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VOLUME:115 No.245, NOVEMBER 14, 2018
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ALICIA WALLACE: IF THE SYSTEM IS WRONG WE NEED TO CHANGE IT
FBI briefing over ‘visa fraud’ sting
FISHERMAN KILLED IN ANDROS BOAT EXPLOSION By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net TRAGEDY struck Andros yesterday morning when a 53-year-old man was killed in a fishing boat explosion off Morgan’s Bluff. SEE PAGE THREE
Dames promises to act if laws broken but ‘no evidence yet’ By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames told reporters yesterday the Federal Bureau of Investigation is expected to fully brief Police Commissioner Anthony Ferguson this week on the findings of its two-year undercover investigation into an alleged visa fraud at its Nassau Embassy. He said local law enforcement will then make a determination on whether any Bahamian laws were
broken, and take the necessary measures. “We have had some initial discussions with the US,” Mr Dames said before heading into a Cabinet meeting. “The FBI is now working in consultation with the Royal Bahamas Police Force, who will receive a further briefing on the information they (the FBI) may have at their disposal, and we will determine from that information whether any laws in The Bahamas have been broken.” SEE PAGE FIVE
MINNIS’ PRAYERS FOR MISSING PILOT’S FAMILY
By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday extended his prayers to the family of Byron Ferguson, the pilot whose plane crashed into the waters of Nirvana Beach on Thursday night. Dr Minnis encouraged the family to always “live with hope” as the search for the missing pilot and aircraft continues. However, he said he could not comment on the family’s
critiques that relatives are dissatisfied with the way officials have conducted the search and rescue efforts for Mr Ferguson, as the investigation is continuing. Bahamas Air Accident Investigation Department Operations Investigator Kendal Dorsett Jr also confirmed yesterday evening that, contrary to previous reports from officials, Mr Ferguson did file a flight plan before leaving West Palm Beach airport for Nassau on Thursday. SEE PAGE THREE
ARE YOU SITTING COMFORTABLY? PRIME Minister Hubert Minnis and Cabinet members enjoyed a tour of the Fusion Superplex, the $50m entertainment facility that is due to open next month. Full story - Page 2. Photo: Donavan McIntosh
VICTIM WAS TRYING TO ESCAPE VIOLENCE
BY RIEL MAJOR
THE family of the man fatally shot while walking on Watlins Street is reeling after his death, with one relative saying 19-yearold Stantavio Ramsey had recently moved out of a violent area to make something of his life. According to police reports, shortly after 5pm
on Monday, a man was walking on Watlins Street off Andros Avenue when he was approached by a male with a firearm who opened fire before running away. The victim was shot and transported to the hospital by paramedics but later died. SEE PAGE SEVEN
SANDS - WE’LL MAKE FAIR OFFER TO DOCTORS BY RIEL MAJOR
HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands said yesterday the government is negotiating in good faith to present a reasonable and fair offer to public health physicians who have threatened industrial action. Calling the situation “disappointing”, Dr Sands said it would be a tragedy
if patients find themselves in a situation where central care is withdrawn. When he was asked about the doctors’ threat yesterday, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said he believed the dispute stemmed from communication issues, stressing that to a doctor, patient care is paramount. SEE PAGE 10
TOO MUCH HOT AIR DELAYS SMITH HEARING By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
FORMER PLP Senator Frank Smith’s bribery and extortion trial had to be relocated yesterday due to a three-week-long air conditioning failure at the Magistrate’s Court complex. The matter will now commence in the courtroom
FRANK SMITH utilised by the Industrial Tribunal, located in the “Swift Justice” building on East Street north, next
door to the Central Police Station and near the other Supreme Court buildings. Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt was forced to secure the new venue after fielding submissions from lead Crown attorney Edward Jenkins, QC, that proceeding in her courtroom would be “unfeasible” and that he would struggle to concentrate on the trial because of the heat and humidity.
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
Chief Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt, whose courtroom was stocked with several oscillating fans to mitigate against the heat, suggested her agreement with the English attorney’s sentiments by stating that she was not accustomed to dealing with matters in such conditions. Smith’s lead attorney, Keith Knight, QC, meanwhile, said while he SEE PAGE 10
PAGE 2, Wednesday, November 14, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
IMAX future so bright PM’s gotta wear shades By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net “IMPRESSED is an understatement” is how Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis described his opinion of Fusion Superplex, the $50m entertainment facility and movie theatre that is projected to have its grand opening on December 14. Ten days ahead of its November 23 soft opening, the board and staff of the complex hosted the prime minister and Cabinet members on a tour of the 100,000-square foot facility that features 17 brands ranging from restaurants to arcades. Following the tour, Dr Minnis expressed his enthusiasm of the site and
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and other Cabinet Ministers tour the Fusion Superplex Theatre. Photos: Donavan McIntosh showered praises on its Bahamians, young Bahadevelopers. mians, who would have “I think impressed is ran into many obstacles in an understatement,” Dr the process, but they were Minnis told reporters. “I determined. was more than impressed. “They were determined, What even more impressed they had a dream, they had me is it (was) done by a goal, and they just persisted. In spite of running into various different road blocks, they still persisted. Many of them would have left their jobs just to continue on the …pathway. And when you look at what is being offered, it’s a first in The Bahamas. “It’s a first in The Bahamas, and their hope is to be open on Friday and government would do everything within its power to ensure that they open on Friday. Because I have all intentions if I’m here on Friday, once I’m in town, I have all GOVERNMENT protocol officer Ricardo Moss tries out the seating. intentions (of) coming to
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis at a screening at the Fusion Superplex. the theatre here with my grandson and my last son, and the three of us can sit down in comfort and enjoy the movies. “I have not been to a movie in a long time, but here I will stay awake,” Dr Minnis said. Health Minister Duane Sands described the facility as “spectacular” while Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar said it was “totally awesome”. Mr D’Aguilar also told reporters that the ministry will “absolutely” use it in its promotion of the country. “I think this complex is totally awesome,” Mr D’Aguilar said. “I have been blown away by what I’ve seen here today. In The Bahamas, we have an IMAX theatre, 4DX where all the chairs moved, and the wind blew on you…it’s absolutely incredible. “All the food and beverage options, the panoramic views, the venue, it’s all incredible. And what makes it ideally located is of course, as we stand here, and we look, we can see Baha Mar half a mile down the road.” When asked if the Ministry of Tourism will use the new entertainment centre in its marketing of The Bahamas, Mr D’Aguilar told reporters: “Absolutely. We’re always looking for interesting things to do when you come to The Bahamas. And certainly, for a young person, an infant or a child or a young adult, who’s looking for something fun and safe today, this is a natural venue.” Mr D’Aguilar also celebrated the fact that the company employs hundreds of Bahamians. Carlos Foulkes, Fusion Superplex CEO and chairman of the board, specifically noted that the facility currently employs 401 people and said this number will increase to 418 by the end of the week. Mr Foulkes added the facility is set to have a November 23 soft opening. “Persons holding tickets from our partner stores Aliv and Rev - they (will) be the ones that are initially allowed into the building,” Mr Foulkes told reporters. “And once we work out the kinks in that first couple of days of service, then we’ll
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis chatting during the tour, above, and, below, Cabinet members enjoy a screening.
