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NOW IT’S CONTRACTS UNDER GOVT REVIEW
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
TOURISM, Investment and Aviation Minister Chester Cooper said yesterday the government is currently reviewing contracts awarded to Kanoo Pays, an electronic retail payment provider hired by the former administration to process travel health visa payments. The digital provider came under heavy scrutiny in June after there were claims about Dr Nigel Lewis’ association with the company. It was claimed that Dr Lewis was the Free National Movement’s national campaign coordinator for the general election and also a director of Kanoo. A company official later told Tribune Business that Dr Lewis had less than one percent stake
in the company. Kanoo was further embroiled in controversy after it was revealed that the company had won multiple other government contracts. The Progressive Liberal Party had heavily criticised the contracts and even went on to accuse the Minnis administration of helping FNM insiders with its contract awards. However, responding to the claims back in June, former Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar said the identity of those behind the company was never considered when the company was selected to process visa payments. He also insisted the digital provider’s fees were in line with other companies and the quality of its services were high.
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net AFTER a spate of murders, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe, QC, said yesterday there needs to be a greater focus placed on “properly raising our children” to help crack down on crime. While many have suggested crime could now be on the rise due to relaxed COVID-19 protocols, Mr
Munroe rejected the idea. He said crime is a direct reflection of “poor socialisation” and also suggested it is a result of poor parenting. “The fact of the matter is that crime is a function of poor socialisation and so you will see that (the) government’s efforts to tackle crime has to do with how you raise your children,” Mr Munroe told reporters before going to a Cabinet meeting. SEE PAGE TWO
- SEE PAGE EIGHT
FITZGERALD BACK IN KEY DEPARTMENT
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net IN a since deleted tweet, the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit said yesterday that former Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald is the new senior policy advisor and head of the PMDU. When asked about Mr Fitzgerald’s appointment and the deleted tweet, officials in the Office of the Prime Minister said nothing has been finalised. SEE PAGE THREE
SEE PAGE THREE
‘PARENTS MUST DO BETTER JOB’
ALICIA WALLACE: THERE ARE VOICES THE GOVT SHOULD BE LISTENING TO
JUNKANOO HITS LONDON UK-BASED artist Julie Westmore honours her Bahamian roots and celebrates the spirit of Junkanoo with a painting that has been selected for the prestigious Royal Academy of London’s Summer Exhibition 2021, which will be seen by thousands of people from around the world visiting the British capital. For the full interview with the self-taught artist, see TRIBUNE WEEKEND this Friday.
‘KEEP RULE ON CRUISE PASSENGER VACCINES’
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
NASSAU Cruise Port’s chief executive yesterday urged the Government to swiftly extend a cruise passenger COVID-19 vaccination mandate that has brought “peace of mind” to the tourism industry. Michael Maura said it would be “prudent” to extend the requirement that all passengers aged 12 and older be fully vaccinated. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
CHURCHES IGNORED COVID PROTOCOLS By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Christian Council President Bishop Delton Fernander says he’s eager to meet with the new Davis administration with a view to relaxing certain COVID-19 measures on churches. For a long time, the council has felt certain restrictions made no sense, especially considering
BISHOP Delton Fernander at the swearing in of Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis. political events and more recently swearing-in ceremonies have been held with only minimal constraints.
As a result, the BCC president said many church groups now ignored certain restrictions. “No,” Bishop Fernander said when asked yesterday whether the restrictions had hindered the work of the church. “The church has been ignoring it to be honest with you, especially as we got close to (the) election because there was that feeling that no one was going to enforce the rules.” SEE PAGE FOUR
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
TECHNOLOGY MEET AMAZON’S NEW ROBOT FOR THE HOME
- SEE PAGE NINE
PAGE 2, Wednesday, September 29, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
POLICE on the scene of a homicide on Windsor Lane yesterday where a male died in a shooting.
Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff
Man found dead in pool of blood in Big Yard shooting By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net A MAN was left dead after a shooting incident on Windsor Lane yesterday. He is the fourth person killed since Sunday. Police press liaison officer Assistant Superintendent Audley Peters said the victim appeared to be in his late 30s to early 40s. Police were alerted to the incident after receiving a call of a shooting in a community that is known locally as the “Big Yard”. “On the arrival of the first responders, they went to one of the apartment blocks and at the door they met a male lying on the ground in a pool of blood,” ASP Peters said. “When they examined the body there appeared to have been wounds consistent with gunshots.”
He said initial investigations indicate the victim was sitting on a porch when a shooter came from behind the building on the southern side and fatally wounded him. He said the victim appears to be a resident of the Windsor Lane community. “We cannot say what it could be related to,” ASP Peters said when asked if the matter is connected to previous homicides. This incident comes after a deadly Sunday in which three homicides occurred. Asked what he thinks is behind the rash of homicides, ASP Peters pointed to the problem of firearms. “The issue today, as we will continue to say, is the proliferation of firearms on the streets,” he said. “Each citizen who (is) aware of persons in
possession of these firearms are responsible for the events that happen. If you know and you did not do something about it or say something about it you are equally as responsible for what occurred today because you as a citizen should have said something so that something could have been done on your behalf and this perhaps might have been avoided. “We encourage you again to call the police where you know individuals are brandishing firearms, conducting illicit activities in communities where your lives are going to be placed (in danger) or the lives of your family are going to be endangered.” Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call police at 5029991 or Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS (8477).
ASSISTANT Superintendent Audley Peters speaking to reporters at the crime scene.
‘PARENTS MUST DO BETTER JOB’ from page one
“Because when you raise your children that they have no compunction in killing somebody and in robbing somebody, the only thing the police can do is apprehend your child and deliver your child to the justice system for your child to be processed. We need to place more emphasis on stopping people becoming criminals because when they become criminals, the police’s job is simply to apprehend them and place them before the court and so we have to take responsibility for our actions and in it taking responsibility for our actions, we have to place more emphasis on properly raising our children.” His comments come after three separate killings on Sunday. Around noon yesterday, police said they were investigating another homicide. In the first incident on Sunday, police said they received reports of a shooting on Faith Avenue South off Carmichael Road around 1.30pm. Police said a man was at his place of employment
when he was approached by another armed man who fatally shot him before fleeing the scene in a small vehicle. About nine hours later, police were alerted to a shooting that occurred on Theodore Lane off Tonique Williams Darling Highway. Upon arrival, responding officers were directed to the body of a man lying on the ground unresponsive. The victim also had gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead. And in the third incident, shortly before 11pm, police received reports of a stabbing that occurred at the intersection of Cordeaux Avenue and Lincoln Boulevard. The victim was taken in a private vehicle, where he later died. Asked yesterday if he was concerned about the increase in crime now that the curfew has been relaxed, Mr Munroe said: “Well, the general trend for murders is that they happen during the daytime.” The former Minnis administration had sought to get a handle on crime by implementing new policing strategies and crime fighting technologies, including
a multi-agency drone programme. Mr Munroe was asked if his team had started the process of assessing the initiatives to determine their effectiveness. He said: “Well, a new day in The Bahamas happened over just about a week and so I’m still being briefed about the contracts that were entered into by the ministry. “The drone project is one of them that I should have a briefing on tomorrow. It is not yet effective and deployed. It is still being built out as far as I’ve been advised so far and certainly any good technology, any good methods leftover will be continued and that was one of a part of an integrated tool kit that the Commissioner of Police had asked for.” He was also asked if the government was considering making COVID-19 vaccines mandatory for local law enforcement officers. But Mr Munroe said the government’s position on the matter remains the same, stressing that no one will be forced to take any vaccine if they choose not to do so.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, September 29, 2021, PAGE 3
Now it’s contracts under govt review from page one
Asked yesterday if the Davis-led administration had planned to review the contracts in view of the Progressive Liberal Party’s stance in opposition, Mr Cooper, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said the matter was already being looked at. However, he did not offer any additional details. “We have made some changes to the travel visa process as you are aware. We have streamlined the process for inter-island travel. We are eliminating the fees on international travels for Bahamians,” he said before going to a Cabinet meeting. “At the moment, we are retaining the travel visa for international persons coming to The Bahamas. We are reviewing and we are going to streamline the process as best as possible. The data being received on the international side is critical to the development and advancement of tourism and I anticipate that that will remain for some time. “As it relates to contracts, we are reviewing the entirety of the arrangement. I don’t wish to comment further on that at this time, but suffice to say we are looking at it.” In July, Kanoo executive Nicholas Rees hit out at the PLP’s criticism, saying Kanoo’s contracts were “above board.” Shifting focus to the nation’s tourism industry, Mr Cooper said reviving the country’s leading economic driver was a top priority for the government.
