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‘ELECTION UPGRADES’ DELAYED FOR CHECKS BTVI STAFF’S THREAT OVER CHAIRMAN’S RESELECTION
Govt says it’s stepping in to confirm last-minute promotions above board By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net FOREIGN Affairs and Public Service Minister Fred Mitchell said promotions granted in the last few weeks by the Minnis administration have been temporarily halted to give the new government an opportunity to review them to ensure nothing “nefarious” has taken place. Last week, letters were issued stating that promotions at the Water and Sewerage Corporation,
which should have taken effect on September 1, were now being put on hold. Yesterday, Mr Mitchell told the press the action was taken “out of an abundance of caution”. “What seems to have happened, looking at the actions of the last weeks of the (Minnis) administration, was that there was an attempt, it appears, and I don’t want to say it’s so until we actually know the facts, to put what we call a poison pill,” he said.
PRIME Minister and Minister of Finance Philip “Brave” Davis said his administration is “assessing” the country’s debt arrangements and will seek to negotiate where necessary to avoid default. His comments came when speaking to reporters after returning from his recent trip to the United Nations General Assembly.
SOME staff members at Bahamas Technical Vocational Institute have issued a clarion call for the Davis administration not to consider board chairman Kevin Basden for reappointment. The Union of Tertiary Educators of The Bahamas, the bargaining agent for workers at BTVI, said workers are prepared to stage industrial action over the issue. SEE PAGE TWO
SEE PAGE THREE
‘WE’LL SEEK NEW TERMS TO AVOID DEBT DEFAULT’ By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net
Mr Davis was asked about a recent article in the Jamaica Gleaner which said Caribbean economist Marla Dukharan said The Bahamas was one of two countries expected to default on their sovereign debt. Ms Dukharan made similar comments in 2020. In response, Mr Davis said his administration has brought back the substantial financial secretary, Simon Wilson, and is now SEE PAGE TWO
TRAVEL VISA SCRAPPED FOR TRIPS TO ISLANDS
DAVIS’ BIG DAY AT UN PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis addresses the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly at the United Nations headquarters in New York on Saturday. Photo: Eduardo Munoz/AP
ABACO - WHAT ABOUT US, BRAVE? By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
ABACO’S Chamber of Commerce president yesterday urged the Davis administration to quickly outline its plans for continued post-Dorian reconstruction, warning: “Time is not on our side.” Ken Hutton, revealing the Chamber has already written to the Prime Minister seeking a meeting,
SOME of the devastation left in Abaco by Hurricane Dorian. said “more stability, clarity and predictability” was required on matters relating to Abaco’s continued
revival from the storm. He told Tribune Business that besides issues such as continued Dorianrelated tax breaks and the rebuilding of Marsh Harbour’s commercial shipping port, the progress of the Disaster Reconstruction Authority’s small home repair initiative and the $1.8m Central Abaco Community Centre/Hurricane Shelter also needed to be addressed. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville on Friday said travel health visas are no longer required for inter-island trips, although the government is still working on addressing the “necessary protocols” before it moves into eliminating the international travel health visa. SEE PAGE FOUR
INSIGHT SERIOUS SOUL SEARCHING FOR RIGHT MAN TO LEAD
PAGE EIGHT
PAGE 2, Monday, September 27, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
Davis wants vaccine equity and climate action By TANEKA THOMPSON Tribune News Editor tmthompson@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis called on world leaders to ensure vaccine equity and to take concrete steps to address climate change, which adversely affects small island developing states like The Bahamas. He made the request while speaking at the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Saturday. Speaking about access to COVID-19 vaccines, he told world leaders “you will only be safe when we are all safe.” “We must collaborate to end the COVID-19 pandemic and address public health issues,” Mr Davis said in his first international speech as the nation’s leader. “We must cooperate to mitigate the effects of climate change. And access to development financing must be equitable and fair. “An inadequate response to these issues will have dire consequences for the global economy. “This crisis made abundantly clear what has always been true: we’re all in this together. In every country, we have lost loved ones. We have seen our healthcare workers battle bravely. We have contended with disruption, uncertainty, and grief.” Mr Davis said the pandemic has been hard for countries like The Bahamas which has an “extraordinary need for new resources in health and education and housing just as our economy is contracting dramatically.”
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis removing his face mask as he prepares to speak at the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on Saturday. Photo: Eduardo Munoz/AP He stressed the need for equitable distribution of vaccines to ensure the world is safe. “That includes distribution to small island developing states, who are not manufacturers. Stockpiling for self-preservation is a fallacy. Our demand for vaccines has significantly out- stripped supply.” Mr Davis said along with vaccines, it is important that safe treatments and therapeutics are made accessible and designated
as public goods. He said there is a need to fortify critical global supply chains, and distribution mechanisms. On the issue of climate change, Mr Davis said small islands are hit hardest by the phenomenon, but are the least responsible. He called for actionable change to address the issue. “Colleagues, in a few short weeks, we will meet in Glasgow, Scotland. The 26th Climate Change Conference cannot be like
the 25 that preceded it – we cannot pretend that incremental change is sufficient. We cannot set goals we have no intention of meeting. We cannot keep postponing the change we need for countries like mine to survive. “If we are the serious leaders these times require, we must raise our ambitions, and make real commitments to cut emissions.” He said along with other CARICOM nations, The
Bahamas calls for greater climate financing and the need for more engagement and progress on a climate investment platform. “And, as a matter of priority, more innovative financing and debt solutions are needed, including debt for climate adaptation swaps. We also look forward to the capitalization of a Caribbean Resilience Fund. We also need adequate resourcing and timely access to the ‘Green Climate Fund’
and the ‘Climate Finance Accelerator.’” Mr Davis said his party is focused on renewable initiatives. He said his government will build structural and economic resilience in a green recovery with plans to invest in climate-smart infrastructure and environmental protection. The Bahamas will lead on wetland and ocean preservation, and will seek re-election to the International Maritime Organization, he said.
“Our trip was extremely productive and on every measure, I think successful,” he said. “We were able to conduct bilateral discussions with 11 countries at several levels (including) heads of government, foreign ministers and ambassadors. Discussions ranged across a number of issues of strategic importance to The Bahamas. With Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley, we discussed ways of enhancing and strengthening our partnership in the region particularly in the measures we adopt to support our economic recovery.” Mr Davis said Barbados was also on the brink of “financial collapse” when Prime Minister Mottley assumed office. He said he had “deep and intense” discussions with Mrs Mottley based on the experience she had in engaging the International Monetary Fund
(IMF) to assist her country with its challenges. He said his administration plans to review some of Mrs Mottley’s ideas and see how they could fit within The Bahamas’ model, and determine whether the country will “borrow” some of the tactics Barbados utilised or not. “(With) the secretary general of the United Nations who was recently re-elected, Antonio Gutteres, we discussed issues, including the continuing impacts of climate change in The Bahamas, a global strategy for securing COVID-19 vaccines, and the management of effective debt relief,” he said. “As his excellency noted, we see eye-to-eye on a number of these topics. On the specific issue of securing access to COVID-19 vaccines for Bahamians, I repeated the point I made during the past few days. It
is strongly in the interest of the developed countries to ensure fair and equal access to vaccines for people (of the world) from all over. And as I mentioned and a measure I took to the UN was, none of us are safe until we are all safe.” Mr Davis said “since coming into office 10 days ago,” he has said much about the importance of the partnership the government has started to build with the Bahamian people. He said he was happy that they have been able to widen that partnership to “embrace international friends”. Mr Davis said government officials were also able to meet with some of those who assisted Bahamians who are living abroad in the United States. He also said he was confident that they have begun to “lay the groundwork to effectively pursue the country’s national interests” as
they now prepare for an upcoming international conference on climate change that will be held in Scotland in November. Yesterday, Mr Davis also addressed the recent elimination of the travel health visa for inter-island travel. “We understand that there has to be some technical adjustments to the web process to enable us to achieve the objective which we set out to do and we hope to be able to have that all sorted by October 1, at which time you will perhaps see a complete new regime as well,” he explained. “We’re doing away with travel visas for Bahamians, that’s my objective but it will probably remain in place for visitors.” Mr Davis was also asked whether the country could expect to see more than one competent authority moving forward. In response, he stated:
“There will not be one person exercising the role of a competent authority. That’s why I said by October 1, perhaps we will see a complete new regime that will take into account the promises that we would have made during the campaign. It will not be the Prime Minister for certain. It ought properly be in the Ministry of Health. We’re dealing with a health crisis. So why it is in the Office of the Prime Minister even baffles the experts and doctors when we speak to them about, first of all where we had come from, where we are and where we ought to be. We’re concerned about the pandemic spending and therefore we will look into it. Now whether it requires the high level of the commission of inquiry, that will only be decided upon when we see where we are with the preliminary overview of the same.”
‘WE’LL SEEK NEW TERMS TO AVOID DEBT DEFAULT’ from page one
“looking and assessing” the country’s debt arrangement to determine how best to approach it and to avoid any default. He also said his administration planned to “live up” to the nation’s obligations and stated where they are unable to, “seek to renegotiate the terms so as not to be in default.” Meanwhile, Mr Davis described his trip to the UN General Assembly as “extremely productive”, stating government officials have had several discussions with other country heads about climate change, COVID-19 and debt relief management. On Friday, Mr Davis and a delegation travelled to New York to attend the event, where he made his first international speech since taking office.
