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COOPER’S DISMAY AT LUCAYAN COST

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

DEPUTY Prime Minister Chester Cooper is “disheartened” after learning specific details of the deal for the sale of the Grand Lucayan property in Grand Bahama.

He said he still thinks the deal is an “egregiously bad” one, a view he held while in opposition.

Without disclosing a specific amount, he revealed the cost already associated with the property to date is costing Bahamians close to $200m.

During his first official

visit to Grand Bahama yesterday, Mr Cooper met with the board of Lucayan Renewal Holdings (LRH), the special purpose vehicle created to own the assets of the Grand Lucayan resort.

Following his two-hour briefing at the resort with the board, Mr Cooper told reporters: “We had a good briefing from Lucayan Renewal Holdings Ltd, the board responsible for this property and ongoing negotiations as it relates to its pending sale. I am happy we have been briefed over what might be the next course of action over the next several weeks.”

SEE PAGE THREE

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe announced in a press statement yesterday that Corrections Commissioner Charles Murphy has been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation into matters at the prison, including the handling of a prisoner who caught COVID-19 during lock-up.

However, Commissioner Murphy countered yesterday evening that the new administration is only doing what it wants to do to fulfill its agenda.

“My lawyer will be addressing the matter soon,” Mr Murphy said.

“Whatever is being said is baseless and they have their own agenda they want to fulfill. They seek to put forth information to hide their blatant agenda. Their agenda is clear so they are seeking to cover their agenda up and use me as a scapegoat. The Bahamian people know their agenda.”

Mr Munroe said Deputy Commissioners Doan Cleare and Bernadette Murray have been ordered to return to the correctional facility from the Ministry of SEE PAGE THREE

- SEE PAGE EIGHT

CHRISTMAS VITAL FOR RETAIL’S SURVIVAL

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Federation of Retailers co-chair Tara Morley yesterday warned the upcoming Christmas season will be “make or break” for many merchants.

She said encouraging Bahamians to “shop local” rather than abroad is “going to be vital for some time to come as COVID is not going anywhere”.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

MUNROE ORDERS PRISON CHIEF PLACED ON LEAVE

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

NAUGHTY: DRUG BUSTS PUT US BEHIND REST OF WORLD

FOUR HELD IN $3MILLION DRUG BUST

‘DOWN IT COMES’ THE CHURCHILL building being demolished yesterday. See PAGE TWO for the full story and more photographs.

Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

POLICE seized $3m worth of marijuana after the driver of a jitney led them on a chase early yesterday morning.

Assistant Superintendent Audley Peters said Drug Enforcement Unit officers received information yesterday morning about a bus suspected of transporting marijuana.

SEE PAGE SEVEN

ATLANTIS TO DELAY STAFF PAYING FOR TESTS

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

LABOUR and Immigration Minister Keith Bell said yesterday Atlantis has agreed to “hold off” on implementing its COVID19 vaccination policy for unvaccinated staff after several discussions were held between labour officials and resort executives on the new rule.

“I have reached out to

EMPLOYEES being tested at Atlantis previously. the Director of Labour, Mr Robert Farquharson, and he’s communicated with Atlantis and there are a number of other employers

who are concerned about that because they want to ensure that they comply with the legislation which is to ensure a safe work environment,” Mr Bell told reporters yesterday.

“In order to ensure that there is a safe work environment, they have to ensure that all of their employees are either vaccinated or tested to make sure that they don’t bring

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE FOUR

DIANE PHILLIPS: WE ARE NOT IN THIS ALONE - BUT WE HAVE TO ACT

- SEE PAGE NINE

Down comes Churchill Building

PAGE 2, Friday, October 1, 2021

DEMOLITION began on the Churchill Building on Bay Street yesterday.

The building was the former site of the Cabinet Office.

In October 2020, then Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced that preparations were underway for a new Cabinet Office at the existing site of the Churchill Building. At the time, he said the front section of the building had not been in use for 20 years and had been condemned.

Cabinet Office has been temporarily relocated to the Tradewinds Building on Bay Street until a new structure is constructed.

Photos: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

THE TRIBUNE

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, October 1, 2021, PAGE 3

Cooper’s dismay at Lucayan cost from page one

DEPUTY Prime Minister Chester Cooper.

Photo: Donovan McIntosh/Tribune Staff

“We will be discussing along with our colleagues at Cabinet next week and making a further statement as to the immediate cause of action,” he said.

Attorney General Ryan Pinder, Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey, and Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism John Pinder were also in attendance.

“We have looked at the details extensively, I can tell you it is costing the Bahamian people,” Mr Cooper said. “And I can tell you that sometime during the last several years we would have made certain public comments to the deal itself.

“I specifically recall saying that it was an egregiously bad deal. I am disheartened to say I did not hear anything to change my view.”

Although no details were disclosed about his briefings with the board, Mr Cooper indicated negotiations concerning the Grand Lucayan are a top priority for the Davis administration.

“As it relates to this property, we won’t go into extensive details as to the briefings. So, suffice it to say, we are keen to move with respect to the negotiation one way or the other.

“We do not anticipate going into specifics today, but suffice it to say, this is front and centre on our radar.

And, therefore, we will move with dispatch to cause there to be some additional movements.”

He also said: “When we spoke to this issue some time ago, I actually said it was an egregiously bad deal.

And I can confirm for you today that I did not hear or see anything that would cause me to change my mind.”

Mr Cooper said he intends to

make a detailed statement next week on the issue.

“I had forecasted prior to coming to government that the (FNM) government would have spent already in the region of $200m. I am also unhappy to tell you that I believe that is close. And so, the specifics of what will happen moving forward, we will discuss. There is a legal agreement in place, and we will follow the law, and will pursue this agreement in the best interest of the Bahamian people.”

Mr Cooper also indicated there is no plan right now to change the board of Lucayan Renewal Holding.

“We had a good briefing from Lucayan Renewal Holdings Ltd, the board responsible for this property and ongoing negotiations as it relates to its pending sale. I am happy we have been briefed over what might be the next course of action over the next several weeks.

“We will be discussing along with our colleagues at Cabinet next week and making further statements as to the immediate course of action.

“We are assessing the board at the moment, and I am very thankful to a very competent board that has been in place,” he said. “And we anticipate once there is an election, boards would change. But I have been assured by the professional Bahamians who sit on this board that their expertise will always be accessible, whether the board has changed or not.

“So, whilst it is customary, we are not at that point yet. There is a lot of institutional knowledge, and these are effectively volunteers who love our country the way we all do.

And therefore, I know they will offer their expertise on an ongoing basis whether formally or informally,” said Mr Cooper.

The stalled sale of the hotel

property has been a burden on taxpayers for the past 18 months.

In 2018, the Minnis administration purchased the property for $65m from Hutchinson Whampoa.

Prior to the general election, it had allocated more than $3m in subsidies in the 2021-2022 budget for the property.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and the ITM Group had signed a Heads of Agreement in March 2020 for a joint venture purchase and redevelopment of the hotel. This also included redevelopment of Freeport Harbour. However the deal has not yet been finalised.

Mr Cooper said the resort is “critical” to the island, and they are eager to get the negotiation moving again.

“As DPM, this is my first official visit outside of New Providence. I wanted to do that to demonstrate to the people of Grand Bahama the significance of Grand Bahama to the overall economy of the Bahamas, and overall tourism product.

“We are very minded to say this property is critical, not just for the development of tourism, but also in support to other industries in Grand Bahama that we hope we will be able to nurture moving forward around maritime, the transshipment facility, and Shipyard, etc. We think there is a significant opportunity in Grand Bahama.