announce to the public when you can just generally roll right up on us and come to the box office and purchase your ticket for yourself. “Most of the services will be ready for a soft opening,” Mr Foulkes continued. “We will still see some construction going on in the background… landscaping, putting in plants, finalising some stuff on the outdoors. We won’t be able to open with all of our services, that would be things like event space for the outdoor grounds, that’s going to be another 30 days. “But all of the other services are ready. The IMAX theatre is good to go, the VIP theatre…that’s ready to go, our standard cinemas are ready to go, we have nine in total. Our 4DX product…. everything else internally in the building is good to go.” When asked about affordability, Mr Foulkes said prices will be “under the market” in a lot of areas, but there also will be a “high-end” products for those seeking “a little extra luxury”. The cost for the standard cinemas is $14 and the IMAX product is $25, valueadded tax inclusive. For VIP Pure cinema seats, the cost is $30 for regular seats and $35 for premium seats.
The facility features 1,543 seats and can fit 3,000 at maximum capacity. Fusion Superplex will feature the only IMAX theatre in the world that offers food and beverage service to seats. The butler service will bring restaurant-style food, alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages to patrons during films. The 4DX theatre features multi-sensory technology with 20 environmental effects, including seat motion, snow, fog and rain; while the IMAX screen is 80ft wide and 55ft high. In terms of dining, Fusion will feature two restaurants. Both offer direct views of Lake Cunningham. The complex will also include a Starbucks, the largest coffee lounge in the Bahamas, with outdoor and indoor seating. SubZero nitrogen icecream will also be made right in front of patrons, and “customers can also choose dairy, yoghurt, custard, lactose and sugar-free bases for their ice-cream”. The entertainment facility also offers play areas, where children up to the age of 12 can have supervised fun. Adjacent is a quiet entertainment room where parents and guardians can choose to watch their children.
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and other Cabinet Ministers in the children’s room with Fusion Superplex Theatre CEO Carlos Foulkes, co-founder Tecoyo Bridgewater and other members of Atavus Group Ltd.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, November 14, 2018, PAGE 3
TRAGEDY AS FISHERMAN KILLED IN ANDROS BOAT EXPLOSION
from page one
Cyril Gaitor of Mastic Point, who is described as a well known resident on the island, was one of five men on board the vessel when the incident happened. According to Superintendent Ricardo Richardson, officerin-charge on the island, police responded to a call from an unknown source around 10am yesterday. “We have lost one local fisherman,” Supt Richardson said.
“We received the call this morning (yesterday) and when we got there the fire had completely destroyed the boat. “There were five on board. They jumped off the boat, but only four survived. Mr Gaitor was not one of the survivors. Local persons searched waters for him. He was later retrieved and brought to shore, but he died. “He was a well known person here on the island.” He said Gaitor’s family gathered on the beach and were present when he was brought
to shore. Police in the capital released a further report on the incident. “Preliminary reports are that shortly after 10am today (Tuesday), five men from Andros were on a fishing trip some three miles off Morgan’s Bluff, when their boat caught afire and an explosion occurred. “The five men all jumped overboard for safety. A short while later one of the men was found unconscious submerged in the water. “The man was taken to shore
where he was pronounced dead by the island’s local doctor. Investigations are ongoing.” This fatal incident comes about five months after a 4C’s tour boat exploded in Exuma killing one American woman – Maleka Jackson. Among the 10 other people on board and injured were Tiran Jackson - Mrs Jackson’s husband who lost a leg, and Stefanie Schaffer, a 22-year-old woman from Vermont who had both of her legs amputated. Two people have since been charged with manslaughter by
THE FAMILY of Byron Ferguson at a press conference they held at Nirvana Beach on Sunday. Inset, pilot Byron Ferguson.
negligence and causing negligent harm in connection with the incident. Last month, Transport and Local Government Minister Renward Wells said steps had been taken to clamp down on the sector with instructions to the Port Department to have every ship and boat owner come in for inspection. It is unclear how closely related both incidents are as one affected a fishing vessel and the other a tour boat. It is unclear what caused yesterday’s incident.
Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
Minnis’ prayers for missing pilot’s family from page one He also said that Mr Ferguson was the sole occupant of the flight, contradicting initial reports from police. Regarding the circumstances that led to the crash, Tourism and Aviation Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar was asked by reporters yesterday to respond to the family’s criticism that Mr Ferguson was unable to land on three Family Island airport runways due to a lack of lighting. Mr D’Aguilar said he was informed by his predecessor that all 28 government airports have emergency lighting. However, he couldn’t confirm whether all the lights at each airport are working. For night-time emergencies, Mr D’Aguilar said Air Traffic Control has to reach out to the person on the island who is responsible for turning on the lights, and have them travel to the airport and do so. He added at this time, he doubts this “modus operandi” will change, as staffing someone to be at remote airports 24/7 is a “very expensive proposition”. Both Dr Minnis and Mr D’Aguilar spoke with reporters following a tour of the new Fusion Superplex entertainment facility. For his part, regarding the accident, Dr Minnis encouraged the family to have hope. “I’m sorry such an incident (occurred) and I would not want to say that individual is presently not alive,” Dr Minnis began. “You know, you always live with hope. So I would hope that the family would themselves live with hope and I hope everything works out for them. But my prayer would always be with them that everything works out well for them.” When asked to respond to their criticisms, Dr Minnis said: “I would not want to comment on the investigation. It’s an ongoing procedure and I would not want to comment on it at this time.” During a family press conference on Sunday, Mr Ferguson’s brother Bjorn Ferguson expressed his frustration that the pilot
had to pass three runways - Chub Cay, Great Harbour Cay, and San Andros - and was reportedly unable to land because the runways were not lit. When asked about this matter yesterday, Mr D’Aguilar said the protocol for emergency landings at smaller airports is for the pilot to advise the airport that he is having issues inflight. Mr D’Aguilar said he was aware that Mr Ferguson informed Air Traffic Control of his difficulties, but “unfortunately he didn’t make it”. While Mr D’Aguilar said he was “initially advised” that Mr Ferguson did not file a flight plan, Mr Dorsett confirmed yesterday that one was filed. When asked about the lighting issue at Family Island airports, Mr D’Aguilar said: “Well there are 28 airports. So forgive me if I don’t know if every single one of them has not only lights, but all the lights are working. “I remember being informed by my predecessor that every single airport had emergency lighting. Now I have found in my time ... being in this ministry
that there are sometimes you go to an airport and some of the lights are not working. So, I think all of them have been equipped, whether they’re all 100 percent working, I’ll have to get a report on that.” When asked if the Minnis administration will change existing protocol so that someone is always staffed at airports moving forward, in the case of emergencies, Mr D’Aguilar said “not at this time”. “I don’t think that we’re going to change the modus operandi,” he continued. “Obviously there are a lot of remote airports and to equip and staff these people 24 hours a day, seven days a week is a significant cost that - obviously there’s going to be, and I don’t want to belittle this situation and I don’t want to think that it isn’t important – but I’m sure this problem arises so infrequently that there obviously is a cost-benefit relationship that we need to take into consideration. “There are many, many airports in The Bahamas and it’s a very, very expensive proposition. So right now we’re going to
maintain the status quo.” Minister of National Security Marvin Dames also responded to criticisms that no attempts were made to secure or track Mr Ferguson’s aircraft on first sight, before it disappeared into the ocean. “When they (responders) were approaching, a little piece of the aircraft could have been seen,” Mr Dames said. “As they got closer, the aircraft disappeared. So we have to be extremely careful when we say ‘aircraft’, we give the impression that here’s this big aircraft that they saw lying on the water. That is not so. “And so we have to leave it up to the search team and the investigators to
let them do their jobs and not muddle what they’re doing with the non-factual information. “This is sensitive, and as I speak to you, the only thing I’m thinking about is the family and what they’re going through. And me having to be very careful
as to what I say so as to not to further exacerbate a very, very, very, sensitive situation. “Our hearts go out to the family. I know a few of them and will continue to do whatever we can to ensure that we work to bring some closer to this matter.”