He said tourist arrivals, inclusive of bookings, were looking “very positive” so far for the year and appeared to have significantly improved when compared with last year’s numbers. And to help the country return to its former glory days, the Tourism Minister added that officials were working on a new business strategy, which he says will soon be released to the public. “The reality of the moment is that we are looking to get back to preCOVID numbers. Our main priority will be to restore tourism numbers from those centres in northeastern American states and to ensure that our stopover visitors, that those numbers get back to pre-COVID levels,” Mr Cooper added. “That’s priority number one so rest assured that we are focused on the spending of tourist (dollars) in our economy and that’s our primary focus and we are going to be working on that diligently. I will have more to say about the overall strategy, but priority number one is getting an increase in the number of stop over visitors coming back to our shores.” “We’re looking pretty good so far compared to last year which was a horrid year. We’re well in advance of that when we look at the bookings over the next few months, we’re looking very positive so that is the primary focus of the moment.” Asked if the government plans to continue with the cruise home porting initiative, he replied: “The Ministry of Tourism is very positive on home porting.”
DEPUTY Prime Minister Chester Cooper speaking to the press ahead of yesterday’s cabinet meeting. Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff
FORMER Education Minister Jerome Fitzgerald.
FITZGERALD BACK IN KEY DEPARTMENT from page one
Sources, however, told The Tribune that Mr Fitzgerald himself has informed people of his new role and has been occupying the office of the previous senior policy advisor, Joshua Sears. A top position for him in the Davis administration would not come out of the blue as he played a leading role coordinating the Progressive Liberal Party’s “war room” activities during the general election cycle. Critics, nonetheless, are certain to pounce on the appointment because of the controversy that ensnared his career near the end of the last Christie administration. At the time, Mr Fitzgerald confirmed that he
sought contracts from Baha Mar for his family’s business after The Tribune exclusively revealed that he requested brokerage, trucking and limousine contracts worth millions. Critics claim that he breached the Manual of Cabinet and Ministry Procedure, which states that a minister must not “solicit or accept any benefits advantage or promise of future advantage whether for himself, his immediate family or any business concern or trust with which he is associated from persons who are in, or seek to be in, any contractual or special relationship with the government”. Shortly before the 2017 general election, The Tribune published emails showing that Mr Fitzgerald advocated on behalf of Bahamas Cargo &
Logistics, a company he said was formed by his father years ago. Alleged PLP corruption was a prominent theme of the Free National Movement’s 2017 general election campaign and the Minnis-led party seized on the revelations about Mr Fitzgerald while making its pitch to Bahamians. The FNM won that election by a landslide and Mr Fitzgerald lost his re-election bid to the Marathon constituency. In February 2019, Mr Fitzgerald announced an end to his political career, telling PLP members at a meeting for aspiring candidates in Marathon that he would not seek a nomination. He said his political career had been “active and exciting, rewarding and painful, dynamic and challenging, but most of all… gratifying”.
PAGE 4, Wednesday, September 29, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
Thompson: Bank review shows FNM’s positive economic impact
KWASI Thompson MP at an FNM pre-election rally.
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net FORMER State Minister for Finance Kwasi Thompson said the recent quarterly review by the Central Bank of The Bahamas proves the economic policies implemented by the Minnis administration were having a positive impact on the Bahamian economy. With a new government in place, he is concerned that sudden changes could “derail the country’s economic and fiscal recovery”. In a statement issued last week, Mr Thompson referred to the Central Bank’s June 2021 Quarterly Economic Review and a statement recently released by Moody’s that showed some improvement
and growth in the country’s economy. “I am pleased that the Central Bank’s June 2021 Quarterly Economic Review has confirmed that the domestic economy stabilised during the second quarter of 2021, despite the ongoing spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic,” he said. “This is confirmation that the economic policies implemented by the Minnis administration were having positive affects on the Bahamian economy.” Additionally, Mr Thompson noted that the Central Bank has also confirmed “that the government’s overall deficit narrowed during the fourth quarter” of the 2020/2021 fiscal year, relative to the same quarter in the 2019/2020 fiscal year.
It further continued: “Underlying this out-turn, aggregate revenue increased considerably, led by gains in value-added taxes (VAT) receipts, which overshadowed the rise in aggregate expenditure.” The Grand Bahama MP said this again confirmed that the Minnis administration’s recovery plan was taking shape with increased revenue and narrowing of the deficit. “It is clear, while we have a distance to go for full recovery, we have turned a corner,” he stated. “This is consistent with the Minnis administration’s previous statements and now confirmed by the Central Bank of the Bahamas. He said that tourism and construction industries continue to improve. Referring to more positive news, Mr Thompson
noted a recent statement released by Moody indicates that the economy is predicted to grow by eight percent, four times faster than the anticipated two percent. “It is also clear that Moody’s expects our recovery to be based on some of the same policies, initiatives, and legislative reforms of the Minnis administration,” Mr Thompson said. “We are hopeful that before any major economic changes or tax reform as was pledged by the Minnis administration, there are proper studies, analysis, diagnosis, and consultation. Sudden changes, though well-meaning, can derail the economic and fiscal recovery. We, therefore, stand ready to assist to ensure the country’s economy fully recovers,” he said.
