09182020 NEWS AND BUSINESS

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The Tribune Established 1903

Volume:117 No.204, SEPTEMBER 18TH, 2020

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Friday, September 18, 2020 art film culture history animals gardening puzzles photography

WEEKEND: LUXURY YACHT CHEF SETS A NEW COURSE

‘MORGUE CRISIS CAN’T CONTINUE’

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net THE Public Hospitals Authority has renewed its appeal for people to collect stored bodies at Princess Margaret Hospital’s morgue, saying the facility has more than 150 bodies in storage - over its maximum capacity of 66.

And the PHA has warned families it may be forced to take action if the situation continues.

In a press release yesterday, PHA said health officials will seek the required legal authority to remove remains in the event that bodies are

not removed in a timely manner.

The PMH is currently operating “under overflow conditions due to the increase in deceased individuals as a result of COVID-19”.

PHA revealed the situation led to a body in long-term storage being “compromised”.

“While the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) attempts to mitigate its limited storage capacity with the use of a temporary repository, the increasing number of bodies threatens morgue operations,” the PHA statement noted.

THE government’s national food distribution programme will end next month, Minister of Social Services Frankie Campbell said yesterday.

He told reporters more than 50,000 families across the country have benefited since the initiative was launched to provide emergency food assistance for vulnerable Bahamians affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. More than $13

pgs 4-5

BIG NEWS IN BARBADOS COULDA BEEN US

SEE PAGE EIGHT

THREE SHOT IN ROADSIDE ROBBERIES

THREE people are in hospital after separate shooting incidents on Wednesday.

In one incident a woman driver suffered gunshot wounds after trying to flee a roadside robbery on Wednesday night.

The woman motorist was with a male passenger when they were stopped at traffic lights at the junction of Blue Hill and Carmichael Roads just before 9pm.

SEE PAGE FOUR

STAFF ARE CALM OVER MORTON SALE

SEE PAGE FOUR

million has been injected in the programme to date.

The initiative had previously been extended, but yesterday Mr Campbell said it is drawing to an end, as officials hope the further reopening of the economy next month will reduce the need for widespread food assistance.

“The National Food Distribution Taskforce timeframe was to operate in the last week in May to the end of August…and as such, the government SEE PAGE THREE

new course amid pandemic

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

FOOD AID PROGRAMME TO END NEXT MONTH

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

Page 7

A new voyage

Luxury yacht chef charts a

PHA warns it may act to force removal of unclaimed bodies

CARNIVAL: WHEN WILL IT BE FUN TO FETE AGAIN?

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

‘FOUR DAYS BACK, I NEED A HOLIDAY’ A STUDENT at CR Walker pictured after completing an examination yesterday. Students have been making a return to their studies in The Bahamas.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

INSURANCE FIRM SUFFERS CYBER ATTACK

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

A LOCAL insurance company has had to beef up its cyber security system after falling victim to hackers.

The firm, which has around 1,000 local and international clients, had its computer system hacked in recent weeks causing one client to come close to being scammed out of $40,000.

The hackers, according to the company, sent emails to clients requesting payment on outstanding bills.

While the majority of the clients did not respond to

the email in question, officials said one person living in the United Kingdom followed the fake instructions to settle a $40,000 bill.

Luckily for all parties, the transaction was cancelled by a bank once it confirmed this was the work of criminals.

The firm has asked The Tribune not to reveal its name for fear of financial fall out.

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE SEVEN

MORTON Salt workers yesterday said they presently have “no major concerns” over the company’s impending sale so long as the buyer honours their industrial agreement and “treats us fairly”.

Jennifer Brown, president of the Bahamas Industrial Manufacturers & Allied Workers Union, which represent more than 100 of the salt harvester’s line staff, told Tribune Business that changes of ownership had become “the norm” during her 35-year career there.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

ABACO ANGER RAGING BENEATH THE SURFACE

SEE PAGE NINE

PAGE 2, Friday, September 18, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Sands: Assembly COVID case warrants a full investigation

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net FORMER Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said the potential exposure of dozens of government officials to a House of Assembly staffer who tested positive for COVID-19 warrants a full investigation by public health officials.

“This ‘event’ warrants a full case investigation by public health, contact tracing and individual recommendations,” he said yesterday.

A parliament employee who tested positive interacted with elected officials last week.

However, parliamentarians are not going into quarantine and it is unclear how many of them will

be tested. House Speaker Halson Moultrie has said he and parliamentary clerk David Forbes both tested negative for COVID-19 this week.

In a statement on Tuesday, Cabinet Office said: “Persons who interacted with the employee, without following the preventative measures of wearing a mask, maintaining physical distance and limiting the time spent with the employee to less than 15 minutes will be required to quarantine.”

Some have questioned whether the elected officials have taken adequate measures following the incident.

Dr Sands said yesterday: “I believe that every parliamentarian and staff member should be assessed to determine risk and extent of exposure. Each

should then comply with the public health strategy appropriate to the risk.

One solution will not fit all. All should be assessed however. I would recommend that everyone be counselled and a frank assessment of risk be made.

I have been tested this week. I was in the House wearing a properly fitting N95 mask. I take care of COVID positive patients every day and have done so for the last month. For me, this is a new reality, and my test was negative.”

Picewell Forbes, leader of opposition business in the House, said this week opposition members did not attend Wednesday’s brief sitting as a precaution. Only a handful of members, a little more than a quorum, were at Wednesday’s sitting.

FIVE MORE DEATHS UNDER INVESTIGATION NINETY additional COVID-19 cases were confirmed yesterday, the Ministry of Health said.

There are also five more deaths under investigation.

This brings the total

number of confirmed cases to 3,177 and the number of deaths under investigation to 17.

The breakdown of the new cases shows there are 79 new cases in New

Providence, six in Grand Bahama, two in Eleuthera, one in Andros and two cases with locations pending.

The COVID-19 death toll remains at sixty-nine 69.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, September 18, 2020, PAGE 3

Campbell: Ministry looking at rental assistance

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

SOCIAL Services Minister Frankie Campbell said yesterday his ministry will respond to all applicants seeking rental assistance.

He said officials are now in the process of looking at all assistance requests to help those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some people have complained about not yet receiving approval from the ministry despite applying for rent assistance weeks ago.

Some applicants have even accused staff at the department of poor customer service.

In response to the claims, the minister replied yesterday: “Let it be known here that the position of the minister and the management staff is that everyone ought to be treated with respect and that our social workers and supporting staff ought not to be judgmental or harsh in their treatments of clients.”

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced in April a rental assistance initiative that was based on deferrals and applied only to residential rentals.

He said people who qualified for the programme would be able to postpone up to 40 percent of their rent payment for the next three months, beginning in April.

However, some Bahamians have still been evicted from their homes since Dr Minnis’ announcement, calling for government intervention on the matter.

Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest has already told reporters the government does not plan to intervene in and settle disputes between landlords and tenants.

Yesterday, Mr Campbell acknowledged the challenges associated with the government’s initial plans for rental assistance.

“I can say that part of the difficulty if you recall initially is the prime minister had indicated with the lending agencies to defer mortgage payments and it was hoped that that deferral would translate to deferral of rent payments of tenants,” he said.

“We began to realise that that wasn’t working out and we reviewed our ability and resources and as a result, I can say that we

MINISTER of Social Security Frankie Campbell speaking yesterday. are now processing rental rental assistance and I want will be responded to.” assistance. Some persons to assure those who have Mr Campbell could not have already received their been waiting that they also say how many people have

applied to the Department of Social Services for rental assistance.

FOOD AID PROGRAMME TO END NEXT MONTH

from page one

of The Bahamas has committed to the continued partnership to the end of October 2020,” he added.

“The process of feeding our fellow brothers and sisters remains a major priority for the government of The Bahamas. Therefore, we will advise that persons in need of food assistance can apply to the Department of Social Services as well as many other non-governmental organisations which provide food assistance to the most vulnerable.”

The food assistance programme began in early June to help families in need. The initiative was initially set to end in late

August, but was later extended due to a high demand.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said last month that his administration was providing $1m to the task force each week to help people who need food during the COVID-19 crisis.

“To date, the government has provided funds in the amount of $13,225,34,” Mr Campbell said at his ministry’s press conference yesterday. “The National Food Distribution Taskforce has distributed food parcels and vouchers to approximately 55,078 households throughout The Bahamas up to September 12.

“The need for continued food assistance through the taskforce is still of paramount importance.”

In terms of assistance from the Department of Social Services,

Mr Campbell said nearly 10,000 people have received food assistance from the government agency recently.

In Grand Bahama, he said 4,850 residents have benefitted from the department’s emergency food assistance programme, with costs totaling at $437,713.

However, in recent months, he said officials have seen a decline in requests for food assistance “as many of the department’s clients utilised the Feed Grand Bahama online initiative offered by the Bahamas government in response to the pandemic.”

Meanwhile, as it relates to other Family Islands, Mr Campbell said 5,286 residents on those islands had received food assistance from the Department of

Social Services between the months of April and August.

The total cost, he said, amounted to $843,639.

During yesterday’s press conference, Mr Campbell also thanked the NGOs and those in the private sector for partnering with the government in the programme. He also urged Bahamians to take the COVID-19 threat seriously and follow all the health protocols.

In doing so, the minister suggested that more restrictions could be further relaxed allowing the country to jumpstart its economy, which could then reduce the need for food assistance.

He made the remarks when asked what the government’s response would be if there was still a need for emergency food

items in October when the programme comes to an end.

He said: “Truly it is my hope that the appeals that are being sent from various ministers, the prime minister in particular, in asking for persons to adhere to protocols and for persons to take the kind of personal responsibility to help us reduce the transmission and enable us to safely re-open the economy in particular the tourism sector that generates much of our funds that will reduce the need for persons to be seeking the food assistance.

“Food, shelter and clothing — I believe in that same order are man’s basic necessities and as a government we are obliged to do all we can to provide that for as many as we can for as long as we can.”

$800,000 BILL FOR RELOCATING BOARDERS

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE relocation of boarders from Princess Margaret Hospital to several senior citizens homes is expected to cost the government about $800,000.

Social Services Minister Frankie Campbell said: “In a combined initiative, the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development and the Ministry of Health worked in tandem to relocate the boarders from the Princess Margaret hospital to senior residential facilities.

“This joint effort is budgeted to cost approximately $800,000 in the first year for care and needs of the residents; the relocation of the boarders creates much needed space for critical care.”

Last month, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said the existence of boarders at PMH had challenged bed resources at the facility, impacting the country’s fight against the COVID-19 threat.

He said the cost associated to care for the boarders had amounted to $6m per year, with $491 spent for each person every day.

Yesterday, Mr Campbell noted that costs estimated to relocate the individuals to other homes totals at “approximately $800,000” for the first year.

Asked yesterday why the cost was so high, the minister replied: “Expensive is a relative term and when you relate that to the near $6m that was being spent or paid for them while they were in hospital, I think the cost is quite inexpensive.”

He added: “The boarders are being located to various senior citizens homes, all of which are not government owned and at least 25 of them are being taken to a home that is not government owned so that is where the chunk of the money is going.

“Also, appreciate that those boarders are at an age where they call for additional care, constant care so we are paying to ensure that

those boarders while taken out of the hospital are not treated any less and given

any less attention than they would’ve been receiving at the Princess Margaret

Hospital.”

The minister also urged family members to collect

their loved ones from these facilities and take care of their responsibilities.

PAGE 4, Friday, September 18, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

‘Mountain to climb’ in trying to accelerate Club Med reopening

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net TOURISM Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar said officials are trying to persuade Club Med to reopen its Columbus Isle Resort earlier than December 2021 but admitted the government has a “difficult mountain to climb”.

A lawyer for Club Med recently wrote to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis to say the operator is conducting a phased reopening of its resorts worldwide and that San Salvador’s remoteness and underdeveloped healthcare system places its resort in the later phase of the

company’s reopening plans.

The resort, which employs about 190 Bahamians, is the key driver of San Salvador’s economy.

Mr D’Aguilar said yesterday: “Obviously we are actively seeking (a change) but (Club Med) had two major reasons for their decision. First of all, there are not adequate health facilities on the island of San Salvador; any guest that may fall ill or any staff that falls ill because a guest goes there would encounter a challenge.

“Secondly, in the event that a guest got sick, there are no options for them to be airlifted anywhere except to Nassau. Current

rules indicate they can’t go to the States unless they’ve been out of the States for 14 days. Obviously our healthcare system is stressed as it is, so we’re not anxious to take on ill patients from other nations.

“The only option then is for them to return to their home country and most of them are European so that’s a transatlantic flight and they can’t go on a commercial plane if they’re ill.

This creates an enormous conundrum for them. As they decide which locations they are going to open up, this one is fairly low on the list because their guests would have very few adequate options to deal with

an outbreak. “(Club Med) expressed concern about infecting the local population and there not being adequate facilities to deal with that. It’s a horrible conundrum. It’s very difficult to ease their concerns. While we will say there’s a very low rate of infection in the country and that it helps to take a PCR test prior to arrival, they see challenges. Even if we test people on arrival, what happens if they test positive or get sick? The government at this current time is doing what it can but it’s a difficult mountain to climb.

We’re trying to bring their reopening date forward. Do we think it will be open for

December 2020? No.” Darrin Woods, president of the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union, said the union has started preliminary discussions with Club Med on the way forward.

The resort’s employees have been receiving unemployment assistance from the government for months. But it is not clear how long that assistance will continue, with Mr Woods saying the resort may have to offer severance packages to its workers.

“We are advocating any governmental intervention to reduce the time they plan to reopen,” Mr Woods said. “We prefer people to return to work and be gainfully employed

rather than be on unemployment assistance because by working they would make three times the amount the government gives them.

“People can’t be expected to wait 15 months for the club to open. (The resort) would have to make a decision on what is going to happen to those people in terms of severance. If you wait 15 months, there is no guarantee the government will extend this unemployment benefits programme beyond March 2021. When we spoke to Club Med representatives, we did say to them you can’t expect for employees to sit and wait 15 months for you to decide to open up. That’s unrealistic.”

PRIME MINISTER VISITS CONTACT TRACING CENTRE PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis visited the COVID-19 Contact Tracing Command Centre yesterday to thank public health experts, doctors, nurses, National Health Insurance staff and medical student volunteers working to enhance contact tracing during the second wave of COVID-19 in The Bahamas.

