11052019 NEWS

MONDAY TUESDAY i’m lovin’ it!

HIGH 86ºF LOW 76ºF

The Tribune Established 1903

24/7 BREAKING NEWS ON TRIBUNE242.COM

Biggest And Best!

VOLUME:116 No.217, NOVEMBER 5TH, 2019

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

WOMAN: LYDIA’S LEADING THE WAR ON WEIGHT

Now lecturers rebel over govt pay offer

82 CENTS A DAY

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

THE Union of Tertiary Educators of The Bahamas expects to hold a mass demonstration today, incensed by a University of The Bahamas proposal to increase salaries by a meagre 82 cents per day.

According to UTEB president Daniel Thompson, members are “insulted” and view the proposal that equates to about $300 per year as a “slap in the face”, especially since it mainly applies to educators with master’s and doctoral degrees.

UTEB is also angered

by UB’s lack of urgency to finalise an industrial agreement that expired in 2017.

“Disheartened” by the situation, Mr Thompson said the union has no choice but to walk out of UB’s classrooms today to make their complaints public. He said UTEB will be backed by other unions when it assembles at UB’s main waterfall entrance at 2pm.

The salary scale for assistant professors at UB is between $37,660 and $63,310 with a master’s degree, according to salary scales in UTEB’s expired industrial agreement.

The scale for assistant professors with doctoral degrees ranges from $42,160 to $71,410.

Most UB educators,The Tribune was told yesterday, fall within these categories.

“Obviously the university cannot be serious with such an offer,” Mr Thompson said. “Notwithstanding we understand that we live in a post (Hurricane) Dorian era but at the same time the university in a few weeks is going to be bringing in an executive that will cost the university between $200,000 to $300,000 to bring in this one executive and when you juxtapose that with what they are offering faculty, the university is grappling with $150,000 overspend to satisfy their decision so it’s a matter of priority.”

CENTRAL BANK PUTS DORIAN HIT AT $2.5BN

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Central Bank’s governor yesterday forecast that total Hurricane Dorian losses could exceed $2.5bn at the “low end” - a sum equivalent to 20 percent of The Bahamas’ total economic output. John Rolle, unveiling the regulator’s September and third quarter economic outlook, said these projections were “not out of range” given the Category Five storm’s devastating impact on private housing, public utilities and infrastructure in Abaco and Grand Bahama.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

SEE PAGE SEVEN

JUST a day after Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced that all “illegal” migrants will be banned from Abaco’s Family Relief Centre, some storm victims living in shelters are calling for the government to show more compassion to those without immigration status, citing the move as a “heartless” one.

“If the storm ain’t break you, these people sure will.

What is a piece of paper?

People been through sh‘t and they shouldn’t be

worrying about these types of things. How much illegals here?” asked one shelter victim, who wanted to remain anonymous. “Ain’t much of them here and you worrying about status.

These people almost died.

Some of them are injured and they worrying about status. It’s heartless, man.

So, if they can’t (live in the domes), where they gone send them to in the condition Haiti in right now?”

According to the November 1 Ministry of Health situation report, people in SEE PAGE FIVE

SHARING IN THE LIGHT OF HINDU FESTIVAL

SEE PAGE EIGHT

CONSUMERS BORROWING TO PAY DEBT

EVACUEES ASK - WHERE IS YOUR COMPASSION?

By LEANDRA ROLLE lrolle@tribunemedia.net

FACE-TO-FACE

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

GLAD TO BE BACK

STUDENTS at the University of The Bahamas wore blue yesterday in celebration of the institution’s homecoming week.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

MORE than 6,000 Bahamian borrowers applied for debt consolidation loans during the 2019 first half, making it the most soughtafter form of consumer credit by some distance.

The Central Bank’s latest Lending Conditions Survey, released yesterday, revealed that debt consolidation loans accounted for more than one-third of all consumer loan applications during the six months to end-June 2019.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

RISING SEAS RISK WORSE THAN FEARED

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

NEW research show rising seas will have worse impact than previously known, with most of Grand Bahama, Abaco and Spanish Wells projected to be under flood levels by 2050 because of climate change.

Much of Crooked Island, Acklins, Andros and Cat Island will be under flood levels as well while the eastern and south-eastern parts

THE BAHAMAS: Pink shows threatened area of New Providence will be there too, according to projections by Climate Central,

a non-profit organisation that reports climate science news.

Worldwide, three times more people will be impacted than research previously indicated.

The new research uses a new digital elevation model, CoastalDEM, to better project annual flood levels, differing from earlier models that were based on NASA’s Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM).

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE TWO

PETER YOUNG

OVER TO VOTERS - NOW ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN

SEE PAGE TEN

PAGE 2, Tuesday, November 5, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

New report: Rising seas risk worse than feared from page one The new model shows that many of the world’s coastlines are far lower than has been generally known.

“The residents of small island states could face particularly devastating losses,” Climate Central reported.

“And well before that land is flooded, residents will face saltwater intrusion into freshwater supplies and frequent flooding. In small islands states, as elsewhere, land could become uninhabitable well before it disappears...Sea level rise could also produce humanitarian crises by stripping millions of people of their homes and traditional livelihoods. The developing countries least able to protect their residents through coastal defenses or planned evacuations could be particularly vulnerable—and are responsible for just a small fraction of global emissions.”

In reality, the impact could be worse than CoastalDEM’s models show; its projections optimistically factor in the earth experiencing no more than

2°celsius of warming––the main target of the 2015 Paris Agreement––and that there is “medium luck” so pollution and global warming have weaker effects on sea levels than scientists generally expect, according to Climate Central’s online coastal risk screening tool.

Some good news is that 110 million people worldwide already live in areas below the high tide line and are protected by levees and seawalls.

In their paper discussing the findings, researchers Scott Kulp and Benjamin Strauss wrote: “At the same time, current coastal defenses should not be assumed adequate to protect against future sea levels and storms without continued maintenance and, likely, enhancement.”

“If our findings stand, coastal communities worldwide must prepare themselves for much more difficult futures than may be currently anticipated. Recent work has suggested that, even in the US, sea-level rise this century may induce large-scale migration away from unprotected coastlines, redistributing population

ABOVE and below: The pink areas show how rising sea levels may affect New Providence and Grand Bahama by 2100. Bottom: How the two islands could look in 2030.

density across the country and putting great pressure on inland areas. It is difficult to extrapolate such projections and their impacts to more resource-constrained developing nations, though historically, large-scale migration events have posed serious challenges to political stability, driving conflict.”

In the wake of Hurricane Dorian, which devastated some of the parts of Abaco and Grand Bahama that will be most affected by sea-level rise in the future, some believe the government should place special

focus on rebuilding the islands and cays in a sustainable way.

Dr Adelle Thomas, a Bahamian human-environment geographer, said without this the islands will suffer ever worsening consequences from storms.

“We cannot continue with a business as usual approach that has resulted in the devastation seen

by Dorian, Irma and Joaquin,” she said yesterday. “There are options to adapt to these changes including eco-system based adaptation, rezoning and

hard infrastructure. A well thought out and coherent plan for rebuilding that takes adaptation into account is a necessity to reduce the high risks facing Bahamians. Development of a strategy and effective implementation should be given the highest priority to facilitate safe and resilient rebuilding. Otherwise, we may well see ourselves in a similar position as the frequency of these intense hurricanes occur.

The strong science on climate change is clear. Recent reports from the IPCC

highlight that small island developing states such as the Bahamas can expect faster rates of sea level rise and extreme sea level events-such as storm surges associated with hurricanes that once occurred every 100 years to occur annually by 2050.”

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis was asked during a press conference on Sunday if Abaco residents will be allowed to rebuild in vulnerable areas or whether the government is considering rezoning or some other plan.

“I think at this point in time this new Ministry (of Disaster Preparedness, Recovery and Reconstruction) headed by (Iram Lewis), an architect and a planner, they will be reviewing those areas and reviewing the whole matter with respect to moving forward and our development for tomorrow,” he said.

Editorial View - Page 4

THE TRIBUNE

By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net BAKER’S Bay Golf and Ocean Club will need between 1,000 and 1,500 construction workers to rebuild the resort, according to Director of Labour John Pinder.

In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Pinder said Baker’s Bay wants to rebuild the resort within the next two years.

“I met with them last week and I’m trying to set up some sort of registration. People can come and register who may be interested in assisting with the construction, those who worked at Baker’s Bay,” he noted.

