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Volume: 123 No. 178, Tuesday, August 11, 2026
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: PRICE–$1
‘GENERATOR USE RIGHT DURING POWER CRISIS’ Baha Mar SVP: ‘Good corporate citizenry’ for Mom seeks cure for toddler’s mystery illness businesses to reduce strain on electric grid By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net BAHA Mar Senior Vice-President Robert Sands has defended the practice of major businesses switching to backup generators when the electricity grid is strained, describing it as “good corporate citizenry” as New Providence continues to grapple with recurring power outages.
A FOUR-YEAR-OLD girl who once walked, talked and ate normally has lost those abilities amid a mysterious medical decline marked by daily seizures, leaving doctors still unable to determine what is causing her condition. Selah Grace Rahming’s deterioration became severe late last year when she began suffering intense seizures and progressively lost the ability to walk, speak, chew food, hold up her head properly and use her hands. Her mother, Deryl King, said the episodes now occur daily and can leave Selah vomiting, gasping for air and weak. At night, Ms King sleeps beside her daughter and listens to make sure she continues breathing through the seizures. “I do fear that all the time because it literally cuts her breath,” she said. “So, during that time, I'm not breathing just to make sure I hear her breathing.” The circumstances are particularly troubling because Selah was initially a healthy
His position contrasts with that of the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation, which has warned that businesses are already being squeezed by high taxes, rising costs and regulatory burdens and has raised concerns about the additional expense and lost productivity caused by unreliable electricity. POWER - SEE PAGE FIVE
EX-POLICE SERGEANT LOSES BID TO OVERTURN HIS DISMISSAL By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net A FORMER police sergeant accused in a sweeping US cocaine and firearms trafficking case has lost his bid to overturn his dismissal from the Royal Bahamas Police Force. A Supreme Court judge
ruled that Prince Albert Symonette Jr had no contract when he was discharged, had accepted the decision at the time, and later presented contradictory evidence to the court. Dismissing Symonette’s application for judicial review, Justice Franklyn DISMISSED - SEE PAGE SEVEN
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A YOUNG man who lost both legs and two fingers after an infection says he is not disappointed that an overwhelming public response to his plight has so far translated into little concrete assistance, insisting he remains grateful and hopeful that more help will come.
Ezekiel Miller drew renewed public concern after The Tribune last week highlighted his continuing struggle to survive while living with severe disabilities. The story had attracted nearly 4,000 reactions, 400 comments and 600 shares on The Tribune’s Facebook page up to press time, with numerous GRATEFUL - SEE PAGE THREE
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Amputee remains hopeful despite a lack of concrete assistance
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Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
EZEKIEL MILLER
PAGE 2, Tuesday, August 11, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
BCC calls for 21 days of prayer to combat crime and corruption By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas Christian Council (BCC) is calling on Bahamians to join a mass prayer rally in Rawson Square on August 30 to take a stand against crime, corruption and other social ills plaguing the country. BCC president Pastor Mario Moxey announced the gathering as well an upcoming memorial planned this Friday for the Independence Day plane crash victims during a press conference at Bahamas Harvest Church yesterday. In the lead-up to the event, Pastor Moxey said the council is asking Bahamians from all walks of life to participate in 21 days of prayer. He urged people to pause at noon each day for 60 seconds to pray whether they are at work, home or at another location. "We will pray for our leaders. Pray for our families. Pray concerning crime and violence. We pray for righteousness and justice. Pray for our economy, our communities, our young people," Pastor Moxey said.
"And because this rally coincides with the beginning of a new academic year, we'll also have a special time to pray for our students and teachers and administrators as our children head back to school this coming semester." The call to action comes amid growing concern over the recent spate of gun violence, reports of sexual assaults and allegations of corruption. A US indictment has sparked political controversy after separate court filings alleged that an unidentified Bahamian politician met with an undercover agent inside Parliament in October 2024 to discuss drug deals. Pastor Moxey said the council believes the time has come “to stand in the gap for our nation” rather than simply talk about the problems facing The Bahamas. He acknowledged that corruption exists “throughout the length and breadth of the world” and that no government is immune to it. "And so, we consistently pray for our government. We're willing to stand in
BAHAMAS Christian Council president Pastor Mario Moxey joined by Social Services Minister Barbara Cartwright and other clergy during a press conference held at Bahamas Harvest Church yesterday. Photos: Nikia Charlton the gap for our government and to also assist everywhere we possibly can to assist them in overcoming corruption within government as well." The mass prayer rally will follow Friday’s special memorial for the ten crash
BAHAMAS CHRISTIAN COUNCIL PRESIDENT PASTOR MARIO MOXEY
victims at Bahamas Faith Ministries. The event, scheduled for 7pm, is being hosted jointly by the government and the council. Pastor Moxey said it important for Bahamians to come together to reflect,
remember the victims and support their grieving families, stressing that such tragedies affect not only individual households but the entire nation. Social Services Minister Barbara Cartwright added: "This partnership is
not ceremonial. It reflects something deep in who we are as a people, a nation built on Christian principles where church and state have always labored side by side in our schools, in our communities and in our hardest hours."
SOCIAL SERVICES MINISTER BARBARA CARTWRIGHT
Mother desperate to cure daughter’s daily seizures
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, August 11, 2026, PAGE 3
Selah Grace Rahming, a toddler who once walked, talked and ate normally has lost those abilities amid a mysterious medical decline marked by daily seizures, leaving doctors still unable to determine what is causing her condition. ILLNESS from page one child and, despite extensive medical attention, her mother said doctors have yet to establish what is responsible for the dramatic regression. Selah was born on January 28, 2022. At about a year old, she began experiencing febrile seizures. By October 2024, the seizures had become chronic. Ms King subsequently took her daughter to Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami for evaluation, where she said doctors diagnosed her symptoms
as epilepsy. However, Selah’s health deteriorated significantly in December 2025. By then three years old, she began suffering intense seizures and losing skills she had already developed. Ms King said there were initially subtle signs that something was changing. Selah began having difficulty holding up her head and started drooling. The problems then spread to basic functions she had previously performed independently. “I noticed that she started to have issues
with holding up her head, she started drooling,” she said. “She could no longer chew on her own, so she started developing an issue with chewing and swallowing. “I saw that she had difficulty holding her fork. She couldn’t hold anything in her hands anymore. It was really rough.” Selah can no longer eat solid food because she has lost the ability to chew, her mother said, resulting in weight loss. She also no longer walks or speaks. Ms King said watching her daughter lose abilities
she had previously mastered has been mentally devastating, particularly because the cause remains undiagnosed. Her life has also been transformed by the illness. Ms King, who previously worked in banking and owns Picture Me In 3D, stopped working to provide Selah with roundthe-clock care while also raising her 19-year-old son. Much of her time is now spent taking Selah to physical therapy and medical appointments. Ms King said she has used National Health
Insurance to assist with her daughter’s treatment, but the family is now seeking more specialised medical intervention. They hope to take Selah to Panama this month for advanced diagnostic testing, specialised treatment and intensive therapeutic care. The family is seeking $30,000 to cover the effort. A GoFundMe campaign had raised $17,195 up to press time. Ms King said turning publicly to others for assistance was difficult but had become necessary. “I can’t do it on my
own,” she said. “A lot of times we keep things ourselves because we don’t want to be a burden. But there comes a time when you have to realise that you cannot do it on your own.” Beyond finding an explanation for Selah’s illness, Ms King said she hopes her daughter will eventually regain the abilities she has lost — to walk, play with other children and speak. Asked what she most longs to hear from her daughter again, she said: “Mummy. I haven’t heard that in so long.”
Viral amputee remains patient as promised assistance falls short GRATEFUL from page one users expressing a desire to help. But Mr Miller said only a few people have followed through. He received several calls from people who said they had seen the story and wanted to assist, but said only one or two had expressed an interest in depositing money into his bank account. Still, he said he was not disappointed. “People did reach out, you just have to give time,” he said. “I just patiently waiting and just chilling right now.” Mr Miller said some people had also offered to help repair his motorised wheelchair, which has stopped working and left him dependent on a standard wheelchair. He thanked those who have supported him and remained hopeful that
EZEKIEL MILLER
additional assistance would come. The muted follow-through contrasts with the extraordinary level of engagement his story generated online and with the public response when his circumstances first received widespread attention last year. At that time, members of the public rallied around Mr Miller, resulting in donations that included a motorised wheelchair, a regular stipend from businessman Eddie Whan and other assistance. A year later, however, Mr Miller still spends about an hour each day manually pushing himself through the streets in a standard wheelchair and hoping people will spare a few dollars to help him make ends meet. Renewed concern about his condition followed a Facebook video last week showing him sitting in his wheelchair wearing black
knitted gloves to cover sores on his hands. His black shorts exposed the areas where both legs had been amputated. The man recording the video said Mr Miller receives government assistance and a disability benefit, but claimed it was not enough to sustain him. He appealed to the public to help improve Mr Miller’s quality of life. Mr Miller’s life changed after he stepped on a rusty nail when he was 14, leading to an infection and a series of amputations. He lost his first leg at 14, his second at 19 and two fingers in 2024, leaving him with eight fingers. He previously told The Tribune that his body had become exhausted from manually pushing a standard wheelchair every day. The motorised wheelchair donated to him last year offered some relief, but it has since stopped working and needs repairs.
