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VOLUME:114 No.178, AUGUST 9TH, 2017

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

BUSINESS: WILCHCOMBE DEFENDS INCREASE IN MINISTRY STAFF

Dames: Threats won’t scare us

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames vowed yesterday the government would not bow to threats as it strives to wipe out corruption.

His statement came after a tabloid report that he, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, Attorney General Carl Bethel and Minister for Legal Affairs Elsworth Johnson have all tightened security because of alleged threats to their lives.

The threats were allegedly made in response to the recent arrests and prosecution of three former Progressive Liberal Party members of Parliament.

Mr Dames refused to discuss the report directly but stressed the government would not be distracted “by

persons who feel or believe they can intimidate.”

And while not confirmed by police, a well-placed source in the Minnis administration told The Tribune yesterday the reports of the threats were true.

However, Press Secretary Anthony Newbold told reporters yesterday that he knows of “no credible threats to the prime minister or anyone else”. Mr Newbold also said the security detail “has not been beefed up” and “remains the same”.

When contacted, Assistant Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander told The Tribune he “has no information” regarding the alleged death threats.

However, he said “if it were true” police would take the matter “very seriously” and “act accordingly”.

SEE PAGE SIX

SILVER HERO

THE attorney for former Executive Chairman of the Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation Dion Smith and eight employees who were arrested and held overnight in connection with a theft case have written to the government seeking its position on liability in the matter.

According to their attorney Wayne Munroe, QC, the letters represent his clients’ attempt to resolve the matter before taking legal

THERE were 856 recorded cases of child abuse in the country last year, with neglect, physical abuse and sexual abuse accounting for 92 per cent of the total incidents reported to the Department of Social Services.

According to these latest statistics which were requested by The Tribune, between January and December 2016, officials saw 478 cases of neglect, 180 incidents of physical abuse and 130 cases of sexual abuse.

Incest followed as the fourth highest kind of child abuse reported to officials, with 33 incidents.

Emotional abuse, abandonment and verbal abuse, SEE PAGE THREE

STRANDED WITH $3.2M DRUGS CARGO THREE men are in police custody in connection with the discovery of $3.2m worth of marijuana in Andros on Emancipation Day. The incident took place around 4.30pm on Monday in Fresh Creek and marked the biggest drug bust for the year, according to officerin-charge of the Drug Enforcement Unit, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Samuel Butler.

Police said a team of officers from the North Andros Division went to an area in Fresh Creek, where they met a go-fast boat which appeared to have run aground.

SEE PAGE TWO

action. The letters request a favourable response within ten days.

The letters to the attorney general concern the workers’ “unreasonable” and “unlawful” detention during police investigations into complaints of “theft by reason of employment.”

In separate letters sent yesterday by Mr Munroe on behalf of Mr Smith and the other BAIC workers, the group alleges that their arrest and detention overnight was directly linked to their perceived political affiliation.

SEE PAGE SIX

VAT PROMISE STAYS ON HOLD

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

HURRICANE INSURANCE:

Are you Covered?

Covering The Bahamas for 40 years.

Nobody Does it Better!

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

MUNROE SETS DEADLINE OVER DION SMITH ARREST

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

CHILD ABUSE: 856 CASES IN JUST ONE YEAR

BAHAMIAN track star Steven Gardiner crosses the line to win the silver medal in the men’s 400m at the World Athletics Championships in London. South Africa’s Wayde Van Niekerk took the gold. See Sports for the full story.

Photo: David J. Phillip/AP

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THE government has to clean up the “mess” left behind by the former administration before it can make good on key campaign pledges like the repeal of value added tax on certain items, Press Secretary Anthony Newbold said yesterday.

Mr Newbold stressed that Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has not abandoned his campaign pledge to repeal VAT on breadbasket items at a press briefing held at the Office of the Prime Minister.

SEE PAGE THREE

PAGE 2, Wednesday, August 9, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

STRANDED WITH $3.2M DRUGS CARGO from page one

The officers conducted a search of the nearby bushes, where they uncovered 78 large packages containing nearly 3,202 pounds of marijuana. The estimated street value for the drugs is $3.2m.

Three adult males were arrested in connection with the find.

The discovering came one day after police seized two kilos of cocaine and 15 pounds of marijuana on a Haitian vessel off Inagua.

Police say shortly after midnight on Sunday, United States Coast Guard Officials handed over a

Haitian vessel that they intercepted in waters just off Inagua, to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Royal Bahamas Defense Force and the Immigration Department.

During a search of the vessel, two kilos of cocaine along with 15 pounds of marijuana were found. Ten adult male Haitian crew members of the vessel were taken into custody.

Investigations are continuing.

Anyone with information on any of these incidents is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.

DRUGS seized in Andros.

Investors to be encouraged to submit proposals for landfill

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net THE Minnis administration will encourage investors to submit waste-toenergy proposals during its landfill reform process, Environment Minister Romauld Ferreira said yesterday.

Ahead of the May election, the Christie administration released a request for proposals (RFP), giving private sector groups only eight days to submit a bid to take over the landfill’s management and remediation.

The Free National Movement (FNM) criticised the move, saying it was rushed.

The new FNM administration decided not to support that process even though two companies had submitted proposals along with their non-refundable $10,000 deposit.

The Christie administration’s tender document, however, was kept secret as companies wishing to participate in the process were required to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA).

Although reforming the landfill is seen as a key issue any administration would face following years of disruptive fires at the site, the Minnis administration has not yet started the process of drafting its own RFP as the matter has not yet been

addressed by Cabinet.

“It’s in the Office of the Prime Minister for consideration,” Mr Ferreira said. “The approval to go through the process will be done this month. The old RFP had lots of flaws.

That’s why it had only two responses. What we don’t want to do is what the last one did. It excluded wasteto-energy so it had a restriction on the creative processes of private enterprises.

“The landfill makes money out of two ways. It can produce revenue from waste-to-energy or you can make money from tipping fees. To eliminate the waste to energy component is to restrict the possibilities of your solutions. You’re say-

ing we know we can make up to 30 mega-watts from the landfill using methane but we’re not going to do that; you’re just going to concentrate on tipping fees, on recycling. If you’re in a private sector or potential investor, you’re not thinking you want to limit what you do. You want as many possible revenue streams as possible. If that happens then you can do offsets; maybe tipping fee don’t have to be as high.”

The Christie administration continually objected to waste-to-energy proposals. This was in part why it decided mid-term to give a contract to Renew Bahamas for remediation of the dump. Renew Bahamas ul-

timately pulled out.

Bahamian owned companies that had sought the contract were rejected at the time, with former Environment Minister Kenred Dorsett saying their proposal hinged on a waste-toenergy component.

A move that encourages waste-to-energy proposals could open the door for Stellar Waste to Energy, the company at the centre of a letter-of-intent controversy that erupted during the Christie administration, to become a part of the process.

Earlier this year, JeanPaul Michielson, the chief executive of the company, told Tribune Business if the government had approved

its project the woes of the landfill would have been solved.

The company was thrust into the spotlight three years ago when it was revealed that then Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Works Renward Wells signed a $650 million Letter of Intent with the company, reportedly without authorisation.

Mr Wells, after much wrangling over the issue, was fired by then Prime Minister Perry Christie over the matter. He subsequently left the PLP and joined the FNM. He was appointed minister of agriculture and marine resources after the May election.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, August 9, 2017, PAGE 3

Uncertainty still remains over future of Greenslade

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net AGAINST alarming homicide numbers and weeks of uncertainty over the police force’s hierarchy, National Security Minister Marvin Dames yesterday skirted questions on the status of Police Commissioner Ellison Greenslade amid speculation that he is considering a top foreign post.

In the weeks since these reports first surfaced, Commissioner Greenslade has remained out of the spotlight.

“We are in the business of governing,” Mr Dames told reporters outside of Cabinet on Tuesday morning.

“I have no comment on that, as I continue to say, we are in the business of governing. We are in the business of running a country and that is what we will continue to do and as we move ahead and as changes are made when it is appropriate, we will address those changes. But right now, I have nothing to say about that.”

In mid-July, The Tribune reported that it is understood that Commissioner Greenslade has been offered the post of high commissioner to London and was set to be replaced by Deputy Commissioner Anthony Ferguson.

It was also reported that Deputy Commissioner Emerick Seymour, now in charge of Freeport, will be transferred to Nassau as deputy commissioner.

