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VOLUME:115 No.150, JUNE 28TH, 2018

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Robinson vows to support FNM ...but rebel MP calls ‘BANNISTER for a rethink on Westminster system MUST GO OVER MY DAUGHTER’S DEATH’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

WHILE declaring unwavering support for the governing Free National Movement despite being fired as parliamentary secretary by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, Bain and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson said his vote and presence in the House of Assembly are “mortgaged” to his constituents.

Breaking his silence for the first time since Dr Minnis terminated him

OPPOSITION Leader Philip “Brave” Davis said the Minnis administration’s $25m budget for an equity stake in the Grand Lucayan Resort proves it has no confidence it will strike a deal with the Toronto-based Wynn Group for the sale and revival of the property.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said last year, before the Wynn Group expressed serious interest in buying the hotel,

L SOUR CE

BAILED SUSPECT IN MURDER CASE GUNNED DOWN

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

A 26-YEAR-OLD man being electronically monitored while out on bail for murder was shot dead outside his Southern Breezes Estates home on Tuesday night.

According to police, a man and a woman pulled up to their residence off Golden Isles Road shortly after 10pm, when they were approached by a gunman who opened fire in their direction.

SEE PAGE EIGHT

9/11 ATTACKERS WERE REFUSED BAHAMAS ENTRY

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

from the appointment in the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation, Mr Robinson said he held no hatred or anger, but explained his integrity and allegiance to the people of his constituency led to his vote against the value added tax increase to 12 percent last week.

He said no system of governance, position or money will cause him to yield his personal beliefs when his people needed him most.

The MP questioned the relevance of the SEE PAGE SIX

FOUR months before terrorists orchestrated the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, two men involved in the deadly events landed at the Grand Bahama airport but were quickly sent back because they lacked the appropriate visas.

Waleed Mohammed al Shehri and Satam al Suqami flew from Florida and had reservations at the Bahamas Princess Resort, but were returned to the US the same day.

SEE PAGE TEN

DAVIS: $25M LUCAYAN BUDGET SHOWS GOVT’S LACK OF BELIEF

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

$1

CHINESE GROUP UPSET AT CLAIMS OVER GUTTER OIL

that the government was considering taking a temporary equity stake in the resort to ensure its opening.

That $25m has been allocated for this was a surprise revelation from the recent budget exercise, however.

It was only revealed in the Senate on Monday after Progressive Liberal Party Senator Dr Michael Darville quizzed Free National Movement senators on the 125 percent increase in the budget for “tourism contractual obligations” under the Ministry of Finance.

SEE PAGE FIVE

THE Chinese Community Association of the Bahamas has refuted “distorted” and “disturbing” videos circulating on social media and picked up by a local TV news station accusing some Chinese restaurants of allegedly using waste oil.

The association said the report, which aired on TV last week, “damaged” the public’s perception of the Chinese-Bahamian community and associated businesses.

SEE PAGE 11 PATRICE CAREY, the mother of Garvinisha Carey, who died in a crash on Munnings Road, speaking to the media yesterday.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net THE family of Garvinisha Carey, the young mother who was tragically killed after her car crashed into the concrete barriers that closed off Munnings Road, is calling for the resignation of Works Minister Desmond Bannister.

Carey’s family also expressed disappointment in Prime Minister Dr

Hubert Minnis for his comments in the wake of the incident and claimed that no official in his administration has reached out to them.

The family also called this lack of response “cold and heartless”.

In a press conference held yesterday at the site of the accident, Carey’s mother Patrice Carey announced that the family has acquired the services of attorney Wayne Munroe to file a lawsuit against the

government, and particularly the Ministry of Works.

The family is also calling for Munnings Road to be reopened, a written apology from the government, and assistance in forming a National Grief Management Centre.

“It’s such a time of disbelief, it’s really a time of reckoning with one’s soul, to know that there was no natural contribution SEE PAGE THREE

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SEE PAGE NINE

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PAGE 2, Thursday, June 28, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

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RBDF Rangers performing a drill routine at the Passing Out Parade at the John Wesley Methodist Church, Lower Bogue, Eleuthera.

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FOR the first time in the history of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s (RBDF) Rangers Programme, the island of Eleuthera witnessed a Rangers passing out parade ceremony.

Eleuthera contributed 86 of the country’s youth to the Rangers Programme from North Eleuthera High School and Samuel Guy Pinder All-Age School, Spanish Wells. Numerous relatives and friends assembled at the John Wesley Methodist Church, Lower Bogue, to witness the historic induction of the young students who successfully completed the training.

In attendance at the ceremony were RBDF Commodore Tellis Bethel and other government officials.

Bringing keynote remarks was Commodore Bethel, who congratulated the group on behalf of the Minister of National Security Marvin Dames and himself for successfully completing eight months of vigorous training in preparation for this day.

According to Commodore Bethel, the RBDF Rangers is expected to be expanded throughout the country in accordance with the government’s agenda.

This year, the programme was expanded by two additional islands, Eleuthera and Long Island, increasing the total number of islands in the programme to seven.

“Young Rangers, we are very proud of you.

Throughout your programme, you participated in military parade drills, overnight hike, camping, learned survival at sea, seamanship, core values and engaged in group discussions on life topics,” said Commodore Bethel.

“Today, we see the culmination of your discipline, dedication and determination that will only lead to greater success, if you remain focused and committed to developing your skills, building your character, and having a right relationship with God.” Special Awards were presented to a number of students. These awards included the overall Minister of National Security Award, which went to Sierra Farrington from North Eleuthera High School; the Commander Defence Force Award was presented to Colby Mullin of Samuel Guy Pinder All-Age School; and the Rangers Director Award was presented to Kendal Gibson of North Eleuthera High School.

SIERRA Farrington from North Eleuthera High School receiving the overall Minister of National Security Award. Standing from left, Commodore Tellis Bethel; Sierra Farrington; Gaye Bowe, North Eleuthera administrator in training; and Lieutenant Delvonne Duncombe, Rangers director.

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Thursday, June 28, 2018, PAGE 3

‘Day of reckoning’ as limits placed on internships for medical graduates

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net THE government will limit the number of medical school graduates granted internship slots in The Bahamas moving forward, with Health Minister Dr Duane Sands saying the “day of reckoning” has come for the size of internship programmes at Public Hospitals Authority facilities.

However, he assured new doctors during his speech in the House of Assembly yesterday that the government will not leave them hanging, but will find training opportunities in the region for them.

He said the number of medical school graduates seeking local training opportunities has been on the rise even as the

health system is “neither large enough nor adequately funded or staffed” to facilitate such large-scale programmes.

Until now, he told The Tribune, most Bahamian medical school graduates have been accommodated in local programmes, the exceptions being those from programmes The Bahamas does not recognise.

“The system has stretched and bent and twisted to accommodate,” he said in the House. “It is at the absolute limit and possibly a little bit beyond.

“Simultaneously, we have as a country continued to offer scholarships to more and more prospective students - but we have not strengthened the capacity for post-graduate medical education - the necessary next step. Without training opportunities post medical

those, these physicians cannot practice.

“This year, we have 49 successful candidates for 30 spots. Next year, I am advised that we anticipate as many as 65 prospective Bahamian doctors. This is clearly unsustainable. It is unfair to the public and to the students. We have had to resort to extraordinary measures to ensure that this has not become unsafe.

“To ensure that this issue does not present itself in the future, we are aiming, over the next two years, to reduce the internship number to 30 to 35, which would be in keeping with our initial arrangement with the university and which will accommodate the needs for national development.”

Dr Sands said the government will ensure its policies generally create

realistic expectations therefore no one will receive a medical scholarship without realising there is no guarantee that training opportunities will materialise for them after medical school.

Decisions about who gets internship slots is based on a scoring system that considers nationality, academic achievement, transcript review, performance in final exams, research and the results of an interview by senior medical educators, Dr Sands said.

“Let me inform this House that my ministry has been actively involved with the chief medical officers, medical councils and hospitals throughout the region in the BVI (British Virgin Islands), Cayman Islands, etc, I have also engaged the assistance of the CARICOM

Secretariat. Thus far we have received offers of four internship slots to accommodate graduates in the Cayman Islands.

“While I empathise with and feel the tremendous stress of these graduates, let me assure them and their families that this government will successfully resolve this matter to allow completion of their training. We will not leave them hanging.”

Dr Sands indicated that the government’s intention to reduce the number of senior house officers (SHO) in the public healthcare system remains.

