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VOLUME:115 No.223, OCTOBER 15TH, 2018

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Shootout at sea Dominican ‘poachers’ held after exchanging fire with RBDF vessel DOMINICAN poachers engaged the Royal Bahamas Defence Force in a shoot-out on the high seas before more than 100 of them were arrested after escaping into Cuban waters.

According to a press release from the RBDF, no Bahamians were hurt during the shoot-out, however 124 Dominican crew members are in custody and three “motherships” have been seized.

The arrests capped off a dramatic three-day joint operation between the RBDF, the United States’ Coast Guard and the Cuban Border Patrol.

On Wednesday, a US Coast Guard cutter, with a

RBDF ship-rider on board, reported sighting a fishing vessel from the Dominican Republic north of Haiti.

The Dominicans aboard the vessel indicated that they were heading to The Bahamas, the RBDF said.

After being notified, the RBDF was directed to intercept the Dominican vessel in the event it entered Bahamian waters.

HMBS Madeira later spotted the three vessels at daybreak on Saturday with skiffs in the water near Cay Lobos – a small cay on the southern edge of the Great Bahama Bank, 12 nautical miles north of central Cuba.

SEE PAGE THREE

MIGRANTS’ BIRTH RATE CAUSE OF CONCERN

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE birth rate of immigrants living in The Bahamas is just one phenomenon driving the current overhaul of immigration laws, according to Minister of Immigration Brent Symonette, who suggested the potential number of people entitled to apply for citizenship stood to eclipse the current population.

Mr Symonette stressed the country’s immigration problem was bigger than the outcry over the undocumented status of children born to migrants as he foreshadowed critical debate on nationality laws by year’s end.

Proposed amendments to immigration laws are currently before retired Justice Anita Allen, he said.

Far-reaching changes could impact the way citizenship is accessed by people born in the country to foreign nationals; introduce the use of biometrics for birth records; establish limits on work permits; criminalise immigration fraud; or see the policy mandating everyone in the country to obtain a nationality document enshrined in law.

Mr Symonette spoke to The Tribune on present challenges following criticism levelled by US congresswoman Frederica Wilson last week.

SEE PAGE FIVE

YOUNGSTERS enjoying an ice lolly in the sun at the weekend’s International Food Festival at the Botanical Gardens. Crowds packed out the annual event to try out food from around the world. See page 13 for more photographs. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

BAHAMAS FIRST - BUT NOW WE SUNWING’S ‘MADNESS’ AIRLIFT ARE SENDING HELP TO HAITI CONTRACT DOESN’T DELIVER PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has spoken to Haiti President Jovenel Moïse informing him The Bahamas would offer whatever support it could to the island nation in the aftermath of a deadly earthquake.

The announcement came in a press release by Minister of Foreign Affairs Darren Henfield, who slammed some news reports and commentary about whether the country would offer help to Haiti, based on earlier remarks made by Dr Minnis, as “speculative,

incorrect and misleading”.

Last Monday, Dr Minnis did not respond directly to a question from this newspaper as to whether the government would offer reprieve to those in Haiti affected by the quake, similar to what was done for citizens of Dominica following Hurricanes Irma and Maria last year.

Regarding this, Dr Minnis said last week: “At this point in time I am looking at moving The Bahamas SEE PAGE FIVE

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

SUNWING’S financial demands were yesterday branded “madness” by a Cabinet minister, who accused it of failing to deliver and forcing all costs on to the Bahamian taxpayer.

Dionisio D’Aguilar, pictured, minister of tourism and aviation, told Tribune Business the Canadian tour

DISNEY’S RIVAL MAY TAKE CASE TO COURT

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

DISNEY’S Lighthouse Point rival says it may mount a judicial reviewstyle legal challenge over the lack of proper consultation should the government approve the cruise line’s $400m project.

Shaun Ingraham, the One Eleuthera Foundation’s chief executive, told Tribune Business this was “obviously an option” for

LIGHTHOUSE POINT the Lighthouse Point Partners consortium given the perceived “injustice” in how the government has treated their proposal.

The two sides are understood to have disputed this issue when they met on Friday, with Joshua Sears, the prime minister’s senior policy advisor, insisting that last Wednesday’s Town Hall meeting in South Eleuthera - attended

by Dr Minnis - satisfied the requirement for the government to conduct meaningful consultation with affected parties and local stakeholders.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

operator’s 2018 summer airlift had produced just 6,436 of the promised 20,000 visitors to Grand Bahama.

Based on the $3m subsidy provided to Sunwing, the minister said this translated into paying more than $466 for every stopover passenger brought in - a sum that suggested 100 percent of the costs were being borne by Bahamian taxpayers.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

SANDS UNVEILS $5M UPGRADE TO HOSPITAL A&E

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

REDEVELOPMENT of emergency services in New Providence are underway, according to Health Minister Dr Duane Sands, who confirmed $5m in upgrades to the Accident and Emergency Department at Princess Margaret Hospital had begun.

SEE PAGE 11

PAGE 2, Monday, October 15, 2018

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THE TRIBUNE

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, October 15, 2018, PAGE 3

Shootout at sea from page one

“Madeira deployed its sea boat with a boarding team to apprehend the motherships before they entered Cuban waters,” the RBDF said. “The Dominican vessels opened fire on the approaching boarding team while fleeing into Cuban waters. Madeira’s boarding party returned fire in self-defence.

“One of the three steelhulled vessels ran aground in Cuban waters while trying to escape. None of the defence force boarding team members was injured during the incident. The defence force immediately alerted the Cuban Border Patrol of the incident and informed the Bahamas Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which sought the assistance of the Cuban government in

THE HMBS Madeira. apprehending the vessels.”

Cuba’s Border Patrol apprehended the three vessels with 124 crew members on Saturday and turned them over to HMBS Durward Knowles, which was on patrol in the southeastern Bahamas investigating a separate

report of a suspicious vessel in the area.

This is the second Dominican poaching apprehension for the year involving HMBS Madeira.

On July 8, the ship apprehended a Dominican fishing vessel attempting to flee into Cuban waters.

The captain and 46 crew members from that boat were subsequently caught, charged and fined $53,000 each totaling more than $2.3m.

Additionally, the captain of the Dominican vessel, Radhames Hernandez, was convicted and sentenced to

18 months in prison.

In November 2016, HMBS Madeira also apprehended two Dominican vessels in adverse weather conditions in the Old Bahama Channel.

During the incident, one of the vessels attempted to escape by ramming the RBDF’s vessel, which incurred structural damage, and one crew member was injured.

The vessel completed repairs in February at a cost of approximately $250,000.

The two foreign captains and 50 crew members involved were arrested and each fined $50,000 for the captains and $20,000 each for the crew, for an approximate total of $1.4m in fines.

The first offenders were sentenced to six months in prison and second offenders were sentenced to one year.

The captain of the vessel

that rammed Madeira was sentenced to 16 months in prison, the RBDF said.

RBDF Commodore Tellis Bethel expressed appreciation for the assistance provided by the Cuban Border Patrol and the prompt response of the Cuban Embassy in Nassau in coordinating the recent apprehension and handing over of the Dominican poachers. He also commended the brave men and women who are a part of the RBDF, who risk their lives daily to defend their country.

The RBDF also said in May of this year, the agency and Cuban Border Patrol officials met in Cuba and discussed how their units could enhance their collaborative law enforcement efforts during the fifth round of talks on migration between The Bahamas and Cuba.

SUNWING’S ‘MADNESS’ AIRLIFT CONTRACT DOESN’T DELIVER

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

MINISTER of State for Grand Bahama Kwasi Thompson has assured the government is addressing the question of airlift for Grand Bahama, after airline Sunwing announced plans to scrap its summer airlift initiative.

He also said the government’s discussions with all potential purchasers of the Grand Lucayan includes airlift support.

Mr Thompson, pictured, said that the demands made

by Sunwing to provide airlift were “unreasonable and uncompromising”.

On Friday, Tribune Business reported that Grand Bahama’s struggling tourism industry was forced to confront another “significant loss” of 30,000 annual visitors after Sunwing pulled the plug on its summer airlift initiative.

It was further reported that Sunwing, whose Memories resort affiliate exited Grand Bahama in January 2017, suggested its airlift withdrawal would take the 30,000 annual visitors after Sunwing pulled the plug on its summer airlift initiative.

It was further reported that Sunwing, whose

Memories resort affiliate exited Grand Bahama in January 2017, suggested its airlift withdrawal would take the island’s stopover tourism product “backwards to its lowest levels in decades” and that “many of our hotel partners will be closing for some or all of the summer months and reducing staff dramatically.”

In a statement issued on Sunday, Mr Thompson said: “Sunwing’s predictions should also be rejected as they are well aware that any deal to purchase the hotel includes an airlift component which would successfully replace Sunwing.”

“We would not sell the hotel without adequate airlift and no one would buy it unless we agreed airlift plan,” he added.

Mr Thompson indicated that the Ministry of Tourism is executing its marketing strategy and is using Bahamasair to create packages for the hotel.

Additionally, he noted that Bahamas Paradise cruises is also working on a package for the hotel.

“Grand Bahamians can rest assured that the Minnis administration will continue to not just talk about fixing Grand Bahama but, as we demonstrated with

the purchase of the hotel, we will deliver for Grand Bahama,” Mr Thompson said.

He also said Sunwing proposals to operate the Grand Lucayan and provide airlift to Grand Bahama was rejected by the government.

“No reasonable government would agree to such terms,” he said.

Mr Thompson said that since 2013, Sunwing operated the Memories resort at the Grand Lucayan and provided airlift for their resort, but the agreement came to an end after Hurricane Matthew in 2016.

He explained that Sunwing entered discussions with this government in May 2017 to operate the hotel Grand Lucayan and to provide airlift support.

The discussions were a part of the overall Paul Wynn deal, he said.

“The prime minister in great detail stated why the Wynn deal was rejected. He also stated that our discussions with Sunwing came to an end because of unreasonable demands which the government could not agree,” the minister recalled.

He said the government refused to accept Sunwing’s “unreasonable and uncompromising demand” of a $4m payment from government every year for a fixed seven-year period to provide airlift for four months.

“The government also refused to agree Sunwing’s demand to increase the $4m payment by ten percent every year. This could amount to a cost of $1m for one month and the numbers could possibly mean the government was in essence paying for the cost of every

ticket,” Mr Thompson said.

He also said Sunwing had also refused to agree to certain protections for Bahamians.

The tour operator, he said, refused to ensure during the construction phase that a minimum of 400 Bahamians would be employed with a ratio of 85 percent Bahamian and 15 percent non-Bahamian.

“We have more than enough qualified contractors in Grand Bahama to fill their need,” he said.

Another issue, he said, was Sunwing’s refusal to ensure that during operations there would be a minimum ratio of 90 percent Bahamian and 10 percent non-Bahamian.

Mr Thompson stressed that there are more than enough qualified Bahamians to successfully operate and manage a hotel.

“The government would not agree to Sunwing’s demand to exempt them from any local advertising requirement or payment of work permit fees. The government could not compromise on this important point which informs locals on what jobs are available before it can be offered to non-Bahamians,” he said.

He said Sunwing also refused to agree to employ Bahamian tennis and golf professionals if they were available.

The government recently purchased the Grand Lucayan resort, and two weeks ago Mr Thompson revealed the Minnis administration is receiving significant proposals from prospective buyers for the resort. He also stated that they are looking for Bahamasair to provide airlift for the hotel.

PAGE 4, Monday, October 15, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

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Another log thrown on to the Middle East fire EARLY this month, a 59-year-old Saudi Arabian journalist walked into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, presumably to pick up documentary evidence of the dissolution of his previous marriage.

Jamal Khashoggi was planning to marry again and friends said the normally sombre Khashoggi was uncharacteristically ebullient.

In recent years, Khashoggi had evolved from a trusted Saudi royal family insider to an increasingly strident and outspoken dissident who with growing vehemence began to criticise the House of Saud in occasional columns for the Washington Post and other publications.

No one has seen Khashoggi since October 2, the day he entered the Saudi consulate building.

In what appears to be a supreme irony, the Turkish government of Executive President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been promoting the narrative that a squad of elite Saudi hit men killed Khashoggi, dismembered his body and smuggled it out of the consulate and perhaps out of the country in several heavy plastic sacks. The alleged assassins then reportedly flew out of Turkey in private Saudi government jets on the following day.

There are a lot of implications from all of this. Take first the ironic part. Turkey, now the loud champion of a journalistic victim, has reportedly been the world’s leader in imprisoning journalists for the past two years. Under the increasingly repressive Erdogan, any form of dissent in Turkey has been firmly squashed, especially since a failed coup five years ago.

Journalists worldwide have faced increasing danger in recent years. Before Khashoggi’s apparent demise, the most recent victim was a television personality and investigative journalist in Bulgaria, who was reportedly raped before being killed, perhaps by operatives of a Bulgarian government regarded as one of the most corrupt and autocratic in Eastern Europe. Bulgaria is a member of NATO and the European Union.

Turkey itself is a NATO member that has been negotiating for membership in the EU for 13 years. While it has not often been in recent headlines, Turkey is experiencing a return to geopolitical prominence. Though its position at the European gateway to Asia perhaps lacks the significance of a century ago,

Turkey’s eastern and southeastern borders with Iran, Iraq and Syria compel its engagement in the ongoing Syrian civil war with all its regional implications.

Turkey’s eastern engagements also spotlight its 40-year effort to suppress the intermittent but ongoing Kurdish resistance to Ankara’s authority. The Kurds, whose territory spreads from eastern Turkey into Iran and especially Iraq, remain an irreducible element in continuing instability and turmoil in the region. Erdogan has been relentless in his efforts to reduce the influence of the Kurds and their PKK party in Turkey.

Erdogan rose to prominence in Turkish politics in 1994 when he was elected mayor of Istanbul. He enjoyed a nearly four-year tenure in that post and compiled an objectively impressive list of accomplishments ranging from improved drinking water to significant traffic relief in Turkey’s largest city.

Erdogan was briefly imprisoned for political dissent by a previous Turkish regime, but returned to national renown in 2002 as prime minister and has by some accounts been running Turkey ever since. To describe Erdogan’s foreign relations as mercurial may be an understatement. He has changed course with the United States, the EU, Russia, Israel and many other countries as Turkish leader.

Now with the Khashoggi incident, Turkey has an opportunity to poke a stick at a frequent regional foe, Saudi Arabia. In doing so, Erdogan will bring smiles to neighbours and allies Iran and Pakistan, in addition to important political factions in Iraq and Syria.

Erdogan will also probably relish an opportunity to tweak the United States, whose close and sometimes unhealthy ties to Saudi Arabia and its rulers have been well documented for decades. The Khashoggi affair has led to refreshed American reporting on Saudi crown prince Mohammad Bin Salman Al Saud, presumed heir to the Saudi throne and social acquaintance of significant American politicians from John Kerry to Jared Kushner. If Turkey’s allegations about Khashoggi’s demise are true, it is presumed the Saudi crown prince was involved.

The growing controversy over Khashoggi adds yet another unstable element to the fragile alchemy of the Middle East. It’s a story that won’t end well.

No amnesia problems here EDITOR, The Tribune SOMEONE should inform former FNM turned radical PLP supporter Ivoine Ingraham that the Bahamian people, collectively speaking, are not suffering from amnesia. The memory of the maladministration of the previous Christie PLP government is still fresh in the minds of the Bahamian people.

Ivoine Ingraham went out on a limb by publicly defending Canadian billionaire and fashion designer Peter Nygard in the major dailies. Ingraham listed off several philanthropic giveaways

by Nygard, apparently not taking into consideration that most wealthy Canadians and Americans give to charities in order to receive massive tax breaks

from their respective governments. Most of these rich people don’t give for altruistic reasons. There are often hidden motives involved.

The title of Ingraham’s letter, “Lest we forget,” is loaded with irony, for the simple reason that most thoughtful Bahamians will never forget a video of Nygard giving former PM Perry Christie a profanitylaced tirade. Ingraham and the PLP obviously saw nothing wrong with Nygard’s behaviour. If they did, they never said so publicly. They didn’t want to upset their alleged benefactor.

The Bahamian people cannot forget Nygard and his PLP goons going into Over-the-Hill to publicly confront the Rev Dr C B Moss, because of his opposition to the expansion

to Nygard Cay. Under (Ivoine) Ingraham and the PLP, Nygard had far more rights than the average Bahamian. Believe in Bahamians. Yeah right.

And the Bahamian people most definitely cannot forget the two names associated with Nygard that rhymes with “Loggie” and “Dodo.” I am admonishing Mr Ivoine Ingraham to please stop insulting the intelligence of the Bahamian people by taking them for fools. I can see defending Nygard four years removed from the beat down his party received last year. But not a year and some months after the election. That is too soon.

THE WHISTLEBLOWER Nassau, October 10, 2018

Too many questions to answer EDITOR, The Tribune BASED on Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ comments to Crooked Islanders about Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine wanting Grand Bahamians to suffer, it is safe to assume that there’s a disconnect between the two. McAlpine is an MP for a constituency in Grand Bahama. I also believe he is an indigenous Grand Bahamian. If Minnis sincerely believes that the Pineridge MP is dead set against seeing his constituents prosper financially, McAlpine will face an uphill battle in securing another nomination from the FNM, seeing that his relationship with the FNM leader is frosty. Now that he’s publicly stated that McAlpine does not have Grand Bahamians’ best interest at heart, it would be awkward of Minnis to field him again as a candidate in 2022. Rival contestants in Pineridge would only have to remind voters of what Minnis said about the FNM standard bearer.

