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Volume: 123 No. 202, Tuesday, September 15, 2026
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BANKING CHIEF IN CALL FOR URGENT NIF AUDIT Independent probe of investment fund urged by CEO Bowe By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Government must move “with haste” to conduct and publish a full independent audit of the National Investment Fund (NIF) to prevent governance flaws from becoming a failure of accountability, a senior banker argued yesterday. Gowon Bowe, the Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) chief
executive, told Tribune Business that the Davis administration and Ministry of Finance “have a duty to give a full accounting and reconciliation” of all transactions involving the Fund, the replacement for a sovereign wealth fund, after the Central Bank governor affirmed the Board supposed to oversee it was never convened. Speaking after John Rolle SEE BUSINESS FOR STORY
CONSTABLE CHARGED WITH TRYING TO KILL TWO TEENS By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A POLICE constable was charged yesterday with trying to kill two teenage boys on Cowpen Road, including a 15-year-old who was shot in the back while driving. Prosecutors allege
Desmond Pinder, 47, opened fire on the teenagers around 6.30pm on September 2 as they travelled in a silver Nissan Note. The 15-year-old driver reportedly heard a gunshot before realising he had been struck in the back. He pulled over and ran OFFICER - SEE PAGE SEVEN
A CV BETHEL Senior High School student lays a flower in memory of her classmate, 16-year-old Nicholas Oliver Jr, who was among ten who died in the Independence Day plane crash in North Eleuthera in July. Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr
EMOTIONAL FAREWELL FOR CLASSMATE KILLED IN PLANE CRASH By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net TEARS flowed at CV Bethel Senior High School yesterday as students and teachers gathered to
mourn 16-year-old Nicholas Oliver Jr, their first chance as a school community to confront the loss of the 12th-grade student killed during the summer break in the Independence Day plane crash in North Andros.
Nicholas was among ten people killed on July 10 when a Flamingo Air Cessna 402C crashed while approaching San Andros Airport. The tragedy happened before MEMORIAL - SEE PAGE 12
POLICE OFFICER DIES AFTER PRINCE CHARLES DRIVE CRASH By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net POLICE Corporal Steven Duncombe died early Monday from injuries sustained when his motorcycle collided with a car on Prince Charles Drive while he was reportedly escorting a funeral, prompting
tributes from senior government officials, colleagues and numerous others who knew the popular officer. Duncombe, 37, was a member of the Royal Bahamas Police Force Traffic Division. Police said officers were alerted shortly before 2pm CRASH - SEE PAGE THREE
POLICE Corporal Steven Duncombe.
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PAGE 2, Tuesday, September 15, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Women report domestic violence and hardship during Mason’s Addition outreach By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net WOMEN in Mason’s Addition have reported domestic violence, depression, food and housing insecurity and alleged predatory behaviour by older men towards schoolgirls as the Ministry of Urban Renewal canvasses communities ahead of a women’s symposium later this month. More than 200 homes had been visited over the past two weeks before Urban Renewal Minister Lisa Rahming led a walkabout through the area on Monday, according to ministry officials. The outreach has identified women seeking safe accommodation, help for their children, food assistance and confidential access to support services. Centerville Urban Renewal Centre manager Joanne Baillou Ferguson said some women had approached the ministry because they needed somewhere safe to stay. “Women are now coming to us asking for a safe place,” Ms Ferguson said. “They need homes for their kids. They need food. We’re finding this out as we go door to door.” She said women did not necessarily have to approach police directly for help because other organisations and resources were available, and said confidentiality would be an important part of the initiative. Ms Rahming said the ministry would spend five days visiting communities across New Providence to promote the September 24 symposium, “Women Have A Voice Too”.
URBAN Renewal Minister Lisa Rahming speaks with residents of Mason’s Addition during a walkabout through the area yesterday. Photos: Shawn Hanna She said the initiative was
prompted
by
concern
about
violent crimes against women and a belief that some women feel they are not being heard. “We want them to know we're listening,” Ms Rahming said. “You have a voice, and we're going to give you that forum to have a voice.” The symposium will connect women with professionals offering assistance in areas including domestic violence, depression, health and social services. Women unwilling to discuss their circumstances publicly will be able to speak privately with professionals, while transportation will be provided for those who need it. The event is being held in honour of Ann Marie Davis, spouse of the Prime Minister, whom Ms Rahming described as “a champion and an advocate for women in this country on every spectrum”. During Monday’s walkabout, which began at Father Marshall Cooper Park on Saxon Way, residents also raised concerns about domestic and sexual abuse, financial hardship and the safety of young girls. Pauline Paula Rolle, 68, said she had seen older men offer small amounts of money to schoolgirls passing through the community and believed some of the children were vulnerable because they were hungry. “Young men, old men, giving these children dollar,” Ms Rolle said. “I witness one or two and I almost brought my cane to show him!” She said some girls appeared frightened and hungry but still took the money. “So, it's a lot of things
happening to women and children today,” Ms Rolle said. “They ain't talking about it. Some of them come on my porch and sit down and say 'Ms Rolle, I be so hungry'.” Ms Rolle said she had personally confronted an older man whom she saw calling out to schoolchildren. “I witnessed an old man, almost 63, calling the little children going to school,” she said, “but I told him you don't have nothing to call them for.” Rhonda Edgecombe, 49, said she regularly speaks with her 16-year-old daughter about reports of violence against women and said the teenager has become fearful. “She's a bit frightened,” Ms Edgecombe said. “Because it could be anybody's child, any mother, any sister.” She said her concern was heightened by the fact that perpetrators are often people known to victims rather than strangers. “I don't want that, I don't know that life, and I don't want that for my child,” she said. Another resident, Mira Gardiner Humes, 67, said some women were “catching hell” behind closed doors and needed help. Reverend Diana Francis, a co-chair of the initiative, urged women to attend the symposium and seek assistance. “Women have a voice too,” Rev Francis said, “and we’re gathering because we want the voices of women to be heard.” She said the initiative was intended to help women through struggles, difficulties and other challenges.
Firefighters battle trailer blaze on Electric Drive
FIREFIGHTERS battled a trailer fire on Electric Drive yesterday, working in the intense heat to bring the blaze under control. The charred remains of the trailer, including twisted and badly burned metal, were left behind after the fire was extinguished. Photos: Shawn Hanna
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, September 15, 2026, PAGE 3
Mourners remember DJ Fresh at funeral By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net THE adopted father of Melvin Henfield recalled how the musician came to his office last year to discuss what should happen if he died — a conversation he dismissed at the time — as relatives and friends gathered on Saturday to bury the 34-year-old killed in the July 10 North Andros plane crash. Henfield, widely known as DJ Fresh, was among ten people killed when the aircraft crashed while approaching San Andros Airport. Bishop Elton Major, who raised Henfield from the age of 13, told mourners at Faith United Missionary Baptist Church that he never imagined he would be the one delivering remarks at his adopted son’s funeral. He recalled Henfield visiting his office in 2025 to discuss the possibility of his death. “He said, ‘I come to talk to you just in the event that something happen,’” Bishop Major recalled. His response, he said, was immediate: “Boy come out my office. We ain't talking about you dying. You have to bury me. I'm not going to bury you.” On Saturday, Bishop Major said, he was instead standing before mourners speaking over the son he had helped raise. “Tragically, there are questions that many will have that remain unanswered,” he said. “July the 10th, Melvin’s life on Earth came to an unexpected end.” He said he had wrestled with the same questions confronting others after Henfield’s death. “Today we may ask
MELVIN ‘DJ Fresh’ Henfield’s adopted father Bishop Elton Major, accompanied by one of his daughters, speaks during the funeral for the musician who died along with nine others in the Indpendence Day plane crash.
why?” Bishop Major said. “Why did this happen? Why did God allow something like this?” He said some questions may never be answered. Henfield was remembered as a loyal friend, musician and minister
whose work extended beyond his Fresh International entertainment platform. He played several instruments, including the trumpet, baritone, piano and drums, and was also involved in preaching and
religious ministry. Bishop Major recalled giving Henfield an opportunity to preach while he was still a schoolboy and watching him take the responsibility seriously. “He fasted and prayed,” he said.
When Henfield eventually took the pulpit, Bishop Major said, his delivery was so unexpected that he looked around to see whether a recording was playing. Friends also struggled with the reality of gathering
for Henfield’s funeral. “I’m still completely lost for words,” one friend said. “Standing in the church, this exact moment of our lives, doing this for Melvin, it still feels unreal.” Another friend broke down while remembering him. “Melvin, thank you for being my friend, my brother, and such an unforgettable part of my life,” the friend said. Towards the end of the service, Bishop Major brought Henfield’s youngest daughter to the stage and embraced her before the congregation. “He lived his life to the fullest and he loved his life,” Bishop Major said. “Now I have to love his children.” He said Henfield’s other daughter was watching the service from abroad. Henfield was one of the victims of the July 10 crash that killed the pilot and all nine passengers aboard. Separately, Eternal Rest Mortuary defended its handling of the funeral following public allegations concerning the services provided. The funeral home said it takes seriously its responsibility to families who place loved ones in its care and remains committed to professional standards. “We remain committed to maintaining high professional standards,” the mortuary said, “and ensuring that the services and arrangements agreed upon with each family are handled with compassion, integrity, and respect.” It said legitimate concerns would be addressed through appropriate professional channels while it continued to protect the dignity and privacy of the families it serves.
