The Tribune house & hoMe
$3.6m in damages for botched birth
Doctor must pay up after child born with devastating disabilities
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A DoCToR has been ordered to pay more than $3.6 million in damages after a botched delivery left a newborn boy with lifelong brain injuries and near-total physical disability. The payout — $3,648,239.70 — is one of the country’s largest medical negligence awards and follows Supreme Court Justice loren Klein’s ruling that Dr Gregory Carey’s mishandling of the birth caused the child’s devastating condition. Now 12 years old, the boy is in a near-vegetative state, suffering from cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and other neurological impairments. The court heard that Dr Carey never apologised for
By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Chief Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
THe Free National Movement has rejected former MP Renward Wells as its Bamboo Town candidate and is expected to choose former Senator Heather Hunt instead, decisions that have sparked fierce backlash from the constituency association, which accuses party leadership of punishing supporters of former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. Members of the Bamboo Town branch say they were misled into believing Mr Wells, who served as MP from 2012 to 2021, would be renominated. They have
Junkanoo groups wary over proposals for new authority
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
Father oF ten-year-old shot dead at water pump
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A 32-yeAR-olD father was gunned down early on Friday while fetching water from a pump, becoming the country’s 50th murder victim for the year. Relatives identified the victim as Jimmy “yoshi” laureville. loved ones gathered at the scene, devastated by the killing.
The mother of his tenyear-old son, who asked not to be named, said he had visited their home just hours earlier. He had
Norma N’s Cay employees stunned at mass layoFF s
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A DRAFT bill proposing the creation of a National Junkanoo Authority to oversee all Junkanoo parades nationwide is receiving mixed reactions within the Junkanoo community, with some groups rejecting the move and others withholding judgment pending further details.
If enacted, the bill would strip the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence (JCNP) of its sole authority over parades in the capital, placing responsibility instead in the hands of a new independent body.
DoZeNS of workers at Norman’s Cay were abruptly laid off on Friday morning in a mass termination that left stunned employees scrambling to leave the island, some with half their belongings still inside staff quarters.
The Department of labour confirmed that fewer than 40 employees, including ten foreign nationals, were let go in what officials are calling
contested basketball match between pastors and politicians during
annual Family Night at Kendall gL Isaacs gym yesterday. See SpORTS for more. photo: Chappell Whyms Jr
Force honours our nation
Company attributes layoffs to seasonal downsizing
a “downsizing exercise.”
However, former employees claim the number was closer to 50 on Friday, with additional terminations occurring on Saturday.
One of those affected, former chef Diallo Osoria, described being told at 9am that his services were no longer needed.
“They said the company was going in a different direction and that redundancies were being made,” he said. He and others were ordered to be on the tarmac by 10.45am but waited in the sun until noon for a flight. “Half my belongings are still on the island,” he added, claiming unsanitary conditions for both workers and guests, including black mould in living quarters.
The layoffs follow a turbulent few months at Norman’s Cay, where the Department of Labour and Immigration conducted a high-profile probe in May. That investigation uncovered severe labour violations, substandard accommodations, and led to the cancellation of work permits for three senior expatriate executives.
Labour director Howard Thompson Jr said the project has since operated without key management. “You can appreciate this would have impacted the fiscal and business side of their operations,” he noted
in a statement yesterday to The Tribune Government officials held a virtual meeting with the development’s legal team to discuss a proposed reorganisation plan. Mr Thompson said the company admitted past failures and committed to making long-term improvements.
“It was a very productive virtual meeting where past mistakes by the company were admitted and a firm resolution for those mistakes to never happen again was communicated,” he said.
Mr Thompson said the company attributed the layoffs to seasonal downsizing and the closure of one of its restaurants, saying the lull would be used for repairs to staff housing and communal facilities. Officials were assured that by October or November, improvements would be visible and new job opportunities would emerge.
The Department of Labour plans to visit the cay “at the earliest opportunity” to speak directly with remaining employees and ensure protections are in place. Thompson promised swift assistance for those who lost their jobs: “We will be in contact with these persons to help them find alternative employment quickly.”
Norman’s Cay employs an estimated 200 people across its hotel and construction sites.
LAYOFFS from page one
The marina at Norman’s Cay.
Prime Minister Philip Davis and Governor General Dame Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt and others take part in a cake cutting ceremony hosted by the RBPF on Friday in honour of the country’s 52nd Independence anniversary.
Photos: Leandra rolle/ Tribune Chief Reporter
BACSWN secures six EMS vehicles for Family Islands
By RAS hAd RoLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net
SIX aviation-grade ambulances are headed to the Family Islands as part of a donation from the Bahamas Aviation, Climate and Severe Weather Network (BACSWN), with the first two expected to arrive by October.
The donation will follow BACSWN’s $400 million heads of agreement with the Bahamian government, which includes mandates to support crash, search and rescue coordination as well as strengthen healthcare infrastructure throughout the archipelago.
Michael Strachan, group financial advisor of BACSWN, told The Tribune that the company signed an agreement with its partner, Response Plus Medical (RPM), on Independence Day to buy six ambulances, which will be operated through the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) and the Ministry of Health.
“We’re putting in place a training structure for ambulance staff and improving the capacity of the existing system through EMT training,” he said, adding that a trainer from RPM is arriving in New Providence this week to begin preparations.
The donations come at a time when the government has struggled to
source ambulances for the country.
“The ones PHA sourced last time were not fully suited for operations on the family islands,” Mr Strachan said. “These ones are state-of-theart, the latest generation, which are more suited for the Family Islands. The ones we’re going to be getting for Nassau are more heavy-duty. These will have everything you can think of versus the other ones that were standard shift, didn’t have enough qualified persons who could operate them.”
Only the first six ambulances are being donated; future equipment will be covered under proposed overflight fees.
BACSWN has also signed a letter of intent to acquire two crash, search and rescue helicopters, but is awaiting necessary approvals and licensing through PHA.
Mr Strachan said the company is leveraging its partnership with RPM, a UAE-based healthcare provider operating in multiple Middle Eastern countries, to source equipment that is otherwise hard to get.
“The relationship with RPM has allowed us to take advantage of their supply chain network,” he said. “They operate eight hospitals throughout the Middle East. They have contracts with the Saudi government and Abu Dhabi, and they operate
in Oman, Qatar, and eight or nine countries in that region. So they have a supply chain where they purchase 50, 60 ambulances at a time. They have allowed us to utilise their supply chain, so we’re essentially purchasing from the inventory they have already ordered. That gives us a quicker turnaround and access to the same level of
BACSWN signs landmark contract with Middle East’s leading provider of emergency medical services
TO enhance emergency response capabilities for aviation-related incidents throughout The Bahamas, Response Plus Medical (RPM), the Middle East’s leading provider of pre-hospital care and emergency medical services, has been awarded a landmark contract by the Bahamas Aviation, Climate and Severe Weather Network Ltd (BACSWN).
The agreement is seen as an important step in reinforcing the economic, cultural and diplomatic relations between The Bahamas and the United Arab Emirates, where RPM is headquartered. It comes on the heels of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ opening of The Bahamas’ embassy in the UAE in February. Subject to approval from the Minister of Health and Public Hospitals Authority, the agreement will offer the vital prerequisites the government needs to transform any pre-hospital emergency care, crash, search and rescue capabilities and dedicated trauma services in The Bahamas to a level that meets the mandatory
requirements of Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation.
Goals include the provision of aviation-grade ambulances, fire engines, search and rescue helicopters, air ambulances, paramedics and the ancillary benefits of the hiring and training of Bahamians to fill a myriad of careers in meteorology, law, IT and media visualisations.
The plan is to develop certified training in prehospital care, fire and safety, crash, and searchand-rescue operations; set up emergency medical service (EMS) infrastructure; and train local EMS professionals.
The deal will assist the Bahamas Ministry of Health and Public Hospitals Authority’s binding obligation to safely cover every aviation-related incident for all commercial, private and cargo flights throughout the Family Islands.
All aspects of the agreement were discussed during a series of meetings held in Nassau between Prime Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis and Minister of Energy &
Transport, JoBeth ColebyDavis, senior executives of BACSWN including President and CEO Patrick Rollins, and a high-level delegation from the UAE led by Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, the Founder-Chairman of Burjeel Holdings, the UAE’s leafing private healthcare group, alongside Dr Rohil Raghavan, CEO of RPM.