A special contact tracing team, led by adviser Dr Merceline Dahl-Regis, is based at the Melia Nassau Beach Hotel convention centre.

“I want to thank you all for your contribution. Your contact tracing has helped us progress to the point we are now,” Prime Minister Minnis told the group.

In response to the second wave, 62 volunteers were recruited and 76 health staff re-assigned to carry out contact tracing.

MAN IN HOSPITAL AFTER SUSPECTED SUICIDE BID

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A 29-YEAR-OLD Grand Bahama man is in hospital following an suspected attempted suicide incident at Eight Mile Rock on Thursday.

Superintendent Terecita Pinder reported that shortly after midnight police were called to a residence on Graveyard Corner at Pinedale, where a male had reportedly attempted to take his own life.

When officers arrived, they observed a male victim who was alive, with apparent abrasions to the neck. A rope found hanging from a tree was also retrieved.

Ms Pinder said EMS personnel transported the victim to the Rand Memorial Hospital for medical attention.

Two weeks ago, a 23-year-old male resident of Eight Mile Rock had reportedly committed suicide and was found hanging in a bedroom. The victim had been identified

as Malik Higgs, a welder.

In January, Grand Bahama police had reported another suspected suicide after a man was found unresponsive in a vehicle outside his home.

He was later identified as Trevor Bethel, the long time personal butler of Sir Jack Hayward. Bethel was pronounced dead at the scene.

Psychologist Dr Gregory Swann said that persons must be alert of the signs and symptoms that would suggest something unusual

and bodies that are under investigation by the coroner.

“Existing protocols and regulations are being strictly enforced to expedite the notification and retrieval of bodies from the morgue in a timely manner.”

The PHA requested funeral homes that are under contract by deceased

families to “accelerate” removing bodies in preparation for burial.

“The Public Hospitals Authority invites family members or their legal representatives to contact management at the Princess Margaret Hospital at telephone number 322-2861 to arrange for the collection of their deceased loved ones,” the release stated.

‘MORGUE CRISIS CAN’T CONTINUE’ from page one “Recently and regrettably, the overflow conditions compromised the integrity of a body in long-term storage.

“The PHA is doing all within its capacity to facilitate the holding of unclaimed bodies, bodies that are pending release,

about someone’s behavior.

“People who have a difficult time coping with anxiety, and people having a greater level of frustration and fear to the point they feel they are overwhelmed and there is no way out,” he explained.

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has warned that the COVID-19 pandemic may exacerbate suicide risk factors, and urge people to speak about the issue openly and responsibly, remain connected even during physical distancing, and learn to identify warning signs to prevent it.

When asked if COVID19 is affecting the mental health of people, Dr Swann said that he would have to agree.

“I would agree COVID is having an emotional and psychological adverse impact on persons,” he said.

Dr Swann said it is important for people to have a clear understanding of how the pandemic may have an impact on their emotional state.

He noted that the extended condition of the pandemic, the lockdowns, and the decrease in the work situation and the inability to socialize and interact with friends and coworkers, are affecting people.

Dr Swann stated that persons, with pre-existing mental conditions, may find it much more challenging to cope.

Under these stressful situations, he said individuals who are unable to cope may think about injuring themselves or suicide.

“There is an inability to manage from day to day the given life situation and conditions they are currently faced, he said. That would increase the rate of persons who are thinking about suicide, suicidal ideation, suicidal behavior, and then persons who would actually commit suicide.”

Dr Swann said that it is important for persons, including family and friends, to recognize the early warning signs and symptoms of persons

feeling suicidal.

Some signs are: “People who are talking about death and being more withdrawn from friends and family, having mood swings, and being pre-occupied, aggressive or violent-type behavior. People expressing themselves as feeling trapped, having to be in the house or apartment for extending periods of time, and feel there is no way out.

Excessive use of alcohol, drinking, or excessive gambling, and sleeping a lot.”

He stated that individuals can reach out for help through professional treatment, and/or support services.

Dr Swann said that talking about how we feel and expressing ourselves in an environment that is comfortable with family or close friends can also help.

People in dire straits, he said should call 919. The GB Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support Services hotline can be reached at 819-7652, 816-3799, 815-5850, 812-0576, and 454-2993.

THREE SHOT IN ROADSIDE ROBBERIES from page one

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC The Public is hereby advised that

Mr. Jamaine Bostwick, whose photograph appears, is NO longer an employee of PREMIER TRAVEL.

He is NOT authorized to conduct business for or on behalf of the company which includes but is not limited to transacting any business, receiving funds, giving instructions or act in any way for and on our behalf.

Whoever transacts any business with him for and on behalf of PREMIER TRAVEL, does so at his/her own risk as the Company shall not be liable for such transactions and they will NOT be honored.

MANAGEMENT

Police said they were waiting for the lights to change so they could move off when two men on a motorbike pulled up in front of them.

“One of the men dismounted the bike armed with a firearm, he approached her and demanded that she exit the vehicle,” police reported.

“On seeing the assailant, she drove off hitting the rider who remained on the bike. However, the gunman discharged the firearm in her direction, moments later the driver realized that she was shot several times.

“She was transported to hospital via Emergency Medical Services where her condition is listed as guarded.”

Police also reported that around the same time a man was riding his motorcycle

east along Wulff Road near the Rubis gas station when he came alongside two men on another motorbike.

“As he attempted to overtake the cycle, the passenger produced a firearm and discharged it in his direction hitting him several times before he was able to evade them,” police reported.

“The victim was assisted to hospital via a private vehicle where he is detained and is listed in a stable condition.”

One man was arrested in relation to the robbery in which the woman driver was injured.

Earlier on Wednesday a man was walking on Beautmontia Avenue, Garden Hills, around 1pm when he heard the sound of gunshots. Moments later he realised he’d received injuries to his right foot. He was taken to hospital by private vehicle and is reported to

be in stable condition.

Police press liaison officer Assistant Superintendent Audley Peters said police are concerned about recent violent crimes.

“We are concerned that we’re seeing a number of these incidents that are occurring and we are vigilant in doing what’s necessary to ….also capture the culprits who would’ve been perpetrating some of these incidents.”

He asked people to come forward with information that could lead to arrests.

“If they see anything to report it to police, if they believe that something occurred or heard that something occurred so that whatever evidence that they pass on to us could assist us in capturing the criminals who are perpetrating these offences.”

Anyone with information can call 502-9991 or 328-TIPS.

THE TRIBUNE

DIABETES LINK SUSPECTED IN GOODMAN’S BAY DEATH

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

RELATIVES of a man found dead in a parking lot at Goodman’s Bay earlier this week believe his death was the result of complications from diabetes.

Reverend Gregory Felix Daxon was discovered there on Tuesday morning crouched under the passenger seat of a grey vehicle, according to police.

An investigation of his body was conducted, police said, but no injuries were found.

Brian Cartwright,

Daxon’s brother-in-law, said the family believes it is possible he may have fallen unconscious because his blood sugar level was too low.

The sergeant at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services had this issue several times before, but it was mostly in the presence of family or colleagues who could assist, Mr Cartwright said.

However, his family believe that he could have been saved if someone had found him sooner.

“We believe his blood sugar level may have gotten low and he had no one with him to assist,” Mr

Cartwright told The Tribune in a recent interview.

“This happened before around us or his co-workers but we always know what to do. But our thing is how is it that no one found him before then?

“I mean if officers are patrolling why didn’t they find him? I am not casting blame on anyone, but I think this calls into question how some of us are doing our jobs.”

Their closely knit family is struggling to come to terms with the death.

“The Daxons are a closeknit family. It’s only him and his two sisters and I was the only brother-in-law so

we were very close. He was a person who loved God and loved helping people.

So, the way forward for me right now is to keep the family together and pray up like he did,” Mr Cartwright said.

ASP Audley Peters on Tuesday said the incident is not being treated as a homicide nor is it suggested that it is a suicide.

“At the moment, it is considered as a sudden death and until we get the autopsy report to indicate otherwise,” ASP Peters told reporters at the time.

Daxon is survived by two sisters and numerous other relatives.

Friday, September 18, 2020, PAGE 5

REVEREND Gregory Felix Daxon.

Food parcels for struggling taxi drivers

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net SOME 200 struggling taxi-cab drivers received food parcels this week at the Reach Out Community Centre in Freeport during the official renaming of the organisation’s feeding programme on Grand Bahama.

Cab drivers queued in their taxis around 10am at the centre on Banyan Lane, where Reach Out founder Dudley Seide and his team distributed bags of grocery items as drivers pulled up in their vehicles.

He announced that its Grand Bahama initiative will now be known as Grand Bahama Reach Out and Touch Feeding Programme, and thought it fitting to mark the occasion by assisting cab drivers who have been out of work or struggling since last September following Hurricane Dorian.

Mr Seide explained the reason for the name change.

“Today is a part of history…we are changing our name because the name we had was the same as the government’s GB feeding programme. And we decided to launch the new name, giving back to the taxi drivers.”

A former cab driver himself, Mr Seide said taxi drivers are “the pillars” of Grand Bahama and the tourism industry.

“They have not worked since March (due to the pandemic), and I think people are forgetting that cab drivers work in the tourism industry and things are rough.

“I am a former cab driver and reached out to the president (of the Grand Bahama Taxi Union),…and we want to bless a little over 200 cab drivers today with the renaming of our feeding programme,” he said.

“Cab drivers are the pillar of this island and today we have the opportunity to give back to them.

I am very happy to see

ROSEMARY ELVIE

some of my old comrades; it means a lot to me that we were able to bless them today.”

GBTU president Harold Curry commended Mr Seide and his organisation for the kind gesture.

“This is a very good thing that Mr Seide is doing for us today; we were suffering from Hurricane Dorian, and some (cab drivers) lost houses, cars, and they have not worked from then; they come out of Dorian straight into this pandemic,” he said.

“So, taxi drivers have been really for over a year without jobs and work. So, this means a lot today. We thank Mr Seide for reaching out to us and assisting our members who (are in need). It is a blessing to us and we appreciate it.”

There are close to 600 taxi drivers in Grand Bahama.

Rosemary Elvies appreciated the assistance.

“This is a great thing happening for taxi drivers today. It is the first time I have ever received anything from Mr Seide who has been giving so much to this community.”

She stressed that things are tough.

“I went out yesterday and I got a job for $6, but I was there like six hours.

So that’s like $1 an hour I was sitting out there. The tourism industry is nil right now,” she said.

Tyrone Smith said Mr Seide and his organisation are a “God send” to the community.

“The organisation has always been a blessing to communities here, and as it relates to taxi drivers this

GB Taxi Union president Harold Curry receives a food parcel from Reach Out founder Dudley Seide. is a great thing because we really need it. It is a small gesture, but it is a blessing because nothing is happening right now,” he said.

Mr Smith stated that although the borders are open, there are still not enough international visitors coming to the island to support the livelihood of cab drivers.

“Our borders are opened, but that did not make a difference because very few people are coming in, only domestic visitors and they have to take a COVID test before they come in and that has slowed the process down. Flights are coming in with one, two, and three persons, and very few of them need a taxi.

“So, anything taxi drivers can get would be a blessing.

God is good and we thank Mr Seide and his organisa- TAXICABS queue at Reach Out Community Centre.

Photos: Denise Maycock tion for this effort,” he said.

DISASTER AUTHORITY HEAD: NO PROBLEM WITH ZONING ADVICE

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

KAY Forbes-Smith, head of the Bahamas Disaster Reconstruction Authority, said she has no issue with a new Inter-American Development Bank report that recommends prioritising zoning regulations in Abaco and East Grand Bahama, adding officials are preparing to discuss the issue with residents of those areas.

The IDB recommended that the government design zoning plans, including for possible relocation of settlements, before large-scale reconstruction can take place in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.

Asked about this yesterday, Mrs Forbes-Smith said: “The DRA is actually preparing to have a number of town meetings with specific communities because we too believe there are some zoning considerations. Before you talk about zoning and how rebuilding can take place, you really want to speak to the communities. We’re planning a number of meetings involving residents in East Grand Bahama, Abaco and some

of the cays.

“The government transferred two 60-acre properties to the DRA, we have the Central Pines development we are looking to do and we still have the modular housing which is medium-term housing.

We have no issue with what the IDB said because we realise as an authority the need for proper zoning.

Even though we have received these two 60-acre sites for development, we have to master plan that out before we consider what is to happen.”

Asked about ongoing construction efforts in the hurricane-struck areas, Mrs Forbes-Smith said: “What is happening is there are a number of business people and they are underway in terms of reconstructing their buildings but the only thing we have been trying to push is that people build back with some resilience and just recognise that you cannot build the same way we built before.”

Asked if ongoing reconstruction efforts will be an obstacle to any future zoning plans, she said: “You have some private condominium

residents, you can’t say they shouldn’t build where they are because I

don’t have any evidence to say they shouldn’t, but when you look at where

buildings have never been in Abaco and where buildings have been destroyed,

we have to start looking at these things. These issues are very sensitive issues.”

PAGE 6, Friday, September 18, 2020

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,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

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Publisher/Editor 1903-1914 Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B. Publisher/Editor 1972-

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Give our loved ones a dignified farewell THERE is a horrific situation that has developed at Princess Margaret Hospital.

The morgue is too full. By far. The facility was designed to store a maximum of 66 bodies. It is presently storing more than 150.

There are no doubt many reasons for this – not least of all the pandemic raging all around us. The Public Hospitals Authority cited “the increase in deceased individuals as a result of COVID-19” as it appealed to people to collect bodies of loved ones stored in the morgue.

While there are reasons for the increased deaths, that of course does not explain the reticence of some to take their loved ones to bury.

Restrictions on burials have perhaps played a part. Perhaps too there is a reluctance to deal with bodies of COVID-19 patients, we do not know.

Another possibility is the cost of arranging a burial – a burden greater than ever for so many people who may be out of work due to the pandemic and unable to afford to put bread on the table for their living relatives let alone bury a deceased one. Perhaps too some are holding out in the hope that restrictions on burials might be completely lifted so they are delaying the funeral as long as they can.

We do not know the reasons – and each person’s reason might be different from the next – but the reality is that it leaves the morgue overloaded at a time when it cannot afford to be.

