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VOLUME:117 No.205, SEPTEMBER 21ST, 2020
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SPORTS: JAZZ CHISHOLM AIMS FOR THE PLAYOFFS PAGES BAHAMAS IS STILL KEY IN CARNIVAL’S OPERATIONS
BOY FATALLY HIT BY CROSSFIRE BULLET Youngster killed as police probe two women’s murders A CHILD was shot dead in Nassau Village last night after a gunman opened fire outside a residence, police said. The killing came after a woman’s body was found in an abandoned building on Dowdeswell Street yesterday morning and another woman was found washed ashore on a beach in Eleuthera on Saturday. Police say they suspect foul play in those incidents. Police said Sunday’s shooting took place shortly before 9pm at Alexandria Blvd, when police received a report of gunshots being fired. “Officers responded, and on their arrival, they
met the body of a juvenile male lying face down with apparent wounds to the body,” ASP Audley Peters told reporters at the scene. “Information is that a blue vehicle approached a residence and an occupant opened fire on the persons that were gathered in front of this residence, resulting in the juvenile being hit. “Based on the information that we’re receiving, we believe that the child was indeed caught in the cross-fire.” ASP Peters said the child is between the age of six and ten. SEE PAGE THREE
COMMISSIONER of the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services Charles Murphy said yesterday he has no reports of confirmed COVID-19 cases at the prison, as he hit out at concerns from correctional officers about their safety at the facility. Mr Murphy also said correctional officers should not be speaking about the conditions at the prison outside of the proper authority and
this could result in job loss. This came after The Tribune was contacted by several correctional officers who raised fears of contracting the virus while at work. They said they were told that to come forward publicly would result in termination. Speaking on the condition of anonymity, these officers described the situation as a “crisis”, insisting their concerns - while reported to superiors - have fallen on deaf ears. SEE PAGE THREE
TWO new Carnival Cruise Line ships will call on The Bahamas over the next two years, company officials have told The Tribune. CCL stressed this destination will continue to be an important vacation hotspot for guests, adding The Bahamas is also an important business partner for the company. The cruise line released a statement over the weekend after The Tribune inquired about news reports circulating that it was cancelling some voyages due to financial fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, it was reported that four ships — Carnival Magic, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Valor, and Carnival Spirit —are all delaying voyages until between March and May 2021. SEE PAGE FIVE
FIVE INJURED IN NEW RBDF GROUNDING
PRISON BOSS WARNS STAFF - DON’T TAKE ISSUES PUBLIC By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
KEVA CASH, pictured left, was found washed ashore on a beach in Eleuthera over the weekend. Her sister said the family was shocked - and that they feared Keva had been raped, beaten and drowned. The family is mourning Keva, who was described as having “an adult body with a mind of a two or three-year-old”. See page three for the full story.
JUDGE ORDERS NEW WATER UNION BALLOT By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Water & Sewerage Corporation’s line staff union must hold a new election after the Supreme Court found “the overall fairness” and integrity of the first leadership ballot was “called into question”. Justice Ian Winder, in a September 16 ruling, agreed with John Pinder, director of labour, that Dwayne
DWAYNE WOODS Woods, the Bahamas Utilities Services & Allied Workers Union president, had “interfered with, and called into question the
integrity”, of the June 30, 2020, vote to elect new officers for the union. Mr Woods and his team were said at the time to have won a resounding victory, but Justice Winder upheld Mr Pinder’s decision - in his dual capacity as registrar of trade unions - not to certify the election as compliant with the Industrial Relations Act after two major irregularities were brought to his attention. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
FIVE Royal Bahamas Defence Force officers were airlifted to New Providence over the weekend following the grounding of their vessel, the HMBS Cascarilla, near Ragged Island last week. In a press statement on Saturday, the RBDF said the incident occurred while officers were patrolling the southeastern region of the archipelago last Friday. “As a precautionary measure, two crew members were airlifted to the capital through the assistance of the United States Coast Guard helo (helicopter) this morning to receive medical attention and are both in stable condition,” the statement read. “Additionally, a medical team was flown in aboard a defence force aircraft to assess and monitor the condition of the remaining crew members.” SEE PAGE FOUR
Insight IT IS TIME PEOPLE GREW UP AND FACED THIS CRISIS
SEE PAGE EIGHT
PAGE 2, Monday, September 21, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
WOMAN SAVED FROM ATTEMPTED SUICIDE A WOMAN was saved from taking her own life in Grand Bahama on Saturday. This is the second attempted suicide in Grand Bahama in less than a week, and the third reported attempted suicide in the country this month. According to a police report, shortly before 9pm Saturday, officers on patrol in the Williams Town area were alerted that a woman was found in the sea, who was attempting to kill herself. Family members, bystanders and officers assisted in this matter. Paramedics were called to the scene and transported the woman to Rand Memorial Hospital, where she is under a doctor’s care, police said. Last Thursday, police said a 29-year-old Grand Bahama man was in hospital following an suspected attempted suicide incident at Eight Mile Rock. Superintendent Terecita Pinder reported that shortly after midnight on September 17, 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. Supt Pinder said EMS took the victim to the Rand Memorial Hospital for medical attention. On September 4, police in Nassau said a concerned citizen rescued a man from his car after he drove off Montagu Ramp into waters below in an attempted suicide. The startling scene took place shortly after 3pm that Friday. And on Sunday August 30, a 23-year-old man was found hanged in his Eight Mile Rock, Grand Bahama home. At the time, police said they were awaiting an official report from a pathologist to determine cause of death, but the matter was being investigated as an alleged suicide. The deceased in that matter has been identified as Malik Higgs, a welder. Earlier this month, the Pan American Health Organisation warned that the COVID-19 pandemic may exacerbate suicide risk factors, urging people to speak about the issue in an open and responsible manner, remain connected even during physical distancing, and learn to identify warning signs to prevent it. If you are in distress, you can contact the Red Cross’ hotline at 828-4121.
TEAMING UP TO HELP COMMUNITY MEMBER of Parliament for Bain and Grants Town Travis Robinson teamed up with local beverage company Limeade and the Munroe Foundation on Saturday to hand out food and drinks to his constituents. The “Community Cares” event was held at the Fellowship Word and Disciple Centre. Food and gallons of Limeade were distributed
to the people living in the Bain and Grants Town. “A small gesture can make a big difference, we’re just doing our part to make someone’s day a little brighter,” said Joshua Miller, owner of Limeade. According to a press release, Mr Robinson and his team went door-to-door distributing coupons that were redeemed on Saturday to collect the items.
MAN IN HOSPITAL AFTER STABBING
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A GRAND Bahama man is in hospital after he was stabbed on Saturday, police said. The incident took place shortly before 9pm when a group of men at Port Lucaya had an altercation. During the fight, one man was stabbed to the hand and upper arm. He was taken to Rand Memorial Hospital, where he is listed in serious condition, however police said his injuries are not
life threatening. A male was later arrested who is assisting police with this investigation. Meanwhile, Bimini police are investigating a shooting that left a man with injuries. Shortly before 11pm on Saturday, police were called to the Bimini clinic where a man reported that while he was at a local resort and sitting in his vehicle, he was approached by a male known to him who produced a handgun and opened fire at him. He was transported to the Bimini clinic with nonlife-threatening injuries.