CAMPBELL EXPECTS CHARGES OVER DOG PM pays tribute to ATTACK THAT LEFT TODDLER INJURED officer after fatal crash By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net
CRASH from page one on Saturday to the crash and found a police motorcycle with extensive damage and Duncombe suffering from injuries. According to police, Duncombe was travelling west along Prince Charles Drive when the driver of a Suzuki reportedly turned right onto Garden Road, resulting in a collision. The Suzuki, driven by a man with a female passenger, was also damaged. Police said the woman reported suffering head injuries. Emergency Medical Services personnel treated Duncombe at the scene before taking him to hospital. An urgent appeal for blood donations was circulated on social media over the weekend as he remained hospitalised. Despite medical efforts, Duncombe died shortly after 3am on Monday. Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said he had seen Duncombe only days before his death. “On Friday past, I saw Steven for what would be the final time,” Mr Davis said. “As we went our separate ways, I thanked him for his service and saluted him. I could never have imagined that it would be the last time I would see him.” Mr Davis described Duncombe as a “good and decent man” who carried himself with “dignity, kindness and a quiet commitment to service”. “Life gives us no warning when a simple goodbye will become a lasting memory,” he said. “I am grateful that our final exchange was one of respect and appreciation.” North Andros MP Leonardo Lightbourne said Duncombe’s death was a deeply personal loss because his younger brother had known the officer for years and regarded him as “a brother from another mother”. “We will miss his laughter, his friendship, and the joy he brought into our lives,” Mr Lightbourne said. He said Duncombe served with dedication in the Traffic Division and went beyond his duties. “His passing reminds us how fragile life is,” Mr Lightbourne said. Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Leslia Miller-Brice also paid tribute to Duncombe, describing him as a “stellar gentleman” and “a first-class officer”.
POLICE Corporal Steven Duncombe. “His dedication, professionalism and kindness will be remembered by the many people whose lives he touched,” Ms Miller-Brice said. “His service and the way he carried himself speak to the man he was and the legacy he leaves behind.”
AGRICULTURE and Marine Resources Minister Jomo Campbell yesterday urged the owner of the dog that mauled three-yearold Skyla Lightbourne to surrender to police, saying investigators know who he is and expect charges to follow. Mr Campbell said the owner of the Belgian Malinois-German Shepherd mix should report to the nearest police station after last Wednesday’s attack on Ida Street, which left Skyla with head injuries requiring surgery. “The circumstances speak for themselves,” Mr Campbell told reporters. Skyla was discharged from hospital on Friday but has been left traumatised, according to her mother, Bentika Lightbourne. Mr Campbell said the Animal Control Unit responded immediately after the attack and accompanied Skyla at hospital as she prepared for surgery. Officers later visited the child with toys and offered support to the family. Animal Control has taken custody of the dog and investigators know the owner’s identity, the minister said. “Delay will only amplify the negative impact that this is having,” Mr Campbell said, “not just on the victim but also the community, because the community suffers when anything like this happens as well.” Asked about claims from residents that the owner may be a member of the
AGRICULTURE and Marine Resources Minister Jomo Campbell speaks during a walkabout in Mason’s Addition yesterday. Photo: Shawn Hanna armed forces, Mr Campbell did not confirm them. “What I would say is that the officers investigating this matter are fully aware as to who they are looking for,” he said, “and I have the utmost trust in the Royal Bahamas Police Force.” Mr Campbell said he expected the man to be taken into custody “in the very near future”. He said the dog appeared to have been trained, which contributed to the severity of the attack. Ms Lightbourne, 36, previously told The Tribune that she fought the animal with her bare hands while holding her daughter. She alleged that the same dog had shown aggression before and had bitten her cousin about two weeks before Skyla was attacked. Ms Lightbourne said she reported the attack to police and wanted charges filed. The mauling occurred during the government’s
September dog amnesty under its Mission Pawssible initiative, which allows owners to register their dogs free of charge and encourages licensing, microchipping, vaccinations and proper restraint. Mr Campbell stressed that the amnesty does not mean enforcement has stopped. “We don't want the public to think that the amnesty period means that enforcement is not taking place,” he said. He said Animal Control issued about $2,000 worth of citations on Friday and that about 15 people were registering their dogs when he left the ministry yesterday morning. Fixed penalties under the enforcement programme range from $50 to $1,000. They include a $250 penalty for an unlicensed or roaming dog and $500 for having a dangerous dog out of control in a public place.
PAGE 4, Tuesday, September 15, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Nurses union president survives removal bid By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
BAHAMAS Nurses Union president Muriel Lightbourn will remain in office until the union’s next election after surviving a months-long court battle by executives seeking to remove her — although a Supreme Court judge found that her suspension of two board members was unlawful. Justice Camille Darville-Gomez delivered a verbal ruling in the bitter internal dispute on Thursday. The full written judgment is expected later. The decision leaves Mrs Lightbourn at the helm of a union fractured by months of infighting over its leadership, finances and governance, while elections that were due this year remain outstanding. BNU secretary general Shavonne Brennen, one of the executives suspended by Mrs Lightbourn, expressed disappointment with the outcome in correspondence obtained by
The Tribune and said the judge found her not to be a credible witness. Ms Brennen also accused Mrs Lightbourn of attacking her character during a meeting with members. “Mrs Lightbourn is presently slandering my character to membership in her meeting,” she wrote. Mrs Lightbourn rejected the allegation yesterday as “far from the truth”. “I don’t do that,” she told The Tribune. She accused Ms Brennen of doing “a very disservice to the members of this union”, but said she had not taken the attacks against her personally. Ms Brennen declined to comment further when contacted yesterday, saying the executives would respond after receiving the written judgment. The dispute erupted last year after Mrs Lightbourn suspended two board members over alleged breaches of the union’s constitution. Several executives subsequently declared that
BAHAMAS NURSES UNION PRESIDENT MURIEL LIGHTBOURN Mrs Lightbourn was no longer a member of the union, changed the locks at BNU headquarters and went to court. The suspended executives argued that the process used against them was unconstitutional. The Tribune understands
Semi Military Funeral Service for Retired Sgt. 615 Deacon Nathaniel “Nat” Knowles, 77 of #47 Bahama Avenue, Second Street, The Grove and formerly of Simms, Long Island, died at Princess Margaret Hospital on Saturday, August 15th, 2026. Service will be held at Evangelistic Temple, Fourth Terrace West and Collins Avenue, on Thursday, September 17th, 2026, at 11a.m. Officiating will be Bishop Dr. Stanley G. Ferguson, assisted by a host of other Ministers of The Gospel. Interment will follow at Lakeview Memorial Gardens and Mausoleums, J.F.K Drive and Gladstone Road. He is predeceased by his Parents: Fred and Theresa Knowles; Sons: Cassius and John Knowles; Daughter: Andrea Knowles and Sister: Elsie Knowles. Left to cherish memories is his, beloved and loving wife of 28 years: Pastor Winnifred Knowles; Daughters: Donalee, Teacha, Nakaya, and Christonia Knowles, Dr. Paula Tomlinson and Nurse Vaince’Ann Tomlinson; Sons: Brentwood, Aaron, Anveron, Keyo, Nathaniel, and Nathario Knowles, Paul Tomlinson; Daughters-in-law: Jodelise Tomlinson, and Terrena Bent-Knowles; Adopted Daughter: Nilpthia Lindor-Fox; Adopted Sons: Elron Munroe, Tito Dawkins Jr.; Grandchildren: Brenton Knowles, Brendon Knowles, Shakanah Knowles, Chakera Knowles, Cassius Knowles, Jr., OTaus Knowles, Nathaniel Knowles, Jr., Anario Johnson, Nataliese Johnson, Anarion Johnson, Arion Johnson, Ashario Johnson, Kcorea Johnson, Anero Johnson, Dino Pinto Jr., Talyanna Barr, Dineshio Barr, Jeran Farrington, Jr., D’Quan Woodside, Paul Tomlinson, Jr., Jowell Tomlinson, Harrison Stubbs, Demario McFarlane, Rachea, Brittania, Faith, and Nakaydia Knowles; Sister: Calvise Gray; Brothers: Samuel Knowles of Cocoa, Florida and Malachi Knowles of Simms, Long Island, Bahamas; Sistersin-law: Elder Marva Knowles, Shirley Knowles of Cocoa, Florida, Evangelist Dianna Minnis, Evangelist Debbie Stephenson, Shanny Stephenson, and Pastor Veen Stephenson; Brothers-in-law: Cabel Stephenson, Walton Stephenson, Dalton Stephenson, James Minnis, Andrew Stephenson; Nieces & Nephews: Loretta Hawkins of Cocoa, Florida, Pastor Ralph (Kenrea) Gray, Leroy (Leoshe), Evangelist Portia Gray, Chief Correctional Officer Dalnecia Gray, Priscilla Charlow, Cpl 2064 Luther Knowles, Charles and Orthnell Knowles, Nurse Janet (John) Kelly, Magnola Edden, Prophetess Erica (Douglas) Russell, Marvette, Deon, Hermis, and Sherly Knowles, Showana Jarrett, Kamala and Daniel Gordon, Alex Stephenson, Nikoy Black; Cousins: Retired Superintendent, Asst. Commissioner Reuben (Joan) Smith, Retired Sergeant David Smith (RBPF), Geleta (Dr. Charles E.) Gray, Muriel Clarke, Ruthmae (Ednol) McPhee, Nelda McKee, Philip Pratt, Juanita Smith, Sherely Fripps, Brenda Pratt, Namoi Williams, Esther Minnis, Rex Pratt, Michael & Tanya Wright, Pernell (Valentio) Brown, Freeman (Pastor Perline), Urban Cartwright, Bruce and Patricia Pratt of Philadelphia; Host of relatives and friends including: Mario, Michael Simms, Omar Daely, Percy Pinder, Junior Taylor (childhood friend), Pastor Ricardo Turner and family, Pastor Joseph Knowles, The Mackey Family, The New Community Bakery, Evangelist Ben Pratt & Family, Simms and Oneal’s Community of Long Island, Stanford Green, Mr. Dean, Mr. Bain, The Bahamas Boxing Fraternity, Mr. Frederick Sturrup, J.P., Mr. Wellington Miller, Mr. Roy Colebrooke-Vice President of Bahamas Boxing Association, Mr. Vincent Strachan, Mr. Pat Strachan, Mr. Meacher Major, Mr. Alvin Sargent, Romell Knowles, Roscoe Rolle, The Hummingbird Association, Kemisha Dillion & Family, Kadian Parchment & Family, Vernon, Bent, and Johnson Families, Charles Clarke, Largie & Billings Family, Anthony Archer & Family, Miss Beverly Robinson & Family, Viveen Campbell & Family, Miss Cleomie, Karen, and Jessica Turner & Family, Mr. and Mrs. Tito Dawkins and Family, Mr. & Mrs. Keith & Dora Hanna and Family, Ms. Mary Cole, Danny Wilson, Bowe Family, Jackie and Jermaine, Dianna Rolle and Family, Johnson Family, Bishop Dr. Stanley (Irene) Ferguson and Family, New Free Community Holiness Church, Apostle and Bishop Naomi and Noel Smith, Signs and Wonders Prayer and Healing and Deliverance Ministry, Barry Bethel, Steve and Fred (Barbershop), Johnson Mechanic family, Henry Bakery, and Rolle’s Mechanic, The Former Jamaica Council-Mr. Patrick Hanlan & Family, Jamaica Honorary Council-Mrs. Donnette Cartwright & Family, Terrance Astwood, Donna & Garnette, Joan, Hazel Stephenson, Jerran Farrington Sr., Marlene Stephenson, Entire Stephenson Family, Cephas Bowe, Glory Carriers Deliverance Global Ministries International, Royal Bahamas Police Force, Doctors and Nurses of A&E and Med Surg Ward, Church Without Walls, Evangelistic Temple Church Family, and the entire Coconut Grove Community. Friends may pay their last respects at Paul Farquharson Center from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday and again at the church from 10:00 a.m. to service time on Thursday.
