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Volume:115 No.232, OCTOBER 26TH, 2018
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WEEKEND: SOMETHING WICKED’S COMING FOR HALLOWEEN
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PASSING OF A PLP FIREBRAND Bradley Roberts dies after sudden collapse at home By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net BRADLEY Roberts, former Progressive Liberal Party chairman and Cabinet minister, 74, died suddenly yesterday at his home where he collapsed and could not be revived. His death came as a shock, with many on social media recalling seeing the PLP chairman emeritus exercising on Goodman’s Bay Beach this week – an indicator that he was thought to be in good health.
PLP Leader Philip “Brave” Davis told reporters outside Roberts’ home that the veteran politician went on his usual walk yesterday morning, picked up coffee and came home, where he later died. “For me he was a good friend and mentor, one of my strong supporters always gave me good advice and was there for me,” an emotional Mr Davis said. Former Prime Minister Perry Christie, who also spoke to the media outside Roberts’ home, said his
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said yesterday the two percent salary contribution proposed by the National Health Insurance Authority to fund its health insurance scheme is not set in stone. Dr Minnis sought to ease public anxiety over the NHIA’s proposal, telling The Tribune he didn’t want
REBELS FACE ‘ULTIMATUM’ - TOE LINE OR EXIT PARTY By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE FNM will host a conclave on November 2 featuring parliamentarians, senators and constituency association executives. FNM chairman Carl Culmer said yesterday the conclave will be an opportunity for the party to evaluate its performance and look for ways to improve. However, another source in the party said the conclave will serve as a “come-to-Jesus” moment for the four rebel parliamentarians. “Either they will come out whole or some will be gone,” a source said. The conclave comes after four FNMs MPs voted against the government over the awarding of a five-year lease to cabinet minister Brent Symonette for the use of his Town Centre Mall to house the Post Office.
NOW WE’RE PUT IN SAME BASKET AS DAMASCUS
SEE PAGE THREE
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
THE financial services industry in The Bahamas was dealt a fresh blow yesterday when it was included in the Paris-based Financial Action Task Force’s list of 11 countries with “structural deficiencies” in their antimoney laundering/counter terror financing regimes. The organisation ranked The Bahamas alongside wartorn countries such as Syria and Yemen as “jurisdictions that pose a risk to the international financial system”.
the public or the press to spread false information that the government had agreed to a tax increase. He said the authority had not yet presented a final report for Cabinet approval, adding there will be further public consultation after ministerial review. “The NHI committee is doing their investigation and putting together their report,” he said.
SEE PAGE FIVE
page 10
SEE PAGE SIX
MINNIS: HEALTH LEVY NOT YET SIGNED OFF By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@ tribunemedia.net
FROM ZULU TO BATMAN Pages 18 & 19
BRADLEY ROBERTS, the former Progressive Liberal Party chairman and Cabinet minister who yesterday died suddenly at his home. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
WHO’S IN CHARGE? MOSTLY WOMEN, APPARENTLY By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
WOMEN hold the majority of senior leadership positions in nearly every public sector but politics and law enforcement, according to statistics presented by Social Services Minister Frankie Campbell yesterday. Mr Campbell addressed the United Nation’s committee on the Convention
FRANKIE CAMPBELL on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
in Geneva, Switzerland as part of the country’s state review. The session marked the country’s sixth periodic state report, with its last appearance in July 2012. The highest percentage of women were seen at the director-level in the public service, with 78 percent; and in health with 75 percent of hospital administrators being female.
A COMIC’S VIEW: MARIJUNA - THE BURNING DEBATE
SEE PAGE FIVE
SEE PAGE EIGHT
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PAGE 2, Friday, October 26, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
CHANGING THE GUARD
THE CHANGING of the guard at the Royal Bahamas Police Force Headquarters yesterday. PHOTOS: Terrel W Carey Sr/ Tribune Staff
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, October 26, 2018, PAGE 3
Bradley Roberts dies after sudden collapse at home from page one colleague’s death gave him reason for pause because the two are in the same age bracket. He also said Roberts was instrumental in the party’s election wins of 2002 and 2012. “I think history has a way of catching up with these things, and the question is, what caused us to win in 2002, 2012, is a significant contribution on a sustained basis from people like Bradley Roberts. To my mind, it’s how susceptible we are to these issues of health and that again you’re promised your three score and ten, but the fact of the matter is... but for the grace of God go I, Perry Christie.” In a statement issued by the PLP, Mr Davis also said he and the party were deeply saddened and overcome with regret over Mr Roberts’ passing, which, he said, was unexpected. He described the former minister of works as a “giant of a man” who was a trusted advisor and a champion of the poor.
“Mr Roberts served as chairman for two terms, the last of which was from 2009 to 2017. He was elected chairman emeritus during the special convention of July 28,” Mr Davis said. “Mr Roberts first emerged in public life in the 1977 general election as a candidate for the now abolished Shirlea constituency opposing the late Sir Roland Symonette. He emerged victorious in a by-election following the death of Shadrach Morris the incumbent in the old Grants Town constituency in 1982.” Mr Davis said Roberts was “instrumental” in the PLP’s 2002 general election win. Roberts, known as “Big Bad Brad” due to his noholds barred political style, was also fond of using material against his opponents which he would say he would find in his “garbage can”. Mr Davis continued: “We of the PLP are enormously grateful for his life of service and the patriotism which he displayed and his
1982: PLP Grant’s Town candidate Bradley Roberts pays his $400 nomination fee to returning officer Paganini D Inniss. Photo: Franklyn Robinson
love of party. Our condolences go out to his family from all of us in the PLP. May he rest in peace.” Condolences also poured in from the governing Free National Movement, with Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis expressing surprise at Roberts’ death. “A noted and successful businessman, Bradley Roberts was dedicated to public life,” a statement from Dr Minnis noted. “He served for 40 years in the frontline of politics, 25 as a member of Parliament. He was dedicated to the Progressive Liberal Party, his political home, and up to his retirement from the frontline in October 2017, was the national chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party. “Bradley Roberts contributed in various ways to our national development, and was known for his strong opinions on the issues of the day.” FNM chairman Carl Culmer and former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham also offered condolences. Mr Culmer said: “Roberts, a former Progressive
BRADLEY ROBERTS, then MP for Grant’s Town, pictured in 1985. Liberal Party member of Parliament representing Grants Town for many years, chairman of Bahamas Electricity Corporation and successful businessman, fought vehemently for his party over the years and proved himself to be a worthy and tenacious opponent on political and national issues. “The leader and members of the Opposition PLP, and indeed The Bahamas, have lost a great man on this day. May his soul rest in peace,” Mr Culmer said. For his part, Mr Ingraham, former FNM leader, said Mr Roberts will be remembered for his support for the advancement of Bahamians in all walks of life. “I was shocked to learn of the sudden passing of Bradley Roberts, former member of Parliament and Cabinet minister in the
1992: Bradley Roberts (front left) and Enoch Backford (front right) of The Bahamas delegation at a session of the 38th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference at the Radisson Cable Beach Casino and Golf Resort. Photo: Peter Ramsay
government of The Bahamas and most recently, chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party,” Mr Ingraham said. “I join with all those extending heartfelt sympathy to his wife Hartlyn, his children, and siblings and to his extended family. “Bradley entered the political fray early in life and remained committed to the end notwithstanding his retirement from the political frontlines since 2012. “He will be remembered as a firebrand politician, single-minded and resolute in his support for his political party and for the causes in which he believed. His contribution to the development of our country, both within his Party and in the Parliament, is a matter of record,” Mr Ingraham said. FNM Bain and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson further offered condolences
on behalf of constituents. He said in a time when politics and ideas can sometimes divide it is moments like this that removes the colours, the ideologies and the gladiator-like combat. He said the nation was built on the backs of men and women who made tremendous sacrifices for its development like his predecessor. Mr Robinson said he was honoured to have had the opportunity as the member of Parliament for Bain and Grants Town to be able to walk in the imprints of a man he called a general in Bahamian politics and former member of Parliament for the great people of Bain and Grants Town. Mr Roberts has four children, one deceased, and five grandchildren. He is survived by his wife Hartlyn, whom he married in 1965.