Mr Cooper also toured the Grand Bahama International Airport, which he described as “heartbreaking”. The Minnis administration bought the airport earlier this year.

“We will take a look at the airport. We see it when we come in and it is still heartbreaking to see that after so many months not a lot has changed. So again, it is a constant reminder as to the state of plague here in Grand Bahama,” he said.

MUNROE ORDERS PRISON CHIEF PLACED ON LEAVE from page one

National Security, with Mr Cleare acting as corrections commissioner in Mr Murphy’s absence.

Mr Cleare and Mrs Murray brought lawsuits against the Minnis administration in 2019, alleging they were forced to take vacation leave to facilitate the appointment of Commissioner Murphy, their deputy. Mr Munroe was the lawyer representing them in that case. The status of their lawsuit is unclear.

In explaining Commissioner Murphy’s suspension, Mr Munroe said in his statement yesterday that there are three areas of concern regarding the facility.

“The briefing produced for me by Commissioner Murphy disclosed on the face of it that the Bahamas Department of Corrections (BDOCS) was not being operated in accordance with the Correctional Services Act,” he said.

“It came to my attention that BDOCS, the management of which is vested in Commissioner Murphy, may have breached an

order made by Supreme Court Justice Klein ordering the release of Prescott Smith who had been committed to BDOCS himself for failing to obey an order of a Supreme Court judge.

“It was reported to me that the aforesaid Prescott Smith has subsequently tested positive for infection with the SARS cov2 virus.

It came to my attention that during his stay at BDOCS, Mr Smith was quarantined in a cell with three other individuals. In the face of these concerns, Commissioner Murphy was directed to proceed immediately on administrative leave.”

Mr Smith is a prominent supporter of the Progressive Liberal Party.

Mr Munroe said he led a delegation to BDOCS that interviewed several people, including “the officers in charge of the Central Intake Remand facility where Mr Smith was held; the officer in charge of the medium security unit of BDOCS; the officer in charge of the maximum-security block of BDOCS; the officer then in charge of the sick bay at BDOCS; personnel in the medical records section of BDOCS; Dr Johnson the

medical officer at BDOCS; and the officer in charge of the female unit at BDOCS. “I am concerned over the condition of BDOCS and some of the protocols reported to be in place,” he said. “I have tasked Acting Commissioner Cleare and Deputy Commissioner Murray to assess the current condition to immediately seek to remediate poor conditions and tighten protocols in line with the advice of Dr Johnson.

“I believe that with a cooperative effort we can truly see a new day at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. If we are truly about rehabilitation, transformation and correction then we must ensure that stakeholders are treated fairly and civilly.”

In their 2019 lawsuit, Mr Cleare and Mrs Murray claimed that Mr Murphy actively campaigned for the FNM during the 2017 general election campaign “in contravention of public service policies.”

The Tribune saw Mr Murphy at an FNM rally in February 2020; it is unusual for a senior public official to attend such events.

DISASTER AUTHORITY TO BE REVIEWED

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

MYLES LaRoda, State Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister, who has responsibility for disaster management, said the Davis administration will review the work of the Disaster Reconstruction Authority and other relevant agencies.

“Any government that comes in would like to know the position of every agency,” he told reporters. “I come in with no expectation, only to be led by the facts and once that is a reality then I’m being a part of the government then we’ll move in the direction dictated by Cabinet.” Mr LaRoda said an assessment is needed to

make certain that the government is moving in the right direction.

“In regards to moving forward, we have to have an assessment — figure out what was done right, figure out what was done wrong, try to maximise our strength and minimise our weakness.

“As we go through our assessment of the relevant agencies, the properties there will be dictated by the technocrats as presented to the government and that will be a decision the government will take with regards to priorities.”

Mr Laroda also responded to former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ comments on the campaign trail suggesting that the Progressive Liberal Party would mishandle Hurricane

Dorian funds.

“You certainly cannot trust them to oversee our money,” Dr Minnis said at a recent rally in Abaco.

“They still cannot account for what they did with the Hurricane Matthew money, ya know. If they are reelected, the Hurricane Dorian funds will never, ever get to you.”

Mr Laroda said the PLP has “a long history when it comes to dealing with those who are marginalised.”

He added: “I think our record speaks for itself and the Bahamian people gave a verdict on that.”

Mr Laroda spoke to reporters yesterday as he was expected to meet with staff at the former Ministry of Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction.

Service to Celebrate the Life of

Sue Coleby

of Dannottage Estate, Nassau, The Bahamas and formerly of Cheshire, England will be held at 3:00pm on Saturday, 2nd October, 2021 at the Queen’s College Auditorium.

(Covid protocols will be strictly enforced) She is predeceased by her parents William and Ada Burnett, and her husband of 46 years Henry ‘Brooks’ Coleby.

Left to cherish her memory are her son Daniel, her granddaughter Danaya, and her beloved dogs.

Coach Coleby’s legacy will forever live in the hearts of the Queen’s College community and with the parents and children of the Barracuda Swim Club.

She was immensely proud of the achievements of her swimmers, both in and out of the pool.

Her contribution to the Nassau Amateur Operatic Society is legendary.

She was a member of St. Matthew’s school community.

She will be dearly missed by her friends in Nassau and in the UK. Rest in peace, Sue.

PAGE 4, Friday, October 1, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Davis tells churches: I have heard you

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis said yesterday he has heard “the cries” of religious leaders and is now looking at how best to safely relax COVID-19 restrictions on churches for the safety of all.

“I’ve heard their cries and we’re now reviewing how we can do so and do so safely and protect both the church and their members,” Mr Davis said when asked if the government had planned to relax certain measures on churches.

He spoke after viewing the body of local religious leader Reverend Dr Timothy Stewart at Bethel Baptist Church yesterday morning. A state recognised funeral will be held for the religious leader today at the historic church on Meeting Street.

Reflecting on Rev Stewart’s legacy, Mr Davis

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis. described him as a “sterling example” to all Bahamians.

“His work to uplift the least amongst us has been notable,” Mr Davis said.

“He achieved something that not many outside of

the United States of America would have achieved by becoming president of the Baptist Progressive Movement, a feat that we don’t know will ever be achieved again and for that, we think

of his life. It’s one that we need to uphold and uplift.”

Religious leaders have agitated for restrictions to be eased on church services, funerals, etc.

Earlier this week, Bahamas Christian Council president Bishop Delton Fernander told The Tribune many church groups have now ignored certain restrictions, which they feel do not make any sense, considering the fact political events and more recently swearing-in ceremonies have been held with only minimal constraints.

He also said the church leaders were eager to make their case to government officials in hopes of getting their concerns addressed.

“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,” Bishop Fernander said.

“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.”

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.

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 they contracted the respiratory virus from attending a youth convention.

However, Bishop Fernander said church officials did not believe the event was to blame.

ATLANTIS TO DELAY STAFF PAYING FOR TESTS from page one COVID into the workplace.

We have been able to convince Atlantis and the other private sector employers to hold off on implementing that policy.”

Mr Bell said his ministry is now seeking legal advice from the Attorney General’s Office on the way forward.

“I’ve consulted with the Office of the Attorney

General and I’ve spoken with the attorney general this morning to give us legal advice and we will be guided by the advice of the attorney general,” Mr Bell said. “And so he has already, I believe, directed (officials) to ensure that the advice is given timely and so I would wait on that advice, but Atlantis is holding off on that policy.

That’s the main thing to be had.”

In a letter sent to staff

on Wednesday, Audrey Oswell, Atlantis’ president and managing director, announced that all unvaccinated staff will be “financially responsible” for paying for their weekly $16.50 rapid antigen test starting today.

