his name, though I was never sure if Sonny was his real name (I always meant to ask) or if it was because of the role he played. He was one of the mischievous original Little Rascals on TV and screen and for most of his latter years, he made Nassau his home. On this particular day, he arrived early to set up his stool, prepare his supplies and get ready for the crowd of four-year-olds to arrive. The once famous star of old was today about to be the star of a child’s birthday party where he would entertain a group of little ones by blowing up balloons and twisting them into animal shapes. Those were the days long before bouncing castles, face painting and pony rides became the hallmark of parties and transforming a few balloons into a Chihuahua was as good as it got, even if you were too young to appreciate the history of the cheerful aging man who made the magic happen, even if you had no idea he was once the childhood star of black and white comedy dating back to the 1930s and in a series reinvented for the big screen as late as 1994. Sonny Vallee was such a hot shot in the world of nostalgia that a photo of him at the party appeared in the popular American tabloid called the National Examiner. It ran as part of one of those stories you see from time to time about whatever happened to (you fill in the blank), in this case, the quirky funny kid in Little Rascals Our Gang. Those were also the days before we knew balloons were bad for us. Not directly bad, of course. A balloon never got up and slapped anyone on purpose though accidents have surely happened, and many a toddler learned to fear explosive noises based on an early-in-life burst balloon experience. To this day, the sound of a balloon popping startles the calmest among us, more so now than ever as we fear instant pops that could be gunfire. If it were just about the noise, that would be one thing. If it were, we could compare the joy of all the brightly coloured objects floating freely in a balloon release with the trouble
By Diane Phillips caused by a rare one bursting. But it is not just about the noise. Knowing the actual danger to birds and marine life makes the sound of balloons bursting in air almost irrelevant, like comparing a sprained ankle to losing a leg. How dangerous are masses of balloons? Think of it this way. Balloons, even biodegradable ones, break up into tiny plastic parts. So when there is a large balloon release, the balloons don’t vanish. They break up and some parts or the whole or the strings attached to them gets snagged in trees or utility poles. Birds mistake the bright colours for food and ingest them. Some reports put the mortality rate as high as 50 percent for multiple ingestions which could come from a single or a few good “meals” of the plastic. Balloons that make it to the sea are even deadlier, choking marine life or the birds that dive, believing that bright colour on top of the water or the coral reef is dinner. Sea turtles, protected in The Bahamas since 2009, are especially vulnerable. According to an article in Forbes.com, the Ocean Conservancy reported almost 300,000 balloons were found along US coastal shores in beach clean-ups between 2008 and 2016. In 2019, legislation was proposed that would ban any and all outdoor balloon releases except for scientific research, leaving the balloon industry intact but placing the burden on the buyer of the object either to use it inside a building or to deflate it once the fun was over. That draft legislation, the Control of Plastic Pollution Bill 2019, became law the following year. Individuals who violate the law can be fined up to $2,000 for the first offence. Corporations or other entities, including their directors and managers convicted of causing the action, can be fined up to $5,000. In case outdoor balloon release seems like a small thing to fret over, look at how seriously they’ve taken it in South Florida
where the waters are just as important to their lives as they are to us. In Miami last month, two men were arrested and 10 people and companies received fines totaling more than $25,000 after they were captured on video popping balloons and tossing them into the intracoastal waterway from a yacht where they had gathered for an engagement party. The men were charged with willful disregard for the environment, a felony. Yet elsewhere the practice goes on. We see releases at weddings, birthdays, baby gender reveal parties, memorials, ceremonies, even the start of the Indy 500, though in some cases materials have changed. With the Indy 500 in the balloon debacle spotlight, one current blog calls the race day tradition the release of “39,000 rubber latex death traps.” In Nassau this week, a friend snapped a photo of a graduation parade. In the car were two students with the rest of the openair vehicle completely covered in balloons about to be released into the air where they could strangle or choke a dove or gull or osprey at a higher elevation on the same route. Graduates, parents and friends are seen walking with large plastic bags filled with the once acceptable, now better understood, enemy of marine and wildlife if released into the air. We can only hope that they were headed for an auditorium. The death, slow or immediate, of a single sea turtle or an osprey is too high a price to pay for a moment of colourful jubilation. Surely, we can find a safer way than a balloon release to celebrate when the moment calls for it. And surely, a nation progressive enough environmentally to protect sea turtles and sharks and ban balloon releases can find a way to police the practice and make an example of those who flagrantly violate the law. One thing’s for sure. Brazen balloon releasers are pretty easy to spot.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, June 24, 2022, PAGE 9
Is the Kigali summit going to achieve anything tangible? By PHILIP MURPHY Director of the Institute of Commonwealth Studies and Professor of British and Commonwealth History, School of Advanced Study THE Commonwealth consists of 54 independent member states. Most of them were formerly ruled by the British, although Mozambique, which joined in 1995, and Rwanda, which joined in 2009, do not share that historical link to the UK. There are 19 Commonwealth states in Africa, eight in Asia, three in Europe (including Cyprus and Malta, which are both also members of the European Union), 13 in the Caribbean and the Americas and 11 in the Pacific. They vary widely in size and population. The majority of Commonwealth members (32) are classified as small states with populations of under 1.5 million. By contrast, India – the most populous Commonwealth state – has 1.4 billion citizens. Of the 2.5 billion people who live in the Commonwealth, over half are based in India. In 2021, the combined GDP of all Commonwealth countries was estimated to be $13.1 trillion. The Commonwealth is sometimes described as a “family of nations” and as a mark of their special relationship members call their diplomatic missions in other Commonwealth states “high commissions” rather than embassies.
WHAT ARE AREAS OF FOCUS FOR THE COMMONWEALTH? The Commonwealth takes an interest in a wide variety of issues. These range from climate change and deforestation to gender equality, international development, good governance, human rights and the rule of law. This represents both a strength and a weakness. It means that it speaks to the diverse national interests of its member states. Yet it finds it almost impossible to focus its activities on one or two major issues where it could make a genuine difference. Whereas the more affluent countries of the Commonwealth have tended to favour a focus on trade and good governance, the less affluent have stressed the need to address global inequality and promote development. The result has generally been warm words on all these issues but a conspicuous lack of concerted action. This is reflected by the absence of a clear and deliverable agenda for heads of governments meetings. Instead, they have ‘themes’, which are intentionally all-encompassing. The theme of the 2022 Summit is ‘Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming’. It has been four momentous years since heads last met. The world has faced extraordinary challenges and the Commonwealth has done little of note to offer solutions. So its supporters hope the meeting in Kigali will give a much needed boost to the organisation’s public profile, leadership and sense of purpose.
WHAT ARE SOME OF HE OR IS IO ’S GENUINE SUCCESS STORIES? The issue which kept the Commonwealth focused, energised and newsworthy from the 1960s to the 1990s was the struggle to dismantle white minority rule in southern Africa. This tended to place British governments in an uncomfortable position, as they were often accused of obstructing attempts by the rest of the Commonwealth to put pressure on the governments of Rhodesia and South Africa. But while
the organisation was rarely united in its approach, it can certainly claim a prominent role in the international fight against apartheid. More recently, the Commonwealth has pointed to its success in promoting democracy among its member states. Yet while the organisation is no longer prepared to tolerate military dictatorships or one-party states, a number of members, including the host of the 2022 Summit, have poor records in terms of allowing opposition movements to operate freely.
HOW DOES IT ENFORCE DECISIONS? This is another area where the Commonwealth struggles. It is not a treaty-based organisation and members are not legally bound by its decisions. Because it emerged from the dissolution of the British Empire, there has never been any willingness on the part of members to transfer powers back to its coordinating body, the Commonwealth Secretariat. From the 1990s, the Commonwealth has increasingly portrayed itself as a body united by shared values rather than a shared history, and in 1995 it created the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group to monitor adherence to those values. The group’s powers include the ability to recommend the suspension or even the expulsion of member states. But because it is so easy for members simply to withdraw from the Commonwealth without immediate negative consequences, the group has proved reluctant to hold them to account except in the case of the most flagrant violations of the organisation’s norms.
HOW WILL THE SUCCESS OF THE KIGALI MEETING BE JUDGED? A perennial problem for the organisation is that although it issues statements about a wide range of international issues, Commonwealth heads of government meetings tend in practice to be dominated by purely internal affairs. The 2022 meeting will be no different. The media are likely to focus on the future of the Commonwealth SecretaryGeneral, Patricia Scotland, who is seeking a second term in office. Normally, Secretaries-General serve two four-year terms, and it is unusual for the incumbent to be challenged at the end of their first term. Scotland’s first term was due to come to an end in 2020, but because of COVID, the heads of government meeting due that year has twice been postponed. Hence, she has already served for six years. She is being challenged by a Jamaican nominee, Kamina Johnson Smith, who has the backing of some major member states including the UK and India. Indeed, the British Prime Minister,
Boris Johnson, has made no secret of his desire to deny Scotland a second term in office. This has led to a very public row in the run up to the summit, with accusations from Scotland’s supporters that the Johnson administration’s “colonial agenda” risks wrecking the Commonwealth. Press attention is also likely to focus on the
human rights record of Rwanda, where the meeting is taking place. Since 1999, the leader of the host country becomes the Commonwealth’s chair-in-office until the next heads of state meeting, which usually follows in two years’ time. In 2013 the decision to allow Sri Lanka to host proved extremely contentious due to the human rights record
of its government led by Mahinda Rajapaksa. In 2022, attention is likely to focus on the regime of President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, which is accused of suppressing opposition and freedom of speech and destabilising the country’s neighbours. The British government’s highly controversial scheme to deport some asylum seekers to
Rwanda has put the country’s domestic and foreign policy under even greater scrutiny. Neither this, nor the increasingly bitter campaign for the post of Secretary General, is likely to give the Commonwealth the sort of positive “relaunch” some of its supporters were hoping for. • Originally published on theconversation.com
PAGE 10, Friday, June 24, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
Supreme Court expands gun rights, with nation divided By JESSICA GRESKO Associated Press
THIS microscope photo provided by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in June 2022 shows part of a Thiomargarita magnifica bacteria cell. The species was discovered among the mangroves of Guadeloupe archipelago in the French Caribbean. A team of researchers at the Department of Energy (DOE) Joint Genome Institute (JGI), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), the Laboratory for Research in Complex Systems (LRC), and the Université des Antilles, characterised the bacterium composed of a single cell that is 5,000 times larger than other bacteria. (Olivier Gros/Université des Antilles via AP)
WORLD’S BIGGEST BACTERIUM FOUND IN CARIBBEAN MANGROVE SWAMP By CHRISTINA LARSON AP Science Writer WASHINGTON (AP) — Scientists have discovered the world’s largest bacterium in a Caribbean mangrove swamp. Most bacteria are microscopic, but this one is so big it can be seen with the naked eye. The thin white filament, approximately the size of a human eyelash, is “by far the largest bacterium known to date,” said JeanMarie Volland, a marine biologist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and co-author of a paper announcing the discovery Thursday in the journal Science. Olivier Gros, a coauthor and biologist at the University of the French West Indies and Guiana, found the first example of this bacterium — named Thiomargarita magnifica, or “magnificent sulfur pearl” — clinging to sunken mangrove leaves in the archipelago of Guadeloupe in 2009. But he didn’t immediately know it was a bacterium because of its surprisingly large size -these bacteria, on average, reach a length of a third of an inch (0.9 centimeters). Only later genetic analysis revealed the organism to be a single bacterial cell. “It’s an amazing discovery,” said Petra Levin, a microbiologist at Washington University in St Louis, who was not involved in the study. “It opens up the question of how many of these giant bacteria are out there — and reminds us we should never, ever underestimate bacteria.” Gros also found the bacterium attached to oyster shells, rocks and glass bottles in the swamp. Scientists have not yet been able to grow it in lab culture, but the researchers’ say the cell has a structure that’s unusual for bacteria. One key difference: It has a large central compartment, or vacuole, that allows some cell functions to happen in that controlled environment instead of throughout the cell. “The acquisition of this large central vacuole definitely helps a cell to bypass physical limitations ... on how big a cell can be,” said Manuel Campos, a biologist at the French National Center for Scientific Research, who was not involved in the study. The researchers said they aren’t certain why the bacterium is so large, but co-author Volland hypothesised it may be an adaptation to help it avoid being eaten by smaller organisms.