He added: “I’m working with them and the manager is supposed to get back to me this week for us to determine if we are going to do a registry. We can do a registry here at the Department of Labour - persons can come and register. The only thing is they have to live in trailer houses, but they are going to do the best they can to make sure a doctor is on site and the necessary personnel is there to assist people.”

Last month, Mr Pinder

Tuesday, November 5, 2019, PAGE 3

Baker’s Bay could offer up to 1,500 jobs as it rebuilds said the government is in talks with Baker’s Bay Golf and Ocean Club to reduce the number of employees being let go.

“Abaco is in really bad shape… Baker’s Bay said that they may have to lay off as much as 300 persons and for the most part, they will make (their positions) redundant and give them severance pay… but we’re waiting to have a meeting to see if (Baker’s Bay) can decrease that number by employing more

personnel,” Mr Pinder told The Tribune at the time.

The private multimilliondollar club announced its closure last week, noting it could be between six to 15 months until it re-opens.

According to Mr Pinder, nearly 600 people are employed by the exclusive club.

However, in a memo released by Baker’s Bay last month, it noted that about 200 positions will be made available for

current employees. As a result, many staff members have been told their positions at the club have been made redundant, forcing them to seek employment elsewhere.

Mr Pinder said: “We’re asking (Baker’s Bay management) that persons who work at Baker’s Bay, if they so desire, that they may have some other skills to assist Baker’s Bay for another year or 18 months until they’re ab Mr Pinder told the

Nassau Guardian last month, he expected the unemployment rate to increase to 12 percent following Hurricane Dorian.

When asked if he thought the unemployment rate will increase further given Baker’s Bay recent announcement, Mr Pinder responded that he didn’t think it will. “(Baker’s Bay) said they’re going to keep as many people as they can and we are in talks with them to increase that

number to help with the rebuilding of Baker’s Bay… the (government) has used quite a number of persons to rebuild Abaco in particular and to assist with the rebuilding of Freeport,” he said.

“I know that the labour force that is needed for Abaco, we may be able to find those skills for persons who are displaced in Abaco and try get them back to Abaco to rebuild Abaco and to get the economy jumpstarted again.”

Photos: Derek Carroll

Dorian bravery medals presented to local heroes

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net MEDALS of recognition and bravery were presented to nearly 100 local heroes over the weekend on Grand Bahama for saving so many lives during Hurricane Dorian.

These ordinary individuals displayed courage and risked their own lives – on jet skis, small vessels, and tractors in rising flood water –- to rescue people trapped in their homes, all while battling severe storm conditions.

The Rebirth Grand Bahama Committee held “An Evening of Thanksgiving” at Port Lucaya Marketplace on Friday evening for some 97 honorees. Miss University of The Bahamas Lydia Cooper and committee members presented medals to all the recipients at Count Basie Square.

Also attending the event were people who were rescued, including Kendra Williams – who along with her son and six grandchildren were rescued from the manhole in their ceiling. She thanked those who came to their rescue after a frantic call for help.

“I want to say thanks to everybody who came to rescue me, my six grandchildren, and my son. I really appreciate it,” she said.

Sarah St George, vice chairman of the Grand Bahama Port Authority

(GBPA), said many lives were saved because of the “incredibly selfless acts of heroism”.

“I am so moved… because as we remember all lives lost in Hurricane Dorian, this event is about the many lives saved, and the lives that could have been lost if it hadn’t been for the incredible selfless acts of heroism,” she said.

She commended the Rebirth Committee for organising the event.

“This event… is also for those survivors who want to say thank you to their rescuers, and it is truly right and wonderful they thought of putting together a committee and holding this event at Port Lucaya, which is just able to open.”

“At the GBPA, we were thrilled and honoured to be one of the principal sponsors of this event, and I want to acknowledge Aliv, which helped us through the hurricane.”

“Those rescuers we are acknowledging tonight went out when the storm was at a category one, they left the safety of families and homes and put their lives on the line to save others, and that is a most noble sacrifice that you could ever make.”

A video presentation was shown of the rescues that took place in early September as the storm battered the island for two days and brought a 20ft storm surge that wiped out many homes and businesses in Grand Bahama.

Ms St George said: “Who can forget all those images of the heroes on jet skis, in boats, on loaders battling wind and rain, soaked to the skin, to rescue people perhaps they had never met before. It would be engraved on our hearts forever.”

Those heroes, she said, showed the world what it means to “love thy neighbour”.

“CNN and the world,

they could not believe their eyes when they saw the courage, the faith, and strength of these lionhearted individuals, and it fills us with pride and admiration,” said the GBPA executive.

She also recognised the Defence Force, Police Force and members of her team at GBPA for venturing out alongside other rescuers.

“There was so many

more – many more that we did not know about… and the committee went out to find out who were all these individuals – some 70 to 80.

They came to light because of the Whatsapp clips that were going viral.”

“I stand here with humility and pride, side by side with the committee to recognise and honour those men and women: you are our heroes and what you have done will

never ever be forgotten,” she said.

Also present were PLP MP Chester Cooper, MP and Talia Davis, senior Aliv champion. Rescuers Ricky Martin, George Smith, and Billy (Glen) Rolle who spoke on behalf the group.

There was a musical performance by Cooling Waters, a video performance (When God Prevails) by Varcy, and a slide show presentation.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, November 5, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

The Tribune Limited NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

jamaaltheartist@gmail.com

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914 Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B. Publisher/Editor 1972-

Published daily Monday to Friday

Shirley & Deveaux Streets, Nassau, Bahamas N3207 TELEPHONES

News & General Information Advertising Manager Circulation Department Nassau fax Freeport, Grand Bahama Freeport fax

(242) 322-1986 (242) 502-2394 (242) 502-2386 (242) 328-2398 (242)-352-6608 (242) 352-9348

WEBSITE, TWITTER & FACEBOOK www.tribune242.com

@tribune242

tribune news network

A warning we can’t ignore ON a day when President Donald Trump announced the United States would withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, there is a stark reality on show for The Bahamas.

Most of Grand Bahama. Abaco.

Spanish Wells. Much of Crooked Island. Swathes of New Providence.

Acklins. Andros. Cat Island. All will face increasing amounts of flood water – or be completely submerged in areas – according to predictions by experts at non-profit organisation Climate Central.

You can see for yourself. The organisation – which reports climate science news – has created an interactive website at https://coastal.climatecentral. org. You can adjust sliding scales to see how The Bahamas – and the rest of the world – would be affected from 2030 through to 2100. You can adjust for how much action is taken to tackle climate change – or how little – and even account for good or bad luck. Zoom in on where your house is right now – and see how the waters change around it in both the best and worst case scenarios.

It’s not a pretty picture.

“The residents of small island states could face particularly devastating losses,” report Climate Central. As the areas marked red for danger increase as you watch the effects over the years on the map, that is anything but an understatement.

The impact could be worse still. That Paris climate agreement that President Trump is so eager to pull the US out of?

The Climate Central team base their projections on the planet warming no more than two degrees Celsius – the main target of that agreement. With the US pulling out – and goodness knows if others will follow – these predictions are already looking optimistic.

We have already seen the devastation wrought by a single hurricane – Hurricane Dorian – on the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco. If the frequency of hurricanes increases due to climate change, what costs will we and our children have to bear in the future?

We should not pretend either that this

is a warning we have not heard before.

In September this year, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis asked at the UN: “How will we continue to exist?”

His predecessors have sounded similar alarms. In 2009, then Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said climate change was a “serious threat to our economic viability, our social development and our territorial integrity”. In 2015, his successor, Prime Minister Perry Christie said climate change was an “existential threat” and warned we had to fight for “countries like The Bahamas to stay on the map into the next century”.

Bahamian geographer Dr Adelle Thomas told this newspaper there cannot be “business as usual” and urged that the country should adapt to the changing times ahead – including re-zoning and a coherent plan for rebuilding.

Sadly when asked about whether residents will be allowed to rebuild in vulnerable areas on Sunday, Dr Minnis brushed the answer off onto Iram Lewis, the newly minted Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Recovery and Reconstruction.

There are hard questions facing The Bahamas as a result of climate change – and the time to act is not five, ten or 20 years down the line. It is now.

So what are the hard answers? And why do our leaders find it so easy to go away to international gatherings and warn of the danger to our nation but never seem ready to talk about what that means when they return home?