Justice Darville-Gomez ruled that the suspensions were unlawful. The executives also challenged the union’s financial management, alleging a lack of transparency and accountability. However, the judge found that the union’s treasurer had not breached certain provisions of the Industrial Relations Act. Ms Brennen was sharply critical of the outcome. “If this is what social justice looks like, no wonder the labour movement is sinking and what Sir Fawkes fought for is slowly fading away,” her statement said. Attention now turns to the BNU election. The union last held elections in January 2023 and its constitution provides for three-year terms, meaning another election was due this year.
Mrs Lightbourn said nurses had voted to hold the election in January and that the decision was given to Ms Brennen, who chaired the election committee. She alleged, however, that Ms Brennen failed to submit it to the registrar as required. “If our secretary general would have done what she was mandated to do, we would have already had an election,” Mrs Lightbourn said. She described the union as being in a “holdover” period and said she remains president while the organisation operates under provisions of the Industrial Relations Act. Mrs Lightbourn said she intends to seek re-election but could not say when voting would take place. “I’m hoping the sooner, the better,” she said. She also rejected
allegations that she stole nearly $50,000 in union funds and that the money was connected to a robbery she experienced last year. The Tribune previously reported that Mrs Lightbourn was robbed in her vehicle in Chippingham in January when a man opened a door and took items from the back seat, including her laptop and handbag. Police later recovered the laptop and bag, but her purse, containing cash and government-issued identification, remained missing. Mrs Lightbourn said union members recently contacted her about allegations that some executives were accusing her of stealing nearly $50,000. She denied ever having the money in her possession and questioned whether the robbery had been a set-up. She said she called a meeting with nurses to address the claims after being bombarded with calls, but alleged that false rumours continued to circulate on social media. Despite the turmoil, Mrs Lightbourn said she intends to remain in office and continue representing nurses pending the election. “They elected me to serve them,” she said. “I will do it.” She said the union’s disputes may have caused delays but would not stop its work. “We cannot be defeated,” Mrs Lightbourn said. “I want us to work together, so we can get things done in fairness.”
Nurses frustrated by delays as BNU says agreement is near By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net NEGOTIATIONS for a new industrial agreement for nurses should be completed soon, Bahamas Nurses Union (BNU) president Muriel Lightbourn said yesterday, while acknowledging nurses' frustration over the delay. Mrs Lightbourn sought to provide an update on the talks after hearing concerns from nurses about the status of their new industrial agreement, following the successful conclusion of talks between the government and the Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT). “Everytime a union signs an industrial agreement, then the nurses start to get busy busy and ask what's happening to us but there’s alot of things going on," she said, adding that the union has not been resting on its laurels. She said negotiations for a new five-year industrial agreement began in February after the contracts for both Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) nurses and Department of Health nurses expired late last year. Mrs Lightbourn described the talks as having gone “smoothly”, but said matters related to a legal dispute had delayed the process. She said retaining nurses was a key priority in the negotiations after receiving
input from various stakeholders, with provisions discussed to address the issue. “We tried to re-structure the salaries because our aim for the negotiations was to be able to recruit nurses into the profession. We wanted to be able to retain them and we were looking at what would benefit our nurses after they retire.” Some of the benefits the union is pushing for include new salary scales, increased allowances and improved benefits for nurses relocated to the Family Islands, which can include round trip tickets for return trips home. The union is also seeking to replace the term “on-call” with an “availability allowance” to better reflect the demands placed on nurses. “You could be on call for the month, and you could be called out two or three times a night and you still would only get that flat rate,” she added. “And so, we've asked to have that terminology changed to availability allowance, and so that means that when you're called out, overtime should kick in.” She said the challenge in moving talks forward was the absence of the union’s secretary general, who had initiated a legal dispute against Mrs Lightbourn over concerns about her leadership. After labour officials requested her involvement
in the negotiations, Mrs Lightbourn said she did not push back. “This is not about me and the secretary general. This is about the nurses,” she added. However, she added that talks stalled further when government officials requested that the negotiations be put on hold until after the court ruling. “That was not even valid,” she said. “I don’t see where that should have presented a problem but be it as it may, that’s where we are at.” She said nurses are fed up and shouldn't be “going through this wrangling” because of internal issues, calling this unfair. On outstanding mileage and overtime payments, the BNU president said she was informed by the minister that the payments would be made by the end of this month. She said the minister also promised that other outstanding matters, including confirmation letters and promotions, would be addressed. “And so, once we meet again in our follow-up meeting, if these things are not done, then we know there's a course of action to take. But I believe that it would only be fair to give them an opportunity to make good on what they said they're going to do, and then if they don't do it, then you know what to do,” she added.
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Tuesday, September 15, 2026, PAGE 5
Ten-year-old boy’s battle against cancer By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net A 10-YEAR-OLD boy whose father was murdered seven years ago is now battling an aggressive form of leukaemia, leaving his mother to confront another crisis as he spends what should have been the start of Grade Six in hospital. Ja’Mari, a student of Sadie Curtis Primary School, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia on June 29 and has since undergone two rounds of chemotherapy. His mother, Donisha Aranha, 31, said he has vomited, coughed up blood and lost weight during treatment, while she struggles to remain composed in front of him. “I had to be strong because now he's looking at me to be strong for him,” Ms Aranha said. “I literally ain't broken down yet, but like mentally, I just want to cry and scream.” Ja’Mari’s father was murdered in 2019, leaving Ms Aranha to raise their son. This year, instead of beginning Grade Six with his classmates, Ja’Mari has spent months in hospital. Ms Aranha said he was deeply disappointed to miss the first day of school, prompting her to buy him a school bag and fill it with books to
reassure him that his education had not ended. Ja’Mari’s illness developed rapidly. Ms Aranha said he began experiencing an intermittent fever on June 13 and was initially diagnosed at a clinic with an ear infection. He was prescribed Augmentin and ibuprofen, but the fever returned on June 22. The next day, Ja’Mari complained of neck pain and was taken to Princess Margaret Hospital, where Ms Aranha said a doctor diagnosed him with a viral throat infection and prescribed ibuprofen. She was advised to return if his condition did not improve. By June 27, his neck pain had become unbearable. Further testing at PMH found that his white blood cell count was extremely high. He was admitted to the Children’s Ward and subsequently diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. Ja’Mari has completed two rounds of chemotherapy and is awaiting a third. Ms Aranha said she is still waiting to learn whether the chemotherapy has been effective and whether her son is a suitable match for a bone marrow transplant. Doctors have recommended a transplant, which she said could potentially make him
10-YEAR-OLD JA’MARI BUTLER cancer-free. She said the procedure could be performed in India in October or November. Ms Aranha does not have health insurance and said India is the most
Five structures demolished at Cowpen Manor shanty town By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net AUTHORITIES demolished five structures and removed about 20 residents from the Cowpen Manor shanty town yesterday, months after occupants were ordered to leave the unauthorised settlement off Cowpen Road. Superintendent Stephen Carey, chairman of the Unregulated Communities Action Task Force, said authorities received a report about the community in April and investigated the area in May, when residents were issued 28-day notices. Residents were asked to remove themselves and their belongings before yesterday’s demolition.
