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Volume: 120 No.211, November 3, 2023

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GIBSON BOWS OUT OF CHAIRMAN RACE Shane backs Lynes as he claims confidence lacking for Mitchell

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net SHANE Gibson said he has withdrawn from the Progressive Liberal Party’s upcoming chairmanship race to consolidate opposition to Fred Mitchell.

His decision leaves the party’s deputy chair, Robyn Lynes, as the sole challenger to Mr Mitchell in a race that will be decided

on November 10 when the PLP hosts its convention.

“I withdrew because, in a three-way race, the incumbent would have an advantage,” Mr Gibson said yesterday. “Robyn Lynes has done a spectacular job as deputy chair from 2017 to now and she will do a great job as chair, so I’m throwing my full support behind her.”

SEE PAGE THREE

NIB STAFF VOTE TO STRIKE OVER UNRESOLVED ISSUES

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net NATIONAL Insurance Board line staff voted to strike during a poll yesterday, according to Nadia Vanderpool, president of the Union of Public Officers.

She said the strike poll was held because, for over

two years, NIB failed to resolve the union’s grievances, including merit pay increase issues.

She said the NIB has not adhered to the Industrial Act’s stipulations about when payments must be made.

She said for three years, workers have been denied

Conman, cheat, fraudster - guilty s *URY DECIDES on all seven charges s &48 FOUNDER RULED TO HAVE DEFRAUDED $10 billion s -ASSIVE FRAUD CONDUCTED FROM Bahamas base SEE PAGE 10

SEE PAGE FOUR

MOM TELLS HOW SON DIED IN CRASH ON HER BIRTHDAY

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Staff Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net SHANTELL Swann lost her son on her birthday and will bury him two weeks before he would have turned 25.

Bryon Williams, Jr, lost control of his car and sustained severe injuries on the Queen’s Highway, Grand Bahama, on October 28. He

died in hospital, one of four people to die after an accident on that road this year.

His mother still wakes up at night expecting him to walk through the door.

She prays for strength but says: “It is tough and rough.”

Ms Swann got a call around 2.26am that Byron and his fiancée were in an SEE PAGE FIVE

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

FROM DEATH ROW TO A NEW LIFE FORMER PRISONER TELLS HIS STORY SEE WEEKEND

PAGE 2, Friday, November 3, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Steeple collapses at Mount Horeb Baptist Church

THE STEEPLE of Mount Horeb Baptist Church at Sandyport collapsed on top of the church’s roof yesterday morning. When The Tribune visited the scene yesterday, the facility was closed to the public, however there was an individual on the roof attempting to address the damage.

Photos: Dante Carrer and JP Michielson

Award of excellence presented to public service workers for years of dedication

THE NATIONAL Public Service Week award of excellence cermony was held yesterday at Government House, under the theme “ One Nation, One people, Our Public Service.” Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis along with Minister of Public Service and Labour Pia Glover- Rolle honoured a number of public service servants for their hard work and dedication over the years.

Photos: Dante Carrer

THE TRIBUNE

‘PTI Road Traffic proposal never made it to Cabinet’

Friday, November 3, 2023, PAGE 3

GIBSON BOWS OUT OF CHAIRMAN RACE

FORMER MP SHANE GIBSON from page one

TRANSPORT AND ENERGY MINISTER JOBETH C OLEBY-DAVIS

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net TRANSPORT and Energy Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis suggested that a businessman who presented a proposal to the government for the Road Traffic Department did not demonstrate that he could fulfil certain requirements for the project.

“Many persons send in proposals. There has to be land and then there has to be approval for the project, and then there has to be funding incorporated, so nothing was taken to

Cabinet because none of those processes I could see in the future happening,” she told the press yesterday.

Franklyn Robinson, the former CEO of the now defunct Bahamas Automobile Safety and Inspection Centre, told The Tribune that years of work were wasted when the government rejected his proposal.

Mrs Coleby-Davis, however, said yesterday that his project was not rejected “because nothing went to the Cabinet”.

Mr Robinson accused the Davis administration of “cronyism” for housing the

department headquarters in Leslie Miller’s Summerwinds Plaza.

He sought for 20 years to create a “one-stop” Road Traffic Department project, but successive administrations declined to accept his offer.

He said the $30m project would have been funded by his company, PTI Bahamas, in a 20-year partnership with the government.

Mrs Coleby-Davis could not explain why Mr Miller’s plaza was chosen to house the department, referring reporters to Public Service Minister Pia Glover-Rolle.

Ms Coleby-Davis said:

“The Ministry of Works is assisting with the design and planning and structuring of” the Road Traffic Department’s future home.

“And because they are also guiding the process of the stadium and there is an urgent need for us to move out of the stadium, I assume they are managing the timeline with the timeline the stadium has given them to have us off of property for them to really do the overall of renovations that are required.

“And so, it’s because it’s urgent I would assume it’s coming up soon.”

GOVT CONSIDERING ANOTHER POST OFFICE RELOCATION

“It’s obvious that PLPs throughout The Bahamas have great confidence in the leader and deputy leader and that’s why they were nominated unopposed. The fact that two persons nominated against the existing chairman tells you that there is a lack of confidence in him.”

“He’s relying on the fact that his nomination was signed by the leader and deputy leader to pull support, but the delegates know about this dismal failure and will reward him accordingly.”

Tension between Mr Gibson and Mr Mitchell became apparent as the former Golden Gates unsuccessfully sought the party’s nomination for the West Grand Bahama and Bimini by-election.

Mr Gibson said yesterday that he is on the ground in West Grand Bahama “campaigning vigorously for the PLP”.

He said he would remain there as long as it takes.

The PLP’s establishment is seriously taking the challenge from Ms Lynes.

Although Ms Lynes will likely face pressure to bow out of the race, she told the press over the weekend that she will remain until the end.

She said she would not be intimidated, insisting her bid is not anti-leadership.

A source close to Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis told The Tribune the party leader did not want a contested election at the convention. He and deputy leader Chester Cooper signed Mr Mitchell’s nomination papers.

To run for chair, nominees had to pay a non-refundable $1,500 fee.

Mr Gibson said he did not know if he would get his money back.

FORMER PLP SENATOR ALMA ADAMS DIES AT 74

C URRENT location of the Post Office at Town Centre Mall.

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net TRANSPORT and Energy Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis said her ministry is considering a proposal to relocate the General Post Office to the former Independence Drive Shopping Plaza site.

She revealed last year that the government was considering a public-private partnership arrangement with Bahamian investor Scott Godet for the former Independence Drive Shopping Plaza site.

Mr Godet had partnered

with the Christie administration to relocate the General Post Office to his plaza on Independence Highway. About $3m was reportedly pumped into the project. However, it was stalled in the final months of the Christie administration after Garden Hills residents complained that the traffic flow the facility generates would disrupt their quality of life.

The Minnis administration later rented space at the Town Centre Mall for the post office instead.

That mall is owned by former St Anne’s MP and Cabinet minister Brent

Symonette.

Yesterday, Mrs ColebyDavis said the post office headquarters needs a building that can encompass the additional services the administration wants to introduce.

“I think right now we have to clarify the land and the transaction and get a conclusion and then to advance into having some idea of what the timeline when that would possibly happen,” she said. “It’s still a priority and something that we would like to see.”

She said new General Post Office services would modernise and digitise the

institution. Earlier this year, she said the plans would include courier services to allow international packages to be delivered to mailboxes.

“A major plan for the department in this budget year is the development and creation of an automated counter and parcel delivery operation to facilitate electronic payment transactions and online purchasing, along with track and tracing capabilities,” she said while contributing to the budget debate. “I am advised that revenue intake from this operation in the first three years can exceed $3m.”

PUBLIC CONSULTATION IN DECEMBER FOR BUS FARE RISE

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net TRANSPORT and Energy Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis said public consultation on planned bus far increases will be held within the first two

weeks of December, with officials hoping to roll out a 25-cent increase in the first quarter of 2024.

Ms Coleby-Davis told the press that public town hall meetings will help ensure the increase is satisfactory to the public.

The Bahamas Unified

Bus Drivers Union prematurely claimed that a 25-cent increase would take effect on August 14, making bus fares $1.50 for adults and $1.25 for junior and high school students.

The rates for elderly passengers and primary school children were to

remain unchanged.

The Ministry of Transport later called the announcement premature, saying the government has not deliberated on a fare increase.

Bus drivers have been demanding an increase for some time.

ALMA A ADAMS NEE HUTC HESON FORMER Senator Alma Adams has died, it has been announced. She also served in a number of diplomatic roles.

In a statement, her family said yesterday: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother Alma A Adams nee Hutcheson.

“She was a shining light in our lives: great source of inspiration, guidance and love. She passed peacefully at home. She was 74 years old. She leaves behind memories of a wonderful life and a great contributor to her country as a diplomat, a teacher and public servant. She served in the Senate from 1987 to 1992.

She was Consul General in Miami, Florida for The Bahamas from 2002 to 2008. She was The Bahamas Ambassador to Cuba from 2012 to 2017.

“She was a devoted mother and grandmother. She leaves behind a wide circle of friends and family in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where she worked latterly as the founding Chancellor of the Bahamas Alrae Ramsay Institute of Foreign Affairs, the Progressive Liberal Party in which she was a stalwart councilor and the church of St Agnes where she worshipped.

“She leaves behind her daughter Alana Major, son in law Terrell Major, nephew Pete Hutcheson and his children Patrel Hutcheson, Emerald Hutcheson, Nyesha Hutcheson, grand niece Albertha Miller, and a host of other relatives and friends.”

PAGE 4, Friday, November 3, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Henfield wants bail denied for people charged with multiple serious crimes

FNM SENATOR DARREN HENFIEL D

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net FNM SENATOR Darren Henfield said a constitutional amendment should be pursued to deny bail to people accused of multiple serious crimes.

He called the county’s court system “flawed” as he recalled the death of the country’s latest

murder victim, Tennison Chisholm, who was out on bail for attempted murder when he was shot dead after leaving the gym Monday night.

People on bail for murder comprise a significant portion of the number of people killed each year.

Mr Henfield said he knows defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty, but change

is needed because of violence.

“If it takes a constitutional amendment, which in that area is very dangerous, if it takes some kind of other amendment to the legislation like the Bail Act or anything, something has to be done.”

“I don’t care that you’ve been charged before a court five or six times

for murder or attempted murder and you still come back before the court and you’re granted bail.”

“How in the world, which reality are we living in?”

Mr Henfield said it is fine to grant bail to people charged with one murder.

“That’s fine,” he said.

“You get your bail because we don’t have a system that gon’ get you to court

in a timely fashion.”

“How the hell you gon‘ get bail if you back before the court for three murders on separate occasions and The Bahamas is going to grant you bail knowing that it’s unlikely that you get someone before a court in a timely fashion, and so there has to be some kind of amendment, something in the law to address this.”

National Security Minister Wayne Munroe had previously said there is no way to restrict bail grants through ordinary legislation because such efforts repeatedly fail in courts throughout the region.

He said the Davis administration is seeking to hire more judges to advance cases to trial faster.

NIB STAFF VOTE TO STRIKE OVER UNRESOLVED ISSUES from page one three months of their new salaries.

Incorrect increment increases for people promoted is another concern.

Ms Vanderopool said after the industrial agreement expired, the increment scale was supposed to increase.

“The lowest on that scale I think, is $1,125, and it goes right up to, I think, about $1,900,” she said. “So that is the new scale that the board is supposed to be referencing when it comes to promotions, but like I said, the board decided that

okay, we’re going to continue to use the $1,200 for whatever reason.”

For his part, NIB chairman Philip McKenzie said the board is not trying to deny employees benefits.

He said the industrial agreement changed the merit pay assessment period, but not the pay period.

Regarding increment increases, he questioned the basis upon which the union was applying a new scale.

Ms Vanderpool was mum on what would happen now that workers voted to strike.

“I won’t say, but I’m telling you, I let you know that

whatever it takes to get our matters resolved, we will take that action,” she said.

“We have hundreds of Bahamians who depend on their benefits from the National Insurance Board.

So, like I said, the union does not want to do that but if we are forced to do something like that then we will stand and do whatever it is to get our matter resolved.

It’s already been over a year. It shouldn’t take this long to get a matter resolved. We’ve already met with executive management. We’ve met with the chairman. We’ve met with ministers.”

NATIONAL Insurance Board line staff voted to strike during a poll yesterday, according to Nadia Vanderpool, president of the Union of Public Officers.

Photo: Earyel Bowleg

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 3, 2023, PAGE 5

Mom tells how son died in crash on her birthday from page one accident and were taken to the hospital in an ambulance.

Doctors said her son was in bad shape: his skull was fractured in three places, there was bleeding in his brain and injuries to the lungs.

“The doctors told me it was not looking good, and when I went to visit my son in the ICU, the doctors said his pressure kept dropping, and they told me to prepare myself,” Ms Swann recalled.

She got an urgent call hours later: Byron died around 7.05am.

She last saw her son alive around 11.30pm when she picked him up from work at Port Lucaya after he finished a double shift at Agave Restaurant.

She said he was excited that she would celebrate her birthday, adding: “He was bubbly, jumping, dancing, and was happy when I picked him up.”

He dropped her off to work at Our Lucaya for the last time.

He and his fiancée went to a club to meet a friend who was also celebrating a birthday. They were heading home when the accident occurred.

Byron wanted to do much with his life and had big dreams. He was family-oriented and was a good father

to his five-year-old daughter, according to his mother.

Ms Swann said her son was on a positive course in life, reading motivational books and hanging with people who mentored him, particularly his cousin, Arthur Jones, Jr. She said he had a passion for music. He played the trumpet and drums and was learning to play the steel pans. He also composed music.

“He impacted a lot of people when he changed his life, and he was well-loved throughout the community,” she said.

The family, including two siblings, is trying to cope with the loss, especially as Byron’s birthday approaches on November 24.

Ms Swann said Byron’s sister and brother, 28, and 21, are in denial about his death and his father is devastated.

She said his daughter knew what happened and said her father was an angel watching over her.

“I want everybody to know that my son was the best dad, the best son he could be, and the best fiancée,” she said.

“He always put his family first. He had big dreams that he is not here to fulfil, but God knows best.”

Byron’s funeral will be on November 11 at Kingdom Worship Centre.

BYRON WILLIAMS JR

ROLLE: SECOND PHASE OF DOWNTOWN Centenarian Dean-Miller visited by REVITALISATION PLAN TO BEGIN SOON GG ‘Mother’ Pratt on her birthday

GOVERNOR General Cynthia Pratt visited centenarian Mrs Laura Zelia Dean-Miller (October 28, 1923) at her home where she wished and sang Happy Birthday to her. The Governor General also presented Mrs Dean-Miller with an arrangement of flowers, and letters from HRH King Charles III, on Saturday, October 28, 2023.

Photos: Letisha Henderson/BIS

Media Technical Lead

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net SENATOR Randy Rolle said the government will soon start the second phase of its downtown revitalisation plan after demolishing six abandoned buildings this year.

“We’re going to look at beautifying these spaces,” he said in the Senate yesterday.

Mr Rolle, the head of the downtown revitalisation efforts, said the government is looking to bring eco-friendly segways

as an alternative mode of transportation.

He noted that tourists visiting Bay Street say there is little to do.

“We want to see guests coming off the cruise port, looking downtown, checking some of the areas out and going to the 66 steps, going to Fort Charlotte and checking out some historical sites,” he said.

He also foreshadowed the emergence of pedestrianised areas.

He said officials are working out the logistics to relocate bus stops by early next year.

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PAGE 6, Friday, November 3, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

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Treating symptoms rather than the illness DARREN Henfield is trying to treat a symptom and not the illness.

The FNM senator is calling for a constitutional amendment so that people who are accused of multiple serious crimes can be locked up indefinitely.

Note the word used there: Accused.

Not guilty, but accused.

He said that “something has to be done” about the violence on our streets – he’s right in that regard – but then goes on to say: “I don’t care that you’ve been charged before a court five or six times for murder or attempted murder and you still come back before the court and you’re granted bail. How in the world, which reality are we living in?”

For Mr Henfield, it seems the number of accusations is enough to presume that at least one of them is true – but of course every case has a presumption of innocence. Innocence until proven guilty applies in every case – no matter how many accusations there are. Otherwise, what would there be to stop a government from locking up its opponents on trumpedup accusations?

Mr Henfield concedes that it is fine to grant bail to people charged with one murder – but then he chooses a peculiar example to illustrate his point, the case of Tennison Chisholm, who was shot dead after leaving a gym on Monday night while out on bail for attempted murder. That would be one accusation – so even in Mr Henfield’s world, he would be out on bail anyway.