As these reports surfaced, former Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Thompson told The Tribune he had also heard rumours that Commissioner Greenslade was being “forced out” of the Royal Bahamas Police Force. He said he was “very disappointed” by the reports.

Last month, former Free National Movement Chairman Darron Cash said he was troubled by Mr Dames’ silence on the matter.

COMMISSIONER of Police Ellison Greenslade.

Mr Cash suggested the optics of removing the police chief would make it hard for his successor to seem to be politically neutral.

He insisted that Commissioner Greenslade should not leave his post quietly and should instead force the government to fire him.

Mr Cash at the time added if there is justifiable cause for the commissioner to be removed, the government must inform the public.

Despite these views, however, there has been no clarification on how the government would move forward with Commissioner Greenslade.

Crime wave Since the May 10 general election, there have been 30 homicides, according to The Tribune’s records.

When asked about what the Minnis administra-

tion was doing to mitigate violent crime, Mr Dames promised “scientific and methodic approaches” were on the way, contending that issues facing the country had not manifested overnight.

“As I continue to say, this is a problem that has manifested itself over the decades and it’s a result of our failures as families (and) as Bahamians; and so the sooner we come to grips with that, the better we will be,” the Mount Moriah MP said.

“And that’s why we as a government continue to say that we intend to take a multi-agency approach to this problem; it will not be ad hoc. Most people would like to see a quick fix, we all would certainly, but this is not a quick fix thing.”

Mr Dames said the Minnis administration is in the process of bringing bills to

VAT PROMISE STAYS ON HOLD from page one

“He (Dr Minnis) still intends to live up to those promises made,” Mr Newbold said, “again when you hear from the minister of finance on any number of occasions, you all are always talking to him. He has to clean up what the government found, what was found, there was a mess and that has to be cleaned up before the prime minister goes and says we’re going to repeal VAT on breadbasket items.”

Before the election, Dr Minnis promised the FNM would remove VAT on breadbasket items, education, water and light bills, medicine, healthcare and insurance.

However, in the Speech from the Throne, read at the opening of Parliament in May, it was noted that the government intends to reduce VAT on breadbasket items, but not to repeal the tax on these items, or the other areas repeatedly

mentioned by Dr Minnis.

Yesterday, Mr Newbold said: “No, that would be irresponsible, it would probably add to the difficulty that we have now. No, the situation has to be cleaned up.

The prime minister assures me, as he assures the Bahamian people, he’s committed to live up to all those promises he made on the campaign trail, including repealing VAT on breadbasket items.”

Moving on to other matters, Mr Newbold underscored that Attorney General Carl Bethel will not recuse himself from any of the recent court cases for alleged bribery involving former MPs. Mr Newbold advised that Mr Bethel would not be making any public statements on any law enforcement matters, adding that press communication going forward would likely be restricted to his Senate contributions.

He flagged the role of the attorney general as mandat-

ed by the Bribery Act. “As the attorney general, (Mr Bethel) he must authorise all matters related to alleged bribery,” he said.

“He’s presented with the result of any investigation and in fact those investigations cannot be pursued without the approval of the attorney general.

Mr Newbold continued: “Further the attorney general will not be making any public comment on law enforcement matters, and I’m sure you can imagine that any comment from the attorney general would end up as ‘exhibit A’ in any trial that possibly results from any of these investigations.

“You want a statement from the AG it will probably come from him in the Senate.

“I like to note that the AG is also guided by the director of prosecutions before signing off on any incipient prosecution, and his signature on that fiat is the first thing that the judge is going to look for.”

CHILD ABUSE: 856 CASES IN JUST ONE YEAR from page one although smaller in scale to the other more serious incidents, were also recorded with 17, 13, and five cases respectively.

A further break down by island revealed that 76 per cent of all incidents happened in New Providence.

In the capital, 655 cases of child abuse were recorded. Neglect accounted for 389 incidents, physical abuse with 140 cases and there were 69 cases of sexual abuse. Official also said there were 31 cases of incest in New Providence.

In Grand Bahama, there were 91 reported cases of abuse. Of this number, 42 incidents of incest were recorded along with 30 cases of sexual abuse and 16 cases of physical abuse.

Officials recorded 33 overall cases of child abuse in Central Abaco, 24 in North Abaco, 12 in North Eleuthera, seven in Crooked Island, six in Central Andros, five in Harbour Island, Cat Island and South Abaco and three cases in South Eleuthera.

While child abuse numbers for 2015 were not readily available, there were less reported cases in 2014 and 2013.

Back in 2015, then Social Services Minister Melanie Griffin reported 597 cases of child abuse in 2014 and 487 cases in 2013.

According to the then minister, there were 243 cases of neglect, 173 physical abuse cases, 121 reports of sexual abuse, 37 cases of incest, nine cases of verbal abuse, eight abandonment cases and six emotional abuse cases in 2014.

In 2013, there were 257 cases of neglect, 113 cases of physical abuse, 95 cases of sexual abuse, five cases of verbal abuse, nine cases of emotional abuse, two cases of abandonment and six cases of incest.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff Parliament that will contribute to what the government is hoping to achieve in the long run.

He said the bills will bring about programmes that will see the community, the police and all stakeholders playing meaningful roles in assisting and reducing the problems with violent crimes.

“We are very confident once these programmes are implemented, the programmes should go a long way in helping address the problem. We will put in place measures, and measure the success of these programmes.

“Oftentimes we introduce programmes and we

tout how successful they are, but we have never done anything in measuring whether they are successful or not, or whether they are in need of adjusting.

“We will put in place scientific and methodic approach to address this problem but one thing is certain whatever we do moving forward, we will invite all spheres of society.”

PAGE 4, Wednesday, August 9, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

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Lazy tweeter or loyal to his base?

DONALD Trump made another magazine cover this week, but it is not flattering to him. Newsweek depicts the embattled US president slouched in a recliner with a bag of popcorn and cell phone in hand. The headline: Lazy Boy. As the president prepares to join the rest of Washington, DC, on an extended August holiday, he remains the most besieged American chief executive in modern times, vilified by much of the US media, the Democratic party opposition, a significant polled majority of the American people and, increasingly, his own Republican party.

Relations between Trump and the Republicans have taken a distinct turn for the worse in recent days. Pundits in the capital are pointing to his dismissal of chief of staff (and former GOP national chairman) Reince Priebus and to the resignation of chief spokesman Sean Spicer as further diminishing of the role and presence of the Republican party mainstream in the White House.

Trump’s apparent ambivalence on such Republican bellwether issues as repealing and replacing his predecessor’s Affordable Care Act have seen him alternately demanding that the GOP-dominated Congress pass an alternative health care plan and criticising that same Congress for the meanspiritedness of its proposals.

Perhaps in no area have the disintegrating relations between Trump and the Congressional Republicans been more in view than over sanctions Congress has strengthened against Russia for its interference in the 2016 US presidential election. After the sanctions were imposed anew

by Congress and Trump was virtually obliged to sign them into law, Russian president Vladimir Putin retaliated in true Cold War fashion by ordering the withdrawal of hundreds of US mission employees in various locations in Russia. Trump blamed his Republican congress for the deterioration of USRussian relations.

Now federal tax policy looms as an issue very much on Republican minds in Congress. As with most policy questions, it is hard to discern where Trump actually stands on taxes. Meanwhile, the New York Stock Exchange continues to rise to record high levels, and there is likely to be some real basis for business optimism over Trump tax policies, once they eventually emerge from the mists of his Twitter storms.

As Newsweek and other media

poke fun at Trump’s seemingly poor work ethic, they should not overlook an emerging hallmark of his presidency. Perhaps he has accomplished very little in his six-plus months in office, other than easy to enact regulatory refutations of his predecessor and seeing a reliable conservative onto the Supreme Court.

But Trump has remained unquestionably faithful to those who have remained as his obdurate 35% of voter support in national polls. He is stubbornly determined to pursue every aspect of his campaign promises, from building a southern border wall financed by neighbouring Mexico to Obamacare repeal to crippling US commitment to mitigate climate change.

Trump is apparently unconcerned that unflinching fealty to campaign rhetoric that more traditional politicians routinely finesse once elected or returned to office has often made him look fatuous and even unintelligent.

