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Volume:114 No.149, JUNE 27TH, 2017
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WOMAN: A RELAXING RETREAT - BUT TIME TO GET ACTIVATED
$1.7m paid out but no contract No inspection form SMILES FOR THE START OF THE SUMMER to show clean-up work after Matthew By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net ONE vendor received $1.7 million to clean up Grand Bahama after the passage of Hurricane Matthew “without a contract,” according to Minister of State for Grand Bahama Kwasi Thompson who said he saw no inspection form to provide evidence of what work was done. During the budget debate in the Senate on Monday, Mr Thompson said not only was this vendor paid $60,000 a week for work
that was never inspected but he also discovered that some contractors were paid for work done on homes “they never even visited.” He said these matters have been turned over to the auditor general and the Office of the Attorney General for investigation. Mr Thompson spoke of one case where he visited a home in Pioneers Way where he said no work was done, even though the home’s file indicated that an inspection was completed and a contractor was paid. SEE PAGE SIX
MINISTER of State for Grand Bahama Kwasi Thompson yesterday claimed that the former Christie administration spent nearly $250,000 on two contracts for marketing and public relations for the Ministry of Grand Bahama in the lead-up to the general election and said he in “unable to find a record of what was done” in relation to one of the contracts. During his contribution
to the budget debate in the Senate, Mr Thompson said persons were paid $9,375 per month for “closely monitoring talk shows and editorials” instead of marketing Grand Bahama internationally. He also said a second contract was issued for $6,000 a month, with a retainer of $15,000 that had “nothing to do with marketing Grand Bahama for investors but more about marketing the Ministry of Grand Bahama before election”. SEE PAGE SIX
By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net
ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel said yesterday there is a “growing list” before the director of public prosecutions of allegations of misconduct, misfeasance and misappropriation concerning situations that occurred under the former Christie administration. During the Senate’s budget debate on Monday, Mr Bethel also stressed that the Office of the Attorney General would not get involved in the “day-to-day political wrangling on these issues” and all allegations would be referred to the DPP to make a judgment on whether or not a crime has been committed. SEE PAGE SIX
11 FILES BEFORE ANTI-CORRUPTION INVESTIGATORS By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net THE Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Anti-Corruption Unit is investigating 11 files from various government departments and public corporations, Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade said yesterday. The police chief also said he was “not surprised” over allegations of misconduct in the civil service, suggesting that accounts provided by “well-meaning citizens” gave cause for concern. In an interview with the press on the sidelines of the launch of the RBPF’s annual summer camp Monday at Calvary Bible Church, Commissioner Greenslade said police were now “on track” with its efforts to investigate and prosecute persons accused of corruption, SEE PAGE THREE
GOVT PAID WORKERS $9,375 A MONTH TO MONITOR TALK SHOWS By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net
‘GROWING LIST’ FOR DIRECTOR OF PROSECUTIONS
A SMILE from a youngster as hundreds of students from various schools assembled at Calvary Bible Church for the Royal Bahamas Police Force official summer camp opening yesterday. See page two for more photographs. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
COOPER SAYS PLP SHOULD APOLOGISE AND LEARN FROM ERRORS THAT LED TO DEFEAT By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
BY contrast to prominent Progressive Liberal Party politicians who have continuously defended the party’s recent record, Exuma MP Chester Cooper promoted a plan for the party yesterday that includes apologising to Bahamians and acknowledging that internal
errors, including ignoring scandals, led to its recent general election defeat. Mr Cooper said another misstep of the former administration was the protection of the party’s interests over those of the country, adding that the PLP was not accountable or transparent enough. His striking critique came during a speech at the National Progressive Institute
(NPI) last night. The NPI is a policy advisory group for the PLP. Mr Cooper’s statements on why the PLP lost the recent election contrasts with the publicly expressed view of the PLP’s leader, former Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis. Mr Davis said during his contribution to the budget SEE PAGE EIGHT
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CTFE ‘HAS FULL SUPPORT’ TO RUN BAHA MAR
By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
CHOW Tai Fook Enterprises (CTFE) has received the full support of the government to complete and operate Baha Mar, according to resort President Graeme Davis, who yesterday flagged the parent company’s international status as “visionary business leaders”. In a press statement, Mr Davis said the resort was on track to meet its goal of employing more than 5,000 Bahamians at the completion of its phased opening in 2018. SEE PAGE FIVE
PAGE 2, Tuesday, June 27, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
Celebration to start summer camp
HUNDREDS of students from various schools assembled at Calvary Bible Church for the Royal Bahamas Police Force official summer camp opening.
Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
COMMISSIONER Ellison Greenslade and ACP Stephen Dean presenting an award to 2017 honouree Hellen Adderley.
THE URBAN Renewal 2.0 Band performing yesterday.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, June 27, 2017, PAGE 3
Greenslade concerned at ‘recycling’ of offenders By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net THE country is “recycling” prolific offenders due to less than firm punishments, according to Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade. Addressing the press shortly after he launched the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s (RBPF) 24th annual Youth Summer Camp, Commissioner Greenslade argued that no amount of arrests and aggressive police tactics could limit crime if “the people who are coming into the system, that is the bad people who are committing crimes, very serious crimes in this county, are not dealt with in a very firm way.” Commissioner Greenslade contended that there is nothing law enforcement officers can do to prevent re-offenders if the punishments being handed down are not viewed as deterrents to criminals. “All we are simply doing is recycling, they are in one day, out the next day and there is nothing to prevent them re-offending,” he told reporters gathered outside of Calvary Bible Church on Monday. “That is a source of concern for this commissioner, it has always been.” “I’ve had conversations with the minister about that, I am optimistic that we are going to apply our best efforts to trying to resolve
some of those difficult issues like that. “Where we see repeat offenders, we refer to them as prolific offenders, in and out of the system, offending and committing the most egregious crimes and sometimes members of the public have feared that these people move around with some degree of immunity because they shouldn’t be roaming our communities,” he continued. “And I am going to continue to say every opportunity I get, this country would be much safer, much more peaceful if we can take those people who are committing very serious crimes away from communities and give them their day in court.” Commissioner Greenslade also indicated that police have, in recent months, ramped up a number of their initiatives that have been successful over the years. Backing statements made by National Security Minister Marvin Dames since last month’s general election, Commissioner Greenslade said special operations will continue with the hope that “some level of peace and tranquility” could be achieved in the country. “The Royal Bahamas Police Force is always on a mandate of efficiency and effectiveness and we have (done) that for years now. “We have ratcheted up many of our responses,
COMMISSIONER of Police Ellison Greenslade speaking yesterday. our patrols are continu- operations will continue ing, our proactive work is and they are major opcontinuing, the intelligence erations which will target network that we are doing hotspots and other crime is continuing and we are ridden areas in hopes that delivering extremely good we can bring some level of peace and tranquility to our results. “And so, it is fair to say communities.” With respect to the sumthat you will see initiatives as we go into the summer; mer camp, being held under
Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff the theme “We are the cho- ful” lessons and experisen generation - Destine for ences. Greatness”, Commissioner According to organisers, Greenslade said the camp the camp will host more aims to help the country’s than 4,000 youth from 9am youth. to 2pm daily and operate He added that over the at various sites throughout course of the six-week ex- New Providence, Grand perience, camp goers will Bahama, Bimini and Ababe exposed to “meaning- co.