More than one strong plea has been issued now for families to collect bodies – so people should be keenly aware that if they don’t come forward, there is a strong possibility that the authority will have to take action themselves.

We have seen the situation after Hurricane Dorian, where a refrigerated container stored bodies for so long that there were concerns about how intact they might remain.

More than that, we have seen the perfunctory mass funeral that was held for those bodies, with no loved ones beside them to say farewell, and barely a sign of a senior member of the government to mark their passing.

If we want to avoid the same, if we want to avoid bodies being sent to a pauper’s grave, then it is time for people

to come forward.

There is little that shows our dignity more than the manner in which we mark the passing of those we love. Let us show that dignity, and say our final farewells.

Don’t be too quick to end aid

The news that the food distribution programme is coming to a close next month should be welcome news.

It should mean that people will no longer need it. It should mean that people will be able to stand on their own two feet.

It should mean that our economy has been reopened, people are back at work and able to pay their own bills and no longer in need of that helping hand.

That’s the idea. We’re not quite as sure of the reality.

With a number of hotels having already said they will not be reopening their doors on the date the government was aiming for, and may not open until the end of the year, if then, we fear that ceasing the programme might be jumping the gun. Even worse in San Salvador, where Club Med won’t be opening its doors for more than another year.

Social Services Minister was rightly proud in saying that more than 50,000 families across the country have benefited. But weigh that number a moment – that’s families. If that represents families with two or three children, that means around half the country has received aid in some fashion. That is a brilliant, Herculean effort – but that isn’t going to bounce back to normal within the next month.

We fervently hope a close watch is kept on how many families continue to need aid in the coming weeks – and if people are still in need, have no fear in extending the programme to keep up the help.

Mr Campbell said himself that “food, shelter and clothing – I believe in that same order are man’s basic necessities and as a government we are obliged to do all we can to provide that for as many as we can for as long as we can”.

As long as we can. Let’s not cut that lifeline off too soon.

Remember our animals EDITOR, The Tribune.

ASIDE from the damage inflicted by COVID-19 on Bahamians health, both physical, mental and that of our economy, there has been considerable collateral damage to health of other members of our community who have seemingly fallen through the cracks. I am referring to the animals that live with and among us.

The proliferation of stray animals, dogs in particular, is concerning. More and more I see roving packs of dogs on the streets, my own garden and that of my neighbours has been invaded by them more than once resulting in the horrible killing of one of my cats.

The Bahamas Humane Society is overwhelmed, and sadly, underfunded.

Mrs. Kim Aranha, Humane Society President, has in the past made countless appeals for assistance and for dog owners to be more responsible in the care, confinement and neutering of their animals at the expense of her and some of her family members being vilified in the press by online bloggers.

Other animal care organizations such as BAARK Bahamas as well as our many caring veterinarians also continue their good work in our animal community while the Governments Canine Control Unit appears to be a nonentity.

Bahamians on the whole have never been regarded as paragons of animal care, the continued plight of the surrey horses and numerous stray dogs a typical case in point, and deliberate acts of cruelty inflicted on animals throughout our communities remains commonplace.

It is past high time that our government enacts and enforces legislation with teeth for the registration, proper care and treatment of animals that will harshly penalize Bahamians who continue to mistreat, disregard and abandon their animals.

IAN MABON Nassau, September 17, 2020.

Enhance patient safety EDITOR, The Tribune.

PATIENT safety should be enhanced to protect and promote health. All patients, patient advocates and carers should be committed to prioritising patient safety and make healthcare safer.

This means that all governments should recognise patient safety as a health priority in health policy and programmes, making it a key component for strengthening healthcare systems to

achieve Universal Health Coverage and establish systems to engage and empower patients’ families and communities in delivering safer healthcare.

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the huge challenges health workers are currently facing globally. Working in stressful environments exacerbates safety risks for health workers, including being infected and contributing to outbreaks in the health care facility, having

limited access or adherence to personal protective equipment and other infection prevention and control measures, and inducing errors which can potentially harm patients and health workers. In many countries, health workers are facing increased risks of infections, violence, accidents, stigma, illness and death.

HANDSEN CHIKOWORE UK, September 16, 2020.

Marcus Garvey’s influences EDITOR, The Tribune.

IN her book titled Garvey and Garveyism, the late Amy Jacques Garvey claimed that the late PanAfricanist and Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) founder, Marcus Mosiah Garvey, was deeply influenced by a Bahamian physician, activist and politician named Dr Joseph Robert Love. Love, born on New Providence in October 1839, started publishing the influential Jamaica Advocate newspaper in 1894, while living in Jamaica, where he worked assiduously to improve the overall conditions of the Jamaican Negro population. Garvey followed in the footsteps of his role model by publishing several newspapers during his controversial career: Garvey’s Watchman, the New Jamaican, La Nacionale, La Prensa and the Negro World. The Negro World served as the official organ of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League – a civil rights organisation that Garvey, along with his first wife, Amy Ashwood, founded in August of 1914 in Jamaica.

Garvey probably followed Love’s example in engaging in civil rights activism.

Garvey would also work for Pan-Africanist Duse Mohammad Ali’s African Times and Orient Review publication while living in England between 1912 -1913. At its peak, the UNIA had a membership of over six million, with branches throughout the United States, Central and South America, Africa and the West Indies. A UNIA branch was in The Bahamas during the 1920s and 1930s, as per E David Cronon in his Black Moses. The Black Moses, as Garvey was called, as was Sir Lynden O Pindling, would influence many prominent Black leaders, such as Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, Malcolm X, Louis Farrakhan, Elijah Muhammad, Kwame Nkrumah, Nelson Mandela, and

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net possibly even Pindling.

Headquartered in Harlem, New York, after his migration to the United States in 1916, Garvey’s UNIA experienced phenomenal growth, much to the annoyance of W.E.B. Du Bois and other NAACP executives, who viewed Garveyism as a threat to race relations. Garvey’s arrival was one year removed from Booker T Washington’s death, whom he had hoped to meet at his Tuskegee Institute.

Garvey, as was the case with King and other Southern Christian Leadership Conference officials, was closely monitored by J Edgar Hoover and the Bureau of Investigation.

Unfortunately, Garvey’s meteoric rise coincided with the First Red Scare, in which many civil rights organizations were suspected of having communist ties.

Born in Saint Ann’s Bay on August 17, 1887, Garvey was born four years before Haile Selassie I and ten years before Rasta pioneer Leonard Percival Howell.

All three are the most important figures in Rastafari, with Selassie and Garvey, along with the late Prince Emmanuel Charles Edwards, being members of the Ethiopian Africa Black International Congress triumvirate. Notwithstanding his prominent status in Rastology, Garvey was a life-long Roman Catholic. UNIA delegates would condemn the Rastafarian sect at one of their conventions in Jamaica in 1935 or thereabouts, despite Howell being a Garveyite, according to the late Jamaican anthropologist Barry Chevannes.

Interestingly, another Bahamian would have a massive influence on Garvey and his movement: one Joshua Cockburn.

According to historian Dr Gail Saunders, Garvey,

while giving a speech in Nassau during the 1920s, referred to Cockburn as a “damn scamp.” Cockburn had persuaded Garvey to purchase an old unseaworthy ship named the S S Yarmouth for $165,000, with the down payment being $135,000, for Garvey’s Black Star Line shipping company. The S S Yarmouth was renamed the S S Frederick Douglass. According to Amy Jacques Garvey, Cockburn, a certified boat captain, allegedly received a kickback of $1,600 for the sale, despite receiving a lucrative monthly salary of $400 from Garvey. In 1919, $400 had the purchasing power of $5,990.77. Cockburn was a well-to-do Bahamian living in Harlem, perhaps within miles of the UNIA Liberty Hall.

Cockburn would go on to serve as a key prosecution witness in Garvey’s mail fraud trial in 1923.

The Black Star Line shipping company would be Garvey’s undoing, owing to the blatant incompetence and negligence of crew members, some of whom were Hoover agents. Being convicted by an all-white jury, after a four-week trial, Garvey would go on to spend about three years at the Atlanta Federal Penitentiary, after about two years of appeals. With his five-year prison sentence being commuted by President Calvin Coolidge in 1927, he was subsequently deported back to Jamaica as an undesirable alien.

Without the financial backing of his African American base, Garveyism died a slow death. And a Bahamian, Joshua Cockburn, played a significant role in its demise. Two unknown Bahamians, Dr Love and Cockburn, influenced the greatest civil rights leader in the first half of the 20th century. One assisted in his meteoric rise, while the other assisted in his demise.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama,

THE TRIBUNE

Insurance firm suffers cyber attack from page one “We want to raise awareness that this can happen,” said a spokesperson for the company.

“A hacker got into our accountant’s email and was able to hijack her sent emails. They took the sent emails, targeted a bill that was sent to a client of ours and they then sent that email to the client directing them to settle a bill at an account at a bank in Birmingham in the UK. “The client innocently sent the money by wire to the account. This was $40,000 odd dollars.”

Employees of the company became suspicious of hackers after receiving emailed instructions to log into their work accounts.

“We were getting instructions to log into our email accounts and to provide full passwords. In other words, to get all our login information and then we realised we were being hacked and then she checked her sent emails and saw that they had disappeared.

“We were able to retrieve the sent information and then we sent out a mass email to everybody explaining the nature of the scam emails that were

being sent.

“Then we got a response from a particular client saying that they received it and also they were asked to settle this bill and that’s when we got on to it.

“Luckily they were the only ones.”

The spokesman added: “The bank got on to this and realised that there are no banks in the UK affiliated with this company and so the transfer did not go through.”

To protect the company and its clients, the firm has implemented twofactor authentication for log-ins.

“We have changed up our system now. Nobody can go into our emails without a secondary authentication number as a result of that hack.

“So when we go into our email accounts now we have to also put in a password that is generated on our phones, a second authentication code. We can also view now online who is trying to get into our accounts.”

This company official said they did not report the matter to police.

Officer-in-charge of Financial Crime Investigations, Chief Superintendent Matthew Edgecombe told

The Tribune yesterday instances like this and various other kinds of fraud have been brought to the attention of authorities over the past few months.

In July he warned Bahamians not to fall prey to “phishing” email scams.

He was speaking at a press conference where Commonwealth Bank sounded the alarm on the issue after its clients were roped into this scam.

At the time he said police had “seen an increase” in these types of fraud across multiple financial institutions since the start of 2020.

Davine Dawkins-Rolle, Commonwealth Bank’s vice-president of internal audit and credit inspection, revealed that the BISXlisted institution had first become aware of a two-tier “phishing” scam targeting its customers from May 2020.

She revealed that clients were being lured by fake emails into parting with their personal financial details and bank account information, which was then being used by fraudsters to steal money from their accounts.

If you or someone you know suspects a hack, please contact local authorities.

Friday, September 18, 2020, PAGE 7

Private Graveside Services John Elston Murry Sears

of Deleport will be held on Saturday, September 19th, 2020, 11am at the Western Cemetery.

Officiating will be Pastor Winton Sears.

He is survived by his sisters, Gwendolyn Braynen and Anthea Peterson; five brothers: Daniel, Michael, Tyrone, Larry & Dale Sears; four aunts: Maria, Ionie, Bloneva & Sheila; Sisters-in-Law: Crystal, Donna, Sherolyn & Elsie; One Brotherin-Law: Wilton Braynen; nieces and nephews: Daniel Jr., Danielle, Christina, Brian, Dannette, Cedric Sears, Ingrid Deveaux, Sonovia Huyler, Debbie and Gary Sears, Janee’ and Elliott Lightbourne, Michael, Mikey, Devan, Devin, Senio, Mickael, Lashonte, Nastassia, Kyle, Vestra, Jillian, Dominique and Jodie Sears, Danielle, Dyamond and Demi Moss; other relatives and friends including: Al Symonette and Family, Deo Kemp And Family, George Miller and Family, Dr. Eugene Gray and Family and the entire Deleport Community.

Friends may pay their last respects at the Jasper Suite Of The Rock Of Ages Funeral Chapel, Wulff Road and Pine Dale at 12 noon – 4 pm on Friday, 18th, September, 2020.

Death Notices For Eileen Pierre-Barrett, 48 of Lincoln Blvd died at thePrincess Margaret Hospital on Monday, 14th September, 2020 She is survived by her 2 adoptive daughter: Habasha and Virginia Miller; 2 sisters: Crystal Williams and Jennifer Wilson and a host of other relatives and friends.

83 DOMINICAN POACHERS DETAINED MORE than 80 suspected Dominican poachers were apprehended by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force yesterday.

According to a statement from the RBDF, the 83 Dominican fishermen onboard two Dominican fishing vessels were apprehended in the southwestern Bahamas, off Diamond Point, Great Bahama Bank.

Acting on information received from the US Coast Guard, RBDF patrol craft HMBS Lignum Vitae, pictured, under the command of Lieutenant James Cox, intercepted the Dominican fishing vessels “El Ship” and “Angel Gabriel”, which were subsequently boarded and searched.

later date.

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a

Prescola Ramsey, 93 of Devils Point, Cat Island died at the Princess Margret Hospital on Sunday, 13 September, 2020 She is survived by her 8 children: Hester Gray, George, Anthony, Paul, Michael and Paulette Ramsey, Reginald Johnson and William Stuart; Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends.

The Dominican fishermen were cautioned, arrested and taken into custody for possession of an undetermined amount of fishery products.

The vessels and crew are being escorted to New Providence, where they will be turned over to the relevant authorities for further questioning, the RBDF said.

later date.

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a

Mrs. Apryl Rahming, 42

PROBATION FOR MAN GUILTY OF VAGRANCY

of Sunset Park died at her residence on Thursday, 10th September, 2020.

probation.

The prosecution said that morning, officers on mobile patrol observed the defendant hiding in bushes on the beach. When they approached and questioned him, he told them he was there because he had nowhere to stay. He was subsequently arrested for vagrancy. During an interview with police at a nearby station, he admitted the offence.

When given an opportunity to speak during the arraignment, Clarke told the magistrate he was “sitting on a rock with his

She is survived by her husband: Benny Rahming; mother: Kelsey Clarke; 3 daughters: Benneka, Abentina and Ariel Rahming; 1 son: Benny Jr.; 1 grand-daughter; 3 brothers; 2 sisters and a host of other relatives and friends.