Go and look at whether your home is in danger according to these projections. Go look at whether your brother’s home, your sister’s home, your cousins are at risk of rising waters.

Ask yourself if it’s time we were having this conversation more forcefully in The Bahamas.

The answer is that it isn’t time. It’s already too late to start the conversation. We have time to make up – and demands to make of those who would lead our Bahamas towards that uncertain future.

Oh, how I long for the good old days EDITOR, The Tribune RECENTLY while doing some research on the island of New Providence, it has occurred to me that Bahamians have divested themselves of their entrepreneurship skills.Years ago tyre repair shops were all owned by Bahamians, now they are owned by Africans, are you telling me there is not one Bahamian person who is not able to work in a tyre shop? Why must a tyre repair person have to be brought into the Bahamas all the way from Africa? Small mom and pops stores were all Bahamian owned, now every store in the black community is Chinese owned, fruit and vegetable stands were Bahamian now they are all owned by Haitians, black barber shops were owned by black Bahamians, now most of them are run by Haitians, lawn care and yard upkeep are now mostly owned by Bahamians, knock off pharmacies are popping up in Haitian homes selling bootleg medicines, car and body shops along with shady tree mechanics are basically run by the Haitian and Jamaican community, want your house painted? Most likely you will have to employ a Haitian.

What has happened to the entrepreneurship of Bahamians that was once prevalent 10-20 years ago, what has happened to our hustle in order to put food on the table for our children, we have totally divested our birthright to foreigners, he who controls the food source controls the country and people.

Our fishing industry is being raped by Dominicans, Haitians and Chinese.

Cleaning house maids are mostly Jamaicans, Haitian and persons from the Philippines, cooks in restaurants are now mostly Jamaicans and Haitians.

What really does Bahamians own except a birth certificate and a passport and many are selling out to foreign marriages to get financial support. Have we become too lazy to notice our country is slipping slowly away? In thirty years will there be such a thing as a born cradle to the grave Bahamian. Will the next demand be for others to start teaching creole in our schools? Keep in mind if you are in my country, then you coming in must learn my language and culture. Have you noticed the large number of taxi cabs that are not Bahamian owned, yes you guessed it.

However, you know that

I don’t blame these foreign nationals living in our country, Some Bahamians have become too lazy, non caring, think they are too sophisticated, too educated to do duties mentioned above. We have become totally dependant on foreigners for our well being and care, too tired to do chores ourselves. Have you noticed the young Bahamian boys selling coconut water on every corner, that’s a whole new industry. I just hope they at least leave those young entrepreneurs alone and big brother doesn’t come by and stop them from making an honest living. Don’t think someone hasn’t been eyeing those young boys, think of ways they can take over those corners.

We have become strange fruit in our own land. How I long to hear on Sunday mornings once again shoe shine, shoe shine, how I long to hear the fisherman shouting on his bike fresh fish for sale. How I long to hear once again Mrs Fernander ....come to da shop for quarter pound of sausage. How I long for the good old days.

DR DEREK PINDER ND; PH.D. Nassau October 31, 2019

The story of Miracle is a lesson to us all EDITOR, The Tribune I AM a Bahamian – hailing from the island of Grand Bahama – retired and now living with my wife in Florida. My wife is an American, from the state of Ohio, who lived with me in The Bahamas for over 40 years, which shows, I believe, our contentment with living in The Bahamas.

However, after my uncle passed away, I inherited his estate and with our two adult sons, already residing in the US, hence our move to Florida.

The profound devastation of The Bahamas by hurricane Dorian is a disaster that will long be remembered worldwide for many years to come. And like the survivors of that horrific ordeal my heart bleeds with the stories, and unbelievable videos that came out of that, but also emerging from all this, is the many, many adrenalised heroes, charging the elements on jet skies rescuing people from house roofs, windows, and trees – in 120 mph wind!! I cannot begin

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net to comprehend what fortitude it would take for such bravery. On one video, the rescuer commented that there were no Red Cross, or Salvation Army out there trying to rescue the stranded.

Truly these acts of heroism show just what is at the nuclei of the Bahamian heart = LOVE - whether this is acknowledged, or not –- the jet ski rescuers through caution to the wind, and against all odds, thumb their noses at hurricane Dorian and brought the stranded into safety, this speaks volumes of the courage, determination, and resilience that is wrapped up in the heart of The Bahamian Nation – resilience – that we will still be standing when the water subsides – or in the case of the dog “Miracle” will still be breathing after the debris is removed from over us. Now here is a hero

to be heralded! As the story goes, he was discovered in Abaco by an American rescue team, from “Big Dog Ranch Rescue” using a drone, with high-resolution, heat-seeking camera. They appropriately named him “Miracle”. Miracle is the very epitome of resilience of the Bahamian “will”, that after three weeks – or more – this dog was still alive.

My only complaint — if the original owners could not be located, Miracle should have been adopted by the Bahamian government, to be the mascot, the symbol, and hope of the Bahamian people – -to be presented in every public event, to visit hospital beds, inspire school children, to spread the spirit of hope, and the determination to rebound against all odds.

What a great testimony he could have been to, and for the Bahamian people.

JOACUM (JOEY) HOLLINGSWORTH Lake Park, Fl October 22, 2019.

We need to improve incentives to learn EDITOR, The Tribune “D is Depressing” It is sometime since I wrote a letter to your paper. But the article entitled “D is depressing” cannot pass into history without a comment.

It is no doubt the Minister should shoulder the blame for the usual disastrous BGSCE exam results. But of course nothing will happen. Several years ago in a conversation

with the then PS (Permanent Secretary) of the Ministry of Education the point was made by the PS that Education was far too political, decisions were taken in Cabinet, and the Education experts were unable to provide any light into improving the system – the politicians knew it all!! However that is not the only problem.

You cannot blame the education system entirely.

Lack of incentive to learn

and improve oneself when there are no jobs available when you have finally graduated. Lack Of jobs - look at the number of closed shops and businesses around New Providence for example.

What is the Government’s answer to that if they have one?

PATRICK H THOMSON Nassau November 2, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, November 5, 2019, PAGE 5

STORM VICTIMS ASK - WHERE IS YOUR COMPASSION? from page one

communities affected by Hurricane Dorian have not been presenting themselves to clinics because they fear deportation. BuzzFeed News similarly reported on Sunday that in a span of a few days 600 evacuees left shelters out of fear, this according to a United Nations internal report.

Several shanty towns across Abaco were also decimated after Hurricane Dorian - the most

powerful storm to hit the northwestern Bahamas - pummelled Abaco and Grand Bahama, destroying many homes and businesses and displacing hundreds.

In response to the devastation left in Dorian’s wake, the government plans to set up a temporary family relief centre in Abaco, which will feature dome housing structures and is expected to accommodate some 1,000 hurricane victims.

But, as stressed by Dr Minnis, those who are living in the country illegally will not be allowed to

reside on the centre’s premises.

“There will be no illegals in the domes, full stop, no illegals,” he said during a press conference on Sunday.

Responding to the prime minister’s announcement, one shelter victim – who wanted only to be identified as Mary Louis – told The Tribune that she is very fearful of her future.

After living in “Da Mudd” for some 20 years, Mrs Louis said she still has no papers.

“I served food in Da Mudd. I can’t go back Haiti because I have

three children. I want try get work permit, but it’s too expensive. I three kids to take care of. Where will I find money to pay for work permit at a time like this?” she asked.

Mrs Louis found shelter in the church when the category five storm hit.

Like most hurricane victims, she eventually plans to return to Abaco.

But, when asked where she will stay considering her “illegal” status, Mrs Louis replied: “Whenever God wants me to go,

I will go. I just can’t go back Haiti.

The government say we can’t stay in homes they have, but I think it ain’t right. I’ve been in Abaco for 20 years. We just lost everything.

Haiti is no better. I have nowhere else to go.”

Another shelter resident – who wanted to remain anonymous – expressed similar sentiments.

“I want to get a work permit because I cant’ go back to Haiti. It bad there. If the government don’t want us there (in the domes) then we could find somewhere to stay,” he said.

UN warns of long road back for fishing sector

BOATS USED

BY POACHERS TO BE GIVEN TO LOCAL FISHERMEN

By SYANN THOMPSON Tribune Staff Reporter

By SYANN THOMPSON Tribune Staff Reporter

THE Bahamas’ lobster and fisheries industry - a sector worth $75m - has been severely set back by Hurricane Dorian, and United Nations assessors say it could take two years for Abaco and Grand Bahama to recover.

