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VOLUME:114 No.245, NOVEMBER 13TH, 2017

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INSIGHT: TIME TO BE THE PM WE NEED, DR MINNIS

PAGES

Govt seeking new $800m foreign loan

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE Government is aiming to raise up to $800m via a US dollar bond to cover its deficit financing needs for the current and previous fiscal years, Tribune Business can reveal.

K P Turnquest, deputy prime minister, and Marlon Johnson, the Ministry of Finance’s financial secretary, are both currently on a week-long trip through the world’s financial capitals to raise investor support for the borrowing.

Both men were yesterday tight-lipped on the details of the Government’s financial plans, although Mr Turnquest effectively confirmed they were on a capital-raising mission.

“No comment until the placement and pricing done. Securities rules,”

Mr Turnquest, who is also minister of finance, said in response to Tribune Business’s inquiries.

Mr Johnson, who confirmed the duo were still travelling abroad, said: “We just can’t comment on anything related to that right now. We may be in a position to comment in a few days.”

Well-placed Tribune Business contacts, familiar with the Government’s plans, said it was seeking $800m via the placement of a bond (a paper IOU that represents debt financing) on the global capital markets.

This newspaper was informed that Royal Bank of Canada (RBC), the Government’s banker, and Deutsche Bank were acting as the advisers and placement agents for the issue.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

DEPUTY Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest yesterday said he believes “there will be an improvement to the country finances” in next year’s budget cycle when members of Parliament are expected to receive pay raises.

Asked if he supported the proposed raise Mr Turnquest avoided directly answering the question but said: “I support fiscal

responsibility, which cuts both ways.”

When pressed for further comment, he said he believes in “balance” and “give and take and results should be rewarded.”

The Minnis administration has been the target of fierce criticism since Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis announced two weeks ago that in the next budget he would present an increase for MPs who currently are paid $28,000 a year.

SEE PAGE SIX

SUPER VALUE STAFF HELD AT GUNPOINT

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

POLICE are on the hunt for two men who robbed a Super Value store early yesterday morning sending three female employees to the hospital for “shock”.

According to Super Value owner Rupert Roberts, the incident took place shortly after 7am at the food store chain’s Nassau Street branch.

Mr Roberts said employees were about to enter the store when they were approached by two masked men armed with firearms.

“The men put a gun to one of the cashier’s heads and forced their way into the store,” Mr Roberts said.

SEE PAGE 11

MIGRANTS ARE HUNTED AS HAITIAN SLOOP LANDS THE Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) is investigating reports of a Haitian wooden sloop landing in the southwest area of New Providence.

The incident occurred sometime Saturday night or early Sunday morning, the RBDF said, adding the number of suspected migrants on board were unknown up to press time.

However, the RBDF had several teams conducting a search of the surrounding areas on Sunday along with Department of Immigration officials.

SEE PAGE SIX

MPs’ PAY WILL NEED ECONOMIC UPTURN

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

HOME

MINNIS PAYS TRIBUTE TO ‘SIR ARLIE’ COMMODORE Tellis Bethel laying a wreath to mark Remembrance Day and to honour those who have fallen in service to The Bahamas. See page three for more photographs.

Photo: BIS

POLICE TO TRIAL BODYCAMS

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

ROYAL Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) is launching a programme to outfit police officers of its Mobile Division with body cameras.

Police Commissioner Anthony Ferguson said the RBPF will be testing the technology for the next “several weeks”.

The cost of the programme is unclear.

Commissioner Ferguson

acknowledged the world. key elements, “The comsuch as how missioner has long data will be the authority to stored, will be use whatever subject to policy means is necdecisions. essary for the The move smooth and was welcomed efficient runyesterday by ning of the the Police Staff police force,” A US-style bodycam.

Association, Commissioner Photo: Matt Skoufalos Ferguson told with its chairman Sergeant The Tribune.

Sonny Miller saying officIn an earlier interview ers are excited to have the with ZNS over the weektechnology which is used by end, he acknowledged many other forces around SEE PAGE SIX

SPICY SHRIMP & CHICKEN COMBO

IS BACK! Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

SIR Arlington Butler, the first Speaker of the House of Assembly in an independent Bahamas, died Thursday night.

Sir Arlington, pictured, was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital a little over a week ago after battling a long illness. He was 79.

Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis released a statement on his death, SEE PAGE 13

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, November 13, 2017, PAGE 3

Remembering the fallen THE REMEMBRANCE Day parade and Veterans ceremony held by the British Legion Bahamas Branch to remember those who have fallen in service to their country.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

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THE TRIBUNE

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A Republican rout - but what next?

LAST week, most of the attention in the American political world was on the biggest, most significant election of this year. In Virginia, a new governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general would be elected along with a new legislature. The Republican Party has controlled the state’s House of Delegates for several years and more recently, the state Senate as well. But before the election, Democrats held the top three offices that were being contested last week. Spending on the campaign shattered previous records, as both national political parties sought to win a key race.

On the eve of the election, many observers saw a late Republican surge and viewed the election as too close to call. But against the apparent flow of voter sentiment leading up to the contest, last week’s election was a rout.

In what was widely interpreted as a comprehensive repudiation of the inept, corrupt and polarising administration of Donald Trump, Virginia voters handed a huge nine point victory in the governor’s race to the folksy, relatively uncharismatic incumbent lieutenant governor, Ralph Northam. An African American was chosen as the new lieutenant governor, and the current attorney general was re-elected. Perhaps even more significant, the GOP advantage in the lower House of Delegates was trimmed to no more than one seat, and recounts and absentee balloting may in coming weeks eliminate that edge altogether.

In the wake of the Virginia blowout, the Boston Globe ran a cartoon depicting the GOP elephant drowning, weighed down by an anchor featuring the face of Trump. It was apt. The Republican gubernatorial candidate, after distancing himself from Trump for much of the campaign, adopted Trumpian tactics in the closing weeks of the race. The GOP financed political ads even many conservatives condemned as hateful and misleading. This strategy failed, comprehensively.

Virginia, home to the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War and the scene of many of its most critical, bloody battles, had been reliably Democratic for decades until passage of the 1965 Civil Rights Act by President Lyndon Johnson while the subsequent adoption by Richard Nixon of the Republican party’s Southern Strategy shifted the ground under the nation’s politics. Then, 45 years ago, the

Republicans became the party of segregation and, increasingly, bigotry. Nixon’s cynical strategy has produced consistent electoral wins in national contests for the Republicans in most southern states since that time. It came as no surprise that someone like Trump, previously largely politically agnostic, would opt to carry the Republican banner when he decided to enter elective politics.

The Virginia election played out on a surprising stage. Only very recently, after Barack Obama (twice) and Hillary Clinton carried the state, have national pundits begun to acknowledge this southern state is no longer reliably Republican. It is no longer the home to the segregationist Harry Byrd’s Democratic political machine, nor is it likely to represent a sure Republican victory in future national political elections. The state is now described by national commentators as purple – a mix of downstate (southern) red Republican strongholds and blue northern Virginia Democratic suburbanites.

As we commented in these pages during the summer, Virginia’s major party candidates both prevailed in primary elections over more radical contenders, from the Bernie Sanders leftist wing of the Democratic party and the alt-right wing of the Republican party. The Republican primary contender taunted eventual primary winner Ed Gillespie as “Establishment Ed”, mocking his centrist positions and his obvious and persistent unwillingness to embrace the exceptionally unpopular US chief executive.

Gillespie prevailed by only about one percentage point in the primary. Democrat Northam had a much easier time, both in the primary and in the general election.

Democrats prevailed in competitive elections around the country, while scoring no major upsets. Many pundits are now forecasting a big Democratic electoral triumph next year. They will point to the recent history of the first bi-election going against a newly elected president.

They will point to Trump’s persistently embarrassing behavioir and growing unpopularity. They will chronicle Trump’s many unfulfilled campaign promises, and increasing public disgust at the feckless and ineffective US Congress unable, with working majorities, to accomplish virtually anything.

But a year is a long time in politics.

Is Minnis becoming a new Mugabe?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

MY fellow Bahamians.

Is it just me (I wish) or did we just elect a Bahamian Mugabe in charge of The Bahamas? A few weeks ago, I was just talking about our “new and improved” Prime Minister by the name of Hubert Minnis.

What a joke that turned out to be. I apologise to all and sundry that were in ear shot of that stupid statement that I made. But, in reality, you can’t blame me because he had me fooled also after making lies from the throne.

In the short time of only six months, this man and his band of merry men and women has caused most of the populace that voted for them to want to kick themselves for falling for this wolf in sheep clothing.

Hubert Minnis is acting like a dictator. Reporters can’t even ask him a

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net legitimate question without the guy going off on them.

Keep it up, Minnis and I hope there will be no coverage from reporters of you. For the record I voted FNM but at the same time I did not vote for the FNM. As a born again Christian, I do not put my trust in no flesh and blood for the same reason.

I voted FNM just to get rid of the worst PM in Bahamian history. I did not vote FNM because I thought they would do a better job.

Our so-called elected leaders are not really true leaders of The Bahamas.