11 FILES BEFORE ANTI-CORRUPTION INVESTIGATORS
from page one
theft and various forms of misappropriation throughout the public sector. His comments came while confirming the creation of an anti-corruption branch in the RBPF. Earlier this month, the government announced plans to table legislation in the House of Assembly to set up an anti-corruption commission shortly after Parliament’s summer recess. When asked to clarify the status of the new unit, Commissioner Greenslade
stated: “I’ve given (Assistant Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle) an attorney-at-law, a very trained veteran detective at the chief superintendent rank…… and several other officers, and they have marshaled their resources and looking now at 11 separate files originating from various departments, various public corporations and departments.” He later added: “We have any number of officers assigned led by an assistant commissioner, as I said to you before, I am not going to get into specifics and all the minutiae around it ex-
cept to say that the mandate of the unit is clear. “I indicated earlier that they have already 11 files in their possession that they are investigating. I receive reports on a daily basis, verbal and written and I am very satisfied that they are making good progress. “We are anticipating that we will be able to come back to the public real soon and to say some things more decisively, in terms of what will happen with some of these investigations.” Commissioner Greenslade did not offer any specifics on any ongoing investigations or potential cases that could arise in the future. He insisted that the creation of the new unit brings to an end the “difficult position” in which he has, in the past, been asked to exist.
According to Commissioner Greenslade, while claims of corruption or misconduct in the public sector are not new, there has often been very little to build a case around or investigate, a situation he described as being “off in the dark, searching around, trying to manufacture things”. He stated: “You must have complainants in these matters. Someone must be aggrieved in these matters, a formal complaint is made and once that is done, then the law takes its course. There is due process, there is natural justice and a commissioner follows the script of the law. So, I think we are on track now. “We are doing some good things. We have done good things before. And we hope that, again, that we can come to you as a press and
(bring) something at some future point.” With respect to the scope of charges that could be sought by the unit in the coming weeks, Commissioner Greenslade said officials are looking at a “wide range” of issues that could result in various charges. He told reporters that to date, claims of stealing and misappropriation of funds are being investigated to bring about the relevant charges and appropriate resolutions. “You have any number of issues when you start to look at a corruption investigation and when you look at corruption investigations you can’t divorce from it issues like stealing, the misappropriation of funds; all of those things are a part and parcel to what we do in an investigation,” he stated. “But there is a lot of work
to be done and I wish to tell you that this, in my mind, will move in to the private sector, not just public and government, but even in to the private sector.” In keeping with its campaign promise to wipe out malfeasance in government and increase transparency, the Free National Movement administration pledged last month in the Speech from the Throne to create and enforce anticorruption legislation for parliamentarians and public officers. In addition to legislation, Press Secretary Anthony Newbold has also announced the government’s plans to have three persons travel to Singapore and the United Kingdom to “observe their anti-corruption commissions” to help determine how the Bahamas’s unit will be set up.
PAGE 4, Tuesday, June 27, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
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History, sex, drugs and rock ’n roll THE title of this article tells the whole story. Say the word history and response is akin to an invitation to watch grass grow. Say sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll and wow, try to keep curious eyes and inquiring minds from reading on to see what comes next. The reason history seems dull to many is that it is too often taught not as a tale that involved brave or foolish or evil or amazing men and women. It is taught as a series of dates and places which students are supposed to memorize and regurgitate. For a country like The Bahamas, so much of our true story is lost because it simply wasn’t being told right. Now, perhaps for the first time, we have a Prime Minister who is determined to find the means to bring history to life even in times of tight budgets. We were impressed and gratified when Prime Minister Hubert Minnis toured the forts and historic sites last week and vowed to create a national museum whether it is at Collins House or elsewhere. Before we lose the audience that started reading this because of the title, here is how we tie those alluring words into our lore. We put our historic buildings to use, each with a different practical purpose revealing a part of the story. These various historic buildings and sites, now many neglected and abandoned, can be transformed with their basic integrity intact to serve as bread and breakfast inns, specialized schools, mini-museums. At least two of the forts, can be the centrepiece of exterior restaurants or arts, crafts and culture centres. Why should a book fair or art show not be held at a fort? Why should a graduation ceremony not be under a tent with the Water Tower in the background? Picture the images and memories of a non-traditional wedding with guests travelling by ferry to the western edge of Paradise Island where the bridal party emerges from the Nassau harbour lighthouse to walk “the isle”. In fact, some of the most dramatic wedding photos we have seen were from a small wedding at the Queen’s Staircase – in the rain. Umbrellas only added to the mood of the setting and the scene was almost surreal in its stark beauty. The problem is that in the past we have only thought of our buildings as structures, not as places where experiences occur. The sole exception is Fort Charlotte which has played stage host to light shows and celebrations. Architects say that a building has strong bones if its foundation is firm, its walls solid, its lines good, its perspective pleasing to the eye. We say it is time to put life in those bones, to add excitement, to put flesh on those bones and give them new purpose. Andrea Major, president of the Bahamas Historical Society, on a talk radio show with Lester R Cox and Diane Phillips last week proposed repairing and transforming the Water Tower into the start of a national museum. We think it is a brilliant idea. Where does the funding come from to repair and convert properties like Blackbeard’s Tower, the steps of The Hermitage in Cat Island, the Hermitage in Exuma, the abandoned Deveaux plantation in Cat Island? We suggest the following: Under the auspices of the Prime Minister, a working committee comprised of representatives of the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corp., Historic Bahamas Foundation, Historic Charles Towne, Bahamas Historical Society engage with key stakeholders, including local government representatives, to develop a working strategy. Such a strategy would encompass an inventory of ownership (many historic sites are in private or church hands), recommendations for sites to be considered for long-term commercial or education leases and which should be state-maintained, pro-