FISHING TRIP ENDS IN DROWNING A MAN reportedly drowned in Long Island on Saturday during a fishing trip, police said. Sometime around 3pm, police were informed of a drowning which occurred while at sea. “A party of three, including a female and two males went out on a fishing trip on a 21-ft Sun Boat in an area near West Point,” police said. “One of the males went diving in 60 feet of water and failed to resurface. Moments later the second male dove into the water in search of the diver. “The male was able to locate the first diver and brought him to the surface in an unresponsive state.” The man’s body was brought to shore. An examination was done by the local doctor, who later pronounced the man dead. Police are investigating the incident.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, September 21, 2020, PAGE 3
Who could kill harmless Keva? By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net THE sister of the woman whose body was found washed ashore on a beach in Eleuthera over the weekend said she believed her sister was raped, beaten and drowned. According to police, on Saturday officers were called to a scene in Lower Bogue, Eleuthera, where a woman’s body was found washed up on the shoreline. Police said they suspect foul play was involved in the incident, in one of two homicides with women victims reported yesterday. A woman’s body was also found in an abandoned building on Dowdeswell Street around 6am Sunday. Her killing is also being investigated as a homicide. While officers have not released the Eleuthera victim’s identity, family members say the woman is 25-year-old Keva Cash. Yesterday, her sister, Eulena Cash, told The Tribune the family is shocked and struggling to come to terms with Keva’s death. “Her body was located at the beach in Lower Bogue,” she said. “I can’t believe she’s gone. I can’t sleep
KEVA CASH at night, I can’t eat. It just feels like I’m going crazy.” She added: “Friday night around 7.30pm she was with me, but I left her about five minutes later. I told her I had to go because I have two kids. One of them was supposed to have their birthday party on Saturday and Keva and my next sister was supposed to come. But as soon as I started setting up, I got the call to come down to the community
beach because my sister was murdered and that was it. That was the end of it.” Ms Cash said the last time she spoke to Keva, she told her she wasn’t feeling well because “something wasn’t right”. She said she believed her sister had “felt her death” and sensed that she was going to pass away soon. “I got information that she was running from someone,” Ms Cash continued. “They said someone was actually chasing her through the settlement and chased her down to the beach. “Around 7am that Saturday morning, a little boy who normally exercises at the beach every morning saw her on the northern side of the beach. When he saw the body, he ran from the beach straight home to his mother and after he told her, the mother told us. That’s how we found out it was Keva. The boy knows her because he’s from the settlement.” Ms Cash said she was not there when police retrieved the body. She said one of the other sisters who witnessed the recovery of the body told her Keva only had a bra on when the officers took her out of the water.
“She didn’t have on no with the case. clothes,” she said. “She Ms Cash said while her didn’t have on her (under- sister was “slow in certain wear) and she didn’t have ways,” she “knew who on the blue dress she had people were”. on that night I saw her. The “Keva is not like a reguonly thing she had on was lar person. She has an adult a sports bra. They couldn’t body with a mind of a two tell if she was badly beaten or three-year-old, but she because she spent the night is a person who knows who in the water and her body people are. If you do her was swollen, but they said something, she will call your her face didn’t look like her name. The problem is her face anymore.” speaking is different. She Ms Cash said can’t pronounce as far as the ‘I can’t believe words properly,” family knows, Ms Cash said. officers on the she’s gone. I “She went island had a can’t sleep at through a lot man in custody night, I can’t because she in connection couldn’t speak with the inci- eat. It just properly and dent. She said feels like I’m a lot of people police told them going crazy.’ teased her so she they are just used to be down trying to follow and out.” up on information regardYet, Ms Cash said despite ing Keva’s last whereabouts the negativity, Keva had a and the last people who saw “happy spirit”. her before she was killed. “She loved to dance and “From my understanding, sing, but most of all she the man (in police custody) just loved being around us. is from Lower Bogue, but Keva was a person if she he spent most of his life in saw you were down, she Nassau. I understand he got couldn’t just sit around and himself in some problems in watch you in a bad situaNassau and he had to run tion. “She was one of the back home…and now this happiest spirits out of all of happened,” Ms Cash said. my mother’s children.” However, police did not In a separate incident, report that they had a man police are investigating the in custody in connection circumstances surrounding
the death of another woman whose body was discovered early Sunday morning. “Preliminary reports indicate that sometime around 6am on Sunday officers from the Operation Unit were on routine patrol, when they were directed to an abandoned building situated on Dowdeswell Street,” a police report read. “On their arrival, the officers smelt a foul odour, as a result a search of the building was conducted. The officers discovered the partially decomposed body of a female in a generator room. Foul play is suspected in this matter and investigation continues.” The identity of the woman in this incident is not known. Police reported another murder last night - after a man was shot in his head in Nassau Village - pushing the country’s murder count to 50 for the year, according to this newspaper’s records. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Criminal Investigation Department at 502-9991/2, Crime stoppers at 328-TIPS (8477) or the nearest police station.
track road. Police have further said they continue to rid the streets of illegal firearms. Officers from Operation Unit, acting on information, executed a search warrant on a residence on Taylor Street, shortly after 7am Thursday. During their search, they recovered a black 12-gauge Maverick shotgun that was buried in a shallow ditch at the rear of the residence. A male was arrested in that find, but police continue to investigate. Police are also reminding the public that social gatherings are not permitted in New Providence and the opening of bars are currently prohibited.
from page one
Several children have been wounded by gunfire this year. In June, a two-year-old girl was left in critical condition after she was shot by gunmen in Eleuthera while being held in her grandmother’s arms, as the two sat on the porch of the woman’s home in Hatchet Bay. Gunmen got out of a car and opened fire, police said. Moments later, the grandmother realized the toddler, Da’Nyla Roberts, had been shot. Lorencia Simmons Walkes, ten, died on Sunday, June 7, more than a week after she was shot in the Carmichael area. The fifth grader attended Sybil Strachan Primary School.
CONVENIENCE STORE MANAGER SHOT DEAD BOY FATALLY HIT BY CROSSFIRE BULLET By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net
THE manager of Grace of God Convenience Store was shot and killed on Thursday night during a robbery of the Miami Street store. Royal Bahamas Police Force officers were notified of a shooting on Miami Street at around 7pm. When they arrived at the scene police said they were told that a man, armed with a gun, entered the convenience store and demanded cash from its manager. A struggle ensued between the store’s manager and the armed man,
resulting in the manager being shot in his head. He was transported to hospital in a private vehicle, but later died of the injury. It is understood the victim was Wadeson Augustine, aged 26. Police continue to investigate this matter. Meanwhile, police have asked for the public’s help in identifying two male suspects who police suspect are responsible for robbing a man on Thompson Lane. In that incident, the man was standing outside of his residence, around 12 noon, when he was robbed of cash and his cellphone by two masked men, one armed with a handgun. Both men got away on foot, through a
COMMISSIONER Charles Murphy inspecting officers.
He could not say where on his body the child was wounded. Asked if police suspect the shooting was gangrelated, ASP Peters said it was too early in the investigation to point to a motive. “We are in our preliminary stages at the moment so we can’t give a definite answer of what was the cause of this incident,” he said. There has been an uptick in violence in recent weeks as lockdown restrictions have eased. However, a nightly 10pm to 5am curfew remains in place. Asked if police were concerned about increased crime
Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
PRISON BOSS WARNS STAFF - DON’T TAKE ISSUES PUBLIC from page one
For the officers, reporting to work daily has become a “terrifying” task. They have also questioned how social distancing is possible in a place where there is overcrowding. Their concerns were sparked after they claimed two inmates were removed from a particular cell block and placed in quarantine, prompting suspicion from staff. The officers said there is uncertainty and fear in the prison because the staff are still made to interact with the remaining inmates who were in close proximity to the two inmates before they were moved. Responding to the claims, Commissioner Murphy said no one on his medical team has reported any inmate had tested positive for the virus. “I don’t know who communicated to you or with you in reference to coronavirus in (the) prison but I am not aware of any corona in prison at this time and the officers that they are threatened — they are fully aware that anything that relates to (the) prison is supposed to be published by the official authority and they know their job will be threatened by the Correctional Act. Any information coming out of prison (is) supposed to be issued by
the relevant authority,” he said. When told the officers said their concerns had been ignored, Mr Murphy said there are some things The Tribune ought not to “take up”. He told our reporter: “Ms Russell, Ms Russell, Ms Russell, you’re a journalist and there are some things that you ought to not take up. “The point I’m making is this: corona is a global thing. If corona in prison you think the officers have to complain to their supervisors if corona in prison? The question is who told them corona was in prison and I, as the commissioner, no one has told me that corona is in prison at this time? “… If you have a cold, that doesn’t mean you have the corona. If corona is in prison the commissioner is a responsible individual. Officers don’t have to publish that. “When corona (was) first announced in The Bahamas, the commissioner was the first department to shut down operations and put all of the necessary protocols in the place and still in place now.” Pressed further on the issue, the commissioner said it was “almost annoying” that he had been asked about whether the situation at the prison was under control. “If corona was (in the) prison do
you think the commissioner would not take the necessary steps? All of the necessary protocols were put in place the day when they announced that corona was in The Bahamas. “What officers need to be concerned about is they themselves need to be following the protocols; wear their masks, sanitize their hands, social distancing that’s what they need to be concerned (about) rather than trying to get other persons to be concerned for them,” the prison commissioner said. Back in April, inmates at BDCS claimed conditions at the facility were “desperate” as they feared not enough was being done to protect them from contracting COVID-19. Apart from alleging expired and insufficient hand sanitizers were distributed to prisoners and that no supplies were passed out to allow proper cleaning, they said in a letter that BDCS was becoming increasingly dangerous as fights were allegedly breaking out over food because rations have been cut. Commissioner Murphy said at the time that much of what was alleged in the letter was “baseless”. He outlined COVID-19 prevention measures that were implemented at the facility over a month before the claims were made.
