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The Tribune

Volume:117 No.214, OCTOBER 2ND, 2020

Established 1903

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THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

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Friday, September 4, 2020 photography music garden ing fashion history puzzles animals

A COMIC’S VIEW - MARIJUANA A MENOPAUSE SOLUTION?

MEET MISS BAHAMAS TEEN

Pages 04 + 05

Happy eating

Food show makes its retur

Police hunted suspect before double killing n

pg 07

Complaint led to search being launched but mom and daughter left alone

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net COMMISSIONER Paul Rolle yesterday revealed that several police units were searching for the suspect who had murdered a mother and daughter hours before they were killed.

Thirty-year-old Alicia Sawyer and her eight-yearold child Ednique Wallace were found dead in their Nassau Village home on Monday morning.

It has been circulated on social media, but not by police, that the mother made a complaint to police regarding the suspect a day before.

Asked about this and what protection police offer when such complaints are made, Commissioner Rolle didn’t confirm or deny directly if Ms Sawyer had made a complaint before her death.

He said: “The short of it is there are certain provisions in law that prevent where they’re living in the same home… Again, how much then do... the police then to do in those kinds of thing? You talk about protection. The protection is to try and catch the culprit and on that night when the incident happened we had several units all over the city trying to find this culprit and in the midst of that he was able to return to this place... well I assume... which we suspect that he returned and then we had what took place. Which is sad.

“All night they were out in search for him and until we found him. At the time when we found him, unfortunately this woman was found dead. But unlike when you have two persons

‘YOU CAN HAVE SHORT, SHORT OR SHORT’ A YOUNGSTER gets a trim as the Royal Bahamas Police Force holds a back to school event at Pinewood Gardens Park yesterday. See page two for more.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

SEE PAGE FOUR

RAPID TESTS TO REPLACE QUARANTINE FROM NOV 1

LIMITED TESTING MEANT NUMBER UNDERESTIMATED

TOURISTS and returning residents will be tested for COVID-19 upon arrival in The Bahamas and again four days later as part of new rules that will take

INFECTIOUS disease expert Dr Nikkiah Forbes says The Bahamas could have already had more than 100 cases of COVID-19 in late March when only a few

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

effect on November 1 and eliminate the need for travellers to quarantine.

The tourists and returning residents will need a RT-PCR negative test result that is no older than seven days to qualify for the travel visa, a revision of the current five-day requirement.

In early September, the Ministry of Tourism said it was recommending hotels throughout the country resume full operations and use of beaches on October 15.

At the time, Tourism Minister Dionisio SEE PAGE THREE

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

infections had been officially confirmed.

The Tribune reported yesterday how the true number of COVID-19 cases in The Bahamas is estimated to be many times higher than the confirmed tally, according to three international groups that have created

epidemiological models of the virus.

The models of the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), the Imperial College London (ICL) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) SEE PAGE THREE

ATLANTIS NEW FUNDING BUT NO OPENING DATE

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net ATLANTIS last night revealed it still “does not have a firm re-opening date” while telling around 8,000 staff it would be “premature” to make any of them permanently redundant.

Audrey Oswell, the Paradise Island resort’s president and managing director, in a letter to

ATLANTIS employees, said continued uncertainty over occupancy levels and bookings whenever the resort does re-open meant it was too early to determine staffing needs.

Instead, she said Atlantis had earlier this week “secured additional funds” that will both help to secure the resort’s “longterm financial stability” and enable it to provide employees with financial assistance beyond what they are presently receiving from government-funded unemployment benefits and the Department of Social Services.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

THE HOMELESS WE DRIVE PAST EVERY DAY

SEE PAGE EIGHT

PAGE 2, Friday, October 2, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

NEW TV PROJECT FOR GRAND BAHAMIAN

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net GRAND Bahamian Raquel Beneby Hart did not let COVID-19 avert her plans of launching and developing a new television project, and creating a platform to connect with audiences through innovative, transformative, and empowering television shows.

Raquel Beneby Network (RBN TV) held its virtual launch on YouTube in July during the COVID-19 pandemic. The network aims at creating opportunities to develop skills and transform lives and communities through the creative and orange industry.

Ms Beneby describes herself as a change agent, transformation leader, and community builder. “I am all about building up people in the community to be better,” she said.

The RBN TV YouTube Channel is Bahamian inspired, but also globally focused on exposing our Bahamian creative talents to the international world.

“RBN is a feeder system to develop our Bahamian talent and expose them to the international market,” said Ms Beneby, who is also a published author and businesswoman. “We have completed 49 episodes, and we are on our way to another 49,” she said.

Ms Beneby stated that RBN TV is open to feedback from people.

“Considering we only just started, we have been getting a lot of reviews and critiques. All of our hosts are new, but the content is rich, and we have worked on product delivery and branding standards, and quality output.”

RBN TV provides weekly shows from Monday to Saturday. ‘The Power of Her Story,’ the journey of women from around the world, airs on Mondays.

On Tuesdays, there is ‘Forward Upward Onward Together,’ where they talk about nation-building and solutions; On Wednesdays, there is ‘Full STEAM Ahead.’

STEAM is the acronym for Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math and the show is about how people integrate that into everyday living and in the future. On Thursday is ‘Big Cents,’ which discusses financial outlook and financial planning for people and entrepreneurs.

Friday is mainly geared to young audiences providing entertainment news, happenings around town in Grand Bahama, the Bahamas, the US, and elsewhere.

On Saturday, is focused on Agrobusiness.

Ms Beneby said that the sole purpose behind RBN TV is to help people.

“I am always about ‘how can I help people, how can I connect people?’ And in sitting down during COVID-19, I asked how can I improve, and there was so much uncertainty and unanswered questions.

We wanted to make it RBN TV practical and relatable to everyone and to bring change to their lives,” she said.

“I call it my COVID baby, and it is all about empowerment. To create sustainable communities, we have to be able to empower people by giving them the tools and resources they need, and the correct information as they look to us for answers to some questions and timely discussions,” she said.

POLICE officers distribute school supplies yesterday at Pinewood Park.

COMMISSIONER of Police Paul Rolle donates tablets and styluses to Cleveland Eneas Primary School. Acting Principal Yolanda Rolle accepted the donation. P hotos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

A HELPING HAND BACK TO SCHOOL

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

THE Royal Bahamas Police Force handed out school supplies at the Pinewood Gardens Park yesterday.

Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle said once a month police will be

TAXI CAB FEES EXEMPTED ALL taxi cabs and public buses have been exempted from payment of inspection fees for the month of October, the Ministry of Transport and Local Government said yesterday.

All taxi cabs and public buses must however be licensed and inspected by October 31, the ministry added.

conducting different initiatives, which include community policing exercises as well as road checks to clamp down on crime and ensure COVID19 protocols are being adhered to.

“What is happening here today is countrywide...we have every commander on every island in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas out today in their community interacting with their persons,” he said.

The park was buzzing with children and music.

Children lined up to either get a haircut or their hair braided.

Books and bags with school supplies were also given out along with food and drinks.

The police also presented tablets to Cleveland Eneas Primary School which the school’s acting principal Yolanda Rolle said will go a “long way”.

“Even this morning we had parents calling in and we know that the Department of Education is doing a stellar job in terms of trying to provide laptops and tablets for teachers and students who do not have them,” she said.

“We’re first addressing the students who are on the national lunch programme but we have a lot of students whose parents are at this time who’ve lost their jobs.”

Police were also on the streets doing roadblocks, which Commissioner Rolle said is also a part of his policing plan.

“That’s a part of my overall strategy today, like I said once a month we are going to be out. It changes from month to month, today we decided to do road checks throughout the islands.

That’s just one of my initiatives in the crime fight,” he told reporters.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, October 2, 2020, PAGE 3

Rapid tests to replace quarantine from Nov 1 from page one D’Aguilar said visitors would be required to quarantine at their choice of lodging for 14 days or the duration of their stay, which he branded as a “vacation in place” experience.

However, the unwillingness of visitors to visit the country and quarantine sparked the new rules.

The ministry said in a statement yesterday: “While 15 October is still set for the reopening of the tourism sector, until

31 October all incoming visitors must ‘vacation in place’ for 14 days or the duration of stay, whichever is shorter, which means limiting the vacation experience to the grounds and amenities of a traveller’s hotel or accommodations.

“Beginning 1 November, The Bahamas will remove the mandatory ‘vacation in place’ requirement for all visitors, returning citizens and residents, thereby enabling everyone to move about and explore the destination beyond the confines

of their hotel or other accommodations.”

All people entering the country will receive rapid antigen tests in The Bahamas which are considered less reliable and less costly than the standard RT-PCR tests.

The cost of the tests will be included in the cost of the travel visa. Officials expect test results to be produced within 20 minutes.

“All persons entering The Bahamas, at an approved port of entry, will receive a rapid COVID-19 antigen test,”

the ministry said.

“If arriving by air, an approved port of entry will be: Nassau, Freeport, Marsh Harbour, North Eleuthera, George Town (Exuma), Bimini (and Cat Cay) and San Andros (Andros).

“If arriving by sea, an approved port of entry will be: Nassau (Atlantis, Bay Street Marina, Lyford Cay, and Albany); Grand Bahama (West End – Old Bahama Bay and Freeport – Lucaya); Abaco (Marsh Harbour Government Dock); Eleuthera (Spanish

Wells Marina); Berry Islands (Chubb Cay Club); Bimini (Big Game Club and Cat Cay Club); Exuma (George Town Government Dock).

“American Airlines has indicated that, beginning in late October, they wish to provide each passenger travelling to The Bahamas from Miami with a rapid COVID-19 antigen test before boarding the plane.

These passengers, along with the passengers of any other airlines wishing to provide a similar service, will not be required

to complete the rapid test upon arrival in The Bahamas.”

The Ministry of Tourism notes that 96 hours after arrival, all persons who entered The Bahamas and who are staying longer than four nights and five days, will be required to take a second rapid COVID-19 antigen test.

Visitors who leave the country on day five of their stay will not be required to obtain this test.

Children under ten are exempt from obtaining the RT-PCR test.

LATE NEWS: PRESIDENT TRUMP AND FIRST LADY HAVE COVID-19 WASHINGTON Associated Press PRESIDENT Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for the coronavirus, the president tweeted early on Friday morning.

Trump’s positive test comes just hours after the White House announced that senior aide Hope Hicks came down with the virus after travelling with the president several times this week.

Trump was last seen by reporters returning to the White House yesterday evening and looked to be in good health.

Trump is 74 years old, putting him at higher risk of serious complications from

a virus that has now killed more than 200,000 people nationwide.

“Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER!” Trump tweeted.

Trump announced late last night that he and first lady Melania Trump were beginning a “quarantine process” after Hicks came down with the virus, though it wasn’t clear what that entailed.

The diagnosis marks a major blow for a president who has been trying desperately to convince the American public that the worst of the pandemic is behind them even as cases continue to rise.

LIMITED TESTING MEANT NUMBER UNDERESTIMATED from page one offer different estimates but reach the same conclusion: the number of COVID19 cases in the Bahamas far exceeds the confirmed number of cases.

ICL and IHME researchers estimate that on March 22, a day when the country had confirmed just four cases of the virus, there were about 453 or 118 cases.

Asked if she believes the country could have had more than 100 cases by that time, Dr Forbes said cases “could have been that high”.

“I could certainly tell you that the number of diagnoses were less than the number of cases,” she said.

“If we accept that testing capacity was not what it is today, then if testing was more extensive we may have had more confirmed cases. The fact of the matter

is confirmed COVID-19 cases everywhere, including in The Bahamas, are always lower than the actual number of cases, always.

That could only be the case when you consider that some people are asymptomatic and may not have had a test. We have to look at it like that.”

Nonetheless, Dr Forbes said international models can offer flawed analysis for small countries.

“What we have to remember is that small populations, they’re not always the best fit for the models,” she said.

“This is something we see with other diseases. But here is the thing. I absolutely agree, we have to remember that the testing capacity was not what it is today and that testing was prioritised for the sickest symptomatic people in March and so, without a doubt the numbers then would have to be an underestimate. Do the

models fit? That remains to be seen. Models aren’t built for small populations usually.”

On Wednesday, Health Minister Renward Wells defended the country’s response to the health crisis, insisting that testing has increased “dramatically” in recent months.

“Mr Speaker, we went from being able to do some nearly 300 tests in the country in July to being able to do almost 1,000 tests a day in the country,” he stressed in Parliament on Wednesday. “As a matter of fact, about three days ago when we had 151 cases – that was as a result of 900 tests in one day. That’s on the testing side.”

More than 20,000 tests have been completed as of September 30. At the end of April, just over 1,200 tests had been completed, according to the Ministry of Health.

PREDICTIONS from the Los Alamos National Laboratory on confirmed cases for the next six weeks.

97 NEW CONFIRMED CASES OF COVID-19 In the latest update from the Ministry of Health, 97 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed - as well as one additional death being classified as non-COVID related.

Of the new cases, 77 were in New Providence, three in Grand Bahama, two in Exuma, one in Andros, and the

remaining 14’s locations are pending.

In good news, another 84 people recovered from COVID-19.

The total number of cases now stands at 4,220, with 2,290 of those having recovered. A total of 93 people remain in hospital. The death toll remains at 96, with 15 deaths under investigation.

RESTAURANT TAKES PART IN TEST RUN FOR RAPID KITS LOCAL businessmen and women recently took part in a very similar rapid COVID test as those being brought in for international travel on November 1.

