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VOLUME:116 No.222, NOVEMBER 12th, 2019
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1
WOMAN: HATS OFF TO THE KENTUCKY DERBY
Loretta - I knew deal looked fishy
‘I feel vindicated for asking where money was going’ By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A FORMER Opposition leader yesterday said the probe into bribery allegations involving the Defence Force’s new $150m fleet had “absolutely vindicated” concerns she first raised five years ago. Loretta Butler-Turner told Tribune Business that “Bahamians should be very concerned as to where this goes” since it “can leave quite a blemish on
the country’s reputation” should the claims ultimately be proven true. The former Cabinet minister and MP spoke out after The Tribune confirmed that Bahamian law enforcement authorities have been co-operating with Dutch investigators probing whether the Netherlands-based manufacturer of nine Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) ships paid bribes to secure the deal and similar contracts with other Caribbean countries. SEE PAGE THREE
ACTING Prime Minister Peter Turnquest says that there is no need for vitriol and prejudice towards undocumented immigrants, as he stressed the government’s responsibility to enforce the country’s immigration laws. He was responding to Operation Sovereign
Bahamas’ protest in front of Kendal GL Isaacs Gymnasium on Saturday, where a group of outraged protesters demanded that undocumented Haitian migrants be sent home. The gym has been housing storm victims since Hurricane Dorian displaced thousands of residents from Abaco and Grand Bahama in early September. SEE PAGE SIX
By LEANDRA ROLLE lrolle@tribunemedia.net
POLICE in New Providence are investigating the circumstances of a shooting that left a man dead yesterday. According to reports, shortly after 1am, a man and a woman arrived at their residence on Ashley Close, off Hawk Ridge Road, when a gunman shot the man multiple times before fleeing. The injured man was taken to hospital, but died from his injuries shortly afterwards. The woman was not injured. The Tribune understands the victim is 30-year-old, father-of-three, Antonio “Reds” Saunders, however his identity was not released by police. SEE PAGE THREE
NO INSURANCE COVER FOR 80 PERCENT IN DORIAN By YOURI KEMP
‘NO PLACE HERE FOR PREJUDICE’ By SYANN THOMPSON Tribune Staff Reporter sthompson@tribunemedia.net
THREE LEFT ORPHANED AS GUNMAN OPENS FIRE
KEEPING A PROMISE FACE-TO-FACE: Daniella Forbes, her husband Ryan and their two sons survived Hurricane Dorian when the storm hit Abaco. Today, they are heading home and plan to establish a church on the island. Read Felicity Ingraham’s brilliant interview on Page 8
UP TO 80 percent of private homes and businesses devastated by Hurricane Dorian were uninsured, the deputy prime minister revealed yesterday, creating an unsustainable burden for the state. Peter Turnquest said the failure to properly insure meant that a “significant loss” event would likely transfer the costs of rebuilding and restoration to the government and Bahamian taxpayer. He described this as “neither tenable nor budgeted for”, and a trend that could threaten both The Bahamas’ fiscal stability and its sovereign credit rating if the government was forced to pick up an increasing proportion of restoration costs that should be borne by the private sector. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
LANISHA PAYS OUT IN PIN FIASCO By SYANN THOMPSON Tribune Staff Reporter sthompson@tribunemedia.net MINISTER of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle has paid back the government for the commemorative pins bearing her image that were handed out at a Youth Parliament event. The Tribune understands that Mrs Rolle paid the $580.42 on November 6, the same day Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis told the
LANISHA ROLLE House of Assembly that the government should not have paid for the pins and
confirmed that the minister would be expected to pay. About a week ago the controversial commemorative pin bearing Mrs Rolle’s image surfaced on social media – they were given to those who participated in Youth Parliament last month at a courtesy call. Dr Minnis said last week: “In view of what has been personalised, because it was a personal picture on the medal, the government
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
SEE PAGE THREE
PETER YOUNG
WE OWE SO MUCH TO THOSE WHO SERVED
SEE PAGE TEN
PAGE 2, Tuesday, November 12, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
CULTURAL FUN
PEOPLE were out in force, enjoying the 2nd Annual Central Bank Cultural Festival. Photos: Donavan McIntosh
THE TRIBUNE
A5MAIN Tuesday, November 12, 2019, PAGE 3
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, November 11, 2019, PAGE 5
$9.5M DEAL TO BUILD NEW BRIDGE IN NORTH ANDROS
A $9.6M CONTRACT has been signed for the construction of a new bridge in North Andros. The Ministry of Works and Bahamas Marine Construction signed the deal for the bridge to improve travel between mainland Andros and the settlement of Staniard Creek. It is also said it will provide greater protection for marine life in North Andros. The length of the contract is expected to be 15 months and was awarded after a competitive tender process. “The existing concrete bridge is in a critically poor condition and replacement is urgently required,” said Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis at the signing ceremony on Friday. The existing bridge provides
ecosystems in Andros which have become severely affected from the construction of road causeways across them. “They have often been constructed with insufficient openings provided, such as culverts and bridges, to allow for uninterrupted water flow,” said the Prime Minister. “This often results in severe affects to the natural aquatic ecosystem which include increased sedimentation in the creeks, modification of the mangroves, and decreased fish larvae in the lagoon.” Because of the existing bridge’s considerable dam effect on the creek, the new bridge has been relocated to a more favorable location, about 475 feet north of
the existing causeway, said the Prime Minister. As a part of the bridge replacement project, a series of bridge culverts will be constructed on the causeway, east of Queen’s Highway on the approach to the bridge site. The culvert will improve the water flow in the area and allow the natural regeneration in the ecosystem with the natural flushing out of the creek occurring. The new bridge will be constructed as a 180ft structure spanning the entire waterway channel. Dredging will be done in the creek channel to reinstate the water flow. The existing utility services will be relocated from the old site to the new bridge.
Additionally, there will be road improvements in the vicinity of the new bridge. The road causeway reconstruction will raise the road profile in the vicinity of the culvert. A new boat ramp and timber dock structure also will be constructed. “I look forward to returning to Andros for the signing of other contracts and to be a part of ensuring that Andros is given every opportunity and the support needed for sustainable growth and development,” said the Prime Minister. “In areas such as ecotourism, farming, the generation of renewable energy and other areas; Andros has extraordinary potential.”
Loretta knew deal looked fishy from page one She yesterday said the late Bernard Nottage, then-minister of national security, and other members of the former Christie administration had been “very dismissive” when she voiced fears that the deal with Damen Shipyard Group (DSG) was overpriced - especially since it was paying more for fewer vessels than the last Ingraham government had sought to order. Mrs Butler-Turner, in particular, argued at the time that $8m was “unaccounted for in terms of costs” although Mr Nottage subsequently said
this had been set aside to cover any unanticipated change in the project’s scope of works Now, urging the government to be “very co-operative” with the Dutch investigation, Mrs Butler-Turner said it needed to apply greater scrutiny when dealing with large multimillion dollar contracts with international vendors to ensure nothing untoward happens. With the Defence Force fleet claims following swiftly behind the $300,000 Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC) bribe case, she called on the current and future governments to properly protect taxpayers
by ensuring “value for money” with all contracts. “I really had a lot of questions regarding that,” she recalled of the Defence Force fleet deal. “If I’m not mistaken they paid $8m more, and I questioned why that was given that the number of boats was less but they [the Christie administration] were paying a higher amount. “They were very dismissive and very vague was to why the numbers changed. It raised a lot of concerns for me, and here we are today understanding that some probe is going on into that.” Mrs Butler recalled that the last Ingraham administration planned to
spend $132m on acquiring 11 new Defence Force vessels, but its successor - which ultimately signed the contract with Damen -purchased just nine for a higher $149m sum. Dutch investigators first raided Damen, the Netherlands’ largest shipyard, in 2017 in relation to the probe. It is understood to centre on $13m in commissions that the government allegedly paid to a Barbados-based company, NSG Management & Technical Services Ltd, which acted as Damen’s local agent in negotiations with the Bahamas and other Caribbean countries. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
HUBERT Minnis at the announcement
the only vehicular link between mainland Andros and Staniard Creek. Dr Minnis said there are a number of natural creek
Probe into Defence Force vessels deal INVESTIGATION INCLUDES TRINIDAD & TOBAGO By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE Damen Shipyard Group is based in Gorinchem, Netherlands from page one between 2014 and 2016. This included $6.6m in 2014, $4.7m in 2015 and $2.94m in 2016. The commission fees represented more than 12 percent of DSG’s total contract value - and that raised red flags among officials. Investigators also obtained documents showing that DSG’s external auditor, EY, raised concerns over the contracts. EY believed the commissions were too high and noted they exceeded the five percent of a contract’s value prescribed by DSG’s own internal documents. Auditors also struggled to determine what work NSG performed to warrant the
commissions. When they tried to audit the company, NSG was non-cooperative, The Tribune understands. The Dutch began a global corruption investigation into DSG in 2015 based on information received from the World Bank and EY. Investigators raided DSG’s offices in Gorinchem and Rotterdam in January 2017, seizing large amounts of administration and digital data. It was those materials that sparked their investigation into DSG’s alleged bribery of public officials in the Caribbean. NSG’s beneficial owner is Stephen Robert Hobson, a UK citizen living in Barbados. Auditors, reviewing NSG’s financial statements for 2014 and 2015, found that
the company paid $11.8m in 2014 and 2015 to SRH Consultancy Services Inc. According to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists’ offshore leaks database, SRH Consultancy services Inc was registered in The Bahamas and Stephen Robert Hobson was listed as its director/president. According to investigators, Mr Hobson refused to give insight into the nature of the transfers, with the transfers vaguely described as consultancy fees and commission in NSG’s books. The anti-corruption division of the Dutch National Prosecutor’s Office for serious fraud, environmental crime and asset confiscation is leading the investigation.
