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Volume: 123 No. 207, Tuesday, September 22, 2026
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MOULDY CEILINGS, WET FLOORS & RAIN BUCKETS Nurses stage sick-out after year of complaints over conditions at Abaco healthcare centre By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net PROBLEMS with healthcare delivery in the Family Islands were laid bare yesterday after nurses in Abaco staged a sickout over conditions at the Marsh Harbour Healthcare Centre while a Bimini patient was transported in the back of a truck during heavy rain. A nurse was recorded holding an umbrella over a patient in the back of a
truck while preparing to transport the person to a ferry bound for South Bimini, where the patient was to be airlifted to New Providence. “Yeah, we have to hold the umbrella over the patient,” the nurse said in the video. “It’s that bad.” Meanwhile, nurses at the Marsh Harbour Healthcare Centre in Abaco staged a sick-out after more than a year of complaints about conditions that they said NURSES - SEE PAGE FIVE
IMAGES show mouldy ceilings and wet floors from a leaky roof at Marsh Harbour Healthcare Centre.
ADRIEL’S MOTHER PURSUES UB DREAM IN HER HONOUR
Tourist assault suspect was not licensed: Lundy
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
NEARLY two years after 12-year-old Adriel Moxey was murdered on her way home from school, her mother is attending the University of The Bahamas in her daughter’s honour, pursuing the
college education she says Adriel should have lived to experience. Sasha Moxey, an art education major who has been enrolled at UB for about a year and a half, said her daughter’s death pushed her to act on plans she had previously discussed to ADRIEL - SEE PAGE THREE
SASHA MOXEY, mother of Adriel Moxey.
THE man accused of punching an American tourist after allegedly posing as a jet ski operator at Goodman’s Bay was neither licensed nor carrying an authentic Port Department identification badge,
Transport Minister Leon Lundy has confirmed. Mr Lundy said the man was not operating through the authorised jet ski system and stressed that only operators who have completed the required training and received an official badge are permitted PUNCH - SEE PAGE THREE
Sands brands govt Budget surplus ‘fiscal engineering at its finest’ By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Opposition yesterday charged that the $29.2m Budget surplus shown for May 2026 is “fiscal engineering at its finest” and “not even worth the paper they are printed on” given the ongoing National Investment Fund (NIF)
controversy. Dr Duane Sands, the Free National Movement (FNM) chairman, told Tribune Business that the Government “can take that surplus… and file it some place where the sun doesn’t shine” after the Ministry of Finance revealed figures showing that total government revenues, including tax income, exceeded all
public spending for May. This helped narrow the deficit for the first 11 months of the now-closed 2025-2026 fiscal year to $91.4m - a sum that leaves it needing to achieve a nine-figure surplus in June to meet its full-year Budget surplus ambitions. To hit the initial $75.5m target SEE BUSINESS FOR STORY
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
FNM Chairman Dr Duane Sands.
PAGE 2, Tuesday, September 22, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Baha Mar Climate Week brings focus to conservation and climate action BAHA Mar Resort Foundation has launched Climate Week 2026, bringing government, conservation, science, civil society and arts representatives together for a week of programming focused on climate change and its impact on The Bahamas. The initiative, themed At the Edge of the Water, runs from September 18 to 24 and includes educational, environmental and creative events centred on climate action and protection of the country’s natural resources. Monday’s opening discussions at ECCHO at Baha Mar featured Obie Roberts, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources, and Dr Rhianna Neely, Director of the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection. Presented in partnership with the Bahamas Protected Areas Fund, the session examined climate challenges facing The Bahamas and conservation work underway across the country. “Climate change presents very real challenges for The Bahamas,” Baha Mar senior vice president Robert Sands said. “Addressing them will require government, the private sector,
conservation organizations, non-profits, the creative community and Bahamians across our islands to play a part.” Climate Week began on Friday with the opening of At the Edge of the Water, an exhibition featuring 24 artists exploring the relationship between island communities and water. On Saturday, the foundation partnered with the Public Parks and Public Beaches Authority and an environmental group for a beach revegetation initiative at Saunders Beach. The remaining programme includes school visits focused on climate and conservation education, an interactive World Cafe in partnership with the Organization for Responsible Governance and Poetry of the Natural World, a closing reception and poetry night at ECCHO on Thursday. Conservation is one of the Baha Mar Resort Foundation’s three pillars, alongside community and culture. The foundation said its environmental work includes mangrove and coral restoration, the Queen Conch Education Program and Baha Mar’s Climate Friendly Travel initiative.
OBIE ROBERTS, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of the Environment and Natural Resources, speaks during Monday’s opening discussions at ECCHO at Baha Mar. Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, PAGE 3
Sasha Moxey turns grief into purpose at UB ADRIEL from page one attend university. “She would have been the next person going to college, not me,” Ms Moxey said. “When she passed, I say you know what? Let me just go to college.” Adriel, a seventh-grade student at Anatol Rodgers High School, disappeared after leaving school on November 18, 2024. Her body was found two days later in bushes near Faith Avenue South along a route she routinely used to walk home. Police reports indicated she died from strangulation. In February, Chris Ferguson, 39, was sentenced to 40 years in prison after pleading guilty before Justice Guillimina Archer-Minns to murder, unlawful sexual intercourse and unlawful detention to have sexual intercourse. The court heard that Ferguson followed Adriel along a bush path on November 18, 2024, told her he lived in the area and lured her into bushes, where he sexually assaulted her before strangling her with a belt. He returned the following day and moved her body. Ms Moxey previously argued that Ferguson should have received a life sentence. Speaking to The Tribune, she said his conviction brought an end to the court process but not to the grief of losing her daughter. “In a way I feel closure because the trial done over
SASHA MOXEY, Adriel’s mother, is studying art education at UB. with and I ain’t got to see that man no more,” Ms Moxey said. “But in a way it’ll never be closed because she could always have been right here with me.” The start of the new school year has also sharpened that grief. Ms Moxey said seeing students prepare for their first day of school brought back memories of Adriel and the plans she had been making for another school year. She recalled that her daughter wanted a Sprayground backpack for the next semester. A mother of three, Ms Moxey said there are still days when she thinks about Adriel and remembers
their conversations and her daughter’s warm hugs. She said she often keeps herself occupied with work, university classes and caring for her children so she does not dwell on her daughter’s death. Art was something mother and daughter shared. Ms Moxey said Adriel would sometimes help her sell paintings to tourists. Now studying art education, Ms Moxey said she is determined to complete her degree and better herself. She had spoken about attending university before her daughter’s murder, but said Adriel’s death pushed her to finally do it.
SASHA Moxey’s paintings.
“All I could do is take it one day at a time,” Ms Moxey said.
Although time has passed, she said she will never get over her
daughter’s death and that a part of her life will always be missing.
Lundy: Tourist assault accused Child abuse reports rise was no authorised jet ski operator
as neglect cases surge 96% By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
BRIANA Bazel of Ohio alleges man who claimed to be a jet ski operator punched her when she rejected his sexual advances. PUNCH from page one to solicit customers. It is unclear whether the alleged perpetrator has been arrested. The minister was responding to allegations from Briana Bazel, 25, of Ohio, who said a man approached her and her best friend at Goodman’s Bay on September 11 after a jet ski excursion they had booked online was cancelled. Ms Bazel said the man presented himself as a jet ski operator and tour guide and offered them a sightseeing and jet ski package. She alleged that after they continued socialising later that night, the man became angry when she rejected his sexual advances and punched her in the face outside a lounge.