He clearly takes pride in his allegiance to his campaign proposals and ideas, many of which appear to be harmful to the US. His attack on the free trade initiatives of his most recent predecessors is a particularly glaring apostacy against long-standing Republican principles.

It is fair to wonder for how long Congressional Republicans such as House speaker Paul Ryan and Senate leaders will keep the faith with Trump.

In the last week, the president launched a caustic attack on Jeff Sessions, his attorney general and a popular former Republican Senator from Alabama. Sessions has been perhaps the most diligent commander in the continuing Republican assault on civil rights in the US GOP Senate leader Mitch McConnell has warned the White House against firing Sessions.

Congressional leaders of both parties have, meanwhile, risen to the defense of Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller, who is held in nearly universal high regard in both houses of Congress. Leaked information indicates that Mueller has now empanelled a DC grand jury to hear evidence against Trump and his campaign.

Mueller is directing a steady progression toward the possibility of impeachment. Congressional Republican disenchantment with the president can only make that future possibility even more a likelihood.

Huff and puff at court EDITOR, The Tribune.

A LOT of huff and puff held over from last week and the drama of the shame walk - what difference would it have made if Mr Gibson had used his crutches to security? For millions, the Ingraham Government built these new courts - I recall that in the design there is a secure side entrance where all accused were supposed to be taken and from where they securely were taken to cells in the building.

Ironically it was under the previous Government that the ‘Shame Walk’ started.

University of Bahamas ... oops who really has the right to the designation of ‘The Honourable’? Your advertisement of Alumni makes a real boo-boo ...

only sitting Ministers and Senators or persons who have been Minister for eight-years are in my understanding allowed to use ‘The Hon’ - you are a place of education next time check please.

Electronic Traffic Control system ... so Minister Frankie Campbell it seems money in the treasury is more important than saving lives? Oops again. Got it wrong, Minister.

Minister Campbell no improvement at the Post Office - almost 100 days since May 10th and we still possibly receive mail threemonths after it was sent. It has been said before buy ductless A/C units and install - solve the problem so that the sorters can work.

Ministers are travelling ... we all know of the delegation to CARlCOM - then

two others went off to London, IMO meeting - another somewhere in the Caribbean hoping all sat amongst The People, as we know it is The People’s Time and not with the mucker-mucks?

Can’t we be a lot more polite as to what we put on Facebook-What’s App, etc?

Too many charges, unsupported and full of libelCommissioner or the Acting one or the next Acting for the Acting please take note. These people need to be charged.

Crime scenes? If you ever want to find a khaki RBPF Officer head to a crime scene, blow me down they come out of the woodwork! Are they all necessary?

DEREK HUDSON Nassau, August 8, 2017.

Moss and marriages EDITOR, The Tribune I THINK the good Pastor Cedric Moss needs to be reminded that we are a secular state that separates the affairs of Caesar from the affairs of God. The Constitution does not, however, preclude voluntary collaboration between church and state for the common good, such as in state support for schools operated by religious groups.

The preamble to the Constitution recognises our abiding respect for Christian values, while making it crystal clear in Article 22 that Bahamians have a right to freedom of conscience and freedom of religion.

Because he is a man of God, I have no problem with Pastor Moss defending his territory and holding firm to his religion’s teachings on marriage. He would know, however, that while his church gives him the right to perform marriages, if the celebrants want to have their marriage legally recognised, he must be a state-licensed marriage officer and they must first apply to the government for a marriage licence.

The Pastor conveniently forgets that marriages and civil unions are legal contracts. The state gives many people the right to enter them and like any other civil contract only a judge can dissolve them. You can go to your pastor for marriage counseling but you must ask a judge to get a divorce.

If Pastor Moss acknowledges these facts then he would quickly see that his objection to a recent newspaper editorial on civil unions was an empty sermon.

The law does not require

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net ministers of religion to marry anyone who does not hold to the tenets of their church. But the same law seems to imply that a judge or magistrate or duly constituted marriage officer has no “moral exemption” escape and therefore must marry anyone who presents a licence.

In my humble opinion, the editorial took a very humanistic approach to the constitutionally-guaranteed right of every citizen to associate with whomever they please. The Pastor tries the cheap shot about incestuous gay marriage but we need remind him that we already have laws about incest and exploitation of minors.

What many people forget is that as with any contract there are rights and privileges, financial obligations and penalties that automatically come with civil unions and marriages.

The law even recognises sui juris or common law marriage, something that dates back to ancient Roman and Greek civilisations. Back then marriages were private agreements between individuals and their families. Neither state nor church took part in these ceremonies and there was no civil register.

Canon law gave us what we now know as marriage, albeit the common law form is still practised all over the world today. In fact, up until this year some jurisdictions in the United States were still practising these so-called “marriage by habit and repute”.

Marriages and civil unions continue to evolve. In England 174,600 of the 247,000 marriages performed five years ago were civil, not religious. And this is a country that has an official religion, the Church of England.

Those 349,000 people joined in civil ceremonies are as legally married as the 156,000 people who got married in churches, synagogues and mosques. The law makes no distinction and not a single pastor in England got his knickers in a twist about it.

But in the eyes of Pastor Moss and others it is anathema to even suggest civil unions. Beaming with confidence from last year’s referendum implosion, Pastor Moss wants the voters to decide on civil unions; but the rights of minorities should not be infringed, even by the majority.

If we accept, like many other democratic societies do, that marriages and civil unions are legal contracts, then surely the door is open for an aggrieved party to sue the government for the right to have her or his partnership recognised by the state.

A former Chief Justice has already hinted that this matter will eventually be dragged across the courthouse door and will have to be looked at through the impartial lens of the Constitution, not the stainedglass windows of a church.

As for Pastor’s Moss’ contention that marriage is the only legitimate context for sexual relations, allow me to quote Dr. Phil: “How’s that working for you?”

THE GRADUATE Nassau, August 7, 2017.

Fire at the Rand Hospital EDITOR, The Tribune.

TOO easy Minister - we need to see the report from the Fire Officer, before we throw this incident under the mat.

I ask some obvious questions - all kitchens of this kind are required to be inspected by Public Health and be certified. When was there an inspection, and also when did the RBPF

Fire Officer certify the kitchen as safe?

News video do not seem to show that the facility had an automatic fire extinguisher system –- required for years for this type of kitchen – did it or did it not?

Fires in kitchens usually mean a build up of fat and grease. When last was the kitchen inspected? The build up is from a serious lack of daily maintenance.

It is too easy to talk things out the door or under the mat. My suspicion here is that The Public Hospital Authority, probably was in a breach of all kinds of Regulations, and lacked simple adherence to fire precaution.

The People want to k now - It is The People’s Time!

W. THOMPSON Nassau, July 30, 2017.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, August 9, 2017, PAGE 5

MAN ACCUSED OF MANSLAUGHTER OVER AUGUST 1 FATAL SHOOTING

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was remanded to prison yesterday after he was arraigned in connection with a recent fatal shooting in the capital.

Kenyon Knowles, 22, of Romer Street was brought before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt facing a charge of manslaughter concerning the August 1 killing of Rahajgio Wright.

It is alleged Knowles, by means of unlawful harm, caused his death.

According to initial police reports, Wright and another man, got out of a

blue 2007 Honda Accord just outside of an apartment complex on Armbrister Street when they were approached by a group of men gathered on the block.

One of the men produced a firearm and Wright was shot several times in his body. He died on the scene.

Knowles was informed that the Crown intends to fast track the case to the Supreme Court through the presentation of a voluntary bill of indictment scheduled for September 14.

He has retained attorney Gina Morley to represent him against the allegations.

KENYON KNOWLES, 22, outside court yesterday.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

FIVE ACCUSED WITH FIREARMS OFFENCES IN THREE SEPARATE CASES

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

FIVE people – including a juvenile – were arraigned in court yesterday on firearm charges.

In an arraignment before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt, Dominic Hamilton, 32, and Adrian Hanna, 31, faced a count each of possession of unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.

It is alleged the pair, on August 7, were found with a black Taurus pistol and six rounds of ammunition for the weapon without being the holders of licences for the loaded pistol.

Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges and will learn their trial date at a fixture hearing on September 4.

In another arraignment,

FROM left, Adrian Hanna, Dominic Hamilton, Kelson Alsidor, a 17-year-old juvenile and Tyrone Sears, who are all charged with firearm offences.

Kelson Alsidor, 24, and a 17-year-old juvenile faced a count of possession of unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.