CHURCHES IGNORED COVID PROTOCOLS from page one
He did not specify which restrictions churches had ignored. Bishop Fernander continued: “It simply was that it didn’t make sense to us. Just before (the) election we had a conversation with the (former) Prime Minister (Dr Hubert Minnis) with the agreement that some of the stuff would be relaxed, but the order was never changed and so we operated like we had the agreement.” In July, churches in New Providence and Grand Bahama were limited to a one hour worship
service daily with a maximum capacity of 33 percent. It was also stated in July that funeral or cremation services would not be allowed but graveside services are permitted with a maximum of 30 people, excluding the officiant and funeral workers. No funeral repasts are permitted. While the BCC waits to state its case to government officials, Bishop Fernander said there were a number of things the group hoped to address. “As we begin to request negotiation with the state, a number of things the council would be interested in communicating about:
one is the restrictions for funerals. “We’d like to talk with the new team about it if that is what they are purporting, we are definitely against there being no indoor funerals or memorials like it is for church services because the same protocol that we have for the church services is the same protocol we can have for the funeral or memorial. We are awaiting that because the order still stands, and we need that resolved right away. “We also want to talk about the length of service, the one-hour length of service. We would like that to be removed
because churches should not be restricted singularly from any other entity in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas where protocols are in place and we have seen that we have had swearing-ins, national services for more than an hour with the same protocols that we use and came up with for the churches and it has been no contact tracing for those events and no clustering from those events so we know that they work and can keep us safe. “We also want to know from the competent authority, will it be engaging regularly with the church, and we want to go over some of the things that we were able to negotiate with the former government that we hope will be carried on with this government.” Asked if he was concerned that church services could be super spreader events for COVID-19, Bishop Fernander said the BCC was of the view that mask wearing, social distancing and hand washing works. In August, The Nassau Guardian reported that multiple members of the Church of God either died or had to be hospitalised after it was believed that
they contracted the respiratory virus from attending a youth convention. However, Bishop Fernander said church officials did not believe the event was to blame. “We had that meeting (and) I would advise all papers to let these incidents come from the health authorities because in that meeting, they said emphatically that the health authorities did not say that these persons caught COVID at those events and we went over it in that if there are clusters and they attended those events there should have been some kind of information. “Hence why we need to speak to the new government that if you have a cluster in a worship experience where persons would have gone there, and they would have had COVID they should have been in quarantine. The council should have been notified; the pastor should have been notified. “We should have not heard that from the press.” Following the incident, the Ministry of Health confirmed that multiple clusters of COVID-19 cases were identified during contact tracing activities in July
on New Providence and the Family Islands. Officials said as cases increased, clusters have been linked to workplaces, construction sites, as well as social and other communal gatherings. However the ministry did not confirm any church cluster. “The Ministry of Health is aware of a report in a local daily suggesting a linkage of COVID-19 cases and deaths to a large religious gathering,” the Ministry of Health said in August. “It is confirmed that multiple clusters of COVID-19 cases have been identified during contact tracing activities in July on New Providence and the Family Islands. As cases increase, clusters have been linked to workplaces, construction sites, as well as social and other communal gatherings. “While COVID-19 exposures can occur anywhere, the Ministry of Health reminds the general public that for all the islands of The Bahamas, private gatherings are to be restricted to five persons provided that the individuals are vaccinated. However, the ministry strongly recommends that there be no large gatherings.”
COLD FRONT TO BLAME FOR THUNDERSTORMS By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net
A SENIOR meteorologist said a “cold front” is responsible for the continuous thunderstorms New Providence has experienced over the past few days. On Sunday, residents wakened to thunderstorms that lasted way into the night, coupled with power outages across the capital. Monday morning caused many early morning fitness buffs to change their plans as thunderstorms persisted. The rainy weather continued yesterday. The Tribune spoke to Greg Thompson, chief climate officer in the Department of Meteorology, who explained a “cold front” was responsible for the wet weather. “Believe it or not there are no systems out there,” Mr Thompson said. “There was actually a cold front that moved across South Florida. We have what’s left of that frontal boundary dragging itself slowly across New Providence. It is just to the south of us. “We have weakening troughs, the remnants of the front. So it’s just a cluster of showers and believe it or not the showers are only mainly across New Providence. We have some
stuff west of Andros over the Cay Sal Bank and some showers and isolated thunderstorms to the east of north Cat Island. “So the frontal boundary is hanging out just to the south of New Providence and showers and thunderstorms associated with that are what we are getting. That little cluster we had all morning, I really thought it was going to wash itself out, but it looks as though those showers are weakening and then they are regenerating. So basically it’s stationary.” At the time of the interview yesterday, Mr Thompson said the weather was set to continue into the night, but he was certain those who engage in early morning exercise would be able to do so this morning without the rain interfering. “We should be finished with this throughout the remainder of the day,” Mr Thompson said. “I had anticipated that it would have been gone by now. The bulk of the weather now is still moving into the Central Bahamas but that one cell is sitting across New Providence. “Exercisers should be able to go back out there on Wednesday morning. Everything should be to the south of New Providence and basically falling apart. It’s just that one cell hanging around New
Providence. The remnants of the front.” Asked about what is to be expected of the last two months of the hurricane season, Mr Thompson said for now there are two systems the Met Office is watching. “We have some systems out there that we are going to continue to monitor,” he continued. “We have Hurricane Sam which is to the north and east of the Northern Leeward Islands. It’s going to stay to the east of us, but it’s close proximity to us will lend us some swells. “So starting Thursday into the weekend we are going to get some rough seas, rough surfs and dangerous rip currents affecting most of The Bahamas. So that will pose a challenge for beaching and boating for the next couple of days. “There are two systems just off the west coast of Africa. One is anticipated to move into the Atlantic. The other one, which is further east of that and closer to the African coast, we will have to watch that one because preliminary models carry a due west.” He said the systems will be continuously watched, even though they do not in any way pose a threat at this time.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, September 29, 2021, PAGE 5
Munroe: We can handle influx of Haitian migrants By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe, QC, yesterday expressed confidence in local law enforcement agencies’ capability to protect the country’s borders against any influx of Haitian sloops after hundreds of migrants were recently apprehended in Bahamian territory. “As National Security Minister, I have purview over the defence force and the police force,” Mr Munroe said. “I don’t run the defence force and the police force. We have very competent police officers and marines and officers doing that. There’s cooperation
between multilateral agencies down in the southern Bahamas and off the southern Bahamas,” he told reporters when asked about his ministry’s efforts to crack down on illegal immigration. “The US Coast Guard has patrol craft out there and aircraft. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force has patrol craft out there and aircraft and recently, the Royal Bahamas Police Force safe boat was involved in migrant interdiction.” Since Wednesday, more than 900 Haitians have been taken into custody from Bahamian waters in separate incidents. The majority of those nationals are being housed in Inagua, while others
have been sent to New Providence for further processing. It is expected the group will be returned to their home country by the end of the week, according to Immigration Minister Keith Bell, who said repatriation exercises could begin as early as today. The uptick in illegal migration to The Bahamas comes as civil unrest and political turmoil continues to mount in Haiti following last month’s devastating earthquake and the assassination of former Haitian President Jovenel Moise in July. Yesterday, Mr Munroe called the current crisis in Haiti “unfortunate” and said due to worsening conditions there, it is likely
more migrants will travel to The Bahamas in the days ahead. “It is an unfortunate situation in Haiti that causes Haitians to wish to migrate to other countries. We have seen them doing it to the US through Central America and Mexico of all places. We can expect that until Haiti is fixed, it will continue and our efforts must be to interdict illegal migrants, to process them quickly and then to return them to their home country,” he said. The Royal Bahamas Defence Force said more than 400 migrants were detained Sunday after their vessel sank in the Ragged Island chain. A further 144 Haitians were also picked up in Bahamian waters on
Sunday, according to Mr Bell. On Saturday, 195 Haitian migrants were apprehended in two separate incidents. On Saturday morning, a sloop carrying 50 Haitians was intercepted off Inagua. Later in the day, a sloop was spotted in the Ragged Island chain. Marines aboard an RBDF ship discovered 145 migrants on board. The RBDF said on Thursday evening, while on the way to Inagua with a group of 70 migrants, who were apprehended earlier in the day, marines aboard HMBS Bahamas spotted another sloop just five miles west of Inagua with 151 Haitians on board. On Wednesday, authorities apprehended 86 Haitian migrants off Inagua.