In May 2018, Dutch officials requested that Bahamian representatives attend a July 2018 co-ordination meeting involving officials from the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago and The Bahamas. It is not clear if any Bahamian official attended the meeting. Attorney General Carl Bethel declined to comment yesterday. Keith Bell, the former State Minister for National Security, said he found the allegations baffling. “Nothing of that nature was ever brought to my attention,” he said when contacted.
HOW The Tribune broke the news yesterday Editorial View - Page 4
CONSUMERS UNHAPPY AFTER BPL REVEALS LOAD SHEDDING SCHEDULE
Trio deny huge jewelley theft By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
A DAY after consumers criticised Bahamas Power and Light over its announcement of an additional charge to monthly bills, the power provider released an extensive load shedding schedule for dozens of homes and businesses in New Providence on Friday. A series of load shedding was to affect areas across New Providence - with BPL saying the schedule was subject to change due to varying conditions, including increased availability or changes in system loading. The load shedding schedule, posted on BPL’s Facebook page, drew criticism from many. One user said: “But wait..light bill increasing along with load shedding? Really??”
“And y’all really want us to accept an increase in the bill for electricity that can barely stay on?” another user posted. “Y’all still doing this?? And I just saw some crap bout bill increase…” read another comment. Yesterday, further areas were affected, with BPL saying those areas were offline due to bad weather conditions. Areas affected included Tropical Gardens, Manchester Street, Blair Estates, Woodlawn Steet, Darling Plum Grove Road, Robinson Road and Pine Barren Road. On Wednesday, electricity consumers were told to brace for an “adjustment” to their bills with an extra charge as Bahamas Power & Light confirmed plans for its mammoth $650m-plus refinancing. Dr Donovan Moxey, the
state-owned utility’s chairman, promised that the proposed Rate Reduction Bond issue will ultimately result in “better outcomes” for all Bahamian households and businesses even though the “structure” of electricity bills will change. A BPL statement quoted Dr Moxey as saying the new billing structure would “function as a short-term deposit” that will ultimately enable consumers to enjoy longer term savings from reduced fuel costs and more efficient generation plant. However, legislation to facilitate the Rate Reduction Bond (RRB) issue makes clear that BPL’s customer base will be relied upon to service what is essentially a doubling of the debt burden associated with the utility to secure its financial future.
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
BRANDON Bastian outside court yesterday
THREE LEFT ORPHANED AS GUNMAN OPENS FIRE from page one The victim’s sister, who wanted to be identified only as Ms Saunders, said her brother was a good person who loved life. “He’s a loving people’s person, no gang person, (and) has a personality to die for. He always have a smile on his face no matter what the situation is. He’s the life of the party. He loves to dress up (and) once you and him link up, it’s a party... he live his life, they didn’t have to kill my brother,” she told The Tribune. Yesterday’s killing pushed the country’s murder count to 89 for the year, according to The Tribune’s records. As of November 9, 2018, there were 76 homicides,
meaning murders have increased 17 percent, according to this newspaper’s analysis. Police on New Providence are also investigating a separate stabbing incident which left a man in hospital. According to reports, shortly after 10am on Sunday, a man was on Bernard Road when he was approached by a group of men, one of whom stabbed him about his body. The victim was able to escape from the men and ran into a nearby restaurant. He was taken to hospital and is listed in stable condition. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991/2 or Crime stoppers hotline at 328-TIPS (8477).
THE Dutch investigation does not involve The Bahamas alone - it also involve Trinidad & Tobago. A contract for T&T’s Coast Guard, signed on March 16, 2015, facilitated the construction of 12 vessels for multi-million dollar sums. The Dutch investigation has found that NSG Management & Technical Services Ltd sent Damen Shipyards Group 13 invoices related to the project for a total of $19.4m. Auditor EY further noted a total commission commitment worth 13 percent of the contract’s value, The Tribune understands. Investigators believed that T&T’s former Minister of National Security, Jack Warner, was involved in the granting of the vessel construction contract. Since the 1980s, Mr Warner has been repeatedly accused of corruption. He was vice-president of the FIFA and president of CONCACAF until his suspension and eventual resignation. CONCACAF published an Integrity Committee report into him which concluded that he committed fraud against CONCACAF and FIFA. In 2015, he was indicted by the US Department of Justice and accused of wire fraud, racketeering and money laundering. He was arrested and bailed pending extradition to the US. In a recent interview with the Trinidad Express, Mr Warner denied involvement in corruption relating to the DSG deal, saying the deal was agreed and signed after
TWO customs officers were charged yesterday with stealing thousands of dollars worth of jewellery by reason of employment. A third person, the wife of one of the officers, was charged alongside her husband with receiving the stolen property. Customs officers Brandon Bastian, 27, and Rondeno Ferguson, 27, pleaded not guilty to the theft charges. It is alleged that on October 29 and October 30, they stole jewellery worth $29,944 that belonged to John Bull, a luxury goods store, which they accessed through their employment. It is also alleged that on November 6, they stole jewellery worth $20,666 ABOVE: Rondeno Ferguson; Below: Jewel Bastian. from John Bull. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff Prosecutors allege that on November 6 Mr Bastian and his wife, Jewel Bastian, 27, dishonestly received three Cartier watches worth $10,882, the property of John Bull. They were also charged with dishonestly receiving four Movado watches worth $3,603 belonging to John Bull. They were further charged with dishonestly receiving a Cartier sunglasses worth $463, the property of John Bull. The trio elected to have their case tried in the Magistrates Court. They were remanded to prison and must seek bail from the Supreme Court. Following their arraignment, they broke down in tears during the brief moments they spent with their family before police escorted them out the courtroom.
he had already resigned as minister, even though he advised Cabinet to sign off on it before he left office. “One thing I know, they didn’t bribe me,” he reportedly said. “I was accepting of them based on their reputation and the recommendation of the committee.” For his part, Stephen Hobson, president of NSG, told a newspaper, the Netherlands NRC Handesblad, that he is not aware that his company is under investigation, according to the Trinidad Express. “No, we are not and never have been,” he said on November 8. “I am not aware of any such investigation into NSG or me. NSG is my life’s work. I would welcome such investigations as I am certain they can find no trace of any corruption. I have always acted with complete professionalism and integrity.” T&T’s Attorney General Faris Al-Rawl told reporters in that country that he attended a meeting last year in the Netherlands to discuss the status of the DSG investigation. “I am not committed to going to those particulars and in my capacity as attorney general for Trinidad and Tobago and also the Central Authority,” he reportedly said. “As you know, in the capacity of Central Authority, in particular, it is facilitating requests as well as local requests and, as such, it would be improper for me to disclose the full particulars of the matters.” Mr Al-Rawl said he attended the meeting alongside an Attorney General from another Caribbean country, though he did not specify the country or identify the AG.