They are followers of the United Nations. When the United Nations say jump, they ask how high? The United Nations is New

World Order. This group of people do not have our best interest at heart.

They are forcing our leaders, under the threat of downgrading to pass all kinds foolish laws to make it hard for the Bahamian people to survive.

Do you really believe Perry Christie and those have what it takes to come up with VAT, or to come up with National Health Insurance? In your dreams.

They came straight from the United Nations otherwise known as the United nothing.

For our sakes, Mr Minnis, turn back to the humble person you used to be before power got to your head. On this path that you have laid out, for sure, you WILL be a one term Prime Prime Minister.

Nothing wrong with MP raises PM should not be deterred EDITOR, The Tribune.

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis was very right to announce he would raise parliamentary salaries.

Parliamentarians must be the only ones in The Bahamas who have not gone up in pay in 30 years.

Anyone who argues people should not get a raise after not getting one in 30 years is being extremely unreasonable.

Furthermore, if we want better people to be interested in politics we have to pay them more. The $28,000 for MPs is a joke.

Many of the Bahamians who are qualified and making a good living in the private sector would not be interested in the headache of being an MP for that small amount of money.

We have to grow up as a country. We can’t expect to get the best people to come forward to lead the country if we don’t want to pay a sensible salary with sensible

benefits. It’s as simple as that.

I’ve heard some complain this is not the right time.

Now is always the right time to do the right thing.

For 30 years, we have been saying now is not the right time. If the Prime Minister does not decide to act and do the right thing now, another 30 years may pass and the salaries would still be the same.

We can’t want to have the best leaders and have hatred toward them when it comes to pay.

Capable, qualified people make good money in the private sector. We should want the best Bahamians to feel comfortable stepping forward to be in politics.

We will only develop as a country when we get more capable people in the House of Assembly and Cabinet.

Many of the people I have heard complaining about the salary increase

just like complaining.

If Hubert Ingraham were doing this in the 1990s when our economy was strong and growing, they would have complained then too.

I hope our Prime Minister stays strong and goes ahead with this move. He was elected to change The Bahamas.

There will be many more difficult decisions he will have to make and Bahamians will complain then too.

But I hope he realises that it falls on him to do many hard things for the wellbeing of all of us in the long term.

Usually people remember leaders who had the courage to go against the conventional wisdom; and they are thankful then that the hard things got done.

Keep doing the hard things, Prime Minister.

MARTHA S GREENE Nassau, November 6, 2017.

EDITOR, The Tribune.

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis should ignore the naysayers. There are some people who keep asking what has the government done so far? To me, they must be blind not to see.

Dr Minnis promised a strong anticorruption drive. That is happening. The police have investigated alleged crimes and I’ve seen quite a few people charged.

Dr Minnis wanted to tackle the problems at BEC. I see the old management company is gone, audits have been conducted and police have launched an investigation into allegations there.

The PLP was spending

too much money. The government is cutting spending by 10 percent.

It has also let go all those election contracts the PLP gave out.

The hotels were closed in Grand Bahama. The government is offering to buy the Grand Lucayan and open it.

A Bill was just passed in the House of Assembly for an independent Director of Public Prosecutions.

Bahamians have for years wanted less political interference from the Office of the Attorney General.

The FNM government has announced it is going to fix the unfairness in the constitution when it comes to men and women passing on their citizenship

FRANCIO SMITH Nassau, November 10, 2017.

to their children. That has been a problem since the constitution was established.

That is a lot to have done and be doing in six months.

And that list doesn’t include everything.

Bahamians need to be sensible and let the government work. This government is much better than the last.

I hope Dr Minnis keeps up the good work. Some Bahamians are just disagreeable. They will never acknowledge the good things. This Prime Minister is working for the people and will continue to do a good job for the people of the entire Bahamas.

DARWIN R LUTHER Nassau, November 10, 2017.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, November 13, 2017, PAGE 5

ORVANO Symonette (left) and Anthony Strachan being escorted into court.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Two accused of fraud in cases linked with BPL

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

TWO men were arraigned in a Magistrate’s Court on Friday with a combined total of 22 counts of fraud-related charges in connection with the Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) Company Ltd. Orvano Symonette, 27, and Anthony Strachan, 39, faced the charges before magistrate Samuel McKinney. Neither is affiliated with BPL. Symonette, of Gospel Light Way pleaded not guilty to 12 charges, including two counts of fraud by false pretences, five counts of uttering a forged document, four counts of possession of a forged document and one count of attempted fraud.

Strachan faced one count of conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretences and seven counts of fraud by false pretences, to which he pleaded not guilty.

In the first count of fraud by false pretences it is alleged that on April 13, 2017, Symonette concerned with others, with the intent to defraud, obtained

$62,672.50 from the bank account of BPL held at Scotiabank by means of false pretences while he was at CIBC, John F Kennedy Drive.

The second count alleged that on May 11, 2017, the accused concerned with others and with the intent to defraud did obtain $74,980 from BPL’s bank account held at Scotiabank by means of false pretences while at CIBC, John F Kennedy Drive.

A third count, according to court documents, is in reference to uttering a forged document.

It is alleged that on Thursday, April 13, 2017, with the intent to defraud, Mr Symonette did utter a certain forged document to withdraw a Scotiabank cheque from BPL’s account.

This cheque was allegedly then made payable to Bahamas Industrial Equip Sale in the amount of $62,672.50 to CIBC on John F Kennedy Drive knowing that it was forged.

In another count, it was alleged the defendant forged a document.

The alleged act is said to have taken place on May 4, 2017, with the intent to

defraud. The particulars are that Symonette allegedly had in his possession a certain forged document to withdraw from Scotiabank and drawn from the account of BPL. It was alleged to have been made payable to Bahamas Equipment Sales in the amount of $74,980, knowing that it was not genuine.

He was also allegedly believed to have uttered a forged document on May 4, 2017. It is claimed Symonette uttered a certain forged document drawn from BPL’s account and payable to Bahama Industrial Equip Sales in the amount of $74,980 knowing the document was forged.

Count six was possession of a forged document.

The particulars are that on Thursday, May 4, 2017, Symonette allegedly with the intent to defraud had in his possession a certain forged document to withdraw a Scotiabank cheque from BPL’s account made payable to Islandsite Development in the amount of $34,167.80. It is alleged he knew it was not genuine.

In the seventh count, he was again alleged to have uttered a forged

POLICE HUNT THREE OVER BPL MATTERS POLICE are seeking the public’s help in locating three men who they want for questioning in connection with the Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) fraud investigation.

Reno Bethel, a former employee of CIBC, is 34 and described as being 5’7”5’10” tall with a medium build.

In September, Bethel was arraigned in Magistrates Court facing 23 counts of fraud by false pretences, 23 counts of receiving, and one count of conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretences in connection to the BPL matter.

James Ruben Dean, a former fixed assets officer at BPL, is 31 and described as having a dark brown complexion and being 5’9”5’11” tall with a medium build.

And Che-Toussaint Chase, a 35-year-old attorney, is described as having a dark brown complexion, being 5’7”-5’10” tall and having a slim build.

Anyone with information of the whereabouts of these three men are asked to call police immediately.

document on May 4, 2017, with the intent to defraud.

This forged cheque in the amount of $34,167.80 from the BPL account was made payable to Islandsite Development to RBC on JFK. Another count was for possession of a forged document alleged to have happened on May 11, 2017.

The cheque forged from Scotiabank and made payable to Bahamas Industrial Equip Sales was in the amount of $74,980.

The ninth count stemmed from allegations he uttered a forged document.

This is also alleged to have taken place on May 11 in the form of a cheque from BPL’s account in the amount of $74,980.

Count 10 allegedly happened on the same day when Symonette is said to have been in possession of a forged document.

Court documents state he intended to defraud with a forged Scotiabank cheque payable to Bahamas Industrial Equip Sales in the amount of $74,980.

In count 11, it is alleged the defendant uttered a certain forged document from Scotiabank and made payable to Bahamas Industrial

Equip Sales in the amount of $74,980 to RBC. The final count was attempted fraud by false pretences on May 4, 2017.

It is alleged Symonette concerned with others intended to obtain $74,980 from Scotiabank while he was at CIBC. Regarding Strachan, he faced eight counts, the first among these was conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretences.

The particulars are that between Monday, January 27, 2017, and Thursday, April 20, 2017, Mr Strachan being concerned with others agreed with common purpose to commit fraud by false pretences.

He was also charged with fraud by false pretences for actions which allegedly happened on Wednesday, February 8, 2017. It is alleged that Strachan concerned with others and with the intent to defraud obtained $47,891.25 from BPL’s Scotia Bank account by means of false pretences while at CIBC JFK. In addition, he was also charged with fraud by false pretences for actions which were alleged on February 8, 2017.

It is claimed that Mr

Strachan along together with other and with the intent to defraud obtained $23,005 from BPL’s Scotia account by means of false pretences while at CIBC JFK. In count four, it is alleged that Strachan on February 28 with the intent to defraud obtained $14,835 from the electricity provider’s Scotiabank account.

In another count, it was also alleged that on March 3, 2017, the defendant with others obtained $11,932.50 from BPL’s Scotiabank account through false pretences.