The policy was announced earlier this year and initially expected to come into effect in September.

According to Ms Oswell, the order was a part of the

Memorial Service For Retired Assistant Commissioner of Corrections

Raymond Lemond Wesley Gray, 66

A resident of East Wind Subdivision and formerly of McKanns, Long Island, will be held at Mount Nebo Baptist Church, Marshall Road on Thursday, October 7, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Officiating will be Rev. Dr. Charles E. Rolle, Chief Apostle Leon Wallace & Father Chester Burton.

Interment will follow at Lakeview Memorial Gardens, John F. Kennedy Drive.

Left to mourn and cherish his memories are, Wife: Barbara MoseleyGray; Sons: Anwar Gray & Canute Graham; Daughters: Tamika Bastian, Latisha Gray & Vivia Graham; Brothers: Sinclair ‘Tony’ Gray, Delvin Gray (Deceased) and Charles Gray; Daughter-in-law: Michelle Graham; Grandchildren: Adrian Gibson Jr., Ashanti &Ashlei Ferguson, Alexis, Ava &Amaia Graham; Brothers-in-law: Rudolph (Carl) Moseley, Calvert Moseley & Anthony Lawson; Sisters-in-Law: Maria Moseley-Henry (Ralph Henry), Delly Moseley, Dorsea LawsonDaniel (John Daniel), Jean Moseley-Culmer (Rory Culmer), Lorna Moseley-Grant (Livingston Grant), Vernique Moseley-Cardoza (Delroy Cardoza) & Melissa Moseley; Aunts: Alice Miller & Children; Uncles: Holly Gray (Angie Gray). Numerous Beloved Nieces & Nephews; Cousins: Wrights of Grand Bahama, Grays, Millers, Turnquest, Knowles, Edgecombes, Coopers and Foxs from McKann’s, Long Island, Family in the United States of America. Friends: Commissioner of Corrections Charles Murphy, Retired Assistant Commissioners: Neville Adderley & Family, Andrew Rolle & Family, Raymond Julian and family, Arthur Morris & Family, Stevenson Smith & Family, Wilfred Ferguson & Family, Denis Gilbert & Family, & Milton Hanna & Family, Retired Deputy Superintendent Charles Rolle & Family, Chief Officer Ashton Turnquest & Family, Retired Chief Officer Peter Taylor & Family, Principal Officer Lander Cartwright & Family, Retired Sergeant Preston McKenzie & Family, Retired Corporal Colin Puckerin & Family, Principal Corrections Officer Archie Fowler & Family, Principal Officer John Thompson and family, Former Educational Officer Anita Dillet, Sherry Rolle, Millicent Puckerin, Neighbors Sergeant 2529 Raymond Johnson & Mrs. Yvonne Johnson, and Pam Russell &Pemrae, Mr. & Mrs. John Huyler, Members of Social Outreach at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Fr. Crosley Walkine, Fr. Chester Burton, and St. Matthew’s Anglican Church Family, The Director, Principal, Teachers and Staff of Catholic Schools, The Moseley Family headed by Rudolph ‘Carl’ Moseley Sr., Management & Staff of The Bahamas Department of Correctional Services, Management & Staff of Original Patties Bakery Ltd., and a host of other relatives and friends.

Special thank you to his Medical Team led by Dr. Don Deveaux, Dr. Sheena Smith-Wallace, the Doctors and Staff at Oaktree Medical, Dr. Fredrick Smith & the Dialysis Team at Princess Margaret Hospital, Nurses & Staff of Private Surgical, Princess Margaret Hospital, Nurses & Staff at Doctor’s Hospital, Dr. Colleen FitzCharles.

Friends may pay their last respects at Demeritte’s Funeral Home, Market Street, from 10-5:00 p.m. on Wednesday.

resort’s approach in “putting the community’s health and the economy first.”

“As we have shared since July, Atlantis will not pay the cost of testing indefinitely. We also will not continue to encourage testing as an alternative to vaccination,” Ms Oswell said.

“By getting the free and widely available vaccine, you are protecting yourself and your family, colleagues, our guests, and the community from COVID-19. You are also playing an essential role in helping achieve a COVIDfree Bahamas, which is the only path forward for our economy and tourism to thrive again.”

When contacted by this newspaper yesterday, Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) president Darrin Woods reiterated

his belief that Atlantis and other employers cannot force workers to pay for their weekly COVID tests as it is in violation of Bahamian law.

Mr Woods said while he has heard the resort intends to postpone the policy, he believes there needs to be a long-term solution as the union simply does not want a “temporary fix”.

“This is a matter that we’ve been trying to address now from June really right down to the former administration to get some definitive position on it because, according to the law, employers shall not pass or cause any fee to be levied on its employees in anything coming out of the Health and Safety Act in terms of making sure that their place is safe,” Mr Woods told The Tribune.

“Further, the Director

of Labour who was of the same view when he started another place and we would’ve actually spoken with the minister directly last night and he indicated to me that he was getting legal advice from the Attorney General, and I have heard that they have agreed to postpone it.

“For us, postponing it is good in the interim stage… but we don’t want a temporary fix because that’s all we’ve been getting in the past 12 weeks. When they were actually about to implement it on September 1, they decided not to after speaking with the former government. They decided to push it to October.

“We believe it was a political move because we said to them the same thing we’re saying now in that the payment should not be passed off to the employees,” he added.

TWO MORE DEATHS AND 130 CASES CONFIRMED THE Ministry of Health has recorded two more COVID-19 deaths and 130 new cases.

According to the September 29 dashboard, 89 of the new cases are from New Providence, five are from Grand Bahama, two are from Abaco, and six each are from Eleuthera

and Inagua. Nine of the new cases are from Long Island, while there is one each from Cat Island and Crooked Island and 11 cases are from Mayaguana.

The country now has 21,114 confirmed cases.

The death toll has also risen to 533 after two

Grand Bahama deaths were recorded.

The Ministry of Health said the deceased are both women — ages 31 and 46 — who died on September 16 and September 19.

Meanwhile, 145 people are in hospital with the pandemic, including 19 in the intensive care unit.

Graveside Funeral Service For Leviticus Lee Ferguson, 67

of #111 Cowpen Road and formerly of The Forest, Exuma, will be held at 12:00 p.m., on Saturday October 2nd, 2021, at Woodlawn Gardens, Soldier Road. Officiating will be Pastor Kersch Darville, assisted

by Pastors Allen Munroe and Patrick Rolle.

He will be greatly missed by his wife: Annette TurnquestFerguson; sons: Lavardo Ferguson & Leviticus Ferguson Jr.; daughters: Valencia Ferguson & Angel Dixon; adopted grand-children: Dejanique Thompson, Deniecia Pratt and Shaquille Bullard Jr.; beloved cat: Tinkerbell Ferguson; brother: Zephaniah Newbold; sisters: Edith Johnson and Iona Ferguson; uncles: Cleophas & Levi Webb; aunts: Grace Hepburn and Emily Rolle; brothers-in-law: David Brown, Paul Turnquest, Christopher Turnquest & Derek Turnquest; sisters-in-law: Luceita Edwards, Angela Turnquest and Janese Turnquest; nephews: Ron, Elvis, Marvin, Garvin, Dominic, Treko, Nicholas, Cameron, Shunty, Lexis, Don and Zhivargo; nieces: Keisha, Bobby, Kaynesha and Octavia; and a host of grand Nieces and nephews including: Janika, Trenae and Damarjio; cousins: Apostle Leon Wallace, Willis Wallace, Iona Wallace,Vedora Hall, Kirkwood Wilson Jr., Hamblin, Zonimae, Villamae, Valeste, Ruby, Veramae and Rodwill; other family & friends: Turnquest Family, Simon & Family, Dan Knowles & Family, Andrea Ayton & Family, BFM Church Family, Usher Board of BFM, Simons Transports SL Team, New Covenant Church Family, The Larros, The Hanna Family, Jolly & Bullard Families, Carolyn Major & Family, The O’Brien Family ,Charlene & Family, Denise & Family, Devanti Smith & Family, Kayla Thompson and Family, and many more relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

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

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, October 1, 2021, PAGE 5

Repatriations delayed by issues at Haiti airport

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

LABOUR and Immigration Minister Keith Bell said the government will begin repatriations of some 1,000 Haitian migrants between today and tomorrow after the process was halted yesterday due to technical issues at the Portde-Paix airport in Haiti.