MINNIS HEADS FOR BRUSSELS
LANISHA PAYS OUT OVER PINS
A FLAG Day was held at St Augustine’s College on Friday - an annual event at the school. Governor General Cornelius A Smith attended, and spoke to students before raising the national flag. The school flag was also raised at the event - with Catholic Archbishop Patrick Pinder taking on the flag-raising duties.
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis will leave the country for Brussels, in Belgium, today to officially open the Embassy of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas Mission to the European Union. While there, the prime minister is expected to meet with the Secretary-General and Commission of Ambassadors of the African Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, and the European Commission’s Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management. The Cabinet Office said in a press statement on Friday a delegation will accompany Dr Minnis consisting of senior government officials, including Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield; Attorney General and Minister of Legal Affairs Carl Bethel; and Minister of Financial Services, Trade & Industry and Immigration Elsworth Johnson. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest will act as prime minister in Dr Minnis’ absence. He returns to The Bahamas on Friday, November 15.
from page one shouldn’t have paid for anything that was personalised, therefore the minister will reimburse the government.” Mrs Rolle has been the centre of recent criticisms which include her alleged undermining of the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence. Last week Junkanoo groups got together and rushed at what was called a rebuke of the Seabreeze MP. The JCNP said that the Junkanoo groups have been disrespected by the minister and their authority to manage the country’s premier cultural event undermined. To date, they have had a difficult relationship with the minister in handling Junkanoo and asked the prime minister to intervene. Speaking on the Junkanoo issue last week, Dr Minnis said: “Both the minister and I would have had ongoing discussions about Junkanoo leaders and the decision is Junkanoo will not change at this particular time as we are moving into the Junkanoo season. However, in February, the minister and the JCNP and all the relevant agencies will have a discussion as to the way forward so that by the end of March we would know the way forward with respect to Junkanoo, because changes must occur, and this must be discussed and agreed upon by all the relevant parties.”
PAGE 4, Tuesday, November 12, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
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Nasty little protests need to be controlled WE suppose it was only a matter of time before the real ugly face of racism showed itself on our streets. ON Saturday night as Hurricane Dorian evacuees settled in to another night at the crammed Kendal G.L. Isaacs Gymnasium, outside gathered a small group to voice their true feelings to the world. Their message to the mostly Haitianorigin families inside was simple - go back to Haiti. What a wonderful, brotherly Christian attitude to show to people who have lost literally everything. “No more citizenship; no more work permit,” was one of their chants. Hold on a minute. Are they demanding citizenship be granted where people are eligible, that they be rejected simply because they or their parents or grandparents came from Haiti? Similarly, no more work permits? Why should a Haitian be cut off from following due process and securing permission to be employed here? The argument that this new “advocacy group” - Operation Sovereign Alliance - is protesting simply to have a gymnasium returned to the general public simply doesn’t wash. They want these people gone. For ever. And the door shut as firmly as possible on any other Haitians reaching our shores. This is the underlying mantra for many “true Bahamians”. Since the FNM was elected in 2017 the government has been stoking this fire. Prime Minister Hubert Minnis set the fuse burning with his “Get out by Christmas” declaration. Then came court battles for individuals and families, fights to stop shanty towns being demolished, planes being filled to take people “home”. Then Dorian and the Haitian-Bahamians - legal or otherwise - were thrown at the government’s mercy. There was a few weeks amnesty as thousands were moved to New Providence, Eleuthera and elsewhere – then slowly the expulsions began. Not quick enough, it seems, for Adrian Francis and his OSB pals. The real danger with nasty little protests like this is their contamination spreads. Imagine in a few weeks or months time the 200 or so who are now in Kendal Isaacs are still there. Doubtless some anti-Haitians are
going to feel they are not being listened to, that the evacuees are exploiting our hospitality. Their frustration may turn to anger. Then what does a Saturday-night protest become. A bit of chanting, a bit of drink thrown in and it’s not too hard to imagine impatience becomes violence. Attorney General Carl Bethel on Sunday recognised that demonstrations like Saturday’s have no place here, saying it was not “advisable for people to demonstrate against common humanity”. “People were are in distress because of a natural disaster are deserving of the attention of the state as they are in distress,” he said. Welcome words which we wished could have played a bigger role in the post-Dorian world with regards to how we have been treating Haitian evacuees. Acting Prime Minister Peter Turnquest also tried to calm tempers yesterday insisting those with a legitimate right to be here will be protected. Those who are here illegally should leave. We have no problem with this so long as due process is followed in all cases. This was the danger from the minute Dorian moved away. Many of those who had documents will have lost them and will immediately have feared what was going to happen to them when they come up against the Immigration Department. Would they be believed or simply judged to have been living here illegally and sent for deportation. There’s a dark, worrying flip side to all this. Haiti is in a truly desperate position. No working government, no economy, rampant violence – a place none of us would dare to live. If protests like OSB continue, possibly with violence; if deportations continue; with the PM declaring ‘no Haitians in my domes’; with a huge fence going up around the Mudd to stop rebuilding and to keep people out –- will our Haitian brothers simply sit there and do nothing? The bishops were steaming under their collars recently at the idea of a gay pride march through the streets of Nassau. Imagine the response if the Haitian community stood up and said ‘What about us? This isn’t fair? What do you think would happen then? Worry isn’t it - for everyone.
Daniella’s new chapter PLEASE take time to read today’s Face to Face with young mother Daniella Forbes. For those who lived through Dorian in Abaco and Grand Bahama hers will be a familiar story. For hours she clung on to her children and her husband, neighbours next to them as the building they were in was literally torn apart. All they could do was pray, harder than they prayed for anything in their lives. When the storm passed they emerged to a scene of utter devastation, bodies
all around, their lives seemingly changed for ever. Today though Daniella and her family are writing a new chapter. They are heading back to Marsh Harbour to pick up their lives in the church. In the midst of the tempest Daniella accepted she may die but swore to devote her life to God if she and her family made it through. Today she’s keeping that promise and all of us here at The Tribune wish her and her family the very best for what hopefully is an untroubled future.
Talking at the wheel EDITOR, The Tribune DIDN’T we ban the use of cellphones when driving? Not any difference from what I see but then you never see a police vehicle let alone a traffic cop except for their once a month licence check. Suggest that law was all PR. Have you noticed our Ministers all have new suits…dey looking smart… boy Jos.A.Banks and Mens
Warehouse must have made a killing…what’s this new thing for the British-styled stripped shirt? West Bay planting flowering trees after removal of casuarinas - Editor suggest our National tree, Yellow Elder…There is another less known tree which can withstand sea spray and found in the Caribbean Cordia, a nice sharp orange flower grows fast..but we need something.