PAGE 4, Tuesday, August 11, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Violence commission gets home but not ready yet By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net THE Protection Against Violence Commission will be officially housed in a new building on Pitt Road this month, bringing it one step closer to becoming fully operational, although it will still not be able to provide direct support to victims. Commission Chair Marisa Mason-Smith told The Tribune yesterday that while significant groundwork has been undertaken since the commission was appointed in March, it is still not ready to provide support services to victims. "We're definitely not ready but social services is the machinery that is
dealing with that at this time," she told The Tribune yesterday. "There are still other NGO's and aspects of the Ministry of Social Services that is addressing such as those needs. We also have the Police Violence Unit that has carriage of those functions." Her comments came after Social Services Minister Barbara Cartwright announced plans to commission a building on Friday, August 14th to house the body. Ms Cartwright said the body would be able to begin its work in earnest once it is housed in the new facility, adding: "We are anxiously waiting." The commission, mandated by the Protection
Against Violence Act passed in August 2023, would serve as the central body coordinating national efforts to combat gender-based violence, monitoring data, managing shelters, and ensuring victims receive support and protection under the law. The commission was officially appointed in February, nearly three years after the legislation was gazetted. The Davis administration has allocated $42,900 to the commission - an amount some women’s advocates say falls short of what is needed to carry out its mandate. Yesterday, Mrs MasonSmith acknowledged that the allocation is not sufficient to complete the
commission’s work. However, she said she doesn't believe the limited funding will disadvantage the body as officials have been assured that additional funding will be provided through the ministry’s budget. "In the short term it will assist, but the Ministry of Social Services have allotted other sources of funding from other areas of their budget that will complement the work that is being done," she said. Mrs Mason-Smith also expressed confidence that the commission will have a more robust budget next year. "Recognizing that we came in towards the end of the budget cycle, I am
grateful that they have included us and we know that's not enough funding but we are assured that we won't be disadvantaged based on the needs and priorities of the commission that need to be done." In the meantime, Mrs Mason-Smith said work continues to make the commission fully operational, with the body making steady progress towards that goal. She said the commission has held several meetings and is developing a strategic plan as it works towards becoming fully operational. "We have been in working mode since we were appointed and so it's a matter of doing more public awareness, the educational
forum, the town hall meetings so that the public is aware of the functions and responsibilities of the commission" Other steps include appointing the secretariat and the support team in place to help the commission do its work. The secretariat, among other things, will serve as the commission’s technical division, responsible for coordinating, formulating and publishing protocols for applications for funding and other assistance related to community projects and programmes. “So we are proud and excited, and we're grateful for the opportunity to have a have a resting place,” Mrs Mason Smith added.
GOVT MOVES TO EXPAND SPECIAL EDUCATION TO ADDRESS ISLAND WAITLIST By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THE Davis administration is moving to expand special education capacity in Grand Bahama after officials found more than 50 children waiting for placement at the island’s Beacon School, with two schools now being refurbished to accommodate additional special education units. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Chester Cooper said Bartlett Hill Primary and the new Holmes Rock Junior High School are being prepared to provide additional space for students with special needs, as the Ministry of Education confronts what he described as a potentially much larger national demand for assessments and services. Mr Cooper said potentially thousands of students across The Bahamas are
awaiting assessments after referrals by teachers and principals, making special education an urgent priority for the ministry. He said the scale of the problem in Grand Bahama became clear during a recent visit to the Beacon School. “One of the things I learned was that the waiting list was roughly 53 persons,” he said. Mr Cooper said the administration decided additional capacity was needed to ensure students with special needs have access to appropriate education. “It's about inclusion, it's about dignity, it's about ensuring that every child has an opportunity to improve their lot in life, contribute to society, and live their best life possible,” he said. On Monday, Mr Cooper toured several Grand Bahama schools, including Bartlett Hill Primary, Holmes Rock Junior High,
Jack Hayward High School in Freeport and McLean’s Town Primary in East Grand Bahama, to assess repairs and preparations ahead of the September reopening. The new Holmes Rock Junior High School includes an elevator and ramps to accommodate students with disabilities, features Mr Cooper said will become particularly important as special education units are introduced there. “We are ensuring inclusion and we will consistently work within the means of our available resources to ensure that we consistently upgrade the facilities to accommodate elevators etc and tools and ramps etc to focus on cater to children who may be disabled,” he said. The ministry is also planning a special education diploma pathway for students alongside vocational education opportunities.
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Mr Cooper said the administration is seeking to expand the number of teachers and specialists able to work with students with special needs, including speech pathologists and professionals trained in applied behaviour analysis. The University of The Bahamas has been asked to partner with the ministry to train at least 75 teachers in special education. Mr Cooper said the ministry also has an existing memorandum of understanding with Barry University and is pursuing a partnership with Florida Memorial University as part of efforts to increase the number of trained Bahamian special education teachers. The expansion comes as the ministry undertakes a broader recruitment drive aimed at hiring as many as 300 teachers ahead of the new school year. Mr Cooper said the
recruits will not all come from Ghana, with the ministry seeking teachers from Nigeria, Ghana, the Philippines, the United States, the United Kingdom and Caribbean countries. He stressed, however, that Bahamians remain the priority. “We are seeking to recruit as many Bahamians as we possibly can,” he said. The ministry is targeting recent University of The Bahamas graduates, retired teachers and others through its teacher reserve and supply-teacher programmes. Mr Cooper said about 100 Bahamian teachers have already been enlisted to enter classrooms in September. Foreign applicants are undergoing background checks and credential verification, including police and Interpol vetting and accreditation checks to ensure their qualifications meet
Bahamian requirements. “This is a work in progress,” Mr Cooper said. “We are going to be ready for a school to open in September, but we're going to consistently work to ensure that we bridge the gap that we are confronted with.” Special education will be among the areas targeted in the recruitment exercise. Mr Cooper also said the administration remains concerned about the safety of students, teachers and parents on school campuses. He credited the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s school resource officer programme with helping to reduce violence at schools over the past several years and said the ministry would continue working with police to prevent and respond to incidents. “We would like to think that we have a zero-tolerance for school violence,” he said.
