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VOLUME:116 No.162, AUGUST 19TH, 2019
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SPORTS: BAHAMIAN TENNIS ACE TAKES HOME TITLE PAGES Minimum wage not on agenda - it is now NOW IT’S A CRISIS AS PM OFFERS SYMPATHY
$300 A WEEK By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
TRADE union leaders want a minimum wage increase to between $250$300 per week, and are pushing for the issue to be formally discussed by the National Tripartite Council. Obie Ferguson, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) president, told Tribune Business that such a rise was justified by persistent cost of living increases that had been further exacerbated by the VAT rate hike to 12 percent. Branding the existing $210 weekly rate as “inadequate” for the “average” Bahamian household, Mr Ferguson argued that his proposed increase of between 19 percent to 43 percent would not be too burdensome for Bahamian businesses to absorb
because most were “doing well”. He conceded, though, that a minimum wage rise ought to be accompanied by the very productivity initiatives that the National Tripartite Council is currently focused on. Meanwhile, Mr Ferguson’s counterpart, National Congress of Trade Unions (NCTU) president, Bernard Evans, told this newspaper that the group’s representative on the National Tripartite Council has been instructed to push for a formal discussion on a minimum wage increase. Warning of increasing income inequality and a shrinking middle class without an economic rebalancing, Mr Evans warned that Bahamian society was in danger of splitting into “two classes - the haves and the have nots”. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
TRADE union leaders have insisted they will not be “made the scapegoats” if the Government misses its 2019-2020 fiscal targets. Bernard Evans, the National Congress of Trade Unions (NCTU) president, told Tribune Business it was unfair to blame the public sector unions and their members for “derailing” the Government’s fiscal consolidation efforts given that the Minnis administration should have known pay negotiations were coming. His comments came as Kimsley Ferguson, the
Bahamas Public Services Union’s (BPSU) president, last night told this newspaper that the union would stay true to its promise to the Prime Minister not to say or do anything before tomorrow’s Cabinet meeting. Disclosing that Dr Hubert Minnis had pledged to contact him by then, Mr Ferguson said the union had proposed a three-year industrial agreement that would see members receive a $250 base salary increase in the first year, a $2,500 lump sum payment in the second, and a $200 base salary increase in the first. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis toured Bahamas Power & Light’s plants on Sunday in a private visit and declared unreliable power in New Providence a “crisis” for Bahamian families. Media was not notified of the visit in advance and no media was present other than government information services. The first notification to the media was in the form of a latenight press release, and there was no opportunity to put questions to Dr Minnis about BPL’s problems. Other top BPL and government officials have notably avoided describing BPL’s generation struggles as a crisis in recent weeks. SEE PAGE FIVE
HAITIAN EMBASSY REPUTATION ‘STAINED’
PUBLIC SERVICE UNIONS THREE-YEAR DEAL PLAN By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
SHAUNAE’S FLYING BAHAMAS Shaunae Miller-Uibo wins the Women’s 200m final ahead of Great Britain’s Dina AsherSmith, during the Muller Grand Prix, Diamond League Birmingham 2019 event at the Alexander Stadium, in Birmingham, England, yesterday. See Sports for more. Photo: David Davies/PA via AP
CHILDHOOD OBESITY SPARKS DRINKS BAN By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE Ministry of Health will ban the sale of sugary drinks from all of its nearly 80 nationwide institutions, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said yesterday. He spoke to The Tribune as his ministry prepares to release its latest comprehensive survey about non-communicable diseases in the Bahamas, which was
prepared in conjunction with the Pan-American Health Organisation and contains what he called “frightening” and “horrendous” results for the country. On Friday, during his speech at the Free National Movement’s Torchbearers Youth Association convention, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis also teased plans to tackle obesity issues. “Healthy, educated
children and young people make for a healthier society, which is why we are also going to more aggressively address childhood and adolescent obesity, including the risks posed by sugary drinks,” Dr Minnis said. When contacted for more details, Dr Sands said the ban on sugary drinks will go into effect no later than October.
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
SEE PAGE THREE
HAITI’S inquiry into corruption at its embassy in The Bahamas has revealed “unacceptable situations” and “wrongdoing,” Haiti’s Foreign Affairs Minister Bocchit Edmond has reportedly said. His comments were published on Friday by Haiti’s newspaper, Le Nouvelliste. Officials from Haiti arrived in Nassau in July to conduct its investigation. They focused on claims the embassy was involved in getting visas for Haitians and finding fake partners for them to marry to gain status in The Bahamas. According to Le Nouvelliste, Mr Edmond said the commission of inquiry confirmed the “‘voluntary or SEE PAGE THREE
Insight
Why can only 1% of kids swim?
PAGE 2, Monday, August 19, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
A BIT MORE FUN - THEN BACK TO SCHOOL
BACK to School events were hosted by both Island Luck and ALIV at the weekend - with youngsters coming out to join in the fun and receive items as they head back to their studies. Photos: Terrel W. Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, August 19, 2019, PAGE 3
HAITIAN EMBASSY REPUTATION ‘STAINED’ from page one involuntary’ involvement of several diplomats in ‘wrongdoing’.” “The minister notably raised the issue of trafficking of residence visas in the Bahamas, which are issued on the spot through the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the capital Nassau,” the newspaper reported, quoting the Haitian foreign minister as saying: “Some people have gone directly through diplomats who have used their influence to help them get the visa.” Mr Edmond said such behaviour was against
protocol. “The image and credibility of the Haitian embassy are really stained in Nassau,” he said. “The foreign minister now has doubts about some documents issued by the embassy. Concerning the Haitian community, he no longer trusts the
institution.” The Tribune recently reported that since the commission completed its work, five Haitian embassy officials have been transferred out of the country, including former Chargé d’Affaires François Michel. Another former embassy official, former first
DR DUANE SANDS, Minister of Health.
secretary Adras Andirs, has resigned. Mr Michel had served in the Nassau post for five years and in a recent interview he insisted there was no correlation between his transfer and the commission of inquiry’s findings. Mr Edmond appeared to indicate otherwise,
saying drastic measures were needed to improve the embassy’s image in The Bahamas, including recalling diplomats to Portau-Prince and transferring two employees to other posts. The commission conducted its investigations from July 29 to August 3.
Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
Childhood obesity sparks drinks ban from page one “The policy is not going to be received warmly from everybody, there will be cries from some people but If we are in the business of promulgating best health practices we should not contribute, whether directly or indirectly, to any behaviour that results in negative health impacts,” Dr Sands said. The government has already banned the sale of sugary drinks from public schools but Dr Sands said students can often buy the drinks from nearby vendors, nullifying the effectiveness of the policy. “Vendors who have contracts with the government have specific instructions related to quality of food, beverages and nutritional values but that has
not stopped every vendor outside school grounds from doing what they wish so the ban has not been as effective as we would like it to be,” he said. After banning sugary drinks the Ministry of Health, Dr Sands said, will not necessarily seek to do the same thing with chips, chocolate bars and other junk food obtainable from most vending machines in public institutions. “We have identified sugar-sweetened beverages as public enemy number one and the next step will be to deal with trans-fats and other harmful substances but I am not a proponent of massive government,” he said. “What I am a proponent of is a combination of smart policy and effective educational initiatives so we
have to combine effective public education with reasonable disincentives.” For the time being, the Minnis administration has sidelined an idea it previously floated as a way to discourage consumption of sugary drinks and fund National Health Insurance: a sin tax. “We may get to the sin tax but the policy making of governments is holistic and overarching and the decision was made that we will introduce no new taxes this fiscal year,” Dr Sands said. “Whether you agree or don’t agree with that approach to drilling down on the challenge of non-communicable diseases, we made a policy decision which I agree with. It doesn’t mean we won’t continue to push for punitive measures to reduce the
consumption of unhealthy items.” Last year the Ministry of Health conducted the STEPwise approach to Surveillance (STEPS) survey, a method of monitoring and fighting non-communicable diseases, which are the leading causes of death. “We received significant funding from the Pan-American Health Organisation,” Dr Sands said. “It’s a research project where we interviewed and examined more than 3,600 Bahamians over 18. We not only interviewed them but we also measured their blood pressure, we did sugar and cholesterol measurements and we’ve done similar studies in 2012 and 2005 and so we have longitudinal data to look at how we’ve done over the last
TWO AK-47 RIFLES SEIZED IN POLICE SEARCH NEW Providence police have arrested three men who, allegedly, were discovered with illegal firearms and ammunition in their possession on Thursday. According to reports, shortly after 5pm, Mobile Division officers assisted by K-9 officers and dogs searched a home and property at Joan’s Heights where they found two AK-47 rifles. Shortly after, officers conducted a search of a black Honda Civic, where they also recovered a .40 pistol containing 12 rounds of ammunition. Officers also recovered a quantity of dangerous drugs in two separate incidents on Thursday afternoon. In the first incident, shortly after 1pm, acting
on information, officers searched a 40-foot container on a freight vessel at Potter’s Cay dock, where they found five taped packages of what was suspected of being marijuana. No arrests were made and investigations are continuing. The second incident saw Drug Enforcement Unit officers search a home and vehicle shortly before 10pm at Mount Tabor Estates and recover two crocus sacks and a number of taped packages containing suspected marijuana. An adult man and woman were taken into custody. Police are also seeking the public’s assistance in locating the suspect responsible for an armed robbery that took place shortly after
9pm on Thursday. According to reports, three men and a woman who were sitting on a park in Colony Village were approached by an armed man who robbed them of cash and cell phones before escaping on foot. Police also reported that
a woman’s car was stolen on Saturday night. Shortly after 10pm, a woman was sitting in her vehicle on Yamacraw Beach Drive when she was approached by an armed man who robbed her of a cell phone and her blue Nissan Note, licence #AT9621.
decade. The sample size is statistically adequate to make statements about the about the state of Bahamian health and we have just about completed the review of the data and now it’s just a matter of releasing the study results.” Dr Sands said even when compared to the 2005 and 2012 surveys, the latest results are “distressing”. “As we prepare to release the results of the
survey, data from that study is frightening,” he said. “It speaks to the need to step up on the interventions to reduce the horrendous, tsunami of non-communicable diseases. Part of the problem is that the people that pay the biggest price are the ones that can least afford it. The people struggling to make ends meet are who consume the greatest amount of sugary beverages and unhealthy foods.”