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was placed on probation for one month after he pleaded guilty to vagrancy.

Police arrested Leroy Clarke, 30, after he could not give them a satisfactory account of why he was found on Montagu Beach around midnight on September 14.

During a hearing before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux yesterday, he pleaded guilty and was placed on one month’s

shoes off just watching the waves” when the police approached. He said he was wearing a hoodie and had a screwdriver in his pocket, so he panicked and started telling the officers “whatever came to his head” when they questioned him.

He insisted he was only there because he had lost track of time.

As a result, after placing Clarke on probation, Magistrate Turnquest-Deveaux warned him if he was convicted of a similar offence within the next month, he could risk spending one month behind bars.

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.

John Sears, 56 of Deleport died at The Princess Margret Hospital on Wednesday, 9th September, 2020.

He is survived by his brothers, Daniel, Micheal, Larry, Tyrone and Dale Sears; sisters, Gwendolyn Braynen and Anthea Peterson; and a host of other relatives and friends.

MAN DENIES STEALING $70K FROM ATM

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A 32-YEAR-OLD man who denied breaking into a local food store and damaging an ATM to steal over $70,000 in cash was denied bail ahead of his trial.

Reno Brown was accused

of breaking into Super Value in the Prince Charles Shopping Centre and damaging a Commonwealth Bank ATM machine valued at more than $30,000 to steal $72,640 in cash sometime between July 17 and 18.

He denied the allegations during a hearing before Magistrate Kara

Turnquest-Deveaux, and the matter was adjourned to November 27 for trial.

Due to the nature of the charges, Brown was denied bail and remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until that time.

He has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.

later date.

Doreta Hanna-Seymour, 84 of Bamboo Blvd., South Beach Estate died at her residence on Thursday, 10th September, 2020.

She is survived by her daughters: Laverne Ellis, Monique Seymour, Aneshka Williams; sons: Samuel Seymour & Kevin Seymour; and a host of other relatives and friends.

SUSPECT ACCUSED OF SEX WITH GIRL, 14

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A 20-YEAR-OLD man was remanded to prison accused of having sex with a minor last week.

Darron Moxey, 20,

appeared before Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux after he was accused of engaging in sexual intercourse with a 14-year-old girl on September 12.

During the arraignment, he was not required to enter a plea and the matter was

adjourned for service of a voluntary bill of indictment.

In the interim, bail was denied and the defendant was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

He has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a

later date.

Funeral arrangements will be announced at a

PAGE 8, Friday, September 18, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Big news in Barbados: That coulda been us . . .

QUEEN Elizabeth (AP Photo/Chris Jackson, File)

T

HIS week, something abnormally fantastic happened. The decision was made to ‘fire’ the Queen (sorry, Elizabeth R), decriminalize small amounts of marijuana, and move forward as an island nation that can stand on its own legs.

Before you get too excited, none of this happened here. Instead, it was our Caribbean neighbour Barbados that got tongues wagging and Twitter twittering with its bold moves.

When news broke of all these plans Barbados put into the ether, I couldn’t help but think of that famous meme: This could be us...but Bahamians joking.

SUPERMAJORITY SUPERPOWERS The Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley, ascended to power in Barbados in 2018 with a super majority. Her party won 30 out of 30 seats up for grabs and 70% of the popular vote. Around here, that’s what we call “a good cut hip” for those running against the Barbados Labour Party (BLP).

No doubt any government that finds itself with a supermajority in parliament finds itself with not only a clear mandate but the weapon it needs to see its goals through.

Unfortunately (as we Bahamians know all too well) not every supermajority means the people will actually benefit from it.

But – bless their Bajan hearts – it looks like Barbadians may actually win for reposing so much faith in Mottley’s crew.

On Bay Street (theirs, not ours), where their government headquarters is located, their Governor General, Dame Sandra Mason, ironically used the country’s ‘Speech from the Throne’ to let it be known they are soon doing away with speeches from ‘The Throne.’

Barbados will become a republic by next year, she said. To quote their First Prime Minster, Errol Walton Barrow, Barbados will no longer “loiter on colonial premises.”

And so it goes, the country (and our neighbour) which is only a wee 7 years older than The Bahamas in terms of age since Independence, will accomplish something we have not even seriously begun to consider.

But wait, there’s more!

It seems Barbados will not only become a republic but will also decriminalize small amounts of marijuana possession by its citizens, taking a decisive stand on an issue we in this country have not even seriously begun to debate.

Barbados will also make

provisions for a referendum on same-sex marriage (though there is doubt it will pass), an issue and decision I can confidently say is decades upon decades away for Bahamians.

What is clear, though, is that Mia Mottley is making the most of her time in leadership.

While the Amazon, Australia and California were on fire, and as climate change continued to threaten small island nations, Mottley formulated her plan. Her idea was to drop a natural disaster clause into sovereign debt contracts. The long and short of it is that should a natural disaster occur, the country would have breathing room to service their debts.

In October of last year, while we were literally picking up our shattered pieces from Hurricane Dorian, Mia Mottley and her supermajority government got their creditors to accept those clauses.

Now I know it’s never a good idea to compare yourself with others, but it’s hard to resist. So, just to see if there’s anyway to have even rhetorical bragging rights against Bajans, I had a peek at their COVID-19 response.

THE PRIME Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley.

According to the latest information, Barbados, a country with a population of around 290 thousand, has recorded 185 cases with 171 recovered and 7 deaths.

So they’ve got us beat there too.

Although we have been busted for ‘sorta copying’ off Barbados with the suggestions made by our economic recovery committee, it’s been quiet here as far as our politicians go with all this ‘big’ news coming out of that island.

Can a country enamored with pomp and circumstance, white wigs and ‘royal traditions’ even

begin to contemplate full self-determination?

The only politician who has gone on the record congratulating Barbados (as far as I know) has been the leader of the Democratic National Alliance, Arinthia Komolafe.

Not only did Mrs. Komolafe express support for Mia Mottley’s move to become a republic, she also spoke of “progressive minded leadership in the Caribbean” and highlighted reasons why she too envisions a republic government one day for this country.

Honestly, listening to Komolafe lay out her plans

had me thinking about what life would be like for us with ‘natural disaster clauses’ or ‘marijuana decriminalization’ or even just a government that made plans and followed through.

But the truth is we are currently stuck in a two-party system which basically means we are just stuck.

We are on a merry-goround, and most people are scared to jump off.

I wish I knew what to tell you. Maybe I’ll find the right words soon. For now, all I can say is, “That coulda been us, but ‘y’all joking!”

READERS RESPOND TO ‘THREE MORE WEEKS’ Funeral Service For John Higgs, 74 a resident of Nassau East Blvd. & formerly of Grand Bahama will be held at Bible Truth Ministries, Martin’s Close off Cowpen Road on Saturday, September 19, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be Pastor Ellison Greenslade, assisted by other Ministers of the Gospel. Interment follows in Lakeview Memorial Gardens, John F. Kennedy Drive.

Left to cherish precious memories are his Wife: Geraldine Patsy Higgs; Children: Rashad Thurston, Tyrell Higgs, Delphine Green and Philesha; Grandchildren: Amara, Tyrell Jonathan Higgs Jr., Tyliah Higgs, Dianne and Jonathan Ward, Kleaster Newbitt, Nysjah Jenkins, Amante Brown and Miles Green; Siblings: Albert and Crayton Higgs, Eunice Arthur, Curalena Phillips, Verna and Marilyn Williams, Oreita Stubbs, Willamae Higgs and Jucal Bradford; Uncle and Aunts: Prince Phillips, Alfred and Angela Phillips, Una Stubbs, Lorraine and Moss; Sisters-in-law: Hillary and Mary Higgs, Leona Morris, Emerald Fraser, Cleomie Forbes, Jestina Rodgers, Pearlene Pinder, Velodis Carey and Elva Carey; Brothers-in-law: Lewis Phillips, Bishop Rudolph Arthur, Henry Farrington, Sanford Farrington and Joseph Morris; Nephews: Dwayne, Deon and Delano Arthur, Shamir and Marlon Williams, Decray and Aiden Higgs, Lavardio Phillips, Stephen Higgs, Joseph Higgs Jr., Kayle Evans, Michael Williams, Skelyn, Johnny and Coby Stubbs and T. J. Missick; Nieces: Claudia Rolle, Eva Kay Arthur, Juca Higgs, Eunica Davol, Jeandra Michelle, London Higgs, Locora Phillips, Shanderia Williams, Michelle Bradford, Jody Harvey, Denise Higgs, Stevonya Cox, Cheryl Books, Clementina and Jennifer Stubbs; 24 nephews-in-law and 26 nieces-in-law; and host of other relatives and friends including: the Bible Truth Ministries Family and the Cable Beach Straw Vendor’s Association.

Friends may pay their last respects at Demeritte’s Funeral Home, Market Street, from 12-5:00 p.m. on Friday & on Saturday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until service time.

Persons can Live Stream at: www.bibletruthministriesbahamas.org Live Streaming: http://livestream.com/accounts/17809340 Face Book page ‘Bible Truth Ministries’

AFTER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis pleaded with Bahamians to comply with COVID-19 protocols for at least three more weeks, readers responded on tribune242.com.

The_Oracle said: “The Bahamian people have sacrificed far beyond what is reasonable considering the painful Government approach to this pandemic. On again off again, complex and contradictory rules, micro rules, layers of poorly written documents to read and understand, prosecutions and incarcerations, fines, long lines everywhere. Lines, I might add, entirely created by the Authority.

Add all this to terrible implementation at the Civil Service level (Customs, Immigration, Min of Health) for travel. Most of the economic damage done, and still being done via Authority micromanagement is unnecessary.

KISS technology would have sufficed.

Extending it is pointless.

“The cat was let out of the bag by none other than the Authority.”

And there was this from Honestman, who referenced the following quote from the Prime Minister: “‘I ask the Bahamian people if they can at least remain compliant just at least until the end of this particular month by wearing facial masks and trying to resist from such social gatherings’.

“Frankly, with 55 new cases yesterday, the Bahamian people need to continue with face coverings and social distancing until this virus is under control. Why is the PM putting a time limit on it?”

Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, September 18, 2020, PAGE 9

Abaconians’ anger is raging beneath the surface - we need to move now to make sure it doesn’t explode

W

hat’s happening in Abaco should never happen anywhere in The Bahamas.

People are scared, scared for their lives, scared for their property, scared for the future and wondering how long they can – or want – to cope.

How did these sun-dappled isles, just a year ago known as the laid-back, friendly, yachting capital of The Bahamas, slide into a state where nothing is safe and little is sacred? How did its thriving capital Marsh Harbour and the town’s outlying, historic settlements disintegrate from idyllic places where locals and second homeowners bonded into the kind of criminal pandemonium where one business, broken into six times since January, doesn’t bother to call the police because “they don’t answer the phone, they don’t show up, they don’t take a report”?

If you hear what Abaconians are saying, you will quickly conclude that in Abaco the culture of theft is spreading faster than the coronavirus.

Abaco Chamber of Commerce President Ken Hutton doesn’t mince words.

MAN FINALLY GETS GENERATOR, STOLEN EIGHT HOURS LATER “On Sunday, I gave one of our employees a new generator that had just come in, a small dual fuel 3kw. We had a big one in the store and he just wanted to run a fan in his house so I gave it to him,” says Hutton. “It was stolen eight hours later - while it was running. He didn’t even have it for a day.”

Generators are at a premium. With inconsistent power since Hurricane Dorian tore through the Abacos and Grand Bahama a year ago this month, and with water supply still not fully restored those who remain on the island depend on generators daily.

One resident, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, said all the police have to do is stop every pickup truck going around one

of the three roundabouts on Great Abaco if it is carrying a generator and ask to see the invoice or importation documents. “Everyone says, ‘Oh, my boss man gave it to me.’ Prove it with a letter of gift and if it’s new, with the invoice attached,” he suggests.

Lumber, tiles, PVC pipe, cable and other materials are stolen off job sites. Some say materials are stolen “as soon as they get here”. Another said houses in town that Abaconians and a few second homeowners are trying to rebuild or refurbish postDorian are “broken into so fast people are giving up trying to fix up”.

Nearby, a new shanty town is growing, this time with solid concrete block homes and modern metal roofs. No one seems to know what to do about what they call “the problem”, meaning poor people of diverse backgrounds, including Haitian, essential to the work force, but now homeless after Dorian swept out to sea the former shanty towns where they lived and where their micro-businesses flourished.

While the rest of the country measures time in before-COVID and afterCOVID, Abaco marks it in before and after Dorian.

Here’s Hutton again: “We got hit by an historic storm that was followed by a pandemic. I guess now we are waiting for an alien invasion.”

ACTION BEFORE ANGER TURNS TO RAGE AND RAGE EXPLODES IN BULLETS AND BLOODSHED If Abaco is going to make a comeback before anger that is growing daily turns to rage and that rage explodes, two streams of activity must

take place, according to various sources.

First, security has to be seriously stepped up. The last time residents felt safe, a few said, was when the Jamaican Defence Force was there.

That was October of last year.

Abaconians acknowledge there has been a slight uptick in police presence since publicity about crime erupted, but they believe it is a long way from where it needs to be. They are angry and they want action to stop the stealing, They are calling for zero tolerance and no more looking the other way.

Robin Hood does not live in this forest where everyone, rich and poor and in between, is feeling the pain, they say.

They no longer have a newspaper in which to express themselves. The Abaconian, too, was blown out to sea.

Secondly, if there is any hope of getting businesses, residents and second home owners to rebuild, government must extend concessions and exemptions for a minimum of another two years. Travel restrictions and quarantine requirements, while considered critical to COVID containment by the medical community, have all but wiped out the year of 2020 for rebuilds.

Part of the real tragedy of Abaco lies in the fact it had the chance to start over and become a model for a highquality, admirable island lifestyle with green building, backyard farming and cottage industry. It could have learned from tradition, reinvigorating its boat-building industry that produced winners like the native sloop Abaco Rage, the famed Abaco dinghy and long before airplanes took to the skies, wooden ships that carried cargo and passengers.

Funeral Service For John Higgs, 74 a resident of Nassau East Blvd. & formerly of Grand Bahama will be held at Bible Truth Ministries, Martin’s Close off Cowpen Road on Saturday, September 19, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be Pastor Ellison Greenslade, assisted by other Ministers of the Gospel. Interment follows in Lakeview Memorial Gardens, John F. Kennedy Drive.