At a private event at Wild Thyme on West Bay Street, a small group of invited guests were able to mix comfortably together for the first time in months knowing after just a few minutes they were all COVID-free.

“We were escorted upstairs where we had a small blood sample taken,” said Edward Gardener, vice-president of Bristol Wine and Spirits.

“Within no more than 15 minutes, we were told we were COVID-negative. Everyone was kept apart until they were all tested. It was great afterwards being able to mix knowing everything was fine.

“This is exactly the sort of thing the government should be using in the arsenal of weapons to take on this virus.”

Patrick Rolle, Bahamas Power and Light

TESTING is carried out at Wild Thyme. executive director, was another of those who took part in the test. He said: “It was a really simple, painless experience and great afterwards to be back in a really normal environment.”

MARIO’S CLOSES AGAIN - AND MILLER WARNS OF HIGH COSTS

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller said Mario’s Bowling and Family Entertainment Palace will close down until further notice following inquiries from this newspaper after the establishment reopened this week.

The latest Emergency Powers Order prohibits entertainment facilities from reopening. However, Mr Miller said his company resumed operations after

noticing that another entertainment business, Skate City at the Bacardi Plant, reopened.

“We opened after we saw them,” he said yesterday. “We will close down again. We were of the opinion that these business places that have the capacity and were able to serve customers in the proper manner could do so. We only operating 25 lanes, we have all the social distancing in place. You can get sanitised, we check your temperature, all of it.”

A representative of Skate

City said the establishment got permission to reopen as long as they followed established guidelines.

Mr Miller said his business may have lost $20,000 every month it has been closed.

“Over the last five, six months, there has been a devastating impact on the business,” he said. “You could appreciate that a company that just came on stream, to be devastated by this virus like this, you almost get to the point of no return. The Bahamian people want to go out and

have some fun in their life, but it just can’t happen. It is such a heavy burden.”

He added: “We have all the proper mechanisms in place like most businesses have. Why should we not be able to open? We (are) following the guidelines. How else are we going to be able to survive? BEC is still on, you got your freezers, you got your refrigeration, you got lanes that got to be cool in the day, you got security.

We (are) burning air-conditioning at least 12 to 40 hours in a day. To replace one lane at Mario’s costs

$70,000 and we got 50 of those lanes so they have to be cool. Every day you have to turn the air-conditioner on. We invested some $12m in the bowling alley. We lost everything. On average, expenses right now are about $20,000 a month.

“I’m sure many small businesses are now closed down and the banks aren’t congenial to give any slack.

You don’t know who to turn to. I feel sorry for all those small and medium sized businesses. This is a situation the world has never seen before and if you

think we are catching hell, think about the employees. The NIB cannot be the purveyor of taking care of every Bahamian like this. What is going to be the end game for the small businesses in this country that have already been struggling with this virus?

Think about your landlord that has two or three units in Stapledon Gardens and people say ‘I can’t pay the mortgage because I work at Atlantis and I getting $150 per week and my room is $750?’ How do you survive?”

PAGE 4, Friday, October 2, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Police hunted suspect before double killing from page one in the home, they were not living together. When you have two persons in a home, one abuse the other we separate and then we could get those separation and get Social Services involved and get a court order forcing them.”

A man was taken into custody late Monday in connection with the double murder.

At the crime scene, police press liaison officer

ASP Audley Peters said the incident appeared to be domestic based on the evidence.

Back in July, the police chief noted a decrease in domestic matters in the country.

This is in contrast to Social Services Minister Frankie Campbell telling reporters in June his ministry had received increased reports of domestic abuse and child abuse since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Asked if there would be

awareness campaigns on domestic violence, Commissioner Rolle added yesterday the police are going to be doing “media blitz” on the issue. He added, however, this is not only “a police issue”.

“Everybody in this community has a duty to ensure the safety of everybody in this community. As police officers, we are paid simply to pay full time and attention to this.

“That’s something everybody has an obligation to ensure safety for all in

the interest of community, but we lead this and as the leaders, yes, I’m going to be and you’ll see some more of that and trying to encourage our community people to get involved.

“We have issues now there are matters that come into the contact of the police we do referrals. We do referrals, but persons then have to be willing and so you have those community partners and I would hope they would step up and also talk more about it.”

ALICIA SAWYER

EDNIQUE WALLACE

THREE YEARS ON, PROGRESS ... BUT MORE STILL NEEDED SAY RAGGED ISLANDERS

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net THREE years after Hurricane Irma ravaged Ragged Island, residents there said while some progress has been made to restore the island to its former glory, more work can still be done by the government.

“A little progress has been made when you consider the construction of the school, that’s going on,” said Erica Wallace, a longtime community resident.

“I don’t know when they’re going to start the clinic and the police station and the administrative building, I don’t know when they’re going to start that, but we’re glad the school is getting on the go because

we have children who need to go to school.”

Over the years, Ragged Island residents have expressed disappointment with the restoration efforts on the island, saying they felt neglected by the government.

Exuma and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper has since also expressed frustration with the slow progress on the island.

However, yesterday, Ms Wallace said things are finally looking up, adding that issues that once plagued locals are now almost non-existent.

“We’re doing good and it isn’t as bad as it was. I think things are coming back to normal,” she said. “We have consistent running electricity, but we still have

Funeral Service For Patrick Cedric Rolle Sr., 57 a resident of #82 East Beach Drive, Freeport, Grand Bahama and formerly of Little Creek, Andros will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday 3rd, October, 2020 at The Chapel at Yager Funeral Home and Crematorium, Queens Highway Freeport, Grand Bahama. Officiating will be Omar St. Albord and cremation will follow.

Left to cherish his memories are his children: Donovan, Patrick Jr., Chad, Kendaliyah, Kyle and Kaedrin Rolle; grandchildren: Deja, D’shae and Amari Rolle; bothers: Starlin Rolle (Joan), Bishop Ulric Rolle (Rozana), Stephen Rolle (Deborah); sisters: Eulease Rahming (Norwood), Annmarie Anaje (Peter), Geneva Campbell (Oscar), Ethril Burrows, Prudence Rolle and Sandra Thompson; sister-in-law: Arazetta Rolle; numerous nieces and nephews: Cyntash Newbold, Karen Brown, Alexandria Russell, Letitia Parker, Sherrell Rolle, Stephenelle Rolle, Deshaunte Rolle, Kendrick Campbell, Dwayne Darling, Nathaniel Thompson Jr., Dario Thompson, Ambrose Rolle Jr., Demien Rolle and Cordero McKenzie; a host of relatives and friends including: Anthony Andrews, Reginald and Betty Adderley, Derek Smith, Harold Wilson, Willie Silver, Hezekiah Dean, Ozzie Knowles, Jeffery Cooper, Philip Patton and the Burrows family of Little Creek, South Andros, and many more too numerous to mention.

Relatives and friends may pay their respects at Yager Funeral Home & Crematorium, Queen’s Highway on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until service time.

little issues with water.”

After the storm devastated the island in September 2017, flattening homes and government buildings, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) deemed the island “uninhabitable”.

To help with the redevelopment of the island, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced last May that a new school and teacher’s duplex will be constructed on the island at a cost of $2m.

Other developments on the island, he said, will include a new clinic at $2.5m, an administrator’s office, post office and courtroom at $2.5m and a police station and accommodations for officers for $1m.

Still, Ms Wallace said more can be done to help expedite the rebuilding process. The resident said she estimated some 60 residents are still living on the island to date. However, this does not include the 100 plus workers assisting with the rebuilding process there.

“Yeah, they could do more,” she said. “They could even send more people down here to do work, but I think the problem is places to stay because the workers who working on the school have everything booked out and they have a man camp.”

Dr Minnis has also said his administration would transform Ragged Island into the “first fully green island in the region.”

PICTURES showing construction of the new school in Ragged Island.

HIGH-VISIBILITY OPERATION BY POLICE IN GB

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama police were out on the streets in full force yesterday as part of a nationwide police operation launched to increase visibility to deter crime and to ensure COVID-19 protocols are being followed.

Assistant Commissioner of Police Solomon Cash, the officer in charge of crime management and criminal investigation, said the police force noticed an “uptick in certain categories of crime” in the country.

In Grand Bahama, police road checkpoint exercises were conducted at strategic locations throughout the island from 8.30am and throughout the day. Officers were also visible in the commercial and shopping

areas.

ACP Cash led a team of officers on a road check exercise at East Sunrise Highway and Coral Road.

He told reporters that Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle noticed an uptick in certain categories of crime and launched simultaneous police operations in all islands as a result.

“It speaks to prevention and reduction of crime, and we also looked at public and road safety, which is paramount. Today those plans are carried out throughout The Bahamas,” ACP Cash said.

Police are encouraging members of the public to adhere to road safety laws and regulations.

“We also want persons to be cognizant of the pandemic that we are currently going through and to follow

protocols as it relates to COVID-19 regulations,” he added.

ACP Cash said police would be pursuing people who intend to commit crimes and are involved in criminal activity.

“We are out at strategic checkpoints, and we will be walking in various communities and interacting with the public,” he added.

He encouraged the public to cooperate and partner with the police.

“The (members of) public are our friends, and we want them to work with us; we encourage them to assist the police in policing their own areas,” he said.

“Additionally, we want the public to know if there are any challenges in their communities to bring it to the police’s attention because we are here to serve and assist you.”

ACP Cash acknowledged that it is very challenging for all Bahamians at this time.

“This is something we have never gone through in our lifetime. We are not all about arresting people.

We don’t want to resort to arresting people. We want to encourage people to behave so we can get through this pandemic in a civil way,” he said.

When asked whether there have been any issues concerning establishments not adhering to the 10pm curfew, ACP Cash said that he was not aware that.

“If that is happening, I can assure you we have a covert team on GB who will deal with those establishments. And if anyone knows of these establishments, we are asking people to report that to us,” he said.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, October 2, 2020, PAGE 5

Appeal court: Murder trial was unfair and sentence quashed

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net THE Court of Appeal recently quashed a man’s 35-year murder sentence after he appealed his conviction on the grounds his verdict was unsafe since he did not receive a fair trial.

Devon King was convicted of murder on June 12, 2016 and sentenced to 35 years in prison a little over a year later on October 27, 2017. King was accused of killing Canill Darville, a man who was shot several times by a gunman wearing a face covering, while he sat outside of his residence on April 14, 2016. According to a Court of Appeal judgment, when police arrived on the scene a short time later, Mr Darville told them that “Devon from upstairs shot me, officer”. Mr Darville later died. King on the other hand, was arrested, charged and convicted of his murder.

On May 5, the appellant appealed his sentence on

the grounds the trial judge erred when he failed to tell the jury that they should have rejected the evidence of the “purported dying declaration,” since there was no facts to suggest Mr Darville saw who shot him.

King further argued the verdict was “unreasonable” and could not be supported “having regard to the evidence”.

On Wednesday, Justices Jon Isaacs, Roy Jones and Milton Evans quashed King’s conviction after concluding the judge’s direction “overstated” the Crown’s case against King, which led the jury to conclude that the “purported identification” of the appellant was accurate.

According to the judgment, Mr Darville’s brother, Trugillo, along with his mother and niece were at the residence at the time he was shot. His brother was behind him that night and had seen the shooter before he was forced to retreat into the house when the gunman began firing in

his direction. At the time, Trugillo described the shooter as “kind of bright with a shirt tied around his head”. During the trial, he also testified that the shooter ran with a limp, although he was unable to see his face.

“When Trugillo and others ventured out to go by where Canill lay on the ground, Trugillo asked Canill what happened and Canill responded in a faint voice, ‘Devon just shoot me’,” the court documents read.

“Trugillo testified that he thought that Canill was referring to their neighbour, Devon, who lived in one of the units upstairs in their fourplex apartment complex. Telita shared Trugillo’s thoughts. Trugillo, in particular, testified that he had known the intended appellant for about twelve to thirteen years. Around 9.50 pm, Corporal Teniel Sherman arrived on the scene of the shooting. She later testified that upon her arrival, she saw a rasta type male in white shirt and

dark trousers with gunshot wounds, along with another male holding a towel to his stomach. She identified herself as a police officer and the wounded man told her, ‘Man, Devon from upstairs shot me, officer.’ She further stated that the man appeared to be in pain.”

King was arrested on April 16, 2016. When officers found him that day, he attempted to evade arrest but was unsuccessful. After being detained by Reserve Sergeant 771 Greenslade, King told him: “Yeah, officer, that boy shoot me last week Wednesday. I almost dead.” He was subsequently cautioned and arrested for murder. In an interview with officers the next day, he denied having any involvement in the offence and declined to provide a statement.

That same day, another officer compiled a twelveman photo line-up which included King’s photograph. The “photo array” was shown to Trugillo, who identified the appellant

as the man who shot his brother.

“At the trial, the intended appellant did not give evidence; nor did he call any witnesses on his behalf.

However, his case was put to the various witnesses in cross-examination and also could be gleaned from his record of interview, which was not challenged by the defence,” the court documents read. “In his record of interview, he denied committing the offence and he stated that on the day in question he was at his girlfriend’s house and that he left her residence at 8pm to get something to eat from the Kentucky Fried Chicken situated in South Beach. He returned to his girlfriend’s residence at around 8.30pm.”

In his judgment, Justice Issaccs warned judges to be careful when “offering their own interpretation on the evidence”, especially when the facts were “unsupported by the evidence that had been led in the case”.

“I have concluded that

this appeal must be allowed due to the failure of the judge to properly direct the jury on the identification evidence and in relation to the dying declaration,” he stated.