Mr Bell spoke to reporters after another Haitian sloop, with 137 migrants onboard, was intercepted off Ragged Island on Wednesday morning.

Royal Bahamas Defence Force officials said the group, along with 292 Haitians found in the Ragged Island chain last week, was being transported to Inagua for further processing.

The latest group now joins more than 400 Haitians who are already being housed on the island after being apprehended from Bahamians waters.

According to Mr Bell yesterday, more than 1,000 Haitians have been taken into custody by local authorities over the last several days.

He said most of the apprehended individuals

SOME of the Haitians detained this week by the RBDF. are men.

“As you would recall, we had 501 plus (migrants) that (were) initially there in Inagua,” he told reporters yesterday. “We had 415 on the (Flamingo) Cay. That number is a bit fluid because we know that there was less than anticipated on the cay. I think the number was 377 if I’m not mistaken and then added to the 137.”

He said the government had hoped to have some of those individuals returned home yesterday but explained that repatriation exercises had to be pushed back due to some “serious” technical issues at the airport in Haiti.

“As it stands now, I’ve spoken with the honourable Fred Mitchell and from

all indications, the Haitian government has indicated that they’re having some serious technical issues with the airport on Port-de-Paix.

Therefore, we were unable to commence repatriation this morning.” Mr Bell added.

“However, despite that, we anticipate that we’ll be able to repatriate all those that are being tried by Saturday. We will commence the repatriation exercise no later than by tomorrow (Friday) if we get word from the Haitian government (because) I think they’re going to use an alternative airport so if that gets sorted out today then we will do that today.

“Bahamasair has made two planes available to us

and so we are ready; the Ministry of Immigration, Bahamasair and all of the law enforcement agencies are on a state of readiness and standby to begin reparation immediately, but again it’s all contingent on whether or not the Haitian government is able to give us clearance to land at which airport.”

The large detainment of Haitian nationals on Inagua has raised concerns among residents there about potential spread of COVID-19 and other communicable diseases like cholera.

The Tribune was told that health officials are keeping a watchful eye on the situation amid a reported outbreak of cholera in Haiti.

Yesterday, Mr Bell confirmed that officials are doing the necessary health checks. However, he said there is still no information to suggest that any diseases have been imported in the country.

“The primary concern always remained in ensuring that there is no disease, not only COVID-19, but we’ve always had an issue with ensuring that tuberculosis and other diseases

are not brought into the country by these groups of migrants so this isn’t something new,” he said yesterday.

“In terms of testing, this is something that is always done. It is standard procedure. I commend the minister of health and his team in health. They have flown in a very large good sized health team and they have continued with the testing. The first group was tested. The second group was tested and this latest group as you know they’re on their way to Inagua and they will be tested as well.

So, as I’ve indicated before, there is no indication that there is any COVID among that group.”

In addition to health concerns, residents in Inagua are also worried about the housing and safety situation there.

Inagua administrator Marlon Leary told The Tribune Wednesday that accommodating a large number of migrants has been challenging.

He also revealed that some Haitians in Inagua have been disorderly while in detention. This comes as officials expect more migrants to arrive in The

Bahamas in the days ahead.

However, Mr Bell told reporters that overcrowding on the island should not be a problem once repatriation exercises begin.

He said: “We have the facility that (is) the Universal Declaration Church.

That is where the initial group is being housed.

The second group is being housed, the ones at the police station, they are being housed at an auditorium that was made available to us, a very new facility, and they’re being housed there.

“The new group that is out to sea, we anticipate that by the time as we start repatriation exercises one of those halls would become available to us so we anticipate that there will be overflow and there will be no issue in terms of crowding, feeding and shelter, etc, and that is what’s going to happen.”

The country is experiencing an influx of migrants from Haiti due to increasing social and political turmoil there following last month’s devastating earthquake and the assassination of former Haitian President Jovenel Moise in July.

DOMINICAN POACHERS ARRESTED AFTER ‘RAM’ ATTEMPT FIVE Dominican poachers who allegedly attempted to “ram” a Royal Bahamas Defence Force vessel to evade capture were arrested in Bahamian waters.

A press release from the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs thanked the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Royal Bahamas Police Force for their assistance in the interdiction and arrest of the poachers who were onboard the Dominican vessel “Amanda”.

The vessel was apprehended at approximately 11pm on Saturday, September 25, by the Bahamian patrol vessel HMBS Bahamas in waters near Diamond Point, Southern Great Bahama Bank.

The ministry said the fishermen were caught with 5,420 lbs of hogfish, 2,213 lbs of Nassau grouper, 11,267 lbs of whole lobster, 276 lbs of lobster tails and 1,685 lbs of assorted fish. Additionally, the poachers were also allegedly operating in

Bahamian waters illegally while using a compressor and spearguns, officials said.

They are expected to be charged today with six violations of the Fisheries Act. The ministry said suspected drugs were allegedly found on board and added that the Dominican vessel attempted “to ram the HMBS Bahamas while attempting to escape”.

Charges are expected to be brought for these offences as well.

Minister of Agriculture,

US MAN HELD OVER ‘STOLEN VESSEL’ BIMINI police arrested an American man yesterday for suspected possession of a stolen vessel.

Shortly after 11am, officers from the Department of Customs told officers at the Alice Town Police Station that while at Brown’s Marina, they discovered a vessel with registration #FL7024PK, which did not undergo the necessary reporting requirements upon entering the country.

Upon officers’ arrival, initial investigations revealed that a 2012 Blue and White 37’ 6” Boston Whaler vessel with three outboard engines attached was parked at the marina. An American man identified himself as the captain. When questioned by officers, he could not give a satisfactory account as to how he came to be in possession of the vessel. The man was arrested and is assisting police with the ongoing investigation.

Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Clay Sweeting expressed deep gratitude to the officers onboard HMBS Bahamas for their bravery in protecting Bahamian waters from illegal fishermen intent on causing harm.

“I appreciate the hard

work and bravery of these men and women in uniform as they guard our heritage and I particularly applaud the deep cooperation between the RBDF and Bahamian fishermen who very often are the ones to spot these illegal boats in our waters,” he

said.

“I wish to encourage our fishermen to maintain the open dialogue between our law enforcement agencies as well as the Department of Marine Resources as we work hand-in-hand to guard our heritage,” he continued.

PAGE 6, Friday, October 1, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

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Prison suspension looks more like old PLP than New Day THE early days of the new government have prompted some eyebrow raising. Promotions put on hold.

Contracts being reviewed. Board appointments, disaster authority, food aid programme to be reviewed.

The question as each of these elements are put on hold or being investigated is whether this is legitimate or for political reasons.

The same question arises again today after the Prison Commissioner, Charles Murphy, was placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.