WASHINGTON (AP) — In a major expansion of gun rights after a series of mass shootings, the Supreme Court said Thursday that Americans have a right to carry firearms in public for self-defence, a ruling likely to lead to more people legally armed. The decision came out as Congress and states debate gun-control legislation. About one-quarter of the U.S. population lives in states expected to be affected by the ruling, which struck down a New York gun law. The high court’s first major gun decision in more than a decade split the court 6-3, with the court’s conservatives in the majority and liberals in dissent. Across the street from the court, lawmakers at the Capitol sped toward passage of gun legislation prompted by recent massacres in Texas, New York and California. Senators cleared the way for the measure, modest in scope but still the most far-reaching in decades. Also Thursday, underscoring the nation’s deep divisions over the issue, the sister of a 9-year-old girl killed in the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, pleaded with state lawmakers to pass gun legislation. The Republican-controlled legislature has stripped away gun restrictions over the past decade. President Joe Biden said in a statement he was “deeply disappointed” by the Supreme Court ruling. It “contradicts both common sense and the Constitution, and should deeply trouble us all,” he said. He urged states to pass new laws. “I call on Americans across the country to make their voices heard on gun safety. Lives are on the line,” he said. The decision struck down a New York law requiring people to demonstrate a particular need for carrying a gun in order to get a license to carry a gun in a concealed way in public. The justices said that requirement violates the Second Amendment right to “keep and bear arms.” Justice Clarence Thomas wrote for the majority that the Constitution protects “an individual’s right to carry a handgun for self-defence outside the home.” That right is not a “second-class right,” Thomas wrote. “We know of no other constitutional right that an individual
THE SUPREME COURT, Thursday, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) may exercise only after demonstrating to government officers some special need.” California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island all have laws similar to New York’s. Those laws are expected to be quickly challenged. Gov. Kathy Hochul, D-N.Y., said the ruling came at a particularly painful time, with New York mourning the deaths of 10 people in a shooting at a supermarket in Buffalo. “This decision isn’t just reckless. It’s reprehensible. It’s not what New Yorkers want,” she said. Gun control groups called the decision a significant setback. Michael Waldman, president of the Brennan Center for Justice and an expert on the Second Amendment, wrote on Twitter that the decision could be the “biggest expansion of gun rights” by the Supreme Court in U.S. history. Republican lawmakers were among those cheering the decision. Tom King, president of the plaintiff New York State Rifle and Pistol Association, said he was relieved. “The lawful and legal gun owner of New York State is no longer going to be persecuted by laws that have nothing to do with the safety of the people and will do nothing to make the people safer,” he said. “And maybe now we’ll start going after criminals and perpetrators of
these heinous acts.” The court’s decision is somewhat out of step with public opinion. About half of the voters in the 2020 presidential election said gun laws in the U.S. should be made more strict, according to AP VoteCast, an expansive survey of the electorate. An additional one-third said laws should be kept as they are, while only about 1 in 10 said gun laws should be less strict. About 8 in 10 Democratic voters said gun laws should be made more strict, VoteCast showed. Among Republican voters, roughly half said laws should be kept as they are, while the remaining half closely divided between more and less strict. In a dissent joined by his liberal colleagues, Justice Stephen Breyer focused on the toll from gun violence. Since the beginning of this year, “there have already been 277 reported mass shootings — an average of more than one per day,” Breyer wrote. He accused his colleagues in the majority of acting “without considering the potentially deadly consequences” of their decision. He said the ruling would “severely” burden states’ efforts to pass laws “that limit, in various ways, who may purchase, carry, or use firearms of different kinds.” Several other conservative justices who joined Thomas’ majority opinion also wrote
separately to add their views. Justice Samuel Alito criticised Breyer’s dissent, questioning the relevance of his discussion of mass shootings and other gun death statistics. Alito wrote that the court had decided “nothing about who may lawfully possess a firearm or the requirements that must be met to buy a gun” and nothing “about the kinds of weapons that people may possess.” “Today, unfortunately, many Americans have good reason to fear they will be victimised if they are unable to protect themselves.” The Second Amendment, he said, “guarantees their right to do so.” Justice Brett Kavanaugh, joined by Chief Justice John Roberts, noted the limits of the decision. States can still require people to get a license to carry a gun, Kavanaugh wrote, and condition that license on “fingerprinting, a background check, a mental health records check, and training in firearms handling and in laws regarding the use of force, among other possible requirements.” Backers of New York’s law had argued that striking it down would lead to more guns on the streets and higher rates of violent crime. Gun violence, on the rise during the coronavirus pandemic, has spiked anew. Gun purchases have also risen. In most of the country gun owners have little difficulty
legally carrying their weapons in public. But that had been harder to do in New York and the handful of states with similar laws. New York’s law, in place since 1913, says that to carry a concealed handgun in public, a person applying for a license has to show “proper cause,” a specific need to carry the weapon. The state had issued unrestricted licenses where a person could carry a gun anywhere and restricted licenses allowing a person to carry the weapon but just for specific purposes such as hunting and target shooting or to and from their place of business. The challenge to the New York law was brought by the New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, which describes itself as the nation’s oldest firearms advocacy organisation, and two men seeking an unrestricted ability to carry guns outside their homes. The Supreme Court last issued a major gun decision in 2010. In that decision and a ruling from 2008 the justices established a nationwide right to keep a gun at home for self-defence. The question for the court this time was just about carrying a gun outside the home. Thomas, who turned 74 on Thursday, wrote in his opinion that: “Nothing in the Second Amendment’s text draws a home/public distinction with respect to the right to keep and bear arms.”
US SENDING ADVANCED ROCKET SYSTEMS, OTHER AID TO UKRAINE By LOLITA C. BALDOR and MATTHEW LEE Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States will send another $450 million in military aid to Ukraine, including some additional medium-range rocket systems, to help push back Russian progress in the war, officials announced Thursday. The latest package includes four High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, or HIMARS, which will double the number they have now. All four were prepositioned in Europe, and training on those systems has already begun with the Ukrainian troops who will use them, said Marine Corps Lt. Col. Anton Semelroth, a Pentagon spokesman. The first four HIMARS that the U.S. previously sent have already gone to the battlefield in Ukraine and are in the hands of troops there. According to the Pentagon, the aid also includes 18 tactical vehicles that are used to tow howitzers, so the weapons can be moved around the battlefield, as well as 18 coastal and riverine patrol boats, thousands of machine guns, grenade launchers and rounds of ammunition, and some other equipment and spare parts. The new aid comes just a week after the U.S. announced it was sending $1 billion in military aid to Ukraine, and as the Russian military continues to slowly expand its control in the eastern Donbas region. Ukrainian leaders have persistently asked for the more advanced, precision rocket systems in order to better fight back against Russia. The Russian military captured two villages in eastern Ukraine on Thursday and is fighting for control of a key highway in a
UKRAINIAN soldiers move a U.S.-supplied M777 howitzer into position to fire at Russian positions in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region. U.S. officials will send another $450 million in military aid to Ukraine. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky, File)
campaign to cut supply lines and encircle frontline Ukrainian forces, according to British and Ukrainian military officials. Russian forces have been bombarding the city of Sievierodonetsk for weeks with artillery and air raids, and fought the Ukrainian army house-to-house. The HIMARS gives Ukraine the ability to strike Russian forces and weapons from further away, making it less risky for Ukrainian troops. The systems are mounted
on trucks, which carry a container with six precision-guided rockets that can travel about 45 miles (70 kilometres). It took about three weeks to train Ukrainian troops on the first four HIMARS, before the systems were moved to the fight. The aid is part of the $40 billion in security and economic assistance passed last month by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden. And it is the 13th package of
military weapons and equipment committed to Ukraine since the war began. Overall, since the war started in late February, the U.S. has committed about $6.1 billion in security assistance to Ukraine, including this latest package. The $450 million in equipment and weapons will be from drawdown authority, which means the Defense Department will take it all from its own stocks and ship it to Ukraine.
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FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2022
National amateur golf champions crowned By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
A
fter four gruelling rounds of competition at various sites on the island, Heathcliff Kane and Ashley Michel were crowned the Bahamas Golf Federation’s men and women national amateur golf champions. In a lesser competition over two days, three-time national champion Richard Gibson Jr, who opted not to participate in the fourday competition, emerged as the champion of the President’s Cup held over the final two days of the tournament. The tournament got started at the Ocean Club on Paradise Island on Monday and moved to Lyford Cay and Albany on Tuesday and Wednesday before it wrapped up on
MEN’s national amateur champion Heathcliff Kane gets his award from Jackie Cleare and Anthony Hinsey. Thursday at the Royal Blue at the Baha Mar Resort. However, the awards presentation took place at the BGF’s Driving Range
immediately after the competition of the tournament yesterday where Kane and Michel were the first two competitors to book
WOMEN’s national amateur champion Ashley Michel receives her national championship trophy from Cleare and Hinsey. their tickets on the BGF’s national team heading to the Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships in August. They will be a
part of a six male and four female team heading to the Turks and Caicos.
SEE PAGE 12
‘COACH YO’ NAMED TO MEN’S NATIONAL TEAM COACHING STAFF By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net YOLETT McPheeMcCuin continues to make history in the coaching ranks and achieved another milestone on her résumé when she became the first woman to join the coaching staff of a Bahamas senior men’s national basketball team. McPhee-McCuin will serve as an assistant coach as The Bahamas contests the third window of FIBA World Cup 2023 Qualifiers. In the third and final window, Bahamas will have its second matchup against The USVI on the road at the USVI Sport and Fitness Center on July 1 and will conclude when they host the second matchup against The Dominican Republic on July 4. “I am incredibly humbled and grateful to
represent the Bahamas as a coach for the men’s senior national team in international play,” said McPhee-McCuin. “Any time that you have the opportunity to represent ‘home’ it’s a blessing and I’m looking forward to help our team compete in the World Cup Qualifiers.” McPhee-McCuin has extensive experience on the sidelines at the national team level having previously served as the Bahamas senior women’s national team coach from 2014-2017. She led the team to the gold medal at the 2015 CBC Basketball Championship for women. The senior men’s national team will be led by Golden State Warriors assistant coach Chris DeMarco. “I have been following Coach Yo’s career extensively and I am excited to have her join us. Her
knowledge and depth of experience as a veteran head coach will be an incredible asset for us as we compete to qualify for the World Games,” said DeMarco. “We are excited that she accepted the role and look forward to having her with us during this pivotal time.” The team is set to participate in training camp in Miami, Florida June 25-30 prior to competition against the USVI. Team Bahamas was drawn into Group C alongside Canada, The Dominican Republic, and The US Virgin Islands. Canada leads the group at 4-0, The Dominican Republic is 3-1, The Bahamas is 1-3 and the Virgin Islands are 0-4. In November’s first window, The Bahamas suffered a 115-73 loss to Canada in the first game of a back-to-back in Santo Domingo, Dominican
NBA Draft, Page 14
DAVIS CUP: BAHAMAS SUFFERS 2-1 LOSS TO JAMAICA By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas suffered its second loss in as many days in play at the Davis Cup Group III Americas competition in Escazu, Costa Rica. The team suffered a 2-1 loss to Jamaica and fell to 0-2 in Pool B. In singles play, Jamaica’s Rowland Phillips defeated Baker Newman 7-6(1), 7-5. Blaise Bicknell clinched the tie for Jamaiaca with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Spencer Newman. The Bahamas found success in doubles play once again as team captain Marvin Rolle and Spencer Newman defeated Jacob Bicknell and John Chin 6-2, 6-2. On day one, Paraguay scored a 2-1 win over The Bahamas.In singles play, Spencer Newman lost to Juan Borba 6-3, 6-4 and
SEE PAGE 14
METS’ WARREN SAUNDERS ASSIGNED TO AAA By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
YOLETT McPhee-McCuin. (AP) Republic. Dominick Bridgewater led the Bahamas with 13 points, David Nesbitt scored 12, Thompson scored 11 and JR Cadot finished with nine. Canada took a decisive 113-77 win in the second game. Nesbitt led The Bahamas with 18 points, Munnings had 10 points, eight rebounds and six assists, while Thompson
and Bridgewater each finished with 12 points. Team Bahamas split the pair of games in the second window in February. They won 86-76 over the US Virgin Islands and lost 90-65 to The Dominican Republic at the Palacio de los Deportes in the Dominican Republic.
SEE PAGE 14
NEW York Mets prospect Warren Saunders received the highest promotion of his minor league career thus far. Saunders was assigned to the Syracuse Mets, the Mets’ Triple-A level of the International League. The 6’3”, 23-year-old infielder finished 2-4 with an RBI in Wednesday night’s 4-2 loss to the Rochester Red Wings at Frontier Field in Rochester New, York. He spent the previous 31 games this season at the High-A level with the Brooklyn Cyclones of the
SEE PAGE 14
Sprinter Richardson’s American swimmers speed, swagger claim redemption at returns for nationals worlds: 3 more golds By ANNE M PETERSON AP Sports Writer SPRINTER Sha’Carri Richardson appears to have both her speed and swagger back for the US track and field championships. A victory this week at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, and it’s on to the world outdoor championships, the sport’s highest-profile event outside of the Olympics. Richardson missed out on the Tokyo Games because of a failed drug test for marijuana. Known for her flashy track suits, fingernail extensions and ever-changing hair colours, Richardson certainly doesn’t lack confidence. “Don’t let the media, don’t let people, don’t let a company, try to stop you from shining, because you
By CIARÁN FAHEY AP Sports Writer
SPRINTER Sha’Carri Richardson. (AP) sunshine,” Richardson said as cheering young fans called her name at a recent race in New York. “We are the light.” Richardson is entered in both the 100 and 200 metres at the national championships, which kicked off yesterday in the Oregon city known as “Track Town.”