BTVI STAFF’S THREAT OVER CHAIRMAN’S RESELECTION
from page one
Mr Basden, an eight-year board member, was first appointed as deputy chairman on the BTVI board during the 2012 Christie administration. He stayed on after the election in 2017
and was later appointed to the post of chairman by the Minnis administration. Over the years, tension has grown between the staff and executives at BTVI with allegations of mistreatment and suppression of staff advancement. Several BTVI staff
spoke to The Tribune yesterday claiming that they are prepared to withdraw their services if Mr Basden returns to the board. “For the past few weeks there has been a mass exodus of employees leaving because of the atrocious working conditions,” one
staff member said. “A good number of them left without having any other jobs to go to. They just simply could not stay working under these conditions. “The situation at BTVI has become increasingly worse as it relates to employee rights and benefits when compared to other quasi-(government) institutions. It is so bad that the workers refer to the place as the plantation. Mr Basden has not benefited us. We have no career paths at BTVI. How can there be a tertiary institution that does not have a proper human resource department to shape up the advancement of staff?” The staff member does not want to see Mr Basden returned to the board. “We are asking this government to look at the record of this board and the past board that Mr Basden also served on. Nothing but wastage was accomplished and the staff was always in turmoil,” the worker alleged. The employee said workers want their salaries to be increased, among other things. “BTVI staff and teachers are the worst paid. We want an educational advancement policy that would reward employees when they improve themselves academically as this also benefits the school. This
policy does not exist in an academic institution. Imagine that. “We want our two years increment added to our salaries now and our back pay from July 2020 just like the faculty and staff UB got. We are not happy with the bonus they gave us to shut our mouths. We need our increments before this year ends. Most of all we want respect. The faculty and staff will no longer sit by and allow ourselves to be mistreated. “We will do what is legal and what is necessary to stop the abuse that we have endured for so many years. So if we have to, we will report to work in front of the president’s office if things do not change.” The employee is hopeful the new Minister of State for Education, Technical and Vocational Training Zane Lightbourne, a former unionist, can help in this situation. UTEB became recognised as the bargaining agent for BTVI staff and faculty on June 28 of this year. The Tribune also spoke with Daniel Thompson, UTEB’s president, who noted that the staff members are members of his union who said they have had enough. “I’ve heard the complaints from the membership,” Mr Thompson
said. “I know that quite a few of them have expressed significant anxiety and concern about the possibility of Mr Kevin Basden returning to BTVI. “If you can recall it was under his administration that this whole idea of us having one of our members fired and we are still waiting for the evidence and the matter is still live and active. His tenure isn’t really deserving of a return. “People are looking for what is referred to as ‘a new day’ and the scripture says you don’t put new wine in old skin. So it is imperative that he is not reappointed. Union members have expressed that if he is reappointed there will be industrial action. They are not prepared to work under him under no condition whatsoever.” He also said: “They are prepared to strike if Basden is given another five years. They will come to work but no work will get done if Kevin Basden remains on the board.” The union also has issues with the leadership style of BTVI president, Dr Robert Robertson, however Mr Thompson said his group is not that focused on him because his contract will naturally come to an end. Mr Basden was not available for comment yesterday.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, September 27, 2021, PAGE 3
‘Election upgrades’ delayed for checks from page one “So, the idea was that it would hobble any new administration and two things seemed to be in play. One is to offer an incentive for people to vote for the past administration and then secondly, (the) poison pill, so that presumably those who were promoted or hired were ‘supporters of the last administration’ and would therefore end up causing problems for the new administration. “So, I think out of an abundance of caution, you can’t say that it’s all been rolled back, but an instruction was issued through Cabinet to simply put everything on hold until we can get an opportunity to have a look at what’s actually going on and then make decisions going forward.” Mr Mitchell said when he assumed his office at the Department of Public Service, he found “stacks of promotions,” many of which he said he suspected were “long overdue”. He said in view of this fact, he did not want to put a “negative imprint” on the situation. When asked how long the hold would be, he said he could not say for certain. “I’m not sure,” he told reporters. “But in my case, I’m hoping the state minister is going to bring the paper on Tuesday because I don’t want people’s lives on hold and you have to be very careful. For example, you can’t assume that everybody who was promoted under the last regime was an FNM supporter or hire. You shouldn’t because it
just doesn’t add up. And in a small society, everybody is connected to everyone so you don’t want to be inflicting harm or hurt on anyone and that’s the Prime Minister’s main focus at the moment. So, it’s just really to have a look at it and see that there’s nothing.” Mr Mitchell said it was important to make a “distinction” between the routine public service jobs and political level jobs. “The most obvious example is, of course, the foreign service, so everybody at the top of the foreign service - for example those who serve overseas - as a matter of routine have all submitted their resignations to the government and the government then makes a decision about whether to accept or when to accept those resignations,” he explained. When asked if all of the promotions that happened in the last few weeks of the Minnis administration in the public service have just been halted temporarily, he said: “Yes, that’s a way to describe it, just to let us have a look at it because you don’t want anything nefarious to be taking place.” Mr Mitchell was one of several government officials who accompanied Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis on his trip to New York to attend the United Nations General Assembly. When he was asked to elaborate on Mr Davis’ comment concerning the country’s need to have a bigger role in the foreign service sector he stated: “I think that our predecessors, our criticism of them
was that they stepped back too much and were in the shadow of just a single actor. “I’ve often said in the past that the United States and ourselves have similar, but not the same interests and even though they’re the more powerful neighbour and obviously the most important partner that we have, there is space for other actors. And we believe that we ought to utilise that space to the benefit of the country particularly since the sources of capital are very limited and given the debt (restructuring) that has to take place that the Prime Minister was talking about, we’ve got to shop around the world as opposed to one single actor, in order to resolve that problem.” Yesterday, Mr Mitchell agreed his meeting with the UN ambassador was fruitful as the two countries have a “good working relationship”. He said besides the migration issue, one of the main topics of conversation concerned the question of vaccine equity. Mr Mitchell also spoke to Mr Davis’ petition on behalf of Cuba which called for the removal of sanctions in the country. “It’s not new. It’s been in every speech by every prime minister, including the last prime minister that we’re against the economic blockade or embargo against the Cubans. There is a practical reason for it (because) every time the blockade takes place...is that it pressures the refugee population out of Cuba which causes issues for The Bahamas,” Mr Mitchell said.
MINISTER of Foreign Affairs and Public Service Fred Mitchell speaking to reporters. Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff
management, executive management nor the board had any participation in the promotion exercise and therefore we called for the list to be stopped, cancelled and reviewed. They camouflaged the list with just a few deserving persons.” Mr Woods alleges that the promotions, minus the “camouflaged”, were done in an attempt to garner votes for the former Free National Movement government. In fact, he said it to the WSC general manager in a letter dated September 17. “The union is of the view that the executive chairman and yourself carried out such an exercise in an attempt to solicit votes for the former government in the most recent general election,” Mr Woods wrote. “All of this was done without due regard to the proper contractual promotional policies or due process as contained within the industrial agreement between the Water and Sewerage Corporation and the Bahamas Utilities Services and Allied Workers Union dated 1st July, 2013 – 30th June, 2018,” Mr Woods’ letter noted. His letter also stated that “this political promotion exercise” disenfranchises deserving employees and will result in the demotivation of employees. Mr Woods explained how the recent WSC promotion process was carried out. “What happened is this,” he said. “The corporation, two days before election, the day before election, Election Day and the day after Election Day subsequently promoted, first 58 persons. They came back and increased the amount to 62 a day later and then carried it up to 72 on Election Day. They came back the day after election and promoted one person who was promoted already to a higher level. “The union demonstrated
against the initial two lists – the first list and the amended list on September 15. The first promotion list came out on September 14.” He said more people were promoted and some staff made permanent after the union demonstrated. He explained that his union had presented its own list of proposed promotions to management. “We had a list before management for consideration for persons who were well deserving and were
not given promotions from anywhere from ten years to 25 years,” Mr Woods said. “We have persons who were benefiting because of political persuasion. They were benefitting two and three times within this one administration of four years.” The Tribune obtained a copy of the WSC industrial agreement. Article 3(C) of the agreement states that WSC retains the right “to promote, retire, transfer, (and) rotate.” The WSC source who
WSC UNION SUPPORTS ‘RESCINDING’ PROMOTIONS By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net
THE union representing employees of the Water and Sewerage Corporation supports the “rescinding” of last-minute staff promotions which landed on the eve of the country’s general election. Over the weekend, a letter signed by WSC’s General Manager Elwood Donaldson made the rounds on social media. That letter, dated September 23 informed an employee that their promotion was being “rescinded” and that their job status would revert to whatever it was before September 1. The letter states that “all promotions effective September 1, 2021 have been placed on hold pending further review”. The letter was signed by Mr Donaldson, but it said it was rescinding the promotions, “per directive received from the general manager.” The Tribune spoke with Dwayne Woods, president of the Bahamas Utilities Service and Allied Workers Union, yesterday. He said the promotions were rescinded after his union petitioned the WSC general manager and new Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis. “We wrote Mr Donaldson complaining and copied it as highest as the current prime minister,” Mr Woods said. “We asked that the list be stopped, cancelled and reviewed and that is what brought rise to the letter you are seeing now. “The letter you are seeing is indicative of who they are promoting. It makes no sense because Mr Donaldson cannot be writing the letter and then signing it and saying as directed by the office of the general manager. “So the union contended that due process was not followed. Middle
provided The Tribune with the industrial agreement accused Mr Woods of being disingenuous and not looking after the interest of his staff. “What I don’t understand is how the union can push for rescinding something that benefits its members,” the WSC source said. “The members got promotions. I am certain that there were FNMs, PLPs and others in that grouping that got the promotions. Woods is so driven and blinded
by revenge for the former chairman that he cannot see that his members were winning. “Now his members should re-evaluate if their union is really working on their behalf. Management is well within its rights to promote the staff. Management, according to the industrial agreement, does not have to consult the board or the union to promote staff. The staff should question Woods on why he stood in their way to advancement.”