“Further, given the poor quality of the identification evidence and the equivocal evidence of Sergeant Greenslade about ‘that boy’, the judge ought to have found that the Crown’s case did not raise a sufficiently strong case to call on the intended appellant to answer and ought to have acceded to the no case to answer application. The appeal is allowed.

The conviction is quashed and the sentence set aside.

Although I have not heard submissions on the issue of whether the intended appellant ought to be required to undergo a retrial, I am satisfied that on the state of the Crown’s evidence that there should be no order made for a retrial.

In the premises, I direct a judgment and verdict of acquittal to be entered.”

PARENTS SAY CHILDREN STILL WITHOUT ELECTRONIC DEVICES

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net WITH public schools set to reopen next week, some parents are worried their children are not prepared as many are still without devices with which to take part in online lessons.

One concerned parent, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told The Tribune that purchasing school supplies for her children has been extremely challenging due to financial restraints brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In pre-COVID years, the mother-of-three said her children would have already been equipped by now with all the supplies needed to last them for the duration of the year.

However, this time the situation is much different, with only one virtual learning device on hand to be shared between her children as they are not on the Ministry of Education’s lunch programme where those on the programme are listed as priority students to receive vouchers for tablet devices.

“I feel like (the devices) should be distributed to all that truly are struggling and can’t afford to get one for their children,” she said.

“With the little (I had), I was able to get a few writing books and fix a laptop that my son currently uses for his virtual classes. As for now my oldest’s classes don’t start until evenings.

He is in UB so the use of the laptop time is split between them both. But as of Monday, the others start their classes and one laptop can’t share between them all. Sometimes with my son he needs two devices at one time to do his work.”

The single mother said her current situation is a reality for most parents living in The Bahamas, particularly in New Providence.

“Most families are faced with the issue because of unemployment. Like myself I was employed at Atlantis and (I’m) not working due to COVID-19 and others in my household as well,” she said. “For me, I’m a single mother that always made sure my children have what they need, but because of the pandemic it has put a big strain on me. Bills are piling up and the little I’m getting whereas I’m thankful for, but it isn’t doing much.”

Schools were initially expected to open for the fall semester on September 21.

However, due to rising COVID-19 cases, the date

EDUCATION MINISTER JEFF LLOYD was pushed back to October 5, with virtual learning set for the islands of New Providence, Abaco and Eleuthera.

However, there are some Family Island residents who are concerned that some institutions in their respective communities are still not ready to resume with face-to-face instruction in a safe manner.

A Central Andros resident, who only wanted to be identified as Ms Smith, said she has not yet seen any COVID-19 preventive measures being implemented in her children’s schools.

“I feel as if there is no plexiglass. I’ve been to the school and I don’t see any plexiglass,” she said. “Also, we have these school buses, how are they going to do it with social distancing because it’s only one bus per area. So, what are the protocols that they have in place?

“So, personally, I feel as though school shouldn’t have been opened as yet.

I feel as if the government should have had persons who do disinfectant and things come to the islands and disinfect the schools and even have a two-day or one-day training for the janitresses to show them how they deep clean.”

Ms Smith said parents there are also worried about their children not having sufficient school supplies as there has been little help given by the government.

“Down here, a lot of parents aren’t working and are going to Social Services because you know Social Services is doing the school assistance programme. It’s now Thursday and nobody has heard back from them as yet. We haven’t got any confirmation so the students could get uniforms for school.”

Her concern was echoed by some parents of Abaco students, who say their cries for help have been falling

on deaf ears since Hurricane Dorian last year.

Shekera Hall, a resident in the community, said there are many parents on the island who do not have the learning devices needed for their children to continue with online learning.

With no consistent electricity, Ms Hall said many students will be unable to effectively participate in the ministry’s virtual learning programme without the proper devices.

“The government should have had someone doing a survey of how many families moved back to Abaco with kids that way they know who is back and who

isn’t (to assist), she said. “I haven’t received any tablets from the ministry. The school my son was attending gave them a tablet a while back and that’s not working. If (all else) fails well I will have to try get a tablet.”

In a statement released yesterday, education officials said over 12,000 students have already registered for the ministry’s virtual learning programme, with 10,000 of those applications approved. It added that the ministry will also be conducting a national orientation starting Monday.

“Over the next few days, notices in all media will advise of which schools will be utilising such (learning) methods. No matter the mode in all respects the safety and well-being of our students, staff and educators and all others are paramount, foundational and will be in keeping with the dictates of the competent authority,” said Education Minister Jeff Lloyd.

“However, let me reiterate that as we are certainly in a fluid environment nothing is written in stone.

Consequently, these decisions are subject to change as guided by the competent authority based on the recommendations of the Ministry of Health.”

SEAN BAIN, outside court yesterday.

$75,000 EXTORTION CASE

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net AN accountant who was accused of extorting a man out of $75,000 earlier this week was yesterday denied bail ahead of his trial.

Sean Bain, 49, appeared before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt charged with one count each of extortion and fraud by false pretences. The defendant was accused of extorting $75,000 from Paul Baker on September 28, while knowing he was not lawfully authorised to do so.

The prosecution also

argued Bain obtained the $75,000 in the form of a Royal Bank of Canada cheque, which was drawn on the account of Lifestyle Construction and paid to him by means of false pretences.

During the hearing, Bain denied both allegations and the matter was adjourned to December 2 for trial.

Due to the nature of the charges, he was denied bail.

His attorney, Ian Cargill, told the magistrate he was in the process of applying to a judge in the Supreme Court for his client.

In the meantime, Bain was remanded into custody.

RAPE SUSPECT DENIED BAIL

By FARRAH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter fjohnson@tribunemedia.net

A 34-YEAR-OLD man was remanded to prison over allegations he raped a woman last week.

Juan Mendoza was accused of having sex with a 58-year-old woman without her consent on September 26.

He was not required to enter a plea during his hearing before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt yesterday and the matter was adjourned to December 17 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI).

Mendoza was denied bail and remanded into custody until that time.

He has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.

AUCTION Death Notice For

Brenville Ferguson Sr., 87 of Lucaya Circle, Marathon Estates died at his residence on Wednesday, September 16, 2020.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Ferguson; one son, Brenville Ferguson Jr.; five daughters, Deborah Seymour, Melvern Hall, Sharon Swann, Doralee Beneby and Marcia Griffin; daughter-in-law, Joann Ferguson; sons-in-law, Retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Steven Seymour, Reuben Hall Sr., George Swann and Jason griffin; seventeen grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Leonard Brozozog; sister-inlaw, Beverly Brozozog; numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives and friends.

Funeral Service will be announced at a later date.

Caterpillar Forklift – Broken Phone: (242) 352-7606 ******** Catepillar Forklift P600 – Broken Phone: (242) 698-7402 ************ (2) Tractor truck 2005 Marck – Broken Manlift 1999 JLG - Broken Dodge RAM 1500 2005 - Broken (2) Dump truck (tripper) Phone: (242) 601-5328

PAGE 6, Friday, October 2, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

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Could the police have prevented double murder?

IT must be heartbreaking beyond belief for the family of Alicia Sawyer and eight-year-old Ednique Wallace to be left asking “What if?”

The 30-year-old mother and her daughter were found dead in their Nassau Village home on Monday morning.

“Who could have done such a thing?” people asked in the immediate aftermath.

Well, it appears police were alerted beforehand by the mother herself about a danger. Police would not confirm directly if Ms Sawyer had made a complaint in the hours before her death – but Commissioner Rolle tacitly admitted as much in saying that his force had “several units all over the city trying to find this culprit and in the midst of that he was able to return to this place… well I assume… which we suspect that he returned and then we had what took place. Which is sad.”

He went on: “All night they were out in search for him and until we found him. At the time when we found him, unfortunately this woman was found dead.”

It appears a concern was raised, police acted upon that complaint to try to find a suspect – and they overlooked the most important thing. No one was there to protect Ms Sawyer and little Ednique.

What would it have taken to put a police car outside their door? If police were concerned enough to scour the island, wouldn’t it make sense to put someone on watch over those at risk while they carry out that hunt?

You don’t need a doctor to tell you that prevention is always best – and yet here we are with police having had an opportunity to potentially prevent a crime, and a tragic double loss of life – and instead we have tears and recrimination.

Commissioner Rolle suggested yesterday that the police will do a “media blitz” on the issue of domestic violence.

Too little, too late for Ms Sawyer and Ednique. Too little, too late if it’s all talk and no action. Too little, too late if there is no reform within the police force itself of how to address domestic violence cases and the steps to take to treat it as a priority.

What more can a parent do than alert the police and tell them they are at risk?

The police had an opportunity to prevent a tragedy. They did not.

What if a police car had been there?

What if both victims had been relocated to a safe place while the search took place? What if there were other

measures that could have been taken to protect them.

A “media blitz” won’t help any of that, Commissioner Rolle. So unless you’ve got something more than just talk, save it. Your words fall short for Ms Sawyer and Ednique’s family, just as your force’s actions did the same. There needs to be far more than words if we are to believe there will not be another tragedy like this one.

Another week, another plan Out with the old plan, in with the new one.

The quarantine plan for tourists is being tossed out. So much for “Vacation in Place”, which was a non-starter of an idea from the start, as we said in this column.

Instead, here comes testing on arrival, plus testing four days later. Again, readers of this column may think this sounds familiar – it’s similar to a plan touted for the UK that we mentioned here some time back.

The tests being used for tourists are less reliable than the standard ones – which is a frustration – but they are faster. Other countries have been looking at this method – so we hope the government is staying abreast of how those countries are faring as a result.

That’s the good news – the bad news is a top expert has confirmed that the number of cases officially confirmed in The Bahamas may have been some way off from the actual number.

Dr Nikkiah Forbes said that cases “could have been” as high as 453 cases on March 22, a day when the country had confirmed just four cases.

She said: “We have to remember that the testing capacity was not what it is today and that testing was prioritized for the sickest symptomatic people in March and so, without a doubt, the numbers then would have to be an underestimate.”

It is good to know testing capacity has increased – Minister of Health Renward Wells saying that we are now able to do almost 1,000 tests a day – though it is a frustration to know that as those questions about increased testing were being asked, top health experts were downplaying the need.

We need to keep expanding that capacity – not least with schools reopening and tourists about to start arriving again if this new plan goes as hoped.

That’s our key to finding and isolating cases – without that, we’re fumbling in the dark.

Fair play for all, Dr Minnis EDITOR, The Tribune.

PLEASE allow me an opportunity to comment on the Prime Minister’s call for fair play in the global financial arena while addressing the United Nations (UN).

The Prime Minister’s arguments firstly speak to The Bahamas not being able to leverage the funding and economic assistance for the COVID-19 crisis available through the UN because the Bahamas is assessed as a wealthy country utilizing “inadequate and improper tools”. His second argument is that the development of a “vulnerable index” should be a top priority to better guide international financial

institutions in offering assistance.

Well, Mr Prime Minister, I agree with you. Fairplay is required when countries deal with each other and most certainly when governments deal with citizens.

Where is the fairplay by your government in dealing with the property owners of Corridor 41, the properties acquired for the New Providence Road Improvement Project for the extension of Milo Butler Highway to connect with Cowpen Road? These properties were Compulsory acquired by the first FNM Government you participated in as Minister of Health from 2007-2012.

In 2015, the government and I agreed on a price

for my acquired property.

To date five years later, I have yet to receive my settlement. You are asking for fairplay – show me fair play in my settlement.

You rightly want fairplay for the Bahamas from the International Community, I rightly and legally deserve fairplay from you with my payment. Remember actions speaks louder than words and as my parents taught me – do not ask others to do anything that you are not willing to do.

MERCIANNA MOXEY, MD MPH Corridor 41, Property Owner, Nassau, September 30, 2020.

Drilling for oil in The Bahamas EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE rest of the world is finally catching on. There is now widespread and vocal global opposition to the continued burning of fossil fuels. Oil, while having launched our industrial revolution, has now been shown, in no uncertain terms, to be a major destructive force on our planet. The effects are well documented. Be they atmospheric changes, catastrophic oil spills, destruction of habitat, the fouling of our air, the insidious effects on our health, or the violation of indigenous people’s rights, there is more than enough evidence which shows that the world needs to end our dependence on oil, and now. The scientists know this, the major corporations know this, most educated and well-read people know this.

And yet, here in The Bahamas, we are still behind the world in coming to this realisation. There is a serious disconnect.

It is not as if major investment companies, universities, and corporations are not making this clear by their public announcements of divestment from fossil fuels.

Those who are most familiar with, I would go so far as to say, in love with, The Bahamas, know that drilling for oil is absolutely and unequivocally wrong for our low lying, pristine tropical paradise. And, this is more than just looking out for our own fisheries, tourism, and the health of our people. This is about becoming informed and participating in the world community at large. This is about being participants in the global decision making process, not just holding our hands out, asking for money, while blaming the rich countries for allowing sea levels to rapidly rise.

We play our part, just as the rich countries do. We need to promote justice and righteousness, as well.

The promise of easy money will always have its choir. Pirating, rum running, drug running, gambling, some people have always been attracted to

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net the easy money, no matter the moral implications. This is understood. Yet, to the global community, and to any with reasonable sensibilities our cries for Drill, Baby, Drill must be considered a mistake, a crime of massive proportions. The stakes are simply too high. I am extremely disappointed in the Prime Minister of The Bahamas, Hubert Minnis. I am extremely disappointed by Minster of the Environment, Romauld Ferriera. I am disappointed in our Parliament. I am disappointed in many of the so-called environmental organisations. I am disappointed by our business community. I am disappointed firstly by the short term vision they embrace.