before or after the curfew period, ASP Peters said: “We’re concerned anytime crime occurs, we are also appealing to people in the community who have information of the people who are in possession of firearms or who are in possession of contraband to assist the police in rooting them out of our communities. “We have to live in these communities and if we don’t take a positive step in ridding our communities of the individuals who are perpetrating these crimes on us, then we will continue to have incidents like these happen.” Anyone with information is asked to call 502-9991, Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS or the nearest police station.
PAGE 4, Monday, September 21, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
Munroe welcomes Sands stance By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net WAYNE Munroe, QC said yesterday Elizabeth MP Dr Duane Sands’ stance against an extension of the state of emergency is “late”, but he cannot be faulted for finally seeing that no one man should have the power to dictate what an entire country does. Last week, the former Health Minister said he will not support an extension of the state of emergency as proposed by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, insisting to The Nassau Guardian that given the number of COVID-19 cases, the country is not a “whole lot better off” as a result. He said the time has come to return the power to the people. “I think his reasoning is late coming to a view that is set out in our action,” Mr Munroe told The Tribune yesterday. “He has now come to grips with that fact that the state of emergency and how they decided to run it created a one-man gang, but mind you, it didn’t need to have been so. “The competent authority could have been the Cabinet of The Bahamas, not just one man but clearly he now sees. “It’s unfortunate that it took this long for him to see it, him having supported all of the extensions to this point, but coming late to the right conclusion there is nothing wrong with that. You cannot criticise somebody for coming late to the right conclusion.” Mr Munroe said he believed the decision on who would be the competent authority would have been made by Cabinet. “I would have thought that the Cabinet would have looked at it because there are cases that say the competent authority ought
never to be one man. “So, I would have thought that if the Cabinet determined who would be appointed the competent authority, which I would have thought should have happened because the prime minister doesn’t have executive powers like the president of the United States or the governor like the States (does). “So, I would have thought that the Cabinet would have made the decision and I couldn’t imagine how any president would sit around and determine that one man would be the competent authority. If they sat down and agreed to that, then they are more dunce than I thought. “What argument could Dr Minnis have given them for him to be the sole competent authority?” Last Thursday, Dr Sands said he didn’t see any reason why the country should continue to be managed by a single individual. His comments came a day after Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced the intention to extend the state of emergency brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic to October 31. “There is the belief that we have surrendered our responsibility and concentrated it into a single person,” Dr Sands told the local daily. “I don’t think the country is a whole lot better off because of it. As a matter of fact, with 3,000 cases, almost 90 deaths, some might say that we are certainly not better off. “So, it is time now for the legislature to assume its rightful place as one of the pillars of democracy. Let us move from a situation where all of the decision making has been vested in the hands of the competent authority for now moving into seven months and return to the appropriate
193 CASES OVER WEEKEND AND FIVE DEATHS CONFIRMED ONE hundred and ninety-three new cases of COVID-19 were reported over the weekend, while five more coronavirus deaths were confirmed, according to information from the Ministry of Health. The latest data shows 55 cases were reported on Sunday, pushing the overall count to 3,370. Of the latest cases, 51 are in New Providence, while there was one each in Grand Bahama, Abaco and Exuma. There was also one new case with its location pending. Last night, officials said two additional deaths are under investigation, pushing deaths in this category to 18. The Ministry of Health also said 101 cases were confirmed on Saturday. Of this figure, 69 were in New Providence; eight in Grand Bahama; one in Exuma and 23 cases with locations pending. Another death was also confirmed on Saturday, after a 69-year-old male of New Providence died on representation that the people voted for.” Governor General CA Smith declared a state of emergency on March 18, granting wide-ranging powers to Dr Minnis as the competent authority. The move came three days after The Bahamas confirmed its first case of COVID-19. Following this, lockdowns, curfews and other
September 18. On Saturday, officials said another death was also being investigated — a 30-year-old female of New Providence who died on September 18. Thirty-seven additional confirmed cases of COVID-19 recorded on Friday September 18. Of those cases, there were 34 in New
Providence, two in Eleuthera and one in Abaco. The Ministry of Health also confirmed four COVID-19 deaths on Friday, including two people from New Providence who died on September 17: an 81-yearold male and a 66-year-old male.
measures restricting movement were enacted. Dr Sands added that currently there was no end in sight relating to COVID-19, as he questioned whether the vested power in one man would continue indefinitely. “There is no end in sight to COVID-19,” the Elizabeth MP said. “Are we going to surrender democracy indefinitely,
or are we going to return the power to the people? We made a decision that we would vest responsibility for many things into the competent authority because there was an emergency. “Our constitution allows for that. I am not sure that our constitution allows for it to extend beyond six months. “But certainly, I don’t see
Also, two deaths which were previously under investigation were confirmed as related to COVID-19: a 62-year-old female of New Providence, who died on September 16 and a 74-year-old female of New Providence, who died on September 9. These cases pushed the official death toll to 74. anything that would suggest that this member of Parliament should vote to extend those emergency powers. And so, I would go on record to say that Elizabeth will not be supporting the extension.” The Tribune contacted several Free National Movement officials to respond to Dr Sands’ position, however they all declined to speak yesterday.
US BOOSTS NEMA DISASTER EQUIPMENT FIVE INJURED IN NEW By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) received disaster equipment and relief supplies from the United States Embassy in Nassau on Friday in a move intended to strengthen the country’s response to natural disasters. The supplies, valued at approximately $3.84m, were presented during a hand-over ceremony at the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Carol Harbour Base.. Director of NEMA Captain Stephen Russell said the move was “a demonstration” of the longstanding friendship and partnership between The Bahamas and the United States government. He said: “The United States government through its embassy here in Nassau and other US agencies for well over a decade has been collaborating with the National Emergency Management Agency and now, the Minister of Disaster Preparedness, Management
US Chargé d’Affaires John McNamara. and Reconstruction to assist with capacity building, and knowledge exchange in the areas of emergency and disaster mitigation, preparedness, relief, response and recovery. “Today’s presentation is a demonstration of a long and proven partnership, friendship and the sustainability of programmes that have endured over the years.” Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction Iram Lewis was also on hand to accept the donations presented by US Embassy Chargé
d’Affaires John McNamara and Defence Attaché Commander Kevin Self of the US Northern Command. He thanked the US government for donating the supplies, which he noted will go a “long way” in helping to both strengthen the country’s efforts and provide much needed relief to affected Bahamians. “We must continue our efforts to ensure that we do all that is possible to better prepare for any disaster and better our response capabilities,” he said. “Since the passage of Hurricane Dorian, we at the Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management & Reconstruction, the National Emergency Management Agency and Disaster Reconstruction Authority, have been working assiduously to address all aspects of the disaster management cycle, namely preparation, mitigation, response, recovery and reconstruction. “This is an ongoing work that necessitates collaboration and seven partnerships among and between local and international entities
and we welcome all to join us in this effort.” The donated items include medical rescue boats, mobile emergency shelter facilities, mobile kitchens, personal protective equipment and other relief supplies. Building materials valued at $71,000 were also donated by the United States government to help assist with the repairs of thirteen churches in Grand Bahama and Abaco that suffered damage during Hurricane Dorian and are currently being used as hurricane shelters. Captain Russell said the supplies, specifically the mobile shelters, could not have come in a timelier fashion, especially as the country is currently in its peak hurricane season. “I have heard many stories of the hope and the courage of the Bahamian people,” Mr McNamara said at Friday’s ceremony. “Our two countries are close in many more ways than one . . . The value of our strong partnership has been made plain before and after Hurricane Dorian.”