Tourism ads, since Dorian saw some on a Chicago Network absolutely no mention of The Bahamas being open to business…dah MOT messed up after Dorian and the world thought even Nassau was flattened. BTC…is there an out of order service or you call Aliv? W THOMPSON Nassau November 7, 2019
Why not pay schools by results? EDITOR, The Tribune NO ONE in his/her right mind could or should blame the Hon. Minister of Education, Jeffrey Lloyd (FNM-South Beach) for the dismal state of the educational plant in The Bahamas today and the terrible national grades. This phenomenon has come about due to any number of factors. With your leave, Editor, allow me to flesh out one or two of them. Respective to the perennial disrepairs of the physical school buildings, successive administrations have allowed the Ministry of Works to evolve as the “general contractor” for all publicly owned buildings, inclusive of schools. The layers of bureaucracy within that and other ministries is a guarantee for disaster. The MOW is and has been challenged for eons, irrespective of the particular Minister. In fact and reality, few Ministers actually ‘run’ their ministries. It is clear that regular assessments as to the state of repairs of the bulk of our schools are not done on a timely basis. There is then this mad rush, each year, by MOW and assorted selected contractors, mostly of whom are known supporters of the political administration of the day. Allegedly, grossly inflated invoices for slack workmanship are then submitted and paid. Agreed contractual times often run right out and work is still being done on the day schools reopen. This is under Lloyd’s remit but he’s not expected to personally visit and inspect each of the myriad school buildings in the nation. The entrenched civil servants have long become accustomed to doing their own thing regardless of cost cutting measures and adherence to efficiency and productivity. In the majority of the cases, they are not checking and the minister,
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net alas, could remain clueless if he/she is only about political posturing. Brother Lloyd is a professional educator; a devout man of God; a decent husband and father; a long time community activist and builder. As such, I am more than persuaded that he– despite the occasional political off the cuff gaffes – is focused about matters within his remit. So to blame the minister for the national grade average is ludicrous. Parents, where they live under the same roof as their child/children, seldom, I am told, get involved in their home work. In most cases the parents or sperm donors did not complete high school and are semiliterate or worst. Another factor is that 65% of households here in New Providence are headed by single females, possibly with multiple children. This is not an indictment but so true. Due to the rapid and almost unchecked development; growth and proliferation of the internet and social media platforms, the average Bahamian child may not be checking for traditional means of acquiring, assimilating and storing hard data and information which are necessary for economic and societal advancement. The results? Delusions; soap operas and abject foolishness. Witness how many of our people, young and old, tend to live life and view it as a “game”. Few of us are serious about anything other than the routine of accommodations; food and sex supported by a minimum income, where they have a job, or by the proceeds of crime. The educational system then perpetuates itself from
decades to decades. Yes, the politicians set policy, such as it is, but the civil servants and parents, along with the children are all parts of the bigger problem. Teachers are not happy about terms and conditions. Hence, their zest for the job of educating and teaching our children may not be as solid as it should be. Classroom sizes are, allegedly, too big for individual instructions and tutoring. The result? The children are not checking for teacher. At home, the hapless parents, in most cases, are ignorant to what their child/children is/ are learning if anything, in skool.....not school, please. Solutions? The minister and the administration should give serious thought to introducing a financial motivational scheme. For each pass at grade ‘C’ a student, from junior high school straight up to the University of The Bahamas would receive a government backed Savings Bond for B$100.00 Those who secure a grade ‘B’ would receive B$150.00 and those with an ‘A’ would get B$200.00. I would almost guarantee that such financial awards would dramatically improve the national grade average. Where will the money come from? By direct savings that would result to the national purse by having fewer Bahamians being forced into a life of crime; repeat visits as inmates to The Bahamas Correctional Centre; multiple unwanted children; an increase in personal accountability and responsibility and, more importantly, the inculcation of the absolute necessity of marketable educational and vocational skills. So, Minister Lloyd is not the problem. We all are. To God then, in all things, be the glory. Jr
ORTLAND H BODIE, Nassau November 8, 2019
THE TRIBUNE By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net A SENIOR police officer yesterday confirmed that she wanted to clear up the “ambiguities” contained in a businessman’s and a former female suspect’s statements about allegations of bribery against former Cabinet minister Shane Gibson. Assistant Superintendent Debra Thompson, taking the witness stand before Justice Carolita Bethel, admitted to wanting to do away with any ambivalence contained in Jonathan Ash’s and Deborah Bastian’s respective statements against the former parliamentarian. The officer’s admission follows evidence that she arranged a meeting with Mr Ash and Ms Bastian to “iron out” the “ambiguities” in their statements, particularly as it related to the amount of money Mr Ash said he gave Ms Bastian to give to Gibson, which was $200,000. The evidence previously alleged that ASP Thompson told the pair, in the presence of their attorneys, that she would be “cutting out a lot” of whatever the two didn’t agree on concerning allegations against the former labour minister. Yesterday, ASP Thompson said Ms Bastian, who, according to the evidence thus far, acted as the middle-woman between Mr Ash and Gibson, and who the Crown has said it does not intend to call as a witness against Gibson, was originally interviewed as a suspect. And that came after a senior manager at Commonwealth Bank revealed that Ms Bastian refused to present her identification and sign for a $20,000 cheque Mr Ash authorised to be made out to her - allegedly on Gibson’s behalf - because she didn’t go to the bank for that purpose, but instead to pick up a “package”. Taking the witness stand yesterday, ASP Thompson said she first became involved in the matter on June 27, 2017. She said two days earlier, she attended a meeting called by police Commissioner Anthony Ferguson, during which she was told she would be a member of a team that was investigating allegations of bribery. ASP Thompson said she was not told who the bribery allegations were made by, nor against, however. ASP Thompson said on June 27 of that year, she went to a meeting with Mr Ash and his attorneys at the Central Detective Unit (CDU). She said she did not know who Mr Ash was at the time nor how he came to be at CDU that day. Nonetheless, during the meeting, ASP Thompson
Tuesday, November 12, 2019, PAGE 5
Court hears police officer wanted to ‘iron out’ any ‘ambiguities’
SHANE Gibson arriving at court at an earlier hearing. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
said Mr Ash gave a “brief overview” of the allegations against Gibson and explained certain details about the Hurricane Matthew cleanup efforts in which he was involved. ASP Thompson said the following day, June 28, Mr Ash returned to CDU with his attorneys Alicia Bowe and James Thompson, and she consequently took “comprehensive notes” of what was said. The officer said the information Mr Ash gave was “very comprehensive and detailed”, as he outlined in detail his various responsibilities during the hurricane cleanup efforts. ASP Thompson said at the end of that meeting, she invited Mr Ash to return to sign off on his statement. However, there was none for him to sign at the time. Nonetheless, ASP Thompson said she typed up a statement based on the notes she took that day, and on June 30, Mr Ash returned to the station, read his statement and signed it. ASP Thompson also said she interviewed Ms Bastian on more than one occasion. ASP Thompson said on July 1, 2017, she interviewed Ms Bastian as a suspect, and on July 4 she again met with the woman, as a suspect, and took a statement under caution. After that, she said she took
a conversion statement from the woman. Sometime after that, ASP Thompson said another officer, Inspector McCartney, took other witness statements from the woman. Those statements, as well as the ones she took from Ms Bastian, were consequently consolidated into one document on July 25. Months later, on September 25 of that year, ASP Thompson said she had the opportunity to meet with both Mr Ash and Ms Bastian together, with their respective lawyers. And although she did not delve into the details of that meeting yesterday, ASP Thompson admitted that she called the meeting to “clear up some ambiguities”. During previous proceedings, lead defence attorney Keith Knight, QC, read a transcript of a recording of the meeting in question, in which he quoted ASP Thompson as saying during the meeting: “Listen Mr Ash, you go through and give an overview or summary of what you told us transpired and if there’s anything you don’t agree with, with what he’s saying Ms Bastian, you let us know. “...Then I want you to explain to him what you (Ms Bastian) told us, and if there’s anything you don’t
agree with, you let us know so we could clear this up.” Mr Knight also quoted ASP Thompson as saying: “We need to iron this out because ya’ll are giving two different accounts as to what transpired leading up to the meeting.” ASP Thompson was referring to the meeting Mr Ash, Ms Bastian, and Gibson had at a “pink building” on Nassau Street that ultimately caused Mr Ash to make payments to Ms Bastian, allegedly on Gibson’s behalf, and later directly to Gibson, in exchange for him using his government position to ensure Mr Ash would be paid the $1m plus he was owed for hurricane cleanup work. Concerning the situation with Ms Bastian at the bank, Denisia Aranha, Commonwealth Bank’s assistant manager of operations, testified that on February 1, 2017, she received instructions from Mr Ash via phone to deduct his account of $20,000 to purchase a cashier’s cheque made payable to Ms Bastian. After securing a second signature, Ms Aranha said she took what she called a “debit advice”, an instrument for bank officers to debit an account upon request, to a teller for that employee to prepare the cheque for Ms Bastian.