He previously said some SHOs will be chosen

to participate in residency programmes at PHA facilities while others will be enrolled in a foundational course that will push them toward private practice. Yesterday, he told The Tribune there is no need for a foundational programme this year. He said 276 SHOs have been matched to a department and will participate in a residency programme.

Dr Sands previously said about 100 SHOs were likely to be enrolled in the foundation programme. Those who failed the programme, he said, faced being forced out of the medical profession.

BANNISTER MUST GO OVER MY DAUGHTER’S DEATH’ from page one

to my daughter’s death,” Mrs Carey said yesterday.

“Except callousness, callousness from the head and from those in authority.”

During the press conference, Mrs Carey was joined by her husband, Garvin Carey, their four younger children, and their late daughter’s young son. They were also joined by two representatives from Munroe and Associates.

While the legal representatives could not confirm when the lawsuit will be filed and how much in damages the family will seek, Mrs Carey reiterated that no amount of money could fill the “void” left behind by her daughter’s absence.

Describing her daughter as pleasant, virtuous, lawabiding and full of potential, Mrs Carey decried both the concrete blockade as an “ungodly structure” and the actions of the Minnis administration.

“To the government of the Bahamas, to whom we say, we have not heard from you…Not even anyone that claims to be affiliated with the present government,” Mrs Carey said.

“As a family, we felt that your failure to act or express sympathy in any way, was cold and heartless.

“We expect a true service from our government, who claim it is here to protect us. But so far, they are now taking away from us. They have taken away from this family that which can never, ever be repaid,” an emotional Mrs Carey said.

She also expressed disappointment in the member of Parliament for her constituency, Yamacraw representative Elsworth Johnson.

A HUG for Patrice Carey, the mother of Garvinisha Carey, during a press conference at the site on Munnings Road of the fatal accident.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff “I thought about it, I said why has no one approached me even to say sorry? And there was a lot of speculation— no one wants to take claim for it. But I said my God. My own MP…Elsworth (Johnson). I said at least he could have stopped by my house. It wouldn’t have even been associated with anybody. I am his constituent.

“But I know…that this is not personal. I am, and we are not the only ones, feeling the effect of such a government. Such a people that would leave their people to suffer in grievance. That give no word.

Even if it’s a word that would begin the process of healing.”

Also present at yesterday’s press conference was Adrian Francis, director of Operation Sovereign Bahamas. Mrs Carey said the family is standing with OSB as they make their demands in the wake of their daughter’s death.

“Along with (a) written apology to both my husband and myself, we seek to have this road opened…

We also seek the immediate resignation of the minister responsible for works,

POLICE HUNT AFTER ARMED ROBBERIES POLICE are investigating two armed robberies which occurred on Tuesday.

In the first incident, shortly after 10am, a gunman entered a convenience store in Kennedy Subdivision, held the cashier up and robbed her and a customer of cash before getting into the

cashier’s blue Nissan Tiida, registration #AG8737, and speeding away.

In the second incident, shortly after 5pm, a gunman robbed another convenience store, this time on Miami Street. The thief also held the cashier up and robbed the place of cash before escaping on foot.

and…all members that were a part of this collaboration to have this structure, this ungodly structure placed here, that took the (life) of one of our own.

“We further seek assistance in forming a National Grief Management Centre where families… that have been so greatly impacted by grief and sorrow, can receive counselling and assistance.”

She also called for an extension of this centre to be made available to police officers.

Days after the accident, Dr Minnis was asked by an Our News reporter why it took a fatality for officials to place speed bumps and reflectors on the road.

“You have to ask technical people,” Dr Minnis said as he walked in Rawson Square. “I am a politician. I am not a technical man.”

Asked if due process was done before the road was closed, Dr Minnis said the issue had been addressed on numerous occasions, adding “Let me go for lunch.”

When asked about these comments, Mrs Carey said: “My thoughts were in line with what I’ve seen him doing throughout the whole

time. Nothing. Lack of concern, lack of care. Lack of justice. And this is why we have retained lawyers to exact that justice. Because we knew we weren’t going to get it from him.”

Mr Carey said the government is treating his family like “potcakes,” while expressing sorrow that he will never be able to walk his daughter down the aisle. He also lamented that her death was a mere three days before Father’s Day. Attorney Palincia Hunter of Munroe and Associates said the law firm will be seeking to determine who is responsible for Carey’s death.

She added that Mr Munroe is of the “considered opinion” that the government and Ministry of Works are liable, and that the addition of speed bumps and reflectors to the scene in the wake of the accident is an “admission of the government’s liability.”

In April, the Ministry of Public Works advised it would be carrying out works on Munnings Road for one week in connection with the intended closure, which is to become a cul-desac. The road was closed at the beginning of May.

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THE TRIBUNE

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No one likes VAT - but would they prefer the IMF? BAHAMIANS seem to have one thing in common – no one likes Value Added Tax, whether it be 7.5 percent or the 12 percent percent to which it was recently increased.

Many of us understand the need for the 12 percent increase because we are aware of the critical state of our country’s finances. However, most Bahamians cannot fully appreciate the serious financial position we are now in. Instead of decreasing our debt as the 7.5 percent tax was supposed to do, it was increased by irresponsible spending, signing contracts to raise the salaries of certain civil servants, which in the present situation will not be able to be met, and adding to the already overloaded civil service by hiring Bahamians — qualified or not — just before last year’s election.

The PLP’s reason for the unconscionable spending of the people’s money was obvious, but we wonder how they would have met their obligations had they won the election. They certainly would have had a lot of explaining to do.

We only have to look to the south of us to see the desperation of Barbados to understand that it would be better to suffer the difficulties of VAT than to have a visit from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which has already been called in by Barbados’ new prime minister and will be going to Barbados next month to get down to the business of administering the bitter medicine for that island’s financial recovery. What Barbadians will have to go through might force Bahamians to tighten their belt with VAT and say their prayers.

Mia Motley, QC, not only recorded an historic landslide victory at the polls in May last year, becoming Barbados’ first woman prime minister and winning all 30 parliamentary seats, completely obliterating the Opposition — but she is now faced with a problem that is far worse than she and her Labour Party had imagined. She said that she knew that the former government was deeply in debt, but she never imagined the extent of that debt. Sounds familiar? The FNM faced the same financial shock when they took over, and from what we can understand, more surprises still await them.

Talks between the Central Bank of Barbados and the new government revealed that the gross international reserves amounted to US$220m as of May 31, 2018, with a series of foreign debt payments totaling up to US$50m between June 5 and 18. The critically-low

levels represents the equivalent of seven weeks’ worth of export cover, according to Barbados’ Nation News. Financial experts generally advise that countries such as Barbados should have no lower than 12 weeks of import cover.

“When the last Administration,” Ms Motley told the press in referring to the administration of defeated Freundel Stuart’s government, took over they complained that they had “inherited a debt of about $6bn (US$3bn).

They complained that it was too high.

Yet they have left us with a debt level, when arrears are added, of over $15bn (US$7.5bn). Public debt as a proportion of our national income is being regarded as high as 171% of GDP – the third highest in the entire world,” she explained.

“We are members of the International Monetary Fund,” she said, “and last night I called Madame Lagarde, its managing director. I briefed her on the present state of the public finances, the current debt, and reserve positions, and assured her that we are committed to taking decisive action to rebuild Barbados. In turn, Madame Lagarde assured me that the IMF stands ready to lend Barbados the necessary assistance and support to these actions.”

Ms Mottley said the first team was a fact finding team. However, she said, the team that is flying to Barbados from July 2 to 12 “will actually be a negotiating team with the Barbados government, to be able to settle on what would be the terms and conditions of the contract that underpins how much they will supply to us, and what conditions there will be, if any, to that money.” Recalling the cries of Greece when the IMF exacted its harsh demands on the people of that nation, we think there will be much belt tightening in Barbados. For example, if it were the Bahamas, the civil service would be the first to be reduced to size with no consideration for who was related or was a friend of a particular politician. When the IMF is around, the reputation is that if you are a burden on the system you are expendable. This alone should make Bahamians sit up and take note — stop their complaining, close their ears to the political trouble makers – particularly those who have been a part of the problem— and get down to securing their own families.

Unless we understand our problem and seriously try to do something about it, time and events will take over and Bahamians will be crushed in the confusion.

Elected to serve Bahamian people EDITOR, The Tribune.

GOVERNMENTS are elected to “serve” the people who selected them. They are chosen through an electoral process to represent and act in the best interests of the electorate. The recent firing of four MPs shows an obvious flaw in the system of democracy we practice.