BEMU rejects ministry claims over promotions, warns of strike By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas Educators Managerial Union has rejected the Ministry of Education’s claim that it has substantively addressed administrators’ promotion concerns, with union president Stephen McPhee accusing officials of misrepresenting recent meetings and warning that members could invoke an existing strike certificate if longstanding disputes remain unresolved. Mr McPhee said the ministry’s assertion that it met with BEMU twice within six weeks was misleading because the engagements were introductory rather than substantive, while
recently announced promotions did not involve the longstanding cases the union has been pressing officials to resolve. The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology responded last week to concerns raised by BEMU by saying it had met with the union twice within six weeks to discuss the teacher shortage and administrators’ promotions. It also said a substantial number of administrators had recently been promoted. Mr McPhee disputed that account. “Those are not the promotions that we'd ask the minister and his team to come and deal with. They are not members of BAMU,” he said. He said BEMU’s concerns involve promotions connected to a Supreme Court filing from 2021, promotions completed from 2018 and members who applied for advancement last year but were not promoted. Mr McPhee also challenged the ministry’s characterisation of its recent meetings with the union. “It couldn't have been because the permanent secretary just took office six weeks ago, and we did not even have anything other than an introductory meeting with just the president and a few executive officers just last week,” he said. Mr McPhee said the union met after receiving what it regarded as an inadequate response from the ministry and maintained that its central concerns about promotions, salaries and working conditions remained unanswered. He questioned why education managers, including principals, vice principals, district superintendents and assistant directors of education, were still waiting for promotion letters and related salary increases. BEMU said some principals, vice principals and senior mistresses who are currently accompanying ministry officials on assessment tours ahead of the reopening of schools have been waiting
since 2016 for promotion-related increases. The union said some officers are owed an additional $58.33 per month, while an assistant director of education is due an additional $116.66 per month. Mr McPhee questioned why those increases had remained outstanding for years while affected administrators continued carrying out their duties. “When we say to the public we cannot go any longer, we're asking the public to please accept and appreciate that this is wrong and any law-abiding citizen who can agree that someone should be waiting from 2016 on a matter of promotion, because it appeared shocking when the public was informed it's just $58.33 extra per month. At maximum, an assistant director of education, $116.66,” Mr McPhee said. “I gotta wait six years for it?” Mr McPhee said BEMU wrote to education officials on May 22, July 20 and July 30 seeking a substantive meeting on the outstanding promotions, its expired industrial agreement and members’ working conditions, but had yet to receive what it considered a substantive response. He also raised concerns about district superintendents reportedly serving on recruitment committees on weekends without clarity over overtime arrangements and said morale among members was “extremely low”. Against that backdrop, Mr McPhee warned that the union already has a strike certificate covering disputes over promotions and salary payments. “We have a strike certificate that says, on these promotions, on this denial of salary, you have a right to engage in a strike,” he said. Mr McPhee stressed that BEMU would not engage in illegal industrial action but said members could activate the certificate through a general meeting and majority vote.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, August 11, 2026, PAGE 5
Baha Mar SVP defends generator use as ‘good corporate citizenry’ POWER from page one BPL has blamed recent outages on a combination of equipment faults, underground cable failures, overloaded circuits and high electricity demand during the summer heat. The utility has appealed to government agencies, large businesses and other customers to reduce their reliance on the grid as the system approaches capacity. Mr Sands said Baha Mar and other major corporate entities have cooperated with Bahamas Power and Light for years by switching to standby generation when the grid comes under pressure. “This is not a new occurrence, and I think that’s good corporate citizenry in a country where entities like Baha Mar do well and benefit from the country,” he said. “It’s only important that we support and give back to support the country through challenging times.” His comments come after repeated power disruptions across New Providence, including in western communities near Baha Mar such as Old Fort Bay, West Winds, Sandyport and Turnberry. Residents in Love Beach and other western communities have also reported extended outages, some
lasting nearly 24 hours. BPL Chief Operating Officer Anthony Christie has said several circuits were overloaded and transformers were operating at peak capacity, forcing the utility to balance loads and relieve pressure on equipment to prevent further damage. Deputy Director of Energy Verron Darville has also said government agencies and large private customers with backup generation capacity were being asked to come off the grid during periods of peak demand so more electricity could remain available for residential customers and small businesses. Mr Sands said operating Baha Mar on its generators has not disrupted the resort or impeded tourism growth, although he acknowledged that the outages have been an irritant. “No impact at all,” he said. It’s been an irritant,” he said yesterday on the sidelines of an event at the National Art Gallery. Mr Sands said BPL should be given an opportunity to implement its plans and argued that reliability has improved significantly in recent months. “We have to be patient,” he said. “These are some stumbling blocks, but by and large, we have been supportive of the progress
and also the future of BPL. And even as I said, it has been an irritant, but it has not been a stumbling block to the growth of tourism in our country.” He declined to disclose how much Baha Mar spends to operate on generator power, saying the resort pays the applicable diesel cost. “The cost is the cost,” he said. “Whatever the diesel charge is, that’s the diesel charge. But I can assure you that BPL is fair to those corporate companies, etc and I will just leave it at that.” The Chamber, however, has taken a more critical position on the effect of the electricity crisis on the private sector. Chief executive officer Leo Rolle has said businesses are already contending with high taxes, rising costs and regulatory burdens, while repeated outages are resulting in lost productivity and additional operating expenses. The Chamber has called on the Davis administration, BPL and Bahamas Grid to provide a clear plan and timeline for restoring reliable electricity. It has also recommended expanded energy audits, grants to help smaller businesses adopt solar and energy-efficient equipment and greater use of duty-free concessions for high-efficiency equipment.
BAHA MAR SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT ROBERT SANDS
Baha Mar expects occupancy to defy traditional slow season By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net BAHA Mar expects occupancy during the traditionally slow late-summer and early-autumn period to run 10 to 15 percent ahead of last year, extending a strong 2026 performance. Senior Vice-President Robert Sands said the period from August 15 through mid-October — historically one of the slower periods for Bahamian tourism and commonly referred to as the shoulder season — is performing better than it did in 2025. “This year, for the first time in The Bahamas, slow is not traditionally slow. It's slower, but better than last year,” he said yesterday. Mr Sands said Baha Mar is seeing occupancy growth of at least 10 to 15 percent compared with the same traditionally weak period last year. The performance could
be significant against the backdrop of a growing debate over the composition of The Bahamas’ record-breaking visitor numbers. While the country attracts far more cruise passengers than stopover visitors, stopover tourism is regarded as the higher-value segment because those visitors spend on hotel rooms and a wider range of services during longer stays. That distinction has become increasingly important as much of the country’s recent growth in overall visitor arrivals has been driven by cruise traffic. The Bahamas received a record 12.5 million visitors in 2025, according to Ministry of Tourism figures, with more than 10.6 million arriving by sea and nearly 1.7 million arriving by air. The Central Bank of The Bahamas has repeatedly highlighted the importance of the stopover segment to tourism earnings. Last year,
it reported that tourism growth was being moderated by softer stopover performance even as cruise arrivals remained strong. That picture has improved this year. The Central Bank said in June that tourism remained robust, supported by a rebound in the highvalue-added stopover segment alongside continued cruise growth. Mr Sands said growth was occurring across the cruise, Airbnb and stopover sectors. “What we are seeing is that there is growth in terms of occupancy levels,” he said. “Things are improving, and of course, you know there are different sectors: the cruise sector, the Airbnb sector, the stopover sector, and we're seeing growth in all three of those areas.” Baha Mar’s outlook follows particularly strong occupancy earlier this year. In March, the Cable Beach resort recorded 94
percent occupancy, one of its highest levels since opening. Mr Sands said at the time that major New Providence resorts were seeing occupancy levels flat to slightly ahead of 2025, with room rates also helping to drive revenue. In July, Baha Mar said it was on track to maintain occupancies in the high-80s to low-90s through July and August, defying the destination’s traditionally softer summer period. The resort attributed that performance in part to increased Canadian visitation, additional airlift and strong group business. The stronger outlook represents a sharp improvement over Baha Mar’s experience during
last year’s slow season. In September 2025, occupancy at the resort was around 30 percent and was forecast to finish
about 20 percent below the same month in 2024. Baha Mar described that period as a “slower than normal slow season”.
PAGE 6, Tuesday, August 11, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
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Balancing frustration with patience for BPL YESTERDAY, we opined on the double standard at selective resorts where Bahamians face unpaid annual furloughs while expatriates avoid the same hardships. Judging by the dozens of unsolicited comments we received, the issue clearly resonates with the public. Few issues test your patience quite like the interruption of your “current.” When the power goes off, homes become uncomfortable, businesses suffer disruptions, appliances risk damage, and the normal rhythm of daily life comes to an abrupt halt. The frustration is understandable. Bahamas Power and Light must never dismiss the very real effect outages have on you. But you must balance frustration with perspective. Recent comments by Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association president Robert Sands offered precisely that. Sands acknowledged the importance of reliable electricity to the country’s hotels and wider tourism industry, while recognising recent improvements in reliability. This is an important admission from a leader representing an industry upon which our economy depends. The occasional outage remains an irritant, particularly for businesses already managing high operating costs. However, these interruptions have not severely damaged the overall tourism product of The Bahamas. Our hotels remain open, visitors continue to arrive in record numbers, and the country remains a highly desirable destination. We should acknowledge progress even as we demand better. The problems confronting BPL were not created overnight. They stem from ageing generation equipment, decades of insufficient investment, growing electricity demand, deferred maintenance, rising fuel costs, and a transmission and distribution network requiring extensive modernisation. We are at a critical stage in developing a reliable energy system. BPL must introduce new generation, replace ageing equipment, strengthen the grid, and integrate renewable energy without compromising stability. The utility must make these changes while supplying electricity every hour of every day. You should exercise patience, but BPL must handle these repairs responsibly. The utility needs to complete the upgrades in careful stages to limit disruptions to your daily life.
Accountability and patience must balance each other. You should hold BPL to clear standards. The company must communicate honestly, improve its maintenance programme, respond quickly to failures, and demonstrate that its investments produce measurable results. At the same time, we should avoid treating every interruption as proof of failure. The experience of many customers and the assessment offered by Sands support a more measured view. President John F. Kennedy famously challenged Americans to “ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” Building a dependable energy future is not the responsibility of BPL and the government alone. You have a part to play. Businesses can invest in energy efficiency and responsible conservation. You can reduce unnecessary household consumption, particularly during periods of peak demand. Developers can incorporate solar generation, battery storage, and modern building systems. You can hold public institutions accountable without turning every difficulty into a partisan dispute. You can recognise when the country attempts something difficult and give that process a reasonable opportunity to succeed. The government and BPL must also earn your patience. They must provide timelines, report progress, and explain setbacks. You will tolerate difficulty more readily when you see a credible plan in action. Our energy system is too important to become a permanent partisan dispute. Every administration inherited weaknesses and contributed to the decisions that brought us here. Fixing the system requires continuity beyond election cycles and a national commitment greater than political advantage. Sands’ comments remind us that the country is making progress. Improvement takes time, and you should not ignore positive steps simply because challenges remain. Continue to demand reliable electricity. Insist on accountability. Recognise progress, conserve energy where you can, and support the difficult work required to build the energy system The Bahamas deserves. Interruptions will happen. What matters is that the country moves in the right direction, and we all play our part in helping it get there.