McAlpine has openly opposed several FNM policies. He opposed Minnis’ plan to accommodate students from the Caribbean island nation of Dominica, after their country was

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net devastated by Hurricane Maria in 2017. The Pineridge MP also opposed the VAT increase and the purchase of the Grand Lucayan Resort.

All things considered, the beleaguered FNM MP seems to enjoy playing the role of a nonconformist.

McAlpine, despite telling the press that his relationship with the other Grand Bahama FNM MPs is amicable, will probably find himself being increasingly isolated within the party he claims to support, but enjoys opposing at every given opportunity. It would be economic suicide for any of the FNM parliamentarians to fraternise with him or to lend moral support to his anti-FNM campaign.

East Grand Bahama MP K Peter Turnquest is not only the substantive minister of finance, but also deputy prime minister.

Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis is parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Public Works.

Marco City MP Michael Pintard is minister of youth, sports and culture. West Grand Bahama and Bimini

MP Parkesia Parker-Edgecombe is parliamentary secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister. Senator Jasmine Dareus is deputy director of Urban Renewal Grand Bahama and Bimini. And Senator Kwasi Thompson is the minister of state for Grand Bahama in the Office of the Prime Minister.

McAlpine is the only sitting FNM parliamentarian on Grand Bahama without a Cabinet post. None of his FNM parliamentary colleagues will risk losing their good paying jobs by demonstrating solidarity with the outspoken MP, who recently lost his Hotel Corporation chairmanship position after voting against the increase of VAT. Hence, the reason I believe McAlpine will experience isolation within the FNM over the next three and a half years. While his Grand Bahama FNM colleagues are collecting two monthly cheques from the government, McAlpine is only collecting one monthly MP cheque, which is about $2,150. Maybe this is one reason he has demonstrated hostility towards the Minnis administration.

KEVIN EVANS Freeport, GB October 10, 2018

Why the Point might struggle to entertain us all EDITOR, The Tribune CAN the Minister of Health confirm that we have an epidemic of Foot in mouth? PM at Point topping off…this project will add to the culture of our city!

1) The design is a total contrast to the colonial design of the mother of our hotel, The British Colonial.

2) Does the PM understand what culture is?

3) The entertainment retail outlets I will have to

pray for these folks because if they survive that will really be a miracle.

4) The whole of Bay Street is stressed, especially after East Street. More closures than opening…at least paint up the frontages and clean them, owners!

5) The old style Victorian lamps that DPM Watson erected most are broken or in some disrepair…remove them or replace them, but don’t leave them as they are.

6) Signage - thought there was special rules for Bay Street - seems No. 7) That clothes shop opposite Hilton why are they permitted to play loud music? Do we have to endure that noise?

Minister passes these locations every day going to work! Blind!

W THOMPSON Nassau October 12, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, October 15, 2018, PAGE 5

from page one

the parents, do we leave the child here? These are all issues. We have to have this discussion, these are the things a lot of people don’t talk about, and they don’t want to talk about it.

“Another issue we have to discuss publicly, is do we allow the spouse of the work permit holder to be in the country? Do you allow the child or do we just say ‘no, you can come in but you have to stay out.’ Those are issues we have to look at.

If I bring the head of BPL in, are we discriminating against one over the other?

So these are the issues, it has to be a very big discussion. It affects so many people.”

“The 27 (people) I swore in (last Thursday) have the right to vote tomorrow,” Mr Symonette said, “they go straight from here to the Passport Office. But their view on this immigration policy probably might be different than yours and mine because they had to go through the hassle of getting the permit. It would be interesting to know what their position is. Because if they had children before, they are going to want those children to be ok - which is only natural, you want your world to be sorted out.”

As of May 3, 2010, there were 351,461 people resident in The Bahamas.

Residents, as defined by the 2010 report included all people regardless of their legal status, who had been living in the country for a period of six months prior to the census.

Of that figure, 17.3 percent (or 60,802) were citizens of another country and the largest group - some 39,156 people - were Haitian citizens.

Mr Symonette told The Tribune he hoped to begin town hall meetings by the end of the year.

MIGRANTS’ BIRTH RATE CAUSE OF CONCERN It also follows upset stirred by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ recent comments in the wake of an earthquake in Haiti.

“When the prime minister makes comments…it’s a serious issue,” he said.

Mr Symonette added: “Check how many were in the census and then realise how many work permits.

Some 24,000 applications come into this building a year and the large majority of them come from one country. I’m not trying to be prejudiced, but I’m trying to sensitise people to that.

Let’s say there are 150,000 files out there. One file is at least one person, and some of them have three kids.

“Say three times 100,000,” he continued, “now you see the problem. Sometimes you may think I’m insensitive or whatever but the reality is we only have 21 miles by seven (in New Providence).”

People born in the Bahamas to non-nationals are entitled to apply for citizenship between 18 and 19-years-old. Individuals can still apply for consideration after missing this window, Mr Symonette advised, but there is no constitutional entitlement.

He lamented this feature was particularly desirous to migrant parents, some of whom resist registering their children in their home country to ensure their path to Bahamian citizenship is unfettered.

“My mother was born here, hypothetically . . . she has three kids, they have three kids, they have three kids, so that’s up to about 30 kids all deriving citizenship off that one person,” he said, providing an example.

“Now in the financial services industry for instance,

BRENT Symonette. Minister of Financial Services, Trade and Industry and Immigration.

Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff they (expatriates) will come residency spousal permits unfortunately sick trying to August that lists her as a for three or four or five were granted and 9,095 go to Miami,” he said, “and Haitian national. a congresswoman who’s The present ambiguity in years and then leave. But work visas were granted.

During that period, work trying to win an election.” law is exacerbated by irregthere are a lot of them that Mr Symonette was ular migration, according to have been here for 20 years. visas were approved for “So maybe the question 417 Canadians, 199 Brazil- referring to The Tribune’s Mr Symonette, who insisted of citizenship shouldn’t ians, 128 Swiss people, 149 coverage of sick teen Tara- the country would soon arise, maybe permanent Colombians, 105 Cubans, nique Thurston, who is have to reconcile whether 258 Dominicans, 5,064 Hai- currently receiving medical children born to migrants residency.”

In his 2018/2019 budget tians, 1,013 Americans, 191 treatment in Florida on an in the country illegally speech, Mr Symonette Guyanese, 107 French and emergency visa obtained should be considered for stated 3,032 permits were 360 English. He said 515 with assistance from Fred- citizenship.

Speaking generally, Mr approved from July 2017 to visas have been approved ericka Wilson, a South for Chinese nationals, Florida representative. The Symonette continued: “If May. Highlighting numbers of although this number does teen, born in the Bahamas you’re here illegally and some of the categories, he not include those who work to a naturalised Bahamian you have a child here, does said permanent residency at The Pointe or Baha Mar. mother, does not hold a that make the child legal? If “This is a bigger question passport, but was granted the child is born here to illeapprovals were granted to 2,481 people: 1,012 than just some lady who’s a certificate of identity in gal parents and we deport

‘HAITI MUST DEAL WITH CHILDREN OF MIGRANTS, NOT BAHAMAS’

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net THE lack of clarity over the entitlement to Haitian citizenship for second and third generation children born in the country is an issue for the Haitian government, not The Bahamas, according to Immigration minister Brent Symonette.

Mr Symonette maintained people that fell into this category were not stateless; however, in an interview with The Tribune he admitted he was unsure whether the unregistered grandchildren of undocumented Haitian nationals were entitled to Haitian citizenship.

This entitlement, however, is a key element of the government’s stance against classifying people like 16-year-old Taranique Thurston as stateless.

The Haitian embassy in Nassau has repeatedly denied requests for further clarification.

“The story is not gelling,” Mr Symonette said. “(Haitian officials) They are probably saying the mother was born in Nassau and the child was born in Nassau as well,” Mr Symonette said.

“I was under the

impression it was three generations.”

When asked if the state had any obligation to intervene, Mr Symonette said: “The Bahamas should be prejudiced because a person born in those circumstances doesn’t bother to register over there? See the loop hole that opens?

That’s why we’re changing the law.

“That’s a Haitian issue, and not a Bahamian issue,” he added.

Mr Symonette was responding to The Tribune’s coverage of sick teen Taranique Thurston, and scathing criticism of the country’s immigration laws leveled by US congresswoman Frederica Wilson last week.

“It would have been better if she’d kept her political agenda with herself because the United States has a number of difficulties with its immigration law. Ours is very clear: to be born in the Bahamas to Bahamian parents, you’re Bahamian. If you’re born to non- Bahamians parents certain aspects of the law applies. This woman (Taranique) is not stateless,” he continued.

“It’s very unfortunate to use the press to hype up a medical condition.”

Taranique, 16, does not have a passport, and her journey to gain entry to the United States on an emergency medical visa has renewed concerns over the unregularised status of Bahamas-born children of second generation foreigners, mainly those of Haitian descent, who were also born in the country.

“There is no statelessness,” Mr Symonette said, “let’s leave statelessness out of it. She has a constitutional right to apply when she’s 18, which will be in two years this month or last month. She has the right to a Haitian passport which she can get, and she arguably had the right to apply because her mother had been nationalised, which she didn’t.”

Mr Symonette noted Taranique’s first application for a belonger’s permit was made in 2016, and a recent request for the teen to come into the Immigration Department was not acted upon by her lawyer, Fred Smith. However, yesterday Mr Smith said he never received such an invitation.

“I think these things are very well known throughout the community,” Mr Symonette said, “I do hundreds of them a week.

We’ve got to get away from

BAHAMAS FIRST - BUT NOW WE ARE SENDING HELP TO HAITI from page one forward, Bahamas first.”

Some interpreted this remark as a suggestion the Minnis administration would not offer aid to its CARICOM neighbour and there was some backlash from activists and the Christian Council.

“Some of the news reports and commentary as to whether the Bahamas would provide assistance to the Republic of Haiti following last week’s earthquake has been speculative, incorrect and misleading,” a statement from Mr Henfield noted.

“At no time did Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis

state that the Bahamas would give no aid or assistance to Haiti. He also reiterated his commitment to responding vigorously to the needs of the Bahamian people. Following various reports in the press, the prime minister spoke by telephone with his CARICOM colleague Jovenel Moïse, the president of Haiti.

“The prime minister assured President Moïse that the Bahamas would provide what support it could at this time, and that various press reports and commentary did not accurately reflect the position of the government of the Bahamas nor his unwavering commitment to

assist however possible to our CARICOM member states affected by natural disasters.

“In his conversation with President Moïse, Dr Minnis stated that the Bahamas would provide assistance after discussions, and in collaboration with other CARICOM partners. The prime minister also noted in the call the longstanding relationship and friendship between Haiti and The Bahamas.

“The government urges organisations and persons to offer whatever assistance they can at this time to the people of the Republic of Haiti,” Mr Henfield’s statement said.

a very simple factor. I’ve said to you and others many other times before, if you’re born The Bahamas to nonBahamian parents you have a right to apply at the age of 18. You are not Bahamian until then, end of, full stop.

“Unfortunately people don’t carry that,” he added, “they’re carrying this issue that she’s Bahamian and she’s not.”

Mr Symonette noted the belonger’s permit was enshrined in law by the former PLP administration, noting its condition that the mother of the applicant hold a passport discouraged many from registering.

“That’s the law, so what they do is they don’t get a passport and they don’t apply, then they wonder why their children can’t go to school, but who’s paying the taxes for all these people to go to school? All of us.

“Maybe we need to pass the law everyone in the country needs to have a passport.”

“So if you haven’t got a permit, you’ve broken the law,” he continued.

“A lot of them don’t come in here to apply for that, so why should we then

go to the next step? The law is for people to abide by, not to abuse. We actually relaxed it with schools but when we enforced it everyone was jumping up ‘oh you keeping my little Johnny out of school’ but there was an obligation to apply.”

Mr Symonette added: “You can’t sit back, do nothing and then try and use the law to your advantage to get something you either knew, or were aware of, or didn’t think about trying to get. You can’t do that, and I think in a lot of cases people know what they are doing.

“It goes to show you’ve taken steps to show you’re maybe not a Bahamian, and they’re not going to do anything to breach that. So it is a big problem.”

As for Mrs Wilson, he noted the South Florida representative’s comments could spur unintended consequences for her electorate given the critical need to address the gaps she highlighted by closing borders - not opening them up further.

“She is probably doing her residents a disservice by pushing this issue because there will have to be closure

of some of these - you called them loop holes, some of these ambiguities,” he said.

“Haiti would have to change miraculously in its economics to stop people willing to leave.”

Last week, Mrs Wilson called on The Bahamas government to modernise “antiquated” immigration laws that she claims disenfranchises communities and disadvantages future generations.

She also called on CARICOM to prioritise growing migration issues.

Mr Symonette said: “I need a visa to go to the USA, so please. Her president is building a wall so Mexicans can’t go across the border. So instead of playing to her constituents, let’s look at our laws and she can look at her laws.”

Mr Symonette added: “I don’t comment on the US immigration law because that’s their sovereign law, and unfortunately the Bahamian laws are sovereign laws and I respectfully suggest that persons should not dictate or try to dictate to us through the Miami press as to what our laws should be. We are a sovereign country.”

PAGE 6, Monday, October 15, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

No environment impact studies for plans

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE two groups vying for the acquisition and development of Lighthouse Point in Eleuthera have not yet carried out a full environmental impact assessment for the proposed projects.

Development regulations mandate that any project, similar to those being proposed for Lighthouse Point, must include an EIA prior to approval, according to the Planning and Subdivisions Act, 2010.

To date, neither Disney Cruise Lines nor the Lighthouse Point Partners (LPP), have carried out a full EIA. According to the law, an EIA is required to be submitted to the Department of Physical Planning as part of any proposed type of development which is either likely to give rise to significant effects on the environment, of national importance, proposed for sensitive lands, significant in terms of size or complexity, of a nature that may have potentially adverse environmental effects or is considered a development of regional impact.

The purpose of the EIA is to identify potential impacts, positive or negative, of a proposed development.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis is expected to make a decision on the property’s future tomorrow.

Last month, Disney revealed that it had a sales agreement in place to purchase Lighthouse Point, however, admitted that

THE VIEW at Lighthouse Point. closing that deal was subject to obtaining all the necessary government permits and approvals. A process inclusive of completing an EIA and one the cruise line said it was still working through.

The company, according to its vice-president of public affairs, Kim Prunty, has only conducted preliminary environmental and marine/navigation studies.

Those studies, also according to Disney, showed “little to no dredging” would be required at Lighthouse Point if the company proceeded with its plans for the property.

Conversely, Disney maintained a “complete” EIA would be carried out once it is successful in gaining government approval.

There has been no confirmation by the government nor Disney on whether the two sides have held formal talks.

Representatives from LPP yesterday said delays in meeting with Dr Minnis on their proposal, slowed the urgent need for them to have an EIA completed.

Eric Carey, director of the

Bahamas National Trust, one of the organisations that comprises the LPP, yesterday said EIA procedures could not yet be levied on the coalition because it had not been given a formal notice of consideration.

“We’ve been after the government for a meeting,” he said. “We got one on Friday and are awaiting a response related to that.

We will have to proceed accordingly based on what the feedback is, whatever that may be.”

On Friday, LPP presented its new phased development proposal to officials from the Office of the Prime Minister.

Dr Minnis did not attend the meeting, according to a representative for the coalition.

Nonetheless, the group’s 42-page proposal centred on establishing a Lighthouse Point National Park on the multi-acre peninsula.

The national park seeks to preserve the site’s natural and cultural assets, according to the coalition’s proposal.

The park would feature 800-acres of preserved

Photos: Barefoot Marketing natural environment; an extensive trail system with boardwalks and interpretive signage; a visitor centre; viewing platforms and towers; improved access roads and sustainable infrastructure; a weather station; marine conservation and environmental education programmes and an extensive marine protected area.

Additionally, the group has proposed constructing a sustainable development which will include a 100-unit eco-lodge and a learning and research centre with space to accommodate a 20-person class on a 100acre site adjacent to the national park.

The proposal also noted the project is designed to stimulate and facilitate economic opportunity in the surrounding communities by attracting internationally-recognised, best-in-class eco-tourism brands as anchors to provide the stable economic underpinning upon which local entrepreneurship could operate.

The coalition claims the project should yield permanent economic

CSG said LPP, in its new proposal, only lists its partners as funders of their initiative while providing only “letters of interest” from other possible partners and then promises to seek global eco-tourism hotel brands to build out the hospitality-focused parts of the development.

CSG said the proposal does not firmly lay out a trajectory for the development.

Additionally, the group also noted that through an unclear mixture of existing funding and grants, along with the vague mention of development partners, LPP’s claim that it can come up the $23m necessary to fund their development, does not seem feasible given the lack of clarification over the land acquisition costs - land which

CSG notes, “is already under contract for sale to Disney Cruise Lines”.

CSG contended: “This is the same private land on which the One Eleuthera Foundation claimed they made an offer. Upon further investigation by the media it was revealed that beyond a verbal discussion, no such offer was made.”