The move was intended to avoid a repeat of a physical altercation between residents and task force members during a July demolition at the Montgomery shanty town, also off Cowpen Road. The operation comes as the government continues demolitions in unregulated communities and prepares to expand the exercise beyond New Providence. Supt Carey warned that people who continue to build or occupy unauthorised structures could now face prosecution under the Building Control Act. “We are asking persons who are building on these lands that are not theirs and without a building permit to cease doing so,” he said. “Moving forward, the task force will be charging
any person who occupies or builds on these lands,” Supt Carey said. “Once caught there, you will be charged under the Building Control Act and placed before the court.” He said people should stop building or occupying the properties because those caught there would be charged. Shanty town demolitions have been carried out at several locations this year as the government continues efforts to address unregulated communities and illegal structures. The task force is now preparing operations in the Family Islands. A team is scheduled to travel to Abaco, while another is expected to visit Andros to carry out demolitions by the end of the month.
affordable option available. The transplant alone is expected to cost about $80,000, excluding travel, accommodation and recovery expenses. The single mother is also caring for two other
JA’MARI BUTLER IN HOSPITAL AT PMH children while continuing to work and travelling to PMH during visiting hours to see Ja’Mari. She said her focus is on getting her son through
treatment and back to the life he expected to be living before his diagnosis. People wishing to assist the family can contact Ms Aranha at 242-822-5529.
PAGE 6, Tuesday, September 15, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
The Tribune Limited NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”
LEON E. H. DUPUCH,
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No mother should have to fight a dog to save her child NO mother should have to fight a dog with her bare hands to save her three-year-old child. Yet that is what Bentika Lightbourne says she was forced to do after a dog escaped from a neighbouring property and attacked her daughter, Skyla, on Ida Street. Ms Lightbourne reportedly fought the animal while holding her daughter in one arm. The child suffered head injuries requiring surgery and, although she has now been discharged from hospital, her mother says she remains badly traumatised. The courage and instinctive determination of this mother may have saved her daughter’s life. But she should never have been placed in that position. The dog was reportedly put down on the day of the attack. Police were notified, but no public update had been provided when the family’s story was reported. The circumstances must be investigated fairly. It should not be assumed that an offence was committed until the evidence has been examined. Nevertheless, this was not a minor incident. A young child required surgery, while her mother has been left unable to work normally because she must care for her. There is also an allegation that the same dog had bitten another person approximately two weeks earlier and had previously behaved aggressively towards people passing the property. If that allegation is confirmed, the authorities must determine whether the earlier incident was reported, what response followed and whether this latest attack could have been prevented. The case comes during a national amnesty intended to bring dog owners into compliance with licensing and animal-control laws. Agriculture and Marine Resources Minister Jomo Campbell deserves credit for recognising that the country cannot continue responding only after someone has been injured. In launching Mission Pawsible, he said the Government wants to move from reaction to prevention. That is exactly the right objective. Mr Campbell has warned that the September amnesty is not an indefinite grace period and that enforcement will follow. He has also been clear that the Government is “no longer able to accommodate irresponsible ownership under any circumstance”. Those words must now be translated into visible action. Free registration, microchipping and public education are sensible measures. However, the success of Mission Pawsible cannot be judged by the number of forms completed or licences issued. A licensed dog can still escape. A microchip cannot prevent an attack. The real test is whether owners keep their animals properly secured and whether the authorities act quickly when a dog has attacked
someone or repeatedly displayed dangerous behaviour. Dog ownership carries responsibilities extending far beyond feeding an animal. Owners must provide secure fencing, properly maintained gates and adequate supervision. Those who keep large or powerful breeds have an even greater duty to ensure their animals cannot escape and endanger neighbours. Mr Campbell has stressed that responsible ownership is not simply about caring for an animal, but also about protecting neighbours and the wider public. That principle should guide enforcement. The Government should make clear that the present amnesty applies to administrative compliance, not negligence. It should not prevent immediate intervention where an animal presents a known danger. Every serious attack should trigger an investigation into the conduct of the owner, the condition of the property and any previous complaints involving the animal. Where the evidence supports prosecution, charges should follow. Penalties must be meaningful enough to discourage irresponsibility. Victims should also have a practical route to recover medical expenses, lost income and the cost of continuing physical or psychological care. That matters in this case. Ms Lightbourne is a self-employed housekeeper and single mother whose income depends upon her ability to work. She should not be left to carry the financial consequences of an attack for which she and her daughter bear no responsibility. Animal Control must also be properly equipped. Complaints involving attacks, repeated escapes or aggressive dogs should be prioritised and recorded in a central system so that authorities can identify repeat incidents before another person is injured. This does not require hostility towards dogs or responsible pet owners. Most owners care for their animals and secure them properly. Humane treatment, licensing, vaccination and spaying or neutering should remain essential parts of the national response. But compassion for animals cannot mean indifference to their victims. The Minister has correctly identified prevention as the goal. Mission Pawsible must now demonstrate that enforcement will be swift, consistent and capable of protecting the public. A mother’s bravery saved her daughter from an even worse outcome. The country cannot depend upon another parent having to show the same courage. The responsibility for preventing the next attack belongs to dog owners, and to the authorities charged with holding them accountable.
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Bahamians deserve answers on NIF fund EDITOR, The Tribune. THE Bahamian People Deserve an Accounting Senator The Hon Dr Trevor Johnson, Opposition Senator. A sovereign wealth fund is essentially a government-owned investment vehicle established to manage and invest public resources for a country’s long-term benefit. Rather than spending all available resources immediately, a government can place money in a fund and invest it in assets or projects expected to generate economic or financial value. Because these resources belong to the state, the Fund ultimately belongs to the people. Sound investment principles, transparency, accountability and public trust must, therefore, guide its management. This is why the questions surrounding The Bahamas’ National Investment Fund (NIF) cannot simply be dismissed as political noise. In December 2025, the NIF reportedly had $265.3 million. By March 2026, that balance had fallen to approximately $200,000. In just a few months, approximately $265 million was no longer reflected in the Fund’s reported balance. The question is simple: where are the receipts to show where the money went? This is precisely why the Free National Movement held a press conference on August 17, 2026, with Opposition Leader Hon Michael Pintard publicly demanding answers from the Davis Administration. The issue is not whether the Government can use the NIF. If the Fund was established to finance national development, then using it for legitimate investments is appropriate. The concern is whether Bahamians have received a clear accounting of how such a significant amount of public money was used. What specific projects (other than the airports) received these funds? Who authorised the withdrawals or transfers? What approvals were required? Were the requirements of the National Investment Fund Act followed? What documentation supports these transactions? Which private companies, consultants, or contractors were paid from these resources? These questions matter because strong financial controls are one of the
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net best safeguards against corruption and the misuse of public funds. When large sums of taxpayers’ money can be transferred or withdrawn without clear documentation, approval processes, and public reporting, it creates opportunities for individuals to put their hands in the “cookie jar.” Accountability is not about assuming that money was stolen. It is about creating a system where public money cannot be misappropriated, diverted, or misused without detection. Bahamians deserve to know where their money went, who authorized its use and what safeguards were in place to protect it. At the time of writing, we are still awaiting a substantive government response on this matter. The position has been that the Opposition should await the publication of the Fund’s report, which will provide the appropriate accounting and details concerning the use of its resources. However, Section 27 of the National Investment Fund Act speaks specifically to quarterly and annual reporting. Those reports have not been consistently made publicly available to the Bahamian people. It is, therefore, difficult to tell the public to wait for a future report when the reporting framework contemplated by the legislation has not been consistently visible. Bahamians should not have to rely on general explanations to understand what happened to hundreds of millions of dollars. Transparency Must Be More Than a Promise The Bahamas is not being asked to invent a new standard. Other countries already demonstrate what meaningful public reporting can look like. Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global publishes detailed information on its investments and performance. In our region, Trinidad and Tobago’s Heritage and Stabilization Fund publishes quarterly investment reports, annual reports, and audited financial statements. The lesson is not that these countries have perfect systems. They do not. The lesson is that
controversy is easier to resolve when the underlying financial information is publicly available. The Bahamas does not need to copy another country’s model. But we should expect our own National Investment Fund to operate on the same basic principle: public wealth should be accompanied by public reporting. Accountability Cannot Be Political For several years during the COVID-19 pandemic, Bahamians heard the question, “Where did the money go from the National Food Distribution Program?” The PLP was right to argue then that citizens deserved to know how their money was being used. That principle cannot change simply because the political party asking the questions is now in Government. The NIF does not belong to the Cabinet or to any political party. It belongs to the people of The Bahamas. Government is the custodian of those resources and has a responsibility to account for them. As a young Bahamian, I believe this conversation matters beyond party politics. My generation will inherit the infrastructure, debt and investments created by the decisions being made today. We, therefore, have a legitimate interest in knowing whether our national resources are being managed wisely, transparently and in the best interest of the Bahamian people. Again, I ask: where is the proof of the $265 million? What was the approval process? What specific investments or expenditures account for the reduction in the Fund’s balance? And, most importantly, where is the public record that allows Bahamians to verify these transactions? The answer should not require a political debate. It should be found in the Government’s accounts and reports. The Bahamian people deserve that information. Transparency and accountability are not obstacles to progress. Transparency is the standard. Accountability is the responsibility. And when hundreds of millions of dollars of public money are involved, the Bahamian people deserve nothing less. SENATOR THE HON DR TREVOR JOHNSON Jr Nassau, September 9, 2026.