Dr Raghavan said: “This is a significant milestone for RPM. For the first time, we’re taking on the emergency response operations of an entire country. With our expertise in medical training and consultancy, we aim to elevate The Bahamas’ emergency preparedness and align with our global expansion goals.”
Robert Dupuch-Carron added: “BACSWN’s mission has always been to improve emergency and weather systems in The Bahamas. Partnering with RPM is a major step in building a world-class response ecosystem that also supports our tourism industry and national safety goals.”
equipment that they are operating.”
He clarified that
BACSWN is not providing direct medical services, but rather delivering the infrastructure to support health and emergency response efforts.
Coroner’s Court suspended as evidenCe marshall reC alled
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
THE Coroner’s Court has been forced to suspend all upcoming inquests after its evidence marshal, Angelo Whitfield, was abruptly recalled by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) last week.
The recall has thrown the court’s calendar into disarray, leaving at least 11 scheduled inquests in limbo, including several long-delayed hearings into police-involved killings. Court officials are now urgently seeking a replacement before proceedings can resume. The next matter, originally set to begin on July 28, was to examine the apparent suicide of 33-year-old
Evan Fox, whose decomposing body was discovered in the bushes off Frank Watson Boulevard on April 29. A shotgun and Mr Fox’s truck were found nearby, and he had been reported missing by his family two days earlier. More than 100 witness summons had already been issued for upcoming hearings when the disruption occurred. Now, families of the deceased and officers involved in fatal shootings face fresh uncertainty as to when they will finally have their day in court. Mr Whitfield, who had served as evidence marshal since September 2023, was pulled from his post on Friday without warning, The Tribune understands. The affected cases include a backlog dating as
far back as 2019. Gaps in activity at the Coroner’s Court have been a long-standing issue. Delays resumed after COVID-19 restrictions were put in place, with the Coroner’s Court among the last judicial arms to resume full operations after the pandemic.
While coroner’s inquests do not assign criminal liability, they play a critical role in determining the circumstances of death in cases involving police shootings, suspicious suicides, traffic accidents, and drownings. Where a jury returns a finding of homicide by manslaughter, the matter is referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions to decide if criminal charges should follow. Since 2023, there have
been 16 police-involved killings deemed justifiable by juries and eight found to be homicides by manslaughter. Once rare, such adverse findings against officers have become increasingly common. Several police officers have since been charged with manslaughter.
In May, a five-person jury ruled that the 2020 police shooting deaths of Deshoan “Spider” Smith, 25, Rashad Clarke, 28, and Jared Ford, 27, were justifiable homicides. The men were shot and killed by police near Spikenard and Cowpen Roads on June 13, 2020. Officers involved in the incident were Inspector Alcott Forbes, Corporal Kevin Greenslade Jr, and Police Constable Courtney Hall.
Bahamas aviation, Climate and Severe Weather Network (BACSWN) is donating six aviation-grade ambulances to government destined for the Family Islands.
BaCsWn has also signed a letter of intent to acquire two crash, search and rescue helicopters, but is awaiting necessary approvals and licensing through PHA.
BaCk (left) Robert Dupuch-Carron, founder of BACSWN; Prettia Dean and Eugene Poitier, from the Bahamian Embassy in Abu Dhabi; Dr Rohil Raghavan, CEO of Response Plus Medical. Front (from left) Michael Strachan, BACSWN group financial advisor; and Nelson Prabhakaran, COO of Response Plus Holdings.
New bill not intended to sideline JCNP or groups
JUNKANOO from page one
While the bill has not yet been made public, it was presented last week during a closed-door meeting with key stakeholders.
Warren Andrew Pinder, chairman of the National Junkanoo Committee, insisted the proposal is not intended to sideline the JCNP or any groups, but to open new pathways for growth, funding, and wider cultural engagement. He said the authority would oversee Junkanoo nationwide, with a model similar to last year’s Grand Bahama event, which paired a parade with a concert to create a festival atmosphere. That format, he said, could be replicated across the Family Islands.
According to Mr Pinder, the authority would comprise 15 members from a range of sectors, including JCNP, the orange economy, tourism, law enforcement, Family Island Junkanoo groups, and others.
“It’s not in any which was to kill the JCNP,” he said.
“It’s an independent body that at the end of the day, it’s a win for everybody.”
The proposed shift would formally assign parade management to the new authority and include junior Junkanoo. Mr Pinder said
the bill aims to decentralise Junkanoo and offer tourists access to parades outside the December season and beyond New Providence. He also noted that the authority could help secure funding for both operational and prize money needs, easing the burden long carried by the government.
Not everyone is convinced. Vernon Rolle, chairman of One Family’s steering committee, questioned the government’s motive and expressed concern that the bill could be an attempt to “strong-arm” the JCNP. He also argued the JCNP still holds the loyalty of group leaders, suggesting a governmentcontrolled authority would lead to ongoing conflict.
“Even if you have the authority and you still have the JCNP, the chairman and the leaders of these junkanoo groups will still be loyal and committed to the JCNP so it will still be a tug of war because the authority becomes a government agency like the NJC,” he said.
He said he needs more information before taking a firm stance, but called for the government to leave the JCNP in charge.
Some see potential in the proposed changes. Angelique McKay, PR director
for Genesis, said the group has not yet taken a formal position, but would support any initiative that modernises and strengthens Junkanoo.
“One of the things with Genesis organisation is
that we are the Warhawks of change so any chance that moves junkanoo in a positive direction, we stand behind it,” she said.
Brian Adderley, leader of the World Famous Valley Boys, said the group has not
BGWU threatens industrial action over outstanding pay and lapsed health insurance
By KEILE CAMPBELL
Tribune Staff Reporter
kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas General Workers Union (BGWU) is threatening industrial action if the government fails to resolve outstanding salary increments and restore lapsed health and life insurance coverage for employees at the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC).
BGWU president Linda Sands said workers have only received partial payment of salary increments approved since 2022 and have been without health insurance since October 2024, leaving many to pay thousands in out-of-pocket medical expenses.
“There will be industrial action,” Ms Sands warned at a press conference Friday at BAIC headquarters.
“These people want their monies. Everybody else is
getting money. Why can’t these people at the lower level be okay too?”
She said the union has made repeated inquiries to Financial Secretary Simon Wilson, who signed off on a Ministry of Finance directive in November 2022 confirming increment payments for employees earning under $13,900 as of June 30 that year. The directive outlined two immediate increments effective July 1, 2022, with additional increases scheduled for 2023/24 and 2024/25. However, only half of the promised payments have been made.
“It is now 2025, and we say to you, Mr Wilson, can you answer as to why the balance of the increments has not been paid?” Ms Sands said. “We leave that at your doorstep.”
Despite two meetings with the Department of Labour and other
stakeholders, the matter remains unresolved.
Ms Sands also blasted the suspension of staff health and life insurance, saying reimbursements exceeding $16,000 remain unpaid. Some workers, she said, have spent as much as $4,000 to $5,000 out of pocket for care that should have been covered.
“Growing up, my grandmother told us all the time, a promise is a comfort to a fool,” she added. “These members are tired of fishing in their pockets to pay medical bills that should be covered.”
Other union concerns include delayed performance appraisals, long-overdue additional increments, and chronic understaffing in the janitorial department, where three of ten workers were let go without replacements, leaving the rest to shoulder the full workload,
including COVID-19 safety protocols.
Ms Sands accused the government of excluding BAIC and other quasi-government agencies from recent public service salary increases, despite rising costs and staffing shortages.
While the Ministry of Public Service clarified in June that recent public sector raises apply only to core civil servants, the union maintains the exclusion is unjustified. The 2025 salary review provides two to eight percent increases for central public service staff, with middle management increases beginning in June.
BGWU is demanding full payment of salary increments, reinstatement of insurance coverage, and urgent resolution to staffing shortages.
“If it is not done today, then I do not have to tell you what is going to happen,” Ms Sands said.
received a copy of the draft and cannot issue a definitive position. However, he said they would back any measure that protects the independence and cultural integrity of Junkanoo.
“We continue to support
Labour averaging over 400 applications per month for non-resident workers
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemdia.net
THE Department of Labour is receiving an average of 400 labour certificate applications each month — a mandatory requirement employers must meet before applying for a work permit to hire a non-Bahamian. Minister of Labour and Public Service Pia GloverRolle told The Tribune on Friday that the current average is 400 applications per month. She was not concerned about a rise in applications, saying the country is facing a skills gap. In an interview with ZNS Northern Edition, Labour director Howard Thompson
said unemployment has dropped significantly, and the increase in applications for foreign workers is not troubling. He said the department prioritises Bahamians.