If she places in the top three in those events, she moves on to worlds next month, also at Hayward Field. Richardson garnered attention last summer when she won the 100 metres at the Olympic trials, which determined the team for
SEE PAGE 13
BUDAPEST, Hungary (AP) — On a night of redemption for American swimmers, Lilly King, Ryan Murphy and the men’s 4x200 freestyle team claimed three more gold medals for the United States at the world swimming championships yesterday. King atoned for missing out on the podium in the 100 breaststroke by winning the 200 breaststroke final for the first time. “Any time I have a bad swim, I feel like I got a lot of haters out there. And just to be able to prove them wrong, gets me going,” King said. The 25-year-old finished strongly to clock
2:22.41 and beat Australia’s Jenna Strauch by 0.63. Kate Douglass claimed the bronze for the US. King previously won golds in the 50 and 100 breaststroke at the 2017 and 2019 worlds. “It’s really nice to be able to kind of complete the set and I guess I’m a decent swimmer now,” King joked of her 10 medals — nine of them gold — from a worlds. Only Caeleb Dressel, with 15, has claimed more since 2017. Murphy got the Americans’ second gold of the evening in the men’s 200 backstroke, clocking 1:54.52 to beat Britain’s Luke Greenbank by 0.64 seconds and US teammate Shaine Casas by 0.83.
At 26, Murphy is another relative veteran on the American team. It was his first gold from an individual event at a worlds, adding to his four from relays. “I think back to 2014, I was the youngest guy in the team and I had some really good people that were leading us back then. “And so it’s cool to think that I’m in a position to mentor the young guys now,” Murphy said. “We’ve got an incredible legacy at USA Swimming. It’s cool to try to pay that forward.” The Americans had some making up to do in the men’s 4x200 freestyle after failing to finish
SEE PAGE 12
PAGE 12, Friday, June 24, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
GO TEAM BAHAMAS: The Bahamas Golf Federation’s 10-member team consists of three girls and seven boys expected to represent all of the divisions in the upcoming Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championships June 28-30 in Puerto Rico.
BAHAMAS SET FOR CARIBBEAN AMATEUR JUNIOR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIPS THE Bahamas Golf Federation (BGF) confirms its participation in the upcoming Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championships (CAJGC) scheduled for June 28-30 in Puerto Rico. The 10-member team consists of three girls and seven boys representing all of the divisions. They are scheduled to travel to Puerto
WORLDS FROM PAGE 11
among the medals for the first time ever in that race at the Olympics last year. Drew Kibler, Carson Foster, Trenton Julian and Kieran Smith duly obliged by clocking 7:00.24 in yesterday’s final to finish more than three seconds ahead of the Australian and British teams. “Last year — I know Drew and Kieran were part of it — it kinda left a bad taste in everyone’s mouth so to come back this year and win it feels right,” Foster said. The Brazilian team looked like claiming a place finish but lacked the finishing power of its rivals, with Mack Horton clinching silver for the Australians and Tom Dean the bronze for Britain — the country’s 100th medal at a worlds. “That’s an amazing achievement,” Dean’s teammate James Guy said. “And that’s really great that we delivered it, I’m so happy about this.” Australians claimed the other two golds on offer at the Duna Arena in Budapest yesterday. The 18-year-old Mollie O’Callaghan took the first, clocking 52.67 seconds in the women’s 100 freestyle to beat world record holder Sarah Sjöström by 0.13 seconds. It is O’Callaghan’s first world title, while Sjöström won her 17th individual medal at a worlds, second only to Michael Phelps with 20. It was Sjöström’s record fifth medal in the 100 at a worlds, but the Swedish swimmer has never won gold. “Still, I’m so, so happy with (the medal) like never before because I’m competing against such young ladies around me so here in the final I’m the most experienced one,” the 28-year-old said. “That was a great competition.” American Torri Huske, 19, claimed the bronze to become the first swimmer to win four medals in the Hungarian capital this week. Canada’s Penny Oleksiak, the 2016 Olympic champion when she was 16, was fourth. Defending champion Simone Manuel was among several notable absences from the race including Siobhán Haughey, Shayna Jack, Emma McKeon and Cate Campbell. World record holder Zac Stubblety-Cook won the men’s 200 breaststroke in 2:07.07 — 1.31 ahead of Japan’s Yu Hanaguruma and Sweden’s Erik Persson, who tied for second. Persson is the first Swedish man to win a medal at the worlds since 2007. “The plan? To be honest, I didn’t really have one, I just tried to swim as fast as I could,” Persson said.
Rico on Sunday, June 26. In addition, there will be a team manager, two team coaches, one team assistant, and 10 parents making up this delegation to Puerto Rico. Girls 13U - Haley Hall Girls 15U - Chemari Pratt Girls 18U - Tyesha Tynes Boys 13U - Aidan Gorospe,
Kerrington Rolle Boys 15U - Jackson Mactaggart, Camdyn Forbes, Rhan Miller Boys 18U - Heathcliffe Kane, Alexander Dupuch The team manager is Gina Gonzalez-Rolle and the head coach is Lemon Gorospe, assisted by Georgette Rolle-Harris and Frederick Taylor.
In 2021, the team placed 4th in the overall competition. The team feels that they are stronger than the previous year, which was only behind 3rd by a few points in 2021. The first of three rounds of championship golf will begin on Tuesday, June 28 and each division will play 18 holes of golf
during each day of the championship event. COVID-19 protocols are in place and the team manager and coach will ensure they are adhered to by all persons travelling with the team. The national team is all set to return home on Friday, July 1. Go Team Bahamas!
GOLF
FROM PAGE 11 The remainder of the team will be decided by a playoff that the BGF will stage on Saturday and Sunday, July 2-3 at Lyford Cay. It’s the first trip that Kane will be making to represent the Bahamas. He, along with men’s national runner-up Alex Dupuch as they head the junior national team leaving on Sunday for the Caribbean Amateur Junior Golf Championships (CAJGC), scheduled for June 28-30 in Puerto Rico. “I played well on the first day and then after that, I kind of lost my swing and I struggled over the next three days,” said Kane, who finished with a four-day total score of 141. “Luckily, I was ahead enough to hold on for the win. It was a tough competition because Alex really pushed me.” Kane, 19, said he wanted to use the tournament to prepare or the trip to the Turks and Caicos Islands next week. Dupuch, a 17-year-old student of Windsor Academy, trailed Kane with 150, but he also admitted that it was good to play in a high level tournament to get ready for RICHARD Gibson receives his President’s Cup championship award from Jackie Cleare and Craig Flowers. the national team tournament next week. “I struck the ball very well. I just had some mental mistakes in putting that threw me off,” Dupuch said. “The competition was good. Heathcliff made me fight for it. I think we made each other play a lot better.” Back home from college in Iowa where she enjoyed her freshman year, Maicel captured the ladies’ title with a total of 161, one stroke better than runner-up A’Marie Smith, who came through with 162. “It’s always good to be back home. It was a difficult tournament, but it turned out pretty good for me,” Maicel said. “It was quite competitive for me, but I played well against my rivals, whom I have played against for a long time.” Smith, an 18-year-old freshman at TSU, MEN’s national runner-up Alex Dupuch receives his LADIES’ runner-up A’Marie Smith receives her award said minus the culture shock, she was award from Anthony Hinsey. from BGF vice president Anthony Hinsey. delighted with her performance so far. “The tournament was great. It was challenging, especially over the last two days,” Smith said. “I played with some of the girls whom I knew for a while, but it was a good experience playing against them now, considering that the majority of us just got back from school.” For Gibson Jr, who had a scheduling problem and was unable to play the entire four days, said he was impressed with his performance over the final two days in the President’s Cup. “I played great. Today, I didn’t play as well as I expected, but it was good enough to win the President’s Cup,” said Gibson, the last national amateur champion before COVID-19 struck and forced the BGF to put the championship on hold until this year. Despite not playing, Gibson Jr said he was thrilled to watch the performances of Kane and Dupuch as they battled it out for the national amateur title. He noted that LARRY Wilson gets his President’s Cup runner-up award from Jackie Cleare and Craig Flowers. he hopes to be back next year to regain his crown. BGF president Lynford Miller said they were pleased with the way the tournament was staged. “From what I’m hearing, everybody enjoyed themselves and they had a lot of fun,” said Miller, who also participated in the tournament. “It was very competitive. I think based on the smiles from everybody, everybody enjoyed themselves.” As a big supporter of young people, Jackie Cleare, the AVP of operations of the RC Bank and Trust, said they were pleased to put their money behind the success of the tournament. “Golf is a sport that requires discipline and it helps young people to expand their horizon, that is why we have decided to continue to sponsor the tournament,” Cleare said. “So we will continue to support the event because we like what we saw with the participation of the young golfers in the tournament this year.” COLIN Lightbourn receives his award from Jackie Cleare and Craig Flowers.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, June 24, 2022, PAGE 13
FIBA UNDER-15 CENTROBASKET CHAMPIONSHIPS
Team Bahamas ends up fourth overall By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net HAD it not been for two teams pulling out before the start of play, head coach Quentin ‘Three Ounce’ Hall feels the Bahamas’ boys national team would have performed much better at the FIBA Under-15 Centrobasket Championships in Gurabo, Puerto Rico. On the heels of losing their first three games, Team Bahamas turned things around, winning their finial two games to finish in fourth place in the standings of the round robin tournament that was reduced to just one pool instead of two. Team Bahamas completed the round robin play on Wednesday with a 79-56 win over the Turks and Cacaos Islands to end up with a 2-3 win-loss record. Desmond Hall, one of three players in double figures, pumped in a game high 25 points with four steals, three rebounds and two assists. On Tuesday, Team Bahamas won its first game with a 94-57 rout over Costa Rica as Joshua Williams led two other players in double figures with a game high 18 points, six rebounds, two steals, an assist and a bocked shot. The two wins came after Team Bahamas suffered their previous three losses. They opened the tournament with an embarrassing 107-52 loss to Puerto Rico, followed by a 99-49 defeat at the hands of Mexico and a 70-59 decision to the Dominican Republic. Hall, the first vice president of the BBF with responsibilities for all national teams, said the boys’ team gave it their best under the circumstances. “We had two teams that didn’t show up because of visa problems, so it caused the officials to change the schedule after they put everyone into one pool,” said Hall, who was assisted by coaches Kevin Clarke and Denykco Bowles. Had they stuck with the two pools, the tournament would have allowed the top two teams to advance to the playoffs for the rights to qualify for the Tournament of Americas in 2023. But with the absence of Panama and Guyana, Hall said it changed the whole outcome out the tournament and they were both in the same pool with the Bahamas. “They had to put all of the teams in the same pool and we played each other once,” Hall said. “I just thought it was a little more difficult, but when you go to tournaments, you have to be ready. That’s the reality of it. “We had to play Puerto Rico, the number one team in our region right out of the gate and then Mexico, the number two team and then the Dominican Republic, who is number three. We had our work cut out for us from the break.” Puerto Rico, taking advantage of their home turf, went undefeated at 5-0 as they clinched the title over the Dominican Republic, who were 4-1.
JUSTIN Hanna soars in a brazen attempt to dunk.
COACH Quentin Hall.
NOAH Bain protects the ball.