The whispers EDITOR, The Tribune. WARREN Ellis, alias “Spy,” was recently gunned down in Abaco, apparently while on a shopping trip. His murder is reportedly the 52nd murder recorded by police so far this year. His death adds to the terrible fate that far too many young men face while living in The Bahamas. I understand that he was a married man with children. I extend my condolences to his family and loved ones. Mr Ellis has been the subject of numerous social media posts and public discussions over the last several years. People have alleged that he was a major player in the drug trade and that he was involved in several executions in The Bahamas through contract killings. From a legal standpoint, however, these allegations remain unproven. Mr Ellis was never convicted of any of these alleged crimes. The court of public opinion may reach its own conclusions, but it does not determine legal guilt. Still, the whispers on the streets are real in the minds of many Bahamians. The Bahamas is a very small place, and word gets around very quickly. Gossip spreads like wildfire. People hear things, people talk, and stories become accepted as fact
even when they have never been tested against evidence. My interest in this matter does not lie in determining whether Mr Ellis was innocent or guilty of being a drug kingpin or of authorising contract killings. That determination belongs to the evidence and, ultimately, the courts. My interest lies in something else: What were the responsible government agencies doing about these allegations while Mr. Ellis was alive? Were the allegations investigated? Was a task force ever created within the Royal Bahamas Police Force to investigate Mr Ellis and his alleged criminal activities? Was he ever the subject of a formal intelligence investigation? Were his financial affairs and assets examined to determine whether they could be legitimately explained? Were his alleged connections to organized crime investigated? And, perhaps most importantly, did law-enforcement agencies have information about Mr Ellis that could have helped prevent violence or identify those responsible for criminal activity surrounding him? These are reasonable questions. If the allegations were nothing more
than gossip, then an investigation should have been capable of establishing that. If there was credible intelligence behind some of those allegations, then the public deserves to know whether the appropriate agencies acted on that information within the limits of the law. The whispers on the streets will never stop. Gossip will always exist, particularly in a country as small as The Bahamas. But gossip is not evidence, and social media is not a courtroom. Our law-enforcement agencies, however, have a responsibility to separate gossip from intelligence, intelligence from evidence, and evidence from criminal conduct. The death of Warene Ellis should therefore raise more than questions about who pulled the trigger. It should also raise questions about what, if anything, the State knew before the trigger was ever pulled— and what it did with that information. The whispers may never stop. But perhaps our government agencies should be listening. DEHAVILLAND MOSS Nassau, September 9, 2026.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, September 15, 2026, PAGE 7
Officer accused of shooting TRIPLE MURDER ACCUSED REMANDED 15-year-old boy in the back OVER DEADLY 20-HOUR CRIME SPREE OFFICER from page one towards the Golden Isles Road area, while his friend fled in another direction. The injured teenager managed to reach his home, where his older brother took him to hospital. His injuries were not considered life-threatening.
Pinder, who had been interdicted at Police Headquarters earlier yesterday, appeared before Acting Chief Magistrate Ancella Evans wearing a civilian suit. He was charged with two counts of attempted murder and was not required to enter a plea. The matter will proceed
to the Supreme Court by way of a voluntary bill of indictment. Pinder was advised of his right to apply for bail in the higher court and will return for service of the VBI on January 21, 2027. Bjorn Ferguson represented Pinder, while Corporal Moultrie prosecuted the case.
Ex-candidate granted $9K bail in procuration case involving teen By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A FORMER independent political candidate was accused yesterday of soliciting sex from a 16-year-old girl in New Providence. Prosecutors allege Daquan Swain, 31, procured sex from the teenager between June 23 and September 3.
Swain contested the West Grand Bahama and Bimini seat in the 2023 by-election. He was not required to enter a plea to procuration before Magistrate Abigail Farrington. Swain was informed that the matter would proceed to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment. He was granted $9,000 bail with one or two
sureties. Under the terms of his bail, he must sign in at the Elizabeth Estates Police Station every Monday and Friday by 7pm. Swain returns to court for service of the voluntary bill of indictment on December 4. Reserve Inspector Deveaux prosecuted the case. Bjorn Ferguson represented Swain.
Police probe fatal ship accident that killed 36-year-old crewman A 36-YEAR-OLD Indian man died after becoming trapped beneath metal plates in the engine room of a vessel travelling from Grand Bahama to New Providence on Saturday night. Police said they were alerted shortly after 11pm by an official from the shipping company, who reported that an employee had been seriously injured in an onboard accident and later died. The vessel arrived in New
Providence around 7am on Sunday. Investigators boarded the ship alongside officials from the Bahamas Maritime Authority, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Bahamas Customs and Department of Immigration. Police said preliminary information indicated that security personnel were alerted to an accident in the engine room while the vessel was travelling to New
Providence. When they arrived, they reportedly found two employees assisting the 36-year-old, who had become trapped and severely injured beneath several metal plates. Additional crew members helped free him and medical assistance was administered, but he died from his injuries. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A 20-YEAR-OLD man was remanded to prison yesterday after being accused of committing three murders and three attempted murders within about 20 hours last month. Prosecutors allege Milton Burrows Jr and accomplices shot and killed Kimbo Guerrier, 51, outside an apartment complex at Soldier Road and Baillou Hill Road around 4pm on August 21. Guerrier was found lying face down with multiple gunshot wounds. The suspects allegedly fled east along Soldier Road in a white Japanese-model vehicle. Around 7am on August 22, prosecutors allege Burrows and accomplices ambushed Samuel Pascal, 52, as he arrived at his apartment on Joe Farrington Road. Pascal was allegedly shot as he attempted to flee. His body was later found inside the apartment with multiple gunshot wounds. The suspects allegedly escaped west along Joe Farrington Road in a silver SUV. Burrows is also accused of participating in the
Emergency Medical Services personnel assessed her at the scene before transporting her to hospital for treatment and further evaluation. Police said preliminary information indicated that the teenager had become overwhelmed and depressed following a conversation with a family member before ingesting the medication. Her condition was unknown up to press time. Police are investigating.
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three counts of attempted murder before acting Chief Magistrate Ancella Evans. His co-accused, Diamonique Webster, 18, was arraigned on similar charges last month. Webster was charged with three counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder, three counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, three counts of possession of an unlicensed firearm, two counts of possession of ammunition, armed robbery, abetment to armed robbery, stealing and receiving. Burrows was not required to enter a plea to the charges. He was informed that the matter would proceed to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment. Burrows was advised of his right to apply for bail in the higher court. He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until February 18, 2027, when the voluntary bill of indictment is expected to be served. Corporal Moultrie prosecuted the case. Levan Johnson represented Burrows.
Man pleads guilty to sexually assaulting his adult sister By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN admitted yesterday to sexually assaulting his sister in New Providence.
Teen girl hospitalised after alleged self-harm attempt A 17-YEAR-OLD girl was taken to hospital on Sunday after allegedly ingesting medication in an attempt to harm herself at Holmes Rock, Grand Bahama. Police said officers at the Eight Mile Rock Police Station were alerted shortly after 1pm by a concerned citizen who reported that the teenager had taken a quantity of medication. She was reportedly conscious when officers arrived.
killing of Eric Stuart, 36, around noon that day while he was landscaping on the eastern side of Fire Trail Road. Prosecutors allege Stuart was shot and killed before the suspects fled north in a white Japanese-model vehicle. Later on August 22, police tracked a vehicle carrying a woman and three men to Allen Close in Pride Estates. Prosecutors allege the suspects opened fire on officers, leading to an exchange of gunfire. Burrows allegedly attempted to kill Constable Leon King, Able Seaman Raynaldo Pinder and Marine Seaman Lerecus Armbrister during the confrontation. The suspects’ vehicle sustained extensive damage, while the three men allegedly escaped by jumping over a fence. A female suspect was later found hiding beneath a bus and arrested. Authorities allegedly recovered a black Smith & Wesson Springfield pistol, a green and black Tactical Omni hybrid rifle, a black Cali Multi DB15 rifle, eight .40 rounds and one .223 round. Burrows faced three counts of murder and
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The defendant, whose name is being withheld to protect the identity of the complainant, pleaded guilty to incest before Justice Renae McKay. He reportedly had sexual
intercourse with his adult sister. The defendant was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until his sentencing hearing on November 16.