The problem of course is that our system is such that when someone is accused of such a crime, it is likely

going to be years – sometimes many years – before they are brought to trial. Therefore, it is inhumane to detain someone indefinitely who has not actually been found guilty of the crime for which they are being detained.

Some may cry out well they’re criminals, they get what they deserve – but an accusation can be made against any one of us, it does not make it true.

How would any of us feel if we knew we were innocent but we were locked up anyway for years in a knee-jerk response to the real problem.

Speeding up our court system is the solution. Though going hand in hand with that, reducing the number of murder cases it has to deal with is the other end of matters.

It is not easy. There have been 81 murders by The Tribune count this year already, that’s potentially 81 more cases to go through the courts – although in a sign of the despairing situation we are in some of those may well have been murder suspects turned victims themselves while out on bail.

If courts operate in a timely fashion then bail can indeed be denied if it is felt the case can be heard without prolonged detention.

We understand Mr Henfield’s frustration – but taking away civil rights in response to institutional delays is not the answer.

Hiring more judges, as the government plans, is a start. Perhaps there are other ideas that a broader discussion can bring to the table. But we should tread very carefully when it comes to changing our constitutional rights.

ANDREA Vega dressed as a ‘Catrina’ at PSJA Memorial Early College Day of the Dead Exposition yesterday, in Alamo, Texas. The yearly tradition contest is judged by local university Mexican-American studies professors.

Photo: Delcia Lopez/The Monitor/AP

PHA’s statement not reality EDITOR, The Tribune.

Water leak points to derelict govt EDITOR, The Tribune.

I AM a tenant at one of the Government senior citizens apartments complex on Finlayson Street in Bain Town, and since over a year ago we had water leakage going on in the bathrooms, but lately, beginning last week.

There has been an increase of water leaking from the corroded and rusted fixtures in few of the apartments’ bathrooms. It seems gallons and gallons of water per day is now being wasted, on few occasions the Housing department who is the immediate authority in charge of repair works in the apartments were notified, but nothing was done, merely workers and contractors from Housing coming in, and taking pictures repeatedly, and said someone will come in to do the work, yet nothing has been done to date.

I also feel when the tenants receive their water bills that no excessive amount on their water bill should be paid by any of the tenants, only the normal amount that the tenant paid, every time in the past, before the problem, and when they received their bill, hopefully the Water & Sewage

Corporation, along with the Housing Department, will understand the reasons of tenants paying in such manner. I also hope that repairs begin very soon so as to end this great water loss.

EZRA RAHMING Nassau October 10, 2023

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

I AM writing to thank The Tribune for publishing my letter regarding the “Blood bank policy is a failure” (August 25, 2023).

It speaks volumes about The Tribune’s dedication to journalism as a beacon of light for Bahamians where there otherwise would be darkness.

I would like to respond to the Bahama Government’s Public Hospital Authority’s (PHA) unsigned statement that followed my letter, that “a phlebotomist is always on call for emergencies”.

This statement does not reflect reality.

I know this because, on a December 10, 2022, Saturday afternoon, the attending physician told me that a Bahamian patient in critical condition in the PHA-administered Rand Hospital on Grand Bahama Island, needed more blood to recover. That patient, who had just undergone elective surgery the day before, was my father.

As I describe in my letter “Blood bank policy is a failure”, phone calls were made by Rand lab attendants to blood bank workers.

The first two calls to those whom the PHA claims are “on call” were not answered. Finally, a third call was answered. The blood bank worker said they would come in to take the blood on Monday when the lab opened! After some coaxing, they said they would come in the next day on Sunday afternoon!

“Why can’t they come today? He’s in critical condition. He needs it now.”

The lab attendant would not budge. At that point I realised I was not dealing with empathetic, fellow human beings, but rule-following, government bureaucrats. It was a vivid illustration of the difference between an

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net institution run as a private business paid for satisfying customers, and a government bureaucracy paid in taxes forcibly extracted from citizens regardless of their performance.

I told my father’s attending physician and nurses what the lab attendant told me. Not one of them said that it is PHA policy that “a phlebotomist is always on call for emergencies”.

Not one. If the PHA had an “on-call” policy, the doctors and nurses didn’t know about it. Perhaps this policy is a best-kept secret, only to be revealed in statements to the press, or to be discussed by the administrative staff in the Rand Hospital’s newly built cafeteria, as suffering Grand Bahamians to this day continue to wait in hallways due to the Rand’s lack of hospital beds.

The unsigned PHA statement does not define what they consider to be “on call,” so let me help them: “On call” means that when you receive a call for an emergency, you come in immediately, not Monday morning during regular office hours, or the next afternoon, or when convenience suits you. A patient whose oxygen saturation is low because of a lack of blood in a critical condition qualifies as an “emergency”.

If the PHA had Rand blood lab workers “on call” the first one to be contacted should have responded, as should have the second.

Doctors “on call” have buzzers that beep when they are on call. What do PHA phlebotomists “on call” have? Smoke signals?

The PHA’s response that “Any emergency case

requiring the services of our blood bank outside of standard operating hours will action an urgent call…” and that “…one pint of blood can save up to three lives” is remarkably obtuse.

Many pints of blood from donors were ready and waiting to come in within the hour that Saturday.

Some of them were friends, some Bahamians, some foreigners, some of them strangers to my father. The nurses and doctors at the Rand Hospital were ready and waiting to deliver the blood. The broken wrench in the equation was the Bahamas government’s Public Hospital Authority bureaucracy.

That an unpaid private stranger unknown to the recipient could adjust their Saturday afternoon/evening schedule to donate blood immediately when called, and a paid public servant allegedly “always on call for emergencies” could not adjust their schedule to process that blood, speaks volumes about the government-run PHA’s actual policies, priorities, and practices, as opposed to their Alice in Wonderland statements to the press that are entirely divorced from reality.

As my father held on for life, the attending nurse tried to comfort me by saying that although they had no blood to give my father, they could give him “plasma” (the liquid portion of the blood sans the life-giving oxygen-carrying red blood cells). This is what they gave him.

My father died the next day on Sunday morning — waiting for the Bahamas government’s PHA “on call” employee who did not come when called.

MARK Da CUNHA Freeport, Bahamas October 17, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 3, 2023, PAGE 7

Three men charged over Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association attempted murder and shootout workshop in Grand Bahama sold out with police in Yellow Elder area

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net THREE men were remanded after they allegedly attempted to kill someone and engaged police in a shootout in Yellow Elder Gardens last Friday.

Police reportedly found the same men with four high-powered weapons after their arrest.

Acting Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley charged Brian Gray, 31, Patreco Ramsey, 23, and Chando King, 26, with three counts of attempted murder.

The trio faced four counts of possession of an unlicensed firearm and two counts of possession of ammunition.

The trio allegedly tried to kill Jessie McQueen, Meko Major and DC 3569 Kenrick Brown.

Police responded to calls of gunfire in the Major Road area on the night

of October 27. When they arrived, they found a 30-year-old male suffering from gunshot wounds in his leg. The armed accused reportedly fled west on East Storr Court before being arrested by authorities after a gunfight.

Four weapons were seized in the incident, including a black and purple 9mm SCCY pistol, a black 9mm Taurus pistol, a black and silver KAHR 9mm pistol and a black assault rifle. Seventeen rounds of 9mm ammunition were also confiscated at the scene.

The accused were told their case would be moved to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). They will be sent to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until the higher court grants them bail.

The VBIs in this matter are set for service on April 4, 2024.

MAN ACCUSED OF STABBING WITH A BROKEN BOTTLE GETS $3K BAIL

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was granted $3,000 bail after he allegedly stabbed a man with a broken bottle.

Magistrate Algernon Allen, Jr, charged George Miller, 62, with grievous harm.

Miller reportedly fought Christopher Dames outside

a business establishment on Miami Street on the night of September 28. Miller is accused of stabbing the 44-year-old in the upper body with a broken bottle, resulting in serious injury.

After pleading not guilty, the accused was warned not to interfere with the alleged victim or any witnesses while on bail.

Miller’s trial begins on December 5.

MAN ACCUSED OF STEALING IPHONE AND $2,500 CASH AT GUNPOINT

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was remanded after he allegedly robbed someone at gunpoint of $2,500 last month.

Assistant Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain charged Kelsey Lockhart, 35, with armed robbery.

Lockhart, armed with a handgun, allegedly robbed Braithe Ferguson of $2,500

cash and a $1,000 iPhone Pro Max on October 20.

The accused was informed that his matter would be transferred to the Supreme Court through a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). He will be sent to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until the higher court grants him bail.

Lockhart’s VBI is slated for service on February 7, 2024.

MAN GETS THREE MONTHS IN JAIL FOR MOTORCYCLE THEFT

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was sentenced to three months in prison after admitting to stealing and damaging a motorcycle last month.

Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans charged Valentino McDonald, 22, with stealing, receiving and damage.

McDonald is accused of stealing Tiffon Davis’s black and silver coloured 2020 Yamaha

Crypton motorcycle from his residence on Davis Street between October 17 and 18. During that time, he was found with various motorcycle items and parts belonging to Davis and was accused of causing $530.53 worth of damage to his motorcycle.

After pleading guilty, McDonald was sentenced to three months in prison.

He was further ordered to compensate the complainant with $530.35 or risk an additional month in custody.

A WORKSHOP series held by the CHTA Education Foundation has sold out in swift time.

The Caribbean Supercharged Service series will be held on Grand Bahama, where more than 100 Bahamian hospitality professionals will take part. The oneday dynamic workshops include topics such as guest care and effective communication.

The training is a

collaboration between the Education Foundation and sponsor Interval International, contributing partner Pelican Bay Resort, and is endorsed by the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association.

Karolin Troubetzkoy, chairwoman of the Education Foundation, said: “The swift response to our upcoming training sessions is indeed heartening. It not only indicates the enthusiasm

of the participants but also underscores the value they see in equipping themselves for outstanding service delivery. Our goal is to empower them with tools that fuse efficiency with grace and professionalism.”

“Interval International is delighted to sponsor the CHTA Education Foundation’s Grand Bahama island training programme, where

our timeshare partners will join with other tourism professionals to enjoy and learn from dynamic, focused, service and supervisory training workshops,” said Neil Kolton, Interval’s director of business development for Caribbean, Florida, and Southeast Asia.

Learn more about the Education Foundation, its scholarships and training programs at www.chtaef. com.

PAGE 8, Friday, November 3, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

PBM Mariner seaplane sinks near Royal Island

Stocking Island

MARTIN PBM-3S MARINER

O

N the night of Wednesday, July 19, 1944, at Royal Island, North Eleuthera, Lt (jg) HL Hayes crashed while landing in a turbulent sea. No injuries to the personnel occurred, but both wing floats were torn off the plane and the starboard wing tip bounced on the bottom and finally sank in 20 feet of water. The plane was damaged beyond repair and was later surveyed.

Squadron VP-208 reported that the plane landed at Royal Island, and in doing so waterlooped to such an extent that the plane was “Struck Off Charge (SOC). Major damage.”

An expert explained to me as I set off to swim and find part of the plane that “usually a water-loop will pitch a wing underwater after it loses its outer wing buoyancy, and crinkle the wing and adjoining fuselage, making it unflyable. “If no resources to repair anywhere near they could have purposely sunk it after stripping it.

But they probably would have taxied to somewhere deeper to do so.”

On Saturday, January 14, 2023, I swam a tiny acre of the hundreds where parts might have become hidden in crevices, yet found no clues. The fishermen at Spanish Wells adjacent know every inch of their waters, and I rationalised that if they don’t know about it, it is probably not there. I called Elon Pinder, mailboat captain and owner in Spanish Wells, and he told me he has never heard a fisherman reference a plane wreck near Royal Island. My conviction that there is no wreckage of that crash there was borne out with the following message while we sat at anchor off Royal Island, which now aspires to be an elite resort.

Aviation historian Doug Campbell kindly shared that “Plane was Peter 19 (P-19).”

Additional info: “Pumps

By Eric Wiberg have hull leaks under control. Need flotation gear for both wing tips.” So that tells me they didn’t sink right away, but they did sink. Next day: “P-19 sank in 20 feet of water. Salvage operations

And when to give up.

Between 1943 and 1945 USS Christiana, IX-80, YAG-32, was under the command of Lt (jg) Anthony DeFrances USNR as a seaplane tender in

hits the water, usually the search is called off in hours or days. But given that amphibs can float for months, the search can drag on inexorably. Many dozens of aircraft, hundreds of servicement on land, in the air and afloat deployed to find the missing 14 men, who were never found. Liferafts were retrieved not belonging to the same plane, a plane was reported ablaze and sinking a mile west of Governor’s Harbour, Eleuthera, (it was a boat), a large piece of rectangularly shaped metal was reported

Island instructing it to put to sea to locate the drifting Mariner, which the training crew in the B-25 located and returned to base. USS Christiana at Royal Island took over from the RAF air-sea rescue crash boat HMS P-339, which reached the Mariner, but could not tow it to shore, as its tow-rope was unable to stand the strain. P-339 then returned to Eleuthera.

On Thursday, September 21, 1942, US Navy pilot RJ Finnie was skippering his Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina of US Navy

USS CHRISTIANA,IX-80, YAG-32, seaplane tender in Pelican Bay, Abaco,andRoyal Island, Eleutherafor squadron VB-132. taken over by Headquarters Squadron 12.” So that’s probably your answer.”

Plane salvaged, nothing more than a few nuts and bolts to find, if that after 80 years. We pulled the anchor of our expedition boat Parole and headed south to seek shelter in Hatchet Bay from an impending cold front. The exercise proved how important it is to have experts advising, an internet connection, and persons with you who are experienced divers and mariners.

HATCHET BAY, Eleuthera

Pelican Bay, Abaco, and Royal Island for squadron VB-132. She was built in New York in 1891 as the Lighthouse Tender Azalea.

She was kept busy, as there were seaplane accidents at all islands Christiana was based in The Bahamas, including Walkers Cay. On September 20, 1943, a Martin PBM-3S Mariner suffered a water-loop while landing, spinning out of contol in proximity to USS Christiana in Pelican Bay. The large amphibian plane was struck from active service in squadron VP-208.

On March 11, 1945, the largest air sea rescue effort in The Bahamas of World War II began with the simple statement in the Gulf Sea Frontier commander’s daily diary that “at 8am Miami advised ComGulf that ATC [air traffic control] Jacksonville reported a PB4Y was lost at sea.”

When a land plane

on Nunjack Cay, Abacos, and lights were seen flashing well east of the islands, all for naught.

The main focus was on Paw Paw Rocks, northwest of Little Abaco and southeast of Walker’s Cay, with nothing conclusive ever found. Airman Charles John Nickerman, from Salt Lake City, Utah, never made his 20th birthday. His parents were informed he was simply “missing in action”, and he was awarded the Navy Gold Star for death in the line of duty.

On Thursday, August 24, 1944, on the open ocean east of James Cistern, central Eleuthera, a PBM Mariner aircraft was given assistance by RAF rescue boats that ultimately were not up to the task. After a distress call was sent from the plane, a B-25 bomber based at Oakes Field diverted to its reported position. Then a signal sent to launch at Harbour

VP-92 Squadron towards a sea landing off Stocking Island, the seaward barrier protecting George Town, Exuma. Unfortunately, the landing quickly became a high-speed water crash, following which the aircraft sank and was lost.

Captain Finnie was killed, and the PBY damaged beyond repair. The NOB and NAS in Exuma were well equipped and prepared to render salvage to sunken and damaged aircraft; that was part of their training, and with so much traffic between the US, Cuba, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and Canada during the war airborne, afloat, and from carriers and others passing through the nearby channels, they were kept busy in the war.

On Saturday, July 1, 1944, PBM Mariner aircraft was attempting to take off in a ferry service convoy of planes from Exuma to the US. At noon during

waterborne climb, the pilot spotted another aircraft in his path. In tight formation and in order to avoid striking it, he made a drastic turn.

His seaplane hit a navigation buoy and sank quickly, killing all six crew members on board. Tragic as it was, such accidents were not uncommon. Less than three months later, on Sunday, September 24, that year an airplane of VP-92 Squadron was trying to land on the sub-sea runway at Great Exuma while the lights on the seafloor were not lit, and it crashed. Although

Credit: Navsource.org the plane was completely lost and several of the crew were injured, thankfully no one was killed.