DESMOND Hall goes up for a one-handed jumper. Mexico had to settle for third place at 2-3. The Turks and Caicos were fifth at 1-4 and Costa Rica completed the field winless at 0-5. Other members of Team Bahamas were Aiden Miller, Michael Munnings, Trevon Clarke, Condae Smith, Justin Hanna, Romial Strachan, Kenyon Williams, Christopher Brown and Bradleon McDonald. The team manager was Delva Francis, the team doctor George Burrows, the director of basketball
NATIONALS FROM PAGE 11
Tokyo. But her title was stripped after she tested positive shortly after the race. She was handed a 30-day suspension that kept her out of the event in Tokyo, and she was also left off the US team as part of the relay pool, although her suspension would’ve been completed by the time of the 4x100 race. She acknowledged the mistake in an interview with the “Today” show after her suspension. She said she used marijuana as a way of coping with her mother’s recent
BRADLEON McDonald dunks the ball.
was Latoya Silver and the head of delegation was Stephen Brown. Individually, Desmond Hall was Team Bahamas’ top scorer with a 25.1 average for ninth overall, with Joshua Williams ninth at 25.5. Noah Bain was tied with another for 13th at 23.1. The junior girls’ team will play in their segment of the Centrobasket U15 Championships from June 26-30. The head coach is Varel Davis, assisted by Anton Francis and Shakira Farrington.
death. But on Twitter this week she lamented the interview: “I wish I never did this. I wish I had the choice when it was time for me to tell my story.” A few weeks after missing out on racing at the Olympics, Richardson finished last in the 100 at the Prefontaine Classic. She faced criticism after that August race from some of the more traditional corners of the sport that she was all talk and no substance. But at this year’s Pre, as it is known, the 22-year-old Texan finished second to Olympic gold medallist Elaine ThompsonHerah of Jamaica in the 100,
DESMOND Hall goes up for a one-handed jumper. The team manager is Taronya Wildgoose, the athletic trainer is Sasha Johnson, the director of basketball operations and head of delegation is Latoya Silver. “I know Varel and her staff have been preparing for it, so I know they will be ready,” said Hall of the girls’ team. They also have to play five games in five days once the tournament gets underway this weekend. Hall, however, said the federation has to find a better way to get its
running in a solid 10.92 seconds. This month at the inaugural NYC Grand Prix, Richardson won the 200 in 22.38, and came in second in the 100 in 10.85, a season-best. And she did it in style, with a unique red fishnet track suit and rhinestones dotting her face. “I feel phenomenal,” she said afterward. She said her pre-race hype music was Drake’s “No Friends in the Industry.” The lyrics even have an ode to her: “And I’m like Sha’Carri, smoke ‘em on and off the track.” Richardson isn’t the only attraction at the national
national teams to prepare to travel because unlike the other countries who can get into a bus and drive around to prepare their teams, the Bahamas has to go islandhopping to get the team together and it’s a costly venture. Hall also feels that an argument could be made to FIBA for the tournaments for the juniors to be played in the summer as this trip affected some of the players who would have had to sit their final examinations in school around the same time.
championships, which run through Sunday at the stadium on the University of Oregon campus. Ryan Crouser is looking to surpass his own world record in the shot put, set at Hayward last year at the Olympic trials. Allyson Felix, the most decorated female track athlete in Olympic history, is set to run in the 400 with a shot at making one more world team before her retirement. Two-time Olympian Devon Allen, who played football and ran track at the University of Oregon, will try to improve his time in the 110 hurdles. He ran
PATRICK PAUL EMERGES AS THE OVERALL WINNER OF ROAD CYCLING NATIONALS PATRICK Paul, Dorian Roach and Sanchia Fitzmaurice were among the winners of the New Providence Cycling Association Road Championships at the Clifton Heritage Center over the weekend. Paul emerged as the men’s overall winner, taking the tape in the 48.12-mile race in two hours and 11 minutes. He was followed by Kevin Daley in 2hr.11.01 and Dorian Rach in 2hr.11.13. While Paul took the senior one category and Roach was crowned the senior II champion, Robert Butler came out as the masters champion. Sanchia Fitzmaurice was the winner of the open women’s category and Eric Pritchard took the girls 15-17 years category. results posted in the various divisions: Overall Male 48.12 miles - 1st Patrick Paul time 2 hrs.11 mins; 2nd Kevin Daley 2 hrs.11mins.01sec; 3rd Dorian Roach 2 hrs.11mins.13 sec; 4th Felix Neely 2 hrs.11mins.17sec; 5th Alex Berezhnoi 2hrs.11mins.55sec; 6th Lorenzo Carter 2hrs.13mins.23sec; 7th Jeff Tynes 2hrs.21mins.18sec. Senior 1 - 1st Patrick Paul; 2nd Kevin Daley; 3rd Felix Neely; 4th Lorenzo Carter. Senior 2 - 1st Dorian Roach; 2nd Alex Berezhnoi; 3rd Kevin Tynes. Senior 3 - 40 miles - 1st place Barron Musgrove Jr 2 hrs.10mins.28 sec; 2nd D. Butler 2 hrs.10mins.29 sec Masters 32 miles 1st Robert Butler 1 hr.25mins.24 sec. Open women - 24.06 miles - 1st Sanchia Fitzmaurice 1 hr.18mins.28 sec; 2nd Lynn Pritchard 1 hr.30mins.04sec; 3rd ILaria Gervasini. Girls 15-17 yrs - 16.04 miles - Erin Pritchard 48mins. 37 sec; 2nd Anjale’ah Knowles 1 hr.00.56 sec; 3rd Adril Pratt 1 hr.02min.29sec; 4th. Sienna Culmer Mackey 1hr.18mins.34sec Boys 15-17 yrs - 16 .04 miles - 1st Enea Gervasini 48 mins.38 sec. Boys 12-14 yrs - 17.46 miles - 1st Malcolm Menzies 48 mins.50sec; 2nd Jaden Smith 59 mins.09sec; 3rd Callum Pritchard 59 mins.10sec; 4th Tristan Johnson 1hr.02mins.30sec; 5th Thomas Knowles 1hr.10mins.30sec 6th Nathaniel Adderley 1hr.11mins.36 sec; 7th Javon Oliver 1 hr.18mins.15sec; 8th Kristan Wright 1 hr.30mins.00. Girls 12-14 yrs - 17.46 miles - 1st Taylor Knowles 1 hr.18mins.56 sec. Boys 9 -11 - 11.64 miles 1st Sibby Potter 38 mins.17 sec; 2nd.Lachlan Menzies 38mins.24sec; 3rd Fraser Menzies 44mins.09sec; 4th Lyall Menzies 46 mins.00; 5th Kenderick Cargill 51 mins.06 sec; 6th Anthony Knowles 51 mins.08sec; 7th Theddeus Knowles 51 mins.20sec. The focus now switches to the Bahamas Cycling Federation’s 48th edition of the National Road Cycling Championships, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, July 2-3 at Clifton Heritage. The national time trials are slated to take place on Saturday and the national road race is set to be held on Sunday. Both events are expected to begin at 7am.
the third-fastest time in the world at the NYC Grand Prix. Allen is trying to balance track life and football after recently signing with the Philadelphia Eagles as a wide receiver. There wouldn’t be a conflict should he make the world team: His event final is scheduled for July 17. Eagles players are slated to report for training camp nine days later. Dalilah Muhammad announced on Wednesday that she is sitting out of the 400 hurdles because of a slight injury. She has already qualified for the world championships as the defending champion in the event.
PAGE 14, Friday, June 24, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
NBA draft: Magic take Banchero 1st, Holmgren and Jabari Smith follow By BRIAN MAHONEY AP Basketball Writer NEW YORK (AP) — The Orlando Magic selected Duke forward Paolo Banchero last night with the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. After leading the Blue Devils to the Final Four in coach Mike Krzyzewski’s final season, the 6-foot-10 forward was called first by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to begin the draft, beating out fellow firstyear forwards Jabari Smith Jr and Chet Holmgren. Banchero, wearing a purple suit full of bling, received a loud ovation inside Barclays Center, where Duke lost in the ACC Tournament final. The Magic were picking first for the fourth time and they’ve done well with their previous choices. They took Shaquille O’Neal in 1992, traded the rights to Chris Webber for Penny Hardaway the next year, and went with Dwight Howard in 2004. All eventually reached the NBA Finals with the Magic. Holmgren went second to the Oklahoma City Thunder after the 7-footer led the West Coast Conference in blocked shots, rebounding and shooting percentage at Gonzaga. He looked sharp in his black suit but may need it to eventually be a bigger size for success in the NBA, as he’s listed at just 195 pounds.
PAOLO Banchero talks with friends and family before the start of JABARI SMITH JR, right, is congratulated by NBA Commissionthe NBA basketball draft last night in New York. er Adam Silver after being selected third overall by the Houston (AP Photos/John Minchillo) Rockets. The Houston Rockets took Smith at third, happy to end up with a player who many thought would end up going first. The 6-10 forward from Auburn is a natural fit in the current NBA game, able to defend all three frontcourt positions and with a shooting stroke that allowed him to hit 42% behind the arc. Forward Keegan Murray, after a huge leap in his second season in Iowa, jumped all the way to the No. 4 pick by the Sacramento Kings. The Detroit Pistons, a year after taking Cade Cunningham with the No. 1 pick, took athletic CHET HOLMGREN, centre, hugs family and friends after being selected second overall in the NBA Purdue guard Jaden Ivey basketball draft by the Oklahoma Thunder. fifth. Draymond Green was built Bennedict Mathurin, a G League Ignite was taken Before the selections through the draft. Canadian who played at eighth by New Orleans. began, Silver congratulated All the teams at the top Arizona, went to Indiana Baylor’s Jeremy Sochan the Golden State Warriors of this draft need help and with the No. 6 pick. stayed in Texas with San on their recent NBA cham- have recent high picks The Portland Trail Antonio at No. 9. And to pionship and reminded fans already on their rosters, so Blazers followed with Ken- round out the top 10 picks, that their core of Stephen will hope the Warriors way tucky’s Shaedon Sharpe, Washington selected WisCurry, Klay Thompson and works for them as well. and Dyson Daniels of the consin’s Johnny Davis.
VINCENT STRACHAN ATTENDS INTERNATIONAL BO ING ASSOCIATION’S ELECTION OF OFFICERS BAHAMAS Amateur Boxing Federation President Vincent Strachan got the opportunity to participate in the International Boxing Association’s election of officers recently in Istanbul, Turkey. During the meeting, Strachan said he got an opportunity to speak on 6-9 points, which detailed the Bahamas position on the treatment of member states, especially small members in the Americas. Strachan said he was also encouraged by IBA president Umar Kremlyov’s assistance in training equipment and financial assistance for each country. Additionally, Strachan said Kremlyov assured his open door policies to all members. He noted that the International Olympic Committee’s desire to control boxing worldwide and its continued goal post moving actions toward IBA and its objective to see a puppet president for the IBA. Strachan said he pledged the Bahamas’ support for the president in his bid to rectify whatever differences the IBA has developed with the IOC. Strachan said a motion was also accepted to extend
SAUNDERS FROM PAGE 11
South Atlantic League. He hit .204 with a .587 OPS, six doubles, four RBI, nine runs scored, and one home run. After starting the season 3-28 through the first nine games, he had a strong conclusion to conclude April
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the suspension of St Vincent and the Grenadines for its non participation in any IBA event as well as non payment of membership dues. However, Strachan said he did not support the extension, although it was approved by the membership at large. Strachan said he was delighted to be able to participate in the meeting and share the Bahamas’ stance on the way forward. “I contended that there was no consideration for the challenges that small regional countries faced,” Strachan said. “There should be greater efforts to assist in the process of getting the country in a better place to be able to make the necessary changes to resolve the problems which are adversely affecting them.” In accepting the position of president, Kremlyov released the following statement to the membership: “Following the CAS decision, the IBA Board of Directors will meet on 24 June in Lausanne to discuss the next steps. I have written to the Board of Directors today, recommending that new elections be held,” Cremley wrote.
in the series against the Bowling Green Hot Rods. In game two, he went 2-4 with a pair of doubles on April 28 and took that momentum into the series against Aberdeen when he had his multi-hit game. That run continued in May with his first three-hit game, when he went 3-4 and scored a triple with a run in a 3-2 loss to the Wilmington Blue Rooks. He had a solo shot in the Cyclones’ 8-4 win over the Jersey Shore Blue Claws on June 4 at ShoreTown BallPark in Lakewood, New Jersey. In the preseason, Saunders received the call up to join the New York Mets for Spring Training in the Grapefruit League with a
BAHAMAS Amateur Boxing Federation president Vincent Strachan poses, far right, with some of his international boxing collegiates. “I am grateful for the confidence shown in me by the Member Federations of IBA both at the elections of 2020 and again this year. If CAS has stated that my opponent should have been eligible to stand for election, then let us have a
WARREN SAUNDERS sharp line drive to left field for his first hit with the big league club. In 2021, he spent the season with the St Lucie
new election. This is, however, a decision for the IBA Board of Directors. “In boxing, we should never be afraid of competition. I have seen for myself, countless times, the way that boxing can change young lives for the better
Mets in the Low-A Southwest League where he hit .249 with a .632 OPS, 44 RBI and three home runs. Playing Low-A baseball for the first time in his young career, he has multiple infield positions and became an integral part of a lineup that featured several of the organisation’s top 30 prospects. Saunders ended May with a seven-game stretch where he went 11-32 at the plate, with two doubles, one triple, eight RBI and scored seven runs. He spent the 2019 season with the GCL Mets of the Gulf Coast League. In 33 games, he hit .323 with a .783 OPS, 41 hits, 56 total bases, 20 RBI and scored 25 runs.
and I have experienced this myself. Boxing gave me much as a youth. It greatly improved my future. Now I am at a point where I can give back to boxing and greatly improve our sport’s future and I am proud to do so.”
DAVIS CUP FROM PAGE 11
in match two, Kevin Major Jr retired after Adolfo Vallejo won the first set 7-5 through 57 minutes of play. In doubles play, Rolle and Baker Newman emerged with a hardfought, three-set win over Vallejo and Martin Vergara del Puerto 2-6, 7-5, 7-6 (5). The Bahamas will face Costa Rica today, its final opponent in Pool B. Paraguay leads the pool at 2-0 (5-1 in their match win-loss record) but Jamaica is also 2-0 (4-2). Both the Bahamas 0-2 (2-4) and Costa Rica 0-2 (1-5) remain winless.