School principals must follow rules EDITOR, The Tribune.
AS a teacher and a parent, it seems to me that many principals run schools like their private businesses. They feel like they can implement changes anytime they choose without consulting anyone. It is some of these same principles that cause discord and discontentment in the workplace. The Bahamas has always been hot but there is no need to change uniforms. The root of the problem is hot classrooms. If each classroom has four or five stand up fans, the rooms would be cool. Putting air conditioning in all classrooms is not practical so
having enough stand fans will solve the problem. Research shows that cotton is the coolest and most breathable fabric. As a result, cotton should be the fabric of choice. I saw a public junior school advertising dry fit school shirt. The Ministry of Education should not allow this at all. Research the amount of chemicals used to create dry fit fabrics. That material is not safe for anyone’s health. Dry fit was created for the fitness industry but it is unnatural. Schools should not be allowed to use that material. The Ministry of Education knows that many parents are
struggling. Many of them pass down uniforms to younger siblings. Leave the uniforms alone. The Ministry of Education should instead focus on the lack of discipline in the schools and ensuring that students follow school rules and respect those in authority. Principals should not be allowed to do whatever they please in schools. They must be held accountable for their actions and the environment they create in schools. CONCERNED PARENT Nassau, July 26, 2026.
Govt should cap VAT on fuel for consumer relief EDITOR, The Tribune. THE global petroleum market has experienced unprecedented volatility over the past several years, even before the recent conflict involving Iran added further uncertainty to international energy markets. Crude oil prices have fluctuated dramatically due to geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, production cuts, and changing global demand. Unfortunately, countries like The Bahamas, which are almost entirely dependent on imported petroleum products, continue to bear the full weight of these market forces. At the bottom of the petroleum value chain, The Bahamas is simply a consumer. We have no meaningful control over the upstream, midstream, or downstream sectors of the industry. We do not explore for oil, own oil wells, extract crude oil, refine petroleum products, or control international shipping and distribution. While Grand Bahama is home to one of the region’s largest petroleum storage facilities, the vast majority of the product stored belongs to international companies and markets, not to the Bahamian people. The one area where the Government does exercise complete control is taxation. High fuel costs affect every aspect of life in The Bahamas. They increase the cost of electricity, transportation, food production, commercial fishing, freight, construction, tourism, and virtually every product and service consumed by Bahamians. Every increase at the fuel pump eventually finds its way into the
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net supermarket, onto electricity bills, and into the cost of doing business. Working families, pensioners, and small businesses are left carrying the burden. Given this reality, one must ask a simple question: if taxation is the only part of the fuel chain our Government controls, why has there been no serious consideration of temporarily reducing or suspending fuel taxes to provide relief to Bahamians? This is not an unprecedented idea. Barbados, under the leadership of Prime Minister Mia Mottley, has implemented temporary measures to cushion citizens from the impact of global fuel price spikes. Such policies recognise that governments have a responsibility to use the tools available to them during periods of economic hardship. What makes the situation in The Bahamas even more difficult to understand is that the Government has repeatedly announced stronger-than-expected revenues and projected budget surpluses. If public finances are indeed improving, should not some of that success be shared with the people who continue to struggle with the rising cost of living? Furthermore, if the Government is unwilling to suspend or reduce fuel taxes outright, it should at the very least cap the amount of VAT collected on fuel at pre-Iran conflict price levels. As global oil prices rise because of geopolitical
events beyond our control, VAT revenue automatically increases because it is calculated as a percentage of the selling price. This allows the Government to collect more revenue without changing the tax rate, effectively benefiting from circumstances it neither created nor controls. It is fundamentally unfair for the Government to balance its budget or boast of budget surpluses on the backs of Bahamian consumers who are already struggling with higher fuel prices. Every additional dollar collected through higher VAT on inflated fuel prices is another dollar taken from working families, fishermen, taxi drivers, truckers, small businesses, and every household trying to make ends meet. A temporary cap on VAT collections at pre-conflict fuel price levels would allow the Government to continue collecting reasonable tax revenues while ensuring that extraordinary global events do not translate into extraordinary tax burdens for the Bahamian people. Such a measure would demonstrate fairness, fiscal responsibility, and a genuine commitment to providing relief when citizens need it most. The question remains: Does this Government genuinely want to provide meaningful relief to the Bahamian people, even if only on a temporary basis? If the answer is yes, then reducing fuel taxes—or at the very least capping VAT collections at pre-conflict price levels—would be an excellent place to begin. MELVIN COOPER Freeport, Grand Bahama July 30, 2026.
We need to eliminate or reform the PHA EDITOR, The Tribune. IN my view The Public Hospital Authority (PHA) is doing a grave disservice to the good people of The Bahamas. I fail to see or appreciate any good that it might have done since its creation by legislation some years ago. That body was designed and set up to ensure the smooth flow and delivery of medical and health services across our wonderful nation. It was also announced when it was first established that the PHA Would be subjected, over all, to the Ministry of Health & Wellness. Whatever the original mission statement would have been, it is now clear that the PHA is more of a hinderance to good health and medical care and may, in fact, be a clear and present ‘danger’ to the nation and her people at large. It seems that every week a horror story pops up about incidences within our health care systems and facilities. Who is in charge at the PHA and how long has that individual held that office? What are the individual’s qualifications etcetera? A few years ago, a young wife and mother allegedly died at the PMH following a childbirth. The widower has launched legal
proceedings so we are prevented from detailing the circumstances until the matter is resolved through the lengthy court process. A new born baby , according to evidence now adjudicated upon, was left unattended and subsequently died while in PMH...never ever left the hospital with his mother and dad! PHA has decided to pay the amount awarded and ‘Learn’ from that experience, albeit at taxpayers’ expense. I personally know of a sad case involving another young wife. She was admitted to PMH for what she and her husband thought would be a routine medical procedure. She was administered certain drugs prior to the operation. She suffered a bad reaction to the same and ended up with five (5) toes on one foot being amputated. She’s lost her very good employment position and is now confined to a wheelchair, with absolutely No Income or any sort of proposed ex gratia settlement. Litigation is beyond her meagre financial means!! This unfortunate matter has been brought to the direct attention of the humane Prime Minister and the erstwhile Hon Michael Darville (PLP-Tall Pines), Minister of Health & Wellness
by myself and the young lady’s husband. They fully expect justice along the way. Several other issues seem to be troubling the PHA and its management team. Allegedly, the kitchen at PMH has been inoperative since last year. On a regular basis, the central air conditioning at both PMH and The Rand over in Freeport breaks down. The other day, there was severe flooding at the entrance to the ‘new’ addition on Elizabeth Avenue due to the non-existence of the appropriate barrier or door. The Morgue used to be troubling for the dead and the living. I invite the most compassionate and sympathetic Prime Minister, ever, to please rise to the occasion, along with Minister Darville, to bring clarity and effectiveness to Public Hospital Authority. There are far too many indigenous Bahamians dying through no fault of their own while many who are supposed to be in charge, making life and death decisions are seemingly incompetent; negligent or worst. To God then, that Great Life Giver, in all things, be the glory !! Jr
ORTLAND H BODIE, Nassau, August 6, 2026.