PAGE 4, Monday, August 19, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
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Leading the way for a healthier diet OUT goes the sin tax, in comes a ban on sugary drinks. The ban – which will come into effect at all institutions run by the Ministry of Health – aims to lead the way in trying to tackle obesity and poor diet. For a long time, minister Dr Duane Sands has spoken out about the poor diet of many Bahamians, saying that people are eating themselves to death. With issues such as diabetes, hypertension and heart disease so prevalent in the country, he wants to tackle the issue head on. But with manufacturers balking at a sugary drinks tax that might have raised $10m, and government deciding to impose no new taxes this year, Dr Sands has taken another approach. Now it’s not just do as I say, it’s do as I am doing. As he said, “if we are in the business of promulgating best health practices we should not contribute… to any behaviour that results in negative health impacts”. Or in other words, he can’t tell you to not drink sugary drinks in the doctor’s office while selling them in the vending machine outside. The issue the country faces, he says, is getting worse too, he calls it a “horrendous tsunami” of non-communicable diseases. So this step makes sense. The ministry can lead the way – and hope others will follow. There needs to be more than just this step, of course. It should ideally be partnered with fitness drives, information campaigns particularly in schools to change habits of the young, and more. We should do more to try to encourage people to aim for a better diet – though it’s not always easy. The healthier options can sometimes be the more expensive ones, and work should continue to be done on ensuring breadbasket items that are exempt from VAT are ones that can lead to a healthier lifestyle. It seems like Dr Sands wants to do more – but is limited by government decisions at present. Is the government as a whole treating the matter with the same urgency as Dr Sands? Are we really facing up to this “tsunami”? On
that matter, we shall have to wait and see.
Minnis leaving us in the dark With no announcement, no fanfare, no notification to the media of any kind, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis took a private tour of Bahamas Power and Light facilities yesterday. At last, he declared the power problems affecting the nation to be a crisis – even if the power supplier doesn’t think so. Now we might applaud that… except we weren’t there to hear it. More to the point, we weren’t there to ask him questions about it. To ask him what the government intended to do about a crisis happening on their watch and affecting Bahamians up and down the length of New Providence. To ask him what he intended to do about something affecting people across the nation, whether they are residents or tourists. No, all we got was a late-night press release. We don’t even get to hear the words from his own lips. So forgive us, Dr Minnis, if we don’t put too much stock in you finally catching up to what everyone else has been saying for weeks. Forgive us if we note that in your brave, impassioned press release, you don’t actually put forward any measures to fix the problem other than relying on the company that got inherited this decades-brewing mess and doesn’t appear to have put in place enough contingency to deal with the series of generation collapses they’ve seen. Forgive us if we wonder why longago claims of quarterly press briefings and regular question and answer sessions with the media – has anyone seen press secretary Anthony Newbold lately? - have now turned into excluding the media and slipping out a press release on a national crisis instead. At a time of national crisis, true leaders are at the forefront, not hiding and avoiding questions. Why don’t you want to answer questions, Dr Minnis?
Missing point on minimum wage EDITOR, The Tribune, SOME faulty economic thinking is predictably creeping into the narrative of the debate for increasing the minimum wage and it has the potential for undermining support for the increase at this time, especially among those not fully committed to it in the first place. When an increase in the minimum wage is viewed mainly from the perspective of an increase in the cost of living and as a potential drag on economic performance, it is clear that the full picture is being missed and, in point of fact, a false story is being told. When one considers that the proposed increase in the minimum wage is, by definition, directed at the
lowest levels of economic welfare, where spending on welfare is demonstrably insufficient, it should be reasonably obvious that an increase in income at this level of society is more likely than not to lead immediately to higher levels of spending. In fact, a curious irony in this debate is that those economic agents complaining most about a reduction in economic performance as a consequence of increasing the minimum wage are likely to include the principal beneficiaries from this additional spending by the poor. The recipients of this largesse literally cannot wait to spend it. It will not likely become savings, not even as provision for a “rainy day”.
It is likely also true that those responsible for payment of this increase in benefit to the poor cannot wait in their effort to find ways to pass it on to consumers. Remember, though, we are all basically consumers and there are times when an increase somewhere in our economic arrangements should correctly lead to a “realignment” within those arrangements. The rationale for a minimum wage rests squarely on the assumption that there should be a minimum living standard within a society, and our economic arrangements should be adequate to accommodate that. COMMON SENSE Nassau, August 18, 2019
Time to stop plastic pollution EDITOR, The Tribune THE Bahamas National Trust joins Bahamians and Bahamian NGOs in welcoming the Environmental Protection (Control of Plastic Pollution) Bill, 2019. When passed, the bill will prohibit single-use plastic food ware – such as Styrofoam cups, plates, and other food containers, as well as plastic knives, forks, spoons, and straws. It will also prohibit the release of balloons into the atmosphere. Plastic waste is a scourge of our environment and these are essential measures to help reduce the amount of plastic entering our landfills – and stop the menace to marine life. It is estimated that by the year 2050, there will be more plastic pollution in the sea than fish, unless we take measures to stop such destruction. Single-use plastics litter our landscapes and find their way into the ocean which is perhaps the area where they do the most damage. Plastic ingestion by sea turtles, whales and fish, causes death to these magnificent sea creatures already teetering on the edge of extinction. “Throughout our work protecting the Bahamas
is integral to our history and culture. We applaud the steps taken by the business community to prepare letters@tribunemedia.net for the ban and look forNational Parks, there is ward to partnering with nothing more dishearten- companies looking to suping than to see the volume port the reduction of waste of plastic waste that ends up in our landfills. “At the Bahamas on our reefs, beaches and in mangroves and tidal creeks,” National Trust, we have said Lakeshia Ander- always been at the forefront of protecting the natural son, BNT Director of Parks. Once this legislation is in beauty of our nation, and place, we hope Bahamians we will continue to chamsee just how unnecessary so pion this effort to control much of the plastic we use the impact of plastics. “We often say it’s better in daily life has been. We feel that they will be proud in The Bahamas,” said as an island nation, to be Eric Carey, BNT Execucontributing to the global tive Director “Now it’s our reduction of plastic in the turn to do better for The Bahamas. environment BNT congratulates the “We hope this will spur Bahamians on to think of Ministry of Environment ways in which they can and Housing for bringminimise the waste they ing forward this important that again produce. This includes legislation bringing their own bags to places the Bahamas at the carry home shopping, and forefront of environmenavoiding using items that tal consciousness in the are only meant to be used region. The BNT has comonce then cast aside to end mitted to working with the up in a landfill or floating in Ministry to execute education programmes to build the sea.” The BNT feels these awareness and help secure simple actions can make a support for this important real difference to the envi- national initiative”. ronment right here on our THE BAHAMAS doorstep and will send a message to the global com- NATIONAL TRUST Nassau, munity that we value our August 19, 2019. marine environment, which
LETTERS
No surprise over lack of RFP bids EDITOR, The Tribune
WHOW, the RFP for Nassau Flight Services attracted 3-as in 1-2-3 bids. Are you surprised? No…from the start there is a presumption, that a particular favoured business has not only an inside track, the deal was done prior to the RFP. Why bid? Sky…Minister d’Aguilar is absolutely correct…this is
an issue of safety, leave it to the specialists. PM - you promised a report on the lack of process, and all the allegations concerning the September, 2017 RFP for the 80MW standby generators. Surely it does not take ten months, to discover what went down? The consultant only had to read The Tribune - letter after letter spelt it out.
PM-DPM says economy has turned around… obviously they did not read the report from Central Bank…profits down 57%, and you say economy turned around? Yes, tourism is up, but it shows little has trickled down. W THOMPSON, Nassau, July 31, 2019.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, August 19, 2019, PAGE 5
from page one
lasting two hours and 47 minutes. However, some residents complained of suffering multiple three-hour long power cuts. A 30 megawatt shortage and three-hour power outages are expected today, according to the fact sheet. Last week, Dr Minnis said a six-man team of specialists from Philadelphia Gear has come to the island and has been working on returning an additional 20 megawatts of power to service at the Baillou Hills Power Plant. BPL indicated that two units at Baillou Hill, representing 44 megawatts of unavailable power, are being worked on. “The local and international teams continued work overnight on the first unit at BHPS rated for 23 megawatts,” BPL said. “Work on alignment of components of this unit, which suffered a failure of an internal mechanical com- PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis toured the Clifton Pier and Baillou Hills power stations in a private visit without media in ponent, was advanced overnight, attendance yesterday. Photos: Yontalay Bowe/BIS with the final case of alignment expected to be completed sometime (Sunday). This would allow coping to commence, which refers to the assembly of the different components of the unit. Once coupling is completed then work can begin on testing and recommissioning.” “The second unit at BHPS rated at 21 megawatts is significantly closer to being back to service. The local, certified diesel specialist leading the repair work is due to complete his work (Sunday), focusing on sealing the replacement engine, which will allow the replacement engine to be placed in the appropriate configuration with the unit.” The first and second BHPS units are on track to be back in operation on August 30 and September 6 respectively, BPL said.