A report by The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) - due to be officially released this week - says that more than 80 percent of fisheries infrastructure in Abaco and Grand Bahama has been either significantly damaged or completely destroyed since the passage of the Category Five hurricane. It follows an assessment following the disaster carried out in conjunction with the government last month. The FAO is recommending emergency assistance for the fisheries industry on the affected islands.

While there is a setback in Abaco and Grand Bahama, the major losses are confined to those islands and is not a true reflection of the performance of the entire lobster and fisheries industry as a whole in The Bahamas; as stakeholders in the industry say that the country will still meet its requirements for international export.

In 2013, The Bahamas was number one in the world for spiny lobster production and today is second only to Brazil.

While there is a desperate need for rebuilding the fisheries industry in Abaco and Grand Bahama, president of the Bahamas Commercial Fishers Alliance Adrian Laroda is confident that the industry will still be

BOATS seized from Dominican poachers will this week start to be distributed by the government to Bahamian fishermen affected by Hurricane Dorian. Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Michael Pintard told The Tribune yesterday that distribution of the vessels - seized by The Royal Bahamas Defence Force may take about two weeks and outlined how the vessels would be allocated.

He said: “There are 36 vessels in total. Some of the vessels will go to those in the sponging industry, five of the vessels will go to the national dive programme to increase Bahamian divers in the sector and others to fishermen.”

Mr Pintard explained that Cabinet has agreed for larger vessels to be sunk due to their poor condition and the possibility of these vessels being mistaken by the RBDF as poaching vessels if they were given to Bahamian fishermen.

Several international agencies have committed to provide boats to the Bahamas government for fishermen impacted by Dorian. One of them is a faith-based organisation called Convoy of Hope, who will also be assisting farmers.

Fishermen in Abaco and Grand Bahama experienced significant loss to their livelihood since the passage of Hurricane Dorian. In addition to the ministry’s plans, Mr Pintard said the government is finding creative ways to ensure that Bahamian fishermen in Abaco and Grand Bahama are able to get back on their feet.

sthompson@tribunemedia.net

sthompson@tribunemedia.net

THE DESTRUCTION caused by Hurricane Dorian in Marsh Harbour is clear to see able meet international demands.

“At the end of the year the landings will show that we are still able to meet normal product demand and we will still be able to export the five million pounds that we do each year,” he said.

Despite this loss and the need for rebuilding fisheries infrastructure on affected islands, Mr Laroda said there was not a significant number of commercial fishermen in Abaco and Grand Bahama, as they account

for less than ten percent of the fisheries sector. The remaining 90 percent of the industry is still functioning and the five million pounds of lobster from Bahamian waters that are exported to The United States and Europe annually will not be heavily impacted.

The lobster and fisheries industry remains active as huge chunks of the market comes from Spanish Wells, parts of North Eleuthera, Long Island, Andros and New Providence. “Spanish Wells is a heavy producer,

they account for 30 percent of the market, other fishermen work out of North Eleuthera, then there is Long Island, Andros fishermen and fishermen operating out of New Providence which accounts for 15 to 20 percent of the market,” said Mr Laroda.

Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Michael Pintard echoed these comments and underscored the need to assist fishermen in Abaco and Grand Bahama.

He said: “We want to

ensure the fishermen affected by Dorian have the help they need. Fishermen on Abaco and Grand Bahama have lost their vessels, they’ve lost their traps; so we are particularly concerned about the loss of livelihood and their potential to generate income. We have international partners who will be assisting fishermen on these islands. However, The Bahamas’ lobster and fisheries industry is still robust and able to meet its export demands.”

PAGE 6, Tuesday, November 5, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

Mitchell unhappy with Forbes-Smith’s dual role

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE official Opposition in the Senate will contest Kay Forbes-Smith’s dual roles as Senate president and lead coordinator of post-Dorian recovery efforts in Grand Bahama, according to Fred Mitchell.

The Progressive Liberal Party believes it is improper for Mrs Forbes-Smith to simultaneously preside over a legislative body and work for the executive, particularly now as the Senate debates a disaster management bill.

Mr Mitchell, leader of Opposition business in the chamber, said: “What

we plan to do is similar to what happens when you bring a vote of no confidence against the speaker of the House. The issue is this: suppose when I speak in the Senate I say hurricane relief in Grand Bahama has been a disaster and it has been a disaster because of her role in the recovery? The rules now say you cannot attack the presiding officer unless you bring a substantive motion. So where does that put me? Must I censor myself because she’s sitting in the chair?”

Mr Mitchell said ideally the administration should not have made the Senate president head of Grand Bahama’s recovery efforts in the first place.

In the current context, he said she should at least recuse herself from debates about bills responding to Hurricane Dorian.

“I’m not sure that resolves the substantive issue but in the circumstances she should remove herself,” he said.

Debate began in the Senate yesterday on the Disaster Preparedness and Response (Amendment) Bill 2019.

Mr Mitchell was not present, but Senator Jobeth Davis raised her party’s complaint.

Mrs Forbes-Smith did not respond.

In a letter he sent to her last month, Mr Mitchell said: “It is anticipated

KAY FORBES-SMITH that the above captioned matter (the Disaster Management Act 2019) will come before us within the next week. This is likely to invite criticism of the role of the government in hurricane relief and according to the press, you have been brought on as a coordinator

for the hurricane relief in Grand Bahama. There is also now a minister for hurricane relief and a minister of state for the same. On the face of it and without more, this is incompatible in this side’s view with the position of presiding officer of the Senate which is a legislative body and its presiding officer should not be subject to the dictates of the executive. In our present rules, we will have to bring a substantive motion to air our complaint on this and are seeking to resolve the conflict by pointing this out to you in advance so that you might take appropriate action to resolve the conflict, without resort to such a motion.”

BNT CALLS ON GOVT TO INTRODUCE AN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT THE Bahamas National Trust (BNT) has called for the government to pass an Environmental Protection Act - as it fears damage to wetlands following the oil leak at the Equinor facility in Grand Bahama during Hurricane Dorian.

“The Equinor oil spill opens our eyes to the need for an Environmental Protection Act to regulate industry. Freeport is the industrial capital of The Bahamas, home to oil storage facilities, ship repair facilities, a container port, chemical plants and aggregate mining. These activities have tremendous environmental, social, cultural and planning impacts,” said Eric Carey, BNT executive director.

Two months after Hurricane Dorian, Equinor,

BNT’S ERIC CAREY formerly Statoil, is continuing to clean up the onshore oil spill at its South Riding Point terminal. 1.8 million barrels of oil equivalent were being stored at the time and Equinor has estimated that 119,000 barrels of oil were spilled.

Recently the Minister of the Environment tabled the Environmental Planning

and Protection Act 2019, which seeks to establish the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection.

It seeks to bring oversight for the industrial sector.

“The BNT endorses and supports this new legislation which will provide organised statutory regulatory frameworks for both foreign and domestic investors,“ said Mr Carey. “We believe that these investors will comply with this environmental legislation if it is set out and administered by properly funded and resourced agencies and we encourage the Government of The Bahamas to quickly move to put the legislation in place. We strongly feel that no new applications for oil storage or oil exploration should be considered before the appropriate

regulatory legislation and commitment to enforcing it is in place.”

BNT has also restated its opposition to the Oban Energies project proposed for East Grand Bahama following this incident.

The National Oil Spill Contingency Advisory Committee (NOSCAC) is overseeing clean-up efforts being led by the Ministry of Transport and Local Government and has representatives from the BNT alongside others from the Bahamas Environment Science and Technology Commission (BEST) and other government and civil bodies.

Members have conducted several site visits and reported that about 290 workers are working on clean-up, with a spill response team working to recover oil from the ground.

According to Equinor, 30 percent of the spilled oil has already been recovered and the cleanup continues.

“When the roofs blew off the storage tanks, the oil was blown to the north onto the land and not south into the sea. It is still a disaster, but dramatically less than it could have been.

The prevailing current on the south shore of Grand Bahama is from the southeast to the west. If it had blown into the sea, it would have drifted to Gold Rock

Beach in the Lucayan National Park, Peterson’s Cay National Park, Barbary Beach, Royal Caribbean’s Lucayan Beach into the many miles of Freeport’s canals, along the rest of Freeport’s beaches, into Freeport Harbour and eventually West End,” said Mr Carey.