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THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, August 11, 2026, PAGE 7
Judge upholds dismissal of officer linked to US drug case DISMISSED from page one Williams refused all of the relief he sought, including orders quashing his discharge, reinstating him and awarding aggravated and exemplary damages. Symonette, a retired police sergeant who had continued working with the force through a series of re-engagements, was discharged in December 2024 after being named in a US federal indictment alleging cocaine and firearms trafficking. He argued that Commissioner of Police Clayton Fernander acted unlawfully and denied him natural justice by removing him without a disciplinary hearing. But Justice Williams rejected the challenge, finding that Symonette’s statutory contract had expired in November 2023 and had never been renewed in writing. The judge found that while Symonette continued working and receiving pay and insurance coverage afterwards, he was presumed to know that the Commissioner could exercise the power of discharge at any time and was effectively an at-will employee of the force when he was removed. Justice Williams also found that the procedural protections Mr Symonette relied upon did not apply to him because the Police Service Commission regulations he cited concern officers at or above the rank of inspector, while Symonette remained a sergeant when he was discharged. US prosecutors named Symonette alongside former Chief Superintendent Elvis Curtis and others in an indictment alleging that corrupt
Bahamian officials helped traffickers move cocaine through The Bahamas to the United States. Federal prosecutors allege Symonette and Curtis each accepted about $10,000 in October 2023 as a down payment for assistance with what they understood would be a 600-kilogram cocaine shipment through Lynden Pindling International Airport for eventual distribution in the United States. Symonette has not been convicted of those allegations. As of February, The Tribune reported that no US extradition request had been made for Symonette, who remained in The Bahamas. The Supreme Court ruling centres not on whether the US allegations are true, but on whether the Commissioner acted lawfully in discharging Symonette and whether he was entitled to the disciplinary process he said he had been denied. Symonette joined the police force on July 1, 1994, and retired in 2017 after 25 years of service at the rank of sergeant. He subsequently began a series of one-year re-engagements, the last of which began on November 1, 2022. According to the ruling, Symonette was summoned to a meeting with Commissioner Fernander at police headquarters on December 12, 2024. He said that when he arrived, a senior officer relieved him of his police warrant card, firearms certificate and police service weapon before he was escorted to a conference room. Symonette told the court that the Commissioner verbally attacked him, accused him of corruption and handed him a discharge certificate. He maintained that he was not
allowed to respond and was never brought before a disciplinary tribunal. At the end of the meeting, officers from the Security and Intelligence Branch escorted him to his home, where his uniforms and accoutrements were seized, according to his account recorded in the judgment. Commissioner Fernander offered a different account. He said Symonette resigned, which he refused to accept. The Commissioner said he instead told Symonette that because he was not properly contracted and in light of media reports, he would likely cease to be an efficient police officer under section 21(1)(c) of the Police Force Act. Justice Williams ultimately preferred the evidence of Commissioner Fernander and Chief Superintendent Allison Brooks where their accounts conflicted with Symonette’s. The judge said cross-examination exposed several contradictions in Symonette’s evidence. Symonette initially claimed he had been stripped and searched, but conceded under questioning that he had not been stripped. He also accepted that he was properly discharged and that a WhatsApp message he sent to the Commissioner after his dismissal accurately reflected his position at the time. In that message, reproduced in the judgment, Symonette told Commissioner Fernander: “Morning Commander. I am sorry if I let you down but it’s not the way they say. I pray one day that you can forgive me. I am truly sorry.” Justice Williams placed considerable weight on that response when rejecting Symonette’s later claim that
Funeral Service For Gwendolyn Augusta Smith, 69 of Lew Adderley Estates off Bernard Road, New Providence and formerly of Andros, Bahamas, will be held on Wednesday, 12th August, 2026, 11:00 a.m. at Life Changers Ministries International, Bacardi Road, New Providence. Officiating will be Pastor Perez Albury assisted by Pastor Derrick Colebrooke and other ministers of the gospel. Interment will be held in Lakeview Memorial Gardens, Gladstone Road, New Providence. She was predeceased by her husband: Charles Smith; father: Ortland Fernander; sister: Joan Styles; brother: Keith; adopted mother/aunt: Prescola Stubbs. She will forever be loved and cherished in the hearts of all those who know her which includes her mother: Celestine Cleare and Edward Cleare Sr.; daughter: Valencia Moss; sons: Kevin Davis, Jermaine Davis and Valentino (Stacy) Moss; adopted sons: Marvin T, Devon and Edwin; godfather: Christopher Stuart; brothers: Cardinal, Michael (Deborah) Fernander, Conrad (Norma), Knox Russell, Valdez, Valden (Katherine), Valenty (Victoria), Brian (Detris), Michael (Deborah) Celare and Edward (Tavana) Cleare; sisters: Mary Jane (Rufus) Rolle, Ruth, Catherine, Elva (Vandyke), Anita Williams, Jennifer (Lionel), Sharon, Sherry and Ophelia; in-laws: Golean, Ralph Smith, Charlene Fernander; grandchildren: Rashan, Valentino Jr., Savanna, Nyla Moss, Candice, Bria, Zion, Caramia, Jemini and Roman Davis; great-grandchildren: Majesty, Rashawn and Aurora; aunts and uncles: Hartman (Francita), Leah Stuart, Lefred Rolle Stuart (Monique), Gloria Rolle, Amos, Rodney Flowers; nieces and nephews: Bryan, Kiarra, Vakati, Caidyn, Vacari, Valencia, Valden Jr., Valia, Vashnique, Vaniecia, Valon, Vadalia, Jamaal, Cedenyo, Caleb, Willis, Sammy, Rashad, Kendrick, Sirnate, Justin, Danty Dionisio, Jemmany, Jazze, Jaden, Kendra Styles Deveaux, Mona Lisa Doughlas, Donnalee, Joynaya, Tarnja, Syraha, Cardinal Jr., Cardrin, Blayre, Joshua, Dillon, Kevin Minnis Jr., Dayke Bethel Jr., Lamar Williams, Shamika, Tamunique, Mikea, Sharice, Madison, Serena, Lea, Alyssa, Alisha, Danesha, Felicia, Shakeitra, Keith Jr. and Nakeisha Burrows; cousins: Jeffrey (Sidne), Dion, Shevaun (Michael) Bain, Anthea (Kevin), Kevin, Sheldon, Trevor and Jason Fernander, Lynette Brown, Bernadette, Tyrone, Christine, Shawn, Margo Sturrup, Perry, Brenda, Judy, Barbara, Sharon, Clarice, Phyllis, Janet Christine, Antoinette, Patrice, Litesha, Linette, Bernell, Vernell, Lloyd, Jeffrey, Suelin, Retired Superintendent Ann Marie Neely, Frank and Lester Stuart; other relatives and friends including: Ambrose Moss, Melissa Watkins, Dr. Amelia (Cuba), Frantz Ferguson, Kevin (Karen Adderley, Patrick Knowles, Pastor Roy Burrows (Karen), Pastor Carlton Stuart, Charmaine Johnson, Jasmine Haygood, Jason Watkins, Alice Wells, Ellen Smith, Dania, D’Jenae, K’Shaun, Jedargo, Kaysha, Gavaun, Gavan, Michael Jr., Kayla Davis, Arlene (Joe), Antrim (Angela), Blossom, Carnie, Patrice, Ernestine, Patrice, Idena MckenzieThurston and Family, McKenzie Jr., John Rolle, Eddie and Desiree Riley, Angela Glinton, Ivan Hanna, Robbie Leming (Karen), The Management and staff of One and Only Ocean Club Resort, The Community of Long Bay, Congo Town, and Driggs Hill South Andros, The Life Changers Ministries Church Family, Princess Margaret Hospital Doctors and Nurses, and numerous other relatives and friends to many names to mention. Viewing will be held in The Celestial Suite at Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium Limited, Robinson and Soldier Roads, New Providence on Tuesday, 11th August, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and at the church on Wednesday, 12th August, 2026 from 9:30 a.m. until service time.
the process had been unlawful. The judge also criticised arguments advanced on Symonette’s behalf, saying some betrayed what he described as a fundamental and perhaps wilful misunderstanding of the law and the facts of the case. Symonette had argued that he possessed a legitimate expectation, based on what he described as an unblemished 30-year record, that any decision affecting his continued service would come only after a prescribed process involving an engagement process, initiation of an application, recommendation from the officer in charge of his section and consideration by the Commissioner. Justice Williams was not persuaded. He said that even assuming such a practice existed, there could be no legitimate expectation where no application for re-engagement had been made and no contract existed. The judge went further, finding that even if Symonette
could ordinarily have expected continued re-engagement, that expectation would have been displaced by the circumstances in which he found himself — namely that he stood indicted on serious criminal charges in a foreign jurisdiction. A police officer whose continued employment might otherwise have been expected would, the judge found, presumably be unlikely to remain or become an efficient or effective officer in those circumstances. The Police Force Act gives the Commissioner authority to discharge a contracted officer if the Commissioner is satisfied that the officer is unlikely to become or has ceased to be an efficient or effective police officer, or if discharge is otherwise considered necessary in the public interest. Symonette also argued that his discharge breached natural justice and due process because he was not afforded a hearing before being removed. Justice Williams rejected that argument as well.
He found that Symonette had an available statutory right to appeal the Commissioner’s decision to the Governor General within seven days, with the appeal to be determined on the advice of the Police Service Commission. The judge found that Symonette failed to exercise that right and voluntarily waived it. Justice Williams said Symonette had instead accepted his discharge, as reflected in the WhatsApp message he sent to Commissioner Fernander. Symonette had also sought damages, but that claim failed. Justice Williams found no negligence, breach of statutory duty, high-handedness, bad faith or arbitrary, malicious, unconstitutional or oppressive conduct attributable to Commissioner Fernander in either his words or actions. Bjorn Ferguson represented Symonette. Olivia Pratt Nixon and Nyane Orlander appeared for the Attorney General and Commissioner of Police.