Two officers – Deputy Commissioners Doan Cleare and Bernadette Murray – have been ordered to return to the prison facility from the Ministry of National Security, with Mr Cleare acting as corrections commissioner after Mr Murphy’s departure.

Both officers had filed a lawsuit previously accusing the government of unfairly sidelining them. They said that they had been forced to take vacation leave even though Mr Murphy had more accumulated vacation than the two of them put together.

The law firm handling this matter?

Munroe & Associates. Wayne Munroe compared the matter to officers in the Royal Bahamas Police Force being ordered to take leave at the time.

Mr Munroe is now National Security Minister and it was he who announced the move yesterday in a press statement.

First thing first, how can he be involving himself in matters in which he has previously been acting as a lawyer for individuals concerned in the matter?

He should surely recuse himself from such a decision-making process, let alone be the one announcing it to the world.

But there’s more. A specific case is mentioned among the reasons for suspending Commissioner Murphy.

The case cited is that the prison “may have breached an order made by Supreme Court Justice Klein ordering the release of Prescott Smith who had been committed to Bahamas Department of Corrections himself for failing to obey an order of a Supreme Court judge.”

The statement goes on to say that Mr Smith later tested positive for COVID and that during his stay, he was quarantined in a cell with three other prisoners.

“In the face of these concerns, Commissioner Murphy was directed to proceed immediately on administrative leave.”

It is remarkable that of all the potential cases that might have raised concern, it just so happens that the one cited is that of a prominent supporter of the Progressive Liberal Party. That’s what Mr Smith is.

So we have a situation where a PLP supporter was behind bars, tested positive for COVID, and that is one of the key reasons for the commissioner’s removal, while the Minister for National

Security’s clients in a lawsuit are brought back to the prison with one taking over the commissioner’s seat while it’s still warm.

Mr Murphy, for his part, says that his lawyer will be addressing the matter soon, and that “the Bahamian people know their agenda.”

Is this really a new day? Or the same old PLP we have seen before. Is this improving the nation, or is this a sign of returning to the days of victimisation?

We do not anticipate this will be the last we will hear of this matter.

Make a decision After discussions between labour officials and Atlantis, the resort has agreed to “hold off” on requiring unvaccinated staff to pay for their weekly tests.

It’s a postponement, not a total halt – and really all that does is kick the can down the road a little further.

This is something that needs to be decided, not delayed any further.

Regardless of who won the election, this was the kind of decision that a new government was going to need to get involved in. We should have an answer over what’s going to happen in these instances, not another delay.

Labour Minister Keith Bell says he is seeking legal advice from the Attorney General’s office, but really this should have been something discussed on the campaign trail. He should know that advice already. So should his FNM counterpart had they won re-election.

None of this is a surprise for the government to deal with.

The question is simple. Can a business require staff who do not wish to be vaccinated to pay for weekly testing to ensure they don’t bring the virus to work with them?

If you have one staff member who is vaccinated and another who is not, does the company have to bear the extra cost for the staff member who has chosen not to get vaccinated?

Businesses want to protect their staff and customers. In this case, Atlantis wants to reduce the risk of an outbreak that at worst could see the whole resort shut down and negative headlines around the world. We saw the publicity that surrounded cruise ships as they tried to find a port at the start of the pandemic. No one needs that.

So the question has to be answered.

Atlantis might be the one of the first to push forward and force the issue, but it won’t be the last business to do so.

The postponement is good for only one thing – to give time for workers to go and get the vaccine. That’s the real solution to all this. People are pushing on this issue because of the importance of the vaccine.

So go get the shot. And let’s get on with it.

Atlantis and testing EDITOR, The Tribune.

IT’S time for society and the world generally to start putting their collective foot down with these anti-vaxxers. If the antivaxxers reasons for not taking the jab was based on scientific research and general intelligence all well and good. However, it’s not it’s based on nonsensical conspiracy theories, ignorance and lack of education. There are billions of inherently stupid people inhabiting our planet. That is not open to debate, it’s

purely factual. Referring to our education grade of D is proof of this. D = DUNCE. Well guess what there are literally hundreds of now dead Bahamians who would still be walking the earth if they took the jab.

For the D graders this is again purely factual. If you want to grow to the list of the dead be my guest continue to not take the vaccine. I would point out you already have 18 vaccines circulating in your body from childhood. Yes, and you are still alive!! Go figure. Back then there

was no internet, there were no fruitcakes flooding the internet with outrageous lies. Back then your parents believed in the experts oh, for those days to come back! Anyway if you work at Atlantis and refuse the jab and hence put your guests and co workers at risk from contracting this plague of a disease understand Atlantis are 100% correct in making employees pay the cost for weekly testing.

THE REALIST Nassau, September 30, 2021.

Tune in to your old good friend EDITOR, The Tribune.

I FOUND two lines of Ortland Bodie’s letter published in Thursday’s Tribune most interesting.

In that letter Mr Bodie not only admits that Peter Nygard was his “good friend”, but was also his “former patron”.

This Friday, Mr Bodie’s good friend is scheduled to have his extradition request heard in the Southern District of New York having been arrested in Winnipeg last December under the extradition Act on charges of rape and sexual assault.

Nygard is facing charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and related crimes.

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net Nygard was arrested in Winnipeg, Canada, accused of sexual assault in Canada, the US and the Bahamas. His extradition case is expected to start in New York on Friday. He lived in the Bahamas on his property Nygard Cay where many of the offences of which he is accused is alleged to have taken place.

In 2020 two of Nygard’s sons accused him of setting them up to be raped by his girlfriend — a “known sex worker” – when they were teens. At the time

they requested a jury trial.

However, Nygard’s lawyer dismissed their allegations as lies.

If Mr Bodie tunes in he should learn much about his “friend” whose reputation was so notorious in The Bahamas before he fled to Canada, that Mr Bodie should have at least been aware of what was being alleged.

Anyway it will be interesting to follow the case of this “good friend” when it opens in New York at the end of this week.

AN INTERESTED OBSERVER Nassau, September 30, 2021

Banking issues EDITOR, The Tribune.

IS there any rationality for the bank ATMs to only gush out $100.00 bills and never anything smaller?

You can’t buy larger capacity ATM’s which will then issue a more reasonable oh, yes. customer convenient distribution of notes? Doubt it as it will be improving customer service.

Another banking

issue...with considerable insistence another Canadian Bank required its customers to register for what they fan fared the most secure banking access system around…. laugh people that lasted two-weeks gone.

But can you believe it that Canadian bank did not even have the decency to send a circular advising the system had changed another anti-customer

strike for the banks.

Do banks care? Where is the Central Bank - seems they are solely on the side of the banks...where is Consumer Affairs?

Hoping by embarrassing two different Canadian banks they just might change their attitude... doubt it.

This is too serious we need the truth and the facts not one word in the campaign about the fact Moody was downgrading and you know Minnis should have known... he continued to laugh.... dance and propose more and more give-a-ways.

Put him in front of an enquiry to find out what he knew and if the country was misled .....didn’t he say there would be accountability under his watch .....

where?

Bahamas wake up austerity is going to come.... those who refused for years to pay taxes will be hounded and they have to pay.....Davis might reduce VAT by 2% but somewhere else he will raise it as the Treasury can’t afford to lose a dime, let alone five cents.

A CAMPBELL Nassau, September 26, 2021.

Economy answers EDITOR, The Tribune.

SHOULDN’T Dr Minnis have to answer to us all as to where our National Finances are 100 percent to our national economy?

‘Til September 16th not a word... not a squeak... not a hint that Moody’s would downgrade us and all but say... Bahamas next step IMF will step in and administer your economy, he, Minnis said he was transparent!