PAGE 4, Monday, September 27, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
Sandilands is ‘crumbling’ By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville said the government needs to find the resources to repair “crumbling” infrastructure at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre. His comments to reporters came after a tour of the facility on Friday. “Many of the patients that are in the wards are well kept, but as we go through the wards, we begin to realise that some of the infrastructure is crumbling and we need to find resources to begin to get the infrastructure back to a level that is satisfactory for the caring of our elderly and our paediatric special children,” he said. “As I toured the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre, the first thing that came to mind is where we are with our COVID protocols. I am pleased that (SRC) staff have definitely come up with a plan. That particular plan we will develop and we will work upon to ensure that everyone who is permanent here at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre will be safe.”
Dr Darville said SRC has the protocols to prevent cross-contamination. He also said if they find themselves in a situation where a patient tests positive for COVID-19, facilities are available to isolate and quarantine them. “So we’re building capacity, we’re improving on what we’ve found and at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre, we find ourselves in the position where the healthcare professionals at this institution are doing their endeavour best to protect those who are in the institution, permanent residents and those who are actually receiving treatment and will soon be released as an outpatient.” Dr Darville said COVID19 continues to pose a “serious problem to the country.” He said his ministry was watching the numbers “very closely”. He said the Davis administration is trying to increase hospital capacity. “It’s important for the government as well as health care professionals to be ready in the event that we find another massive surge (because) we need to be able to handle it,” he said. “A few days
ago we had the ability to tour the Princess Margaret Hospital, a couple of days prior we had the opportunity to look at the South Beach COVID clinic and look at ways how we can improve that infrastructure and create additional bed capacity for those cases that are positive for COVID and ambulatory. “We toured the Princess Margaret Hospital and it is clear that there is much renovation going on and we are in a situation where the hospital is at pretty much maximum capacity. We had the ability to tour the Samaritan’s Purse pathogen centre...our nurses are doing an excellent job, but we are in the hurricane season and there is a tropical depression out there and we always must think in terms of hurricanes. “And so even though those facilities are functional, if we have a hurricane with high winds or heavy rain they will be compromised and it’s important for the Ministry of Health COVID task force as well as those who are on the front line to have an alternative site. We’re looking at that and we’re trying to build capacity as we speak.”
HEALTH and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville during his tour of the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre. Photo: Patrick Hanna/BIS
TRAVEL VISA SCRAPPED FOR TRIPS TO ISLANDS from page one
He spoke about the issue after an amendment to the existing Emergency Powers Order was released, outlining the changes. Meanwhile, an Emergency Powers Order issued yesterday states that nonvaccinated Bahamians and residents seeking to enter the country will not have to pay for a travel health visa as of October 1. Travel health visa fees will still be applicable for foreign visitors seeking to enter this country. “In our 10-point plan during the campaign trail
and as opposition, we made it clear that we did not see the significance of the travel visa and we said it very clearly, that once the opportunity arose, we would eliminate it,” Dr Darville said on Friday. “So, we did an assessment with the travel visa inter-island and we found it to be a very cumbersome thing to do and we found a lot of individuals in the Family Islands, particularly those suffering from non-communicable and chronic diseases (who) needed to travel back and forth to the capital, they were finding difficulty to do so.”
Dr Darville said the elimination of the interisland travel visa means individuals who are on the Family Islands who need to come to New Providence only need a government approved negative antigen test since they are coming from areas of “low infectivity” for the most part. He said individuals who are vaccinated and need to travel from New Providence or Grand Bahama can now do so with an antigen test, while those who are not vaccinated will need a PCR test. “So that travel visa has now been eliminated interisland,” he said. “When
we’re going international, the travel visa will remain in place at this particular time because there are some other issues that we need to deal with and so we’ve decided to do away with inter-island travel visa, while we work on the necessary protocols before we move into eliminating the travel visa internationally.” Dr Darville noted many residents have been affected by the travel regime established under various Emergency Powers Orders. He said after speaking with health care professionals and receiving approval from
Cabinet, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis signed the COVID-19 Pandemic Management and Recovery Order. The amendment removes the requirement for a travel health visa for inter-island travel. It states that vaccinated persons travelling inter-island from New Providence and Grand Bahama will now only be required to produce a negative rapid antigen test approved by the Ministry of Health, and if unvaccinated, travellers are required to produce a negative PCR result. For persons travelling inter-island from any other islands of The Bahamas,
only a negative result antigen test is required; the requirement for secondary testing for inter-island travellers is now removed. The travel health visa is still required for Bahamian citizens, residents and visitors entering The Bahamas. However vaccinated Bahamian citizens and residents do not have to pay a travel health visa fee to return to the country. Dr Darville said his ministry is satisfied that the amendment would “lift a considerable financial burden” off travellers while simultaneously ensuring the health and safety of the general public.
COVID DEATH TOLL INCREASES TO 523 Death Notice For
Mary Saadi Baker
Mary Saadi Baker, born March 28, 1929, in Nassau, Bahamas, died Sunday, September 19, 2021 in her family home in Nassau. Miss Baker was the daughter of Anthony Saadi Baker and Cawcob Bonagieb Baker. She resided in the Bahamas her entire life except for the years she attended Rosary Academy in Watertown, Massachusetts. She attended the school with two of her sisters Helen Baker Donahue and Virginia Baker after her parents had died. Her Sister Nezera Baker lived and worked nearby in Cambridge, Massachusetts. After returning to the Bahamas, she worked for her brother, The Honorable Useph Baker in his law chambers and for the family business, A. Baker and Sons. Miss Baker was a devout Catholic. She attended mass nearly every day from the time she was at Rosary Academy until well into her 80s. Originally, she would go to Sacred Heart Church, but in later years she went to St. Thomas More Church in Palmdale. Miss Baker was also devoted to her family. She loved to cook and bake especially dishes and pastries from her parents’ native Lebanon, like Kibbeh and Ma’Amoul, and the dishes of Bahamas, fried fish, peas and rice and plantains. Miss Baker was predeceased by her parents, her brothers and their spouses, Frederick, Useph (Carol), Philip, Saadi, Mitchel (Jane), Anthony (Pam and Doreen), and George (Jaunita), her sisters, Lulu, Almoza, Nezera, Helen and Freda and her brother-in-law, James A. Donahue Jr. She was also predeceased by three nephews, Anton Baker, Joseph Baker and Michael Baker. Miss Baker is survived by her sister Virginia and Nieces and nephews and their families in Pennsylvania, the Bahamas, Minnesota. New York and Florida.
COVID-19 deaths have increased by one after an 81-year-old New Providence man died on September 7. This pushed the nation’s COVID-19 death toll to 523. Health officials also reported 172 new cases over a two-day period, meaning
the nation now has 20,775 confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic. Only 1,777 of those cases are active, however. Officials said 70 new cases were recorded on Saturday. The September 25 dashboard also said through contact tracing efforts, a
COVID-19 confirmed case previously reported from Acklins has now been reclassified as a COVID-19 confirmed case originating from New Providence. On Friday, 102 cases were recorded. At last report, 146 people were in hospital with the virus.
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net GRAND Bahama Minister Ginger Moxey says she will work diligently to deliver “immediate” social relief to Grand Bahamians and reconstruction on the island. She spoke to reporters after she arrived in Freeport on Friday to a warm welcome from her supporters at the Grand Bahama International Airport. Ms Moxey, the first woman to hold the position, said she is excited about going to work to rebuild Grand Bahama and provide relief to people. “I am going straight to work to the office,” she said. “People have been hurting in the Grand Bahama community for so long. People are still mashed up since (Hurricane) Dorian, and we recognised how much people are in need of relief.” She indicated that there are many projects that need to be tackled, including the hospital, airport, and the Grand Lucayan hotel. “We have the situation at the hospital,” she said. “And the Minister of Health and Wellness (Dr Michael Darville) has been here to the Rand Memorial Hospital. Also, we have the situation with the airport. It was sold to the government, but we are going to really get the ball rolling with
that and begin to develop a master plan for the airport.” Ms Moxey indicated that the Grand Lucayan is another project they are looking to tackle. The Minnis administration purchased the hotel during its term with the intent to sell it, however the sale of the property has not yet been finalised. “We talked about that during the campaign and what was so wrong about that,” she said. “And so, we are going to again be meeting on the status of that and where that is at, and really begin again to get the ball rolling.” Ms Moxey also noted that Grand Bahama has been dealt with the blows of natural disasters and a strained economy for too long and in spite of these challenges, residents have remained resilient. “As your minister, I am excited to journey with you as we recover, rebuild, and revolutionise the island of Grand Bahama,” she said. She noted that the Davis administration has strategic plans to achieve that goal. “I vow to work with diligence to begin delivering immediate social relief to Grand Bahamians and much-needed reconstruction on the island. It is envisioned that this will, in turn, assist our mission to stabilise the economy and create opportunities for Bahamians to thrive,” she said.