While I understand the concept of collective responsibility, one must ask what is a representative of the people to do when the wishes of the people they are elected to serve contradicts the position of the government? I am not talking about instances where the personal feelings or views of the MP are at odds with a governments position, but rather where the constituents he represents does not agree with what a government wants to do. Can we legitimately claim that it is democratic to go against the wishes of the people you are elected to serve for the sake of

the appearance of party unity? This is particularly vexing when “rules” are applied inconsistently, at the whim and fancy of the governing authorities!

On one side we have the government saying it has to increase VAT. On the other hand we see that its own austerity measures are not stringent enough. Efforts to reform and curtail waste in the public sector is virtually nonexistent, causing citizens to question the legitimacy of a 60 percent VAT increase.

How can people be asked to tighten their belts while the government does not appear to be doing the same thing? The government has not even sought to inspire confidence by taking VAT out of the consolidated fund and using it solely for the purpose for which VAT was intended. It has become just another source of government revenue it seems. It is this that has stirred the ire of Bahamians everywhere.

But the question still

remains, how can the government go against the wishes of the people it is elected to serve, punish the peoples representatives and call it democratic? I hope this vexing contradiction in our system of governance will be addressed soon, but I won’t hold my breath!

JB Nassau, June 21, 2018.

Fit to walk, fit to drive?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

Re: Dames wants police to pass fitness tests.

The Tribune June 22, 2018.

AND now that they have all those shiny new vehicles, how about passing driving tests?

KEN W KNOWLES, MD Nassau, June 24, 2018.

jrolle@tribunemedia.net

Don’t believe in Ghosts EDITOR, The Tribune.

hearings, in getting families to visit them and in getting PATRIOTIC Bahamians workers and guards to and are invited to join a Junkafro – a security and logistical letters@tribunemedia.net noo rush-out at the Lynden nightmare. With his menPindling International Air- Bond movie series that they tality, no wonder the idea port to bid a native farewell decided to feature them in of another Devil’s Island to the letter writer who uses the backdrop for their movie appeals to him. the signature “The Ghost “Thunderball” that was Even Alcatraz Prison of Junkanoo Future”. filmed in this infested swamp smack in the middle of San The Ghost went on a big- and received global acclaim.

Francisco Bay couldn’t oted, racist tirade puking The Ghost should have make it work but somehow his prejudiced and white learned by now that we are black people are to blame supremacist bile all over conspicuous consumers and because we can’t either. The the country that has given we spread our ill-gotten affront made to our justice him refuge these last 25 gains around the malls and system is reprehensible and years, or so he says. pleasure palaces of South unworthy of even this bigot.

Despite his obvious Florida. No Swiss bank All of us cuss the unfamilideep-seated hatred of black account is good enough for arity that many of our jitney people, he still decided to our stolen money. That drivers have of the road set up shop here in 1993. was the modus operandi of code, but few of us would say Why? Could it be that just the white Bay Street Boys, the large fleets of relatively like the early colonialists people who, though cor- new mini-buses that ply the and missionaries who went rupt, were Bahamians first roads are unserviceable. into places inhabited by and would have taken The The Ghosts chides us for richly pigmented people, he Ghost to the cleaners before not having banks on every thought he could teach us showing him the door.

Family Island and implies it some sense and show us the The Bahamas did not pro- is the fault of black people. white (sorry, the right) way to duce any talent worthy of This disregards a study behave and run a country? impressing the judges of the done in the US which found There is so much to Grammys, except maybe for that in the last 30 years half unpack in his contemptuous Baha Men who won one or of all the banks in America valise that one hardly knows Johnny Kemp who was nomi- have closed and in some where to start. Let him nated for one. The world rural areas banks have vankeep his obdurate opinions never swooned over our ished. Over there it’s the and let’s focus instead on his track and field stars and never socio-economic conditions maligning of black people, heard of Tommy Robinson that are blamed for bank his lies and his slander of or Sir Durward Knowles, closings. Here The Ghost our good name. much less the Golden Girls. blames black people.

To stay here for 25 years On a per capita basis we proBahamasair has had its foretells a success story, not duce more high level medal challenges but lately they the abject failure The Ghost winners in sports than most have right-sized the ship describes. Even the Holy countries on the planet. and their reliability record Ghost would have left this Elisha Obed did not win a is improving, so much so country long time ago if it was world boxing championship that their General Manager as haunted as he described. in Paris in 1975 or maybe was elected to a leadership So, we can assume that some he did and just lied about position in the trade assosupernatural force made being one of us. The Smith- ciation that speaks for all him endure this Bahamian sonian did not get excited airlines in Latin America indignity. Could it be that he by the guitar mastery of and the Caribbean. made pots of money off the Joe Spence. And nobody We can all agree with backs of us insolent D-grade ever flew here just to hear The Ghost that we are not Bahamians?

Blind Blake sing or to watch Singapore or Qatar. We We are grateful for the vast Amos Ferguson paint. have neither oil like Qatar majority of our foreign invesAnd there’s that a fable nor, like Singapore, the tors, of course, but one can about Bert Williams per- geo-political advantages only imagine the nightmare forming at Buckingham of being a democracy in of working for The Ghost. Palace many years ago. And a region run by socialists, His workplace must be as the US media continues to communists and authoritarpeachy as it must have been spread the lie that Deandre ians. Who wouldn’t want for the slaves who had the Ayton was just the number to run their Asian business sheer pleasure and honour of one pick in the National Bas- interests from there? toiling on plantations.

The Ghost lists Antigua ketball Association draft.

Will someone please tell The Ghost refused to (but leaves off Barbuda) The Ghost that Massa Day acknowledge that our original alongside Turks and Caicos, Done! roads and infrastructure were the Cayman Islands and Nothing that we have designed and built by his the British Virgin Islands done in our Bahamian pro- white British friends and are as examples of economic ject since independence has somewhat reflective of the virtue. Turks was so corrupt been successful, according to degraded conditions experi- that the Brits had to install a The Ghost, save of course for enced even today on many white governor from the UK those loyalists on Abaco who country lanes in the UK. (which he likes), and Cayman wanted to dismember themNever mind also that had to kick out their premier. selves from our Bahamian Nassau and Freeport boast Antigua has many more fiscal body politic and remain a some of the best roads in challenges than we do and part of a United Kingdom so the entire Caribbean or are given to selling citizenship desperate to jettison its colo- that we are so adept at hur- to help make ends meet. nial past that they wanted ricane recovery that we are The Ghosts’ laundry list of nothing to do with a handful now able to project our ills drones on and in a shockof disruptors on Abaco. hurricane assistance 1,200 ing statement claims that In a stunning contradic- miles away to help our there is not one competent tion, The Ghost claims that brothers in the Caribbean. soul amongst us who can fix Abaco is the most successThe Ghost is loose with a our problems. Never mind ful part of the Bahamas. number of facts, like claiming that 91,000 Bahamians voted Could it be that the poli- that we will be thrown out of to give Hubert Minnis that cies and laws passed by the the WTO. As an astute busi- job last year and that he is descendants of slaves sitting nessman he should know that getting on with it. in the parliament in Nassau we have been observers at The Ghost has no evimade them richer than any the WTO since 2001 and that dence that we would be mandarin in Whitehall back the five-year timetable he better off had we eschewed in London ever could? and references is when we had to independence You can rest assured that begin negotiating joining the remained a colony. he credits their success only organization, which we did. It We have no crystal ball to to their skin colour and took Russia 19 years to fully point the way but the day not to the fact that they join and China took 15 years the Ghost packs his Georare equal members of our and five months. And they gie bundle and leaves town, Bahamian family. all of us Bahamians will be are global trading players.

The rest of our burger The Ghost wants our much better off. flipping compatriots must prison relocated to an Now that’s a ghost move find The Ghost a joke. The isolated cay without any con- that we can all dance too. casuarina trees that he sideration given to the costs claims infest our shores once and the hardship involved in THE GRADUATE proved so enticing to the getting those detained to and Nassau, location scouts for the James from courts in Nassau for June 27, 2018

LETTERS

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 28, 2018, PAGE 5

After PM’s tour, public to also pay for PLP leader’s VAT talks

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has given permission to Official Opposition Leader Philip “Brave” Davis to travel to the Family Islands on the public purse to present his arguments against the value added tax increase.

The Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador MP raised the matter at Parliament yesterday saying the “other side” of the VAT argument ought to be heard

by Bahamians who have been in attendance during tours to the islands where the prime minister has explained the reasoning behind the increase to 12 percent among other budget measures.