According to officials, a number of tests have since been conducted on apprehended migrants for the detection of COVID-19 and other diseases but none of the results so far has created any cause for concern. “There is among the group, we know that there was some dehydration and one or two other aspects that we’re dealing with what is usually the case when they come across on these long voyages with these crammed vessels and they’re coming from parts of Haiti but we have not come across any case to date that warrants extreme concern that there is COVID among them,” Mr Bell told reporters at a press conference on Monday.
‘REVISIT IMMIGRATION BILL TO DEAL WITH CRISIS OF HAITIAN IMMIGRATION’ By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net WHILE warning that Inagua is on the brink of a humanitarian crisis with a recent influx of Haitian migrants, Human Rights Bahamas is urging the government to revisit the draft Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill insisting it could help in navigating this issue. Although circulated for consultation, the draft bill was never debated or passed and HRB believes it could be a key part in effectively managing all the issues surrounding undocumented migration in a manner that better conforms with the rights and protections outlined in the Constitution. The statement from the group comes as more than 900 Haitians were apprehended over the last several days. A Royal Bahamas Defence Force spokesperson told The Tribune yesterday that mostly women and children from the first group of 500 that were apprehended and taken to Inagua were processed by magistrates that were flown into the island today. The latter group of about 400, in addition to a few minors, remain at Inagua, The Tribune was told. Yesterday, HRB appealed to the new government to handle the situation the right way, noting it was also of the view that criminalising migrants needed to be reviewed. “The sudden influx of Haitian migrants into the southern Bahamas is hugely challenging for a new administration that is just finding its feet,” according to the statement. “However, we have confidence in the new Minister of Immigration (Keith Bell) and believe he is more than capable of dealing with this crisis in a humane and
compassionate way. “It is crucial that in navigating this difficult situation, the government ensures that the fundamental rights and protections enshrined in the Bahamas Constitution are upheld for each and every migrant. “Human Rights Bahamas also notes that the Minister of Foreign Affairs (Fred Mitchell) is questioning the previous government’s position that migrants should be taken before a court, tried and convicted of a crime before being deported. “HRB agrees and supports Minister Mitchell’s view that The Bahamas should not criminalise migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, children and persons born in The Bahamas and returning after having been unconstitutionally expelled by past PLP and FNM administrations. Criminalising migrants is unnecessarily punitive, harsh, degrading and dehumanising. With climate change being a greater threat to our low-lying archipelago and very existence as a nation, ‘There but for the Grace of God’ go We Bahamians.” Before the policy change, the government had faced intense pressure from immigration activists over longstanding practices such as deporting detained people without giving them a chance to be heard in court. In March 2018, then Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, as acting minister of immigration, said he sent a magistrate to Inagua to oversee legal proceedings against 230 apprehended migrants. The move was praised by human rights attorney Fred Smith, QC, at the time, who applauded the Minnis administration for facilitating court hearings on Inagua involving migrants accused of entering the country illegally, though he said there remained a need to provide migrants with
access to legal aid. However, HRB said of the issue yesterday: “This is a very complex issue: on the one hand, every person within this jurisdiction has a right to due process and to be presumed innocent until proven otherwise by a court of law; on the other hand, the wholesale and indiscriminate criminalisation of large groups of people in mass trials where there is no proper legal representation, cannot accord with their fundamental rights, especially as there may be legitimate refugees and asylum seekers among them. “The fact of the matter is that the Immigration Act is more than 60 years old. Its drafters could not have contemplated the seismic shift in immigration trends and circumstances facing the Bahamas and the world today.” HRB continued: “We therefore urge the new administration to take another look at the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Bill, drafted by the Law Reform Commission, which the former government circulated for consultation but never brought before Parliament for debate. “We believe the passage of this Bill will help the administration in beginning to effectively navigate many of the difficult issues surrounding undocumented migration in a manner which better conforms with the rights and protections in the Constitution. “In the meantime, the situation in Inagua is at risk of becoming a serious humanitarian crisis. The island is in desperate need of help to manage the situation for the good of the residents, the migrants and the authorities on the ground. Human Rights Bahamas is committed to assisting in the resolution of this crisis and stands ready to support the authorities in any way we can.”
VISITOR MUST PAY $1,500 OR GO TO JAIL By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
A VISITING North Carolina man who admitted smoking cannabis cigarettes must pay $1,500 to avoid spending four months in prison. Dion White Smith was arrested after US border agents at Lynden Pindling International Airport found nine grams of Indian hemp among his possessions on September 26. He pleaded guilty to possession during his arraignment before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt Evans. The prosecution said when Smith presented
himself to American customs officers they noticed a strong scent of marijuana and informed him that he would be searched. During their investigation, Smith admitted smoking before coming to the airport and said he had nine CBD cigarettes and oil on him. As a result, he was arrested and turned over to local law enforcement who took him to a nearby police station. When he was questioned in custody, Smith admitted smoking CBD oil and told police the substance did not contain any THC. During the hearing, Smith told the magistrate he had the drugs for medical purposes so he didn’t have to take pills. He also
said he was under the impression that CBD was legal in the country as the substance lacked the psychoactive components of the traditional marijuana people smoked to get high. After owning up to the offence, he was fined $1,500 or four months in custody. Meanwhile, D’angelo Russell was arrested after officers alleged that they found him with a quantity of marijuana on September 23. He pleaded not guilty to dangerous drug possession with intent to supply and his case was adjourned to November 14 for trial. In the interim, he was granted $5,000 bail.
SOME of the Haitian migrants recently detained by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.
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PAGE 6, Wednesday, September 29, 2021
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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Time is wasting for govt to get to work Crime FIRST it was promotions being halted – and now it’s contracts under review. Tourism, Investment and Aviation Minister Chester Cooper said yesterday that the government contracts awarded to Kanoo Pays are being reviewed. Kanoo Pays is an electronic retail payment provider, which was hired by the previous administration to handle travel health visa payments. The company was in the news back in June, with then Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar defending the award of a no-bid contract to the business, saying there were no special favours and accusing the PLP of “trying to make hay where there is no hay” over the matter. He later said that he would “take a cut hip any day” for selecting Kanoo rather than delaying tourism’s restart by going through a contract tendering process. Then Opposition leader Philip “Brave” Davis, now Prime Minister, said at the time that the Minnis administration was helping FNM insiders with its contract awards. It’s easy to get into the finger-pointing in all of this – but here’s the thing, there is already a process to review such contracts. In opposition, Mr Davis chaired the Public Accounts Committee. It never did anything. Whether allowed to do its job or not, that should be the proper venue for investigating government business. Right now, time is wasting for the new PLP government. It is often said that the first 100 days can be crucial for any new government, and that is doubly so in a situation where we are fighting a pandemic and facing a mammoth national debt. Those problems should be the focus of the new government. Mr Cooper should be seeking new investments as he gets into his job, not using up his time on past ones. That’s the job of review mechanisms already in place. Let the PAC do its job. Let the auditors do their job. Investigate by all means, but do so using the means in place. Otherwise, it looks like politics rather than process. The new government is already intent on scrapping the health visa so there will be no payments to process soon anyway. We absolutely want to ensure contracts have been awarded fairly. We absolutely want to ensure promotions are done the right way. But if the first days of the new government are mired in re-examining the old, it will hold the administration back from getting on with the new. There is a lot to get done, so get on with it.