“If we cannot find a Bahamian available or suitable Bahamian, we ensure that there is an understudy put in place. So that Bahamians can get that training and hopefully at the end of that process the Bahamian should be up and ready to take on that task and we would not need to renew that labour certificate moving forward,” Mr Thompson said.
Mr Thompson also encouraged Bahamians to register their skills with the Department of Labour’s Skills Bank.
the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence Ltd. (JCNP) as the body representing all registered junkanoo groups in New Providence,” he said. JCNP officials declined to comment.
A member of the Saxons rushing in the New Year Junkanoo Parade in 2023.
Bamboo Town constituency member says ‘we will not be walking for Heather Hunt’
vowed not to support Ms Hunt’s candidacy. The FNM’s decision, which has not yet been formally announced by the party, followed a heated closed-door meeting on Friday between party leader Mr Michael Pintard and association members.
Tensions flared, with some calling Mr Pintard “vindictive” and “hateful,” and others walking out, telling The Tribune the meeting “wasn’t making any sense”.
Mr Wells served as the MP for Bamboo Town first under the Christie administration. He later served as Minister of Transport, then Minister of Health under the Minnis administration.
Mr Wells was one of the most prominent FNM members to publicly support Dr Minnis’ leadership bid at the party’s last convention. He has reportedly been a visible figure in the constituency since his defeat in the 2021 election and had expressed interest in running again, telling The Tribune earlier this year: “At the end of the
day, I am to be judged by my history, and the work I would have done as MP.”
Association chairwoman Monique Seymour said the group had repeatedly submitted formal endorsements for Mr Wells, including a June email obtained by The Tribune saying: “I am pleased to report on behalf of all of the executive of the FNM Bamboo Town Association, that we remain supporting Renward Wells as our candidate.” She said they received no response.
According to Ms Seymour, Mr Pintard cited Mr Wells’ health and his failure to support the current leadership team as reasons for the rejection. However, she believes the real motive was political.
“They say the association bullying them by telling them who we want but they are bullying me and my association by telling us who they want,” she said. “We will not be walking for Heather Hunt. We will not because what they did was a slap in the face.”
Other executives have also declared they will not support any candidate
besides Mr Wells, accusing Mr Pintard of misleading the constituency.
“We’ve been campaigning, buying groceries, giving people light assistance,” one executive said, “but Pintard, he’s saying that from the convention, he told us that he would not support Wells, so why would we campaign for the last four years thinking Wells getting it?”
Mr Wells reportedly submitted a letter from an American doctor clearing him to run, but the party still declined his nomination. He declined to comment when contacted by The Tribune over the weekend.
Executives have also questioned how Ms Hunt was chosen over a former MP.
“Heather Hunt never won anything in her life and they want to put Heather Hunt against a giant of a man,” Ms Seymour said. “The man won under the PLP and the FNM and lost because of a wave in the last election, and stood on the ground for four years.”
The controversy adds to ongoing tensions between the party’s leadership and several constituency
branches. The FNM’s Killarney and South Beach associations have both raised objections to recent candidate selections, and last month, the ratification of Jeremy Sweeting in Central and South Abaco led to the resignation of local chairman Roscoe Thompson.
FNM chairman Dr Duane Sands denied claims of political targeting, saying the candidate selection process has been objective and thorough. He insisted no one is being punished for past affiliations.
“There were no foregone conclusions with any aspiring candidate. There is no spite. There is no victimisation,” Dr Sands said.
He acknowledged the disappointment within some branches but maintained the leadership’s authority in candidate decisions.
“I understand that there will be disappointed persons but I believe that Michael Pintard has demonstrated a phenomenal degree of patience and a phenomenal degree of resilience in the face of blistering inappropriate criticism,” he said.
Body of missing elderly Sweeting’s Cay resident found deep in swamp in East GB
By DENISE MAYCOCK
Reporter
THE body of 65-year-old Errol “Dooby” Tate was found deep in a mangrove swamp on Thursday, bringing a tragic end to a two-day search that began after the Sweeting’s Cay resident was reported missing.
Police found the body some 200 feet into the mangroves, after vultures were seen circling overhead. Officers had to cut through
dense bush to retrieve the remains, which were later transported out on a kayak.
Mr Tate, known locally for collecting starfish and conch shells to sell to straw vendors in Freeport, had not been seen since Monday, July 14. His brother, Shervin Tate, chief councillor for Sweeting’s Cay, raised the alarm on Wednesday after checking on him over two days and finding his house empty.
A neighbour confirmed Errol hadn’t returned,
prompting Mr Tate and residents to launch a search early Wednesday morning.
“We got everybody together and went walking through the bushes and where he was last seen walking his stick,” he said.
Police, alerted around midday, deployed drones, dogs, and divers in an extensive search. But it was only on Thursday, when vultures were spotted over thick bush near a home, that officers were led to the scene.
A drone could not
penetrate the dense canopy, so officers proceeded on foot. An odour led them further into the swamp, where they found a body matching the description of Mr Tate’s missing brother.
“I heard when the officer say, ‘we think we got the person we looking for, we found him’,” said Mr Tate, who broke down at the scene.
Superintendent of Police Stephen Rolle confirmed that Mr Tate had a history of mental illness and had
recently suffered a mild stroke, leaving one side of his body weakened. An autopsy will determine the cause of death.
Mr Tate described his brother as a quiet, single man known and loved in the Port Lucaya community.
“He was one of those entrepreneurs who would go out and get starfish and conch shells,” he said.
“He was well-known to all the straw vendors in Port Lucaya.”
Mr Tate said the loss was
especially painful as their family had only recently buried their parents.
“It is a big blow,” he said.
“I just lost mum and dad. I was the one he looked up to because they are gone. I took his starfish to Freeport. I brought him groceries.”
He thanked both residents and police for their support.
“I must thank my people in Sweeting’s Cay. I will never forget how they stood with me and supported me through my tears,” he said.
Former mP renward wells
The Tribune Limited
NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI
“Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”
LEON E. H. DUPUCH
Publisher/Editor 1903-1914
SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH, Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .
Publisher/Editor 1919-1972
Contributing Editor 1972-1991
RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B.
Publisher/Editor 1972-
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People need to believe justice exists
THE speed at which justice moves in this country – or more to the point the speed at which it does not move – continues to be a blight on our people.
At the start of June, The Tribune reported on an incident that occurred two years ago in Atlantis.
We had reported on it at the time – a man had been assaulted in a nightclub there and had been left with his foot hanging off.
It was a curious story – for the most part because of the absolute lack of information that was provided with regard to an incident that was caught on video, that took place in a crowded location and with a number of bouncers in attendance.
Our reporters pursued the story. Atlantis was asked if someone was injured in an incident at a nightclub there. No response was given.
We spoke to an eyewitness, who said they gagged at the sight of all the blood and that everyone was told to leave, but who saw three police officers arrive.
The incident took place on a Sunday. We published a report on the Tuesday. By the time of publication, police had given no comment.
Almost a month later, we reported again on the incident, having been told that a police investigation was ongoing.
Two years later, and we have reported again that a police investigation is ongoing. On Friday, we reported that police say they are preparing to contact the victim and his attorneys.
Recently, the alleged attackers were said to be back in Atlantis. The police were informed. We know. We were the ones who told them. That did not seem to prompt further action.
Quite how we are two years on from the incident and police are still only preparing to speak to the victim is a mystery.
What was it about this case that made it different? What was it that caused such a lack of action?
This case may catch the eye – but it is far from the only case in which we see delay after delay after delay.
One area where that has been an issue is in the coroner’s courts. Significant delays had plagued the court, bringing about a backlog that dates back years.
When that logjam cleared up, there was a flurry of cases that included a
number of police-involved killings, which resulted in several rulings of homicide by manslaughter.
Think about that for a moment – cases involving police shootings which were deemed to be homicide, but which had been delayed for a long time by problems in the system. And now the coroner’s court faces the prospect of more delays – as an official, the evidence marshal, has been recalled by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.
Some of the cases that will be affected by this development date back to 2019.
Imagine waiting six years to finally have answers on how someone died only for it to be delayed again.
Across the board, we need to see the process of seeking justice accelerated –so that people can hear a conclusion that is both fair and timely.