A wide variety of tasks are undertaken by the personnel at these remote bases, including destroying what has already been partially sunk. One day a telegram from the Commissioner of Arthurs Town, Cat Island, to the NAS Exuma detailed a wreck drifting between the two islands.

The partially submerged derelict’s mast stuck 50 feet out of the water, was only 20 miles south of Little Exuma.

Since it was considered a hazard to navigation, the Naval Air Station agreed to use it as target practice and destroy it. They also went on myriad rescue and scouting missions to all the surrounding islands and served as a welcome landing mat to dozens of disoriented air craft carrier pilots low on fuel or lost.

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THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 3, 2023, PAGE 9

‘I’ve never felt more comfortable outside the US than when I was in Grand Bahama’ T

By Diane Phillips

HE man sat down a few rows away.

In a nearly empty and sterile, freezing cold Grand Bahama International Airport terminal with only a handful of early arrivals waiting for much later flights, it was hard not to make eye contact with the few lone folks who were already there, a mother and toddler, a few men who spoke in rapid staccato-like sounds like they were from somewhere far away, and this gentleman, middle-aged, laden with an encased guitar and assortment of backpacks and hefty hand luggage that indicated he had been around these parts for a while and was heading back to wherever he came from.

Setting is important, especially when the story it leads to is such a surprise.

If you have not been to the Grand Bahama International Airport terminal, let me describe it to you by starting and ending with the news - it is a work in progress. It’s one of the emptiest feeling places you have ever been. High ceilings, polished, gleaming swirling gray concrete floors, darkish walls empty of any artwork, a hall devoid of both personality and adequate outlets, on the perimeter a few concessions that opened slowly, lazily late in the day, in the centre, rows of new slotted metal chairs welded together and lined up like soldiers on a field. Nearly four years after the ravages of Hurricane Dorian and no international service, at least this much is a start, but it was the eerie emptiness of the hall – a work in progress - that provided the setting for a conversation that might never have taken place had there been a bookstore or a coffee shop.

“I have a fast wireless charger. You’re welcome to use it,” the man surrounded by the guitar and assorted luggage offered in a voice loud enough to catch my attention as he saw me searching for an outlet to plug my charger and phone into. It had been a busy morning and the phone owed me nothing. We had just completed the Grand Bahama Shipyard groundbreaking ceremony kicking of the $600m investment that will transform the once bustling facility into one of the most important shipyards in the world, capable of hauling and launching the world’s largest cruise and container ships and outshining any other yard in the Western Hemisphere.

It was a celebration years in the making. Talks about the transformation of the shipyard had begun long before with do-over fever building following an accident in April 2019 when a crane collapsed as it was lifting Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas to repair a propulsion problem.

In the years that followed the accident in which miraculously no one was injured, the shipyard, always an important part of the Grand Bahama economy, limped along, handling repairs that came its way on its single remaining dock, unable to live up to its full potential with one dock down and another incapable of handling the larger vessels that now had to make their way to Europe for major repairs and haul-outs. It was no secret that with larger ships rolling out and newbuilds showing a steady trend of bigger and heavier than ever, the previous dual docks and single existing dock would be no match for future needs.

Throughout those years, talks and meetings between Carnival and Royal Caribbean, which together own 80 percent of the shipyard, and other entities ran on. Government agreements had to be signed. The Grand Bahama Port Authority, a 20 percent owner, had to be onboard. Its acting chairman, Sarah St George, recalling her late father, Edward St George, so proud of the shipyard he helped build taking her there for Sunday picnics when other kids her age were going to the beach, added her memorable and humorous touch to the groundbreaking on this day, and now finally, the ceremony was over. Initial supplies were on their way for work to begin, docks on order scheduled to be delivered for a grand re-opening in 20252026, and after moderating the press conference, I was back at the airport for

the return flight to Nassau.

And it was cold inside that nearly empty terminal when the man offered me the wireless charger for my dying phone.

I was right, he was headed home to Texas where his wife and three kids awaited his return, two teen girls and a 27-year-old son with autism and two loves - Special Olympics and his girlfriend who is blind. The man, whose name turned out to be David, proudly showed me pictures of his family, and then the conversation turned to Grand Bahama.

He had been here at the Grand Bahama Shipyard, heading up a highly specialised tech and leadership team doing crane oversight, overhaul and upgrade. Cranes, I learned, are like the DNA of a shipyard, as essential as water, drydock, slipways, warehouses, welding equipment and skilled labour. But for uninitiated like me who knows nothing about what makes a crane stand straight or bend and lift when ordered to do so, it was revealing to learn that major work on this equipment which, by the way, reminds me of a metal giraffe on steroids, relates not to replacing aging parts but updating electronics and software, the internal parts that act like the heart, lungs and brain of vital equipment that can run $2 to $3m used.

“Grand Bahama,” said the man named David, “is the best place I’ve ever been on a job.” And he has been to many – Guyana, El Salvador, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador and many others, well over a dozen countries.

“I’ve never felt safer than in Grand Bahama.” In Honduras, he had guns pointed at his head. In Dominica, he had to have protection from those coming across the border. In some countries, he and his team had to be transported in armored vans to get to the shipyard or wherever the crane in need of attention was situated and back to where they were being housed before dark or risk attack by gangs and gangsters.

As a foreigner who might have a pocketful of cash, he’s been robbed and nearly abducted. He’s stared down the barrel of a pistol and an assault weapon, praying for his life, wanting to see the wife and children he was going home to now.

This stranger at the airport who has travelled far and wide and worked the world over found a paradise we forget when we talk of Grand Bahama as the forgotten isle, the land with needs and wants and potential still unrealised.

To this man, a stranger, it was a respite that offered everything.

“I’m not a party man. Those days are long over. I just wanted to go to work and come home at the end of the day and the people in Grand Bahama were so friendly, so polite and warm and genuine, not like they had been trained to say the right things to tourists, genuine. The culture, the food, the sharing. I never once felt like I was in danger, and I’ve never felt more comfortable outside the US I’ve never felt safer or liked it more than in Grand Bahama.”

As for the shipyard, his compliments were just as hearty and heartfelt.

“It’s one of the best I have ever seen,” said the man named David from Texas.

“It has everything in one place – metal shop, welding, painting, propulsion repair, electrical. If there were a catastrophe tomorrow and the world shut down temporarily, the shipyard could close its gates and just keep going. It is one of the best-run shipyards anywhere. it’s very impressive.”

Thank you, David, for offering a quick cellphone charge. More importantly, thank you for loving The Bahamas and reminding us that while we think Grand Bahama needs a helping hand up, there are others who look at it through different eyes and see something to give an applauding hand to.

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PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis and Fred Smith KC speaking at Grand Bahama Shipyard

PAGE 10, Friday, November 3, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

FTX founder Sam-Bankman-Fried convicted of defrauding cryptocurrency customers NEW YORK Associated Press FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried’s spectacular rise and fall in the cryptocurrency industry — a journey that included his testimony before Congress, a Super Bowl advertisement and dreams of a future run for president — hit a new bottom Thursday when a New York jury convicted him of fraud in a scheme that cheated customers and investors of at least $10 billion.

After the monthlong trial, jurors rejected BankmanFried’s claim during four days on the witness stand in Manhattan federal court that he never committed fraud or meant to cheat customers before FTX, once the world’s second-largest crypto exchange, collapsed into bankruptcy a year ago.

“His crimes caught up to him. His crimes have been exposed,” Assistant US Attorney Danielle Sassoon told the jury of the onetime billionaire just before they were read the law by Judge Lewis A. Kaplan and began deliberations. Sassoon said Bankman-Fried turned his customers’ accounts into his “personal piggy bank” as up to $14 billion disappeared.

She urged jurors to reject Bankman-Fried’s insistence when he testified over three days that he never committed fraud or plotted to steal from customers, investors and lenders and didn’t realize his companies were at least $10 billion in debt until October 2022.

The trial attracted intense interest with its focus on a fraud on a scale not seen since the 2009 prosecution of Bernard Madoff, whose Ponzi scheme over decades cheated thousands of investors out of about $20 billion.

Madoff pleaded guilty, was

sentenced to 150 years in prison, where he died in 2021.

The prosecution of Bankman-Fried, 31, put a spotlight on the emerging industry of cryptocurrency and a group of young executives in their 20s who lived together in a $30 million luxury apartment in the Bahamas as they dreamed of becoming the most powerful player in a new financial field.

US Attorney Damian Williams said they engaged in one of the biggest frauds in US history.

Prosecutors made sure jurors knew that the defendant they saw in court with short hair and a suit was not the man with big messy hair and shorts that became his trademark appearance after he started his cryptocurrency hedge fund, Alameda Research, in 2017 and FTX, his cryptocurrency exchange, two years later.

They showed the jury pictures of Bankman-Fried sleeping on a private jet, sitting with a deck of cards and mingling at the Super Bowl with celebrities including the singer Katy Perry. Assistant US Attorney Nicolas Roos called Bankman-Fried someone who liked “celebrity chasing.”

In a closing argument, defence lawyer Mark Cohen said prosecutors were trying to turn “Sam into some sort of villain, some sort of monster.”

“It’s both wrong and unfair, and I hope and believe that you have seen that it’s simply not true,” he said. “According to the government, everything Sam ever touched and said was fraudulent.”

The government relied heavily on the testimony of three former members of Bankman-Fried’s inner

IN this courtroom sketch, FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried, right, testifies as Judge Lewis Kaplan, upper left, presides during Bankman-Fried’s trial in Manhattan federal court, Tuesday, in New York. A pie chart showing where all the customer funds were spent is displayed on monitors.

Photo: Elizabeth Williams/AP circle, his top executives president someday.

Ellison, Wang and Singh the entrepreneur repeatedly including his former girlBecoming tearful as she all pleaded guilty to fraud promised customers that friend, Caroline Ellison, to described the collapse of charges and testified against their deposits were safe and explain how Bankman-Fried the cryptocurrency empire Bankman-Fried in the hopes secure as late as last Nov. used Alameda Research last November, Ellison said of leniency at sentencing.

7 when he tweeted “FTX to siphon billions of dollars the revelations that caused Bankman-Fried was is fine. Assets are fine” as from customer accounts at customers collectively to arrested in the Bahamas last customers furiously tried to FTX. demand their money back, December and extradited withdraw their money. He With that money, prosecu- exposing the fraud, brought a to the United States, where deleted the tweet the next tors said, the Massachusetts “relief that I didn’t have to lie he was freed on a $250 mil- day. FTX filed for bankInstitute of Technology grad- anymore.” lion personal recognizance ruptcy four days later. uate gained influence and FTX cofounder Gary bond with electronic moniIn his closing, Roos power through investments, Wang, who was FTX’s toring and a requirement mocked Bankman-Fried’s contributions, tens of mil- chief technology officer, that he remain at the home testimony, saying that under lions of dollars in political revealed in his testimony of his parents in Palo Alto, questioning from his lawyer, contributions, Congressional that Bankman-Fried directed California. the defendant’s words were testimony and a publicity him to insert code into FTX’s His communications, “smooth, like it had been campaign that enlisted celeb- operations so that Alameda including hundreds of phone rehearsed a bunch of times?” rities like comedian Larry Research could make unlim- calls with journalists and But under cross examiDavid and football quarter- ited withdrawals from FTX internet influencers, along nation, “he was a different back Tom Brady. and have a credit line up to with emails and texts, even- person,” the prosecutor Ellison, 28, testified that $65 billion. Wang said the tually got him in trouble said. “Suddenly on crossBankman-Fried directed her money came from customers. when the judge concluded he examination he couldn’t while she was chief execuNishad Singh, the former was trying to influence pro- remember a single detail tive of Alameda Research head of engineering at spective trial witnesses and about his company or what to commit fraud as he pur- FTX, testified that he felt ordered him jailed in August. he said publicly. It was sued ambitions to lead huge “blindsided and horrified” During the trial, prosecu- uncomfortable to hear. He companies, spend money at the result of the actions tors used Bankman-Fried’s never said he couldn’t recall influentially and run for of a man he once admired public statements, online during his direct examiUS president someday. She when he saw the extent of announcements and his nation, but it happened said he thought he had a 5 the fraud as the collapse last Congressional testimony over 140 times during his percent chance to be US November left him suicidal. against him, showing how cross-examination.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 3, 2023, PAGE 11

MEMBERS and guests of BAAP with guest speaker Duquesa Dean (centre).

Sharnett Ferguson, vice ALPHA KAPPA president of BAAP, said, ALPHA SOROITY “We wanted to have someone come to speak to our The local Chapter of members in order to arm Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, them with information they Incorporated Eta Psi Omega can use in their daily lives, kicked off Breast Cancer and so they can be aware Awareness Month with a of what’s going on and how health and educational pres- they can help themselves.” entation on “Myth Busting: BAAP is a non-profit Breast Cancer 101” by Dr organisation whose mission Yasmin Robinson, a member is to provide administraof the sorority. She debunked tive and office professionals breast cancer myths, urged opportunities for profesthe members to get their sional growth. BAAP meets annual mammograms and the third Thursday in the stressed the importance of month at the Edmund early detection.

Moxey Community Centre, Breast Cancer Aware- Baillou Hill Road at 6pm. ness month culminated with the donations of 72 cancer kits designed to support KIWANIS CLUB patients who are undergo- OF CABLE BEACH ing cancer therapy at the The Kiwanis Club of Princess Margaret Hospital.

Margo J Adderley, local Cable Beach holds its Chapter president, pre- antique car show and grill sented the cancer kit to out on Saturday, November Sister Beverley Williams, 11, at Arawak Cay, from chief nurse of the Oncology 10.30am-5pm. Proceeds in aid of ongoing community Department.

Phylicia Ferguson, first projects. vice president and programme chair for Eta Psi KIWANIS CLUB Omega Chapter, said the donation is a testament to OF OVER-THE-HILL the sorority’s commitment On Saturday, October to promoting health and wellness within our com- 14th, 2023, The Kiwanis munity. She said: “Our Club of Over-The-Hill, led cancer kits are a symbol of by president Dominique our sorority’s dedication Gaitor, under our theme to uplifting and supporting “Serving with Passion & those in need during their Strength” continued our assistance to the St Matbattle with breast cancer.”

Dr Robinson, commit- thew’s Social Outreach tee chair, reiterated that the Ministry with the grilling of cancer kits were thought- steaks and chicken at their fully curated to include Steak Out and Mini Fair. items aimed at providing The grillers of Over-Thephysical comfort, mental Hill look forward to this stimulation, and emotional project every year where support during their chal- we can give back to this lenging journey. Each kit is very important ministry designed to make a mean- of St Matthew’s Anglican ingful difference in the Church.

The St Matthew’s Social lives of those facing breast cancer. The sorority believes Outreach Ministry headed these small gestures of kind- by its President Sylvia ness can have a profound Forbes, operates the St Matthew’s Day Care Center impact.

Alana Major, former for the aged, where seniors president; sorority member are taken care of during the and director of the Public workday, and also provide Hospital Authority foun- a food kitchen for lunch dation, expressed her distribution during selected gratitude and support for days in the week, and this philanthropic gesture. monthly food parcels for She said: “We are truly the aged and less fortunate grateful for the gener- in the church’s community. ous donation from Alpha Kappa Alpha Soror- ROTARY CLUB ity, Incorporated Eta Psi OF NASSAU Omega Chapter.”

BAHAMAS ASSOCIATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE PROFESSIONALS The old adage says that “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

Duquesa Dean, president of GD Caring and Sharing Cancer Support Group, is on a mission to hold true this adage.

Mrs Dean cared for her mother who was afflicted with cancer before her passing. She is an advocate of cancer awareness and early detection. She recently spoke to members and guests of the Bahamas Association of Administrative Professionals (BAAP) at their monthly meeting.

Mrs Dean, who wore pink ribbon earrings symbolising breast cancer awareness, educated BAAP members and guests on cancer. She advised them of toxic items to the body which should be avoided. She also told them of the importance of monitoring what they eat.

As early detection is the key, Mrs Dean instructed those present on how to self-check their breasts and what are some of the symptoms of breast cancer.

Deniece Evans, an attendee at the meeting, said Mrs Dean’s presentation was “exceptional”.

“I have gotten so much information that would benefit me,” said Mrs Evans.

Under the patronage of Dame Margarete Pindling, the Bahamas Society of Ophthalmic Nurses, on Sunday, October 29, at the Balmoral Club, held its Eyecare Awareness Awards Ceremony.