PAGE 8, Tuesday, September 15, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Bahama Rock told to revise environmental documents By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
THE Department of Environmental Planning and Protection has asked Bahama Rock to revise its environmental documents as the company approaches a production shutdown that will temporarily put 69 hourly employees out of work and could become permanent if its proposed Grand Bahama expansion is not approved. Dr Rhianna Neely-Murphy, director of DEPP, said the revisions are the next step in the statutory environmental review of the Bahama Rock Limited Harbour Expansion and Aggregate Mining Project. “The company, through its environmental consultants, was advised that revisions were required to update the environmental documents,” Dr Neely-Murphy said. “That is the next step.” The request comes at a critical point for Bahama Rock’s workforce. The company has said it will cease aggregate production on September 18 as its currently permitted limestone reserves near exhaustion, with 69 hourly workers due to be
EMPLOYEES of Bahama Rock protest outside the Freeport company’s property last week. temporarily laid off for up to 60 days beginning September 21. Bahama Rock employs roughly 80 people in Grand Bahama and has warned that the shutdown could become permanent if it does not receive approval to access a new aggregate source at the former Bahamas Cement Company
property. Employees walked off the job at the company’s Freeport plant last week, urging the government to approve the expansion and warning that their livelihoods depend on the operation continuing. The proposed project involves expanding the existing harbour and
extracting aggregate from the former Bahamas Cement Company property in Freeport. Bahama Rock, owned by Martin Marietta, has agreed to acquire the property and proposes to mine about 269 acres as part of the expansion. BRON Ltd, Bahama Rock’s environmental consultants, prepared the
Photo: Vandyke Hepburn environmental impact assessment for the project. The proposal has drawn opposition from some nearby residents, who have raised concerns about blasting, dust and noise. At a DEPP town meeting in July, Eight Mile Rock residents said previous blasting operations had caused cracks and other damage to
their homes. Workers have urged the government to balance those concerns against the jobs and wider economic activity tied to Bahama Rock. The company has estimated its annual contribution to Grand Bahama’s economy at about $25m and has warned that a permanent closure could also affect the availability and cost of aggregate used by the construction industry. Opponents of the expansion, however, have disputed suggestions that Bahama Rock’s shutdown would necessarily create a national aggregate shortage and have argued that the environmental review should not be dictated by the impending lay-offs. Latrae Rahming, director of communications in the Office of the Prime Minister, said the government was considering the consequences for workers. “The Government is reviewing the situation concerning Bahama Rock and the potential impact on its employees,” Mr Rahming said. “We will provide an update once more information is available.” Efforts to reach Bahama Rock general manager TJ Mackey were unsuccessful up to press time.
Family hires Bahamian lawyers in search for missing sailor By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net THE family of missing Spanish-American sailor Miguel Campoy has hired Bahamian lawyers and obtained more precise technical information about his last known position as it intensifies efforts to determine what happened to him nearly a year after he vanished between Abaco and New Providence. Mr Campoy disappeared
on September 6, 2025, after leaving South Abaco aboard his sailboat Hella bound for New Providence. His sister, Miriam Campoy, told The Tribune the family has continued examining maritime traffic from the day he disappeared and is pursuing records through legal channels after failing to obtain some information directly. The family retained Bahamian lawyers in May and is seeking information concerning vessels that travelled through the area as well as data from Mr
Campoy’s mobile phone. “We're not accusing anyone,” Ms Campoy said, “but we want to have that information.” She said relatives have also obtained what she described as a more precise geographic reference for the final period of her brother’s voyage using Starlink information. The family has identified commercial vessels that travelled through the area around the time Mr Campoy disappeared and is appealing to sailors, fishermen and people who
were aboard vessels in the New Providence Channel that afternoon to review photographs, videos, GPS records, logbooks and messages. Relatives believe someone may have unknowingly captured an image of Hella or information that did not appear important at the time. “Maybe they took a photo,” Ms Campoy said, “or, you know, not to Miguel, but his vessel, but maybe to the sea, and he was there, but they didn't realize.” She stressed that the family is not accusing any of the vessels identified during its review, but wants their crews contacted to determine whether they saw Mr Campoy’s sailboat or anything else that could assist the investigation. The family is also trying to obtain Mr Campoy’s telephone records, including his last known location, calls and other activity before communication stopped. Ms Campoy said relatives had been unable to obtain those records themselves and are now relying on their lawyers. They want to know whether Mr Campoy made or attempted any calls after relatives last spoke with him. “It's a little bit of distress to have to get into lawyers to just to know,” she said, “just to try to understand why one of our brothers has disappeared basically.” Mr Campoy, who was 56 when he disappeared, was an experienced sailor and qualified yacht captain who lived in Miami with his wife. His last known contact with relatives was around 6pm on September 6,
MIGUEL CAMPOY when he indicated that conditions were calm and that the journey was taking longer than expected. Relatives reported him missing the following day, prompting searches by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and United States Coast Guard. Only his support dinghy was recovered. Personal belongings and identification documents were found inside, while no confirmed debris from Hella has been publicly reported. Ms Campoy said she understood responsibility for the case had since shifted from the Defence Force to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, but said the family has received no update from police since December. “The Royal Police Force, which is in charge, they haven't given us any feedback at all,” she said. “Since December we know nothing about it.” She said the family also does not know whether
forensic examinations, including fingerprint checks, were conducted on the belongings recovered from the dinghy. “We don't even know if they have seen if there were some fingerprints or anything on on his things,” Ms Campoy said. “They never gave us a feedback about all his things that they found out.” She said relatives understood police were handling numerous cases but wanted confirmation that the investigation remained active. Ms Campoy also said her brother’s case had been referred to the US Coast Guard Investigative Service. Nearly a year after his disappearance, she said the family intends to continue pursuing every available record before accepting that no further information can be found. “We keep fighting,” Ms Campoy said. “We keep fighting basically because we would like to know what it happens.”
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THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, September 15, 2026, PAGE 9
Ivoine Ingraham • Facing Reality
Justice must not be a luxury reserved for the wealthy AN important distinction exists between special favours and the perception of preferential treatment. One involves actual misconduct—using influence, wealth, or political connections to secure an unfair advantage. The other involves public suspicion that such advantages exist, even when they may not. Yet in matters of justice, perception is almost as important as reality. Courts may operate according to the law, prosecutors may follow legal procedures, and judges may make decisions based on evidence. But if ordinary citizens repeatedly leave believing that the wealthy and well-connected are treated differently, confidence in the justice system begins to erode. And once public confidence is lost, the damage extends far beyond any individual case. The principle that “nobody is above the law” is among the most fundamental promises of any democratic society. It assures citizens that status, wealth, race, political affiliation, or social standing will not determine who receives justice. The law should be the great equaliser. It should stand between power and abuse, protecting the vulnerable as much as it restrains the powerful. But that promise sounds hollow when the public repeatedly sees influential individuals arrested with great fanfare, charged with serious offences, and then seemingly walk away with little consequence. Whether those outcomes are legally justified is not always the point. The issue is what the public sees. They see wellknown individuals retain the country’s best legal representation, exploit every procedural avenue available, and benefit from delays, technicalities, and legal arguments beyond the financial reach of ordinary citizens. They see cases collapse after years of waiting or end with penalties that seem disproportionately light. To the average person struggling to pay rent or feed a family, it is hard not to conclude that justice comes with a price tag. The uncomfortable truth is that people judge justice and equality before the law not solely by legal principles, but by their own experience of the justice system. If citizens repeatedly observe what appears to be one system for the wealthy and another for everyone else, they naturally begin to question whether justice is truly blind. This perception is not born out of cynicism alone. Repeated experiences, conversations, and observations shape it. Every high-profile case that appears to end without meaningful accountability reinforces a growing belief that influence can buy favourable outcomes. Every unexplained delay, every procedural error, every failed prosecution feeds the narrative that ordinary people face a justice system far harsher than those with financial means.
The credibility of a justice When people lose confidence in the justice system is measured system, they do not simply become frustrated. They not by how it treats the begin to disengage. They lose faith that reporting powerless, but by how it crimes matters. They question whether cooperating with investigators is worth- treats the powerful. That perception has dangerous consequences.
while. Witnesses become reluctant to come forward. Victims become hesitant to pursue justice. Citizens begin believing that outcomes are predetermined by status rather than evidence.