There has been a spate of murders recently. What is the response of the new National Security Minister, Wayne Munroe? Apparently, there needs to be a greater focus on “properly raising our children.” He said before Cabinet yesterday: “The fact of the matter is that crime is a function of poor socialisation and so you will see that (the) government’s efforts to tackle crime has to do with how you raise your children.” He added: “Because when you raise your children that they have no compunction in killing somebody and in robbing somebody, the only thing the police can do is apprehend your child and deliver your child to the justice system for your child to be processed. We need to place more emphasis on stopping people becoming criminals because when they become criminals, the police’s job is simply to apprehend them and place them before the court and so we have to take responsibility for our actions and in it taking responsibility for our actions, we have to place more emphasis on properly raising our children.” Mr Munroe has been a lawyer representing people in the courts to know the social structures surrounding many people who fall into a life of crime. For many, there are no mothers. No fathers. Gangs become a replacement family. Many grow up in poverty, many find a place to belong among criminals because nowhere else offers them that place. So when he says people need to focus on properly raising their children, we have to acknowledge sometimes people aren’t there to raise children. Some parents have been taken away by violence themselves. Some are criminals already. Some break the law just to survive. In their Blueprint for Change on the campaign trail, the PLP said it would ensure that the necessary reforms would be executed for a safe Bahamas, increasing investment for community policing and introducing policies to counter violence. It didn’t mention that it was your fault, our fault, and we just need to raise our kids better. It didn’t say that the new National Security Minister’s solution was to deal with the next generation – so what happens with the current one? Crime does need solutions at all levels – but blaming the parents is not the way to start.
An open letter on nation’s transport EDITOR, The Tribune. Dear Prime Minister, Congratulations on your victory at the recent polls. I am encouraged to hear of the servant-leader concept of leadership which you have instituted. Well done! Public Transportation: I have used public transportation for many years both buses and taxi service and offer an assessment which may assist you in correcting a serious problem we are facing here in New Providence. Kudos to those drivers who take their job seriously as “Public Service Providers”. However, unfortunately, there are renegade drivers in the system who need to be reminded of their responsibility, well being and safety of their passengers. Responsibility
It is a privilege to possess a public service transport licence. As a passenger, I expect drivers to act accordingly. I do not expect my life to be in danger due to reckless and hazardous driving. Well being As a passenger, I don’t expect to have to endure obscene abusive language by the driver and his buddies, as well as loud, sexually explicit, violent music. I don’t feel drivers have the right to curse, demean, or speak condescendingly to their passengers. Safety The grab for every single dollar, causes a myriad of problems. Some passengers have to wait patiently until the driver feels he has enough passengers to warrant his making a move. One woman pleaded recently that she would be late for work. The driver told her off in no uncertain terms. This money grab creates reckless conditions as
drivers race at breakneck speed to outrun each other in order to get to certain areas where they anticipate more customers. Yes, drivers have their concerns as well of customers trying to short them on their fee. And so on. The system is broken. I suggest you arrange for someone who actually has ridden a bus to be a Transport Minister. Perhaps from time to time a bus ride by someone in Transport may be in order. Try each route to get an accurate assessment of what is really happening on the streets of New Providence. Perhaps a two-way route would be in order for major streets to save the passengers’ time in travelling to and fro. Public suggestions may be requested and analysed. AVA FORBES Nassau, September 28, 2021.
Dictatorial tendencies cost Minnis EDITOR, The Tribune. IMMEDIATELY after the 2017 elections, Hubert Minnis set on a collision course, angered the majority of Bahamians, which ended in the most astonishing defeat in Bahamian history. In my opinion he stressed many of his colleagues, caused resignations, created distrust, and participated in relegating the FNM back to the days before Hubert Ingraham. A few weeks ago, Minnis squandered a 35-4 majority to be reversed to 7-32 in four short years. Philip Edward Davis simply outsmarted Minnis and showed his lack of knowledge of politics and ate his lunch. Minnis reneged on or ignored all of the promises he made on the campaign trail. The people showed their disdain for him by giving the FNM a shellacking that was not only embarrassing, but belittling. FNMs are hanging their heads in quiet shame. Most astonishing was that the advisors suggested that a low voter turnout would favour the FNM. He got one wish, a low voter turnout, but the missing voters were all FNM which was an indictment on Minnis. A man who could not excite a mosquito, intentionally and willfully in my opinion manipulated the system for him to be “the all-powerful, all-mighty” one-man-band. The dictatorial tendencies started with Minnis naming himself “The Most Honourable”, a title hatched in the mind of a person with low self-esteem. Who does that, give himself an accolade?
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net His insecurity then directed him to remove any hindrances or obstacles that would interfere with him being the end-all and be-all. What was so peculiar, the weak crew of MP and Senators around him offered no resistance or objections to, what seemed to me, the obvious selfishness. Making himself the Competent Authority then laid the framework for him to control everything and everyone. Minnis, with a straight face, said in the House of Assembly, that he may have to do some things against the constitution. He shut down the country and started stripping away our civil liberties. He determined when we should sleep and wake, frustrated us with when or if we could shop. People were jailed for selling coconuts and the police seemingly were given carte blanche to do as they wished. Overzealous officers discarded commonsense and discretion and made our lives a living hell. Freedom of assembly was banned. Weddings and funerals for the poor were discontinued. Restaurants over the hill were closed, while others in affluent areas were allowed to be open. There was one rule for the rich and another for the rest of us. It appeared to many of us that Minnis became punch drunk with power becoming numb to the cries of the people. He was busy erasing
any member of parliament who was a threat to his leadership. Yet the people complained. Minnis looked the other way and with his hand in his pocket, went whistling Dixie down the road to the FNM demise. The people in Minnis’ ear must have either been novices or intentionally steered him off the cliff. His advisors told him to ridicule Mr Philip Edward Davis. He listened. So the entire campaign was Brave this, Brave that. Ninety soon became one hundred and people were less enthused. Minnis ran from his record because he had none. Thus the results. Now Minnis is fighting for his political life. After being beaten to incoherent, it seems that he with jumbled thoughts is still trying to hold on to power in the FNM It’s my opinion that he tricked them into believing that for the party’s sake he should remain. But the stark reality is anyone with dictatorial tendencies will never release power. It is not my business what the FNM does with their organisation if they want to ever be viable or go back to the days before 1992. The PLP wish is that the FNM keeps Minnis, it would be like taking candy from a baby. Sadly though the people who dislike Minnis most are FNMs. A dog would look down when they have done wrong, but a snake will look you right in the eyes. IVOINE INGRAHAM Nassau, September 28, 2021.