The awards ceremony was held to recognise and thank non-government organisations, volunteers and committee members, who gave of their time and resources to aid the visually impaired, the blind and others in need of eyecare in The Bahamas. Michael Darville, Minister of Health & Wellness, congratulated the Bahamas Society of Ophthalmic Nurses (BSON) for the work that they do and also applauded the efforts of the many honorees.

The Rotary Club of Nassau (RCN), was especially pleased to be honoured by BSON, in recognition of its continued partnership.

Each year, RCN, in partnership with BSON, MJB Optical, Rhonda Eyes Alliance (REA) and other partners and friends, hosts a free vision/health expo, where boys and girls in particular, receive optical and medical screening. This year, RCN, along with partners such as Island Administrator Jandilee Archer, dentists Dr Andre Rollins and team, the Long Islanders Association, the Long Island District Education Department, and audiologist Dr Deborah Nubirth hosted an optical, medical, dental,

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MEMBERS of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority presenting cancer kits. and hearing expo. More PROVIDENCE than 450 children were screened over a three-day During the month of period. This vision/health May 2023, the Zonta Clubs expo was also a success of New Providence and due in big part to generous Nassau launched a ‘Say No donations from sponsors, such as Essentially Alkaline, to Violence’, TikTok, Essay, Prescription Centre, New and Poetry competition.

Providence Ecology Park, The competition was open Leah’s Hopes and Dreams, to primary and high school Doctors Hospital, Insurance students throughout The Bahamas.

Management, and Sun Oil. The objective was to raise The Rotary Club of Nassau meets each Tuesday at 1pm awareness of the critical issue of violence against at the Nassau Yacht Club. women. Ultimately, the excellent entries in each ZONTA CLUB category showed the power of creative expression and OF NEW

KIWANIS Club of Over-The-Hill past president Quintin Percentie, immediate past president Juan Gibson, past president Gregory Butler, president Dominique Gaitor, double past president Frederick Rodgers, past president Berry Sweeting and secretary Kenny Carroll. awareness of this important prize. issue.

Poetry CompetitionDuring the presentation, Grade 3-5: 1st L’Amour presidents Yvette Ingraham Dawkins; 2nd Taliyah and Sonia Brown, of Zonta Walker; 3rd Melia Outten; Club of New Providence and 4th Benjamin Cartwright; Nassau, respectively, con- 5th Shiaion Thompson. gratulated the winners on Essay Competition their stellar performance and Winners-Grade 10-12: 1st encouraged them to continue Anaya Gray; 2nd Markito be advocates for eliminat- sha Francois; 3rd Marcus ing violence against women.

Nabbie; 4th Gabrielle FerEach of the top five com- guson; 5th Daria McQueen. petitors received a Leveno TikTok Competitiontablet, courtesy of Customs Grade 7-9: 1st Justin Computers, and a cash Hughes.

ROTARY Club of Nassau event: From left, Pierre LeBlanc - REA, Rhonda LeBlanc - president REA, Darren Bain - president RCN, Dr Anita Dean - MJB and RCN, and murse Sandra Hamilton - REA.

PRIZES being presented by the Zonta Club.

SPORTS PAGE 12

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2023

Mouratoglou in town

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

P

atrick Mouratoglou, the world renowned French tennis coach, was impressed with his return trip to the Bahamas this week.

Mouratoglou, a former decade long coach of legendary American tennis star Serena Williams, was invited to the Bahamas by Richele LeSaldo, the director of the Albany Tennis Academy.

Here on a stop after his visit to Miami, Florida, before he heads to Los Angeles, California, Mouratoglou got a chance to work with a number of local rising young tennis players.

Mouratoglou said he remembered coming here during the years that he coached Williams from 2012-2022 for a brief trip, but he was delighted to be back to actually put in some work with the young players. “I think the players were really receptive to what was being taught, especially the young player from Grand Bahama,” Mouratoglou said. “I think they all did a very good job.”

From what he has seen, Mouratoglou said the future looks bright for the Bahamas, considering that the players are following in the footsteps of one of the game’s greatest doubles specialists Mark Knowles.

“I’m happy that Richele invited me to come

COACH Patrick Mouratoglou with Richele LeSaldo, director of the Albany Tennis Academy. here. I’ve known her for a long time, and I think she’s doing a very good job with these facilities here. I hope that I can come back and continue to work with the programme in the future.”

LeSaldo, a close associate of Mouratoglou from France as well, said it’s great to have one of the world’s greatest coaches to be in town to share his expertise with the youngsters.

“I’m happy to have him here,” LeSaldo said.

“I think the young players whom he got a chance to work with have learnt quite a bit from him. He’s been an inspiration to those in attendance.”

Former player Oneil Mortimer, who assisted Mouratoglou in serving balls to the players, said it was a very insightful experience for him as one of the young coaches in the Bahamas.

“Learning from him and being on the court with

him was a big pleasure of mine,” Mortimer stated.

“I learned how important it is to be on point and deliver the ball to the players so that they can get it right.”

Alessio Battello, who came in from Grand Bahama with his mother Dianna Battello, had a special private training session with Mouratoglou.

Battello, a 13-year-old ninth grader at Lucaya International School, said he was thrilled to have met Mouratoglou.

“It was a dream come true. I learned a lot from him,” Battello said. “I learned how important it is to use your wrist in just about every shot in this

SEE PAGE 15

NATIONAL SPORTS AWARDS SATURDAY

LAFLEUR EARNS ANOTHER PRO CARD

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net LORRAINE LaFleur can now boast of being the first Bahamian female to earn two professional bodybuilding cards.

LaFleur, competing in her third event for the year, captured the IFBB Pro League overall title at the 2023 Joe Weider’s Olympia Fitness and Performance Weekend.

Held at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, LaFleur added the NPC card to her Pro Elite card she got in Bogota, Colombia, in 2018.

SEE PAGE 13

‘BUILDING HOLISTIC CHAMPIONS’

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

SPORTS Heritage Month began on Wednesday and among the event’s sporting festivities will be the National Sports Awards slated for tomorrow evening.

The ceremony is set to take place on the front lawn of the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium at 6:30pm. Nominees for the 26 categories are all in and winners will be awarded this weekend.

The awards to be presented on Saturday are junior and senior high school student athlete (male and female), Family Island student athlete, collegiate athlete of the year, national secondary athletic school of the year (junior and senior), community sports award, Family Island Sports Council of the Year, youth national team of the year, national coach of the year, federation of the year, tourism impact of the year, Bahamas Olympic Committee award, Leevan Sands Courage award, athlete of the year with disability (male and female), national sportsmanship, Minister of Sports-for excellence, the

SEE PAGE 13

LORRAINE LaFleur

THE NOMINEES ARE IN: The nominees for the 26 awards to be presented at the National Sports Awards on Saturday, November 4, are officially out.

SEE MORE NOMINEES ON PAGE 13

WHILE they will prepare to hold their fourth annual Motivational, Health & Wellness Seminar for their athletes this weekend, the Red-Line Athletics Track Club hosted a course for their coaches and management team.

All the coaches, with the exception of one, and three members of their management team participated in a First AID CPR and EE Course. They are coaches Tito Moss, Earl Rahming, Mike Armbrister, Rachante Colebrook, Kryshell Rolle and Cerio Rolle. The management team members were Shanique Sweeting, Thaillase Maycock and Mark Major “We found it necessary to all be compliant and certified in First AID and CPR because we are responsible for 90-something kids,” said Tito Moss, the club’s founding president and head coach. “And also, in light of

SEE PAGE 15

Understanding the unique anatomy and physiology of female athletes and their injury management Introduction FEMALE athletes, like their male counterparts, possess distinctive anatomy and physiology that play a crucial role in their athletic performance and injury management.

In this article, we delve into these unique aspects and explore how they influence the differentiation and management of injuries, while also considering the Female Athlete Triad.

The Unique Anatomy and Physiology of Female Athletes Female athletes exhibit distinct anatomical and physiological characteristics: 1. Biomechanics: Women often have a wider pelvic structure, which can impact their biomechanics and movement patterns, influencing both their

performance and injury risk.

2. Hormonal Fluctuations: The menstrual cycle introduces hormonal fluctuations, which can affect ligament laxity, stability, and susceptibility to certain injuries, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears.

3. Bone Health: Female athletes may face concerns regarding bone health, including a predisposition to stress fractures and a higher risk of osteoporosis in later life.

Injury Differentiation and Management In the field of sports, female athletes face specific considerations related to injury differentiation and management: 1. ACL Tears: Female athletes are more susceptible to ACL tears due to

DR KENT BAZARD hormonal factors and biomechanical differences.

Early diagnosis and tailored

rehabilitation are crucial for a successful recovery.

2. Stress Fractures: Issues related to bone density and female athletes’ unique physiology can contribute to an increased risk of stress fractures. Proper diagnosis and specific nutritional interventions are essential in these cases.

3. Runner’s Knee (Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome): Female athletes often experience patellofemoral pain syndrome, resulting in chronic knee pain during activities. Rehabilitation strategies, including strengthening and flexibility exercises, are pivotal.

Female Athlete Triad: A Critical Concern The Female Athlete Triad is a critical concern among female athletes.

It’s characterised by three interrelated components:

disordered eating, amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), and osteoporosis.

The Triad has serious health implications and requires comprehensive management that focuses on nutrition, menstrual health, and bone density.

Preventive Measures and Management Preventing and effectively managing injuries in female athletes involve several key elements: 1.

Biomechanical Assessments: Identifying abnormal movement patterns and gait through biomechanical assessments can aid in creating targeted injury prevention programmes.

2. Nutrition and Bone Health: Nutritional education, especially for female athletes, is paramount.

Adequate calcium and vitamin D intake is essential for optimal bone health.

3. Hormonal Considerations: Being aware of hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle is crucial. Adapting training programmes and monitoring to minimise injury risks is essential.

4. Injury-Specific Rehabilitation: Rehabilitation programmes should be tailored to the unique anatomy and physiology of female athletes. They need to address specific needs and biomechanical factors for optimal recovery.

Conclusion Understanding the unique anatomy and physiology of female athletes is essential for their wellbeing and success in sports.

SEE PAGE 13

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 3, 2023, PAGE 13

National Sports Awards nominees are in - historic event all set for tomorrow FROM PAGE 12 Prime Minister Award for National Pride, Sports league of the year, tourism ambassador award, Family Island coach of the year.

The male nominees for junior high school student athlete of the year are Christon Joseph, Craig Ferguson, David Singh, Devano Dorsett, Eagan Neely, Euland Rolle, Patrick Mactaggart and Xavion Johnson.

The nominees in contention for the female category include Abigail Smith, Anjaleah Knowles, Cara Rodgers, Davia Pinder, Kalél Nixon, Kamera Strachan, Katerina Coello, Keyezra Thomas, La’Breah Sands, Saleste Gibson and Tatyana Madu.

Female nominees for senior student athlete of the year are Jalisa Clarke, Jamiah Nabbie, Kaitlyn WIlliams, Kami Roach, Rhanishka Gibbs, Tera Sweeting, and Terrell McCoy. For the males, contending for the award will be Adrien Shearer, Branden Vanderpool, Dekari Turnquest, Jerald Carrol, Malcolm Menzies, Marvin Johnson, Valdez Edgecombe and Zion Miller.

The candidates for the national secondary athletic school of the year are CV Bethel, CR Walker, Queen’s College, St Augustine’s College, and Sunland Baptist Academy.

The junior nominees in this category are AF Adderley, CH Reeves, SAC and Queen’s College.

The contenders for the collegiate athlete of the year award are Jacobi Bain, Keyshawn Strachan, Kyle Wilson and Lamar Taylor.

Taylor will also be in the running for the Bahamas Olympic Committee award along with Rashield Williams and Terrence Jones.

Three nominees have been selected for the Leevan Sands Courage Award, including the likes of Anthonique Strachan, Justin Roberts and Rachel Thompson.

Five nominees will hope to be awarded Family Island coach of the year honours.

The candidates are Anthony Williams, Felicia Cartwright, Kennard Mackey, Patricia Rolle and Steven Brown.

The National Sports Award for Federation of the Year is between the Bahamas Aquatic Federation, Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations, Bahamas Softball Federation, Bahamas Triathlon Association, Bahamas Boxing Federation and Equestrian Bahamas.

The athlete of year with a disability nominees are Caitlin Romer and Deron Forbes.

LAFLEUR EARNS ANOTHER PRO CARD FROM PAGE 12 Opting not to go to the Caribbean Grand Prix on November 11 because she could get a chance to become the first Bahamian female to qualify for the Ms Olympia show, LaFleur won the Orlando overall title after she took the women’s physique masters and women’s physique open divisions on Tuesday.

Having won the triple crown on her way to earning her NPC pro card, LaFleur said she still has to win another show next year in order to qualify for Ms Olympia.

The mission, she said, is on.

“This year, I was so tired and drained. I really didn’t care what the outcome was,” said LaFleur of the competition that took place on Tuesday. “I just wanted to get on the stage and get off because I was so tired. “But it was pretty easy. I just did what I had to do. I thought I did pretty good.”

After spending the entire year training and competing, LaFleur said she was glad that she could finish off so strong. Now it’s time to celebrate and she will relish in her achievement this past year.

“This was by far my best year,” she pointed out.

“This year has been my performance, the training has been the best for me and my training was by far the best.”

She attributed her success to the support she’s received from her supporting cast, including her daughter Allyssa Fox, who accompanied her in Orlando.

“I have a 6am training crew and a 7:30pm training crew and we all go hard,” LaFleur said.

“They kept pushing me even when I was tired. They kept saying ‘come on Lorraine, you can do this. They really had my back this year, so I owe a lot to them.”

With the next two months to relax and enjoy the festive season, LaFleur said she intends to be right back in training as early as January in preparation for an early pro show in 2024 in order for her to secure her berth at Ms Olympia in October.

Now that she has two pro cards, LaFleur said she doesn’t have to stress herself out in terms of competition because the shows don’t clash, which enables her to participate in whatever she chooses.

UNDERSTANDING THE UNIQUE ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF FEMALE ATHLETES FROM PAGE 12

BODYBUILDER Lorraine LaFleur posing.

“The Elite Pro doesn’t have as much competition as the NPC,” LaFleur said.

“They don’t treat the athletes like the NPC. That is why I decided to switch and compete in the NPC. But I will still have

a chance to compete in both competitions.”

In the meantime, she will continue to prepare for whatever show pops up on the board until she gets to the ultimate stage at Ms Olympia.

Recognising these distinct attributes and injury challenges, along with addressing concerns like the Female Athlete Triad, allows us to empower female athletes to continue their athletic journey while prioritising their health and performance.

UÊ ÀÊ i ÌÊ >â>À`Ê ÃÊ >Ê Bahamian sports medicine physician, sports performance coach, sports nutrition specialist and founder of Empire Sports Medicine. Our mission is to empower athletes to reach new heights while safeguarding their health and well-being.

We understand the unique demands of sports activities, and we are dedicated to helping athletes prevent injuries, overcome challenges, optimise nutrition and performance.

PAGE 14, Friday, November 3, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

NPBA REGULAR SEASON OPENING NIGHT ON NOVEMBER 11

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net THE New Providence Basketball Association (NPBA) regular season is scheduled to return next week Saturday for opening night at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium.

With a new president Ricardo Smith, and team of executives at the helm for the next four years, changes are on the way for the NPBA, starting with the season opener.

The event will kick off with the NPBA Finals rematch between the Discount Distributors Rockets and the defending champions Commonwealth Bank Giants at 7:30pm.

The announcement came during a press conference yesterday.

The CB Giants swept the Rockets 3-0 to end the NPBA postseason with the division one championship hardware.

In the previous season, the Rockets dealt a similar blow to the reigning champions and now they are hungry for revenge.

NPBA president Smith said the anticipation for the opening night game has been sky-high since the final buzzer of game three in the NPBA Finals.

“This game is a game that is most anticipated, people have been waiting to see the rematch.

“We will have a new look Rockets and new look Giants, all I can say is you will have to come and see what happens because there is no guarantee on who is going to win,” the NPBA president said.

The executive team has been vocal about their goals to transform NPBA basketball. So, on opening night, there will be a pregame show featuring performances by artists Nishie L S, and Dillon “DMAC” McKenzie as well as giveaways. Additionally, during the halftime break, the dancers of the Saxons Superstars will provide entertainment to usher in the second half.

In efforts to reach a larger audience, the rematch will be broadcasted live by ZNS on November 11.

The theme of the upcoming 2023-24 NPBA season is: “The year of the player” which is a dedication to active players and persons that have contributed to the growth of the night league.