jected expenditure and revenue over a specified period and the bidding process for any commercialisation. The Deveaux plantation in Cat Island, for instance, with its expanse of grounds, its massive stone walls, its empty sockets where something akin to windows once existed, is a prime example of an historic structure begging to be given new life. The manor house could be transformed into the centrepiece of a high-end boutique spa and wellness resort or a venue for destination weddings or other events. Plaques and a storyboard could tell the story of the plantation and of Cat Island. Signature menu dishes could be designed around the produce, chicken, goats and lamb that once grazed the plantation. Or, if a non-government organization or foundation wanted to restore the property, it could use it for a charitable purpose with grant and other support funding. It could even be converted into an education facility for advanced historic, environmental, art or music studies. Together, these individual structures are the physical threads that with practical transformations could weave a fabric of experiences breathing life into the Bahamian story. It is a story filled with tales of romance, of spiritual purity and of brazen piracy, of culprits and of the courageous, a hodgepodge of human tragedy and the triumph that rises above it. How we capture and preserve that history and give it new life is the challenge. All it takes is imagination and commitment. We believe that both are at our fingertips under the leadership of a Prime Minister and government that understand that what led up to the quest for independence was rich with cliffhangers and yes, rife with sex, drugs and rock ‘n roll and the indomitable strength of the Bahamian people. ***** Mitchell wants Izmirlian in court IT wasn’t enough for Fred Mitchell in 2015 when he held the powerful portfolio of Immigration Minister in the PLP government to tell Baha Mar developer Sarkis Izmirlian that if he didn’t like the manner in which he felt he was being taken advantage of by the Christie government, rather than speaking his mind, he should “consider making the appropriate steps to live elsewhere”. Today, removed from a position of power, but still with a voice as an Opposition Senator, Mr Mitchell is suggesting that Mr Izmirlian be taken to court and charged with defamation. Mr Izmilrilian had urged that there be a moratorium on the sale of Baha Mar until the whole issue could be examined by the Minnis government. In view of what Mr Izmiliran had said in stating his case, Mr Mitchell now wants him to face a court to answer to the charge of “self dealing”, which, alleged Mr Mitchell, Mr Izmirlian had made against some members of the Christie administration in their dealing with the Baha Mar transaction. What a capital idea! Once before a court, the full truth can be told. We suggest that the last thing China Export-Import Bank and its construction partner, CCA, would want would be to be in any court where the full tragedy and double-dealing of the Baha Mar story can be told. They avoided Delaware’s Bankruptcy court when the Christie government wrapped them in our flag of sovereignty to force the case back to The Bahamas where we do not have laws to give a company in difficulty a second chance to rebuild. Since then Mr Izmirlian has been blocked from even bidding on his own creation when it was up for sale. For once, Mr Mitchell has made a worthwhile suggestion. Let’s go for defamation, so that the world can hear the whole sorry tale of the Bahamian double cross.
Postal service failures EDITOR, The Tribune
PLEASE forgive my persistence in bringing to the attention of the public (in the hope that some positive result might occur) the complete and utter inef-
ficiency of our postal service. Today’s mail collection resulted in 17 letters that had postmarks at least one month old! Who is in charge of our postal service? The buck has to stop somewhere.
What is going on? Who is responsible? This really is outrageous and is totally unacceptable. MIKE LIGHTBOURN Nassau, June 26, 2017.
Christie: Hold him to account EDITOR, The Tribune. THE FNM government met a $400m deficit in place, despite former PLP Cabinet Minister Michael Halkitis’ rave review of the economy under his stewardship at the PLP convention earlier in the year. In attempting to explain how the VAT money was spent, Halkitis conveniently left out crucial information which would have enraged thousands of ordinary Bahamians. He chose not to inform Bahamians that his government had awarded contracts to scores of PLP cronies, many of whom were woefully unqualified for the projects they were contracted for. And in instances where they were qualified, the contracts appear to have been grossly inflated. Revelations of PLPs being hired on exorbitant salaries have surfaced in recent days. One such instance is that of Ian Poitier being paid $400,000 annually. Another example is that of PLP chairman emeritus “Minky” Isaacs being awarded a $1.8m contract for oil remediation at BEC. And yet another example is former PLP MP Jerome Fitzgerald’s father’s company receiving a brokerage contract worth $900,000 per year. If this isn’t a clear example of conflict of interest, then I don’t know what is. Former PM Perry Christie must explain how the $18m that was deposited into an account for an Inter-American Development Bank
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net event was spent? Christie and his former Cabinet ministers should be summoned before an FNM tribunal to explain why they decided to pay Poitier $33,000 a month to consult the former PM on cultural matters, even though he lived abroad for 34 years. And why would Christie even need an adviser to begin with, seeing that he already had an overstaffed Cabinet? Bear in mind that Mr Baltron Bethel was also a high priced consultant to the former PM. Moreover, who are the PLPs behind Ash Enterprises - a trucking firm which pocketed over $8.6m in the lead up to May 10 in order to assist in the clean up efforts after Hurricane Matthew? The former PM must explain where and how the $28m was spent in cleaning up New Providence and other islands impacted by Matthew. The principals of Ash Enterprises must be grinning from ear to ear all the way to the bank. They collected cheques of $250,000, $206,000, $220,000, $195,000, $225,750 and $151,524 from the PLP government, while the country sunk deeper in debt due to Christie’s blatant mismanagement. The $8.6m Ash Enterprises received represents almost one-third of the
$28m allocated for the hurricane clean up, while scores of other trucking agencies sat on the sidelines. It would appear that this particular trucking company, along with its family group of companies Heavy Truck Line Services Ltd, Earthmovers Incorporated Company and Industrial and Heavy Duty Equipment Company, attempted to hog up all the business with no regard for other trucking agencies who could have used the financial shot in the arm. The issue with these other trucking agencies is that they are not owned by prominent PLPs. As was the case with the lucrative BAMSI and Lowe Sound Primary School contracts, they were rewarded to high ranking PLPs who had no business receiving those contracts in the first place. BAMSI is nothing more than a financial blackhole, with very little to show for the nearly $100m dumped into it. The Christie Cabinet placed its party before the country. They nearly wrecked this country. The FNM must haul these people before the courts with the aim to recouping monies that were mismanaged. Sending them to jail is not enough. The Bahamian people gave Minnis and the FNM a mandate to set an example to future wouldbe political mercenaries. Enough is enough. THE WHISTLEBLOWER June 21, 2017.