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THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, September 29, 2021, PAGE 7
AG to discuss appeal over citizenship ruling with PM By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder said his office will have a discussion with Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis about whether to continue its appeal of a landmark citizenship ruling to the Privy Council. Mr Pinder said he personally believes the matter should be adjudicated before the country’s final appellate court. In June, the Court of Appeal affirmed a Supreme Court decision that Bahamian men can automatically pass citizenship to their children regardless of whether their child is born out of wedlock to non-Bahamian mothers. The case was brought by Wayne Munroe, the recently appointed National Security Minister. The Court of Appeal was split on the matter, with Justices Maureen CraneScott, Jon Isaacs and Roy Jones upholding Justice Ian Winder’s ruling while President Sir Michael Barnett and Justice Milton Evans dissented. The previous government secured leave to appeal the matter to the Privy Council. Mr Davis, nonetheless, has publicly expressed support for Justice Winder’s decision before. “It’s a very sound and erudite decision and reasoning,” he told The Tribune last year. “He departed from (former Chief Justice Sir Burton Hall) and I thought he gave some cogent reasons as to why he went the way he did. “There’s some suspicion that it could have some
SENATOR Ryan Pinder at his swearing-in ceremony as the Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs. Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff the question of whether a through the technological deleterious effect on the country, but I think not. As person has fathered a child advancements that manhe indicated in his ruling, is now easily verifiable kind has made. You don’t
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder said the Davis administration wants to change laws to help people who are kept in limbo as they await prosecution. He spoke to reporters before a Cabinet meeting yesterday. He said he sent a communication to Cabinet regarding what should be included in the Speech from The Throne as it relates to his office.
After accepting his guilty plea, Magistrate Swain noted that Smith had been convicted of a similar offence in the past. She said given his record she would increase his penalty and sentenced him to nine months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Meanwhile, two men who were accused of breaking into the same convenience store on two separate occasions were each granted bail before their trials. In the first case, police said Shawn Brown broke into T&K Convenience store on August 6 and stole $995.33 worth of items, including cases of Vita Malt, ramen noodles, Chef Boyardee soup, Gatorade and Snickers bars. He denied the allegations during his hearing before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans and his case was adjourned to December 1 for trial. Prosecutors also alleged that Don Brown broke into the same convenience store a month later on September 11, when he also allegedly stole an assortment of food items totaling nearly $1,000. He also pleaded not guilty to shopbreaking and stealing. Like Shawn Brown, he returns to court December 1 for trial. Both accused were each granted $7,000 bail and were placed on a 9pm7am curfew. Magistrate Vogt Evans said the men would be also outfitted with monitoring devices until their case was completed.
MAN DENIES CAUSING HARM By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net A 26-YEAR-OLD man who denied injuring a woman was yesterday granted bail ahead of his trial. Leander Bell was arrested after he was
referendum in 2016. Bahamians decisively rejected the proposed amendment, as well as the other referendum questions, at the time. Asked about the matter ahead of a Cabinet meeting yesterday, Mr Pinder said: “That is a matter we are going to discuss with the Prime Minister. My personal belief is you let those types of matters run their course in the courts and have a determination made in the courts and at the highest court level, which is the Privy Council. That’s not unique to this country. You see it all the time, in the United States for instance, allowing matters to go to the Supreme Court to be adjudicated and matters of question, so my personal belief is this is a matter that should go to the Privy Council and get a determination from the highest law in the land.” The case hinges around the interpretation of Article 6 of the constitution and whether the reference to “father” in Article 14 (1) of the document is applicable when interpreting Article 6.
PINDER SAYS GOVT LOOKING TO HELP PEOPLE LEFT IN LIMBO
NINE MONTHS JAIL FOR BURGLARY By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net AN ex-convict who admitted breaking into a woman’s house and stealing an assortment of building supplies was yesterday sentenced to nine months in prison. Police arrested Jamal Smith, 35, after they found more than $300 worth of items that had been reported stolen in his possession on September 21. The court was told that on the day in question, the complainant told police that an unknown person had broken into her Pitt Lane residence between 7.45am and 4pm when no one was at home. After she filed her complaint, an investigation was launched. The prosecution said when police searched Smith’s home, they found all of the missing items which included a $125 toilet set, four bags of sand, a joint compound and a five gallon bucket of paint together valued at $359.20. Smith was subsequently arrested. When he was interviewed by police, he admitted the offence. When he appeared before Assistant Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain yesterday, the accused pleaded guilty to housebreaking and stealing. However, he claimed he took the items and sold them to a man he knew because the place he moved them from looked abandoned.
have to rely on just the word of one or the other. You can establish it. If there are concerns that this could be abused, then domestic legislation could solve whatever mischief could arise. “My recollection is when we were dealing with the referendum (on this issue), it was supposed to cause laws to be passed to ensure there is some degree of certainty in proof of paternity. There are paternity tests, for example, and we can legislate that requirement as part of proving that you are the father once you’re not married. In place of swearing an affidavit to say you’re the father, something else could be put there.” The Progressive Liberal Party has traditionally supported amending rules to accomplish what Justice Winder’s ruling allowed. The Christie administration put the question of whether Bahamian fathers of children born out of wedlock to non-Bahamian mothers should be able to automatically pass on their citizenship to voters in a
accused of causing harm to Stephanie Rolle on September 25. He denied the allegation during his hearing before Assistant Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain and his case was adjourned to December 14 for trial. In the meantime, Bell was released on $2,000 bail.
He said: “From the administration of justice, we think there are certainly some provisions we can do with respect to how the courts and the justice system is conducted. “We don’t believe that Bahamians should be held in limbo when they are being prosecuted for extended periods of time and we’re looking to address that in a rather expeditious way. “I know some of the other ministries within the context of advancing the country from a
commercial point of view, have some suggestions on legislative amendments.” He added: “A key focus of our government is going to be to facilitate commerce and business and to remove impediments and bureaucracies in that fashion. We have consultation with that community and industry groups to advance that. “We’re also looking at some recent appointments to boards and the like that were done right before election to see the legality of those
so we can put in place a proper and transparent system of governance so that we could move the entire country forward.” Mr Pinder also reiterated the administration’s plan to bring legislation to Parliament to manage the COVID-19 pandemic. “We look to bring legislation that allows us to manage the pandemic in a transparent and predictable way for the Bahamian people rather than an ad hoc approach from emergency order to emergency order,” he said.
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PAGE 8, Wednesday, September 29, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
THE FIRST meeting of the Cabinet of the new government.