Counts six, seven and eight were also fraud by false pretences, occurring on March 15 and March 30.

In one instance, it is alleged he obtained $18,382.50 and in the other $19,350 by means of false pretences.

The eighth count was on the intent to defraud $78,690.

Magistrate McKinney informed both men his court could not grant bail and it would have to be sought in the Supreme Court. For this reason, both men were remanded to the Bahamas Department of Corrections.

Trial dates of March 26 and 27, 2018 were set.

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THE TRIBUNE

MPs’ pay will need economic upturn

DEPUTY Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest.

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from page one His position is a turnabout from 2014 when, in response to the Christie administration’s desire for the same thing, he said: “As long as I am leader of this country, the FNM would not support any pay increase with all the pain and suffering that is going on in this country.”

MIGRANTS ARE HUNTED AS HAITIAN SLOOP LANDS

from page one

The total number of undocumented migrants apprehended by the RBDF for the year is approximately 1,100. Half of these apprehensions were made jointly with local immigration and police authorities officers as well as the United States Coast Guard.

Since 2014, economic growth remains slow and the Minnis administration frequently laments the state of the country’s finances and the unemployment rate remains high.

In 2014, the Christie administration’s establishment of a parliamentary select committee to consider a salary increase for parliamentarians was widely criticised. It came mid-term as that administration’s popularity began to wane; the plan was ultimately scratched and MPs’ salaries remained the same.

At the time, Dr Minnis told the Nassau Guardian: “The FNM has not agreed to any salary increase.”

Several FNM MP’s have publicly voiced their support for the increases including Works Minister Desmond Bannister who told The Nassau Guardian last week a review of MPs’ salaries is long overdue.

He applauded the prime minister for addressing the controversial issue.

Member of Parliament for Bains and Grants Town Travis Robinson, the youngest parliamentarian,

told The Tribune a salary increase would help deter corruption as he compared current salaries for MPs to what janitors make. However, he told the Nassau Guardian last week he would not support a raise at the next budget if the government has not yet fulfilled its campaign promises to institute a tax-free zone in Over-the-Hill communities and eliminate value-added tax on breadbasket items and health services.

The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) also said they do not support the planned pay increases. PLP Leader Phillip “Brave” Davis said the “personal needs of well off politicians” should not come before assisting poor Bahamians.

PLP Deputy Leader Chester Cooper also said he “categorically” does not support a raise for MPs and vowed to “vote no” when the matter is brought to the House of Assembly for debate.

In a statement, Mr Davis said if Dr Minnis believes parliamentarians cannot live on the salaries they are currently making,

POLICE TO TRIAL BODYCAMS from page one

complaints against police and said: “We recognise that from time to time, as officers go out on the road they interact with people and we want to be transparent and fair to people. We always like to be a professional organisation and we believe this new technology will enhance public confidence, it will enhance the professionalism of officers in an effort to bring good

policing to our communities. We hope it will bring us in line with modern technology used around the world.”

The technology will be tested in New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco.

The technology is such, the police chief said, that officers wearing them will not be able to alter the images.

“The images are downloaded at a different location,” he said.

As for storage, data will

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

be downloaded to servers.

Use of body cameras became a big issue in the United States following a number of fatal civilian interactions with police officers over the years.

Officials hope the technology will inspire professionalism on all parts in a police interaction.

However, at least one significant study on the use of the technology indicate it does little to curtail unwanted police behaviour.

Under Commissioner Ferguson’s predecessor, Ellison Greenslade, 73 officers were discharged for misconduct.

Thirteen people were dismissed from the RBPF in 2016 for misconduct and betrayal of the public trust. Public complaints against police officers last year included 101 complaints of assault, up from 86 in 2015. They also included 15 complaints of unethical behaviour, 12 of missing property, five of

“he should place himself in the shoes of the thousands of Bahamians who live from hand to mouth, including those fired by his government.”

But last week, following Dr Minnis’ announcement, Mr Davis told The Tribune a salary increase for MPs is “overdue.” He said Dr Minnis should consider recommendations the former administration made rather than establish an entirely new committee to consider the matter.

And during the Christie administration’s last term, Mr Davis, then deputy prime minister, was on board with a pay increase for politicians, insinuating it would curtail corruption.

In May 2014, when the former administration considered the matter, Mr Davis said: “(It would) remove the temptation for politicians to do things that are not right. Because if they (MPs) are earning a living by doing this, then there would be no need for them to do anything else, I think that’s what the Bahamian public has to understand.”

extortion, seven of unlawful arrest, four of threats of harm and five of causing harm.

One hundred and one of the complaints resulted in complete investigations in some form, statistics released in January show.

However, in 37 of the cases, officials found the complaints unsubstantiated while in a combined total of 11 cases officials found the complaints either unfounded or lacking sufficient evidence.

In only one case was an officer fired as consequence of a complaint.

In six cases, it was recommended the complainant be reimbursed and in nine cases it was recommended the complaint be taken before a court of enquiry and a tribunal, indicating a serious offence had been alleged.

In 18 cases, the complainant withdrew the complaint.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2017

THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS

Come on Dr Minnis, be the leader we need

By MALCOLM STRACHAN

and later honorary doctoral degrees, he returned home AST Thursday to continue his ministry.

Munroe also led groundmarked the third anniversary of breaking efforts to bring programming the death of religious Pastor Dr Myles Munroe to secular TV and radio and his wife, Pastor Ruth during the week, when it Munroe – and The Baha- was previously relegated to mas is sorely missing the Sundays.

Little did he know, his kind of leadership he then embodied. The world - and accomplishments The Bahamas in particular, would barely compare with lost a giant of a leader and the indelible mark he would man when Pastor Munroe’s leave on the world.

In his 2005 book, The plane crashed on Novemof Leadership, ber 9, 2014. His teachings Spirit have endeared him to mil- Munroe analysed the spiritlions of students all over ual intricacies of leadership, the world still mourning the focusing on its intrinsic passing of him and his wife. nature to all human beings.

Left to carry the baton are He said, “Every human has their two children, Myles the instinct and capacity for Jr and Charisa, who have leadership, but most do not been thrust into the lead- have the courage or will to ership of Myles Munroe cultivate it.”

At a time when the International and remain connected to their father’s country is in dire need of individuals vision. who embody We are now Myles the spirit of Munroe’s six months in leadership, teachings on to this term in as postulated leadership by the late earned him government, and Pastor Myles, early rec- Minnis continues many Bahaognition by mians feel the nation’s to seem in over lost - as we first prime his head. Despite have not been minister, his best efforts, confident in Sir Lynden any governPindling. Pin- he simply does ment leading dling, who not seem to the country recognised have “the juice” in decades.

Munroe’s In an excerpt magnetic abil- – that stuff that from Munity to attract illuminates leaders roe’s book, he a large fol- from within. says: “There lowing at the are many young age of 18, gave his life to Christ at who confuse the position a meeting led by a young of leadership with the disposition of true leadership.

Munroe.

Having the power to No matter what position intrigue a prime minis- one may be given, status in ter who was at the time a an organisation does not very popular figure him- automatically create leaderself, this instance gave the ship. Genuine leadership is young Dr Munroe insight one’s internal disposition, into the giant he would which relates to a sense of become. Munroe and Pin- purpose, self-worth, and dling forged a life-long self-concept. Others have friendship. Munroe’s jour- confused leadership with ney was just getting started. the ability to control others manipulating After obtaining a bachelor’s through degrees in fine arts, educa- their emotions and playing tion and theology, a master’s on their fears and needs. degree in administration But true leadership is a

L

PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. product of inspiration, not capable of shepherding this country, disappointment manipulation.”

Bahamian politics looms. More and more, it has long been a game of seems as though the counwho can induce the most try was just on a high. It felt fear within an elector- good to see the PLP on the ate. Fear has been what outs. However, we are still drives us. Fear of the white desperately in search of “bogeyman”. Fear of the someone who has the true murderous bandits who spirit of leadership.

After the outrageouslyhave run amok in this country. Fear of deteriorating timed announcement of economic circumstances. salary raises for MPs, the We are all motivated by only people speaking out in what frightens us. Aver- defence of the prime minage citizens face fears they ister were members of his won’t be able to leave any government. Why should legacy to their future gen- a young, 22-year-old Travis eration, as they themselves Robinson have to come to the prime minister’s merely struggle to get by.

After the PLP’s last disas- defence? Why is the Mintrous term in government, ister of National Security Prime Minister Minnis, or Minister of Works trying who no one thought would to clarify the prime minemerge victorious, played ister’s statements? When the electorate’s fear to his reporters from the local advantage and became the dailies requested comment nation’s fourth prime minis- from the prime minister on ter. We are now six months the matter, he ducked and in to this term in govern- dodged; scurrying away ment, and Minnis continues from the opportunity to to seem in over his head. explain himself.

While we have respect Despite his best efforts, he simply does not seem to for Anthony “Ace” Newhave “the juice” – that stuff bold, his position as Press that illuminates leaders Secretary has only crippled Prime Minister Minnis from within.

As much as we had hoped further.