CSG also noted the Bahamas National Trust’s recent indication that operational expenses and upgrade costs propelled it into a partnership with Albany to develop a beach club and restaurant in the middle of the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park.

The group said this, in addition to the lack of clarification over exactly how much organisations like the Leon Levy Foundation and the Holowesko Group are

willing to provide, leave more question than answers.

CSG said: “Other development partners have been tepid, only supplying expressions of interest and noting that they have failed to complete the necessary due diligence.”

The group added: “The Lighthouse Point property has been on the market for eight years. After nearly a decade, the funds for the LPP development have not yet been secured. “Are Eleutherans supposed to continue waiting while they continue to search for funding?”

CSG furthered: “Interestingly, despite all the noise in the market about stopping foreign interests, the LPP’s plan is still reliant on global eco-tourism brands to make their project a success,

contributions of 190 jobs, $7.7m in annual earnings, $13.76m in economic output annually, $11.56m in annual GDP increase and $300,000 in annual NIB payments.

This, the coalition says, would be in addition to one-time economic contributions of 166 persons per year for construction, $11.25m in earnings, $16.9m in economic output, $14.3m one-time GDP increase and $438,000 in NIB payments; over two years of construction.

Over the last decade, One Eleuthera had pitched a previous proposal to local organisations and successive governments, hoping to secure funding and support for its initial bid to acquire Lighthouse Point.

The major difference in what was presented on Friday and that initial proposal, comes in the clarification of the organisation’s funding.

One Eleuthera has, in the past, been reluctant to disclose its sources of financing, an issue that has led many residents in Eleuthera to speculate that the foundation was being funded by donors positioning themselves to acquire the property for their own self-interests.

However, the proposal put forward on Friday included letters of “financial capability” submitted by the Leon Levy Foundation trustee Shelby White and One Eleuthera’s president and chair, Lane Glaze - a combination which has raised and invested in excess of $16m in Eleuthera, according to the proposal.

Additionally, signed and dated letters of interest and support were included from the Little Island Group’s owner and CEO, Ben Simmons; the Holowesko Partners, Mark and Lauren Holowesko; and the Bahamas Boutique Hotels Group Limited chairman, Peter Andrews.

The proposal also featured a phase-cost breakdown for the $23m development and the prerequisite land acquisition cost.

The first and second phases of the development – pre-development and initial national park improvements and an expanded visitor centre and national park amenities, respectively – a $7m value, would be covered by the coalition.

Phase three, the construction of the eco-tourism resort and supportive amenities, estimated at $10m plus in the proposal, would be covered by unnamed development partners.

Lastly, phase four, the research, education and training facility, estimated at $6m, would be covered by the coalition and various grants.

The coalition also would cover land acquisition costs.

The group’s 42-page pitch also noted that the development would be constructed and laid out over three to five years.

Supporters of the coalition have sought to block Disney’s acquisition of Lighthouse Point, claiming the cruise line’s plan would be unsustainable and hazardous to Eleuthera’s eco-system.

which they have promised to see to, but have also not yet secured.”

LPP’s proposal says if the coalition is successful, its project would be designed to stimulate and facilitate economic opportunity in the surrounding communities by attracting global brands as “anchors” to provide the stable economic underpinning upon which local entrepreneurship could operate.

Another issued questioned by CSG yesterday is the economic impact claims made by the OEF in its revised plan.

CSG noted that in its original proposal made in March, OEF claimed that 200 permanent jobs would be created with one-time economic contributions including $2.1m in earnings and $9.5m in economic output annually.

The group said, without explanation, the revised plan suggests that there will now be 350 plus jobs - 190 permanent and 166 temporary - created, with one-time economic contributions including $11.25m in earnings and $16.9m in economic output annually.

These new numbers, according to CSG, represents a 75 percent increase in job creation; a 436 percent increase in earnings and a 78 percent increase in economic output annually. “…. Without explanation,” the group noted.

“In the same vein, in the March proposal, the average salary for workers hovered around $18,300 annually. In the September proposal, that number has increased to about $39,900 annually—again, with no explanation.

“Despite the increase, there is no mention of the possibility of overtime or health benefits.

“Are the increases in these figures real, or simply an attempt to beef up the numbers in a last-minute public relation move?”

CSG added: “… In our brief review of the revised plan, we became very worried about the promises made regarding jobs and ownership opportunities.

Not only has there been an unexplained 75 percent increase in the estimated job creation, but also no plan for maintaining these jobs through consistent business has been laid out in the proposal. Similarly, the March 2018 proposal claimed ‘increased visitation can create ownership and entrepreneurship opportunities’ for Eleutherans, but provided no details

on how they would achieve increased visitation.”

Despite this being an entirely new development, CSG pointed out that marketing is only mentioned once in the latest proposal. “‘If we build it they will come,’ is not enough for Eleutherans who are energised by the prospect of new ownership and employment opportunities,” the group said.

“Both the new and original proposals are full of this kind of vagueness,” CSG added.

To close out their statement yesterday, CSG highlighted six reasons why it was supporting Disney and not the LPP group.

Among them, CSG noted Disney’s plan to construct an open-trestle pier which, reportedly, would impact natural ocean currents less than a traditional pier design and would require little, if any, dredging.

The portion of the project, as slated, will be covered by almost half of Disney’s $400m budget.

Secondly, CSG noted Disney’s proposed expansion for the Bahamas over the next two to four years.

Thirdly, the group contended that Disney has been clear in the amount of jobs it will generate 100 plus jobs through the construction phase and 120 to 150 permanent, year-round jobs - and salaries those positions will earn; $600-700 weekly, or approximately $32,500 a year.

Additionally, CSG highlighted Disney’s plan to permit ownership opportunities for Eleutherans through the creation of port adventures as a huge positive. The group said the move will allow locals to showcase their unique sites and sell their products.

The final two points listed

by CSG was the guaranteed business that comes along with the Disney brand and the cruise line’s pledge to immerse cultural elements into the very design of the Lighthouse Point development.

Denny Rankin, a renowned bone-fishing guide and former Bahamas Fly Fishing Industry Association board member, serves as CSG chairman.

Central and South Eleuthera MP Hank Johnson’s wife, Shelly Johnson, is also a member of the organisation.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and his Cabinet are expected to make a final decision on the project tomorrow.

ONE ELEUTHERA BID ‘A LAST MINUTE PUBLIC RELATIONS MOVE’

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

A GROUP opposing the One Eleuthera Foundation’s (OEF) acquisition of Lighthouse Point has dismissed the organisation’s latest pitch for the property as “last minute public relation move” riddled with “grave concerns”.

In a statement released yesterday, the Eleuthera Community Support Group (CSG), said the newest plan complied by the Lighthouse Point Partners (LPP) - a coalition environmental organisations and local developers co-founded by the OEF to aid its acquisition of Lighthouse Point - still does not fully address the financial capabilities of the OEF and its donors.

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

By ETOILE PINDER

T

HREE days. That’s how old I was when I first became a part of Eleuthera, after my mum and I were discharged from PMH. I was raised on Eleuthera until the early 1980s when, like so many Eleutheran families, the financial and educational realities forced my family to move to Nassau. I was lucky with scholarships and received a graduate degree with a focus on economics. I returned home to Eleuthera to get married and we take our children there at every possible opportunity.

Ten years ago. In 2008 I had a television show on JCN called Dialogue. It came to my attention that Lighthouse Point (LHP) was being considered for a high-impact development by the foreign partnership of Meritage Hospitality Group and The Related Group. BREEF, an organisation committed to ensuring the sustainability of Bahamian fisheries and marine resources, sponsored our travel for a show highlighting South Eleuthera and this threat.

It was around that time I was made aware of a group of Eleutherans focused on ensuring that special space would not be exploited by foreign developers who would negatively impact the environment with little economic growth for South Eleuthera.

They began planning for LHP to be held by the community, and then developed in an environmentally sensitive manner to ensure continued economic benefit for Bahamians. They created the report, “A Shared Vision for South Eleuthera” and eventually became what is now known as the One Eleuthera Foundation.

One week ago. That’s when I saw the unlikely results of the survey by Public Domain, which was paid by Disney to report on the Bahamian public’s opinion for their proposal to build a cruise ship port at LHP. I’ve conducted surveys around the world and have worked alongside Public Domain in the past, and know their technical capacity. When I saw the surprising results, I contacted them to say that while I appreciated their skills, I was greatly concerned about the way the questions were worded.

The highly biased wording of the survey shocked me. It began with a description taken from Disney’s PR materials, including this phrase “Disney has stated that they will protect and sustain the natural beauty of the site, provide economic opportunity for Bahamians, help strengthen the community and celebrate the culture of The Bahamas.” This would influence the respondent for all future questions in favour of Disney.

Alternatively, if someone was writing a survey against Disney, they could include equally biased phrases, which would lead the respondent to be opposed. For example: “A new cruise ship port is being proposed for South Eleuthera which already has two cruise ship ports within 15 miles of Bannerman Town, yet neither have managed to lessen the community’s economic woes. The negative environmental impacts of cruise ships are well known - the Disney Magic which travels to Castaway Cay, received an “F” on their report card for air pollution.”

In contrast, a non-leading phrase would have been: “Disney is proposing to add a new cruise port in Southern Eleuthera.”

Many follow-up questions were additionally leading. I was concerned that not only were results of a skewed survey being circulated by the media as factual, but could potentially be used by Government as evidence that a decision to approve Disney’s development was in-line with what Bahamians wanted, regardless of the bias.

Five days ago. That was when my belief in Bahamian due process was crushed.

I flew to Eleuthera for the meeting in Green Castle advertised on the Prime Minister’s FB page (with only one day’s notice) to discuss “the development of

MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2018

A fair process?

I don’t think so.

Just a Disney roadshow with the government playing dumb

THE VIEW at Lighthouse Point and, below, the pro-Disney shirts on view at last week’s meeting. the economies of Central and South Eleuthera”. As a local economist, I felt a duty to attend.

I was warned there would be lots of people as a motorcade with Disney supporters greeted the PM at the airport. I showed up early and at 6:30pm was surprised as the government-advertised meeting commenced with a gentleman wearing a pro-Disney shirt saying welcome to the “pep rally” portion of the evening. Over the next 90 minutes, multiple speakers came to the microphone to discuss their positive thoughts regarding the proposal. At just past 8pm the PM’s entourage walked in, including MP Hank Johnson whose wife Shelly sat behind them, also wearing a pro-Disney shirt. The PM began to speak and started with good news about free education at UB and affordable housing options.

But, then, in a truly astounding display, he brought out a large printed poster from the Disney proposal. It was of the 2008 development I discussed above. He stated that 2008 project would have “caused more destruction than what is being looked at today” and insinuated that because no one stopped that project being approved, then “the argument about the destruction of the land will hold no water,” when discussing Disney’s plans today.

Regardless of the fact BREEF and others opposed the 2008 proposal, and resistance to it led to the creation of the One Eleuthera Foundation and development of an alternative sustainable development plan for South Eleuthera, it is perplexing that the Prime Minister held up a Disney poster to defend that a Disney proposal would seemingly not be disqualified even if shown to be environmentally detrimental.

This shows a lack of willingness for Government to adhere to the due process of approving a

foreign company’s development.

The crowd was then asked to provide their input. In a disconcerting manner, this portion was moderated by a Disney-t-shirt wearing supporter. A variety of individuals from the community shared their stories of economic distress and how the proposal was providing them with a sense of hope.

Additionally, some South Eleutherans stood to share why they were not in support of Disney, but rather would prefer for a Bahamian-led partnership to develop the land. Those not in favour of the Disney proposal were shouted at when they tried to speak.

Appallingly, not a single government official stood to ask the crowd to quiet down and respect the speaker. Not MP Johnson, nor MP Mackey. Not Minister Johnson. Not the Prime Minister.

One of the most disturbing moments of the night occurred when a young woman, Charvette Strachan, shared how she felt talented young Eleutherans could be successful entrepreneurs and that a foreign company wasn’t required. Her comments were drowned out by the Disney supporters, in a clear attempt at

intimidation, and no one from government intervened. Similarly, when Pastor Miller discussed his commitment to a Bahamian-solution for the situation, boos were allowed to continue without official intervention.

Before the meeting ended, the PM stated that LHP is privately owned. However, survey maps from Department of Land and Surveys show there are portions of Crown Land, and the seabed which would be used for a pier and marina, is fully under Government control. Unless those designations have changed, the Prime Minister seemed unaware of all the land ownership being discussed.

Today.

The Prime Minister failed to attend the Lighthouse Point Partners (representatives from BNT, the Leon Levy Preserve and One Eleuthera Foundation) meeting on Friday to hear their proposal.

His comments at the town meeting indicated he had incorrect information. He stated that environmental factors will not be considered in the decision-making process. Previous activities include a biased survey being used as evidence of the public’s

Main photo: Barefoot Marketing support and an OPM-advertised Town Hall Meeting which was led by Disney-supporters during which other pro-Disney folks tried to stop LHP-Partners’ supporters from having their voices heard. No Due Process.

The Future. Tomorrow, the Prime Minister has stated that Cabinet will vote on whether or not to initially approve Disney’s proposal. Given the lack of due process to date, this would be a sad example of a government putting aside their stated commitment to transparency and accountability.

However, I suggest that, at a minimum, the factors above highlight the need for additional time, so all facts are available for consideration before a rushed decision is made.

In 2017, Minister D’Aguilar stated: “Previous governments have given these cruise ships these islands, and they take the tourists to these islands and that’s not really helping Bahamians.”

This government has a unique opportunity to create a new legacy – moving away from the old model which puts profits in the pockets of foreign corporations like Disney, and instead believing in our people and moving towards a sustainable development proposed by Eleutherans and other Bahamians for the economic empowerment of the country.

* Etoile Pinder is a social sector analyst and consultant who has worked on a multitude of labour, education, health and social protection projects for the World Bank, UNICEF, WHO and governments spanning the globe, including here in The Bahamas.

She is an expert in using survey research and data analysis to create evidence-based policies which improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government spending.

PAGE 8 MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2018

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

Time for the PM to stop following Trump’s playbook

by Malcolm Strachan IN recent weeks American media outlets exhaustively covered the US senate confirmation hearing of Judge Brett Kavanaugh. Allegations of sexual assault that took place more than 30 years ago came to the forefront and led to mass

protests throughout the hearing, as many people believe he is not fitting for the office of the US Supreme Court Justice.

Certainly, his hostile and emotionally-charged opening statement during a Senate Judiciary Committee was not the textbook example of someone who has the temperament

of what is required in a Supreme Court Justice.

Similarly, President Trump’s trivialising of the allegations and the trauma experienced by Kavanaugh’s accuser were equally, if not more, undignified. The Trump playbook typically sees stately behaviour tossed out the window and replaced with

a juvenile brand of politics.

The reality is the US Commander-in-Chief mocks everyone - professional athletes to political opposers and now a potential victim of sexual assault.

It is truly a proliferation of gutter politics on display.

And while we may exist in a different jurisdiction, there are some stark parallels to note.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Minnis took on a much more guarded tone – defending himself and the government’s decisions while being questioned by the media. Inquiring minds sought answers to questions regarding the resignation of former BCA president Leonard Sands after assertions of political pressure from Minister of Public Works Desmond Bannister, as well as the hiring of controversial political activist Omar Archer.

Having pledged to end the era of political favours, it was unfortunate that Dr Minnis’ response did not clarify Archer’s qualifications. Instead, he became defensive and deflected, suggesting that those who have concerns must have an issue with Archer “living, eating and sleeping”.

It was a rather odd approach to take, as it only increased the speculation that Archer was hired to keep him silent.

Subsequently, while on yet another Family Island tour – under the guise of updating residents on his UN visit – he took the opportunity at his stop in Crooked Island to engender support for the Grand Lucayan purchase. While addressing locals at a town hall meeting, he locked Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine, a well-known critic of the prime minister, in his crosshairs.

Obviously triggered by McAlpine’s sharp commentary on the purchase of the Grand Lucayan, the prime minister rallied Crooked Islanders to shout their support for the government’s decision to purchase the beleaguered resort

– obviously his way of jabbing back at his colleague.

Minnis said: “Let McAlpine hear you, one who lives in Grand Bahama [and] want the entire Grand Bahama to suffer. I could not believe what I heard.”

Truly disappointing.

Meanwhile, his deputy, Peter Turnquest, also executed an indecorous, unsubstantiated attack on a respected member of the fourth estate, Clint Watson, on the floor of Parliament.

In a very belittling manner, Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest alluded to lack a credibility and a “particular type” or lower pedigree of guests as his reasoning for not taking Eyewitness News seriously.

This was a reprehensible act, as there has long been an unspoken rule and expectation that the fourth estate would be allowed to perform its duties of keeping the Bahamian people informed without being publicly attacked in Parliament. However, Turnquest had no interest in keeping with that tradition as he mocked an entire staff of Bahamian professionals.

If you would recall, Prime Minister Minnis also exhibited this dastardly type of behaviour when he lacerated the press while accepting the 2017 Man of the Year award at the Bahamas Press Club Awards ceremony of all places.

It goes to show how power drunk you can be come when you lead such a lopsided majority.

As civilians, it is disheartening to see such a proliferation of this Trumpian brand of politics, especially in our country.

Prime Minister Minnis, while not being the most adept communicator, may very well feel as though he is damned if he does and he is damned if he doesn’t.