The league’s respective divisions have been renamed in

honour of Derrick “Bat” Ferguson and Michael “Boshang” Cooper, the longest serving players in the association.

This season will feature a record number of teams across both divisions with 23 set to compete.

Twelve teams will be competing in division one, including the Giants, Rockets, Sand Dollar High Flyers, Caro Contractor Shockers, Leno Regulators, UB Mingoes, TMT Giants, Tucker Boys Mumbas, Zulu Media Great Whites, Investment Development Rebels, Centerville Stompers and Brandon Deli Kings. With a $10,000 prize up for grabs for the champions, competition will be stiff from the opening tip-off.

Ten teams will look to dethrone the Your Essential Store Giants in division

two. The teams vying to knock them off are the Rockets, Cyber Tech Marlins, Produce Exchange Rockets, BIBT Great Whites, Mekaddish Millionaires, Rhythm Rebels, Investment Development Rebels, Sand Dollar High Flyers, Heatwave and Javon Medical Shockers.

Michael “Furley” Bain Jr, of the Giants team, said the defending champions are ready for business.

“Our expectation stays the same, we are the defending champions and we are excited to get the season started. We know that opening night is going to be a tough battle that is probably going to set the tone for the rest of the season for us and we are looking forward to a high intensity battle come November 11,” Bain said.

Ryan Turnquest, of the Rockets, is ready to avenge last season’s NPBA Finals loss. “We basically kept our core players, we made maybe two additions to the team and last year the Giants slipped away because of one or two injuries but we are not gonna let that happen this year.

Opening night is going to be pretty exciting,” Turnquest said.

Following the season opener at the Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium, the regular season games will continue at the CI Gibson Gymnasium.

Repairs to the roof and floor of the AF Adderley Gymnasium are ongoing and expected to wrap up by December.

The 2023-24 NPBA season continues until March of next year.

ELITE GIRLS BASKETBALL LEAGUE

The action is starting to heat up

ON THE REPLAY: The action is starting to heat up in the Elite Girls Basketball League. The league, which got started three weeks ago to provide more opportunities for the local high school girls, had an interesting slate of games played inside the Kendal Isaacs Gymnasium between the six participating teams.

Photos by Dante Carrer

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 3, 2023, PAGE 15

Bahamas flag gets SPORTS some exposure

Nov 2023

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HOUSTON Texans linebacker Neville Hewitt (43) wears a Bahamas flag sticker on his helmet prior to an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers Sunday, October 29 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

(AP Photo/Brian Westerholt)

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GSSSA VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS SLATED TO BEGIN ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 7 SEASON WRAPS UP TODAY

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WORLD RENOWNED FRENCH TENNIS COACH PATRICK MOURATOGLOU IN TOWN FROM PAGE 12

YOUNG, aspiring tennis players are shown with coaches Patrick Mouratoglou and Richele LeSaldo.

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RED-LINE FROM PAGE 12

Ì iÊ Þ Õ }Ê > Ê Ê iÕÌ iÀ>Ê Ü Ê ÃÕ``i ÞÊ «>ÃÃi`Ê >Ü>ÞÊ > `Ê Ì iÊ }ÕÞÊ vÀ Ê+Õii ½ÃÊ i}i]ÊÜ Ê Ü>ÃÊ >ÌÌi ` }Ê >Ê L>à iÌL> Ê «À>VÌ ViÊ >ÌÊ Ì iÊ ÃV ]Ê ÜiÊ Ü> ÌÊÌ Ê > iÊÃÕÀiÊÜiÊiµÕ «Ê ÕÀÃi ÛiÃÊ Ü Ì Ê iÛiÀÞÌ }Ê « Ãà L iÊ ÊV>ÃiÊÌ >ÌÊÌ iÀiÊ ÃÊ > Ê V `i Ì]ÊÜiÊV> ÊV>ÌiÀÊÌ Ê ÌÊ i` >Ìi Þ°» >Û }ÊV « iÌi`ÊÌ iÊ Ì > Ê V ÕÀÃi]Ê ÃÃÊ ÀiÛi> i`Ê Ì >ÌÊ Ì iÊ V ÕLÊ Ü Ê ` Ê Ü >ÌÊ ÃÊ iViÃÃ>ÀÞÊ Ì Ê >VµÕ ÀiÊ > Ê

ÊÌ Ê > iÊÃÕÀiÊÜiÊ >ÛiÊ Ê > `Ê Ê V>ÃiÊ Ì iÀiÊ ÃÊ > Ê i iÀ}i VÞ°Ê º7iÊ ÕÃÌÊ «À>ÞÊ > `Ê «iÊ Ì >ÌÊ Ì iÀiÊ ÃÊ iÛiÀÊ >Ê ii`Ê v ÀÊ Ì iÊ ÌÀ> }Ê > `Ê ViÀÌ w V>Ì ÊÌ >ÌÊÜiÊ >ÛiÊ} ÌÌi °Ê ÕÌÊ ÜiÊ Ü Ê > iÊ ÃÕÀiÊ Ì >ÌÊ ÜiÊiµÕ «Ê ÕÀÃi ÛiÃÊÌ Ê > iÊ ÃÕÀiÊ Ì >ÌÊ ÜiÊ >ÀiÊ Ài>`ÞÊ vÊ Ì iÀiÊ ÃÊ i°» / iÊ ViÀÌ wV>Ì ]Ê Ü V Ê Ü>ÃÊ >` ÃÌiÀi`Ê LÞÊ ÃÊ i iÊ -V ÌÌ]Ê vÊ VÌ ÀÃÊ Ã« Ì> Ê /À> }Ê ÃÌ ÌÕÌiÊ Ê- ` iÀÊ, >`]Ê ÃÊv ÀÊÌÜ Ê

COACH Tito Moss hard at work. Þi>ÀÃÊÕ Ì Ê"VÌ LiÀÊÓn]ÊÓäÓxÊ Ü Ì Ê iÊV >V iÃÊ> `ÊÌ ÀiiÊ > >}i i ÌÊ Ìi> Ê i LiÀÃ]Ê ÃÕVViÃÃvÕ ÞÊ «>ÃÃ }Ê Ì iÊ V ÕÀÃi°Ê , LiÀÌÃ]Ê Ì iÊ ÞÊ V >V Ê Ü Ê Ü>ÃÊ ÌÊ

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RED-Line Athletics’ coaching staff with Ms Celine Scott, of Doctors Hospital Training Institute. > « Ã]»ÊÜ ÊÌ> iÊ« >ViÊ ÞViÊ Ã Ê Ü Ê > `Ê Ì iÊ Ì iÀÊ Ü Ê LiÊ ÊÌ iÊ-i>Ê-> ÌÊ, Ê>ÌÊÌ iÊ >``ÀiÃÃÊÌ iÊÌ « VÊ vÊ °Ê º Ì iÌi½ÃÊ -i v VV Õ Ì >Ì > Ê /À> }Ê }i VÞÊ 7 >ÌÊ ÃÊ ¶Ê > i]Ê >L ÌÞÊ Ê « ÀÌ> ViÊ vÊ vÀ Ê£ä\Îä> ÊÌ ÊÎ\Îä« ° >}i°Ê i iÃÃÊ > `Ê >Õ`Ê 7>À }Ê 1«]Ê 7>À }Ê Ê Ü `iÊ À> }iÊ vÊ Ì « VÃÊ - Ì ÊÜ Êëi> Ê Êº > Ü ]Ê -ÌÀiÌV }]Ê /> }Ê Ü Ê LiÊ «ÀiÃi Ìi`Ê LÞÊ Û>À V > Ê 7i iÃÃ°Ê * > }]Ê >ÀiÊ vÊÞ ÕÀÊL `Þ°» ÕÃÊ Ã«i> iÀÃ°Ê / iÞÊ V Õ`iÊ ->Û }°» *À ÀÊ Ì Ê «>ÀÌ V «>Ì }Ê Ê Ì iÊ v Ü }\Ê > > >ÃÊ > > > Ê " Þ « VÊ Ì iÊ Ãi >ÀÊ Ê ->ÌÕÀ`>Þ]Ê Ì « }Ê Ãà ]Ê LÀ âiÊ i`> ÃÌÊ > `Ê -> `ÃÊ Ü Ê > Ã Ê Ã >ÀiÊ ÃÊ Ài«ÀiÃi Ìi`ÊLÞÊ*iÌÀ>Ê >Ûi Ê >Ì > Ê ÌÀ « iÊ Õ «Ê ÀiV À`Ê iÝ«iÀÌ ÃiÊ Ê >Ê Õ «ÃÊ VÊ > `Ê VÊ > }]Ê Ü Ê `iÀÊ iiÛ> Ê ¼-Õ«iÀ > ½Ê Ì >ÌÊÜ ÊLiÊÃÌ>}i`Ê Ê À `>ÞÊ Ã«i> Ê Ê Ì iÊ Ì « VÊ º Ì -> `ÃÊ Ü Ê >``ÀiÃÃÊ ÌÜ Ê LiÌÜii Ê{ È« Ê>ÌÊÌ iÊ À } « }Ê > `Ê Ì iÊ « }Ê Ì « VÃ]Ê iÊ vÊÜ V ÊÜ ÊLiÊ > Ê / >ÃÊ Ê , L Ã Ê ÌÀ Ê*À ViÃð» º i} >ÌiÊ ,iVÀÕ Ì i Ì\Ê >Ì > Ê-Ì>` Õ °

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 3, 2023, PAGE 17

UBER AND LYFT TO PAY $328 MILLION TO SETTLE DISPUTE OVER TAXES AND FEES PAID BY NEW YORK DRIVERS

By ANTHONY IZAGUIRRE Associated Press UBER and Lyft will pay a combined $328 million to settle complaints that they improperly saddled their New York drivers with taxes and fees that should have been been paid by passengers, state Attorney General Letitia James announced Thursday.

The popular ride-hailing companies also agreed to establish a minimum wage and paid sick leave for drivers across the state.

Uber will pay $290 million and Lyft will pay $38 million, with the money distributed to current and former drivers, James said.

The companies have also agreed to provide drivers outside of New York City with paid sick leave and a minimum wage of $26 per hour.

“Rideshare drivers work at all hours of the day and night to take people wherever they need to go,” James said in a statement.

“For years, Uber and Lyft systemically cheated their drivers out of hundreds of millions of dollars in pay

and benefits while they worked long hours in challenging conditions.”

In a separate announcement, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Uber has agreed to begin making quarterly payments to the state’s unemployment trust fund and will make a retroactive payment into the fund to cover dues it owed since 2013. The fund pays for benefits for unemployed workers.

State and federal laws block the disclosure of how much Uber will contribute to the fund, the governor’s office said.

Uber and Lyft have become ubiquitous in New York, with the easy-to-use apps largely supplanting the city’s iconic yellow taxi cabs.

As they have taken over, the companies have been slow to adjust to labor regulations and have balked at providing drivers basic labor protections and benefits.

New York was the first city in the country to establish a minimum wage for the app-based drivers, who are effectively independent contractors able to set their own hours. The city has also implemented a minimum

AN UBER sign is displayed inside a car in Glenview, Ill., on Dec. 17, 2022. Ride-hailing companies Uber and Lyft will pay a combined $328 million to settle wage theft claims in New York, Attorney General Letitia James announced Thursday.

Photo:Nam Y. Huh/AP

wage for app-based food delivery services such as Uber Eats.

“We’ve waited eight long years to see justice for our members, a workforce that was cheated out of better living conditions, and timely meals and rest and leisure because the earnings that would have provided for that life were stolen by

multi-billion dollar corporations,” said Bhairavi Desai, head of the New York Taxi Workers Alliance, which brought the wage theft complaints to the state.

Tony West, chief legal officer for Uber, said the agreement “helps put to rest the classification issue in New York and moves us forward with a model that

reflects the way people are increasingly choosing to work.”

Lyft’s chief policy officer, Jeremy Bird, said in a statement, “This is a win for drivers, and one we are proud to have achieved with the New York Attorney General’s Office.”

In California, a court this year ruled that ride-hailing

and delivery companies like Uber and Lyft can continue to treat their California drivers as independent contractors, meaning they are not entitled to benefits like paid sick leave and unemployment insurance.

PAGE 18, Friday, November 3, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

$500M CRUISE PORT’S ‘STRICT PREFERENCE’ FOR BAHAMIANS FROM PAGE A24 requesting to meet with us, to bid on work, or to introduce any specific vendors or suppliers. The first I have ever heard of Mr Sands is from your article published today. Greython has instilled procurement guidelines that offer strict preference to local Bahamian and, specifically, Grand Bahama-based companies.”

The Greython chief said four contracts have been awarded to-date, as the landside construction is just starting to ramp-up, but he added: “We’ve made very clear our preference to hire local and Grand Bahamian contractors. We had a big Town Hall meeting. We talked to everyone who wanted a job. I gave out my personal cell phone number. I encouraged everyone qualified to apply for a job.

“We’ve made it clear we are giving preferential treatment to local Bahamian contractors when we award contracts. I was surprised. I’ve never been contacted by Mr Sands, I don’t know who he is. He’s never approached us and I’ve never even heard of him.”

The BCA chief had told this newspaper he does not have “much hope” local firms will win significant work on major upcoming projects. While Bahamian contractors “should have first shot at any work inside the country”, he added that this is rarely the case with large-scale foreign direct investment (FDI) developments that usually “find ways not to use Bahamians”.

He spoke as Greython, a US-headquartered contractor with offices in California, Missouri, Connecticut and St Lucia, revealed that bid documents for work on

Carnival’s new cruise port, Celebration Key, will be released to sub-contractors, vendors and suppliers this month and in December 2023.

Greython, which is the construction manager for landside work, revealed on social media postings that requests for proposal (RFP) will be issued in no less than 30 areas including excavation for building foundations; asphalt; concrete, rebar and formwork foundations; masonry block; cabinetry; electrical; fire alarm and fire protection; plumbing; carpentry; and moisture protection.

Mr Klewin, arguing that Mr Sands’ concerns were without foundation, told Tribune Business: “One hundred percent of the contracts we’ve let so far are let to Bahamian companies and we intend to do that throughout the project.

“I can tell you that based on our track record, we’ve done a lot of major projects throughout the Caribbean.

All the jobs we have completed so far, 90 percent of the work was let to local firms. We’re working hard to do that here. We’ve done that in St Lucia, done that in St Thomas, and will be doing that in Grand Bahama. We’ve made it clear our preference will be for local, Bahamian companies.

“We have 85-90 percent local participation. We have a track record on every job we have completed and we intend on keeping it on the job we have in Grand Bahama and The Bahamas.

It’s really important to us, and has always been important to us. That’s the way we do business... There’s been a lot of interest, and we’ve got a lot of good responses, and are always looking for more.”

Recalling efforts to raise awareness of the work that is in offer, Mr Klewin added: “Both Carnival and Greython conducted extensive open Town Hall meetings to educate the market and public about the project, and to discuss

opportunities available to local companies.

“All were invited and several hundred Bahamas-based vendors, sub-contractors, and tradesmen and women attended.

At the meeting I provided my direct contact information and personal cell phone number, and encouraged anyone interested in participating in the project to contact me directly.

“Greython is actively looking for qualified vendors and sub-contractors that wish to participate in the project and invite all qualified firms and individuals to apply.”

Asked by this newspaper how much Bahamian contractors stand to benefit from Carnival’s project, plus the likes of the Grand Bahama Shipyard’s $600m expansion, Mr Sands had said: “I really don’t have much hope. I don’t understand how that impacts Bahamian contractors in any way, shape or form until such time as we have information that suggests they’ll be engaging Bahamian contractors. We don’t know that.

“We can assume, but that has not proven to be the reality. We’ve often found with these foreign direct investment (FDI) projects that they say they will use Bahamians and then find ways not to use Bahamians. We’re not moved by Carnival or the Shipyard.

They’ve not reached out to the BCA at all. They’ve not made any inquiries, and we don’t know about the projects and what the requirements will be.

“The only thing I suspect they’ll do is contact the Department of Labour for workers. We’re the BCA. We represent contractors.

But the Department of Labour will reach out to us and say: ‘Can you circulate this to your members?

We are a body made up of Bahamian contractors,” Mr Sands added. “We should have first shot at any work inside the country, but we’re often the last choice.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 3, 2023, PAGE 19

Tribunal VP: Terminate employees ‘by the book’ former supply chain manager, while agreeing that he was presented with the violation on June 2, 2020, refused to sign it.