Funeral Service for Rev. Lenox Edward Green, C.D., 73 of Sapodilla Blvd., will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday 13th August, 2026 at New Destiny Baptist Cathedral, Gladstone Road. Officiating will be Bishop Delton Fernander assisted by other ministers of the Gospel. Cremation will follow. He was predeceased by, his daughter Khadijah Swain, his parents James and Kathleen; his siblings Junior, Olga (Erva) and Freeman. Left to cherish all the memories are his Wife: Roslyn Green; Daughters: Pamela (Jerome Sr.) Burrows of Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Josette-Dorie (Nigel) Thompson of Moore’s Island, Abaco, Inderia-Reeba Green, Robynn (Vincent Jr.) Meadows; Sons: Marvin-Lenox E. (Shawon) Green of Marsh Harbour, Abaco, Elvis Swain, Leonardo Green, De’Angelo Green, Lenmar (Kadejah) Green; Grandchildren: Khadijah (Corderro Sr.) Dean, Maureece-Lenox, Myles, Marquez & Malaysia Green, Jerome Jr., Jerone & Tianna Burrows, Delon Hunt, Vejay, Venzil, Veraughn & Vynique Meadows, Dejonay, Ethan, K’Leigh & Konnor Swain, Tanarj & Tahjae Green, Chavard, Cartez, Chaniy & Demarion Green, Laiyah Green, Harmony Green, Khamiy & Khamea Green; Greatgrandchildren: Corderro Jr. & Cordeja Dean, Jyren Burrows; Sisters: Rose Hield, Jeanie (Gregory) Jones, Eula Green, Deacon Ramona Demeritte; Brothers: Rev. Clifford Green, Sherlin Green, Ronald (Jennifer) Greene, Ellis (Thelma) BodieYoung; Nieces: Doranell Swain, Yvette (Arthur) Mitchell, Monique (Samuel) Strachan, Linda Halkitis, Michelle Green, Victoria Hield, Fredricka Green, Sabrina Bannister, Jada, Jania & Janaz Jones, Ursula (Andy) Glinton, Rondisha (Amare’) Cudjoe, Angel Greene, Chiquita Brown-Nwaka, Eularice (Valdimir Sr.) Taylor, Nakaiya Smith, Janet Green, Tiffany Young, Tamara (Jermaine) Baker, Tinicia Young, Amethyst Demeritte; Nephews: Pedro Sr. (Maria) Hield, Charles Hield, Jerome Hield, Gladstone Green, Emerson-Lloyd (Peggy) Green, Jesse & Rio Greene, Fernando (Legree) Brown, Tavano Sr. (Lateshia) Green, Javan Sr. (Julienne) Green, Monte Green, Amaré Jones, Simorne Sr. (Tiffany) Roberts, Ellis Young, Adrian (Lovell) Demeritte; Grand nieces: Nikita, Davia, Daisha & Davanna Douglas, Elcita (Robenson) Maurancy, Mashonna Lockhart, Chrystel Ebanks, Candice Green, Malaysia Brown, Caira Green, Victoria, Amanda, Charla & Chelsea Hield, Britanna (Francois) Capron, Marisa & Bailee Hield, Tavanya Green, Javana & Janelle Green, Rihanna Greene, Whitney (Brenton) Deveaux, Taniyah Burrell, Great-grand nieces: Rania Douglas, Kamille Deveaux, Aaliyah Swain, Tarjuanae Mitchell, Naveah & Adell Green; Grand nephews: Atario, Jerone, Tyrone & Khemron Mitchell, Demartio Green, Brandon Halkitis, Kayden Dean, Thailand, Taiwan & Taiz Brown, Pedro Jr. & Maricio Hield, Jamal Hield, Cairo Green, Khiry (Vanessa) Swain, Bernardo (Angela) Justin, Edwano, Brian, Jadan, Keano, Kearone & Gabriel, Simorne Jr. & Saccario Roberts, Shelton Mackey, Briawn Cox, Tavano Jr., Latorio, Ruben & Tavantae Green, Jerome, Javan Jr., Jaylen, Jayden, & Caleb Green, Valdimir Jr. & Valdez Taylor, Azarion Green Princeton Green, Alpha & Alvin Glinton, Kai Cudjoe Great-grand nephews: Benson & Dakari Joseph, Anthony Evans, Chima & Amari Nwaka, Juchai Green, Zachary Franks, Jazari & Jaxai Mitchell, Kenneth Deveaux, Malakya, Jeremyah & Elijah Swain, British & Ciro Green; Surrogate Children: Cheryl Johnson, Redell Cartwright-Butler, Jaminia Cleare, Chaneka Edgar, Angela Clarke, Gerrina Cunningham, Jeremiah Rahming, Edison Newry; Godchildren: Edreisa Johnson, Randy Davis, Don Davis, Diane Knowles; Cousins: Sis. Winnie-Debbie Alleyne, Mary Hair, Hilda Fox, Rosie Foxx-Barron, Thelma Nicholas, George Foxx, Shirley Foxx-Knowles, Gladys Foxx, Paul Foxx, John Foxx, Tyrone Greene, Sidney Greene, Ricardo Green, Rudolph Green, Petlene Green, Sylvia Greene, Llewellyn, Harriet, Owen, & Carolyn Swain, Hillary Delancy, Leslie, Zane & Shayne Sturrup, E.J. Curry, Tara & Alex Green, Paige & Leslie Swain, Adamae Deveaux, Marvin McQueen, Era Gibson, Sinclair Swain, Charlotte Green, Charlene Green, Ingrid McKenzie, Vaughn Butler-Adderley, Wynton Adderley, Colyn Adderley; Other relatives and friends including: The Descendants of Boo & Kathy Green, The Descendants of the Late Arthur Moxey, Michael, Leonard and Frances Carroll and family, Carlton & Ethlyn Wildgoose and family, Phillip & Christine Taylor and family, Rev Graylin, David, Danny, Copeland, Lincoln, Jerry Moxey, Rosemary Rolle, Magistrate Janet Bullard, Osbourne Stuart, Edward Sr. & Dorsie-Mae Humes and family, Vincent Sr. & Veronica Meadows and family, Marionette Rolle, Baker & Sonamae Davis, Johnathan & Dorothy Dean, Elizabeth Davis, Ada, Herbert, Hasting, Shervin & Oral Green, Neighbours-Mr. & Mrs. Craig & Cynthia Knowles and family, Mr. & Mrs. Hepburn and family, Keith Bullard and family, Church family-The Rt. Hon. Bishop Dr. Delton D. & Minister Dr. Calpurnia Fernander and family, New Destiny Baptist Cathedral Family and Destiny S.T.R.O.N.G. Family, Rev. Tyrone Sr. & Doranda Knowles, Rev. Johnathan & Michelle Ford, Minister Jason & Mellisa Deveaux, Minister Daniel & Cindy Davis, The Men’s Ministry, The Usher and Protocol Ministry of New Destiny Baptist Cathedral, Ministry of Education, Bahamas Union of Teachers, Bahamas Educators Managerial Union, Pastor Mario & Erika Moxey and the Bahamas Harvest Church family, Pastor Hervis Bain III, Stephan & Cynthia Edgecombe and family, Patrice EllisDemeritte and family, Marsh Harbour Seventh Day Adventist Church Family, The Virtue of Prayer Community Church of Moore’s Island Abaco, New Providence Old Timers Softball Association, The Bahamas Baptist Sports Council, St. John’s Native Baptist Church family, Bahamas Power and Light, Royal Bahamas Defence Force, Nassau Flight Services, The communities of Moore’s Island & Marsh Harbour, Abaco, and his many colleagues from Uriah McPhee Primary School, C. W. Sawyer Primary School, Gerald Cash Primary School, Garvin Tynes Primary School, Stephen Dillet Primary School, and the countless students across the country, and a host of other relatives and friends. The family is thankful for the prayers, calls and visits during this time and apologizes for any names that may be omitted. Friends may pay their last respects at Bethel Brothers Morticians & Crematorium, #44a Nassau Street on Wednesday 12th August 2026 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and at the church on Thursday 13th August 2026 from 10:00 a.m. until service time.