PAGE 4, Wednesday, November 14, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
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Climate change and wildfires – is there is a link? ONCE again, the summer and fall of 2018 in the Northern Hemisphere has brought us an epidemic of major wildfires. These burn forests, houses and other structures, displace thousands of people and animals, and cause major disruptions in people’s lives. The huge burden of simply firefighting has become a yearround task costing billions of dollars, let alone the cost of the destruction. The smoke veil can extend hundreds or even thousands of miles, affecting air quality and visibility. To many people, it has become very clear that human-induced climate change plays a major role by greatly increasing the risk of wildfire. Yet it seems the role of climate change is seldom mentioned in many or even most news stories about the multitude of fires and heat waves. In part this is because the issue of attribution is not usually clear. The argument is that there have always been wildfires, and how can we attribute any particular wildfire to climate change? As a climate scientist, I can say this is the wrong framing of the problem. Global warming does not cause wildfires. The proximate cause is often human carelessness (cigarette butts, camp fires not extinguished properly, etc.), or natural, from “dry lightning” whereby a thunderstorm produces lightning but little rain. Rather, global warming exacerbates the conditions and raises the risk of wildfire. Even so, there is huge complexity and variability from one fire to the next, and hence the attribution can become complex. Instead, the way to think about this is from the standpoint of basic science – in this case, physics. To understand the interplay between global warming and wildfires, consider what’s happening to our planet. The composition of the atmosphere is changing from human activities: There has been over a 40 percent increase in carbon dioxide, mainly from fossil fuel burning since the 1800s, and over half of the increase is since 1985. Other heattrapping gases (methane, nitrous oxide, etc.) are also increasing in concentration in the atmosphere from human activities. The rates are accelerating, not declining (as hoped for with the Paris Agreement). This leads to an energy imbalance for the planet. Heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere act as a blanket and inhibit the infrared radiation – that is, heat from the Earth – from escaping back into space to offset the continual radiation coming from the sun. As these gases build up, more of this energy, mostly in the form of heat, remains in our atmosphere. The energy raises the temperature of the land, oceans and atmosphere, melts ice, thaws permafrost and fuels the water cycle through evaporation. Moreover, we can estimate Earth’s energy imbalance quite well: It amounts to about 1 watt per square metre, or about 500 terawatts globally. While this factor is small compared with the natural flow of energy through the system, which is 240 watts per square meter, it is large compared with all other direct effects of human activities. For instance, the electrical power generation in the US last year averaged 0.46 terawatts.
The extra heat is always the same sign and it is spread across the globe. Accordingly, where this energy accumulates matters. The heat mostly accumulates ultimately in the ocean – over 90 percent. This added heat means the ocean expands and sea level rises. Heat also accumulates in melting ice, causing melting Arctic sea ice and glacier losses in Greenland and Antarctica. This adds water to the ocean, and so the sea level rises from this as well, rising at a rate of over 3 milimeters year, or over a foot per century. On land, the effects of the energy imbalance are complicated by water. If water is present, the heat mainly goes into evaporation and drying, and that feeds moisture into storms, which produce heavier rain. But the effects do not accumulate provided that it rains on and off. However, in a dry spell or drought, the heat accumulates. Firstly, it dries things out, and then secondly it raises temperatures. Of course, “it never rains in Southern California” according to the 1970s pop song, at least in the summer half year. So water acts as the air conditioner of the planet. In the absence of water, the excess heat effects accumulate on land both by drying everything out and wilting plants, and by raising temperatures. In turn, this leads to heat waves and increased risk of wildfire. These factors apply in regions in the western US and in regions with Mediterranean climates. Indeed many of the recent wildfires have occurred not only in the West in the United States but also in Portugal, Spain, Greece and other parts of the Mediterranean. The conditions can also develop in other parts of the world when strong high pressure weather domes (anticyclones) stagnate, as can happen in part by chance, or with increased odds in some weather patterns such as those established by either La Niña or El Niño events (in different places). It is expected that these dry spots move around from year to year, but that their abundance increases over time, as is clearly happening. As in the wildfires example, there has been a realization that climate scientists may be able to make useful statements by assuming that the weather events themselves are relatively unaffected by climate change. This is a good assumption. Also, climate scientists cannot say that extreme events are due to global warming, because that is a poorly posed question. However, we can say it is highly likely that they would not have had such extreme impacts without global warming. Indeed, all weather events are affected by climate change because the environment in which they occur is warmer and moister than it used to be. In particular, by focusing on Earth’s energy imbalance, new research is expected to advance the understanding of what is happening and why, and what it implies for the future. By Kevin Trenberth, of the National Center for Atmospheric Research. This article first appeared on The Conversation
Some evidence required EDITOR, The Tribune MPs…are they out of line criticising? Certainly not! Especially if they took a poll in their constituencies. What everybody seems to have missed, including the media: Was the party Whip on for the Town Centre Mall vote? If the Whip was on, then any MP voting against the party, is in violation of Parliamentary practice, and certainly the party may
censor him/her or expel. If there was no Whip, then the MP may vote, determined by his/her conscience or opinion of their constituency. All this fuss about MPs Frederick McAlpine, Reese Chipman and Vaughn Miller, is totally within their rights. An MP suggesting that there is corruption, will be liable to the Party, asking to show evidence. You just cannot be throwing that around without any evidence.