NEW PROVIDENCE SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION TO START SEASON JULY 1-2 PRESIDENT Dwayne Stevens has confirmed that the New Providence Softball Association will now start its 2022 season over the weekend of July 1-2 in the Bankers Field at the Baillou Hills Sporting Complex. Stevens, who also serves as president of the Bahamas Government Departmental Softball Association, noted that the fast-pitch league will begin on Friday, July 1, but the official opening ceremonies will take place on Saturday, July 2. Games scheduled for Friday night are as follows: 7pm - University of the Bahamas Mingoes vs Johnson Lady Truckers (L) 8:30pm - Atlantis Titans vs Chances Mighty Mitts (M). Saturday’s schedule 7pm - RAB Operators vs Sunshine Auto Wildcats (L) 8:20pm - Official opening and ring ceremony 8:30pm – Cyber Tech Blue Marlins vs C&S Hitmen (M)
COACH YO FROM PAGE 11
The win over the USVI was the second win for The Bahamas in the history of World Cup qualification, following a 2019 win over the Dominican Republic. In the win over UVSI, Willis Mackey Jr led four Bahamian players in double figures with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Mychel Thompson scored 19 with six rebounds and five assists, Danrad Knowles had 14 points and seven rebounds, Tavario Miller had 14 points and eight rebounds, while Travis Munnings had six points, nine rebounds and 11 assists. In the loss to The Dominican Republic, Munnings was the leading scorer with 16 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Miller had 14 points and six rebounds, Thompson had 10 points and seven rebounds and Knowles scored 12. Sixteen teams will compete in the Americas region, vying for seven spots. The top three teams from each group will qualify for the second round of qualifiers. In the second round, the 12 teams that qualified will be divided into two groups of six. Subsequently, the three best teams from each group, and the fourthplaced team, will qualify for the World Cup. The FIBA World Cup 2023 is scheduled for August 25 to September 10 in multiple countries for the first time - Indonesia, Japan and the Philippines. A total of 80 countries are left vying to be among the 32 teams at the 2023 World Cup. The FIBA Basketball World Cup 2023 will qualify teams directly for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games or through four FIBA Olympic qualifying tournaments.
Pool A includes Venezuela, Guatemala, Puerto Rico and Panama. Venezuela leads the pool at 2-0 (6-0), followed by Guatemala 1-1 (3-3), Panama 1-1 (2-4) and Puerto Rico 0-2 (1-5). Venezuela, Jamaica and Paraguay were all relegated from Group II to Group III. Three teams are expected to advance to the World Group II Playoffs and two teams will be relegated to Americas Group IV. The top team in the pool will earn an automatic promotion while the second-place finisher will play the second-place finisher in Pool A. The winner of that matchup will also earn promotion.
PAGE 16, Friday, June 24, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
REALTOR ENJOYS 25% FREEPORT SALES RISE designed to accommodate more than 250,000 persons. Mr Christie conceded that it was vital that the Grand Lucayan’s $100m sale to Electra America Hospitality Group be completed. HG Christie’s office has two entrances, one of which opens to the hotel and the other to Port Lucaya Marketplace. However, the buyer has yet to conclude the Heads of Agreement and sales agreement with the Government, and only a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is presently in place.
Describing the Grand Lucayan sale as “a catalyst to push us on”, he added: “I can see continued growth going on. There’s nothing to stop it. We’ve always believed in Freeport and Grand Bahama, and will continue to do so.” Speaking to the official opening of HG Christie’s new Grand Bahama office, Mr Christie said: “This is a true milestone for us. It’s a monumental achievement for the company, which is a family business. I’m now the third generation to help run this business
and I’m very proud of that accomplishment. “The Bahamas has always been a playground for the rich and famous, and though Grand Bahama has had its ups and downs we’re seeing a real upswing. We’re actually running out of inventory in New Providence so it’s a great time for real estate in the nation’s second city. “We’ve had about three different locations here on Grand Bahama, but the move to the Port Lucaya Marketplace puts us in the centre of the island’s major tourist hub. This is a great place for us to be in terms of attracting new clients.”
WORKERS WON’T SEE ‘EQUITABLE REBOUND’
in the double digits - and above pre-pandemic levels. “This economic recovery, however, may not translate into an equitable rebound of the labour market,” the IDB warned. “Structural changes in the labour market due to the pandemic may have permanently affected the demand for certain occupations and skills, and some workers may find limited opportunities for reemployment. “Before the pandemic, significant gaps between the skills of the workforce and the current and future needs of the labour market had led
to an uneven dependence on foreign talent and skills, creating tensions between labour and Immigration policies. “Moreover, low returns for local skills stimulate outbound migration. Approximately two-thirds of Bahamians with a tertiary education degree migrate to the US, Canada or Europe. To the extent that the pandemic may lead to structural changes in the labour market, making some occupations and skills redundant, these mismatches can persist or even become more pronounced.”
FROM PAGE 22 Freeport has picked up significantly in the past year or so,” Mr Christie told this newspaper. “It’s been hit hard and suddenly over the years by various things, but Freeport’s time has come especially with the hotel being sold and the Carnival cruise port being finalised. “The time has come, and we’re positioning ourselves right there. There’s been quite a significant increase in sales activity, probably at least 25 percent and maybe even 50 percent. Case in
FROM PAGE 22 of individuals aged 15-25 reached 20 percent, exactly twice the national unemployment rate. This already difficult situation dramatically worsened with the pandemic.”
point, I had some buyers come in who thought they would buy in Nassau. I showed them round there, then said I had an office in Freeport, so they decided to look there. They fell in love and bought a beautiful home there. “There’s so much canal property and Nassau has very little. You can get a nice canal-front home in a good area for $800,000$900,000. These deals are getting picked up fast because there’s an abundance of property.” Mr Christie added that,
The Bahamas’ “extreme reliance on the tourism sector” for employment, with around two-thirds of jobs dependent on the sector - a ratio that the IDB said “is high even for Caribbean standards”, leading the region - made
in high-end New Providence communities such as Lyford Cay and Old Fort Bay, “canal front property does not exist for the most part” apart from a few high-priced homes being constructed. He described Freeport and wider Grand Bahama as “a great place for boating people wanting to get a piece of the island” given its proximity to Florida and the availability of land and the necessary infrastructure, given that The Bahamas’ second city was
COVID-19’s impact “especially dramatic”. While no official unemployment survey has been conducted since the pandemic began, at the peak of lockdowns, border closures and other COVID restrictions it was thought that
PUBLIC NOTICE
more than half the Bahamian workforce had been laid-off or furloughed. The economy’s subsequent reopening has slashed the jobless figures, but unemployment is still thought to remain stubbornly high
PUBLIC NOTICE
INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL
INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL
The Public is hereby advised that I, Bianca Rolle of Current Road, Yamacraw, New Providence, Bahamas mother of JAHLEELA PAULETTE ROLLE of 20 Emery Street, Highland Park, New Providence, Bahamas intend to change her name to JAHLEELA PAULETTE JOHNSON. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O. o , assau, e Providence, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.
The Public is hereby advised that I, DONOVON JERVIS of the South Western District of New Providence, Bahamas, intend to change my name to DONOVON ROBINSON. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.
NOTICE
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that ROSELIE ST. CHARLES-PETTY of P. O. Box General Delivery, Church Street, Palmetto Point, Eleuthera, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 24th day of June, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE is hereby given that NATASHIA DIONNE YOUNG of P. O. Box SP-60342, #10 Lookout Drive, Coral Harbour, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 24th day of June, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
MARKET REPORT www.bisxbahamas.com
THURSDAY, 23 JUNE 2022
BISX ALL SHARE INDEX:
CLOSE
CHANGE
%CHANGE
YTD
YTD%
2501.92
12.59
0.51
273.68
12.28
(242) 323 2330 (242) 323 2320
BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 6.70 53.00 2.30 2.61 2.60 6.10 10.05 3.89 9.02 3.20 8.00 16.60 2.65 10.75 11.25 10.85 15.80 4.00 11.00 16.50
52WK LOW 5.30 33.80 1.54 2.20 1.30 5.75 6.96 2.82 4.50 2.27 5.95 9.75 1.99 7.05 10.02 9.55 13.10 3.50 8.19 15.50
SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Benchmark Bahamas First Holdings Limited Bank of Bahamas Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Cable Bahamas Commonwealth Brewery Commonwealth Bank Colina Holdings CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Emera Incorporated Famguard Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) Limited Focol Finco J. S. Johnson
SYMBOL AML APD BBL BFH BOB BPF BWL CAB CBB CBL CHL CIB CWCB DHS EMAB FAM FBB FCL FIN JSJ
LAST CLOSE 5.50 39.95 2.25 2.35 2.51 6.10 9.75 3.89 8.59 3.10 8.00 16.00 2.69 10.26 11.06 10.85 15.80 3.98 10.00 15.50
CLOSE 5.90 39.95 2.25 2.35 2.51 6.10 9.75 3.89 8.59 3.18 8.00 16.00 2.82 10.26 11.24 10.85 15.80 3.98 10.00 15.50
CHANGE 0.40 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.08 0.00 0.00 0.13 0.00 0.18 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
VOLUME 1,000
28,000
EPS$ 0.239 0.932 0.000 0.140 0.070 1.760 0.369 -0.438 0.140 0.184 0.449 0.722 0.102 0.467 0.646 0.728 0.816 0.203 0.939 0.631
DIV$ 0.170 1.260 0.020 0.080 0.000 0.000 0.260 0.000 0.000 0.120 0.220 0.720 0.434 0.060 0.328 0.240 0.540 0.120 0.200 0.610
P/E 24.7 42.9 N/M 16.8 N/M N/M 26.4 -8.9 61.4 17.3 17.8 22.2 27.6 22.0 17.4 14.9 19.4 19.6 10.6 24.6
YIELD 2.88% 3.15% 0.89% 3.40% 0.00% 0.00% 2.67% 0.00% 0.00% 3.77% 2.75% 4.50% 15.39% 0.58% 2.92% 2.21% 3.42% 3.02% 2.00% 3.94%
PREFERENCE SHARES 1.00
1.00
1000.00 1000.00
1000.00 1000.00
1.00 10.00 1.00
1.00 10.00 1.00
Bahamas First Holdings Preference Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Colina Holdings Class A Fidelity Bank Bahamas Class A Focol Class B
BFHP CAB6 CAB9 CHLA FBBA FCLB
1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00
1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%
CORPORATE DEBT - (percentage pricing) 52WK HI 100.00 100.00
52WK LOW 100.00 100.00
SECURITY Fidelity Bank (Note 22 Series B+) Bahamas First Holdings Limited
SYMBOL FBB22 BFHB
LAST SALE 100.00 100.00
CLOSE 100.00 100.00
CHANGE 0.00 0.00
107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 102.68 100.09 100.91 100.54 100.34 100.00 89.62 100.00 100.00 100.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
VOLUME
INTEREST Prime + 1.75% 6.25%
MATURITY 19-Oct-2022 30-Sep-2025
BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing) 115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 102.68 100.47 100.67 100.43 100.34 100.23 100.00 100.00 100.98 100.00
104.79 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.97 99.96 100.67 100.43 100.04 100.00 89.62 89.00 90.24 90.73
Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y BGS: 2015-10-7Y BGRS FX BGR141230 BGRS FL BGRS97033 BGRS FL BGRS71024 BGRS FL BGRS75022 BGRS FL BGRS81037 BGRS FL BGRS88028 BGRS FX BGR129249 BGRS FX BGR131249 BGRS FX BGR132249 BGRS FX BGR136150
BAH29 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0307 BG0330 BG0407 BSBGR1412307 BSBGRS970336 BSBGRS710245 BSBGRS750225 BSBGRS810375 BSBGRS880287 BSBGR1292493 BSBGR1312499 BSBGR1322498 BSBGR1361504
107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 102.68 100.09 100.91 100.54 100.34 100.00 89.62 100.00 100.00 100.00
6.95% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.50% 6.25% 4.25% 5.35% 4.31% 4.56% 4.43% 4.87% 4.33% 5.55% 5.60% 5.65% 5.69%
20-Nov-2029 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2022 17-Nov-2030 17-Apr-2033 22-Oct-2024 7-Sep-2022 26-Jul-2037 26-Jul-2028 15-Apr-2049 15-Jul-2049 15-Oct-2049 21-Apr-2050
MUTUAL FUNDS 52WK HI 2.52 4.69 2.22 207.86 212.41 1.73 1.83 1.82 1.05 9.37 11.83 7.54 16.64 12.84 10.77 10.00 10.43 14.89
52WK LOW 2.11 3.30 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.68 1.73 1.75 0.99 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57 9.88 8.45 11.20
FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund Leno Financial Conservative Fund Leno Financial Aggressive Fund Leno Financial Balanced Fund Leno Financial Global Bond Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - Equities Sub Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - High Yield Income Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - Alternative Strategies Fund Colonial Bahamas Fund Class D Colonial Bahamas Fund Class E Colonial Bahamas Fund Class F
NAV 2.52 4.69 2.21 197.44 202.39 1.73 1.82 1.82 0.99 9.37 11.79 7.54 15.94 12.47 10.74 N/A 10.43 14.89
YTD% 12 MTH% 0.99% 4.22% 0.36% 5.78% 0.67% 2.74% -2.97% -2.35% -4.72% 6.04% 0.83% 2.82% -0.18% 3.72% 0.76% 3.55% -3.55% -3.85% -0.02% 10.36% -0.33% 18.23% 0.22% 3.05% -3.89% 14.76% -1.04% -2.57% 0.81% 4.20% N/A N/A 3.00% 25.60% 7.90% 48.70%
NAV Date 31-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 25-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021
MARKET TERMS BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00 52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks 52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume Change - Change in closing price from day to day Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings
YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths NAV - Net Asset Value N/M - Not Meaningful
TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | CORALISLE 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225 | BENCHMARK 242-326-7333
PUBLIC NOTICE
INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, SHENAIKA CHARLES TELME of Season Street off Prince Charles Drive, New Providence, Bahamas, intend to change my name to SHENAIKA TALMAE. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O. o , assau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.
NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that VILLARD FRANCOIS of Jolly Hall, Exuma, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 24th day of June, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that WILSON DONJOIE of P. O. Box SB-50714, Carmichael Road, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 24th day of June, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that REMILUS PHILIPPE of P. O. Box SB-50714, Carmichael Road, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 24th day of June, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that MATHIAS DURAND of Yamacraw Hill Road, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 24th day of June, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, June 24, 2022, PAGE 17
GOV’T ‘ADDS INSULT TO INJURY’ WITH MEDICAL VAT REFORMS FROM PAGE 22 this will result in increased premiums for both groups and individuals with private health insurance, increasing medical treatment costs and making coverage increasingly unaffordable. Bahamian health insurance executives yesterday could not be reached for comment on the status of talks with the Government, and how they were progressing. However, Tribune Business sources said the meeting with Mr Davis, who is presently away in Rwanda at the Commonwealth Heads of Government conference, has yet to take place. It is understood the sector may issue a formal statement to the media on the VAT issue today. One contact, speaking on condition of anonymity, said there was concern among health insurers that the Government’s plan could lead to “double taxation” on elements of their reinsurance treaties. “It’s ongoing,” they added of talks with the Government. “I know they’ve been back and forth. What they’re arguing is it’s tantamount to double taxation on certain revenue streams.” Michael Halkitis, minister of economic affairs, did not respond to Tribune Business messages seeking comment while Simon Wilson, the Ministry of Finance’s financial secretary, could not be reached. However, Sandy Morley, the BIA vice-chairman, previously said consumers will “bear the brunt” of the new VAT ruling on input tax deductions for healthcare insurers. Mr Thompson yesterday said the potential fall-out created “grave concern” given that Bahamian
businesses and consumers are already grappling with widespread inflation, and the Government’s action threatens further price increases in another sector. “This would have the effect of adding costs to Bahamian consumers already burdened with skyrocketing medical costs,” he added. “The insurance industry has indicated that come July 1 they will not be able to claim their VAT payments made in settling the medical claims of their customers. This revised ruling by the Ministry of Finance will mean that insurance companies will reportedly have to pass these costs on to the consumer. “With some medical bills and procedures running into the hundreds of thousands of dollars, this will mean extreme hardship for Bahamian families when they can least afford it.” The Ministry of Finance and Department of Inland Revenue (DIR) are understood to have taken the position that medical bill payments are made on behalf of the end-user, or insured consumer, and as such should be treated as a VAT-able activity rather than deducted by insurers from the taxes they collect on the health insurance policy’s premium. But Mr Thompson, noting that neither the Prime Minister nor any of his ministers referred to the health insurance VAT reforms in the Budget debate, added: “At no time did he [Mr Davis] advise the public of the massive new costs that will be put upon the public. It is shameful that the Government would try to sneak this on the Bahamian people. “We call on the Prime Minister to meet with the stakeholders with a view
to immediately reverse this heartless policy position. The Government has already put VAT back on medicine. It is adding insult to injury to add costs to medical bills by virtue of a shift in this VAT policy.” At present, the health insurance industry can deduct, or offset, the VAT portion of patient care bills submitted to it by doctors, hospitals and other medical facilities against what it pays to the Government from the 10 percent levy imposed on client premiums.
However, the BIA’s Mr Morley said the Ministry of Finance and Department of Inland Revenue - with effect from July 1, 2022 - want to change this treatment such that health insurers are no longer able to deduct/offset the VAT charged on their clients’ medical bills against the taxes collected on the premium. With the industry no longer able to treat medical bill VAT as an ‘input’ deduction, the BIA vice-chair warned that consumers will “ultimately” pay the price
NOTICE
SAF Holdings Limited
through having to absorb the levy on their patient care expenses - something that will effectively increase health treatment costs by 10 percent at a time when Bahamians are grappling with soaring inflation and the continuing fall-out from the ongoing COVID-pandemic. Given that some medical costs can be substantial, reaching into the hundreds of thousands and even millions of dollars, the potential revenue boost for the Government could well be significant. Yet, if
implemented, the increased cost could be just as impactful for both individuals and employees who presently enjoy private health insurance under their company’s group policy, potentially making quality healthcare less affordable and accessible when COVID-19 remains a threat. Should the revised VAT treatment become law, Mr Morley said previously that insurers would likely be forced to alter their pricing while providers of medical care would need to adjust their services.
NOTICE
Birchville Ltd.
(In Voluntary Liquidation)
(In Voluntary Liquidation)
Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act, (no. 45 of 2000), SAF Holdings Limited (the “Company”) is in Dissolution. The date of commencement of the Dissolution is 23rd day of June, 2022. Jonell Rolle is the Liquidator and can be contacted at Ocean Centre, Montagu Foreshore, East Bay Street, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas. All persons having claims against the above-named Company are required to send their names, addressed and particulars of their debts or claims to the Liquidator before the 24th day of July, 2022.
Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act, (no. 45 of 2000), Birchville Ltd. (the “Company”) is in Dissolution. The date of commencement of the Dissolution is 23rd day of June, 2022. Jonell Rolle is the Liquidator and can be contacted at Ocean Centre, Montagu Foreshore, East Bay Street, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas. All persons having claims against the above-named Company are required to send their names, addressed and particulars of their debts or claims to the Liquidator before the 24th day of July, 2022.
PAGE 18, Friday, June 24, 2022
CUT $11.8BN DEBT ‘ABSOLUTELY’ AMID GROWING DISTRESS FEARS FROM PAGE 22 current circumstances are exceptional due to Russia’s invasion. The Government’s political opponents seized on the Bloomberg report, published on Wednesday, as a signal that international investors and the capital markets “have no confidence” in the Davis administration’s fiscal and economic revival plans. Suggesting the interest rate spreads on The Bahamas’ debt further highlight the Government’s lack of credibility, it reiterated the differences between the Budget forecast and Fiscal Strategy Report projections from just five months ago. However, Mr Bowe warned both the Government and Free National Movement (FNM) against “dancing on your
opponent’s grave” when it came to The Bahamas’ fiscal crisis, as in doing so they were really “dancing on the grave of the country”. And he reiterated that the present deterioration of The Bahamas’ creditworthiness, and build-up of an $11.843bn national debt, could not be blamed solely on a Davis administration which has been in office for just nine-and-ahalf months. Responsibility, Mr Bowe reminded, lay with successive PLP and FNM administrations including the Minnis government that many current Opposition MPs were part of as Cabinet ministers. Still, Kwasi Thompson, former minister of state for finance in that administration, warned that international investor confidence in The Bahamas
THE TRIBUNE will not improve unless the Government unveils a credible fiscal consolidation plan. “According to the metric employed by Bloomberg, The Bahamas is ranked the sixth-worst fiscally distressed emerging market economy,” he blasted in a statement, asserting that this raised “serious concerns”. He added: “The significant risk premium attached to The Bahamas’ bonds in the international bond market, which as of today was trading 32 percent below par value in the 2032 series, has been trending sharply downward over the last six months. “Despite the pronouncements of the Davis administration and their rosy economic and financial prognosis, the community of bond investors are heavily discounting the country’s bonds and, as such, they are signalling in their actions that they have no confidence in the announced plans of the Government to move the country toward fiscal stability.” Research by Tribune Business, using data from the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, confirmed Mr Thompson’s assertion that the “2032 series”, representing the $825m in Bahamian foreign currency bonds placed at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, are indeed trading
at an almost-32 percent discount to face value. And their yield has increased further to 15.7121 percent. As for the $300m “series 2029” bonds, they have shown the slimmest of improvements but are still trading at over a 27 percent discount to their face value. The yield also remains in double digits at 13.1778 percent. Michael Halkitis, minister of economic affairs, did not respond to Tribune Business efforts to obtain comment while Simon Wilson, the Ministry of Finance’s financial secretary, could not be reached before press time. However, the Government will likely point to its recently-oversubscribed $385m foreign currency bond issue as a sign that The Bahamas still retains international investor and market confidence. However, the Government was only able to access the markets at relatively competitive rates thanks to the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) $200m guarantee, which underwrote one portion of the issue. One financial source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said of the other nine “distressed” emerging markets: “That’s not good company to be in. “On that pace, it indicates that the global investment community is not buying the Government’s fiscal plans, and that’s reflected in why our spreads are so large against US Treasuries. It’s just reflective of the fact the investment community doesn’t have confidence that the Government is putting a workable plan in place.” The 2022-2023 Budget relies heavily on a reflating post-COVID economy to drive VAT collections via growth, together with improved enforcement, compliance and administration that will ensure all due taxes are collected. However, the source said investors, creditors and lenders will likely have taken a negative view of the Government’s failure to implement new and/or increased taxes when it has the capacity to do so or curtail spending in line with its Fiscal Strategy Report. The latter report, issued at end-January 2022, forecast that the Government’s
TO ADVERTISE TODAY IN THE TRIBUNE CALL @ 502-2394 VICE PRESIDENT, CLIENT ACCOUNTING
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recurrent spending for 2022-2023 will come in at $2.679bn with total spending (including that on capital projects) standing at $3.115bn. Yet in the actual Budget, brought to Parliament just four months later, recurrent spending had increased by more than $300m to $2.997bn while total spending was over $250m higher at $3.368bn. “When you ignore your own plan, the signal you are sending is is that it was a paper exercise,” the source said. “You cannot say something in January and come back with something different in May unless something substantial happens. The market has recognised that, and that’s why we’re ending up in this bad company. “I’m hoping this wakes them up to the fact you cannot flam the markets. You cannot flam your way out of this. You have to stick to your plan and demonstrate a consistent story.” Mr Bowe, meanwhile, told Tribune Business that The Bahamas “must take note” of the Bloomberg report and its findings, given the credibility of the sources, and said it warranted a formal response from the Government. While The Bahamas’ credit risk premium had undoubtedly increased, due to the deterioration in the country’s creditworthiness as a result of persistent nine-figures deficits even before Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19 struck, and a multi-billion dollar debt accumulation, Mr Bowe said other factors are also in play. He pointed out that The Bahamas’ outstanding debt was also being discounted by investors because much of it was issued at fixed interest rates. These coupons do not change, even in the event of recent US interest rate hikes, and as a result the spread with US Treasuries is narrowing. As a result, investors believe they are not being adequately compensated for the risk involved. “While our debt-toGDP ratio is improving, it’s not improving because of the reduction in debt. It’s improving because of the increase in GDP,” Mr Bowe told Tribune Business, in a nod to the post-COVID reflation. “We have to look at the debt in absolute numbers, not relative numbers. “The Government, to me, is always over-jubilant when those ratios improve, not because of a reduction in the debt but because of the increase in GDP. We need to focus on a debt reduction strategy, not a debt-to-GDP increase.” An additional $251.4m in borrowing will
raise the 2021-2022 fiscal deficit to $758.6m, a sum equivalent to 6 percent of Bahamian gross domestic product (GDP). When this is added to the $564m deficit forecast for the upcoming 20222023 fiscal year, and those incurred during the two years covered by Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic, The Bahamas will have added $3.47bn to its national debt in just four years. “I always caution the current government and Opposition not to let it be seen that you are dancing on the grave of your political opponent, because the reality is you are dancing on the grave of your country,” Mr Bowe said on relation to the national debt. “We need to be more mature”. Calling on both sides to be “part of the solution, not part of the problem”, he added: “The creditworthiness deterioration we are experiencing is not the result of the last nine months, or changes over the last nine months, but the vast majority of that spread already existed. Are they [the Opposition] taking responsibility for the increase in their time? “We are where we are because of successive administrations. There is a direct correlation between the actions we are taking, certain actions to achieve debt reduction, and then measuring whether they are successful.” Mr Bowe said The Bahamas also needs to improve the fiscal data and economic information being made available to investors so that it can better counter any misperceptions. Mr Thompson, pointing out that the multibillion dollar COVID-19 and Dorian borrowing was approved by both major political parties in Parliament, said: “The Davis administration has yet to put forward a concrete plan for expenditure restraint and for equitable revenue growth to bring the nation’s fiscal house back in order... “The failure of the PLP to engage in real governance and to make the tough decisions is eroding the credibility of this government among Bahamians and the international bond investor community. The Government must come to the Bahamian people with a legitimate plan for fiscal consolidation, [otherwise] the confidence of the investor community will not improve and the Government will find it more and more difficult to source the financing it needs to meet its obligations.”