It is alleged the pair, on August 6, were found with a black Smith & Wesson .40 pistol and seven rounds of

ammunition.

The minor pleaded guilty to the charges while Alsidor pleaded not guilty.

Both are scheduled to return to Magistrate’s Court on October 17 as the magistrate wants a probation report produced for the juvenile before passing a sen-

MAN JAILED FOR AMMUNITION HE SAID HE FOUND AT FISHING SPOT

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was sentenced to six years in prison yesterday after admitting to having custody of nearly 1,400 rounds of assorted ammunition.

Javon Hanna, 24, of Golden Gates, appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt facing five counts of possession of ammunition with intent to supply concerning an incident on August 4.

It is alleged he, without being the holder of a license, was found with 78 live rounds of 9mm ammunition, 216 rounds of .45 ammunition, 154 rounds of .40 ammunition, 423 rounds of .223 ammunition and 527 rounds of 7.62 ammunition with intent to supply.

Hanna pleaded guilty to the five charges.

On Friday, August 4, at 5.45pm, officers executed a search warrant in the name of the accused, went to the house at St Barts Road and presented the document to Hanna who appeared to have read the document.

A search was conducted at the rear of the house in the yard and with the assistance of the K-9 unit, officers discovered a large black bag under a banana patch where 1,398 rounds of the assorted ammunition were discovered.

He was later arrested and cautioned, taken to CDU where he admitted to the offences, police prosecutor Inspector Edna Pratt told the court.

The police prosecutor added that Hanna has a conviction as a recent as October 2016, in which he was fined $500 or two years incarceration for fraud by false pretences.

The chief magistrate asked Hanna if he accepted the facts read by the police prosecutor.

Hanna said he did.

Hanna was asked how the ammunition came to be in

JAVON HANNA, 24, who was sentenced to six years in prison. his possession. He said he told police he and a friend stumbled upon the items in the back of his fishing spot by the Coral Harbour Canal in January of this year.

The chief magistrate asked the accused, who was not represented in court, if he was gainfully employed.

Hanna said he was, claiming to earn roughly $4,000 per month between a landscaping job and work at a funeral home.

He proceeded to ask the court for leniency in sentencing.

“One round of ammunition is serious but when a court hears the facts of some 1,398 rounds of ammunition, it is egregious,” the chief magistrate said.

The judge also expressed concern that some of the ammunition was for high powered weapons which she said “are no match for the police force”.

“The war that all wellmeaning Bahamians are concerned about concerning crimes is that there are too many guns and too many murders and society looks to the court to impose a sanction that will serve as a deterrent.

“So when you ask for leniency, you can’t be serious.”

“I’ve been sitting in this court for seven years and

in my experience, this is the largest seizure in one find, period.

“And for every ammunition, there is a matching gun somewhere,” the judge said.

She added it was also disconcerting that “you are a young man with an income”.

“You make $4,000 a month without criminal activity. Therefore the court can only conclude it was purely greed that allowed you to keep the ammunition in your custody from January to August,” she said.

“This court has zero tolerance to crime but particularly crime associated with illegal firearms and ammunition. This case must serve as a deterrent to would be offenders. The court finds this case warrants six years having regard to the amount of ammunition and the calibre involved.”

The six years on each count will run concurrently.

However, the court further imposed an additional fine of $6,000 for the 527 rounds of ammunition with the condition that if he failed to pay the fine before the end of his incarceration, he would receive an additional 12 months at the Department of Correctional Services.

tence.

Trial will also commence on that date for Alsidor as the police prosecutor indicated the Crown’s intent to proceed with prosecution notwithstanding the guilty plea of the other accused.

Alsidor has retained at-

torney Glendon Rolle to defend him against the allegation.

In the last arraignment, 19-year-old Tyrone Saunders pleaded guilty to possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition concerning the seizure of

a black and silver Smith & Wesson 9mm pistol on August 6.

He returns to Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, August 9 for sentencing.

He has retained attorney Damian Whyte to defend him.

PAGE 6, Wednesday, August 9, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Opposition leader warns of lawsuits over PLP arrests

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Leader Philip “Brave” Davis said there are plans to file civil lawsuits against the government over investigations involving former PLP members of Parliament.

He admitted that these legal challenges could be “hurting” the PLP, but insisted “more damage” is being done to the country.

“They may think that they’re hurting the PLP,” Mr Davis said yesterday in

an interview, which aired on Our News. “Yes, while they may be hurting the PLP, they are doing more damage to the country.

“From my advice from lawyers ... I am also being advised that civil lawsuits will be taken out against the government.”

Mr Davis said the party has been getting calls from people in the region who have voiced concerns over whether The Bahamas has been reduced to a “banana republic”.

This comes the day after Bishop Neil C Ellis lamented the “inhumanity”

ATTORNEY WAYNE MUNROE, QC.

shown to former Cabinet minister Shane Gibson before his recent arraignment, claiming that the former MP’s treatment as he was led into court was inconsistent with the concept of “basic respect for human dignity”.

Bishop Ellis, in a pastoral letter to members of the Mount Tabor Church, regretted Gibson being made by police to “hop” up the steps of the Magistrate’s Court complex for his arraignment despite suffering an injury “which required the aid of crutches for support.”

Bishop Ellis’ letter was in reference to the former national insurance and labour minister’s arraignment in a Magistrate’s Court last Thursday on 36 bribery and extortion-related charges.

Before his arraignment, Gibson had voluntarily presented himself to the Central Detective Unit (CDU) last Wednesday to assist officers with an ongoing investigation.

Gibson’s attorney, Anthony McKinney, QC, has reportedly said his client injured his foot during a recent boating trip and that his limping was “not the re-

sult of any brutality.”

The next day, after he was taken to Magistrate’s Court, Gibson reportedly got out of a police car using crutches. He reportedly used those crutches to enter the nearby police station.

A short time later Gibson left the station in handcuffs and no crutches. With the assistance of officers, Gibson limped and hopped his way up the stairs to court.

He was later seen using the walking aides while at the Supreme Court for his bail hearing.

In his letter, Bishop Ellis, senior pastor of Mount

Tabor Church, noted it was “painful” to watch the arraignment of a man he said is a “faithful member” of the Mount Tabor congregation.

The politician’s wife, Pastor Jackie Gibson, is also an active member of Mount Tabor.

Last week, Mr Davis expressed outrage at the circumstances surrounding Gibson’s arraignment, and noted Progressive Liberal Party supporters will be asked to “come together shortly to demonstrate our contempt for these inhumane actions”.

from page one

tion’s head of security that no items were missing.

In the joint letter sent on behalf of the eight BAIC employees, Mr Munroe recounted the day of their arrest on May 16.

He alleged that police officers came to BAIC offices armed with automatic assault weapons and semiautomatic handguns, and purported to arrest the employees at around 4.30pm.

The complaint, according to Mr Munroe, was stealing by reason of service: one television and one CPU. The employees were held in the BAIC meeting room for an hour before they were allowed to speak with legal counsel, Mr Munroe wrote.

The BAIC workers were then transported to CDU by police van, an event Mr Munroe said was done in public view and generated adverse comments towards the employees on social media.

It was noted that a request for the employees to drive their own private vehicles in a convoy was refused.

The employees were processed at the East Street South Police Station for detention records, which also attracted more adverse social media attention.

At CDU, the letter read, the employees were handcuffed and taken in smaller groups to have their homes searched.

Mr Munroe alleges the employees never received a search warrant. In each case, he alleges that the police vehicles proceeded with sirens, horns, and flashing lights, and as police conducted their searches, an officer armed with automatic assault weapons was stationed both in the yard of the residence, and also in the road outside of the home.

Whether the effect was desired or not, Mr Munroe said his clients’ neighbours were alerted to the presence of the police for the search, and also minor relatives were also foreseeably alerted.

At the home of one woman employee, Mr Munroe said police seized a number of televisions and a computer notwithstanding packaging that indicated the items had been imported on a Bahamasair flight.

Despite the initial visit and home searches, the police detained the employees overnight, where both men and women slept on concrete slabs in overcrowded cells. Men were detained at the South Beach Police Station and women were detained at the Cable Beach Police Station, Mr Munroe said.