Each and every one of those families involved in those cases has suffered enough. Each and every person who might end up accused of a crime as a result of the outcome of the coroner’s hearing deserves a resolution too – so that they might be charged if they need to be charged or walk free with their good name intact if there is nothing to answer.
There is an old legal saying that justice delayed is justice denied. Long delays in delivering justice can harm victims, families, defendants – and faith in the justice system itself.
Promises that investigations are under way from police – only for there never to be an update on what is happening with those investigations – cause people to lose belief in the police force itself.
In the case of the Atlantis nightclub attack victim, it has been two years. Last week, we heard about an investigation being launched into police officers recorded on camera refusing to allow a woman access to bathroom facilities. Will that investigation take two years?
When will we hear an update on that?
People need to believe that if they call for help from police, they will be answered – and taken seriously. Cases such as these undermine that belief – and the reputation of the force itself. We must not leave victims and their families waiting for months, adding insult to the injury they have already suffered.
We must look out for each other
EDITOR, The Tribune.
WE’VE all seen it happen. A friend or family member is struggling, and we know something’s wrong. We see the warning signs, hear the cries for help, but do nothing. We tell ourselves it’s not our business, that someone else will step in. But what if no one does? There are times when all of us should speak up, even if it’s embarrassing, to prevent something more uncomfortable or even catastrophic from happening. We can tell stories or hear of families and friends facing adverse situations. We see the warning signs. We even talk about it with others, but do nothing . Yet in the end, we regret that we didn’t say something to the one teetering
Picture of the day
Act must fix commonage land too
EDITOR, The Tribune.
I MuST voice my strong objection to the critical flaw I have identified in the Adjudication of Land Act, 2025. I trust that your publication will print this letter so that it reaches those responsible for drafting and refining this legislation. There is still time to correct what would otherwise become an unjust and incomplete law.
The call for a modern land registry in The Bahamas is both timely and necessary. However, moving forward without addressing long-standing and systemic land issue involving Commonage Land in Exuma (Ramsey, Mount Thompson) and Savannah Sound, Eleuthera, risks the continued disenfranchisement of many Bahamians with ancestral rights to these lands.
• Cannot pass the land to their heirs through a Will. In short, Commonage land has no collateral value, no inheritance security, and no legal protection, an untenable situation in this 21st Century Bahamas.
and:
• Repeal the Commonage Act, 1896, along with the outdated Rules (Mount Thompson and Ramsay Commoners Rules, 1961 and Savannah Sound Commonage Rules, 2004) which are no longer applicable to today’s social, economic, or legal realities.
• Amend the Land Adjudication Act, 2025 before it is gazette to explicitly include Commonage land in the adjudication process.
on the cliff’s edge or about to step mindlessly into quicksand. We just did nothing. We visit them in the hospitals and prisons. Worse, we cry at their funerals. We saw that it was about to happen, but did nothing. It’s always easier to do nothing in a difficult time, but that is not why we are here. It’s our duty as human beings to look out for each other. God looks for people who will take the initiative to speak the truth in hard places, say the painful ouch that needs to be said, and cut the tragedy off.
Family and friends suffer casualties, mental and physical sickness, business loss, and income/jobs.
It’s not easy to see your loved one who was the life of the party last month
now being laid to rest, or to know that the life savings you invested into a business no longer exist, or to be summoned to the office to be told your job is now redundant.
These are all life-changing scenarios that can drive a person to untoward circumstances.
We see the signs, we hear the plea for help, yet we do nothing. But tomorrow, we say to ourselves, “I should have said something. I could have subverted that incident and saved a life, but I did nothing.”
And then we cry, uncontrollably.
May God forgive us.
God bless the Bahamas.
ANTHONY PRATT
New Providence, July 19, 2025.
The government must be commended for initiating legislative reform to create a more reliable and equitable landholding system. Part VI of the Land Adjudication Act, 2025 specifies the intent of the Act, which is to “promote confidence in the landholding system and facilitate land transactions by providing a clear, reliable and legally recognised basis for land ownership across The Bahamas”. Yet, a glaring contradiction exists at the heart of the Bill; Commonage Land is excluded. This is not a minor oversight, but a critical flaw that undermines the very goals the law seeks to achieve. Why Commonage Land must be included in land reform?
The Commonage Act of 1896 was enacted under a colonial regime, which permitted communal use of land but denied and/ or limit land ownership to the masses. Over 100 years later, that outdated framework remains in place. As a result, families on Commonage land:
• Have no legal title to the land they occupy.
• Cannot mortgage or sell the land.
The Land Adjudication Act allows the minister to declare “adjudication areas” where people without title but with long-term historical possession can pursue legal ownership. However, the Act as drafted denies countless Bahamians any legal pathway to formalise their occupancy or secure land rights, despite generations of residency. Why is this exclusion so problematic? Because it locks current occupants of Commonage Land in the same landless status as their ancestors, perpetuating legal and economic exclusion. Meanwhile, the Commonage system operates without accountability. Land Committees deny rightful access to persons with ancestral claims. Illegal sales go unpunished. Administrators fail in their statutory duty to identify and register lawful commoners, leaving many unrecognised. The legal right to be registered as a commoner remains murky and unenforced. Successive governments have left the Commonage system as it is, unchecked, and plagued by irregularities.
The Government has described the Land Reform Bills as “transformative”, offering Bahamians certainty, empowerment, and economic opportunity. But for those living on Commonage land, these promises ring hollow. Exclusion means land reform will be partial, benefiting some while neglecting many. If land reform is to be fair and truly national the government must take bold steps
• Bring accountability and transparency to Commonage Land. Conduct a Land Audit to determine the acreage and boundaries of Commonage Land, issuance to occupants, unissued, verify lawful occupancy; determine unlawful occupancy and illegal sales of Commonage Land.
• Empower Adjudication Officers to review, update, and complete the Commoners’ registries where Administrators have failed.
• Establish a legal pathway for lawful Commoners to claim, secure, and convert communal occupancy into formal, individual land title allowing access to the economic opportunities that legal ownership provides. In summary, the exclusion of Commonage land from the Land Adjudication Act, 2025 weakens the credibility and equity of national land reform. Thousands of Bahamians living on these lands will remain trapped in outdated laws, without access to ownership, credit, inheritance, or justice. This is a defining moment for land justice in The Bahamas.
No group of Bahamians should be excluded, especially not those with deep ancestral ties to the land. Let us not rush ahead with flawed legislation. Let us fix the foundation before we build the house, Commonage Land must be included for land reform to be complete, just, and truly transformative.
EMILY T FERGUSON Nassau, July 18, 2025.
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An unbreAkAble bond.
Photo: Charmaine Albury
Child left severely disabled due to mishandled birth
documents, the child’s mother arrived at Princess Margaret Hospital around 4.15am on August 5, 2012.
the outcome and, according to the child’s father, even joked it was his “most difficult delivery” and that “they were trying to mess up his record”.
The child’s injuries were traced to hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE), a brain injury caused by oxygen deprivation during delivery. The court found this was the result of prolonged and failed attempts at a vaginal delivery when a caesarean section should have been performed. According to court
Dr Carey tried to deliver the baby using a vacuum extractor and later forceps, but both efforts failed.
The plaintiff’s father, who was present, described Dr Carey as appearing flustered and unsure of how to proceed. When he suggested a caesarean section, Dr Carey allegedly replied it was “too late” and would cost more.
After 30 minutes of unsuccessful attempts, another doctor, Dr Harold Bloomfield, was called
and delivered the baby at 11.45am using forceps. The child was born unconscious, not breathing, and with the umbilical cord around his neck. He was resuscitated and admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
In the weeks and years that followed, the child was diagnosed with a series of debilitating conditions, including West Syndrome, Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, microcephaly, and permanent neurological impairment. Medical experts testified that he will require round-the-clock care for the rest of his life.
Plaintiff’s counsel argued that Dr Carey lacked the skill to use the vacuum and forceps properly, failed to move to a timely caesarean section, and left the baby in the birth canal for too long, leading to severe oxygen deprivation. Expert witness Dr John Busowski testified that the injury could have been avoided if a C-section had been attempted after the first failed attempt at vaginal delivery.
Dr Carey denied wrongdoing, claiming he was fully trained in the use of delivery instruments and that neither the vacuum nor the forceps were responsible
for the injuries. He argued developmental abnormalities or other unknown factors may have caused the damage.
However, Justice Klein rejected this defence, citing inconsistencies in Dr Carey’s notes and testimony. He found that the doctor misjudged the baby’s position in the birth canal and persisted with a delivery plan that was no longer viable. The vacuum failed due to repeated cup detachments, and forceps could not lock because of the baby’s malpositioned head.