RBDF GROUNDING from page one Yesterday, Desiree Corneille, the RBDF’s public relations officer, told The Tribune three other officers were airlifted to New Providence following the medical team’s examination. In a second press release, the RBDF revealed the injuries the crew members aboard the HMBS Cascarilla received last Friday were “non-life threatening”. “Four of the five persons airlifted for medical care yesterday have been discharged,” the second release said. “One person has been admitted. She is expected to make a full recovery and is receiving medical care and remains in stable condition.” The RBDF also said the vessel did not sustain any “material damage” and “remains in operational readiness within the theatre of operations”. The statement added: “The force continues to participate in training opportunities and execute drills that allow for effective responses that preserves life and safety of its people during its diverse and varied operations. We are grateful to the public for its expressions of gratitude and concerns.” Investigations are ongoing and officials plan to launch a formal Board of Inquiry to determine the circumstances revolving around the incident. In July, the agency announced that it had convened a Board of Inquiry to assess the circumstances surrounding the groundings of two other RBDF vessels. At the time, the RBDF said the grounding of the HMBS Rolly Gray had marked the “second unfortunate incident in recent times,” which prompted the agency to launch an official investigation to “determine the events” surrounding both incidents. “The Royal Bahamas Defence Force wishes to reassure the general public that those placed in command positions are highly trained naval officers who
have graduated from international training academies and colleges with high performance standards,” the RBDF said previously. “The Royal Bahamas Defence Force has taken measures to strengthen the assessment, selection and professional development of our officers to ensure that such incidents are minimised in the immediate and future.” The RBDF said their officers would also participate in incident analysis workshops of previous mistakes to help identify “instances of human error and corrective measures” to avoid future occurrences. The statement concluded: “Service members have been encouraged by the commander (of the) defence force, Commodore Raymond King to embrace the concept of continuous improvement, training and professional development as the Royal Bahamas Defence Force transforms itself marked by the pursuit of performance excellence.” In April 2018, a clip also went viral of Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis admonishing Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Tellis Bethel, who is no longer on the force, about marines “mashing up” defence force vessels, adding that officers must “learn to navigate”. Dr Minnis’ comment came after a set of propellers on HMBS Rolly Gray were damaged that month after the boat departed Coral Harbour, the third time such an incident had taken place in a sixmonth timeframe. At the time, Commodore Bethel, through information provided to press secretary Anthony Newbold, said the commanding officers of two vessels involved in those incidents have been reassigned. It was also revealed in April 2018 that the cost of repairing HMBS Arthur Dion Hanna, which sustained damage to its port shaft and gearbox in November 2017, was $1.5m.
THE TRIBUNE
Security beefed up for Abaco residents By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
AS looting and theft concerns persist in Abaco, Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Raymond King said officials have beefed up security on the island, adding residents can expect to see a “drastic turnaround”. Residents say incidents of theft and housebreaking have been an almost daily occurrence for the island and its surrounding cays. Speaking to reporters at the RBDF Coral Harbour Base on Friday, the commodore said both the RBDF and the RBPF have beefed up manpower on the island. He added: “The strategy has changed other than we’re working more jointly, more coordinated in a cooperative manner to do what we need to do and the strategies have changed. I’ve gotten the nightly reports. The numbers have increased and when I speak about the jointness and working jointly – it has to do with sharing the resources. “I’ll give you an example, you may have one entity deficient in terms of vehicles, but if the Defence
RBDF Commodore Raymond King Force has operating vehicles, we’ll just share the resources so the fear of crime could decline and our presence can be felt. And they have done tremendous work over the last week. He added; “What may have been considered something of little or normative value let’s say pre-Dorian, it has significant value now. That is where we appreciate the stakeholders’ concerns even though the numbers may have declined. But it is the items that are being stolen and that raises concern but we’re working very closely with the RBPF. “We’re sharing our
resources. We’re working jointly and the public will see a drastic turnaround. The boots are on the ground and the presence is being felt.” Last week, National Security Minister Marvin Dames, Police Commissioner Paul Rolle and Commodore King travelled to Abaco to address concerns. The visit came after Commissioner Rolle told a local daily that crime on Abaco had decreased by 39 percent compared with last year’s statistics. The statement sparked much criticism from Abaco residents, who branded the statistics “false”, “misleading” and not an actual representation. However, Mr Dames defended the statistics, insisting the crime decline cited by Police Commissioner Paul Rolle “is quite correct”. Still, he said, officials had been revising its strategies. But some residents say nothing has changed, with thefts and housebreaking incidents still occurring regularly. “They’re saying they’re trying all these new strategies and in upcoming weeks, but ... every night for the past two weeks something has happened in regard to something
being stolen or something being broken into and they’re just sitting back,” said one resident, who wanted to remain anonymous. According to Commodore King, there are some 50 Defence Force officers currently working on Abaco. He said the police force have also increased their numbers. “Our numbers would’ve increased on the reassignment of personnel who are currently assigned in Abaco,” the commodore said. “I think the number of persons we have may be 47 persons, but this is how our numbers will increase. “Post Dorian, we had persons spread throughout central, north and south Abaco but the role and functions that they’ve performed at that time was humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and really dealing with a lot and assisting with a lot of food supplies distribution. “That has since stopped so those persons would be re-assigned as more police move in to those areas. In terms of the Defense Force, we move those persons centrally and they will assist directly addressing the issues that the public have.”
Monday, September 21, 2020, PAGE 5
TAXI DRIVERS UPSET OVER UNEMPLOYMENT DENIAL By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net MANY taxi-cab drivers on Grand Bahama have been denied the 13-week unemployment extension benefit, the president of the Grand Bahama Taxi Union has claimed. He called for an explanation from the government. A National Insurance Board representative suggested the issue an oversight, explaining officials are now identifying taxi drivers who were beneficiaries under the previous government-funded assistance programme for self-employed workers in the tourism sector in order to migrate them to the extension programme. Harold Curry, of the Grand Bahama Taxi Union, said cab drivers have been out of work for over a year since Hurricane Dorian, and many need help. “We have close to 600 cab drivers in GB, and most of them are in the tourism industry and they depend on tourists. We have 60 percent of the people in GB in the tourist industry and they are without a job,” he said on Thursday. According to Mr Curry, cab drivers had initially received an eight-week unemployment benefit of $200 per week.
He said taxi drivers had been asked to reapply for an additional 13-week benefit for $150 per week. “We need the government of The Bahamas to know that some of my drivers did not receive any unemployment benefit and for some reason, they were denied,” Mr Curry said. “A lot had reapplied, but they were denied for what reason, we don’t know. They did not let them know the reason why they were denied. So, I would like to know why they were denied.” Nicola Virgil-Rolle, director of NIB, said: “At the beginning of the programme we migrated people from the government self-employed programme, and one of the criteria for migration to the new government extension programme was to have been involved in the tourism sector as self-employed persons. And so, those who were self-employed identified as being in the tourism sector would have automatically migrated over. “We recognised that there were some who may not have identified in that category who were not identified as in the tourism sector. We are now reviewing our list to ensure that anybody who was legitimately in the tourism sector would be migrated over.”