The cheque was prepared as requested, and the teller subsequently asked Ms Bastian to present her ID and ultimately sign for the cheque as per bank protocol. However, Ms Aranha said Ms Bastian refused to present her ID and sign for the cheque because she said that wasn’t “what she came there for”. Ms Aranha said she then told the woman that if she didn’t present her ID and sign for the funds, they would not be released to her. But Ms Bastian still refused to cooperate. Ms Aranha said Ms Bastian then called Mr Ash and told him she would not sign the cheque because she didn’t go to the bank for that, but that she instead went to retrieve a “package”. Ms Aranha said Ms Bastian subsequently handed her the phone, at which time she told Mr Ash that if Ms Bastian was not prepared to sign the cheque, the transaction would be cancelled. Ms Aranha said she ultimately instructed the teller to reverse the transaction. In response to questions by defence attorney Damian Gomez, QC, Ms Aranha said that Mr Ash referred to Ms Bastian as his “aunty”, and that he told her that Ms Bastian desperately had to get the
funds because he needed the woman to pay some people on his behalf. Gibson is charged with 15 counts of bribery. It is alleged that between January 16 and 19, 2017, and being concerned with Ms Bastian, he had solicited more than $200,000 from Mr Ash as an inducement to or a reward for him giving assistance or using his influence in approving outstanding payments owed to Mr Ash by the government. The Crown further asserts that on various dates between January 19-31, 2017, Gibson, still concerned with Ms Bastian, consequently accepted $100,000 worth of payments from Mr Ash. Then between January 30 and February 28 of that year, Gibson accepted several cash payments from Mr Ash totalling some $100,000. Between February 10 and March 27, 2017, Gibson solicited and accepted a total of $80,000 each from Ash, but this time he was not concerned with Ms Bastian, the Crown maintains. The Crown claims Mr Ash made the initial payments of $200,000 to Gibson through Ms Bastian and directly paid Gibson the remaining $80,000. Gibson has denied the allegations. The case continues today.
PAGE 6, Tuesday, November 12, 2019
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BAHAMIAN FINED $3,000 AS HE ADMITS HARBOURING HAITIAN By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net KEVIN CHARLES
CHANTALE JEAN
A BAHAMIAN man was convicted of harbouring an illegal Haitian national and fined $3,000 by a Grand Bahama magistrate. Kevin Charles, 54, appeared in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbye Ferguson on October 24 to answer to charge of harbouring an illegal person contrary to Section 47(1) of the Immigration Act 2015. According to the particulars, on October 22 at Freeport, Charles with deliberate intent to evade apprehension by the department of immigration did
knowingly harbour illegal Haitian national Chantale Jean, aka Choedlena Pierre. He pleaded guilty to the offence. Chantale Jean aka Choedlena Pierre, 25, was also charged with illegal landing. She pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay $300 or in default serve one year at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Service, and was ordered deported. In other immigration matters, four illegal migrants of various nationalities were charged with overstaying after they were discovered at a local resort in Freeport.
Ecuadorian Kelver Fabian De La Cruz, 35; Romanian Serif Lonel Dumitru, 45; Colombians Alexander Caceido, 45; and Helmer Murillio Olave, 56, pleaded guilty to the charge and were each ordered to pay a fine of $3,000 or in default serve 18 months imprisonment. The also ordered them to be deported on payment of the fine or completion of custodial sentence. The men paid their fine and were subsequently flown to New Providence to the Detention Centre to await deportation to their respective countries.
No place here for prejudice, says Turnquest from page one Mr Turnquest told reporters yesterday that The Bahamas is a country of laws and it is the government’s duty to enforce the law. He said: “The prime minister has been very clear about this. It’s not about persecution, it’s not about any kind of prejudice or inhumane action, it is about enforcing the laws of The Bahamas. Anyone that is here legally with an active work permit, permanent residence or nationalisation has a right to all of the protections that the state affords citizens and residents. If you do not fall in that category, then obviously we would expect you to do the honourable thing. So I want to say to Bahamians, there is no need for the level of vitriol or prejudice that some may be putting (out there).” The United Nations has criticised the government’s rejection of its calls to halt the repatriation of undocumented migrants since Hurricane Dorian tore
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ACTING Prime Minister Peter Turnquest through Grand Bahama and Abaco, destroying nearly everything in its wake including several Abaco shanty towns where many Haitian migrants lived. Recently the government deported 228 Haitian migrants, more than 150 of them were from Abaco. since Dorian. Mr Turnquest said that while The Bahamas has to be cautious about its approach to human rights in order to protect the dignity of individuals, the country must also enforce immigration laws to protect its borders. “There are unfortunately some in our community who would like to fling open our borders to any and everybody, but as you know we do not have the resources to do that and so we have to be mindful and jealously guard what is Bahamian and the resources that we have available to provide services, at the level and efficiency that Bahamians and those who live legally among us demand; so that is our commitment,” he said on the sidelines of a Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants (BICA) event. Meanwhile Operation Sovereign Bahamas founder Adrian Francis said his group is pushing for the government to clear out the gym of undocumented immigrants. He said in a Facebook live video that the government has extended its graces long enough for the migrant storm victims. Mr Francis, a former radio talk show host, said: “The Haitians are sending out videos saying that they are not getting any kind of help. . .why are you telling people all over the world that we are mistreating you? We can mistreat you, but we refuse to because that’s not the kind of people we are. We’ve educated you, we’ve given you healthcare, we’ve allowed you to out birth us in our hospital, you have crowded our school system, we’ve done everything possible to ensure that we are cordial and nice.” Mr Francis claims that the videos being sent out by some Haitians about the alleged mistreatment post-Dorian is unfair to the Bahamian people. He said: “It’s not fair for the Ministry of Tourism to put out
fires because of the videos you are sending all over the world, it’s not fair for the minister of immigration to answer stupid questions about how we are mistreating Haitians, that’s not right. It’s not fair for The Bahamas government to have to answer questions on how best to treat you guys, when you get three meals per day in air condition every single day.” Mr Francis also said the group wants migrants to come in the country legally. “We are not trying to denigrate any innocent human beings, at some point we are going to have to get our gym back. Allow them to go home and come back through the front door. If they have no documents, the door is locked, it’s as simple as that. We are assisting the government in reminding them that the people in the gym need to go home, maybe they forgot.” Mr Francis said the group is dissatisfied with the lack of information from the government and wants schedules and deadlines on when undocumented migrants who are living in the gym will be deported. For his part, Mr Turnquest explained that the gym was only meant to be a temporary shelter therefore he anticipates that those persons will make every effort to leave the shelter as soon as possible. He understands the frustration of groups like Operation Sovereign Bahamas, but says that they must allow the government to do its job. About two weeks ago, the National Emergency Management Agency reported that more than 700 people were still living in five hurricane shelters in New Providence. Hurricane Dorian has inflamed tensions in some quarters between Bahamians and undocumented Haitian migrants, many of whom lived in unregulated communities in Abaco. After a brief suspension of immigration arrests and deportation after Hurricane Dorian, the Minnis administration resumed its hardline stance on the illegal immigration issue, while maintaining such exercises will be carried out humanely. Editorial View - Page 4
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PM opens new centre for Berry Islands
Tuesday, November 12, 2019, PAGE 7
A NEW community centre in the Berry Islands has been officially opened by Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. The community centre had previously sat unfinished for many years, but a new partnership between Carlton Bowleg MP and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines resulted in the completion of the centre, which will double as a hurricane shelter. Dr Minnis also dedicated an ambulance at Bullocks Harbour, Great Harbour Cay. The ambulance was also funded by Royal Caribbean. A local contractor completed the centre, which includes a computer room, a study room, a kitchen and meeting area, and will be used to host public and private events. Dr Minnis said: “Today is a celebration of the community spirit of the residents of the Berry Islands and Great Harbour Cay in particular. This is also a story about resilience, about fortitude and about never giving up on a dream. Congratulations and thank you to Royal Caribbean and everyone involved in this project, including every resident of Great Harbour Cay who helped to turn this dream into an example of what can be done through unity and collaboration.” During the event, Royal Caribbean International’s president and CEO Michael Bayley announced Royal Caribbean will sponsor the Music Makers Junkanoo Group and presented a cheque for $100,000. The cruise company also presented a cheque to the Fox Hill Congos for $20,000. Photos: Yontalay Bowe/BIS
PAGE 8, Tuesday, November 12, 2019