1982: Bradley Roberts (centre) at the announcement of plans to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Bethell Robertson and Co. Photo: Franklyn Robinson
BIG BAD BRAD - A FEROCIOUS ADVOCATE OF THE PLP By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
KNOWN for his political quips and acerbic attacks on his opponents, Bradley Roberts will go down in the annals of history as a fierce defender of the Progressive Liberal Party. Born on Christmas Day in 1943, Roberts first emerged in public life in the 1977 general election as a candidate for the now abolished Shirlea Constituency opposing the late Sir Roland Symonette. While he did not win that race, he emerged victorious in a by-election following the death of Shadrach Morris, the incumbent in the old Grants Town constituency in 1982, and remained a member of Parliament until 2007, when he did not seek re-election. Roberts was sworn in as minister of works and utilities on May 7, 2002 – five days after the PLP’s victory in the 2002 general election, an election he was instrumental in helping his party secure. Roberts retired from front-line politics in October 2017 and was elected chairman emeritus during the PLP’s special PLP convention on July 28, 2018. His heyday was the second term of the Ingraham administration after his party’s landslide defeat in the 1997 election made him one of the most senior PLP
experience at The Bahamas Telecommunications Company and at Caribbean Motors Ltd, before entering the beverage industry, where he was a senior executive for 37 years. He held a directorship of Burns House Ltd, Commonwealth Brewery Ltd, Associated Bahamian Distillers, and Autos Breweries (1979) Ltd, Bethel Robertson & Co Ltd, Arawak Homes Ltd, Eleuthera Properties BRADLEY Roberts during political campaigning, left, and, right, pictured in December when interviewed by The Tribune’s Weekend section. Ltd, Sunshine Holdings Ltd, for his keen political sense, who can protect our inter- it resulted in a profit boom Freeport Oil Company Ltd, members of Parliament. Known for his fiery but he was a successful ests, no matter the political for many who though In-flight Kitchen Ltd and a climate.’ This was just good despising PLP policies, number of other Bahamian contributions and leaks businessman. were quick to take advan- companies. It was the 1970s when business sense.” of damaging information He said their pattern tage of the new spending about the FNM, he was Roberts, along with other He also served as appointed PLP chairman black businessmen, estab- had been no different power of the emerging chairman of Sunshine for the first time in 2000 and lished themselves as “The from some of the frater- black middle class,” he Holdings Company Ltd, gained his familiar moni- Sunshine Boys” and it was nal orders, which pooled wrote. president of Burns House “Bahamians now had Ltd, vice-chairman of Genker, “Big Bad Brad,” during then that he was thought to resources and went into have started to amass great business together in a pre- better jobs and increas- eral Bahamian Companies that era. ing amounts of disposable Ltd, and vice-president and recession United States. Opposing former Prime wealth. The group first started income to spend around director of Freeport Oil His autobiography also Minister Hubert Ingraham, Roberts wrote in his 2016 states: “The 1970s was just with the Twin Theatre on town. The Sunshine Boys Ltd. autobiography, galvanised all right for The Sunshine Blue Hill Road, an origi- saw the potential and soon Mr Roberts was a Boys” although much of nal business concept in the other business opportuni- member of the Royal Eagle him during that period. ties presented themselves Lodge and a member and “In many quarters, I was the group had dropped out Bahamas. Later “The Sunshine to us.” described as the ‘one man and a fortune had been lost past president of the Rotary 26th October 2018 He gainedFriday,work wrecking team’ of the Free before the first dollar of Boys” acquired land on Club of West Nassau. Carmichael Road where National Movement,” he profit was made. recounted. “It became my “When we formed the the late Pastor Myles Group, our Munroe built his church, passion… anytime I got up Sunshine to speak, supporters had commitment to certain phi- and took over the Golden attached the theme music, losophies almost cornered Gates Theatre from George "Is it possible for ‘Who Let the Dogs Out’ us,” Roberts wrote. “We Wilson. older engines to feel Roberts wrote that two to my attacks on the FNM, ran the risk of being held and suddenly I was given hostage by our politics. So I of the groups endeavours and act younger than said to the guys ‘you know were successful and the the title, ‘Big Bad Brad!’ their age? Try 'Castrol “This stuck after radio we need to identify other group went on to invest personality Steve McKin- strategic partners on the in other smaller ventures GTX Ultraclean', then ney, in a bombastic and other side of the political around town. let us know!" “Despite all the politipowerful tone, described divide so that if the governDowdeswell Street me as such one fateful day.” ment ever changes, we will cal polarisation and rancor Not only was he known have partners on both sides leading up to independence,
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What to do if you have a winning ticket A yet-to-be-identified person in South Carolina recently won the Mega Millions jackpot of almost US$1.537 billion. Meanwhile, the Powerball’s prize continues to grow and is currently at $750 million. This begs a question: What should you do if such a windfall falls into your lap, whether a jackpot, a large inheritance or huge profit from selling a business? I have pondered this for years as an economist researching personal finance issues. I also ask my undergraduates every semester what they would do if they suddenly got $1 billion. The standard student response is to pay off their sizeable college debts and travel the world. While college is expensive and traveling to exotic places is fun, neither will use up much of a billion dollars. But yet somehow many people manage to win big and squander it quickly. Here are a few tips based on research for how to handle an unexpected windfall. Finding self-control The urge to spend is a huge problem. As I noted in a recent article, people who come into large sums of money end up bankrupt. My own research found that the average person in their 20s, 30s and 40s who was given an inheritance or large financial gift spent or lost half the money relatively quickly. A 2011 paper found that people who won midsized prizes in the Florida lottery were more likely to file for bankruptcy than small lottery winners. The data suggest it takes time and experience to radically adjust to a different lifestyle. Given these problems of self-control, my advice is simple. If you win the lottery, do not take the lump sum payment. In the case of the Mega Millions jackpot, that allowed a winner to receive $878 million immediately – before taxes. Instead, take the option to receive annual payments over 30 years, which is still an incredible amount of money each year. And if you happen to have issues with self-control and spend the entirety of your first and perhaps second payment on fancy homes and cars, you still have 28 or 29 years of additional payments – which get larger over time – to get your financial house in order. If your windfall came by another means, such as inheritance, it’s still easy to handle a self-control problem. Many insurance companies and brokerage houses sell annuities, which operate
just like that 30-year lottery payment option. An immediate annuity is a simple contract. You give a certain amount of money to an insurance company and in return it gives you a periodic payment, which factors in inflation, for either a fixed term or for your entire life. You can buy happiness And so what’s the best way to spend that money? Social science researcher Michael Norton has good news for lottery winners: You can buy happiness by spending money. Just not in the way you might think. He found that the best way is not to spend money on yourself. Instead, spend it on other people by giving money to charity and provide small sums for helping others. Norton suggests small gestures like buying other people coffee will make you happier. If you have a large windfall, walk into a coffee shop and pay for everyone who is in line. If you are out having a beer, treat the entire bar to a round. His research suggests this will make you happier. Dealing with loved ones But a trickier issue is how to deal with relatives and friends. Once you hit the jackpot, many people will likely come calling, even those you have not seen in years. Suddenly, you’re the dearest person they know. My suggestion is to make your friends, family and other loved ones as happy as possible. And to do that, you could give them a share of your winnings – but research on money and happiness suggests not too much. Psychologists Andrew Jebb, Louis Tay, Ed Diener and Shigehiro Oishi studied thousands of people around the world and found that having an income in North America of about $105,000 per year maximized happiness. Getting more didn’t make people happier. Based on this research, if you are going to dole out cash to your friends and family, keep it to about $100,000 per year for each person. If you want to help people in your life for a long time, then buy them an annuity that pays $100,000 a year for the rest of their lives. Giving them more may do more harm than good. By Jay L. Zagorsky of Boston University First published in The Conversation