G K HUDSON Nassau, September 25, 2021.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, October 1, 2021, PAGE 7

Saunders considers FNM chairman run

By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net DON Saunders, former House of Assembly Deputy Speaker, said he is considering offering himself as chairman of the Free National Movement at the party’s November convention.

Mr Saunders is one of several names a Tribune source in the party’s council has revealed as those considering offering themselves for the post next month. However, for the most part party officials are being tight lipped about possible contenders.

Current FNM chairman Carl Culmer, who has held the post for the past four years, has said he will not enter the race even though he is being encouraged to do so by his peers.

“Everyone is focused on the position of leader,” the FNM council source said. “Very few people are thinking about the position of chairman which is just as important as far as I am concerned. So far the names thrown out there for chairman are Michael Foulkes, Don Saunders, Collin Ingraham and somewhat, Elsworth Johnson.

“I feel there will be more names as the weeks roll on. We have about two months, so let’s see what happens. I say, ‘somewhat

FORMER Tall Pines MP Don Saunders.

Johnson’ because he has been approached, but he seems slow in committing. The other three have enthusiastically said they are seriously thinking about it, but Johnson appeared not to be too interested.

“We heard from another avenue that Johnson is very interested and plans to, at the last minute, throw his hat in the ring as well. I would throw my support behind Saunders. I think he is ready for that level of party leadership. Saunders has shown his commitment in the role of Deputy Speaker of the House and other in-party positions.”

The Tribune contacted Mr Saunders, former Member of Parliament for Tall Pines, who admitted he has been thinking about offering himself for FNM chairman and why.

“I’m thinking about it,” Mr Saunders said. “I’ve not officially put my hat in the ring, but I am thinking about it. I feel the party needs to be seen as regrouping with young talent. I think that I brought a lot to the table as a parliamentarian, supporting and defending the party’s policies and legislation.

“I was probably one of the more vocal advocates

for the party’s policies, conditions and leadership. So I think we need to increase our efforts in that regard.

We need somebody who is able to articulate and defend the party well. I have past experience in the party’s mechanism, that is I was a council member from 2001, executive member and past deputy secretary general. So I know the ins and outs of the party very well.”

FNM officials have said party leader Dr Hubert Minnis will only stay on until the party’s upcoming convention. He was sworn in as leader of the official

opposition last week. Mr Saunders said he wants to assist whomever emerges as leader in mapping the way forward for the party.

FNM officials have openly admitted part of the reason for the party’s defeat at the polls is that many disgruntled supporters did not vote. Mr Saunders said he is confident he can bring them back in the fold.

“I am a certified mediator professionally,” Mr Saunders said. “On a daily basis I deal with conflicts so I think I would be able to talk and bring parties together and generally help to understand why some of the more unpopular decisions were made and to get them to understand that we were doing things in their best interest.

“I would say, ‘hey listen, let’s move forward,’ hear their inference, try to reason with them to hear their suggestions as to the way forward and bring them back in the fold. That is going to be key with us reorganising ourselves.

“We were affected tremendously at the polls because FNMs did not come out and vote for whatever reasons. We need to get them reignited, reenergised, refocused on the commission of the Free National Movement and to get them back in order.”

Mr Saunders said he is also open to vying for the position of FNM secretary

general.

“The chairmanship or the position of secretary general, are the positions I would look at if I decide to run,” he continued. “I haven’t made a decision yet. I’m looking at options in my personal life, right now. Persons have come to me and asked me if I was interested and I told them it would be something I would consider, but I have not made a final decision as yet.”

When he was contacted about the possibility of running for party chairman, Mr Johnson told this newspaper he has not declared any intentions.

“I haven’t considered it,” the former Minister of Immigration said. “I’ve told the leader that I am in it for the long haul. The master says, ‘He who wants to be the greatest must be a servant to all,’ so if I have to stand at the door and carry water, then that’s what I have to do.

“In terms of chairmanship, I would say that’s an internal, private matter that we will settle on. I haven’t declared any intentions for it.”

The Tribune attempted to speak with Mr Foulkes on his intentions for party chairman.

Mr Foulkes promised to call back on the matter, but up to news time he had not. Attempts to reach him again proved fruitless.

FOUR HELD IN $3MILLION DRUG BUST from page one

Around 3.30am, officers intercepted the bus fitting the description in the area of Carmichael Road west.

Officers followed the bus onto Boatswain Hill and

then onto a dirt road. A chase followed and other units were alerted, police said.

ASP Peters said passengers on the bus attempted to throw items from the vehicle.

Police said officers from

$3,500 FINE OVER MARIJUANA

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN caught with $1,000 worth of marijuana and ammunition must pay $3,500 to avoid spending six months behind bars.

Police arrested Charles Emanuel after they found more than a pound of Indian hemp along with a 9mm bullet at his residence on January 17. The prosecution said officers executed a search warrant on Emmanuel’s Finlayson Street home. A search led to the discovery of a large clear plastic bag with ten Ziploc bags containing marijuana, the court heard. Officers also found two more bags with marijuana stashed in a sofa. When they searched Emmanuel’s closet, they also found one bullet in the

pocket of a jacket. He was arrested. When questioned, he owned up to the offences.

When Emmanuel appeared before Magistrate Samuel McKinney, he pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition and dangerous drug possession with the intent to supply.

He was fined $3,000 for the marijuana and $500 for the bullet. If he fails to pay the fines, Emmanuel could spend three months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Meanwhile, Kevin Ramsey was arrested and accused of being in possession of 4.8 pounds of marijuana. He pleaded not guilty to dangerous drug possession with the intent to supply and his case was adjourned to November 24 for trial. Ramsey was granted $5,000 bail.

THREE ACCUSED OVER GUN POSSESSION

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net TWO men and a woman who denied being in possession of a firearm they allegedly used to make an officer fear for his life were yesterday granted bail before their trial.

Deandro Munnings, 31, Ricardo Russell, 33, and Alexandria Knowles, 27, appeared before Magistrate Shaka Serville after they were accused of having a black and rusted Zastava Serbia 7.62 pistol without being the holders of a firearm licence on September 27.

Prosecutors also alleged the three were found with 30 unfired rounds of 7.62 ammunition that day and said the accused used the

gun and bullets to put Detective Constable 3914 Charlton in fear.

During the arraignment, Munnings, Knowles and Russell denied the allegations and their case was adjourned to December 20 for trial.

Knowles and Russell were each granted $5,000 bail until that time.

Munnings was also charged with disorderly behaviour and resisting arrest after officers accused him of being difficult with Police Constable 4191 Higgs while the officer was acting in the execution of his duty.

After he pleaded not guilty to those charges, he was granted $7,000 bail.

He also returns to court in December for trial.

MAN HELD AT AIRPORT WITH $90,000

BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

FREEPORT - A man was arrested at the Grand Bahama International Airport with nearly $90,000 in US currency on Thursday.

Assistant Superintendent of Police Stephen Rolle said officers of Drug Enforcement Unit made the arrest after searching

the suspect onboard a private aircraft that had arrived from Bimini.

The male was discovered with $87,853 in his possession and could not give a satisfactory reason for having such a large sum of money.

ASP Rolle said the male was arrested for possession of suspected proceeds of crime. He is assisting police with their investigation.

the Operations Unit collected the bags from the road, while the Drug Enforcement Unit continued in pursuit of the bus.

Moments later, the chase ended about a mile into the dirt road where the driver was forced to a stop after

hitting a barrier.

Three suspects escaped from the bus, ASP Peters said. However, yesterday afternoon police said four men were later taken into custody in connection with the drug find.