How can a man’s word for him and felt on May 10 that he would be the one have any merit if he is not

PASTOR Dr Myles Munroe and his wife and fellow pastor Ruth, who died in a plane crash three years ago.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff prepared to stand on it? fruition. As the months That alone speaks to not leading up to election only the character of a man, season ticked down, Bahabut also that of a leader. mians wanted so badly a Former Prime Minister new day after suffering Hubert Alexander Ingra- under a reign of haughty ham, whether you love or PLP leadership. hate him, was such a man.

Prime Minister Minnis, His predecessor, Sir Lynden who was seen as the relentOscar Pindling, regardless less underdog, fought tooth of your feelings toward and nail to the top of his his legacy, was also such a party. Now in the spotlight man. Minnis’ predecessor, of prime time, we need the Perry Gladstone Christie, prime minister that showed whether you left his mono- the resilience and strategic logues with any semblance prowess to obtain leaderof understanding or not, ship of his party to rise to was also unafraid to speak the occasion. up for himself. At this This consistent bunpoint in time, The Bahamas gling of statements from needs a prime minister that within his cabinet and out is prepared to lead with a of his own mouth needs to steady hand. This is more be checked. Fittingly, the important, perhaps than government has to get on any other period in this a shared sensible message country’s 44 years of being and work as if they are folan independent nation. lowing a plan. As of now, In one of Pastor Myles’ it seems they are shooting sermons that went viral from the hip at an incredleading up to and after ibly inaccurate clip. his death, he prophesied It is still early in the new leaders would rise up term and possible the ship in The Bahamas. In one can be steered in the right of his most inspiring ser- direction. However, the mons ever, he spoke as a government needs to make man who saw a changing of haste with getting its act the guard on the horizon. together. The talk around Bahamians waited with town is getting louder bated breath for this pow- within the barber shops, erful prophecy to come to hair salons, street corners and around water coolers.

The citizenry is not happy with the Minnis administration’s leadership thus far.

If Pastor Munroe was correct, and we believe he was, the spirit of leadership resides within us all. As the holiday season approaches and Parliament will most likely go on another hiatus, it is our hope the prime minister takes some time to go on a journey of self-discovery. We need him to tap into his leadership spirit. As this year comes to a close and we begin another, perhaps our prime minister can find the leader in himself and become the man we need him to be.

We remind the prime minister of a quote from Pastor Myles Munroe: “Leadership is a trusted privilege given by followers.”

That being said, the Bahamian people have entrusted Prime Minister Minnis to lead the nation.

It is fine time that he steps up to the plate and do so.

Prime Minister, we implore you not to mistake the “position” you hold for the “disposition” you should hold. The Bahamian people will not be merciful when it is time for their voices to be heard again.

PAGE 8 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2017

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

Time to level the playing field T

HE absence of meaningful consultation between governments and private sector organisations in the Caribbean is leading to the implementation of externally-driven laws and regulations which will not serve the region well.

This situation is becoming increasingly prevalent in the haste by regional governments to comply with rules set by the Global Forum of Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) on tax matters and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), both bodies created by the world’s richest developed nations.

Threatened by these bodies with the spectre of their jurisdictions being black-listed as “non-cooperative”, governments have adopted legislation, established costly regulatory bodies, and implemented rules governing money laundering, terrorism financing and tax matters with little or no discussion with private sector organisations in their own countries.

The result is private sector organisations discover these new rules only after they have been implemented, and the opportunity to contribute to their formulation has long passed.

Caribbean governments don’t even discuss the demands of these external agencies among themselves before each of them accepts and implements them. In part, the absence of intergovernmental discussion is due to each jurisdiction trying to gain an advantage over the other. Each wants to avoid being blacklisted in the belief this will give them an edge over other Caribbean jurisdictions with which it is in competition.

Some will argue intergovernmental discussion does take place about OECD and FATF demands in the councils of the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) and the OECD Global Forum. But those discussions are not regional discussions; they are discussions that take place with the representatives of the OECD and FATF present in full force and well-prepared, whereas representatives of Caribbean governments turn-up, having had no preparatory meetings among themselves and with no agreed

THE HEADQUARTERS of the OECD in Paris.

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS position.

By contrast, extensive consultations take place between OECD governments and with their private sector in their countries. When the governments of OECD countries make proposals, it can be taken as given they are representing the best interests of their own private sector bodies which are the engines of their economies and huge movers and shakers in their political systems.

Accountants, tax advisers, auditors, estate planners in the Caribbean are often surprised when they learn they are now expected by the FATF to be “whistle blowers” on their own clients and to establish unprecedented machinery to guard against being charged for facilitating money laundering, tax evasion and the financing of

terrorism.

The FATF and the OECD Global Forum now require all jurisdictions to identify and name beneficial owners of financial assets. This requirement covers not only International Business Corporations; it also envelops companies incorporated in domestic jurisdictions.

The FATF has issued “High level principles and procedures for Accountants” to guide them on “the risk-based approach to combatting money laundering and terrorist financing”. In effect, Accountants and Lawyers, who have provided services to clients for years, are now required to be “gatekeepers” and they are obliged to report on their own clients if they suspect activities such as money laundering, terrorist financing or tax evasion.

But the playing field is not

level. One OECD jurisdiction does apply anti-money laundering laws to “gatekeepers”, and the court in another has repeatedly said AML/CTF requirements, such as reporting on clients, violates the Attorney-Client relationship.

In any event, huge obligations are being placed on accountants in the Caribbean to know the business of their clients in far greater detail than ever before, and to exercise extreme caution in providing a range of advice to them. To do this efficiently, practitioners need to invest in systems, including software, to know and understand their clients’ business much better than in the past so as to protect themselves. Consequently, their costs will rise if they are to safeguard themselves from the risk of one or more of their clients acting illegally.

Both the costs and risks could well result in a decision by some accounting firms that the rewards are not worth the risks. In other words, some small accounting firms could opt for closure, leaving the accounting business in the region only to very large firms who have the capacity to conduct extensive checks on clients and their business.

The danger also arises that small businesses would not be able to pay the fees charged by large accounting firms, resulting in a large number of small businesses being deprived of accounting services for many activities.

What is remarkable is that these heavy-handed

rules, devised by the OECD and the FATF, are hardly necessary in the Caribbean. More than 90 percent of the world’s financial transactions occur outside the region in which only about two percent of all global financial dealings occur. So, unless, in the most unlikely possibility that all illicit transactions in the world take place in the Caribbean, the one-size shoe that is being forced on to the feet of every Caribbean jurisdiction has to be less about money laundering, terrorism financing and tax evasion and more about an intense level of control.

The recently released, so-called “Paradise Papers” are full of references to Caribbean countries in the media as if it were Caribbean jurisdictions that own the accounts, corporations and trusts that have been named. Yet, all that has happened in the Caribbean is various entities have been set up in these jurisdictions where the beneficial owners must be known by law, and which have signed-up to OECD and FATF rules to provide the tax information of those entities either automatically or on request.

The “Paradise Papers” might themselves turn out to be no more than a damp squib. The papers, consisting of 13.4 million documents, are alleged “to show how the rich got richer through offshore manoeuvres”. But tax experts are not convinced the documents reveal any such thing. Even Pascal Saint-Amans, a top tax official at the OECD said the schemes were “mostly if

not all legal”, adding that “some are not even questionable from a legitimacy point of view”.

Note should be taken that while anonymity of ownership and sharing of tax information is law in the majority of Caribbean countries, this is not so in several OECD countries. According to leading tax lawyers in the US, for example, several states including Delaware, South Dakota and Wyoming enforce anonymity and are, consequently, swallowingup trust businesses that have migrated there to avoid disclosure.

Of course, the Caribbean has an obligation to the global community to fight money laundering, terrorist financing and tax evasion. They are doing so, and must continue to do so whatever double standard exists among others.

At the same time, Caribbean governments should do no less than OECD governments. They should meet regularly to discuss the demands made of them, and they should consult their private sector organisations in fashioning their response.

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

WORK

NOTICE

Airport Road

The Water and Sewerage Corporation advises the public, its customers and residents of John F. Kennedy Drive (JFK), Windsor Field Road between the Police Station and the US Departure roundabouts that there will be temporary traffic diversion in order to facilitate the installation of a sewer main Monday 13th, November, 2017 from 7pm to 4am.

As a result, Motorist heading west on John F. Kennedy Drive (JFK) will be detoured at the roundabout next to the Shell Gas Station and Motorist heading east on Windsor Field Road should note that there will be a single lane traffic.

Motorists are further advised to please follow posted detour signs to avoid any further delays.

The Corporation appreciates your support as we work to improve our level of service and apologizes for any inconvenience caused.

Tel: (242) 302-5599 or Toll Free (242) 300-0150 Find out more on

or our website www.wsc.com.bs

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

INSIGHT

THE CARMICHAEL Road Detention Centre.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2017 PAGE 9

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

THE TIME HAS COME FOR BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES TO STOP PLAYING POLITICS WITH IMMIGRATION

M

OST of our politicians still believe a tough stance on immigration can win elections. Especially when struggling with low popularity or seeking to deflect from some high profile blunder, governments continue to turn to highly visible yet woefully ineffectual “crackdown” tactics.