Mr Lundy expressed sympathy for Ms Bazel and urged anyone who feels threatened at beaches or elsewhere in The Bahamas to report the matter to police. “I actually do feel sorry for the lady with the event,” Mr Lundy said, “and I want anybody in that type of event to go ahead and report it to police first.” Mr Lundy said the government was not “sitting back and just allowing it to happen” and said new measures were forthcoming. “We’re doing what we must do as a ministry,” he said, “and you’ll see in short order that we’ll have some technology rolled out that’ll help assist and mitigate these situations from happening.” Mr Lundy said the Port Department is also partnering with the police
Sex Crimes Unit to incorporate guidance into jet ski operator training on how operators should handle certain situations appropriately. The US State Department has repeatedly warned travellers about risks associated with jet ski and personal watercraft operations in The Bahamas. Its current travel information says some operators are not licensed or insured and refers to sexual assaults, injuries and deaths associated with the industry. US government employees are prohibited from renting jet skis or personal watercraft from independent operators. Those warnings intensified amid a series of reported sexual assaults involving American tourists and jet ski operators in recent years.
REPORTS of child neglect nearly doubled during the first eight months of 2026, while physical and sexual abuse cases also increased, according to Department of Social Services figures. The Child Protection Unit recorded 184 neglect cases between January and August, up from 94 during the same period last year — an increase of nearly 96 percent. Physical abuse reports rose by about 28 percent, from 83 to 106, while sexual abuse cases increased from 134 to 145, or about eight percent. The department recorded 441 child protection cases overall during the first eight months of this year, compared with 429 during the same period in 2025, an increase of 12 cases, or 2.8 percent. However, the year-onyear totals are not directly comparable by category.
The 2025 figures included 112 cases classified as “other”, while no equivalent category appeared in the January-to-August 2026 data provided by the department. The department did not specify what types of cases were included in the 2025 classification. March was the busiest month for the Child Protection Unit this year, with 98 cases, while August recorded the fewest, with 30. The most dramatic monthly increases came in March and June. In March, physical abuse cases jumped from six in 2025 to 31 this year, while sexual abuse rose from nine to 29 and neglect from eight to 35. In June, neglect cases climbed from 14 to 40 and physical abuse rose from 12 to 19, while sexual abuse declined slightly from 13 to 12. February also recorded a notable rise in sexual abuse reports, from 15 to 25, while neglect increased from 19 to 24. Physical abuse remained
unchanged at eight cases. In January, physical abuse rose from four cases to seven, sexual abuse from seven to 13 and neglect from eight to 13. The department also recorded one case each of abandonment and verbal abuse this year, compared with none in January 2025. April saw sexual abuse increase from 23 to 30 and neglect from 21 to 32, although physical abuse declined from 24 to 13. The figures shifted sharply in May, when sexual abuse cases fell from 55 during the same month last year to ten this year. Physical abuse declined from 18 to 12 and neglect slipped from 19 to 18. In July, physical abuse fell from eight cases to four, while sexual abuse rose from nine to 12 and neglect increased from four to 15. August recorded three physical abuse cases, down from 12 during the same month in 2025. Sexual abuse rose from three to 11, while neglect increased from one case to seven.
PAGE 4, Tuesday, September 22, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Govt eyes rental reform as tenant complaints mount By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
MINISTER OF ECONOMIC AFFAIRS JEROME FITZGERALD
ECONOMIC Affairs Minister Jerome Fitzgerald said rents in The Bahamas are “extremely high” and the government needs to strengthen the Rent Control Unit as complaints mount over prices and the condition of rental properties. Mr Fitzgerald said the government has received complaints from renters about what they consider exorbitant charges and has been told the unit responsible for these matters needs additional staff. He also signalled that the government’s concern extends beyond what tenants are being charged to whether landlords are maintaining properties to an acceptable standard. “The upkeep and maintenance of facilities that are rented is also a major concern for the government,” Mr Fitzgerald said, “that people are getting value for
what they're paying, and landowners and landlords are required to keep their rental units at a certain standard.” He said those issues would form part of the government’s broader examination of the rental market. Mr Fitzgerald said he has spoken with the officer responsible for the Rent Control Unit, who said additional personnel are needed to handle the workload. He has also begun discussions with Housing and Land Reform Minister Keith Bell as the government advances previously announced plans to reform rental laws. Mr Bell said about a month ago that the Davis administration intended to move quickly on rent-control legislation once Parliament reopened. The proposed changes are expected to address rental prices and strengthen protections for tenants, while also accounting for
landlords’ financial obligations, including mortgage payments. Mr Bell has previously raised concerns about conditions in some rental properties, including allegations that landlords have disconnected electricity and water. He said the government wants to restore a better balance between landlords and tenants, particularly because renters can be in a weaker bargaining position. At the same time, the government’s planned intervention comes against a broader housing shortage. An Inter-American Development Bank assessment reported an annual shortfall of about 900 new homes between 2010 and 2022, amounting to roughly 10,800 fewer homes than demand over that period. The report also warned that existing rent-control rules and tenant protections can discourage landlords from entering the long-term rental market.
17 stores taken to court over consumer violations By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net SEVENTEEN stores have been hauled before the Magistrate’s Court for consumer-related violations over the past year, with 15 owners pleading guilty, as the government warns businesses it will take a tougher line against unfair pricing practices. Rex Adderley, officer in charge of Consumer Affairs, said two cases remain before the courts after inspectors cited businesses for violations ranging from discrepancies between shelf and register prices to suspected price gouging and failures to produce invoices. The enforcement figures emerged as Economic Affairs Minister Jerome Fitzgerald declared “zero tolerance” for businesses
that take advantage of consumers and warned inspectors not to let personal relationships influence enforcement. Mr Adderley said inspectors have encountered cases in which goods are displayed at one price but ring up at another, with some merchants refusing to honour the lower price. He said businesses are generally first required to correct violations identified during inspections before court proceedings begin. Of the 17 businesses taken to court during the past 12 months, one was a medium-sized operation, and the remainder were small businesses, he said. Mr Adderley said “mom and pop” stores account for most complaints the department receives. He also referred to an
increase in foreign nationals entering the grocery and snack-food business, but stressed that the law applies equally to all businesses. Consumer Affairs received an estimated 20 to 25 complaints last month. Mr Fitzgerald, speaking at the department’s fourth annual National Inspectorate Training at Breezes, said the government’s enforcement approach would not depend on a business's size or longevity, or on its owners’ relationships with inspectors. “Protecting the Bahamian customer is a non-negotiable standard,” Mr Fitzgerald said, “and it is not up for discussion. It is not subject to who you know. It does not depend on how big your business is, or how long you have been in operation.”
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He said families were under financial pressure and warned that the government was watching businesses for practices including discrepancies between shelf and register prices, selling expired goods, shortchanging customers, failing to display prices and disregarding price-control requirements. “The price on the shelf is not the price at the register. We are paying attention,” Mr Fitzgerald said. “If they are selling expired goods, shortchanging customers, hiding the prices or ignoring price control, we are paying attention.” He said tougher enforcement was also intended to protect legitimate businesses, acknowledging that merchants face genuine increases in freight, energy and other operating expenses. The government also intends to advance competition legislation dealing with price fixing and abuse of market dominance, as well as clearer rules for displaying prices, including
tax-inclusive pricing, Mr Fitzgerald said. Mr Adderley, meanwhile, said Consumer Affairs plans to increase education and outreach to ensure businesses and consumers understand their responsibilities and rights. The department is also moving from manual inspections towards digital systems intended to make inspectors more efficient. Mr Adderley said online businesses are subject to the same consumer protection laws as traditional stores and will also fall within the department’s enforcement efforts. Mr Fitzgerald said enforcement was particularly important in the Family Islands, where residents in some communities have only one or two stores to choose from. He said consumers in Abaco, Eleuthera, Exuma, Grand Bahama and elsewhere should receive the same protection as those in New Providence. The minister also issued a pointed warning to inspectors about the pressures that can accompany
enforcement in a small country. “We live in a small country. You will inspect people who you know. You will inspect people who know your family,” Mr Fitzgerald said. “Do not allow familiarity to affect your judgment. Do not allow pressure to influence how you apply the law.” He told inspectors to apply the rules consistently and without favouritism. “An inspector who cannot be influenced is the strongest protection a consumer can have,” Mr Fitzgerald said. “And let me add this: if anyone attempts to pressure you or influence your work, I personally want to know about it, and I will visit that business myself, and I'm serious about that.” Mr Fitzgerald said the government’s efforts to lower the cost of living, strengthen consumer protection and promote fair competition would ultimately be judged by what consumers experience at the cash register.