Ms Moxey stressed that collaboration with stakeholders is the key to achieving progress for the island but said it will not be an overnight fix. “It will take some time, the country has been through a lot,” she said. “We have just been elected to office, and we don’t know exactly what we are facing, and so we have to kind of check a lot of contracts signed and re-evaluate them. “What I can say is that we will — I am about creating systems that allow the Ministry of Grand Bahama to cause Grand Bahama to thrive. We know these are very challenging times for people, and so patience is required.” When asked about the International Bazaar area, Ms Moxey said: “I’ve always held the Bazaar near and dear to my heart, and I know there were talks about reopening the road. We cannot continue to allow (the Bazaar) to remain in the condition that it is.” Ms Moxey thanked Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis for appointing her to the role. “I am also particularly proud to be the first woman to hold the title of minister for Grand Bahama and hope to inspire the future of women in leadership,” she said. “I thank the Grand Bahama community for your support, and I look forward to serving you.”
MOXEY: I’LL WORK TO BRING IMMEDIATE RELIEF TO GB
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, September 27, 2021, PAGE 5
MAN FOUND DEAD WITH GUNSHOT WOUNDS TO HEAD POLICE are investigating the circumstances regarding the fatal shooting of a man on Faith Avenue South yesterday afternoon. Assistant Superintendent of Police Audley Peters told The Tribune officers received reports of a shooting that occurred at a plaza opposite Anatol Rodgers High School around 1.30pm. He said when they arrived on the scene, officers saw a man lying on the ground with apparent gunshot wounds to the head. “Medical services were called in and following their examination they pronounced the body lifeless
on scene,” he said. “The preliminary inquiries are that the victim, who is an employee of that establishment, was washing a vehicle when a male approached him brandishing a firearm and shot him in the head before leaving the scene in a small vehicle. We are awaiting the identification of a next of kin to determine the victim’s identity.” ASP Peters said there was nothing to suggest the incident is gang related “based on the evidence that was gathered on the scene”. He also said police are appealing to anyone who may have information
that could assist them with their investigation to come forward. “We are canvassing the area and in due course we will know what we have to work with to bring this matter to some closure,” he said. “Everyone is responsible for this issue of crime in our communities, in particular the murders that are occurring with the use of firearms. Every woman (and) every man who is in a relationship are aware of the close proximity of those heart-to-heart conversations and you’d know that your loved one is carrying
FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis was sworn in as leader of the official opposition on Friday. The event took place at the Office of the Governor General. On September 16, the Free National Movement suffered a crushing defeat at the polls, winning only seven out of 39 seats. On the sidelines of yesterday’s event, Dr Minnis said the group will be an effective opposition despite its size. “Little axe can cut down big tree. I have a very powerful opposition group...Michael Pintard, Kwasi Thompson, Adrian White, Adrian Gibson — I have a very powerful and
effective group,” he said. On Wednesday, FNM chairman Carl Culmer revealed that the party’s council agreed to let Dr Minnis remain leader of the party until a new leader emerges from a convention in November. The meeting followed the FNM executive committee’s decision to recommend to the council that Dr Minnis remain leader during the transition period. Dr Minnis had told committee members that he will hold on to his Killarney seat and has no plans to resign from the House of Assembly. On Friday, Dr Minnis said he hopes the new administration will keep the policies he implemented to
give Bahamians a better life and implement his promised universal school lunch programme—which he had announced on the campaign trail that he would introduce if re-elected. “We had a plan in terms of pre-schooling, which we’ve introduced free. I would like that to be maintained because we know that pre-schooling is very important for quality of life and outcome. We would like them to keep and implement the universal lunch programme. “I know what it’s like to go to school without lunch, without breakfast, that affects you,” Dr Minnis said. Photo: Letisha Henderson/ BIS
MINNIS IS APPOINTED LEADER OF OPPOSITION
CULMER: ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES, DON’T FLY ALL OVER THE PLACE By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net
THE Free National Movement’s chairman has criticised government officials for attending the United Nations General Assembly shortly after being elected to office. Carl Culmer said instead of “flying all over the place” the new administration needs to roll up its sleeves and create jobs. He also criticised some of the Cabinet ministers who were recently appointed, saying they are the “same old persons” with new portfolios. “They say it’s much work to do, but they are flying all over the place,” Mr Culmer said on Friday. “They need to get down and roll up their sleeves and help to create employment. The pandemic is not going anywhere soon and they need to put a plan in place to rid the country of this pandemic. We will be watching and we will offer our recommendations to them because we all live here.” He has also again criticised the Davis administration’s large Cabinet, which has 22 members. Seven parliamentary secretaries have also been appointed, which Mr Culmer said will be a strain
on public finances. “When they talk about ‘it’s a new day’ but when you look at it, nothing has changed,” Mr Culmer said. “It’s the same old persons who have been around, now with different portfolios. “I am surprised to see that the prime minister just got elected and is leaving the country. Fred is supposed to be a man who knows foreign affairs, but now he is taking the prime minister out to New York.” He also said: “When they were in opposition, when they spoke about the wastage of money and the large Cabinet that the FNM had, but they came in and forgot about that criticism. When you look at the amount of money that will be coming out of the Treasury to take care of all of these 29 persons, it shows that their back bench has very little depth. “It shows that the current prime minister cannot make the tough calls. He has to please everyone and it also shows that Fred Mitchell will be playing a dominant role. He will try to isolate and take over the party through his office.” Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis led a delegation on Friday to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York. He returned yesterday. Fred Mitchell, PLP chairman and
Minister of Foreign Affairs and Public Service, was a part of that group. When contacted for comment, Mr Mitchell said: “I do not have regard for his (Mr Culmer’s) opinions on any political matters. His lackluster performance as chairman and his insulting and condescending conduct are responsible in great measure for their failure at the polls. He can’t even properly advise his boss Hubert Minnis to resign in the name of decency. “Carl Culmer should be before a priest in sackcloth and ashes for the abdominal performance of the FNM government. He and his colleagues are specialists in spreading half-truths, innuendos and misleading statements. The PM is focused on doing his work, not on the potcakes who showing off for their owners long after the intruder has left the yard.” On September 16, the FNM was swept out of office winning only seven of 29 seats. After the devastating loss, party members voted to allow former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis to stay on as FNM leader until a new leader is selected at a convention in November. Mr Culmer will not offer himself for re-election in the party’s November convention.
a firearm and that firearm could be used against you (or) against a relative. And so we ask you to have the courage, the fortitude and, I’d even go as far to say be brave in coming forth to the police and giving us that information. Today somebody is affected by this death. A family, a child, children, a husband, a wife, a relative — they’ve been affected. The community has been affected, the resources used to bring this matter to some closure. So it’s everyone’s responsibility as we tackle this issue of violent crime in particular with the use of firearms.”
THE SCENE of a shooting on Faith Avenue South yesterday. Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff
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THE TRIBUNE
The Tribune Limited NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”
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Foul or fair? PLP puts promotions on hold ON the eve of the 2017 election, the Royal Bahamas Police Force promoted 851 officers under the then PLP government. Today, we report that now the PLP is back in power, it is putting on hold promotions granted in the past few weeks by the former Minnis administration to ensure nothing “nefarious” had taken place. Fred Mitchell, the Foreign Affairs and Public Service Minister, said the action was taken “out of an abundance of caution.” He said: “What seems to have happened, looking at the actions of the last weeks of the (Minnis) administration, was that there was an attempt, it appears, and I don’t want to say it’s so until we actually know the facts, to put what we call a poison pill.” For someone who doesn’t want to say something until we actually know the facts, Mr Mitchell is remarkably talkative on the topic. He went on: “So, the idea was that it would hobble any new administration and two things seemed to be in play. One is to offer an incentive for people to vote for the past administration and then secondly, (the) poison pill, so that presumably those who were promoted or hired were ‘supporters of the last administration’ and would therefore end up causing problems for the new administration.” It would be nice to think that being wary over pre-election promotions was a sign of the PLP turning over a new leaf from the time when it did the same thing. It would be a good thing indeed if employees of the civil service didn’t have question marks hanging over them as to whether they are FNMs or PLPs and could just be people doing their jobs and working their best for the nation. That suggestion, however, from someone who says they don’t want to say something that these promotions might be supporters of the opposite party does raise concerns. Is this a vindictive action? Well, while Mr Mitchell concedes that some of those promotions are “long overdue”, he also says he cannot say for certain how much more overdue the government will make them.
How must those workers who have done nothing more than work diligently in their job feel at being left in limbo because of suspicions of partisan behaviour by one government or another? And it will do nothing for their mood as their first welcome by the new arrivals is to put a stop on their promotion. The presumption of political allegiances being a reason for promotion rather than simply on the quality of a person’s work is a problem that still haunts our public service – to the detriment of those working within it. People should not be treated as political pawns. And nor should they be held back on the suspicion that they are – without evidence having been presented. Workers should not be caught in a game of pig-in-the-middle between two opposing parties. The more independence our civil service has against such influences, the better.
Bahamas debt
Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis is already running into some of the tough choices he is going to have to make in office. The country’s debt is already higher than the value of the economy, and Mr Davis is talking about negotiating debts where necessary to avoid default. Caribbean economist Maria Dukharan has forecast that The Bahamas is one of two countries in the region expected to default on their sovereign debt – although she also said that last year. It is good that Mr Davis intends to “live up” to our obligations, but it is concerning that there is still talk on the table of a VAT cut, for example, if we’re having to renegotiate debt payments. Any increase of state revenues will mean pain for those affected. Any cuts will have to be significant and deep to have a substantial effect. Neither one will be popular as an option. It is important for the government to rise to this challenge – a default will benefit no one, regardless of the colour of their political shirts.