Mr Davis said he wondered whether the prime minister would agree to his state paid travel for the sake of the deepening of democracy.

Dr Minnis toured the major settlements of Andros on Monday and was in Exuma yesterday where he spoke about the government’s 2018-2019 budget.

In response to Mr Davis, Dr Minnis said: “I was so honoured when the member, the leader of the opposition, recognised the good work that we are doing.

“But Mr Speaker, it is true that I am going through the Family Islands educating the people

about how important it was for us to increase the VAT and we just finished South Andros, Mangrove Cay, Central Andros and North Andros.

“I leave here today at 5 o’clock to go to Exuma after which I will go to Cat Island, Rum Cay and San Salvador. I am going to go to Jamaica to a CARICOM meeting and upon my return I along with the member for Bain and Grants Town, intend to have a town meeting explaining the budget and the benefits for Bain and Grants Town.

“As for me travelling, travelling today (Wednesday) with me will be the minister of state for legal affairs, one of my senators and of course the media so the entire Bahamas can hear exactly what I am saying. I have no objection with you going, but you cannot go with me because I’m speaking positive things.

“I was for VAT and explaining why VAT is so significant for the many things we want to do for them. You are against VAT so you will have to explain why you are against.

“But we will support you.

Since you have no minister to accompany you, you have to go alone. But I have no problem.

You may travel and do whatever you may.”

Dr Minnis also joked: “I have to speak to the minister of finance to see what’s there.”

LEADER of the Opposition Philip ‘Brave’ Davis.

Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff

DAVIS: $25M LUCAYAN BUDGET SHOWS GOVT’S LACK OF BELIEF from page one

Mr Davis knocked the government for not addressing the issue during the budget debate in the House of Assembly.

“They said this was a transparent government but we didn’t know about this until it was raised in the Senate,” he said. “They should speak to why they

would hide this allocation like this. The fact that they have to allocate this speaks to their lack of confidence in being able to strike a deal with Wynn.”

The government has been negotiating a heads of agreement with the Wynn Group for months now and a timeline for the completion of this has been elusive.

Dr Minnis had previously said he wanted the resort

opened in time for the 2017 winter season. The resort is considered crucial for the economy of the island.

Attorney General Carl Bethel said Monday negotiations for the reopening of the resort have gone through several changes.

A comprehensive resolution involving private sector ownership of the hotel with equity participation of the Bahamian government and

international branding is in the works, he said.

Mr Bethel said: “This is all still subject to negotiation. There’s a certain level of this that will involve the government taking an equity position in the hotel.

Of that allocation, it is not only about tourism support, there is a significant portion of that that is in respect of government’s intended stake. Bear in mind how

this started. Nobody was expressing any serious interest.

“The Bahamas government, this government indicated publicly we will negotiate and purchase it ourselves. If no one else wants to do it, we are not going to allow to happen to the Lucayan strip what was allowed to happen to the heart of downtown Freeport with the Royal Oasis

hotel. We came in and we said we are not going to allow that to happen. So no one was on the table and said we would buy it. We’ll buy it, we’ll fix it and we’ll get it open. We intended to do it by the end of 2017. As soon as we came forward, all of a sudden everyone who was sitting on their hands playing cute got serious and negotiations commenced.”

PAGE 6, Thursday, June 28, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Robinson vows to support FNM from page one Westminster system in the modern-day Bahamas and called for a select committee to evaluate this system of governance.

This system, he said, left Dr Minnis no choice but to fire him from the post after his vote, adding no elected member of Parliament should be forced to choose between their party and the people they serve.

When he was fired, Mr Robinson was cited for breaching the Manual of Cabinet and Ministry Procedure, which states parliamentary secretaries, like Cabinet ministers, are bound as a condition of their continuance in office to support government’s decisions in public.

After he was fired from the post, many speculated the young parliamentarian would end ties with the FNM to become an independent member.

However, when he stood to make the special communication yesterday, he affirmed his support for the FNM and the leadership of Dr Minnis.

“I wish to emphatically state, that the prime minister did what he thought was required of him and I accept my fate on behalf of the people of Bain and Grants Town,” Mr Robinson said. “Yet like a tree that sways in the wind, it is without hesitation or animosity for this government and for the prime minister that the people of Bain and Grants Town offer our continued support.

“In the days since my termination I have had the opportunity to speak with the prime minister and assured him of the same.

He has reassured me of the government’s commitment to the revitalisation and rebirth of the Over-the-Hill communities and the supporting initiatives.

“Since joining the Free

TRAVIS ROBINSON, former Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation and MP for Bain and Grants Town.

Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff National Movement and arms, the prime minister no position or money will what it requires of us. being welcomed with open and I enjoyed and continue cause me to yield my per“I wish to evoke the to enjoy even to this day a sonal belief or conviction rights, duties and privileges remarkable political rela- especially when my people bestowed upon the seat I sit tionship. So much so that need me the most. as member of Parliament in we are often referred to in “For you see, mine is the this honourable House. As our camp as father and son. story of a young black edu- such I beg leave to call for “I wish to extend my cated male from Bain and a select committee of the gratitude to the prime min- Grants Town whose pov- House on the Westminster ister for the opportunity erty knew no end. I went system to evaluate its relto serve in the capacity as to school in burst tennis evance, its effectiveness and parliamentary secretary in shoes, an oversized short continued adherence in a the Ministry of Tourism and faded pants and a dingy 21st century Bahamas.

Aviation.” white shirt that only had “It is my fundamenWhile he said he under- three buttons. My daily tal belief that no member stood the need to pay lunch meal was from the should be placed in a posidown government debt, Mr school welfare programme tion to choose between Robinson told the House – free lunch line. I got a their party/government and his constituents, who are job as a teenager pack- the people they represent already living in poverty, ing bags at the food store. in this honourable House. would suffer the most.

Then became a car washer Such a position is to put a These people, he said, are and later worked as a pump stranglehold around the angry not only about VAT attendant at a gas station. neck of democracy, choking but for various reasons. The “My ‘no’ vote in this the life out of it. government must not dis- honourable house was in “In a democracy, power count them, Mr Robinson alignment with a low and flows from the citizen to the said. meek rise from the dust of government, but the vote is “When I said to my con- poverty. not the be all and the end all. stituents on the campaign “Contrary to what some We cannot be satisfied with trail, I will fight for you, I may say, my one vote in participation that is limited will go to bat for you, I will this honourable House of to going to the polls every stand up and speak out for Assembly is mortgaged five years. If we are to be a you, I meant what I said and to the people of Bain and strong, healthy democracy, I said what I meant, even if Grants Town and to them we must all participate.” it caused me my livelihood. alone. My integrity is not He said many suggest the “No system of governance, for sale. Mr conviction is country abandons the system, not for sale. My one vote is however he conceded there not for sale,” he added. are many steps to be taken Speaking to the West- before The Bahamas can minster system, Mr arrive at that point.

Robinson urged BahamiSince being terminated as ans to research, engage in parliamentary secretary, Mr conversations and explore Robinson said he received alternatives to this system both locally and interof governance. nationally, 244 letters of “Consider its origin, encouragement, 308 phone the current function and calls, 905 WhatsApp mesconsequences, and the sages, 1,024 emails, 3,429 vulnerability of the gov- Facebook tags, messages ernment and the governed. and postings and 113,000 Think broadly about views and hits on his Facedemocracy, what it means, book live feed during a what we need from it and community walk.

CAVES VILLAGE Premium Office Space for Lease 1,081 sq.ft. 2 open plan areas, conference, reception, kitchenette, bathroom and IT closet. $4,233.92 pm inc. CAM + VAT 1,056 sq.ft. 4 offices, conference room, reception, kitchenette and bathroom, IT closet. $3,696.00 pm. Inc. CAM + VAT 850 sq.ft. 3 offices, conference room, reception, kitchenette and bathroom, IT closet. $2,975.00 pm. Inc. CAM + VAT Contact Mr. Simon Chappell on 327 1575 or 477-7610 Email: simon@cavesvillage.com

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 28, 2018, PAGE 7

Tech firm opening ‘is only the beginning’

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net GIBC Digital officially opened its offices on Grand Bahama on Wednesday as the first of many companies that will help develop a new technology sector on the island.

Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest welcomed CEO Greg Wood and his team to Freeport during the launch of their corporate offices in the Jasmine Corporate Centre off East Sunrise Highway.

He noted that the opening of GIBC’s office represents only the beginning of a new tech industry that is expected to attract many others to Grand Bahama.