Justice Klein ruled Dr Carey’s actions fell “below
the standard expected of a physician skilled in the field of obstetrics with a significant practice in that area.” He concluded that the child’s injuries were directly caused by the doctor’s gross mismanagement of the delivery. The awarded damages cover the cost of future medical care, nursing, equipment, lost earnings, and compensation for pain and suffering.
Krystal Rolle, KC, and Shantelle Munroe represented the plaintiff. Damian Gomez, KC, and Owen Wells represented Dr Carey.
Murdered father was trying to rebuild life after jail
asked her for a favour, then said he was “going to walk around the corner”.
Moments later, she got a call that he had been shot.
“I was asking them if he was still in the road and they said ‘yeah they
waiting on the ambulance or whatever’ and when I come here, he was already covered up, he was already gone,” she said.
She now faces the trauma of telling her son that his father is dead, her second time breaking such news to a child.
“Everything was his
daddy,” she said. “You could tell him something negative about he daddy. He didn’t care. He loved his daddy. My baby never forgot when his daddy teach him how to count.”
She acknowledged Laureville’s troubled past, including a drug-related conviction and time in
Over 1,000 Bahamians register security cameras with RBPF
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
MORE than 1,000 Bahamians have registered their security cameras with the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF), part of an expanding surveillance initiative aimed at tackling crime through real-time monitoring.
The push is being led by Assistant Commissioner of Police Zhivargo Dames, who has repeatedly called for residents and businesses to enrol.
prison, but said he had been trying to rebuild his life. He had suffered emotionally after his release, especially after losing his mother and facing legal and immigration issues.
“He was going crazy,” she said. “That wasn’t the Jimmy I meet or the Jimmy I know.”
In recent years, she said, he found some peace: attending church, growing closer to God, and spending more time with his son.
“Like I say, he wasn’t no saint,” she said. “He been through troubles in his past but I ain’t gone lie, Jimmy didn’t deserve that.”
Police said they were
a darkcoloured vehicle pulled up and someone inside opened fire.
Man accused of assaulting his girlfriend and stealing over $5,000 froM her purse
Mr Dames said the system helps police access footage faster and respond more effectively to incidents. Previous calls for public registration drew pushback from residents concerned about surveillance overreach and personal privacy.
Mr Dames said registering CCTV systems with the police allows residents to submit footage directly when incidents occur on or near their property. He added that once registered, people no longer need to wait for officers to request video, as the footage can be uploaded through the FUSUS platform.
Police say registration is voluntary and free.
The initiative is powered by FUSUS, a platform launched in 2023 that links tools like CCTVs, ShotSpotter, body-worn cameras, drones, and electronic monitoring into a central command centre.
Residents can choose whether to share live access or provide footage after incidents. Even doorbell cameras can be linked.
When the programme launched, only 24 people had registered. Police say participation has since grown substantially, but more is needed to maximise coverage.
At launch, Mr Dames pointed to successes in other jurisdictions, noting that Atlanta saw more than 13,000 cameras added under a similar programme. He described the system as offering “enhanced crime prevention, improved police response times (and) increased public safety community engagement”.
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A 35-YEAR-OLD man was granted bail on Friday after being accused of assaulting his girlfriend and stealing more than $5,000 from her last month.
Acharniko Evans
appeared before Senior Magistrate Kendra KellyBurrows on charges of causing harm and stealing.
Prosecutors allege that on June 9 in New Providence, Evans assaulted his girlfriend, Amaria Richardson, and stole $5,780 from her purse. Evans pleaded not guilty to both charges.
The court set bail at $2,500 with one or two sureties. As a condition of his release, Evans must report to the Carmichael Road Police Station on the first Monday of every month.
His trial is scheduled to begin on October 14.
Sergeant Vernon Pyfrom prosecuted the case.
called to the intersection of West Street and Patton Street shortly after midnight, where they found the victim lying dead with gunshot wounds. According to initial reports, he was drawing water when
the stories behind the news
MONDAY, JULY 21, 2025
The crisis we cannot ignore
By MALCOLM STRACHAN
THE latest warning over travel to Haiti should not be needed for anyone who has given even half a glance at the state of that nation – even more curious is that what seems to have prompted it is an incident involving a massive drug bust that left three Bahamians dead.
If indeed the three who were killed were part of a drug operation, there will be little sympathy for them. If you choose to put your head in a lion’s mouth, you can’t be surprised if one day it bites you.
Police said that the boat on which the alleged traffickers were killed was carrying a ton of cocaine when it was intercepted near Tortue Island off the north coast.
The Associated Press reported that the suspects were ordered to raise their hands, but raised their guns instead. An exchange of gunfire later and two were shot and floating in the ocean, a third died on shore, while the fourth was injured and arrested – although The Tribune reported he later died after reaching a clinic on shore. Three of the dead were Bahamian and one was Jamaican.
It is hard to say if this is an accurate description of what happened, however. There seems to be a lot of confusion, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs seemed to be trying its best to work its way through that confusion.
Prior to the travel alert, it issued a statement saying it was still awaiting the “formal notification from the Haitian Government as to what transpired on Sunday 13 July 2025”. It added: “We will not issue a formal statement until the Ministry has been provided with an official account of what transpired by Haitian authorities. We are in touch with the
“How do you fail to notice shanty buildings popping up on Elbow Cay? It’s a small area with a high amount of traffic.”
authorities and are pressing them to respond.”
As I write this, that formal statement has not yet emerged. It should not come as a surprise that there is confusion over what is happening in Haiti. Confusion has been the country’s modus operandi for months now, with Haiti continuing to be ripped apart by gangs and with no meaningful
sign of light at the end of the tunnel.
Worse perhaps, there remains in the country a persistent distrust of any kind of outside intervention.
That may not be surprising given the blame that lies at the feet of UN peacekeepers for introducing cholera to Haiti after they were stationed there in the aftermath of the 2010
earthquake. About 10,000 deaths are attributable to that outbreak.
Recently, the Colombian President, Gustavo Preto, arrived in Haiti as part of a show of support – while the opening of a Colombian embassy was also announced.
The Colombian administration has offered to train Haitian officers – but the offer is undermined by the fact that 17 former Colombian soldiers continue to be interrogated in Haiti for their alleged involvement in the 2021 murder of Haitian President Jovenel Moise.
A promised press conference with Preto failed to happen, showing a lack of confidence in the safety of holding such an event, while one man gathered outside the new embassy said pointedly to reporters: “We had a president. They killed him.”
The drug seizure in the incident involving Bahamians is a remarkable one for the Haitian police in recent times.
The force is underfunded and overrun. A multinational force led by Kenyan officers, and of which The Bahamas is a contributory member, has done little to dent the gang violence that continues to sweep across the nation.
A UN report recently said that between October and the end of June, 4,864 people had been killed, while hundreds of others had been kidnapped, raped and trafficked.
More than 1.3 million people have also been displaced in recent years.
Where have those 1.3 million gone? Well, some have been displaced internally. Some have gone to the US, where they are among some of the many Haitians facing a clampdown on migration by the administration of President Donald Trump.
And plenty have come here too.
Why do they come here?
Because while we might complain about Haitians in our nation, we are the ones who employ them.
Last week, former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis was right when he said the
problem with enforcing immigration laws is not our borders, it is greed and corruption among ourselves. He said: “They put a few dollars in the application. They know exactly where to go, who to see. Those are the problems. Until we deal with the problems, nothing will happen. We are the problem.”
There is plenty of reason to criticise Dr Minnis for not fixing the problem when he was in charge –but he is right. Look at the situation and you will see that Haiti is not likely to change for the better any time soon. The gangs are in control and people who have the chance to get out will take it. Here in The Bahamas, we have a need for a workforce but an unwillingness to acknowledge that need. Too many pay people for a job they may not have a permit for, and fail to ask whether the person is living here legally or holed up in a shanty town somewhere. A recent report said there are shanty properties over near Hope Town. How do you fail to notice shanty buildings popping up on Elbow Cay? It’s a small area with a high amount of traffic. Locals will have seen faces that have been there long term. Too often we turn a blind eye to such things. We cannot fail to regulate and enforce and then act outraged when the things we could have stopped continue on regardless.
Haiti is a political mess, and will continue to be so – and the exodus of its people will continue. Who can blame them? They face the risk of being raped and murdered in their homes. Wouldn’t you want to protect your family and get them away from that?