Travel visa reaction THE announcement of the end of travel health visas for inter-island travel, although the government is still working to remove the international travel health visa, brought plenty of reaction from readers on www. tribune242.com. Whogothere said: “Thats it - let go.. let it all go... common sense and reasonable policy..next step stop vaccine status segregation...both unvaccinated and vaccinated spread the disease; the vaccinated spread possibly seemingly at higher viral loads... unilateral testing should be the only gatekeeper if you must and it should be as close to free as possible... covid antibody count should open doors too..
Vaccine efficacy fades we know that - natural immunity however goes for how long? We don’t know how it long lasts because it rarely fails...we’re still trying to cap that number all indications are many many times vaccine protective period without unknown side effects of multiple jabs.” Mirkovonkovats said: “Excellent first move. Abolish this useless travel
health visa. $9m wasted people’s money. Who benefited??? Vaccination and tests are sufficient. Upload for $9m - who needs that?” Alan added: “That is very good news. Let us hope the Visa will very soon be abolished for international visitors. Our tourism has been very badly affected by this cumbersome unnecessary Visa. There have been so many complaints from well meaning travel agents in the USA,Canada and the UK. They all say it has been the greatest deterrent to getting bookings for The Bahamas.” • Join in the conversation at www.tribune242.com.
China’s rise is peaceful, unstoppable AT the recent celebrations for the centennial anniversary of the Communist Party of China attended by 70,000 people and watched by fellow Chinese all over the world, General Secretary Xi Jinping confidently announced that China has fulfilled its first centenary goal of turning China into a moderately prosperous society by putting an end to absolute poverty. This is an historic achievement for a centuryold party, who was born in the throes of a semicolonial and semi-feudal society. General Secretary Xi also used the occasion to reiterate China’s commitment to peaceful development and to promote world peace and global development, and uphold the international order. China’s peaceful rise is probably one of the most transformative events of the 21st century. It is the first time in hundreds of years for a non-Western country to achieve near-par development with the West, but only at a much faster rate and much larger scale, and through means of trade and economic cooperation, rather than war, colonization and plunder. While most people in the world recognise and welcome China’s progress, there are some in the West who see it as a threat to Western predominance in international affairs. Too
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net accustomed to Western superiority, they cannot accept China going its own way and being successful at the same time. Some of the worst forms of this misperception of China manifested itself in a continuous and dogged campaign to depict China in a negative light in international discourse. In the past few years, such a campaign of slander has reached feverish pitch bordering on paranoia, as can be seen in such horrendous accusations against China as “genocide” in Xinjiang. It is astonishing how short some people’s memory is. They know what genocide is, and aboriginals in different parts of the world experienced it first-hand. Employing familiar divide-and-rule tactics, these people have found a way to make an issue out of areas on the outer edges of China either inhabited by ethnic minorities or having a colonial history, such as Xinjiang in China’s northwest, Tibet in southwest, Taiwan in the east and Hong Kong in the south, to fabricate and play up different stories about China. This is seen by many in China as a pathetic attempt to hold China down and
prevent its rise, which will never succeed. As General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, China has embarked on a new journey of pursuing its second centenary goal of realizing full socialist modernization by the centenary of the People’s Republic in 2049, and the country has entered an irreversible historical process of rejuvenation. China’s rise has so far been and will continue to be a story of not only rising prosperity for its own people but also of opportunities shared with countries all over the world through mutually beneficial cooperation and assistance. In the just concluded session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, more than 90 countries in the world made statements supporting China and opposing the politicization of human rights. This shows the weight of global public opinion. Those in the West agitating for confrontation need to be aware of a selffulfilling prophesy: make China an adversary, and it would become one. This is a recipe for a lose-lose scenario. Partnership and solidarity would be an infinitely better option. CHINESE EMBASSY SPOKESPERSON YIN HAIGANG September 26, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, September 27, 2021, PAGE 7
Hundreds of Haitians detained over weekend By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net PROVISIONS have been made to facilitate the repatriation of hundreds of Haitian migrants who entered the country illegally over the weekend, according to Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis. A slew of Haitian nationals attempting to flee political turmoil and economic unrest in their home country were detained in Inagua on Saturday, after being apprehended in a joint operation by members of the the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the United States Coast Guard. And last night, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force said law enforcement agencies were working to extract approximately 400 Haitian migrants from an uninhabited cay in the Ragged Island chain. Earlier on Sunday, the Department of Immigration said more than 400 migrants were in custody after the alleged capsizing and subsequent sinking of a Haitian vessel off Exuma. This came after Royal Bahamas Defence Force officials said a Haitian sloop was spotted in the Ragged Island chain on Saturday morning. HMBS Durward Knowles was dispatched to investigate and assist. When the ship arrived, the Haitian vessel, with a total of 145 migrants onboard, was apprehended and taken to Matthew Town where the passengers were then handed over to Immigration officers for processing. The RBDF said more than 500 migrants had been picked up over the last week, excluding the apprehensions on Sunday, who
are currently being held on Inagua. Yesterday, Mr Davis said he discussed the current crisis involving the “large number of migrants who have recently landed on the country’s southern shores,” with the foreign minister of Haiti and the permanent representative from Haiti to the United Nations at the 2021 UN General Assembly. He said he was “especially concerned” about the humanitarian impact the crisis was having on the Haitian migrants as well as the residents of the respective islands. “The foreign minister and I were able to quickly address the technical issues involved in ensuring the safety and security of all concerned and in arranging for the swift repatriation of the migrants,” he told reporters. “Along with other partners in the region, we recognise that this long-term issue can only be resolved by the cooperation of all actors; those discussions are on-going. For the time being I shall say no more in relation to this situation until I am able to receive a full briefing from my ministers and other public officials on the ground, (but) in the meantime, I wish to publicly thank the Deputy Prime Minister, who was the acting prime minister at the time Chester Cooper, the Minister of Health Michael Darville, the Minister of National Security Wayne Munroe and the Minister of Labour and Immigration Keith Bell for immediately attending to this crisis and for keeping me abreast of developments.” On Saturday, the delegation visited Inagua to meet
MAN ADMITS TRESPASS By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
A 39-YEAR-OLD man who admitted going on another’s man property without permission was on Friday put on a month’s probation. Jason Deleveaux was arrested after he trespassed on Mervin Jones’ property on September 22. He admitted the offence during his hearing before Magistrate Kara Turnquest Deveaux. The prosecution said that around 8am on the day in question, Mr Jones, who is the owner of several apartments in the Blue Hill Road South area, met Deleveaux on his property. He told police it was not the accused’s first time coming on his premises despite not being given permission
to be there. After he filed his complaint, Deleveaux was arrested. When he was questioned in police custody, he admitted the offence. On Friday, Deleveaux told the magistrate he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and asked if it would be possible for him to be remanded to the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre as he was a previous patient of the facility. However, Magistrate Turnquest Deveaux told him the SRC was not accepting any patients at this time. As a result, she accepted his guilty plea and placed him on probation for one month. She warned Deleveaux that if he failed to stay out of trouble within that time frame, he could risk spending a month behind bars.
THREE DENY ASSAULTS By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
THREE men who denied assaulting three women in separate incidents were granted bail on Friday before their trials. In the first case, Anthony Louis was arrested and accused of causing harm to Allishcia Smith on September 12. He denied the allegation during his arraignment before Magistrate Kara Turnquest Deveaux and his case was adjourned to December 9 for trial. In the meantime, he was granted $3,500 bail. Meanwhile, police alleged that Ashton Pratt,
25, harmed Caryn François on September 14. He also pleaded not guilty to one count of causing harm and was released on $3,500 bail. He returns to court on December 9 for trial. Ringo Ellis, 24, also appeared before Magistrate Turnquest Deveaux charged with harming Carissa Culmer on September 21. He denied doing so and his case was also adjourned to December 9 for trial. Ellis was granted $1,500 bail in the interim. All of the accused were ordered to have no contact with any of the witnesses involved in their respective cases until the completion of their trials.
MAN ACCUSED OF GRABBING WOMAN’S BREAST By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A 46-YEAR-OLD man was on Friday remanded to prison accused of indecently assaulting a woman 20 years his junior. Albert Pierre was arrested after he allegedly grabbed a 26-year-old woman’s breast while she was walking on September 22.
He was not required to enter a plea when he appeared before Magistrate Kara Turnquest Deveaux and his case was adjourned to December 9 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment. In the meantime, Pierre was denied bail and remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. He has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.
the Haitian migrants who were placed under a tent at the island’s police station. When Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper spoke to the large crowd, he urged them to comply with the immigration officers. “We are here to help you,” he assured them. “We need your cooperation; we have enough food and enough water and we ask you to be patient. It’s important that you follow the instructions of the officers. We want you to know that you’ve landed in The Bahamas illegally and therefore we will help you, we will process you to return back to your homes. I repeat we need your full cooperation with the officers at hand.” Right before he informed the migrants that the minister of health would address some concerns they had, he was met with loud applause. Yesterday, Foreign Affairs and Public Service Minister Fred Mitchell acknowledged that there was a “humanitarian crisis” that could possibly ensue in Inagua if the situation was not addressed in a timely fashion.