UN Council consequences EDITOR, The Tribune. IS our election to the UN Human Rights Council going to cause extremely complicated consequences as we do not and have not been able to resolve what two national referenda tried to do? The news reports conveniently omitted key issues - Human Rights Watch highly criticised the election of countries like - Philippines-Eritrea-Bahrain-Bangladesh-Somalia
and Cameroon as their respective performance and compliance to the UN Human Rights Charter are far from an acceptable level or of being compliant. It disturbs me that we would make ourselves a candidate and by inference, our membership, through the company of countries as listed our position diplomatically and internationally could be marred as a result. None other than Louis Charbonneau, director of
UN Human Rights Watch, was highly critical of the election of these countries. The quote of the outgoing US UN Ambassador mirrored Human Rights Watch sentiments…“yet again countries with poor Human Rights records ran uncontested. This lack if standards continues to undermine the organisation”. MARTIN FORBES Nassau, October 18, 2018.
Tough times on Cat Island EDITOR, The Tribune I WANT to respond to some of the things that the Acting Director of Education said about the proposed amalgamation of Cat Island schools. He stated that the Ministry would be able to post more teachers in Cat Island if the enrolment of students in Cat Island would be bigger and located at one central school. This proposal has clearly come from individuals who have not spent time on Cat Island. The proposed amalgamation which is to have all students attend Old Bight High will require students from the North to spend a minimum of four hours a day commuting by bus. Not only does this severely impact the quality of education for the current students, it will prohibit student’s participation in extracurricular activities. Expecting students to commute long hours to school will negatively impact the students performance and minimise critical family time and the learning that takes place at home. It’s not acceptable, and furthermore as we are living in 2018 it is not necessary. The use of technology, can one, reduce the number of teachers required to be physically posted to Cat Island, and two, could afford the students a greater educational experience. Closing the Arthur’s Town High School will kill Northern Cat Island. What is a community without a school? Who will be the future of this community? How can we be expected to build our community, and increase our population if we lack the most basic infrastructure such as a school. It’s a tough time to be living in Cat Island. In addition to all of the problems that we have with our schools we also have other issues. The island does not have a morgue, we do not have proper clinic facilities, nor do we have a fire truck or properly paved roads. What does this mean for Cat Island? It means that when people die they are put in buckets of ice until the undertaker comes
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net from Nassau. When there is a medical emergency on island people have to drive an hour and half if not more before they can get to a plane to fly them off the island. We used to have a morgue, but it was destroyed when all the clinics on the island were bulldozed because we were promised new and better clinics. Years later the nurses operate out of an old house, which they have turned into a clinic. To this date we are awaiting our new clinics and morgue. There is also no functioning dock that allows for a mailboat to dock in the north of the island. The first response to our problems from many is that it is simple economics. Supply and demand, if the population isn’t there how does the government justify investing in the community. As a resident of Cat Island and a voice from the Family Islands I would like to make it clear that we are all Bahamians; The Bahamas does not just encompass New Providence. Yes, managing this country is expensive and complex and it is exactly because of this that we need our leaders to be innovative, creative, and committed to identifying solutions to these complex issues. It’s time that we stimulate the economies of our family islands without selling our souls and our precious resources. The solution to the problems in each family island cannot be to close everything down. We can and we must do better. A sign of a developed nation is their ability to invest in infrastructure. How do we attract investment in our family islands if we lack basic infrastructure like a school? We absolutely need to invest in our Family Islands. When you think about the future of The Bahamas, is it a future where the entire population of the country lives in New Providence? With the current levels of crime and overpopulation
of New Providence do we expect everyone from the Family Islands to move to the city? Where is our vision? We need leaders who are visionaries who are planning for the future development of our country. This trend of impulsively and recklessly reacting to problems needs to stop. As a community we are like so many other family islands, members of Cat Island came together to form a committee that is trying to bring National attention to the challenges facing our country, in addition to working within our capacity to solve the problems that we are faced with. As Bahamians we must be committed to nation building and that means investing in our country. The Bahamas is not just New Providence. We are a Family of Islands. Every Family Island represents unique cultures, lifestyles, economies, and heritage that are critical to the essence of what it means to be Bahamian. We cannot afford to further disenfranchise our Family Islands. It is no longer good enough for us to say, well there aren’t enough people on the islands and therefore that island doesn’t deserve the investment. We have to change our way of thinking. How can we encourage young families to move to the Family Islands if there is no infrastructure? We are one country and the success of each individual island is ultimately the success of our country as a whole. I am urging every Bahamian to stand in solidarity with the Family Islands. We deserve better, the future residents of family islands deserve better. So I ask you, what is the Bahamas without the Family Islands? Can we afford to let Family Island communities deteriorate? I believe that we absolutely cannot afford to let Family Island Communities deteriorate and that as a country we must proactively work towards addressing these critical national issues. NIKITA SHIELROLLE, MSc Arthurs Town Cat Island October 24, 2018
PAGE 6, Friday, October 26, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
Rebels face ‘ultimatum’ - toe line or exit party
CLOCKWISE from top left, Centreville MP Reece Chipman, Golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller, Bain and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson and Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine. from page one Vaughn Miller, the Golden Isles MP who on Wednesday accused the Free National Movement of continuing to perpetuate corruption this week, said yesterday he remains an FNM supporter and hopes to be part of the party’s team in the 2022 general
election campaign. Mr Miller said the party had not pressured him to fall in line after his speech in the House of Assembly lambasting a resolution to enter into a lease agreement for, which is partly owned by Symonette. Mr Miller said Wednesday evening: “There is no shame in this shameful act. We in the FNM seem to be