As if, money will solve all of our problems. Problems that have been generations in the making. As if this money will somehow provide for our children’s future, their health, our economy, our natural resources. These dollars, if any will materialise at all, will go into the same hands as they always do. Why are we fooling ourselves? The Bahamas is willing to risk it all, for some pie-in-the-sky promise of jobs and wealth for all? When will we ever learn?

To add insult to injury, our “leaders” would have us believe that they are scientific creatures, first and foremost. Minnis has said this himself. So, who the hell does he think he’s fooling by his silence on the most important scientific issue humanity has ever faced? The science could not be more clear. The science is absolutely clear on the damage done, and the urgent need to move away from fossil fuels immediately. There is nothing more clear in the scientific literature today. So, who are Minnis and Ferriera trying to fool? They keep on, as the political children they are, to blame previous administrations. Previous administrations are not dictating the decisions you

make today. They are not fogging up your minds, so as to be complicit in these crimes against our earth, and our people. Previous administrations do not control what comes out of your mouths. Stop with the utter nonsense, Dr Minnis.

The time for every Bahamian to speak up is now.

We must stop this crime being perpetrated on humanity, on our earth, on our very sensibilities. The Bahamian people must speak up loudly and clearly that this oil drilling will not happen in Bahamian waters. All of us must make our voices heard. It is absolutely incumbent upon our national leaders to speak clearly and loudly on this issue. Dr Minnis, please do your homework. There is nothing good that can come out of letting these foreigners despoil our homeland for the promise of a handful of dollars. The scientific community is perfectly clear on this matter. Perfectly clear. Why Dr Minnis, why are you ignoring the science? This is a legitimate question. Why Minister Ferriera, are you ignoring the science? And, why are the rest of us so damned quiet, when the future of our health, economy, and way of life is at stake?

I understand that COVID has placed seemingly unbearable burdens upon us. There is no denying that. However, the risks associated with this oil drilling are far too great to peg our children’s future on such a folly. There is an opportunity for us to prosper again. That opportunity comes from investing in our people, protecting our resources, making prudent economic decisions, and mostly, making sound responsible ethical choices.

I urge The Bahamas to come together on this all important issue. Please stop this Drilling for Oil fiasco.

We have other important things we must contend with. Tell BPC that the Bahamian people have spoken. We say no to Oil Drilling.

NORMAN TRABULSY Jr Andros, October 1, 2020.

THE TRIBUNE

There can be another way THIS week, I had another encounter at the barber shop and it turned out to be quite informative.

You see my barber shop is located on a very busy part of West Bay Street and is surrounded by a liquor store and a gas station, so there’s always quite the hustle and bustle going on.

As I exited the gas station and headed towards my car, an older gentleman (obviously a veteran in that ‘institution’ called marriage) stuck his head out of the barber shop and bellowed “Naughty, look here man.”

He beckoned me over and after a pleasant introduction, he stated that he was a die-hard fan of my radio show and he just came across last week’s column which he also enjoyed.

He then shared with me that he supported the legalisation and decriminalisation of marijuana both medicinally and recreationally, going as far to say that marijuana saved his marriage.

MARIJUANA AND MENOPAUSE Apparently after their children were grown and off to college his wife began to go through menopause, which is no picnic for anyone involved. I’ve heard a few horror stories around the poker table in my time in this regard. Now to make a short story shorter, after vacationing together in Jamaica, his wife returned home with a holistic herbal remedy, “marijuana tea”, introduced to her by a family member.

According to the veteran, it completely eliminated his wife’s hot flashes, fluctuating weight gain and most importantly her, and I quote “stinking, disgusting, evil” mood swings.

I laughed at his vivid

descriptions but deep down inside I said a prayer that my wife never experiences this (I must admit his account scared me!)

His information also made me research his claims. I always like to cover all the bases, and low and behold, look at what I found.

PEACE AND QUIET Researchers with the San Francisco VA Health Care System released the findings during the 2020 Virtual Annual Meeting of The North American Menopause Society, which began this week.

Researchers said they examined a sample of 232 women veterans living in Northern California.

A very limited scope agreed but enough to collect pertinent data.

The findings do still suggest that marijuana may be more prevalent as a menopause treatment than previously understood.

According to the study, “current” or “ever use marijuana” for menopause symptom management was reported by 27 percent of all participants, while an additional 10 percent expressed interest in potential future use.

Carolyn Gibson, a psychologist and researcher at the San Francisco VA Health Care System and the lead author of the study, said: “The findings suggest that marijuana use to manage menopause symptoms may be relatively common.

“However, we do not know whether marijuana use is safe or effective for menopause symptom management or whether women are not discussing these decisions with their healthcare providers—particularly in the VA, where marijuana is considered an

MORE MPS NEED TO BE LIKE MIKE I had a great interview with the Minister of Agriculture and Marco City MP Michael Pintard this week regarding agriculture and marine and natural resources.

It was a very candid, honest, informative and objective interview. Which in all honesty is quite refreshing these days, especially in politics.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT It’s not a myth Bahamians can feed ourselves and during this global pandemic more Bahamians have become interested in backyard farming.

If you happen to be one of those interested in back yard farming, the Ministry of Agriculture provides everything you need to get started.

Local farmers and enthusiasts were able to sign up and get assistance in starting up.

The Ministry of Agriculture is producing 10,000 backyard kits in the first phase and will add another 10,000 for phase two.

1,000 hydroponics systems have been ordered and the training and installation for that programme started last weekend on Grand Bahama.

In addition to the backyard farming and hydroponics the ministry has also introduced an egg programme for poultry farmers and enthusiasts alike.

8,000 chicks with another 4,000 remaining to be disbursed in the first phase. Then another 10,000 in the second phase.

In effect empowering Bahamians to feed themselves and potentially entire neighbourhoods and constituencies if managed properly.

Mr Pintard also highlighted the implementation of community farming that is starting in his constituency of Marco City and Central Grand Bahama.

A new fisheries bill, which he expects to be tabled in a few weeks, as well as expanding the National Dive Programme to train young Bahamians to become divers, creating employment opportunities on multiple levels in various maritime industries all the while eliminating the need for foreign divers in the aforementioned maritime industries.

Job well done, Mr Pintard

I HAD A DREAM Finally I must share this with you. After watching the crap show inside of a train wreck known as the US Presidential debate, I fell asleep and had a dream. In my dream - in accordance with his strong fascination with POTUS Donald Trump - the Competent Authority (aka Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis) agreed to a debate (now you know I had to be dreaming, because ‘Doc’ don’t do debates) with Opposition Leader Phillip ‘Brave’ Davis with none other than Rodney Moncur as moderator. In a word, “Wow!” Thank goodness I can remember my dreams photographically, and I don’t miss on one single detail. While Jokers Wild remains closed I need another source of income until it reopens, so I’m going to turn this dream into a reality and (more importantly) a pay cheque.

I can see it now ... Coming soon to REV TV...the Great Bahamian Debate on PPV!

illegal substance under federal guidelines,” Gibson also said in a statement. “This information is important for healthcare providers, and more research in this area is needed.”

Dr Stephanie Faubion, the medical director of the

North American Menopause Society, said: “The findings point to a trend and the need for more research relative to the potential risks and benefits of medicinal marijuana use for the management of bothersome menopause

Friday, October 2, 2020, PAGE 7

symptoms.”

This is definitely something that needs to be addressed by The Office Of The Spouse.

In fact The Office of The Spouse should champion the cause of legalising medicinal

marijuana at least, seeing how it has the potential to save relationships and potentially eliminate “nagging” and “rowing” from Bahamian households once and for all.

A risk well worth the reward if you ask me!

GN-2447

PAGE 8, Friday, October 2, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

We drive by them every day, stick-thin faces hiding a story few of us care to listen to

T

he first time I met Jennie (not her real name), she was the picture of all-American wholesomeness, the kind of girl who looked like she was raised near the cornfields of Iowa or flew in fresh from the cheese belt of Wisconsin.

Long, dark hair with sun streaks running through it, bright, light brown eyes, full of life and anticipation. I’d guess her age to be in her late 20s.

Normally I would not recall such details if it weren’t for what happened to her afterward.

Jennie, on vacation on a Family Island, met someone, devilishly enticing, physically magnetic, a man who cut a figure as dangerous as it was romantic. She ignored the dangerous and fell head over every sensible bone in her heels in love and in lust. There would be no turning back. She relinquished whatever job she had as a writer, gave herself over to the beach and the body, and just stayed put on that island where we first met.

The next time I saw her, she sat in front of me at my desk, asking for a job.

There was nothing I could offer her except advice which she did not want.

The romance was falling apart and so was she.

The drugs Lover Boy turned her onto had begun to take their toll.

For the next year or two, she lived hand to mouth in

Nassau, first hanging out with party society types, later with anyone who could supply a high.

Jennie never went back home. She died on the street, clutching a Wendy’s ketchup packet, one of the many she had found in dumpsters and licked to stay alive in her final days.

Jennie’s story is heartbreaking, but it also reveals the strong pull of a drug-begotten fastspinning, downward spiral that crashes with someone living on the street.

Homelessness, it’s called in most places.

In the U.S more than 550,000 people are considered homeless. Four out of every 10 are black, three times what it should be with a 13 percent African-American population.

Thirty three percent of the homeless population are families with children. Seven percent are veterans.

In the US the number one ‘cause’ of homelessness is family violence, those who either move out to escape it or are kicked out to stop it.

But in The Bahamas where family is tolerant almost to a fault or too often turns a blind eye to

violence and incest, the root of homelessness is a different story. It is driven less by pushed out and more by dragged down and out. Change one letter, the ‘m’ for a ‘p’ and the relationship between the two is clear as shining glass.

There are some, includ-

“Even if we learn the answers of what happened in every case before that man or woman ended up on a park bench, in a cemetery or under a tree, what are we prepared to do about it?” ing at least one in a formerly high political office, who deny homelessness exists at all.

They have not seen the woman with her two children sleeping in a car, moving it between locations on Blue Hill Road.

They did not meet the man who used to bring me his tightly scribbled, though possibly genius, writings on scraps of whatever paper he could find.

He refused to give up his outdoor ‘residence’ on a wall near the Starbuck’s at Harbour Bay, even though Social Services offered him a roof over his head at a home for the aged. Why, he wondered, would he want to be confined? “How dare they?” he asked me, not knowing I was the one who called and pleaded with them to find a safe place for him.

What happened to the man who slept in the Eastern Cemetery years ago and was accused of arson and property destruction for disturbing grave sites and burning branches to stay warm in winter?

We know so little about homelessness in The Bahamas. We can predict that it will increase as joblessness does. We can survey Jonesers living in abandoned vehicles and ask what they did before they got hooked on weed or crack, before when what they owed ‘the man’ was more than they could pay, and they lost everything. Even if we learn the answers of what happened in every case before that man or woman ended up on a park bench, in a

cemetery or under a tree, what are we prepared to do about it?

We know a man who started feeding the homeless with bread he baked himself from a van with the words Jesus Loves You long before he began feeding crowds through the Bahamas Feeding Network. But for most of us, the homeless are merely people we pass as we go about our daily business. They do not tear at our heartstrings like they would if we were in a freezing climate and they were sleeping huddled together wrapped in plastic and newsprint under a bridge for warmth.

We get lulled into thinking that if Potcake is okay living on the streets and napping on the wall on Church Street near St. Matthew’s Church, homelessness can’t be all that bad.

Thanks to Sebastian Major, who was nine when he did this interview as part of a school report on homelessness, even for someone like the street philosopher Potcake who could be the poster figure for homelessness in The

Bahamas, there is nothing easy about being without a roof over your head.

In the words of Locksley Thompson, Potcake’s real name, homelessness is real and it hurts. He understands what breeds it. “A lot people can’t function. A lot of people lose hope. A lot of people lose their homes. A lot of people lose their minds.”

He also knows the conditions firsthand.

“Out here when it rains and it’s cold and you hungry, it’s a miserable feeling.”

He also gets the political optics. “When someone important comes like the Queen, the police, they come and take everyone off the streets and put us up… at Sandilands.

Government don’t want to see no dirty people on the side of Bay Street or in the parks and when the Queen leaves, they let us come back out.”

Homelessness – it’s bitter in The Bahamas.

I thought of all this reading last week how police had charged a homeless man with violating the curfew.

For God’s sake...

READERS RESPOND TO GOVT’S $45M FOR CONTINUED COVID-19 SUPPORT

AFTER deputy prime minister Peter Turnquest confirmed the Government will allocate $45m to the continuation of its COVID19 support initiatives readers posted their reactions on tribune242.com.

• Porcupine said: “Headline is incorrect. The government is not ‘releasing’ 45 million for extended Covid support. They are continuing to borrow money.

The Bahamas spends nearly ONE MILLION DOLLARS a DAY in interest alone on loans already taken out. Meaning, we are watching this money leave our shores for

DEPUTY Prime Minister Peter Turnquest. money already borrowed. Is this sustainable for a country of 400,000 people? With no foreign dollars coming in. With unemployment at

PUBLIC CONSULTATION Finley Cay Development A public meeting will be held on October 16th, 2020 at 6 pm at the Holiday Inn Hotel, West Bay St, Nassau. Due to COVID -19 restrictions, only 20 persons can be accommodated at the site (Please note there will be NO refreshments served). All others can participate in the meeting via Zoom with the meeting ID: 84424908040.

The Developer Mr. Etzin proposes to build 5 low impact structures which include owner & caretaker residences, a conservation center & 2 researcher’s housing unit to facilitate White Crown Pigeon banding & research.