PAGE 8, Tuesday, August 11, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Ivoine Ingraham • Facing Reality
One umbrella, one voice
why it’s time to unite disability services A SOCIETY is ultimately judged not by the grandeur of its buildings or the size of its economy, but by how it treats those who face the greatest obstacles in everyday life. Persons living with disabilities have long demonstrated extraordinary resilience, talent, and determination, yet too often they must navigate a maze of disconnected agencies, organizations, and government departments simply to access the services and opportunities they deserve. It’s time to rethink that model. Rather than maintaining a patchwork of separate organizations serving different disabilities, we should establish a single umbrella corporation or national authority dedicated to all persons with disabilities. Such an organization would become a genuine one-stop shop— bringing together expertise, advocacy, funding, policy development, and service delivery under one roof. This is not about diminishing the unique needs of different disability communities. It’s about recognizing that they share a common goal: equal opportunity, dignity, accessibility, and full participation in society. People who are blind, deaf, hard of hearing, wheelchair users, persons with mobility impairments, individuals who use prosthetic limbs or canes, those with cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities, dyslexia, speech and language disorders, chronic illnesses, mental health conditions, and many other disabilities all face different challenges. Yet they also encounter many of the same barriers: inaccessible buildings, transportation difficulties, discrimination, unemployment, limited educational opportunities, inadequate healthcare, and fragmented government support. The current approach often forces these communities to compete against one another for limited funding and public attention. One organization advocates for the blind, another for people who are deaf or hard of hearing, another for autism, another for mobility disabilities, and yet another for mental health conditions. Each must seek grants, lobby policymakers, organize fundraising events, and compete for scarce government resources. This competition is unnecessary and counterproductive. A unified corporation would replace competition with collaboration. Instead of dozens of organizations duplicating administrative costs, fundraising efforts, and advocacy campaigns, resources could be pooled to maximize efficiency. One governing board, one executive leadership
team, one financial structure, and one comprehensive strategic plan could serve all disability communities while maintaining specialised divisions staffed by professionals with expertise in specific conditions. Such a model would ensure that no disability is treated as more deserving than another. Every individual would have a seat at the table. Funding decisions could be based on demonstrated need rather than on which advocacy group has the strongest political influence or the greatest fundraising capacity. Equally important, the government would benefit from dealing with a single principal partner rather than numerous organisations pursuing overlapping objectives. A single authority could coordinate policy, collect national data, monitor outcomes, recommend legislation, and evaluate whether public services are meeting accessibility standards. Ministries responsible for health, education, labour, housing, transportation, and social services would have a single central organisation through which to consult the disability community. This streamlined approach would also accelerate decision-making. Too often, worthy initiatives are delayed because responsibility is spread across multiple departments and agencies. A single overseeing corporation with an approved budget
barrier. Accessibility is not a favour extended to a few; it’s an investment that benefits everyone, including older adults, parents with strollers, injured workers, visitors, and future generations. When accessibility is built into every public and private space, society becomes stronger, more inclusive, and more economically productive. Education deserves special attention. Children with disabilities should not encounter fragmented systems that separate services according to diagnosis. Whether a student is blind, deaf, autistic, has dyslexia, uses a wheelchair, or lives with another disability, families should have one central point of contact to coordinate educational supports, assistive technology, therapy services, transportation, and transition planning. Parents already face enough challenges without having to
help coordinate services and advocate for more integrated care that places the individual—not the diagnosis—at the centre of decision-making. Importantly, such an organization should not erase the identities or expertise of existing disability groups. Their knowledge, history, and community connections remain invaluable. Instead, those organisations could become specialised departments or advisory councils within the larger umbrella structure, preserving their unique perspectives while benefiting from shared resources and a stronger collective influence. This approach would create a louder, more unified voice when advocating for legislative reforms, increased funding, public awareness campaigns, research initiatives, and accessibility improvements. There is also an important symbolic value in bringing all disability communities together. Unity demonstrates that society recognizes disability as a shared human rights issue rather than a collection of isolated medical conditions. It reminds us that inclusion is not about dividing people into categories but about ensuring that every individual can participate fully in community life. As populations age, the number of people living with disabilities will continue to grow. More citizens will experience mobility limitations, hearing loss, vision impairment, chronic illness, cognitive challenges, and other conditions. The need for coordinated services will only become greater. Preparing for that future requires bold thinking today. A single umbrella corporation with one governing body,
navigate a maze of disconnected offices and procedures. A one-stop organization could simplify that journey, ensuring that children receive timely interventions and that schools have access to coordinated expertise. Employment represents another area where unified leadership could make a profound difference. Persons with disabilities continue to experience disproportionately high rates of unemployment despite possessing valuable skills, education, creativity, and determination. A central authority could partner with employers to promote inclusive hiring practices, workplace accommodations, vocational training, entrepreneurship, and career development. Businesses would benefit from a single organisation that can provide guidance on accessibility standards, accommodation strategies, available incentives, and best practices for creating inclusive workplaces. Healthcare services would also become more coordinated. Many individuals live with multiple disabilities or chronic conditions that require support from various specialists. Instead of navigating separate systems with little communication between them, a unified authority could
one comprehensive budget, and one integrated policy framework offers an opportunity to eliminate duplication, improve accountability, accelerate service delivery, and ensure fairness across every disability community. It would reduce administrative waste while directing more resources where they belong—to the people who need them. Most importantly, it would affirm a simple but powerful principle: every person deserves equal respect, equal opportunity, and equal access. Creating one home for all disability services is not about convenience alone. It’s about justice. It’s about ensuring that no group is overlooked, no voice is marginalized, and no individual falls through the cracks because the system is too fragmented to respond effectively. The time has come to replace division with unity, bureaucracy with coordination, and competition with collaboration. By bringing every disability community under one umbrella, we can build a society that is not only more efficient, but more compassionate, equitable, and inclusive. That’s a vision worthy of our collective commitment—and one that future generations will thank us for.
could respond more quickly to emerging needs, allocate resources efficiently, and eliminate unnecessary bureaucracy. Accessibility itself must become a cornerstone of this unified vision. One of the most practical reforms would be to require that every business seeking a licence demonstrate full accessibility before opening its doors. Accessible entrances, ramps, elevators where appropriate, properly designed washrooms, adequate parking, clear signage, tactile markings, visual and audible emergency systems, and other reasonable accommodations should no longer be viewed as optional features. They should be basic requirements of doing business in a modern society. No one should be prevented from entering a restaurant, bank, medical office, retail store, government building, or place of entertainment simply because of a physical
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, August 11, 2026, PAGE 9
Judge denies bail to murder suspect accused of stealing car By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN awaiting trial for a 2022 murder in Exuma was denied bail after being accused of stealing a car in New Providence earlier this year. Alcott Fox, 32, was denied bail by Justice Darron Ellis in connection with the alleged theft of a black 2013 Kia Optima on January 31. The vehicle was valued at $8,000. At the time of the alleged offence, Fox was on bail awaiting trial for the November 2022 murder of Malik Fernander. Prosecutors opposed Fox’s bail application, arguing that he was not a suitable candidate for release. They cited the fact that he was on bail for
murder at the time of the alleged theft, the seriousness of both offences and his relevant antecedents. Fox was sentenced to three months in prison last August for violating his bail conditions. Fox maintained his innocence in relation to the latest charge and argued that he was a suitable candidate for bail. He claimed an ankle-monitoring report exonerated him, but the report was not before the court. His attorney argued that prosecutors had produced no evidence that Fox would abscond, interfere with witnesses, obstruct justice, commit further offences or fail to comply with bail conditions. Counsel also submitted that the murder charge should not be treated as proof of guilt or used as a
substitute for evidence that Fox posed a flight risk. While Justice Ellis acknowledged the presumption of innocence, he found that Fox had failed to respect the trust placed in him when he was granted bail because he was accused of committing another offence while on release. The judge also found that Fox had antecedents involving violence and dishonesty. Justice Ellis denied bail after finding that Fox posed risks of absconding and reoffending and that there were insufficient conditions that could mitigate those risks if he were released. Fox was informed of his right to appeal the decision. Stanley Rolle represented Fox, while Xandrell Bain and Tanesha Rolle appeared for the prosecution.
Man on bail for 2023 murder remanded over bail violations By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN awaiting trial for a 2023 murder was remanded to prison yesterday after he was accused of breaching his bail conditions for 117 days. Prosecutors allege Yvon Carter, 25, failed to sign in at his local police station for 117 days between April 6 and August 1. Carter was on bail on charges of murder,
attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. Prosecutors allege Carter and his accomplices were responsible for the shooting death of 18-yearold Harrinique McPhee and the attempted murder of Owen Anderson near a bar on Coleman Lane on February 4, 2023. The accused allegedly jumped out of bushes and opened fire on the victims’ vehicle.
Carter pleaded not guilty to violating his bail conditions before Magistrate Abigail Farrington. Assistant Superintendent of Police Kendrick Bauld, the prosecutor, objected to bail, citing the serious nature of the offences and the extent of the alleged breaches. Carter was denied bail and remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. His trial is scheduled to begin on October 23.