As for Mr Smith, Mr Munroe argues that the facts of the case would have been well known to police following interviews with BAIC employees and visits to the corporation’s offices on May 16 and 17. Mr Smith was arrested on May 18 after he was invited to CDU. According to Mr Munroe, Mr Smith was advised that he was under arrest in connection with an allegation of theft of a television, CPU of a desktop computer, an external hard drive and a set of plug in speakers for a computer.

Mr Smith was handcuffed and taken to his former constituency headquarters where he pointed out the television and a powered speaker as his personal belongings.

He was then taken to his Port New Providence home where he pointed out boxes containing photographs and other personal effects kept at his BAIC office, the letter read.

Mr Munroe pointed out that despite this, Mr Smith was still detained overnight, adding that his release the following day was delayed because “the relevant senior officer was at a funeral.”

None of the persons involved in this matter have been charged with an offence. Police later admitted that they found no evidence of wrongdoing over the course of their investigation.

MUNROE SETS DEADLINE OVER DION SMITH ARREST

Mr Smith was elected as the Nassau Village MP on the Progressive Liberal Party’s ticket in 2012 and stood as the party’s candidate for the area in the recent general election.

The letters were sent to Attorney General Carl Bethel and also addressed to BAIC as the agency that reportedly initiated the complaint.

Both letters make the claim that the board at BAIC did not meet or make a complaint to police, and allege that police took no steps to prevent Mr Munroe’s clients’ detention and transportation from being kept in confidence.

Mr Munroe also claims that no explanation was given for the refusal to grant his clients police bail or to release them pending further investigations.

It is alleged that the circumstances surrounding the police investigation caused injury to his clients’ families and no steps were taken to guard against it.

“There was and could be no legitimate complaint from BAIC as it would require a decision by the board,” the letters noted, which pointed out that there was no justification for handcuffing the employees given the non-violent allegation of stealing from a place that involved no burglary.

Pointing out that the allegation was that his clients acted under the direction of Mr Smith, Mr Munroe argued that there was no justification to detain employees overnight.

Mr Munroe further questioned the justification for detaining additional employees when CCTV footage clearly showed only two men removing belongings at the direction of Mr Smith.

The letter sent on behalf of the BAIC employees further alleged that an inventory was taken and it was reported to the corpora-

DAMES: THREATS WON’T SCARE US from page one

When asked about the claims yesterday, Mr Dames said: “We have a responsibility, when we were on the campaign trail, one of the things that we said we were going to do is address public sector corruption and no one is barred from that. No one is free from that. If you are a public figure, whether you are a politician, whether you are PLP, FNM, DNA or whether you sit in some ministry of government.

“If someone comes and makes a legitimate complaint or if the police see through other means there is a need for them to step in an investigate, we will

investigate. We are not sitting down and saying, ‘this what should be investigated or investigate his one or investigate that one.’ This is a misconception.

“Just let me say this, no amount of threats is going to intimidate this government. I have been at this before and so we are not going to be distracted by persons believing or feeling as if they can intimidate. I am not concerned. I am not prepared to speak on that in any other way, but I will say this, we are a government and we govern by laws and all of those who are in contravention to those laws will be made account. No amount of intimidation, no amount of threats will change that, that’s reality.

It’s as simple as that.”

When asked if Cabinet members have increased security, Mr Dames said: “Protecting members of Parliament is key for any government.”

“Security and protecting MPs is always key for any government,” he added.

“That’s all a part of your everyday work. It’s something that any government takes seriously, the security of its members, Cabinet members and other senior members of government.

“Anytime one feels there is a need to address a specific threat or threats coming from wherever, then those in authority or those who have that responsibility will do what they need to do,” Mr Dames said.

PAGE 8, Wednesday, August 9, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Time for the Church to act, not just preach T

HE Bahamas Christian Council has long been a source of frustration due to its intentional influence on congregations, lack of citizen-centred action, and the subsequent power it holds over governments (once again affirmed in the Prime Minister’s national address and the promise of Crown Land). It is a body of religious leaders representing various denominations that only seem to make an appearance when convenient for the egos of its membership.

It does not have a consistent social or political presence, even as the country faces pressing issues.

In recent years, we heard from the Bahamas Christian Council and, more broadly, religious leaders on a number of issues, including gambling, gender equality, artificial links between carnival costumes and rape, and women’s reproductive rights. Oddly, the group has been silent on a number of issues (like statutory rape by religious leaders), and slow to act.

In April 2017, new president of the Bahamas Christian Council Bishop Delton Fernander said the group would become a “social justice ecumenical” council and a positive “change agent” rather than the “moral police” of society. There is a tremendous amount of work to be done, and the church — one of

the largest constituencies in The Bahamas — is wellplaced, given its resources, membership expertise, real estate, and free time, to undertake.

In 2014, it was reported that 12.8% of the population live below the poverty line — less than $5,000 a year. Children ages five to 14 had the highest poverty rate of all age groups at 19.3%.

How are the Bahamas Christian Council and individual churches responding to the high rate of poverty that affects housing, nutrition, education, and health of Bahamian people? Might churches implement a special collection, much like they do for their building funds, to raise money for feeding programmes? What would it take for churches to offer hot meals to schoolage children after school?

They could recruit volunteers to assist these children with their homework and supervise them for three hours until their parents are home from work. How much more would it take for church buses to be used to safely transport children from the church grounds to their homes? There may be churches offering this services to their membership, but it is certainly not done on a wide scale, and those running successful programmes can share best practices with those that have yet to implement such a programme.

BISHOP DELTON FERNANDER, president of the Christian Council.

Shelter is at the base of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and we all know there are Bahamians who do not have a safe place to live. They sleep on sidewalks, in cars, in alleyways, and numerous other places that do not offer the security we all need. Many churches have halls and event rooms that are seldom in use.

What would it take to transform these spaces to comfortable sleeping quarters people could check into in the evening and leave early in the morning?

Would no church ministry take on the task of collecting pillows, blankets, and bedding for such an initiative? Churches already have the space, and built-in personnel to operate a temporary night shelter. It would not take much more to get the necessary supplies and support, especially through partnership with other organisations, to give people

a safe place to sleep.

One of many issues Bahamians are reluctant to address is mental health.

The Christian community largely prescribes prayer, maybe with fasting and exercise, refusing to acknowledge the science that proves mental illness is not just “feeling sad” and is not due to “demons,” but a wide range of conditions that affect mood, thought, and behaviour.

The Church could take a leading role in advocating for better mental health care, and encouraging its membership to regard mental health with the same seriousness as physical health.

It is important that we understand mental health issues are not our fault, and getting treatment is not indicative of a lack of faith or strength.

Religious leaders, particularly in recent months, have had a lot to say about women’s reproductive rights. Archdeacon James Palacious in 2014, while blaming black Bahamians and their sexual and reproductive practices for poverty, called for a comprehensive national family planning programme, but there has been no indication of moves being made to make it a reality.

Organisations, practitioners, and advocates have been working to develop, fund, and deliver comprehensive sexual education programmes, and often

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff have to fight for years to get through red tape. The Bahamas Christian Council could partner with such organizations and individuals to bring these programmes to their congregations if they are truly interested in sexual and reproductive health education.

Just out of election season and a term that included two referenda, we can all recall the role religious organisations and leaders play in not only getting people to vote, but getting them to vote in specific ways.

In The Bahamas, churches have always been involved in politics. Individual churches and leaders align themselves with specific parties and gain bargaining power they are never afraid to use. What if churches used their power in less prescriptive ways, bringing complete information to their membership, allowing congregants to make their own decisions?

Many Bahamians go to church every week, at least once per week, and force their children to go to Sunday School. This is an opportunity to teach civics and make Bahamians of all ages aware of the responsibilities and privileges as citizens of this country. Churches could make educational programmes — like the one run by the Constitutional Commission on the gender equality referendum — more accessible, bringing experts and practitioners to

their grounds, whether after Bible study or on a separate night with dedicated programming.

The Bahamas Christian Council has injected itself into Bahamian politics, but many Bahamians agree that it has not been successful in meaningfully engaging the citizenry, or even its own members. The group has become comparable to a weak opposition — only showing up to blame and complain, never bringing solutions or preventative measures for the benefit of the nation.

The Council and individual churches could be doing work that aligns with their principles and contributes to the common good.