PM Minnis offers more sympathy “To the energy community, this may not fit the definition of crisis but for Bahamian families that can’t cook breakfast, fill their gas tanks, buy groceries or even charge a cell phone, this is a crisis,” he said in a press release from the Office of the Prime Minister. “I understand the pain, I understand your anger and I understand the deep frustration of Bahamians throughout New Providence.” According to the press statement, Dr Minnis was briefed by BPL CEO Whitney Heastie and Works Minister Desmond Bannister on the “progress of being returned to full service”. “The prime minister strongly re-emphasised that BPL is doing all it can to fix the problems long-term, and is currently aggressively executing a plan to mitigate the shortfall in generation to ensure relief is provided to residents as soon as possible,” the statement said. “Prime Minister Minnis reiterated that his government is committed to doing whatever is necessary to alleviate this problem. BPL is working to address the serious load shedding issues and has started to release a daily fact sheet in its ongoing effort to better communicate the extent of the problems and the work being carried out to return the system to normal. The daily report details the day’s outcomes and provides updates on anticipated issues and progress for the following day.” BPL’s daily fact sheet yesterday reported a 32 megawatt shortfall with average power outages
BAHA MAR: POWER DISRUPTION IS NOT ACCEPTABLE By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
AN open “line of communication” with Bahamas Power & Light has allowed Baha Mar to weather the relentless wave of ongoing power cuts, however the mega resort’s senior vice president of government and external affairs said the daily disruption in power is “not acceptable”. Robert “Sandy” Sands, in an interview with The Tribune, said while Baha Mar gets its “fair share” of power cuts, its “good communication” with the utility provider allows it to switch to standby generation ahead of disruption. So far, Mr Sands said, that arrangement has worked for the most part, as its transition from BPL’s service to standby generation is so “seamless” that the resort’s guests aren’t even aware of when the power goes out. However, Mr Sands lamented the electricity
issues, as not only is relying on standby generation an “additional cost”, it has an impact on the resort’s machinery and other items. He said the situation needs to be corrected in the “shortest possible time”. “We get our fair share of power cuts as anybody else as well, but we have standby generation, and we have a good communication with BPL, so we’re pretty much on a timed basis,” Mr Sands told The Tribune yesterday. “So the power cuts are seamless although it certainly has an impact on machinery and different items.” When questioned about whether the power cuts have proven costly to Baha Mar, he replied: “It certainly is an additional cost. There’s no question about that. But we have a line of communication with BPL that allows us to plan the interruptions on an ongoing basis.” He added: “The guests for the most part are not aware that power cuts are taking place because we
are notified and we’re on standby generation prior to the actual interruption. “…If BPL advises us that the light is cutting off at 12, we discontinue their service and go on standby at 11. Once the transition takes place it’s seamless for us.” He also said: “Our complaints are that the disruptions are not acceptable, that they need to correct it in the shortest possible period of time. And also that the continuous interruptions also have an impact on machinery.” Residents throughout New Providence have suffered through daily load shedding since June 19, with frequent power cuts happening before that time. This despite BPL Chairman Donovan Moxey proclaiming earlier this year that officials did not expect load shedding this summer. The load shedding exercises came as a result of problems experienced with BPL’s generating assets at the Blue Hills Power
Station, the company said previously. Due to increasing temperatures, customer demand on the network in New Providence has spiked. The loss of generation coupled with the increase in demand resulted in a shortfall of generation and the need for load shedding, BPL said. Company officials have said the situation may not improve until the fall. Last week Atlantis resort said it has been scheduling some of its outages and using its standby generators, working with BPL to go off grid to allow the company to provide more capacity to the rest of the island. Last week, BPL CEO Whitney Heastie said the company sits “on the edge every day” and could not say when the nightmare would end as the company had “no wiggle room”. Yesterday, BPL said it currently has 200mw available against an expected day peak of 225mw and an evening peak of 232mw.
WAS YOUR POWER OUT?
A BPL alert last night on the company’s Facebook page listing areas where power was out - but a number of areas were reportedly out of power without being listed. The Tribune wants to hear from you if your power was off without notice - so we can compile a map of locations where the power was off to compare to BPL’s notifications. We also hope to establish which areas are affected more than others. If your power was off, email fjohnson@tribunemedia.net and tell us what area you are in and how long your power was off - and we’ll seek answers from BPL as to why their alerts didn’t include you.
ROBINSON JOINS CALL TO LEGALISE CANNABIS By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
BAIN and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson has criticised the country’s marijuana laws and appeared to express support for some form of marijuana decriminalisation. Speaking during the final night of the Free National Movement’s youth convention hosted by the Torchbearers Youth Association, Mr Robinson said: “When I think about my brothers on the blocks and on the streets in our innercity communities who are taken before the courts for being in possession of small ounces of marijuana, it causes me to pause and wonder what about their futures. I understand their struggle and I’ve lived their frustration. Smoking a joint should not make you a criminal and it sure doesn’t make you a murderer.” “Our current laws on marijuana cause unnecessary confrontations between decent young people and police. “A country should not throw a 16-year-old behind bars for being caught with a joint, only for him to be released a year and a half
later with a police record that says ‘in possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply.’ Now he can’t get a job, can’t get a visa, can’t travel, and can’t take care of his family. The government has set up a commission to examine these laws. I eagerly await its findings. I say to the constituents of Bain and Grants Town that I will be a passionate voice of reform on this issue.” The Minnis administration formed a commission in 2018 to examine marijuana issues in the country. The commission’s report will cover five areas: the medical use of cannabis such as the treatment of diseases and side-effects; the economic and industrial use of cannabis be it for paper, alternative plastics, concrete, biofuels or other uses; the religious and ceremonial use of cannabis for the Rastafarian community or other communities that may use it as part of their ceremonies; the recreational use of cannabis, including potency edibles and tourism; and regulatory issues related to age restriction and legislation. Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip “Brave” Davis and Deputy Leader Chester Cooper have, in varying degrees, come out
in support of marijuana decriminalisation. But among members of the governing party, only Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine has previously expressed support for decriminalising small amounts of marijuana. Members of the TYA largely used the two-day convention as an opportunity to highlight the Minnis administration’s policies. Mitchell Thurston, 23, said the government is creating a foundation that should encourage young Bahamians to return home after getting their degrees like he did. “To those of you in the Bahamian diaspora who have been told not to return home, never forget the FNM is the party that facilitating a well-secured and prosperous Bahamian future. Come Home and build your country,” he said. “When the naysayers say that the FNM government doesn’t invest in Bahamians, all Bahamians think of Melissa Darville, owner of Shiver Sorbet company, who is growing her business. “Think of 22-year-old Benjamin Davis, who recently graduated from UB and now owns Drive Green Car Rentals. Think
of Keniqua Burrows, who is educating the future of our
nation at Exuma Christian Academy, and tell those
naysayers the FNM puts money in your pocket!”
PAGE 6, Monday, August 19, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
TORCHBEARERS Youth Association president Carlyle Bethel celebrating with fellow FNM members at the association’s conference at Melia Nassau Beach Resort, along with other scenes from the event. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
FNM hits back at Christie’s ‘broken promises’ over BPL By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net
THE Free National Movement slammed former Prime Minister Perry Christie’s “empty rhetoric and broken promises” after he criticised the government’s actions amid the ongoing load shedding by Bahamas Power and Light. In a press statement released last week, officials
from the FNM said the former PLP leader’s failed promises had ushered Mr Christie out of office in historic fashion. The statement read: “He even lost the trust and faith of his own constituents. So, to hear Perry Christie today – who literally had years to address the growing problems at Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) when he held power – blast the government for the current situation he had a
larger role in creating is not surprising. “It’s how he operates – creating a mess and then blaming others for the mess he created – in fact, it’s the PLP modus operandi. Quite frankly, that’s why Perry Christie is in retirement today.” FNM officials noted the PLP claimed to have many plans to improve the country, but nothing took place. “The woeful PLP also claimed to have a plan to
improve the New Providence landfill but fell short; they claimed to have a plan to revitalise the Family Islands, which never took place, and they had a plan to double the government’s investment in education, yet stood by and watched our schools deteriorate,” the statement noted. “Words alone won’t improve a thing, which is why our prime minister is fighting every day to improve the quality of life for all, because Bahamians deserve nothing less from their elected leaders.” On Wednesday, former Mr Christie said the PLP left in place a plan that provided both short and long-term strategies for sustainable power generation, as he urged officials to fix the ongoing crisis quickly. While conceding his administration ran out of time to introduce this plan, Mr Christie said it was complete and ready to be picked up by the Minnis government. In the wake of continuous
load shedding, the former PLP leader said he could now only assume the Free National Movement government either disagreed with these provisions or didn’t look at them. “We left in place a full plan, but it was too close to elections to try and make it,” Mr Christie told The Tribune. “We brought in Gowon Bowe, Michael Maura together with Kevin Basden who ran BEC and they joined Sir Baltron Bethel and they all agreed on particular plans going forward, having looked at three proposals and they chose one and they left that in place. “I would say that we - to predicate all that we were doing - brought in people from the outside, two of them connected to the Chamber of Commerce, one very well respected and one ran BEC, so look we shall see, but whatever we left in place covered every possible development short-term (and) long-term and I could only assume they disagreed or
didn’t look at it,” Mr Christie said, when asked if he believed his government had the answers to prevent what the country is now experiencing. He added: “Everybody is affected now. It’s a very difficult situation for the country, very difficult for the government (and) it’s very difficult for BPL. “Enormous damage is being deferred on a lot of people and so it’s a difficult situation that has to be addressed as quickly as possible.” Mr Christie noted he was able to account for everything he’s done in public life, but referred The Tribune to the PLP’s current leader, Philip “Brave” Davis, for further insight as the power provider was under his purview during the former government. BPL CEO Whitney Heastie admitted a week ago that the company sits “on the edge every day”. He could not guarantee there would be no further electricity cuts nor say when the load shedding
BIMINI COUPLE ARRESTED AFTER GUN FOUND By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net A COUPLE in Bimini was arrested by police after a firearm was discovered during a search of their home over the
weekend. According to reports, officers on that island, acting on information, went to a home in Bailey Town with a search warrant shortly after 5am on Saturday. During a search of the
residence, police found a .38 revolver. As a result, an adult male and female were arrested and taken into police custody. The couple is expected to be charged early this week in connection with the matter.
THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS
MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019
Are we being lulled to sleep on Carnival’s ocean dumping?
By MALCOLM STRACHAN
J
UST four months ago, the nation was flabbergasted with the revelations of Carnival cruise line’s illegal dumping at sea. Many of us were shocked to find out the cruise giant was illegally using our pristine waters like a sewage system, dumping 500,000 gallons of waste into one of our most precious natural resources. Millions of tourists descend on our shores every year chiefly for sun, sand and sea. Carnival’s callous compromise of that resource angered many Bahamians – particularly the more environmentally conscious. Unfortunately, there is a strange dichotomy in The Bahamas. While we may be a proud people, we are prepared to accept transgressions for the sake of jobs. To that end, Carnival’s proposed $100m mega cruise port development in Grand Bahama was touted to create 1,000 direct and indirect permanent jobs for an economy that desperately needs a stimulus. While recent Department of Statistics unemployment numbers showed a decrease in unemployment in Grand Bahama, it is understandably hard to pass up on 1,000 additional opportunities for employment within the next one or two years. Certainly, this makes the government’s decision-making process more complex. Earlier this year, the Carnival project turned a lot of heads, as the government’s prioritising of the revitalisation of Grand Bahama’s economy became more visible. However, we now have to consider all the implications. Surely, questions had to loom as the government entered this deal with a company already serving a five-year probation, already fined $40m and an additional $20m for non-compliance to environmentally sound practices outlined in MARPOL Annex V – among them burning heavy fuel and illegally dumping oil and plastic-filled wastewater in protected areas. Carnival’s poor track record can be traced back decades to the late 90s when one of its subsidiaries, Holland America Line, pleaded guilty to illegally dumping oil and was fined $2m and placed on a fiveyear probationary period for its actions. Further, in 2002, before being released from probation, Carnival was fined an additional $18m after being caught falsifying records to hide its illegal dumping of oil on six of its ships. Resultantly, Carnival ended up tacking on another five-year probation period, which through a series of bad acting on its part, subsequently led to the company being on probation for the entire millennium. There is no doubt that we’re dealing with a serial bad actor in Carnival. Now what we should all be wondering is why did the government get into bed with them in the first place. Of course, jobs for Grand Bahamians likely would be the answer. However, when will jobs simply not be enough. Carnival is a hairline away from being
banned from all American ports, as they the type of behaviour that we would want are obviously fed up. However, luck- to encourage or [in] any way condone and ily for the US government, there is some so as minister of environment, in the very recourse. Carnival obviously sees fines strongest terms, we condemn such behavas merely a cost of doing business. Thus, iour. It is totally unacceptable.” moving into jurisdictions with a much Rounding off the government’s comsofter legislative structure can allow it to ments on the matter was the Minister run roughshod, doing as it pleases once of Transport. Renward Wells voiced the they deliver on jobs and promise to be government’s commitment to addressgood boys and girls. ing the issue and outlined the next Through this fiasco, what should be most steps: “We have asked the Bahamas concerning to the Bahamian public is what Maritime Authority along with the we’re not hearing from our leaders on Port Department and all relevant agenCarnival. cies to immediately Three months ago, investigate any and ministers of transport, Surely, questions had to all discharges from tourism and the envi- loom as the government vessels in Bahamian ronment all talked entered this deal with a waters; to promptly tough to the media report regarding such about Carnival’s bad company already serving a discharges; to assess five-year probation, already any behaviour. environmental Tourism Minister fined $40m and an additional damage that might Dionisio D’Aguilar, have been caused when asked for com- $20m for non-compliance and to make recomment, said: “It seems to environmentally sound mendations as to best as if all this informa- practices outlined in practices across the tion has come out as a board.” result of a court case MARPOL Annex V – among Wells added the in the United States, them burning heavy fuel government was comand it seems as if, not and illegally dumping oil mitted to instituting only were they caught whatever mechanisms initially, but when they and plastic-filled wastewater would be required to agreed to improve the in protected areas. mitigate against such situation, it is alleged acts taking place in the that they did not future, in addition to improve that situation, and, so, naturally seeking compensation for any damage that we are very concerned.” would have occurred. D’Aguilar added, “While cruise ships are Unfortunately, the kicker here is the lack important to our economy, we don’t want of environmental protection laws may have to cause long-term, lasting, negative effects left us wide open to environmental abuses to our environment in our pursuit to get that only the US government has been economic enhancement. able to benefit from via its fines levied on Environmental Minister Romauld Fer- Carnival. reira expressed his “revulsion” in much Needless to say, we have not heard stronger terms. He said: “And this isn’t anything from the government on this
matter since. A recent article published on Cruise Law News last week, titled, “How Long Will the Bahamas Tolerate Carnival Trashing its Waters and Polluting its Air?”, highlighted what is most depressing about the government’s inaction on Carnival. The writer of the article opined: “There is no indication that such an investigation has taken place to date. It remains to be seen whether the Bahamian government will conduct any genuine investigation into Carnival’s bad behaviour, but there is considerable evidence already that Carnival’s malfeasance has already inflicted substantial damage on The Bahamas.” Our leaders continually feel as though they can pacify us with bluster and promises of probes and investigations, but such reports hardly ever make it in front of the Bahamian people. Later, we’re just sold on the jobs. It is that type of modus operandi that has us looking like a Third World laughing stock. While we were promised environmental protection laws, that however, will not retroactively punish Carnival for what has already occurred. And certainly, it won’t stop them from doing it again. The Bahamian people have to be clear on what means more – having jobs or protecting our resources. Certainly, if we could gain clarity on this, the government would have to reciprocate. Else, they would be fired. At this time, we do not know what is currently taking place behind the scenes between the government and Carnival, but history has proven that we must tread carefully. A thousand jobs will not pay the price for unquantifiable damage to the country’s natural environment. It is fine time we wise up.
PAGE 8 MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019
INSIGHT
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net PUPILS from Sandilands Primary School at Lyford Cay.
We should teach our children to enjoy the ocean, not fear it By MORGAN ADDERLEY
ONLY one in 100 government school students can swim, according to empirical data gathered by Andy and Nancy Knowles, the cofounders of the Let’s Swim Bahamas programme. With seven drowningrelated deaths occurring in the country last month, the Knowles’ are on a mission to teach water safety rules provide and swimming lessons to primary school students across The Bahamas. The couple have been embarked on their missions since October 2008, when they launched a pilot programme for Thelma Gibson Primary School on St Andrew’s School. Fast forward to 2018, the official launch of a pilot programme at the University of The Bahamas allowed five more schools to be facilitated into the project. “It was at this point that we started to truly believe that our dream could become a reality - to teach Bahamian children how
STUDENTS from Adelaide with Defence Force coaches. to swim,” states the LSB’s schedules.” For the 2018-2019 aca2017-2018 report. “It was possible for all demic year, 800 students the New Providence Gov- participated in swimming ernment Primary School lessons from 10 government children (29,000+) to primary schools in New receive eight free swim- Providence. Currently, LSB has ming lessons during the school year with minimum Albury Sayles, TG Glover, interruption to their daily Woodcock, Stephen Dillet and Eva Hilton Primary Schools allocated to use the University of the Bahamas facilities. Sandilands, Thelma Gibson, Sadie Curtis, Gambier and Adelaide Primary Schools use the pools Fox Hill Community Pool, St Andrew’s School Pool and Lyford Cay Schools’ facilities. There have also been summer Kids’ Kamps in Long Island, Abaco, Eleuthera and Exuma. “Each site has a Site Supervisor, which keeps track of the swimmers’ progress; a Marshall, who teaches Bible principles and Water Safety on the bus rides to and from
ANDY AND NANCY KNOWLES school; a bus driver; (and) as a country is 97 percent LSB and ensure universal a minimum of 6-8 in water water!” swimming lessons for pricoaches,” the Knowles told The Knowles have mary schools students, the The Tribune. published a water safety Knowles called for parents They added LSB is colouring and activity book and guardians to “own” “eagerly awaiting approval” which has been endorsed by this programme for their to launch another site at the Ministry of Education. youngsters. the Betty Kelly-Kenning This means if their child’s “The book has been pubAquatic Centre 25m pool. lished twice and distributed school offers LSB lessons, This would facilitate stu- to 26,000 students in 2014 they must ensure the Mindents from Yellow Elder, and 2018,” the couple told istry of Education $20/ Ridgeland, CW Sawyer, EP the Tribune. year account insurance fee Roberts and Claridge Pri“While distributing the is paid for in September, mary Schools. Water Safety books in 2014 that the students have the “The question is not to the various schools in the school’s required PE kit about survival swimming, Family Islands a common and that they also purchase but being able to swim, thread of a water tragedy an LSB swim kit, which period!” the Knowles said. includes a swim suit, can, was discovered. “Survival swimming “Multiple drowning had goggles. This can be purimplies a dangerous and/ occurred because of people chased at “minimal cost” or unpredictable situation, being trapped with the and can be used over sevwhich most times could be rising tide, not being aware eral years. dealt with by knowing how of the tidal changes and The LSB registration to swim and/or applying currents.” form, along with money for basic Water Safety.” An example that has kit items if needed, must For the couple, the defi- always stood out in Andy’s also be returned by the pronition of “being able to mind was being told of five gramme’s deadline. swim” means the ability to children in North Eleuthera The Knowles’ added LSB complete the Swim Amer- who drowned when they is “always” looking for marica Award of Achievement became stranded on a sand shals and coaches. Certificate. “Of course, any probank and attempted to “The top skill to be swim back to shore with the gramme of this magnitude mastered is being able to rising tide. needs funding. We are swim 300 meters Freestyle, “We believe that most extremely thankful to all which is also the swimming water tragedies could be our sponsors over the years standard for the Bahamas avoided by applying basic who have not only encourDefence Force and the US water safety rules,” they aged us verbally, but with Navy. money as well! said. “After collecting 11 years “The bussing transporta“We drill these rules with of empirical data, a 20 per- the students during their tion and swimming lessons cent sampling of the entire bus rides back to school are free for the students Government Primary stu- after their swimming lesson. which means that the basic dent population reveals that Also, each classroom is LSB expenses are the buswhen a student starts our given a Water Safety Poster sing and stipends for our programme, less than one with the rules on them and volunteer coaches. percent of the students can the teachers are encour“We continue to diliswim. aged discuss them with the gently work on building “You can see that the students.” our funding team of local situation is serious considWhen asked what it sponsors.” ering that The Bahamas would take to expand According to the 20172018 report, that year the programme revived a total of $106,504 in donations. However, expenses totalled $159,132 - resulting in a net loss of $52,628. Sponsors include AESTOS Holdings Ltd, Battery & Tyre, Percy Knowles and Rotary Club of East Nassau. “We are in the process of changing the mindset of The Bahamas towards the sea from one of fear to enjoyment. We understand this takes time. “Let’s Swim Bahamas is committed to changing this mindset and we believe that the future of The Bahamas involves embracing one of the greatest assets of our A STUDENT with one of the coaches. country – the sea.”