Mr Turnquest revealed that three additional tech firms have expressed an interest to the government to set up their digital businesses on the island.

“We are looking forward to the expansion of the tech sector in Grand Bahama,” he told persons attending the opening.

“You might have heard other projects should be announced very shortly, intending to bring further digital business to the island that is going to provide even more opportunity in this sector.

“I believe we are onto something truly significant

GIBC Digital officially opened its offices on Grand Bahama yesterday. Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest, GIBC CEO Greg Wood, and other officials were on hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Photo: Denise Maycock that will provide a tre- to start under this same mendous opportunity for Act. And it is that kind of those youngsters who are creative and collaborative now studying and who will legislation that is going return,” he said. to allow us to exploit the Mr Turnquest attributed knowledge and creativity of the success in attracting our people.” tech firms to the passage of Mr Turnquest indicated the new Commercial Enter- the government is getting prises Act. the ground ready for an “The entire idea behind industry that is expected to the Act was to attract grow and change the mindindustries and sectors that set of Bahamians. were underrepresented in He commended Minour country, exactly like the ister of State for Grand ones celebrated today.

Bahama Senator Kwasi “We are seeing early suc- Thompson for introduccesses from that, and again, ing the idea when even he I want to congratulate all and others were initially who participated in the sceptical. drafting, consultation, and “When he came up with feedback from that because this idea – he is a visionit is, in fact, paying divi- ary. When he presented dends to the country,” Mr the idea, a lot of us were Turnquest said. sceptical, to be honest. And “This is just the start; through the efforts and we have three others who inspiration of the minisare already on the books, ter, we see that idea…now and have started or about come to paper,” he said.

GIBC Digital has invested $2.5m to get the company off the ground in Freeport and is pledging an annual $50m economic impact by 2020. It expects to hire 50 persons locally and regionally.

GIBC Digital is a digital-transformation facilitator, with a focus on data intelligence; cyber and fraud; customer experience; regulation and compliance, according to its website.

Mr Turnquest believes that Grand Bahama also has the potential to be the technology capital in the region, and stressed that training of Bahamians in this new sector is vital.

“We believe that Grand Bahama has the potential, talent, and environment to support this growth,” he said. “The concept of a digital hub is one that I have to give credit where it is due, and that is to our minister (of state) for Grand Bahama.”

He indicated that the government knew what it was doing when it enacted the legislation, which he said was initially misunderstood by many persons.

“We recognise that GB has always been the industrial capital of the Bahamas, and we had some success in tourism, but these are becoming more competitive industries and there were challenges we’re having in trying to make this happen.

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE government intends to create a single digital ID for citizens of The Bahamas to make online access to services seamless and more efficient to reduce government cost, Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest revealed.

The government will be seeking assistance from new tech firm GIBC Digital to assist it with putting in place

a cybersecurity system to ensure data privacy and security of the ID system.

Mr Turnquest’s comments came during the official launch of GIBC’s office in the Jasmine Corporate Centre yesterday.

GIBC Digital, operated

by CEO Greg Wood, is the first tech firm approved under the Commercial Enterprises Act, which targets specialised businesses in captive insurance, nanotechnology, computer technology, software design,

He explained that rather than having to request the service of the government, the government will make the process seamless for citizens and interactive from the office or the comfort of their home.

“That requires a lot of data. In order to ensure that that data is secured requires we have a very robust cyber security system. And that’s one service GIBC offers its client.

“We look forward to leveraging that knowledge in

“Whenever you talk about change, the initial reaction is push back because we are all very happy to be in our corner and doing what we do, and we don’t want anyone coming to us talking about change. And the challenge we face in the public sector is not just resistance to change, but the mindset is that this is the way we’ve done it and it works for us; this is the way it is done in the Westminster system, and this is the way we must do it.”

Mr Turnquest added: “There is no point to have this aspiration to be the digital capital of the region and not having the skills necessary to fulfil that vision. We are doing some things with respect to the students, and will continue to expand that out into other programmes through BTVI and the University of the Bahamas.”

Mr Turnquest indicated that government would be doing similar things with other industries and sectors that are under-represented in Grand Bahama.

He stated that there is a lack of progress in certain sectors on the island that the government will be addressing.

“We are looking at specific training opportunities to address the needs of the jobs that exist in Grand Bahama today because the truth is if we can do that we

would absorb a lot of capacity that we have on this island that is struggling to make ends meet.”

He commended Mr Wood for selecting Grand Bahama and bringing his home base to this region.

Mr Turnquest said he was pleased that the process has been a smooth one for the digital/tech company.

“This is the kind of effort that will pay dividends for us as we go out and seek further investment not only in this field but in the general (business) environment in Grand Bahama,” the East Grand Bahama MP said.

The government, he stated, is actively soliciting and negotiating various other projects.

“We continue to look at one project that is taking a little longer than we anticipated, but nonetheless still progress, and we sort of say doom and gloom with respect to it. But, the truth of the matter is that there are a lot of positive things going on here in Grand Bahama that are adding value and jobs to this economy and entrepreneurial opportunities to this economy. And those are the things we celebrate today as we welcome this new investment,” said Mr Turnquest, who also added that Bahamians too are now reinvesting in Grand Bahama.

our own effort to ensure that whatever we do, we protect the integrity of the system, so it engenders the trust, and the use as we anticipate and we would like to happen.”

Mr Turnquest explained that GIBC is about facilitating change management for clients, understanding the process and then applying technology to improve processes.

“As you have seen this budget (exercise), the cost of doing business as a government is expensive and

inefficient. And if we are going to remain competitive with the rest of the world, we are going to have streamline our processes and become more efficient, so we reduce the burden on average citizens.

“We believe all of us together are going to be able to cause some amazing things to happen in the next two to three years. And certainly look forward to cooperation and the participation of all the stakeholders in this process,” he said.

GOVERNMENT WANTS SINGLE DIGITAL ID FOR BAHAMIANS data storage, maritime trade, aviation registration, wealth management and manufacturing enterprises.

Cyber technology and fraud is one of the company’s five interconnected areas of competency.

Said Mr Turnquest: “Greg has some products that we will certainly take advantage of. One of them is that we are looking to create a single ID that will identify you as a citizen to the government for everything that you do.”

PAGE 8, Thursday, June 28, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

BAILED SUSPECT IN MURDER CASE GUNNED DOWN from page one The woman escaped unharmed, however, the man received gunshot injuries to the body.

Police said EMS were called and attempted to revive the victim, but he died on the scene.

While police have not identified the victim, The Tribune understands that he was Donathan Hanna, a man in his twenties.

Police press liaison officer, Superintendent Shanta Knowles in an interview with The Tribune yesterday confirmed Hanna was being electronically monitored while on bail for murder.

The incident marked the 53rd murder for the year and the 14th for the month of June, according to The Tribune’s records.

In November 2016,

DONATHAN HANNA Hanna and another man were charged with murder and five counts of attempted murder concerning the September 29, 2016 death of 17-year-old William McKenzie.

In another incident early Tuesday morning, police said a man was shot outside of his Ameryllius Avenue, Garden Hills home.

Reports said the victim was sitting in his vehicle

shortly after 6am when he was approached by two men, one armed with a gun, who ordered him out of his vehicle. As the victim got out of the vehicle, police said he was shot in his body.

The victim was taken to hospital where he was treated and discharged.

The assailants fled the scene on foot.

Investigations into both matters continue.

HAITIANS DETAINED IN GRAND BAHAMA

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

SEVERAL Haitians who were apprehended last Saturday in Grand Bahama were arraigned in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court earlier this week.

Alex Jean, 36; Kelly Pierre, 33; Aly Civil, 31; Jhoovens François Jr, 25; Adiano Adlen, 21; Daphney Joseph, 25; and Stefana Cimeus, 22 were charged with illegal landing. They appeared in court one before Deputy Chief Debbye Ferguson on Monday.

According to the

particulars, the seven Haitians had entered The Bahamas illegally by boat from Haiti during various times between 2016 and 2018.

With the assistance of an interpreter, they pleaded guilty to the charge of illegal landing and were convicted and each ordered to pay a $300 fine or serve one year in prison.

According to an immigration official, five Haitian men and two women were residing at a local resort in Lucaya and were making preparatory steps to be smuggled into the US when they were discovered and taken into custody by immigration officers.

They told Bahamian

authorities that they each paid up to $6,000 to be smuggled by boat into the US and that there were numerous setbacks and delays. They told officials that the trip never materialised and they were not able to have their money refunded.