Bahamas seeks more wealthy residents as tax base grows By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net ECONOMIC Affairs Minister Jerome Fitzgerald says the government wants more extremely wealthy permanent residents to bring their wealth to The Bahamas and use the country as their tax home, as it pushes to expand its appeal to highnet-worth individuals and family offices. Mr Fitzgerald said some of the people the government hopes to attract are already connected to The Bahamas through the global 15 percent top-up tax and that the proposed Tax Residency Certificate would extend the country’s appeal to permanent residents. “Some of them, of course, are extremely wealthy,” Mr Fitzgerald said, “as we know from the top-up tax, the global 15% tax that a lot of big companies are now paying taxes in the Bahamas, and we want to open that up for permanent residents as well, and so that's something that is critical.” The proposed certificate
would allow permanent residents who spend at least 90 days in The Bahamas to establish the country as their jurisdiction of tax residence and pay taxes locally rather than in another jurisdiction where they may spend part of the year. Mr Fitzgerald said legislation will also be needed to allow authorities to track when permanent residents leave the country because departures are not currently stamped, making it difficult to verify whether applicants have met the proposed 90-day requirement. Mr Fitzgerald said the draft legislation has been completed and is undergoing consultation, with the government aiming to take it to Parliament before the end of the year. The tax residency plan forms part of a broader effort to strengthen The Bahamas’ position as a destination for high-networth individuals and family offices. Mr Fitzgerald said the government is also moving ahead with the Bahamas Invest
Concierge, a dedicated office intended to speed up the process for wealthy investors seeking to establish themselves and their businesses in the country. He said renovations to the office are being finalised and the government is seeking someone to head the unit, which is expected to become operational by the end of the year. He said the government is also seeing more family offices establish operations in The Bahamas, bringing not only wealth but relatives and employees who support those businesses. Mr Fitzgerald said the government wants to extend the same level of service associated with the tourism industry to people bringing financial services business and wealth to The Bahamas. He said the initiatives are among several measures the government intends to advance over the next 90 days to strengthen the financial services sector and create opportunities for Bahamians.
Healthcare woes hit family islands
THE TRIBUNE
NURSES from page one
include mould, a non-functional air-conditioning system, faulty toilets, no hot water and limited medical supplies. Video shared with The Tribune showed mould-covered ceilings, wet floors and buckets positioned throughout the facility to catch leaks. Abaco nurse Lashawn Johnson defended the sick-out in a social media post, saying nurses should not have to sacrifice their health to keep a broken system functioning. Mrs Johnson said the $12m Marsh Harbour facility was built to operate as a proper healthcare centre but had been plagued by staff shortages, inadequate supplies and equipment, poor ventilation, toilets that do not flush, mould and leaking ceilings. “Please don’t tell us how much nurses are ‘valued’ while continuing to ignore the conditions we are working under,” Mrs Johnson said. “Value us with action. Hire enough staff. Provide adequate services.” She said nurses were not seeking special treatment, but the basic conditions needed to do their jobs safely. The Bimini incident prompted outrage from Bahamas Nurses Union president Muriel Lightbourn, who said residents deserve basic healthcare services and called for the island’s ambulances to be repaired. “You already sick. You already compromised,” Mrs Lightbourn said. “Could you imagine having to be placed on the back of a truck to get to to seek medical help? Come on now.”
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, PAGE 5
“Please don’t tell us how much nurses are ‘valued’ while continuing to ignore the conditions we are working under. Value us with action. Hire enough staff. Provide adequate services.” - Abaco Nurse Lashawn Johnson Mrs Lightbourn said she had been informed that two ambulances have been parked outside the island’s clinic for more than a year but remain non-operational. Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said he has instructed a maintenance team from New Providence to travel to Bimini to assess both vehicles. He said one ambulance is brand new and may need new batteries, while the other was donated. He assured residents that someone would be on the ground this week to determine the problem. Dr Darville also revealed that Cabinet has approved the purchase of ten additional ambulances. The Bimini incident mirrors cases in Exuma and Long Island last year in which patients were transported to air ambulances in the back of trucks. Bimini and Berry Islands MP Randy Rolle acknowledged the latest incident and reiterated his commitment to restoring ambulance services on the island. Mr Rolle said he understood nurses’ frustration but cautioned healthcare
THESE pictures show leaks and mouldy ceiling tiles at the Marsh Harbour Healthcare Centre in Abaco. workers about protecting patients’ privacy. “The attention generated by social media should never overshadow our common goal,” he said, “which is to provide Biminites and all Bahamians with the dignity, compassion and quality healthcare they deserve.” Mrs Lightbourn defended the nurse who recorded the video and said she would not tolerate suggestions that the worker should be disciplined. “I can tell you, had she not done her job,” Mrs Lightbourn said, “if she had not gone out there and do what she had to do, guess what? Then she would have been disciplined for abandonment of her duties, so it’s like you whatever you do, like
there’s no win.” Dr Darville said the sick-out in Abaco, which began Sunday night, affected services, although the number of nurses who called in was unclear. He said remedial measures had been put in place to ensure residents continued to have access to healthcare and that a contract had been awarded for repairs. The minister said he sent a team to Abaco last week to assess the facility after becoming aware of the concerns and attributed some of the problems to the centre’s ageing air-conditioning system, which he said had been strained by the heat. Representatives from the Ministry of Environment are also expected
to travel to Abaco to assess air quality. An assessment conducted in May found the air quality satisfactory, but Dr Darville acknowledged that conditions may have deteriorated since then. “We’ve seen the pictures of mould,” he said, “and that mould itself is there because of the moisture buildup that does not translate into mould spores throughout the clinic, but that’s as result of the moisture.” Dr Darville said he would await the new air-quality assessment before deciding whether
the facility should be temporarily closed. “I have to wait on the air quality control report,” he said. “That’s very important for me because I don’t want to put my staff or the community in harm’s way.” He said some nurses had reported that conditions were affecting their health. “My concern now is I’m trying to determine if we can do the work while the clinic is going on,” Dr Darville said. “That’s the logistics how it’s going to be done is where I’m at, but it’s not that we have not acted.”