Left to cherish precious memories are his Wife: Geraldine Patsy Higgs; Children: Rashad Thurston, Tyrell Higgs, Delphine Green and Philesha; Grandchildren: Amara, Tyrell Jonathan Higgs Jr., Tyliah Higgs, Dianne and Jonathan Ward, Kleaster Newbitt, Nysjah Jenkins, Amante Brown and Miles Green; Siblings: Albert and Crayton Higgs, Eunice Arthur, Curalena Phillips, Verna and Marilyn Williams, Oreita Stubbs, Willamae Higgs and Jucal Bradford; Uncle and Aunts: Prince Phillips, Alfred and Angela Phillips, Una Stubbs, Lorraine and Moss; Sisters-in-law: Hillary and Mary Higgs, Leona Morris, Emerald Fraser, Cleomie Forbes, Jestina Rodgers, Pearlene Pinder, Velodis Carey and Elva Carey; Brothers-in-law: Lewis Phillips, Bishop Rudolph Arthur, Henry Farrington, Sanford Farrington and Joseph Morris; Nephews: Dwayne, Deon and Delano Arthur, Shamir and Marlon Williams, Decray and Aiden Higgs, Lavardio Phillips, Stephen Higgs, Joseph Higgs Jr., Kayle Evans, Michael Williams, Skelyn, Johnny and Coby Stubbs and T. J. Missick; Nieces: Claudia Rolle, Eva Kay Arthur, Juca Higgs, Eunica Davol, Jeandra Michelle, London Higgs, Locora Phillips, Shanderia Williams, Michelle Bradford, Jody Harvey, Denise Higgs, Stevonya Cox, Cheryl Books, Clementina and Jennifer Stubbs; 24 nephews-in-law and 26 nieces-in-law; and host of other relatives and friends including: the Bible Truth Ministries Family and the Cable Beach Straw Vendor’s Association.

Friends may pay their last respects at Demeritte’s Funeral Home, Market Street, from 12-5:00 p.m. on Friday & on Saturday at the church from 10:00 a.m. until service time.

Persons can Live Stream at: www.bibletruthministriesbahamas.org Live Streaming: http://livestream.com/accounts/17809340 Face Book page ‘Bible Truth Ministries’

SEPTEMBER 2019 THE DESTRUCTION caused

by Hurricane Dorian is seen from the air, in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, a year ago. In September 2020, people are scared for their lives, their property and the future.

(AP Photo/Gonzalo Gaudenzi)

Abaco pine is still highly treasured and the skilled finish carpenters and craftsmen of Abaco could have created the equivalent of a High Point, NC hand-crafted furniture capitol in The Bahamas.

Abaconians have always been resilient but every individual and every community has a breaking point. This would not be the first time Abaco tried to take matters into its own hands. Remember the Abaco Independence Movement (AIM) when citizens of the northern isles decided to create their own nation as The Bahamas was itself becoming independent?

That was quickly quashed by the British who threatened to send in marines, but right about now, Abaconians might just welcome some additional outside enforcers of the law.

MINISTER of National Security Marvin Dames (right) in Abaco recently. Abaconians acknowledge there has been a slight uptick in police presence since publicity about crime erupted, but they believe it is a long way from where it needs to be.

Fiercely independent, proud and productive, Abaconians have often made their mark in the international arena.

Locals and expats who showed us the high road creating ambitious organisations known around the world like Friends of the Environment and Every Child Counts have been harshly tested by

the double blows of Dorian and COVID-19. If they survived those threats to their lives, they deserve peace and respect or I fear the rage that lies just beneath the surface of this society will boil over and these islands, so sorely bruised by back-to-back hits and heavily armed for hunting, will be ablaze in a war of bullets and bloodshed.

PAGE 10, Friday, September 18, 2020

JUDGE BLOCKS POSTAL SERVICE CHANGES THAT SLOWED MAIL

By GENE JOHNSON Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) — A U.S. judge on Thursday blocked controversial Postal Service changes that have slowed mail nationwide, calling them “a politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the Postal Service” before the November election.

Judge Stanley Bastian in Yakima, Washington, said he was issuing a nationwide preliminary injunction sought by 14 states that sued the Trump administration and the U.S. Postal Service.

The states challenged the Postal Service’s so-called “leave behind” policy, where trucks have been leaving postal facilities on time regardless of whether there is more mail to load. They also sought to force the Postal Service to treat election mail as First Class mail.

The judge noted after a hearing that Trump had repeatedly attacked voting by mail by making unfounded claims that it is rife with fraud. Many more voters are expected to vote by mail this November because of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the states have expressed concern that delays might result in voters not receiving ballots or registration forms in time.

“The states have demonstrated the defendants are involved in a politically motivated attack on the efficiency of the Postal Service,” Bastian said.

He also said the changes created “a substantial possibility many voters will be disenfranchised.”

Bastian, an appointee of former President Barack Obama, said he planned to issue a written order later in the day, but that it would be substantially the same as that sought by the states.

Following a national uproar, Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a major donor to President Donald Trump and the GOP, announced he was suspending some changes — including the removal of iconic blue mailboxes in many cities and the decommissioning of mail processing machines.

But other changes remained in place, and the states — including the battlegrounds of Michigan, Wisconsin and Nevada — asked the court to block them.

THE TRIBUNE

RESCUERS REACH PEOPLE CUT OFF BY GULF COAST HURRICANE

By JAY REEVES, ANGIE WANG and BOBBY CAINA CALVAN Associated Press

PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) — Rescuers on the Gulf Coast used high-water vehicles Thursday to reach people cut off by floodwaters in the aftermath of Hurricane Sally, even as a second round of flooding began taking shape along rivers and creeks swollen by the storm’s heavy rains.

Across southern Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, homeowners and businesses began cleaning up, and officials inspected bridges and highways for safety, a day after Sally rolled through with 105 mph (165 kph) winds, a surge of seawater and 1 to 2 1/2 feet (0.3 to 0.8 metre) of rain in many places before it began to break up.

Its remnants continued to push deep inland with heavy downpours, threatening flooding across the South all the way to Virginia.

In hard-hit Pensacola and surrounding Escambia County, where Sally’s floodwaters had coursed through downtown streets and lapped at car door handles on Wednesday before receding, authorities went door-to-door to check on residents and warn them they were not out of danger.

At least eight waterways in Alabama and the Panhandle were expected to hit major flood stage by Thursday. Forecasters warned that some could break records, submerge bridges and swamp homes.

“Please, please, we’re not out of the woods even if we’ve got beautiful skies today,” said Escambia County emergency manager Eric Gilmore.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis likewise urged Panhandle residents not to let their guard down even

MEMBERS of a citizen response team from Indiana assist in high water rescue of residents, Thursday in Pensacola, Fla. Homeowners and businesses along the soggy Gulf Coast have begun cleaning up in the wake of Hurricane Sally, even as the region braces for a delayed, second round of flooding in the coming days from rivers and creeks swollen by the storm’s heavy rains. (Tony Giberson/Pensacola News Journal via AP) though the hurricane had passed, saying: “You’re going to see the rivers continue to rise.”

Crews carried out at least 400 rescues in the Escambia County by such means as high-water vehicles, boats and water scooters, authorities said.

Floodwaters Rescuers focused their efforts Thursday on Innerarity Point, a narrow strip of land close to Pensacola that is home to waterfront homes and businesses.

Floodwaters covered the only road out, though authorities said no one was in immediate danger.

Richard Wittig and his family were among scores of people hemmed in by floodwaters on the island.

Two generators were powering his house, fueled by 30 gallons of gasoline Wittig bought ahead of the storm.

“If I didn’t have a working generator, we’d be dead.

Nobody can get to us,” said

the 77-year-old Wittig, who said he and his son rely on oxygen machines to keep them alive.

The Florida National Guard said it had deployed about 500 soldiers and airmen to help local authorities evacuate 113 people, though it did not say when and where the rescues took place.

In Alabama, on both sides of Mobile Bay, National Guard soldiers from high-water evacuation teams used big trucks Thursday to rescue at least 35 people, authorities said.

About 35 miles (56 kilometres) inland, a swollen Murder Creek cut off access between the Alabama towns of Brewton and East Brewton, inundating a grocery store, a tobacco shop, a park and more. Residents behind a police roadblock gazed at the neighbouring city across fast-moving

water covering a bridge.

“Mama, look. Water’s all the way up in here!”

11-year-old Rachana Matthews said.

East Brewton resident Brenda Davenport said it took only four hours for the water to rise. “It could take two days for it to go down,” she said.

Picking up soggy debris in her yard in Orange Beach, Alabama, Janice Sullivan swore she would never ride out a hurricane again. She and her daughter huddled in a second-floor bathroom as Sally blew ashore. The winds grew so violent Sullivan feared the roof would fly off.

“You could hear everything hitting the house,” she said. “You could hear the house moving back and forth. It was literally moaning and cracking.”

A few people cleaned up in Bristol Park, a creekside

neighbourhood where as much as 4 feet (1.2 metres) of water filled brick homes north of Pensacola.

Susan Cutts’ parents fled rising water inside their home into the garage, where they desperately called for help on a dying cellphone until aid arrived.

“They were on top of their car when they got to them,” Cutts said.

At least one death, in Alabama, was blamed on the hurricane, and a halfmillion businesses were without electricity Thursday afternoon in Florida, Alabama and Georgia. A section of the main bridge between Pensacola and Pensacola Beach collapsed after it was hit by a barge that broke loose during the storm.

At a downtown marina, at least 30 sailboats, fishing boats and other vessels were found clumped together in a mass of fiberglass hulls and broken docks. Some boats rested atop sunken ones. The hurricane also drove two large ferry boats into a concrete seawall and left them grounded. The boats had been purchased with BP oil spill money.

Meanwhile, Sally’s rainy remnants caused flooding in Georgia, closing streets and highways, and threatened more of the same on Friday in North Carolina and Virginia. Forecasters said Georgia could get up to a foot (30 centimetres), and South Carolina 10 inches (25 centimetres). ___ Calvan reported from Tallahassee, Florida, Wang from Mobile, Alabama.

Associated Press reporters Russ Bynum in Savannah, Georgia, and Jeff Martin in Marietta, Georgia, also contributed.

MINISTRY OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND HOUSING

PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT

Private Funeral Service For Lucy Rebecca Watson, 91

of #4 Campbell Avenue and formerly of Gordons, Long Island, will be held at 10:00 a.m. at Eastern Cemetery, Dowdeswell Street on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020. Officiating will be Rev’d. Fr. Scott Brennen.

Precious memories are held by her sons: Falcon, Bruce and Basil Watson; 1 daughter: Felicity Walker; Daughters-in-law: Norma, Midamae, Marilyn, Carol, Lucy and Felice CartwrightWatson; 34 Grandchildren: Chavala, Cpl. 3132 Chester (Lakera) Walker, Troyann Saunders, Misty Capron, Sakiesha (Dwayne) Morley, Furischa, Reginald), Austin, Shawn (Keva), Bruce (Shanieca), Ashley, Emeka, Kayliesha & Karissa, Chief Petty Officer Wayde (Charmaine) Watson, Mickell, Anthony Harvey, Patrice (Kieran) McSweeny, Sherilyn Bernard, Sandra Chea, Angelique Van-Lewin, Derry Ferguson, Arnette Burrow, Lisa (Ian) Greene, Tamara (Darvan ) Penn, Stacy Bain, Lisa (Franklyn) Ferguson, Keisha (Cloyd) Leary Diedre, Justin & Curtis (Hope) Major, Cindy, Olivia and Evadna and Michael Cartwright; 48 Great grandchildren: Alia (Ashton) Maycock, Feliciane, Shante, Salina Cartwright, Shania, Caden & Chesnique Walker, Chaane Duvalier, Christabel and Dwaryn Strachan, Tyler & Trayven Fowler, Rebecca Morley, Edishea & Kenya, Lebron & Cloyd Jr.leary, Alicia McKinney, Kaitlin Ferguson, Anwar, Antoinelle & Anthon Major, De’Anna, K’Shon and Kaylin Mcsweeny, Ziann, Zarea, Zaya,Willie and Wayshanda Watson, Nelly and Ashton Penn, Ryden and Annalisa Bain, Keniel, Curtis Jr., Caden, Heaven, Jushwell, Kenricka, Deneiro, Tatiana, Raiquan, Marie Bridgewater, Charles Papageorge, Shakieta Hiendfield; 6 great-great grandchildren; 24 Nieces: Margaret Major, Albertha (Ambrose) Clincy, Gladys Munroe, Zerlene (Charlow) Deleveaux, Vendolyn (David) Dean, Majorie (John), Diana (Elias) & Clarice (Simeon), Nadean and Sgt, 348 Pauline Cartwright, Sandy (Paul) Caroll, Evelyn, Alma & Agatha Watson, Patsy Curry, Brenda (Benjamin) Williams, Sarah Miller, Althea Turnquest, Valerie Mcdonald, Geraldine Major, Norma Swain, Marilyn Lowe, Leona Knowles and Geneva Munroe; 29 Nephews: Vincent, Luther, Felix, Jonathan, Wesley, Dorlan, Edsil (Dorimae) Paul (Joyce), Retired ACP Eugene Cartwright, Thomas II ( Sylvia), Fred (Claudia), Wayne (Cassandra), Earnest, Dennis Sr. (Latoya), Edgar, Samuel, Cedric, Harold (Sherlene), Warren, Brendon, Solomon and Hon, Frank Watson, Valence, Cyril II and Elton (Sylvia) Turnquest, Rudolph (Naomi), Leo (Sheena), Edward and Kevin (Angie) Pratt, and a host of relatives and friends including: Andrew (Bonnie) Major, Joanna Allen, Annie Pratt, John Cartwright & Family, Bernard (Gwen) Martinborough & family, The late Remelda Meadows family, Late Lincoln, Errol & Otis Cartwright family, late Eric Dean family, Yvonne Watson & family, Late William, Godfrey and Lewis Watson family, Rose Brown & family, Carlton Monica Cartwright & family, Cynthia Turnquest & family, Audrey Rolle & family, Alice Mortimer & family, late Eric Dean family, Holland Dean & family, Sidney Cartwright & family, Mavis Major & family, Reverend Paulette Cartwright & Family, Rudolph, Franklyn, Horace & Patrick Cartwright & family, Ethel Cartwright, The Mckienzie’s, Colebrook’s, Watson, Mortimer, Dean, Martinborough, Cartwrights and Major families, Claudia Seymour, Loretta Butler-Turner Fr. Kingsley Knowles & Family, Fr. Earnest Pratt & Family, Fr. Harry Ward & Family, Fr. Jonathan Archer & family & Father Alvardo Adderley & Family, the entire community of South End Long Island, and many more too numerous to mention.