Photo: Leandra Rolle/Tribune Staff
There are voices out there the new government should be listening to CABINET appointments have been made, and we have all noticed the number is quite high. Whether the new administration is piloting a new way to address the issues we are facing today or it is paying for favours or rewarding loyalty, taxpayers are footing the bill. What are we going to demand of cabinet ministers? What do we require of them as they make decisions? In what ways do we expect them to support the people within their ministries and departments? How must they make reports to us on what is being undertaken, the progress made, roadblocks encountered and adjustments made to ensure success? How will we know when they are participating in regional and international meetings and the commitments they make there? We need cabinet ministers to communicate. We need them to treat members of the media with respect. We need them to show up when there are opportunities to learn from people in other countries with similar contexts and issues. We especially need them to engage other stakeholders so they can be exposed to different perspectives and gather as much information as possible to assist them in making decisions and supporting the people and organisations who have been performing tasks that ought to be undertaken by the government. Among these, of course, are non-governmental organizations and advocates. Governments and civil society actors need to be in regular communication with one another at the national level, and we have only seen this happen when the country is in dire straits. Last week, ParlAmericas coordinated a Parliamentary Dialogue with Civil Society and Youth Representatives. This dialogue focused on the
By Alicia Wallace need for social protection beyond the COVID-19 pandemic with an emphasis on data. Countries welcomed to participate included Belize, Jamaica, The Bahamas, Dominica, Guyana, Haiti, Canada and Suriname. In the virtual meeting, we heard from parliamentarians and civil society representatives about their experiences and observations during and as a result of the COVID19 pandemic. Moderated by Vice President for North America of the Parliamentary Network for Gender Equality Senator Verónica Camino of Mexico, the session built upon the recognition that the measures taken by governments with the aim of protecting public health have resulted in an increase in socio-economic inequalities. Socio-economic inequalities, of course, have always existed, though more quietly. In many cases, it is out of sight, so out of the minds of the general public as well as legislators and policymakers. Due to the crisis, the gap has been widened and it has become more difficult to ignore the people who have been struggling every day or just barely getting by while calling no attention to their situations. We have seen the consequences of being resigned to the fact that a large group of people live pay cheque to pay cheque and/or participate in the informal or gig economy and work multiple jobs in order to make ends meet. In addition, many people depend on loans and credit cards, not only to cover emergencies, but to fill gaps we have all
learned to see as temporary, anticipating the next bit of overtime or other forms of income including the sale of personal belongings. In its brief to participants, ParlAmericas stated that social protection systems are important as vehicles for governments to respond to “additional public needs during the pandemic, providing temporary relief measures in areas like unemployment, health care, food security, and caregiving”. It noted that many needs remain unmet, especially those of women, girls, and young people. “A gender and intersectional approach is necessary to understand and meet the new or expanded needs and challenges for different groups in society,” it said. During the session, speakers noted that we were not prepared for such a crisis. In fact, we had been living through the crisis of socio-economic inequality already. People, particularly human rights advocates, have been calling for attention to the wealth gap and the failure of governments to meet the basic needs of residents for decades, and especially since many of our systems changed and government withdrew support in areas such as healthcare, education, elder care, and child care in order to service debts. Today, we see that there is a greater debt incurred when we ignore the needs of the people, allow inequitable systems and practices to persist, and expect individuals to assume full responsibility for their wellbeing and the wellbeing of all of their dependents.
RECOMMENDATIONS A Black Lady Sketch Show. Created by Robin Thede, this Primetime Emmy award winning show stars Robin Thede, Quinta Bronson, Gabrielle Dennis, Ashley Nicole Black, Skye Townsend, and Laci Mosley with guest appearances from other including Issa Rae, Laverne Cox, Angela Bassett, Skas Jackson, and Gabrielle Union. It is smart and hilarious, great to watch alone, laugh at with friends and reference in everyday conversation for months. The writers are obviously
paying attention to what is happening in society, in politics and pop culture. They bring their observations and critique to the screen with a humour often outlandish and sometimes irreverent. Red Island House by Andrea Lee. Shay is a black professor who was raised in the US who marries Senna, an Italian entrepreneur. While they live in Milan, Shay becomes the owner — or “mistress” — of a vacation villa in Naratrany, Madagascar. She is
uncomfortable in this role where she manages the all-black staff. This book covers two decades of their lives, not as a novel, but in a series of short stories. Shay is not in all of the short stories, but she is central to the entire work. One of the most interesting parts of this book is the relationship Shay forms with Bertine, the head of staff who helps her to take care of a terrible manager and to learn, perhaps unwittingly, about the beliefs and power of the people on the island.
MINISTER of Education Glenys despite terrible weather. With data at the centre of this discussion, it was important to talk about research practices. Who conducts research? Is it quantitative or qualitative? Who holds the information? When and how is it shared, if ever? How is data used in the decision-making process? The countries that are best able to assess and respond to the needs of their residents are those that not only have the appropriate mechanisms for data collection, but those in which there are strong relationships between the government and non-governmental organisations. When government actors and members of civil society are in the same space, constructive dialogue can take place, gaps can be identified, and we can chart the path to develop systems that not only work for everyone today, but can respond to changing circumstances. Organisations working within communities know the weak points, how they have navigated inadequate systems, and what would make their work easier or, even better, unnecessary. Governments often limit their scope to those who present themselves for and are eligible to receive assistance within the existing systems. Non-governmental organisations, on the other hand, tend to have consistent contact with community members, are better able to anticipate needs, and frequently fill in the gaps left by the government-run systems.
Hanna Martin arriving at the second Cabinet meeting yesterday Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff These organisations, most situations of vulnerability often, are under-resourced, need to be involved at some regularly operating beyond level and in some part(s) their capacity, and there- of the process. It is clear fore unable to both collect they cannot await an inviand analyse data. In some tation from government. cases, they are unwill- It is also clear the governing or unable to do so as ment is most motivated to it would compromise the engage them when there is safety and wellbeing of the a crisis and its own inabilpeople they serve. For this ity to effectively respond is reason, our understanding exposed. of research and data have There can be no wait. We to change. We have to rec- must urge the government ognize that the people on to connect with nongovthe ground doing relief ernmental organizations, work and providing direct recognise the expertise of assistance to people in need community leaders, advohave qualitative informa- cates, and academics, and tion that is valuable, though listen to the needs of the often ignored in favour of people. The members of quantitative data, from the parliament say they want to planning process on. represent their constituents. The session was a great The cabinet ministers say opportunity for knowl- they look forward to serving edge-sharing and ideation. the country and contributParticipants were able to ing to the advancement of make others aware of the their ministries, and they work they have been doing need to demonstrate that in their own countries, pose care and commitment. Talk questions to others and to the people who have offer solutions or, at least, been working for years possibilities based on their and who have been trying own successes. It is always a to work with government useful exercise to put parlia- entities. They need to find mentarians and civil society out what has gone wrong, representatives in the same what has never been right room to focus on a specific and how to develop systems issue. This, most often, hap- to avoid the same issues pens in regional spaces. We going forward. To do that, need it at the national level. they need to engage people Non-governmental familiar with those systems organisations in The Baha- and the people using them. mas are not yet organised One of our greatest as a strong, influential unit, demands of this new adminbut there are a few that istration must be that it have a strong community meaningfully engages base, clear vision, technical experts and practitioners proficiency and the capac- and commits to listening, ity to contribute to national learning and taking action planning processes. All based on evidence and non-governmental organi- toward a better Bahamas sations serving people in for all.