and
Ultimately, respect for the rule of law weakens. This is precisely why institutions responsible for administering justice carry an enormous responsibility. Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to be done. Transparency, consistency, com-
petence, and professionalism are not optional ideals—they are essential ingredients for maintaining public trust. Among those institutions, the Department of Public Prosecutions occupies a particularly critical position. The DPP cannot afford complacency. Half-baked cases should not be presented. Its responsibility extends beyond securing convictions. It must inspire confidence that every prosecution is conducted independently, fairly, professionally, and thoroughly. Every file presented before the courts reflects not only on the individual prosecutor but on the credibility of the justice system itself. Emotions should not determine what cases are presented. That is why it is deeply disheartening whenever cases appear ill-prepared. Perhaps nothing is more damaging than watching a matter of significant public interest collapse because investigations were incomplete, evidence poorly organised, witnesses inadequately prepared, or procedural requirements overlooked. When such failures occur, they invite speculation that prosecutors were either incompetent or unwilling to pursue the matter with the seriousness it deserved. Neither explanation strengthens public confidence. The frustration becomes even greater when cases drag on for years without conclusion. Justice delayed has long been recognised as justice denied. Endless adjournments, procedural disputes, repeated postponements,
excuse poor preparation. If prosecutors know that cases involving influential individuals will receive intense scrutiny, then those matters should receive extraordinary attention before they ever reach a courtroom. Every witness should be thoroughly prepared. Every document carefully reviewed. Every investigative gap identified and addressed. Every legal argument anticipated. No stone should be left unturned before charges are pursued. slow-moving investigations leave the public wondering whether anyone truly controls the process. Victims are forced to relive their trauma repeatedly. Defendants remain under prolonged uncertainty. Witnesses struggle to recall events years later. Evidence becomes increasingly difficult to preserve. Meanwhile, public confidence steadily declines. Some members of the public believe they already know what happened. Information circulates widely through traditional media, social media, public documents, and community discussion. Citizens conclude that the evidence is “clear as day”. Yet years later, prosecutions remain incomplete or ultimately fail altogether. Public perception and legal proof are not the same thing. Prosecutors cannot and should not rely on rumours, public opinion, or media commentary. Courts require admissible evidence that satisfies a very high legal standard. That burden exists for good reason. Every accused person deserves a fair trial, regardless of popularity or public outrage. However, recognising this legal reality does not
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The public deserves nothing less. Professionalism within the DPP’s office cannot simply mean appearing in court on time or complying with procedural requirements. It must reflect a culture of excellence. Every prosecution should demonstrate meticulous preparation, careful legal analysis, and unwavering commitment to fairness. Competence matters because every failed prosecution carries consequences beyond the immediate case. Each collapse reinforces existing public doubts. Each avoidable mistake strengthens the belief that influential defendants enjoy advantages ordinary
citizens do not. Each poorly managed matter becomes another example cited whenever discussions arise about inequality before the law. Eventually, those examples accumulate into a broader crisis of confidence. This is not about demanding convictions at all costs. Prosecutors are ministers of justice, not merely advocates seeking wins. They have a duty to pursue the truth wherever it leads, even if that means discontinuing cases that cannot fairly proceed. But there is an enormous difference between losing a well-prepared case after presenting the strongest available evidence and losing because preventable mistakes undermined the prosecution from the outset. The public understands the difference. Citizens are generally willing to accept acquittals when they believe the process was fair, thorough, and professionally conducted. They may disagree with the outcome, but they respect the process’s integrity. What they struggle to accept are avoidable failures—cases weakened by poor preparation, inadequate investigations, or unnecessary delays. Trust is not maintained by winning every case. It is maintained by demonstrating competence in every case. The justice system must also recognise that equality before the law extends beyond courtroom procedures. Access to experienced legal representation inevitably differs according to financial means. Wealthy defendants can afford teams of lawyers, expert witnesses, forensic specialists, and investigators. Ordinary citizens often cannot. That imbalance is an unavoidable reality within many legal systems. Public institutions, therefore, should not eliminate every inequality but ensure these disparities do not determine outcomes. Strong investigations, impartial prosecutions, judicial independence, and rigorous adherence to legal standards are the safeguards that preserve fairness despite differences in resources. Those safeguards must never weaken. The credibility of a justice system is measured not by how it treats the powerless, but by how it treats the powerful. Anyone can prosecute someone without influence.
The real test comes when the accused possesses wealth, political connections, business influence, or social prominence. That is when institutions must demonstrate both courage and independence. That is when the public watches most closely. Every decision prosecutors make in these cases sends a message. It tells citizens whether justice remains impartial or whether influence quietly shapes outcomes behind closed doors. It either strengthens belief in democratic institutions or deepens public suspicion that some people truly operate above the law. The Department of Public Prosecutions cannot control every judicial outcome. It cannot determine how judges interpret evidence or how defence attorneys present their cases. But it can control its own standards. It can insist upon thorough investigations. It can refuse to proceed until cases are trial-ready. It can demand professionalism from every prosecutor entrusted with the public’s confidence. Above all, it can remember that every prosecution serves a larger purpose than securing a verdict. Each case becomes a public demonstration of whether justice is administered equally. The rule of law survives only as long as citizens believe it belongs to everyone. The moment people conclude that justice is reserved for those who can afford it, the very foundation of democracy begins to crack. Respect for institutions diminishes. Confidence in accountability fades. Cynicism replaces civic trust. A nation cannot build lasting prosperity or stability upon a justice system that large segments of its population no longer believe in. Facing reality, the law must never become a privilege purchased by wealth or protected by influence. It must remain the common inheritance of every citizen, equally accessible, equally enforceable, and equally respected. The Department of Public Prosecutions has an indispensable role in protecting that principle—not merely through words or promises, but through painstaking preparation, uncompromising professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to justice. Only then can the public truly believe that no one is above the law—not because it is written on paper, but because they see it consistently reflected in
PAGE 10, Tuesday, September 15, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
World News
New warnings about the risks of AI to humanity revive a long-running debate By ALEX VEIGA AP Business Writer NEW warnings from within the artificial intelligence industry have revived a long-running debate over whether advanced AI could escape human control and ultimately threaten humanity’s survival, and whether the companies developing the technology are doing enough to prevent such a scenario. The CEO of Anthropic, the San Francisco company behind Claude, said he thought the industry needed to reduce the speed of its work, cautioning Saturday that a swarm of AI agents might be able to take over the internet in six months to a year unless companies devoted more time to putting safeguards in place. Days after two former Anthropic safety researchers publicly aired concerns that the existential threats AI might pose to humanity were receiving too little attention, Dario Amodei outlined a plan for companies like his and governments around the world to ensure that increasingly capable AI models remain aligned with the commands and values of responsible people. Sam Altman, CEO of ChatGPT maker OpenAI, said this weekend that companies should start coordinating on AI safety without waiting for the government to introduce legislation. The “pacing” of AI development
A WORKER prepares a plot of land for an AI data center, with a retired power plant being refurbished to provide electricity for the facility in the distance, March 24, 2026, in Independence, Mo. Photo: Charlie Riedel/AP doesn’t mean stopping it, Altman wrote on X. “But it should be slower than it otherwise could be.” Here’s what to know about the recent dire predictions and whether any brakes might be put on AI advancement: AI models are becoming more powerful Concerns over the potential risks of the technology are rising as new AI models become more powerful, heightening both the potential for misuse by people with criminal aims, such as creating and spreading a disease that kills most of the world’s population,
and the risk of AI systems going rogue in a dangerous way. Anthropic disclosed last week that it blocked efforts by bad actors to use its AI models for malicious activity, such as cyberattacks, surveillance and research that could have led to biological weapons. The company said it put stronger safeguards in its latest models to restrict biological research that could be used to make weapons but noted that “as models become increasingly capable, their risks will increase, unless AI developers and
society’s defenders act to make them safer.” Last year, Anthropic reported that hackers used the company’s AI in a cyberattack targeting about 30 companies and government agencies around the world. It said the hackers were very likely part of a Chinese state-sponsored group. Multiple AI models have acted on their own When an AI agent “goes rogue,” it means the AI has taken action beyond the task it was asked to perform. Both Anthropic and OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, said in July that their AI models had acted on their own. Anthropic disclosed that three AI models — Claude Opus 4.7, Claude Mythos 5 and an internal research test model — hacked into three other organizations during testing, just days after OpenAI revealed that its AI system hacked into the servers of AI startup Hugging Face. OpenAI described the intrusion by a combination of models, including its newly released GPT‑5.6 Sol and an “even more capable” model that was still being tested internally, as a “significant security incident.” Meta followed suit in early August with a similar case of an AI model finding ways around another company’s digital security. Although some observers noted that people had disabled some guardrails in the OpenAI and Anthropic cases, the episodes seemed to reflect one of the biggest fears around AI: that if models achieve artificial general intelligence, or AGI, a loosely defined term
for AI that can match or surpass human abilities across a broad range of intellectual tasks, the technology could cause an irreversible catastrophic event or subjugate the human race. How or when AI might cause a catastrophe is debated Doomsday scenarios generally fall into two categories: An AI that achieves self-improving superintelligence and controls people instead of vice versa, or AI used by a rogue state or nefarious actors. Worries that artificial intelligence might overcome human limits on its reach or actions are not new. Alan Turing, a British mathematician widely regarded as one of the earliest authorities on artificial intelligence, predicted in 1951 that AI would eventually take control from humans. Less than a decade later, Norbert Wiener, another mathematician, warned intelligent machines would seek to accomplish their own objectives and humans would not be able to stop them. In 2026, how reasonable are fears that AI, either by escaping human control or through misuse by unscrupulous people, could cause a cataclysmic event or the downfall of civilization? No one knows. Experts across computer science, philosophy and other fields have envisioned numerous routes by which a future AI system might cause a global catastrophe, either by escaping human control or in the hands of an unscrupulous people. They range from deploying weapons and identifying a lethal pathogen to manipulating governments into
conflict or disrupting the food, energy and communications networks societies rely on to function. There is no widely accepted estimate for how soon any of these scenarios might happen and no consensus on their likelihood. In 2023, the nonprofit Center for AI Safety issued a statement cosigned by more than 350 researchers and technology executives, including Anthropic’s Amodei and OpenAI’s Altman, saying: “Mitigating the risk of extinction from AI should be a global priority alongside pandemics and nuclear war.” The 2026 International AI Safety Report, written with guidance from more than 100 independent experts, says current systems show early signs of some relevant capabilities but not at levels that could enable a loss of control, and describes the risk’s likelihood, nature and timing as “unusually ambiguous.” Some are stressing the need for AI safeguards before it’s too late An Anthropic researcher said last week he was resigning from the company over concerns that neither the company nor its competitors were acting responsibly in developing the technology. In social media posts, Jacob Coxon estimated a 10% chance of AI causing human extinction within the next decade and said both Anthropic and OpenAI “are racing straight to self-improving superintelligence and gambling with our lives.” Researchers have called for a slowdown of AI development and warned for years that the technology could pose existential risks to humanity. Following the recent incidents, experts called for improved testing by AI companies and more dialogue between the US and China to come up with shared solutions. But AI is growing so fast that government and evaluation systems are struggling to keep pace with the technology. Countries are cobbling together their own laws, some conflicting. Chinese leader Xi Jinping warned at a conference in July of the need to keep AI from evading human control. The Trump administration initially demonstrated reluctance to regulate AI but has become more keen to reduce cybersecurity risks. On Sunday, President Donald Trump downplayed the necessity for his administration to check AI development, but acknowledged the need for some regulation.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, September 15, 2026, PAGE 11
Garvin Tynes Primary’s Emily Forbes wins prestigious Carleton Williams Scholarship for high school journey GARVIN Tynes Primary Head Girl Emily Forbes dedication, discipline, and hard work have paid off,” said Ms Forbes. “I am grateful to everyone who believed in me and supported me along the way.” As she prepares to enter a new chapter of her education, Ms Forbes said she is looking forward to discovering new subjects and experiences at Aquinas College. The scholarship is a fitting recognition for a student who has demonstrated a strong commitment to academics, leadership, extracurricular involvement, and service throughout her primary school years. During the school year, Ms Forbes participated in a range of activities, including Spelling Bee, Brownies, Pathfinders, Spanish Club, Student Christian Movement, Art Club, and Choir.