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ODAY is a brand new day for Daniella Forbes and her family. Whereas thousands have fled Marsh Harbour, Abaco with no intention of returning, she and her husband believe they are being called by God to return and establish a church there. For the harrowing experience they endured, it only could be a large dose of faith that would make them return to the scene of the nightmare. But ten weeks and two days after that nightmare began, they are looking on the side of hope as they will return to Abaco today. Daniella told me that prior to the arrival of Hurricane Dorian, life for her family was on the bright side. Her husband, Ryan O’Neil Forbes, had been inducted as the senior pastor of First Assembly of God, Marsh Harbour, this past April. She was six classes away from her associate’s degree in early childhood education. Their sons – six-year-old Ryan Matthias and four-yearold Alexandre Cecile were doing well in school. They were making future plans to move out of the one-bedroom apartment they were living in above the church. Daniella and Ryan met in Abaco, where they were both born and bred. Ryan is from Treasure Cay. Daniella is of Haitian descent. Her mother is from a shanty town known as Treasure Cay Farm, and she is one of six children. She got a job as a nanny straight out of high school, working for an immigration officer. Ryan was doing maintenance work for the officer. When he initially showed interest, Daniella wasn’t interested because he was much older than she. However, her boss mentioned that he was a Christian, like she was, so she decided to give him a chance. By December of 2012, Ryan gave Daniella a promise ring as he was about to move to Nassau to attend Assemblies of God Bible School in pursuit of an associates degree. By March of 2013, they were married and Daniella was living in Nassau with him. They remained in Nassau for a few years. During that time, they had two children. Daniella took college prep classes at Bahamas Baptist Community College, and also took an early childhood education course with Agatha Archer. She worked first at One on One Pre School, and then First Step Academy. Ryan became the youth pastor at Bethany Assembly. She had been working at First Step for nearly two years when Ryan told her he felt a ‘tug’ – that their season in Nassau was over and it was time to return to their home island of Abaco. They returned to Abaco and lived with his sister-inlaw for a while. Initially, she worked as a waitress. Fast forward to 2019, they made First Assembly their home. Daniella was leading the children’s ministry and she was a part of the women’s ministry. When she heard of the imminent storm, Daniella didn’t feel too good about it: “I had a dream that we were going to lose
I said if I die, I die; but if I live, Lord, I will live for you DANIELLA and Ryan, top, survived Hurricane Dorian and are now heading back to Abaco where their house, left, was destroyed by the storm
everything in the storm. I told my husband about it; but we joke a lot, so he thought I was joking. I spoke to his mom and my mom and I told them about the dream. They tried to convince him to leave Marsh Harbour and go home to Treasure Cay. But he said that we faced Hurricane Floyd, a Category 4. He said whatever happens, we would prepare for the storm and clean up afterward. I didn’t feel that way, but I did what I had to do to prepare, and I put our important documents in a Ziploc bag.” When Hurricane Dorian came, it was nothing like what the Forbes or anyone else in Marsh Harbour expected. It was significantly worse. The church - and their home - is opposite Price Right in the heart
of town, right where the eye of the worst hurricane to hit The Bahamas in recent history landed. They were not the only occupants of the building. There was another family living in an apartment on the other side, and a gentleman lived next door to them. Once the storm began, a man came running there for shelter from the Mudd. He took occupancy of an empty room, and they shared blankets and food with him. As the storm began to rage, the two men kept company with the Forbes, deciding it would be better not to stick this one out alone. “It was a Sunday morning, so we decided to have church,” Daniella told me; “I did the welcome, my husband read from Psalms 46, and even my eldest son participated. My husband was preaching and preaching. He was saying, ‘The Lord is our refuge our strength and our fortress. In Him will I put my trust’. The waters were rising and the ceiling started to shake. Everyone was praying and worshipping. We heard a bamming. A man who lived on the other side said his roof was gone. My husband opened the door and pulled him inside, but the wind got in, and a part of our kitchen was gone. I took the children in the closet and I started to pray.
THE SMART Women, photo by Azaleta Ishmael Newry.
I heard bamming again. It was the Pratt family, the family of five that lived on the other side. They were making a hole in the wall to get to our side. Their roof was gone and the floor was going. First, they pushed the children through the hole. Then they made the hole bigger so they could come through. The roof in the bathroom was gone. “We collected every canned good we could find in the house. Our mattress was wet but we let all of the children sit on it. We got a bucket to use the bathroom. The storm returned and we started to pray. We were praying ‘peace be still’ and saying, ‘Lord, have mercy’. But it seemed the more we said ‘peace be still’ the more the storm was raging and raging. Everyone aborted mission as the walls started shaking. The children couldn’t sit on the mattress anymore. They had to use it as shelter, because the roof was gone. “Everyone was holding on to one another like a chain, and we nested the children in the middle. Everyone was shouting. We were crying ‘Lord, have mercy!’ But the storm got worse and everyone was flying separate ways. My boys and I were leaning on a wall, but the wall was shaking so hard. The wall gave way so I pushed my boys and shouted, ‘save my boys!’ because I thought I was going to die. But Mr Pratt pulled me. Something fell on our heads and I heard someone shouting, ‘Hold on! Hold on!’ Things were flying about and it was a miracle that nothing really hit us and hurt us. The children were crying and asking, “When is God going to save
us!’ But I didn’t know… because I thought I was going to die. The enemy put doubt in my mind, and I saw all these dead bodies. Later I found out there were dead bodies all around.” “I saw death. I tasted death. I looked death in the face. I repented right then and there. I said if I die, I die; but if I live, Lord, I will live for you. I think everyone prayed that prayer in there. Dera, the Pratts’ 19 year old daughter, she was strong and she prayed powerfully during the storm. When the storm died down, there was silence. “This was just the first half of the storm. During the calm (the eye) the water was going down. There was about 11 feet of water. When the water went down, we crawled through a hole in the floor and crawled into the church. We sat on top of the children’s tables in the children’s ministry. The storm started to rage again. We were cold, hungry and shaking, but none of the children complained. They stuck it out.” Now, living for Christ even more is exactly what Daniella and her family intends to do as they head back to Marsh Harbour today. They have already secured an efficiency to stay in and shipped essentials on the mail boat. “At this point I don’t really know exactly what I am going to do or where life is going to take me, but I am taking one day at a time,” she said, adding that she will home school her boys for the time being. I met Daniella through a special event held just for female victims of Hurricane Dorian this past
weekend. Sixty five women were hosted to a seminar called: “Women in Transition – a Ray of Pragmatic Hope” hosted by SMART women. It was designed to lift the spirits of the survivors and give them practical information to “change their horizons”, according to Dilette Miller. The programme included the statement of purpose of SMART Women, by attorney Cheryl Bazard, Minister Charlene Paul, and HR expert Marisa Mason Smith. Dr Cleopatra Williams of Life changers Ministries shared moments of inspiration. SMART Women president Nicole Leary spoke on “Tips for Presenting your Best You”. The women were also engaged in sessions on: interviewing skills; resume writing; smart financial products and services; budgeting on a shoestring; and mentoring and networking opportunities. SMART Women served lunch, then gave out ‘smart dollars’ to the participants, which allowed them to shop in their boutique. The boutique featured business suits, shoes, make up, bags and other essentials to help the ladies look and feel their best as they rebuild and recover after the storm. Daniella was able to take home a business suit and jewellery, and she spoke highly of the session and presenters, calling it beneficial and inspirational. The Zonta Club of New Providence invited SMART Women to participate with them in a series of events during November and December, all surrounding the UN-sanctioned “16 days of activism” to end genderbased violence around the world. They are also receiving support from the Ministry of Social Services. The Department of Gender and Family Affairs Director Dr Jacinta Higgs and officer Simone Bowe participated in the event. This is the first in a series of events surrounding the activism efforts. Keep up-to-date with the events by following the groups’ social media pages. There were Haitian interpreters on-hand to ensure that all survivors who attended could benefit. Editorial View - Page 4
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Tuesday, November 12, 2019, PAGE 9
MUSIC AND ART HELPS RAISE $15,000 FOR DORIAN
AN evening of music and art has helped to raise $15,000 for Hurricane Dorian relief efforts. The Soundwaves Festival was held at the Bahamas National Trust’s Retreat Gardens on October 5 in partnership with the Rotary Club of East Nassau. It included performances by musicians such as Judah Tha Lion, Pineapple Down, Von Trap, Militant Fyah and more, while there were more than 25 vendors offering food and showing off artwork. Rotary Clubs around the world have also been offering support for hurricane relief – the latest being the Rotary Club of Homosassa Springs in Florida, which has donated $5,000.