saying corruption is wrong in public office only when the PLP is doing it. Corruption is corruption regardless of who is doing it. This resolution is offensive because it reeks of a corrupt, foolish act that supports the wicked transfer of money out of the people’s treasury into a pocket of a Cabinet minister boldly and brazenly.” Pineridge MP Frederick
McAlpine declined to talk about his future in the party yesterday while Centreville MP Reece Chipman and Bain and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson did not respond to The Tribune before press time. The three, along with Mr Miller, voted against the Town Centre Mall resolution in the House of
Assembly on Wednesday. Asked if he hopes to be on the FNM’s ticket in 2022, Mr Miller said: “I hope we can get mature to the point that we respect each other’s view even if we disagree. Persons want you to respect and adapt their view. Certainly I would wish that as we progress towards 2022 that we remain together, a unified
force with me involved. I wish to be a part of that. All of my adult life this has been me. I’m very passionate about what I believe, very passionate in my expression about those beliefs and views.” Mr Miller said he still believes Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis is “the best person to be leading the party and the country”.
MINNIS: I’M FOCUSING ON DOING WHAT I THINK IS RIGHT By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said he is not focused on the four backbenchers who have occasionally bucked his administration’s agenda, sometimes in caustic tones. Golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller, Centreville MP Reece Chipman, Pineridge MP Frederick McAlpine and Bain and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson joined the Official Opposition in voting against a resolution on Wednesday to enter a
lease agreement with the Town Centre Mall which would be the new home for the General Post Office. The mall is partly owned by Financial Services and Immigration Minister Brett Symonette and critics say the government should not enter a business arrangement with a sitting Cabinet minister. Asked about the rebel four yesterday, Dr Minnis told The Tribune: “I am more focused on doing what I think is right and I think we did the right thing, as the matter was discussed thoroughly. We’ve been looking for solutions and
we found the best solution. (Brent) was never involved in any of the discussions. It is a no-brainer to many who look and those who have a problem, tell them to find me another place. You cannot talk in a silo.” Free National Movement Chairman Carl Culmer, in a separate interview with The Tribune, insisted the FNM is a “party where persons can speak freely.” However, he questioned why the four parliamentarians critiqued the plan without offering an alternative solution. He also said the FNM rebel MPs were given opportunities to voice
their concerns at a private meeting and they did not do so. “The meeting was held and the issue with the post office was brought up and there was no dissenting voices,” he said. “It makes one try to understand what this is all about. I have my suspicion. I don’t know if it’s sour grapes because they were removed from office.” Earlier this year, the four backbenchers voted against the government’s increase in value added tax. As a result, Mr Miller, Mr Robinson and Mr McAlpine were removed from their posts as parliamentary secretaries and Hotel Corporation chairman, respectively. In March, Mr Chipman was fired as chairman of the Antiquities, Monuments and Museums Corporation. He expressed his anger over the firing at the time. Privately, some FNM supporters wonder if the four MPs will be pushed out of the party. Mr Culmer, however, said “as long as they are FNMs they will have our support.” He insisted the party does not regret backing them for office. “We continue to extend courtesies and the olive branch to them,” he said yesterday. “I’ve been reaching out to those guys from day one.”
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr./Tribune Staff
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, October 26, 2018, PAGE 7
Recidivism rates still far too high, says BDCS acting commissioner By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net OVER the past few years, the recidivism rate at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services has been at an “unacceptable” high, BDCS acting Commissioner Charles Murphy said yesterday. However, Commissioner Murphy could not give an exact figure on recidivism at the correctional facility. Still, officials there want to lessen the chances of offenders returning by offering soft skills training and other life management courses.Yesterday, inmates were able to get a jump on the job search, a factor which primarily causes repeat offending. Yesterday, Department of Labour officials hosted a “Labour on the Blocks” job fair at the facility where 30 inmates who will be released in the next three months got the chance to present resumes and speak to representatives from 15 companies seeking employees. The event provided a ray of hope for Brittany Davis Evans. Eleven months ago, she said she felt as if she’d lost everything in a world that seemed to have turned its back on her. “I had never been in prison
before, never incarcerated,” the 21 year old, convicted for conspiracy to commit drug trafficking, said. “But luckily I am here today for this great opportunity to be able to find a job so that people are able to go back into to society to be a productive citizen.” She is due for release on November 1. “When I first came, I felt like society cast me out, like they count me out. I won’t be nothing, I thought. But when I heard about the job fair and Labour on the Blocks I was like ‘hey okay I am not counted out.’ Society still looks at me and said, ‘I will give you a hand up.’ When you come here it’s like you have nothing, you are back to the pits and just now having to build from the rubble up.” Her advice to those who may be on the same path she was: “Stay away from negativity. Stay away from anything with drugs. Stay away from anything that can cause you to come to jail because at the end of the day you will be here by yourself. It’s not easy. It’s nothing to play with. It scars your life.” Other inmates, such as convicted murderer Ian Hutchinson, 58, said the event meant to him that there were still compassionate people in the world. He said:
CONTRACTOR FINED $5,000 FOR FRAUD OVER MERCHANDISE By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
A CONTRACTOR was fined $5,000 yesterday or nine months in prison for his involvement in a scheme which defrauded two local businesses of thousands of dollars in merchandise. Shawn Moxey, 43, of Toote Shop Corner, stood before Magistrate Samuel McKinney yesterday for sentencing. He is one of three men including Jason Thompson, 45, and Jason Rahming, 40 - arraigned earlier this week on conspiracy, fraud and receiving charges, stemming from transactions carried out between Thursday, August 23 and Tuesday, September 4. According to court dockets, it is alleged that on August 23, two men produced a cheque from Bahamas Supermarkets Limited to service the purchase of a front-loading washer valued at $1,454.13 and a dryer valued at $1,090.98 from Bahamas Welding and Fire. Two days later, on Saturday, August 25, a second cheque was produced to service the purchase of a refrigerator and dispenser valued at $1,524.32, also to Bahamas Welding and Fire. The cheques were found
to be fraudulent two weeks later. Additionally, on Tuesday, September 4, a third cheque, in the amount of $3,002, was prepared for Nassau Gas and Tanks to service the purchase of two gas tanks. The cheque was also later found to be fraudulent. At their initial arraignment on Tuesday, Moxey pleaded guilty to the receiving charges, but denied all others. Before Magistrate McKinney handed down his sentence yesterday, Moxey’s attorney, Theresa Butler, submitted that her client had, prior to his involvement in the matter, operated as an upstanding citizen who made valuable contributions to the country through his craft. She also indicated that Moxey, upon realising the circumstances in which the items were obtained, turned them over to police. Upon hearing the submission, Magistrate fined Moxey $1,500 or nine months in prison for the first offence, $1,500 or nine months in prison for the second offence and $3,000 or nine months in prison for the third offence. Moxey agreed to pay $3,000 upfront and the remaining $2,000 by next Monday. He was released from custody yesterday.