BAHAMAS IS STILL KEY IN CARNIVAL’S OPERATIONS from page one
“Carnival Cruise Line has only announced the retirement of four ships, and those are the same four ships that were announced earlier this summer,” the statement read. “Our pause in operations is currently only through October 31, with the exception of specific ships and specific circumstances. “The Bahamas will continue to be an important destination for our guests and an important business partner for our company, and we are excited about the two new ships we will be taking over the next two years who will call frequently on The Bahamas.” While news of newer ships is welcomed, Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar said the resumption of the cruise industry still depends on the United States’ Centres for Disease Control. “It is still very much an unknown when specifically, they are going to receive approval from the CDC to resume things,” the minister said yesterday. “No one quite knows yet when that is going to happen. “Really and truly there is nothing that The Bahamas government could do. We’ll just wait and see what the CDC says in its
deliberations of the cruise industry. “I think a voluntary no sail order was in place until October 31. It’ll be certainly nothing before then. So, we will have to wait and see in this upcoming month if not the latter part of the month or sometime in October
what the decision is to continue or not to continue. “However, I am getting optimistic signs of what the outcome will be. At this point what won’t sit well with most Bahamians is the cruise companies when they resume will be very very cautious. They won’t want
to screw anything up and they don’t want anything to go wrong because they don’t want it shut down again. So, they will probably start off with a trip to a private island because they can control that. “Obviously it’s not as economically impactful
and then they will then come to Nassau, but go on pre-arranged tours only and then, phase three I guess it’ll be, allowing people to go into the general public.” Numerous reports have said Carnival will be selling at least 18 ships, which
amounts to 20 percent of the company’s fleet. Two ships, Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination — both of which launched in the 1990s — have already been sold. In July, the company sold Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration.
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
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PAGE 6, Monday, September 21, 2020
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We’ll have more questions about the prison, Mr Murphy THE prison commissioner has some cheek. He thinks it’s none of your business whether coronavirus is in the prison. The Tribune was contacted by a number of prison officers who were concerned about their safety at Fox Hill prison. But when our reporter asked the commissioner, Charles Murphy, he had the nerve to say we shouldn’t be asking the question. He told our reporter: “Ms Russell, Ms Russell, Ms Russell, you’re a journalist and there are some things that you ought not to take up.” I think we’ll make our own judgment on that, thank you very much, Mr Murphy. In fact, we would also refer you to the advice of the nation’s chief medical officer, Dr Pearl McMillan, who says that COVID-19 is a notifiable disease. Under her direction, “all cases of COVID-19 should be reported to the Ministry of Health National Disease and Surveillance Unit”. The concerns began after two inmates were moved from a cell block and put in quarantine. Staff still had to interact with the remaining inmates who had been living right next to the two inmates who were moved. When officers raised their concerns, they felt ignored. Indeed, Mr Murphy said if officers spoke about conditions at the prison they could be fired. This is not the first time Mr Murphy has dismissed reports about conditions inside the prison. Previously prisoners complained that there was not enough being done to protect them from catching COVID-19. Mr Murphy said those concerns were “baseless”. Before that, he said there was “no truth” in prisoner complaints about small pieces of broken glass being found in inmates’ food. As for the current concerns, Mr Murphy dismissively said: “If you have a cold, that doesn’t mean you have the corona.” Mr Murphy, if officers see inmates displaying symptoms and raise those concerns only to be ignored – and then told they will be fired if they raise those concerns elsewhere, it means a failure of your management. Numerous concerns have been raised with you by both inmates and staff – yet you would attempt to dismiss The Tribune for asking the questions. Indeed, you say it is “almost annoying” to be asked about a situation that can literally mean life or death for both prisoners and officers. We would think you could
tolerate a little annoyance for the sake of people’s safety. So we have further questions for you. What steps will you take to address officers’ concerns? How many COVID-19 tests have been carried out in the prison on either prisoners or staff and how many have been positive? What was the reason for the sudden quarantine of two inmates? What is the procedure for inmates to raise concerns about illness or the lack of availability of sanitizer or masks? You see, Mr Murphy, this is not your prison, you are but a custodian for the Bahamian people, and when you try to hide information about what is going on in the prison, it raises suspicions that we are not being told the whole story. When Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis was campaigning for his position, he said the FNM’s goal was to return power to the people. This, he said, could only happen through true transparency and accountability. If you don’t want to be transparent, don’t tell us to stop asking questions – go tell the Prime Minister you disagree with his policy.
Shoddy election practices It comes as no surprise that the leadership ballot of the Water & Sewerage Corporation’s union has been called into question. Dwayne Woods, the Bahamas Utilities Services and Allied Workers’ Union president, had reportedly won a resounding victory along with his team. However, a closer look showed huge flaws in the process. First of all, the only lawful places where the election in the Family Islands could be held were the Department of Labour’s offices. Despite this, Mr Woods sent the ballots for Exuma to the island administrator’s office instead. Why? Supposedly because members preferred to vote there. Preference or not, that wasn’t the designated location – which raises questions about the integrity of the site for starters. Then we discover that the back of all the ballot papers were stamped with the election logo of Mr Woods and his team of candidates. How is that fair to any rival candidates? Quite rightly, Justice Ian Winder has tossed the election result out and a new election must be held. We would sincerely hope that a close eye is kept on the re-run, and any such practices are stopped outright.
Unrealistic rules EDITOR, The Tribune. OUR family have been regular visitors to The Bahamas for many years and have enjoyed coming for a lovely vacation. The direct flight from London to Nassau on British Airways is convenient. However this year it would appear our hopes for a holiday are slim due to your unrealistic entry rules. I have just read in your recent edition that the Minister of Finance is forecasting tourist growth as you start to reopen in October and is giving financial projections as to revenues to be generated by tourism. He needs to get a reality check immediately. Is there any coordination between the Finance and Tourism officials? When we went to our agent at a large travel office in Bournemouth to book and the entry rules were explained it was unbelievable. We live in a quiet part of southern
England by the sea where there are very few cases of COVID-19. Finding a health clinic to give healthy people a COVID test is a major problem. Having to wait for and then send a written result to Nassau for a Health Visa and not knowing when an authorisation will be sent back makes booking an air ticket and accommodation very risky. Your rules state that we must be on the ground in Nassau within five days of the test which is an impossible task. Then when we would arrive we must be placed in a quarantine for two weeks which is not very realistic. We want to go out and about and enjoy the sights and restaurants. Our travel agent and staff describe it as “a tourist prison”. We have already endured enough lockdowns and do not want to be restricted when we go on a holiday. If we would stay more than that period
of time we must take yet another COVID test at an expensive cost. The travel agent said British Airways has not resumed service because of low demand and we would be forced to travel on Air Canada through Toronto as the only route. The whole procedure is overwhelming and we have been advised to forget The Bahamas as all their clients are no longer interested because there are other Caribbean destinations not imposing these difficult measures. Your officials are quickly destroying the tourism industry and your Finance Minister’s projections will be way off base. We love visiting The Bahamas but entry requirements will have to change very quickly or there will be no tourist season at all. It is all very sad. JOHN COOPER England September 20, 2020.
Do we care about our nurses? EDITOR, The Tribune. We nurses are often referred to as the “backbone “ of the healthcare system and the front liners and gatekeepers in healthcare. Yet, few seem to care about the nurses as we face this global COVID-19 pandemic which is adversely impacting our healthcare system. We have been bombarded with all kind of negative publicity in recent weeks, yet we come to work everyday, go to our respective clinics, wards and departments, risking our lives and that of our families, while we care for our people in our hospitals, in our clinics and in our communities. Yes, we come to work every day because of our commitment to the health and well-being of our people, and we know that our hospitals and our clinics need our service in order to function properly and to provide quality care. We come to work every day amidst the chaos and workplace challenges. We come to work each day in spite of our uncertainties, and fear of contracting COVID-19, becoming ill, or even dying. We come to work each day feeling fatigued, distressed and overwhelmed; yet we come, because our country needs us to serve. We come into the workplace everyday, where we have nurse leaders who are only concerned about staff numbers, they are cold-hearted, they have no humanity, they do not know what it is to care about their staff. This pandemic has shed much light on the weaknesses in our Nursing Leadership here in the Bahamas, particularly in the Public Health Sector. We see reactive and not proactive leadership.