He did likewise with the second breach, dated May 2020 but also presented to him on that same day, alleging that he neglected a key e-mail for 11 days and, as a result, an audit of Popeye’s by Restaurants Brands International (RBI), the franchisor, was delayed.

Chris Tsavoussis, Aetos Holdings’ president, argued during the trial that this threatened potentially serious consequences for the business. “Part of the delay, when these folks come down, potentially jeopardising our facility and potentially creating a situation where we could be forced to shut down, which would not only affect the Popeye’s brand but would spread into the other brands [and] could dramatically affect our entire business,” he blasted.

The final written warning, involved 30 cheese cases, worth $2,900, that had to be disposed of after they were delivered to Marco’s PIzza’s Freeport operations because they had gone past the expiry date. This was cited as creating a risk of “food borne illness”, with the incident said to have occurred between March and May 2020. Mr Bowe again did not sign this.

However, he denied seeing the final warning, alleging that the Blake Road warehouse storage maintenance room was “in complete disarray and filthy”, on June 29, 2020 - the date of termination. Mr Bowe, though, did recall receiving a June 25, 2020, e-mail from Chris Tsavoussis in response to his earlier message that “I am not in charge of inventory; I am only in charge of the supply chain”.

Chris Tsavoussis said Mr Bowe’s position “defies basic reason... because it

is not possible to manage supply chain without managing inventory”. He argued that this had never been the position, and added that Mr Bowe was being paid almost $95,000 in salary and bonuses annually to perform the two functions, calling on him to “stop this nonsense” and halt assertions he had no responsibility for the warning letter issues.

The former supply chain manager, though, asserted that he also never saw the official warning/suspension or dismissal notice said to have been presented to him on June 29, 2020, as part of the disciplinary process. Mr Bowe added that the only document he received was his June 29, 2020, termination letter.

However, Wellington Bastian, Aetos Holdings’ IT supervisor, said an examination of the computer and laptop assigned to Mr Bowe after the latter’s dismissal revealed he had accessed crypto currency trading websites between June 12, 2020, and June 29, 2020, while on company time and contrary to its policies.

Ms Godet, during the trial, asked Mr Bowe if he had been working for any other entity, or conducting any non-work activity, during his time with Aetos Holdings which the former supply chain manager denied. Chris Tsavoussis, in his evidence, said he became involved in the matter “when a lot of the ‘shenanigans’ going on” at Aetos Holdings’ Blake Road warehouse came to his attention.

Alleging that “the decline in Mr Bowe’s work ethic and commitment to the business was becoming more and more evident”, the Aetos Holdings principal confirmed the profit sharing suspension and sent his brother, Terry, and Shantell Lockhart, head of human resources, to find out what was happening.

“There were rumours that Mr Bowe had himself a nice

Bahamian firm’s tie-up to ‘unlock’ LNG supply

has seen an “uptick” in the amount of LNG-powered vessels over the past year and that his firm currently service 30 to 40 such ships regularly.

He said: “On a regular basis we attend throughout our maritime approximately 30 to 40 vessels calling agents from various husbandry services, fuel changes, some miscellaneous services.

“In the last year-and-a-half there has been an uptick in the amount of vessels that are LNG-powered that have been calling, so definitely as time goes on you see the industry move more towards a new solution.”

FROM PAGE A24 procedures “so as to avoid error”.

Detailing the background to the dispute, which came to a head when COVID-19 was at its peak, the Industrial Tribunal’s vice-president wrote: “From the evidence, it would appear that the applicant and the respondent’s principal both enjoyed a cordial working relationship but, during the time of the pandemic, the relationship became challenged.

“This the applicant [Mr Bowe] attributes to operational issues arising by reason of his reduced days, staff shortedness and inevitable market forces, while the respondent [Aetos Holdings] attributes the same t the applicant’s failing performance, negligence of his duties and distraction from his duties by other interests.”

The instant dismissal, the Industrial Tribunal’s ruling found, stemmed “from a series of reprimands (including a final written warning) that were all presented to Mr Bowe on June 2, 2020.

A June 23, 2020, e-mail informed him that his profit sharing bonus was suspended and then, six days later, he was called into a meeting with Terry Tsavoussis, Aetos Holdings’ executive vice-president, and given a termination letter.

This identified the cause of his dismissal as an “accumulation of breaches” that violated the company’s policies and employee handbook.

The first breach, which was said to have taken place in the year between March 2019 and Mach 2020, involved “an excessive amount of Popeye’s chicken”, worth $39,000, that was acquired and frozen over the course of several months.

Aetos Holdings argued this amounted to “negligence”, as Mr Bowe was responsible for avoiding such situations by ensuring all inventory was kept at the correct levels. However, the

FROM PAGE A23 certainly see it’s tremendous for the country.”

Mr Lalani added that the partnership will allow The Bahamas to capitalise from LNG-powered vessel traffic and provide an opportunity for licensing services.

He said: “We see a tremendous growth opportunity for licensing services, and we’re really excited to start this

service next year and start to attract that traffic, which is I think is what the opportunity is - to attract that traffic to The Bahamas as opposed to other countries and other places that are offering similar solutions.

“We think there are opportunities both in terms of the offering of that service and the economic opportunity.”

Elbert ‘Ellie’ Hepburn, president and chief executive of Elnet Lightering, said he

Financial analyst chief backs income tax move FROM PAGE A23 “I think we’re all aware that VAT is not a very progressive tax. It impacts low income households more than it does wealthier income households. So that’s something that we definitely have to consider.” Addressing such inequality through tax reforms will require some retooling of the Bahamian economy, Mr Moore acknowledged.

“The World Bank classifies countries into different income groups based on their gross national income per capita. Classification of high income is determined by a specific income threshold and they update that annually,” he said.

“Of course, The Bahamas well exceeds that. I think our gross national income, the last time I checked, was about $31,000 per capita, so we’re classified as a high income country by the World Bank standards which, of course, eliminates us from certain receiving certain development financing.”

Considering that the minimum wage is “nowhere close” to $31,000, Mr Moore said there is “much more” that is needed to close the income gap, and “redistributive policies” are needed to bring more Bahamians above the threshold.

The $31,000 figure cited “does not truly reflect” the income most Bahamians earns, Mr Moore said, and as a result this misconception multilateral financial institutions think that this nation does not need development financing.

“Now part of the problem with us getting development financing, especially as a

‘high income nation’, is that we advertise ourselves as a very well-off nation,” he added. “So I think we have to be a bit careful in our messaging and decide what we really want. Now, having a gross national income per capita of $31,000, you would think that that’s an average income for The Bahamas.

“But no. We know that’s biased upwards by the wealthy persons in our country, right, because there are many Bahamians who make nowhere near that amount.

Even if you think of minimum wage, it is less than half that amount. So we’re not even close to that in terms of an average income for the most part.

“Now, even if that was the average income, that’s only part of the issue. Part of the other issue is that we have a very high cost of living in The Bahamas.”

side business dealing in gold trading and crypto currency trading, and I had heard that he used his good offices to solicit his subordinates in investing in these platforms,” Chris Tsavoussis alleged.

However, Mr Bowe denied this to his brother, Terry, and also refuted that he was selling brooms and mops on the side.

Asked why there was a three-month delay between the Popeye’s chicken incident and the issuance of the warning letter, Chris Tsavoussis replied: “We were in the midst of the COVID pandemic, which had just taken seat globally, and... as the president and chief executive, trying to manage and keep 1,200 employees gainfully employed in the midst of your store hours being cut, weekends being shut and knowing we were not going to furlough anyone,

which we did not during the entire COVID period, would explain why we may have been a month or two behind issuing a few warning letters.”

Ms Godet, in rejecting Mr Bowe’s wrongful dismissal claim, found that the misuse of Aetos Holdings’ computer system and time for crypto trading “most certainly represents conduct which an employer may consider ‘repugnant’ to its interests” and therefore justify termination - albeit this was discovered after he had already been fired.

However, in upholding the unfair dismissal claim, she noted that Mr Bowe was never challenged on his allegation that Chris Tsavoussis “was seeking to oust him, just as he had other employees before”. And Ms Godet said she found it “incredible” that COVID was used as the

reason why a breach allegedly dating back to 2019 was no dealt with sooner.

Finding that the final violation, following the three previous warnings, was never presented to Mr Bowe to justify his dismissal, she concluded that based on the fact this all occurred in less than a month “it seems evident that the respondent was on a determined course to remove the applicant from employment”.

“Under these sorts of exacerbated circumstances, every detail must be ‘by the book’ and tightly expressed so as to avoid error,” Ms Godet warned. She calculated Mr Bowe’s compensation based on three weeks for each of the 10 and three-quarter years he was with Aetos Holdings, coming up with $47,000.

PAGE 20, Friday, November 3, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

‘Economy’s turned’: Port targets $10m-plus profit FROM PAGE A24 Ritz-Carlton hotel” on Paradise Island.

Striking an upbeat tone over APD’s prospects, Mr Bethell said container import volumes passing through APD’s Arawak Cay facility are now 7 percent above those generated during 2019’s pre-COVID period.

“We’re seeing volumes pick up. The economy has definitely turned and is on an upward trending trajectory,” he told Tribune Business.

“We’re pretty much, in terms of container volumes, 7 percent over what preCOVID volumes were in 2019. Over this year now, we are estimating that for 2024 there will a 2 percent increase [in container volumes] notwithstanding that we have quite a lot of projects going on. The majority of those are construction projects and, at some point, we expect them to translate into container volumes.”

Besides the US embassy’s completion, Mr Bethell said other developments likely to generate potential construction material imports are the Wynn Group’s 14-storey Goodman’s Bay penthouse if it obtains the necessary approvals; Aqualina’s phase two on the Cable Beach

strip; and the possible transformation of Atlantis’ Beach Towers into the Somewhere Else concept by Pharrell Williams and David Grutman.

“There’s the University of The Bahamas dormitories which are supposed to go up at the old Road Traffic Department site on Thompson Boulevard,” Mr Bethell added. “There’s the Royal Caribbean project on the western end of Paradise Island.

“There’s some demolition going on there, and they’re forecast to develop rooms and residences. They’re expected to put up 400 rooms and 60 residences.

There’s talk of a 23-storey Ritz-Carlton hotel on Paradise Island. Then there’s Albany that is supposed to be beginning construction on another tower.

“There’s talk of Bluewater Marina on Hanna Road, the southern end of Fox Hill Road. Then there’s Venetian Village at the junction of Old Ford and Windsor Road.

There’s also talk of the Paradise Island Yacht Club.

While we are aware some are underway and some are in the pipeline, when we budget, especially on bulk volumes, we put some elements into that. That’s on the construction side.”

APD, as the gateway for at least 90 percent of New Providence’s international shipping cargos, is a key facilitator of The Bahamas’ import-driven commerce and thus a key gauge of this country’s economic strength. Besides storage revenues morethan-doubling, the Arawak Cay port’s 2023 top-line also received another $2m-plus year-over-year boost from landing fees.

The latter increased by 15.7 percent year-over-year, rising from $13.019m in 2022 to $15.064m as import volumes rose with the Bahamian economy completing its post-COVID reflation, but APD is remaining typically conservative with its 2024 forecast.

“When we look at 2023, actual total revenues versus budget, we’re about 17 percent over budget,” Mr Bethell explained. “The majority of the large contributor to the increase was not directly linked to volumes but was related to our storage of equipment that remained at the port beyond the three days allocated” to shipping carriers, trucking companies and the like.

“It is never our intent, and we see these anomalies from time to time, that persons

have that much cargo remain here for an extended period of time to generate that much revenue,” he added.

“We do not see those storage fees reoccurring at that level in 2024. This is just one of those years where we saw a large increase.

“The majority of that storage was empty containers going to where the shipping companies had allocated them remaining there beyond their allotted time.

They were not imported containers. The majority were empty containers being exported.”

Mr Bethell said twentyfoot equivalent (TEU) container volumes for the 12 months to end-June 2023 were 4 percent above forecast for that year. “On [bulk] tonnage we were up by about 23 percent ahead of budget and on vehicles we were up 50 percent,” he added.

“The highest increase we have forecast for 2024 is on vehicles, where we’re forecasting a 15 percent increase. That’s not quite at pre-COVID volumes but we’re moving there consistently. When you look at the amount of vehicles new car dealers are bringing in or importing, it suggests that the fractures in the supply chain are being fixed.

“We have a continual supply of vehicles coming in for new car dealers and are seeing a lot more individuals and used car dealers importing vehicles from Asia.”

Despite this, APD is being “optimistic but vigilant” on its 2024 projections.

Noting that annual storage revenues had typically been in the $1.6m-$1.8m range, rather than last year’s $3.5m, Mr Bethell told Tribune Business: “Total revenue is forecast to be around $33.7m versus $35.8m. Our revenue is going to be down about -6 percent, but that also factor in increases in volumes.

“Our expenses we are forecasting to be about 1 percent less. We’re going to manage the business very vigilantly and prudently. We are forecasting expenses to be flat.” However, the earlier refinancing of more expensive preference shares with CIBC FirstCaribbean bank debt carrying just a 3.1 percent interest rate, of which $26.742m remains outstanding, has reduced APD’s financing costs.

And it now also has an interest, valued at $425,000, in the Bahamas Investment Fund that owns a 49 percent stake in Nassau Cruise Port, as well as having acquired $4.959m worth of

Bus fare increase set for 2024 first quarter FROM PAGE A24 them the service they’re asking for.”

Mrs Coleby-Davis added that the Town Hall meetings will be held early next month, likely the first two weeks of December, while the necessary legislative updates to facilitate the bus fare increase will also be made.

She said: “We’re trying to have that public Town Hall

within the first two weeks of December so that we don’t leave this open question remaining over when it’s going to happen, but it is our intent to have that increase by 25 cents. But we’d have to have that public discussion and Town Hall as requested by cabinet.

“We’re hoping to roll it out in the first quarter of next year. It’s a combination of things that’s happening.

Just one SOE ‘can throw everything’ FROM PAGE A24 Mr Wilson said: “We apply these measures now.

The only issue is that best practice says it needs to be documented.

“It’s applied now, but best practice says it has to be documented. In some cases it enhances our procedures, it’s the appropriate thing to do in this environment. Lenders expect these documents to be on your website. They expect you to

be fiscally prudent. It’s all part of our continuing strategy to rationalise support for SOEs.” The financial secretary added that it was “very, very important” to enhance financial controls and oversight of SOEs and other agencies because “one SOE could throw the whole structure awry. One. One transaction from any SOE could throw everything awry, off-target”.

The Government guarantee policy introduces a

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, PERRY AMARLEY BAILEY of the Eastern District, New Providence, Bahamas intend to change my name to PERRY AMARLEY NELSON. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, The Bahamas no later than Thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

government bonds at a discount to par or face value.

The latter produced some $223,714 in interest income over the final six months of the 2023 financial year.

Mr Bethell said these investments and refinancing have helped to produce a “net impact” of 2.9 percent on APD’s overall net yield on financing costs, and added: “We continue to explore ways not to go up on tariffs by managing financing costs and operating expenses prudently.”

As for what this means for 2024, he told this newspaper: “We expect net income to be about $110.37m, which is about 7 percent over what we’ve done in the 2023 financial year. For our TEUs, we’re forecasting 144,000 TEUs, about 391,000 short tons of bulk material and 18,000 vehicles.

“Our TEUs last year were about 141,000. We’re predicting about 3,000 TEUs more than the prior year, which gives quite a significant increase. It may not seem a lot, but 3,000 extra containers is quite a bit.”

One “short” ton is equal to 2,000 pounds, and Mr Bethell said this included all types of construction materials such as rock, sand and cement.

On top of that, we also have to make sure that we update and gazette the legislation that includes the increase, and so we’ll speak to law reform to make sure it’s also updated and move forward with the matter as much as we can.”

Mrs Coleby-Davis, meanwhile, said discussions have begun on securing a new General Post Office location. She said: “We have

been discussing the relocation. I think right now we have to clarify the land and the transaction, and get a conclusion, and then to advance into having some idea of what the timeline of when that will possibly happen, but it’s still a priority and something that we would like to see.

“The Post Office is also trying to go through a transformation to bring in some

new revenue streams, providing new services, doing more interconnection with the Family Islands and how we get parcels and couriers out to them. So they’re presenting me proposals of how they can advance the services of the Post Office to make it more modernised and digitised.

“Those conversations, while happening, also means that there’s a great demand

for them to be housed in a home that is built to the capacity of the needs that they will now require with some of the new services that they’re seeking to offer.”