JAMAICAN WHO ‘FATHERED TWO CHILDREN IN BAHAMAS’ DEPORTED By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net A JAMAICAN national was yesterday fined and ordered to be deported after pleading guilty to an immigration related offence. Gary Anthony Clarke, 43, of Westmoreland, Jamaica, appeared before Senior Magistrate Carolyn VogtEvans on a single charge of overstaying. According to court dockets, Clarke was taken into custody on October 22, accused of making threats and overstaying. Clarke was further questioned on his status to remain in The Bahamas, and it was at this time he admitted to remaining in the country for more than four years. In his address to the court yesterday, Clarke presented the court with two lines of defence for his overstaying; the first being a torched passport and the second, a need to be with two children he fathered while in The Bahamas. In relation to the first line of defence, Clarke claimed he surrendered his passport to a man he knew here in The Bahamas. Clarke told the court that at some point, that man
allegedly passed his passport off to a family member for safe keeping. He claimed the home of that second individual was destroyed by fire and as such, he was led to believe his passport was also destroyed. This claim was quickly shot down by immigration officials who provided documentation that Clarke’s passport was presented at his arrest and was now in the custody of the Detention Centre. Clarke also claimed he fathered two children with a British national residing in the Bahamas. Clarke said he overstayed in hopes of reconnecting with those two children. Clarke claimed the women and children vanished after a November 2017 disagreement, and haven’t been seen since. “I have been looking for them. I wasn’t able to find them,” he said. To which Magistrate Vogt-Evans responded: “For an entire year?” Clarke was ordered to pay a fine of $3,000 or serve six months in prison. Once that condition is satisfied, Magistrate VogtEvans ordered Clarke be turned over to immigration officials for deportation.
BDCS acting Commissioner Charles Murphy.
“It gives you an opportunity to explore and then what it really does is it shows there is still some compassionate, caring people willing to sacrifice their time to come to look out for you and I know it’s only God, only God could cause this. “It gives you a boost because you know to walk out of here with a criminal record, you know your family members, even some of the church folks wouldn’t look at you. “So, when I would leave from here I could tell some other brothers that there is some hope. Because we had some folks who took the time and are willing to give us a chance. The opportunity is here, it’s what you do with it.” When he spoke to reporters yesterday, Labour Minister Dion Foulkes said the “Labour on the Blocks” event is fulfilling a goal of the Minnis administration. “What the FNM government wants to do and what our prime minister is committed to do is improving the lives of every single Bahamian, including those that may have had some challenges and misfortunes in their lives. One of the main things is finding a job, finding income so that you could support your family so that you can live a decent life. And that is what ‘Labour on the Blocks’ is all about,” he said.
PAGE 8, Friday, October 26, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
Marijuana - the burning debate THE question of, and the subsequent debates, regarding legalising marijuana in The Bahamas continues to burn (no pun intended.) It was the “hot topic” this week in the Barbershop (one of the last bastions of free speech). Add Canada’s recent legalisation of marijuana to the equation, there are now, so many talking points, as well as different perspectives and opinions on the matter, throughout society, the local talk show circuit and social media. The “talking heads” are “buzzing”. It is imperative, that we as citizens and voters, continue to weigh the pros and cons of “legalisation” here at home, as well as, continuing to ask the tough questions, while holding the present administration accountable. The biggest question being, who really stands to benefit, if we do, and who will suffer if we don’t? After years of secretive
back room discussions, it appears the citizenry of the 242 want their voices to be heard loud and clear. Both those who are pro, as well as those con on the issue, join their voices and contributions to the debate to be heard. A Tribune poll showed that 77.78% of Bahamians agreed that marijuana should be decriminalised, while 22.28% believe it should not. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis will devote a day of Cabinet meetings to discuss marijuana and marital rape with his ministers, according to Press Secretary Anthony Newbold. “Cabinet will spend a
day discussing that and will have that discussion before any other movement is made with respect to that. The prime minister has said and continues to emphasise that whatever happens, the Bahamian people must have a say in whatever that final decision is determined to be. That decision will be made after the Bahamian people have had an opportunity to weigh in extensively on that issue just like any other.” Wow, a whole day dedicated to discussing the matter. We have many pertinent issues nationally that need to be addressed, so to see a whole day devoted by the
Death Notices For Mrs. Patricia Petit, 53 a resident of Dumping Ground Corner, passed away on Monday October 15th , 2018. She is survived by her husband: Mr. Paul Petit; 1 son: Antone Jamal Paul; 7 brothers: Patrick Cunningham, Wills & Anthony Maycock, Everette Pearce, George, Anthony & Cederick Major; 9 sisters: Ann Campbell, Dorothy Demeritte, Victoria Major, Ruth Major, Magaret Major, Renay Maycock, Siblene Brown, Karen Saunders & Patrice Lightbourn and a host of other relatives and friends. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
Samuel Riley, 64 a resident of Adderley Street, died at Princess Margaret Hospital on October 18, 2018. He is survived by his 4 sons: Anthony, Valencio, Alvano & Samuel Riley; 2 brothers: Sidney Rileyt & Prince Munroe; 2 sisters: Gertrude Riley & Gloria Nixon; numerous grand children, nieces & nephews & a host of other relatives & friends. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
Jane Audrey Roach, 56
government to one matter, tells me said matter is one of importance. And may hold a lot more weight than people think. I applaud Dr Minnis’ bravado in putting such a sensitive issue to the citizens of The Bahamas, for their input on the matter. Now, hopefully, he will take heavily in to consideration the wishes of the people, like he has stated, before making any final decision on the topic. The reviews are mixed among the Minnis cabinet. Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest told reporters: “I do not subscribe to this train of thought, The Bahamas must chart the way for itself. Whatever steps the country takes should align with its own traditions, culture and values.” State Minister for Legal Affairs Elsworth Johnson also emphasised that to ensure the conversation about legalising or decriminalising marijuana persists, activists and agents of change must organise and prepare themselves properly and efficiently in presenting their views, in order to make an impact on government. Minister of National Security Mr Dames said: “I have some thoughts on it but when we discuss it as a Cabinet, most certainly we’ll come back with our position. But I said before we have to come to this point in this country where we begin to debate issues like that. There’s no hidden agenda or no secret. This is what democracy is all about. “But at the end of the day whatever direction we go we as a government will have to ensure that we are fully prepared.