Clearly the political class has not been paying attention, as – sadly for them – this well-worn gimmick no longer works, if it ever really did.

Over the past four decades, the PLP in particular has specialised in the art of politically-timed high profile raids, illegal roadblocks and aggressive round-ups.

Nor has the FNM been adverse to indulging in these tactics when they believed it to be expedient.

An ominous example But just consider what happened to the last PLP administration. Two-and-ahalf years before having to face the electorate at the polls again, they launched what was perhaps the most aggressive, inhumane and impractical immigration crackdown ever in The Bahamas.

They turned the presumption of innocence upside down and created a police state where anyone, anywhere and at anytime could be arbitrarily stopped, questioned, searched and commanded to produce “papers” showing they had “status”, failing which they would be carted away to the Carmichael Concentration Camp and denied all due process.

On November 1, 2014, armed officers from the Immigration Department and The Royal Bahamas Defence Force began descending on sleeping communities in the dead of night, terrorising residents and rounding up people indiscriminately, Bahamian and foreigner alike.

What followed were more aggressive round-ups and swift deportations, including the expulsion of minors - born here to migrant parents - who have a right to be registered as Bahamian citizens. As is always the case, there was a spike in reports of physical and sexual abuse of detained persons, but the real infamy of this policy was it mobilised and encouraged xenophobic feeling throughout the country – in both the public and private sector alike – leading to countless cases of casual bigotry against those who looked or sounded “foreign”.

Women were denied

FREDERICK SMITH QC The Bahamas’ leading human rights lawyer continues his analysis of the Minnis administration’s December 31 deadline for illegal immigrants to leave the country. prenatal care at public clinics because of their heritage; prospective college students were turned away at the door; the elderly were denied National Insurance payments because of their last name. This was illegal, unapologetic and blatant state institutionalised terror and discrimination.

The policy also brought enormous international repercussions and severely damaged the reputation of The Bahamas abroad.

The crackdown became the subject of hearings before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), a hugely important regional body which had already sanctioned The Bahamas for our inhumane and degrading migrant detention conditions. We were openly criticised by Amnesty International, The Robert F Kennedy Center for Human Rights and other organisations, and were lambasted on the front page of the New York Times for blocking migrant children from attending school.

The PLP, and in particular former Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell, made immigration into the biggest show in town. What was the result? The most devastating election defeat in Bahamian history. This was also supported 100 percent by the FNM which publicly stated it was “standing shoulder to shoulder with the PLP”, this to show, in the run up to elections that they were not weak on immigration. The harsh immigration policy was said to be popular with the public, yet it failed to actually impact voting patterns. Clearly, there are other issues of far more importance to today’s electorate than undocumented migrants.

Know your voting blocs Given the disastrous consequences of the PLP’s failed crackdown, it was astounding to hear Prime Minister Minnis follow in Mitchell’s footsteps and issue an ultimatum to

the current governing party has relied more on the support of middle-class families and white-collar professionals, as well as their own established and entrenched elite.

Of course, these are only rough outlines – many grassroots Bahamians support the FNM and there is a healthy element of middle-class voters within the ranks of the PLP. Nevertheless, as a general outline of the political scene today, I believe this to be a fair assessment. “illegals” – get out of the A grave danger for the country by December 31, or FNM else!

Now, it just so happens This was clearly and Bahamians of Haitian transparently yet another descent, while occasionattempt to distract the ally changeable as a voting attention of the electorate bloc under the right circumand drum up support. This stances, have traditionally misguided stunt is at least tended to be reliable supas doomed to fail as Mitch- porters of the FNM, in ell’s Purge. In fact, given the particular under former make-up of today’s voting Prime Minister Hubert blocs, the impact on the Ingraham. No doubt this FNM may be even more has much to do with the profound and catastrophic.

PLP’s cruel approach to The immigration composiissues over There is no law tion of the the years. which requires Bahamian Though electorate many Bahaanybody to is of course mians don’t fluid and walk around like to admit changeable, it, a signifiwith proof of never more cant portion so than in the citizenship and of the curlast 15 years. rent middle Immigration Nevertheclass in this less, certain officers have no country are truisms percitizens and right to demand sist. One is voters who that, for the you produce descended time being at from Haitian least, around such proof, or migrants – 30 to 35 per- to detain you some of them cent of voters documented, if you cannot. remain some of them steadfast not.

This is a flagrant supporters of The memthe PLP and violation of the bers of this identify with constitution, bloc may not its traditional advertise symbols and which guarantees their feelings message. A on the issue, freedom of significant no doubt percentage movement for fear of of this is further disdrawn from and that you crimination, grassroots but they feel are presumed communities, very strongly augmented about the by profes- innocent until manner in sionals who which sucmake up cessive what is known as the “PLP governments have abused elite”. people who share their While the PLP must heritage. always attract some middle And herein lies a grave class voters, they have danger for the Minnis tended to concentrate on administration: they stand shoring up this base, and to gain far less than the PLP it is precisely to this crowd from playing immigration their immigration panto- brinksmanship games, yet mime is directed. they have so much more to The FNM on the other lose. The FNM are kidding hand, has less of a solid themselves if they think core, as we saw in 2012 any of the opposition’s core when the DNA was able to will switch sides over immierode it significantly within gration. Why would they, a very short space of time. already having enforcer-inStill, it can roughly be said chief Fred Mitchell in their

ranks?

Yet the FNM risks alienating one of the few core voting blocs they could rely on in the past. The PLP may no longer gain anything from their crackdowns, but nor do they lose anything.

The same cannot be said for the FNM. Outside the law Political maneuverings aside, we must keep in mind the tactics used in all the crackdowns of the past, and in Minnis’ threatened crackdown, are actually illegal.

First of all, there is no law which requires anybody to walk around with proof of citizenship and Immigration officers have no right to demand you produce such proof, or to detain you if you cannot. This is a flagrant violation of the constitution, which guarantees freedom of movement and that you are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

It is illegal to arrest someone, hold them and make them prove something.

For the very same reason, the indiscriminate roadblocks and checkpoints which Immigration enjoys setting up on our roads are also illegal, a fact that has been explicitly stated by the Supreme Court of The Bahamas in a landmark ruling.

You can only be lawfully arrested if they have reasonable probable cause to believe you committed a crime. For example, if you are driving the same model and colour car as someone wanted in connection with a robbery. The blanket stop, search and question policy violates everyone’s rights and means the government is operating outside the law.

No political will So far, the focus has been on the political payoff, or lack thereof, of immigration crackdowns which are pursued as nothing more than public relations exercises for struggling governments.

Certainly, there can be no question these policies have failed to produce any actual results, as undocumented migrants, primarily from Haiti, continue to arrive in significant numbers.

Meanwhile, such tactics have become a vehicle for systemic corruption and exploitation, and the only tangible results are the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue, the establishment of an entrenched culture of bribery, and the creation of a sub-class of marginalised and “illegal” citizens with all the attendant social challenges.

Up until now, this has

not presented a problem for whoever happens to be the government of the day.

As long as leaders continued to believe there was political capital in having a strong stance on immigration, they saw no reason to bring undocumented migration under control. Why fix a problem that keeps on giving?

A real solution to immigration Now that the old approach has become politically unproductive, perhaps politicians might consider a real solution to the problem; one capable of producing tangible results in the long-term.

The first step would be to move immediately to clear the backlog of applications for citizenship and other forms of status that have lain dormant for decades.

Aside from the gross violation of the rights of these people during crackdowns, it is insanity to send armed, aggressive officers into communities in which thousands of undocumented migrants mingle with thousands of others who have various claims to status, including children with the right to apply for citizenship in the future.

Chaos, wrongful detentions and the wholesale abuse of people’s rights are the only possible results.

The second step would be to vastly improve the efficacy of border control, part of which involves arresting and prosecuting immigration officers who are suspected of taking bribes to look the other way as undocumented migrants cross into our territory.

Once the government has done the above, the comparatively few people left who are still suspected of being undocumented migrants can be brought before the courts in a humane and orderly fashion, based on demonstrable probable cause and not on discrimination, then given a chance to argue their case, all of them being considered innocent until proven guilty.

The time has come for both political parties to stop playing politics with immigration – if for no other reason than their own political survival. This is much more so the case for the FNM than it is for the PLP. However, whichever party ushers in a real and lasting solution to this issue that is humane, fair and effective might be capable of gaining a durable and lasting political advantage.

It also happens to be the right thing to do.

PAGE 10 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2017

College isn’t just for the lucky few T

HE lucky few with good grades and rich families - that’s who goes to college, right? Wrong!

Karen McCartney, programme co-ordinator for Lyford Cay Foundations and a former guidance counselor at CV Bethel Senior High School, is on a mission to break down the barriers that prevent many students from applying to college.

Currently Karen provides college preparation support for 49 students in grades 10 and 11 through the On Course To College component of FOCUS, the Foundations’ programme providing college readiness and access support for public school students of demonstrated need and potential. With more than five years of experience helping students make their college dreams a reality, Karen knows the road to college is about having the drive to overcome obstacles.

We took a moment to ask Karen about the myths surrounding the college application process. Here she shares the top misconceptions, and the truth about how anyone can make college dreams a reality.