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, June 24, 2022, PAGE 19
SOARING GAS PRICES ARE A ‘SILENT KILLER’ FROM PAGE 22 “There’s optimism because the economy is moving. The Disney project is moving forward, which is generating some cash flow and activity in the community that has not been there for a while,” Mr Sands said. “But, while people are optimistic, the price of gas is just crazy. It is $7.41 a gallon. Crazy. “Because construction is going on, there’s people out of necessity moving up and down but it may have gotten to the point where people are trying to be more efficient with their time and their movement. People are very conscious of it. It hasn’t slowed the economy at this particular point in time but it’s at the
back of everybody’s mind and, if it continues to go north, I don’t know what it does. “At this point, people are still moving and doing what they have to do. They’re just complaining about it.” Oil prices remained stubbornly high on world markets last night, standing at $110.7 and $114.1 per barrel on the West Texas Intermediate and Brent Crude indices, respectively. For New Providence, gas prices ranged from $6.97 per gallon at Shell to $7.339 at Esso, while diesel prices are between $6.24 per gallon and $6.68. Surging gas prices and transportation costs are eating into both consumer income and business revenues. Besides fuel, inflation
is impacting Bahamians at food stores and across-theboard, with the greatest effects felt by persons on fixed incomes (pensioners) and those in the lowestearning segments of society who are unable to absorb the higher expenses. “The cost of everything is going up,” Mr Sands said. “We have people complaining about it on a regular basis and people are very conscious of it. The inbetween saving grace at this point in time is there’s an increase in economic activity, and people have gone back to work after going through COVID, there is employment and employment opportunities but, as prices increase, the more difficult it becomes for
people to make ends meet at the end of the day. “There is a lot of discussion around it, a lot of fears around it. It’s definitely on the minds of everybody. Nobody knows where it will end and how it will end. I just hope the economy continues to recover at the very least, helping us to hold on.” Mr Hutton, meanwhile, said diesel prices last week stood at around $6.75 on Abaco with gasoline around $7.80 per gallon. “The price of fuel is the silent killer that really hurts everybody right now,” he told Tribune Business. “It’s everywhere you look. It’s not like there’s anything unexpected or special going on here right now. It’s just
DPM hails financial provider’s five years CHESTER Cooper, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism, investments and aviation, on Wednesday spoke at at Balmoral Club reception to celebrate IX Capital Group’s (trading as Infinox Capital) first five years of operating in The Bahamas. The financial services provider opened in June 2017, operating in the financial technology (Fintech) niche. The reception was held to showcase the group’s expansion and vision for the future. Photo:Mark Ford/BIS
TO ADVERTISE TODAY IN THE TRIBUNE CALL @ 502-2394
NOTICE International Business Companies Act (No. 45 of 2000)
Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, No.45 of 2000, the Dissolution of AIRLEASE FOURTEEN LIMITED has been completed, a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued and the Company has therefore been struck off the Register. The date of completion of the dissolution was the 14th day of January 2022.
LEGAL NOTICE
LESTILLEULS LIMITED
Jeile Vignoble Ltd.
(a) LESTILLEULS LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.
Mr Hutton described lumber costs as “the outlier”, with prices having dropped between 30-40 percent since the start of 2022, something he attributed to a US housing market slowdown as interest rate hikes bite. This, in turn, has freed up supplies to The Bahamas and will help with Abaco’s postDorian reconstruction.
AIRLEASE FOURTEEN LIMITED. (the “Company”)
NOTICE N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:
unfortunate we continue to eat it. “Everyone is just hunkering down and living with it right now. There’s no real negative sentiment out there. Everyone’s just getting on with it for now. There’s not a lot people can do anyway and we’re just moving forward. I don’t know at what point the situation will become untenable but we’re not there yet. “It would be exceedingly helpful if the Government took the suggestion of the Out Island Chambers from March to cap the VAT at 45 cents per gallon. We didn’t even get an acknowledgement. March 9 is when we put the suggestion in. We saw this price increase coming.”
Registration No. 199714 B
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT (No.45 of 2000) In Voluntary Liquidation
NOTICE International Business Companies Act (No. 45 of 2000) AIRLEASE THIRTY LIMITED. (the “Company”)
Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, No.45 of 2000, the dissolution of Jeile Vignoble Ltd. has been completed, a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued and the Company has therefore been struck off the Register. The date of completion of the Dissolution was 27th day of May, 2022.
Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, No.45 of 2000, the Dissolution of AIRLEASE THIRTY LIMITED has been completed, a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued and the Company has therefore been struck off the Register. The date of completion of the dissolution was the 14th day of January 2022.
NOTICE
NOTICE
NOTICE
PAN GLOBAL ASSETS LIMITED
International Business Companies Act (No. 45 of 2000)
International Business Companies Act (No. 45 of 2000)
AIRLEASE TWENTY EIGHT LIMITED.
AIRLEASE TWENTY SEVEN LIMITED.
Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 13 8 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, No.45 of 2000, the Dissolution of AIRLEASE TWENTY EIGHT LIMITED has been completed, a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued and the Company has therefore been struck off the Register. The date of completion of the dissolution was the 14th day of January 2022.
Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 13 8 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, No.45 of 2000, the Dissolution of AIRLEASE TWENTY SEVEN LIMITED has been completed, a Ce1iificate of Dissolution has been issued and the Company has therefore been struck off the Register. The date of completion of the dissolution was the 14th day of January 2022.
NOTICE
NOTICE
ADIS HOLDINGS LIMITED
NOTICE
International Business Companies Act (No. 45 of 2000)
b) The dissolution of the said company commenced on 22nd June, 2022 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General. c) The Liquidator of the said company is Octagon Management Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, Nassau, Bahamas. Dated this 24th day of June, 2022 _________________________________ Octagon Management Limited Liquidator
N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows: (a) PAN GLOBAL ASSETS LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000. (b) The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 22nd June, 2022 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General. (c) The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas
(the “Company”)
(the “Company”)
Dated this 24th day of June, 2022 _________________________________ Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator
N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows: (a) ADIS HOLDINGS LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000. (b) The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 22nd June, 2022 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General. (c) The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas Dated this 24th day of June, 2022 _________________________________ Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator
AIRLEASE TWENTY TWO LIMITED.
(the “Company”)
Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, No.45 of 2000, the Dissolution of AIRLEASE TWENTY TWO LIMITED has been completed, a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued and the Company has therefore been struck off the Register. The date of completion of the dissolution was the 14th day of January 2022.
CERRITOS OFFSHORE INVESTMENTS LTD. Notice is given hereby in accordance with Section 138(8) of the International Business Companies Act, 2000, the dissolution of CERRITOS OFFSHORE INVESTMENTS LTD. has been completed, a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued and the Company has therefore been struck off the Registrar. Aegis Corporate Services Limited Building 6, Caves Village West Bay Street P.O. Box SP-63771 Nassau, Bahamas Liquidator
PAGE 20, Friday, June 24, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
BAHAMIAN DIGITAL ASSET MOVE DRIVES JOB CREATION By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas’ entry into the digital assets space has created at least 30 jobs, and pumped over $5m into the economy, by attracting new broker/dealers and cryptocurrency exchanges to this nation, a financial provider says Anthony Stubbs, chief executive officer of IX Capital Group, told Tribune Business his firm is ready to add cryptocurrency to its portfolio and become a “full-fledged Fintech firm” offering multiple digital assets-related solutions. “Cryptocurrencies are something we are looking into for the very near future, taking advantage of
the fact that we are here in The Bahamas already,” he added. “The Bahamas is really a pioneer in the Fintech and digital asset and crypto asset space with the DARE (Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges) Act being rolled out. So we definitely want to be a part of that. “This is really going to highlight the adaptability of The Bahamas to really just be able to shift with the tide of financial services, and we fit into this framework perfectly because Infinox (IX Capital’s parent company) already offers Fintech solutions, which is the CFD (Contract for Differences) trading solutions for our clients. “Fintech firms have proven to be fast adapters to change, and mobile
IX CAPTIAL GROUP, which trades as Infinox Capital, pledged $50,000 to youth education in financial services at a reception at the Balmoral Club, which was held to mark five years of operations in The Bahamas. Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister and minister of tourism, investments and aviation, and Michael Halkitis, minister of economic affairs, accepted on the Government’s behalf. Presenting the cheque were IX Capital founder, Robert Berkley, and chief executive, Anthony Stubbs. Photo:Mark Ford
in their operations. As of January 2020, there are more than 12 online broker/ dealers and more than two major crypto-exchanges, contributing more than $5m to the Bahamian economy. Thirty Bahamians are now directly employed by online
broker/dealers and cryptoexchanges, jobs that didn’t exist years ago,” Mr Stubbs said. “With the emergence of Fintech, The Bahamas is poised to recreate an environment of organic growth for financial services, while
providing new opportunities for young professionals like myself to shift and evolve. The challenges was with the fact that crypto is a new wavelength of digital assets being something that’s unchartered because persons didn’t understand it, and they didn’t know what it was, and everything was just about bitcoin and they didn’t understand what it was. “So I think the way you circumvent the challenge is to educate more. So that
is why we take the initiative to invest in educating people in understanding what is a digital asset.” CFDs make up the largest portion of IX Capital’s portfolio. “CFD’s can give you an inlet whereby you don’t have to come up with the outright cash; you can buy a CFD but for a fraction of the price, and we offer you leverage. You can take part in the gyration and movement of prices,” Mr Stubbs said.
DPM ‘not concerned’ on Fintech regulatory threat By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net THE Deputy Prime Minister says The Bahamas is “not concerned” about the potential threat of increased international regulatory pressures and scrutiny due to the growth of its digital assets industry. Chester Cooper, also minister for tourism, investments and aviation, dismissed fears that the build-out of financial technology (Fintech), cryptocurrency and other digital assets businesses will attract negative attention from financial services supervisory agencies. “We’re not concerned. We’ve innovated, we’ve pivoted. We’ve come under the most severe attacks since 2000. I expect that the spirit of innovation is going to continue and we are going to thrive,” Mr Cooper said, speaking at IX Capital’s fifth-year anniversary in The Bahamas.
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“When we talk about an ecosystem, we talk about all of the attributes I mentioned before; the political, regulatory, legislative stability, and predictability, as well as the ability to find very experienced talent that’s been resident in our financial services wealth management industry for decades. “We’re now using that talent to pivot, to learn new skills about CFDs (contracts for difference) and digital assets, and anything else that’s cutting edge and revolutionary in financial services. Building on that experience, we are going to continue to be leaders in international financial services.” A contract for difference (CFD) is known as a derivative transaction in international financial services. It is a legally-binding agreement between two parties, a “buyer” and “seller”, stipulating that the former will pay to the latter the difference between the current value of an asset and its value at contract time. The Bahamas has sought to build on the arrival of FTX Digital Markets, the world’s second largest cryptocurrency exchange, last year as well as its Digital Assets and Registered Exchanges (DARE) Act to develop a regulatory framework that will attract more
investors to its financial services industry. Robert Berkeley, chief executive of Infinox Capital, the parent of IX Capital, said: “I think with any regulation around the world you’ve got to understand your target market; where that fits and how it interacts. To be a truly global firm, you’ve got to understand all the different regulations and how they interact.” Infinox deals with 15 regulatory agencies as a result of its worldwide operations. Each has a different governance structure that meets the necessary supervisory requirements. “It is a challenge, but that is life. You’ve got to deal with these things and work with these things,” Mr Berkeley added. “Where The Bahamas is now compared to The Bahamas five years ago is a real difference. I have met with three banks in the last couple of days, and the way they do business, the way they deal with digital currency and the way they view broker/dealers is so different from when I first came five years ago. “Five years ago you couldn’t open a bank account. Now that co-operation and collaboration is there which will allow for our bank accounts to be open.”