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
INSIGHT
MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019 PAGE 9
Trump’s new rules will reduce Caribbean migration to the US to a trickle World View
By SIR RONALD SANDERS
U
S PRESI- dormant inadmissibility DENT Donald clause in the US ImmiTrump’s new gration and Nationality rule on immi- Act. For a hundred years, gration and nationality, people from the Caribbean published on August 12, and Central America have is no different from the sought and received entry rules applied by Caribbean to the US, qualifying for countries. It seeks to pro- permanent residence and hibit people from migrating citizenship. The migration to the US if they would of such people has eased the become a charge upon the pressure on Caribbean govState, and it denies quali- ernments to provide direct fication for permanent employment and deliver residence status of such per- goods and services to their sons who are in the US and citizens, as well as to create who are reliant on Medic- an environment for investaid (government-provided ment and economic growth health insurance), hous- and development. ing, food or other forms of Now, with the US being public assistance. cut-off for migration from Similarly, Caribbean October 15, except for the Community (CARICOM) highly skilled and bettercountries deny entry to for- off, the strain on Caribbean eigners, including nationals governments will intensify, of other CARICOM coun- particularly as the opportries, if immigration officers tunity for emigration to have reason to believe they countries such as the United could be a charge on the Kingdom and Canada have state’s resources. long since been restricted. The reason President For instance, the UK introTrump offers for this new duced its immigration law, rule matches that prof- depriving Commonwealth fered by CARICOM Caribbean citizens (except, governments. First, he recently, nationals of its wants immigrants to the remaining colonies) since country to be able to bring 1962. value, and At times second, he ‘President Trump’s of economic does not decline and want US decision, which he natural discitizens to is entitled to make asters in the bear the cost in the interest of his Caribbean, of providpeople have ing health, country as he sees it, moved to the has come at a time education US mainand other when most Caribbean land or its aspects of Caribbean social wel- countries are severely territories, fare to new challenged; many the US Virgin arrivals. The of them have high Islands in new immiorder to gration rules debts, the repayment work and will take of which leaves keep themeffect from them little space selves and October 15. their famifor spending on Incilies. Some dentally, have done social welfare.’ while the so legally; implemenothers not. tation of the rule is new, Now, they will be judged by it has actually been a the same criteria – possibilprovision of the US Immi- ity of becoming a charge gration and Nationality Act upon the state; assets; finanwhich, at Title 8 - Aliens cial status; education and and Nationality, Chap- skills. ter 12- Immigration and Also affected will be Nationality, Subchapter women who travel to the 11 – Immigration, says in US to deliver babies who, general: “Any alien who, because of their birth on US in the opinion of the con- soil, would become US citisular officer at the time of zens. In some cases, some of application for a visa, or in these women have utilised the opinion of the Attor- State resources for medical ney General at the time of attention associated with application for admission the delivery of their child. or adjustment of status, is They, too, will be subject to likely at any time to become the tests that the new rule a public charge is inadmis- now implements. sible.” More specifically, In this connection, the it states: “In determining flow of migrants from whether an alien is inadmis- the Caribbean to the US sible under this paragraph, will decrease to a trickle, the consular officer or the exacerbating the difficult Attorney General shall at circumstances many Cariba minimum consider the bean governments already alien’s (I) age; (II) health; confront in dealing with (III) family status; (IV) growing populations and assets, resources, and insufficient economic space financial status; and (V) to provide employment and education and skills.” to deliver expected services. Consequences will President Trump’s deciarise for Caribbean coun- sion, which he is entitled to tries and others from make in the interest of his President Trump’s deci- country as he sees it, has sion to enforce this long come at a time when most
PRESIDENT Donald Trump speaks to reporters before boarding Air Force One at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, New Jersey, yesterday. Photo: Patrick Semansky/AP Caribbean countries are severely challenged; many of them have high debts, the repayment of which leaves them little space for spending on social welfare. They also lack enough capital to invest in job-producing projects, and the rules of the international financial institutions and donor governments deny them access to concessional financing. Guyana is the present exception to this generally valid description of CARICOM countries. Its significant oil and gas resources, scheduled for production in early 2020, if managed properly, could transform its economic fortunes. Bloomberg
reckons: “This tiny nation on the north coast of South America is about to become the world’s newest petrostate — and potentially the richest.” Should substantial sums of the oil revenues flow into the Guyana government treasury, allowing spending on infrastructural and productive projects, not only will there be reverse migration by Guyanese, but opportunities could open for nationals of other CARICOM countries. The Guyana possibility apart, President Trump’s new immigration rules should cause all Caribbean governments to consider how they cope
with an increased population resulting from greatly restricted emigration. Many of the governments should review their immigration policies, adhering to a policy of employment for nationals first and limiting movement into their countries to needed skills and to financial resources that migrants bring. Even the present categories of workers that are allowed free movement within CARICOM should be reviewed considering current developments. The proposal here is not a knee-jerk reaction. Rather, it is a response to a difficult situation that has been gathering steam for
some time and which is fast coming to a head. CARICOM countries should collectively address the issue and determine how best they could jointly deal with it. • Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com The writer is Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and the Organisation of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own.
PAGE 10 MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019
INSIGHT
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
Forget power cuts, some of our neighbours suffer greater indignities By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net
OUTSIDE in the Centreville Constituency, on Lucky Heart Corner. Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
CRYSTAL Miller is a 30-year-old mother-of-two. In this modern Bahamas of luxury resorts shares and affluent tourists she, like many other ordinary people, still has to use two outside toilets along with five people at her home in Centreville. She is among the many residents of New Providence who with no indoor plumbing and who have to to “tote” water from a pump when she and her young children wish to use the restroom. It’s a problem the government recognises but an end seems a long way off. Over-the-Hill Revitalisation Project Manager Rocky Nesbitt confirmed to The Tribune
EUGENE Davis points out the outside toilets on Lucky Heart Corner, left. the government is still facilities “was a different importance of identifying “focused” on eliminating type of outside toilet that the difference between pit outside toilets. This fall the didn’t have no bolts and latrines and outside toilet revitalisation programme stuff”. facilities with some level of will begin conducting “So that’s why they get plumbing. assessments to ensure reno- rid of that and they had to “As far as I’m aware vations to accommodate put down the cesspit and there are no pit latrines indoor plumbing in these put bolts on all the doors,” in use,” Mr Chipman told homes will be “feasible”. he said. The Tribune. “You may Mr Nesbitt said this Young mum Crystal have pit latrines because initiative will be done in Miller described the condi- the outhouse covers them. conjunction with the Water tions of the outside toilets But they are being used for and Sewerage Corporation for her home as unsanitary. storage and any other thing among other agencies. “Just gotta use them, that people use structures Meanwhile in commu- because the landlord don’t for. But not to be used as nities like Centreville and fix it,” she said. “Only if you a toilet. And that’s as far Bain Town which The Trib- clean it, it’s okay.” as I’m concerned, in my une visited residents still She added she cleans the opinion.” wait for change. toilets when her two chil“...There are outside Eugene Davis, a Cen- dren, ages eight and seven, toilet facilities with adetreville constituent, go to use the bathrooms, quate - and you notice I welcomed the but lamented said adequate - plumb‘You have to tote that other users ing facility... In places yes government’s assistance. don’t help in they go to the pump to the water (from “They the task. flush. Some may go take should help,” the pump). That’s Ms Miller the bucket to the pump to he said. “A about the hardest said in the flush. But the toilet is on lot of people thing. Having to year since she the outside…and of course need the help. has lived at it goes through to the Not everyone come tote water. this residence, cesspit.” has the money Instead of just government When asked if the govto update having the water officials have ernment is still on track to (homes) like not come eradicate all outside toilet they want to. connected to it.’ and offered facilities by 2025, Mr ChipThey don’t assistance. man replied: “Well that want the government to In Bain Town, 70-year-old something I would like to do everything. Just a little Lambert Arnette pointed see done because of course helping out.” to the remains of an outside it helps people to, in terms Mr Davis has been a resi- toilet in his yard. The toilet of their very humanity and dent in the area since the is currently boarded up. dignity and of course their late 1980s and has always Mr Arnette said he has to potential. And so I would used outside toilets. He walk to his daughter’s house like to see it. lives in one of three small to use the bathroom. “The government’s homes on a property that “I have enough strength agenda - you know I’m not has four outside toilets. to hold it till I reach there,” a part of the executive, I’m The six occupants of these he said. only a part of the legislahomes share these toilet He added government ture - I can only hope that facilities. officials have promised to that is the vision that they The 54-year-old shared help in the past but nothing have and that would be with The Tribune what life has materialised. what takes place.” is like with an outside toilet. “They said they would do As for hitting the 2025 “You have to tote the but they never came back deadline Mr Nesbitt told water (from the pump). around,” Mr Arnette said. The Tribune: “We are That’s about the hardest “They said they was coming soon (this Fall) conducting thing. Having to come tote to do things but when they assessments in partnership water. Instead of just having get in power you don’t see with Water and (Sewerage) the water connected to it.” them no more. along with other agencies He said his landlord “I need a bathroom, run- to ensure renovations to made some upgrades to the ning water, everything.” accommodate plumbing in restrooms about a decade The Minnis adminis- homes are feasible. ago, noting the previous tration has promised to “We are hopeful to reach eradicate outside toilets by this goal but the process 2025. will begin shortly.” In April 2018, the results As with many advances from a 2016 Ministry of they come with a price. National Security survey “One of our concerns were tabled in parliament. is, after providing inside According to the survey, 6.3 plumbing, how will we percent of people in Bain address the adding for Town use outside toilets or a water bill to certain pit latrines; 4.3 percent of homes,” said Mr Nesbitt. people in Centreville use “(We need) a strategic them and 4.6 percent of approach with communicapeople in Grants Town do tion to ensure the residents so as well. see the benefit of (ridding) Centreville MP Reece the community of these Chipman underscored the outdated items.”