Life in the system? EDITOR, The Tribune. IT would appear that someone has flogged some life into the dying postal service. For the last few years, the mail has been arriving late, if it arrived at all. Bank statements, utility bills, and letters and so on arrived past the due date and created problems, especially for the poor and senior citizens who don’t have online
accounts to track their invoices. The situation is so serious that most vendors send their invoices by email and have to pay someone to pick up cheque payments if they want to remain in business. Lo and behold, last week, a member of my family received a note in her post office box asking her to collect her mail from inside the East Hill Street post office. To her surprise, she was
handed over a large bundle of letters and magazines tied in twine. One of the letters was dated January 2017! A friend just opened his box to find it stuffed with dated material. Hopefully, people will now start to receive their mail in a timely fashion. M. JOHNSON Nassau, June 26, 2017.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, June 27, 2017, PAGE 5
Nearly 15,000 cast votes in local elections By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net FORTY-NINE persons were elected to serve as local government councilors on Grand Bahama for the next three years. During this year’s election, over 14,700 votes were polled on the island on June 22. In the City of Freeport District, a total of 8,530 votes were cast, with the largest voter participation in Marco City, where some 3,489 individuals voted. Of the ten candidates that nominated, those elected to the three seats in that constituency were messenger Earl Neely, who received 635 votes; store man Kendal RH Culmer Jr, with 627 votes; and crane technician Bernard Grant with 553 votes. In Pineridge, teacher Ra-
vanno Ferguson and security specialist Ernie Barr captured the two seats, receiving 385 votes and 367 votes respectively. A total of 1,917 votes were polled in that constituency. In Central Grand Bahama, of 1,586 votes polled, educator Frazette Gibson was re-elected receiving 425 votes, and 440 went to painter Marco Carey. Elected as representatives for East Grand Bahama were equipment operator Erris Hutcheson, with 305 votes and dentist Dr Charlene Reid-Morris who got 373 votes. A total of 1,538 votes were taken in that constituency. The nine elected individuals will serve as councilors on the City of Freeport District Council. In the East Grand Bahama District, a total of 1,206 votes were cast. Of 20 nominated candidates, 11
individuals were elected as councilors. Elected in the High Rock Town Area, polling division 2A: are industrial mechanical technician Eric Baillou (91 votes); educator Donovan Bowe (101); patient care assistant Patrice Mackey (93); and retiree Rafaleta Roberts (89). In the High Rock town area polling division six, water repairman Daniel Bain got 77 votes while housekeeper Sophia Higgs received 86 and boat captain Wilton Thomas got 96 votes. In the Sweeting Cay District of East Grand Bahama, those elected were fisherman Deon Feaster (42); self-employed Olivia Mitchell (44); fisherman Gladstone Russell (45); fisherman Bazel Tate (47); and fisherman Shervin Tate (53). In the West Grand Bahama District, a total of 5,023 votes were cast.
Cashier Malisa DeanStrachan received 85 votes and self-employed candidate Louise Rolle who got 91 votes were elected in the Eight Mile Rock east town area in polling division two. In EMR East Town Area polling division 10, elected was entrepreneur Larry Wildgoose with 44 votes; and in polling Division 10B, Kevin Wildgoose with 70 votes. In the EMR West Town Area, polling division 4 Holmes Rock, Banker Karen Leadon got 125 votes and marine operator Kevin Morris got 117; both were elected as councilors. In EMR West Town Area (polling division 5 Martin Hill) public service driver Alexander Rolle (111); Denise Russell (94); and contractor Chouen Stuart were elected as councilors. In EMR West Town Area (polling division 6
Seagrape), probation officer Jaron Harvey (148) and businessman George Smith (107) were elected. In the EMR West Town Area (polling division 7 Jones Town) straddle driver Tyrone Kemp (118) and office administrator Tadd Martin (94) are the elected councilors. In the EMR East Town Area (polling division 12) commercial analyst Yannick Rodgers (101); and facilitator Willis Rolle (122) are the elected councilors. In the EMR East Town Area (polling division 13), elected as councilors were public service worker Felix Delancy (89) and office manager Marvette Russell (86). In the EMR East Town Area (polling division 14) Mason Rosney Cooper was elected, receiving 96 votes. In the Pinder’s Point Town Area (polling divi-
sion 1A), banker Alexio Forbes (75); unemployed candidate Devon Russell (79); and chief accounts clerk Adrian Simmons (81) were elected. In the Pinder’s Point Town Area (polling division 1B), plumber Lowell Pinder (48) and self-employed candidate Jason Smith (56) were elected. In the West End Town Area (polling division 1 West End), elected were businessman Kenelman Barr-Smith (103); facilitator Mauva Hanna (82); and Morton Wilchcombe (86). In West End Town Area (polling division two, West End), unemployed candidates Patara Cooper (56); and Constance Hanna (56) were elected as councilors. Of the estimated 25,000 registered eligible voters on Grand Bahama, 14,759 participated in the local government election process.