They could preach love, and abandon all rhetoric in contravention with it (which would include the discontinuation and denouncement of hate speech). They could spearhead community cleanup events. They could support civic organisations like The Bahamas Crisis Centre and Bahamas Sexual Health and Rights Association. They could help to redistribute wealth by using tithes and offerings to subsidise child care, purchase school uniforms, and provide groceries to those in need.

All that is required is the heart to do good and acceptance of the challenge to think differently about their role in Bahamian society, becoming actors rather than critics.

UNITED SUPREME COUNCIL PRESENTS CHECK TO REACH

The United Supreme Council, A.A.S.R., PHA., NJ, USA, Inc. made its annual presentation to Resources and Education for AUTISM and Related Challenges (R.E.A.C.H.), recently. A cheque, in the amount of $5,000.00, was presented to R.E.A.C.H. for the research of Autism and the education of those diagnosed with it. The United Supreme Council, a body of Scottish Rite Freemasons, who are headed by Sovereign Grand Commander, Basil L. Sands, 33*, is represented in The Bahamas

by Consistories in Nassau and Grand Bahama. Shown at the presentation from left to right are: Ill. James S. Hutcheson, 33*, President of the Commanders of the Rite; Ms. Paula Hospedales, Board Member, R.E.A.C.H.; Ill. Roscow A.L. Davies, 33*, Deputy for the Orient of The Bahamas, Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Freemasons.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, August 9, 2017, PAGE 9

PARIS OPEN TO

TECHTALK

ESPORTS AT 2024 OLYMPICS VIDEO gamers could be competing for Olympic medals by 2024.

Tony Estanguet, co-president of the Paris Olympic bid committee, told The Associated Press that he will hold talks with esports representatives and the IOC about the possibility of gaming joining the 2024 programme.

The explosion in popularity of esports events, drawing large crowds of youngsters to arenas for tournaments, has already seen gaming embraced by the Asian Games.

It will become a full sport by the 2022 edition, although details of which games will be contested are yet to be provided.

Paris will be confirmed as 2024 hosts at an International Olympic Committee gathering in Lima, Peru next month after its only competitor, Los Angeles, agreed to take the 2028 Games.

Estanguet believes that a contest of digital prowess should be considered a legitimate sport if the Olympics is to maintain its relevance for new generations of fans.

“We have to look at it because we can’t say, ‘It’s not

TONY ESTANGUET, French canoe champion and co-president of the Paris candidacy for the 2024 Olympics and Paralympic Games us.

“It’s not about Olympics,’” Estanguet said in an interview with the AP in London.

“The youth, yes they are interested in esport and this kind of thing. Let’s look at it.

Let’s meet them. Let’s try if we can find some bridges.

“I don’t want to say ‘no’ from the beginning. I think it’s interesting to interact with the IOC, with them, the esports family, to better understand what the process is and why it is such a success.”

The 2024 programme will start to be shaped in 2019

• IT COULD be the “Baywatch” of the future.

A cutting-edge lifesaving initiative — the rescue drone — is taking flight again this summer off France’s popular Atlantic beaches.

Following a successful launch in 2016, three airborne life-saver drones are being operated in the southwestern Nouvelle-Aquitaine region until September to come to the aid of swimmers struggling in choppy water.

At 80 kilometres an hour, the 3.9 kilogramme drone buzzes to the danger spot four minutes faster than a lifeguard and is programmed to neatly drop a life buoy to the water.

Anthony Gavend, from drone manufacturing company HELPER, says Tuesday the time gained “means the difference between life and death.”

Gavend said it was the first such initiative in the world and helped some 50 swimmers in difficulty last year.

GAMING FOR GOLD? There is a possibility that esports could be part of the programme at the 2024 Olympic Games. with a final decision on the addition of sports in Paris to be taken by the IOC after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“There is some time to look at it, to interact, to engage,” Estanguet said.

“We will spend some time after (the IOC meeting in September) Lima to engage with new people and stakeholders. The IOC will have the last ... say, if they want esports on the programme.

Let’s discuss among ourselves.”

Paris is gaining the 2024 hosting rights without the usual dramatic vote.

The IOC decided to award two Summer Games at the same time and LA later abandoned its bid for 2024 during negotiations with the IOC and Paris.

“We feel that we are the winner because we have what we wanted,” said Estanguet,

a canoe slalom triple-Olympic champion.

The depleted field vying for the 2024 Olympics was the result of withdrawals by Budapest, Hamburg and Rome over a lack of local support, amid concerns about the escalating costs of hosting the sporting extravaganza.

By ROB HARRIS, AP Sports Writer

GOING ELECTRIC HOW REALISTIC ARE PLANS TO BAN NEW GAS AND DIESEL CARS? FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — BAN the sale of gasoline and diesel cars by a deadline — 2040, 2030, even 2025. More and more governments are proposing just that.

But how seriously can such deadlines be taken?

The issue of how to phase out polluting traditional engines has been pushed to the forefront by scandals and crises. First Volkswagen’s admission to cheating on U.S. diesel emissions tests, and more recently a push by cities in Germany and elsewhere to ban diesels to make the air cleaner.

The political desire to switch to get rid of traditional engines, however, runs into a number hurdles in the real world. More recharging stations need to be set up globally, at a potentially high cost. And millions of jobs depend on the production of internal combustion engines, making the decision politically difficult in many places.

“I think there’s a majority, especially in cities, who say ‘we need change,’” says Dieter Janecek, a member of Germany’s Green party who is campaigning for re-election in the national poll Sept. 24 on his party’s official call for an end to new gas and diesel sales by 2030.

He is running not just from anywhere but from Bavaria, home to auto giant BMW. Yet he thinks the call to phase out traditional engines is a winner.

Janecek, 41, says that many people are “sceptical of the internal combustion engine, because they have to live with the consequences and the emissions.”

That’s particularly true of urbanites — more than half the residents of Munich’s innermost neighbourhoods don’t even own a car. And it is in cities where the pollution issue is most pressing.

A lot would have to happen before such a big move happens, however.

There aren’t enough public fast-

charging stations that can enable longer trips with all-electric cars. Janecek loves his electric Renault Zoe, which has enough range to make campaign trips and then get back home to recharge overnight. But for longer trips, he and his wife rely on her conventional Toyota Yaris, a common compromise arrangement among early adopters. Experts say electrics could start to beat gas and diesel on cost and convenience by the mid-2020s as battery range and infrastructure improve.

Janecek concedes that “yes, it’s very ambitious. On the other hand, there are countries like Norway that want to move ahead faster. I am convinced it will happen.”

And then there is the impact on those who make gas and diesel engines.

Banning internal combustion engines from 2030 would affect more than 600,000 jobs in Germany directly or indirectly, or 10 per cent of the nation’s workforce, according to a study commissioned by the German Association of the Automotive Industry.

That may be why the dates touted by governments to end the sale of traditional engines look more like soft targets than drop-dead dates.

Norway has aggressively promoted electrics, but even there the proposed elimination of gas and diesel except for hybrids by 2025 is a goal to be achieved, not a fixed date for a ban. France and Britain are looking at 2040 — so far ahead that the politicians involved will no longer be around and technology will have changed in ways that are hard to predict. The former Netherlands cabinet proposed all electrics by 2035, but a new government will have to take the final decision. Carmaker Volvo said in July that all its models will have an electric motor from 2019 onwards.

However, many of those cars will be hybrids, which also have an internal combustion engine and are regarded

AN ELECTRIC vehicle charging station in Beijing. Momentum is building worldwide for electric cars thanks to rising government fuel economy standards and climate concerns. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan, File) as a halfway house to emissions-free driving.

In California, the powerful Air Resources Board is pushing manufacturers to include more zero-emission vehicles in their lineups, without calling for a ban by a specific date. China is heavily incentivising electrics.

Still, soft goals can have serious impact; Norway reached its target of 50,000 electrics in 2015, three years ahead of schedule.

“It’s an easy thing to say, especially since some of those politicians will not be around in 2040,” said Brett Smith, assistant director of the manufacturing, engineering and technology group at the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “The practicality of it is another matter.”

What would happen to resale values for owners of internal combustion cars as the deadline approaches? What would happen to gas stations and their owners? Those are “huge questions politicians don’t really want to think about when they set those dates,” Smith said.

The dates are “more like guidelines, and when we get closer we’ll figure out how to get there. It’s not an unreasonable approach.”

As important as the deadlines are the incentives governments give to the industry and consumers.