LAMBERT Arnette from Bain & Grants Town Constituency, just behind him is his outside toilet that is no longer in use. He is forced to walk to his daughter’s house to use the bathroom.
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
INSIGHT
MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 2019 PAGE 11
Keeping safe when it’s time to go back to school EVERY day thousands of children take to the streets to get to and from school. Many kids may not understand or be able to use safety rules. Children do not have the same frame of reference for safety as adults. They may not “look before they leap” which is why it is so important for families to supervise children and practice safety skills with them to make certain they really know and understand. The tips noted below will help keep our kids safe. Drivers • Be alert, slow down and avoid any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings. • Do not talk or text while driving. • Make sure everyone in the car buckles his or her seatbelt. Not only will it keep you safe, it is also the law. • Exercise extra caution as you head out to work and be on the lookout for school kids. • Pay special attention to the speed limit in school zones. Familiarise yourself with traffic laws. • Do not park on sidewalks and obstruct visibility for both pedestrians and motorist. • Do not drink and drive. When driving in the rain Slow down, take your time, turn your lights on and give other vehicles space • Driving in conditions that involve strong or heavy wind and rain may not seem like the most pressing safety concern for many drivers, but know that driving in any type of severe weather can significantly increase your risk of
Police advice
By SERGEANT NATHALIE RANGER
a dangerous situation for you, your family and other drivers. Remember severe weather demands your undivided attention, so be sure to reduce any possible distractions by turning the radio down or turning off your phone to keep your attention fully on the road. Tips for parents and guardians • Instruct your children to always stay in well-lit areas, never take shortcuts and never go into isolated areas. • Teach them to stay aware of their surroundings and observe all traffic rules in place to more safely share the roads and sidewalks with others. • If anyone bothers your children or makes them feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused, while going to or from school, teach your children to trust their feelings, immediately get away from that person, and tell you or another trusted adult. • If an adult approaches your children for help or directions, remember grownups needing help should not ask children; they should ask other adults. • Instruct your children to never accept money or gifts from anyone unless you have told them it is OK to accept in each instance. • Always provide supervision for your young
children to help ensure their safe arrival to and from school. • Show your kids which way to walk to and from school. • Teach your children about the tricks someone may try to use to confuse them or engage them in conversation. • Ensure current and accurate emergency contact information is on file for your children at their school. • If you, or another trusted family member or friend, need to pick up your children, make sure to follow the school’s departure procedures. These procedures need to include the school’s confirmation of your children’s departure with only those you authorise to pick them up. • Teach your children if anyone tries to take them somewhere they should quickly get away and yell, “This person is trying to take me away” or “This person is not my father/ mother/guardian.” • Teach your children if anyone follows them on foot to get away from that person as quickly as possible. If anyone follows them in a vehicle they should turn around, go in the other direction, and try to quickly get to a spot where a trusted adult may help them. Advise them to be sure to tell you or another trusted adult what happened.
• Instruct your children to tell a trusted adult if they notice anyone they do not know or feel comfortable with hanging around them. • In the event your children may be lost or injured, make sure they carry a contact card with your name and telephone numbers such as work and cellular. This card should be hidden from plain view. • Talk to your kids about the kind of friends they keep. Teach them how to deal with conflicts if faced with them. • Attend (PTA) meetings. Get to know all of your kids teachers. School safety tips for kids • If walking to school, use sidewalks where available. In areas where there are no sidewalks, walk along the side of the road facing traffic. • Avoid using headphones or other electronic devices that will distract you from traffic. • While at your bus stop: do not run into traffic. • Arrive to your bus stop early. • Never walk behind the bus. • Make sure you know which bus to catch. • Make sure the bus comes to a complete stop before trying to enter or exit the bus. • When crossing the street observe traffic, watch for the signal from drivers to cross.. • Say NO if anyone you do not know or a person who makes you feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused offers a ride. Do not accept a ride from anyone unless your parents have told you it is OK to do so in each instance.
• Never leave school grounds before the regular school day ends. Always check with the office before leaving school early. • Never take shortcuts or walk through alleys to get to or from school faster. • Let your parents know about activities you participate in that may cause you to leave earlier or arrive home later. • Remember to call your parents once you arrive home. While at school most teachers have their own rules for what goes on in their classroom but here are a few other things you should remember when you are in class: • If another student, even a friend asks you to do something you do not want to do, do not do it. • If you get into an argument, talk it out, fighting will hurt you and probably get you in trouble. It may even give you a reputation as a bully. • If anything bothers you or makes you feel weird, like a fight with a friend, a run-in with a bully, or anything, talk to an adult you trust. • Do not carry a gun, a knife, illegal drugs or any weapon to school Possession of these items will lead to arrest and criminal charges. Tips for teachers • Greet your students as they enter your classroom. Introduce yourself and make it a point to create small talk with your students. This establishes trust and students often go the extra mile for teachers they trust. • Establish and review classroom routines. Take some time to reflect on the
previous school year and any changes that may need to take place within your classroom. Reflect on what worked and what did not, as well as why it did or did not work. You do not have to revamp it all, just polish it every year. Then model your expectations, starting on the first day. Students crave structure whether they will admit it or not! • Focus on ways to create a safe environment for your students. This can be done through morning meetings where teachers and students greet each other and take time to share their thoughts as well as review a run-down of the day’s events. Create activities that promote students to take risks, and have a safe place for them to fall. After all, we often learn more from our mistakes than we do from our successes. .• Use colleagues as a sounding board to get advice. Professional support is an important part of the learning process that will ensure success. Remember to use your planning time to complete your to-do list. • If you notice any of your students return to school with a different behaviour and seem as if something is going on with them, do not ignore the signs. Talk with that student and get help immediately. To all citizens and residents Let us all do our part. “It takes a village to raise a child” meaning, it takes an entire community to raise a child. A child has the best ability to become a healthy adult if the entire community takes an active role in contributing to the rearing of the child. Safety begins with you and me.
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PAGE 12, Monday, August 19, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
Armed robber must serve sentence as appeal denied By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net AN armed robber, who was captured by a hospital employee, has failed in his bid to have the Court of Appeal overturn his decade-long prison sentence. The Court of Appeal unanimously dismissed Marco Oliver’s appeal of his ten-year sentence for robbing Desirade Clarke in November 2016. The only “success” Oliver had on appeal, was having his conviction and sentence for receiving quashed, as he could not be both the robber and the receiver. According to the ruling, on November 11, 2016, Ms Clarke was leaving a store on Marathon Road.