“We have been monitoring what has been taking place throughout the United States. Canada is a little ahead of us but at that point as well where they are contemplating it and certainly the Caribbean as well. So this is a global discussion that is currently being had.” Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield said: “No reasonable person can deny the country must examine laws that criminalise people caught with small amounts of the substance.” Based on these various responses from learned individuals in the present administration, as well as the citizenry, “Dis ga be long.” Might I suggest, as we do with almost everything else, pull a page out of our neighbours to the north’s books. (The PLP did it with their “Spy Bill” the FNM with “Fake News” so why not? ) It seems the Americans are onto something both financially and socially. Portugal and Uruguay are two other models that can also be drawn upon for critical analysis, but since we like to “follow fashion” of the good ole USA, we can note there are seven states that have legalised recreational marijuana, and 27 states that have legalised marijuana for medicinal use. The information and statistics from those states would be a start. Of the many concerns when discussing decriminalisation, Bahamian youth no longer facing travel bans, lingering police records, unemployment, etc. for being caught with minor amounts of marijuana ranks at the top. Decriminalisation on small recreational amounts
is long overdue. A good model of this is the District of Columbia, which decriminalised recreational marijuana, making it legal for residents to carry up to two ounces of cannabis and own six plants. However, it’s still illegal to purchase pot in the district, or to be found in possession of amounts over the legal limits. The legalisation of recreational marijuana gives rise to a whole new economy surrounding the production of cannabis, oils, lotions, edibles and paraphernalia. (I bet Rastafarians in The Bahamas would love this... “Irie nuts...Irie erryting!’) Medicinally, marijuana is legal in more than half the states in America, and just as there is a market there, we have one here. Countless Bahamians suffer from many debilitating illnesses who might benefit immensely from medicinal marijuana. We must objectively look at the pros and cons of the entire matter, the beneficial effect it could have on so many levels locally, if we decriminalised or introduced medical and recreational marijuana and come to a decision. I have no idea where the continued national conversation on cannabis is going, but I’m impressed we now feel mature enough as a nation to even have the conversation. Until next week, be safe, I’m off to catch Dave Chappell’s classic “Half Baked” on Netflix, how ironic this is on, all things considered, but I will leave you with words from legendary comedian Bill Murray – “I find it most ironic, that the most dangerous thing about weed, is getting caught with it.”
READERS RESPOND TO PO’S MOVE TO TOWN CENTER MALL
resident of Alia Avenue, Pinewood Avenue, died at Cleveland Clinic, Florida on Sunday, October 21, 2018. She is survived by her husband: Dannie Roach; aunt: Eloise Hart; 1 son: Renaldo Roach; 1 daughter: Davonia Roach; 4 sisters: Garnell Dean, Patrice Bullard, Esther Dillet & Vernita Roxbury; 4 brothers: Alfred, Charles (Ray) Jr., Carl & Michel Fernander; numerous nieces & nephews & as host of other relatives & friends. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
Eric Russell, 91 a resident of Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera & formerly of Cooper’s Town, Abaco, died at his residence on October 18, 2018. He is survived by his wife: Emily Virginia Petty-Russell; 13 sons: Silbert, Wendell of West Palm Beach, Fl., Eric Jr., of Boston Mss, Anthony, Keith Sr., Carlton Sr., Michael, Herman, Kenneth & Larry Russell, Garfield Bethel, Prophet Keith Sands & Eric Wallace; 6 daughters: Shirley Russell-Greenslade, Darnell Russell-Ferguson, Sherry Nixon, Alma Munroe, Eloise Russell & Vernica Clayton; 1 sister: Jelitha Armbrister of Freeport, Grand Bahama; numerous grand children & a host of other relatives & friends. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
AFTER FNM backbenchers criticised the party’s decision to enter into a lease agreement for the Town Centre Mall – which is partly owned by Cabinet minister Brent Symonette – readers gave their reaction on tribune242.com. Sickened posted this response: “In five years that mall is going to look exactly how it looks now and exactly how the current post office looks now. I thank the good Lord that I never have to go to the post office. Any package that may come in for me can stay right there.” DDK said: “It IS a conflict of interest and no amount of posturing will make it otherwise.” Socrates had this to say: “Minnis and FNM have a problem with these four closet PLPs ... he better deal with it because a house divided against itself cannot stand. “If this group are so fundamentally opposed to their party, they should cross the floor or become independents but, whatever the choice, stop masquerading
like FNMs. The nature of party politics is you support your party and work out conflicts internally...” That prompted this reply from BahamasForBahamians: “It’s sad that you would word your response in such a manner. Minnis is the problem - not these four MP’s that actually have integrity.” DonAnthony said: “Shame on the FNM. This is a blatant conflict of interest, plain and simple and no spin can change that truth. How greedy is Mr Symonette? Apparently very greedy and more concerned with graft than his reputation. Very sad, expected better of him and the FNM leadership.” CatIslandBoy agreed with the four backbenchers: “As a staunch FNM supporter, who usually finds myself at odds with McAlpine and his views, I must this time around agree with the Dissident Four. A Cabinet Minister should not be entering into a lease agreement with the government in
which he serves. I understand that there is an immediate need for a new post office venue, but I’m sure that Brent’s mall is not the only suitable property available.” And responding to the news that Brent Symonette declared his interest in Town Centre Mall in Parliament John said: “Now the NHI will kick up even more controversy. Doctors in government must now declare their interest in private health care facilities that will be offering services under the national health insurance plan. Yes, they must.” In The Tribune’s online poll, we’re asking readers if they would be happy with a two percent salary deduction every month to go towards National Health Insurance. At the time of going to press, 77 percent of those voting said they would NOT be happy with the deduction. • Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.