And now he is punching back at his critics. However, he must remember the seat of public office can be unforgiving once you decide to live life under the microscopic stares of the electorate. Even if he feels

SUPREME Court Judge Brett Kavanaugh.

he is unfairly critiqued by Parliamentary colleagues or the media, he must remain poised and stately at all times.

Further, it is very telling that he would conduct himself so childishly when speaking to Family Island constituents. It is as if he feels they don’t need to become informed of the real issues and their implications. He has done this before – transforming town hall meetings into pep rallies to drum up support from Family Island residents and then rubbing it in the face of those of us in the nation’s capital.

President Trump does the same thing. When he is on stages where he has the strongest support, he uses such opportunities to invigorate his base with juvenile tactics to attack his opponents and pat himself on the back.

In all fairness, President Trump has been many degrees viler and more distasteful in the manner he exacts revenge from his opponents. However, some of the parallels that exist between the two are hard to ignore.

In the final analysis, of all the models of leadership that have been exemplified through the annals of time, Prime Minister Minnis could not have found a more unfitting character to be compared with.

Perhaps he has grown tired of all the critics dissecting the way he leads, speaks and represents the country. However, there are much more productive ways to exhibit strength in leadership. When faced with alternatives, Prime Minister Minnis tends to behave in ways that seem weak and unattractive.

Without a doubt, he could win over many more Bahamians by simply listening to what our concerns are with the genuine intent of addressing them.

Moreover, he has to be able to stand straight when questioned by the media and answer questions without unravelling.

He needs to move away from political tactics that come across as manipulative and unimaginative and try to encourage the same of his colleagues. The Bahamian people would much prefer a leader able to take criticism on the chin and willing to continually evolve.

As long as his resistance to change continues to exist and he confuses criticism with confrontation, he will continue to stifle his ability to be a good leader of our country.

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

I

N ONE year and eight months’ time the present holder of the Office of Secretary-General of the Organisation of American States (OAS) will end his current term. Judging from his recent utterances, Luis Almagro, might not offer himself for a second term although he has not said so specifically.

In his most recent statement on October 9, he talked about his task “in the one year and eight months I have left as SG”, and on September 16, in remarks published on the OAS website, he made it clear he is not “so attached to the position of Secretary-General”.

It could be, of course, that Mr Almagro’s remarks are setting the stage for influential members of the 34-nation body to urge him to remain and, thus, strengthen the approach he has brought to the job. That approach is one of complete separation and little or no accountability to the permanent council which comprises representatives of the member-states.

In Secretary-General Almagro’s interpretation: “The OAS is many different things.” He sees one “vested interest” as “the Permanent Council, which houses the permanent representatives of the 35 Member States”. Another “vested interest” is, “the General Secretariat, which I have the privilege of leading”.

This idea of two separate houses in the OAS, one of which he is sole master, undoubtedly accounts for Mr Almagro’s individualistic, almost headstrong, conduct as Secretary-General with little regard to any need for direction – or even agreement – by the Permanent Council.

Yet the OAS Charter is clear about the powers of the Permanent Council and of the General Secretariat to carry out duties assigned to it by the council. The Charter states: “The Permanent Council shall: Watch over the observance of the standards governing the operation of the General Secretariat and, when the General Assembly is not in session, adopt provisions of a regulatory nature that enable the General Secretariat to carry out its administrative functions.” It also states: “The General Secretariat shall carry out the duties entrusted to it by the General Assembly, the Meeting

INSIGHT

MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2018 PAGE 9

Strongman-ism in the House of the Americas of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, or the Councils.”

It is inconceivable that the government representatives, who drafted the Charter, envisaged a Secretary-General who operates independently of the Permanent Council or who sees the organisation as consisting of separate compartments with “vested interests”, leaving the SecretaryGeneral to formulate and execute policy separately and without accountability to the governments of the member-states. Yet, this is precisely the current condition of the OAS. Mr Almagro, pictured right, is a man of strong convictions and I have no doubt, in his mind, his actions are justified and justifiable. In the context of the countries of Latin America (not the Caribbean), Mr Almagro regards himself as a medieval white-knight charging on a robust steed, lance in hand, to cut down all evil as he perceives it. It is this hubris that drives him and is captured in his own statement: “I will continue if necessary for years, as SG or not, and if necessary alone. If you insist on putting me into a pigeon hole, let it be the stubborn one who sided with the principles of democracy and human rights.”

In portraying himself in this way, of course, Mr Almagro not only exposes that he has a one-dimensional view of his job, he also suggests he alone is siding “with the principles of democracy and human rights”, ignoring that there are many member-states of the OAS – the majority in the

Caribbean - who have consistently upheld democracy and human rights and jealously safeguard them.

It is this hubris that may have caused him to feel he has no reason, as Secretary-General, to take counsel from, to consult with, or seek the collaboration of the Permanent Council of the OAS for the public positions he takes and for the statements he makes.

In his zest “never to fit into a conventional diplomacy or the traditional international relations community pigeon hole”, as he puts it, he overlooks the essential reality that his role as Secretary-General is not to be the maverick he describes, but to be an essential cog in the wheel of a intergovernmental organisation that must be an honest broker in disputes; a healer of wounds; and a worker for sustainable peace and progress. The latter only comes with careful and steady diplomatic work. A torch that is lit brings light but, used improperly, it also brings destruction.

None of this is to say the Secretary-General should remain silent in the face of crass violations of the Charters of the OAS, particularly the InterAmerican Democratic Charter, nor does it suggest the Secretary-General ought not to propose action that should be taken to safeguard democracy and human rights.

However, the actions and statements of the Secretary-General should not be so unchecked and unbounded, that it disqualifies the organisation from carrying out any role in the very situations about which he is concerned.

However, that is precisely what Mr Almagro has succeeded in doing. The sense of balance, so important to the credibility

and functioning of an inter-governmental organisation in promoting solutions, has been plucked from the hands of the OAS. In this, regrettably, he has had tacit support from a few countries whose present objectives it suits. But, these countries may yet come to regret the precedent they’ve set.

Mr Almagro is perfectly right in his latest statement, made at St Antony’s College, Oxford on October 9 that “Democracy does not happen by default. Human rights either. It requires hard work.”

That “hard work” is the business of diplomacy; of knitting-together a quilt of consensus for international action that never closes the door to encouraging dialogue even as it makes clear that graduated measures will be taken to express displeasure and to cause undemocratic practices to be reversed and human rights violations to end in any country in which they occur.

That is the “hard work” of governments that are involved together and resolved together. The Secretary-General’s role is to help build such inter-governmental action, and not to centre it in personal terms. And, therein, is the quandary the OAS faces.

“Strong-manism” abounds on many sides.

The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organisation of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are his own. Responses and previous commentaries: www.sirronaldsanders.com

From intern to mentor in seven short years SEVEN years ago, Krista Newbold began a journey to help students become college-ready. Little did she know that during the process, she would also become a student, learning invaluable lessons that would shape the way she teaches and connects with her students.

Krista is among the many dedicated public school teachers here in The Bahamas working to create a world-class educational system.

While there are many theories as to what’s needed for a successful educational system, most agree that trained, passionate teachers are a big part of the equation. One often cited international study of schools suggested that to a top performing school system depends on: 1) getting the right people to become teachers; 2) developing them into effective instructors; 3) ensuring the system is able to deliver the best possible instruction for every child. (How The World’s Best School Systems Come Out on Top,

by Barber & Mourshed, 2007) FOCUS is Lyford Cay Foundations’ out-of-school time, tuition-free programme aimed at preparing selected public school students of demonstrated potential and need for college readiness and access starting the summer after grade 4. A bonus component of the donor-funded programme has been the training of aspiring teachers, known as interns, in critical teaching skills such as classroom management, lesson planning and project-based learning, under the guidance of expert

educators. Being chosen to be a FOCUS intern is a competitive process, with most interns being students at the School of Education at the University of The Bahamas who have demonstrated an eagerness to learn about the profession.

As an enthusiastic education major at the former College of The Bahamas, Krista was selected as one of the FOCUS programme’s first interns. Although she officially began her career five years ago, she had a leg up into the field through her FOCUS experience while still in college. Her seven years with FOCUS, first as an intern, and most recently as a coach for other aspiring teachers, played a role in equipping her to progress quickly in the field of education.

Today, Krista is Anatol Rodgers High School’s subject coordinator for the senior school’s mathematics department.

In addition to teaching math full-time, she facilitates extra afternoon classes in preparation for national exams. Her busy career reflects the passion for education and for young people that she says she first developed in FOCUS. “I started my first FOCUS summer thinking that I was going to touch the lives of ten kids,” she reflected. “By the end of the summer, I was the one whose heart was touched.”

Krista believed the introduction of the projectbased learning concept that guides FOCUS had the most impact on her.

This approach helped her develop a respect for students’ abilities to drive and facilitate their own learning.

“Embracing projectbased learning forced me to abandon boring lessons, and taught me the art of developing engaging and exciting lessons. It also taught me management strategies and gave me an opportunity to pull that same skill out of others,” she reflected.

Through FOCUS, Krista also was introduced to a variety of online resources and education tools that she still uses today.

After years of serving as an intern, she was excited about her role this summer as a FOCUS coach.

Her primary responsibility in this position was to coach others so that they could successfully attain their project-based learning goals with their students.

The interns Krista coached looked up to her as a trusted mentor who was readily available to guide them as they grew in their teaching experience.

She said: “Being a FOCUS coach this summer really helped to prepare me for my new leadership role at Anatol Rodgers High School, just as my FOCUS experiences through the years prepared me to meet the needs of students.”

Krista remembers a time when she was faced with the unexpected challenge of meeting a student’s needs at school. After observing a grade 11 student who was known for being defiant and not completing his school work, she reached out to him and found that he was in a home without resources.

KRISTA NEWBOLD

Krista began mentoring the student and assisted him with school projects. She remembers the pride he felt when he excitedly told her that he received an A grade on a major project because of her assistance.

Today this same student is in college and working toward a degree in Business Management.

“As a direct result of being a part of the FOCUS family, I’ve made significant personal growth as an educator and a leader. That means I’m better equipped to influence and shape our nation’s youth.”

“Gain An Edge” is a weekly collaboration of the Lyford Cay Foundations, Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute and University of The Bahamas aimed at promoting a national dialogue on higher education. To share your thoughts, email gainanedge@tribunemedia.net.

PAGE 10 MONDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2018

By FREDERICK SMITH, QC

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

All we’ve got to do is think BIG and be BRAVE

BAHAMIANS need a “come to Jesus moment” on national development. Those who advocate employment opportunities at more risk of destroying thousands in the future, amounts to a deal with the devil At the same time, environmentalists must understand that people have to live, and they can’t eat sand.

A decade ago, the unemployment rate was under eight percent. Today it’s around 10, although in GB its nearly 31. Every year 6,000 young Bahamians enter the job market.

Simply put, constant, continuous and renewable development has to happen somewhere if we are ever going to fulfil our aspirations for a democratic, healthy and prosperous society.

Foreign investment remains the key engine for opportunities. The Bahamas is a small, underpopulated developing country that has never succeed as a producer of material goods or otherwise generate sufficient domestic value to survive and prosper.

Unfortunately, there are a number of drawbacks to an economy reliant on periodic injections of big money from outside in exchange for choice tracts THE CRUISE port at Freeport, Grand Bahama. of coastal real estate. The natural beauty of this country and its attraction for Europeans and North the wreckage of outsid- with the ideal conditions to Americans is what brings ers’ failed dreams, a place make a considerable return investment. Though often synonymous with ruined on their investment.

Bahamians are thus in vilified for seeking to potential. Sadly, the length impede the march of pro- and breadth of our archi- a position of substantial gress, environmentalists pelago is scarred with the strength in these transacrightly point out our cur- rotting carcasses of dozens tions. We have what these rent development model is of poorly planned, failed wealthy people want. We are the gatekeepers to a a ticking time bomb which developments.

Bahamians who advo- Promised Land of financial sacrifices prime ecological assets and risks long term cate for “jobs first” are possibilities and business environmental, social and not consciously doing so opportunity.

Generally, our politicultural damage. Ecologi- at the expense of the next generation. cians fail to appreciate this; cal wonders Few realise rather, they treat the forare a finite that in trying eign investor like visiting resource and Constant, to free our- royalty, in whose presence once they continuous selves from we natives must bow and are all gone, and renewable economic dif- scrape, offering up our patthe game ficulties, we rimony – our most beautiful is over and development are actually and precious tracts of land we are the has to happen creating the and sea, along with treaslosers. somewhere if we conditions ure in the form of excessive Investors for long-term tax concessions and Crown are ever going to invariably land, in gratitude for their have deep fulfil our aspirations decline.

The kindness in gracing us with pockets and current their presence. Baubles for diverse busi- for a democratic, development our Gold! ness interests healthy and It does not have to be around the prosperous society. policy raises serious ques- this way. Taking control of globe.

A tions for our local and national develfailed develdemocracy, opment means first and opment in The Bahamas will not sovereignty and autonomy foremost taking control, as make or break them at the as a nation. Bahamians give far as possible, of what kind end of the day; they will up far more control than is of development is allowed simply move on to greener necessary, in our delusion to take place and where. that the moneyed outsider We should prioritise ecopastures. Not so with us.

If we continue on our is somehow doing us a tourism projects over the current course, the bad favour. In reality, investors often more destructive will eventually come to do not come here, invest and from an employment outweigh the good and a and create jobs out of the perspective, comparatively country once renowned goodness of their hearts. lower paying – mega-resort for its pristine beauty will They do so because our and or exclusive gated combecome known instead for environments provide them munity models.

There are many advan- second home communities, tages to this approach. and cruise ports.

High net worth individuIt would be unwise to als are moving towards rely solely on tourism travel which focuses on when other development “light footprint” vacations options present themin harmony with nature, selves. There are many with low impact on social, opportunities in emergcultural, land and marine ing technologies. The key environments and with a is to strike a balance and greater per visitor spend, protect our environments , thereby preserving envi- even as we remain open to ronments while attracting development. wealthy guests and creatThe Bahamas enjoys ing more opportunities for an advantage over the Bahamians.

Caribbean We have an Because opportunity this model is to centralmore modest We are the ise virtually in scale than gatekeepers to a all of the mega-resorts, environPromised Land of imagine how mental it would open financial possibilities risk associup the tour- and business ated with ism economy large-scale opportunity. to Bahamidevelopans.

Instead ment,whether of being industrial dominated by a single or touristic, in a single foreign-owned mammoth location. resort, our famed beaches Freeport was designed as could be dotted with the industrial and innovadozens of small, high end, tion hub of The Bahamas. high paying eco-resorts Its infrastructural is owned fully or in part by ideal for developments exclusive Bahamian and or of all kinds. The island joint ventures with foreign- abounds in natural beauty ers. Sadly, in the short term, – forests, beaches, coral eco-tourism is unlikely to reefs, stretches of canals, generate sufficient busi- abundant mangroves, fishness to float our economy.. eries and bird populations.

At least for the foreseeable It could be the playground future, we need large-scale for the ever growing Flordevelopment, mega-resorts, ida economy.

Sadly, the potential of Grand Bahama has been wasted because of pointless political grudges and imbecilic immigration and investment restrictions.

It has lain dormant; stagnating, crumbling, rotting and plagued with chronic unemployment - despite the promises of politicians.

Large-scale development must happen, but let it happen NOW! on Grand Bahama. If the environment must be risked, let the mitigated risk be concentrated in one place rather than dotted all about.

The benefits for a struggling population will follow in droves with The Magic City like a phoenix, flourishing again.

Freeport was an economic experiment; it was a cradle of ideas and inspiration. With a little vision, it could become home to the most daring and audacious tourism spectacles imaginable, attracting visitors from around the world. With a little courage - and a more liberal immigration policy - it could become home to a host of cutting-edge technologies – the Silicon Valley of the Antilles.

Freeport could earn its title as “the Magic City”, but the negative - environmental impacts would be manageable if we adapt a

Green Economy to modern best practices. Why allow destruction of our pristine environments throughout the Bahamas, chosen by foreign investors, while Freeport has already been developed on a vast scale and designed to receive development of every kind.

The Bahamas would be a country of two national hubs, one political the other industrial; two centres of employment and opportunity, two paths to success and empowerment for each and every Bahamian to choose from.

Best of all, the rest of The Bahamas, from Abaco to Inagua would be unshackled from reliance on environmentally and economically risky development, free to concentrate on developing new, unique, organic, socially and culturally sensitive and exciting tourism models that respect the environment and bring a whole new high-end demographic traveller to our shores.

We could prioritise environmental protection for the islands like never before, finally liberated of the fear that doing so must involve sacrificing much-needed economic opportunity.

Not every development would be permissible in Grand Bahama. An Oban or Cruise Port in East GB would never be acceptable.

They would be too environmentally damaging. But Freeport has the potential for such projects. But we would need to enact, as required under the 1993 Freeport Act, the Freeport Environmental Bye-Laws (still awaiting cabinet approval after 21 years), and an Environmental Protection Act for the rest of The Bahamas.

We need not worry that foreign investors will refuse to play ball. They only feel empowered to choose and refuse locations for development now, because we allow them this freedom. Our mantra should be “Grand Bahama or Nothing”.

Such a development policy would have enormous symbolic importance and represent a freeing control over our future from the grasp of outsiders and an end to the days of bowing, scraping and submitting to their every desire.