UP TO FOUR MEN DIAGNOSED WITH PROSTATE CANCER WEEKLY By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net AN estimated three to four men are diagnosed with prostate cancer each week in The Bahamas, while about two may die from the disease over the same period, according to urologist Dr Robin Roberts. He added that only one in three men asked to return for further evaluation after screening actually attends follow-up clinics, even though more than 90 percent are contacted and told their results. He also described prostate cancer as the most common cancer among men worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men. Dr Roberts spoke during a press conference announcing ZERO Prostate Cancer’s September screening drive for men aged 40 to 70. The group will offer PSA blood tests and digital rectal examinations free of charge, although participants are being asked to make a $20 donation. Dr Roberts said a PSA test alone costs approximately $80 in the private sector. Men who receive abnormal findings through other screening programmes may also attend the organisation’s follow-up clinics. The organisation, a support group of the Cancer Society of The Bahamas, was formerly known as Us TOO and has operated since 2004. Dr Roberts said it conducted more
than 8,000 PSA blood tests involving over 3,000 men in New Providence in the years before the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the group sought to reduce disparities in access to prostate-cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment. Dr Roberts said Oaktree Medical Center had processed the group’s PSA blood tests free of charge during the previous three years. He said Oaktree and Doctors Hospital also offered discounts of nearly 50 percent to men requiring prostate MRI scans, reducing the cost from approximately $1000 to $500. The group’s work extends beyond initial screening, with participants contacted by telephone or email within three weeks and informed of their results. Men requiring further evaluation are invited to follow-up clinics at the Cancer Society, where urological consultations are provided free of charge. Dr Roberts said prostate MRI imaging and repeat testing were arranged when indicated. He described MRI as the preferred diagnostic procedure for men suspected of having prostate cancer and said the imaging service was not available through public institutions. “If prostate cancer is diagnosed, we guide them through treatment decisions and help secure the care that they need,” he said. “For every clinic attendee diagnosed with prostate cancer, we encourage
family consultations and help connect them with public or private services based on their needs and their preferences.” Dr Roberts attributed men’s reluctance to seek medical attention partly to cultural attitudes about masculinity. “Real men do not get sick. Real men do not get pain. Real men do not go to the doctor,” he said. “You see, and so they pay the price for that.” He also identified limited awareness as a concern, warning that prostate cancer could develop without symptoms. Dr Roberts said men of African descent were three to four times more likely to develop prostate cancer, tended to develop it at an earlier age and were more likely to experience an aggressive form of the disease. He identified a high-fat diet and reduced physical activity as additional risk factors. Dr Roberts said advances in medication had increasingly allowed doctors to manage advanced or metastatic prostate cancer—which has spread beyond the prostate—as a chronic disease. “When we look at advanced prostate cancer, we're not talking about curing,” he said. “We're talking about controlling, and we can control the disease.” He said detecting the disease early offered a greater prospect of long-term remission but
cautioned against describing patients as cured because prostate cancer could recur years later. “We know that even 10, 15, 20 years down the line, it can come back,” he said. Prostate cancer survivor Valentine Maura said his experience , explaining that he was helping Us TOO with its testing initiatives when Dr Roberts pointed out that he had not been screened during the previous two years.
“I was feeling fine, I was feeling good, no, no symptoms or anything that I could identify would be prostate cancer,” he said. Mr Maura said Dr Roberts examined him and he was subsequently diagnosed with prostate cancer. He described the cancer as relatively new and non-aggressive and said he was offered either a prostatectomy or radiation treatment. He chose radiation and
said the Heart Center on Collins Avenue gave him a substantial discount because of his work promoting prostate-cancer awareness. Mr Maura said he completed his final radiation treatment on November 15 2015. “I'm walking around now as if nothing ever happened to me,” he said. “You don't have to have any symptoms, and don't wait for any symptoms.”
PAGE 6, Tuesday, September 22, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
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Jet Ski laws mean little without enforcement THE most shocking thing about the latest headline over an alleged attack by a jet ski operator is that it’s not surprising – time and time again, we have heard claims of similar attacks, to the extent that the US Embassy regularly warns of the dangers. Looking back over The Tribune archives, there the headlines are, over and over. In December 2014, a jet ski operator arrested over an alleged attack off Cabbage Beach. In 2015, a tourist talking about experiencing post-traumatic stress over an attempted sexual assault near Paradise Island. It is not a new problem – though the solution continues to seemingly escape us. It has also been a source of continued concern from the US Embassy. Again, back in 2016, then US Charge d’Affaires Lisa Johnson referred to the issue as one that had “been building up over time over a number of years”. She said: “I arrived here at the end of June 2014 and in my very first month here I had to deal with two cases of American minors, 14-year-old girls, who had been sexually assaulted, one by four men riding on the back of jet skis. So this was an issue even back then. I had many discussions at the time with various members of the Bahamian government. Everyone expressed concern, but not a lot in our view was done.” She added: “I just don’t think at the moment this industry is being licensed and ran and enforced in a way that is putting the best foot forward for the Bahamas and my job is to keep American citizens safe.” We are a decade on from those warnings – and here we have another incident again. The US has continued to issue warnings, and the government has made noises about a crackdown. In fact, the Commercial Recreational Watercraft Act, which came into force in July 2025, was supposed to do just that. Last year, The Tribune reported that in the three months since the Act came into force, 28 jet skis and 41 other vessels had been seized for infractions and non-compliance with maritime laws. That led to 15 arrests. How serious is this crackdown? Well, take a look at the latest allegation. In this incident, the alleged assault took place later in the evening, at a bar. But first of all, the victim, who has pictures of her injuries, had met the jet ski operator earlier that day, on Goodman’s Bay Beach. She says the man approached her on the beach, showed her a badge that identified him as a legitimate operator, and tried to sell her and her friends packages. Later that evening, as the group continued socialising, she says the man punched her in the face when she made clear she would not have sex with him. In today’s Tribune, Transport Minister Leon Lundy says the man did not have a licence and was not carrying an authentic Port Department identification badge. Goodman’s Bay is not some secluded hideaway. It is one of the
major beaches on New Providence, and certainly a regular destination for tourists from nearby hotels, as well as for people from across the island. There are two parts to any legislation – one is the Act itself, the other is the enforcement. If it is true that the alleged attacker was not a legitimate operator, then it seems surprisingly bold to be able to strut about Goodman’s Bay presenting a badge that you have no authority to hold. It would seem that the enforcement side of things is not regular or strong enough to make someone think twice about what happens if they are caught on the beach with fake identification and some fairly expensive equipment you should not be offering to passengers for rides. How regular are the patrols? How often does a legitimate operator expect to be stopped and checked? Every six months? Every month? Every week? Every couple of days? The net has to be tight enough to make sure that illegitimate operators cannot confidently expect to slip through the holes. Any legislation is only as good as its enforcement. A law that is not adequately enforced is an invitation for the law to be ignored. The same holds true in other areas across The Bahamas. How many times have we seen motorbikes, lacking any evidence of a license, tearing through traffic, jumping through red lights, and not a helmet to be seen, yet without the police taking action to stop them? The more the law is ignored, the less it is valued. Mr Lundy says there are plans for new measures to stop incidents such as this latest alleged attack. However, there are already measures in place and they were not enough. New measures on top of old measures will make no difference unless the enforcement is stepped up. That means badges being checked, patrols being carried out, that means feet on the sand so often that rogue operators know there is no chance of not being caught out. The US has warned time after time after time about the dangers – but the Embassy should not have needed to give that warning. We should have seen the peril ourselves, and acted accordingly. If we really mean it about cracking down on such crimes – and protecting people from assault, sexual attacks, and rape, as has been reported on far too often – then it cannot be simply saying the words, it has to be action. There should be no hiding place for these predators who seek to use our beaches and our seas as their hunting ground. The only place there should be for such attackers is behind the bars at Fox Hill. The legitimate operators who have their badges and their paperwork all present and correct will not mind officials asking for it to be shown – especially as it means the rogue operators will be taken off the beaches. Do not let this wait for another attack, another headline – and another victim.