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net We jump from one crisis to another in our institutions; there is no cohesive nursing strategy or visionary plan to deal with this pandemic. Where are our senior nurse leaders? They have no voice. We are not hearing from them. During this whole pandemic, we have not seen or heard from Mrs Lillian Charlton, our Nursing Services Advisor, Public Hospitals Authority. We have heard very little from our Acting Director of Nursing, Mrs Gina Dean. The Nurses Association of the Bahamas (NACB) is supposed to be the premier voice for the nursing profession and is responsible for the welfare of nurses in the country. Where is the voice of the Nurses Association? Where is the voice of the President, Ms Rebecca Johnson? Where is the leadership? The President is not speaking to the plight of nurses and the nursing profession; she is not addressing the crisis that nurses are facing. As nurses, we are not interested in some fancy “girls club”, we pay our monthly dues. We deserve to be well represented. We need nurse leaders who are willing and able to address our issues. Weak leadership will not work, especially in a national crisis. We desire strong, mature nursing leadership, not nurse leaders who are more concerned about protecting their positions or, concerned about not getting any promotion. Additionally, we need nurse leaders who are not intimidated by institutional or political powers. We, the younger
generation of nurses, we call for representation. We want to know that you care, that you are concerned about us, and that you are addressing the issues that affect us. There are a lot of nurses out there who are hurting, who are afraid and who are going through some rough times. When we go to our wards and our units and are exposed to COVID-19 and are placed in quarantine or isolation, we are at home alone, scared for our lives and for our families. We are tired because we are working so much overtime, just trying to keep the hospital open because so many of our nursing colleagues are out in quarantine because of exposure to the coronavirus. We quarantine, we come back to work and we are again exposed, we go out again and and return to work. It has become a cycle. No one knows what the long-term effects of all this will be on our personal health as nurses; it is physically and emotionally exhausting. We are particularly concerned about our nursing colleagues in Grand Bahama and Abaco. They have had to endure so much following the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian and now having to deal with this COVID-19 pandemic. Say what one may about the President of the Nurses Union, Ms Amancha Williams. We may not all agree with everything that she says, or the manner in which she does it, but at least we know that she is out there being a voice for Nurses and fighting for our interests. Where are the rest of our Nurse Leaders? The Voice of Nurses Nassau, September 20, 2020.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, September 21, 2020, PAGE 7
EXPENSIVE TRIP TO COLLECT GROCERIES By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
A MAN who claimed he violated curfew because he left his home to pick up a bag of groceries from his brother was fined $250 on Friday. Daltino Thurston, 32, was arrested after officers found him on Palmetto Avenue around 11.05pm on August 8. He pleaded guilty to violating the curfew in a hearing before Magistrate Samuel Mckinney, but said he only did so because he was “very hungry and went to pick up some groceries”. The prosecution said officers were on mobile patrol near Palmetto Avenue when they noticed the defendant standing by a building. When they approached and questioned him, Thurston told
the officers he was getting a package from his brother’s house. He was subsequently arrested and taken to a nearby station. In an interview with police there, he reiterated his original explanation for being on the road during curfew hours. When given an opportunity to speak during the arraignment, Thurston told the magistrate he had done a number of cleaning jobs that day and had fallen asleep as soon as he had arrived home from work. He claimed when he woke later that night, he was extremely hungry so he decided to take a risk and go to his brother’s house since his brother had collected a bag of groceries from their member of parliament for him earlier that day. After listening to his
explanation, Magistrate McKinney accepted Thurston’s guilty plea and fined him $250 or one month at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. On Friday, Brian St Louis, 19, was also charged for violating the curfew after police found him on Carmichael Road without a face mask around 4pm on August 15. He pleaded guilty to both offences and was fined $300 for violating the curfew and another $150 for failing to wear a face mask. During the arraignment, St Louis told the magistrate he left his home because he was trying to go to his uncle’s house to get some lunch money. He claimed he planned to buy food and another face mask with the money because the mask he currently had was already worn out.
proceeded to Step Street where they observed a maroon Nissan March occupied by a male who was driving in a suspicious manner. When they approached the vehicle, the officers noticed a generator was inside and asked the driver, Anfrernee Adderley, where he got it from and what he planned to do with it. In response, Adderley told the officers he had gotten it from Nassau Tyre and Battery. Officers then searched the car and discovered the rest of the stolen items inside. Adderley was subsequently arrested and taken to the Fox Hill Road police station. There he
admitted to the offences in an interview with police. During the hearing, the defendant was represented by attorney Ian Cargill. He told Magistrate Samuel McKinney his client had cooperated with police from the onset of the investigation and noted that all of the stolen items had been returned. As a result, Magistrate McKinney fined Adderley $3,500 or 18 months in prison for shop breaking. He also placed the defendant on probation for two years and warned him if he was convicted of a crime within that time frame, he would spend nine months behind bars.
THE FAKE image circulated on social media purporting to be from Jamaal Rolle. The artist has denounced the scammers using his image to lure victims.
Artist sounds alarm $3,500 FINE FOR BREAKING INTO TYRE SHOP over internet scam By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A 26-year-old man was placed on two years’ probation and ordered to pay a $3,500 fine after he pleaded guilty to shop breaking and stealing in the Magistrate’s Court on Friday. Anfrernee Adderley was accused of breaking and entering the Nassau Tyre and Battery Shop on September 14 and stealing over $3,000 worth of items including a generator, television and a garbage bin. The court heard around 5.45am that morning, officers, acting on information,
PAIR FOUND WITH STOLEN TOOLS ARE JAILED TWO men who were found with an assortment of stolen tools and electronics were sentenced to nine months in prison on Friday. Tavaris Moss, 28, and Kendall Raphael, 24, appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney after they were accused of dishonestly receiving two 12” speakers, a DVD player, an equalizer, an amplifier, three cell phones, two WiFi boxes, a tablet and a bolt cutter belonging to Frederick Smith sometime between September 8 and 9. The pair was also accused of dishonestly receiving an impact drill, a porter cable air compressor, a nail gun and a skip jigsaw among other items belonging to Arthur Young sometime between September 6 and 7. During the arraignment, both defendants pleaded guilty to two counts of receiving. The court heard Mr Smith had discovered his 1996 Nissan car was broken into while it was parked in front of his residence in the early hours of the morning. He told police the culprits had broken one of his car’s
side panel glasses and stolen over $1,000 worth of electronics. The court was also told Mr Young told officers his vehicle had been broken into while it was parked at his residence and locked and secured. The prosecution said when Mr Young went outside on September 7, he discovered his 2011 Hyundai had been broken into and someone had stolen a number of his work tools. As a result of their complaints, police launched an investigation. On September 9, officers on mobile patrol in the Nassau Street area observed a yellow Toyota Passo which was occupied by two men who were driving in a suspicious manner. They beckoned for the car to stop and informed both men that they would be searched in reference to dangerous drugs and firearms. The prosecution said when the officers searched the car in the presence of the defendants, they discovered the stolen items. Moss and Rafael were subsequently arrested and taken to the Carmichael Road police station. In an interview with police there,
they admitted to receiving the stolen goods but denied stealing the items themselves. During the hearing, the defendants’ attorney told the magistrate his clients had accepted responsibility for their actions. He also said both men had cooperated with the police when they were arrested and said their actions were a “crime of necessity” because they felt like they had no other choice. In response, Magistrate McKinney noted that both of the defendants had been convicted for similar offences in the past and had already spent a year in prison before. He also noted how the law states when a person is convicted of a crime of a similar nature, the penalty increases each time the person is charged. Still, Magistrate McKinney said he considered their counsel’s plea in mitigation and sentenced Moss and Raphael to nine months in prison. He further ordered both defendants to pay a $1,000 fine and warned them if they didn’t, they could risk spending an additional three months in custody.