It takes nothing but political will and a measure of intelligence to make such visions a reality. Cabinet must be focusing on Freeport and letting the HCA Magic happen.

THE TRIBUNE

Sands unveils $5m upgrade to hospital A&E from page one

Dr Sands said the upgrade will affect a 50 percent increase in square footage allocated for the department.

“We’ve been talking about the challenges at PMH and A&E,” he said, “if you look at some of the numbers, in just four years A&E has managed almost 8,000 assaults, 1,300 stabbings, it has outgrown the current footprint and leaves a lot to be desired.

“We’re now ready to move forward with that project, and it ties in nicely with redevelopment of the imaging department.

We now have a brand-new X-ray department, and by November 1 we will have completed preparations for a new CAT scan as well.

“The next step is the renovation of A&E, not just the physical plant but the staff, service and perception. A lot of people say fix it and we’re fixing it. We budgeted for it, we would have put that in 2018/2109

budget. Also in that budget was money for the urgent care development at Elizabeth Estates and South Beach clinics.”

Dr Sands said architectural and engineering plans were underway for those clinics, with construction likely to start for Elizabeth Estates first once the project had gone out to tender.

“We had to have a plan,” he added, “a part of the plan is to control the haemorrhage, to cut any waste, and augment revenue, to find out ways to capture revenue that does not put the burden on the most vulnerable, and then the service.”

Meanwhile, the Public Hospitals Authority announced that 20 employees have started advanced training in medical coding and billing through an ongoing partnership between the PHA and Healthcare Associates Training & Temp Centre.

The second phase of the programme, which began in September, will run for 12 months and result

THE A&E department as it is now.

in successful participants being certified through the American Academy of Professional Coders, the PHA noted in a statement.

“Coding of medical records is critical for generating information for hospitals, and more importantly, national statistics for local and international reporting,” PHA noted.

“The absence of coded health records significantly hampers the PHA’s ability to obtain information for strategic planning and reporting purposes; and it constrains revenue collection which would be used to maintain and upgrade existing hospital services as required.

“Earlier this year 35 employees from the Princess Margaret Hospital and Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre completed ten weeks of introductory training in medical coding and billing principles and practices . . . From that number 20 have been selected for advanced training, reflecting the PHA’s commitment to address a longstanding shortfall of medical coders within the country. Prior to the implementation of this initiative

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has insisted he would not present the country as a “banana republic” on the international stage as he defended the size of his delegation at the recent United Nations summit.

He used the phrase during remarks at a town hall meeting in the Berry Islands on Saturday.

“I just returned from a UN meeting,” he said, “and then I hear many talking about ‘oh Minnis and others wasting the taxpayer’s money, carrying all these people here, and carrying all these people there.’ Let me just give you a brief synopsis about how this thing works. The UN meeting is an annual meeting, a time all of the world leaders, every leader throughout the world meet, and they would present on the issues.”

He continued: “There were those who said Minnis carried too many people, but this is what they want me to do. As I attend those meetings I must speak on their behalf, so they want just myself and my aid to travel to represent you.

“I must write the speech, I must edit the speech, I must type the speech, I must present the speech and I must listen to everyone so that I can make changes if necessary. If I can’t do it then he (Minnis’ aid) must do it,” he said hypothetically.

“Then when I’m finish there, I must run to the meeting with all of the foreign affairs ministers and secretaries of states of the world. I must then write the speech there, edit the speech, type the speech, deliver it, then after finishing that I must run to the health sector and I must write the speech there again.

“Now I may be energetic,” he said, “but I’m no superhuman. It is essential for you to take individuals who are going to do research. It is essential for you to take individuals who must help in the preparation.

“It’s essential for you to have individuals who would represent you at the foreign affairs meeting, at the health meeting, at the investment meeting, one man cannot do it.”

“But they say we are wasting their money, but they want me to go off and

represent you as if we are some banana republic.

“But we are no banana republic,” he added, “and we will do it right.”

The government has not released any details on the cost of his recent trip to the United Nations’ 73rd General Assembly; however, last week Dr Minnis tabled a list of 17 officials, including his wife, Patricia, who made the trip to New York.

Asked to reveal the cost of this trip, Dr Minnis told reporters his international travel budget is published within the annual budget released every June.

While in opposition, the Minnis-led Free National Movement criticised the Christie administration for what it termed, “wasteful expenditure” for travel allocations. Throughout that term, the FNM slammed the PLP for both the frequency of trips and the size of the delegations.

When elected last spring, the Minnis administration promised to curtail government spending on travel and give the public a full accounting of every trip made.

Those accounts, as proposed, would include details of the trip’s location, duration and purpose.

PRESS CLUB TO HONOUR JOURNALISTS THE Bahamas Press Club will hold its annual media awards honouring contributions to the journalism and media profession in the country on November 10.

The fourth annual black tie event will convene under the theme “Celebrating 45 years of Bahamian Media: 1973-2018” at the British Colonial Hilton.

At this year’s event, the club will unveil a commemorative pin that will reflect the years 1973-2018. It will be awarded to ten persons who were employed in the media at the time of Bahamian independence on July 10, 1973, according to Press Club president Anthony Capron.

“We will again recognise a media pioneer,” Mr Capron said. “The recipient is well known and relatively still a young man and today, he and his newspaper have

made an indelible mark on Bahamian journalism. He is Mr Ivan Johnson, publisher of The Punch.”

Mr Capron said The Bahamas Press Club will also bestow its the Person of the Year Award, with the nomination kept secret until the event for the second time.

“This person is chosen by the Press Club,” said Mr Capron. “It is a person who has been a perennial newsmaker over the course of the year; and the news doesn’t always have to be good. Last year it was Prime Minister Hubert Minnis. When you hear the name and see the person at the banquet this year, you will all agree it is a well deserved honour.”

The recipient of The Etienne Dupuch Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by Royal Fidelity,

is veteran broadcaster, Sir Charles Carter. Sir Charles, who has had a stellar media career since 1964, expressed his gratitude for such an honour, which is the highest of the media awards.

Sir Charles said being in the media has inspired him.

“Find in your work the trigger, the love, that makes you want to tell the stories of this country in such a way that you cause young people to have a better idea about this country,” Sir Charles said.

A panel of judges, representing a balanced mixture of expertise in journalism and mass communications, will adjudicate the submissions. They are: Quincy Parker, Duke Wells, Ray Munnings, Ed Bethel and Paul Turnquest.

Tickets are $150 and will be available for purchase on October 21.

TRANSFORMER EXPLODES AT SHOPPING CENTRE

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

ARTIST’S impressions of the hospital after the upgrade.

POLICE fire services yesterday confirmed that a blown transformer resulted in a minor blaze at the Sea Grape Shopping Centre over the weekend.

Fire Services director, Chief Superintendent Walter Evans told The Tribune that operations at several stores in northeast corridor of the plaza were temporarily halted Saturday night after a transformer exploded and resulted in a minor fire.

He said fire services responded to the scene and the blaze was contained and resolved.

CSP Evans said no one was injured.

PLANE SKIDS OFF RUNWAY ON CAT ISLAND there were less than 50 certified medical coders in the entire country, with only two working in the public sector.”

Dr Sands first raised concerns over $782m in unpaid bills on the books at PMH since the late 1980s during his recent budget contribution, along with the limitations of the Billing & Medical Coding Department.

In August, he told The Tribune PMH’s Accident and Emergency Department collected less than $200,000 in revenue for services provided in 2017, adding the figure amounted to an average bill of just $3 per patient.

MINNIS: WE MUST NOT LOOK LIKE BANANA REPUBLIC

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

Monday, October 15, 2018, PAGE 11

Those “travel spreadsheets” are not expected to be released before year’s end, according to Press Secretary Anthony Newbold in May. The UN group also included Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield, Transport Minister Renward Wells, State Grand Bahama Minister Kwasi Thompson and his wife, Tamicka, and Parks and Public Beaches Authority Chairman Shanendon Cartwright.

Bahamas Maritime Authority Chairwoman Denise Lewis Johnson, Viana Gardiner, chief operating officer of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit, senior policy advisor

At the time, he also confirmed PHA’s antiquated billing system could not track medical charges in real time, and was entirely dependent on manual records - an environment that has resulted in an estimated loss of $40m in potential insurance claims per year.

In its statement released on Friday, PHA said it anticipates the training will give the organisation the ability to improve capacity for timely and effective patient billing for revenue enhancement and strengthen organisational ability for production of quality clinical and management information.

A PLANE skidded off a runway at Cat Island yesterday - but there were no reports of injuries as The Tribune went to press.

Keith Major, from the Civil Aviation Department, confirmed that a flight from Fort Lauderdale to New Bight, Cat Island, left the runway as it landed.

No further information was available last night.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

PAGE 12, Monday, October 15, 2018

‘Fill Chief Justice role without delay’

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Bar Association President Kahlil Parker has called on the government to move with “all convenient speed” in appointing a new substantive chief justice, saying it isn’t right for the third branch of government to be “headless” indefinitely.

Mr Parker, in an interview with reporters on the sidelines of a special Supreme Court sitting to honour the life of deceased Chief Justice Stephen Isaacs, said the government’s appointment of chief justices does not come on a “whim”, but is rather a mandated “duty”.

Meanwhile, Wayne Munroe, QC, suggested that based on the delay in confirming Justice Isaacs as substantive chief justice, the legal community should begin to consider having the political directorate removed from the process of appointing of chief justices, as well as the appointment of Queen’s Counsel.

Mr Munroe further chastised the Minnis administration for the many months it took for it to appoint someone to the role of chief justice, charging that the long wait was not due to the government needing any “reasonable” amount of time to do so, but because of an outright “delay”, which he said is “frowned upon” in law.

Justice Isaacs was formally appointed to the substantive post in July,

after having served as acting chief justice since December. Two weeks after he was officially sworn in, in what was described as “cruel irony” by Official Opposition Leader Philip “Brave” Davis, the senior judge died at the age of 63 after reportedly battling prostate cancer.

Prior to Isaacs’ appointment, many criticised the government’s delay over the situation. Mr Parker in particular castigated the prime minister over the issue, telling The Nassau Guardian in April that Dr Minnis has a “tremendous misapprehension” of the constitutional provisions concerning the appointment of a chief justice, and that he did not appear to firmly grasp the Constitution as a whole.

In August, Press Secretary Anthony Newbold said Senior Justice Vera Watkins will serve as acting chief justice until a successor to the substantive post is named, and added that Dr Minnis will take his time in making the decision.

“We will move no quicker than (Dr Minnis) thinks is necessary as long as the system continues to function the way it ought to,” Mr Newbold said at the time.

While speaking during the special sitting on Friday, Mr Parker noted that Justice Isaacs would have had “one lamentation” with the ceremony: that it was “presided over by an acting chief justice” in Justice Watkins.

“I would say that there’s never enough that can be

said about the constitutional underpinnings of our democracy,” Mr Parker told reporters after the hearing.

“So I think that at the end of the day I will be tireless in my championing of that cause. It is not right that the third branch of government is headless indefinitely. It is not a whim, it is a duty.”

When asked if he feels the government will move more expeditiously this time around, Mr Parker said: “I expect that they will move, not swiftly but with all convenient speed as they are mandated to do. It is a duty.”

Meanwhile, Mr Munroe, in heralding the “stellar legal career” Justice Isaacs enjoyed, chastised the government for the “delay” in appointing a chief justice.

“In law, the law requires you to take reasonable time to do things,” he said.

“So people need a reasonable time to prepare their defence. But the law frowns on delay. Delay defeats justice. And so in my view, this wasn’t a matter of the political directorate taking a reasonable time to make an appointment, but delay.

“Why? Because this was a judge who had been on a judicial path from the very bottom to the top. He had decided cases, he was sitting in the Court of Appeal, so it was not a matter that you needed reasonable time or that you took reasonable time, it was a matter that you delayed. And delay is frowned on.”

Mr Munroe further suggested that based on what happened to Justice Isaacs, lawyers should start a

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT

Environment, Health & Safety Specialist for (1) The Climate Resilient Coastal Management and Infrastructure Program and (2) Airport Infrastructure Program

Institution: Inter-American Development Bank Country: The Commonwealth of The Bahamas Projects: (1) Climate Resilient Coastal Management and Infrastructure Program and (2) Airport Infrastructure Program Project Number: (1) BH-L1043 and (2) BH-L1041 Loan Number: (1) 4363/OC-BH and (2) 3907/OC-BH Sector: (1) Environment and Natural Disasters and (2) Transport Deadline: October 19, 2018

ACTING Chief Justice Vera Watkins at a special sitting of the Supreme Court on Friday.

Photo: Raymond Bethel Sr/BIS ‘good morning’ or a courteconversation about removon. He was able to hold on ing the political directorate ous ‘hello’ no matter what when there was nothing in from matters involving their station in life was,” him—except the will which the appointment of both she said. “Yet he knew how said to him hold on.” chief justices and Queen’s to keep the common touch Acting appellate Justice by giving warm, friendly Milton Evans, in giving his counsel.

“We have a prime min- and reassuring smiles to remarks, said Justice Isaacs’ ister who is set to do it those members of staff who career “stands as an examwho isn’t even a lawyer, so are responsible for the low- ple of patience, diligence there’s nothing that quali- liest of tasks. and dedication to a goal”, “He did not engage in and that he understood the fies a politician to know who should be a QC,” Mr the practice of walking importance of “keeping Munroe said. “Judges are past members of staff and focused on the route chosen more qualified to say who not greeting them or pre- even when the road gets should be a QC than the tending that he did not see bumpy and when obstacles political directorate. And them. He was cordial to one get in the way”. definitely in the appoint- and all.”

Justice Evans described She also said that Justice the judge as a man who ment of a chief justice.”

Notwithstanding the Isaacs fought a “valiant “did not think of himself as remarks from the two men, battle” with his health so elevated that he could Friday’s sitting was replete issues, while simultane- not discuss matters with with positive commentary ously continuing to fulfill me who was very much his from other judges about his obligations as acting junior.”

Justice Isaacs as a “patient” chief justice of the Supreme “Stephen would from and “humble” man who Court. This he did up to the time to time visit the other performed his duties with- point of being hospitalised, judges in chambers just out complaint, in spite of which was one week before to check on how we were he passed away, Acting doing,” Justice Evans said. his health issues.

Acting Chief Jus- Chief Justice Watkins said.

“I can recall him coming “He knew he was gravely to my office on occasions tice Watkins noted that although Justice Isaacs ill, yet he did not com- and we would sit and chat. was a “learned” man, and plain,” she said. “He was And as I reflect on those that he had the oppor- able to force his heart and occasions I am now aware tunity to “walk with every nerve and sinew in that during some of those kings” through- his body to fulfill his obliga- times he would have been proverbial

out his career, he “never tions in the office of acting dealing with serious health lost the common touch” chief justice and chief jus- issues. However, that was and was courteous to one tice. His body became frail never the topic of our disand he got progressively cussions. Stephen was never and all.

“He knew how to walk weaker. He was in a tre- a member of the ‘whoa, it’s down the corridors of the mendous amount of pain me club.’ He performed his court houses and greet yet—he did not give up. He work without excuses and every member of staff that did not complain. never used his illness as a “He had the will to hold crutch.” he met with a pleasant

The Ministry of Public Works (MOPW) is seeking an experienced Environment, Health, and Safety Officer to lead the implementation, and oversight of environmental, health and safety aspects, plans and procedures for both the (1) Climate Resilient Coastal Management and Infrastructure Program and (2) Airport Infrastructure Program, financed by the Inter-American Development Bank, and implemented by a dedicated Project Implementation Unit (PIU) within the MOPW. The position will be based in the PIU. . The main activities are as follows: • Oversee the development and implementation the necessary plans and procedures, for design and construction activities undertaken in the Program, based on the proposed Environmental and Social Management Framework set out in the Environmental and Social Analysis Report • Liaise with government authorities, the IDB, project architects and developers to determine if additional environmental and social assessment is required for infrastructure projects in the programs • Coordinate and review subsequent environmental and social assessments required and/or Enviroment and Social Management Plans (ESMPs) produced, to ensure compliance with international best practice. Liaise with government authorities, project architects and developers to ensure that environmental, health and safety requirements are integrated into final designs • Revise the ESMPs developed by contractors to ensure compliance with national laws and IDB’s policies • Supervise environmental, health and safety processes ensuring compliance with local and national legislation, best international practice, and contractual commitments with the IDB//Supervise the implementation of the contractors’ ESMPs • Identify and track appropriate environment, health, and safety Key Performance Indicators • Maintain records and prepare various environmental, health and safety reports. Conduct periodic audits, to pinpoint unsafe working conditions, behaviors, and practices. Conduct and/or coordinate environmental monitoring quality tests periodically at site and analyze data • Production of monthly progress reports and final report, at the end of the project Summary of experience and qualifications: • Degree in Environmental Science, Engineering and/or Health and Safety discipline • Minimum five (5) years of Environment, Health, and Safety experience in the construction field; • Demonstrated success at developing and implementing HSE Management Systems • Detailed knowledge of relevant national legislation as well as HSE international standards • Experience with safety hazard recognition, behavioral-based safety, job hazard analysis, process hazards analysis and environmental site assessment based on international standards The Government of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas now invites eligible consultants to indicate their interest in providing environment, health, and safety services. Interested consultants should provide their CV’s and information demonstrating that they are qualified to perform the services (description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions). The duration of the contract is two (2) year full-time with the possibility of being renewed based on satisfactory performance evaluation.