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Nassau has changed - public transport needs to keep up EDITOR, The Tribune. I REMEMBER counting cars for my BGCSE coursework in high school. In recent years, I have seen students doing the same. The fact that we are still documenting traffic decades later tells us that the pressure on our roads is neither new nor unnoticed. It is time to move from studying the problem to delivering solutions. Our transportation challenges are costing us time, productivity and quality of life. There are simply too many vehicles on the roads of our capital. For some of us, it means losing hours each week sitting in traffic. For others, it means shouldering the high cost of owning a car because public transportation cannot be relied upon. Some families are even left squeezing more people into one vehicle than there are seatbelts because they have no practical alternative. Keeping a vehicle on the road is costly. There is fuel, insurance, licensing, maintenance and the unexpected repair that always seems to come at the wrong time. Many Bahamian families shoulder those costs because driving is often the only reliable way to get to work, take children to school, attend an appointment or return home at a reasonable hour. A public transportation system suited to a modern capital like Nassau must offer more than jitneys traveling familiar routes. Passengers should know when a bus is expected, how frequently it will run
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net and whether they can depend on it to complete their journey. Routes must also be reviewed to ensure they serve the Nassau of today, reflecting where people now live, work, study and conduct business. Traffic also impacts our environment. Thousands of vehicles idling on congested roads burn fuel, release emissions and affect the quality of the air we breathe. There are days when you cannot even put down your windows to catch some fresh air because of the fumes. As a low-lying island nation particularly vulnerable to climate change, we cannot treat transportation and environmental responsibility as separate conversations. Reliable public transportation would allow us to move more people with fewer vehicles, reduce unnecessary fuel consumption and help build a cleaner, healthier capital. Safety and accountability must be central to this conversation as well. Just last week, I observed two jitneys racing each other along a route, dodging in and out of traffic. It was alarming. A vehicle carrying members of the public should never be driven as though it is competing for the next passenger. This is not an indictment of every jitney driver. Many drivers work hard and serve their passengers responsibly. However, where conduct places
passengers and other road users at risk, there must be proper oversight, clear standards and meaningful accountability. Such accountability protects the public, ensures that responsible drivers are not judged by the actions of a few and strengthens confidence in the system as a whole. Reliable public transportation affects household budgets, access to employment and education, productivity, road safety and quality of life. It should serve students, workers, senior citizens, persons with disabilities and anyone who wants the option of leaving a private vehicle at home. That is part of building a Bahamas for all Bahamians: one in which anyone, regardless of age, income or ability, can catch the bus and travel with dignity, safety and confidence. What kind of Bahamas are we building when owning a car feels almost essential to participating fully in everyday life in our capital? This issue reaches beyond transportation. It is about access, inclusion and the country we are preparing to become. The future is not on the horizon. It is here now. The students counting cars today should not become adults still waiting for us to solve the same transportation problems. Our planning, standards and service delivery must catch up. MAXINE V SEYMOUR Nassau, September 20, 2026.
Affordability, healthcare and energy are a priority EDITOR, The Tribune. IN a few short years, if The Lord continues to tarry, The Bahamas will undergo another general election. I fully expect that the dominant PLP and the limping FNM will contest those elections. The COI, if it is still around and intact, to offer a disjointed slate of candidates. In my view, there are three main issues confronting the average unwashed Bahamian. Why do I say ‘unwashed’? Simple, far too many of our people accept political propaganda hook line and sinker. Few bother to find out what it is that they really expect from any incumbent administration or the Opposition forces, such as they might be, if they were to come to high office. If one does not know what he/she wants to achieve through the democratic process, a dog, literally, will eat you and your lunch. The Three biggest concerns are: affordability; health care and the costs of energy and fuel. Another potential Elephant is housing. These concerns, no doubt, are foremost in the minds of the erstwhile Rt Hon Prime Minister. and his talented inner cabinet. Relative to the cost of energy and duel, the administration may wish to consider a holiday tax relief on fuels at service stations for the rest of this year. If it is not feasible to entirely remove the stamp duty collected by All administrations over the years, at least substantially reduce it for the duration of the suggested duration of the holiday tax period. With gasoline at an average of $7.00 if the administration were to slash the assumed stamp duty from $1.50 or so, down to $1.00 maximum, that would bring some monetary relief to motorists. Affordability, however, straight across the board, is literally ‘killing’ the average Bahamian. If
one is fortunate or able to secure a mortgage on a modest home in a half way decent subdivision, you’re facing an average monthly payment in excess of B$ 2,000.00 per month. This means, pure and simple, that few residents of New Providence, will Ever be able to own their own homes. The alternative, pay an average monthly rent of B$1,200.00 for a two (2) bedroom apartment until The Lord calls you home. The Hon Minister of Housing & Land Reform, Keith Bell (PLP-Carmichael), an exceptional senior cabinet minister, has his work cut out for he and his expanded ministry. Having; known’ Minister Bell for decades in his public life and with his vast experience in the private real estate and finance industries, he is more than capable to assist the PM will providing affordable housing here in New Providence And the liberalisation of Crown Grants & outright purchases. We have seen this already over in The Abaco Chain and at the fastest growing Island in The Bahamas...Exuma wherein the enlightened Davis Administration has engineered multiple new subdivisions. We must never forget what Minister Bell and his equally able cabinet colleague, the Hon Mario Bowleg, the Minister of Youth & Sports (PLP-Garden Hills), with the direct input of the Prime Minister, have achieved up in Bozine Town! After generations occupying land on that hill top location; building homes and raising their families, qualified occupiers have now been granted appropriate legal documents of ownership! Our health care facilities have long been plagued by legacy issues and shortages of medical personnel. Of course, we must factor in the celebrated ‘Brain Drain’. This term, however, is pivotal for the PM to cement his unfolding legacy. He has
a most competent and dedicated health ministerial team in the persons of the Hon Dr Michael Darville, Minister of Health & Wellness (PLPTall Pines) and the Hon Owen Wells, Minister of Sate within that ministry (PLP-St James). The beginning of the construction of new hospital is just around the corner. Messrs Darville & Wells, since the general elections and their appointments, have hit the ground running and running very fast. Long outstanding personnel shuffles have been made at The Public Hospital Authority. The legacy issues at The PMH , including the resident rodents, are being addressed. The Rand over in Grand Bahama is up and running smoothly, even if there are still one or two lingering concerns. This ordained second Davis administration will, no doubt, finally establish a functional National Health Care Scheme, like NIB, for All Bahamians and legal residents. The costs of medical health insurance in the private sector are out of the reach of tens of thousands of ordinary Bahamians. This is where the administration Must step in. There are far too many of our people dying from chronic illnesses and even preventable diseases. Not One more life must/should be lost going forward. As we wind down this fateful year of 2026, we must be ever mindful that governments are elected to do good for the population and to make their lives more affordable; prosperous; safe and, of course, empathy with the masses. I submit that the current enlightened Prime Minister has long displayed these traits and Knows just what has to be done This Term. To God then, in all things, be the glory!! Jr
ORTLAND H BODIE, Nassau, September 14, 2026.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, PAGE 7
Three deny firearm and ammo Man allegedly assaulted twice within charges after police search several hours by the same two men By PAVEL BAIELY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net THREE men were accused of possessing a firearm and ammunition after police allegedly found a pistol and 17 rounds during a search of a Grosham Close residence last week. Prosecutors allege Andre Pierre, 21, Terrano Russell, 21, and Johnathan Hepburn, 21, were found with a black
Taurus G2C 9mm pistol, 17 rounds of ammunition and a black 9mm Taurus magazine during a police search of the residence around 4.30am on September 17. The firearm was allegedly recovered from a pouch in the front room, while the ammunition was found in a second pouch during a further search of the residence. Pierre, Russell and Hepburn pleaded not guilty before Senior
Magistrate Algernon Allen Jr to possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of ammunition and possession of a component part of a firearm. Each defendant was granted $9,000 bail with one or two sureties and must sign in at the Carmichael Road Police Station every Monday through Friday by 6pm. They return for trial on February 23, 2027. Sergeant 3004 Forbes prosecuted the case.
Indecent assault accused denies he inappropriately groped girl By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was accused yesterday of indecently assaulting a 17-year-old girl on Independence Day. Prosecutors allege Keshlon Turnquest, 24,
inappropriately groped the teenager in New Providence on July 10. Turnquest pleaded not guilty to indecent assault before Magistrate Abigail Farrington. He was granted $6,500 bail with one or two sureties and must sign in at the Carmichael Road
Police Station every Friday by 7pm. Turnquest was also warned not to interfere with any witnesses or risk having his bail revoked. He returns for trial on January 5, 2027. Reserve Inspector Deveaux prosecuted the case.