Relatives and friends may pay their respects at Cedar Crest Funeral Home and Crematorium Ltd, Robinson and Baillou Hill Roads, on Monday from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.

The public is reminded that in accordance with Wild BirdsProtection Order of 1994 (under the, Wild Birds Protection Act, Chapter 249), the opening date of the 2020 - 2021 hunting season for various wild birds is as follows:

Sunday 15th September, 2020 for the following wild birds

ONLY: Eurasian-collared or "Ring-necked" Dove Mourning or "Florida" Dove

Hunters are reminded that these are the only two (2) species that can be hunted at this time. Hunters: should exercise great care to avoid shooting other species. Enforcement officers will be closely monitoring hunting activity.

Sunday 29th September 2020, for the following wild birds: White Crowned Pigeon Ringed-necked Pheasant Zenaida Dove Guinea Fowl Bob-White Quail Chukar Partridge Wilson's or Jack Snipe Coot All Ducks and Geese EXCEPT the Whistling, Bahama and Ruddy Ducks.

The hunting (that is, the capture and or killing) of ALL other wild birds is prohibited.

The public is asked to cooperate by adhering to the observance of the stated dates, as well to all other provisions of the Wild Birds Protection Act. Hunters are asked to pay careful attention to ensure that they shoot only those birds indicated above. The Ministry wishes to register grave, concern at the reports of illegal shooting of non listed-species, and of shooting in excess of the Bag Limits. Hunters are reminded that the bag limit is 50 birds per day. Any persons found acting in contravention to the provisions of the Act will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Signed, Hon. Romauld S. Ferreira MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR WILD BIRDS PROTECTION

PAGE 18, Friday, September 18, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Bank of England eyes sub-zero rates in face of virus, Brexit LONDON Associated Press THE Bank of England indicated yesterday that it could cut interest rates below zero for the first time in its 326-year history as it tries to shore up a UK economic recovery that is facing the dual headwinds of the coronavirus and Brexit.

After unanimously deciding to maintain the bank’s main interest rate at the record low of 0.1%, the nine-member rate-setting

Monetary Policy Committee said it had discussed its “policy toolkit, and the effectiveness of negative policy rates in particular”.

In minutes accompanying the decision, the rate-setters said a recent wave of virus infections has “the potential to weigh further on economic activity, albeit probably on a lesser scale than seen earlier in the year”.

Though the committee noted that recent economic data have been a “little stronger than expected” at its last meeting in early

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE

BOS BEE COMPANY N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows: (a)

BOS BEE COMPANY LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b)

The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 16th September, 2020 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c)

The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

Dated this 18th day of September, A. D. 2020 _________________________________ Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

August, it said it is unclear what that says about the future “given the risks”.

One clear concern relates to whether Britain, like others in Europe, will reimpose broad restrictions on businesses and public life after the recent flare-up in virus infections across the region. Already social gatherings are being restricted and certain areas of the UK are seeing localised lockdowns.

The British economy suffered one of the deepest recessions in the world this year when many sectors were effectively mothballed to help contain the pandemic. Though it recouped some ground in the summer as lockdown restrictions were eased, the economy was still around 12% smaller at the end of July than it was in February, when the pandemic started in Europe.

The other major risk facing the UK economy relates to the post-Brexit trade discussions between the UK and the EU following a worsening in relations. If the talks collapse, tariffs and other impediments to trade will be imposed by both sides at the start of 2021, a development that would hurt the UK more.

The UK left the EU on Jan 31, but is in a transition period that effectively sees it benefit from the bloc’s tariff-free trade until the end of the year while

LEGAL NOTICE

PEDESTRIANS wearing face masks walk past the Bank of England in London. The Bank of England kept its main interest rate unchanged at the record low of 0.1% yesterday as it waits to see how the economy recovers from recession and what Britain’s future trade relationship with the European Union will be.

Photo: Matt Dunham/AP the future relationship is negotiated.

With the outlook so murky, the bank was not expected to provide more stimulus yesterday. Since the pandemic started, it has cut its main rate to a record low and boosted its bond-buying programme to make sure financial markets don’t get clogged up and keep borrowing affordable.

The policymaking panel said yesterday it could take further action on borrowing costs after revealing it had been briefed on how to effectively implement negative interest rates, which would seek to encourage banks to lend rather than hoard their cash. The central bank will further

discussions the potential use of negative rates during the fourth quarter.

Though that doesn’t necessarily mean a rate cut is likely this fall, it’s a clear signal that the bank could enact further stimulus measures.

“While the Bank is clearly exploring the possibility of using negative rates as a potential tool, we doubt it will go down that path anytime soon — at any rate, not in November,” said Kallum Pickering, senior economist at Berenberg Bank.

Still, financial markets interpreted the announcement as increasing the likelihood of negative rates next year, potentially in the event of the UK and the

EU failing to agree on a trade deal. The pound fell 0.7% to $1.2884.

Most economists think the bank will boost its bondbuying stimulus programme in November. By then, unemployment across the UK is expected to be rising sharply as a government salary support programme will have come to an end.

The Job Retention Scheme, under which the government pays the bulk of the salaries of workers that firms keep on rather than fire, has kept a lid on unemployment. However, it ends on Oct 31, a change that most economists think will more or less double the UK’s unemployment to around 8% from 4.1% at present.

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

ORIENTAL LEGACY LIMITED

JCH GROUP LIMITED

OPULENT FORTUNE LIMITED

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows: (a)

ORIENTAL LEGACY LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b)

The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 16th September, 2020 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c)

The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

Dated this 18th day of September, A. D. 2020

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

NOTICE

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

(a)

JCH GROUP LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(a)

OPULENT FORTUNE LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b)

The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 16th September, 2020 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(b)

The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 16th September, 2020 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c)

The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

(c)

The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

Dated this 18th day of September, A. D. 2020

Dated this 18th day of September, A. D. 2020

_________________________________ Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

_________________________________ Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

_________________________________ Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

BLOOMING WEALTH LIMITED

THRESHOLD LIMITED

DYNASTIC FORTUNE LIMITED

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

(a)

BLOOMING WEALTH LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(a)

THRESHOLD LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(a)

DYNASTIC FORTUNE LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b)

The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 16th September, 2020 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(b)

The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 16th September, 2020 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(b)

The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 16th September, 2020 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c)

The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

(c)

The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

(c)

The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

Dated this 18th day of September, A. D. 2020

Dated this 18th day of September, A. D. 2020

Dated this 18th day of September, A. D. 2020

_________________________________ Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

_________________________________ Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

_________________________________ Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

H&C GROUP LIMITED

GOLD N PERSIMMON HOLDINGS LIMITED

NOTICE

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows: (a)

H&C GROUP LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b)

The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 16th September, 2020 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c)

The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

Dated this 18th day of September, A. D. 2020

_________________________________ Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

NOTICE

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows: (a)

GOLD N PERSIMMON HOLDINGS LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b)

The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 16th September, 2020 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c)

The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

Dated this 18th day of September, A. D. 2020 _________________________________ Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

NOTICE

FELUCCA LIMITED N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows: (a)

FELUCCA LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b)

The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 16th September, 2020 when the Articles of Dis solution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c)

The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

Dated this 18th day of September, A. D. 2020 _________________________________ Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, September 18, 2020, PAGE 19

Work visa not planned as true ‘needle mover’ FROM PAGE 24 The Bahamas, told a webinar earlier this week that the work/study visa’s projected impact was likely to pale when set against $1bn-$2bn in lost tourism earnings, Mr Johnson retorted: “We’re not inclined to get into public debate on the merits of any particular recommendation.

“That recommendation was put forward because it is time sensitive, and we wanted the government to review it so that if it was accepted the enabling infrastructure could be put in place for the substantial re-opening of the tourism sector.

“It wasn’t put there by any means to jump start the tourism sector or as a replacement for lost income,” he continued. “It was accelerated because of the time sensitivities with it. That’s what the group responsible for the implementation is seeking to do: Get it sorted so by the time we get to a full re-opening of the economy it will be in place.

“It was not intended to be a needle mover. A good start would be if we were able to get 1,000 applicants spending $30,000 each.

That would be a $30m boost for the economy. It’s a nice value-added, and if it proves to be a successful programme then obviously it’s something the government could elect to keep in place to provide longer says for persons who want to come in.”

Mr Johnson said the Immigration Department, and the Ministry of Financial Services, Trade and Industry and Immigration, were the primary agencies charged with implementing the necessary infrastructure and digital systems to make the application process work and deliver on The Bahamas’ promises.

“It will be a fully online

process,” he added, saying reports suggested everything “will be launched in time for the full opening of the tourism sector”. The Ministry of Tourism will be involved in marketing and promoting the work/study visa, with one spin-off goal being to “showcase” the Family Islands and show The Bahamas is more than just Nassau.

Another objective is to encourage those who obtain the year-long work/ study visa to put down more permanent roots in The Bahamas, especially if they establish or seek to bring with them operating businesses. The University of The Bahamas is also involved in providing work facilities for students at overseas colleges and universities who wish to study from here.

“We’re at arm’s length,” Mr Johnson said, “but we know anecdotally that once we pushed the visa out into the social media space, and the Ministry of Tourism started to talk to their folks, there’s been some interest generated. We feel confident this will bear some fruit. We feel that once the marketing starts in earnest we will gain good traction.”

The Bahamas’ Extended Stay Visa Programme is targeted at persons wishing to work or study from this nation for a year as part of wider COVID-19 economic recovery strategy. It represents an extension of The Bahamas’ existing annual residency permit, with the aim being to make the application and approval process much simpler, quicker and efficient.

Foreign workers and students who qualify for the permit will NOT be allowed to participate in the domestic economy as a condition of its granting.

Students must be registered with, and studying online, at a foreign university, while workers must be employed - and paid by - an

PUBLIC NOTICE

overseas company.

Such restrictions are designed to reassure Bahamians that local jobs will be protected, especially with an unemployment rate approaching 50 percent due to COVID-19. The visa is effectively aiming to attract a different type of visitor, with the hope that ultimately these persons - and their employers - redomicile to The Bahamas permanently rather than just providing a short-term post-COVID boost.

However, Mr Pinder this week argued that the planned visa will come nowhere near to compensating for the “huge economic hit” delivered by the pandemic.

“When I look at it in the context of the Economic Recovery Committee, where I have a challenge with that is we’re going to lose roughly between $1.7bn and $2bn in tourism receipts because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

That’s a huge hit with respect to the economy,” he argued.

“This work visa, with respect to the preliminary numbers put up, with 1,000 people spending $30,000 each for $30m, that is not a needle mover in terms of what we’re dealing with in disruption to the economy.

It’s not a needle mover.

“For me, the short to medium-term is how we reopen the economy in a safe and responsible manner.

Diversification is medium to long-term. The problem I have with the work visa is this is not a needle mover with respect to then share of the economy we’ve lost to lockdowns and the pandemic. It’s not a needle mover in terms of where we’re at, and what sort of revenue we need to make up for.”

MARKET REPORT

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that LIPHENZ JOSEPH, #10 Hope Garden, Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 18th day of September 2020 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

LEGAL NOTICE

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT (No. 46 of 2000) FANTASY SPORTS SHARK LTD. IBC No. 201536 B (In Voluntary Liquidation)

NOTICE is hereby given that as follows: (a)

That FANTASY SPORTS SHARK LTD. is in Dissolution under the provisions of The International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b)

The Dissolution of the said Company commenced on the day of 2020 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted and registered by the Registrar General.

(c)

The Liquidator of the Company is Sterling (Bahamas) Limited of 2nd Floor, Saffrey Square, Bank Lane and Bay Street, Nassau, Bahamas.

(d)

Any person having a Claim against the above name Company are required on or before the day of 2020 to send their name, address and particulars of the debt or claim to the Liquidator of the Company, or in default thereof they may be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such claim is approved.