During her 2023-2024 Budget debate contribution, Mrs Coleby-Davis said the Post Office has plans to digitise the postal service by allowing electronic payments, online purchases and package tracking. These services are expected to earn the postal service more than $1m annually in the first three years.

practice where SOEs and other entities that require this device, so as to give a lender comfort they will be repaid, have to pay a fee equal to either 0.5 percent or 1 percent of the sum involved to cover administrative and other costs.

“The guarantee comes with a cost,” Mr Wilson said.

“Best practice says that the SOE should pay the true cost of the service, so there is an element there which says, ‘hey, if x,y,z state corporation comes in for a guarantee or a government business enterprise, you have to charge them for it’. It’s 0.5 percent or 1 percent of the amount being guaranteed. The fee is

determined by the risk profile of the SOE.” He added that the Government is increasingly being “asked to provide support to SOEs through guarantees, through direct lending, so these are very useful frameworks”. The Government, in its 2023-2024 Budget, is allocating $455.229m in collective taxpayer subsidies to the SOEs, such as the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) and other entities, with this sum equal to 13.2 percent of total recurrent spending.

“One-sixth of our Budget goes to SOEs directly,” Mr Wilson said. “SOEs are a huge part of our financial commitments. Our target

is to halt the growth in subventions and I think we’ve done that. The second part of the process is to improve the financial governance of SOEs. We’ve made some important steps this year, and that will lead to a natural decline in subventions to SOEs.” As for direct government lending to SOEs, he estimated that this collectively stands at $400m with around 80 percent related to BPL. “The Government’s assumption of legacy debt is a big driver of lending to stateowned enterprises,” the financial secretary said.

Philip Davis KC, prime minister and minister of finance, in unveiling the policy frameworks, said: “The provision of loans and guarantees by the Government to in-scoped entities represents a fiscal risk to the Government should they fail to honour these obligations, which should be properly managed if we are to achieve fiscal resilience and public debt sustainability.”

Mr Wilson added: “It is prudent, therefore, for the Government to establish frameworks that would

clearly define eligibility requirements, the decisionmaking process to be used in granting guarantees and loans, the risk mitigation measures to be employed by the Government, and those important post-decision follow-ups to ensure proper monitoring, recording and reporting of these activities.”

Outlining these risks, the policy documents state: “A guarantee is a legally binding undertaking given by a third party to assume responsibility for payment of a debt or performance of an obligation on behalf of a borrower to a lender under certain conditions— typically a default by the borrower.

“Where the borrower defaults on a financial or legal obligation, the lender has the right to ‘call’ or ‘invoke’ the guarantee, thereby requesting the third party to settle all outstanding financial obligations. A sovereign guarantee, therefore, is an explicit contingent liability where the Government is obligated under a legal agreement to make repayments and payments to the lender in the event of a loan default.”

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, ARLINGTON KENT ADDERLEY of St.Albans Drive, New Providence, Bahamas intend to change my name to ARLINGTON KENT FORDE. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O.Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that VAINCE-ANN WINNISHA TOMLINSON FARRINGTON of Unison Road, Nassau, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 3rd day of November, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that TYREKE ROBERT ALCIME, Golden Gates #1, Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 27th day of October 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that OMANE AGYEKUM NOMAFO, #6 Bellot Road, West Apartment #2, Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 27th day of October 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that LOUIPHANIA GILUS, #78 New Hope Drive, Bamboo Town, Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 3rd day of November 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that LOTAYA TATANIESHA MORRISONTAYLOR née MORRISON, off Jumbey Street, Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 27th day of October 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that SHERLINE NORTELUS, off Courdaeux Avenue, Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 27th day of October 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 3, 2023, PAGE 21

AMAZON USED AN ALGORITHM TO ESSENTIALLY RAISE PRICES ON OTHER SITES, THE FTC SAYS

By HALELUYA HADERO AP Business Writer AMAZON used a secret algorithm to essentially help raise prices on other online sites and also "destroyed" internal communications as the Federal Trade Commission undertook an antitrust investigation against it, according to newly unredacted portions of the agency's lawsuit.

The new excerpts unveiled Thursday allege executives at the e-commerce giant intentionally deleted communication by using a feature on the popular app Signal that makes messages disappear. By doing this, the FTC said Amazon "destroyed more than two years" worth of communications from June 2019 to "at least early 2022" despite instructions it gave Amazon not to do so.

In a prepared statement Amazon spokesperson Tim Doyle called the FTC's claim "baseless and irresponsible."

"Amazon voluntarily disclosed employee Signal use to the FTC, painstakingly collected Signal conversations from its employees' phones, and allowed agency staff to inspect those

conversations even when they had nothing to do with the FTC's investigation," Doyle said.

The FTC and 17 states sued Amazon in September alleging the company was abusing its position in the marketplace to inflate prices on and off its platform, overcharge sellers and stifle competition. Amazon is accused of violating federal and state antitrust laws, but the company has responded with a full-throated defense of its business practices.

The antitrust case is the most aggressive move the government has taken to tame the market power of Seattle-based Amazon and comes as the FTC has been taking big swings against tech companies.

The unredacted excerpts of the lawsuit disclosed on Thursday provided more details on a talked-about algorithm, which was previously reported by The Wall Street Journal and former Vox reporter Jason Del Ray. The FTC's excerpts say the tool — codenamed "Project Nessie" — has been used by Amazon to pinpoint products that will allow it to rake in more cash.

The company used it to predict where it can raise prices

THE AMAZON logo is seen, June 15, 2023, at the Vivatech show in Paris. Amazon used a secret algorithm that essentially helped the company raise prices on other online sites and “destroyed” some internal communications as the Federal Trade Commission was investigating the company, according to a newly unredacted portions of the agency’s antitrust lawsuit against the e-commerce giant unveiled Thursday, Nov. 2.

Photo:Michel Euler/AP

and have other shopping sites follow suit. Amazon activated the algorithm to raise prices on some products, and when others followed its lead, it kept the elevated prices in place, the agency said. Using Nessie has generated more than $1 billion in excess profits for Amazon, according to the FTC. The agency said Amazon deployed Project Nessie in 2014 and has turned it on and off at least eight times between 2015 and 2019.

Regulators said though Amazon claims the algorithm is "currently paused," the company has thought about running experiments

in 2020 and 2021 to improve its effectiveness.

Doyle, of Amazon, called Nessie an "old" pricing algorithm that's being "grossly" mischaracterized by the agency. He said Nessie was used to stop Amazon's "price matching from resulting in unusual outcomes where prices became so low that they were unsustainable." And that Amazon scrapped it several years ago because it didn't work as intended.

The unredacted portions of the lawsuit also shed more light on Amazon's advertising business.

The agency claimed thenCEO Jeff Bezos instructed executives to accept more

junk ads — internally called "defects" — because the company could earn more money through increased advertising despite their presence being a headache for consumers. Amazon called the claims "grossly misleading and taken out of context."

Meanwhile, another unredacted portion of the lawsuit provided more details on the government's allegations that Amazon is essentially compelling sellers to use its logistics service called Fulfillment by Amazon, or FBA. The agency said in early 2019, the company turned against a program that allows sellers to display a Prime badge on their listings without using FBA when it learned other fulfillment providers were advertising their services to sellers. Amazon suspended enrollment in the program

a few years ago, saying it wasn't delivering the same high-quality experience customers expect from Prime.

But the agency said in 2018, sellers enrolled in the program had met a "delivery estimate" requirement set

by Amazon more than 95% of the time.

NetChoice, an industry group backed by Amazon, said Thursday the FTC was being misleading and the delivery estimates noted in the complaint were set by sellers, not Amazon.

Doyle, of Amazon, also said in 2018, sellers using the program were "promising deliveries within two days less than 16% of the time—far worse than the performance of sellers using Fulfillment by Amazon."

The company reopened enrollment into the program a few months ago, while under the glare of regulators.

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF LAS VEGAS STRIP HOTEL WORKERS AT 18 CASINOS COULD ON GO STRIKE THIS MONTH

By RIO YAMAT Associated Press TENS of thousands of Las Vegas hotel workers set a deadline Thursday for a sweeping strike, threatening major disruptions to the city's economic backbone that could coincide with the Strip's inaugural Formula 1 races later this month.

The Culinary Workers Union said about 35,000 members whose contracts expired earlier this year are ready and willing to walk off the job at 18 casinos if deals aren't reached by Nov. 10 with casino giants MGM Resorts International, Caesars Entertainment and Wynn Resorts.

That's five days before the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend, which is expected to bring thousands of people to the Strip, is set

to kick off with an opening ceremony.

At a news conference, Ted Pappageorge, the union's secretary-treasurer and chief contract negotiator, urged tourists and Formula 1 ticket-holders to support the workers if they go on strike by not coming to Las Vegas or crossing the picket lines.

"We will be communicating to ask customers that they should take their business elsewhere," he said.

Formula 1 did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

Pappageorge said the union and its members hope it doesn't come to a strike but that "workers are prepared, united and ready to strike if necessary."

Nevada's largest labor union, with about 60,000

members statewide, hasn't gone on strike in decades.

A walkout would be the latest in a series of highprofile labor unrest actions around the country — from walkouts in Hollywood to UPS' contentious negotiations that threatened to disrupt the nation's supply chain — and would follow hospitality workers walking off the job last month at Detroit's three casinos, including MGM Grand Detroit.

In Las Vegas, the 18 properties that could be impacted by a strike are Aria, Bellagio, Excalibur, Luxor, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, New YorkNew York, Park MGM, Caesars Palace, Flamingo, Harrah's, Horseshoe, Paris Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood, The Cromwell, The Linq, and Wynn and Encore Resorts.

The union's deadline comes after yet another unsuccessful round of negotiations with the three casino companies.

A spokesperson for Wynn Resorts declined to comment. Caesars and MGM Resorts did not respond to emailed requests for comment.

Negotiations have been underway since April over topics such as pay and working conditions.

Members currently receive health insurance and earn about $26 hourly, including benefits, union spokesperson Bethany Khan said. She declined to say how much the union is seeking in pay raises because, she said, "we do not negotiate in public," but the union has said it is asking for "the largest wage increases ever negotiated" in its history.

NOTICE Lerwick Capital Ltd. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act, (no. 45 of 2000) as follows: (a) Lerwick Capital Ltd. (the “Company”) is in dissolution under the provisions of the International Business Companies Act, 2000. (b) The dissolution of the said Company commenced on the 31st October, 2023 when its Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General. (c) The Liquidator of the said Company is Crowe Bahamas.

Dated the 2nd day of November, 2023.

H&J CORPORATE SERVICES LTD. Registered Agent for the above-named Company

Legal Notice NOTICE

Legal Notice NOTICE

GLOBAL MINERAL HOLDINGS LIMITED

Gerbera Company Limited NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

(a)

Gerbera Company Limited is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(a)

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

(b)

The dissolution of the said Company commenced on the 2nd day of November 2023.

(b)

The dissolution of the said Company commenced on the 2nd day of November 2023.

(c)

The Liquidator of the said Company is Baird One Limited of Deltec House, Lyford Cay, P.O. Box N-3229, Nassau, Bahamas.

(c)

Dated this 3rd day of November A.D., 2023 Baird One Limited Liquidator

The Liquidator of the said Company is D & T Nominees Limited of Deltec House, Lyford Cay, P.O. Box N-3229, Nassau, Bahamas.

Dated this 3rd day of November A.D., 2023 D&T Nominees Limited Liquidator

PAGE 22, Friday, November 3, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Disney holds career fair to find 150 jobs DISNEY Cruise Line (DCL) will today host its first career fair in Eleuthera as it bids to fill up to 150 full-time jobs at its new to fill positions at its Lighthouse Point destination that will open in June 2024.

The cruise line, in a statement, said it was recruiting for a variety of positions in areas such as administration, recreation, lifeguards, island services (culinary,

custodial, landscaping, pest control), safety and security, environmental, maintenance (plumbers, carpenters, HVAC, electricians, IT, projects, welders, upholstery, mechanics, plant operators) and human resources Attendees may also apply for select positions at Disney’s other Bahamas destination, Castaway

Cay. The cruise company confirmed that its south Eleuthera location will be named Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, adding that it has “committed to creating at least 150 well-paying operations jobs” through the project.

Disney Cruise Line added that, to-date, it has created more than 300 construction-related posts, nearly

tripling the number of jobs it pledged in its Heads of Agreement. The cruise line also touted its partnership with the Eleuthera Chamber of Commerce and Access Accelerator Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) to open the Eleuthera Business Hub in 2021.

It said it provided more than $1m to fund the

construction and operation of the Eleuthera Business Hub and its programming over three years, and has provided more than $175,000 in grants to small businesses. Disney Cruise Line has also opened a small office in the business hub to connect with local entrepreneurs, small businesses and community organisations.

The cruise line added that 70 percent of the cruises offered by Disney have at least one stop in The Bahamas. All five of its ships are registered in The Bahamas, and it estimated that Disney Cruise Line’s operations currently contribute more than $70m towards The Bahamas’ gross domestic product (GDP) annually.

Royal Caribbean donates 400 kits for farming boost ROYAL Caribbean has donated more than 400 backyard farming kits to the Agricultural Development Organisation (ADO) to help advance farming and address Bahamian food security concerns.

The farming kits are already being presented to Bahamians at community events, which started on Monday, October 30, at the Fox Hill Community Centre. The second giveaway will be scheduled for a later date by the ADO, a non-profit entity that works with government agencies and churches to address food-related issues.

In just two years, the ADO has provided seeds and resources, including farming mentors, to create more than 2,000 backyard farms in New Providence, Grand Bahama, Eleuthera and Abaco. Many of those kits went to first-time farmers and high school students from Bahamas Academy, Faith Temple Christian Academy and R.M. Bailey Senior High School.

The ADO added that it is also working closely with

ADO executive chairman Philip Smith, second from left, and Jomo Campbell, minister of agriculture and marine resources, show one of 200 backyard farming kits distributed this week as the first part of a donation from Royal Caribbean International dedicated to building food security through farming. Philip Simon, president of Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island and general manager for Royal Caribbean International (Bahamas), is pictured, far left, with Pastor Pat Paul, chairman of the Church Commercial Farming Group.

Bahamas Feeding Network executive director, Archdeacon James Palacious, is far right.

the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources, and The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI), to introduce more community farms at schools, parks, church yards and other places.

“For 50 years we have remained a committed partner to The Bahamas, and we are happy to support the communities that have been so welcoming throughout the years as they seek to create greater food security through farming,” said

Philip Simon, president of Royal Beach Club at Paradise Island and general manager for Royal Caribbean International (Bahamas).

“We are extremely grateful to Royal Caribbean for joining us on this critical

path to greater food security,” said Philip Smith, the ADO’s executive chairman.

“Royal Caribbean has consistently been an amazing partner to the Bahamian community, and I’m pleased that they are supporting our mission to re-learn what I

like to call ‘the culture of agriculture.’

“The Bahamas was once a nation of proud farmers and fishers, and I believe the desire to farm is still in our DNA.”

Bahamas included in card launch by airline and bank

JETBLUE and CIBC FirstCaribbean yesterday said they have teamed with Mastercard to launch two credit cards in five Caribbean markets where the airline operates, including The Bahamas.

The JetBlue Mastercard and JetBlue Select Mastercard by CIBC FirstCaribbean will provide card members with exclusive rewards, benefits and an opportunity to earn TrueBlue points that can be used to travel to more than 100 destinations in the airline’s network.

These cards will be made available for the first time this month to residents in The Bahamas, Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and the Cayman Islands.

“As a leading airline in the Caribbean, JetBlue maintains its commitment to delivering innovative programmes and products

to more of our loyal customers in the region.

We’re excited to launch our partnership with CIBC FirstCaribbean and Mastercard to offer our customers even more benefits,” said Chris Buckner, JetBlue’s vice-president of loyalty and partnerships.

“The JetBlue Mastercard and JetBlue Select Mastercard from CIBC FirstCaribbean provide our customers with added value and flexibility to earn points on their everyday purchases. With each purchase, card members are one step closer to the destination of their choice.”

“We are delighted to join with our partners Mastercard and JetBlue, the preferred airline brand flying between the US and the Caribbean. Together we will make a formidable partnership allowing us to bring added value to JetBlue TrueBlue loyalty members

regionally,” said Mark St Hill, chief executive of CIBC FirstCaribbean.

“We’re thrilled that our longstanding partnership with JetBlue is now expanding into the English Caribbean markets.