Woman accused of stabbing her housemate during altercation By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A WOMAN accused of stabbing her housemate during an altercation on Hanna Road was remanded to prison yesterday. Prosecutors allege Lisa Alouidor, 24, stabbed and
injured Jevaun Cordza around 7pm on September 17. Alouidor pleaded not guilty to causing harm before Deputy Chief Magistrate Shaka Serville. Inspector Cordero Farrington objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the allegation and raising concerns that Alouidor
and the complainant share a residence. Alouidor was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until Friday, when she is expected to return to court for a report on whether an alternative living arrangement has been found.
Man pleads guilty for failing to sign in for 57 days while on bail By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN is awaiting sentencing after admitting that he breached his Supreme Court bail conditions by failing to sign in at a police station for 57 days. Anthony Joseph, 26,
pleaded guilty before Magistrate Abigail Farrington to violating his bail conditions. Joseph failed to sign in at his local police station for 57 days between May 9 and September 17. He was on Supreme Court bail on charges of possession of a firearm
To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394 NOTICE OF APPLICATION (pursuant to section 23 of the Natural Gas Act, 10 of 2024, Statute Laws of The Bahamas) NOTICE is hereby given that RenugenPro Ltd. has made applications to the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (“URCA”) for licenses to: import liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) (commercial) and operate LNG terminals. The applications are made with the object of licensing and regulation of the Applicant’s activities for the import of LNG and the operation of LNG Regasification Terminals at (1) Cat Island (2) San Salvador and (3) Long Island. The applications can be inspected by appointment at the Applicant’s office at No. 138 Robinson Road, New Providence, The Bahamas. Any objections to the applications must be made on or before the 16th October, 2026 and shall be made by Affidavit and solemn declaration to be submitted exclusively to URCA’s office located at Frederick Street, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas. Dated the 14th day of September, 2026 Italia C. Chambers Attorney for the Applicant No. 36 Nassau Street New Providence, The Bahamas
with intent to put another in fear and assault with a deadly weapon. Joseph was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until October 1, when he is expected to be sentenced. Reserve Inspector Deveaux prosecuted the case.
A GRAND Bahama man was allegedly assaulted twice in the space of several hours by the same two men, with the second attack occurring after they allegedly broke into his apartment and demanded money. Police have arrested a 44-year-old man in connection with the alleged burglary and assault at an apartment complex in Bahamia. According to police, shortly before 5am on Sunday, September 20, a woman reported that two men had broken into her Pinta Avenue residence and assaulted her husband. The victim had returned
home shortly after 10pm the previous night bleeding from the head and with bruises to his face. He reportedly told his wife he had been involved in a physical altercation at a business on Polaris Drive, Caravel Beach, with two men, including one he knew. Police said the man initially declined police assistance and medical attention. Several hours later, at about 2.30am, the victim reportedly heard a loud bang at the apartment’s front door and discovered that the same two men from the earlier altercation had apparently entered the residence.
He alleged that the men assaulted him with their fists and feet while demanding money they claimed he owed them. Emergency Medical Services responded to the residence, but the victim again declined medical attention. He later requested police action. Officers from the Criminal Investigation Department, assisted by the Mobile Division, subsequently executed a search warrant at a residence on Point Lookout Drive. Police arrested and cautioned a 44-year-old man known to the victim in connection with the alleged burglary.
PAGE 8, Tuesday, September 22, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Ivoine Ingraham • Facing Reality
Trivialising attempted murder: The broken frontline, domestic violence WHEN a battered woman finally summons the staggering courage required to walk away from her abuser, her first point of contact with the state is often a desk officer at a local police station. Tragically, that initial encounter often extinguishes whatever hope she had left. Too many officers treat domestic violence not as the violent assault or attempted murder that it is, but as a tedious civil disagreement – a “domestic” to be quietly patched up between husband and wife. When a man wraps his hands around a woman’s throat until she loses consciousness, that is not an argument; it is strangulation, one of the most reliable clinical precursors to homicide. When a man beats a woman with an iron pipe, punches her repeatedly in the head, or threatens her with a firearm or cutlass, he has committed a grave, felonious attack. Yet, all too often, officers advise the trembling victim to “go home and talk it out”, or warn her that putting the father of her children in jail will jeopardise her financial support. This reaction does double the damage. It revictimises the complainant. She is made to feel that her pain is an inconvenience to the police and that proving her trauma requires an impossible evidentiary burden. It emboldens the perpetrator. The offender learns that the uniform of the state will not intervene in his private kingdom. When the police shrug, they validate his entitlement. The victim realises that by reporting, she has merely escalated her abuser’s rage without gaining state protection. She goes home with her report quietly filed away or dismissed, waiting for the inevitable retaliation. In this climate of institutional neglect, the woman learns that the only rational response is silence. The Judicial Bottleneck and the Culture of Moral Complicity
RBPF ASP KENDRA WHYMS
The failure does not halt at the police station desk; it extends directly into our courtrooms and our social institutions. When domestic abuse cases do manage to crawl through the bureaucratic pipeline and reach the Magistrate’s Court or the Supreme Court, the penalties handed down rarely reflect the gravity of the terror inflicted.
Men who have left women with detached retinas, permanent hearing loss, broken ribs and lifelong psychological trauma walk away with light fines, probation or suspended sentences. The justice system consistently underestimates domestic violence because it treats the incident as an isolated domestic spat rather than an ongoing campaign of terror. Why do our courts fail to deliver justice commensurate with the crime? Outdated Statutory Frameworks: Penal codes often treat domestic assaults under general, minor assault classifications unless extreme, visible physical mutilation occurs, failing to account for coercive control, cumulative trauma and strangulation risks.
In this climate of institutional neglect, the woman learns that the only rational response is silence.
Excessive Burden of Proof Placed on the Victim: Instead of rigorous state-led prosecutions utilising forensics, medical documentation and circumstantial history, the entire burden of sustaining the case rests on the terrified victim, who is vulnerable to intimidation, economic destitution and emotional exhaustion before the trial date arrives. Pervasive Social and Moral Pressures: Outside the courtroom, societal pressure works relentlessly against the victim. Churches and community elders frequently discourage women from pursuing charges, misusing scripture and quoting memory verses about submissiveness, forgiveness and keeping the family intact. The preservation of the institution of marriage is prioritised over the physical survival of the human being trapped inside it. A woman is told to pray harder, be softer and endure her husband’s wrath for the sake of appearances. In doing so, religious and community leadership becomes complicit in her suffering, transforming spiritual doctrine into an instrument of abuse. Institutional Courage: The Work of ASP Kendra Whyms and the DVU In a landscape dominated by institutional apathy, genuine reform requires relentless conviction. Within the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kendra Whyms, through the Domestic Violence Unit (DVU), has set a model
for what institutional protection ought to look like. ASP Whyms and her team have taken the fight against domestic violence far beyond administrative duties. They do not simply log case numbers; they actively intervene to protect vulnerable lives, coordinate shelter resources and engage in frontline advocacy. Recognising that legal prosecution alone cannot heal a broken culture, Whyms has spearheaded educational outreach in our schools, civic organisations and communities. By speaking directly to youth and teaching girls and young women that jealousy and violence are not proof of affection, the DVU is doing the essential work of preventing the next cycle before it begins. Her leadership demonstrates what the entire system needs: an uncompromising, obsessive
determination to root out abuse without making excuses for the offender. One dedicated police unit cannot carry the weight of an entire nation’s cultural reformation. It demands that every precinct, every magistrate, every prosecutor and every community leader adopt the same zero-tolerance standard. Breaking the Generational Curse We cannot continue to preach conflict resolution and civic virtue in our classrooms while practising brutal subjugation in our living rooms. Our children are watching. They see the bruises on their mother’s arm; they watch their father walk free, and they watch their older sisters accept abuse from teenage boyfriends as if it were a mandatory tax for companionship. Violence is not an innate genetic trait of the
Bahamian people; it is an acquired, learned behaviour. Because it is learned, we can dismantle it. We must replace our national apathy with unequivocal action: Mandatory Arrest Policies: Strip officers of the subjective discretion to “settle” violent domestic disputes informally when evidence of physical assault or strangulation exists. Specialised Domestic Violence Courts: Fasttrack abuse cases to prevent the prolonged delays that leave victims vulnerable to retaliation, intimidation and economic coercion. School-Based Healthy Relationship Curricula: Teach young boys emotional regulation and accountability, while teaching young girls bodily autonomy and self-worth.