She had just placed her bag in her car and was about to get in when she was approached by Oliver, dressed in a white T-shirt and dark coloured pants and armed with a sharp object, which he held at her neck. Oliver demanded she move over but she refused. He subsequently demanded the keys to her car. Ms Clarke dropped them on the floor of the car and as he moved to retrieve them she was able to run into the street and cry for help. As she did so, she saw Oliver drive off in her vehicle, in which she had left her bag containing her wallet. In her haste to get away, Ms Clarke fell to the ground. She got up and waved down a passing motorist who let her to use their cell phone. That was when Ms Clarke realised that one of her fingers had been cut. Meanwhile, sometime around 1.40pm on the same day, Sergeant 2392 Storr went to Penny Savings on Bank Lane in the area of Claridge Primary School. While there, he located Ms Clarke’s vehicle which had crashed into the school’s wall, damaging its front section. Sgt Storr subsequently
arranged for the car to be towed to the Internal Security Section of the Central Detective Unit. Some 10 minutes later, Elvin Richards, a Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) employee, was on his way back to work. He had detoured on to the street in the back of the Mall at Marathon at the request of some of his coworkers to make a purchase for them from Bamboo Shack on Wulff Road. When he arrived in the area of Claridge Road he noticed a man - Oliver, dressed in black pants and a white shirt - running. Oliver had a woman’s purse in his hand. Mr Richards turned his vehicle around. By the time Mr Richards encountered Oliver again about five minutes later, he was walking from a yard. When Oliver saw Mr Richards, he apparently thought the other man was a police officer, as he told him, “Officer, if you know what’s good for you, you better carry your sissy …before you get shoot.” Apparently undeterred, Mr Richards instead accosted Oliver and eventually managed to subdue and hold him until the police arrived on the scene a short
time later and took control of the situation. Inspector Osbourne Davis, meanwhile, was on mobile patrol on in the Claridge Road area along with Woman Detective Constable 3747 Seymour. They were on the lookout for a male who had committed an offence earlier in the day. A short time later, Insp Davis and his partner went to a street – Clay Road – off Claridge Road, where they encountered Mr Richards who asked for their assistance. At that time, Mr Richards was struggling with Oliver on the ground. He also indicated that Oliver was basically breathing hard and sweating. Oliver was consequently cautioned and searched. Insp Davis said a black, clutch-like purse was found in Oliver’s back right pocket. He also said he saw a black handbag that was in Oliver’s immediate vicinity. Oliver was subsequently arrested and taken to the Wulff Road Police Station. Ms Clarke, meanwhile, went to the Wulff Road Police Station at some point that same day and while there saw her purse on a desk. She was also able to identify it as her wallet containing her driver’s licence. All of the items Ms Clarke identified as having been stolen from her were turned over to her by the police. When she had finished giving her statements to the police, she left to seek medical attention for her injury. Ms Clarke ended up going to the Walk-in Clinic on Carmichael Road and met with Dr Susanna Campbell. The doctor said Ms Clarke had suffered
a cut on her left thumb that was about 13 mm and required four stitches. Sometime later, Ms Clarke identified her vehicle at the Internal Security compound where it had been towed after it had been discovered in a damaged condition. Meanwhile, when interviewed about the armed robbery and causing harm to Ms Clarke by Corporal 2672 Rolle, Oliver denied he committed the offences. Nonetheless, Cpl Rolle later charged the appellant for the offences he faced at trial. During the trial, Oliver tried to suggest to Ms Clarke that she had received the injury to her hand when she fell to the ground. She denied the suggestion; and said she had fallen on her knees and not her hands. Inspector Wakita Taylor gave evidence of seeking to conduct an identification parade on November 13, 2016, which was dismissed after Oliver complained of it not being fair. Insp Taylor made another unsuccessful attempt to find persons of similar characteristics as the appellant. However, because of time constraints pertaining to how long Oliver was in custody, she directed Sergeant 96 McCartney to compile a 12-man photo gallery instead with a picture of Oliver. Sgt McCartney compiled the photo gallery and after viewing it, Ms Clarke identified and initialed Oliver’s photograph as the person who had robbed her on November 11, 2016. On October 18, 2017, Oliver was unanimously found guilty of armed robbery, causing harm, and
receiving. He was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for armed robbery, and three years for causing harm, to run concurrently. He was sentenced to “time spent” for receiving. However, his sentence was shortened to ten years and eight months from the date of his conviction to reflect the time he has spent on remand. Oliver appealed his conviction and sentence on some 26 grounds. However, the only one that had any real merit was grounds seven, which asserted that the armed robbery and receiving verdicts were inconsistent because a person cannot be both the robber and the receiver simultaneously. The appellate judges concurred, noting that such an assertion is “settled law to the extent it may be regarded as trite law”. Thus, the appellate judges said the jury should have been told that if they found Oliver guilty of armed robbery, they should convict him of that offence and find him not guilty of receiving, and vice versa. And in looking at the transcripts, the appellate judges said it was “clear” that the trial judge failed to provide the jury with any explanation on how they should have treated the two offences. Ultimately, the appellate judges found that the two verdicts could not “stand together”, and quashed both the conviction and sentence. However, they said as “no miscarriage of justice has occurred”, the “justice of the case demands” that Oliver’s conviction and sentence for armed robbery be affirmed.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, August 19, 2019, PAGE 13
Woman denies stealing children By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net HAIR stylist De’Edra Gibson has denied allegations she stole four boys between the ages of three and eight from various places in New Providence earlier this year. The 29-year-old was formally charged before Justice Carolita Bethel on Friday with four counts of child stealing concerning her alleged actions between February and March. Given Gibson’s not guilty pleas, Justice Bethel assigned the matter to Justice Bernard Turner’s court for trial. Gibson will appear before Justice Turner on August 23 for case management. In April, Gibson was charged before Magistrate Samuel McKinney with abducting three eight-year-old boys and
DE’EDRA GIBSON, outside court previously. Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff a three-year-old between fact, he said, just last Octo- from Gibson that ranged ber Gibson spent some time from “incomprehensible” February 16 and March 29. During her initial in the psychiatric ward of to “bizarre”. As a result, Magistrate arraignment, her attorney the Brookdale University McKinney remanded the Howard Thompson Jr told Hospital in New York. At the time, Mr Thomp- woman to the Sandilands Magistrate McKinney that Centre his client has a history of son said he had also Rehabilitation mental health issues. In received legal instructions (SRC) and adjourned the
matter to have a psychiatric report on her mental fitness presented to the court. That psychiatric report revealed she was fit to plea to the charges. She subsequently elected to be tried in the Supreme Court. At the time, however, Gibson appeared initially not to want her matter to be tried in the Supreme Court, and at the very least, seemed to be opposed to her family having a part in the decision making. She could be overheard telling her attorney that “they don’t have no say”. Nonetheless, after she told Magistrate McKinney of her selection, and he remanded her to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services to await the service of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI), in a disgusted voice she remarked: “I hope they happy.” Gibson was later granted
$20,000 bail with two sureties by Justice Gregory Hilton. As part of her bail conditions, Gibson must have regular check-ups at the SRC every two months, follow her treatment plan and provide proof of compliance to the court. She was also ordered to surrender her passport and wear an ankle bracelet. She is also ordered to report to the Elizabeth Estates Police Station on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On July 31, when Gibson was presented with her four VBI’s, it was revealed that the Crown had upgraded her charges from child abduction to child stealing. Child abduction carries a maximum prison term of two years. However, if convicted of child stealing, Gibson would face up to 10 years in prison.
CLAIMS OF MOULD AT FREEPORT CALL CENTRE By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net
A DISGRUNTLED ALIV employee has complained about mould at the call centre based in Freeport, alleging spores were on bags and walls in the building. The employee, who preferred not to be named, said the call centre has a serious mould problem, adding: “Spores were spotted December 2018 and discovered on bags, cubicles, and the walls. (Officials) said that the vents (and) filters were dirty and had the ceiling tiles cleaned. But there has always been a musty scent in the call centre. “A few employees reported the mould problem to Allison Levarity (a week ago). All day, most of the employees were
coughing and having recurring flu symptoms. On Monday, August 12, a team came in late that evening to remove and replace a few ceiling tiles.” The employee added: “Mrs Levarity, director of the call centre, made her rounds on Wednesday, August 14, informing the team of the ‘dust’ clean-up
exercise. An email was then sent by Bill Russell on August 15.” In an interview with The Tribune, Sasha Lightbourne, ALIV media champion, said the issue is at the call centre in Freeport and has been identified. However, she said it is not a mould issue. Ms Lightbourne said:
“We want to unequivocally state that is not mould but we have identified the problem and we are dealing with it as we speak. “As a result, all staff members were sent an internal email (Thursday) from one of the heads at the call centre notifying them of the problem and that the matter is being dealt with.”
PICTURES sent to The Tribune showing the call centre.
PAGE 14, Monday, August 19, 2019
BREXIT MEMOS WARN OF FOOD, DRUG SHORTAGES LONDON Associated Press SECRET British government documents have warned of serious disruptions across the country in the event that the UK leaves the European Union without a trade deal on October 31, according to a report. The Sunday Times newspaper published what it said was what the British government expects in the case of a sudden, “nodeal” Brexit. Among the most serious: “significant” disruptions to the supply of drugs and medicine, a decrease in the availability of fresh food and even potential fresh water shortages due to possible interruptions of imported water treatment chemicals. Although the grim scenarios reportedly outlined in the government documents have long been floated by academics and economists, they’ve been repeatedly dismissed as scaremongering by Brexit proponents. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said he is ready to leave the EU regardless of whether he is able to renegotiate the Brexit deal struck with Brussels by his predecessor, Theresa May. His own officials, however, have warned that with a no-deal Brexit, the sharing of law enforcement data and the health of Britain’s crucial financial services industry could be in jeopardy after October 31.
CEREMONY SAYS FAREWELL TO LOST GLACIER OKJOKULL GLACIER, Iceland Associated Press IT WAS a funeral for ice. With poetry, moments of silence and political speeches about the urgent need to fight climate change, Icelandic officials, activists and others bade goodbye to what once was a glacier. Icelandic geologist Oddur Sigurðsson pronounced the Okjokull glacier extinct about a decade ago. But on Sunday he brought a death certificate to the made-formedia memorial. After about 100 people made a two-hour hike up a volcano, children installed a memorial plaque to the glacier, now called just “Ok,” minus the Icelandic word for glacier. The glacier used to stretch six square miles, Sigurdsson said. Residents reminisced about drinking pure water thousands of years old from Ok. “The symbolic death of a glacier is a warning to us, and we need action,” former Irish president Mary Robinson said. This was Iceland’s first glacier to disappear. But Sigurdsson said all of the nation’s ice masses will be gone in 200 years. “We see the consequences of the climate crisis,” Icelandic Prime Minister Katrín Jakobsdóttir said. “We have no time to lose.” Jakobsdottir said she will make climate change a priority when Nordic leaders and German Chancellor Angela Merkel meet in Reykjavik on Tuesday.