It is funny that the FNM still after 18+ months, feel that they are justifiably in government, when all that happened was Da People threw Perry Christie and them out by their heels! If the FNM continues like they are, the same will happen when the next election is called…Minnis bush crack gone! DK ROLLE Nassau, November 6, 2018.
Don’t hide your identity EDITOR, The Tribune WITHIN our current reality in The Bahamas, we’re noticing that Bahamians, mostly females, are beginning to embrace their Afrocentric (natural) beauty/appearance. However, there are still many who suffer from the social phenomenon that has plagued the black population since enslavement of Africans, colourism. For those who may be wondering, colourism is a term first coined by Alice Walker, where she notes that it is a form of discrimination, based on skin tone, which generally privileges lighter-skinned Blacks and penalises darker-skinned Blacks. The formation of skin colour hierarchies for Blacks traces back to the British system of slavery. Colonisers utilised a system that used skin colour as a basis to divide enslaved Africans for work chores and to create distrust and hatred among them, minimising chances for rebellion. In today’s society, Bahamians are still affected by colourism because it occurs at a systemic level; therefore, many are not aware of it. It’s almost safe to say that many Bahamians are still mentally subjected and under the influence of their former European rulers. They are being forced to conform to an image that is of Euro-American standard, reinforced by societal messages and the media. An example of the abovementioned within The Bahamas is specific workplace policies for Bahamian citizens. According to a jewellery retailer in The Bahamas, their employee’s handbook stated that they would not permit any employee to wear dreadlocks, buds (beginning stage of locks), and braids. Also, within this section of the handbook, they forewarned females that they will not be allowed to work if their hair is viewed as unprofessional (natural hair). Why are we subjecting Black females to embrace an appearance (Eurocentric) which is not naturally theirs? Dr Ian Bethel-Bennett once said, beauty operates as a tool
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net of social capital for women and much of the beauty ideal in this nation has been entered on Eurocentric appeal. To go even deeper within The Bahamian reality, let’s not forget the young ladies who were suspended from a well-known high school allegedly because their natural hair was viewed as ungroomed. Also within The Bahamas, the notion of associating Black with living in poverty and lightness with supremacy can be found in our very own Angelique Nixon’s article What is Racial Hybridity? Sexual Politics of MixedRace Identities in the Caribbean and the Performance of Blackness. Nixon mentioned that growing up her grandmother insisted she should never wed a Black man. Furthermore, she stated her skin colour and good hair is her way out of the ghetto. Sadly this is the belief still held by some Bahamians where they believe, in order to have a better life, one must emulate Eurocentric appearance. Blacks are often seen as barbaric, confrontational, half-witted, unattractive, and sometimes even destitute. However, Whites are often associated as being civilised, having greater socio-economic status, attractive, and so on. There are still Bahamians who believe females wearing their natural, kinky hair imply poverty or that one is old-fashioned. Another example of colourism still existing in The Bahamas is the desire for dark-skinned individuals to become lighter. It appears that many of our citizens are engaging in the phenomenon of using skin lightening products. However, skin bleachers are misinformed about their Blackness in that they hold Eurocentric notions of beauty, which equate beauty with light skin. In The Bahamian State of Affairs lightening of one’s skin is an activity that is now socially
accepted. The writer can recall many times as a child if one chose to lighten their skin, negative connotations were applied. Some of these statements were “Yuh need to be happy how God makes you,” “Yuh gone look like raw chicken if yuh don’t stop.” However, times have changed as females are now saying, “Girl I can’t come outside cream expensive yuh kno.” To capture the view of colourism from other Bahamian realities, I gain perspective from Dr Niambi Hall-Campbell, assistant professor at The University of The Bahamas and Simone Bridgewater, Gender-Based Violence Coordinator in the Ministry of Social Services. From our discussion, they both agreed that colourism is still heavily prevalent in The Bahamas. Hall and Bridgewater further agreed that this is primarily due to The Bahamas once being a slave colony and therefore, all the entrapments of the colonial model have been sustained. Black Bahamians should embrace their ethnic identity. There is nothing wrong with a person choosing to enhance their beauty. However, if this enhancement is derived from negative thoughts held in regards to their Blackness, then as Black people we have failed from being free from mental slavery post-emancipation. It’s time for Bahamians to free themselves from colonial thoughts that have been passed down to destroy Black people. Forty-three years post-independence there should not be such great value held on Eurocentric beauty. Young ladies in school should never fret disciplinary actions for wearing their natural hair… that is simply ludicrous. Black women should never be ridiculed for wanting to transition to their natural hair and express their uniqueness. Black men should never feel belittled in comparison to a Caucasian or lighter skinned Black male. CHAVAR DAVIS Nassau November 12, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, November 14, 2018, PAGE 5
20 NEW OFFICERS RECRUITED TO IMMIGRATION UNIT By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net IMMIGRATION Minister Brent Symonette yesterday suggested it was difficult to investigate claims of bribery with cash as he encouraged the public to utilise the Department of Immigration’s new corruption unit. Mr Symonette declined to comment on allegations against senior immigration officials contained in
an FBI affidavit, telling reporters he would not comment on the matter because he had only seen an unsigned version of the document sent to him by a reporter. However, he confirmed the department’s corruption unit is “up and running” and staffed by officers from within the department and the police force. “We are moving ahead full speed with a number of issues,” he said. “With the corruption unit, what we do need is Joe Public who
knows of anything to report it, because unless to a certain extent we hear things on the street, we’ll work with it. “But these are people dealing with people in the back of nowhere with cash. It’s difficult, so it will be dependent on the public calling in. And if they are nervous of calling the corruption unit, they can feel free to contact me directly.” Speaking to reporters outside Cabinet, Mr Symonette also said he hopes to have the department’s
backlog of work permit applications cleared by next month as migration to its new computer system continues. Mr Symonette said officials will then turn their focus to citizenship and permanent residency files in the first quarter of 2019. He said Cabinet has approved the hire of 20 workers exclusively for data entry programming as officials have encountered some 4,500 files with errors since migration began on September 9. Five or six people are expected
to start on Monday, he said. The backlog currently stands at 10,000 files, with 3,000 files representing incomplete applications that have languished in desks or on shelves at Hawkins Hill building. “Many will have to reapply,” he said, “for instance if no one’s been to Immigration for the last year, from January 1, 2018, their file will be erased and they will have to reapply. It will still be in the system but it will be erased from that 10,000.”