BAHAMIAN artist Jamaal Rolle has urged people to be careful – after friends and fans of his work were targeted by a scam operation. Mr Rolle – who draws the daily Pushin’ Da Envelope cartoon for The Tribune – raised the alarm last night after he was made aware of a number of people receiving friend requests on Facebook from an account pretending to be him. People were then sent
a link promising a $5,000 prize – which then asked them to input their bank details. Mr Rolle said: “I got a lot of Whatsapps from people who know me saying I was sending them friend requests. Someone sent me a whole page showing a giveaway with my photographs and stuff on it. Then someone sent me a link to the site where it was asking for their money.” The artist attempted to
contact police to raise the alert and reported the site to Facebook. He plans further contact with the police today. He added: “This doesn’t have anything to do with me and I want to let everyone know.” He said he does not send out friend requests on Facebook and people should be careful. Mr Rolle added for people targeted by similar scams: “Don’t share your information with anyone.”
MITCHELL DEMAND OVER JUDICIAL REVIEW PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party chairman Fred Mitchell has said it is not acceptable that the court has failed to allow the applicant of a judicial review to be heard. According to Mr Mitchell, an action for judicial review of urgent matters connected with the state of public emergency and its constitutionality was filed on August 12. However, the matter
Nature of Work
continues to be without movement. “The court has so far not availed the applicant of a chance to be heard,” Mr Mitchell said in a press statement. “No date has been set. It has been more than a month. The delay is not acceptable. This is a failure of our system when people seek redress for abuse of their rights, when they allege that both Parliament and the Cabinet have
failed them and the courts do not provide a timely delay for a hearing. “We call on the relevant authority to fix the problem forthwith.” When contacted for comment, Attorney General Carl Bethel said he needed specifics on the matter and could not comment without more information. Mr Mitchell did not provide more details up to press time.
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THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2020
It’s time people grew up and really throw themselves at this crisis By MALCOLM STRACHAN OVER the past ten months, more than 30 million people have contracted COVID-19 and just over three percent – almost one million people - have died as a result. We have of course dealt with infectious disease previously in the flu – although it is not nearly as fatal. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates the flu kills between 290,000 to 650,000 people a year globally. The top infectious disease expert in the US, Dr Anthony Fauci, outlined the stark contrast back in March when we were on the precipice of the global pandemic. “The seasonal flu that we deal with every year has a mortality of 0.1 percent,” he told a hearing of the House Oversight and Reform Committee on coronavirus preparedness, adding that COVID-19 is “10 times more lethal than the seasonal flu”. The Bahamas’ COVID19 test positivity rate currently stands at 20 percent – four times the amount recommended by the WHO for reopening. Yet, here we are, left without much alternative. Either we wait it out and watch the rest of our economy evaporate into thin air, or we hold the line with the hope that citizens can be responsible and make the best decisions. To draw a comparison, the US - the poster child for a failed COVID-19 response - has a 14 percent positivity rate and is galaxies better equipped to battle with this virus. We don’t have the means, the capacity and, as disappointing as it may be, seemingly the maturity – or at least, we have yet to display it – to take on this virus. Bahamians consistently disregarding social distancing protocols and breathing down one another’s necks at line-ups is very worrying while new cases continue to pop up. Certainly, I am not the only person to feel concerned after tuning into a sitting of Parliament to see the lack of social distancing,
improper wearing of masks was not present in Parliaand other forms of hypoc- ment when he should be risy in relation to the fully aware of the policies protocols established by outlined in the emergency our health officials. order that he brought to the Notwithstanding the Bahamian people, Minnis instances where both the has once again done the Prime Minister and Deputy dance of a few steps forPrime Minister quaran- ward and a few steps back. tined after being exposed Unfortunately, it goes to COVID-19. However, without saying many Bahathe news that a Parliament mians – those whose votes staffer tested positive for have to be earned and COVID-19 and the very not merely given - are not next day, Parliament took impressed. place, sent the In all of absolute wrong ‘Prime Minister this, perhaps message to a better questhe Bahamian Minnis knows tion to ask people. Par- better. And ourselves is if ticularly for likewise, he we, as a voting the Prime Minpublic, should ister, one who has done be taken has imposed better by the seriously? lockdown after Bahamian people From time lockdown, immemorial, taking the pos- throughout the our penchant ture that he pandemic. Yet, to align ourwould do what we continue selves with is necessary to political parties keep the Baha- to have these above our allemian people oddly-timed giance to this safe, how can antics that often country is what such blatant hamstrings us. appear to be recklessness Indeed, in the encourage citi- politically driven context of The zens to do what when we all Bahamas, the we have to do? concept of a That discon- need to be more party base has nect has been level-headed.’ been the greatproblematic est impediment for a populace to our progress. that has, in some quarters, As long as the litmus test already shown a propensity for Bahamian leadership to buck the guidelines and is a contest where anyone dismiss the virus as a hoax can waltz in and get a being propagated by ill- ribbon without having to meaning conspirators from earn it, we need not be some dark corner of the surprised when adversity world. knocks us senseless. BahaAdditionally, the attacks mian politicians know they on the opposition leader don’t need to take us seriand dissemination of inac- ously, as we rarely take curate information relative ourselves or the power of to the way antibodies and our vote seriously. And it immunity works were unbe- doesn’t matter who is in coming of a head of state power. So, let’s not see this - and a doctor at that. as an assault on the Prime Why would we resort Minister, but rather, a push to dumbing down our for the Bahamian people response in that manner? – including the Prime Now is not the time for that. Minister – to wake up and Prime Minister Minnis approach the times we are knows better. And like- living in with the appropriwise, he has done better ate level of poise. by the Bahamian people The next few years are throughout the pandemic. going to take a much more Yet, we continue to have mature brand of politics. these oddly-timed antics Surely, the last year has that often appear to be shown us we are going to be politically driven when tested on an advanced level. we all need to be more And our leaders are going level-headed. to fail, unless the process by Unable to ignore the which they get the job is as urge to question why Davis rigorous as we can make it.
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INSIGHT
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2020 PAGE 9 BARBADOS Prime Minister Mia Mottley, left, and Queen Elizabeth II
HAS THE TIME COME FOR CARIBBEAN REPUBLICS?
IN 1994, shortly after Antigua and Barbuda and Cuba established diplomatic relations, Fidel Castro and Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister, Lester Bird, had a memorable conversation in Havana. The conversation is worth recalling in the context of the third announcement by a Government of Barbados that by November 2021, it intends that Barbados should be a Republic, shedding monarchical status and Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State. The conversation between Lester and Fidel, at which I was present as a member of the Antigua and Barbuda delegation, started with the revolutionary Cuban leader asking Lester (now Sir Lester) what big plans he had in mind for Antigua and Barbuda. Lester told Fidel that he was contemplating moving to make Antigua and Barbuda a Republic, relinquishing the monarch as the country’s Head of State. Fidel’s response stopped Sir Lester and the entire Antigua and Barbuda delegation in our tracks. “Why?” asked the legendary revolutionary. “Does she interfere with your government?” Sir Lester explained that she did not and that, in a real sense, while Antigua and Barbuda like many other Caribbean countries was one of the Queen’s realms, her role in the government of the country was performed by a local representative and, apart from assenting to legislation which could not be withheld, was only ceremonial, having no executive authority. “In which case,” Fidel responded, “you might consider remaining as you are. The Queen doesn’t interfere with your government and she provides to foreign investors and others a level of confidence in the constitutional arrangements of your state.” The surprising conversation did not go much beyond that. It was staggering to the Antigua and Barbuda delegation, but it demonstrated the practical sense of Fidel Castro, which might account, in part, for the survival of Cuba despite the punishing embargo by the United States. That 1994 conversation between Fidel and Sir Lester took place at least nine years before Owen
World View
Unlike the remaining independent countries of the Caribbean of which the Queen is head of state, the Barbados constitution allows for this significant change in constitutional status by “votes of not less than two-thirds of all the members of the House”. No referendum of the electorate is required.