Information on the project & the EIA document can be accessed on https://finleycaypublicconsultation. com. Comments should be directed to the Director of Environmental Planning & Protection within twentyone (21) days of the date of this notice.

The general public is invited to send written comments to

Inquiries@depp.gov.bs & or via https://finleycaypublicconsultation.com

50%. With dwindling dollar reserves. Our leaders, politicians, bankers, business people, if they understand the situation themselves, sure as hell do not want our ‘D’ level educated citizenry to have the slightest idea of what is truly happening in this country. Fortunately for them, with no transparency, no accountability, and no Freedom of Information act, those in power will continue to lead this nation into the gutter for their own benefit and greed, needing to say nothing to The People. Someone tell me we don’t have a problem. I dare you . . .”

• There was this from John: “Did government shift the financial responsibilities of hotels to the taxpayer and are continuing to do so? How will this huge debt be paid off, if not managed? Yes, it may be crucial to save the economy but should those businesses who are not paying their employees due to the

suspended employment act, at least make minimum contributions to the government’s programme to support workers?”

mitigate any health risks.

• Benniesun had this to say: “In past times when a ruler came on difficult conditions he would call for his wise man who was also a seer – the seer would then advise the ruler of what is to come. Obviously, persons running our government have no access to a bona fide seer. But by using only logic the dire conditions that are about to devour us are now plain to see. Yet there has been no salary cutbacks and no preparing of the population for the inevitable depreciation of our lifestyle and reduction of governmental benefits.”

• That prompted this reply from Rosiepi: “Unfortunately the CDC has been cut out of the loop, and while the plan looks good on paper, who will do the enforcing? We know how well that works for their so called environmental controls. And those who cater to the trade should note the plan is for passengers to only be allowed to disembark w/ tours booked on ship w/strict monitoring.

And it cuts both ways, why have protocols for shelter in place for all visitors except cruisers? As the season progresses Covid is only going to get worse and the US, in particular FL, that had all controls lifted last week, is not a healthy place.”

Nassau Cruise Port’s top executive, Michael Maura, conceded that New Providence’s high COVID-19 infection rate is “a material concern” but believes it has established protocols to

• And John said: “The CDC has again extended the ‘Do NOT sail’ orders for US cruise ships to October 31st. To try to blame or imply it’s due to the increased COVID-19 cases

on New Providence is disingenuous and slimy. Over 35 US states including Florida are seeing surges in corona cases and deaths. And quite a number of states, including Florida are seeing new records for cases and deaths. And it is not affecting just the cruise industry but the airline industry may lay off or furlough as many as 45,000 employees as soon as today. People are just refusing to fly. Disney Land and Disney World have plans to lay off as many as 28,000 employees.

People are refusing to take their families out to public places. So Nassau’s port and The Bahamas are just links on the cruise line train of operations. And until the Corona cases are brought under control in the state of the ports of embarkation, trying to place the blame is petty, mischievous and discriminatory.”

Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

NEW RULES FOR LIVERPOOL AS VIRUS CASES IN ENGLAND QUADRUPLE

By DANICA KIRKA and MARIA CHENG Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — Britain imposed tighter restrictions on social gatherings in the port city of Liverpool and three towns as scientists reported Thursday that the number of COVID-19 cases in England has quadrupled or more in the last month.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the House of Commons on Thursday that the infection rate in Liverpool had risen to 268 per 100,000 people, seven times the national average.

He said it was time to extend tougher measures to the city, as well as to the nearby town of Warrington and in Hartlepool and Middlesbrough, which are at the other side of the country.

The restrictions are similar to those imposed in northeastern England earlier this week, which forbid mixing of households except in public spaces like parks.

The government also recommended that people visit nursing homes only in exceptional circumstances.

“We’ve had to take difficult but necessary decisions to suppress the virus,” Hancock said.

BRITAIN’S Prime Minister Boris Johnson. (AP) “The only alternative to suppressing the virus is to let it rip, and I will not do that.”

The measures announced Thursday are the latest in a series of heightened restrictions targeting local coronavirus hotspots as the British government struggles to control the spread of COVID-19.

Confirmed daily new cases of COVID19 rose above 7,000 in each of the past two days, the highest recorded since the pandemic began. Britain’s official death toll has passed 42,000 — the highest in Europe.

But scientists have offered some hope that the spread of the disease may be slowing.

A large government-commissioned

study that randomly tested tens of thousands of people in England found that the epidemic is not increasing as rapidly as scientists had feared.

“At the moment, we seem to be still at very high levels of the virus, and we do seem to still have a bit of an upward trajectory, but that very fast increase in the virus seems to have slowed and that’s very encouraging,” Paul Elliott, chair of epidemiology at Imperial College London, told the BBC. Research by Elliott and his colleagues, based on testing of more than 80,000 volunteers across England Sept. 18-26, found around one in 200 people were infected with the coronavirus, an increase from about 1 in 800 people in early September.

Still, Elliott said the time to act was now.

“We need to get on top of this now so we don’t have an exponential increase,” he said.

In addition to local restrictions, Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government last week banned social gatherings of more than six people and imposed a 10 p.m. curfew on bars and restaurants throughout England.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, October 2, 2020, PAGE 9

TEXAS GOV RESTRICTS MAIL-IN BALLOT DROP-OFF LOCATIONS

By ACACIA CORONADO Report for America/ Associated Press AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott on Thursday ordered counties to have only one mail-in ballot drop-off site, shuttering dozens of locations in some of the state’s largest cities and key Democratic strongholds just as voters started to return ballots.

Abbott called his order a move to enhance poll security, while Democrats blasted it as a naked effort to suppress voters.

Beginning on October 2, eligible voters can deliver their mail ballots in person to locations designated by the county’s early voting clerk. There will be no more than one drop-off location per county. Poll watchers may observe ballot deliveries at each location.

“These enhanced security protocols will ensure greater transparency and will help stop attempts at illegal voting,” Abbott said.

Harris County, which includes Houston, had 12 drop-off locations for its more than 2 million registered voters as of September. Travis County, which includes the state capital of Austin, had four.

Harris County covers an area of more than 1,700 square miles (4,400 square kilometres), while Travis County stretches over more than 1,000 sq. miles (2,600 square kilometres). Other counties are individually as large as 6,000 square miles (15,500 square kilometres) — larger than the entire state of Connecticut. Texas has 254 counties.

Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo told the Associated Press that the county will “fight this to the extent that we can” and that county lawyers were considering legal action. She said Abbott’s action was another effort to suppress voters and an additional obstacle to democracy.

Earlier on Twitter, Hidalgo pointed out that Harris County is larger than the state of Rhode Island.

“Mail ballot voters shouldn’t have to drive 30 miles to drop off their ballot, or rely on a mail system that’s facing cutbacks,” she said.

The U.S. Postal Service informed Texas in July that given the state’s current mail ballot request deadline, some ballots may not be delivered to voters by Election Day, and that even if all ballots reached voters on time, there was a “significant

risk” that completed ballots postmarked on or near Election Day would not be received by the state’s Nov. 4 deadline.

The Texas Secretary of State’s office has not responded to Associated Press requests for comment on its plans to ensure the timely delivery of ballots.

Harris County Clerk Chris Hollins said in a statement that he had applauded Abbott’s July proclamation allowing voters to drop off their mail ballots before Election Day because it “gave voters more options to vote safely during the global pandemic and alleviated concerns over mail delivery.” He said Abbott’s reversal will harms voters, and lead to widespread confusion and voter suppression.

“Our office is more than willing to accommodate poll watchers at mail ballot drop-off locations,” Hollins said. “But to force hundreds of thousands of seniors and voters with disabilities to use a single drop-off location in a county that stretches over nearly 2,000 square miles is prejudicial and dangerous.”

Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa said in a statement following the proclamation that Republicans were “on the verge of losing, so Gov. Abbott is trying to adjust the rules last minute.” He said courts nationwide have held that it is too late to make changes to election rules.

“Make no mistake: Democracy itself is on the ballot,” Hinojosa said in a statement.

Polls show unusually tight races this year in America’s biggest red state, intensifying battles over voting access. Texas is one of just five states not allowing widespread mailin voting this year. Abbott has resisted calls to expand eligibility and courts have sided with GOP leaders who say fear of catching COVID-19 doesn’t qualify voters for mail-in ballots.

To qualify for a mail-in ballot in Texas, voters must be: away from their county of residence on Election Day and during the early voting period; sick or disabled; confined in jail but otherwise eligible to vote; or 65 years old or more. ___ Acacia Coronado is a corps member for the Associated Press/ Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.

PRESIDENT Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden participate in the first presidential debate Tuesday at Case Western University and Cleveland Clinic, in Cleveland. (Olivier Douliery/Pool vi AP)

TRUMP OPPOSES CHANGING DEBATE RULES BUT WILL STILL ATTEND

By ZEKE MILLER Associated Press MORRISTOWN, N.J. (AP) — President Donald Trump opposes changing the rules for the remaining two presidential debates against Democrat Joe Biden, but his campaign says he will attend regardless.

Tuesday’s opening debate in Cleveland quickly turned chaotic, with frequent interruptions by the candidates — particularly Trump.

The Commission on Presidential Debates said Wednesday that it “intends to ensure that additional tools to maintain order are in place for the remaining debates.”

The commission and

representatives from Trump’s and Biden’s campaigns met Wednesday morning to discuss the previous night’s debate and potential changes.

Some potential changes that have been discussed include adding opening and closing statements and shortening open discussion.

Trump, a Republican, tweeted Thursday that he opposed any changes.

“Why would I allow the Debate Commission to change the rules for the second and third Debates when I easily won last time,” he tweeted shortly after landing in New Jersey, where he was to hold a campaign fundraiser at his private golf club.

constituent, someone considering how they’re going to vote this year, when they ask a question,” the candidate “gets an opportunity to answer it fully,” Biden said.

Organisers and both campaigns expect that the format for its next presidential debate on Oct. 15 in Miami will be more orderly, as the candidates address questions asked directly to them by voters.

The third and final debate, set for Oct. 22 in Nashville, is slated to feature a similar format to Tuesday’s event. ___ Associated Press writer Alexandra Jaffe in Washington contributed to this report.

COUNSELOR to the President Hope Hicks, left, arrives at the White House in Washington, on Monday, Sept. 21. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

TOP WHITE HOUSE OFFICIAL TESTS POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS

By ZEKE MILLER and JILL COLVIN Associated Press

SIGNS direct traffic at a drive-through ballot drop off location at the Travis County Tax Office in Austin, Texas, on Thursday.

(Jay Janner /Austin American-Statesman via AP)

On a conference call with reporters, Trump’s reelection campaign indicated that Trump would attend the remaining debates regardless of whether the rules are changed.

“We’re ready to move on to the second and third debates,” said campaign communications strategist Jason Miller. “There shouldn’t be any changes.

We don’t want any changes.”

He declined to issue an ultimatum that Trump would not attend if changes were made.

Biden said he’ll participate in the next debate, which will be a town hall format.

“I think it’s appropriate that when a person, a

WASHINGTON (AP) — Hope Hicks, one of President Donald Trump’s closest aides, has tested positive for the coronavirus.

Hicks, who serves as counselor to the president and traveled with him to a Wednesday rally, tested positive Thursday, according to an administration official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss private health information.

She is the closest aide to Trump to test positive so far.

In a statement, White House

spokesman Judd Deere said, “The President takes the health and safety of himself and everyone who works in support of him and the American people very seriously.”

“White House Operations collaborates with the Physician to the President and the White House Military Office to ensure all plans and procedures incorporate current CDC guidance and best practices for limiting COVID-19 exposure to the greatest extent possible both on complex and when the President is traveling,” Deere said.

Hicks traveled with the president multiple times this week, including aboard Marine One,

the presidential helicopter, for a Minnesota rally Wednesday, and aboard Air Force One to Tuesday night’s first presidential debate.

Hicks, one of the president’s most trusted aides, previously served as White House communications director and rejoined the administration this year ahead of the election.

The story was first reported by Bloomberg News.

Multiple White House staffers have tested positive for the virus, including Katie Miller, Vice President Mike Pence’s press secretary, as well as one of the president’s personal valets.

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that CLERVA LOUISSAINT of East Street, New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 2nd day of October, 2020 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that HENRICK ETIENNE of Wilson Track, New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 2nd day of October, 2020 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that ANGELO DARIO CALIXTE of Woods Street, Ridgeland Park, New Providence, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 2nd day of October, 2020 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

THE TRIBUNE

Dollarisation needs extra $3.2bn inflow

FROM PAGE 20

semi-dollarised economy.

The extent to which we have pegged our currency to the US dollar provides a degree of stability and predictability, which obviously augers well for our foreign direct investment.”

Mr Pinder added: “One other thing people don’t realise is that when you are talking about dollarising the economy, every Bahamian note that is in circulation which right now is just under $400m in Bahamian notes that are that used to take care of transactions - will have to be replaced by US dollars.

“Right now you have $2.9bn, according to the numbers I saw in the latest Central Bank quarterly

Ex-AG: Competitiveness concern on EU’s blacklist FROM PAGE 20 local institutions have with their overseas counterparts and damage this nation’s reputation.

“It makes it more difficult for us to trade in that space globally. I hope it’s something that is remediated urgently,” Mr Delaney told this newspaper, adding that the EU’s move was also likely designed to blunt The Bahamas’ competitiveness in international financial services.

report, which are in demand deposits. Demand deposits are really your chequing accounts. That is what demand deposits is, and that’s really considered a part of your money supply.