Myth 1: College isn’t for me. It’s for ‘smart’ kids and people who want to be doctors, lawyers, accountants.

College is for everyone. No matter your grade point average or your career

INSIGHT

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

goals, there’s a college out there for you. If you’re driven to succeed, motivated to develop new skills, want to gain a fresh perspective on the world, want a greater appreciation for your culture and your country, then college is for you.

Myth 2: College is for rich kids.

I didn’t have money to go to college, and neither did my brother. Many of my friends and former students didn’t have money either. Chances are many of your teachers and role models didn’t have the funds for college either. We all found a way and so can you. Lack of money can be a hindrance, but it should never be a deterrent. If you want to go to college, start researching all the scholarships which are available including Lyford Cay Foundations Scholarships and the Ministry of Education’s Public School Scholars Programme.

For you, going to college may mean taking classes while working or getting a student loan. Your journey may be a different path from someone else’s, but the destination of success is the same.

Myth 3: If you didn’t start to prepare for college early, it’s too late.

It’s never too late to start the application process. At the same time, it’s never too early to start dreaming about college! Ideally, you’d

PHOTO CAPTION: Karen McMcartney (left), programme co-ordinator, Lyford Cay Foundations with FOCUS students. start exploring the idea of matter when you start the college and careers in grade process.

9. Then in grades 10 and 11, Myth 4: If your parents you would start researching colleges and begin sitting didn’t go to college, then the various tests for college you’re out of luck.

Being the first in your admissions. Under normal family to apply to colcircumstances, in grade 12, you would apply to the lege can be overwhelming. schools you are interested Some parents are excited in attending. But life is to help their students through this process, and never perfect. By working others have no idea where with your high school guid- to start. You should not ance counsellor and being go through the process persistent, you can apply alone. Seek out the help of and get into college no a teacher or family friend who has attended college.

Guidance counsellors have a wealth of information and resources available for you as well. Remember -the joy of getting a college acceptance letter will be far more fulfilling than how overwhelming the application process may seem.

BAHAMAS POWER AND LIGHT COMPANY LTD.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS Bahamas Power and Light Company Ltd. invites RFPs for the services described below:

TENDER NO.: 988/17 REPLACE FIBERGLASS PIPES, STATION ‘B’ CLIFTON PIER POWER STATION Prospective Bidders are required to send an email to bpltenders@ bplco.com, so that the document can be forwarded and any updates, clarifications or responses to questions can be responded to via email.

RFPs should be marked as follows

TENDER NO.: 988/17 REPLACE FIBERGLASS PIPES, STATION ‘B’ CLIFTON PIER POWER STATION and are to be addressed to: The Chief Executive Officer Bahamas Power and Light Company Ltd. Administration Offices Peter I. Bethel Building Blue Hill & Tucker Roads Nassau, Bahamas Deadline for delivery to BPL: On or before 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 8, 2017

BPL reserves the right to accept or reject any or all proposals.

Bahamas Power and Light Company Ltd.

BUILDING FOR BETTER

Myth 5: Any college will do.

All colleges are not the same. Picking the right college for you is very important, and that only happens through research. If you can, try to visit the colleges where you want to apply. Don’t forget

to do research on the University of The Bahamas and Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute here at home.

Myth 6: If you don’t go to college right after high school graduation, you’ve missed your opportunity.

There’s no such thing as it being too late to attend college. You can attend college at any time despite your age or background. A college

education is for anyone who wants it. Don’t be afraid of the journey.

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

HOW YOU CAN HELP FIGHT CRIME Police advice

By SERGEANT 3150 NATHALIE RANGER

CRIME prevention is everyone’s responsibility, not just law enforcement.

One of the best ways to take an active part in crime prevention is to become more alert and aware of what is going on around you.

Report suspicious people seen in your community.

Suspicious people may often be identified by their behaviour. While no one behavioural activity is proof that someone is planning to act inappropriately and many of the following behavioural indicators are perfectly consistent with innocent behaviour, these factors can help you assess whether someone poses a threat.

Behavioural factors to watch for include: • Nervousness, nervous glancing or other signs of mental discomfort/being ill-at-ease.

• Inappropriate, oversize, loose-fitting clothes eg, a heavy overcoat on a warm day.

• Keeping hands in pockets or cupping hands (as in holding a triggering device).

• Constantly favouring one side or one area of the body as if wearing something unusual/ uncomfortable.

• Pay attention to someone constantly adjusting waistbands, ankles, or other clothing. Projected angles under clothing may also be indicative of a firearm, at the waist or the ankle.

Report criminal activities: One of the most important things that you can do when you see a crime or is a victim of a crime is to report it.

When you see criminal activity, you should immediately report it to the police. Write down important information about the crime and criminal.

Gather information about the crime.

As soon as possible, note the important details about the crime so that you can report them accurately to the police: • day and time the crime was committed • the location • the name of the victim • what happened

Write down information about the suspected criminal.

You can help the police find the criminal and get them off the street by providing a description of the criminal. Be as detailed as possible. Note the following: • Height • Weight • Approximate age • Gender • Race • Hair and eye colour • Whether the person had a weapon.

• Any distinguishing characteristics, such as birthmarks or walking with a limp • What they were wearing • What they were driving, including licence plate number • The direction they fled

Know your Neighbours Take the time to establish good terms and build relationships with all your neighbours. Great neighbours make their communities friendlier and safer, while improving the overall quality of life for themselves and those who surround them.

Caring neighbours stay informed on community issues. It is likely you and your neighbours have busy lives and schedules, but if the community comes together as a group, change can happen more efficiently, and issues can be resolved more quickly.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, November 13, 2017, PAGE 11

Super Value staff held at gunpoint from page one “They told the cashiers to get on the floor and took the assistant manager. They put a gun to his head and told him to carry them to the safe.

“They got the float (from) the safe and they tried to get money out of the registers but they couldn’t get the drawers open so they left.

“Three of the girls went to the hospital in shock, it was a traumatic experience for them.”

Mr Roberts said he suspects his stores continue to be robbed by people “looking for bail money”.

“We have a new

government, a new prime minister, a new minister of national security and now a new commissioner of police but the same old crime,” Mr Roberts said.

“I think it was someone looking for bail money.

These people come out on bail and then to come to us for money to pay their lawyers. The $10,000 or $12,000 they need for their legal fees. I think that is what most of our robberies are about.”

Mr Roberts said his stores will have armed police officers for the holiday season.

Last year, after having five of his food stores robbed Mr Roberts said at the time armed

police officers would be stationed at all of his locations to ensure the safety of his staff and customers.

However, he said there was “some difficultly” in that.

Mr Roberts told The Tribune he believes his stores have become targets for criminals because of the cash flow nature of his business, but he said thieves are disappointed when they realise not a lot of money is kept in the cash registers.

Super Value stores on Mackey Street, Baillou Hill Road, Robinson Road and in the Cable Beach and Winton areas were all robbed last year.

In November 2016, police shot two armed robbery suspects moments after they robbed Super Value on West Bay Street and led police on a highspeed chase that ended in a residential area off East Street South.

During that robbery, more than a dozen customers were huddled inside the store when the theft occurred.

Anyone with information on the latest incident is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS. The investigation continues.

RUPERT ROBERTS

Kenyan man accused of overstaying visit

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net A KENYAN national was charged on Friday with a single count of overstaying in the Bahamas.

Edward Kamurasi, 46, of Nairobi, appeared before magistrate Samuel McKinney.

According to Department of Immigration prosecutor Kendall Rahming, Kamurasi was taken

into custody at Grace Auto Parts where officials found him during an operation on Tuesday, November 7.

Upon further investigation, it was discovered Kamurasi overstayed in the country since 2008 when he was granted entry by the department for 16 days, Mr Rahming said.

Mr Rahming told the court immigration records did not show any effort of regularisation made on the part of Kamurasi following

the expiration of his time of stay.

In submitting the particulars of the day of arrest, Mr Rahming alleged the accused falsely stated he was Bahamian to immigration officers.

However, when given a chance to speak to the court, Kamurasi denied this allegation.

Magistrate McKinney said he accepted the facts as they were presented to the court

and sentenced Kamurasi to a fine of $2,500 or one year at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

“Do you understand?” magistrate McKinney asked. “You have the option of paying the fine or serving the custodial sentence.”

He also told Kamurasi he had the option of seeking redress in the Supreme Court if he believed he was aggrieved by the lower court’s ruling.

“If and when the fine

is paid and subsequent to that you’ll be in the custody of the Department of Immigration,” magistrate McKinney explained.

Following this, Mr Rahming questioned whether the court recommended deportation.

However, magistrate McKinney said the court had no jurisdiction to recommend this, adding it was up to the discretion of the director of the Department of Immigration.

performed to determine the cause of death.

Police are appealing to the general public for any information that can assist in this investigation.

Meanwhile, a man is in hospital after he was shot multiple times on Thursday.

The incident took place shortly after 7pm off Nassau Street.

Police said the victim was standing in front of a home through Quarry Mission Road with a number of other people when two men armed with firearms

approached and opened fire on the group.

The suspects fled on foot.