PAGE 10, Friday, October 26, 2018
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Packages being treated as live devices, not hoaxes WASHINGTON Associated Press LAW enforcement investigators searched coast-to-coast yesterday for clues to the motives behind a mail bomb plot apparently aimed at critics of the president, analysing the mechanics of the crude devices to reveal whether they were intended to detonate or simply sow fear two weeks before Election Day. Law enforcement officials said the devices, containing timers and batteries, were not rigged like a booby-trapped package bomb that would explode upon opening. But the officials were still uncertain whether the devices were poorly designed or never intended to cause physical harm. A search of a postal database suggested at least some of packages may have been mailed from Florida, one official said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation by name. New details about the devices came as the fourday mail-bomb scare spread nationwide, drawing investigators from dozens of federal, state and local agencies in the effort to identify one or more perpetrators. In all, 10 packages had been discovered yesterday containing similar explosives. The would-be targets included former President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, former
BILL and Hillary Clinton stand in the driveway of their home in Chappaqua, New York (in 2000) where a US official says a “functional explosive device” was found. Vice President Joe Biden, actor Robert De Niro, CNN and others. The common thread between them was harsh criticism from President Donald Trump. At a press conference, officials in New York would not discuss possible motives, or details on how the packages found their way into the US postal system. Nor would they say why none of the packages had detonated, but they stressed they were still treating them as “live devices”. “As far as a hoax device, we’re not treating it that way,” said Police Commissioner James O’Neill.
Much was still unanswered about the devices, and authorities offered no clues about any suspects. Details suggested only a broad pattern — that the items were packaged in manila envelopes, addressed to prominent Trump critics and carried US postage stamps. The devices were being examined by technicians at the FBI’s forensic lab in Quantico, Virginia. The packages stoked nationwide tensions and fears as voters prepared to vote Nov 6 to determine partisan control of Congress — a campaign both parties have described in
perilous terms. Even with the sender still unknown, politicians from both parties used the moment to decry a toxic political climate and lay blame. “A very big part of the Anger we see today in our society is caused by the purposely false and inaccurate reporting of the Mainstream Media that I refer to as Fake News,” Trump said on Twitter. “It has gotten so bad and hateful that it is beyond description. Mainstream Media must clean up its act, FAST!” Former CIA director John Brennan, the target
of a package sent to CNN, fired back. “Stop blaming others. Look in the mirror,” Brennan tweeted. “Your inflammatory rhetoric, insults, lies, & encouragement of physical violence are disgraceful. Clean up your act....try to act Presidential.” At the briefing, authorities confirmed that at least some of the packages were distributed through the US mail, and cautioned that there could be additional devices in the postal system. They said investigators searching for more suspicious parcels had not found any during the previous eight hours.
Obama rallies for black votes MILWAUKEE Associated Press
FORMER President Barack Obama plans to visit one of Milwaukee’s most impoverished black neighborhoods today to campaign for Wisconsin Democrats, underlining his party’s efforts to encourage African-Americans to vote. African-Americans traditionally vote Democrat, so low black voter turnout in Milwaukee in 2016 proved costly for Hillary Clinton. She narrowly lost Wisconsin, which was among a handful of states that helped determine the presidency. When Obama won Wisconsin in 2012, black voter turnout was at 74 percent, but that number plummeted to 55 percent in 2016, according to the liberal Center for American Progress. The group’s analysis concluded that Clinton
would have narrowly won Wisconsin if black turnout had remained at 2012 levels. “We’re excited to have him here to energise that base and to really amplify the candidates that we’re trying to elect in two weeks,” said Angela Lang, the executive director of Black Leaders Organizing for Communities. The group formed after the 2016 election with the goal of engaging and building trust with black voters in Wisconsin. The overall number of people who voted in Milwaukee declined by 41,000 votes in 2016 compared to 2012 — a drop the city’s election chief said was likely caused by tighter voter ID restrictions in Wisconsin. Democrats saw black voter turnout fall elsewhere in 2016. In Detroit — a majority-black Democratic stronghold — turnout also
FORMER President Barack Obama plans to visit one of Milwaukee’s most impoverished black neighborhoods dropped by 41,000 votes, or 14 percent, from Obama’s 2012 re-election. That was also a factor in Clinton’s narrow loss to President Donald Trump in Michigan. Emboldened by higher turnout in the Michigan primary, Democrats are confident about November but say they are not taking
anything for granted. After campaigning in Milwaukee, Obama will head to Detroit later on Friday to stump for Democratic candidates at a high school. African-Americans make up 6.7 percent of Wisconsin’s 5.8 million residents. But in Milwaukee, a city of nearly 600,000, blacks comprise 40 percent of the population. The vast majority live north of downtown in neighborhoods hardest hit by poverty and crime. The setting for Obama’s rally is a high school in a ZIP code where nearly half the residents live below the poverty level, 21.6 percent are unemployed, and a
quarter of the housing units are vacant, according to 2016 census estimates . “What we are talking about is a plan to actually improve the lives of people across the state — whether it’s better-paying jobs, access to affordable health care, criminal justice reform, investments in schools. Those are motivating factors to get people to vote,” said Mandela Barnes, who is trying to become the state’s first African-American lieutenant governor and only the second black person in Wisconsin’s 170-year history to hold statewide office. “We got Barack Obama and people felt like, ‘Oh, we’ve got black voters, younger voters locked down for ever,’” Barnes said. “That’s just not the case. We learned a hard lesson.” Obama will also be stumping for Democratic US Sen Tammy Baldwin and congressional candidates Randy Bryce and Dan Kohl. He didn’t campaign for Clinton in Milwaukee and the last time he visited the city for a political event was to celebrate Affordable Care Act enrollments in March 2016.
MAJOR NATO PEACETIME DRILL ANGERS MOSCOW COPENHAGEN Associated Press
NATO’s biggest military maneuvers since the Cold War begam in Norway yesterday in a hypothetical scenario that involves restoring the Scandinavian country’s sovereignty after an attack by a “fictitious aggressor”. Russia, which shares a border with Norway, was briefed by NATO on the Trident Juncture 2018 drill and invited to monitor it, but Moscow is still angered by the exercise. Russia’s defence minister had warned that Moscow could be forced to respond to increased NATO activity close to its western border. “NATO’s military activities near our borders have reached the highest level since the Cold War times,” Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said, noting that the war games will be “simulating offensive military action”. The wargames bring together around 50,000 personnel from all 29 NATO allies, plus partners Finland and Sweden. Around 65 vessels, 150 aircraft and 10,000 vehicles will participate. The drill scheduled to end on November 7 takes place in central and eastern Norway, the North Atlantic and the Baltic Sea. Its aim is to ensure that NATO forces are trained, able to operate together, and ready to respond to any threat from any direction, according to the 29-member alliance. Tensions in the region have grown between Baltic NATO members and Moscow, including reports of airspace violations by Russian military aircraft. Non-aligned Sweden and Finland have watched with increasing trepidation, stepping up their own military activity with cross-border exercises and drills with NATO countries.