By Fay Simmons Tribune Education Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net GARVIN Tynes Primary Head Girl Emily Forbes is the 2026 recipient of the Carleton Williams Caribbean Bottling Company Scholarship, giving the high-achieving student an opportunity to pursue her secondary education at Aquinas College with her tuition covered for the duration of her high school years. Emily, who is also a finalist in the Bahamas Primary Student of the Year Foundation, said receiving the scholarship is both an honour and a privilege, describing it as a “once-ina-lifetime opportunity.” “Receiving this scholarship shows that my
She plans to continue many of these interests as she begins high school. Her involvement also extends beyond school activities. Ms Forbes founded the “Emily’s Care Foundation,” an initiative centered on the idea of “children helping children,” which further demonstrated her commitment to giving back and helping others. It was this combination of academic achievement and character that stood out during the scholarship selection process. Applicants were assessed on their academic performance, community involvement, character, ambition, and ability to demonstrate a well-rounded approach to school and life. Debi Williams, daughter of the late Carleton Williams, said Ms Forbes distinguished herself throughout the process, particularly during the faceto-face interviews. “What I find to be most impressive and intriguing
about Emily is her maturity of character and her unwavering commitment to helping others,” said Ms Williams. She pointed to her foundation as an example of the qualities that made her an exceptional candidate. “The ‘Emily’s Care Foundation,’ dedicated to ‘children helping children,’ is indicative of the remarkable moral intelligence, passion, and compassion of this young dynamo,” said Ms Williams. “While her academic accomplishments are impressive, it is her character, generosity, and individuality that align to make her exceptional.” Established in 2016, the Carleton Williams Caribbean Bottling Company Scholarship has supported Bahamian students and their families by providing tuition at select private high schools for the full duration of their secondary education. Named in honour of Caribbean Bottling Company’s
Student Profiles
Madison Carey Age:16 School: Bishop Michael Eldon School Parents :Adrian and Anthia Carey Intended University: United World College Maastricht Aspiring Neurologist Leadership: Head Girl, Prefect, Anchor Club of Lucaya President, Anchor Club of Lucaya Social Media Director, Battle of the Brains Co- Captain, SECME Co- Captain, Student Christian Movement Treasurer, Student Christian Movement Webmaster, Tech Team Manager, Executive Producer and Editor of School News, Key Club Webmaster, BMES Dance Team Awards: Valedictorian, AP Scholar with distinction award, Top BGCSE Results BMES, Walking Google Award Harvard Med Science Clinical, Top Academic Achiever, Diploma of Distinction,
Anchor Butterfly Award, Anchor Service Award, Anchor Resilience Award, Anchor President Award, Anchor Community Service Award, Top GPA Award (Outstanding Students Foundation), Battle of the Brains 2nd Place Finalist, SECME Biology and Chemistry 1st place, SECME Chemistry and Physics 2nd place, Proficiency Award, Chairman’s Award, Soaring in Stem Award, Muriel Eneas Service Award, Laurie Miller Literature Award, Geography Award, Math Award, Spanish Award, Distinction National Arts Bahamian Dance Category, Tech Team Award, Head Girl Award, Leadership Award
Finley McKinneyLambert Age: 16 Grade 11 School: Ryde School with Upper Chine. Graduate of Deep Creek Middle School, Eleuthera Parents :Casuarina McKinney-Lambert, Wesley Lambert Goals and Aspirations: “One of my goals is to
be an ambassador for The Bahamas by sharing our culture with others from around the world. I was a sailing scholar at my last school and represented The Bahamas at five different Optimist sailing world championships. I aspire to be a leading naval architect in The Bahamas.” Intended University: United World College of the Adriatic, Italy
former chairman, the scholarship is awarded to sixth-grade students and rotates between Garvin Tynes Primary in New Providence and public primary schools throughout Grand Bahama. For CBC, the scholarship represents a continuation of Mr Williams’ commitment to education and the wider community. His daughter said her father believed that those who were fortunate enough to receive opportunities had a responsibility to help others. “My father lived by the gifting principle: to whom much is given, much is expected,” said Ms Williams. “He gave generously and was extremely community-minded. He appreciated the value of a good education and would assist many who would otherwise have been unable to access it.” Ms Forbes now looks ahead to high school with optimism, determined to make the most of the
opportunity the scholarship provides. She also encouraged other students who hope to receive scholarships in the future to remain committed to their goals. “My words of encouragement to other students are to stay focused, work hard, and never give up,” said Ms Forbes. “Believe in yourself, trust God's plan, and remember that with God, nothing is impossible. Keep doing your best, and your hard work will pay off.” As she closes the chapter on her primary school years, Ms Forbes carries with her not only the distinction of being a scholarship recipient, but also the lessons of leadership, service, and perseverance that helped earn her the award. With Aquinas College ahead, the young scholar is ready to continue learning, growing, and pursuing her ambitions — while making her family, school, and community proud.
DéLyn Fernander Age:17
School: Boost Academy Parents: Bishop Dr Delton Fernander and Dr Calpurnia Fernander Future goals: I am currently attending American Baptist College in Nashville, Tennessee, where I am majoring in Human Services. My goal is to become a radiologist. I graduated from Boost Academy, where I earned several achievements, including awards in Financial Literacy, Most Improved
Student Overall, Most Improved Student in Mathematics, and the President’s Award. During my time at Boost Academy, I served as my class representative on the Student Council and was also the assistant treasurer in our Toastmasters' YLP Club. Outside of school, I served as a proud member of the Bahamas National Children’s Choir. These experiences have shaped me into a hard-working and determined student who is committed to excellence. I believe they will help me as I continue my journey toward becoming a radiologist.
PAGE 12, Tuesday, September 15, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
EMOTIONAL FAREWELL FOR CLASSMATE KILLED IN PLANE CRASH
MEMORIAL from page one students returned for the new academic year on August 31. Yesterday, his classmates placed roses on an empty seat set aside in his honour and lit a candle in his memory as relatives, students and staff gathered at the school. For his mother, Anastasia Rolle, being surrounded by children her son’s age brought the reality of his death painfully close. “Coming here to the school, seeing these children, I cannot believe,” Ms Rolle said. “How will I do this?” She said the past two months have been extremely difficult and that receiving confirmation of Nicholas’ death brought back emotions she had struggled to process. “It’s really hard, and now that I get the results, it’s like I was in denial,” she said. “I feel like even though he wasn’t around, hearing it was confirmed he was on the flight just woke up everything. It’s been hard, and it still is.” Nicholas was the youngest of five children. His mother remembered him as loving, close to her and passionate about Junkanoo. “Everyone loved him,” Ms Rolle said. “He made a great impact, and Nicholas was the youngest of five kids, so he was the baby, so he was the centre of attention at school.” She said she never received reports that he was rude or unruly at school. His homeroom teacher, Carol McIntosh, described him as quiet, reserved and well-mannered and said confirmation of his death overwhelmed his classmates. “It’s not expected that you would bury a student,” she said, “but it touched our homeroom to the fact that the students couldn’t even respond in the chat group.” Ms McIntosh said the students were so overwhelmed that the group fell silent. Principal Monique Miller told the gathering that Nicholas was “more than a student”, describing him as a son, family member, friend, classmate and valued part of the CV Bethel community. Ms Miller urged students and staff to support one another as they grieve.
“Grief has no timetable,” she said, “and it affects each person differently. Be patient with yourselves and with each other as we navigate this difficult season.” She encouraged the school community to honour Nicholas through kindness, compassion and love. “Though Nicholas is no longer physically present among us,” Ms Miller said, “the memories he leaves behind will continue to inspire us.” She said: “His life matters. His presence matters, and he will not be forgotten.” Ms Rolle said the family is now preparing for Nicholas’ funeral on October 10 and is struggling with the prospect of burying her youngest child. “I just be wondering how I can do it,” she said. “I used to be praying and asking God for strength, but I was wondering how I will do that.” The July 10 crash killed pilot Franklyn Cambridge and all nine passengers aboard. Five members of Da Pond Band — Giovanni McKenzie, Rashad Storr, Mateo Winder, Toniquea Gilot and Tra’vis Johnson — were among the victims, along
with entertainer Melvin Henfield and Andros residents Quintin Myers and Macaro Rolle. Nicholas was the youngest person killed. The aircraft had departed Lynden
Pindling International Airport at about 12.30pm and was approaching San Andros Airport when its left wing struck pine trees about one nautical mile from the runway. Investigators
said the aircraft was destroyed by a post-impact fire. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Authority has not determined the cause of the crash.