THE SOUNDWAVES Festival was held at the Bahamas National Trust’s Retreat Gardens
Sands: We have robust plan for Abaco health services By LEANDRA ROLLE lrolle@tribunemedia.net
WITH full remediation of the Rand Memorial Hospital expected to be completed by next year, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said the government has already made plans to repair healthcare facilities in Abaco, which also suffered significant damage during Hurricane Dorian. Speaking to reporters at a medical symposium hosted by Healthcare Associates Training &Tempo Centre on Friday, Dr Sands said damage to healthcare facilities in Abaco were not as severe compared to those in Grand Bahama. “In Cooper’s Town,
we have significant roof damage and flooding issues. We have had destruction at Hope Town and Green Turtle Cay and other areas (but), Abaco is actually not as seriously impacted in terms of the healthcare infrastructure,” he said. “The damage to the Abaco facility was more a consequence of the fact that it had to be used as a shelter and significant damage was then caused as a response or as the facility was being used subsequent to the storm.” The powerful Category Five storm tore through Abaco and Grand Bahama in early September, destroying medical equipment and facilities on the island. As a result, Dr Sands told
reporters in late September that the cost to repair both the Rand Memorial Hospital and Marsh Harbour Clinic would be around $20m. Health officials have since predicted the remediation of the Rand will be finished by March 2020. In fact, on Thursday, the Ministry of Health signed a memorandum of understanding with Carnival Corporation & PLC to support the restoration of the Rand Memorial Hospital. This partnership will provide funding for flood damage repairs and will assist with the replacement of damaged medical equipment at the Grand Bahama hospital. As for the restoration of health care services
on Abaco, Dr Sands suggested that the government remains fully committed to the remediation of medical clinics in Abaco. “We have a robust plan for the restoration of the clinical services in Abaco, all the way from Grand Cay to Sandy Point. “The approach to the rebuilding in Abaco has been an holistic programme. It involves a new clinic at Moore’s Island, Green Turtle Cay and dramatic upgrades to the Marsh Harbour (Clinic), Hope Town – brand-new clinic funded by the residents of Hope Town,” he said. “We now have formal proposals to design and build and fund replacement clinics for at least three
MINISTER: Duane Sands clinics in Abaco. We have partnerships for the repairs of the Coopers Town Clinic. We have already deployed several ambulances to Abaco.” Dr Sands added that the government, in partnership with the University of Miami, has also made plans to introduce trauma services, CAT scan
services and urgent care services at the Marsh Harbour Clinic. And the next step, as noted by the health minister, will be providing living accommodations for the medical staff. “What we now have to do is provide safe, comfortable housing whether it be RVs or temporary structures for our staff to be able to consistently remain in Abaco. We also intend as the population returns to provide home-care in Abaco,” he continued. “I believe we’re going to emerge from Dorian better than we started. It is said you should never waste a crisis and certainly in health, that is the approach that we’re taking,” he said.
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T THIS time of year it is a pleasant duty to write about Remembrance Day on November 11 and to note that interest in honouring the casualties of war has not waned over the years. It is inevitable that memories fade as old soldiers pass away and new generations emerge, yet it is clear this annual commemoration remains important to so many people. It is also perhaps a hopeful sign that history is being kept alive, as a reminder of the misjudgements and mistakes of the past and in the hope they will not be repeated by today’s and future leaders. Last year’s Remembrance Day had a special significance because it was the centenary of the end of the First World War. The Armistice to bring to a close four years of bloody conflict that claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Commonwealth servicemen – including 700,000 members of the British Armed Forces together with more than twice that number wounded or otherwise disabled – took place at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918. Most people are aware that it is for this reason that commemorative events and ceremonies are held annually each November – and Remembrance Day itself is on November 11 - in Britain and throughout the Commonwealth to honour those in the armed forces who died or were wounded in the line of duty. They are a sombre reminder of the horror and suffering of warfare and the waste of human life. The poppy became a famous symbol of remembrance for soldiers who had died in conflict following a famous poem called In Flanders Fields whose author was inspired by the sight of red poppies somehow surviving in the
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We owe our freedom to those who served The Peter Young column battlefields despite the devastation of war and growing over the graves of the fallen, with the red coming to signify bloodshed. Poppies are distributed each year, as an important part of its fund raising, by the Royal British Legion which was established in 1921 as a charity to provide financial, social and emotional support to the surviving veterans and their dependants. Nowadays, of course, these commemorations include the Second World War and numerous other conflicts around the globe in which British and other Commonwealth forces have been involved. The overall numbers of casualties in the two world wars are staggering. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, which was established by Royal Charter in 1917, is responsible for the commemoration in perpetuity of a total of 1,700,000 men and women of the
Commonwealth forces who died during these two wars. In commemoration of the ending of the First World War, The Tribune published this time last year a supplement about the contribution of volunteers from British colonies in the West Indies who joined the British West Indies Regiment - specially formed in 1915 - and served in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. These included Sir Etienne Dupuch among some 700 volunteers from The Bahamas. With many photographs and reports, the publication provides a compelling account of The Bahamas’ significant contribution to this first global conflict. The annual commemorative ceremonies here in The Bahamas are always well organised with flawless protocol and formality and a particular focus on those volunteers who selflessly were prepared to undertake military service and to sacrifice their lives for the cause of freedom. The events include the traditional Remembrance Sunday Service in Christ Church Cathedral followed by a wreath laying ceremony in the Garden of Remembrance and with separate commemorations at the Veterans’ Cemetery and the Nassau War Cemetery. These principal events were preceded this year on November 1 by a solemn wreath laying ceremony on Rawson Square to pay tribute to Bahamians - and to others with Bahamian connections - for their service and contributions to both world wars. This was organised – impeccably, as
REMEMBRANCE service in The Bahamas last Sunday always – by Adina Munroe-Charlow, who is the Chairman/Treasurer of the British Legion-Bahamas Branch and a reservist in the RBDF. Her unstinting and dedicated work over the course of many years in running the Legion’s local branch and looking after the diminishing numbers of veterans and their families is truly admirable. All those concerned who play a part in the successful organisation and management of these annual commemorative events, including, of course, the Defence Force, also surely deserve much credit for their splendid efforts. As for Britain, I found it inspiring to watch a video of the Royal British Legion’s service and concert held at the Albert Hall in London on the evening before Remembrance Sunday. The event marked 75 years since notable battles of the Second World
War including the D-Day landings in Normandy and celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Government Communications Headquarters which was described as being at the forefront of intelligence gathering in the UK. Attended by The Queen and senior members of the Royal Family together with hundreds of service personnel and veterans, it included a mixture of hymns, prayers and blessings, military bands, recitals, songs and other performances. But perhaps the highlight for me was a film on a large screen of a special tribute to the work of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Mounts Bay, which contributed so effectively to the search and rescue and relief effort in Abaco in the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Dorian in September. The next day saw the traditional ceremony of laying of wreaths at the
Cenotaph on Whitehall in central London. Huge crowds had gathered to pay their respects to the war dead. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Cenotaph itself and also of the two-minute silence at 11 am. Watching proceedings from a balcony, The Queen was photographed wiping a tear from her cheek as she led the nation in tribute to all those who had made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their country. Prince Charles laid a wreath on her behalf followed by political leaders and others with their own wreaths. At the end there was a march past of veterans after which a long line of black cabs was ready to take them home free of charge! All in all, this was an impressive display of national remembrance on a bright sunny day which put the lie to what has sometimes been described by cynics as an ‘act of communal melancholy during the dark days of autumnal falling leaves’ – and then the next day, November 11 itself, there were other commemorative events held around the UK and elsewhere in the world. So there can be no doubt that Remembrance Day is still recognised and supported as much as ever. As a significant commemoration, it symbolises hope as well as loss. While tribute is paid to those who have served their country in the past, at the same time members of the Armed Forces are honoured for continuing to put their lives at risk in order to preserve the peace.
A corner of a foreign field ONE of the British airmen with Bahamian connections who was honoured at the wreath laying ceremony on Rawson Square earlier this month was Wing Commander Lionel Rees. Born in Wales, he saw active service in the First World War and was awarded the Victoria Cross, the most prestigious award of the British honours system for members of the Armed Forces. I was particularly interested to read again about this exceptional man because I had seen his headstone in the Nassau War Cemetery where he was buried after passing away in The Bahamas in 1955. After an outstanding war record, in his retirement Wing Commander Rees, pictured above, sailed single-handedly across the Atlantic and landed in The Bahamas where he settled. He married a Bahamian girl with whom he raised three children.