Bamboo Shack worker granted bail over $7,000 theft charge By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A WOMAN accused of stealing more than $7,000 while working at two Bamboo Shack locations last month was granted bail. Prosecutors allege Faencia Cornish, 40, stole $3,555
from the Bamboo Shack on Nassau Street and another $3,764 from the restaurant’s Prince Charles Drive location during July. Cornish pleaded not guilty to two counts of stealing by reason of employment before Senior Magistrate Kendra Kelly Burrows. Her bail was set at $5,000
with one or two sureties. Under the terms of her bail, Cornish was warned not to interfere with witnesses and was ordered to sign in at her local police station on the first Monday of every month. Her trial is scheduled to begin on October 27. Sergeant Vernon Pyfrom prosecuted the case.
Housekeeper granted bail over alleged $38,000 theft charge By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A HOUSEKEEPER accused of stealing $38,749.81 over six months was granted $7,500 bail. Prosecutors allege
Shavette Bain, 29, stole the money from a woman in New Providence between June 2, 2025, and January 3. Bain pleaded not guilty to stealing before Senior Magistrate Algernon Allen Jr.
Under the terms of her bail, Bain must sign in at the Alice Town Police Station every Friday by 7pm. Her trial is scheduled to begin on October 23. Inspector Timothy Bain prosecuted the case.
PAGE 10, Tuesday, August 11, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
NAGB opens ‘The Cottage’ following $250k restoration
JOHN COX NAGB Board Chair,Minister for Culture Leslia Miller-Brice, Robert Sands Sr VP Baha Mar, and Maelynn Ford Executive Director of NAGB cut the ribbon for the reopening of the historic Annex Building and NAGB yesterday. Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr. THE National Art Gallery of The Bahamas (NAGB) officially opened “The Cottage,” its newly restored administrative home on Delancy Street, marking a milestone in cultural preservation and the expansion of the Gallery. The project, supported by a more than $250,000 investment from the Baha Mar Resort Foundation, included the restoration of the annex, climate-controlled storage containers and a covered outdoor workshop space. NAGB Board Chair John Cox said the new space forms part of the Gallery’s broader NAGB 2.0 vision, which aims to expand its role as a national museum and create greater opportunities for exhibitions, education and public access to the Bahamas National Collection. Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage Leslie Miller-Brice described the project as an example of how preservation and progress can work together, while calling for greater private-sector investment in the country’s cultural institutions.
NOW HIRING SENIOR ACCOUNTANT A company is looking for an experienced Senior Accountant to oversee accounting operations. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Supervise all activities and staff in the accounting department including accounts payable and receivable. Review, analyse and provide monthly and annual consolidated financial reports to senior management. Develop financial reviews and provide investment and profitability advice. Prepare and file Quarterly VAT returns and coordinate and respond to requests from the Department of Inland Revenue, ensuring timely submission of tax filings and supporting documents. Assist external auditors to facilitate smooth audit processes. Drive efficiency improvements and cost reductions across the business. Management stakeholder relationships. Oversee payroll processing. Collaborate with management and executive teams to share reports and analysis findings. Prepare annual budgets. Establish and maintain internal control guidelines, policies, and procedures for budget accounting, cash and credit management, and administration. Act as liaison agent with banks when required. Prepare insurance-related financial analyses when needed.
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS • • • • • • • • • •
CPA designation Minimum 5 years of supervisory experience in accounting/finance Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance Proficiency QuickBooks and Inventory experience required Strong background in internal controls Knowledge of Bahamian laws and fiscal policies Excellent analytical and organizational skills Proficiency in MS Office Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet reporting deadlines Strong communication skills and attention to detail
Email resume to chinainvestment1969@hotmail.com
COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS IN THE SUPREME COURT
2025 COM/com/00007
Commercial Division IN THE MATTER OF the Companies Act, Chapter 308 and the Companies Act, 1992 (as amended) AND IN THE MATTER OF Les Geonnais Limited (In Official Liquidation) Notice of Dissolution TAKE NOTICE that by an Order of the Supreme Court of The Bahamas dated 15 July 2026 in Supreme Court Action No. COM/com/00007 of 2025, Les Geonnais Limited (In Official Liquidation) (“the Company”), was ordered to be dissolved in accordance with Section 249 of the Companies Act, 1992 (as amended) and Order 22, Rule 6 (2) of the Companies Liquidation Rules, 2012. The Official Liquidator of the Company is Mr. Edmund L. Rahming of Intelisys Ltd, 110 Mount Royal Avenue and Talbot Street, Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas. Dated this 10th day of August, A.D. 2026. Edmund L. Rahming Official Liquidator
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, August 11, 2026, PAGE 11
Let’s Make A Difference working for Grand Bahama back to school BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
THE Let's Make a Difference programme has expanded its annual back-to-school initiative to Grand Bahama, bringing together civic organizations to distribute nearly 2,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to students in West Grand Bahama. Melissa Sears, chairman of the Grand Bahama Let's Make a Difference programme, said this year the initiative will benefit students at West End Primary, Holmes Rock Primary and Lewis Yard Primary schools. She said the initiative is being extended by the charitable arm of the Bahama Stripling Group of Companies, which has operated a Thanksgiving feeding programme in Grand Bahama and the Family Islands for several years. Ms. Sears said the organization
has partnered with several civic groups, including the Rotaract Club, Pilot Club, Kiwanis Club, Lions Club and local lodges, to package and distribute the school supplies.
"All of us decided to come together and we are having a packing party and each club would be distributed a certain amount of bags, pencils, books so that they themselves would be able to distribute in the various communities
that they serve in," she said. She said each backpack will contain books, pencils, rulers and other school supplies. "We understand that during this time of the year, it could be very stressful for parents trying to get children ready, especially single parents, single mothers. And so we understand the stress and wanted to lend a helping hand." Ms. Sears said this year's distribution is focused on West Grand Bahama, but organizers hope to expand the programme to East Grand Bahama next year. The organization also plans to continue its annual Thanksgiving feeding initiative by providing meals to the schools receiving the back-to-school donations. Ms. Sears thanked the civic organizations that have partnered with Let's Make a Difference since the programme was introduced in Grand Bahama.
"We work through our partners because it is a community initiative. And it's all of us. And so we work together as one. We touch more people that way," she said.
AMBASSADOR HOPING TO BROADEN NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE CONVERSATION, ENGAGE YOUTH By Fay Simmons Tribune Education Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net AS The Bahamas confronts the growing effects of climate change, Taylor Cargill wants to broaden the national conversation beyond the environment and show young Bahamians how climate change intersects with nearly every part of their lives. That perspective is at the heart of Ms Cargill’s work as the 2026-2027 Climate Change Youth Ambassador, where she will focus on interdisciplinary climate communications and helping young Bahamians understand how their own interests and talents can contribute to climate action. The 23-year-old is using the one-year ambassadorship to promote greater awareness of how climate change affects the country while highlighting opportunities
Taylor Cargill
for young people to become part of the solution. “We’re told that climate change is an environmental problem, when in reality, it’s an everything problem,” said Ms Cargill. “It impacts every aspect of our lives, from our ecosystems to our health, energy
systems, infrastructure, economy and livelihoods. But this also means that climate solutions can come from everywhere.” Ms Cargill said her goal is to create educational resources that help young Bahamians connect their individual passions and skills to climate action. Rather than treating
climate change as an issue reserved for scientists or environmental professionals, she wants young people to recognise that there are many ways to contribute. That could mean approaching climate action through communications, education, technology, business, the arts, community development or other fields. Through the Climate Change Youth Ambassadorship, Ms Cargill will also lead community outreach, raise public awareness of climate issues and help drive national youth initiatives. The role includes representing The Bahamas at international climate forums, including the Conference of the Parties (COP), as well as co-chairing the annual Bahamas Youth Climate Conference. Ms Cargill said she is particularly interested in using the platform to amplify climate solutions already being developed locally and to
"So when people say no, we can't work together, yes, we can. Let's Make a Difference is proof that we can work together for the betterment of the community."
NEW environmental ambassador wants young Bahamians to see climate change as an ‘everything problem’
help young people identify practical pathways to getting involved. “I am excited to help amplify the many climate solutions that exist locally, and to share pathways and opportunities for action,” she said. The Climate Change Youth Ambassadorship provides young Bahamians with a platform to represent the country, champion sustainable solutions and
advance climate justice during a one-year term. For Ms Cargill, however, climate action does not have to begin with a major initiative or a formal position. Her message to other young Bahamians is simple: start now. “Ask questions, explore your passions, connect with your peers, and find creative ways to get involved,” she said.
PAGE 12, Tuesday, August 11, 2026
Coastline cleanup at South Beach
WORKERS with the Bahamas Public Parks & Beaches Authority, under chairman Jamal Strachan, remove debris from the South Beach coastline during a cleanup initiative on Monday, part of ongoing efforts to maintain the area’s natural beauty and keep public beaches clean. Photos: Shawn Hanna
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