The victim was taken to hospital where he is listed in critical condition. No one else was harmed during the shooting.

In other news, police arrested two in men connection with a number of armed robberies in the capital last week. According to reports, shortly after 10am on Thursday, officers from the Mobile Division acting on information, went to Armstrong Street and

Dowdeswell Street where they intercepted a blue Nissan with two men who were wanted for a number of recent armed robberies.

Anyone with information

on any of these incidents is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.

PLP LEADER’S SON ON GUN CHARGE FOUR men were arraigned in Magistrates Court on Friday on an unlawful possession of a firearm charge.

The men include Philmore Davis, son of Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip “Brave” Davis, Don Davis, Matthew Davis and Laven Gibson.

The men are accused of unlawfully possessing a .380 pistol.

Supreme Court Justice Stephen Isaacs granted the men bail later Friday afternoon.

To advertise in The Tribune, FOUL PLAY NOT SUSPECTED AS DECOMPOSED BODY FOUND contact 502-2394

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

POLICE are investigating after a partly decomposed body was discovered in the Culmersville subdivision on Friday night.

Shortly after 8pm, police were called to the area of Shady Tree Street and Carlita Lane in Culmersville where the body of a male was discovered in an abandoned building. Foul play is not suspected at this time. An autopsy will be

THREE ARE HELD AFTER GUN FIND MOBILE Division officers arrested two men and one woman after finding an illegal firearm on Saturday.

According to police, shortly after 10pm officers were on routine patrol on

Prince Charles Drive when the actions of occupants of a Nissan March arose their suspicion.

Police stopped the car and searched the vehicle and its occupants. Officers

said they found a .12 gauge shot gun inside the vehicle.

The suspects were subsequently taken into custody.

The investigation continues into this matter.

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PAGE 12, Monday, November 13, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

MAN DIES AFTER CAR CRASHES INTO CONCRETE WALL

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

A MAN is dead after he lost control of his vehicle and slammed into a concrete wall early Sunday morning off Golf Course Boulevard.

The accident took place shortly after 5am in Sea Breeze Estates.

The incident marks the 39th traffic fatality for the year and the 25th for New Providence.

The country is now just four traffic fatalities away from the 43 which

were recorded overall last year.

According to the officerin-charge of the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s Traffic Division, Assistant Superintendent Craig Stubbs, the adult male driver of a rental car was travelling north along Golf

Course Boulevard on the dual carriageway, when he lost control of the vehicle and collided with a concrete pillar and wall of a residence.

ASP Stubbs said the vehicle received significant damage to the right driver’s side and the driver received

severe damage to his head and upper torso.

Police Fire Services were called and had to use the jaws of life to extract the victim from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead on the scene.

ASP Stubbs said speed was a factor in the accident

as there was “significant damage to both the vehicle, the gate and the wall.”

Police have not officially identified the victim but The Tribune understands he is Alton Virgil, the head of security at Princess Margaret Hospital.

Investigations continue.

Three held after $3m drugs find THREE men are in police custody in connection with the discovery of $3m worth of marijuana in Eleuthera.

The incident, which took place around 2.30pm on Thursday in Governor’s Harbour, is one of the biggest drug busts of the year, according to officerin-charge of the Drug Enforcement Unit, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Samuel Butler.

Police said a team of officers from the Eleuthera Division along with the DEU assisted by the US Drug Enforcement

Agency went to an area in Governor’s Harbour, where they discovered 77 bales of marijuana in an unoccupied residence.

The three men were taken into custody a short time later and are assisting police with their investigation.

The drugs have an estimated street value of $3m.

The find came three months after police arrested three men in connection with the discovery of $3.2m worth of marijuana in Andros on Emancipation Day. Meanwhile Grand Bahama police arrested six

men after allegedly discovering suspected marijuana and cocaine at a residence in the Freeport area.

Assistant Superintendent Terecita Pinder said around midday on Thursday, DEU officers executed a search warrant at house on Ludford Place.

During a search of the residence, she said officers discovered five pounds of suspected marijuana and two-and-a-half pounds of suspected cocaine. As a result, six men were arrested and taken into custody.

Investigations are continuing into both matters.

PILOT INJURED AS PLANE HITS FENCE

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

AN American man is recovering in hospital after the plane he was piloting crashed into a fence while attempting to land at the Staniel Cay airport in Exuma.

The incident took place shortly before 10am

yesterday.

Police said they received reports that a plane crashed at the airport and when officers arrived on the scene, they discovered a 2004 two seat open cockpit Air Cam experimental aircraft, registration N57BG, crashed into an eastern chain link fence as it attempted to land.

The male pilot and his

female passenger, both US citizens, were treated at the local clinic for their injuries.

The passenger was discharged however the pilot is expected to be flown into New Providence for further medical attention.

The accident will be referred to the Department Civil Aviation for further investigation.

PACE Foundation principal Jackie Knowles (right), NBAC’s Programme Planning and Development Committee chair Khashan Poitier and chapter member Lyndee Bowe (left).

SUITS SCHEME IS MADE TO MEASURE AS a part of its community service initiatives, the Nassau Bahamas Alumnae Chapter (NBAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority donated over 70 business suits, blazers and dresses to the students at PACE Foundation.

The results from a drive which began this past summer, the sorority members also presented the school for teen mothers with donations of jewelry and seven pairs of shoes.

While addressing the young women, the sorority women acknowledged that while life may hit you hard, it’s how you react that defines you.

The chapter’s president, Tara Johnson, said: “You always have an opportunity to steer your life in any

direction. Keep dreaming and achieving no matter what.”

The local chapter played a pivotal role in building a foundation for the PACE programme to become what it is today by advocating for and mentoring the first class of young mothers into adulthood.

PACE is an intervention programme that offers basic education, while teaching young women how to care for themselves and their babies, including protecting themselves from sexually transmitted diseases and infections, birth control and offers psychological support. For the most part, PACE provides the only means in which a teen mom can re-enroll into high school and earn a diploma.

“Women have left this, and similar programmes, and went on to graduate from college and become doctors, business professionals and so on. (So) keep moving forward,” Ms Johnson said.

She also encouraged the young women to “reach back” after they’ve benefitted from the programme.

Principal Jackie Knowles thanked the membership for the gift and challenged them to return to the school to assist with resume writing and job placement for the young ladies.

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is a public service, not-for-profit organisation that was founded to promote academic excellence, social change and community development.

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THE TRIBUNE

Monday, November 13, 2017, PAGE 13

FORMER Prime Minister Perry Christie fixing the tie of Sir Arlington Butler, former speaker of the House.

Minnis pays tribute to ‘Sir Arlie’ from page one saying Sir Arlington gave a “lifetime of public service” to The Bahamas.

“He counts among those Bahamian patriots who offered a tremendous measure of his devotion to the Bahamas,” Dr Minnis said.

“Demonstrating great courage, he left the teaching profession to enter frontline politics, helping to usher in racial and social equality as a part of the movement for majority rule.”

Sir Arlington was first elected to the House of Assembly in 1968. In 1972, a year before independence, he was elected speaker of the House of Assembly.

Dr Minnis said Sir Arlington had considerable knowledge of parliamentary procedure and was “a fierce defender of the authority and independence” of the Speaker of the House.

“He broke with the leadership of his then political home. He remained in frontline politics, unsuccessfully contesting seats in the 1977, 1982 and 1987 general elections. Undaunted and with courage, he became a

part of the wave of change in the 1992 general election, winning a seat back in the House of Assembly as a candidate of the Free National Movement.

“Sir Arlington contributed to national life as a politician, diplomat, attorney, sports enthusiast and member of the Olympic movement. He served for many years as president of the Bahamas Olympic Committee. He was an avid member of the Lunch Bunch, which he diligently attended. It was always a pleasure when I attended the Lunch Bunch to listen to Sir Arlington expound on a matter with his typically expansive and exuberant spirit.

“On my own behalf, and that of my wife Patricia, I offer condolences to Hazel, Lady Butler, and to Sir Arlington’s children: Arvin, Arlington Gibao, Kristal Lafleur and Kara Butler-Wright, as well as to his extended family and friends. The Bahamas cherishes with tremendous gratitude the life and contributions of Sir Arlington Butler,” Dr Minnis said.

Official Opposition Leader Phillip ‘Brave’

Davis described Sir Arlington as “a gallant and courageous political warrior”.

“Sir Arlington was an ardent proponent of and participant in this country’s progressive movement that ushered in majority rule, independence and the modern Bahamas,” he said in a statement.

“We thank him for his national service. A gallant and courageous political warrior with the battle scars as proof, Sir Arlie as he was affectionately called by friend and foe alike, always stood for what was right, accepting the consequences of his stance with dignity and grace like any good soldier.

“In all his battles, trials and tribulation,” Mr Davis continued, “Sir Arlie never wavered in his commitment to advancing the common good.

“The PLP salutes his lifelong contribution to our country’s national development, particularly in the areas of education, diplomacy, youth and sports development. Sir Arlington’s long and distinguished service as the president of the Bahamas Olympic

Committee has significantly impacted The Bahamas’ envied position on the international stage as a sports power. With his passing, an important era in sports development has come to an end. He will be sorely missed,” Mr Davis said.