The Nassau War Cemetery was previously known as the Royal Air Force Cemetery, the cornerstone of which was laid in 1944 by the then colonial Governor, the Duke of Windsor. It is owned and administered by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. A few years ago, I worked with the Commission on a project, which it financed, to refurbish and partly rebuild the cemetery after it had become overgrown and dilapidated following a period of neglect. It is a large separate structure standing in its own grounds - unlike most of the Commission’s cemeteries in the Caribbean that are located inside larger ones - and is now being maintained in accordance with the organisation’s exacting standards and requirements.
How sport is bringing South Africa together HAVING written last week about the unexpected but convincing win of the South African Springboks rugby team over the favourites, England, in the final of the world cup in Japan, it has been interesting to read about their later triumphant four-day tour of the country in an open-top bus to show off the famous Webb Ellis trophy to thousands of jubilant supporters. For this has turned out to be much more than winning an important rugby match. It has already served as a powerful uniting moment, in a spirit of optimism, for the whole nation so that its significance reaches beyond the game itself. This was South Africa’s third world cup success, having also won in 1995 and 2007. During the dark days of the apartheid era,
rugby was seen as the sporting embodiment of white minority rule. Then, victory in the 1995 tournament, held in South Africa itself, produced the iconic image of Nelson Mandela presenting the trophy to the Springboks’ captain, Francois Pienaar, which sent a message of hope and reconciliation in the country’s first years of democracy. But the public reaction to this year’s triumph seems to be on a different scale since the team had a mix of both black and white players, all of whom had been chosen on merit. For the first time, the team had a black captain, Siya Kolisi, who has said that he found it hard to believe that, from a deprived childhood, he could emerge as a leading South African rugby player
on the international stage and that his picture was now being beamed around the world after leading his team to glory. The victory has boosted the image of the ‘Rainbow Nation’ as evidence that the new South Africa embraces diversity and is a beacon of hope for its 57 million people. In the words of the Nobel Prize winner and former Archbishop of Cape Town, Desmond Tutu, it has restored a self-doubting country’s confidence and belief in itself – and, despite the continuing deep divisions and violent crime, together with a struggling economy and high unemployment, South Africans can now be encouraged to pull together in the hope of a better future for all. Such is the power of sport.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, November 12, 2019, PAGE 11
JIMMY CARTER IN HOSPITAL FOR BRAIN SURGERY
VETS IN PRISON GET SOME HELP FROM HORSES
ATLANTA Associated Press
Associated Press
PRISON inmate Daniel Elliot says he didn’t feel comfortable talking about his problems until he met Hank and Sparky — who happen to be horses. Elliot suffered a traumatic brain injury during an accident while serving on an attack submarine in the Navy and is serving time for a 2017 arson, which he says he committed in an effort to kill himself inside his apartment. Elliot is now housed in a 110-bed unit for military veterans that was set up in Enfield, Connecticut and is among a handful of vets chosen to take part in the new equine-assisted psychotherapy sessions. The 10-week programme, dubbed “Operation Warrior Horse,” has the inmates meeting in the prison yard with therapists and interacting with the horses once a week for two hours. Elliot, 31, says the programme, run at no charge to the state by the group Healing Hoofbeats of CT, calms him, has helped him open up about his problems and gives him something to look forward to each week. “If I’m having a bad day, going through something that is a little more stressing, I show it to the horses and they react, they let me know it’s going to be OK,” he said. “Last time I told Sparky, ‘I think it’s going to be all right,’ and he gave me a big toothy smile.”
INMATE Daniel Elliot interacts with a horse named Hank as part of an equine-assisted psychotherapy programme
FORMER US President Jimmy Carter was admitted to a hospital yesterday for a surgery to relieve pressure on his brain, caused by bleeding due to his recent falls. The procedure is scheduled for this morning at Emory University Hospital. Carter has fallen at least three times this year, and the first incident in the spring required hip replacement surgery. He travelled to Nashville, Tennessee, and helped build a Habitat for Humanity home after getting 14 stiches following a fall on Oct. 6. And he was briefly hospitalised after fracturing his pelvis on Oct. 21. He received a dire cancer diagnosis in 2015 but survived and has since said he is cancer-free. Nearly four decades after he left office and despite a body that’s failing after 95 years, the nation’s oldest-ever ex-president still teaches Sunday school roughly twice a month at Maranatha Baptist Church in his hometown of Plains in southwest Georgia. His message is unfailingly about Jesus, not himself.
Clashes after Morales quits LA PAZ, Bolivia Associated Press CLASHES and roadblocks rocked Bolivia yesterday following the resignation of former President Evo Morales, with crowds of his jubilant foes celebrating with firecrackers in the streets and a tearful opposition leader laying out a possible path toward new elections. Morales stepped down on Sunday following weeks of massive protests, but the resignation of every constitutionally designated successor left unclear who will take his place and how. Angry supporters of the socialist leader set barricades ablaze to block some roads leading to the country’s main airport as tension gripped the nation, while his foes blocked most of the streets leading to the country’s main square in front of Congress and the presidential palace. Opposition politician and Senate second vicepresident Jeanine Añez said in an emotional address that she would take temporary control of the Senate, but it was unclear if she would need approval from the national assembly, which is controlled by Morales supporters. She also said she would convene a legislative session today to consider accepting the formal resignation of Morales, and that new presidential elections could
SUPPORTERS of Evo Morales clash with police in La Paz soon follow. It was unclear, however, if the national assembly could meet that soon because of the continuing insecurity in the capital. “Please excuse me if my voice breaks,” Añez said between tears after arriving in Congress under heavy guard. “It’s so hard to see Bolivians clashing, no matter which side they’re on. They are being mistreated, and I’m asking you to cease the violence,” said Añez, who would be next in line for the nation’s presidency given the void in leadership. Meanwhile, Morales lashed out at his political opponents, calling it a return to the bleak era of coups d’etat overseen by Latin American militaries
that long dominated the region. “(Opponents) lie and try to blame us for the chaos and violence that they provoked,” Morales tweeted Monday. His nearly 14-year presidency abruptly ended Sunday, hours after he had accepted calls for a new election by an Organization of American States team that found a “heap of observed irregularities” in the Oct. 20 election whose official result showed Morales getting just enough votes to avoid a runoff against a united opposition. Morales stepped aside only after the military chief, Gen. Williams Kaliman, called on him to quit to allow the restoration of peace and stability.
UTAH DEATH-ROW INMATE FEATURED IN BEST-SELLING BOOK DIES, AGED 78
SALT LAKE CITY Associated Press
A UTAH death-row inmate who killed his brother’s wife and her toddler in 1984 because of his strong polygamist beliefs, in a case made famous by the book Under the Banner of Heaven, has died of natural causes.. The state attorney general’s office had predicted Ron Lafferty, 78, would have been executed in 2020, becoming the first American executed by firing squad in nearly a decade, after a court rejected his latest his appeal in August. Lafferty’s case became well known after it was featured in Jon Krakauer’s 2003 book about radical offshoots of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Lafferty carried out the killings with his brother Dan, who received a life sentence. Ron Lafferty claimed he had received a revelation from God to kill the two because of the sister-in-law’s resistance to his fundamentalist belief in polygamy. Brenda Lafferty was beaten and strangled with a vacuum cleaner cord. She and her 15-month-old daughter, Erica, died after their throats were slashed. Ron Lafferty was found guilty by a jury in 1985 and sentenced to death. A federal appeals court in 1991 overturned his conviction because a trial judge used an incorrect legal standard to find Lafferty competent to stand trial. He was retried in 1996, found guilty by a jury and again sentenced to death. Ron Lafferty chose
to be killed by firing squad decades ago instead of receiving a lethal injection, a choice given at the time to death row inmates. Utah later changed its law, allowing firing squad executions only as backups if lethal injection drugs were not available. The last time a firing squad was used for an execution in the in the U.S. was in 2010, when Ronnie Lee Gardner was executed in Utah for the 1984 murder of an attorney during a failed courthouse escape. The mainstream, Utahbased Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints disavowed polygamy more than a century ago, but some church offshoots still practice it and consider themselves “fundamentalist Mormons.”
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PAGE 12, Tuesday, November 12, 2019
THE CENTRAL Bank of The Bahamas hosted its 36th Annual Art Competition and Exhibition, attended by Governor General CA Smith who viewed the newest renditions of local high school students and commended their talents. Photos: Raymond Bethel/BIS
THE TRIBUNE
Pupils shine at art show