Deputy Chief Magistrate Ferguson also ordered that they are to be deported to Haiti on payment of the fine or after serving their custodial sentence.

They paid their fine and were flown to Nassau on Tuesday and detained at the Carmichael Road Detention Centre to await repatriation to Haiti.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 28, 2018, PAGE 9

for

A drawer

S

your thoughts

O strange, so unpredictable, the little things that stick with us. Not our first kiss so much as the first time someone we had a crush on brushed our hand in the darkness of the movie theatre.

The look of confidence on a child’s face as she pushed her small sailboat away from shore and took off solo on a Sunfish for the first time, all of about six or seven years old, vanishing into a tiny speck on the horizon before gybing and sliding back into clearer view, safe. Not a worry on her face, nor a wrinkle of her brow as our hearts pounded and we, her parents, aged ten years in 20 minutes, unsure whether to scold her for scaring us or praise her sailor girl skills.

Emotions that could not have been any more mixed if tossed into a blender on high.

By Diane Phillips Sometimes, the thoughts worth savouring are not based on memory or personal experience so much as being present in a moment.

They are flashes in time.

The way sunlight filters through a palm tree, casting diagonal rays or how it bends to the shape of whatever is it in its path to reflect and bounce it. The feel of the cool sea water after the heat of sand on our feet, the taste of a homemade, freshly-squeezed limeade, a scorched conch at sunset, a blue runner grilled minutes after it was caught, lightly dusted with garlic and pepper.

These are the kinds of thoughts that I want to store. But I also want to store deeper thoughts, working out problems, answering the “wonder why” questions of life. I want to put away an unresolved issue and pull it out when I have time to deal with it. I want to figure out why the perspective on one home is more appealing than a similar perspective on another. I want to know why it is that we can invent a driverless car but cannot figure out how to make a TV, A/C or portable phone that we can turn off at night without enduring

the shining of a red light us for not dwelling on that that keeps us awake to thought when we could and advise us that the device is defying us because we have sleeping. no way to store it.

It has occurred to me on So here is what I want: more than one occasion a bureau for my thoughts. that we have a way to store I want to slide each just about everything in our thought into the approlives except priate the one thing ‘I want to put away drawer and that is most put it away an unresolved issue important, for when I our thoughts. and pull it out when have time Thoughts to work it, I have time to deal are what enjoy it, with it.

I want to make us tick. resolve it, They make figure out why the complete us who and perspective on it. I want what we are. thought We grab hold one home is more drawof them, get appealing than a ers that excited by similar perspective slide in them, then and out as get busy on another.’ smoothly doing someas my bra thing that seems more drawer. Why not? We important than thinking store everything else. and by the time we try to We put pots and pans in go back to what we were a cabinet. We put phone working on in our brain, numbers into a contacts it has fled, like punishing icon on our smart phones.

We have shelves for shoes, racks for slacks, drawers for sweaters, socks and underwear. But we don’t have drawers to hold that which is most dear to us, the thoughts that define us and help us set our goals.

I confess it sounds weird, but if there were drawers for thoughts, I could safely put one away until I had time to dwell on it, then pull it out and mull over it until I worked it out. And if I procrastinated, it would not matter, because my thought would be there, ready for me whenever I was ready for it.

So next time you offer me a penny for my thoughts, I might just ask you to put it in the change drawer where I am saving for a bureau filled with drawers for thoughts. If we can the pennies for our thoughts, our thoughts can’t be far behind. It’s all about the retrieval process.

PAGE 10, Thursday, June 28, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

9/11 attackers were refused Bahamas entry

from page one

Later, on 9/11, Sheri and Suqami were among the five al-Qaeda hijackers of American Airlines Flight 11, which crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Centre.

The revelation was contained in the Final Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks

Upon the United States released in July 22, 2004.

National Security Minister Marvin Dames referred to this report, also known as the 9/11 Commission Report, as he led debate on the Anti-Terrorism Bill 2018 in the House of Assembly yesterday.

This incident provided a sobering view for House members yesterday

regarding the lingering need for stronger legislation to respond to global terrorist activity.

Once passed, the legislation will make a person guilty of financing terrorist activity liable to up to 25 years in prison or fines of up to $25m.

Mr Dames said: “... (The report) highlighted that two of the terrorists in the 9/11 attacks travelled to the

Bahamas. According to the report, on May 19, 2001, Waleed al Shehri and Satam al Suqami flew from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Freeport, Grand Bahama, where they had reservations at the Bahamas Princess Resort.

“The report detailed that the two were turned away

by Bahamian officials upon arrival because they lacked the appropriate visas and subsequently they returned to Florida that same day.

“The report added that both terrorists likely took this trip to renew Suqami’s immigration status, as his legal stay within the United States expired on May 21, 2001. The two terrorists were among the five hijackers of American Airlines Flight 11 which crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Centre on September 11.”

Mr Dames said the implementation of the Anti-Terrorism Bill shows the Minnis administration is serious about securing all sectors of society from terrorists and other criminal acts while simultaneously meeting international standards.

The bill establishes a prohibition of weapons of mass destruction, its use and manufacture. It is proposed that conviction for breaching this portion of the legislation see fines of up to $400,000 or ten years’ imprisonment enforced at the Magistrate’s Court level. In the Supreme Court, the penalty is up to $1m or 30 years in prison.

“Clause five also establishes a prohibition of weapons training in the making or use of firearms, explosives, chemical, biological, nuclear or other weapons or means of mass destruction. This prohibition as clarified in subsection five does not apply to the Royal Bahamas Police or Defence Forces ‘or to any person permitted by law or licence

to carry out any of those actions specified in that subsection,’” the minister explained.

“The penalties outlined for such acts related to weapons training are dealt with both at the Magistrate’s Court level, where the penalty is a fine of up to $400,000 or ten years’ imprisonment or they can appear in the Supreme Court where the penalty for conviction is up to $1m or imprisonment for 30 years, or both fine and imprisonment in both instances.”

He added: “Clause five is also in line with the Caribbean’s Model Law on Anti-Terrorism and it criminalises training related to weapons of mass destruction. This insertion into this Anti-Terrorism Bill, 2018 puts a greater responsibility on organisations or institutions that may wish to engage in the training of terrorists to have them exported to other countries.

“Specifically, clause 24 speaks directly to persons travelling into or outside of The Bahamas for the purpose of planning; committing, supporting or facilitating a terrorist act; receiving instruction or training or making explosives or practising military movements to carry out a terrorist act or joining a terrorist organisation shall all be deemed a foreign terrorist fighter, FTF. Persons found guilty of being foreign terrorist fighters will be imprisoned for 20 years.”

While the passage of this legislation is to be viewed as a proactive measure, Mr Dames said for other countries in the region, terrorism seems to be more prevalent and problematic.

He was speaking of Trinidad & Tobago, which has the highest rate of Islamic State recruitment in the Western hemisphere. Since 2013, over 400 of its citizens have left the island to join ISIS, Mr Dames said.

The legislation will also provide grounds for stiff penalties for committing acts that finance terrorism.

“This Anti-Terrorism Bill, 2018 provides in clause 15 that persons who commit acts of financing terrorism are liable on conviction on indictment to a fine of up to $25m and imprisonment for

up to 25 years.”

The previous penalty in the 2004 Act provided 25 years’ imprisonment without a fine.

“The Bill also stipulates in subsection 2 (c) that it is not necessary for the person alleged to finance terrorism to be in the same country where the terrorist act has occurred or will occur or to be in the same country from the one in which the terrorist or terrorist organisation is located. Subsection 4 stipulates that a director or person in charge of a legal entity who commits the offence of financing terrorism is liable on conviction to a fine of up to $25m and to imprisonment for 25 years.

“The present act only imposes a fine of up to $2m without a prison sentence.”

The legislation also gives the court power to revoke a business licence, order a corporation to wind up, forfeit assets and property and turn them over to the Confiscated Assets Fund if its director, manager, secretary or other similar officers concerned with management is convicted of the offence of financing terrorism.

He said the components of this proposed piece of legislation take into account how global economies are affected and are now being shaped by terrorism.

Mr Dames said as the networks of terrorists and their affiliates are far reaching due to porous borders and interconnected systems of finance, transit and communication, the proposed Bill speaks to the government’s commitment to use all resources, especially multilateral instruments to prevent, deter and prosecute institutions and those within.

As it concerns biological weapons, the new legislation will also criminalise their use.