Community and FaithBased Accountability: Demand that churches stop counselling women to remain in violent homes, making it clear that spiritual duty never mandates enduring physical abuse. Love does not break bones. Love does not leave black eyes, cracked lips or broken spirits. Any woman who tells herself that her partner’s violence is her fault, or that he only hits her because he loves her intensely, is trapped in a destructive delusion cultivated by our culture. It is our shared moral obligation to tear that delusion down. We must build a Bahamas where our daughters expect protection, respect and peace – and where every abuser understands, without exception, that his violence will cost him his freedom.
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PAGE 10, Tuesday, September 22, 2026
THE TRIBUNE
Historic hurricane dry spell continues but forecaster warns season is not over By JEFFREY SIMMONS Senior Meteorologist at Bahamas Aviation, Climate and Severe Weather Network
FOR the first time in 112 years, The Bahamas along with the wider Atlantic basin has reached September 21 without witnessing a single hurricane – but remember, the season is far from over. According to historical data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Atlantic has not experienced a hurricane dry spell this deep into September since 1914. To date, the 2026 season has produced six named tropical storms - Arthur, Bertha, Cristobal, Dolly, Edouard, and most recently, Fay. Fay formed over the weekend in the eastern Atlantic, briefly threatening to breach the hurricane threshold of 74mph - but just like the five storms before it, environmental factors prevented it from intensifying into a fully-fledged hurricane. As I wrote in The Tribune’s Hurricane Guide in the summer, the exceptionally powerful El Niño pattern in the Pacific Ocean is the dominant factor in this year’s storm season. The climate phenomenon has generated wind shear across the Caribbean and Atlantic, effectively ripping apart storm systems before they can organise. Additionally, dense plumes of dry Saharan air have blanketed the basin, choking off the moisture necessary for tropical development. The Atlantic basin has experienced only two
ILLUSTRATION showing the effect of El Niño on hurricane development. hurricane-free years on record - 1907 and 1914. However, it is vital that residents remember that the season stretches all the way until November 30. Earlier in the year, the Climate Prediction Center at NOAA - a partner of the Bahamas Aviation, Climate and Severe Weather Network (BACSWN) - anticipated a below average season. Historically, some of the most devastating storms
to impact the region have formed in late September and October. The Great Bahamas Hurricane of 1929 directly hit Nassau and Andros, causing enormous damage over three days at the end of September. More recently, Hurricane Joaquin battered the Family Islands for over two days as a Category 4 system in October 2015 while hurricane Matthew struck Nassau and Grand
Bahama as a Category 4 storm between October 5 and 6, 2016. And last year saw Hurricane Imelda traverse the central and northwestern Bahamas as a tropical storm in late September before intensifying, followed immediately by Hurricane Melissa, a catastrophic Category 5 storm that heavily impacted Ragged Island and the southeastern Bahamas in late October 2025.
Residents are reminded to update their personal emergency action plans and inspect structural storm shutters. Families should ensure their disaster supply kits are fully stocked with essential items, including at least one to two quarts of water per person per day, non-perishable canned foods, flashlights, spare batteries, and portable back-up chargers. Disaster managers also advise pulling together waterproof
containers for regular medications and vital identification documents in case a sudden evacuation to local hurricane shelters becomes necessary. Statistically, roughly 60 percent of all tropical activity occurs after the traditional September peak. In The Bahamas, history has proven that it only takes one storm to completely change the narrative of a season.
Govt opts for $400k Fresh Creek Bridge repair By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net THE government will spend about $400,000 repairing the condemned Fresh Creek Bridge in Andros after abandoning plans for a temporary crossing that contractors estimated would cost more than $10m. Repairs are expected to begin on October 1 and take four to six weeks, according to Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs Clay Sweeting. The decision marks a reversal from plans announced in August, when officials said a temporary bridge would be installed to maintain vehicular access while a permanent replacement was built. Mr Sweeting said the temporary bridge estimate
“wasn't feasible to the ministry”. The Ministry of Works and Family Island Affairs said its engineers assessed the bridge and surrounding site after its closure, examining both a temporary crossing and repairs to the existing structure. Director of Public Works Robert Mouzas said officials initially believed the damaged bridge could not be repaired and began examining constructing a temporary crossing alongside it. However, Mr Mouzas said officials concluded the proposal did not represent value for money because the temporary bridge would only be required for a relatively short period while a permanent replacement was built. Further investigations subsequently produced a
repair solution for the existing bridge. Mr Mouzas said the bridge was closed because of a defect in one of its spans and that repairs would involve installing four steel tubular piles and using steel beams to jack up the bridge and support the weight of the affected span. The work will be carried out from the water and requires a barge to be brought in from another Family Island. Mr Mouzas said securing the barge contributed to the delay before repairs could begin and that the approach would be similar to repairs previously carried out on another section of the bridge. He said vehicles were expected to return to the bridge once the work was completed, allowing the temporary ferry service
THE CONDEMNED Fresh Creek Bridge in Andros. to end, although officials would continue monitoring the structure. The bridge was condemned after engineers discovered that an intermediate pier had sunk, shifting weight onto two external supports and causing three slabs to sink collectively by about nine inches. Central, South Andros and Mangrove Cay MP Leon Lundy stressed the importance of restoring the crossing, which links communities in Central Andros. “It's the economic bridge,” Mr Lundy said, “between the north central side of Andros and the south central side of Andros.” He said the communities shared in economic activity and residents wanted normal travel arrangements
restored. “That's what we're hoping to do in the month of October,” Mr Lundy said, “bring some normalcy back and then move towards getting a final permanent bridge fixed.” The government, meanwhile, plans to issue a request for proposals in the coming months for the engineering, design and construction of a new permanent bridge. Mr Mouzas said preliminary plans envisage a possible crossing extending from the dock on the northern side to the creek bank on the southern side. He said the new bridge could be built alongside the existing crossing or roughly in the same area, although the final arrangement would have to be determined with
the contractor. The permanent project would also involve removing part of the existing causeway that obstructs a section of the creek. Mr Mouzas said the strongest current runs through the deeper water and removing the obstruction would allow water to flow more evenly across the creek. He said the change would also benefit boats using the dock and mangroves farther west. Mr Mouzas described part of the water as stagnant and said human alterations to the creek had contributed to the obstruction. The ministry said further updates would be provided as repairs proceed and procurement for the permanent bridge advances.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, September 22, 2026, PAGE 11
Grade 8 students rise to BJC challenge THREE Grade 8 students at T.A. Thompson Junior High School have successfully completed the 2026 Grade 9 Bahamas Junior Certificate (BJC) Family & Consumer Sciences national examination, earning two Bs and a C. Derwin Davis, La’Mari Davis and Philise Robinson were prepared and entered for the examination a year early, meeting the demands of a subject requiring both academic knowledge and practical skills. The achievement is particularly notable given the scope of the examination, which includes clothing construction, planning, a timed food practical and a comprehensive theory paper. Success requires not only subject knowledge but organisation, discipline, time management and the ability to apply skills under examination conditions. The results also mark the second consecutive year that Family & Consumer Sciences teacher Mrs Kadian Thomas has prepared students below Grade 9 to sit the national examination. The journey began during Thomas’ first year teaching at T.A. Thompson, when four Grade 7 girls, newly arrived from primary school, accepted the challenge of preparing for the Grade 9 examination.