They are really payment on demand, and that is why we call them chequing accounts” “In the case of chequing accounts, by law, it is pay on demand. That is why it is considered as a part of the money supply. So what I’m saying in short here is, that if you have to dollarise your economy, you will have to find anywhere from $3.1bn to $3.2bn to inject into your economy in US dollars to support those liabilities.”

Praising the Central Bank’s economic management, Mr Pinder said: “One of the things in my view that “I think that there is a legitimate case to be concerned as it relates to fair play as to whether the standards being applied to The Bahamas are evenly applied in the EU, and outside of the EU to other states that have good relations with the EU,” he added.

“What’s particularly concerning about this is the apparent subjectivity in the adherence to the level playing field, so one cannot help but fear there’s unfairness and the decision-making might be skewed by matters of trade and competition, meaning to lessen the competitiveness of jurisdictions such as The Bahamas. Clearly it has the effect of making us less competitive by damaging the brand’s reputation.”

NOTICE CHRONOVALUE INVESTMENT FUND SAC LTD. (In Voluntary Liquidation)

Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 138 (4) of The International Business Companies Act 2000 the abovenamed Company is in dissolution, which commenced on the 28th, day of January, 2020. The Liquidator is Dillon R. Dean of Nassau Bahamas.

Friday, October 2, 2020, PAGE 15 is very important is that the Central Bank is doing a commendable job under the circumstances. I think they are taking a very conservative approach given where we are, and I think rightfully so.

“One of the things they have done with regard to protecting the reserves is certainly with regard to the suspension of remittances in terms of profits, and bringing back in terms of the National Insurance Board (NIB) liquidating at least $100m in overseas investments. While it pales in comparison in terms of $2bn in reserves that we have, or in terms of the overall outflow that is really needed to sustain the economy, every bit helps.”

Mr Pinder projected in April that the foreign reserves would fall to $900m from the present $2bn given the impact of COVID-19, along with a national debt of $10.4bn and a foreign currency debt of $4.2bn.

CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THE CHILDREN AT RANFURLY

T

The EU yesterday confirmed The Bahamas’ inclusion on a list of nations deemed to have deficiencies in their anti-financial crime defences, which makes it “high risk”. A key reason for The Bahamas’ inclusion was its presence on the FATF’s monitoring list, which this nation had hoped to escape prior to yesterday until COVID-19 intervened to delay that body’s on-site visit and inspection.

The Bahamas’ embassy to the EU, in a statement yesterday, said it had “exhausted all diplomatic channels” in trying to persuade an “intransigent” 27-nation bloc not to proceed in naming this nation. It added that the EU is applying standards more stringent than the FATF, the recognised global authority on anti-money laundering and counter terror financing, for The Bahamas to escape its list.

“The EU Commission in identifying ‘high risk’ third countries employs a twoprong methodology which is firstly premised on countries identified by the FATF and, secondly, countries will be assessed autonomously by the EU,” the Bahamian embassy said.

he Ranfurly Homes for Children has been a safe haven for thousands of Bahamian children since 1956. The Home provides a safe, structured environment for children who have been orphaned, abused, neglected or abandoned.

MEMBERSHIP PACKAGES Individuals, Families & Corporate Sponsors Children Helping Children - $5 (Individual children from ages 6 - 18) Individuals Helping Children - $50 (Individual adults 18 years and over) Families Helping Children - $100

YOU can make a difference in the lives of the children at Ranfurly. With your support children can have nutritious food, warm beds and a safe environment where they can discover the joy of being children. For years the children living and learning at Ranfurly have made great social and academic strides.

CIRCLE of FRIENDS Silver: $1,500 - $2,499 Gold: $2,500 - $4,999 Platinum: $5,000 plus

OPPORTUNITIES

Their further development requires additional support in the form of a Transitional Home, planned for construction on the Ranfurly property.

This residence will cater to teenagers and young adults who are beyond school age, but need accommodation while they find work and gain independence from the Home.

We look forward to your continued support in this worthwhile endeavour.

• • • •

Invitations to Ranfurly events Assist with fundraising events Involvement with special activities Adults are eligible to join the Board after three months • Stay in touch with Ranfurly through website and newsletters

BENEFITS

• Personal fulfillment in knowing you are impacting lives • Ranfurly children’s appreciation and positive response • Continued support provides stability and constant care

For more information visit: www.ranfurlyhome.org Please “Like” us on Facebook Ranfurly Home for Children, Mackey Street P.O. Box 1413 Nassau, Bahamas 242-393-3115

MARKET REPORT www.bisxbahamas.com

THURSDAY, 01 OCTOBER 2020

Dillon R. Dean (Liquidator)

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX:

CLOSE

CHANGE

2092.51

-1.04

%CHANGE

YTD

YTD%

-0.05 -139.09

-6.23

(242) 323-2330 (242) 323-2320

BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE PURSUANT TO SECTION 218(1)(e) COMPANIES ACT, 1992 EQUITY BAHAMAS LIMITED (the “Company”) (IN VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that on September 9, 2020 the Company was placed into voluntary liquidation.

The Liquidator is Kim D. Thompson of Equity Trust House, Caves Village, P.O. Box N-10697, West Bay Street, Nassau, Bahamas and can be contacted via kthompson@ equitybahamas.com .

Dated: September 30, 2020 Signed: Kim D. Thompson (Liquidator)

NOTICE HESHCEL FUND LIMITED (In Voluntary Liquidation)

Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 138 (4) of The International Business Companies Act 2000 the abovenamed Company is in dissolution, which commenced on the 2nd, day of September, 2020. The Liquidator is Dillon R. Dean of Nassau Bahamas.

52WK HI 4.08 22.65 2.00 1.79 2.46 6.00 6.75 4.80 8.59 4.50 6.16 12.77 3.64 5.50 10.88 8.44 16.99 4.25 9.40 15.21

52WK LOW 3.13 20.91 0.67 1.65 1.67 5.40 5.39 2.70 5.05 3.62 5.60 11.05 2.71 3.19 9.60 7.50 13.04 3.20 8.00 13.90

PREFERENCE SHARES 1.00

1.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1.00 10.00 1.00

1.00 10.00 0.90

SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Benchmark Bahamas First Holdings Limited Bank of Bahamas Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Cable Bahamas Commonwealth Brewery Commonwealth Bank Colina Holdings CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Emera Incorporated Famguard Fidelity Bank Focol Finco J. S. Johnson

SYMBOL AML APD BBL BFH BOB BPF BWL CAB CBB CBL CHL CIB CWCB DHS EMAB FAM FBB FCL FIN JSJ

Bahamas First Holdings Preference Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 8 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Cable Bahamas Series 10 Colina Holdings Class A Fidelity Bank Class A Focol Class B

BFHP CAB6 CAB8 CAB9 CAB10 CHLA FBBA FCLB

CORPORATE DEBT - (percentage pricing) 52WK HI 100.00 100.00

52WK LOW 100.00 100.00

115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 102.00

104.79 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

52WK HI 2.35 4.43 2.12 198.39 168.29 1.69 1.85 1.77 1.24 8.34 10.26 7.08 12.15 12.71 10.81 10.00 8.98 11.79

52WK LOW 2.11 3.30 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.64 1.79 1.73 1.06 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57 9.88 8.45 11.20

SECURITY Fidelity Bank Note 22 (Series B) + Bahamas First Holdings Limited

SYMBOL FBB22 BFHB

BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing)

MUTUAL FUNDS

MARKET TERMS

Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2015-1-3Y BGS: 2014-12-5Y BGS: 2015-1-5Y BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-3Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y BGS: 2015-10-3Y BGS: 2015-10-7Y

BAH29 BG0203 BG0105 BG0205 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0303 BG0307 BG0330 BG0403 BG0407

LAST CLOSE 3.95 17.43 1.62 1.79 1.67 6.00 6.75 2.98 5.10 3.76 6.00 11.26 2.08 5.50 10.05 8.44 14.30 3.96 8.97 15.20

CLOSE 3.95 17.43 1.62 1.79 1.67 6.00 6.75 2.98 5.10 3.76 5.90 11.26 2.06 5.50 10.14 8.44 14.30 3.96 8.97 15.20

1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 0.95

1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 0.95

LAST SALE 100.00 100.00

CLOSE 100.00 100.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund Leno Preferred Income Fund Leno Growth Fund Leno Diversified Fund Leno Global USD Bond Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Equities Sub Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - High Yield Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Alternative Strategies Fund Colonial Bahamas Fund Class D Colonial Bahamas Fund Class E Colonial Bahamas Fund Class F

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00 52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks 52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume Change - Change in closing price from day to day Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 (0.10) 0.00 (0.02) 0.00 0.09 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

VOLUME

3,000

1,000

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

EPS$ 0.239 0.932 0.000 0.000 0.070 1.760 0.369 -0.438 0.140 0.184 0.449 0.722 0.102 0.467 0.646 0.728 0.816 0.203 0.939 0.631 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

VOLUME

NAV 2.35 4.43 2.12 196.40 163.60 1.68 1.81 1.76 1.07 8.30 9.90 7.08 11.27 12.71 10.23 N/A 8.93 11.27

DIV$ 0.170 1.260 0.020 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.260 0.000 0.000 0.120 0.220 0.720 0.434 0.060 0.328 0.240 0.540 0.120 0.200 0.610 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

P/E 16.5 18.7 N/M N/M N/M N/M 18.3 -6.8 36.4 20.4 13.1 15.6 20.2 11.8 15.7 11.6 17.5 19.5 9.6 24.1

YIELD 4.30% 7.23% 1.23% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 3.85% 0.00% 0.00% 3.19% 3.73% 6.39% 21.07% 1.09% 3.23% 2.84% 3.78% 3.03% 2.23% 4.01%

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%

INTEREST Prime + 1.75% 6.25%

19-Oct-2022 30-Sep-2025

6.95% 4.00% 4.25% 4.25% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.00% 4.50% 6.25% 3.50% 4.25%

20-Nov-2029 30-Jul-2018 16-Dec-2019 30-Jul-2020 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2018 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2018 15-Oct-2022

YTD% 12 MTH% 2.95% 4.23% 1.39% 3.17% 1.60% 2.52% 0.65% 2.50% -1.88% 3.33% 1.10% 2.34% -2.43% 1.49% 0.34% 2.43% -11.07% -9.92% -0.45% 8.36% -3.20% 11.46% 2.10% 5.15% -6.17% 3.54% 2.92% 5.55% -4.66% -3.81% N/A N/A -4.20% 0.20% -8.60% -2.90%

MATURITY

NAV Date

31-Aug-2020 31-Aug-2020 28-Aug-2020 30-Jun-2020 30-Jun-2020 31-Jul-2020 31-Jul-2020 31-Jul-2020 31-Jul-2020 31-May-2020 31-May-2020 31-May-2020 31-May-2020 31-May-2020 31-May-2020 30-Jun-2020 30-Jun-2020 30-Jun-2020

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Dillon R. Dean (Liquidator) TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | COLONIAL 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225 | BENCHMARK 242-326-7333

PAGE 16, Friday, October 2, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Atlantis: ‘No firm re-opening date’

FROM PAGE 20 pandemic would be “short lived”, with tourism rebounding rapidly, she conceded: “That is not how this played out.”

“Over this summer and this fall, we have made every effort to welcome guests back to Atlantis while ensuring the health and well-being of our team members,” Ms Oswell told employees. “Unfortunately, at every turn COVID-19 considerations have prevented us from opening our doors.

“As of this writing, we do not have a firm re-opening date. I am hopeful that we will overcome the remaining hurdles and be able to re-open soon. We will continue to communicate with you about developments in our re-opening plans and schedules.”

Ms Oswell’s letter indicates that Atlantis is almost certainly joining the likes of Baha Mar, Sandals Royal Bahamian, the British Colonial Hilton and Club Med’s San Salvador property in electing not to re-open on the October 15 date

AUDREY OSWELL recommended by the Ministry of Tourism for the hotel sector’s re-opening.

The ongoing uncertainty is likely to dismay and frustrate the several thousand Atlantis staff, and their families, many of whom have been on furlough for more than six months and surviving off National Insurance Board (NIB) and government unemployment benefits that reports yesterday suggested may be cut to as little as $100 per week.

Ms Oswell’s letter appears to have been motivated, at least in part, by the growing calls from many Atlantis staff for the resort to give them full termination pay and release them from its

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employment on the basis that this will provide them with more funds - at least in the short-term - than unemployment benefits.

However, she dashed hopes that Atlantis would give in to these demands by asserting that terminations would be too early given the uncertainty surrounding the staffing levels that will be required whenever the resort does open. This was despite conceding that the Paradise Island mega resort has already assessed scenarios where some posts would be eliminated.

“I know some of you have reached a point where your preference is for Atlantis to make your employment redundant,” Ms Oswell admitted. “I hear you. I want you to know that we have thoroughly reviewed and considered a scenario where certain roles are eliminated as we wait out the re-opening of our resort.

“As we press forward with current and future challenges, including re-opening the property and building back guest bookings in the midst of COVID-19, we have no certainty as to what business levels will be when

we do re-open. Therefore, it would be premature to separate you from the company permanently at this time.”

However, it appears unlikely that Ms Oswell’s letter will ease employee concerns. “Actions speak louder than words. Kind gestures will not help us,” one employee, speaking on condition of anonymity, told this newspaper.

They also disclosed that another meeting was held yesterday, by Adrian Francis of advocacy group Operation Sovereign Bahamas, to organise a protest march next Wednesday over Atlantis’ non-payment of full severance packages.