Waterkeepers Bahamas, Save The Bays, and Waterkeepers Alliance recently released a report on their analysis of the spill and found compounds consistent with petroleum well above natural occurrence levels.

“The Waterkeepers analysis is a good start, but what we are waiting for is a comprehensive environmental impact report and remediation plan. We still have yet to see any ground water testing or plans for long-term monitoring,“ said Shelley Cant-Woodside, BNT director of science and policy.

The BNT said: “One of the main concerns is that the oil will eventually make its way expanding into more of the nearby wetlands, and deeper into the island’s freshwater reservoirs. Wetlands serve as places where water is filtered before entering the underground water table. The oil would diminish the quality of the island’s groundwater for drinking and freshwater resources.”

RBDF LOOKS INTO REPORTS OF FOREIGN POACHERS THE Royal Bahamas Defence Force is investigating reports of foreign poachers being spotted in Bahamian waters.

The vessels have reportedly been seen in the southern Bahamas during the past few days. No information was available at the time of going to press about the number or type of vessels or the force’s progress in intercepting them.

A spokesman for the force said: “As the RBDF continues to work within the disaster affected areas, the Squadron Department maintains active patrols by its fleet of craft as it protects the territorial boundaries from persons engaged in illicit maritime activities.

“In addition to patrolling the waters of The Bahamas inclusive of the southern, central and Great Bahama Banks, the defence force is also working closely with partner law enforcement agencies in Grand Bahama, Bimini, Exuma, and Abaco to prevent illegal fishing, as well as the smuggling of arms, undeclared goods and other contraband by locals and foreigners.”

Acting commander Captain Raymond King thanked residents for passing on information about the intruder vessels and urged people who had information about suspicious activity to call the defence force hotline, 376-6219.

3 ARRESTS OVER ILLEGAL FIREARMS THREE people have been arrested after an illegal firearm and ammunition were seized by police on Sunday afternoon.

Officers executed a search warrant on a home in Red Land Acres at about 4pm, and discovered a Glock pistol with 12 rounds of ammunition. Police said three adults were arrested.

A juvenile was arrested in a separate incident on Sunday after a quantity of marijuana was seized by police.

Shortly after 5pm, South Central Division officers, acting on information, proceeded to Lindsey Close off Farrington Road, where police said they observed a man acting suspiciously.

He reportedly tried to flee but was caught by officers who found a quantity of marijuana after searching the area. The youth was taken into custody.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, November 5, 2019, PAGE 7

LECTURERS REBEL OVER 82 CENTS A DAY PAY OFFER from page one Mr Thompson added: “The union has been very mindful to work hand and hand with the university to build goodwill but notwithstanding that UB has turned around and slapped us in the face and says 82 cents a day is all that we deserve.

“These are professors with PhD and master’s degrees and they only deserve 82 cents per day?

They have got to be able to do better than that.”

Regarding the expired industrial agreement, Mr Thompson, pictured right, said educators feel their jobs are in limbo, holding no certainty. “If the university does not sign off on this industrial agreement, it means that we are all handicapped. It means the position of the faculty is unsecured because we are working without any terms of employment without an industrial agreement.

“Next week we will be celebrating our third anniversary as a university and yet there is no

formal relationship being signed off with faculty.”

“Our contract and our last agreement was from 2012 to 2017. So we are now in the third year now of living without an industrial agreement,” the union leader said.

“Our argument is that the university has been in existence as a university since the passage of the UB Act in 2016. Over 1,000 days have passed without concluding an agreement. Hence there has

been no end in sight. There are a lot of issues that have come about as a result of the University of the Bahamas Act 2016 and among them is the creation of what we refer to as an academic senate, which is supposed to be a shared governance of the institution.

“Now critical to the academic senate is our union, UTEB, because much of the functions that UTEB performed, many of the activities have been consumed

by the academic senate. So one would think that because of the Act the university would see it as a priority to conclude the industrial agreement so that we could begin to work out the relationship between the academic senate and the union.”

Last November, UTEB staged a protest at UB’s entrance over several failed attempts to negotiate the industrial agreement.

Attempts to reach a representative of the university were unsuccessful up to press time.

Teachers’ union heading to court over govt ‘failure’

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas Union of Teachers and the government are set to battle in court today over the latter’s alleged “failure” to resolve ongoing health and safety issues at two schools, with the union’s attorney warning: “This is not a game”.

Kahlil Parker told reporters his client is seeking to have Justice Bernard Turner compel the Ministry of Education to “comply” with its collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the union and “agree to a contingency plan” to resolve the “disturbances”.

Mr Parker claimed that to date, rather than “engaging substantively with the union”, the government - via the Ministry of Education - has “determined to obstruct” the union in its bid to have the outstanding matters remediated.

That antagonism, Mr Parker said, has materialised in the government filing an application before the Supreme Court in a bid to have the teachers to “go back to work without the due process that is required of them by the CBA and the (Industrial Relations Act)”.

“So the irony is that now they are saying that we haven’t complied when in fact, as has been demonstrated in the public forum, they have not allowed us to do that which is necessary to verify that, for example, CH Reeves is safe for teachers and students to return,” Mr Parker said.

However, the Bahamas Bar Association president said what he finds “highly disturbing” is the government’s “principle objection” to resolving the matters, that “the press is present at the schools”.

“When the minister wants to tour and celebrate, he brings the press,” Mr Parker said. “When he wants to lambaste the union, he brings the press.

When it’s time to demonstrate that the schools are fit and proper, the press cannot come.

“So my point is that while I did not seek to have the press there, the reality is that this is a public matter, and you have to contend with public interest. So that is not a good reason to abandon your obligations under the Act to engage with the union to resolve these matters.”

Today’s court matter stems from the outstanding concerns highlighted by teachers at both the Carlton Francis Primary School and the CH Reeves Junior High School.

For weeks, teachers at the latter school have been protesting against the “unsanitary” conditions on that campus, citing the presence of mould as one of the key concerns. And concerning Carlton Francis Primary, BUT president Belinda Wilson previously said that for eight weeks to date, teachers reported to work only to be locked out at the gate.

Thus, she said the teachers have not been allowed on their jobs and their salaries consequently cut. And those comments by Mrs Wilson came after a meeting with the Attorney General’s office and the MOE’s staff at CH Reeves that was cancelled without warning.

Mr Parker seconded those claims yesterday, saying: “When we attempt to meet at the school with staff, we are locked out of the gate. The ministry doesn’t want to meet. They find these technical reasons to object to the meeting, and therefore we are not able to agree this contingency plan and therefore the disturbances perpetuate and continue unabated.

“Unfortunately you cannot have resolution where both parties are not prepared to sit down and engage with each other.”

He added: “I have seen the consistent cry that the teachers are not prepared and what not, but the reality is that health and safety is a serious concern. Mould is a serious concern. These things are throughout the public service and the government has to realise that we have to take our people’s health seriously.

“You have the Minister of Education talking about type two diabetes. One of the indicators that research has shown with respect to the onset of adult type two diabetes is airborne debris and exposure to airborne mould.

“So we have to begin to really engage with these serious issues. This is not a game. This is the health and safety (of workers). And remember that the children are in these classrooms.”

Last month, while speaking to reporters outside Cabinet, Education Minister Jeff Lloyd said his ministry is seeking to

resolve whatever outstanding issues the teachers have.

“I’m advised that there were concerns with regards to classroom space,” he said at the time. “That matter, I’m advised, has been resolved. I was also advised that teachers were unhappy about having to float... from one classroom to the next. I

understand that matter too is being resolved. The principal, along with the district superintendent and our main offices, are seeking to address that.”

Mr Lloyd added that he is “painfully disappointed” that the processes outlined for disagreements between union members and the

Ministry of Education were not followed in this case.

Nonetheless, Mr Lloyd said if the industrial agreement in question is no longer serving its purpose, all parties need to sit down and come to a new agreement.

“This is deeply troubling; it is troubling because, one,

we have an agreement.

That agreement should be respected, if that agreement and its terms no longer serve the purpose for which it was originally intended and it does not serve those purposes today, they’re adults, we are reasonable, intelligent and smart people,” he said.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, November 5, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

DIWALI symbolises the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance

T

HIS week’s focus is not on an individual, but a group of people and what they taught me about humanity.

I have always been an open-minded person. I embrace many religions and cultures. I respect them and I learn from them. I hold on to the things that suit my perspective and I let go of things that do not. I am not held up on dogmas and conditioning handed down to me. I see the universal truth and the need for universal love to heal the ills of humanity.