Police found 100 sacks

of marijuana that weighed 3,053 pounds.

The drugs have an estimated street value of $3,053,000.

Asked if he thought this was part of a larger operation, ASP Peters said at the scene, “It is a

possibility that it is part of a larger operation, meaning The Bahamas is not known to be a cultivation point, but a transit point.

The players are not known at this time, however we are going to continue our investigations.”

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PAGE 8, Friday, October 1, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Behind the world on marijuana legislation AFTER recently hearing Assistant Superintendent Audley Peters inform the media that the DEU officers seized $3m worth of marijuana in an early morning drug bust on Thursday.

The bus ended up on the side of the street and three suspects escaped leaving the $3m in marijuana/cannabis behind.

Are we still here spinning our wheels in the mud, in relation to the legalisation and decriminalisation of medicinal and recreational marijuana/cannabis in 2021.

The previous administration did a lot of pontificating and politicking in regards to legalisation and decriminalisation of medicinal and recreational marijuana/cannabis.

Which turned out to be much to do about nothing as we still have no proper marijuana/ cannabis bill in place.

Sadly while we “slunk” on the topic of marijuana/ cannabis the world is racing way ahead of us.

GLOBALLY

One of the first Global Cannabis Industry Reports in 2019, by New Frontier Data, made it clear that marijuana/ cannabis legalization would prove to be one of the most influential socio-economic movements of our time.

In just two years, the number of countries having legalised some form of marijuana (cannabis) has increased from 50 to 70, and there are now ten countries legalising adult use, almost a twofold increase from 2019.

As legal markets across the globe continue to evolve, regulatory structures and societal norms vary greatly, requiring modifications to laws in certain countries to make the industry more uniformed.

A Comic’s View

to change and be able to adapt in changing systems.”

MEDICINAL

In 2020, an estimated 4.4 million people were registered as active medical cannabis patients throughout the world. Furthermore, an additional two million patients are expected to register for medical cannabis over the next five years, which could reach 6.5 million people by 2025.

By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA

NORTH AMERICA

In 2020, regulated markets sold $23.7bn marijuana/cannabis products (which is ten times the sales numbers of any other regulated markets in the world). The United States saw combined total of medical and recreational cannabis sales hit 20.3 billion.

Canada for example saw approximately $2bn in high-THC cannabis products sold in 2020.

The constant rise of cannabis in both the US and Canada could lead to sales increasing to $51bn by 2025.

EUROPE

Germany European sales of THC products were lower overall than in North America, but still on the rise with the industry showing rapid growth.

However, Germany continues to push the market forward with Europe’s largest medical cannabis programme to date, collecting $206m in 2020 alone, during a global pandemic no less.

And now Germany is looking to bring Jamaican marijuana/cannabis to German

pharmacies. I’m sure Germany would bring in Bahamian marijuana/cannabis also, if we only were in the market.

Spain Similar to the United States marijuana/cannabis is not federally legal in Spain, however the individual provinces in throughout the country do have various regulations on cannabis products and sales. In 2019, cannabis clubs in the country reached $431m, which makes Spain a contender for becoming one of the largest industries in the world, behind the US and Canada. $8bn of capital has been invested in the cannabis industry globally thus far, and with an expectancy for rapid growth.

It’s obvious this is an industry that can be beneficial to all Bahamians, the new administration has a chance to become major players in the region as well as globally in this rapidly growing market.

Mikhail Sagal founder of TSRgrow recently noted: “The success of non-US cannabis industries will rely on quick establishment of a regulatory framework. Those countries will all have to change and become more standardised and acceptable, and companies will have

RECREATIONAL

Recreational cannabis sales are expected to double that of medical cannabis sales by 2025 as well. On the recreational front, only ten countries have legalised recreational cannabis, with six approving the sale of high-THC products.

MODELS

The Netherlands and Spain, are the perfect model of decriminalized club/ social-use. Jamaica and South Africa have approved use for religious groups.

Uruguay (mentioned in this column previously) has fully legalised recreational marijuana/cannabis, with a flourishing market for THC products.

Hopefully this new administration will usher in a “New Day” in regards to legalising and decriminalising medicinal and recreational marijuana/cannabis.

The market is big enough and lucrative enough for all Bahamians to be apart in what could be a revolutionary new industry for the nation.

It’s time for our new PM to live up to his nickname, be “Brave” - legalise and decriminalise medicinal and recreational marijuana, and don’t let this potential lucrative industry go up in smoke again!

WENDE HANNA

BUSINESS REACHES 20-YEAR LANDMARK

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

ENTREPRENEURIAL Services Limited (ESL) has reached a 20-year milestone providing business solutions to keep Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in business in Grand Bahama.

Small businesses are vital to the economy, and ESL is doing its part to ensure that they survive and thrive.

Wende Hanna, president of ESL, a financial management and accounting firm, has helped many companies “weather economic storms” and grow their businesses.

“We have come a long way in 20 years, and I am pleased that we have helped so many businesses in such a wide variety of ways; from start-ups to well-established companies, our partnerships with our clients continue to impact the success of their businesses positively,” she told The Tribune.

Mrs Hanna is a Certified Public Accountant licensed by the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA). She said ESL provides a wide range of financial services,

including business plans, outsourced payroll functions, general accounting and bookkeeping, tax filing, financial certifications, financial reporting, and attestation services, and more.

“My commitment to delivering top-notch services to clients has helped them to weather economic storms and thrive on a long-term basis. I am honoured to be an expert in this field, and I am pleased that the services we provide allow clients to focus on what they do best – serve their customers and grow their businesses with the products and services they provide,” she said.

H Forbes Charter Services has been an ESL client for more than seven years and is very satisfied with the services.

“The accounting firm… has consistently provided (us) with superior services,” a representative said. “The ESL team has provided excellent financial services, including financial statements, company valuations, and business plans. We feel extremely confident that ESL is managing our financial matters with the utmost care and level of expertise.”

Brenford AV Christie, of McKinney Bancroft & Hughes, said: “I have worked closely with Wende for many years in connection with accounting services that she provides to some of my clients. She has always been very responsive and has an excellent grasp of accounting principles and the local legislation governing financial transactions. She is always courteous and helpful and has been a great asset to our mutual clients.”

Mrs Hanna said that she is grateful for the role ESL has played in supporting the Grand Bahama economy over the past 20 years and is optimistic about the future.

“For 20 years, we have been committed to helping local businesses achieve and sustain success. Our team remains motivated, and I look forward to our business sector achieving its full potential in the not-toodistant future,” she stated.

Mrs Hanna has been a licensed accountant for 25 years and holds an undergraduate degree in Accounting from Emory University and an MBA from Columbia Business School.

THE TRIBUNE

MR PM — YOU ARE SO RIGHT, WE ARE NOT IN THIS ALONE, BUT THE FUTURE WILL BE BUILT ON WHAT WE ALONE DO

ON September 25, Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis addressed the General Debate of the 76th Plenary Session of the United Nations. Still in the victory lap of his party’s win at the polls and assumption of the reins of governing a country with more needs than money to meet them, he spoke for 16 minutes and some seconds with real conviction, delivering a message that should not be lost on the Bahamian people.

We are not in this alone, he said. He talked of climate change, a problem that has the potential to rattle the entire world and shows no respect for political borders. He spoke of fighting COVID and zeroed in on what he called misinformation and disinformation, saying it “flowed across borders, undermining public health and public trust.”

The pandemic, he pointed out in words that sounded almost like a plea, “has been very difficult for countries like mine.”