MITCHELL DISMISSES IZMIRLIAN AS ‘SPOIL SPORT’
By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
OPPOSITION Senator Fred Mitchell yesterday dismissed former Baha Mar developer Sarkis Izmirlian’s call for a moratorium on the mega-resort’s sale as the behaviour of a “spoil sport”. Mr Mitchell, leader of Opposition Business in the Senate, said he hoped the government will ignore the former developer’s “inappropriate” plea, adding that he also hoped that Mr Izmirlian was brought to court in connection with allegations of “self-dealing” that he made against the former administration. “I hope that those allegations of self-dealing,” he said, “that he finds himself before a court to answer an allegation of libel, and I hope that whoever has made those allegations can prove those allegations because this is again trying to, in our view, sully the picture. In my view, he has no further role in this matter, the court has dispensed what they’ve dispensed and this is a normal case of a mortgagee in possession and that’s the story from start to finish. “There is nothing unusual about it, save perhaps the size of it and someone
who has the resources to create smoke and mirrors in the public and to try and confuse the issue which is quite a simple one. If you don’t pay your mortgage, and this is the second time the developer didn’t pay his mortgage, Scotiabank had to take a haircut the first time when they defaulted, and now the second time there’s a default and the China Export Import Bank took the legal processes in the Bahamas and we are where we are. “The development is open, the youngsters that work there are doing a fine job, from what I can tell the restaurants are quite popular and let’s hope that the business succeeds.” Mr Mitchell was referring to Scotiabank’s ownership stake in the $3.5 billion Ca-
ble Beach development several years ago. According to Tribune Business, the bank agreed to a partial ‘debt-for-equity’ swap with Baha Mar’s principal, Mr Izmirlian and his family, and provided around $200m in debt financing to finance the 2005-2006 acquisitions of the then-Radisson and Wyndham hotels, plus the Crystal Palace casino, from their respective owners, the government and Philip Ruffin. Scotiabank ultimately ended up accepting a partrepayment of the principal it was owed, and converted the rest into an equity stake in the $3.5 billion development. However, Baha Mar’s fall into Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, and subsequently into court-supervised
THE BAHA Mar site. provisional liquidation and then receivership by its $2.45 billion Chinese financier, wiped out the value of all equity stakes - including those belonging to the Izmirlian family and Scotiabank. In the statement from Mr Izmirlian’s BMD Holdings Ltd on Sunday, the former developer called for a full investigation into the deal struck by the former government citing “unusual, one-sided” concessions and accusing the Christie administration of “self-dealing” and “state-sponsored discrimination”. The BMD statement called for a moratorium on the completion of the sale and other transactions resulting from the deal struck by the former government, and for the investigation
undertaken by the Gaming Board to grant CTFE’s casino licence to be reopened, and its findings made public. The statement reiterates the former developer’s pledge that he is fully prepared to purchase the beleaguered resort, complete construction and operate it with a full Bahamian workforce and organisation. It also notes that BMD is now considering legal options against the parties involved in the heads of terms released last week. “I can’t determine what his motivations are, or what his motives are,” Mr Mitchell said yesterday, “in the campaign we raised the issue of three, now members of Parliament, of the Free National Movement being connected to his (Izmirlian’s) business. And asked the question of whether or not those individuals, and it’s even more important now, that they will serve the interest of the Bahamian people and not serve the interest of anybody who might have been their benefactor or former employer. So, the public is entitled to watch this and see.” Mr Mitchell added: “I have always just seen this as a pure legal issue, you default on your mortgage, the bank takes possession and
CTFE ‘HAS FULL SUPPORT’ TO RUN BAHA MAR from page one
The resort president did not acknowledge the calls for a moratorium on the resort’s sale by former developer Sarkis Izmirlian’s BMD Holdings Ltd. “Baha Mar and its parent company, CTFE, are extremely pleased with the government’s commitment to fully support our continued efforts in the completion and successful operations for the future of Baha Mar, and realise the full measure of its economic benefits to be released for the Bahamian people”, Mr Davis noted. “The Cheng family and CTFE are recognised throughout the world as visionary business leaders and we are extremely excited about next phases for Baha Mar’s continued growth. Baha Mar has already distinguished itself internationally in recognised publications and as we continue to expand our offerings, we know that our reputation for exceptional experiences will continue to grow.” He continued: “This is a very exciting time for both Baha Mar and the Bahamas as our destination resort continues to hire and train Bahamians for its hotels, existing-casino, recreation and restaurant offerings and in preparation for the opening of the SLS and Rosewood. We are rapidly adding to our complement of more than 2,000 Bahamian employees and are on track to meet our goal of employing more than 5,000 associates at the completion of the phased opening in 2018. “Once we reach our stabilised business levels and (are) fully operational, we anticipate creating over
7,500 direct jobs for Bahamians, which will contribute more than $65 million in direct taxation annually and over $100 million annually in combined direct, indirect and induced annual tax revenues to the Bahamas. We are committed to the success of Baha Mar and the Bahamian people.” The statement from Mr Izmirlian’s BMD Holdings on Sunday called for the investigation undertaken by the Gaming Board to grant CTFE’s casino licence to be reopened, and its findings made public; and further stated that BMD is now considering legal options against the parties involved in the heads of terms between the Export Import Bank of China (CEXIM), China State Construction and the government. It also refers to the alleged “extensive, disturbing public record of potentially extensive criminal associations of Chow Tai Fook’s owners,” and suggested it was a factor that the previous administration “appears to have been intentionally and conveniently ignored.” CTFE has repeatedly denied claims that its operations were linked to organised crime in Asia. The resort’s statement yesterday, read: “With diversified, international interests across real estate, hospitality, retail and transportation industries, CTFE and the Cheng family have built their businesses with values based on integrity and good governance. CTFE and the Cheng family are proud of their strong reputation with business leaders and regulatory authorities and the strength of their financial reputation throughout the world.”
the bank once it is in possession can sell to whoever is, after the court process, the person who is most appropriate to get it. “And that’s been done,” he said, “this is spoil sport behaviour. If he had the resources to in fact complete the development it would be done but instead he chose to put the development in liquidation that failed, and a court process in the Bahamas intervened to ensure that the asset was properly protected for Bahamians, and that was done and I’m proud of the Progressive Liberal Party’s role in ensuring that that happened.” He added: “What I saw was typical of this developer who thinks that he’s entitled to something which he’s not in my view and also is giving gratuitous advice to the government which is certainly none of his business…what it suggests unfortunately is that he thinks there is some promise given to him in the background somewhere, that he is entitled to getting his property back. But in law the property does not belong to him or to his company, and the court processes are now complete and there is a new developer in place, and I think we should leave that status quo and he should go and rest and be quiet.”