Consultants will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the Inter-American Development Bank: Policies for the Selection and Contracting of Consultants Financed by the Inter-American Development Bank GN-2350-9 and is open to all eligible bidders as defined in the policies. Interested consultants may obtain further clarification on the technical aspects or scope of services from Robert Mouzas, Deputy Director, Ministry of Public Works robertmouzas@bahamas.gov.bs tel: (242) 302-9530 during office hours between 09:00am to 5:00pm Monday – Friday, except on public holidays. Expressions of Interest inclusive of CV’s must be submitted to the address below in person, by e-mail idbfiairports@bahamas.gov.bs or idbcoastal@bahamas.gov.bs or by mail, on or before October 19, 2018 at 4pm.

Antoinette Thompson –Permanent Secretary Acting Ministry of Public Works REF:- Climate Resilient Coastal Management and Infrastructure Program /Airport Infrastructure Program P.O. Box N 8156.Nassau, Bahamas

THE TRIBUNE

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, October 15, 2018, PAGE 13

All the fun of the food festival...

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT TRIBUNE photographer Terrel W Carey captured all the enjoyment at the 22nd annual International Food Festival at the Botanical Gardens yesterday.

Monitoring And Evaluation Specialist for (1) The Climate Resilient Coastal Management and Infrastructure Program and (2) Airport Infrastructure Program

Institution: Inter-American Development Bank Country: The Commonwealth of The Bahamas Projects: (1) Climate Resilient Coastal Management and Infrastructure Program and (2) Airport Infrastructure Program Project Number: (1) BH-L1043 and (2) BH-L1041 Loan Number: (1) 4363/OC-BH and (2) 3907/OC-BH Sector: (1) Environment and Natural Disasters and (2) Transport Deadline: October 19, 2018

The Ministry of Public Works (MOPW) is seeking an experienced Monitoring and Evaluation Officer or Consultant to ensure the planning, monitoring and evaluation of both the (1) Climate Resilient Coastal Management and Infrastructure Program and (2) Airport Infrastructure Program, financed by the Inter-American Development Bank, and implemented by a dedicated Project Implementation Unit (PIU) within the MOPW. The position will be based in the PIU. . The main activities are as follows: Prepare and maintain updated Procurement Plans and Monitoring Plans for the Program Develop and maintain the overall framework for project M&E in accordance with the project document M&E plan Provide technical advice for the revision of performance indicators Ensure realistic intermediate and end-of-project targets are defined Identify sources of data, collection methods, who collects data, how often, cost of collection and who analyzes it Ensure all critical risks are identified Enhance the mechanisms to track and report on project performance Identify the core information needs of the Program Coordinator and IDB Identify the requirements for collecting baseline data where necessary, prepare terms-of-reference for and arrange the conduct of a baseline surveys as required • Oversee and execute M&E activities included in the Annual Operating Plan (AOP), with focus on results and impacts • Lead with relevant PIU staff on the preparation of all project reports in accordance with approved reporting formats and ensure their timely submission.

• Prepare consolidated progress reports for project management including identification of problems, causes of potential bottlenecks in project implementation, and providing specific recommendations • Undertake visits to the field to support implementation of M&E and to identify where adaptations might be needed • Identify the need and draw up the TOR for specific project studies. Recruit, guide and supervise consultants or organizations that are contracted to implement special surveys and studies required for evaluating project effects and impacts • • • • • • • • •

Summary of experience and qualifications: • • •

Advanced university degree in Civil or Structural Engineering or other relevant technical area Minimum five (5) years of professional experience at national and international levels in the relevant field of civil engineering, especially in preparation of construction technical documentation Experience in working in complex environments and large infrastructure and/or civil works

The Government of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas now invites eligible consultants to indicate their interest in providing monitoring and evaluation services. Interested consultants should provide their CV’s and information demonstrating that they are qualified to perform the services (description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions). The duration of the contract is two (2) year full-time with the possibility of being renewed based on satisfactory performance evaluation.

Consultants will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the Inter-American Development Bank: Policies for the Selection and Contracting of Consultants Financed by the Inter-American Development Bank GN-2350-9 and is open to all eligible bidders as defined in the policies. Interested consultants may obtain further clarification on the technical aspects or scope of services from Robert Mouzas, Deputy Director, Ministry of Public Works robertmouzas@bahamas.gov.bs tel: (242) 302-9530 during office hours between 09:00am to 5:00pm Monday – Friday, except on public holidays. Expressions of Interest inclusive of CV’s must be submitted to the address below in person, by e-mail idbfiairports@bahamas.gov.bs or idbcoastal@bahamas.gov.bs or by mail, on or before October 19, 2018 at 4pm.

Antoinette Thompson –Permanent Secretary Acting Ministry of Public Works REF:- Climate Resilient Coastal Management and Infrastructure Program /Airport Infrastructure Program P.O. Box N 8156, Nassau, Bahamas

PAGE 14, Monday, October 15, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Flights grounded by air traffic control AC fault

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net FLIGHTS in and out of Lynden Pindling International Airport were grounded yesterday after air traffic controllers were forced out of their tower by a malfunctioning air conditioning unit.

Two flights were ultimately rerouted to Florida, due to the stoppage.

Tourism and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar yesterday confirmed that operations were suspended around 10.30am after conditions in the tower became “unbearable.”

He said the issue with the A/C unit came as a result of “spikes in voltage” at the airport, which, he said, had been happening for the last few days.

“For the last couple of days, I’m not sure the exact length of time, there have been some spikes in the voltage at the airport and in the last day or so, it has resulted in some further issues,” Mr

D’Aguilar told The Tribune.

“The air-conditioner in the tower failed at some point last evening (Saturday). Obviously, today being quite a long day, attempts were made to get a

contractor out to see if the system could be mobilised. The attempt, it being Sunday and all, was unsuccessful,” he added.

Mr D’Aguilar said officials were, however, able to lean on

technicians from the Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD), who were already at the facility, working on issues in the terminals.

Those technicians, according

to Mr D’Aguilar, were able to address the problem and the facility was re-opened in just over 30 minutes.

“As we speak, the tower is back open and flights will be able to resume their schedules in a bit; I estimate (around noon),” he said.

“We just need to clear the backlog, and we will have planes back in route as soon as we get that done.”

Meanwhile, Keith Major, representative from the Bahamas Civil Aviation Authority, confirmed that as a part of the stoppage just two flights had to be rerouted to Fort Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport.

He told The Tribune that by 11am local time, services resumed for all arrivals en route to LPIA. Subsequently, at 11.35am, LPIA had returned to its full operation schedule.

“There were some minor setbacks, but once we got everyone back on board, things quickly returned to normal,” he said.

‘60 MORE STAFF NEEDED FOR PORT DEPARTMENT’ TWO ACCUSED OF

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

A MANPOWER audit revealed that the Port Department, currently home to 110 workers, needs 60 to 70 more people to effectively carry out a mandate that includes ensuring commercial vessels are properly registered and inspected, acting Port Controller Raymond King told The Tribune.

His statement came a week after the Bahamas Maritime Authority’s report into the deadly 4C’s accident in Exuma, which concluded the port’s inadequate resources is crippling its functioning.

The BMC’s report said that in Exuma there are 18 commercial charter boat companies in operation, only six of which are registered with the Port Department while the others have applications pending but continue to operate commercially.

The port is now gearing up for joint operations with the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force to target law-breakers across the country, Mr King said.

“We did an exercise in San Salvador where we recognised it was less than one fifth of the vessels that were registered and so we have operations lined up to reach all these Family Islands, particularly ones that have a high volume of maritime activity,” he

added. “We are going to make sure persons have been compliant with laws and regulations. It is a mammoth task when you realise we have 13,000plus private vessels in the country, another 8,000 commercial vessels, plus smaller watercraft vessels which total about 500. The port could definitely use an increase in manpower.”

4C’s licence remains suspended after investigators determined its vessel, which had an onboard explosion in June killing an American woman and causing two others to have limbs amputated, was not registered or inspected. An application for its registration was not made with the Port Department. Although the boat was too damaged for investigators to determine a cause for the explosion, it was determined that the vessel was not constructed to standard and its fuel hose did not meet the specification for its intended use.

The matter is being reviewed by the Office of the Attorney General. Once the OAG makes a decision, it will pass its conclusions on to the New Providence Port Authority, which has the power to suspend or revoke an operator’s licence.

The penalty for failing to have a vessel registered or inspected includes a fine and/or prison time, according to the Commercial Recreational Watercraft Act. One initiative the Port Department

is embracing would make it easier to identify boats that are up-to-date with their registration and inspection.

Currently, operators have what the industry calls a “hard card” that is not transfixed to a vessel but features registration and inspection information.

Mr King wants the port to introduce decals.

“We’ll have the card that the owner can keep secured because weather conditions could deteriorate cards overtime but we are moving toward using decals, something that inspectors can easily verify and see, like a car being inspected, you can tell if a vessel has been inspected,” he said.

The port is in the process of introducing an automated system that would allow information about vessels to be more easily updated.

Legislation governing maritime activities is also being reviewed. The process began under the Christie administration but has so far resulted in few amendments being tabled and passed in the House of Assembly.

“The proposed legislation once passed will close all of the gaps as we know them to date,” Mr King said.

“One of the key things is the pleasure craft vessels as current, they are not required to be inspected nor produce liability insurance so we’re moving to correct those things so they could operate similarly to commercial vessels.”

CAUSING DAMAGE

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

TWO men were charged in Freeport Magistrate’s Court last week with causing damage.

Joshua Garvey, 19, of West End, and Sheen Major appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbye Ferguson.

It is alleged that on October 1, the two men caused $1,500 worth of damage to a 2002 Honda Accord. The pair pleaded not guilty to the charge and the case was adjourned to February 11, 2019 for trial.

In another matter, Major was charged with causing damage to a 2000 Dodge Caravan in the amount of $570, the property of Alton Crouch on September 21. He pleaded guilty to the charge. The vehicle was reportedly parked at a residence in West End. The complainant contacted police and Major was arrested. While in custody, he admitted to police that he has caused the damage.

Magistrate Ferguson ordered Major to pay $570 for the damage or serve one year in prison. Major also appeared on several bench warrants dating back to 2009. A warrant was issued in relation to disorderly behaviour, using obscene language, resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer.

In 2009, he had been ordered to pay a fine of $1,000 for resisting arrest or six months imprisonment; $150 for using obscene

language or one month in prison; $1,000 for assaulting a police officer or six months in prison; and $500 for disorderly behaviour or one month in prison. The magistrate had ordered him to pay $25 a week until the fines were paid, however Major made no payments.

Magistrate Ferguson order that Major pay the $2,675 in fines by noon on Thursday, October 11, or serve 17 months and two weeks in prison.

In another matter in 2010, Major had failed to make $300 compensation in relation to a matter where he was charged with making threats of harm to Tamico Smith. He pleaded guilty and was granted a conditional discharge and was ordered to pay $300 compensation and perform 50 hours of community service.

The prosecutor said that Major only paid $100 in compensation and did not perform any community service.

Magistrate Ferguson ordered him to pay the remaining $200 and perform 50 hours of community service or serve three months in prison.

Major was also charged in 2010 and ordered to compensate Granville Stuart $500 and to perform 50 hours of community service at the Mary Magdalene Church in West End or serve six months in prison. The magistrate ordered Major to pay Stuart $500 and perform community service or serve six months in prison. All the fines were ordered to be paid on October 11.

MARIJUANA FOUND IN CAR A DEPARTMENT of Corrections officer was taken into custody on Friday after four packages of marijuana were found in a car in which he was travelling.

Police said the officer was arrested around 7.30pm during an operation in the area of Crooked Island Street and Andros Avenue.

Officers stopped a Toyota vehicle with two men inside who had aroused their suspicion. On searching the car the drugs were found and both men were arrested, one of whom turned out to be a corrections officer.Both men are expected to appear in court later this week to be formally charged.

In the early hours of Sunday morning meanwhile, two men attending a party on Oldie Corner off East Street where shot.

The incident took place around 12.30am. Both men were taken to hospital for treatment but their injuried are not thought to be life-threatening.

Police are looking for the suspects behind two armed robberies that occurred on Saturday.

A woman was robbed shortly after 8pm while standing in front of a home on Chippingham Road.

Police said two men armed with a handgun robbed her of her grey 2007 Kia Sportage, licence plate number 4305, along with her handbag before speeding away.

About two hours later, around 10.30pm, a man was

standing in front of a club on Minnie Street when two men armed with a handgun robbed him of his blue Honda Accord, license number AL 9664, before speeding off.

Police also confiscated drugs and firearms on the weekend.

Around 10.30am Friday, Drug Enforcement Unit officers executed a search warrant at a home located on Lexington Avenue where they uncovered just over five pounds of marijuana in an oven. A male resident of the home was taken into custody and is expected to appear in court early this week to be formally charged.

In addition, DEU officers acting on information on Friday morning also searched a derelict vehicle on Bimini Avenue and found a pistol. No one was arrested for this discovery.

Around 1pm on Friday DEU officers acting on information searched an open lot on Hospital Lane and found a 9mm Taurus pistol. No one was arrested for this discovery.

Police also seized a 9mm pistol along with one round of ammunition on Saturday.

Around 1am, Mobile Division officers conducted a search of a Nissan vehicle in front of a home on Whitaker Road and uncovered the gun and ammunition. A man was taken into custody and is expected to appear in court early this week to be formally charged.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, October 15, 2018, PAGE 15

SANDS: NO WAY TO SUPPORT 65 UWI MEDICAL STUDENTS HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands has suggested the government will not be able to support training for some 65 first year medical students enrolled at the University of the West Indies this year.

Dr Sands told reporters on Friday there was no way the government could support training for physicians at public or private facilities.

His comments came as he defended the decision to cap the number of subventions allocated to medical students at UWI, insisting the government has increased its investment in healthcare staff. “This year there would have been 65 first year medical students,� he said, “there is no way that the Commonwealth of The Bahamas can support 65 physicians in training at our public or private healthcare facilities. At the same time, we’re having serious challenges providing nurses and so if we look at the investment of the Bahamian people there ought to be balance. “That is what has happened, we have no reduction in the investment, as a matter of fact we have increased the investment in our healthcare staff but what we have sought to do is bring balance, reason.�

It was confirmed last month the government will cap subventions to medical students at the University of the West Indies to 25.

At the time, Dr Sands noted this number is the “historic norm� that has increased “outside of policy� over recent years.

He added that UWI was notified of this decision “well in advance� of this current school year yet continued to accept students “with the expectation� that the Bahamas government would pay their tuition.

Dr Sands previously reiterated that in the future, the government will cap subventions to 25, he said it does not wish to “inconvenience� students currently matriculating at the Jamaica, Trinidad, and Barbados UWI campuses.

Dr Sands told reporters on Friday the decision to cap assistance at 25 students was an “issue of the glass half full, glass half empty�.

He insisted the Minnis administration’s holistic approach would bring balance to the level of government support afforded to all stakeholders in the healthcare system. “The government of The Bahamas has made phenomenal investments in medical training over many, many years,� he said, “but we’ve recognised that the planning has been less than ideal. So that if you say that you’re going to train somebody, training doesn’t just involve medical school. “It involves what comes after, so if you exhaust your budget on medical school then you cannot provide the training opportunities to get people over the finish line. So they can’t be certified, they cannot progress to advance the education and so many, many doctors find themselves stuck.�

He continued: “In addition, if you invest only in doctors then you wind up with a problem with nurses or you don’t have enough physical therapists, or you don’t have enough occupational therapists. What we have decided to do as a government is to look holistically at the needs of the country and to balance the needs. “We have to provide a health system which can provide for the needs of all patients, doctors alone do not provide healthcare.

They require other people.

So what we have decided to do is make sure anybody who we allow to get into the programme, we can guarantee they can finish.�

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Speaking to PLP supfor Limolink in The clientele with which his agent You are encour- porters at a rally in North limousine company was fa- Bahamas. aged to get a reference from Andros last night, Mr Robmiliar. if erts said “this is war� as regard the the president of Viacom “Also withA1MAIN wish. Please feel free he urged the crowd to vote limousine business we you contact me personally for incumbent Dr Perry are ready to meet with to have your agents contact Gomez, adding that a vote your people anytime,� he or the Mr Porter our Managing for Mr Peet is a vote for writes.

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By KHRISN Reporter the same route as According l seat, Fox of “crimina will allow the the planned� even Tribune Staff dia.net from the ParSPEAK An additiona being reDeputy Chief without the government’s ganiser Ranard Henfield ia.net ion ficial results Registratsdorsett@tribu government course. nemedia.net THE PEOPLE sdorsett@ tribuneme PAGE 4 was still permis- that “after revealed nounced its ry kvirgil@tribunemed sion. his Hill, law to take several weeks of last month that the to press time. after g and liamenta ent, Mr Chipman ON’ back planned a decounted up DESPITE being In an interview and forth� the Cabinet his parMoments DNA ‘TO GO PAGE 5 march to mark the PLP IN a surprisin at the Departm out of 12 pollwith The Tribdenied the as the na- This marked the worst in Office on anniversary AFTER leadinglandslide use of Rawson 50th defeat g party won seven maiden speech Minand Parliament une, Mr Bostwick II said “there Wednesday rejected the group’s of Majority Rule.