By SIR RONALD SANDERS Arthur, as Prime Minister of Barbados, first proposed Republican status for Barbados in 2003; 18 years before Jamaican Prime Minister, Portia Simpson suggested it in 2012; twenty-one years prior to Prime Minister Freundel Stuart echoed the proposition in 2015 for Barbados; twenty-two years before Andrew Holness as Prime Minister repeated it in 2016 for Jamaica; and 26 years before the latest announcement by the Barbados government of Prime Minister Mia Mottley on September 15. So far, none of the countries in which this proposal has been made, has gone through with it. While the Throne Speech, in which the most recent Barbados announcement was made, referenced Barbados’ first Prime Minister, Errol Barrow, cautioning against “loitering on colonial premises”, there would be many who would draw a distinction between seeking independence from the colonial authority of the British (which was the context of Barrow’s remarks) and retaining Queen Elizabeth II as Head of State. Both Owen Arthur and Freundel Stuart might have retreated from the idea not because they did not believe it to be right, but because within the Barbados society, including the business community, a great value is placed on the Queen as a symbol, if nothing else, of stability and maybe even of unity above the fray of politics. This is probably true, too, in the case of the Bahamas, Belize, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, and the five other independent countries of the Eastern Caribbean where the Queen is still head of state. In the event, the present government of Barbados has the greatest chance of success in achieving the objective of becoming a Republic by next year. Unlike the remaining independent countries
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of the Caribbean of which the Queen is head of state, the Barbados constitution allows for this significant change in constitutional status by “votes of not less than two-thirds of all the members of the House”. No referendum of the electorate is required. Given that the present Mottley Government controls 29 of the 30 seats in the House of Assembly, achieving the vote should be easy. The one obstacle would be how intense, if at all, will be resistance by elements of the Barbados society and the business community against the idea, and how much it threatens to divide the country. This was a matter that clearly influenced both Arthur and Stuart, during their premierships, not to press ahead with the idea.
Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Jamaica and the other six independent Caribbean countries require not only a twothirds majority in the House of Representatives, but also a majority vote by the electorate in a referendum. Winning referenda in the Caribbean has proven to be as difficult as pushing a boulder up a mountain. In 2009, a referendum in St Vincent and the Grenadines rejected the proposal to oust the monarchy and substitute it with a republic. And, several referenda have failed in other Caribbean countries to alter the Constitution to allow the Privy Council to be replaced by the Caribbean Court of Justice, signifying a reluctance by the majority of the electorate for radical
change. While becoming a Republic is regarded by Caribbean intellectuals as “rounding the circle of independence”, the argument is not as much about the head of state not being a white woman living in a distant former colonial power; it is more about confidence in good governance when institutions perceived as beneficial are changed. That argument can only be won by political parties in every Caribbean country, demonstrating that they will maintain the rule of law, civil and political rights, and democratic principles, including non-discrimination particularly in race and religion. However much ruling political parties might wish to join the
Barbados government in pursuing republican status, “the matter is really in the hands of the Caribbean people” as the Queen said in 2012 when Portia Simpson declared: “I love the Queen, she is a beautiful lady, and apart from being a beautiful lady she is a wise lady and a wonderful lady. But I think time come”. • Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS. He is also a senior fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and at Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own.
PAGE 10, Monday, September 21, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
WINDS TO FAN CALIFORNIA WILDFIRES LOS ANGELES Associated Press
JESSE VASQUEZ, of the San Bernardino County Fire Department, hoses down hot spots from the Bobcat Fire on Saturday in Valyermo, California. Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP
THE destruction wrought by a wind-driven wildfire in the mountains northeast of Los Angeles approached 156 square miles yesterday, burning structures, homes and a nature centre in a famed Southern California wildlife sanctuary. The blaze, known as the Bobcat Fire, is expected to grow through today as critical fire weather conditions continued due to gusty wind and low humidity. Additional evacuation warnings were issued Sunday afternoon. Firefighters were, however, able to defend Mount Wilson this weekend, which overlooks greater Los Angeles and has a historic observatory.
US court fight looms after Ginsburg death WASHINGTON Associated Press
THE COVER of Time magazine with Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsurg on the cover. Time will feature Ginsburg for an October double issue presenting the 2020 Time 100 list of the world’s most influential people. Ginsburg, who became the court’s second female justice, died at her home in Washington on Friday. She was 87. Photo: Time Magazine
SUPREME Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a towering women’s rights champion who became the court’s second female justice, died on Friday at her home in Washington. She was 87. Ginsburg died of complications from metastatic pancreatic cancer, the court said. Her death just over six weeks before election day in the US is likely to set off a heated battle over whether President Donald Trump should nominate, and the Republican-led Senate should confirm, her replacement, or if the seat should remain vacant until the outcome of his race against Democrat Joe Biden is known. Trump, who called Ginsburg “an amazing woman”, made his view clear on Saturday: He urged the Senate to consider “without delay” his upcoming pick for the high court. “We were put in this position of power and importance to make decisions for the people who so proudly elected us,” Trump tweeted, “the most important of which has long been considered to be the selection of United States Supreme Court Justices. We have this obligation, without delay!” Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said late Friday that the Senate would vote, even though it’s an election year. Biden said the winner
of the November election should choose Ginsburg’s replacement. “There is no doubt — let me be clear — that the voters should pick the president and the president should pick the justice for the Senate to consider,” Biden told reporters after returning to Wilmington, Delaware, from campaign stops in Minnesota. Her colleagues on the court penned heartfelt messages of grief, respect and awe for Ginsburg that also reflected the personal ties between the justices. “Through the many challenges both professionally and personally, she was the essence of grace, civility and dignity,” Justice Clarence Thomas wrote. “The most difficult part of a long tenure is watching colleagues decline and pass away. And, the passing of my dear colleague, Ruth, is profoundly difficult and so very sad. I will dearly miss my friend.” Ginsburg announced in July that she was undergoing chemotherapy treatment for lesions on her liver, the latest of her several battles with cancer. Ginsburg spent her final years on the bench as the unquestioned leader of the court’s liberal wing and became something of a rock star to her admirer s. Young women especially seemed to embrace her, affectionately calling her the Notorious RBG, for her defence of the rights of women and minorities, and the strength and resilience she displayed in the face
of personal loss and health crises. Those health issues included five bouts with cancer beginning in 1999, falls that resulted in broken ribs, insertion of a stent to clear a blocked artery and assorted other hospitalizations after she turned 75. She resisted calls by liberals to retire during Barack Obama’s presidency at a time when Democrats held the Senate and a replacement with similar views could have been confirmed. Instead, Trump will almost certainly try to push Ginsburg’s successor through the Republican-controlled Senate — and move the conservative court more to the right. Ginsburg antagonised Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign in a series of media interviews, including calling him a faker. She soon apologised. Her appointment by President Bill Clinton in 1993 was the first by a Democrat in 26 years. She initially found a comfortable ideological home somewhere left of centre on a conservative court dominated by Republican appointees. Her liberal voice grew stronger the longer she served. Ginsburg was a mother of two, an opera lover and an intellectual who also liked to show off her femininity, choosing to accessorise her robe with lace and beaded collars, and delighting in the fashion featuring her likeness that would later spring up.
BLOCK ON WECHAT DELAYED BY JUDGE RULING A JUDGE has approved a request from a group of US WeChat users to delay looming federal government restrictions that could effectively make the popular app nearly impossible to use. In a ruling on Saturday, Magistrate Judge Laurel Beeler in California said the government’s actions would affect users’ First
Amendment rights. WeChat is a messagingfocused app popular with many Chinese-speaking Americans that serves as a lifeline to friends, family, customers and business contacts in China. It’s owned by Chinese tech giant Tencent. The group of WeChat users requested an injunction after the US
Commerce Department said on Friday it would bar WeChat from US app stores and keep it from accessing essential internet services in the country beginning on Sunday at 11:59pm. The Trump administration has targeted WeChat and another Chineseowned app, TikTok, for national security and data
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Monday, September 21, 2020, PAGE 11