“I think that we believe that a mistake was made by the last administration by agreeing that everybody has to go to court and be found guilty before they can be deported,” he said. “There’s a philosophical disagreement on that issue and we are having the attorney general have a look at the law to see whether or not this is something we can review, because what happens now is a magistrate has to now fly down to Inagua, try each individual, find them guilty or not guilty— this includes children which points out the absurdity of it—and then once they are convicted, they are then deported. All of that takes time. Can you imagine trying 357 people, whereas before when we were in office, they were treated as unlanded and therefore we simply withdrew their presence from The Bahamas and sent them back to their home country. I think that should be the position, but of course it’s subject to what the courts and the law says.” Officials said the migrants will be repatriated after they are processed.
HUNDREDS of Haitian migrants were detained over the weekend.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2021
THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS
Serious soul searching for the right man to lead By MALCOLM STRACHAN
the leader of the Opposition when Parliament begins next month. While some would have IN the post-mortem of preferred to see the former an embarrassing landslide Prime Minister’s head roll, election defeat, the Free this is the right decision by National Movement is a the Executive Council of party some would say let the FNM. For one, it will the trappings of govern- be far less complicated than ance go to their heads. not even allowing the seat Others would put the blame to cool before potentially squarely on the shoulders swapping leaders at the of their leader, former convention, scheduled to be Prime Minister Dr Hubert held in November barring Minnis. Taken altogether, no surprises. Additionally, the cocktail which resulted Dr Minnis should be the in the loss at one to face the polls on ‘Regaining the trust the music September and defend 16 suggests a of the citizenry his record in party, much will be a tall task office, and like the PLP no one else, – and that’s an of 2017, that once Parlianeeds to do understatement ment opens. some seri- to say the least. Love or hate ous internal the job he Some of the evaluation. did, this is the This may names circulating way it should not have the leadership be done. been a desMoreover, discussion begin tination the damage the Minnis with those who done to the administraFNM brand survived the wave tion wanted would not be to arrive that swept away saved much at – but it is 28 seats from the by someone one that was former government else filling in not reached as the Oppoby mistake. on election day.’ sition Leader Indeed, this for the next loss was very calculated in month or so. In many that the decisions that were respects, what’s done is made came largely at the done, and the only chances behest of one man – which of a clean slate exist by is never a good practice in a taking the heat upfront democratic nation. Now, as and allowing a new leader the party is seemingly com- to take the reins and carry mitted to charting a new on the business of holding course, Dr Minnis has been the government’s feet to granted his wish to remain
LEADERSHIP contenders? Clockwise from top left, Michael Pintard, Shanendon Cartwright, Kwasi Thompson and Iram Lewis.
the fire. However, there have been whispers that some believe that this, too, is an elaborate plot by the former prime minister to keep command of the party heading into a next election. Many have discussed the fact he has only said he would not nominate himself for leadership at the next convention. However, that does not mean he would not accept if he is nominated by someone else. Certainly, stranger things have happened in politics. Putting it plainly, the FNM has to know this would be a leap into political oblivion, as the Bahamian people have indeed spoken. They have had their fill of the competent authority. That said, the FNM needs to carefully assess where it wants to go as it moves ahead. The leaders who followed former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham were not superstars by any stretch of the imagination. Both Tommy Turnquest and Dr Minnis were thought to be abysmal as leaders of the party. For what was supposed to be an easily won second term for the FNM, their party was not only rejected, but may have seen its political capital account go deeper into the red than the PLP did after its 2017 rout. Regaining the trust of the citizenry will be a tall task – and that’s an understatement to say the least. Some of the names circulating the leadership discussion begin with those who survived the wave that swept away 28 seats from the former government on election day. Of the current FNM Members of Parliament that have set their sights on the leadership of the party are St Barnabas MP Shanendon Cartwright - rising star as a political newcomer under the last administration - and Marco City MP Michael Pintard. Pintard, a veteran in politics and former chairman of the party, rose to prominence under the tutelage of former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham
DR Hubert Minnis at the meeting of the FNM Executive Council.
as one of the Young Turks – rising superstars within the FNM of the late 90s. Central Grand Bahama and East Grand Bahama MPs Iram Lewis and Kwasi Thompson, respectively, have also reportedly set their sights on the leadership. However, they both have much less realistic chances of being successful. Cartwright, also, while having accumulated much goodwill with the people of St Barnabas, was able to develop much of his popularity in the constituency based on the power he was afforded as the former chairman of Parks and Public Beaches Authority. Without that ability to empower many of his constituents, he will have to dig deep into his arsenal as he has never had the opportunity to show and prove what he can do in Cabinet.
For his part, Pintard has a clear advantage. Other names floating around outside the House of Assembly are former Minister of Health Dr Duane Sands, who sought to be deputy leader of the party back in 2016, but later pulled his bid for second-in-command at the party’s last convention. With no clear path to leadership for any of those, the next month and some will be very interesting to watch as the FNM tries to figure out its future identity. The PLP failed to effectively rebrand but found good fortune in the former Prime Minister’s grossly unpopular style of leadership. The FNM, which already has a handicap going into the next sitting
of Parliament with a leader viewed unfavourably, is going to be bludgeoned on their record for the past four and a half years. With a debt crisis, a pandemic-exacerbated healthcare crisis, and unfulfilled promises to the people of Abaco and Grand Bahama after Hurricane Dorian, the government has no shortage of material to go on the offensive against the Opposition. Hopefully, the biggest lesson in all of this is you cannot afford to take shortcuts in life and in politics – particularly with identifying a leader. Political gamesmanship and craftiness can only take a person so far. The ability to lead is what sets apart mice from men when the bright lights are on. In the weeks ahead, the wisdom the FNM will need to display will dictate the future of the party.
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
INSIGHT
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 PAGE 9
Crown Land gift delighted animal rights group - but how many others are celebrating too? By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net JUST two days before the general election, the Bahamas Humane Society was given 15 acres of Crown Land by the Bahamas Government. The Bahamas Humane Society is a non-profit organisation founded in 1924 and dedicated to promoting the humane treatment of animals through continuous education in a variety of methods, to end pet over-population through aggressive spay/ neuter campaigns. BHS president Kim Aranha is elated about the land grant and cannot wait to be able to finally expand the society’s operation. “Yes, the Government of The Bahamas very kindly gave land to the Bahamas Humane Society to be able to expand,” Ms Aranha confirmed to Insight. “The land is located on Adelaide Road and it is 15 acres. “The Bahamas Humane Society is thinking about how exactly we will handle this, but certainly more land was needed and, therefore, a lot of the facility will move. However, it is possible that a satellite facility will be maintained down in the Chippingham area. “In terms of expansion, we are thinking of being able to accommodate more animals in general. We would also like to be able to assist with the retired Surrey horses. We would also very much like to be able to have an animal friendly hurricane shelter. So these are all things that the board is considering now.” BHS vice-president Charlotte Albury was responsible for the negotiation that led up to the granting of the land. She said although the months of negotiations is now a blur, she and her team are very excited about the thought of the much-needed expansion. “It’s all a blur now,” Ms Albury said. “We went through all the filling out of forms, meeting with the different government agencies that we had to meet with.
At the end, the Prime Minister is the one who gives the permission to grant Crown Land. “We saw him (former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis) about six months ago and he was able to find us the 15 acres that we now have. It’s on Adelaide Road, just past the Coral Harbour roundabout. After that we had to have it surveyed which again took a couple of months and then after that it got the right signatures. I feel we were lucky to get it as fast as we did. They really worked with us to get that property. “We actually got the paper signed and put in our hands on September 14. We are very excited about expansion. We are housing over 300 plus cats and 200 plus dogs. It never stops. We do airlifts and as soon as we get 100 or 200 out, within a week we get them right back with more coming in.” The first BHS headquarters was located in Parliament Street, however in April 1937 these premises were destroyed. In 1947 the animal shelter opened at its current site in Chippingham and it officially became The Bahamas Humane Society. It is Nassau’s oldest charity and in 2014 BHS celebrated its 90th anniversary of service to The Bahamas. BHS receives $15,000 in funding from the government each year and the operation relies heavily on donations, memberships and fundraising for the rest of our operating budget. Although this is very good and appropriate news for the Humane Society, the issuance of Crown Land has been known to be used as a political tool. A government official told The Tribune that the Department of Land and Surveys is one of the most miss-used government agencies in The Bahamas. The department, which handles Crown Land, according to the official, issues the coveted property, but does not follow up to see if the land is actually being used for what is stated on the application. The system of issuing Crown Land has been a contentious issue for
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decades with countless allegations of poor management of acreages that, in fact, could be a serious source of economic empowerment and assist in spurring economic growth in The Bahamas. In 2018, the Minnis Administration moved the issuance of Crown Land from the Ministry of Agriculture and made it the responsibility of the Office of the Prime Minister, citing that the Prime Minister would be solely responsible for making the decision on who gets what. Chapter 252 of the Crown Land Acquisition Act Section 2 C and D states that the issuance of Crown Land should be only for the purposes of “providing hotel accommodation, or promoting the tourist traffic of The Bahamas, or providing increased harbour and dock facilities, or the agricultural development of The Bahamas, or any other public undertaking.” Applications for agricultural use far outnumber touristic development and is more easily obtained as there is little paperwork required. “Many politicians and big named Bahamians have abused the Crown Land system and have built their homes on it,” a Land and Surveys source claimed. “If we come up against them in this office, it will be our jobs. I work here, but this is one of the most corrupt government agencies in the
government of The Bahamas,” the source alleged. “Over the years I’ve seen Crown Land abused by both the PLP and the FNM... I pray that this new government comes in with a plan to change things whereas Crown Land is concerned.” The Tribune source said the problem does not only come with political interference, but the fact that the department has only one inspector who cannot do follow ups alone to ensure the land is being used for the purposes granted. “One of the real hiccups is that there are no inspectors inspecting what these people are doing with the Crown Land,” the source said. “There were inspectors some time ago, but they had no understudies. They are long gone. As it stands now, we only have one inspector. “So there is no manpower to do any checking on what’s happening with Crown Land issued and I am not sure if that is intentional or what. It is so far gone, even if we get inspectors, they will only be able to monitor recently issued Crown Land. “People have abused the system for so long, the source claimed. “What’s going to happen now is if a new government comes in they will go over the paperwork, saying they are doing due diligence,” the source continued. “A year or two will pass and
during that time you will see the two-storey houses being built. “There was this person who we actually went to a few years ago. We told him he was on Crown Land and that he was not using it appropriately. He then informed us that he had paid someone from Land and Surveys over $20,000 for his land. There was actually an investigation and we found out that a colleague in Land and Surveys was selling Crown Land to people. This person, the source claimed, “was stealing pieces of Crown Land from others and actually selling it to people. At the end of the investigation this person was found to be in violation of what we do here and was transferred. We could not understand why this person wasn’t charged before the courts and fired. But, the person was just transferred and still works for government.” One would remember the case of Tex Turnquest, the former Department of Land and Survey’s Director who after some 37 years of employment with the Department was accused of selling parcels of Crown Land to family members, including his mother-inlaw. It was later alleged that some of these beachfront lots were sold at less than $2,500 each and later re-sold to foreigners for a profit in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.