So it was with open arms that I embraced an invitation to attend Diwali celebrations with the Indian community in The Bahamas for the fourth year. Dr Murthi Gali, an association member, keeps in contact with me and would call me when something pops up in his mind that he thinks I have the answer to, or sometimes just to say hello.

The opportunity he has allowed me to interact with a vibrant community who

Sharing in the light of Hindus’ greatest festival not only love their Indian culture, but they love The

Bahamas. “I am Bahamian!

I was born here!” said one

Funeral Service For

Fredricka Williams-Ferguson, 65 of Flamingo Gardens who died at the Princess Margaret Hospital on Sunday, October 20th, 2019 will be held on Thursday, November 7th, 2019, 10 a.m. at Coopers Terrace Cathedral, Coopers Terrace off Kemp Road.

Officiating will be Bishop Denczil Rolle. Interment will follow in Western Cemetery, Nassau Street.

She is survived by her Husband: Cedric Ferguson (Ding/ Danny); 2 Children: Shantell White & Omar Williams; Mother: Coral Williams; 7 Sister: Nathalie Williams, Charlene Deveaux, Linda Bourne, Lisa Richardson, Janet Bowe, Latoya Williams & Nakeba Williams; 11 Nieces: Kizzy Bullard, Zoe Cartwright, Garlyn Williams, Sgt. 2980 Requal Curry, Alexandra McKenize, Oprah Bourne, Bria Bourne, Barrinique Bourne, 3997 Riche’ Richardson, Turiea Deveaux & Tina Deveaux; 6 Nephews: Howard Walter Thompson Jr., ESQ, Kenrick Deveaux, Kendrick Deveaux, John Cartwright Sr., 3415 Felix Mckenize Jr. & 3029 Henrick Curry; Grandnephews: Ranardo Cooper, John Pierre, Brian Harvey III, Demitrius Ramsey, Alveiez & Lerone Davis, Breon Coakley, Chet Davis Jr., John Cartwright Jr., Raheem, Nasie & Sincere Deveaux, Taj & Tavey Deveaux; Grandnieces: Jade & Jasmine Stubbs, Jakayla & Malena Deveaux, Johntae Cartwright, Felicia Mckenzie, Albanique & Albanae Curry; Aunts: Pandora Stor, Dillis Storr & Dorothy Mackey; Uncles: Henry F. Storr, Charlie Storr & George Williams; Cousins: Troy & Jill Smith and Family , Garnel Shepard and Family, Kandice & Joel Smith and Family, Stephen Storr and Family, Pattie Sherman and Family, Alex Storr and Family, Kim Storr, Sandy Storr and Family, Freddie McKay and family, Don McKay and Family, Keith McKay and Family, Debbie McKay Cleare and Family, Sharee McKay and Family, Laverne Williams McKenny and Family, Delleriece Hall and Family, Deserea Taylor and Family, Jerome Williams and Family, George Williams and family, Tanya Williams and Family & Carla Williams; Mother-In-Law: Idell Ferguson; Sister-In-Law: Verdell Ferguson Rolle and family & Luenn Ferguson and family; Brother-In-Law: Joseph Ferguson and Family, Lenneth Ferguson and Family, Jason Ferguson and Family, Nevil Ferguson and Family & Stanley Ferguson and Family; A host of other Relatives & Friends including: The Storr Family, The Oliver Family, The Coakley Family, The Obrian Family, The Ferguson Family, Christopher Richardson and Family, Life Worship Center Family and the Ushers, Black point Family, Mason Addition Family, Ms. Reckley, Philip, PMH Accident & Emergency, Female Medical 2, Dr. Keith Rivers, Community Nurse Ms. Colebroke, Jerrad Simms, Sharlene Webb, Frank Williams and Family, Michael Trotman, Allison Cleare, Teen Scenes Camp Family, Ministry of Works: Building Controls Department, Mr. Lenny White and Family, The White Family, Margret Elizabeth McKay and Family, Honorable Frankie Campbell, Don Cartwright and Family, Anthony Brooks and Family, Annie Frandieu and Family & East Street Gospel Family.

Indian I spoke with on the night we celebrated Diwali.

Diwali is a festival of lights and is one of the most popular festivals of Hinduism. Nearly 80 percent of Indians identify as Hindu.

Diwali symbolises the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance”. In the lead-up to Diwali, celebrants will prepare by cleaning, renovating and decorating their homes and workplaces.

During the climax, revellers adorn themselves in the finest clothes, illuminate the interior and exterior of their homes with oil lamps or candles, light fireworks and prepare feasts.

Here in Nassau, Diwali celebrations took place at Breezes resort. First, participants took their lamplights out to the beach in a beautiful display, followed by fireworks. Events then moved to the ballroom and included a full cultural show followed by a wonderful buffet filled with traditional Indian dishes.

The Bhagavad Gita discourse presented by a young boy resulted in a standing ovation and loud cheers from the crowd.

Although quite young, Sohan Gowda memorised his part – an extensive explanation about what the Gita is, its significance in Hindu culture, how it is set up, and understanding the mythical stories entailed.

He explained that Bhagavad Gita means “song of God”. He told us that this ancient manuscript came about some 5,000 years ago.

He shared several moral lessons to take away from the manuscript. He executed his delivery without a mistake and used inflections and hand gestures, much to the delight of the crowd.

The children really stole the show with a series of entertaining and thoughtful performances. They included a boys group dance and a girls group dance, choreographed by Bindu Biswal. Vik and

Friends may pay their last respects at East Sunrise Mortuary, Baillou Hill Road & Cordeaux Avenue from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday and again at the Church from 9 a.m. on Thursday until service time.

THE FUN and colour of Diwali

Ashok Nair performed a melodic flute duet. Akhilan Subramaniam and Jiya Kotai performed solo dances; and Navaneet Biswal and Varchas Yadav performed a duet dance.

Each of these performances were unique and different and highlighted the beauty of Indian music, fashion and other cultural expressions.

The comedy performance by 11-year-old Navaneet Biswal on the ‘Nagging Indian Mother’ was hilarious, while the skit by team ICB was thoughtful and provoking.

The cultural performances were preceded by a light buffet of samosas, one of my favourite things to eat, as well as shrimp and vegetable spring rolls and pakora, which is battered and fried greens. The performances were followed by the feast buffet. It included West Indian pumkin soup with roti, paneer butter masala, tadka dal, vegetable biriyani, chicken tikka masala, butter chicken, lamb biriyani and an assortment of Indian sweets.

The outfits worn by the men, women and children were outstanding. Beautiful colours and fabrics and bright jewellery were accentuated by friendly smiles.

Similar to a Christmas celebration, all night you could hear: “Happy Diwali!”.

The great relationship between India and The Bahamas was underscored

by High Commissioner Sevala Naik when he attended last year. His office is stationed in Jamaica, but he serves The Bahamas and the region, and I am told by Dr Gali that he visited The Bahamas earlier in the year.

Since his credentials were presented to The Bahamas government in January 2017, Naik said he has been “touched by the warmth of the Bahamian people”.

“We greatly enjoy the beauty of the city Nassau including its clean beaches,” he said. “India and Bahamas have traditionally enjoyed very cordial and

friendly relations, which are based on historical Commonwealth linkages and strong democratic traditions. Both countries have convergence of views on various important contemporary issues, shared concerns, aspirations, and excellent cooperation at various multilateral fora.”

“I would like to place on record our deep gratitude and appreciation to the Government of The Bahamas particularly senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for extending visa on arrival for Indians travelling to the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. This liberal visa regime will boost visits from the Indian community for tourism, destination weddings and many other events. I am sure these trends are just beginning and will multiply in the days to come.”

He commended the Indians who live here, many of whom are “vibrant professionals”, including doctors and businessmen.

I attended St Augustine’s with a few students of Indian descent with whom I became friends, including Smirti Sharma, Simma Jagadeesh, Shilpa Shartia and Puja Bhatnagar.

Their parents were always supportive and pushing them to do their very best.

Like Navaneet said in his comedy, if your GPA is not up to standard in an Indian home (meaning better than their friends or other family members’ children, “their life is over”. It was a funny play on the importance that Indian families are known for putting on education. It has paid off well as Indians notoriously contribute well to fields such as medicine and engineering.