TOUR DRIVER/TOUR GUIDE WANTED PUBLIC SERVICE DRIVERS LICENSE IS A PLUS Knowledge of Bahamian Cuisine A PLUS Call: 425-0982 FOR AN APPOINTMENT LEGAL NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION International Business Companies Act (No. 45 of 2000) In Voluntary Liquidation
Notice is hereby given in accordance with Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, No.45 of 2000, the Dissolution of Toruda Corporate International Inc. has been completed, a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued and the Company has therefore been struck off the Register. The date of completion of the dissolution was the 25th day of March, 2022.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, June 24, 2022, PAGE 21
CORPORATION’S ‘LIFELINE’ FOR TOURISM BUSINESSES THROUGHOUT the Caribbean and in the many parts of the world where tourism reigns, tourism development organisations and agencies have reshaped the template for visitor experiences. The Bahamas’ own Tourism Development Corporation, in similar fashion, is poised to redefine how we deliver goods and services to the tens of millions of tourists who visit our shores annually. Last week I was pleased to join more than 100 public sector, private sector, civil society and international agency representatives at the Tourism Development Corporation’s relaunch and stakeholder meeting. The
Reducing Economic Leakage Increased tourism arrivals mean nothing if we cannot increase their spending through the meaningful engagement and purchase of local products. Simply put, we want the tourism dollar to remain in The Bahamas. Guide access to funding opportunities The only hurdle often preventing the realisation of entrepreneurial dreams is access to capital. Local and international lending and grant funding agencies are ready to assist when they understand the support organisations such as the Tourism Development Corporation can
* Widening entrepreneurship opportunities and strengthening existing Tourism small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs) Linkage Creation * The strategic pairing of tourism support industries to reduce leakage and increase economic viability Sector Engagement * Encouraging collaboration within and across tourism sectors Each of these areas provides focuse that will guide our projects and discussions. For the purpose of this week’s column, I wish to highlight just three of the Tourism Development Corporation’s overarching and far-reaching goals. They are:
resounding theme of Tourism is Everyone’s Business reminds us that strategic partnerships are vital to the success of this and every endeavour. The job of sustaining a strong and economically viable industry cannot be left in the hands of any one organisation. Every hand and head must be fully engaged for success to be achieved. The Tourism Development Corporation has been relaunched with four critical priorities. Product Development * Strategising new ways to enhance, rejuvenate and diversify the tourism product Business Development
provide to those SMEs seeking funding. Ongoing technical consultancy support. Through certification programmes such as Hospitality Assured, the business analysts and administrators at the Tourism Development Corporation will hold the hand of SMEs requiring a wide range of business assistance. The Tourism Development Corporation has pledged to be the lifeline that Bahamian entrepreneurs need to compete on the global stage.
TODAY
ORLANDO
High: 96° F/36° C Low: 76° F/24° C
TAMPA
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
Intervals of clouds and sunshine
Mainly clear
Pleasant with sun and some clouds
Mostly cloudy with brief showers
Mostly cloudy with a thunderstorm
Sun followed by increasing clouds
High: 88°
Low: 79°
High: 89° Low: 77°
High: 87° Low: 78°
High: 86° Low: 77°
High: 87° Low: 78°
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
100° F
84° F
100°-85° F
94°-84° F
95°-82° F
96°-86° F
The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.
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ALMANAC
E
W
ABACO
S
N
High: 87° F/31° C Low: 81° F/27° C
7-14 knots
S
High: 93° F/34° C Low: 77° F/25° C
3-6 knots
FT. LAUDERDALE
FREEPORT
High: 89° F/32° C Low: 78° F/26° C
E
W S
E
W
WEST PALM BEACH
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TONIGHT
High: 93° F/34° C Low: 81° F/27° C
High: 89° F/32° C Low: 77° F/25° C
MIAMI
High: 91° F/33° C Low: 77° F/25° C
4-8 knots
KEY WEST
High: 88° F/31° C Low: 79° F/26° C
NASSAU
Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2022
High: 86° F/30° C Low: 79° F/26° C
N
UV INDEX TODAY
The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.
TIDES FOR NASSAU High
Ht.(ft.)
Low
Ht.(ft.)
Today
5:06 a.m. 5:46 p.m.
2.3 2.8
11:18 a.m. 0.1 ---------
Saturday
5:56 a.m. 6:31 p.m.
2.2 2.9
12:13 a.m. 0.5 12:03 p.m. 0.1
Sunday
6:42 a.m. 7:13 p.m.
2.2 2.9
1:00 a.m. 0.4 12:45 p.m. 0.1
Monday
7:25 a.m. 7:54 p.m.
2.2 2.9
1:44 a.m. 0.4 1:26 p.m. 0.1
Tuesday
8:06 a.m. 8:33 p.m.
2.2 3.0
2:25 a.m. 0.3 2:06 p.m. 0.1
Wednesday 8:47 a.m. 9:11 p.m.
2.2 3.0
3:04 a.m. 0.3 2:45 p.m. 0.2
Thursday
2.2 3.0
3:43 a.m. 0.3 3:24 p.m. 0.2
9:26 a.m. 9:49 p.m.
SUN AND MOON Sunrise Sunset
6:22 a.m. Moonrise 8:03 p.m. Moonset
3:06 a.m. 4:26 p.m.
New
First
Full
Last
Jun. 28
Jul. 6
Jul. 13
Jul. 20
CAT ISLAND
E
W
High: 86° F/30° C Low: 79° F/26° C
N
S
E
W
4-8 knots
S
4-8 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 86° F/30° C Low .................................................... 75° F/24° C Normal high ....................................... 87° F/31° C Normal low ........................................ 74° F/23° C Last year’s high ................................. 90° F/32° C Last year’s low ................................... 73° F/23° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ............................................... 25.77” Normal year to date ................................... 12.48”
ELEUTHERA
High: 88° F/31° C Low: 79° F/26° C
completed graduate studies with regional and international universities. He has served organsations, both locally and globally, providing relevant solutions to their business growth and development issues. He may be contacted at tcconsultants@coralwave.com.
a talent management and organisational development consultant, having
THE WEATHER REPORT
5-DAY FORECAST
IAN FERGUSON
ANDROS
SAN SALVADOR
GREAT EXUMA
High: 85° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C
High: 84° F/29° C Low: 80° F/27° C
N
High: 86° F/30° C Low: 78° F/26° C
E
W S
LONG ISLAND
TRACKING MAP
High: 86° F/30° C Low: 80° F/27° C
3-6 knots
MAYAGUANA High: 87° F/31° C Low: 82° F/28° C
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and
CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS
tonight’s lows.
RAGGED ISLAND High: 84° F/29° C Low: 80° F/27° C
GREAT INAGUA High: 87° F/31° C Low: 79° F/26° C
N
L
High: 84° F/29° C Low: 80° F/27° C
E
W
E
W
N
S
S
6-12 knots
7-14 knots
MARINE FORECAST ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR
Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday:
WINDS SW at 3-6 Knots ESE at 4-8 Knots SE at 4-8 Knots ENE at 6-12 Knots SSE at 3-6 Knots E at 6-12 Knots ESE at 7-14 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots S at 3-6 Knots E at 4-8 Knots SW at 6-12 Knots SSE at 4-8 Knots SE at 4-8 Knots E at 6-12 Knots E at 7-14 Knots E at 8-16 Knots ESE at 6-12 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots ESE at 7-14 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots ESE at 4-8 Knots ENE at 4-8 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots E at 8-16 Knots SE at 3-6 Knots E at 6-12 Knots
WAVES 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 0-1 Feet 0-1 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 0-1 Feet 0-1 Feet 0-1 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 0-1 Feet 0-1 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 0-1 Feet 0-1 Feet
VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 6 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles
WATER TEMPS. 84° F 84° F 85° F 86° F 85° F 85° F 86° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 84° F 84° F 85° F 86° F 86° F 84° F 84° F 85° F 85° F 84° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F 85° F
business@tribunemedia.net
FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2022
$6.97
$7.39
$6.97
Cut $11.8bn debt ‘absolutely’ amid growing distress fears
$6.98
Soaring gas prices are a ‘silent killer’
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas must slash its $11.843bn national debt in “absolute” terms, a top banker urged yesterday, after this nation was named among ten countries whose bonds are now trading at “distressed” levels. Gowon Bowe, Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) chief executive, told Tribune Business the Government is always “over-jubilant” when the debt-to-GDP ratio falls but is focusing on the wrong target. He spoke out as The Bahamas was reported by Bloomberg News to be among 19 “emerging markets” who may eventually struggle to repay their debts based on current prices (discounts) and yields demanded by investors. The Bahamas was among ten nations identified as falling into this “distressed territory” since the beginning of 2022 based on Bloomberg’s
GOWON BOWE
qualifying criteria, which is that their outstanding US dollar bonds are trading at a risk premium greater than 1,000 basis points (10 percentage points) above US Treasuries, which represent the benchmark upon which all emerging market debt is priced. Of the ten, The Bahamas was shown as having the sixth
greatest spread at 1,065 basis points. The five ahead of it are war-torn Ukraine, Belarus, the Maldives, Tajikistan and Pakistan, with Kenya, Ecuador, Nigeria and Egypt making up the remainder. None of the other nine can be described as economic powerhouses, although Ukraine’s
SEE PAGE 18
KWASI THOMPSON
Gov’t ‘adds insult to injury’ with medical VAT reforms By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net HEALTH insurers have yet to meet the Prime Minister over VAT reforms that threaten to increase medical bills and healthcare costs, with the Government yesterday accused of “adding insult to injury” for thousands of Bahamians.
Kwasi Thompson, the Opposition’s finance spokesman, responded to exclusive Tribune Business revelations on the Davis administration’s plans to change the VAT treatment on private medical insurance claims payouts by warning that it will “mean extreme hardship for Bahamian families at a time when they can least afford it” with soaring inflation widespread.
The east Grand Bahama MP, in a statement, also questioned why the Prime Minister had not addressed the issue in any of his three Budget debate contributions despite it being a tax-related change that the Government wishes to implement with effect from next Friday, July 1. As a result, he accused the Government of trying to “sneak” in a change that
could impact over 100,000 Bahamians. The Bahamas Insurance Association (BIA), in a June 15 letter to Philip Davis QC, had sought a meeting to resolve health insurers’ concerns over changes that will prevent them obtaining VAT deductions on claims payouts when the new 2022-2023 fiscal year starts. They fear
SEE PAGE 17
Workers won’t see ‘equitable rebound’ By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIAN workers are unlikely to enjoy an “equitable rebound” in employment conditions post-COVID, the InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB) is warning, with the pandemic likely to have worsened existing skills gaps and mismatches. The multilateral lender, in unveiling a $150,000 initiative “to design a talent pipeline that closes skill gaps” in key economic sectors, said COVID-19 had only served to exacerbate long-standing weak labour market conditions that resulted in one out of every five job seekers aged under
25 years-old being unable to find work pre-pandemic. Justifying the project, which it said will “support workers who are vulnerable to structural and technological changes” by equipping with the skills demanded by employers, the IDB added: “Labour market conditions in The Bahamas have been weak for many years. “Throughout the previous decade, unemployment rates in The Bahamas remained in the double digits, largely due to a continued overhang after the global financial crisis (of 2008-2009). Youth unemployment rates have been persistently higher. For instance, in May 2019, the unemployment rate
SEE PAGE 16
Realtor enjoys 25% Freeport sales rise By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A PROMINENT Bahamian realtor says sales activity in Freeport has increased by 25 percent over the past year as its economic revival ramps up, adding that the city’s “time has come”. John Christie, HG Christie’s president and managing broker, told Tribune Business that the company has “always believed in Grand Bahama and Freeport, and will continue to do so” as the firm combined the official opening of its Port
Lucaya Marketplace office with 100th anniversary celebrations. Asserting that Freeport’s US proximity, abundance of land and canal front property, and relatively economical prices were starting to establish it as a real estate destination, he added that high costs and limited availability in Florida, New Providence and elsewhere in the Caribbean would further enhance the city’s attractiveness for potential purchasers. “The real estate market in Grand Bahama and
SEE PAGE 16
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net FAMILY Island Chamber of Commerce presidents yesterday described soaring gas prices as “the silent killer” for economic activity, with one branding current pump costs as “crazy”. Both Ken Hutton, Abaco’s Chamber head, and Thomas Sands, his Eleuthera counterpart, told Tribune Business that while the continuing post-COVID rebound was helping to offset the fall-out from stubbornly high global oil prices they were unsure when the situation might become “untenable” and a tipping point reached. Family Island gas and diesel prices are typically around $1 per gallon more expensive than in Nassau, due to the extra freight and logistics costs involved in maintaining supply. Mr Sands said high gas prices and wider inflation fears were “at the back of everyone’s mind” on Eleuthera because rising costs simply make it “more difficult to make ends meet”. And Mr Hutton again lamented that Family Island Chambers had not even received an acknowledgement from the Government in response to their proposal to ease the burden for consumers and businesses by capping the per gallon 10 percent VAT levy at 45 cents. While some have suggested that imposing such a cap would create relatively insignificant savings for consumers, measured in cents per gallon, current gas prices in New Providence and the Family Islands place the present VAT take at around 70 cents or higher - a level some 55.6 percent above the Chambers’ proposed cap.
SEE PAGE 19