In 2009, after The Tribune published a series of articles on the allegations, then Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham, who was known to shy away from even the appearance of malfeasance or scandals, asked Turnquest to resign. Turnquest resigned and soon established a land surveying company called TR Associates Limited. Due to the magnitude of the allegations and evidence supplied, a select committee of the House of Assembly was formed in 2009 to investigate the matter. Although that committee did not find Turnquest guilty of malfeasance, it questioned his judgment and he maintained his innocence. Many persons were surprised when former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis engaged Mr Turnquest on specific land-reform related projects. The land reform projects are said to be a part of the government’s ambitious initiative to ensure that more Bahamians have greater access to Crown land. The Tribune tried to access a registry of Crown Land users, but was told the list is private and that those in receipt of the land cannot officially register it at the land registry’s department because the land is only leased and not owned by them. Crown Land is leased on an annual basis and small fees vary by how much acreage one receives.
PAGE 10 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2021
INSIGHT
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
Need for speed By DR KENNETH D KEMP A GRILLED chicken and bacon sandwich with spinach, spicy mayo and avocado. It did little to show his creativity but for the 26-year-old chef featured in today’s article, preparing that meal was a welcome relief. Four years ago and after another long 16-hour shift on his feet, he relished making something so quick and simple for his final meal of the day. He absolutely loved working at this resort and had been there since their grand opening a few months prior. Typically, before leaving he’d drink a glass of alcohol but this night he chose not to and made his way to his car around 12:30am not knowing his life would be forever changed within a few short minutes. In cases of trauma, patients may develop posttraumatic amnesia but, in this situation, his recollection of that day remains unwavering. Travelling at over 100mph, his car slammed into a tree with such immense prodigious force that the engine imploded. In doing so, it propelled forward and slammed into the right side of his body shattering every
single bone in its path. He lost consciousness immediately. Despite the hour, there were bystanders who saw the tragedy and called 911. He was rushed via ambulance to Princess Margaret Hospital. Several days later, he awoke in the intensive care unit and vividly recalls immediately trying to pull out his oxygen tubing, IV and disconnect his monitors. He spent one year consecutively in hospital, confined to his bed and another three years in and out of hospital seeking surgical intervention and infection control. In total, he underwent 38 surgeries to correct damage caused by the accident. He stopped counting his infections after the 20th occurrence. With metal implants throughout his body he had to have an inferior vena cava (IVC) filter placed to prevent blood clots from entering his lungs. It was after his 10th surgery that he entered a deep depression. Having to go to the bathroom in the bed where he lay and then being bathed and fed several times a day was a demeaning, humiliating experience. He expresses - with deep gratitude that his medical care was stellar; the nurses and doctors treating him were amazing and he was surrounded by the love of family constantly. Despite this, he lost all hope that he’d ever be able to walk or work as a chef again and had an emotional breakdown. He was in a dark place for a very long time, wishing he had died in the car accident. But his life was spared and his family pushed him to never give up; to never lose hope. Once stable, he was discharged from the hospital via a wheelchair and was able to have very limited ambulation throughout the day with the assistance of crutches. Successive surgeries to improve his bone alignment and augment his fractures with metal implants coupled with an intense physical therapy regimen soon granted him hope that he may be able to someday regain his independence. Unfortunately, he hit a plateau after a year and his progress became delayed and then ultimately stagnant. His hope was once again crushed. He was alive but his spirit was broken and
it wasn’t until he found out he would become a father and his daughter was born that he began to push through the pain and doubt. Today, he is a walking testimony of the miracles that can happen every day. A medical marvel he escaped one of the worst car accidents I’ve ever seen and the only visible remnants to outsiders is his notable limp when walking. He continues to have residual pain throughout his entire body, but particularly in his right lower back, hip and knee. He walks with the use of an ankle foot orthotic and supportive shoe and plans to have one more surgery to address his limb length discrepancy and resultant limp. With faith and a father’s love, even his internal scars have healed and he believes this happened to teach him patience and to enjoy life every single day. He’s learned to never give up and two years ago moved to the Family Islands where he hopes to someday open a health-focused deli and smokehouse. Until then, he’s ready for whatever God has in store for him because his life now runs on faith. One of the greatest and easiest lessons that can be taken from this patient’s story is the only constant thing in life is change. We can never predict what will happen or when it will happen so living life to the fullest is so deeply important. Moreover, having patience and learning to always appreciate the people in our lives is a lesson well learned. Think just how much better we can be as a country if we each heed and manifest this lesson consistently. A grilled chicken and bacon sandwich with spinach, spicy mayo and avocado. Funny enough he made this today and with a smile on his face, he’ll in all likelihood make it again tomorrow. Nick-named ‘The Prince of Podiatry’, Dr Kenneth D Kemp is the founder and medical director of Bahamas Foot and Ankle located in Caves Village, Western New Providence. He served as the deputy chairman for the Health Council for five years and he currently sits on the board of directors for the Princess Margaret Hospital Foundation in his role as co-vice chairman.
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
INSIGHT
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2021 PAGE 11
MOTORCYCLES ride past a barricade of burning tires during a protest by residents over a police raid that resulted in the death of a young musician, in downtown Portau-Prince, Haiti, last Wednesday. Photo: Rodrigo Abd/AP
Haitians: Fear at home, World no hope abroad View
THE abrupt resignation of the US Special Envoy to Haiti, Daniel Foote, came like a bolt of lightning from a clear blue sky. It was as unexpected as it was unprecedented. The public resignation and sharp responses from officials of the State Department, including, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman who, only two days before, met CARICOM Foreign Ministers virtually, indicated a deep division in the principal foreign relations agency of the US. Foote had himself served as Deputy Secretary of State and those, like me, who have interacted with him know him to be a suave and likeable man and a persuasive diplomat. He had assumed the post of Special Envoy to Haiti only two months ago amid a constitutional, political, and humanitarian crisis in Haiti. From all accounts that I heard from groups within Haiti, Foote had quickly connected with the various factions and was apparently well-liked. These groups also knew that Foote and the US Ambassador to Haiti, Michele Sison, had differences of opinion on the strategy the US should employ in Haiti to achieve its objectives. From statements reported in both the New York Times and Miami Herald, it appears that Sison’s point of view commanded more support than Foote’s. Deputy Secretary Sherman told Miami Herald reporters that Sison is “an excellent ambassador”, adding “We have tremendous faith in her and in her leadership”. Whether or not it is the lack of establishment support for his opinion on US strategy in Haiti that caused Foote to resign, the reason he gave for doing so, in his letter to US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, is one that has resonated throughout the Caribbean and the black community in the US. “I will not be associated with the United States inhumane, counterproductive decision to deport thousands of Haitian refugees and illegal immigrants to Haiti, a country where American officials are confined to secure compounds because of the danger posed by armed gangs in control of daily life.”