“Today with a population of 1.25 billion, over 1 billion mobile phone connections and over 1 billion biometric based National Identification cards (Aadhaar), India is witnessing rapid economic and social changes,” High Commissioner Naik told me.

“The country is going through a big transformation. The Indian government envisions transforming India into a “New India” — a strong, secure and prosperous nation where everyone has access to opportunities of development. In order to have these changes sustainable, India’s government launched four flagship programmes namely Digital India, Make in India, Clean India and Skill India and these are creating a renewed thrust on the domestic market.”

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, November 5, 2019, PAGE 9

Double rapist bids to overturn decision to dismiss his appeal

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net A DOUBLE rapist is seeking to have the Privy Council overturn a lower court’s decision to dismiss his appeal of one of his sentences without it hearing the matter.

Melvin Saunders has petitioned the London-based tribunal in a bid to prove the appellate court’s error in dismissing his appeal without holding an “oral hearing”.

In 1996, Saunders was sentenced to 14 years and 12 lashes for raping a woman. That came a year after he was sentenced to 25 years for raping another woman.

Saunders subsequently twice petitioned the Court of Appeal with regards to the 14-year sentence, once in 1997 and the other roughly two decades later.

In the second appeal Saunders’ assertion was that his remand time of 22 months was not taken into account either when he was sentenced or when he appealed to the appellate court in 1997.

However, the appellate judges unanimously dismissed his appeal, asserting they were not satisfied Saunders had “made out a case for us to interfere with the sentence imposed some 20 years ago”.

The appellate judges said had that point been raised before the Court of Appeal in 1997, the court would have dealt with it.

However, they said “in the absence of anything to the contrary”, the conclusion must have been “that it was not raised”.

According to a summary of the facts contained on the Privy Council’s official website, Saunders’ recent appeal was dismissed “without an oral hearing”.

He is thus challenging the Court of Appeal’s decision on that basis, as well as on the grounds that the trial was “vitiated” by a procedural error at the committal stage.

In particular, Saunders claims that his committal for trial was defective because the procedure for taking witness depositions did not comply with the then-applicable provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC).

Saunders further alleges various other defects in the trial process, such as a failure to provide samples of DNA evidence to the defence. He also claims the trial judge failed to invite submissions from his attorney during trial before proceeding to sentence him.

Lastly, he contends that it was not made “sufficiently clear” from what point his sentence should run, given that he was serving multiple other sentences concurrently at the time.

Saunders’ matter comes on for hearing on the 27th of this month.

In 2014, Saunders appeared before then-Senior Justice Jon Isaacs, now an appellate judge, on a constitutional motion founded on claims that he was being held in prison for longer that he lawfully should.

At the time, Saunders argued that the second sentence was improper based on the Court of Appeal’s decision in the Andrew Bridgewater case regarding punishment for first time and second and/or subsequent rape offences. In that case, seven years was ruled

POLICE CONFIRM CRASH VICTIM WAS WELL-KNOWN BUSINESSMAN

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama Police have officially released the name of the motorcyclist who died in a traffic accident last Thursday as 28-year-old Christoper (Palal) Cooper of Freeport.

Cooper was riding a Yamaha motorcycle around midnight on Thursday, October 31, on Seahorse Road when a traffic accident occurred involving a Honda vehicle. He was taken by EMS personnel to the Rand Memorial Hospital, but did not survive his injuries.

His death was a shock to

the many, including staff of Pollo Tropical and Burger King Ranfurly Circus where he was the manager of those businesses.

Cooper is the son of wellknown businessman Paxton Cooper, and the grandson of Hayward Cooper, owners of the KFC, Burger King, and Pollo Tropical franchises.

for the first offence and 14 years for the second and/or subsequent rape.

Mrs Farquharson-Seymour argued that, based on the law at the time and the ruling of the Court of Appeal, her client should have only been given 14

years imprisonment and that he ought to receive damages for the number of years that he was held unconstitutionally.

The lawyer did admit, when asked, that the flogging aspect of his punishment had not been

carried out. Nonetheless, Mrs Farquharson-Seymour concluded that her client had been agitating for his release for some time and was asking for the court to hear his motion “because a day in Fox Hill is quite hard.”

PAGE 10, Tuesday, November 5, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

IT LOOKS AS IF THE WHOLE WORLD’S IN PROTEST AT THE MOMENT MASS protest rallies and riots seem to be occurring around the world with increasing frequency.

A quick Google search reveals that large and often violent demonstrations involving civil disobedience on an unprecedented scale are currently taking place in some 20 different countries.

Some receive more publicity than others. The main ones appearing on television screens tend to be Hong Kong, Iraq, Lebanon, France, Spain, Venezuela, Chile and Ecuador, but others include Haiti, Algeria, Indonesia, Uganda, Bolivia, Ethiopia, Egypt

and Brazil – and then there are the peaceful climate change demonstrations in a range of different countries including Britain.

With such disturbances happening simultaneously in so many countries, the question inevitably arises whether this is a random phenomenon or that there is some sort of common theme. From the evidence, there can be little doubt the internet and social media enable a degree of coordination and publicity which inspires others and that grievances vary according to the country. But the core emphasis seems to be

dissatisfaction with the political and economic arrangements for governing people in different parts of the world.

Some complain about high taxes, inflation, the cost of living and price increases. Others are demonstrating about issues like human rights abuses and discrimination against the poor and disadvantaged, corruption by governments and the looting of public funds by politicians. More broadly, some are unhappy about how society in some countries is run for the benefit of the wealthy and well-connected at

the top of the tree and how economic benefits are distributed unfairly.

As I mentioned in last week’s column, young people, in particular, with higher expectations and a sense of entitlement are showing a readiness to question the status quo and are emboldened to challenge authority in the struggle against corruption and the abuse of power. They seek greater government transparency and are demanding that powerful political elites - many of whom are seen as being unprincipled and dishonest in feathering

their own nests rather than serving the people - should be subject to greater public scrutiny and should be held accountable for their actions.

None of this is new, of course.

Throughout history there have always been demonstrations that bring about political and economic change. Think, for example, of the civil rights marches in the US and, more recently, the Arab Spring in the 2000s. But, the current widespread unrest seems to be on a different scale - it should surely serve as a stern message to politicians everywhere.

Over to the voters at last - and anything could happen “T

HERE is a widespread view in the country that this Parliament has run its course.”

These strong words by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson have been finally heeded by his fellow MPs who have voted overwhelmingly that the nation should go to the polls on December 12 – and many ordinary people, who have lost patience with the political class and their outright obstruction of the UK’s departure from the EU that has resulted in disruption and division, say that this will be none too soon.

The unending political drama during the threeand-a-half years since the electorate voted in a referendum - albeit by a relatively small margin - to leave the EU has been well publicised in the international media. But to reach past the sound bites and sometimes misleading headlines it might be helpful to look at the facts in relation to Britain’s forthcoming General Election.

Going to the polls and, in effect, asking the people for their current views may be the only way to determine whether a majority

The Peter Young column still want the outcome of the 2016 referendum to be implemented. It has also become clear a demoralised and irritated public wants to haul politicians out of the morass of obfuscation that they themselves have created. A deadlocked Parliament is perceived as having thwarted Brexit and thus the will of the people, and this has led to the man in the street wondering how such a situation has developed in one of the world’s oldest and most successful democracies.

Since becoming leader of the Conservative Party and

Prime Minister barely three months ago, Mr Johnson has endured a baptism of fire. He has been unable to deliver Brexit by the deadline of October 31 agreed with the EU. But most observers consider he has nonetheless acquitted himself well.

Displaying a welcome robustness with his direct and folksy way of addressing individuals and groups alike - not least in the fearsome bear pit of a House of Commons where political opponents are seated facing one another as adversaries - he has been adept at producing down-to-earth, accurate and well-informed responses to the questions thrown at him.

As one commentator put it, Mr Johnson exudes energy, optimism and bonhomie. Through a mix of charm and firmness in threatening to walk away from the EU without a deal, he has succeeded in reaching a new accord with Brussels after EU leaders had said the earlier withdrawal agreement negotiated by his predecessor, Theresa May, could not be reopened.

His agreed deal may not differ much from hers, but it does so in one important respect; namely, by establishing a form of regulatory

control and customs border between Northern Ireland and Britain, he has eliminated the ill-fated Irish backstop which would have trapped the whole of the UK in the EU’s customs union and thus prevented it from doing its own trade deals post-Brexit.