In Norway, electrics are exempt

from the 25 per cent value-added tax and other fees. Higher taxes on cars that pollute more would offset lost revenue. Just as important, most of Norway’s electricity comes from hydro power, not from burning fossil fuel. That means increased demand for power from cars won’t mean more emissions from coal - or natural gasfired electricity plants.

The industry, meanwhile, is committed to diesel and traditional engines for the near future while it ramps up investment in new technologies. Daimler spent 3 billion euros ($3.5 billion) developing a new, lower emissions diesel engine that is already in some of its E-class sedans. At the same time, it is spending 10 billion euros on electric and autonomous technology.

Governments do the industry a favour by setting firm deadlines, says Ferdinand Dudenhoeffer, director of the Center for Automotive Research at Germany’s University of DuisburgEssen. “Clear dates, such as 2040 for instance, would mean that the car makers could make a clear plan what to do in the future.”

Smith said the market would still play a major role: “If the business model is there, people will find a way to fund it.”

By DAVID McHUGH, AP Business Writer

• BRITAIN plans to strengthen the online “right to be forgotten” with a law making social media companies delete personal information on request.

The government on Monday published details of a Data Protection Bill , including a provision allowing people to ask for personal data held by companies to be erased.

The changes also would make it easier for people to find out what data companies or organisations hold on them, and would ban firms from collecting personal information without explicit consent.

The proposed law gives a regulator power to levy fines of up to 17 million pounds ($22 million) on firms that fail to comply.

The bill is intended to replace European Union privacy protections when Britain leaves the bloc in 2019. It must be approved by Parliament to become law.

• JACKSON Clinic cardiologist Dr. John Baker will perform a new robotic procedure used to improve safety and precision of coronary endovascular procedures.

The procedure Baker will perform Thursday at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, a robotic endovascular intervention with placement of a stent, will be the first in the state of Tennessee.

“When you’re doing coronary endovascular work, you want to be very precise and very delicate because you’re manipulating devices within a coronary artery,” Baker said. “This robotic device enables us to make very fine, precise movements.”

Jackson General is the 11th centre in the country to install the second generation Cordinus vascular robotics GRX device. The device cost $600,000, with Friends of Heart donating a portion of the money.

“The robot system also will warn me if I’m encountering resistance to any of these movements, which can avert some complications for the procedure,” Baker said.

Baker compared the introduction of the robotic procedure to the introduction of stents in 1995 as another leap forward in technology.

PAGE 10, Wednesday, August 9, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

UNDERGROUND FAULT BLAMED FOR BIMINI POWER OUTAGE

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A “MAJOR underground fault” in the underwater cable supplying Resorts World Bimini with electricity was the cause of a power outage at the resort over the weekend, Bahamas Power and Light has said.

BPL, in a statement yesterday, said the power outage occurred sometime around 7pm on Friday after the cable supplying the development suffered unspecified damages, requiring a full excavation of the site

where the fault occurred in order to rectify the problem.

Hours before the release of BPL’s statement, one disgruntled individual complained to The Tribune about having to stay at the resort with “no power” from Friday at around 6pm until eventually leaving on Sunday to go to Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina.

The individual also said Friday’s outage and the circumstances surrounding it were almost identical to a major power outage that occurred approximately one

year ago at the resort and surrounding areas.

“No apologies, no info from anyone,” the email to The Tribune read. “They kept trying to get (the) hotel up but nothing for houses.

There is a story there because I can’t imagine the cable getting cut underwater.”

Meanwhile, the utility provider, in a statement yesterday, said at approximately 7pm on Friday, a major underground fault occurred on the cable supplying the development, disrupting power to the resort. However, BPL said it rerouted

power from another feeder in order to quickly restore electricity to the resort.

A “number of tests” were subsequently conducted to find the exact location of the fault, BPL said. Once identified, the area was excavated and damage found on the cable were repaired. Upon completion, power was immediately restored to the entire development and the temporary supply to the resort transferred back to its original feeder.

BPL offered its apologies to the “management, staff and homeowners of Resorts

World Bimini (RWB)” for the outage.

“BPL understands the frustration of its customers and is presently working on several solutions that will help improve services,” the utility provider said. “The company remains committed to providing safe, reliable and cost-effective electricity supply to its customers and appreciates their patience during this time.”

In August of last year, a “fault” in a main underwater cable left portions of RWB without power for several days. At the time,

BPL officials had suggested sourcing and subsequently installing a cable from Abaco as a potential solution to the issue.

Lloyd Edgecombe, a member of the Bimini District Council, claimed at the time that half of the RWB property had been without electricity since the week before. As a result, Mr Edgecombe claimed some 800 employees living in dormitories at the resort, as well as a number of local merchants who rent stores in the area, were adversely affected because of the lack of power.

Ferreira: No dredging in Bimini, just a clean-up

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net ENVIRONMENT and Housing Minister Romauld Ferreira yesterday dismissed concerns over several photos being circulated on social media allegedly depicting the dredging of beaches in Bimini as a misinterpreted clean-up exercise on the island.

In an interview outside of Cabinet on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Ferreira said the government was advised by the island administrator that the initiative, which has since been halted, was nothing more than the removal of debris and rocks - not dredging as suggested by an environmentalist.

“We’ve been advised by the administrator that he stopped that and the explanation put forth was that they were removing debris, rock, well large rocks, and items as a result of the hurricane or other activities,” Mr Ferreira told The Tribune.

“That is what we were advised. But dredging is not the right word for it. I believe the administrator and what he said, that he stopped them. That was the explanation that (we) received,” he added.

The Tribune on Tuesday received copies of several

ENVIRONMENT and Housing Minister Romauld Ferreira. photographs depicting at more than a week ago. least two tractors on a Bi“The west side of Bimini mini beach. is really bad (when it comes Additionally, Sam Dun- to) erosion. When Resorts combe, founder of reEarth, World built the pier it was when contacted for com- exacerbated,” she said. ment on the photographs, Ms Duncombe added: “If suggested the initiative was you go on the beach, there predicated on moving a are a lot of rocks in the sand large amount of sand from due to dredging. Lots of the Bimini shoreline. corals washing up dead on Asked when the alleged west side of Bimini by Redredging commenced, Ms sorts World.”

Duncombe speculated In response Tuesday, Mr

Ferreira, an environmental attorney, contended that no dredging had taken place and all claims that supported that were misguided.

“When the pictures came to the attention of the government, the island administrator was notified. He went down there, made an assessment and stopped the activity.

“So beyond that, I mean that is the latest position we know about as the govern-

ment. That’s all I can say on that,” he said.

Mr Ferreira said the government has asked for “certain information” to be provided and is awaiting that information to follow-up on.

Mr Ferreira also maintained that government officials are pushing to have a marine protected area (MPA) in Bimini, but is slowed by land disputes with private entities and

groups.

“We want a marine protected area there. However, there are land use issues.

In other words, the government does not own all the land that the proposed MPA is going to be in.

“We’ve entered into discussions with all the parties to try to see if we can get a reasonable compromise.

Once land is in private hands, it becomes that more challenging,” he concluded.

Last month, frustrated people in Bimini held a march and flotilla protest against present and future major developments that threaten the sanctity of that island’s mangroves and marine habitats.

The main target of their frustration was RAV Bahamas/OPAC and its partner the Genting Group, which have invested heavily in the island, mainly through Resorts World Bimini.

Residents demanded clarification on how much Crown land former Bimini Bay developer Gerardo Capo has received and what would be the legal implications for his development of land on the North Bimini Marine Reserve and the East Wells area if a MPA is approved.

They also want environmental impact studies and reports related to the project to be made public.

TRUMP WARNS N KOREA OF ‘FIRE AND FURY’ BRIDGEWATER, N.J. (AP) — President Donald

Trump threatened North Korea “with fire and fury

Funeral Service For Alophonso “Kaling”Johnson, 74

Full Military Funeral Service for RETIRED ASP AKEL CLARKE, 77 of Sisal Road, Golden Gates #1, will be held on Friday, August 11th, 2017 at 12:30 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Boyd Road. Officiating will be Monsignor Alfred Culmer. Interment will follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens & Mausoleums, John F. Kennedy Drive and Gladstone Road.