All four passed. Their achievement helped establish what was possible and provided the foundation for the following year’s success. Parents and guardians also played an important role, supporting the students throughout the demanding preparation. For the 2026 candidates, preparation extended beyond the regular classroom. Students took part in additional practice and weekend cooking sessions, while supermarket visits helped connect classroom lessons with real-life Family & Consumer Sciences. Thomas also focused on understanding each student individually — their strengths, areas for development and the encouragement they needed. Her approach is guided by the principle: “Excellence is personal.” For Thomas, that means recognising individual potential rather than simply comparing students with one another, setting meaningful expectations and providing opportunities for each child to reach his or her highest standard. She also emphasised the importance of parents and guardians as partners, maintaining close relationships with families throughout the preparation process. Support came from across
“If younger students can be appropriately identified, prepared, supported, and successfully undertake a national examination ahead of the traditional grade level, then the conversation becomes bigger than my classroom.”
the school community, including colleagues in Agriculture and Religious Studies, as well as administrators and secretarial, nursing, custodial and facilities staff. Thomas said her own experience as an educator had reinforced the importance of mentorship and encouragement. Teachers and mentors had invested in her throughout her career, and she now sees herself passing that investment on to another generation. Faith was also part of the journey. Thomas encouraged
the students to pray during their preparation and, with the knowledge and support of their parents and guardians, they attended church with her during the process. But she stressed that faith did not replace hard work. The students still had to study, practise, cook, complete their clothing construction and demonstrate their abilities under national examination conditions. Ultimately, the students remained at the centre of the achievement. The four Grade 7 girls who took the examination
the previous year demonstrated that younger students could meet the challenge. Davis, Davis and Robinson then continued that example, earning two Bs and a C. Thomas believes the consecutive results should prompt wider consideration of what young students can achieve when their potential is recognised early and matched with appropriate preparation and support. “I want us to look at what these results tell us about our students’ potential,” she said. “If younger students can be appropriately identified, prepared, supported, and successfully undertake a
national examination ahead of the traditional grade level, then the conversation becomes bigger than my classroom. “How do we create more opportunities for young people to discover what they are capable of?” For Thomas, the results represent more than examination grades. They demonstrate what can happen when potential is identified, expectations are raised and students are surrounded by supportive families, educators and a wider school community. The students did the work — but they did not do it alone.
the West Coast of Africa. If you walk down many of the cobblestone streets, you'll also
that differ, possibly because of the different materials used,” he said. “I've noticed that Baha-
John LaVerne speaks about Charleston
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The Old Slave Mart is exactly what it sounds like, with a horrible, storied past as the place where enslaved Africans were bought and sold. But one thing Charleston seems to do well is take that dark history and teach, highlight, learn from, and honor it. It was encouraging to overhear a tour guide in front of the Old Slave Mart Museum relate the history of the site to his tour in a way that acknowledged how wrong it was and told the uncomfortable story of Charleston's past, with the hope that it never, ever happens again. Charleston is much more than its dark past. It is a city that has learned to preserve and use its history to create a vibrant and successful cultural tourism market. The folks at Explore Charleston were kind enough to connect me
Jonathan Green speaks with Charlie Bahama
Corey Alston Sweetgrass Basket Weaver
Charleston Harbor strip King Charles II. While Charleston eventually evolved from Charles Town, Charles Towne in The Bahamas was destroyed by Spanish forces in 1694, rebuilt, and renamed Nassau in 1695 after the Dutch House of Nassau. Back in 1776, when the United States won its independence from Great Britain, those who wanted to stay loyal to the King were allowed to relocate to British colonies. These "Loyalists" moved to places like Jamaica and The Bahamas, bringing their enslaved people with them. This is why, when I first walked down Market Street in Charleston and heard a Gullah vendor speaking, I thought she was from The Bahamas. They have an almost identical accent to us Bahamians because we were all primarily descended from people taken from
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Do you know what Nassau used to be called?
Some Gullah sweetgrass baskets have been known to sell for hundreds, even thousands, of dollars. By the time I got to my exhibition at the Old Slave Mart later that night, I learned more and more about the connection between our two cities and our connection with our Gullah family. It really was an eye-opening experience, and it made it even more of an honor that both Mayor
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THE first time I found out about the strong link between Charleston, South Carolina (and the coastal islands off South Carolina and Georgia), and The Bahamas was back in 2004, when I went to Charleston for the very first time for the Spoleto Festival, held there each year. That year, celebrated painter Jonathan Green was the featured artist, with an exhibition at the Gibbes Museum of Art displaying the painting that would also become that year's official Spoleto poster. I happened to be photographing Jonathan while he was working on that painting, and Mayor Joseph Riley (Charleston's longtime popular mayor at the time) saw the images and immediately asked that they be included in Spoleto as a tie-in showing the actual making of the featured painting. Jonathan upped the ante, exclaiming, "Charlie is also a filmmaker," and offered that I could create a documentary. Spoleto was only two months away, but once Jonathan Green put it out there, there was no turning back. So, with that, I became the very first exhibition at the Old Slave Mart Museum. Side note: the museum wasn't supposed to be ready for another six months, but Mayor Riley pushed for it to be ready in just two months for my exhibition called Jonathan Green at Work. I mentioned that Jonathan Green is a celebrated artist, often called one of the most important contemporary painters of the Southern experience, especially for depicting his Gullah Geechee roots. Those roots are one of the closest links between Charleston and Nassau, and another is the fact that both cities originally shared the same name. Nassau was established by English settlers in the mid-17th century and named Charles Towne in honour of King Charles II of England (and The Bahamas). Similarly, Charleston was founded in 1670 by the Lords Proprietors as Charles Town, also named for
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recognise many of the same street names as in Nassau: King Street, Cumberland Street, Meeting Street, East Bay Street, Nassau Street, George Street, and Market Street, where you can hear familiar accents reminiscent of our own Market Street and see vendors crafting and selling straw products. In Charleston, they have generations of Gullah sweetgrass basket makers, and one such vendor is Corey Alston, a fifth-generation sweetgrass basket weaver who is also in the Guinness Book of World Records for "Big Percy," the largest sweetgrass basket ever made. Corey proudly explained the difference between Bahamian straw-making techniques and Gullah techniques. "The basic craftsmanship is similar from the origins of Africa, but with styles
The Charleston Market mian straw products are more robust and used as working tools with thicker bands, while Gullah baskets are made with finer bands and are mainly used as art or decoration."
Riley and probably one of the most important African American politicians of today, Congressman James Clyburn, opened my exhibition that night at the Old Slave Mart Museum.
with John LaVerne of Bulldog Tours, who gave me a quick overview of the many things you can do and see in Charleston - from museums and walking tours to fabulous restaurants, shopping, the arts, music, and its incredible historic architecture. Two or three days is certainly not enough to absorb all that Charleston has to offer, and I wanted to end with someone with a Bahamian connection. That person was Brice Lampkin, who is, yes, related to Bahamian actor and radio host Greg Lampkin. Like most folks with Bahamian heritage, there's a profound sense of pride and excitement that comes with being Bahamian. Mainly because of our relatively small population, we feel like we're part of a special family. After laughing about the similarities between the potholes in Andros and the bumpy cobblestones of Chalmers Street, where the Old Slave Mart is located, we decided the rest of our conversation would have to wait for another day because not only did the people share similarities - so did the mosquitoes. Do yourself a favor and check out Charleston to see the similarities for yourself. The Charlie Bahama Show airs on Cable Bahamas Channel 212 and follow all Charlie Bahama social channels or subscribe to the Charlie Bahama YouTube channel.