Mr Dames said while The Bahamas has not been affected by any biological weapons, the country’s proximity to the US and open borders make it vulnerable.

Anti-terrorism legislation was enacted in 2004.

However, according to Mr Dames, the current law falls short.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 28, 2018, PAGE 11

Chinese group upset at claims over gutter oil from page one The group added such commentary breeds contempt and encourages prejudice. The statement highlighted the impact Chinese-Bahamian businesses have had in inner-city communities over the years, including providing employment in less fortunate areas.

The association added that as Bahamians, they will do “all that is within our legal rights to ensure that our good names and the confidence of our fellow Bahamians is fully restored.”

In a statement released yesterday, the association said many Chinese businesses, including one that was featured in an Eye Witness News report, have been under contract with Bahamas Waste Limited’s biodiesel division to collect used oil from their grease pits as a part of a “revolutionary eco-friendly” programme which recycles waste oil into biodiesel for the past two years.

The statement came after the TV report was aired, questioning whether local Chinese restaurants were using waste oil, colloquially known as “gutter oil.” This came after certain videos were circulated on Facebook. “Gutter oil” is an illicit cooking oil that has been recycled from waste oil collected from sources such as restaurant fryers, grease traps, slaughterhouse waste and sewerage from sewer drains.

Yesterday, the association said each of the restaurants featured in recent videos are equipped with both cesspits and grease pits and

refuted any suggestion that anything untoward was taking place.

“All waste and used oil from these restaurants is disposed into the grease pits. At no point do the content of the cesspits and grease pits at any of these premises come together and mix in any way. “…None of the establishments reuse oil from the grease pits and they all have complied fully with all health and safety requirements and inspections needed in order to possess valid restaurant business licences.

“We are certain that this unfortunate misunderstanding has now been fully explained and will now be put to rest. As stated, many of us are second and third generation Bahamians, who have only known the Bahamas as home. We love our country deeply. “...We are deeply hurt and offended by the repeated scurrilous, unfounded accusations which have been targeted at our community and aired by a certain television news agency and across social media. . . such videos are incredibly harmful not only to our establishments but they also breed contempt and encourage prejudice – which is not the practice of the Christian nation we grew up in and call home.

“We have invested hard work and life savings for generations into businesses that have provided not only much needed resources but employment for persons throughout the less fortunate areas – areas that are now the focus of government incentives to do what we in the BahamianChinese community have

been doing for two and three lifetimes without any encouragement.

“At a time when our country is facing great uncertainties, we should not be tearing each other apart, but standing together to face the challenges ahead as a united people – just as our nation’s pledge and motto confirms and reaffirms.”

The group also forwarded a letter from Bahamas Waste Limited addressed to the Ministry of Health on June 21, which said Mikes Chinese Restaurant has been a part of its recycling programme for two years now.

“We collect (their) used cooking oil on a weekly basis,” the letter written by the manager of the company’s bio-diesel facility wrote. “They are amongst one of the few Chinese restaurants that actually got involved in the recycling of the oil. We have had mechanical issues with our waste truck which led to the waste oil building up. For the prevention of the waste oil draining into the roads, it was scooped up and disposed of into the trash. I have on file dates of collection from Mikes if needed to be seen.”

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A7M AIN

Friday, June 9, 2017, PAGE

7

tion c e ll o c ’ il o r e tt u ‘g to in Investigation e all-clear th t n ra au st re se e in h C gives

THE TRIBUNE

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@ tribunemedia.net

AN investigation into of the alleged collection ese “gutter oil” by a Chin New restaurant worker in led Providence has revea ion that the worker in quest the was instead skim ming nrestaurant’s malfunctio it nt ing grease trap to preve tor from overflowing, Direc th of Environmental Heal said Melanie McKenzie yesterday. inMs McKenzie, in an

ne terview with The Tributhe almost a month after hed, launc was on tigati inves worksaid the actions of the ng er in question “had nothi to do with” what was specuin lated to have taken place ly the video that was wide a, shared on social medier insisting that the work e opted to skim the greas pts trap after failed attem it by the restaurant to have repaired.

Nonetheless, Ms Mcined Kenz ie further expla has that the grease trap full a since been repai red,

uinspection of the restathe rant to deal with “all been other cond itions” has s issue completed and all moare “rectified at this ment”. afHer statements came that ter earlier concerns was the worker in question the allegedly engaging in of illegal Chinese practice an collecting “gutter oil”—has illicit cooking oil that waste been recycled from es oil collected from sourc s, such as restaurant fryer hterslaug , grease traps rage house waste and sewe

from sewer drains. ent A video of the incid a went viral on social medi man last month, showing a er at alleged to be a work ion the restaurant in quest a caught on camera using what large spoon to scoop le of appeared to be a pudd w refuse into a large, yello container. ofr senio At the time, nt ficials at the Departme th of Environmental Heal The told S) (DEH ces Servi ent Tribune that the incid “urwas being treated as an als, gent matter” for offici

forand that it would be nt’s warded to the departme Still, Health Inspectorate. fithe incident gained signi l mecant traction on socia dia. upan When asked for on date on the investigati enzie yesterday, Ms McK had said DEHS officials resthe to made three visits first taurant in question, the two of which were to inves , hand at r matte the tigate as a and the last one serving a uct cond follow-up visit to “complete inspection”. nt She said the departme

ard found nothing untow ac’s about the restaurant tions. we “The problem when truly checked it really and what was nothing to do with she ,” the (video) purported n said. “And what the persoit. was doing was skimming if trap e greas They skim the ’t it’s not working so it doesn trap overflow. The grease ing, was pumped, it’s work inand we had done a full the spection to deal with all they other conditions and mo are all rectified at this ment.”

HOW The Tribune previously reported the investigation into concerns - which gave the all-clear.

Photo: Kristaan Ingrah

OFESSIONALISM PR TS AN W HE S BI D AN S ZN S LL MINNIS TE HIM IN ELECTION R FO D TE VO EY TH IF RE CA T N’ AND DOES sses BIS and

PRIME Minister Minnis addre

Dr PRIM E Minister sday Hubert Minnis Thur staff told management and n of Bahamas Infor matiodServices and the Broa of casting Corporation n The Bahamas, also knowbe as ZNS, that they will their held accountable for alssion performance, profe lack ism and punctuality or thereof. adDr Minnis said his up” d “free has ministration oythe BCB so that its empl uct ees will be able to cond probusiness in a fair and fessional manner.

ZNS management and staff.

you “I don’t care whether that voted for me or not, is is immaterial,” Dr Minnse relea a to said, according ssent by BIS. “Be profe t and sional, be transparen c. be honest with the publi you The chains that were on broyesterday have been ken. her “I don’t care whet that you are PLP or FNM All I is not my business. . I alism want is profession your expect for you to do al work in a professionto manner and to be fair we , all. Once that is done

. will have no problems we “If you deviate, then that will have problems and ’s That is not victimisation. ve in real talk. I don’t belie ve victimisation, but I belie perin professionalism and formance.”

Addressing staff mem t bers of both governmen time first the for s bodie the since being sworn-in as an of fourth prime minister Dr independent Bahamas, uMinnis said both institrn tions do not have to conceinthemselves with political terference.

GOVERNMENT TO LAUNCH ITS ANNUAL SUMMER YOUTH PROGRAMME

“You will be given your will independence and you pubbe pushed towards a ralic broadcasting corpo nt tion. As an independe , cians institution, as politi if we will not interfere and party any member of my to do calls you to tell you ssomething that’s not profem sional, don’t do it. Inforno be me and he or she will more. he “If you do it, you and Bawill be no more. The ask hamian people only a to d for fair play,” he adde round of applause.

year’s prohire tained for this public sectors work to the gramme. young people between The programme will conicants Appl .

15-26 of ages st 31. Applivalid clude on Augu by May 30. are required to have a due THE government’s sum- police certificate, National cations were the govern, will e while amm Mean progr passport, mer youth approved the will Insurance card, s of all ment recently launch on July 2 and with school ID and copie ons. attendance of civil servants provide participants quali ficati ns. ive academic in several training sessio of in e cipat employment and posit parti Those hired This approval consisted activities. of two four week ses- the training for a foreign one was e amm The progr ns were The sions. These sessio many service officer to be trained launched in 2006. ts created to allow as sum- in diplomatic skills in VenMinistry of Youth, Spor ience t goal students to exper ezuela. The governmen and Culture’s main is to mer employment. accord- also approved a microbiolowith the initiative ing nts are paid build Stude in d me traine beco be le to gist help young peop fications. ibute to the busi- ing to their quali 25 practices to contr more prepared for the In 2016, there was a a quality of food. ness world by providing es per cent increase in the allo- safety and was also a labour amm e Ther progr of e. array amm wide are cation for this progr ony officer dispatched to learn Anth in which young people level esand Press Secretary es- about population able to gain experience sure to ocNewbold stated on Wedn ng that timates of expocarcinogens a source of income. ts day in a press briefi ional cupat in ase Participants learn aspec incre such there will be no among workers. of entrepreneurship to g the new fiscal year.