How we deal with that is up to us. We can acknowledge it, accommodate it, or toughen up against it. What we cannot do is ignore it, all so a few Bahamians can tuck some extra dollars in their back pockets. And yet, that seems to be what we continue to do.
When the doctor becomes a patient
As a child, with all our time in surplus, the rhythm of life felt slow and warmly repetitious. Justin (an alias) has only happy memories of growing up in Tallahassee, Florida, during the early 80s with his two brothers and sisters. As he got older, he set his sights on a sports goal, becoming a professional soccer player. But on the day of tryouts for his school’s soccer team, his brother accidentally dropped a 45-pound weight on the ground that bounced and landed on Justin’s small toe. The pain and swelling were immediate. Forty-five pounds of weight on a small toe is the kind of crushing pain that sends chills up your spine. Justin was rushed to the emergency room. The X-ray was positive for a fracture. He never tried out for the soccer team that year or any year following. His youthful dream faded but, in its place, a new one began to emerge.
By the age of 17, Justin knew he wanted to be a doctor. He shadowed his neighbour, a podiatrist, at work and that cemented his aspiration. He went to the University of Florida and then Temple University in Philadelphia before completing his residency at Emory Hospital and DeKalb Medical Center both in Atlanta, GA.
Today, now 15 years in practice, Justin is a master of his craft. A skilled foot and ankle surgeon who wields a scalpel with gifted hands and a steady focus. I know him well. We trained together, roomed together during podiatry medical school and almost two decades after graduating we remain close friends and professional colleagues despite the distance of our lives and practices. Justin married, has a family and lives in Virginia. I returned to my home in The Bahamas. I know better than most, that the sterile operating theatre is where Justin’s soul dances. He controls the symphony of his domain with sharp but cool precision. Like me, he’s amputated toes, reset shattered bones with metal plates and screws, cut out infected bone and given hope to those who would have otherwise lost their limbs, all the while remaining emotionally unscathed by the kind of fragility he surgically repairs.
But all this changed seven weeks ago on the last saturday of May when the healer was broken and the doctor became the patient.
Justin had just finished his morning cup of coffee. His youngest daughter had a dance recital later
‘Laying there in the dark surrounded by healing and humility he learned what text books and 16-hour work days in the hospital could have never taught him; that being healed was far more terrifying than being the healer.’
By Dr Kenneth D Kemp
that day and he distinctly recalled how lucky he felt that after five days of nonstop rain, it was finally sunny outside. It was still early so Justin decided to do a small amount of yard work, figuring that in less than an hour he would have time to clear up the leaves and debris left by the rain and still have plenty of time to shower and rest. He went outside in pajamas and flip flops. Unfortunately, he failed to account for how slippery the wet grass was and as he collected all the cut branches and walked towards his curb, he slid, lost his balance and began to fall.
Justin heard a loud crack and as he fell, he let out a piercing scream. He looked down and saw his mangled
leg bent in half. He immediately knew his fibula, one of the two bones in the lower leg, was broken. The talus bone in his ankle was so markedly displaced that it nearly protruded through the skin. Justin immediately grabbed his foot and closereduced his lower extremity back into proper alignment. Fortunately, pain had not fully kicked in yet and he laid there praying that the internal damage was not as bad as he imagined. He yelled for help over and over but he was too far from the house for anyone to hear him. He grabbed his big toe to prevent it from dislocating and crawled silently with an urgency he had never before experienced personally, trying to make it back to his
home and family including his daughter who he left excited and nervous about her recital. Because the affected bones (and the tendons that connect them to muscle) were so unstable, they kept dislocating as he moved. He held on as much as possible until he made it to his back door. With all the breath he had left to muster, he cried out once again for help and this time his family heard him and flew into action. But just as a cobbler’s kids go begging for shoes, Justin’s home was painfully bereft of emergency supplies. Everything he needed was at his office or in the hospital. His wife found an empty Amazon box, game him duct tape
and he made a make-shift splint that had to suffice. He crawled through the house to the garage. At the same time, an Amazon driver showed up to deliver a package and watched as an un-shaven Justin in his mud-soiled pajamas and stained hands, a flip flop on one foot and a box taped to his other, tried to pull himself into his wife’s car. The driver, staring in disbelief and a look of grave concern, carefully laid the box down and left. In the moment, the driver’s presence was a nuisance but in retrospect, it adds some levity to the day.
By the time Justin got to the ER, he’d already alerted one of his on-call residents of the situation so his hospital team was ready for him when he arrived. The initial X-ray showed a comminuted fibula fracture with a small proximal spike fragment. Justin tore his deltoid muscle. He also sustained a posterior malleolar fracture. Unfortunately, the swelling in his foot and ankle was far too substantial to operate. Doctors applied a posterior splint allowing him to weight bear with crutches waiting for the swelling to subside. In the meantime, he went to work and even performed surgery but by the end of the week, his ankle had doubled in size. Justin stopped working, began icing the area more consistently and his swelling improved. It was then that he realised that his lab coat had become invisible. Being a doctor couldn’t help him. He needed to be a patient.
Two weeks after the injury he underwent an open reduction and internal fixation of his fractures.
On the day of his surgery there were no pre-operative scans for him to review or post-operative report to dictate. As he was wheeled into the very same operating theater that he’d so many times commanded, Justin relinquished control and was at his most vulnerable beneath a scalpel that followed someone else’s command. But after surgery, when the last of the anesthesia had been expelled from his lungs, Justin was a changed man.
Laying there in the dark surrounded by healing and humility he learned what text books and 16-hour work days in the hospital could have never taught him; that being healed was far more terrifying than being the healer.
Another lesson would soon be solidified. On his way home from the hospital, a pick-up truck slammed into his wife’s
sUV while they were at a stop sign. Justin’s head slammed forward as the car was dragged several feet. Fortunately, neither he nor his wife were injured. It was the second time in a matter of days that Justin would gain a greater appreciation for caregivers. This time it was his wife. With minimal concern for herself, she focused on him and his surgical site. For that and their safety he will be forever grateful.
Justin was off for one week following his surgery and returned to work for half-day shifts after that. Three weeks later, he transitioned to a CAM boot and a few days ago he was able to weight bear with the aid of that boot. He hopes to start physical therapy soon and then transition to an ankle brace.
Throughout this entire ordeal, Justin says his pain level was minimal, manageable with nothing stronger than Advil and Tylenol. That’s taught him to rely less on prescribing narcotics and more on frequent post operative visits, elevation, a consistent icing regimen and oral anti-inflammatories.
He also has a greater appreciation for what patients go through trying to get in and out of a shower and getting up and down stairs so the need to ensure that patients, especially the elderly, have some home care assistance is essential during the healing process. Justin trains surgical residents and serves as a member of the residency training committee at his hospital so he intends to share what he’s learned with them every chance he can for many years to come.
As an adult, the rhythm of life is fast and unpredictable. Today, in his clinic Justin walks with a steady limp and a crisp white lab coat. He walks taller knowing that his greatest days as a healer now lie ahead and that his patients are no longer just Lego pieces to reconnect but also silent stories of endurance that echo the very same resilience he once took for granted.
This is The KDK Report.
• Nicknamed ‘The Prince of Podiatry’, Dr Kenneth D Kemp is the founder and medical director of Bahamas Foot and Ankle located in Caves Village, Western New Providence. He served as the deputy chairman for the Health Council for five years and he currently sits on the board of directors for the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation in his role as co-vice-chairman.
A stinging sl Ap: DiD it
hurt politic Al power or press freeDom?
When it occurred, in the early 1970s in Guyana, it caused a serious period of apprehension. In what was seen as an abuse of power, a politician in Guyana slapped Rickey Singh, an intrepid journalist, because he was displeased with the content of a newspaper report. The incident was a watershed moment, and the resulting concern occupied politicians, journalists and the general public. Did this slap signal the end of free media and the beginning of political dictation or even tyranny?
The question reverberated around the region. Media organisations, liberal academics, and politicians were all alarmed. At that moment, Rickey Singh embodied the aspirations and rights of freedom of speech. For his part, the politician represented the coercive force of political power, suggesting that violent measures, instantly and unilaterally applied, would silence criticism in any form. Fortunately, the overwhelming response of every sector of Caribbean society was revulsion at the incident. In that moment, any worse explicit abuse of power retreated into the shadows, not to fade but to assume less vulgar forms. And legitimate media freedom breathed a sigh of relief. This conflict between freedom of the press and political power existed before the stinging slap. It continues to be manifest today in many societies, including those that claim to be bastions of democracy. The problem has not disappeared, but in Guyana in the 1970s, a line was drawn, however faintly. The slap did not seal his lips—it magnified his message. It unveiled the fragile veneer of power impervious to principle and showcased the unyielding spirit of a journalist who refused to bow.