‘Visa fraud’ sting: Dames vows to act if laws broken from page one
As things stand, Mr Dames said the government has no evidence at this time to support bribery claims made against senior immigration officials in an FBI agent’s affidavit on the alleged local US visa scam. He told reporters: “Now I want to be very careful, and I want you to understand me very clearly, alright? I’m not going to speak specifically to that matter. There are a number of, and I’ve seen it and I’ve heard it, a number of persons, a few who I know personally, whose name has been out there in social media and in the papers to date.” He continued: “We have no information, none whatsoever despite what may have been reported in the press, implicating any of these individuals and so I want to make that very clear.” The affidavit of special agent Kevin Gounaud details conversations the scam’s alleged lead conspirator, Edward Israel Saintil, had with undercover FBI informants concerning his ability to obtain fraudulent Bahamian work permits to shore up US visa applications. Saintil is alleged to have boasted of having relationships with top immigration officials, naming both current and former directors Clarence Russell and William Pratt, respectively. Both senior officials have fully denied the claims. The affidavit also referenced by name another high-ranking immigration official who allegedly was paid a bribe to approve a work permit.
Full
NATIONAL Security Minister Marvin Dames says the FBI is expected to brief Police Commissioner Anthony Ferguson this week on the findings of its two-year undercover investigation into an alleged visa fraud at its Nassau Embassy. Among those quesSaintil also reportedly police with instructions for doing exactly what we need charges and put people alleged that immigration it to be referred to its anti- to do, to properly ensure before the courts, and now tions were inquiries about that we have good govern- they feel here is an oppor- possible implications for staff did not process work corruption unit. tunity we gotta now share intergovernmental He cautioned the allega- ance inThe Bahamas. permits unless they are paid relaIt is unclear when the what it is we have, when- tions; whether there had to do so, with bribe pay- tions against senior officials ments said to be thousands contained in the affidavit government became aware ever we have it. We do the been any local coordination were unverified, and would of the two-year joint inves- same thing, this is no differ- for any part of the underof dollars. tigation by the FBI and the ent if we are investigating cover operation, and if not, Mr Dames’ comments have to be reviewed. “We owe it both to the Department of State Office something and then it leads whether that indicated a followed assurances from Attorney General Carl administration of justice of the Inspector General into another country - we lack of trust. Bethel, who broke his and to these persons to (DOS-OIG), or its findings. share.” Yesterday, Mr Bethel Mr Dames said: “And we said: “As to the question The shocking claims were silence on the matter out- have this matter reviewed so that if there is nothing first reported by The Trib- say here is what we have, of relations between states, side Cabinet yesterday. you make a determina- that is a matter that firstly Mr Bethel told reporters that can substantiate it, une last week. Outside Cabinet yester- tion whether any of your will find its expression in the due administration of that will be known, if there law would be executed to is some other problem day, Mr Dames stressed laws have been broken and the relation between our well that will also be dealt it was “nothing new,” and how can we work together Ministry of Foreign Affairs ensure good governance. the result of ongoing part- jointly to ensure that we are and the United States, and The Attorney Gen- with,” Mr Bethel said, “That is where we are, nerships with US official, able to bring those who are will also involve us ascereral said he received a copy responsible wherever they taining what the facts of of the FBI agent’s sworn I just want to assure the like OPBAT. “We continue to work may be to justice. That’s the matter are, and exactly affidavit early last week, Bahamian people that so far and immediately forwarded as the due administration in joint matters on every- how it works.” what may or may not have Ahead of its exclusive been done in the territorial the court document to the of law is concerned, we are thing from drugs, to alien smuggling, to firearms traf- coverage, The Tribune boundary of The Commonsent a series of questions wealth of The Bahamas. ficking,” Mr Dames said. “These are ongoing part- concerning the allegations “These things depend on nerships that we continue contained in Mr Gounaud’s the facts,” Mr Bethel said, to have with countries affidavit to Press Secre- “we are seeking to ascertain around the world,” he con- tary Anthony Newbold, them.” tinued, “and as countries Mr Bethel, Immigration Dr Minnis said he could do their own investigations Minister Brent Symonette, not comment on the alleand the investigation reach and Prime Minister Hubert gations yesterday, citing an Military Funeral Service For a stage where they can affix Minnis. ongoing investigation.
CPL #394 Dawson Dwight “Smitty” Smith, 49
a resident of Isabella Blvd, Marathon Estates, will be held on Thursday, November 15, 2018 at 11:00 a.m., at Mt. Tabour Church Willow Tree Avenue and Mount Tabor Drive, Pinewood Gardens. Officiating will be His Grace Bishop Neil C. Ellis, assisted by Other Ministers of the Gospel. Interment follows in Woodlawn Gardens, Soldier Road. Dawson was predeceased by his father: Winston Smith, brother: Brian Smith. His legacy and memories will always be cherished and dearly remembered in the hearts of his Faithful and Dedicated Wife of 22 years: Mrs. Evangelyn “Duff” Smith; Mother: Dorothy Ferguson; Brothers: Terrance Smith and Vaccaro Clarke; Sisters: Lynette (Zephaniah) Armbrister, Karen (Joseph) Adderley, Dara Clarke, Trestina Smith, Yvette Gibson and Avernell Ramsey; Brothers & Sisters-in-law: Elizabeth (Samuel) Mitchell Sr. and Joycelyn Ferguson-Scott, of Houston Texas, Ethelyn Hunt, Euthalie (Oscar) Woodside Sr., Pastors Valarie (Practon) Patton Sr., Novelette (Kenneth) Andrews, Melissa (Keith)Neymour, Bishop Michael (Terry) Ferguson Sr., Alvin “Buddy” and Craig (Dynette) Ferguson of Houston Texas, Elrick Ferguson, Pastors Derek (Sandra) Ferguson Sr.; Aunts & Uncles: Anne (Andy) Ferguson, Jacqueline (Shedrick) McPhee, Yvonne (Anthony) Mckenzie, Garnell Campbell, Virginia Jones of Freeport, Grand Bahama, Doraleen Moxey, Rose Smith, Eulamae (Terrance) Smith and Rosemary McKenzie, Rudolph “Squeeze” (Hester) Smith, Clyde Ferguson, Felton Rolle, Carlton Smith, Rev. Evangelyn (Randolph) Beneby; Nieces & Nephews: Roshanda Adderley, Tishara Smith, Shandica Rolle, K’Shonique Adderley, Elrika and Eltranise, Joanna and Dianna and Derica Ferguson, Shenique Bastian, K. Mistie Andrews, Miya and Maleah Neymour,Peliah Patton, Roosinique Smith, and Theresa Hunt, Kenton Moss, Don Rolle, Jolando, Jorann (Ashnell) and Joseph Adderley, Israel, Jeremiah and Amari Clarke, Michael Jr, Alexio, Marcellus, and Travantae, Mercedez, Derek Jr., Craig Jr. and Edward Feguson II, Oscar Woodside Jr., Practon Jr., PraShawntio and Prazario Patton, Samuel Mitchell Jr., Karlos Neymour, Kaeshaw and K’Shawann Andrews, Nicholas, Romeo and Romell Hunt; Grand Nieces & Nephews: R’Shanti Black, R’Shaunte Adderley and R’Chea Thompson, Kenrica, Kayleaser and Kenaggio Moss, Don Rolle Jr., Rojeme and Rakeem Henfield, Alayah Ferguson, Kristoff Edwards, Warren and Regin Pinder, Dwayne Montague, Tyiesha, Roomeisha, Nicholas and Jamaal Hunt, Breston Patton, Shaquon Major, Edward III, and Joshua Ferguson; Cousins: Olivia, Veronique, Sherette, Asineth, Theodore, Antnoia, Anthony, Andira, Shanda, Justin, Clyde Jr., Shequel, Shedrick Jr., Sidney, Garron, Nikeysha, Terraine, Leslyn, Anastacia, Portia, Alvaro, Aaron, Tanya, Tameka, Lance, Marco, Beverely, Melanie, Michelle, Kirk, Randy, Melena, Sandra, Irene, Shanae, Gail, Patrice, Karen, Dion, Glenville, Demetrius, Hubert, Vernon and Henry; and a host of other relatives and friends including but not limited to: Close Family and Friends: The Royal Bahamas Police Force especially Nassau St. and Paradise Island Police Stations, Bishop Neil C. & First Lady Patrice Ellis and members of Mt. Tabor Church, International Revival Fellowship Church, St. Stephen’s Baptist Church, New Birth Kingdom Deliverance Ministries, R. M. Bailey Class of 1986, Masonic Lodge Amos Temple #34, T.G. Glover Primary School, PMH Children’s Ward, The Reef (Housekeeping) Atlantis, Kingsway Academy, Gwen’s Alterations, Bahamas Power and Light, Chief Superintendent Dennis Sturrup and family, Linda Burrows and family, Barbara Cooper and family, others too numerous to mention. Friends may pay their last respects On Wednesday, November 14, 2018 at the Foyer of the Paul Farquharson Conference Centre, Police Headquarters from 12:00 noon until 6:00 p.m., and at the church on Thursday, November 15, 2018 from 10 a.m. until service time.