THE TRIBUNE
63 dead as bomb blasts hit wedding KABUL, Afghanistan Associated Press THE suicide bomber stood in the middle of the dancing, clapping crowd as hundreds of Afghan children and adults celebrated a wedding in a joyous release from Kabul’s strain of war. Then, in a flash, he detonated his explosivesfilled vest, killing dozens — and Afghanistan grieved again. The local Islamic State affiliate claimed responsibility for the deadliest attack in the capital this year, with 63 killed and 182 wounded, while outraged Afghans questioned just how safe they will be under an approaching deal between the United States and the Taliban to end America’s longest war. Stunned families buried the dead, some digging with their bare hands. One wounded survivor, Mohammad Aslim, still wore his bloodied clothes the day after the blast late Saturday. He and his friends had already buried 16 bodies, among them several close relatives, including a sevenyear-old boy. Aslim looked exhausted, and said he was waiting to bury more. Nearby, a man named Amanullah, who lost his 14-year-old son, said in anguish that the explosion had mangled the boy’s face so badly he could no longer recognise it. “I wish I could find the pieces of my son’s body and put them as one piece into the grave,” he cried. The emergence of the Islamic State affiliate in recent years might be the greatest threat to Afghan civilians as the US and Taliban seek an agreement to end nearly 18 years of fighting. While the US wants
A RELATIVE wails near the coffins of victims of the Dubai City wedding hall bombing during a mass funeral in Kabul, Afghanistan, yesterday. Photo: Rafiq Maqbool/AP Taliban assurances that Afghanistan will no longer be used as a launch pad for global terror attacks, there appear to be no guarantees of protection for Afghan civilians. The Taliban, which the US hopes will help curb the IS affiliate’s rise, condemned Saturday’s attack as “forbidden and unjustifiable”. The blast took place in a western Kabul neighborhood that is home to many in the country’s minority Shiite Hazara community. IS, which declared war on Afghanistan’s Shiites
nearly two years ago and has claimed responsibility for many attacks targeting them in the past, said in a statement that a Pakistani IS fighter seeking martyrdom targeted a large Shiite gathering. The wedding, at which more than 1,200 people had been invited, was in fact a mixed crowd of Shiites and Sunnis, said the event hall’s owner, Hussain Ali. Ali’s workers were still finding body parts, including hands, in the shattered wedding hall, its floor strewn with broken glass, pieces of furniture and
victims’ shoes. “We have informed the police to come and collect them,” he said. The bomber detonated his explosives near the stage where musicians were playing and “all the youths, children and all the people who were there were killed,” said Gul Mohammad, another witness. Survivors described a panicked scene in the suddenly darkened hall as people screamed and scrambled to find loved ones. “I was with the groom in the other room when we
heard the blast and then I couldn’t find anyone,” said Ahmad Omid, who said the groom was his father’s cousin. “Everyone was lying all around the hall.” The blast at the wedding hall, known as Dubai City, shattered a period of relative calm in Kabul. On August 7, a Taliban car bomber aimed at Afghan security forces detonated his explosives on the same road, a short drive from the hall, killing 14 people and wounding 145 — most of them women, children and other civilians.
MARCHES SEEK DEMOCRACY IN HONG KONG HONG KONG Associated Press HONG Kong streets were turned into rivers of umbrellas yesterday as hundreds of thousands of people marched through heavy rain down a major road in the Chinese territory, where massive pro-democracy demonstrations have become a regular weekend activity. Organisers said at least 1.7 million participated, though the police estimate was far lower. The assembly was peaceful, with no reports of violence, making for a rare calm weekend in a protest movement that has been marked by violent clashes with police. Law enforcement officers kept a low profile, with no riot police seen from the procession’s main routes. When stragglers convened outside a government complex in the late evening, other protesters urged them to go home. Demonstrators who were shining laser pointers at a government building were convinced to leave, prompting applause from others in the group. “We hope to see whether the government gives a response to this peaceful protest,” said Michael Leung, a 24-year-old who was ushering his fellow demonstrators
A DEMONSTRATOR holds up a sign reading “Back away slowly” to encourage other demonstrators to leave, near the Chinese Liaison Office in Hong Kong yesterday. Photo: Vincent Thian/AP away. “If we get a negative response, we cannot control the next (gathering).” Organiser Bonnie Leung of the Civil Human Rights Front said earlier in the day that she hoped there would be no “chaotic situations”.
“We hope we can show the world that Hong Kong people can be totally peaceful,” she said. The Civil Human Rights Front had organised three previous massive marches in Hong Kong since June. The movement,
however, has been increasingly marked by clashes with police as demonstrators vent their frustrations over what they perceive to be the government’s blatant refusal to respond to their demands. “Peace is the No 1 priority today,” said Kiki Ma, a 28-year-old accountant who participated in the march. “We want to show that we aren’t like the government.” While police granted approval for the rally, they didn’t approve an accompanying march. Demonstrators nevertheless fanned out and filled the streets, as there was not enough space at the designated assembly area. Public transit trains did not stop at stations near the assembly because of overcrowding. Jimmy Shan of the Civil Human Rights Front said the group estimated that at least 1.7 million took part in the rally. He said the figure did not include those who were not able to make it to Victoria Park — where the march began — due to traffic constraints. Police, whose crowd figures are generally lower than the organisers’ estimates, said the turnout at the assigned location and during the designated time period was 128,000. Many protesters, however, did not follow the pre-approved guidelines
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, August 19, 2019, PAGE 15
OWNER of The Stoned Crab Olivia Pagés (second from right), standing next to her fiance, Ben Power, and her children. Photo: Barefoot Marketing
$3.5m rebirth for landmark restaurant By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
WITH an investment of some $3.5m, the newly renovated Stoned Crab Restaurant at Taino Beach was officially opened on Thursday, marking the rebirth of the iconic landmark building constructed in the early 1970s on Grand Bahama. The restaurant - which was purchased in December 2014 by Olivia Pagés - underwent four years of renovations, which were delayed by the hurricanes of 2016 and 2017. Bruce Silvera, of Freeport Construction, was the contractor. At the opening, Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest commended Ms Pagés for her commitment to the project in restoring the restaurant to its former glory, despite some challenges along the way with the storms. Some 40 Bahamians are employed there, including Executive Chef Ranwa Ferguson, the son of former Police Commissioner Reginald Ferguson. Mr Turnquest said the restaurant’s reopening represents the resurgence of the Taino Beach area as a hub of fun and family entertainment. He indicated that there is the potential for the area to be developed much like Florida’s South Beach, Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro, and other well known beach strips in Barbados and the Cayman Islands. The Stoned Crab, he said, joins several other amazing developments at Taino Beach, including the Private’s Cove Water Park and Zipline, Pirates Adventure, and the return of Toni Macaroni Experience.
“This is a perfect addition to Grand Bahama and to our island’s growing tourism market. Yes, I did say growing tourism market,” he told the gathering.” Mr Turnquest believes that Grand Bahama is “poised for a major comeback”. “We, in Grand Bahama, will experience several exciting new major projects which are about to be launched that will represent a revival spirit we are hoping to birth here on this island, and throughout the country,” he said. He is confident that Taino Beach would be a major draw and attraction for the island, and noted the government is in the initial stage of creating a vision for Smith’s Point and its newly built seawall. “We want to create something truly unique there that will again help to brand this area as something truly unique on the cultural agenda that people will just be drawn to come to because they have to see. I think that this structure (Stoned Crab) will help to tie it all in together,” he said. “I hope to see more investments to follow; I hope to see this area grow and expand...” Mr Turnquest said. “We are so blessed when people come to invest and live amongst us and to be integrated and become a part of us to help us to grow, learn, and, of course, improve our overall quality of life,” he said. Although the Stoned Crab has been open and operating since February 2, Ms Pagés said the official opening event was a very special day for her, and the staff there. “Today we go from soft
opening to official opening,” she said. “For 42 years I have been coming to Freeport, and I have seen this island striving and beautiful, broken and a little sad, and not so pretty. We can say we have been through a really rough time for the last 10 to 15 years since the hurricanes hit us, and the economy hit us – you name it, we had it.” Ms Pages, who is the daughter of Angelika Christie, and stepdaughter of Bahamian attorney Brenford Christie, grew up in Freeport as a child from the age two. She remembers going to the Stoned Crab during her childhood. She said: “In 2014, there was an opportunity for me to buy this restaurant, thanks to (former owner) Mario Donato for making it possible.” The original Stoned Crab was built by Doug Silvera in the late Sixties early Seventies. The new owner was able to convince his son, Bruce Silvera, to do the full renovation of the building. Ian Rolle, president of the Grand Bahama Port Authority, believes that the restaurant “is an awesome addition to Freeport which will prove to be a major part of the economic stimulus for the Taino Beach area.” Mr Rolle said that it is the GBPA’s vision to make the Taino Beach strip “a major tourism hub” for the island. He noted that the Taino Beach strip is undergoing a rebirth process, and reported that another project could be expected in the area. “There is significant interest in a property very near this site, and that will either be renovated or demolished,” he said.
JAMAICAN MAN FINED AFTER OVERSTAYING FOR TWO YEARS By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net A 27-YEAR-OLD Jamaican man was fined and recommended to be deported on Friday for turning a brief visit to his mother into a two-year stay. Tristan Dobson, of Westmoreland, was fined $1,000 by Acting Deputy Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain for overstaying by two years and 17 days. Failure to pay the fine would result in three months imprisonment, the acting deputy chief magistrate said. According to a summary of the facts read of by immigration officer Fred Smith, who was assisted by Lashandawn Adderley, Dobson was arrested by immigration officers at 10.15am last Tuesday and taken to the Carmichael Road Detention Centre (CRDC) for
immigration purposes. While there, he was questioned about whether he had any documents proving his status in the country. He told officers that he had a passport, and that he had overstayed by only two weeks. However, various checks were subsequently made using the Department of Immigration’s Permit Issuing System and the Border Control Management System, which revealed that Dobson had entered the country legally by plane on July 7, 2017 and was granted a seven-day stay. On July 13, he was granted an extension to stay until July 28 of that year. However, he made no more applications for an extension of time. And neither did he apply for any form of legal status in the country. Dobson’s attorney, Bernard Ferguson, said in mitigation that his client
initially entered the country to visit his mother, who he was instructed has legal status to be in the Bahamas. However, Mr Ferguson said, his client “wanted at some point to seek a better way of life,” hence his overstaying. Meanwhile, six Haitian men were fined $1,800 collectively for landing in the country illegally between Tuesday and Wednesday of last week. With the assistance of translator Charlene Jean, Timoalyn Pierre, Esnel Pierre, Orne Pierre, Jerry Vixamar; James Olibert and Kinstan Seus each admitted to landing in New Providence without leave of an immigration officer. They were each fined $300 or ordered otherwise to spend 30 days in prison. They were ordered to be turned over to immigration officials upon payment of the fine or serving their time for deportation.