Former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said Sir Arlington helped him establish his law firm with former Prime Minister Perry Christie.

“I got to meet Arlington when I was very young,” he said. “He assisted me and Perry Christie when we established our law firm; he loaned us the first $5,000 or $10,000 to get set up.”

He added: “Arlington was a fighter; he was a warrior. He quit his job as a teacher in 1966 to run for the House of Assembly when the PLP was looking for good, quality candidates and he was among those who came forward.

“He lost in 1967 but he won the election in 1968 and became chairman of the Gaming Board, and thereafter got re-elected in 1972 and he fell out with the party in 1977, or the party (PLP) fell out with

him, and they went their separate ways. “… In 1992, he became our candidate for the constituency of Salem and he won and he became my Minister of Public Safety, and I transferred him subsequently to the Ministry of Public Works.”

Mr Ingraham said the two were not as close as they once were.

“He fell out with me over the years; I never harboured any ill will toward him,” he added.

Sir Arlington was born on January 2, 1938, in Nassau.

He was educated at the Bahamas Teachers College, the University of Nottingham, and the Longborough Training College.

Prior to entering politics, Sir Arlington was assistant headmaster Government High School and Prince William High School.

He became a law clerk, qualified as a lawyer and was called to the Bahamas Bar in 1974.

His career as a statesman included posts as minister of several government ministries including Minister of Public Safety and Transport from 1992 to 1995 and Minister of

Public Works in 1995 in the Free National Movement (FNM) under the administration of former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham.

Sir Arlington served as Speaker of the House of Assembly from October 18, 1972 to October 20, 1977.

He was also chairman of the Broadcasting Corporation of the Bahamas, the Gaming Board and the Hotel Licencing Authority.

He also served as the Bahamas ambassador to the United States.

In 1996, he was knighted

by Her Majesty the Queen as Commander of the Order of St Micheal’s at St George (KCMG).

Sir Arlington spent over 50 years in the service and administration of sports in the Bahamas. He served as president of the Bahamas Olympic Committee for almost 40 years.

Sir Arlington’s first wife, the late Lady Shelia Butler, died in 2013 following a long illness.

He is survived by his wife, Hazel Butler; his children, Arvin, Arlington Gibao, Kristal Lafleur and Kara Butler-Wight, and other relatives.

FORMER MINISTER’S LAWYERS SAY JURY CAN’T BE UNBIASED

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

FORMER Environment Minister Kenred Dorsett appeared in Supreme Court on Friday for a case management hearing, where his attorneys exchanged questionnaires with prosecutors on the parameters of the upcoming trial.

Mr Dorsett’s legal representatives, Wayne Munroe QC and Damian Gomez QC, maintained their argument that local courts will be unable to select an unbiased jury if the case does proceed.

It is alleged Dorsett, while a public official between March 1 and May 9 of this year, demanded and obtained two payments of $10,000 and two payments of $50,000 from Jonathan Ash knowing he was not lawfully authorised to make the demand.

It is also alleged that he, in his previous capacity between the same period at the city landfill, “without lawful authority or reasonable excuse”, solicited the amounts from Mr Ash “on your account of abstaining from performance or exercise of your asserted power as a minister of environment ‘to stop’ Jonathan Ash from working at the said sanitary landfill.”

It was finally alleged Dorsett willfully misconducted himself as a public officer without lawful authority.

He pleaded not guilty to all of the charges read to him on October 13.

Before the adjournment, Mr Gomez submitted the defence is unable to produce an effective notice of alibi because there is no date between March 1 and May 9 when the acts were alleged to have occurred.

That issue had previously been raised by Mr Munroe on September 1, when Dorsett had appeared in Magistrates Court before magistrate Samuel McKinney for a status hearing.

At the time, Mr Munroe argued the alleged acts occurred between March 1 and May 9, or a total of 70 days, but said the details provided were not specific to day, time, or location. He further pointed out at the time the charges only indicate the alleged acts occurred on the island of New Providence.

Following that argument, Magistrate McKinney explained Dorsett had 21 days in which to present an alibi or a witness.

After hearing similar submissions from Mr Gomez during those proceedings, Justice Bernard Turner transferred the matter to Justice Carolita Bethel’s court and adjourned the matter to October 13 for trial. Justice Bethel, as trial judge, will thus consider the defence’s submissions concerning the notice of alibi.

The matter will continue January 11.

In an interview with The Tribune following Friday’s hearing, Mr Munroe said his team was considering all options in its effort to secure a fair trial.

Mr Munroe insisted

the nature of the trial and celebrity of the accused, if the matter does proceed, could limit the possibility of finding an unbiased jury and securing a completely fair trail.

He presented the case of former Turks and Caicos Premier Michael Misick, who faced charges of corruption last year.

Mr Misick’s trial was allowed to proceed without a jury after his legal team presented the argument he could not receive a fair trial based on his standing.

Turks and Caicos, a British territory, suspended its constitution and replaced Mr Misick’s elected government with an interim administration.

A new constitution was installed, including measures enacted to improve governance.

These included provisions for no-jury trials and increased the powers of the UK-appointed governor to intervene in the island’s government.

FORMER Environment Minister Kenred Dorset is pictured leaving the courts with his wife, Tamela Katrese, after a status hearing.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

PAGE 14, Monday, November 13, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

NEW BOOK TELLS LIFE STORY OF THE ORDINARY WOMAN WHO BECAME DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER CYNTHIA “Mother” Pratt speaking at her official book launch at the British Colonial Hilton.

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net CYNTHIA “Mother” Pratt’s hosted a book launch on Friday for her biography, “An Ordinary Woman from the Heart of the Inner City”, drawing family, friends and people inspired by her over the years.

Albert Cox, of Scholar Books, the book’s publisher, revealed 35,000 copies of the book have been sold so far and that Mrs Pratt will travel the world on a book tour, stopping in the US, the UK and Brazil among others.

Vernon Lynch, brother of actor Eddie Murphy and a television producer, confirmed he will make Mrs Pratt’s book into a movie.

Despite serving as deputy prime minister and acting prime minister, the highest elected offices to which a Bahamian woman has ever ascended, Mrs Pratt continues to live in the

inner city, emphasising the normalcy that underpins her autobiography.

For about 40 minutes, Mrs Pratt kept the audience at the Hilton Hotel rapt as she made jokes about her family life, recalled the challenges she faced growing up and explained her daunting foray into public life.

“God is an amazing God, hey?” she began. “Whoever thought the little girl whom people laughed at, when she grew into a woman and she went into the Parliament they laughed at her there. Said she was bringing her Bible to the Parliament.

She’s coming to preach now.

‘Who is this woman?’ An ordinary woman from the heart of the inner city. A woman that knew what it meant to touch lives. Why? Because she’s been broken.

“She came from a family of 16 children, 13 boys, three girls. The 13th child, one who didn’t know what it tasted like to have steak and onions, one who knew

that survival of the fittest, you better fight or die, one who had to toil and make ends meet as a child because momma couldn’t read, daddy couldn’t read.”

Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Leader Philip “Brave” Davis, who himself rose from rags to riches, said at the launch: “The history of The Bahamas is so intricately tied to those of us who would have come from very humble beginnings and those of us who would not allow those beginnings to circumscribe or daunt us. We never allowed our circumstances to define us. We defined our circumstances and therefore we excelled.”

Mrs Pratt was elected to office as the member of Parliament for St Cecilia for the first time in 1997.

In 2002, she became the first woman to hold the post of deputy prime minister and minister of national security.

She retired from politics in 2012.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

FROM left, publisher Albert Cox, filmmaker Vernon Lynch and screenwriter Gregory Wilson.

PLP leader Philip “Brave” Davis at the launch.

THE AUDIENC at the book launch.

APPOINTMENT ANQUIN C. COOPER ACTUARIAL ANALYST

PAGE 16, Monday, November 13, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

INCREASE IN HAND, FOOT AND MOUTH THE Ministry of Health has advised there has been an increase in the number of cases of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) among young children since the beginning of October.

HFMD is a contagious, generally mild disease caused by a group of viruses, and mainly affects infants and young children under five, but can also occur in older children and adults.

The disease is spread through coughing, sneezing, sharing of cups and utensils, contact with infected faeces (for example when

changing a diaper), and touching surfaces or objects which have been contaminated.

Symptoms usually begin with a fever, sore throat, reduced appetite and a general feeling of being unwell.

Within a day or two, a rash and bumps may appear on the soles of the feet, palms of the hands and inside the mouth. A rash may also develop on the elbows, knees and buttocks. The bumps may blister but do not cause itching.

There is no vaccine however acetaminophen or ibuprofen can be used to

• • • • •

manage the fever and pain.

You can lower your risk of infection by washing hands often with soap and water; avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands; disinfect surfaces and objects, such as toys and door knobs; and avoid close contact such as hugging, kissing and sharing utensils with persons who have HFMD. If you encounter a case of HFMD, call the surveillance unit during normal work hours at 502-4790, 502-4776 or 397-1021. For after hours, call 376-4705, 376-3809, 3763970, 376-1103.

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