Sterling (Bahamas) Limited Liquidator

www.bisxbahamas.com

THURSDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2020

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, KELLY EMMA PIERRE of Gladstone Road, Nassau, Bahamas intend to change my name to KELLY EMMA GRAY. If there are any objections to this change of name

by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Deputy Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX:

CLOSE

CHANGE

2089.40

-2.53

%CHANGE

YTD

YTD%

-0.12 -142.20

-6.37

(242) 323-2330 (242) 323-2320

BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 4.08 22.65 2.00 1.79 2.46 6.00 6.75 5.00 8.59 4.50 6.16 12.77 3.64 5.50 10.88 8.44 16.99 4.25 9.40 15.21

52WK LOW 3.13 20.91 0.67 1.75 1.67 5.40 5.39 2.70 5.05 3.62 5.60 11.05 2.71 3.19 9.60 7.50 13.04 3.20 8.00 13.90

PREFERENCE SHARES 1.00

1.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1.00 10.00 1.00

1.00 10.00 0.90

SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Benchmark Bahamas First Holdings Limited Bank of Bahamas Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Cable Bahamas Commonwealth Brewery Commonwealth Bank Colina Holdings CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Emera Incorporated Famguard Fidelity Bank Focol Finco J. S. Johnson

SYMBOL AML APD BBL BFH BOB BPF BWL CAB CBB CBL CHL CIB CWCB DHS EMAB FAM FBB FCL FIN JSJ

Bahamas First Holdings Preference Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 8 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Cable Bahamas Series 10 Colina Holdings Class A Fidelity Bank Class A Focol Class B

BFHP CAB6 CAB8 CAB9 CAB10 CHLA FBBA FCLB

CORPORATE DEBT - (percentage pricing) 52WK HI 100.00 100.00

52WK LOW 100.00 100.00

115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 102.00

104.79 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

52WK HI 2.34 4.41 2.12 198.39 168.29 1.69 1.85 1.77 1.24 8.34 10.26 7.08 12.15 12.71 10.81 10.00 8.98 11.79

52WK LOW 2.11 3.30 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.64 1.79 1.73 1.06 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57 9.88 8.45 11.20

SECURITY Fidelity Bank Note 22 (Series B) + Bahamas First Holdings Limited

SYMBOL FBB22 BFHB

BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing)

MUTUAL FUNDS

MARKET TERMS

Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2015-1-3Y BGS: 2014-12-5Y BGS: 2015-1-5Y BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-3Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y BGS: 2015-10-3Y BGS: 2015-10-7Y

BAH29 BG0203 BG0105 BG0205 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0303 BG0307 BG0330 BG0403 BG0407

LAST CLOSE 3.70 17.43 1.62 1.75 1.67 5.50 6.75 3.00 5.10 3.75 6.10 11.26 2.25 5.50 10.02 8.44 14.30 3.97 8.97 15.20

CLOSE 3.70 17.43 1.62 1.75 1.67 6.00 6.75 3.00 5.10 3.75 6.10 11.26 2.26 5.50 10.04 8.44 14.30 3.90 8.97 15.20

1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 0.95

1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 0.95

LAST SALE 100.00 100.00

CLOSE 100.00 100.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund Leno Preferred Income Fund Leno Growth Fund Leno Diversified Fund Leno Global USD Bond Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Equities Sub Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - High Yield Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Alternative Strategies Fund Colonial Bahamas Fund Class D Colonial Bahamas Fund Class E Colonial Bahamas Fund Class F

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00 52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks 52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume Change - Change in closing price from day to day Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.50 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.01 0.00 0.02 0.00 0.00 (0.07) 0.00 0.00

VOLUME 550

1,000

10,500

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

EPS$ 0.239 0.932 0.000 0.000 0.070 1.760 0.369 -0.438 0.140 0.184 0.449 0.722 0.102 0.467 0.646 0.728 0.816 0.203 0.939 0.631 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

VOLUME

NAV 2.34 4.41 2.12 196.40 163.60 1.68 1.81 1.76 1.07 8.30 9.90 7.08 11.27 12.71 10.23 N/A 8.93 11.27

DIV$ 0.170 1.260 0.020 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.260 0.000 0.000 0.120 0.220 0.720 0.434 0.060 0.328 0.240 0.540 0.120 0.200 0.610 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

P/E 15.5 18.7 N/M N/M N/M N/M 18.3 -6.8 36.4 20.4 13.6 15.6 22.2 11.8 15.5 11.6 17.5 19.2 9.6 24.1

YIELD 4.59% 7.23% 1.23% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 3.85% 0.00% 0.00% 3.20% 3.61% 6.39% 19.20% 1.09% 3.27% 2.84% 3.78% 3.08% 2.23% 4.01%

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%

INTEREST Prime + 1.75% 6.25%

19-Oct-2022 30-Sep-2025

6.95% 4.00% 4.25% 4.25% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.00% 4.50% 6.25% 3.50% 4.25%

20-Nov-2029 30-Jul-2018 16-Dec-2019 30-Jul-2020 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2018 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2018 15-Oct-2022

YTD% 12 MTH% 2.54% 4.13% 1.12% 2.44% 1.38% 2.55% 0.65% 2.50% -1.88% 3.33% 1.10% 2.34% -2.43% 1.49% 0.34% 2.43% -11.07% -9.92% -0.45% 8.36% -3.20% 11.46% 2.10% 5.15% -6.17% 3.54% 2.92% 5.55% -4.66% -3.81% N/A N/A -4.20% 0.20% -8.60% -2.90%

MATURITY

NAV Date

31-Jul-2020 31-Jul-2020 31-Jul-2020 30-Jun-2020 30-Jun-2020 31-Jul-2020 31-Jul-2020 31-Jul-2020 31-Jul-2020 31-May-2020 31-May-2020 31-May-2020 31-May-2020 31-May-2020 31-May-2020 30-Jun-2020 30-Jun-2020 30-Jun-2020

YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths NAV - Net Asset Value N/M - Not Meaningful

TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | COLONIAL 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225 | BENCHMARK 242-326-7333

PAGE 20, Friday, September 18, 2020

Planning reforms to ‘beat developer expectations’ FROM PAGE 24 throughout the COVID-19 lockdowns and social distancing. We have persons that receive approvals in hours or, on average, three days or less,” he continued.

“If you look for an example of how the Department of Physical Planning and Town Planning Committee are proving their intent, and continuing efforts to expedite the process, that is one.

Others will be coming.

“We’re working with all developers in this country to ensure the direction at the Town Planning Committee level, at the Department of Physical Planning level, and at the Ministry of Works level is the direction of improvement. That’s the course we’re on. That’s where our compass is set, and where we are already headed.”

Mr White hit back after Franon Wilson, in a recent Tribune Business interview, charged that the developer’s “frustration level is super high” over planning “bottlenecks” that present “a recipe for disaster” in efforts to revive the Bahamian

domestic economy.

He added that two of its housing developments involving a combined 50 lots had spent months before the planning authority awaiting approval with more applications set to be presented imminently.

Arguing that the COVID19 pandemic has “shone a bright light” on the understaffed and resourced planning departments, Mr Wilson urged the government to rapidly rethink and speed up all real estaterelated processes with the aim of expediting viable projects and taking Bahamians off the National Insurance Board (NIB) line.

And, acknowledging that these processes were “already not the fastest in the world” before the pandemic struck, he added that the present situation is “the opposite of what we need as a country at this time” given The Bahamas’ desperate need to reboot the economy and put persons back to work.

Mr White, in response, said there were potential “bottlenecks involved in every process” for permitting and approvals, but he argued that this should only be the focus if no efforts were made to strive for improvement.

He added that all parties

THE TRIBUNE involved, including applicants, regulators and those with an interest in specific planning applications, needed to work together “to make the approvals process as efficient as possible and ensure that every applicant is aware of what is required”.

“As chairman of the Town Planning Committee I can honestly say there is not an application before us that has not heard back from us and been updated even during the most extensive period of the lockdown,” Mr White added.

The Town Planning chair said further public education was needed to ensure developer applicants provided all necessary information, and met the required criteria, at the time their proposals were submitted to the Department of Physical Planning. That agency reviews submissions for legal and technical compliance before forwarding ones considered complete to Mr White’s committee for final approval.

“It’s not just a matter, in some instances, of what we would expect from first-time applicants,” Mr White said.

“There is a bit of wiggle room and manoevering that appears to happen. I’ve seen one instance where the developer submitted, and I don’t fault the developer

for trying to get the most out of the application that they can having put themselves forward to make the investment, but we do find developers submit applications that don’t meet the criteria.

“Instead of being simple corrections at each stage of the process, there are hearings that have to occur before Town Planning and some of the public hearings. It’s a problem that can be overcome with the right focus and objectives by those overseeing administration at the Department of Physical Planning.”

Acknowledging the importance of rapid development approvals in unleashing construction and other jobs amid COVID-19, Mr White added: “It’s more important than ever. Government should always be attentive to the administration of applications in the development industry, in the construction industry. Everyone now appreciates it a bit more. It’s vital to improve in this period. It’s key, maybe more so than ever before.”

YOUR

CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING NOTICE Notice is hereby given that the Annual General Meeting of Benchmark (Bahamas) Ltd. will be held via teleconference on September 30th, 2020 at 6:30pm.

To join the AGM, you would be required to dial (242) 603-0000 and input Participant Code/Pin 426473.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, September 18, 2020, PAGE 21

COVID lockdown’s $1bn tourism blow

FROM PAGE 24

weekend, the huge reversal from 2019’s year-over-year position is not surprising.

Tourism only gradually reopened in certain niche markets on June 15, with the Central Bank report for the first time giving an insight into how much ground The Bahamas has to make up economically.

And government borrowing to prop up the economy, cover its fiscal holes and boost the external reserves was also responsible for The Bahamas’ capital and financial account surplus for the 2020 second quarter more than doubling to $473.3m as opposed to $167.8m in the prior year.

The Central Bank confirmed this was “attributed to a surge in debt-financed inflows to $438.7m from $87.3m in the prior year.

Specifically, COVID-19 and hurricane-related government external borrowings, including a $250m rapid financing instrument proceed from the IMF, contributed to net public sector

receipts of $286.2m, following a net payment of $11m in the preceding year”.

The tourism and economic shutdown also resulted in The Bahamas’ merchandise trade deficit, which measures by how much this nation imports more physical goods than it exports, shrinking by $175.6m or 28.1 percent to $449.5m for the 2020 second quarter compared to the prior year.

“The $391.5m (57.7 percent) reduction in imports to $511.8m outstripped the $215.9m fall-off in exports to $61.9m,” the Central Bank said. “A further breakdown of trade flows showed that net nonoil merchandise imports declined by $102.9m (21.2 percent) to $382.4m, while net payments for fuel purchases fell by $98.8m (49.5 percent) to $100.9m.”

The Central Bank’s report also proved helpful in revealing that some $534m, or some two-thirds (67.8 percent) of the government’s $788.1m full-year deficit for the 2019-2020

fiscal year, was incurred in then final quarter of that period as revenues plummeted amid COVID-19 while spending ramped up to cope with the fall-out from that and Hurricane Dorian.

The government’s most recent “fiscal snapshot”, covering the April to endJune period, largely focused on the full-year performance and did not break out the fiscal fourth quarter figures that contained the majority of the ‘red ink’.

“Provisional data on the government’s budgetary operations for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 20192020 revealed that the deficit increased to $534m from $79.3m in the comparative fiscal year 2018-2019 period,” the Central Bank report added.

“Contributing to this outturn were revenue losses and higher outlays for health and social welfare related to COVID-19, along with a rise in spending for post-hurricane reconstruction works. Specifically, total revenue reduced by

$406.7m (55.2 percent) to $330.5m, while aggregate expenditure rose by $48m (5.9 percent) to $864.4m.

“Tax revenue, which constituted 90 percent of total receipts, contracted by $379.5m (56.1 percent) to $297.4m. Specifically, underpinned by revenue losses from Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic, VAT collections—at a dominant 41.9 percent of total receipts—reduced notably by $169.2m (55 percent) to $138.5m.”

The government was forced to undertake some $300m in external foreign currency borrowings to fill the fiscal and external reserves holes, the majority of which was obtained from the $250m IMF facility.

“The direct charge on the government grew by $300m (3.8 percent) over the previous three-month period, and by $664.2m (8.8 percent) year-on-year to $8.191bn,” the Central Bank said of the consequences for the national debt.

“The government’s contingent liabilities were lower

by $3m (0.4 percent) over the previous quarter of 2020, and by $21.6m (three percent) on an annual basis to $714.8m. As a result of these developments, the national debt - inclusive of contingent liabilities - grew by $296.9m (3.4 percent) over the three-month period to $8.906bn and by $642.6m (7.8 percent) relative to June 2019.

“As a ratio to GDP, the direct charge rose by an estimated 12.7 basis points on a yearly basis to 68.1 percent at end-June. In addition, the national debt-to-GDP ratio increased to an estimated 74 percent, compared to 60.9 percent in the same quarter of 2019.”

The magnitude of that more than-13 percentage point increase has once again propelled The Bahamas beyond the 70 percent debt-to-GDP threshold that is regarded as a ‘danger zone’ where a country’s debt repayments could increase sharply and result in a rapid downward spiral.

As for the government’s foreign currency debt, this

hit $3.789bn at end-June as a result of its latest borrowing forays. “On an annual basis, obligations advanced by $348.7m (10.1 percent),” the Central Bank added.

“In terms of the components, the government’s outstanding liabilities - which accounted for 77.9 percent of the total - increased by $297.2m (11.2 percent ) to $2.951bn on a quarterly basis. In contrast, the public corporations’ debt stock fell by $8.8m (one percent) to $838m.”

“Elsewhere, the Central Bank reported that incoming private investment flows fell by $48.7m yearover-year to hit $40.3m.

“In particular, net equity investment inflows declined by $17.3m (65.3 percent) to $9.2m, while net receipts from land sales fell by half to $31m.

“However, migrants’ net transfers abroad decreased by $2.8m (41.9 percent) to $3.8m, while net outward portfolio investments related to the Bahamas Depository Receipt (BDR) stabilised at $2m.”

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

Govt staff must understand ‘urgency of entrepreneurs’

FROM PAGE 24

this time need to be getting quicker and more efficient service.”

Ms McKinney said this would make the process “less stressful for entrepreneurs”, as she urged government workers to see the private sector and its requirements as a benefit rather than “a burden”.

“I can speak to this personally,” she added. “There are persons in government agencies that need to understand the urgency of entrepreneurs.”

Quinn Russell, cofounder and marketing director of Louis & Steen’s New Orleans Coffeehouse, told the webinar he was “in the middle of construction” as part of an expansion to another location. He called on the Government to provide entrepreneurs such as himself, who were growing their businesses and creating jobs, with VAT and duty breaks equivalent to their foreign investor counterparts.

Meanwhile, Brandon Kemp, co-founder of Tin Ferl, the pop-up market based in the grounds of the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts on Mackey Street, urged Bahamians to “go back to the basics” of honesty, hard work and authenticity. He argued that “we lack these

characteristics” at many levels of Bahamian society.

Mr Kemp added that Bahamian entrepreneurs generally “spend so much time working around the system and trying to make it work for us”, with processes that “could operate smoothly” when it came to obtaining permits and approvals failing to do so.

He was especially critical of Bahamian banks when it came to processes and technology, even though their affiliates in other countries

had already embraced such reforms.

Ms McKinney said Bahamian entrepreneurs also too often shied away from joint venture partnerships and allowing outside investors to inject capital.

Too many, she added, are guilty of “jumping straight in” without properly planning their businesses, or “give up” at the first sign of trouble. Unrealistic financial projections and lack of organisation were other common problems.

PAGE 22, Friday, September 18, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Scotiabank pledges new digital upgrades SCOTIABANK (Bahamas) is pledging to continue the multi-million dollar investments it has made during the COVID19 pandemic in new technologies designed to enhance customer convenience.

Roger Archer, its managing director, said in a statement that the investments in Scotiabank’s mobile app and online

banking platforms were aimed at minimising disruptions and enhancing the service provided to customers.

“We are very mindful that customers are looking for greater convenience and safety, and we will continue to roll out new, exciting initiatives that will help to satisfy these needs,” he added.