PAGE 6, Wednesday, November 14, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis speaking after touring the Fusion Superplex theatre.
Photo: Donavan McIntosh
Minnis still promises quarterly briefings ‘when time is right’ By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday described the work of the news media as “essential”, following persistent allegations that he is anti-press. Dr Minnis said he does not engage with such rumours, adding he will hold his long-promised quarterly briefings with
the press “when the time is right”. These comments came one day after an incident where a police aide to the prime minister swatted away reporters’ microphones in Dr Minnis’ presence. Following a Cabinet tour of the new Fusion Superplex entertainment facility, Dr Minnis was asked to respond to criticism that he does not like the press.
“I don’t listen to rumours,” Dr Minnis said. “They have called me every manner of things in the world. So I don’t listen to rumours.” Regarding his longpromised quarterly press briefings, Dr Minnis told reporters he will host them “when the time is right”. On May 30, 2017, during his inaugural press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister, Press Secretary
Anthony Newbold said Dr Minnis will address the nation bi-annually and meet with the press on a quarterly basis. This would have signalled a shift in the culture of press engagement with the nation’s leader. However, on May 29, – almost exactly a year later – Mr Newbold could not confirm if or when Dr Minnis will ever hold these quarterly press conferences. At the time, Mr Newbold clarified that the idea was actually his; noting that the prime minister speaks to the press “all the time”. Mr Newbold added: “That does not mean he will never have a quarterly press briefing or a press conference. But the idea was to make sure he was accessible to all of you. “And I think for the most part he is. At which point he will decide to have that
press conference, he will decide that.” Yesterday, when asked if he still plans to have quarterly briefings, Dr Minnis told reporters: “When the time is right. When the time is right.” The prime minister was also asked if he was going to talk to the press or have a major press conference any time before then. Dr Minnis said this would be conducted “once the need arise”. “Once the need arise,” he said. “Once the need arise, I’d do whatever is necessary. The press represents and send messages to the entire Bahamas. “It’s essential for The Bahamas to know what is going on within The Bahamas. Nassau is not The Bahamas. Others throughout The Bahamas are listening. It’s essential for them to know what’s happening. And that message is
transmitted by the leader of the country, the prime minister, who is me.” Following a presentation at Baha Mar’s Convention Centre on Monday, the prime minister refused to answer questions from The Tribune and other media regarding the country’s position on a two-year Federal Bureau of Investigation probe that uncovered alleged work permit bribery in The Bahamas as part of a larger US visa fraud scheme. Reporters were told moments before by a handler that the prime minister would not take questions. When reporters did ask questions, the handler, a police aid who was positioned to Dr Minnis’ left and walking with his entourage, swatted the microphones of two reporters, saying: “Don’t put the mic in my face.” To this, Dr Minnis said: “Y’all relax, y’all relax.”
PROMISED BPL PROBE HAS NOT YET BEGUN By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net DESPITE announcing nearly three months ago that he ordered a probe into matters of concern at Bahamas Power and Light, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis confirmed yesterday no investigation has begun, but insisted he told the truth in pledging issues at the power provider would be looked into. This was his response to criticism from Progressive Liberal Party Leader Philip “Brave” Davis, who yesterday said the announcement of a BPL probe back in August was used by the prime minister to “placate and buy time” in the hopes that everyone would forget there was infighting among former board members leading to the board being dissolved. Asked about Mr Davis’ critique, Dr Minnis said: “As soon as everything commences and is completed you would know. I will not keep any information from you. “I said before, first and foremost I’m a doctor. A doctor tells you the truth, that’s our training, okay? We are trained to listen after which we analyse and we come up with a diagnosis.The diagnosis may be bad but we still must tell you that good news or bad
news. We must tell you that. I am a doctor.” He made the comments following a tour of Fusion Superplex. At his monthly press briefing yesterday, Mr Davis yesterday also spoke of several matters yesterday including telling BPL’s Chairman Donovan Moxey that he doesn’t “play with children”. Following this, he was asked by The Tribune whether he believed the government should revisit the leadership structure at BPL. “Well there is no doubt about it. I had anticipated that if the probe promised by the prime minister had been engaged that I would have expected findings that may have told us about the quality of the management team that’s in place, recalling that the probe came about because there were issues between the former board chairman in particular and others and other board members who have remained and there are allegations against those other board members including the chairman. “That’s why when I spoke earlier I doubt anyone could listen to him because of what was said about him by the previous chairperson,” Mr Davis said. “I would have hoped that the mandate of the probe would have included such inquiries
about management like what going on in respect to equipment maintenance what’s going on with those exercises,” he said when he was asked if the probe could illuminate some of the causes for the increases in the cost of electricity. Finally he was asked if he believes that the prime minister only said he was doing a probe to placate critics. To this he said: “I think to placate and buy time and hope that we’d all forget.” Mr Davis also said he does not buy the assertion that 63,000 people stand to benefit from the increase of the value added tax ceiling on BPL bills, a statement made by acting Financial Secretary Marlon Johnson. Mr Davis said the first thing that has to be appreciated is how many people are now without electricity because they have not been able to pay their bills over the last six to nine months. “When you are talking about (63,000), what usage is he talking about because what we left in place was a tier system for billings where (if) one used more they pay more, less you pay less and that was part of the programme we left in place. So where he got this number, having been the minister responsible for BPL I am unable to say, but that number seems to have been pulled out of the hat to me,” he said.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, November 14, 2018, PAGE 7
Victim was trying to escape violence from page one
The Tribune visited the Watlins Street area yesterday and spoke to the victim’s brother, Mero Ramsey, who said Stantavio was shot about six times about his body ranging from his head to his chest. He said his younger brother was a hotel worker and a new father of a twoweek-old baby boy. Mr Ramsey said: “It’s sad to say it happen but I can’t stop it and I can’t bring him back.”