The region owed Rickey Singh a debt of gratitude for his courage in standing up for freedom, even, quite literally, in the face of abuse.
In that spirit, I reproduce below the eulogy I delivered at Rickey Singh’s funeral on Wednesday, July 16, at the People’s Cathedral in Barbados.
I am honoured to join you today to celebrate the life of Rickey Singh — a man whose pen bore the weight of our region’s
World View
By SIR RONALD SANDERS
hopes, whose voice dared to confront power, and whose spirit embodied the Caribbean’s pursuit of unity, justice, and true inclusion.
Rickey wielded truth as both a shield and a sword. In our small states, he reminded us that words based in truth could confront wrong and demand justice. his fearless journalism came at a cost: his self-exile from his native Guyana, threats of deportation in Trinidad, and the withdrawal of his work permit in Barbados. All of these forced painful separations from his beloved wife, Dolly, and from their children, whom he supported with unwavering devotion. his love for family and duty to them remained unshaken, a testament to his enduring integrity.
Yet, hardship only steeled his resolve. Despite the indignities he endured — including the sting of a slap from a politician — Rickey never failed to be generous to the very leaders whose actions he criticised.
The question continues to haunt politics and journalism: Who was harmed by that slap? – the perpetrator and political power, or the victim and the right of free speech? One answer is that Rickey was upstanding in his conduct and outstanding in his quiet and dignified response. So much so that many leaders honoured him with their friendship and sought political differentiation by their association with him.
Since the birth of CARIFTA in 1968 and the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas in 1973, the dream of “One Caribbean” has moved too slowly. Institutions have been formed, and committees have met, yet unity remained elusive. Rickey would not accept timid progress.
Through incisive columns and commanding commentary, he held successive leaders accountable for the promise of regional integration, urging them to dismantle the invisible walls between
our countries and see our destinies as interwoven. his unfaltering advocacy ensured that the dream of an integrated Caribbean stayed alive.
In his native Guyana, detractors sought to tarnish Rickey’s reputation, branding him “racist.” nothing could be further from the truth. his lifelong devotion to his wife, Dolly, of African heritage, and his deep brotherhood with hubert Williams — also of Guyanese African heritage — stood as living refutations of those slanders.
Rickey yearned for the day when politically manipulated racism in Guyana would yield to a one society nation, where every citizen stood equal in dignity and opportunity. his pen battled the bigotry of division, always summoning the people of his native country to benefit from their shared humanity.
I count Rickey among the people I respect most in my life. h is ready smile and easy laughter were a balm, and his counsel a guiding light. h e called on us to embody his principles: courage in the face of intimidation, integrity when capitulation would have been the easier path, and an unshakeable belief in social justice and the rights of all people.
Though Rickey’s voice was stilled on July 5, his words still resonate. h is example will ignite the passions of younger generations. Leaders will remember his unyielding defence of right and rights and know that power divorced from principle is hollow.
And we, the peoples of this region, will hear his clarion call in the echoes of our minds: to bind ourselves closer, not by convenience, but by conviction; and that our strength lies in unity, justice, and dignity for all.
• The author is the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the OAS, and Dean of the OAS Ambassadors accredited to the OAS. Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com.
Rickey Singh
Community-based treatmenthelping the suicidal find healing
By Katherine Farrington, psychology student at trinity College, Dublin and Dr David allen, leading psychiatrist
Suicide statistics in The Bahamas are at alarming levels. Between 2000 and 2013, there were 96 suicides across the country, with a male-tofemale ratio of 7:1. More recently, we’ve seen six suicides in 2023, eight in 2024, and six already by March of this year. A new nationwide mental health survey found that nearly one in four teenagers had considered suicide, and one in five had attempted it. Additionally, the survey found loneliness and self-harm have more than doubled since the late 1990s.
To better understand what lies behind this disturbing trend, with the help of psychiatrist dr david Allen, i undertook an eight-week observational study of The Family: People Helping People Project, a community-based support group. There were approximately 100 attendees in total, including both men and women, and covering a wide range of ages. detailed field notes were written after every session of The Family. After attending over 30 sessions, a deductive thematic analysis was conducted on all field notes. Four major themes and accompanying sub-themes began to emerge: expression of suicidal struggles; social connection and belonging; coping; and the healing power of storytelling. One of the most important discoveries was that by simply talking about taboo topics such as suicidal thoughts, shame, grief, and abuse, people began to heal. Many participants spoke openly
about suicide, some had made attempts, or expressed periods of strong suicidal ideation. They were able to do so because of the environment in which they shared. it was a safe, supportive, and empathetic environment. Members listen to one another, and they offer support and advice. Another clear takeaway was how deeply loneliness plays into suicidal thoughts, and how The Family was able to minimise that sense of isolation. For some, long work hours or moving to The Bahamas from another country left them feeling lonely. For others, it was due to mental illness or stigma. The Family is able to reduce that isolation. Members exchange numbers, they build community, and most importantly, they minimise stigma just by talking openly and honestly. coping looked different for everyone, but there were common themes. Members spoke often about the importance of forgiveness, both of others and themselves. They talked about surrendering the things they couldn’t control, focusing on changing themselves rather than others, and trusting and relying on God. Through the group’s support, people began to feel empowered to better handle both everyday stressors and larger, more overwhelming challenges. And then there’s the storytelling. Again and again, members said that sharing their story helped them start to heal. it helped them face the shame they had carried, make sense of their pain, and begin to move forward. equally as important is hearing someone else’s story.
Members claim that hearing other people’s stories allows them to apply the lessons learned to their own challenges. in doing so, growth is fostered.
At the root of it all, what The Family provides is connection. it interrupts the isolation and emotional shutdown that often precedes suicide. it provides people with a safe, empathic, and consistent community.
Real Stories from The Family:
A gentleman from a family island struggled with extreme loneliness. He became tired of drinking alcohol as a coping mechanism and attempted to drink bleach to end his life.
A man came to The Family and spoke of the extreme grief he experienced after his wife passed. He spoke of sitting alone on the beach and wanting to walk to another island. He began to walk to the water, but he heard a song from his childhood, and this stopped him. At the time, he did not see this as a suicide attempt, but later recognised it as such.
A woman came to The Family and spoke of a childhood full of unrelenting hardship. She spoke of attempting to take pills to end her life.
At a recent Family Programme meeting, a young man struggling with severe depression confessed that he had nearly taken his own life with a gun. He connected with one of The Family facilitators, who shared her own story of despair as a pregnant teenager. Her words deeply resonated with him. The facilitator continued to check on him daily. Through her care, he regained his will to live. Now, he has found purpose in helping others facing similar struggles.
Another clear takeaway was how deeply loneliness plays into suicidal thoughts, and how The Family was able to minimise that sense of isolation.
Suicidal struggles can present themselves in a multitude of ways. But behind it, there is almost always pain, shame, and loneliness. The results of
this study show that The Family offers a space to grow and heal, to address one’s hurt and begin their healing. The way The Family handles grief, shame, and pain mirrors what community-based treatment aims to do: provide consistent, safe, and accessible support.
The Family does not offer quick fixes. instead, it supports members as they learn to carry their pain, understand it, and grow through it.
• The Family is a groupbased resocialisation
intervention designed by Dr Allen to confront social chaos such as violence, addiction, and different forms of abuse. At its core, The Family uses a group process that mirrors the structure of a home-based family. The Family provides a safe and non-judgmental environment that offers support, community, and self-discovery to its members. Ultimately, the goal is to improve socialisation, even in the face of high crime, broken families, and economic hardship. To seek help, call The Family on 557 3172.
Tributes paid to diplomat Missouri Sherman-Peter
ANGELA Missouri
Sherman-Peter, who held a series of senior diplomatic and public service roles, has died.
Tributes poured in for the diplomat, more commonly known as Missouri, who was a pioneer in many fields.
In a statement on Friday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “We are deeply saddened by the death of Her Excellency Angela Missouri Sherman Peter, ODC, today in New York City, surrounded by her loved ones.”