“All of this is added e as the essentials of owin “Government of cours dy being done free their own business, the ess [is] always mindful of the what is alrea ity to deal build capac to lnsibi enterprise system, busin respo [New and need for fiscal with these situations and economic terms said and ity,” he said.

Providence Land fill],” business organisation The $2.5m that was allo-- Mr Newbold. be main management. will 2016 in cated Both the private and

By DANIELLE BARNES

Dr Minn is also took rethe opportunity to Parkintro duce Pake sia parli aer-Edgeco mbe, of secretary ment ary cominfor mation and e mun ication in the Officto of the Prim e Mini ster, to staff at the BCB and . staff intro duce her to BIS be Mrs Parker-Edgecom who is a former journalist hern worked for ZNS’ Nort Service.

“You know her very “She well,” Dr Minnis said. up is one of you. She came with through the system

you and I am sure y will get along ve She knows the d you should take, derstands your and she will teach guage to me and a of five years pres will know your lan Dr Minnis ende versation with sta institutions the w gan it.

“I want to clos ing I only require – professionalism bring your politic added.

PAGE 12, Thursday, June 28, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Bahamas committed to CEDAW convention

By KATHRYN CAMPBELL THE Bahamas, through the Department of Gender and Family Affairs of the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development,

is diligently preparing to ensure proper representation at the upcoming United Nations CEDAW (Committee on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women) Convention, which takes

place October 22 to November 9.

Social Services and Urban Development Minister Lanisha Rolle addressed an information luncheon on June 22 at Luciano’s of Chicago, organised by

the National Women’s Advisory Council on the topic ‘What you need to know about the CEDAW Convention on Women’s Rights.’

She said, “As we report on our country’s progress in the framework of our national strategic plan, I am pleased that The Bahamas is on a pathway to success in the area of social development. The multi-agency CEDAW taskforce led by the Department of Gender and Family Affairs, under the able supervision of First Assistant Secretary Melvelyn Symonette, has worked diligently over many months to ensure the country offers the best representation and reaps fruitful exchange and dialogue with our international partners on issues affecting women and girls, designed to positively impact the lives of every individual.”

The Bahamas first appeared at the CEDAW Convention in 2012. This year marks 25 years that The Bahamas has ratified the CEDAW Convention.

The Bahamas will submit its second report at the 71st session in the fall of this year.

Among those present at the luncheon were Patricia Minnis, wife of Prime Minister Hubert Minnis; Janet Bostwick, Kay ForbesSmith, president of the Senate; senators, members of Parliament, permanent secretaries, representatives of other government agencies and members of the National Women’s Advisory Council.

Mrs Rolle related that her visits to the United Nations 52nd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women, and the recently held Women’s Forum of CHOGM, were both “enlightening” and have inspired the ministry’s recommitment towards achieving the international Sustainable Development Goals – in particular the virtues incorporated in Goal 5, to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

“The undertone of both sessions aforementioned, encouraged all nations to give concerted effort and attention to the needs of our women and girls, particularly in rural areas,” she said, and to the goal that no woman be left behind.

She praised Marion Bethel – United Nations

LANISHA ROLLE, MP for Seabreeze.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff CEDAW Committee of the CEDAW Convenmember, and the first Baha- tion. Secondly, we’ve put mian selected to sit as an ourselves forward to be expert on the CEDAW scrutinised and monitored Convention -- for her ser- by the experts for CEDAW vice. And she expressed on the basis of complihope that the informa- ance with the norms and tion meeting would inspire standards.” agencies, departments, Ms Bethel explained that non-governmental organi- the CEDAW Convention is sations (NGOs), and other looking for state parties to establishments to partner really show the “spirit” of with the Ministry for other the convention and make formal sessions. efforts to comply, so that Ms Bethel gave an when they appear before extensive overview of the the convention, they can CEDAW Convention. She report progress. If they said under every human have not been in complirights convention it is the ance, those states must give obligation and responsibil- reasons. ity of the state to do certain Ms Bethel told those things; and in this case it gathered that The Bahamas is to advance the human has “a duty” to advance rights of women. the human rights of women “Once you ratify the con- and an obligation to put vention you have basically in place laws, institutions agreed to the norms and and mechanisms to make standards that have been this happen. She said it is collectively agreed univer- important for NGOs to sally by all state parties,” understand how to use the said Ms Bethel.

UN CEDAW Convention, “The Bahamas has and for all women to hold agreed in principle to all the state party accountable the norms and standards under the convention.

www.ub.edu.bs

CAREER OPPORTUNITY Suitably qualified applicants are invited to apply for the following position: Cafeteria Manager at University of The Bahamas-North in East Grand Bahama responsible for the successful daily operation of the campus’ Hawksbill Hall cafeteria. The Manager is expected to recruit and manage staff, oversee the procurement and preparation of food, ensure excellent health standards, as well as manage the budget of this vital operation with a view to maximizing efficiencies and revenue generation. Specific duties and responsibilities include maintaining consistency in food preparation and service to students, staff and other constituents; monitoring inventory, ordering cafeteria supplies and preparing food orders, as needed; managing unit personnel, monitoring equipment and making recommendations on the purchase of equipment and supplies. A Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Hospitality Management, Restaurant Management or a related discipline, or the equivalent, AND at least four (4) years’ post-qualification work experience are required, among other competencies. The detailed position announcement is available online at http://www.ub.edu.bs/about-us/career-opportunities/staff/ .

Interested persons should submit the following electronically to the Human Resources Department via hrapply@ub.edu.bs by Friday, 6th July 2018.

• A cover letter of interest highlighting work experience and accomplishments relevant to the position; • Completed Employment Application Form (www.ub.edu.bs/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Application-for-Employment-Staff.pdf)

• Current Curriculum Vitae or Resume; • Copies of Qualifications and Certificates; • Copy of the relevant pages of a valid passport showing passport number, photo identification and expiration date; • Copy of N.I.B. Card; • At least three (3) written, professional references.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 28, 2018, PAGE 13

PAGE 14, Thursday, June 28, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

GIVING NON-VIOLENT INMATES A PATH BACK INTO SOCIETY THE Citizen Security and Justice Programme of the Ministry of National Security has announced that from July 7-October 7, 143 inmates will undergo training from the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute.

The training will be in seven vocational areas - auto mechanics, electrical installation, plumbing,

carpentry, information technology, barbering and garment manufacturing.

These non-violent offenders have undergone numerous screenings by the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services and BTVI to determine eligibility based on their reintegration potential.

Inmates were chosen to begin their preparations for

reintegration into society once they demonstrated engagement (accountability and motivation), aptitude in supplementary assessments of numeracy, literacy, vocational acumen and psychological readiness based on their criminal history and offence severity record.

Prison industries have existed in the BDCS for

many years and this collaboration with BTVI merely serves as a much-needed upgrade to that existing framework, press release noted.

“As a part of the rehabilitation framework, correctional plan records will be used to track performance of inmates admitted into the programme. This case management process will ensure that the inmate chosen remains a good fit for this newly improved opportunity,” BTVI said.

“The government of The Bahamas continues to take bold steps in activating initiatives that increase the level of citizen security within the wider Bahamian community. Enhancing the quality of the rehabilitation and reintegration programmes at the prison for non-violent offenders who have served the majority of their sentences, is one of those key initiatives.

“Further, to ensure sustainability of the programme, seven selected correctional officers will begin training in the aforementioned disciplines. This training will equip them to function as

certified BTVI vocational instructors, working within the Bahamas Department of Corrections environment on a full-time basis. Six of the prison industries will be upgraded with modernised equipment to support this training initiative.

“As in the past, upon their release inmates will leave the prison with training certification but with modernised industry

experience. Inmates will have BTVI instructors, use BTVI curricula, take the same examinations and will be graded by BTVI instructors the same as the campus-based BTVI students. Upon further academic screening, Inmates may also be able to use their certification to gain entry into BTVI for further training once they are released.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, June 28, 2018, PAGE 15

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THE TRIBUNE