Now, despite the polls showing at least a 10 percent lead for the Tories over the Labour main opposition, led by Jeremy Corbyn and which is split over Brexit, there remains the danger of a hung parliament with neither side winning a clear majority.

But at this early stage of the election campaign the polls differ as public opinion is volatile. This first December election in Britain for 100 years is said to be hard to predict because, instead of the two main parties going head-to-head which has been the norm in recent years, there are now other significant players in the shape of the resurgent Liberal Democrats who want to cancel Brexit altogether, the Sottish National Party who are likewise against Brexit and the Democratic Unionist Party in Northern Ireland who are unhappy with Mr Johnson’s deal.

There are also the Greens as well as Plaid Cymru in Wales and the Brexit Party,

PRIME Minister Boris Johnson has had a baptism of fire led by Nigel Farage, which performed so well in the European Parliament elections last May. It is rumoured the smaller Remain-supporting parties will form an anti-Tory pact in some constituencies.

But all of these will anyway take votes from the Tories and Labour, and the Brexit Party may split the Leave vote in constituencies the Tories would normally be expected to win. Another significant factor is that some constituencies in the traditional Labour heartlands of the Midlands and north of England voted to leave the EU and may, for that reason, now support the Tories.

Thus, the picture is far from clear. But the election will not just be about Brexit. Everything will be up for grabs and the Tories, as the champions of enterprise and innovation, are already making promises about the economy, welfare and pensions, education, housing, crime, law and order and extra police.

As well as pushing through his Brexit deal, which is, realistically, the best one available, Mr Johnson needs a sufficient

majority to deliver his political agenda during a full five-year term. It is still the case, however, that much of the UK electorate tends to vote based on ‘tribe and tradition’ rather than on ideas.

So Mr Corbyn, despite his extreme hard-left policies and Labour’s alleged antisemitism, will always attract the core Labour vote as well as those persuaded by his promises of socialist state control, higher taxes on the rich, redistribution of wealth and eradication of poverty.

Commentators are already saying this is likely to be a nasty and mean-spirited election campaign amid a rising tide of anger against MPs. The nation cannot continue in the current state of limbo so a conclusive outcome to the election is essential. Nothing is ever perfect, but I believe the best way of protecting the interests of the country as a whole is for Mr Johnson to gain a working majority to enable him to secure Brexit and to strengthen his hand, after a transition period, in negotiating a trade deal with the EU. What a Christmas present that would turn out to be!

BANZAI BOKS SPOIL ENGLAND’S DREAM SADLY for supporters of England’s fine national rugby union team, last week’s euphoria after a famous semi-final victory over the then world champions, the New Zealand All Blacks, turned out to be short lived. In Saturday’s final England faced a powerful South Africa who won 32-12. They also beat England in 2007 when the ‘Rainbow Nation’ won a second world cup having triumphed for the first time against New Zealand in the 1995 event.

As I wrote in this column more than a month ago, this year’s world cup in Japan has been a considerable success with excellent facilities and impeccable organisation despite having to deal with the effects of a powerful typhoon in the middle of the tournament.

In the final, the England team was unable to reproduce its magnificent display against New Zealand. But in rugby, as an extreme contact sport, a team often only plays as well as its opponents allow it to do.

The South African team the Springboks - played to its undoubted strengths of a powerful pack of forwards which managed to keep control of the ball for long periods. It also displayed a formidable defence which

towards the end of the first half successfully withstood a sustained attack by the England forwards close to its try line. If that period of play, at an important stage of the match, had resulted in a converted try worth seven points, the outcome might have been very different.

At half-time the score was only 12-6 based on an exchange of penalty goals.

South Africa scored two tries in the second half which wrapped up the game for them and they deserved to win, playing the better rugby on the day.

But for some of the British press to label England’s performance as an ‘embarrassment’ was clearly wide of the mark if not patently absurd, and one wonders how such sports correspondents can so inadequately misrepresent what happened.

Although falling at the last hurdle, England had a very good world cup in reaching the final after beating two of the top rugby teams in the world – Australia as well as New Zealand. So it was good to read in the UK newspapers that their coach, Eddie Jones, is staying on to take them to even greater glory in the next world cup in 2023.

THE TRIBUNE

REMEMBRANCE DAY ASSEMBLY AT SCHOOL

TA Thompson High School helds its Remembrance Day assembly yesterday where the guest speaker Adina Munroe-Charlow.

Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff

Tuesday, November 5, 2019, PAGE 11

PAGE 12, Tuesday, November 5, 2019

THE TRIBUNE

WORST IS YET TO COME IN BRAZILIAN OIL SPILL

STORM MOVES HISTORIC BARGE STUCK ABOVE NIAGARA FALLS

RIO DE JANEIRO Associated Press

NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario

Associated Press

PARKS officials are monitoring a centuryold grounded barge that briefly broke loose during a storm last week in the river just above Niagara Falls. WGRZ says the rusty iron scow had been stuck since 1918 on rocks in the upper rapids above the Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side.

High winds and rain last Thursday dislodged it before it got stuck again.

The Washington Post says it was originally about a third of a mile from the brink of Horseshoe Falls. Then it moved about 164 feet downstream and became lodged again.

A CENTURY-old barge has shifted slightly in the St Lawrence River above the Niagara Falls

US poised to pull out of Paris climate deal WASHINGTON Associated Press

THE United States has told the United Nations it has begun the process of pulling out of the landmark 2015 Paris climate agreement.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said yestertday that he submitted a formal notice to the United Nations. That starts a withdrawal process that does not become official for a year. His statement touted America’s carbon pollution cuts and called the Paris deal an “unfair economic burden” to the US economy.

Nearly 200 nations signed the climate deal in which each country provides its own goals to curb

emissions of heat-trapping gases that lead to climate change.

“In international climate discussions, we will continue to offer a realistic and pragmatic model — backed by a record of real world results — showing innovation and open markets lead to greater prosperity, fewer emissions, and more secure sources of energy,” Pompeo said in a statement.

With a hand-delivered letter, the US is the first nation to pull out of the deal. Agreement rules prevented any country from pulling out in the first three years after the November 4, 2016, ratification.

President Donald Trump has been promising withdrawal for two years, but yesterday was the

first time he could actually do it.

Trump’s decision was condemned as a reckless failure of leadership by environmental experts, activists and critics such as former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

“Donald Trump is the worst president in history for our climate and our clean air and water,” said Michael Brune, the executive director of the Sierra Club. “Long after Trump is out of office, his decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement will be seen as a historic error.”

The agreement set goals of preventing another 0.9 degrees to 1.8 degrees of warming from current levels. Even the pledges made in 2015 weren’t enough to prevent

those levels of warming. The deal calls for nations to come up with more ambitious pollution cuts every five years, starting in November 2020. Because of the expected withdrawal, the US role in 2020 negotiations will be reduced, experts said.

Climate change, largely caused by the burning of coal, oil and gas, has already warmed the world by 1.8 degrees since the late 1800s, caused massive melting of ice globally, triggered weather extremes and changed ocean chemistry. And scientists say, depending on how much carbon dioxide is emitted, it will only get worse by the end of the century, with temperatures jumping by several degrees and oceans rising by close to 3 feet.

BRAZILIAN authorities said yesterday that they have no way of knowing how much more oil will wash ashore the country’s northeastern coast, despite President Jair Bolsonaro’s ominous warning during a TV interview that “the worst is yet to come”.

In the interview, Bolsonaro also stuck to the government’s assertion that a Greek freighter caused the oil spill scattered across beaches along 1,300 miles of coastline even after the shipowner’s denial of any leakage from its vessel. “All signs point to this Greek cargo ship. All of them,” he told Record TV, adding that the leak, “by all accounts looks like it was criminal.”

Brazil’s government has been striving to investigate the cause of the spill that has hit 321 beaches along the northeast coast since early September, hurting fishing and tourism.

Authorities have described the spill as one of the country’s worst environmental disasters. The crude’s density renders it invisible from above, making it hard to track its origin or to have a clear picture of the amount of oil yet to reach Brazil’s coast.

Some 4,000 tons of oil has been collected from northeastern beaches thus far, according to a statement Sunday from the Navy, Brazil’s environmental regulator, and the national petroleum agency.

“To say how much oil there still is very difficult to say,” Commander Leonardo Puntel of the Brazilian Navy said. “Since the oil is underwater, we don’t know if there’s still a lot or a little.

There is effectively no correct and accurate way to monitor these oil spots.”