On any objective grounds, the large-scale deportation of Haitians from Texas by the plane loads that are continuing, is inhumane. The Haitians have genuine fear for their lives but they are being round-up like cattle and deported without a hearing. Were these events taking place in any other country in the hemisphere, a complaint against US authorities would already have been lodged at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), and demands would have been made for a special session of the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States (OAS) to make a declaration against it. But nothing has been said in the OAS and nothing brought before the IACHR, and the likelihood of anything being done is remote. Even if a few CARICOM countries were minded to do so, garnering wider support from a sufficient number of other OAS member states would be near impossible. Silence and inaction do not change the distressing situation which has been exacerbated by photographs of the Haitian refugees being hunted, including by a border guard on horseback wielding what looks like either a whip or a lasso as he pursues an unarmed and clearly terrified man. The photograph elicited statements of lamentation from both President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, but the deportations continue, in the full display of their harshness. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) has also been silent, so far, about this affair. In part, the reason for this is the archaic way in which CARICOM makes decisions and authorises public statements. The organization waits for a member state, meaning the government, to draw a matter to its attention, and to discuss it with the head of government or a designee present, before it will say anything. The last time CARICOM made an immediate statement concerning Haiti, apart from condemning the assassination of Jovenel Moïse, was well after the
event had occurred. In all this, the government of Haiti has not brought the matter to the attention of CARICOM, nor has it sought any support for a statement, calling on the US authorities to adopt a more tolerant or humane approach to the problem. Indeed, every approach initiated by CARICOM to be helpful to Haiti in its continuing crises has either been ignored or rebuffed. So, when the question is asked: where is CARICOM in all this? The answer is that CARICOM’s decision-making process is archaic and centred on the presumed necessity to involve the government of the country concerned, and, in this situation, there is unlikely to be
any CARICOM response any time soon. This does not stop individual governments and organisations from stating their own positions. And they should. Right now, the Haitians, who are being herded in Texas and deported to fearsome conditions, need a champion not to justify their illegal entry to the US or to demand that they be allowed to remain, but to treat them compassionately, give them a right to a hearing, and provide them basic humane conditions until they can be accepted or deported in an orderly fashion. Foote’s public resignation gave a rare insight into the workings of the US government when he said: “Our
By SIR RONALD SANDERS
policy approach to Haiti remains deeply flawed, and my recommendations have been ignored and dismissed, when not edited to project a narrative different from my own.” The last observation deserves a sharp intake of breath. In the meantime, little or nothing is being done about the conditions in Haiti that are creating refugees and illegal immigrants. The notion that Presidential and other elections can be held any time soon in a country run by gangs with people living in fear, and that such elections will be free and fair, is “deeply flawed”. So too is the idea that once
elections are held, those who have dictated to Haiti for years, even by deciding their leaders, can simply walk away – Foote’s resignation notwithstanding. • Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com. The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organization of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own.
PAGE 12, Monday, September 27, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
Haitians return to homeland that’s far from welcoming PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti Associated Press
DEPORTED from the United States, Pierre Charles landed a week ago in Port-au-Prince, a capital more dangerous and dystopian than the one he’d left four years before. Unable to reach his family, he left the airport alone, on foot. Charles was unsure how to make his way to the Carrefour neighborhood through a city shrouded in smoke and dust, often tolling with gunfire from gangs and police. On the airport road, the 39-year-old laborer tried unsuccessfully to flag down packed buses. He asked motorcycle drivers to take him but was told again and again that the trip was too risky. Finally, someone agreed to take him as far as a bus stop. “I know there are barricades and shootings,” Charles said as he took off into the unknown, “but I have nowhere else to go.” At least 2,853 Haitians deported from Texas have landed here in the last week with $15-$100 in cash handouts and a “good luck out there” from migration officials - many setting foot in the country for the first time in years, even decades. More than a city, Port-auPrince it is an archipelago of gang-controlled islands in a sea of despair. Some neighborhoods are abandoned. Others are barricaded behind fires, destroyed cars and piles of garbage, occupied by heavily armed men. On Saturday, a local newspaper reported ten kidnappings in the previous 24 hours including a journalist, a singer’s mother and a couple driving with their toddler, who was left behind in the car. Even before the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse a in July, the government was weak -- the Palace of Justice inactive, congress disbanded by Moïse and the legislative building pocked by bullets. Now, although there is a prime minister, it is absent. Most of the population of Port-au-Prince has no access to basic public services, no drinking water, electricity or garbage collection. The deportees join thousands of fellow Haitians who have been displaced from their homes, pushed out by violence to take up residence in crowded schools, churches, sports centers and makeshift camps among ruins. Many of these people are out of reach even for humanitarian organisations. Of the more than 18,000 people the United Nations counts among those displaced in Port-au-Prince since gang violence began to spike in May, the
INTERNALLY displaced people due to gang violence shelter in the Center Sportif of Carrefour, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, earlier this month. Families with young children have been sleeping on concrete floors of the gymnasium since mid-June, with only a sheet serving as a bed and their scant belongings stuffed into bags nearby. Photo: Rodrigo Abd/AP International Organization for Migration only has access “to about 5,000, maybe 7,000,” said Giuseppe Loprete, head of the IOM mission here. “We are negotiating access to the rest.” This is the Port-au-Prince that awaits the deportees. Here are snapshots of a city that is far from welcoming. Elice Fleury didn’t pay much attention to the people running and shouting outside his bakery until he heard the bursts of gunfire. When he looked out the door on June 2, he saw heavily armed masked men pulling people out of their homes and taking control of his Martissant neighbourhood. The main road in Martissant is a strategic artery that connects the Haitian capital with the south of the country. The gang wanted control. They had surrounded the neighborhood that lies between mountains and the sea in a well-planned occupation, and were firing on the police station. When Fleury saw the officers fleeing instead of facing the armed men, he called his wife. “I can’t get out,” she told him.
Fleury spent that night in a nearby square with other neighbors, talking to his wife by telephone - their children crying in the background - as she explained that the gunmen had fired tear gas, searched house by house and were patrolling the streets. A day later, the family escaped, leaving everything behind, and reunited in a temporary shelter. Three months later, the Fleurys languish in that temporary shelter, sleeping on the floor of a sports center a few miles from the house to which they neither can nor want to return. Martissant has become one of the disconnected islands in the capital. Buses carrying people and merchandise from Port-auPrince to the south of the country form convoys to travel through Martissant, often waiting for hours and sometimes overnight until they pay the gang members for clearance to travel, according to drivers. Doctors Without Borders was forced to shut down its hospital in Martissant, where the agency had provided care for the last 15 years. Seidina Ousseni, Head
of the mission, describes the situation on the ground of Port-au-Prince in two words: “Urban warfare.” Most of the city “in different degrees is facing the same circumstances,” Ousseni said. “Residents organize themselves to defend their neighborhoods and when they are not capable of doing it, they have to abandon the place.” Two weeks after the Martissant attack, gunmen laid siege to an encampment called La Piste along the coast north of the capital, a neighborhood of deaf and disabled Haitians relocated there by the International Red Cross after the 2010 earthquake leveled the capital. This time it was the police leading an assault at dusk, according to residents and a United Nations account. “My son was playing cards outside when I heard the gunshots,” said Marie Jaquesmel, 70. “The police entered from different directions and started firing tear gas and shooting, we could only run.” With 139 houses set fire behind her, she lost track of her 28-year-old son, who is deaf and cannot speak.
“I don´t know if he is dead or alive, the only thing I saw is that those men were policemen.” Now she is twice displaced, this time without her son to help provide food. She shares a cramped school with 315 families from La Piste, living in despair. Jaquesmel holds a photo of her son to her forehead and weeps. “Can you please help me find him?” Joseph Dieu Faite, 56, a blind leader of the displaced residents of La Piste looks toward the horizon with eyes wide open, as if he were seeing a monster. The attack, he explains, was police retaliation against civilians living in a gangcontrolled neighborhood. “There were some gangsters there, I have to acknowledge that, but the police did not ask, did not say a word, did not make a difference, just evicted us and then took matches and gasoline and burned our houses one by one,” Faite said. Justin Pierre June, 31, an articulate law student who arrived in Port-au-Prince on the first deportee flight last Sunday stood up to the IOM officers receiving them at the airport. “This is not the right moment to deport us to Haiti. Haiti is not ready to receive deportees because its situation is chaotic,” he shouted. “This country is in a political, social, security and economic crisis, we are surrounded by gangs from all sides. ... We should have been allowed to apply to become refugees” More than 100 fellow deportees clapped in support. His sentiments were seconded 72 hours later by Philipo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, who questioned the US “mass expulsions of individuals...without screening for protection needs.” Grandi said that international law forbids the return of individuals to a country in such dangerous chaos. The US has had a checkered history with the nation since Haitians freed themselves from slavery and French colonial rule at the start of the 19th century. Americans occupied Haiti for nearly two decades in in the 20th Century. Since then, through coups and earthquakes, US leaders and the international community have both contributed to chaos and tried unsuccessfully to rebuild the country.
All the while, Haitian immigrants made their way to US shores by sea to Florida or through Mexico to Texas. On Thursday, the US Special Envoy to Haiti, Dan Foote, resigned, saying he could not defend a policy of deporting Haitians back to “a country where American officials are confined to secure compounds because of the danger posed by armed gangs to daily life.” The policy will backfire, he said: “Surging migration to our borders will only grow as we add to Haiti’s unacceptable misery.” There could be as many as 100 gangs in Port-auPrince; no one has an exact count and allegiances often are violently fluid. One of the most powerful groups is the G9 coalition of gangs led by Jimmy Cherizier, alias “Barbecue,” a former policeman turned gangster. His power seems to have increased since the assassination of the president last July, which he condemned, and there is even talk he may enter politics. Downtown, Barbecue’s gang coalition controls the empty streets around the judiciary and legislative buildings, and all streets east to the coast. They open and close movement through the city center at will. Not far from the National Palace, residents of the adjoining Bel Air neighborhood don’t support Barbecue’s gang any more than they do the police, so they defend themselves against both. Jean Baptiste Nevelson, 49, a spokesperson for Bel Air, nods toward the sea and G9’s territory and says, “We are afraid of the group down there, they put pressure on us every day.” Nevelson, who holds no weapon but gives orders to some men who do, adds, “We do not trust any government, we do not trust the police. We only have ourselves ... to be honest, we arrived at a point where this neighbourhood can only be defended by our weapons.” In half an hour of conversation, punctuated by several rounds of gunfire not too far away, he links the violence they are suffering to poverty and politics. “The state does not provide, we have no water, no schools, no electricity, no jobs. Many people used to go sell in the market and now they have been cut off by our enemies and cannot get there, so they stay here jobless. They are hungry.”