PAGE 6, Tuesday, June 27, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
$1.7m paid out - but no contract from page one
PAULETTE WILSON, 59, of Coral Harbour, outside court yesterday.
MINISTRY EMPLOYEES ARE CHARGED WITH FRAUD By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net TWO employees of the Ministry of Education were arraigned in a Magistrate’s Court yesterday for allegedly defrauding the ministry of nearly $7,000 in salaries over a five-month span about two years ago. Paulette Wilson, 59, of Coral Harbour and Andrew Bridgewater, 60, of Glendale Subdivision, both stood before Magistrate Samuel McKinney facing charges of conspiracy to falsify accounts, conspiracy to
commit fraud by false pretences and fraud by false pretences. It is alleged that the two, between October 15, 2015 and March 18, 2016, with intent to defraud, obtained $6,657.12 in salaries by means of false pretences. Wilson, a chief clerk at the Ministry of Education, was also separately charged with one count of falsification of accounts. It is alleged that she altered Bridgewater’s overtime records, which she was required to maintain, to show that between October 9,
2015 and March 18, 2016 he was entitled to $6,657.12 in overtime pay. Wilson pleaded not guilty to all four charges. Bridgewater pleaded guilty to two of the charges. Magistrate McKinney adjourned the matter to August 10 at 10am, at which time the prosecution will proceed by way of voluntary bill of indictment (VBI) or preliminary inquiry. Both Wilson and Bridgewater were remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS) until that time.
Mr Thompson also expressed grave concern regarding the role Urban Renewal in Grand Bahama played after Hurricane Matthew and claimed the programme acted separately from New Providence, had its own budget and did not answer to the Disaster Consultative Committee or the National Emergency and Management Agency (NEMA). Last month, Mr Thompson said he had suspended certain operations in Urban Renewal “pending further review.” Revealing more of his concerns yesterday, he told the Senate: “There were some matters that alarmed me. For example, one vendor receiving $1.7 million for cleanup. Upon request for the justification of such large payments, I was presented with invoices that were presented every week to the tune of over $60,000 per week. I saw no contract which spoke to the terms, I saw no scope of works, I also saw no evidence of what work was done. That was not to say that work was not done, but I saw no inspection form that anyone
checked the work. These will be presented to the auditor general for investigation,” Mr Thompson said. “I found something even more disturbing. There appears to be documents which suggest that contractors were paid for work done on houses that they never even visited. This I saw with my own eyes. I am referring this matter to the Attorney General’s Office. There were specific contracts for houses and on each of these contracts, there was attached a scope of works that was supposed to be done. I have a copy of the payment schedule and the scope of works.” Mr Thompson said after consulting with persons who had not received assistance or received “some” assistance after the storm, he found that there was paperwork indicating homes had been repaired and contractors were paid, when the homes in question had not been touched since the hurricane. “While doing checks, we cross referenced the persons who said there was no work being done on their homes with the files in the office and we came across a house on Pioneers Way,”
Mr Thompson said. “What stood out was that the person complained that no work was done but on file there was a contract saying the work was done and there was also an inspection saying the work was done... So I went to the house on Pioneers Way and spoke with the lady who lives in the house, walked through the house and there was no evidence whatsoever that any work was done. I walked through the living room and I do not say this lightly because I do not want to make this a political issue, but there was a huge mould stain. I walked in the kitchen and you could see the water on the floor, because it has recently rained. “I am concerned and wonder why documents on the file indicate that work was completed and inspection was completed and a contractor was paid, when it wasn’t. This matter will be passed on to the Attorney General’s Office for full and further investigation.” Mr Thompson said he instructed officials to ensure that proper checks and protocols are now “strictly followed” to ensure that the people who need help receive it and that the people get value for their money.
GOVT PAID WORKERS $9,375 A MONTH TO MONITOR TALK SHOWS
from page one
“The government has allocated $500,000 to establish the Grand Bahama Investment Promotion Board, the item previously identified as marketing Grand Bahama. I can say that we will not be using our funding in the manner the former Minister for Grand Bahama (Dr Michael Darville) used his funding,” Mr Thompson said. “The former government spent $150,000 or $9,375 per month for a 16-month contract dated December 2015 expiring May 2017 for public relations for the Ministry of Grand Bahama, closely monitoring talk shows and editorials to generate responses and preparing positive editorials or responses
to negative ones, and not internationally marketing investment opportunities. In addition, the former government in June 2016 agreed a one year contract again for public relations for a retainer of $15,000 and $6,000 per month totaling some $87,000. Again, this had nothing to do with marketing Grand Bahama for investors, but more about marketing the Ministry of Grand Bahama before election. “That’s two marketing contracts for essentially the same thing for the same period of time. That period of time just happened to be just before election. I will let the public draw their own conclusions. Unfortunately, I am unable to find any record of what was done for the second con-
tract. Needless to say, we will not be renewing any of these contracts.” Mr Thompson said the new Investment Promotion Board will be used not to market the ministry, but to market Grand Bahama internationally. “It will be targeted after doing the necessary research and after consultation with our stakeholders,” he said. “This should include among other things building an interactive website, with investment opportunities, producing a Grand Bahama prospectus and a social media campaign targeted at bringing investors to Grand Bahama. We are focused on growing Grand Bahama, the people told us to govern and govern we will.”
‘GROWING LIST’ FOR DIRECTOR OF PROSECUTIONS ANDREW BRIDGEWATER, 60, of Glendale Subdivison.
Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
from page one His statement followed accusations levelled by Minister of State for Grand Bahama Kwasi Thompson who said several matters of “concern” regarding Urban Renewal in Grand Bahama
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have been passed on to the Office of the Attorney General for review. Last week, Works Minister Desmond Bannister told parliamentarians that some members of the Christie administration are “guilty” of misfeasance.
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Mr Bannister suggested that Mr Bethel will have to determine if they should be held liable for the “millions” in taxpayer dollars that were awarded in questionable contracts. “I wish to assure Senator Thompson and the Bahamian people that anything referred to me I will not prejudge, but it is immediately referred to the director of public prosecutions,” Mr Bethel said in the Senate. “He is the man that decides whether or not an act of misconduct violates the law. He decides and he consults with me but he is responsible for all the prosecutions. I do not make judgments on whether a crime is committed, I refer it to the professionals who come back to me. “So now these complaints will now join a growing list of allegations of misconducts, misfeasance and misappropriation and they are all before the DPP.” Last week, Mr Bethel told reporters his office had not received any files in relation to complaints of misconduct of former government officials. He said whatever information that is sent to the Office of the Attorney General in the future will be dealt with under due process.
PAGE 8, Tuesday, June 27, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
Henfield: Minnis support shows activists’ success
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net WE March leader Ranard Henfield, in his first speech as a senator yesterday, said the support Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has expressed for some of his organisation’s demands is proof that the new administration is delivering what activists wanted. Mr Henfield said that many demands of the We March organisation are on the table under the new “people’s government” and they already have “ticks next to them.” In May, Mr Henfield released a list of demands of the government. A failure to accomplish them within the first 100 days of the administration would prompt his organisation to take to the streets and march again, he had said. The demands included lowering the cost of living and jailing corrupt politicians. While the new administration has expressed verbal support for many of the organisation’s demands, in many instances it is unclear what progress towards achieving some of them has been made. Nonetheless, Mr Henfield said yesterday: “In that famous letter delivered to the former Prime Minister (Perry Christie) by Clar-
ence Albury just prior to Black Friday, we asked for audits and in one week of coming to office they were started by the people’s government. We asked to unseal the Baha Mar deal – and although the former prime minister invited the former attorney general to do so, it wasn’t done until the people’s government came into office (then it happened). We asked for term limits for the prime minister and an MP recall system and we see the new prime minister’s blessings and signature on it already. We asked for an independent director of public prosecutions and again, we see the prime minister’s blessings and signature on it already. We asked for fiscal responsibility and we see the new ministers looking for ways to cut government spending. We asked for Crown land to be distributed to Bahamians and again, the new prime minister has given his blessings. “I marched for local government in New Providence and on Thursday morning past, I had the pleasure of sitting with representatives of the Office of the Prime Minister, Inter-American Development Bank and Our Carmichael to begin the process which will most likely be implemented within 36 months,” he said. Mr Henfield said he sits in
RANARD Henfield is pictured with Dame Marguerite Pindling, Governor General of The Bahamas, as he is sworn in as a Senator. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff the upper chamber as a “consultative” senator, not a Free National Movement senator. “Let the record reflect that I stood on my feet in this august chamber on June 26, 2017 and declared that I am not an FNM senator - rather, I am a consultative senator having been af-
forded this privilege by the prime minister after consultation with the leader of the opposition,” he said. “My role is to champion many of the causes we marched for on Black Friday 2016 and Majority Rule Day 2017.” Nonetheless, Mr Henfield defended the new
FNM administration at times in his speech. “Let us not permit the public perception to go on any longer that this administration is fully responsible for this 2017-2018 budget,” he said. “With elections on May 10, the public ought to know that the budget pro-
cess had long begun under the former administration and that the incoming administration was left to shuffle things around in the days following to keep the country going. “To this administration, the people have found their voice,” he said.
COOPER SAYS PLP SHOULD APOLOGISE AND LEARN FROM ERRORS THAT LED TO DEFEAT from page one debate last week that the FNM won the election by perpetuating false narratives about his party. Highlighting the FNM’s criticisms about value added
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tax and the Christie administration’s dealings with China, Mr Davis said such “falsehoods” formed the foundational premise upon which the Free National Movement (FNM) won. “It worked very well for the FNM,” he said.
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“We were not accountable enough and not transparent enough,” he said, according to his prepared remarks released to the media. “And we ignored scandals – protecting the interest of offending individuals and condoned things we should not have by our silence. I can give you examples of the last few weeks (of the campaign), but suffice it to say, this was one moment when my campaign team reportedly felt a momentum change. We protected the interest of the party over the interests of the nation, thinking, wrongly, that the Bahamian people would somehow understand without being told that those two things were actually the same. “While trying to fix the nation’s major problems, we often forgot to sweat the small stuff and left too many people behind,” he said. “In short, even our base felt ignored, oftentimes at the expense of others who didn’t support us or persons who hopped on the bandwagon at the 11th hour. “We went into communities asking support from the very people we raised taxes on to improve their
lives and when we did so, we found them in the same circumstances we met them in when we promised to improve their circumstance five years ago.” He continued: “We hid behind a message of Majority Rule, without updating it for new generations who feel little connection to it but rather seek economic empowerment. The millennials told us that they were over all that and we ignored the youth to our peril.” While he says he does not expect much from the new FNM government, Mr Cooper said it’s presumptuous for the PLP to assume Bahamians will embrace the party again in 2022. “We cannot just wait for the FNM to screw up, though I suspect it won’t be very long,” he said. “In the case of France, none of the major parties in that (recent) historic democracy holds sway over the majority any longer.” Choosing to defend the PLP’s actions from the past five years will anger the electorate, Mr Cooper said. Reform “We have to show the Bahamas we have learned from our mistakes. We must show the Bahamas that we
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are ready and able to serve. We must show them that we are willing to listen to them more than we are willing to talk about ourselves. We must reform. We must transform. Or we risk an extended stay in the wilderness, watching those with bad ideas and half-baked schemes flounder while our people suffer.” Mr Cooper said the first test of the PLP’s willingness to undergo a transformation will come at its next convention. He did not say if he will seek a leadership post at that convention as some in his party have quietly expressed a desire for. However, he said the lead up and result of that convention will show if the PLP is “ready to get up and fight again” or “continue to lay down and bleed a while longer.” Mr Cooper listed ten points the PLP should embrace ahead of 2022. Among these is offering a “sincere and humble apology and repentance” to PLP supporters and the nation. He also called for a “reconnection tour,” a tour of all constituencies in the country so supporters could vent and share their disappointments with the party. “We must move immediately towards the reform, rebranding and re-energising of our party, inclusive of a thoughtful analysis and updating of the party’s constitution and governance including the structure and protocols of appointing stalwart councillors as well as the election of a new slate of party officers that signals that the party is ready to regain the trust to be repositioned into a lean, mean winning machine,” he said. Candidates nominated by the party in 2022 should include a significant number of new candidates, young candidates and female candidates, he said. Mr Cooper said not all is lost for the PLP. Contrary to the portrayal of the party in the “mainstream press and social media,” he said the PLP is not a bad organisation and its core principles “are best suited for The Bahamas”. He said when removed from the heat of the recent political campaign, some contributions of the Christie administration will be appreciated. “The truth is that––despite our shortcomings, history will judge us fairly…we helped many, we tackled issues, we left The Bahamas as a whole better than it was in 2012,” he said.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, June 27, 2017, PAGE 13
POLICE in Grand Bahama process a crime scene yesterday after a body was found in Freeport.