PAGE 10, Wednesday, September 29, 2021
THE TRIBUNE
Haiti PM plans vote and referendum next year PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti Associated Press HAITI’S prime minister said yesterday that he plans to hold a referendum to modify the country’s constitution by February, and he hopes to organise presidential and legislative elections early next year. In an interview with The Associated Press, Ariel Henry dismissed opponents who accuse him of wanting to stay in power and said that mistrust is one of the biggest challenges he faces. Henry said the referendum is a priority because the current constitution is rejected by a majority of political figures and civil society leaders. He also said an electoral council that will be responsible for setting dates has yet to be named after he recently dissolved the previous provisional council. “The elections must be held as soon as possible,” he said as he lamented the lack of trust among Haitians. “People don’t believe what is being said.” After being postponed several times this year,
IN this July 20 photo, Haiti’s designated Prime Minister Ariel Henry, centre, and interim Prime Minister Claude Joseph, right, pose for a photo in front of a portrait of slain Haitian President Jovenel Moise. Photo: Joseph Odelyn/AP presidential and legislative elections were scheduled to be held November 7, along with the constitutional referendum. But the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse at his private home on July 7 upended those plans. Henry also criticised how the US government
recently treated Haitian migrants along the USMexico border, where it expelled more than 2,300. He said that action was not “suitable”. “We don’t understand the way that our compatriots were treated,” he said. Henry’s comments came just hours before the
arrival in Port-au-Prince of Assistant Secretary of State Brian Nichols, the top US diplomat to Latin America, who is seeking to contain the fallout from the abrupt resignation last week of the US special envoy to Haiti. Daniel Foote, a career diplomat, quit the
high-profile post over the deportations at the border, saying it was inhumane to return the migrants, many of whom fled the island following the devastating 2010 earthquake, to a country buffeted by gang violence, a collapsed economy and political turmoil. Foote, in his resignation letter, also criticised the US for standing by what he considers a “corrupt government with gang alliances” instead of embracing a broad-based coalition of civil society groups that have come up with their own blueprint for stabilising the country. Henry declined to comment on Foote’s resignation, saying it was a foreign affair, but he said he does not think the situation will affect the relationship between the US and Haiti, which he said would continue and deepen. Henry added that the government is working on a draft of a potential programme to help the thousands of migrants who have been expelled. He said one proposal is to give the migrants access to credit so
they can launch their own small businesses. “We’re trying to do that immediately,” he said. Another priority is to find the masterminds behind Moïse’s killing. Henry said he does not know why the president was slain. He also dismissed allegations made by a chief prosecutor — whom he fired — that there were two phone calls between him and a key suspect just hours after the assassination. Henry said he has no recollection of speaking with Joseph Badio, who was fired from the government’s anti-corruption unit in May and remains a fugitive, according to police, who seek him on charges including murder. “If that conversation took place, I do not remember it,” he said. “For me, that conversation never happened.” Henry said he dismissed Port-au-Prince’s chief prosecutor, Bed-Ford Claude, and former Justice Minister Rockfeller Vincent, because they did not respect the law and tried to politicise the situation.
The war that failed WASHINGTON Associated Press THE top US military officer called the 20-year war in Afghanistan a “strategic failure” and acknowledged to Congress on Tuesday that he had favored keeping several thousand troops in the country to prevent a collapse of the US-supported Kabul government and a rapid takeover by the Taliban. Republicans on the Senate Armed Services Committee pointed to the testimony by Gen Mark Milley, pictured, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as evidence that President Joe Biden had been untruthful when, in a television interview last month, he suggested the military had not urged him to keep troops in Afghanistan. Milley refused to say what advice he gave Biden last spring when Biden was considering whether to comply with an agreement the Trump administration had made with the Taliban to reduce the American troop presence to zero by May 2021, ending a US war that began in October 2001. Testifying alongside Milley, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin also refused to reveal his advice to Biden. Milley told the committee, when pressed, that it had been his personal opinion that at least 2,500 US troops were needed to guard against a collapse of the Kabul government and a return to Taliban rule. Defying US intelligence assessments, the Afghan government and its UStrained army collapsed in mid-August, allowing the Taliban, which had ruled the country from 1996 to 2001, to capture Kabul with what Milley described as a couple of hundred men
on motorcycles, without a shot being fired. That triggered a frantic US effort to evacuate American civilians, Afghan allies and others from Kabul airport. Gen Frank McKenzie, who as head of Central Command was overseeing US troops in Afghanistan, said he shared Milley’s view that keeping a residual force there could have kept the Kabul government intact. “I recommended that we maintain 2,500 troops in Afghanistan, and I also recommended early in the fall of 2020 that we maintain 4,500 at that time, those were my personal views,” McKenzie said. “I also had a view that the withdrawal of those forces would lead inevitably to the collapse of the Afghan military forces and eventually the Afghan government.” The six-hour Senate hearing marked the start of what is likely to be an extended congressional review of the US failures in Afghanistan. The length and depth of the hearing stood in contrast to years of limited congressional oversight of the war and the hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars it consumed. “The Republicans’ sudden interest in Afghanistan is plain old politics,” said Sen Elizabeth Warren, who supported Biden’s decision to end US involvement there. Austin and Milley are scheduled to appear today before the House Armed Services Committee to review the war. The hearing at times was contentious, as Republicans sought to portray Biden as having ignored advice from military officers and mischaracterised the military options he was presented last spring and summer. Several Republicans
tried unsuccessfully to draw Milley, McKenzie and Austin into commenting on the truthfulness of Biden’s statement to ABC News on August 18, three days after the Taliban took control of Kabul, that no senior military commander had recommended against a full troop withdrawal when it was under discussion in the first months of Biden’s term. When asked in that interview whether military advisers had recommended keeping 2,500 troops in Afghanistan, Biden replied, “No. No one said that to me that I can recall.” He also said the advice “was split.” White House press secretary Jen Psaki said yesterdaythat Biden was referring to having received a range of advice. “Regardless of the advice, it’s his decision, he’s the commander in chief,” she said. In a blunt assessment of a war that cost 2,461 American lives, Milley said the result was years in the making. “Outcomes in a war like this, an outcome that is a strategic failure — the enemy is in charge in Kabul, there’s no way else to describe that — that is a cumulative effect of 20 years,” he said, adding that lessons need to be learned, including whether the US military made the Afghans overly dependent on American technology in a mistaken effort to make the Afghan army look like the American army. Republican Sen Tom Cotton of Arkansas asked Milley why he did not choose to resign after his advice was rejected. Milley, who was appointed by President Donald Trump and retained by Biden, said it was his responsibility to provide the commander in chief with his best advice.
NEWSPAPER GUNMAN GETS MORE THAN FIVE LIFE TERMS IN JAIL ANNAPOLIS, Maryland Associated Press A MAN who killed five people at a newspaper in Maryland was sentenced on Tuesday to more than five life sentences without the possibility of parole — with 345 additional years added on to ensure he is never released from prison. Anne Arundel County Judge Michael Wachs ordered the sentence for Jarrod Ramos, whom a jury previously found
criminally responsible for killing Wendi Winters, John McNamara, Gerald Fischman, Rob Hiaasen and Rebecca Smith with a shotgun at the Capital Gazette’s office in June 2018. The assault was one of the worst attacks on journalists in US history. Before announcing the sentence, the judge heard survivors and family members of the slain describe the pain and loss they have experienced. He
emphasised the courage of family members who spoke. “The defendant did not get the final say,” Wachs said. “The First Amendment and the community got the final say.” Wachs also pointed out that Ramos showed no remorse for the crimes and had said he would kill more if he were ever released. He described Ramos’ actions as a “cold-blooded, calculated attack on the innocent employees of a
small-town newspaper.” “The impact of this case is just simply immense,” Wachs said. “To say that the defendant exhibited a callous and complete disregard for the sanctity of human life is simply a huge understatement.” Survivors described the shooting as an attack on journalism. Selene San Felice, a former reporter at the paper, said that while Ramos killed five of her colleagues, he could not stop the newspaper.
“Remember this: You cannot kill the truth,” San Felice said. Ramos had pleaded guilty but not criminally responsible to all 23 counts against him in 2019, using Maryland’s version of an insanity defense. The case was delayed several times before and during the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to the five life sentences without possibility of parole, Wachs ordered another life
sentence for the attempted murder of photographer Paul Gillespie, who had said that Ramos narrowly missed him with a shotgun blast as he ran out of the newsroom. The judge also sentenced Ramos to 345 years in prison on the other charges. “The judge was crystal clear that Jarrod Ramos should never be allowed to walk out of prison — ever,” said Anne Arundel County State’s Attorney Anne Colt Leitess.