LGBTQ CHARACTERS ON NETWORK TV HIT A RECORD HIGH LOS ANGELES Associated Press
A RECORD-HIGH percentage of LGBTQ characters are part of the new TV season’s prime-time network series, according to the media advocacy group GLAAD. The annual study by media advocacy group GLAAD also found an increase in the characters’ ethnic diversity, with slightly more LGBTQ people of colour than white for the first time. While the percentage of regularly seen LGBTQ characters on scripted broadcast series rose from last year’s 6.4 percent to hit an all-time high of 8.8 percent, or 75 characters out of a total 857, GLAAD said the TV industry is still falling short.
Death Notice for BERYL WINONA BARNETT, 85 of Conchrest, West Bay Street, died at her residence on Thursday, October 25th, 2018. She is survived by her four daughters: Ann Cover, Carolyn Neil, Catherine Bellot and Beryl Saunders; five sons: Michael, Basil Sr., Arthur Jr., Russell and Charles Barnett; 21 grandchildren; 8 great grandchildren; and a host of other relatives and friends including: Camille, Margot and Aniska Barnett, Collin Cover and Dr. Gregory Neil.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, October 26, 2018, PAGE 11
Bahamian firm wants to bring solar power to GB By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Staff Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net A BAHAMIANOWNED company is proposing to construct solar power plants in West and East Grand Bahama at an investment of more than $30m that it claims will not only reduce the cost of power, but provide clean power generation on the island. Northern Bahamas Utilities Holdings Co Ltd (NBU) made application to the Office of the Prime Minister in Grand Bahama and the Investment Authority earlier this year to build two solar plants to provide power to areas outside of Freeport. This proposal comes on the heels of the expiration of the 1993 West End and East End agreements between the government and Grand Bahama Power Company. The agreements allowed the GBPC to provide and sell electricity outside of Freeport. The West End agreement has already expired. The other will expire this year. Bahamian engineer Mr Carlton Bosfield, president and CEO of NBU, shared their proposed plans with reporters at a press conference held by the Coalition of Concerned Citizens (CCC) on Thursday. The company, he said, is proposing to build and operate a solar plant in West Grand Bahama first, and a second plant in East Grand Bahama as part of phase two of the plans. The retired GBPC executive said that the solar plant would cause a 30 to 40 percent reduction in the cost of power to residents in Grand Bahama.
PASTOR EDDIE VICTOR, president of the Coalition of Concerned Citizens, says he supports the solar plant proposal. “It is anticipated that the power to the residents of West and East Grand Bahama will be sold at 20 cents/Kwh,” said Mr Bosfield. “We anticipate project for the west will be $30m capital cost and working capital,” he said, explaining that the investment total includes all capital works and equipment, as well as the purchase price of GB Power assets – poles, power lines and meters in West Grand Bahama - at fair market value.
The West GB plant is expected to take 18-24 months to build once all relevant approvals by the government are granted. It would create 50 permanent and part-time jobs during the construction phase and 38 full time jobs during operation. According to Mr Bosfield, the company has been informed by government that their proposal is being put on the agenda for a review by an investment committee, which makes recommendation to the prime minister.
The project will use 24,000 solar panels, backed up with 10 megawatts of propane generators for nighttime and during overcast conditions. The plant will be able generate some six million watts or six megawatts of power. “We will be building a modern solar and highly technological power plant in the west, which can generate power far cheaper than and provide those savings to the residents, and sell in bulk back to Freeport,” said Mr Bosfield.
“We will do it using modern technology and using a much cleaner form of generation, as you know solar panels has zero emissions, and propane do not affect your greenhouse gases.” Dr Bosfield noted that they will utilise smart gird technology which will significantly increase the reliability of power. Compared to an estimated reliability rate of 70 percent to 84 percent, he said reliability would increase more than 96 percent for residents
in West and East Grand Bahama. “For the west and east proposal, we will buy those assets from GB Power and then where GB Power is connected to the same system will transfer power into Freeport, and sell it to them at a bulk rate,” he explained. “We expect the price to be somewhere in the vicinity of 10-15 cents per kilowatt hour, which is significantly below what they charge their customers now,” he said. “We had initial meetings with GBPC, and they have not indicated that they will not be prepared to enter into negotiation with us,” said Mr Bosfield. Pastor Eddie Victor, CCC president, fully supports the proposal by NBU. The organisation has conducted several town meetings in West and East Grand Bahama. The organisation has been at the forefront agitating for lower power costs, holding demonstrations, protests, and petitions against GBPC’s rates. “The CCC fully endorses NBU’s proposal because it is consistent with our mission to advocate for the lowering of the cost of electricity on Grand Bahama Island,” Mr Victor said. Mr Victor believes NBU is fully capable of building and operating a power plant. Additionally, he said it is a 100 percent Bahamian-owned company, with over 30 years of experience in power generation and transmission and distribution. He noted that EMERA, owners of GBPC, is 100 percent foreign-owned with only ten years of experience with power generation on Grand Bahama.
PAGE 12, Friday, October 26, 2018
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Students find out how to use Braille By RIEL MAJOR
• 6 PIECES OF CHICKEN • 2 LARGE SIDES • 4 BISCUITS
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STUDENTS at First Step Academy celebrated the school’s annual literacy week on Monday, which included a demonstration on Braille and sign language. The event opened with students and teachers showcasing diversity from various countries such as the Bahamas, Italy, Haiti, Jamaica, Pakistan, Cuba, and China. Nadine Bowleg, the school’s curriculum coordinator, said: “Virgilee Smith, director, promoted student literacy as an annual event to highlight how important it is to read as a way of communication – an interaction between the text and the reader to achieve success.” The literacy week committee chairpersons, Kayla Woodside and Debra Francis, incorporated Braille reading which was demonstrated by a special guest. Stephan Pitt, a blind student, along with his teacher Antoine Munroe demonstrated to the students how to type using Braille reading. An assembly also included the demonstration of sign language as well as a presentation from Bahamian storyteller and poet Chevette Miller, who brought fun and laughter through dramatisation. “The event promotes student literacy
for the entire student body and all four campuses highlighted literacy week,” Ms Bowleg said. “All of the classes presented and depicted a country and its flag. Some of the items also featured were songs, poems, and dance that were illustrated during the ceremony.” Mrs Bowleg continued: “The centre for the blind showcased their way of communicating and also demonstrated reading on the computer. “The bulletin boards outside of the classrooms are all creatively decorated with hands displaying sign language, reading and literacy quotes in English or native languages of the various countries that the class showcased during the opening assembly. “Parents were also invited to read to students during the week of activities. “Students were also allowed to bring their favourite book to read to their classmates. They also were allowed to prepare crosswords and word search puzzles as a morning or afternoon activity. “We also highlighted this year a sample of a food item or beverage from each grade level representing the country.” The school’s literacy week came to an end today with a pyjamas day.