You are so right, Mr Prime Minister. It has been difficult and it is true we are not in this alone, but given that no one is pushing down our doors to help, we are going to need to prove ourselves. We need to stand tall, show imagination, exercise critical thinking, demonstrate innovation in solutions and cripple even the faintest blush of corruption in order to be

Friday, October 1, 2021, PAGE 9

By Diane Phillips

Look to the thinkers, the respected by friends who partner working side by marine scientists, the aviaside for mutual benefits, tion experts who see The not offering patronising, Bahamas as a central hub, condescending assistance the new financial enterthat comes with a price tag prises who envision not just that threatens our sover- brick and mortar and high eignty – a theme I will keep interest consumer loans but payment solutions, the repeating.

So how ‘We need to stand tall, developers who have do you go show imagination, a vision for about doing the Family exercise critical the differIslands, the ent thing so thinking, demonstrate manufacyou don’t innovation in turers who regurgitate solutions and cripple have knowthe mistakes how but not even the faintest of the past who-how and expect blush of corruption’ because a different productivity result? is such a challenge. We creStart fresh. Learn what ated a university but have you don’t know. I didn’t not yet attracted an interknow until this week that national student body. As there is a new profession the question, why not? Ask called carbonate account- what are the steps needed ing, the people whose work to make The Bahamas a adds legs to blue carbon medical research player, registries. It’s a small part an example for the world of an exploding field that to follow in renewables? could make The Bahamas Why are we spinning our one of the richest resource wheels and not our windcountries in the world, mills? Why, why why. Keep standing up to fight climate asking how do we move forward, do the thing that is change with what exists in our different. If others are looking at cannabis and we are own oceans not there yet (though who if we knows why), why aren’t we looking at the health benwisely ] efits of certain mushrooms? rty Pa l era Lib pree If they [The Progressiv more cautiously Mr Prime Minister, you ave serve beh should win, they’ll npo res and the DPM and a few of ing nd sta and and with a greater under we can run things others came out of the gate l fee we , monsibility. Naturally running. Please do not let one is another bst tom ry eve der un t etise Bu better. the past slow or drag you without.” our guy the world is getting by The Miami Herald, down. We may not be in this Sir Stafford Sands, sea Thursday 29 June 1961 alone, but the future will be grass. built on what we alone do.

THANKS TO BAHAMIANOLOGY, WE GET THIS 60-YEAR-OLD JEWEL

ANYONE KNOW THIS STATUE’S STORY?

FOR years, the origin of this headless figure has intrigued me and finally on a somewhat overcast day, I stopped, dashed across a busy West Bay Street and captured it, hoping someone could shed light on its history.

As for location, it’s right across from the Goodman’s Bay Corporate Centre.

Partially hidden by bush and surrounded on the ground by trash including discarded beer bottles, it really is a hidden treasure and up close it was the figures of the turtles that took me by surprise.

There’s tremendous detail throughout. If you know the story, please share it.

PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis takes at the 76th Session of the UN General Assembly.

Photo: Eduardo Munoz/AP

PAGE 10, Friday, October 1, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Celebrations for birthday of 106-year-old GOVERNOR General Sir Corneilus Smith and Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Michael Darville joined staff and officials at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre yesterday in celebrating the birthday of 106-year-old patient Francis Dean.

Mrs Dean is a patient at Sandilands Geriatric Hospital. She has been recognised as the second oldest person in The Bahamas.

Mrs Dean posed for photographs with Sir Cornelius and Dr Darville and the special visit was marked

with a cake cutting.

Sir Cornelius took note of the milestone celebration, leading those assembled in singing Happy Birthday to Mrs Dean. Remarking on Mrs Dean’s faith, he said, “Recognising that God, when He made us, He determined the length of our days on the earth.

He also intends that we do something for others while we are here.

“Truly God must have intended something very special for Mrs Dean given the tremendous lifespan God has given her.”

He also took time to acknowledge the staff at Sandilands saying, “Caregiving is a very difficult job, so I congratulate all caregivers not only here, but also in the wider community for accepting that very difficult responsibility.”

Mrs Dean, who hails from Orange Creek, Cat Island, enjoyed a career as a domestic worker and laundress. She was married to the late Cleophas McFallen Dean. Their two sons, Calvin Culmer and McFallen Dean, have predeceased her.

Funeral Service For Deacon Lee Nottage Barr, 81 a resident of Pine Barren Road, Prince Charles and formerly of Pleasant Bay, Andros will be held at Grant’s Town Seventh-day Adventist Church, #18 Wellington Street on Sunday, October 3, 2021, 11:00 a.m. Officiating will be Pastor Leonardo Rahming, assisted by Pastor Samuel Miller, Elder Michael McCoy & Elder Tyrone Paul. Interment follows in Old Trail Cemetery.

He is survived by his children - 4 sons: Zendal, Prince, Chief Petty Officer Dwight Barr Sr. of the R.B.D.F. and Elkin Barr; 2 daughters: Roseanna Barr-Moss and Katrina Key Thompson; 2 sons-in-law: Howard Moss and Trevor Thompson; 2 daughters-in-law: Geneice and Melrose Barr; 5 grandchildren: Savanah and Mark Rolle Jr., Marine Seaman Dwight Barr Jr., Danesha Barr and Roshawn Lockhart; 1 great grandchild: Jayden Rolle; 2 sisters: Orean Seymour and Rosalie Myrthil; 1 brother-in-law: Louis Myrthil; nieces and nephews: Rosemary Dames, Lloylean McCartney, Michael Seymour Jr., and Benjamin Seymour; Lisa Ariscar; grandnieces: Ernestine, Melony and Judy; cousins: Pastor Howard Barr and Family, Willard Barr and family, Evander Barr and family, Wanda Barr and family, Freeman Barr and family, Marilyn Barr and family, Norman Barr and family, David Barr and family, Willis Gunn Barr and family, Maxine Barr and family, Gerthlyn Bullen and family, Paulamae Bain and Family, Curlene Berry and family, Dr. Joan Rolle-King and family, Phillip Roker and family, Gaylene Lloyd and family, Zearnique Rahming and family, Sherlene Roker and family, Cleveland McPhee and family, Veronica McPhee and family, Cyril McPhee and family, Donna Griffin and family, Jacqueline McClain and family, Charles A. Rolle and family, Audley Rahming and family, Norma Rahming and family, Vera Rahming and family, Pastor Leonardo Rahming and family, Isadora Kemp and family, Harriet Kelly and family, Leanna Davis and family, Wenzel King and family, Geneva Mortimer and family, Ethel Sands and family, Albertha Williams and family, Shirley Miller and family, Daphane Evans and family; and a host of Family and friends including: Pastor Eric D. Clarke and family, Pastor Barrington Brennen and family, Pastor Peter Joseph and family, Pastor Andrew Burrows and family, Ray and Lucille Strachan and family, Delano and Sharon Hamilton and family, Gerald Bullard and family, Nelly Saunders and family, Ms. Dean and family, Maria Deleveaux and family, Sean Clarke and family, Edney Johnson and family, Mr. Rolle and family, Dr. Joseph Evans and family, The Deacons Board and the entire Grants Town Seventh Day Adventist Church family, Scotia Bank, First Caribbean Bank, Flameless Electrical Company, Curry’s Pharmacy, Centreville Pharmacy, Bahamas Lite Gas Company, Dental Health Centre, South Bahamas SDA Conference, the Barr, McPhee, Rahming, Rolle, Seymour, Myrthil families, the Pine Barren Road community, Maranatha Seventh Day Adventist Church family and A host of other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

Friends may pay their last respects at Demeritte’s Funeral Home, Market Street from 9-2:00 p.m. on Saturday.