Throughout her career, she served in several high-ranking posts, including Consul General in New York; Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations; High Commissioner to Canada and Non-Resident High Commissioner to Zimbabwe; and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary and Special Envoy.
She also held the position of assistant director in the Political Affairs Division of the Commonwealth Secretariat from 1994 to 1997.
At the United Nations, she served as Chef de Cabinet for the President of the 58th session of the General Assembly from 2003 to 2004.
In the Bahamian public service, she served as Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Attorney General, and the Ministry of National Security.
Her final post before retirement was as Ambassador and Permanent Observer for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to the United Nations. In 2024, she was awarded the Order of Distinction in the Independence Honours.
In 2013, when she received the US Embassy’s International Women of Courage Award, she spoke of how her drive to help women “hold up half the sky and carry the weight of the world” was inspired by her mother, Effie LaFleur Sherman. Missouri had 15 siblings.
She said at the time: “The one lesson that is pivotal to me is that you will not always experience the world at its best; but if you do your best, and dedicate yourself to making a difference in the lives of others, you will, in my mother’s words, make your life count.”
In 2021, she told The Tribune she never saw a stove in her parents’ house until she was a teenager. She recalled
how she and her sisters collected firewood for their outdoor kitchen, carrying it on their heads in a way she said contributed to their excellent posture.
She said: “We lived a very difficult life.
Everything was handed down from one child to the next – all of our clothers, shoes (and other children at school would tease us for it). Everything was handed down except the brain – you had to have one of your own.”
Speaking about her career, she said: “You are doing your work for the good of the entire world, but always with your own country in mind. In multilateral relations, we are working for the
betterment of people and countries across the globe. In bilateral relations, you are working on the relations between another country and your own. So, the work of diplomacy is for your country and the world.”
Man accused of murder of Philip Adderley withdraws bail application
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
ONE of the men accused in the murder of Phillip Adderley, whose bound body was found near Stuart’s Cove last year, has withdrawn his bail application and will remain in custody until his trial. Dontee Riley, 27, appeared before Justices of Appeal Milton Evans, Indra Charles, and Gregory Smith to formally retract his application for release. He will remain at the Bahamas
Man charged with injuring girlfriend in front of child
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN accused of seriously injuring his girlfriend after beating her in front of her child was granted bail on Friday.
Jermaine Taylor, 28, was arraigned on a charge of grievous harm before Senior Magistrate Anishka Isaacs. Taylor allegedly beat 25-year-old Ashenique Lewis, punching her to the face after the pair got into the argument in front of her four-year-old son on July 10 at their home. When the altercation proceeded to the outside of the house, Taylor allegedly choked Ms Lewis on top of her car and slammed her to
Department of Correctional Services pending the court proceedings. Riley was charged alongside Christian Napier, 29, and former Clifton Heritage Authority managing director, Mario Bannister, in connection with Adderley’s
fatal stabbing in August 2024. Riley and Napier face charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder, while Bannister is charged with being an accessory to murder.
Phillip Adderley’s body was found on August 15,
2024, partially submerged near an abandoned building close to Stuart’s Cove. Authorities launched an extensive investigation following the gruesome discovery. At the time, officials confirmed they were examining
a series of graphic WhatsApp messages and videos that surfaced on social media. These disturbing materials allegedly detailed how Adderley was lured into a remote area and killed, and included images and video footage of his body.
the pavement. The complainant reportedly suffered three fractured facial bones, nerve damage to the eye, a fractured tooth and injuries that may require facial surgery. Prior to charges, Ms Lewis told The Tribune that she felt dissatisfied with police response to the matter. Taylor pleaded not guilty. His bail was set at $5,000 with one or two sureties. Under the terms of his bail, he must sign in at the Nassau Street Police Station every Wednesday by 7pm. His trial is set to begin on October 28. Inspector K Bould served as the prosecutor.
t wo Months jail for injuring another woM an in altercation
By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A 26-YEAR-OLD woman was sentenced to two months in prison on Friday after admitting to assaulting another woman during a fight at a Paradise Island restaurant last week.
Kenyanna Mackey and co-defendant Devontae Kerr, 27, appeared before Senior Magistrate Anishka Isaacs on a charge of causing harm. Mackey reportedly struck Lakesha Dean multiple times following a verbal dispute at Carnivale restaurant around 11pm. on July 13. Dean sustained visible injuries, including bleeding and bruising. Mackey pleaded guilty to the charge, while Kerr entered a not guilty plea. Although she admitted to the assault, Mackey denied being the aggressor and claimed she acted in self-defence. Magistrate Isaacs sentenced Mackey to two months behind bars and ordered her to pay $200 in compensation to Dean or face an additional month in prison. She is expected to make the payment by October 21.
The court granted Kerr $1,200 bail with one or two sureties. His trial is set for October 23.
Diplomat Angela Missouri Sherman-Peter (left) pictured with Queen Elizabeth.
Celebration Key welcomes its first 5,000 passengers
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
CARNIVAL Cruise
Line officially opened its $600m private cruise destination, Celebration Key, in East Grand Bahama on Saturday, welcoming 5,000 passengers aboard the Carnival Vista, the first ship to dock at the long-awaited port.
Carnival president Christine Duffy and NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, the brand’s chief fun officer and ambassador, led the grand opening, which featured the launch of the port’s signature attraction: a ten-storey Sandcastle waterslide, flanked by the Caribbean’s largest freshwater lagoons. No government officials were present.
Ms Duffy hailed Celebration Key as a “game changer” for both Carnival and Grand Bahama. She said 20 Carnival ships from ten US homeports will call at the port, which is expected to draw two million guests this year. Starting next week, two ships will dock there daily.
The development features five zones: the family-focused Starfish Lagoon, the adult-only Calypso Lagoon, Bahamian craft market Lokono Cove, Paradise Plaza, and the exclusive Pearl Cove Beach Club. When two ships are in port, more than 12,000 visitors could be on-site at once.
About 1,200 Bahamians are employed at Celebration Key. More jobs are expected when Phase Two opens in June 2026, adding two berths and further landside attractions.
“This has been more than 25 years in the making,” Ms Duffy said. “So, this is incredible and truly is just the beginning. We will have visits from 20 Carnival Cruise ships from 10 different US homeports, calling here.”
“I think for Carnival Cruise we believe this is really a game changer for our brand. We hired 1,200 Bahamians who are working here, and I had the chance to meet many of them who said this has given them the ability to come home after Hurricane Dorian really devastated this island.”
Ms Duffy highlighted the critical partnership between Carnival, the Bahamian government, and the Grand Bahama community. She said the project was completed on time and on budget, and noted that guests can leave the port for excursions, shopping, and local experiences in Freeport.
“In June of 2026, we will be opening two additional berths here and of course a phase two landside development just adjacent to where we are today. And we will be announcing some exciting new guest features and experiences, which of course will require us to hire even more people. So it is a win, win and something very important to us and for this community as well,” she said.
Despite COVID-19 delays, Ms Duffy said Carnival has emerged stronger. “It’s been an incredible journey because obviously we started working on this many years ago,” she said.
“So today we are here with Carnival Vista and we have
5,000 guests that are experiencing this for the first time. This will be the only day where we only have one ship. From here on out next week, we will start with two ships calling here at Celebration Key every day.”
The Carnival Vista is on an eight-day cruise that departed Port Canaveral, sailing to Bonaire and Aruba before arriving at Celebration Key, its final port of call.
“Grand Bahama was the last port of call because it takes time to get down to the southern Caribbean. One on an eight-day cruise, we are able to get to the southern Caribbean, give people the experience of those islands, and then make this final stop on the way home. We saved the best for last,” she said.
Ahead of the opening, members of the Grand Bahama community were invited to preview Celebration Key. The destination is currently exclusive to Carnival Cruise Line passengers.
“We may have some of our sister brands that will make calls here, but primarily this has been designed for Carnival Cruise Line,” Ms Duffy explained.
The port can accommodate Carnival’s Excel-class ships, which carry up to 6,000 guests. Ms Duffy thanked Carnival’s executives, staff, international media, and trade partners for their roles in bringing the project to life.
Mr O’Neal greeted guests, posed for photos, shot hoops with children at the on-site basketball court, and mingled at the Pearl Cove Beach Club during Saturday’s festivities.
Carnival president Christine Duffy (left) and NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal arrived with 5,000 passengers aboard the Carnival Vista as Celebration Key welcomes its first official guests to the $600m private cruise destination in East Grand Bahama.
Carnival president Christine Duffy.