“There was a packed room, and workers outside,” the source said of the meeting held at Global Ministries. “All of them are saying they want their redundancy package, even managers, and they don’t know why Atlantis is doing what it’s doing. This is going to be a continuing issue.”

They added that other hospitality industry workers, including taxi drivers, straw vendors and hair braiders, were also likely to join the march.

Ms Oswell, meanwhile, describing Atlantis’ six-month closure as “a harrowing experience”, added: “It has been more than six months since Atlantis closed its doors due to COVID-19. At that time we hoped the closure would be short-lived, and tourism would rebound quickly.

“Regrettably, that is not how the pandemic has played out. During our closure, much work has gone into shoring up the longterm future of Atlantis and, consequently, all of our livelihoods.”

Asserting that these decisions “have not been easy”, Ms Oswell added: “Atlantis is the flagship of tourism for the country. And, as such, we have an even greater responsibility to ensure that the right decisions are made to carry us forward well into the future.

“I am pleased to share with you that earlier this week, we have secured additional funds that will help to ensure the longterm financial stability of the company.” While the source of this financing was not disclosed, Ms Oswell said Atlantis has not been

sold and that Brookfield Asset Management remains its owner.

She ended her letter with a rallying call for all Atlantis employees to unite, and there is some irony in the fact it was released on the very day that the Ministry of Tourism unveiled its plans to eliminate the mandatory 14-day quarantine that has been cited for deterring tourist bookings and hampering the industry’s re-opening (see other article on Page 1B).

However, the absence of any certainty over when the Paradise Island mega resort and its Baha Mar counterpart will finally re-open is likely to dampen economic activity in the short-term as well as cut airlift into The Bahamas.

COVID-19 infection rates in their major source markets as well as in The Bahamas will be a key consideration for both, although a re-opening around the Thanksgiving holiday that traditionally signals the start of the winter tourism season will probably be their goal.

FROM PAGE 20

“We have split the hours that are necessary between the employees so everyone earns a bit of something rather than sending people home and rely on the National Insurance Board.

Most people are working between 60-70 percent of what they would do normally...... It hurts financially, but our view is this will not last for ever.”

Mr Wells said Caribbean Bottling Company, which produces and distributes brands such as Schweppes, Fanta, Sprite, Barq’s Root Beer, Dr Pepper, Goombay Punch, Barritt’s Ginger Beer, Canada Dry, Vitamin Water, Dasani, Powerade, Minute Maid, Monster and Flavorful Juices, as well as Coca-Cola from its Sir Milo Butler Highway headquarters, was especially reluctant to lose trained employees given that all would be needed when business levels “ramp up again”.

While the firm has not experienced any raw materials shortages or logistics challenges due to COVID19, Mr Wells added: “The flip side of that is we tend to buy two to three months in advance and, in some cases, with the significant decline in volumes we ended up with too much raw material. We had a surplus when things came to a standstill, but slowly worked our way through that.

“We did lose a fair bit of product that had already been purchased. Fountain beverages that hotels and fast food restaurants use, we normally have a month’s supply on the floor. When things were shut down we had to write most of that off.

It was big enough, certainly six-figures, but there’s no use crying over spilt milk.”

Looking forward, Mr Wells added that COVID19 had also impacted its expansion plans beyond

The Bahamas. “Certainly one of the biggest initiatives it has hindered us on is the Coca-Cola business we also operate in Turks & Caicos,” he told Tribune Business.

“We are planning to build a new building there, and COVID-19 has slowed us down considerably. Turks & Caicos was closed down until July, so we’re now trying to get back on schedule. It’s a warehouse and administration building. Everything we sell there we import from The Bahamas, so it facilitates exports.

“It’s going to be close to $2m, and it’s probably been six months, maybe a year, that it’s delayed us by the time all is said and done.

The property was closed and fenced in, and the permits have been obtained. We just need to start the construction. It will take us six months to finish the job once we get going.”

Coca-Cola supplier sees ‘huge’ 30-40% sales hit also closed, and it’s been a pretty huge hit. Our sales are off by anywhere between 30-40 percent on any given day of the week depending on what’s open and what’s shut.

“Even the quick service restaurants, the fast food restaurants, have been substantially limited over the past six to seven months as to what they can and can’t do.

All of that impacts our business but it is what it is. We are still operating, and have not had to permanently terminate anyone because of it.

“Out of our roughly 230 employees, at the moment we probably have 25 laid-off on furlough because there’s really nothing for them to do, and the rest are pretty much working reduced shifts because less sales means less demand and less need to produce,” Mr Wells continued.

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

ADVANCE ASSETS LIMITED

MCTC HOLDINGS LIMITED

ACCESS HOUSE LIMITED

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

(a) ADVANCE ASSETS LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(a) MCTC HOLDINGS LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(a) ACCESS HOUSE LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b) The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 30th September, 2020 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(b) The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 30th September, 2020 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(b) The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 30th September, 2020 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c) The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

(c) The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

(c) The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

Dated this 02nd day of October, A. D. 2020.

Dated this 02nd day of October, A. D. 2020.

Dated this 02nd day of October, A. D. 2020.

_________________________________ Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

_________________________________ Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

_________________________________ Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

GRAND OAKTREE LIMITED

GRAND WILLOWTREE LIMITED

GRAND RAINTREE LIMITED

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

(a) GRAND OAKTREE LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(a) GRAND WILLOWTREE LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(a) GRAND RAINTREE LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b) The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 30th September, 2020 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(b) The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 30th September, 2020 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(b) The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 30th September, 2020 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c) The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

(c) The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

(c) The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

Dated this 02nd day of October, A. D. 2020.

Dated this 02nd day of October, A. D. 2020.

Dated this 02nd day of October, A. D. 2020.

_________________________________ Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

_________________________________ Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

_________________________________ Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, October 2, 2020, PAGE 17

BANKS BACK BAHAMIAN DIGITAL DOLLAR ROLL-OUT

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net COMMERCIAL banks yesterday gave their backing to the Bahamian digital dollar’s national rollout as a means to improve financial inclusion and transaction efficiency.

Lasonya Missick, Royal Bank of Canada’s (RBC) Bahamas managing director, reacting to the Central Bank’s decision to begin the nation-wide launch on October 20, told Tribune Business: “Digital currencies such as the Sand Dollar can provide opportunities, more convenience, and more flexibility for businesses and consumers.

“Digital currency also has the ability to eliminate geographical constraints as it can be exchanged

using multiple mechanisms which do not necessarily require face-to-face presence between the sender and receiver, while remaining low-cost and almost instantaneous.”

Ms Missick added that it was “too early to say” how quickly Bahamian consumers and businesses will start to use the Bahamian digital currency, which the Central Bank calls the Sand Dollar.

“The Bahamian community needs to be ‘on board’ with the idea of a digital currency in order for it to be successful,” she said.

“Driving adoption will be key to creating sufficient critical mass for widespread use of the Sand Dollar.

“Governments, banks and consumers all have a role to play. As the government and Central Bank

continue to work towards implementation of the Sand Dollar, RBC will keep working with them as a key stakeholder in this process.”

Roger Archer, Scotiabank (Bahamas) managing director, added: “We are supportive of the Sand Dollar initiative. This is an excellent initiative which places The Bahamas at the forefront of transaction transformation.

“This will help to lower the cost of transacting across our archipelago, and lead to greater financial inclusion. Along with the banking and payment community, we continue to work on the interoperability of the Sand Dollar with traditional payment systems and, while this will take some time, we are very

Tourism ‘game changer’ through quarantine end FROM PAGE 20

As for seaports and marinas, the selected venues are Nassau (Atlantis, Bay Street Marina, Lyford Cay and Albany); Grand Bahama (West End – Old Bahama Bay and Freeport – Lucaya); Abaco (Marsh Harbour government dock); Eleuthera (Spanish Wells marina); Berry Islands (Chubb Cay Club); Bimini (Big Game Club and Cat Cay Club); Exuma (Georgetown government dock).

No locations were provided in the southern Bahamas. Mr Maury argued that this was “not a huge inconvenience but something we have to deal with”, adding that marina operators in places such as Harbour Island would be able to get health officials and visiting boaters to where they needed to go to ensure testing was done.

He acknowledged that the government, with its limited resources and finances, would be unable to provide COVID-19 antigen testing on arrival at every marine port of entry in The Bahamas.

Kerry Fountain, the Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board’s (BOIPB) executive director, told Tribune Business that the revised health protocols and elimination of the 14-day quarantine were “a compromise” that aimed to strike the correct balance between tourism’s return and the mitigation of COVID-19 risks.

While the “96 hour” threshold for an in-stay COVID-19 test will ease the burden for short-stay vacationers, Mr Fountain acknowledged that “the number of tests is not ideal” but said this was an acceptable alternative to the quarantine which he branded “a deal breaker”.

“It is a compromise but much better than the quarantine,” he said. “Call it what you want, quarantine, Vacation in Place, it’s all the same thing. Someone staying in a hotel is looking, as nice as that beach may be, to get out of the hotel and into the community and meet people.”

Mr Fountain said 20-25 percent of Family Island visitors come for water-based activities, such as bone fishing, fly fishing, diving and snorkelling, and substituting quarantine for increased testing will allow them to do “the things they came to The Bahamas for” after November 1.

Noting that the quarantine’s removal now gives

the Ministry of Tourism and private sector a tool for marketing The Bahamas, he added: “Now you are free to roam but you have to be tested. I think this will be received favourably. It is a compromise but better than the next option, which is quarantine in The Bahamas.”

Darrin Woods, the Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) chief, said the true test of the revised health protocols will be in the market response and whether this is sufficiently strong to put Bahamians back to work.

“The true test will be whether or not people start to book,” he said. “It has to get out there quickly to be in time for Thanksgiving and the season that normally comes upon us now, and we will see what that works out to be. The testing could still be a turn away, but if that starts to open the industry so persons get back to work that will be a good thing.”

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excited about the opportunities ahead.”

The Central Bank earlier this week said it plans to expand the Bahamian digital dollar beyond the pilot islands of Exuma and Abaco by making it accessible through authorised financial institutions (AFIs) that come under its oversight.

Eight financial institutions, including one commercial bank, four money transmission businesses and three payment services providers, have already been “on-boarded” as AFIs able to offer digital Bahamian dollar services through either their own electronic apps or the Sand Dollar app. These apps are now undergoing a cyber security assessment to ensure they cannot be

breached by hackers.

The Central Bank pledged that such testing will be “robust and intensive”, with all AFI providers scrutinised for security by an international firm before they gain approval to link to the Sand Dollar platform with their own apps. This comes after surveys showed consumers and businesses needed “assurance around the safety of conducting online transactions.”

“Six AFIs are in the final stages of this cyber security assessment; which evaluates their custom apps; the overall security posture of the business; and reviews the coding practices applied in application development,” the Central Bank said.

“As to security, Sand Dollar-integrated wallets are enabled with

multi-factor authentication features. All mobile devices are required to support a device passcode or biometrics to access the app and complete transactions.”

All financial institutions supervised by the Central Bank can operate as sponsors of mobile wallets for the Sand Dollar initiative, and maintain clearing accounts with it, including commercial banks, credit unions, money transmission providers and payment services providers.

The Central Bank said it expected commercial banks and credit unions will initially facilitate the connection between a person’s mobile wallet and bank account. It suggested that their offering actual digital wallets themselves would only likely start in 2021.

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PAGE 18, Friday, October 2, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

RESORTS HAIL AIRLINE OVER PRE-FLIGHT COVID TESTING

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIAN resorts yesterday hailed American Airlines’ plan to conduct pre-flight COVID-19 testing on all international travellers coming to The Bahamas as an “excellent” initiative.

Diane McTague, the Holiday Inn Express’ general manager, told Tribune Business yesterday that the move - expected to start this month and coinciding with the hotel industry’s recommended October 15 re-opening will “absolutely” benefit The Bahamas in its bid to restart the tourism industry.

“What’s killing us is the quarantine isn’t it?” Ms McTague said, speaking

before the Ministry of Tourism’s late afternoon unveiling of its alternative to the so-called 14-day Vacation in Place. “The length of the quarantine.

That’s what’s killing the tourism business. So absolutely I think that’s a good idea.”

Voicing optimism that other airlines will follow American Airlines’ lead if everything works out smoothly, Ms McTague added: “Things are going really well here. We have some local business coming in and things seem to be picking up a little from the Family Islands, but I think we are just waiting to have everything opened up so we can kind of trail back to normality.”

The American Airlines

initiative will seemingly dovetail well with the Ministry of Tourism’s plan to replace the 14-day visitor quarantine with increased COVID-19 testing, both as guests arrive at Bahamian airport and marine port-ofentry and during their stay.

The Bahamas is among the first international destinations where American Airlines will offer pre-flight virus testing for all passengers, with Jamaica taking the lead. Details on the protocols for testing travellers heading to this nation, though, have yet to be released.

“We are so pleased that American Airlines has included The Bahamas in their pre-flight testing programme, and for their continued commitment to

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mitigating the spread of coronavirus,” said Dionisio D’Aguilar, minister of tourism and aviation.

“Miami is a major gateway to our islands, and we believe pre-departure testing will create important efficiencies, while ensuring the health and safety of both our visitors and residents.”

Muna Issa, Super Clubs Breezes managing director, said: “I think this is an excellent initiative. Grenada today re-opened their tourism product, and tourists are able to take a COVID test in-country after four days. If negative they can then leave the property.”

Matthew Brear, general manager of Cape Santa Maria in Long Island,

backed the American Airlines initiative “100 percent”. He added that “anything would benefit us at this point. Anything that would make it easier for visitors to The Bahamas to do an all-in-one COVID test plus ticket and hotel room would be great”.