Together, we’ve worked to develop a set of valuable solutions that deliver a trusted, convenient and reliable payment experience,” said Jimena Elia, country manager for the West & Dutch Caribbean markets at Mastercard.

The JetBlue Mastercard

by CIBC FirstCaribbean has no annual fee and allows card members to earn points for each purchase. JetBlue purchases will accumulate two TrueBlue points per $1 spent.

All other purchases - groceries, restaurants, gasoline, etc. - accumulate one point per $1 spent.

Does Anyone In Nassau Play The BAGPIPES? PLEASE CONTACT | 376-8310

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, November 3, 2023, PAGE 23

GOV’T PLANS 100 MW NASSAU SOLAR PROJECT

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net THE Government plans to seek bids for the provision of up to 100 Mega Watts (MW) of solar energy for New Providence, the Attorney General said yesterday.

Ryan Pinder KC, addressing the Senate in the debate on the Speech from the Throne, said the utility-scale solar project will be spread across ten sites with ambitions that it will generate supply equal to almost one-third of Bahamas Power & Light’s (BPL) peak load demand.

“The cost of doing business and cost of living is

directly tied to the cost of electricity. We have set out definitive policy and legislative plans to tap our natural resources and to bring down the cost of electricity. We have already published Requests for Expressions of Interest for solar projects in Nassau and the Family Islands,” he added.

“In Nassau, we look to launch a Request for Proposal (RFP) process to establish up to 100 MW of solar power production across up to ten sites to supplement the traditional power being produced

by BPL. This will lower the costs of electricity in Nassau, providing renewable generation from solar and result in providing at least 30 percent of the peak

load of power generation in Nassau from renewables. “ The Attorney General added that requests will also be issued for solar generation at up to 16 Family Island “sites”, while renewable energy legislation will be passed to support solar generation as a new industry.

He said: “We have likewise issued Requests for Expressions of Interest, and will issue Requests for Proposals, for a new power generation framework for the Family Islands. We have identified up to 16 sites in the Family islands where we will be soliciting proposals for.

“We seek to implement a hybrid approach to power generation where the production is a minimum of 30

percent solar. This will bring transformational change to our Family Islands, providing a fundamental basis for developing their economic security.

“In support of these initiatives we will pass renewable energy legislation to provide a framework for industrialscale solar generation and provide incentives for its development” Turning to other aspects of the Davis administration’s agenda, Mr Pinder said legislation to give effect to the National Development Plan will be implemented that will “form the transparent and certain planning for our economic security”.

He explained that land reforms include two pieces

of legislation related to property ownership - a Land Adjudication Bill to aid in determining rightful property ownership, and a Registered Land Bill to create a land registry system.

“Providing certainty in ownership of property throughout our country is a fundamental element of unlocking capital to secure economic security for all.

To advance this we will advance two pieces of legislation to transform land ownership in the country,” Mr Pinder said.

“The Land Adjudication Bill establishes an adjudication body and framework to properly adjudicate property with uncertain title to definitively determine the

Bahamian firm’s tie-up to ‘unlock’ LNG supply

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net A BAHAMIAN firm’s partnership with an international liquefied natural gas (LNG) supplier will attempt to “unlock the supply chain” with plans to soon store the fuel in this nation.

Sean Lalani, president of Eagle LNG, unveiling the tie-up with Elnet Lightering to expand the provision of LNG bunkering services from this nation, said: “The intent here is to unlock that supply chain between Florida and The Bahamas for the provision of LNG cargo transfer for [ship] bunkering purposes.

“In addition, we anticipate together with Elnet also pioneering the potential for LNG storage here in the country some time in the very near future. No firm plans as of yet to announce, but certainly we see that coming in

our near future, which we think unlocks some of the future opportunities in terms of energy transition and the role of the islands of The Bahamas in that transition.”

In 2022, Eagle LNG announced a partnership with Royal Caribbean to supply LNG fuel for its ships. Mr Lalani said the cruise line’s new class of LNG-powered vessels will begin to call on The Bahamas in January 2024.

He said: “We have made an announcement, I believe last year, in respect of an agreement we have with a major cruise operator and their brand new class of ships, which will be calling on The Bahamas starting in January 2024.

“With that will come the advent of the supporting infrastructure which will begin, firstly, with cargo transfer and that’s a very state-of-the-art ship.

We made an announcement just last month about taking delivery of that

ship, and making some retrofits to that ship, in order to enable this operation in The Bahamas.

“I anticipate some announcements to come here in the very near future with our partner, Royal Caribbean, in respect of that bunkering operation and the successful advent of that operation on their new class of ships.”

Mr Lalani added that while Eagle LNG has had discussions with Carnival it will be starting its initiative with Royal Caribbean, with the introduction of LNG-powered vessels to The Bahamas “heralding a pretty bright future” for the country’s ports.

He said: “Certainly we’ve had lots of conversations with Carnival Cruise Lines.

I think initially we’ll be working with Royal Caribbean, and certainly we’re very excited for January and what that brings.

“They’re making a very large commitment to the islands of The Bahamas

Financial analyst chief backs income tax move

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net A BAHAMIAN financial analyst yesterday backed the introduction of income tax as he called for this nation to move away from VAT and the other regressive levies it has relied on for decades.

Kriston Moore, president of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Society of The Bahamas, told a Rotary Club of West Nassau meeting that income tax would be a fairer and more equitable option given that it is

directly linked to a person’s or company’s earnings and ability to pay.

Those who earn more would pay more tax, either via a personal or corporate income tax, he added, as opposed to The Bahamas’ current VAT and import-dominated tax structure where lower income households devote a higher proportion of their earnings to taxes compared to their wealthier counterparts.

Mr Moore said implementing a Bahamian income tax will also better redistribute wealth that under the current

system, branding such reforms more “progressive” than Customs duties or VAT. “Putting in more progressive tax systems, such as corporate income tax and personal income tax, are very complicated considering that a lot of the reason that we get so many foreigners to come here is because of our tax environment,” he added. “So we have to find some way to strike a balance between economic growth, and not shutting that off, versus better distributing the wealth.

SEE PAGE A19

BPL eyes ‘fast-paced’ transition over energy

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net A CABINET minister yesterday pledged that Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) intends to make a “fast-paced” transition to cleaner and renewable energy in upcoming years.

Jobeth Coleby-Davis, minister of energy and transport, said legislation to facilitate the switch to liquefied natural gas (LNG) and sustainable forms of energy will be tabled in Parliament next year while the National Energy Policy will also be updated to meet global standards.

She said: “I think BPL has been in the process of reviewing and considering how they’re going to go through that transition. That takes a lot of design and planning. The engineers have to be comfortable. You have to make sure that the land is available for the new plant that they would have to build,

and make sure that the timeline matches with us implementing the correct legislation.

“And so you’re going to see like almost a fast-paced process to move to that transition. In the next year, we’re going to have to bring forward the legislation that manages and governs that new industry that we’re bringing on. Also, I’m seeking to update the energy policy to make sure it’s aligned with the global standards that the world is moving towards.”

Mrs Coleby-Davis added that LNG is a top priority for the ministry and BPL’s executive management in ensuring more reliable, affordable and cleaner power generation. She said: “Definitely we’re on the path to move towards cleaner energy, but affordable and more reliable power to be provided by BPL,and LNG is top priority.

“That is top priority for me right now and BPL’s executive management, and we are constantly discussing the ways to move into

that. In terms of the preparation, the planning, the legislation and then considering the proposals that would be coming forward to them….it’ll be like a fast moving pace.”

Mrs ColebyDavis said there were ‘one or two’ proposals from LNG suppliers that have been submitted to BPL. However, the state-owned utility is currently putting its business model “in place” to ensure that the proposal submitted will benefit itself and consumers.

She added: “I think that there were one or two at the table previously. I’m not certain where they are in terms of having re-engaged those discussions, but I can tell you for sure they are putting their business model in place to make sure that whatever is presented to them is going to be the top benefit to, first of all, the Bahamian public and to BPL because we have to protect that asset, and so that’s top priority.”

here over the next several years around this initiative, and I think Carnival is absolutely someone we’re in discussions with as well and there’s other cruise operators that have new LNG-powered cruise ships that are coming on stream over the next several years.

“I think this actually heralds a pretty bright future for Nassau Cruise Port as well as the ports of the islands of The Bahamas.”

Mr Lalani said that although Eagle LNG has been “very excited” about the prospect of supplying LNG to New Providence and Grand Bahama for other industries, they will initially only launch to the maritime industry.

He added: “We have been coming to the islands of The Bahamas as Eagle LNG since 2015 in various discussions around the provision of LNG to New Providence and Grand Bahama.

“However, things move at their own pace and so I

think from our standpoint it’s very important that we focus on the industries that are already moving. We certainly don’t want the islands of The Bahamas to be left behind in terms of the transition that’s happening in the maritime industry and with the use of LNG for bunkering.”

“That’s the reason why we entered into this partnership. We would love to be part of the solution for New Providence and Grand Bahama when the right time is there for the country to make that switch from petroleum.”

Mr Lalani added that the industrial sector is beginning to move towards renewable fuel sources such as LNG, and The Bahamas will begin to “see some things’” from Eagle LNG prior to Grand Bahama and New Providence utilities making the switch to this fuel.

“And certainly would be excited to be part of that transition. I think beyond

proper ownership of the land.

“This will be a unique and purposefully designed adjudication framework for land disputes only. The goal is to be able to expeditiously determine the rightful ownership of property to unlock the economic security that comes with legal property ownership.

“Frequently, property transactions and ownership are complicated by the way we verify title in The Bahamas, primarily a result of not having a land registry system. This will be cured with the establishment of a land registrar where land registration will be duly filed and more easily tracked and verified.” that there are certainly some things that are happening in terms of the industrial sector,” he said.

“You know, the maritime sector is not the only sector that sees the benefits of moving away from traditional fuels, and so I think you will see some things from Eagle in respect to the industrial sector and things we can be doing, certainly, prior to the utilities of Grand Bahama and New Providence being ready to make that switch.”

Mr Lalani explained that Eagle LNG currently offers bunkering in 40 ports and will soon be servicing 1,000 ships with the fuel. He said: “Today we have 400 ships.

We have LNG bunkering available in almost 40 ports around the world and growing astronomically because this is part of the future, needs to be part of it.

“And so, with the order book that’s already there, the ships that are already being built, we will soon have 1,000 ships in the water running on LNG, and so that opportunity we

SEE PAGE A19

business@tribunemedia.net

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2023

$6.10

$6.11

$6.07

‘Economy’s turned’: Port targets $10m-plus profit

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net NASSAU’S main commercial shipping port is targeting a 7 percent year-over-year increase to break the $10m profit barrier in 2024, its top executive asserting yesterday: “The economy has turned.”

Dion Bethell, Arawak Port Development Company’s (APD) president and chief financial officer, told Tribune Business the BISXlisted operator is forecasting a near-$650,000 bottom line improvement for the year to end-June 2024 despite anticipating a $2m year-over-year fall-off in revenues.

He revealed that APD, in which both the Government and shipping industry each hold 40 percent ownership stakes, is basing its revenue forecast upon projections that it will not enjoy a reoccurrence of last year’s 126.5 percent increase in storage

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Mr Bethell, pledging that APD will be “very vigilant and prudent” in managing its operations, told this newspaper the company is aiming to keep its 2024 costs “flat” with last year’s $17.161m and is budgeting for just a 1 percent reduction in these total expenses.

To make up for the predicted 6 percent year-overyear revenue decline, and

still increase profits, APD’s 2023 audited financials show it developed some new earnings streams that will likely bear full fruit in 2024. Its balance sheet has a new line item featuring $2.48m worth of investments, namely its purchases of Bahamas government bonds and shares in the mutual fund owning 49 percent of Nassau Cruise Port.

APD’s financials show these investments generated $455,128 in interest income

during the second half of its 2023 financial year, helping to lower its net financing costs by $250,000, and they will now be able to make an impact for a full 12 months for the first time.

Mr Bethell, confirming that the investments are part of APD’s strategy to put balance sheet cash, which stood at $16.194m at end-June 2023, to work and yield higher returns, added that ongoing resort, foreign direct investment (FDI) projects and other construction-related developments are forecast to continue aiding import volumes through 2024.

The APD chief added that among the anticipated projects is the creation of 400 rooms and 60 residences where the Melia Nassau Beach resort once stood by Baha Mar’s owner, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises (CTFE), while there has been “talk” of a proposal for a “23-storey

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Tribunal VP: Terminate employees ‘by the book’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Industrial Tribunal’s vice-president has warned employers to ensure staff terminations are done “by the book” in awarding a fastfood group’s ex-supply chain manager $47,000 for unfair dismissal.

However, Rionda Godet, in a September 7, 2023, verdict also rejected the ‘wrongful dismissal’ claim by Larry Bowe, the former warehouse and distribution chief for Aetos Holdings, the Wendy’s, Marco’s Pizza and Popeye’s Chicken franchisee, amid evidence that showed he conducted bitcoin and crypto currency trading using company time and property.

She also refused Mr Bowe’s efforts to obtain compensatory damage, finding his bonus was discretionary “on a balance of probabilities” rather than mandatory as he had alleged, basing this claim on correspondence from Aetos Holding’s human resources chief that she testified was incorrect.

Ms Godet, though, ruled that the ex-supply chain

head was unfairly dismissed because Aetos Holdings “breached its own policies and procedures” by failing to provide him with details on the “final breach” that justified his termination. This sparked her warning to all Bahamian employers that, in dismissing workers, they must follow the law and their own documented disciplinary

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$500m cruise port’s ‘strict preference’ for Bahamians

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE US contractor managing landside construction for Carnival’s $500m Grand Bahama cruise port has pledged to give “strict preference” to Bahamians on all work that is put out to bid.

Kyle Klewin, Greython Construction’s chief executive, told Tribune Business that all contracts issued to-date have been issued to Grand Bahama-based Bahamian contractors as he promised to match the company’s “track record” elsewhere in the Caribbean where 90 percent of the work was performed by local companies.

He added that he was “quite surprised” that Leonard Sands, the Bahamian Contractors Association’s (BCA) president, would voice scepticism over how much of the project’s construction will be awarded to locals given that he has never been in contact with himself or Greython.

“Greython to date has only hired local Bahamian and Grand Bahama based vendors on the project.

No contractors outside of The Bahamas have been awarded any work to date,” Mr Klewin told this newspaper.

“I have never received communication or heard from Leonard Sands

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Bus fare increase set for 2024 first quarter

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net A CABINET minister yesterday said the 25-cent bus fare increase will be rolled out in the 2024 first quarter following a series of Town Hall meetings to inform and educate the public on the move JoBeth Coleby-Davis, minister of energy and transport, reiterated that Bahamians must be consulted on the public transportation “transformation” to ensure the service provided by jitney drivers meets their expectations.

She said: “There’s a few things happening now.

We’re organising to have a public Town Hall. Like I stated before, that is the condition for us to increase the fares.

“A public Town Hall would be for us to engage with the public to talk them through the process of transformation and other things that we’ll have to roll out in the industry, and to make sure that the service to the public is also satisfactory and it’s not just an increase that comes on the backs of the Bahamian public without providing

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$6.17

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By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Government yesterday unveiled policies to govern a near-$800m portfolio of loans and guarantees to state-owned entities, a senior official saying: “One transaction could throw everything awry.”

Simon Wilson, the Ministry of Finance’s financial secretary, told Tribune Business that the “frameworks” for government lending to, and issuing guarantees on behalf of, stateowned enterprises (SOEs) and other agencies/ departments effectively make formal much of what the Government is already doing in this area.

Confirming that the two policies focus on risk assessment and management, in a bid to protect the Government and Bahamian taxpayer against the possibility of default by all SOEs, he confirmed that they are also another element in the bid to “rationalise” annual subsidies granted to the likes of Bahamasair and Water & Sewerage Corporation that comprise around “one-sixth” of public spending.

Research by Tribune Business showed that the Government had, at end-June 2023, guaranteed some $384.1m in outstanding debt and borrowings on behalf of SOEs and other agencies. Of that sum, just under one-third or $160m relates to the Bahamas Mortgage Corporation.

Mr Wilson, meanwhile, said the Government has lent “close to $400m” to SOEs, of which 80 percent relates to Bahamas Power & Light (BPL), largely through assuming their legacy debts and standing in their place to repay lenders. When added to the existing guarantees, this means close to $800m in potential taxpayer liabilities now comes under the oversight of these policy frameworks.

Confirming that the policies have been crafted in accordance with the Public Debt Management Act 2021’s legal requirements,

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