MAN’S BODY IS FOUND IN FREEPORT A PARTIALLY decomposed body was discovered in the Freeport area early Monday morning, but foul play is not suspected, police reported. Inspector Terecita Pinder reported that police are investigating the sudden death of a man who was discovered sometime before 7am in an area off Explorer’s Way West. Police received a call and
went to an area through a track road, where they found the lifeless body of a male. Morticians were called in to remove the body. The victim’s identity has not been released by police. Inspector Pinder said that foul play is not suspected in the matter and an autopsy will be performed to determine the cause of death.
Photos: Vandyke Hepburn
PAGE 14, Tuesday, June 27, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
Cancer treatment centre is planned for Grand Bahama
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net MINISTER of Health Dr Duane Sands has revealed that a cancer treatment centre will be created in Grand Bahama so patients can receive chemotherapy on the island instead of having to go to New Providence. He indicated that cancer services should be available on the island before the end of the year. While in Grand Bahama on Friday, Dr Sands said: “We have discussed something today to make a commitment to bring a cancer treatment centre or oncology unit to Grand Bahama. It will not likely be situated at the Rand Hospital, but in the Eight Mile Rock Clinic.” For years, cancer patients from Grand Bahama have been traveling back and forth to Nassau for chemotherapy treatments. They are burdened with finding accommodations and having to pay additional incidental costs, such as meals and transportation, etc. Freeport patients occupy 50 per cent of the 12 rooms at the healing centre provided by the Cancer Society of the Bahamas, it has been reported. While speaking to reporters in Grand Bahama, Dr Sands mentioned that persons have been requesting and asking for a cancer centre in Freeport. “I think having considered the challenges and emotional distress associated with the physical demand of patients going through the treatment, and we think it makes good sense and that it is the humane thing to do,” he said. “The challenge to date has been that many of the
people from Freeport had to travel to Nassau to get treatment. Some patients have raised concerns and asked whether or not it is possible to have that care provided in Grand Bahama.” Minister Sands also talked about the improvements underway in healthcare on Grand Bahama following an extensive tour of the various facilities in Freeport, and in the west. He was impressed with the “phenomenal” work taking place at the Rand Memorial Hospital, the $1.3m renovations at the West End Clinic, which is set to open in 30 days and work on a new primary care centre at the IAT Building in Freeport. Dr Sands was unable to visit facilities in the east but promised to do so on his next visit. “We tried to cover as much as Grand Bahama as we possibly could; we managed to make it everywhere, but to the east,” he said. “There is obviously an awful lot of activity going on in healthcare in Grand Bahama, and I must say I am absolutely impressed by the work that is being done by the Grand Bahama Health Services and the Public Hospitals Authority. “I think Bahamians should be proud of the phenomenal work being done on their behalf throughout this system. This is a unique system where there is an absolutely holistic approach to healthcare with the central hospital, the Rand, being tagged to a number of peripheral clinics, many of which are being upgraded.” According to Dr Sands, no decisions have been made to stop any significant projects that are underway in healthcare on Grand Bahama.
MINISTER of Health Dr. Duane Sands previously touring the Princess Margaret Hospital. “Our only interest is ensuring they are done in a timely fashion and done to bring value,” he said, adding that some good ideas have been implemented. The first stop of the tour was at the Rand Memorial Hospital, which is in the midst of a huge renovation. Discussions have also been had concerning improving the layout of the Rand Hospital, he said. “I don’t want to preempt those discussions until we can look at costing, timeline, and design,” he said. Dr Sands also visited the
IAT Building - situated across the street from the Rand – that will be the site of a primary health care centre for the proposed Out-Patient Department and Specialty Clinic. The layout of that facility, he said, would allow phenomenal improvement in the ease of accessing primary care services. “The ambiance is going to be comfortable and allow us space at the Rand to expand into a number of areas,” he added. “We imagine the IAT renovations should be completed by the end of
Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
this year. So lots of progressive things are happening.” When asked about the newly proposed clinic in Freeport/Lucaya, Dr Sands said that it is in the embryonic stages of planning. “I think that is quite early…but we have made both a clinical commitment and financial commitment to move along with that project,” he said. Moving west, the minister’s entourage visited the clinic in Hawksbill, then onto to the clinic in Eight Mile Rock. Dr Sands said that the
EMR Clinic is a mini hospital offering dental and outpatient service. He praised the physicians on staff there. Continuing west, the minister toured at the newly renovated state-of-the-art West End Clinic. “We should be able to get it open in the next 30 days,” he said. “It is a facility that has spared absolutely no expense in terms of providing value for the Bahamian public and is configured for a site for an ambulance which has been purchased and deployed there.”