Loving memories will forever linger in the hearts of his loving Children: Denise Clarke, Daphne Clarke, Shaketra Clarke, Ahmad Clarke, Jamaar Small Sr., Yolanda Clarke, Vernon Clarke and Assistant Superintendent Stacy Bowe-Curry; Daughter-in-law: Barbara Small; Grandchildren: Kristine, Antanique, Vernon Junior and Kobi Clarke, Jamaar Jr and Jordan Small, Ethan Adderely, Charlize Curry and Zyien Bowe; Brother: Charles Clarke Sr.; Sisters-in-law: Nora and Enderlyn Clarke, Idamae Rolle; Brothers-in-law: Samuel Rolle and H. Don King; Numerous Nieces and Nephews including: Veronica Miller, Nathan Rolle, Rosalind Strapp, Wellington Rolle, Audley Rolle, Clifton Rolle, Thelma Rolle, Jonathan Rolle, David Rolle and Brian Rolle, Eloise Culmer, Alvin, Daisy, Jeffrey, Pete, Robert and Stephen Clarke, Bernard, Otis, Theodore and Cranston Rolle, Juanita and Gail, Mockery Dames, Edroy Dames, Fredricka Neeley and Annamae Johnson; Host of other relatives and friends including: Catherine Roxborough and Family, Latina Campbell and Family, Angeline and Ivan Hanna, Deborah Deleveaux and Family, Charmaine Goodman-Davis and Family, the Dilly Tree Sporting Club, Bishop Rudolph Bowe and Family, the War Family and St. Joseph Catholic Church Family.

Viewing will be held in the Foyer of The Paul H. Farquharson Conference Centre, Police Headquarters, East Street from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 10th, 2017, and at the church on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until service time.

of Lincoln Blvd., and formerly of Stanyard Creek, Andros, The Bahamas, will be held on Thursday, August 10th, 2017, 10:00am at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Baillou and Wulff Roads. Officiating will be Rev’d Canon Bail Tynes assisted by Rev’d Fr. Donald Kerr. Interment will follow in Old Trail Cemetery, Old Trail Road.

Alphonso will forever be fondly remembered by his children: Alphonso Jr., Dwayne, Sigmound, Darron, Franisco and Robertha; Grandchildren: Cadesha, Aaliyah, Deon, Alicia, David, Alliare, Prince, Domicho, Shonae and Angie; Brothers: Christopher (Edna), Shedrach (Sharon), Gary (Tomasena) and Burton Sr. (deceased) (Patsy); Sisters: Gloria Gibson, Lovely China Ferguson and Lillian (Fredrick) Lightbourn; Aunt: Naomi Whyms of Stanyard, Andros; Nephews: Lyndon, Ricardo, Kirklyn, Chadrick, Burton Jr, Shakino, Shantano, De’Angelo, Michael, Joseph and Marcellas Johnson, Seabury and Seron Ferguson; Nieces: Shelly Jackson, ShamicaDuncombe, Shadina Bastian, Dr. Tonia Lightbourn-Robinson, Teneille Lightbourn, Latina Rolle, Sophia and Sonia Gibson, Sheddina, Tracee, Stacey and Jasmine Johnson; siblings of Sidney, Steven, Richard and Jack Johnson, Mary Coakley, lovely Wilkinson, Ellis Whyms, Rebecca Watkins, Princess Williams and Lilian Jones; Other Relatives and friends including: Andrew Ferguson, Erskin Minus, Mr & Mrs Randoll Beneby, Mr. & Mrs John Cooper, Darenzo Dawkins (RBDF), Otis Deveaux, Rubert Johnson, HanningtonFrozer, Ismarie Mitchell, McPhee family, Penny Bain, Michael Gibson, Joseph Whyms, Donna Wilson, Genaldine Ferguson, Nurses and doctors at the Male Surgical Ward and the Accident and Emergency Department of the Princess Margaret hospital, Nurses and caregivers form the Community Nursing, Canon Basil Tynes and St. Barnabas Church family, the communities of Motel Heights, Lincoln Boulevard, Fresh Creek and Stanyard Creek Andros; A.C.W, Officers and Members of St Gregory Anglican Church and other relatives and friends to many to mention.

Viewing will be held in the Legacy Suite of Vaughn O. Jones Memorial Center, Mt. Royal Avenue and Talbot Street on Wednesday (Today) from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00pm and at the Church on Thursday from 9:00 am until service time.

like the world has never seen” on Tuesday after suggestions the communist country has mastered one of the final hurdles to being able to strike the United States with a nuclear missile.

North Korea said it was examining its operational plans for attacking Guam — a US territory about 2,100 miles (3,400 kilometers) away — in order to contain US military activity there. The North Korean army said in a statement distributed Wednesday by the state-run news agency that it is studying a plan to create an “enveloping fire” in areas around Guam with medium- to long-range ballistic missiles. Guam is home to Andersen Air Force Base.

The competing threats escalated tensions between the foes even further. Although it wasn’t clear if Trump and the Koreans were responding directly to each other, the heightened rhetoric added to the potential for a miscalculation that might bring the nucleararmed nations into conflict.

Trump’s stern words to the camera at his golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey, came hours after reports indicating North Korea can now wed nuclear warheads with its missiles, including those that may be able to hit the American mainland. The isolated and impoverished dictatorship has strived for decades to have the ability to strike the US and its Asian allies, and the pace of its breakthroughs is already having far-reaching consequences for stability in the Pacific and beyond.

The nuclear advances were detailed in an official Japanese assessment and a Washington Post story that cited US intelligence officials.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, August 9, 2017, PAGE 11

TEACHERS and grade one students at Woodcock Primary School.

Parents and teachers team up to start school year the right way

By DANIELLE BARNES dbarnes@tribunemedia.net AS the new school year approaches, teachers and parents at Woodcock Primary have joined forces to ensure that students are fully equipped with workbooks.

In the past, only a handful of students at Woodcock Primary School would come to class with the required workbooks. Teachers were forced to improvise and found ways to include students who were left without.

Learning without the necessary classroom material poses many problems, the biggest being that students are unable to fully participate in class assignments. The workbooks were created to offer a hands-on

learning experience and without them, students have no means of tackling assignments on their own.

Sophia Hughes, a 3rd grade teacher at Woodcock, described the difficulties she faced teaching students who did not own their own workbooks.

“As a teacher, when you’re teaching and you realise that students don’t have the material it becomes difficult,” she said.

“It was about 10 parents in the class who were able to purchase the books for the children, and you can’t work with only ten children having the textbooks.”

The school soon put together a package that offered a series of textbooks at a minimum cost for parents to purchase. Despite this, many parents were still

unable to put together the funds.

After realising this situation was becoming a road block to learning, administrator Amethyst Bain-Dennis brought six teachers on board to employ a strategy that would ensure books would be purchased for every student.

The strategy began with a motivational chart that was put up in each classroom at Woodcock. Teachers wrote down the names of students and asked them to bring a dollar every day to go towards their books.

Each time a student donates, a sticker is placed next to their name. Children look forward to seeing their progress on the charts and teachers make sure that their students are praised for their efforts in purchas-

ing their own books.

Once the money is raised, books are purchased and each student goes home with a tangible reminder of how far their dollars took them.

Having 100 per cent of students owning books is something that rarely occurs in schools like Woodcock Primary. Without the love and support from parents and teachers, students would not be able to sit in class with their own workbooks.

Ms Hughes recalls students giving their extra lunch money. Some students even chipped in to help classmates who didn’t have money to give. They remained determined to give no matter how much it took to get to their goal.

This initiative began six

years ago and is still going strong. After seeing the efforts teachers were making, parents worked harder to ensure that their children received their workbooks.

Alfred McBride Sr, a parent at Woodcock Primary, told The Tribune he’s grateful for the initiative the school put together.

“My son encourages me to help him because every day he comes home excited about his day at school,” he said. “When I see how much he has improved, it inspires me to give more to his education.”

With this initiative, not only do students have the material they need, but they are also showing great improvement in grades and their overall willingness to learn.

First grade teacher Miri-

am Collins noticed a significant boost in her students’ academic interests. Students at Woodcock can now comfortably work at their own pace while teachers provide more one-on-one time with students.

“Having their own books motivates them to work harder because children love owning their own things,” she said. “They love to compare and it gives them the opportunity to share ideas and answers as they work in their books.”

With the continued support from parents, teachers and the Lignum Vitae Organisation, Woodcock Primary can keep this six year programme going for the new school year as more people become aware of the significance owning a book means to a child.