On Facebook, Stantavio’s sister Standeika Ramsey alleged “jealousy” and “hate” led to her brother’s murder. She said the family had suffered tragedy before, saying her sister and another brother had also been murdered. She said her younger brother had been with her on Monday until about 3pm when he left to try and cash a cheque to buy milk and other items for his infant. She said when he did not respond to her texts later that day, she called him and received no answer, which
was not like her brother. She said after that, she received a phone call that her brother had been shot, and soon after he died. “My baby move from out that (expletive) hell hole (and) curse area because. . . he was (trying to) make it (sic),” she posted, adding her brother was killed just when he “was really getting somewhere with his life.” Monday’s incident marked the 77th murder for the year. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS.
19-year-old Stantavio Ramsey died in hospital on Monday after being shot while walking on Watlins Street after 5pm.
SCHOLARSHIPS POWER TRIO TO HIGH SCHOOL SUCCESS
FROM left, Dwanya Archer, Deneil Rolle and Danitra Sargent. THREE more recipients of scholarships from the Tara Xavier Hepburn Foundation – Dwayna Archer, Danitra Sargent and Deneil Rolle – have successfully completed their high school education at St John’s College. Dwayna and Danitra graduated with distinction
while Deneil graduated with a special credit. Dwayna served as prefect at St John’s College. She graduated fifth in her year of 102 students and was once again named to the Emerald Club. She successfully passed nine subjects in the 2018 BGCSE examinations
with one A and eight Bs. Dwayna was the recipient of numerous awards and prizes at St John’s College’s 2018 graduation ceremony including subject prizes in Spanish, biology, chemistry and physics. She was also the recipient the Proficiency Prize and the Conroy Williams Prize
HAITIAN MAN ACCUSED OF ILLEGAL LANDING BY BOAT By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
A HAITIAN man who arrived illegally by boat to The Bahamas two weeks ago was charged with being in breach of the Immigration Act in the Freeport Magistrate’s Court yesterday. St Jude Pierre, 28, of Port de Paix, Haiti, appeared before Magistrate Rengin Johnson where he pleaded guilty to the charge of illegal landing. According to the particulars, officers attached
AMERICAN WOMAN HELD OVER DRUGS CENTRAL division officers arrested an American woman aboard the Carnival Elation cruise ship, after she was allegedly found in possession of a quantity of suspected marijuana. The woman is expected to be formally arraigned in Magistrate’s Court later this week.
to an investigations unit in the Department of Immigration received information on a suspected undocumented immigrant located at Clarke Avenue in Freeport. On arrival at the location, officers observed a male standing outside a house. They identified themselves and asked the man, later identified as Pierre, to produce proof of his legal status in the country. Pierre was unable to produce any documentation verifying his legal status. He was cautioned, arrested and
taken to the Department of Immigration for further processing. During a review of immigration files, the immigration officials learned that the accused had no legal status. Pierre later admitted that he entered the country illegally by boat two weeks ago. Magistrate Johnson convicted Pierre and ordered him to pay a $300 fine or serve three months in prison. He is to be deported to Haiti on payment of the fine or upon serving his custodial sentence.
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for Overall Excellence in Science. Danitra also served as a prefect at St John’s College. She graduated tenth in her year and was successful in nine subjects in the BGCSE examinations with two As,
two Bs and five Cs. She was very involved in extra-curricular activities at St John’s College and is currently enrolled at University of the Ozarks where she is pursuing a degree in biology. Deneil received a medal
for her participation in the Solar Club and certificates for her participation the Key Club. The student was successful in five subjects in the BGCSE examinations with one A, three Bs and one C.
PAGE 8, Wednesday, November 14, 2018
W
E have a systems problem. Systems are not just machines or procedures for high-level tasks, but include the timing of traffic lights, the passport renewal application process and the dissemination of information. There are systems we need that do not exist, systems we do not understand so we cannot use them well, systems that are outdated, systems that do not work well, and systems that have been manipulated to create distance between us and the information, resources, and services we need. They are often built in response to a human need, but in ways that privilege people in positions of power, or to support other systems that do — or seem to do — the same work. They are in the thousands and intersect each other in various ways, some of which create greater complications and limited accessibility. Any quarterly “Meet Dr Minnis” in the past 18 months? One week after the prime minister entered office, he appointed a press secretary to be the official spokesperson of the prime minister and the FNM-led administration. Two weeks later, Press Secretary Anthony Newbold announced the media would have the opportunity to pose questions to the prime minister on a quarterly basis. At the time of the announcement, Newbold was asked for clarification on Minnis’ willingness to engage the media otherwise, and the response was that he has the right to decide when he will talk to members of the media. To date, the prime minister has yet to hold a quarterly press conference. Last week, Newbold reiterated that Minnis will decide when he will hold such a press conference, regardless of the suggestions made to him. He added that press conferences take place wherever Minnis goes, though he did not mention the prime minister’s dismissiveness or outright refusal to answer questions on a regular basis. Here we have an example of a system. Was it designed to limit the prime minister’s engagement with the press, or to ensure the press has at least four opportunities every year to ask questions about pertinent issues, whether topical or not? We do not know. Minnis has treated the press with tremendous hostility over the past 18 months, often behaving in ways not much different from the current US president. Whatever the purpose of the — up to now
THE TRIBUNE
If the system is wrong then we need to change it
ABOVE, Prime Minister Hubert Minnis; top right, one of his aides swiping at reporters’ microphones on Monday.
— imaginary system, it remains unused, and without the promise of use. What do we do with a system like this — an empty promise we cannot even ask about with the expectation of a response of any substance, much less truth? What does it mean that the prime minister made a commitment without our prompting and now will not even respond to questions about his failure to keep it? If it matters to us and we want the press to pose questions, we have to be willing to do something about it. Watching and laughing at video of the prime minister’s aide swiping reporters’ microphones does not demonstrate support of the press or recognition of the power it affords us. We depend on the media to ask questions on our behalf, keep track of issues and positions, track down key actors and experts, conduct research, be at every important event, report back, and do all of this at the same time, at all times. What happens when access is not granted? How do we get information when the people in the room are told not to speak of what takes place there? Systems of secrecy and forced loyalty — read by many institutions and individuals as positive — quickly become tools of oppression when the privileged few agree to separate themselves from the “outsiders” who do not have immediate access to information. We, all of us “outsiders,” would know far less if not for media reports, from proceedings in Parliament to interviews with the insiders who break rank.