Mr Brear said: “I don’t think the 14-day quarantine is of any benefit to us at all. We opened in July with no 14-day quarantine and we did just fine. The spike in COVID-19 cases after the initial opening in July was to do with the fact that locals were allowed to travel to Florida, and that was a major problem as far as I can tell.

“We as a resort were allowed to open for 23 days in July without any

quarantine. People seem to forget that we had no issues in July. I think Delta Airlines may have started this already, so I hope that other airlines follow suit.

“I think this is a great idea and it is smart of American Airlines to do, helping travellers with their COVID test. It is a challenge, and it’s a real struggle for people to get here. It was a challenge even before the COVID-19 to get to Long Island, and the virus just made it more difficult,” he added.

“I think the COVID test is a necessity. The quarantine won’t benefit anybody, and I don’t know what the reasoning is behind that. I think for the other airlines to compete they are going to have to do what American Airlines is doing.”

TAX CERTIFICATE SET TO LAUNCH BY YEAR-END THE long-awaited Tax Residency Certificate (TRC) product will be launched by year-end 2020 in a bid to ease pressures on The Bahamas and its permanent residents, a Cabinet minister has pledged.

Elsworth Johnson, minister of financial services, trade and industry and Immigration, told the Bahamas Financial Services Board’s (BFSB) virtual annual general meeting (AGM) that the product’s launch was a “high priority” given international demands for proof as to whether expatriate permanent residents are legitimately domiciled in this nation.

TRCs, which have been talked about for some years, would have their own taxpayer identification number (TIN) and confirm that the holder has been properly domiciled in The Bahamas. Besides confirming this is their main place of residence, these certificates will help certify the holder’s compliance with their home country tax laws.

And they will also help to address Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) claims that this nation’s economic permanent residency product is in danger of being abused by tax evaders.

The OECD sparked major concern within the Bahamian financial services industry and wider economy in 2018 when it included The Bahamas’ key investment product on a list of regimes that could undermine global automatic tax information exchange.

Many viewed it as a further broadening of the OECD’s efforts beyond pure tax information exchange and transparency to investment products and regimes it deems potentially

ELSWORTH JOHNSON harmful to the global crackdown on tax avoidance and evasion.

The listing report called for “financial institutions to undertake enhanced due diligence on clients that are citizens or residents of countries with [investment citizenship or investment residency] programmes to prevent cases of [tax] avoidance and tax evasion”.

Apart from creating negative perceptions of The Bahamas in the minds of potential investors, the OECD listing’s demand for enhanced scrutiny, and likely extra costs, time and exposure involved, threatened to deter wealthy investors from applying for permanent economic residence - thereby undermining a key component of the foreign direct investment (FDI) regime that has been in place for decades.

Meanwhile, in an effort to forge improved ties between financial services and Immigration, Mr Johnson said The Bahamas’ first-ever deputy director of financial services will be based at Monarch House - the Department of Immigration unit that deals with permanent residency and citizenship applications - in a bid to “bridge the gap”.

He added that Monarch House will deal with enrollment, payment and collection of documents, as the government seeks to

address concerns over the speed and efficiency with which permanent residency applications are dealt.

It also wants to fully implement the Department of Immigration’s Integrated Management System to permit cashless transactions, online application processes and the potential online/external delivery of client documents.

Mr Johnson, saying the Extended Visa Stay initiative proposed by the Economic Recovery Committee was just weeks from launching, added that reforms to the Companies Act; International Business Companies Act; the Property (Execution of Deeds and Documents) Act; the Rule Against Perpetuities (Abolition) Act; and the Foundations Act will soon be brought to Parliament.

“Several other pieces of legislation are being drafted and reviewed with the objective of creating a modern legislative framework for the long-term stabilisation and growth of the financial services sector,” Mr Johnson said.

“Many of these changes have been requested by our industry partners for many years, and, once again, my ministry has made it a priority to deliver results.”

Besides appointing the first director of financial services for five years, a new director of trade and consultant charged with overseeing the roll-out of new Alternative Dispute Resolution legislation to establish The Bahamas as a centre for International Commercial Arbitration have also been hired.

Mr Johnson said his ministry’s trade unit has digitised the process for companies applying for concessions under the Industries Encouragement Act.

CONTRACTOR CONCERN ON PUBLIC CONTRACT ACCESS

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

SEVERAL Bahamian contractors yesterday voiced concern they are being excluded from public works contracts as others backed

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the government for trying to “stimulate as best they can”.

Jacob Fowler, owner/ operator of C-Jays Building Construction, told Tribune Business: “Mostly it’s the sidewalks that are going down. I see a lot of the painting up of some of the bus stations; where the bus stops are. There isn’t anything major out there, but they are trying to stimulate as best they can.

“I think this is going to help a bit, because you know how construction goes. I see a lot of sidewalks going down, and I believe I am quoted to get one of those sidewalks myself.

“Let’s say when I get that I would be able to take six people on with me. That’s six families, and then there are a lot of them going on. Some of them are bigger than the ones I am going on. That’s a lot of little families that are going to have some money in their pocket. I really want to see this economy come back.”

However, Edison Thompson, owner/operator of Edison Thompson Construction, said: “I haven’t seen anything. I guess it is politics.

You have to be in a certain grouping to really even be a part of these things.

“I know they have spent a lot on these sidewalks, but it looks like the same group of people all the time doing the jobs. I don’t know the persons who have these sidewalks contracts personally,

but there are certain guys you see everywhere, and it’s been like that for years. Even if you don’t see them they have somebody that’s doing it for them.”

Mr Thompson continued: “Sometimes these guys aren’t even contractors. What they would do is they would get the contract and call a contractor, and they would get someone from the government to help them out and give the contractor peanuts out of it.

“Sometimes these guys don’t even do construction who do these jobs; don’t forget that part. A lot of times these guys just know the right people and they get a government contractor’s license just to get the job, but they don’t know anything about the work- Then they just call somebody up and give them peanuts. That’s the way it works here.”

Questioning the $20m that Desmond Bannister, minister for works, said had been allocated for sidewalk construction, Mr Thompson added: “I have just been seeing sidewalks going up within the last few weeks, so where has the $20m gone?

“And it’s not only construction. I have a problem with the $1m a week on food. I don’t see that either. But that $20m is so far, though, because you can call so much people and involve them in little contracts with that. So sad, but this is the way the system is here.”

business@tribunemedia.net

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2020

$4.10

$4.10

Coca-Cola supplier sees ‘huge’ 30-40% sales hit

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

T

HE Bahamas’ Coca-Cola supplier yesterday revealed its sales are down “between 30-40 percent on any given day” with reduced demand forcing it to cut staff hours by a similar proportion.

Walter Wells, Caribbean Bottling Company’s (CBC) chief executive, told Tribune Business that the COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions have impacted “a huge component of our business” in terms of the hospitality and restaurant businesses it supplies.

Disclosing that the

• Caribbean Bottling cuts worker hours to 60-70% • Lockdown resulted in ‘six figure’ product write-off • $2m Turks & Caicos expansion also delayed company has avoided permanent terminations, and only placed 25 of its 230-strong workforce on temporary furlough, Mr Wells said the drop-off in sales meant most staff are presently working between 60-70 percent of their normal hours as the necessary production volumes have consequently been reduced.

He added that Caribbean Bottling Company also had to “write-off” a six-figure sum at the height of the

COVID-19 lockdown after it was left with surplus product that it could not dispose of before it passed its sell-by date.

And the pandemic has also hit the company’s international plans by delaying the $2m construction of a new warehouse and office facility in Turks & Caicos, which will act as the distributor for all the drinks brands that are manufactured in Nassau.

Despite the hit to a venture that could produce

badly-needed foreign exchange export earnings for The Bahamas, Mr Wells said he and Caribbean Bottling Company are “certainly not complaining” and remain focused in managing through COVID-19 “so we come out in one piece on the other side” of a crisis likely to last “well into 2021”.

He added: “Obviously the hotels and restaurants are a huge component of our business. Bars and nightclubs are

SEE PAGE 16

Atlantis: ‘No firm re-opening date’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

ATLANTIS last night revealed it still “does not have a firm re-opening date” while telling around 8,000 staff it would be “premature” to make any of them permanently redundant.

Audrey Oswell, the Paradise Island mega resort’s president and managing director, in a letter to employees that was obtained by Tribune Business said the continued uncertainty over occupancy levels and bookings whenever the resort does re-open meant it was too early to determine staffing needs.

Instead, she said Atlantis had earlier this week “secured additional funds” that will both help to secure the resort’s “long-term

• Resort chief says ‘premature’ for full redundancy • Additional funding for ‘long-term stability’ secured • Admits COVID has thwarted comeback ‘at every turn’

ATLANTIS PARADISE ISLAND financial stability” and enable it to provide employees with financial assistance beyond what they are presently receiving from government-funded unemployment benefits and

the Department of Social Services.

Atlantis will now make “partial vacation payments” to all temporarily laid-off staff beginning on or before October 16, 2020, with this

money set to be distributed in monthly installments.

Health insurance will also be maintained for those “eligible” persons, while members of the Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers Union (BHCAWU) will also get a payment from the health and welfare fund attached to the industry’s pension fund.

Ms Oswell, meanwhile, said COVID-19 had “at every turn” thwarted Atlantis’ efforts to re-open earlier during the summer. While the resort’s management had initially anticipated the

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Tourism ‘game changer’ through quarantine end

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

TOURISM operators last night hailed the elimination of the mandatory 14-day quarantine for visitors as “a game changer” that may help the industry escape a “bleak” winter 2020 season.

Peter Maury, the Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM) president, told Tribune Business that the sector was working to rapidly inform boat captains and yacht brokers of the upcoming end to a COVID-19 health protocol that meant “nobody wanted to book” a Bahamas vacation.

The Ministry of Tourism, in long-flagged changes, has switched the 14-day quarantine that forced visitors to remain in place - either at a hotel, on a boat or some other accommodation - for increased rapid antigen once they arrive in The Bahamas and during their stay.

Besides removing the “Vacation in Place” quarantine beginning on November 1, which coincides with the run-up to the Thanksgiving holiday and winter tourism season, The Bahamas has sought to further incentivise travel by increasing the time given to visitors to obtain a negative COVID-19 PCR test before they travel from the present five days to seven days.

While this test, detailing the result plus name and address of the laboratory involved, will still be required along with The Bahamas Health Travel Visa, visitors will now undergo a COVID-19 rapid antigen test at specified air and sea ports of entry when they arrive in The Bahamas.

And tourists staying in The Bahamas for longer than four nights and five days will be required to take a second COVID-19 antigen test. This allows short-stay visitors to avoid a second test, with the cost of these tests - which can produce

results in 20 minutes or less - included in the health visa.

“It’s definitely a game changer for us,” Mr Maury told this newspaper. “The holidays were looking a little bleak because nobody wanted to book due to the 14-day quarantine. A lot of Caribbean countries have already announced their openings and protocols, so this puts us with them. It gives us a chance.

“The 14 days put us out; there’s nobody coming. Now they’ve taken the 14 days away and will test on arrival.

The second antigen test is not so advantageous, but we’ve just got to take what we can get right now.

“We’re all [marinas] empty. If they’re not closed they’re at a standstill, which kind of sucks. I’ve been keeping in touch with a lot of yacht captains and brokers, and they’re asking what The Bahamas is doing.

A lot of people are waiting for us to open up.”

While the COVID-19 infection rate in The Bahamas, and especially on New Providence, remains problematic, Mr Maury said placing this nation on a competitive level playing field with rivals such as Barbados, Bermuda and the Dominican Republic would enable it to fully exploit its US proximity advantage.

He added that the arrival of fall, and upcoming winter, would drive many boats and yachts currently moored on the US east coast to warmer southern climates such as The Bahamas over the next few months.

The government, though, has identified only specific airports and seaports where COVID-19 antigen tests will be available. Nassau; Freeport; Marsh Harbour; North Eleuthera; Georgetown (Exuma); Bimini (and Cat Cay); and San Andros are the approved airports.

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Ex-AG: Competitiveness concern on EU’s blacklist

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

AN ex-attorney general yesterday urged The Bahamas to “urgently remediate” what diplomats confirmed as this nation’s blacklisting by an “intransigent” European Union (EU).

Acknowledging that The Bahamas was “a bit of a victim of circumstance” after COVID-19 prevented the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) from conducting an on-site visit as the last step in exiting its

monitoring list, John Delaney, pictured, told Tribune Business that the EU move could impact financial transactions involving individuals and clients with connections to this nation.

Apart from the likely increased scrutiny that banks in the EU’s 27 nations will apply to Bahamas-linked money movements, the now-Delaney Partners law firm chief said the blacklisting could also impact already-pressured correspondent relationships that

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Dollarisation needs extra $3.2bn inflow

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

A BAHAMIAN economist yesterday said the economy’s full dollarisation was merely “sexy talk” given that an extra $3.2bn foreign currency injection would be required for a one-to-one conversion.

Rupert Pinder, a lecturer at the University of The Bahamas, speaking to the Rotary Club of West Nassau via a webinar, said: “There has been sexy talk in terms of this whole question of dollarisation because it is kind of

interesting. I saw something in one of the newspapers where it said that the Central Bank is being asked to dollarise the economy.

“It makes a good coffee table type discussion, but I think we make light of a very, very complex issue.

The issue of dollarisation is far more complex than most people really appreciate and understand.

“Most people that talk about dollarising the economy fail to appreciate we already have a

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