LOSE humbling leader, Dr Prime Min- ing divisions in the former Squares ty to a stunning feat for a governin will be no compromise� application to protest for a protest This latest development Mr tion’s next PLP BIG NAMESPAGE 7 dealing a parapolls, outgoing lost that under recent history. ld, while in Rawson and the and Parliaments Rule Day in January,on Majority group will “not is yet victory and to the ProgresChristie came strongho promised will PLP Perry nis victory lle ister Squares because another set back for the organiED MPS Bahamians The FNM’s won five. Bahamas organiser We March attempt towardbe deterred by this the “event lysing blow Party last night, years the Centrevi his watch, YOUR PROJECT PAGE 9 conflicts with another sation that planned to protest fascist his seat in last night by Christie John Bost- and a rocky five to fear from Mr Christie wick sive Liberal on II said yesterday Monday, January the abuse of our coercion event� already booked In 2012, have nothingent, pointing to despite contwo challengPrime Minister constituency representing the demon- constitutiona 9 - the original rights and date. for that observance p, Centrevillestration “will go SO FAR incoming that included the declared governm after leadershi said won the RESULTS l freedoms�.

14 he eighth on Minnis as planned, on 40 date 25 votes the which PAGE Dr Minnis’ of a fracDr Hubert more than In a post on Facebook, Progressive Majority Rule Day.announced for stituency for have abused “im- es to victimisation, with the area for Liberal GE lead or- Chairman itutional� y g to unof- consecutive time Party that those who trust “have continued reports However, earlier is “unconst MORE COVERA and ultimatel Bradley Roberts of defeated years, accordin this month it PAGES 2-18 positions tured party from the post an- was announced and “wrong�. votes. He l 2,950 moral�

Ella results. fear�. to ficial in Parliament that to unofficia candidate removal has held something to thousands of According able his Official Opat the Mr Christie 1977 and the FNM’s FNM was leader of the House of Speaking by 1,349 votes rs at the Q House today. results, the defeat of the seat since of the Lewis Mr Christie won all pledged that to pull off a stunning mas- position in the jubilant supporte last night, ment leader in Minnis time. been a Dr has y. will give securing E Sports Centre Liberal Party but one polling division administration Terrance of the PLP, constituencies. Assembl was a long fought National MoveProgressive 39 “This the Free also announced his General Regvictory is not it sive 34 of since 1997. released a Prime 2012. he By ment leader be sworn in as Auditor the resources battle, but the Parliamentary AVA yours,� former is Although The TURNQUES did loss, ent The the T - the victory the islands of Bimini t aboutTribune his seat to that he will ’ fourth prime Bastianto probe how taxpay- istration Departm thousands re- mine Chief Reporter Minister lost Movement statemen and not speak full election last Dr Minnis told on the carEleuthera, bringing The Bahamas at Govern- needs Christie didaturnquest@tribunemedia.ne not release 5pm Free National packed with the and po- Mr t tal to 25 confirmedthe tominister at SEE PAGE SIX sults last night, in from the of FNMs cases By SANCHESKA DORSETT (FNM) candidater Reece nationwide. nival grounds. people’s time HEALTH officials numbers coming Tribune Staff Reporter litical newcome agency around “This is the servant and I “This is like a lull, terday urged residentsyeswho secured government from the quiet sdorsett@tribunemedia.net Chipman, to period,� Dr I am your remain vigilant McMillan 11pm. However , it ap- and against SEE PAGE THREE vironmental factors en- “We continue to get said. unofficial numbers samFORT that ples as they the PLP only conbreedof the mosquitoes send them in for Dr Andre Charlotte MP peared that despite Rollins “The outcome the inspire “lull� intrust local transmis- testing but we have no fur- night that “there said last according to vention did not ther cases, which sioninofthe will be no theBahalast Zika virus.

Mark Humes is good. disciplinary ce coming afl results, said or confiden Director e but that’s of Public Health We’re still monitoring and against the action� taken “obvious� mian electorat sweeping defeat residents unofficia seven doing our surveillance.

Dr Pearl think that it is IMcMillan Charlotte and night stood ROLLE Fort tional Movement Free Nanow have yesterthey ter l “I think we have

By RASHAD Reporter behind us day aconfirmed MPs told him party would has wonderfu been ousted party Leader who winning the the party have repeatedly lead- the andthat there progressing well as Tribune Staff stand the any a better chance been no a.net Dr to rebuild victoriit relates Hubert Minnis new con- to could not had he been as leader rrolle@tribunemedi opportunity getting the message country firmed cases said. p he the election of since itself,� the leadershi the de- there er out perOfficial Opposition, of and persons heeding for for- ership despite their beous in the PLP’sadding that reengine partment’s pressSIX cause there is no release on it. longer, him.

AS HE called This Zika thing December legal basis THE REBEL SEVEN of, SEE PAGE RASPBERRY 5, which Minister Perry sonal affection for was pro- race in January, for such a move. from left, Hubert Chipman, made a mistake� mer Prime ard Lightbourn, the number of cases raised down in July, which came ICED TEA Sears, who Free Na- “the party Mr Christie. resign as leader is Mr when He to in New we usually added that a formal Andre Rollins. Loretta Butler-Turner, Neko Grant,Edison Key, RichChristie Providence from ve Liberal jected to lose to the get our first case objection Theo Neilly, and in choosing 22 to 23.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune has been Alt’s (FNM) of the Progressi There is one case last night, SEE PAGE SIX against “the bogus lodged solidify widespread support Staff each on tional Movemen Party (PLP) charges� around he saw the FNM’s Executive said levelled a new leader.� against him Commitfred Sears tee would not have His remarks came six other members and the a case ment who took of Parlia- e-mail in response to in an because the group’s actions part ques- “were consistent action of removing in the tions from The Tribune. constitutionally with the Dr Rollins echoed nis from the post. Dr Minprotected Dr Rollins sentiments the said a growing of Long Island right of parliamentarians to number of MP FNMs are admitting Loretta Butler-Turner recall a parliamentary lead“that and St Anne’s er when they no longer the best course of MP Hubert confidence have the party to take action for Chipman, who last under the said week to lead.� in his/her ability present circumstance the if the matter were s is to to be taken to court, SEE PAGE THREE the

N S CHRISTIE TO RESIG ALFRED SEARS URGE

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No.152, JUNE Volume:114

SANDWICH

DR PERRY GOMEZ

By AVA TURNQU EST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunem edia.net WATER and Sewerage Corporation Adrian Gibson Chairman yesterday confirmed the existence of a “do not list populate disconnect� of elites at d by scores the government owned utility provider as he pledged initiate a crackdow to n on delinquent accounts.

Mr Gibson told The Tribune the list� held “confidential 221accounts, with a combined total of $175,000 for ending June the period 2017.

He said that he plans to direct the corporation to notify all persons owing excessive arrears to resolve debts or face disconnection. “There is dential list,� a list confiIsland MP said.the Long “In fact, I that all the would think over the last corporations year or two, and more particula rly in May of this year, there has been tion paid toclose attenthat list by the managem ent with a view to changing the way those lists usually operate. “As it stands, this confidential list of persons has a number on it, and really and truly used to notify it’s being courtesy call persons by I can say too or letters. chairman of that as the the corporation I am going that all personsto direct excessive arrears owing who are SEE PAGE EIGHT

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By SANCHE During a SKA DORSET a.net T homicide address fromlive national Tribune Staff Reporte WITH s as his office sdorsett@ r the guarding the well as safetribunemedia.net fore- last night, Dr cast for Hurrican residents of Minnis e Maria said: “Hurrica Fox Hill. projecting the ACTING ne Maria Commissioner storm to pass another is of Police During a near the Southeas potential walkabou Anthony Fergu- Fox t Baha- astating hurricane ly dev- son announce mas Friday Hill on Tuesday, t in that we the d Acting Minister Dr morning, Prime must carefully monitor.� establishmentyesterday Commissioner Hubert Minnis Ferguson He added: of two said the Anti-Gan is urging residents Though most separate Royal g and Bahamas Firearms Tracing of those of the Bahamas islands to was spared Police Force anti-crim be vigilant and units aimed and e tigation Unit will Invesoperate SEE PAGE TWO gang activity at eliminating out of the Central Detectry, reducing in the coun- tive Unit (CDU) the number while the of SEE PAGE 11

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The People’s Paper

Centre has a tortured history, one of missed deadlines and claims of shoddy of- workmanship, all without GOVERNMENT clear accountability. ficials commissioned the any The facility’s original Marsh Harbour Healthwent bankrupt. care Centre in Abaco yes- contractor the of Construction THURSDAY, terday, touting it as a longDECEMBER began centre 29, 2016 awaited boost to the island healthcare the former Ingraham TheTribune PRICE – $1 (Family and the Christie adminis- under Islands $1.50) tration’s National Health administration.

When the Christie adInsurance plans. came to power, Like the Child and Ado- ministration renovating the $" ) (0-% Ĺš $1m the new health centre in lescent and Robert Smith it spent PRIME Minister Perry Christie tours SEE PAGE SIX Abaco yesterday.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff (CARS) Complex that was commissioned last year, the

MILLER BLASTS UNIONS

in landslideCHRISw TIE AS HE N FOR FNM roars to HUMILIATIOSEAT AFTER 4O YEARS PLP fired as LOSES HIS

Covering The Bahamas for be abandoned.

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

MOSTLY SUNNY

RASPBERRY ICED TEA

LESLIE MILLER $42,219

RUNS BPL

ed it must as Hurri40 years. is so devastat on the island home has Ragged Island “Every those who remained Nobody Minnis warns The last week.

Does it . Better! discussion with their homes NEW PROVIDENCE Minister Dr Hubert has been destroyed battered icken RagGRAND BAHAMA facilityABACO has been health s on storm-strPrime Min- cane Irma 242.394.5555 residence ELEUTHERA destroyed. The 242.350.3500teachers’ There te, is no water. and safety condition EXUMA to deteriora urged the 18 been has been destroyed. The is 242.367.4204 no light. 242.332.3211 HEALT H the he smell242.336.2304 school will only continue destroyed. There about, you can yesterday as The in the afterged Island Minnis said to evacuate “As we walkcarcasses, dead animals. deister Dr Hubert on the island reduced ls will of dead has T stench(BAHAMAS) s of the individua remaining residents e Irma, whichof rubble and SPECIA L REPOR LIMITED. we get them that INSURANCE health condition Russell, BROKERS & math of Hurrican AGENTS and it’s essential said. s there to piles Words: Khrisna W Carey www.Insu teriorateranceMan Minnis Terrel agementB most structureisland unlivable.

Dr the only Pictures: to leaveom Dr Minnis off this island,� reluctantahamas.c for rendered the stay here,� saw for the n understandablyhome, expressing concern “They cannot A1MAIN Many were and a delegatio and days known as ever through said after he damage left by Irma they’ve residences, place gs. hurricane ripped safety of their first time the Five monster personal belongin d about the left behind. We will have by the smell after the Category island.

Defence “They are concerne they may have , exacerbated on of all eshere and the the same materials condition the small southern vessel a physical the destructi still whatever Force dispatche the cleanup and at The island’s carcasses and strongly urge those said. the Defence Dr Minnis of rotting animalled Dr Minnis to small community can Force will try to commenc security,�Established SEE PAGE 1903THREE that there is sential services, to leave until the time ensure Island has been on Ragged Ragged Island and be restored. to the residents; a walk through “I’ve spoken Minnis said following i’m lovin’ it!

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WIPEOUT: Prime

L ATEST NE WS ON TR IBUNE242 .COM Marsh Harbour Healthcare

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By NEIL HARTNE Tribune Busines LL so alarmed s Editor by the Caribnhartnell@ tribuneme bean Financial dia.net Action Task By RASHAD ROLLE Force’s (CFATF) Tribune THE Attorney In June, draft rrolle@tri Staff Reporter Gen- report on The he told Pareral yesterday liament bunemedia.net slammed that he instructed Bahamas the deficiencies cost Bahamians to BRENSI anti-money in the nation’s to begin work on his staff such addressing ister of L Rolle, min- increases was of the flaws from launderin regime as $10,149,738. public services The revision “entirely unac-g and Mr Bethel early June. ceptable�, warning blasted the said National Insurance, he included comes after between put The Bahamas they had former Christie more “in great tration for failing adminis- 2016 and May December 1,700 workers that werethan danger�.

2017, the in his original not known weakness to tackle public purse count.

Carl Bethel ballooned es with the $16,532,7 Amid the told Trib- necessary urgency. by une Business 38 because Progressive of the Liberal Party’s he had been FULL Christie administr criticism STORY - SEE BUSINESS hiring of new public ation’s of the Minnis administr aservice tion because of workers during its firings that period.

SEE PAGE SIX

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By NEIL HARTNE Tribune Busines LL utility operator s Editor nhartnell@ tribuneme ing to “walk is quite willdia.net away� from maximum $25m, five-yearit BAHAMAS BPL Light’s (BPL) Power & if themanagement contract board and hold a “crunchboard will administr Minnis ation meeting� with PowerSe The meeting,wish it to go. cure today, with the outcome which be attended

by PowerSecwill ical in deciding likely crit- executive ure s and their attorneys latter remains whether the from the US, as manager.

Multiple Tribune CLEOLA to determini is viewed as key ng whether Business sources HAMILTON OBIE yesterday two sides will “kiss and the confirmed $6,118 make up�

WILCHCOMBE or that the DAMIAN US FULL separate. $4,911 STORY - SEE GOMEZ BUSINESS NINE individuals $3,413 July. The sums named on the BPL “do HURRICANE not disconnec do not include t� list any payments INSUR ANCE: made or furtherand the amount they owed at the end of debt incurred since that date.

Are you Covere

VIDEO OF PM’S VISIT ONLIN E AT TRIBU NE24 2.COM

medical treatment.

EMAILS leaked from a ther’s The emails were obtained data breach of China ConThe Tribune following a struction America’s (CCA) by in December highservers show that from story the breach of CCA as early as 2013, Jerome lighting by a San Francisco Fitzgerald was seeking to servers China Construction secure millions of dollars hacker. paid 24 bitcoins in brokerage, trucking, and eventually equivalent of $24,000) limousine contracts at Baha (the have access to their servMar while he sat in Cabinet to however, it aprestored; ers as the Minister of Educathat emails forwarded tion, Science and Tech- pears relating to personnel or nology, The Tribune has to, CCA were compromised, at learned. top officials at Baha The emails contradict the despite saying they were not Minister, who this week de- Mar by the hack at concerned to nied ever using his office time. direct contracts to himself the Mr Fitzgerald writes, “I In an email dated May 18, interior maor his family from the mulMr Izmirlian am aware that to sent 2013, have began to arrive ti-billion dollar resort.

Mr Fitzgerald, with terials hotel. I would really Mr Fitzgerald - the Pro- by Porter, Shelly Cur- for the gressive Liberal Party MP QuentinAlarice Fill copied, appreciate it if we could be and your official brofor Marathon - appears also tis Fitzgerald indicates his appointed 1st 2013.� to be requesting $20,000 Mr to start brokerage ker for June a month from Baha Mar’s He then makes a request McRib readiness is trucking services for original developer Sarkis and of Mr Izmirlian for limouex- the Baha Mar project and sine services at Baha Mar, Izmirlian, citing the Back! the brokers of repenses that were necessary remain as he touted the level of i’m lovin’ property. the for it! cord fato cover the cost of his

THURSDAY

THE PEOPLE’S

LEA VES ROL E AS ATL ANT IS

By AVA TURNQU EST Tribune Chief officials could Reporter aturnquest@tribune not media.net reached up to press time. be According FOUR former to sources Progres- close to the sive Liberal Party Cabinet Monday Mr matter, as of ministers owed Wells has since more than paid $9,000 on $20,000 each his accounts at Bahamas with an outstandi Power and ng balLight, former minister with one ance of some $8,600.

The source for some $60,000 in arrears also said as ARNOLD as of July, of Monday according to FORBES a list obtained in talks withMr Forbes was

by The Tribune. the company $62,023 to settle the The Credit balance tions Departm and Collec- a three-month period. over Mr MPs, senators ent listing of Forbes, former PLP Mount and board Moriah MP, members for the period to Cabinet was appointed ending July in January that former 31, revealed and previously served 2015, State Minister chairman as the in the Ministry of the Bahamas Arnold Forbes of Works Agricultural and Industria owed BPL Corporation. l $62,023.14.

Others on The list obtained the “do not Tribune contains by The disconnect� list are: former delin- Minister of Health quent accounts of six Perry Gomez, former Dr former PLP Cabinet minisPines MP Tall ters, two former Leslie Miller, PLP MPs, former Minister two private of one sitting entities, and Dr Danny Johnson, Youth former Cabinet min- Nassau Village ister: Bamboo MP Dion Renward Wells. Town MP Smith, former Tourism Minister Obie Mr Wells, Wilchcom DR DANIEL $9,277.07 and who owed former South Beach be, MP JOHNSON two separate $3,703.96 at Cleola Hamilton former locations $24,413 $12,981.03 in Minister of and total – did not- for Legal State want to comment Affairs Damian yester- Gomez. day, and the other former SEE PAGE EIGHT

FIREFIGHTERS yesterday battled a large blaze at the New Providence Landfill, nearly three weeks after tackling a massive fire at the city dump that burned for nearly a month.