Scotiabank customers

can use the mobile app to control card usage and limit transaction amounts.

“We are also strongly urging our customers to sign up for Scotia Alerts, which provide e-mail notifications for transactions initiated on their account.

This is a very important tool that customers can use to mitigate any unauthorised activity in real time,” Mr Archer explained.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

Disclosing that Scotiabank (Bahamas) plans to add further digital banking features before end-2020, Mr Archer added that its Intelligent Deposit Machine replacement programme aims to replace 50 percent of existing automated banking machines (ABMs) over the next 12 months.

He said the initiative has significantly expanded

the range of self-service banking options available to customers, and offers direct credit card payments; real time credit for cash deposits; itemised receipts which list the number and denomination of bills deposited at the IDM; and images of deposited cheques and transfers to local currency accounts.

Scotiabank added that

customers can also access their paperless retail statements on its online banking platform or mobile banking app.

To assist customers with the transition to digital banking, Scotiabank said it will continue its education programme and target those who need extra help in navigating its electronic banking channels.

‘No major concerns’ on Morton Salt sale FROM PAGE 24 the family of hedge fund billionaire James Simons, which has partnered with US salt producer, Kissner.

Rivals were reported as including private equity firms Advent International, American Securities and Cerberus Capital Management.

Private equity or buyout firms, which typically seek to restructure corporate acquisitions as they seek returns in the 20-30 percent range, often have little love for trade unions. And any Morton Salt sale will, like deals involving CIBC FirstCaribbean and Grand Bahama Power Company, be concluded outside The Bahamas at the regional/ global level.

This makes it very hard for the Bahamian government to influence the sale and its terms beyond requiring the buyer to adhere to this country’s laws. Transactions involving local subsidiaries of multinationals, negotiated and sealed outside The Bahamas, are thus often presented as an

MORTON Salt facilities on Inagua. effective fait accompli to regulators and approving agencies such as the Investments Board.

The buyer’s plans and intentions will also be critical to the future of Inagua and its economy given that, much like San Salvador and Club Med, Morton Salt is the engine upon which the island is almost totally dependent for jobs and activity.

Obie Ferguson, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) president, head of the umbrella body to which the Morton Salt workers belong, said they were seeking more information on the sale and how it might impact the workforce.

He added that it will be critical for any buyer to honour the industrial

agreement signed between the union and company last year, and to also comply with any terms and protocols imposed by the government.

“I think they are concerned,” Mr Ferguson said of Morton Salt staff. “It appears as if there’s going to be a sale. The new owner will come in and take over, and be governed by the collective agreement. I don’t think there should be a major problem or have to much of an impact on the workers.

“Inagua has the best salt in the region, and it’s quality salt, so the materials are in place, and if the workers continue to do what has to be done to maintain the quality of the product, I think they’ll be OK.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, September 18, 2020, PAGE 23

Taking the right ‘tact’ on business communication

C

OMMUNICATION is a critical art form in business.

Whether written, verbal, non-verbal or gestures, we rely on our learnt skills to engage, and send and receive messages and information in the course of doing business.

There are often breakdowns in communication.

Effective communication for all in the workforce is the goal. Under

normal circumstances, we seem to fare fairly well. In more tense environments, or when messages are more difficult to articulate, we seem to fumble.

Tact, then, becomes crucial as a competence for employees and leaders in moments of great difficulty Tact is the ability to tell the truth in a way that considers other people’s feelings and reactions. It allows you to give difficult feedback,

communicate sensitive information, and say the right thing to preserve a relationship.

Tact encompasses many things, including emotional intelligence, respect, discretion, self-awareness, thoughtfulness, compassion, subtlety, honesty, diplomacy and courtesy.

Exercising tact is important when you have to deliver bad news or provide critical feedback, whether in

Battle 4 Atlantis move confirmed

ATLANTIS PARADISE ISLAND ATLANTIS yesterday confirmed what had become an open secret in blaming COVID-19 travel restrictions for the decision not to host this year’s Battle 4 Atlantis college basketball tournament.

The Paradise Island mega resort, in a statement, said 2020 will see a “temporary hiatus” of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) event that was due, for the first time, to stage separate men’s and women’s competitions.

“We have made the difficult decision to put on hiatus this year’s Battle 4 Atlantis basketball tournaments.

Unfortunately, some of the limitations on international travel due to COVID-19 led us to this decision. We are excited to resume the Battle 4 Atlantis Women’s and Men’s NCAA basketball tournaments in November 2021,” said Audrey Oswell, Atlantis president and managing director.

Battle 4 Atlantis made its debut in 2010, and had been held for nine consecutive years prior to COVID-19’s interruption. Atlantis said it plans to resume the tournaments in 2021.

The move confirms recent reporting by US sports reporters, who said the 2020 tournaments were to be held at an alternative venue in the US. This year’s men’s version, which was supposed to be held

from November 25-27 in Atlantis’ Imperial Arena, will feature Utah, Duke, Creighton, Ohio State, West Virginia, Memphis, Wichita State and Texas A&M. The inaugural women’s tournament is set to showcase Marquette; Minnesota; Oklahoma; Oregon; South Carolina; South Florida; Syracuse; and Central Michigan. One Atlantis insider, speaking on condition of anonymity earlier this week, described the tournament’s move as “a big loss”. “That’s huge,” they said. “It’s a great thing for Atlantis; advertising, publicity and business.”

Battle 4 Atlantis has been used by the mega resort for the better part of a decade to help kickstart the Thanksgiving holiday weekend that traditionally signals the start of the peak winter tourism season.

The college teams and their fans boost occupancies and other revenue streams at Atlantis, which also benefits from the TV coverage and resulting publicity with millions of potential visitors.

George Markantonis, Atlantis former president and managing director, said in 2014 that the tournament would result in 100 percent occupancy at the Paradise Island resort over the key Thanksgiving holiday. He added that it also helped counter the effects of high air fares, which peak over

the Thanksgiving weekend in the US due to travel demand.

And, the previous year, Mr Markantonis said: “In 2012, that tournament generated advertising value of $9.2m and publicity value of $27.6m. We expect it to be at least the same this year.

A lot of this comes from the live TV coverage of all the games across North America, and also print media across the US, including all major news outlets.”

However, the move comes as little surprise in the COVID-19 environment. The National Basketball Association (NBA) has been forced to complete its season without fans in the so-called Orlando “bubble”, making it unlikely that any of the eight college teams would seek to bring their supporters to The Bahamas given the health and safety risks.

And the logistics of such an undertaking, as well as The Bahamas’ own COVID-19 restrictions such as the 14-day quarantine and negative COVID-19 PCR test, represented further obstacles to holding Battle 4 Atlantis here in 2020.

Atlantis last week said it was still “evaluating” when to re-open as it assesses COVID-19 infection rates in major US source markets such as Florida, New York and Texas, as well as here in The Bahamas.

a personal or professional situation. Communicating tactfully also strengthens your reputation and builds your credibility. It allows you to preserve existing relationships and build new ones.

A tactful approach shows character, maturity, professionalism and integrity.

Additionally, tact demonstrates good manners. If you can communicate with grace and consideration, you will stand out from the crowd

and you will get noticed for the right reasons. This can lead to career opportunities.

Finally, tact can help you to avoid conflict, find common ground, and allow others to save face. It can, therefore, be an important asset in negotiations and conflict resolution.

One note of caution is that tact is strongly influenced by culture. That means that what might be seen as open, fair feedback in some cultures could be viewed as profoundly rude in others, while a message from a manager from a tactful culture may be seen as weak – or missed entirely – by a team member from a more forthright one.

NB: Ian R Ferguson is a talent management and organisational development consultant, having completed graduate studies with regional and international universities. He has

IAN FERGUSON BY

served organsations, both locally and globally, providing relevant solutions to their business growth and development issues. He may be contacted at tcconsultants@coralwave.com.

business@tribunemedia.net

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2020

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COVID lockdown’s $1bn tourism blow

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

T

HE Bahamas lost around $1bn in tourism earnings at the COVID19 lockdown’s peak as this nation became a “net payer” for travel-related services for likely the first time in its history.

The Central Bank of The Bahamas’ report for the 2020 second quarter, which covers the three months that took the brunt of the government’s pandemic restrictions, lays bare the extent of the economic and

• Bahamas ‘net travel consumer’ for first time in history • Two-thirds of fiscal deficit incurred in last 19-20 quarter • National debt near $9bn at end-June as ratios soar

tourism-related devastation that was inflicted by revealing that this nation spent $3.5m more on travel during this period than it took in.

This represented a $980m negative swing compared to the same quarter in 2019, when The Bahamas earned almost $1bn in travel and tourism-related receipts to expose the full extent of the income and foreign exchange earnings lost

during COVID-19’s initial months.

Referring to The Bahamas’ current account, which measures both this nation’s trade in physical goods and services, the Central Bank revealed: “The services account position reversed to an estimated deficit of $251.4m from a surplus of $723.2m in the prior year.

“In particularly, net travel - the largest segment of the

services account - recorded a net payment of $3.5m, vis-à-vis a net receipt of $976.5m in 2019, primarily reflecting the pause in tourism activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Given the tourism industry’s near-total shutdown for the three months from April to end-June, which included the peak Easter holiday

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Planning reforms to ‘beat developer expectations’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Town Planning Committee’s chair has pledged to “exceed the expectations” of developers in streamlining the approvals process, adding: “Our compass is set on improvement.”

Attorney Adrian White, pictured, responding to concerns that developers are being “frustrated” by planning process “bottlenecks”, told Tribune Business that the committee was now turning around business licence-related applications “within hours” in some cases after electing to meet on a weekly basis from the beginning of 2020.

Pointing to the rapid approvals and increased meeting frequency, compared to the committee’s

• Committee chair: ‘Compass set on improvement’ • Some applications turned around ‘within hours’ • Problems caused by non-compliant proposals

previous bi-weekly schedule, as one sign of its eagerness to promote reforms that speed-up the permitting system and make it more efficient, Mr White promised that further upgrades will be coming although he declined to

detail them when pressed by this newspaper.

He acknowledged that the economic devastation inflicted by the COVID-19 pandemic made it “more important than ever before” that the committee and other planning agencies, namely the Department of Physical Planning and Ministry of Works, expedite approvals for bona fide projects as rapidly as possible to get construction and related professions moving.

Asked how the proposed changes will improve the approvals process, Mr White replied in a recent interview: “I would expect that when everything is settled it will

be shortened by a period that exceeds the expectations of those involved in the development industry.

“I’m anticipating people in the industry will be pleased and satisfied with the work that’s been executed in a short period of time. We started meeting weekly at the beginning of this year. That was because there were business licence applications that were coming in through the Department of Physical Planning on a weekly basis.

“On the business licence side, Physical Planning has been accepting applications

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‘No major concerns’ on Morton Salt sale

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

MORTON Salt workers yesterday said they presently have “no major concerns” over the company’s impending sale so long as the buyer honours their industrial agreement and “treats us fairly”.

Jennifer Brown, president of the Bahamas Industrial Manufacturers & Allied Workers Union (BIMAWU), which represent more than 100 of the salt harvester’s line staff, told Tribune Business that changes of ownership had become “the norm” during her 35-year career there.

With herself and other workers having become used to this situation, she suggested the Bahamian subsidiary’s future prospects remain strong given salt’s multiple uses - something that ensured Morton Salt was treated as an “essential service” and remained open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This has been going on for 30 years,” Ms Brown said of the decision by present owner, Germanheadquartered K + S, to seek a buyer for the Inagua plant and all Morton Salt’s worldwide assets. “We are not upset about it. We just hope whoever purchases will treat the employees fairly. That’s the only fear: The treatment.

“When they sell it really doesn’t affect us that much.

We don’t have any major concerns right now. For us this is the norm. I’ve been with the company for 35 years, and it has been sold four times’. Some workers are hoping it will be sold because of the treatment experienced last year before we got the contract signed.

“With a new company comes changes. For the past couple of months they’ve [Morton Salt’s Inagua management] have been trying

OBIE FERGUSON to keep the budget low and cut back on overtime and expenses. The only concern we really have is when it’s purchased. Whoever purchases it will likely keep the Morton Salt name along with their own.”

With global demand for salt remaining strong, and undiminished by the pandemic, Ms Brown argued that the linchpin of Inagua’s economy should be attractive for any buyer. “Salt will always sell,” she told this newspaper. “They use salt for so many things.

“Even during the pandemic they needed salt to make the saline solution for hospital drips. They always need salt, which was why we were working during that pandemic.”

Ms Brown spoke out after international media reports confirmed that K + S had been forced to put the global Morton Salt business, said to be valued at $2bn, up for sale to reduce soaring debt that resulted from its investment in a Canadian mine.

The German company is aiming to complete the sale, which includes the Inagua business, by year-end 2020 with the process said to have entered the second round of bidding. Reuters reported on August 20 that the field which has qualified for the second round is dominated

by US private equity firms.

One contender was said to feature Meritage Group LP, the investment firm for

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Work visa not planned as true ‘needle mover’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Economic Recovery Committee’s co-chair yesterday said the proposed work/study visa was “never intended to be a needle mover” that would replace lost multi-billion tourism earnings.

Marlon Johnson, who is also the Ministry of Finance’s acting financial secretary, told Tribune Business that the visa plan was put forward as an advance recommendation because it was “time sensitive” given the need to put enabling

MARLON JOHNSON infrastructure in place prior to The Bahamas’ borders re-opening to international commercial travel.

Speaking after Rupert Pinder, an economist who lectures at the University of

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Govt staff must understand ‘urgency of entrepreneurs’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net GOVERNMENT employees must be “made to understand the urgency of entrepreneurs” to obtain essential permits and approvals, a Bahamian businesswoman argued yesterday.

Santina McKinney, Mediabox Bahamas co-founder and chief executive, told a webinar organised by the TCL Group that staff at public sector agencies need to be “trained and sensitised” to the importance of expediting approvals for

bona fide projects and ventures given the economic devastation inflicted by COVID-19.

“In our specific market the government does have concessions for small business owners, but quite often for lack of a better term it’s a run around,” she explained. “A paper that takes a day to finish takes two to three weeks to process.

“It’s actually the line workers, the workers in the government agencies, that need to be trained and sensitised that entrepreneurs at

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