Officer in Charge of Fire Services, Chief Superintendent Walter Evans said the current fire is “not connected� in any way to the previous blaze and at this time officials do not know PRIME Minister what caused the fire. HowDr Hubert Minnis meeting ever Environment Minister Kendera Woodside the mother of Kenred Dorsett told remurdered Eugene, Woodside. he RASHAD porters at the siteBythat TribuneinStaff ROLLE suspected “sabotage�

Three Reporte rrolle@tri He said Photo: Yontalay relation to the fire. after bunemedia.net r murder that days the Bowe team he “instructed� the struggle withpushed the country’s composure.

THE the hugs and have Dr Minnis said of firefighters towords comforting the national violent crime into he felt the fam- Each citizen has of Prime ily’s spotlight yet “before a responsib blaze extinguished Minister Dr her pain remained and again, even pain. “What makes Hubert ility our Minnis and today and me feel has whatever informati worse countries acute. nomination day� is “He on one mother that most of Patricia . Yes I we must bring we see Minnis couldn’this wife God,� ain’t even live a Baha Mar’s those certainly beforethe more than I feel for this answer Mrs Woodsid life, my my yearsin the yard, I, during These criminals livethat forward. questions can say.�

Dr Minnis opening on Friday. that consume among us.� “He’s e cried. as a medical Mrs Minnis, said he will Kendera shortly d breath a baby. I could Woodside yesterday medical attention doctor, to ensure The blaze started give my the family who emphasised she grieved right now is provided andfor as baby after 3am Wednesday just for to her ance before that her appear- Mrs Woodside, who is year-old said officpregnant Eugene, whoson, eight- my to be right here. They my “You can see Chief Supt Evans political move,them was not a heart out my take was killed four theago. the grieving . fire pain she’s body. called ers expect to battledays on to “This women wear black going through,� and “Why my but daythese for at least another people ain’t he almost shoot only son. They in mourning one day this week said. “I assured her ing a “huge� tellthat somefor my daughter time today they he said the wind isme “As a mother, murder victims.

(Friday) too right now?� bringing my son and they inside (the medical personne we will have I’m calling factor. house) with she cried between me. What all mothers screams they do to l come because I upon after her as SIX SEE PAGE Dr Minnis my family? believe mothers because she’sto look really console the tried to What they do to us? would’ve delivered nant. can family at their “Why they most of them said Mrs Minnis, who stop this,� her I have to make surepregbud Road home where Rose- live 29 years, ain’ carry me? I so they are closer to me knowing at times. “We have was tearful both and her unborn infant that was shot by Eugene they are my He’s our sons who well and we are former patients,� a stray bullet we cradle Tonio Woodsida baby.�

Monday as will also make arrangem Dr become from birth and as he did his homeworon father, consoled e, Eugene’s Minnis, a gynaecologist they necessary ents to make men we are by prohis wife even fession, said. “The k. as he sure the still with medical personne struggled message we them. We have to to maintain must send to the entire speak with look after her and l is the police Bahamas them. I think all women see can’t fight this wear should regular basis to ensure her on a alone. and black one day this the safety of her and her week mourn what’s unborn infant.� happening in SEE PAGE TWO

Minister’s repeated requests for contracts and deals exposed

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ROLLINS: NO LEGAL BASIS DISCIPLINING THE REBE FOR L SEVEN

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Greenslade: Bahamas is not in crisis

SEE PAGE SIX

HUSBAND KILLED AFTER GUNMEN FORCED COUPLE TO STOP CAR

UNVEILS SELF-HEL P BOOK -

O WELLS

By RICARD Reporter Tribune Staff ia.net rwells@tribunemed concern ADMIT TING Bernard Notin over what Dr have battled last tage may his isolation during Prime Minisdays, former yesterday Christie for ter Perry admiration the expressed forth by the effort put security national to former the build-up minister in election. the May general from his away Breaking since being public silence office in hisof a voted out last month, toric fashion Mr Chrishis visibly troubled portions of tie detailed tion with his last conversa longfriend and childhood colleague on time political .

Thursday Centreville The former Nottage as Dr MP saw “fought tewho someone throughout his naciously� he loved and life for thosetrait he said he a supported, up to their saw on display tion. last conversa

By SANCHESKA DORSETT SEE PAGE SIX Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

the holiday would on the actual date be observed of the historic event, Tuesday, January The change in the 10. public holiday calendar has been perceived by many as an attempt by the government to strike success of a seconda blow to the event by We March Bahamas.

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

FIGHTING DEPRESS ION: AUTHOR

FORMER PM TELLS OF LAST TALK WITH NOTTAGE

certain neighbourhoods� and the suggestion to do is “emotional and makes so no DESPITE the country sense�.

His comments came recording 13 homicides 13 days, Commissioner in hours after the country reof corded its 27th homicide Police Ellison Greenslade the year. Seven people for said the Bahamas is not have ROLLE a state of “crisis� and in been killed since Friday. the r

By RASHAD Reporte On Monday afternoon, average Bahamian Tribune Staff a.nettinue to “go about can con- police also reported that a their rrolle@tribunemedi as normal day� without day man was stabbed outside the Nottage’s an establishment on Nassau fear be of being attacked.

DR Bernard forever will At na press conference Street while two men were “footprints the Bahamia shot while in the area at police of e� headquarters on Ross etched on landscap Corner. These victims Monday developmental a for- after a weekend of were said to work as be in stable “carnage�, Commissioner condition through his of the Bahain hospital. mer presidention of Greenslade Athletic said the only soCommissioner lution to the country’s crime mas Associat the Bahamas Greenslade said it problem Associations, ion, theis to “keep prolific ply not enough for is simoffenders people as a behind bars�. He to “point Medical Associatand the finger at the said rthe af- Royal Bahamas MinDoctors’ Union consume FORMER Prime Police and reForce (RBPF) is not police in times of crisis� minister for , health to accept the yet refuse to “manage ister Perry Christie education considering their a defeat, was as I did when I implementing fairs, into Opposiyesterday. pictured a curfew or “locking was in arrears, sponsibility for it in response to W. SEE PAGE THREE COMMISSIONER national security, down tenant who Photo: Terrel of Police Ellison Greenslade Philip “Brave� recent he said ns airport Staff levelled speaking at a press described tion Leader resigned,� conference yesterday. ay.

Carey/Tribune from accusatio Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Mr Christieby the government as questions on the criticism in recent Davis said Wednesd , misfea71, died Staff administration moves made by a party pandering at his administration ible spending Dr Nottage, the Cleveof irrespons O WELLS . at a “misstep� thought

By RICARD Reporter Wednesday He will receive sance and cronyism that weeks. never any

By RICARDO WELLS he was “disap- to its base. acceptmaintained Tribune Staff “There was land Clinic. ia.net the three most recent He also said allegations being in arrangethat I was Tribune relating Mr Christie inci- a double shooting Staff by the ed, Reporter rwells@tribunemed gova state funeral announc documents would on my part ility for any degree dents, which have left on Ross By LAMECH Per- pointed� berwells@tribunemed by the new that a review of one ia.net ments to controversies of any ing responsibof criminality, irreman dead and three others Corner yesterday, lamented Tribune Staff JOHNSON Prime Minister ed tossed around the press secng matters er to these two FORMER Reporter ration the “too bold� according to Office of the yesterday condemnra- ernment concerni his last term as absolve his administ that much whatsoev spending and the notion the country and po- in hospital in serious condi- crimes occurring nature of ljohnson@tribunemedia.net ry Christie during retary for the AS Anthony and prove as noth- sponsible Minnis administ tion. is bare’ is just in the captranspired lice is wrongdoing efforts by the his government in ital recently, as he insisted Prime Minister, continue to grapple that ‘the cupboard Officer-in-charge of prime minister.at accusations from of the FNM’s rhetoric l slogans.�

A MAN appeared . with the latest spate of vioslogans.� the that a “handful tion to portray as he challenged back in Newbold “politica political adminisHitting Central SIX of than light, prolific THREE a Detective Unit, offenders�

Magistrate’s PAGE law lent SEEcrimes, SEE PAGE a negative leader to carry out of the Minniscontrover- ing more of the challenges I have enforceremain hell-bent day accused Court yestergovernment officials are seeking Chief Superintendent Clay- on terrorising of the members ng the “One of sexually asthe nation’s who led the $8m to examination the public. ton Fernander, speaking tration concerni saulting a woman during the public’s assistance of more thanclean up as the person led the government to “dispassionate in the media on the sial pay out and who SEE PAGE THREE the Christmas holidays. scene of record�. interview at one vendor for hurricane to an ment She is alleged to be a victim off of $1.2m During a lengthy home on Thursand the write his Cable Beach defended his day, Mr Christie

IS • FORMER PM BY DAVIS TRIBUTE OF ‘DISAPPOINTED’ S TO LEGACY FNM ALLEGATION COLLEAGUE • SAYS GOVT DIDG NOTHING WRON UT OVER $8M PAYO W • CALLS FOR REVIE OF DOCUMENTS

24/7 ACCOUNT ACCESS CHIEF Superintende nt Clayton Fernander, in-charge of the officerDetective Unit, Central drivers yesterday warned to tra cautious� after be “exmen forced a couple armed to stop their vehicle in the of the road before middle shooting and killing the driver.

Chief Supt Fernander said police believe armed robbery may be the for the killing. He motive incident could havesaid the “happened to anyone�.

The murder took place shorty after 9pm day in the area on Tuesof nium Gardens, off MillenWilliams Darling Tonique and brought the Highway, murder count to country’s 109 for the year, according to The Tribune’s records.

Chief Supt Fernander tee next month, said the victim, committee mians, identiChairman James Smith said former most of the foreign fied by police as Kendrick yesterday. employees won’t Simms, was driving receive all that is due to Since the money his wife, when anotherwith Mr Smith said theythem. pulled en on an ex-gratia was givcar will, basis by however, ahead the China Export-Impo receive a “high ing them to of them forcstop. rt figure�.

Bank (EXIM) and “The man was tended primarily was indrivfor BahaSEE PAGE FIVE ing through Millennium SEE PAGE FIVE

PARTIAL PAYMENT FOR

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

FOREIGN former employees of Baha Mar will be paid by the government appointed Claims Commit-

FOREIGN BAHA MAR STAFF

ONE DEAD, THREE HURT IN LATEST

Y - BUT SOME DEADLINE TODA TANDING DISCLOSURES OUTS

IES OVER BPL BANNISTER WORRTHE LIGHTS ON ABILITY TO KEEP

energy. solar, to produce of agreeof Works The heads the governMINIST ER r said challenges, Desmond Banniste ment requires to “address concerns� pressed certain and BPL delayed t today marks which he suggestedof docu- he has “serious Power and ment and consisten WHILE with Bahamas to “keep the reliable of electricity on the for both sitsubmission the deadlineformer parlia- the tell- supply Providence, Light’s ability are chal- lights on this summer,� of island of New ting and to file financial ments. abiliinclude the Among these the lack mentarians Public Discloobtaining finanThe Tribuneprevent the which will the requirements lenges with from spouses, ing may ty to meet disclosures, ion Chairrecords s reliabilityent from fulfilling of the project.� the instalsure CommissLaroda told cial in situation rly governm y requireoperThis involves supporting man Myles yesterday that particula Mar all the necessar they may have all lation “of The Tribunestill some that wherebank accounts prior ments in the Baha necessary to ated said there heads of agreement. is al- infrastructure there were ing�.

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FIVE to marriage that he SEE PAGE are “outstand some unwilling yesterday, He added at new, alsion In an interview in his dis- was also ready “looking including and apprehen said ways,�

Mr Laroda some persons ness SEE PAGE THREE ternative cussions with to make who are required es, they exthe disclosur

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Christie: It’s like the Wild West

By NICO SCAVELLA do much more to “fully Tribune Staff Reporter derstand this senseless unnscavella@tribunemedia.net of killings,� and have set law PRIME Minister Perry enforcement respond “as Christie yesterday likened quickly as possible� and in a “very meaningful way� the Bahamas’ crime in situation to the “Wild West,� their crime fighting efforts.

These efforts, Mr Chrisas he said the recent wave of murders in the capital tie suggested, would likely include dedicating a must solicit a “major� “suband stantial� number “continuous� effort by Manhis ers to patrol the of officEmergency actiadministration to “flood streets The National New Providence and of after they agement Agency (NEMA) ent the streets� with officers sithe police y managem n in multaneously giving cations with from entering the vated its emergenc a bid to do “all that is necesthem T and an evacuatio were blocked SKA DORSET sary to bring this madness “the capacity to interdict plan yesterday ed at the Kenthe movements of peopleBy SANCHE Reporter area. were also shelter was establish to a halt�.

Staff um at the Several persons with respira- dal G L Isaacs Gymnasi Centre Mr Christie, speaking on the streets,� incorporat- Tribune tribunemedia.net Sports to the hospital with reporters yesterday, ing more reserve police of- sdorsett@ Gar- rushed Queen Elizabeth shelter during ts. in Jubilee tory complain Tribune arrived on which was used as a for displaced said the “madness� occur- ficers, and “if necessary�

RESIDENTS to evacuate their When The ring is due to gang activity incorporating Royal Baharesidents were forced last hurricane mas Defence Force marines dens were after a massive the scene, severaltheir roofs, as the the and retaliation. residents. ce landfill pouring water on dump is believed homes yesterday the homes. at Providen their fire He said the past bloody in policing efforts.

The by a smaller ity in thick, blaze grew closer to nt for Tall fire at the New Mr Christie also said been started weekend is a “shocking he blanketed the commun of Parliame also assist- to have off Fire Trail Road. would be speaking development� that will with black hazardous smoke. Bahamas Member bush fire Miller was the Royal Pines Leslie in hosing down their quire the government reTWO AND THREE SEE PAGE THREE entrance Members of to SEE PAGES blocked the visibility ing residentsproviding transportaPolice Force on as homes and who needed help. residents to the subdivisi tion for those zero. Angry dropped to in verbal alterbecame involved of human trafficking. fire off Fire Suppression Act, Chapter James Coakley, 53, a smaller bush to the city of 106. spread have ed by Cargill Creek, Andros Movement fre- Trail Road that blanketed Jubilee The former boxer was was brought before fire the the Free National from the smoke Chief to prevent dump. The surrounding areas in T ce enough Magistrate Joyann Fergu- also charged with three DORSET d A YOUNGSTER flees and Providen done SKA e landfill tha Gardens counts of rape filed under at the New and threatene

By SANCHE Reporter New Providenc to evacua son-Pratt to answer to quent fires have caused some of thick, black smoke g officials fire at the two Section 6(a) of were asked Tribune Staff counts of trafficking in dia.net the Sexual ry issues. several homes, promptin Landfill that Many residents persdorsett@ tribuneme masto develop respirato sons contrary to Section Offences Act, Chapter 99. It SEE PAGE THREE s came as a Jubi- them 3(1)(a) of the Trafficking is alleged that he engaged in owners in Their comment at the landfill, raging ANGRY home in Persons Prevention was startyesterday expressed sive fire was SEE PAGE SIX and lee Gardens concern that neither which officials believe disgust and ve Liberal Party nor the Progressi

ATTACKS EX-BOXER ON RAPE, TRAFFICK ING

ced to leave Residents for ic fumes to escape tox

CHARGES

ATTORNEY GENERAL: INTERCEPTION BOY, WILL ENHANCE PRIVACY, NOT HARM BILL DEAD3,INFOUND CAR IT

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

By SANCHESKA DORSETT The bill will allow commissioner of police, the an law as it placed author- Tribune Staff Reporter or person acting on his behalf,a ity solely in the hands of sdorsett@tribunemedia.net the independent judiciary, ATTORNEY General to obtain a warrant from a adding that POLICE are investigatAllyson Maynard-Gibson Supreme Court judge to in- international the ICB met ing the circumstances surtercept and examine standards yesterday defended the In- son’s communicationsa per- and also addressed recent rounding the death of a terception of Communicafrom criticisms three-year-old boy who was tions Bill as an important telecommunications opera- Devices of the Listening found unresponsive in a car anti-crime tool that would tors, internet providers and Council. Act by the Privy in front of his daycare yespostal services. enhance the privacy of She said any suggestion terday afternoon. lawIn a statement yesterday, abiding citizens rather that the legislation was The body of the toddler than Mrs Maynard-Gibson a was encroach upon it, as detracdiscovered shortly plained that this move ex- “spying bill� was false. tors claim. was ter 2pm on Monday afunprecedented in Bahamiby a SEE PAGE FIVE SEE PAGE SIX

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By RICARD cases of im- Tribune Staff Repo enced alleged ibunemedia. officials solicitmigration from migrants rwells@tr de ing bribes beatings of THE originalMa and alleged prisoners in of the Baha the migrants and States has yesterday said THE United Bahamas custody. y, the Ministry continued comple the Yesterda the openi highlighted “intimida- of Foreign Affairs said te� lays, missed government’s “inaccura “now suppo rnmental report had cases “incom- and opening� o tion of non-gove and efforts gered in some organisations� ent and au- and information. property into tire plete� an incident year shows tha by the governm inhibit “free Referring to Minoffer thorities to criminal Education Izmirlian’s Fitzgerald or� to the curren for in which speech through Jerome problems as ister libel laws�

However, despi SEE PAGE 12 in its latest the Bahamas report. human rights also referThe report

ROLLE

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