Lives at stake Over the past years, there have been several instances about missing people as a result of accidents in the ocean. The circumstances are unique, but many of them share one commonality. Family members and friends do not believe the authorities did everything possible to find and save their loved ones. Many of us have, at some point, seen calls for help from the general public in searching the water for vessels and people because those dispatched by the authorities are too few. Families have also complained about the poor communication by authorities who often do not speak directly to them, but give statements to the media. As the search continues for a missing pilot, we are not short on questions about how we got to this place, widening the scope of the search for an aircraft that was in sight a few nights ago. The family contends the pilot was experienced and competent and would have taken every measure to land safely. They say he recognized a problem with the aircraft, contacted Air Traffic Control as well as a friend who could track him and passed three Family Island airports where he could not land because there were no lights. They also said there were no divers in the RBDP
team that first responded. The family also criticised the decision to call off the search within hours of starting and no measures being taken to secure the aircraft. In response to these accounts, there has been a slew of comments from people with a range of opinion on the way the pilot’s crisis and the ongoing search have been handled. At the root of it, of course, is the system. What procedures are in place for situations like this? Who determines whether or not the lights at an airport are turned on? How can rescuers be dispatched ahead of an emergency landing? Who is supposed to be on the first responder team? Under what circumstances can a search be called off? There are more questions than answers, and while the Minister of National Security defended the the operations, no explanation was given. There is no understanding of the system. Not knowing the procedures keeps us from comparing them to those in other countries, finding the weaknesses, and making recommendations that could save lives.
S
YSTEMS are all around us, whether or not we recognise them as such. They control environments, impact interactions, and determine outcomes. We often confuse people with the systems within which they operate. The journalist is criticised for not reporting on what we need to know, but they do not have access to the information either and probably need our agitation to shake the system enough to make progress on a story. The diver is criticised for not going in the water, but they are governed by a system they do not control, and can only respond to commands from the appropriate officer. We spend too much time criticising individuals, and not nearly enough time interrogating the systems that monitor, control and, to some extent, create those individuals within their roles. It is necessary to look at the systems around us, including the ones we think bring benefit, and ask ourselves — and each other — if they really work. If not, we must dismantle, reimagine and build. Dismantle, reimagine, and build. And we must do this recognising that it is part of ongoing collective assessment and co-creation of the environment we inhabit that is necessary for the transformation we want and will not get until our focus shifts from the individual.
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THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, November 14, 2018, PAGE 9
Pocket money apps aim to help kids in cashless world LONDON Associated Press FOR KIDS growing up in today’s cashless society, the piggy bank is going virtual. Father-of-two Roland Hall turned to a British startup’s digital pocket money app because his kids were still too young to get bank cards from traditional banks. With prepaid debit cards linked to the app, Hall’s kids, aged eight and ten, can spend their allowance and chore money by shopping online or by tapping at contactless payment terminals in stores. Sound like a recipe for splurging? Not so, he said. “When kids have cash, they want to spend it quickly. They want to go to the shops and spend it on rubbish,” said Hall, an IT project manager. But an app lets them check their balances online, “which actually makes them start thinking about saving rather than getting rid of the money,” said Hall, who also prefers giving digital allowances because he never carries cash. The app, which is called gohenry and expanded to the US in April, is part of a wave of digital money apps combined with prepaid cards for kids as young as six that parents have access to. They are powerful new money management and savings tools that replace old-fashioned piggy banks and
PADDY Kelly and his daughter Ailish use Gohenry, one of a wave of digital banking apps for children. A wave of digital pocket money apps that come with prepaid cards are new tools for financial education as money increasingly goes digital, in a shift that’s raising uncertainty about how cashless transactions affect youngsters’ view of money. Photo: Kelvin Chan/AP account passbooks. Some say they can help enhance financial literacy even as the growth of cashless payments upends traditional notions of money. Globally, the number of non-cash transactions rose 11.2 percent to 433 billion in 2015 from the year before and is forecast to nearly double by 2020, according to the World Payments Report by financial services firms Capgemini and BNP Paribas. Britain, Canada and Sweden are among the world’s most cashless countries, according to a 2017 ranking by
currency website ForexBonuses, with widespread use of “contactless” bank cards that let shoppers merely tap on payment terminals for small transactions. In China, where mobile payments rule, Alipay and WeChat Pay allow teens to hold accounts. Hong Kong offers a kids’ version of its stored value Octopus card, based on older technology. In the US, the fragmented banking sector means most cards still need to be swiped and, sometimes, require a pin number. Merchants in big US cities are increasingly going cashless because
they can gather more customer data, which makes it harder for teens without bank cards, said Stuart Sopp, CEO of Current, a two-year-old US fintech startup. “Parents are willing to pay to solve a problem that banks are not solving” helping youngsters deal with digital money, said Sopp. Current, gohenry and others such as Britain’s Nimbl and Osper, Australia’s Spriggy and Famzoo and Greenlight of the US operate on similar principles. They typically charge a monthly or annual fee for
prepaid debit cards. Parents can load money from their bank onto their own account, set weekly allowance amounts and spending limits, list chores to earn extra money, and block certain types of transactions, like online shopping. Money is sent to kids’ linked accounts, which they can use to set savings goals. The Current app rounds up each transaction and sweeps the change into a savings account. Crucially, the apps send instant alerts about transactions, a feature parents love, said gohenry CEO Alex Zivoder. “You give cash to a kid, how do you as a parent know what he will do with this money?” he said. Hall said his son, Ralph, eight, uses it to save up to buy 70 pound ($92) soccer shoes and PlayStation video games while his daughter Lilly, ten, saves for shoes or clothing. They both also save up to buy extras on the video game Fortnite. He said he turned to the app because “I want them to understand what the value of money is.” The apps are making inroads amid growing adult uncertainty about how the shift to cashless payments is affecting children’s view of money. In one UK survey commissioned last year by Prudential, about 78 percent of teachers and 37 percent of parents said it hurt youngsters’ understanding of money.
LIVE-STREAMING A MARSHLAND FOR FUN - AND SCIENCE PLYMOUTH Associated Press
IF A TREE falls in the Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary, it doesn’t matter if there’s no one around. You can hear it anyway. That’s because researchers have hidden dozens of wireless sensor nodes, microphones and cameras among the cattails and cedars of this Plymouth, Massachusetts nature preserve. Sounds picked up from the marsh and nearby woodland feed into an artificial intelligence system that can identify frogs or crickets, ducks or a passing airplane. One goal is to help scientists better understand changing climates and improve wildlife restoration techniques. Beyond that, though, researchers want to use the collected data to help power an online virtual reality world — a kind of alternate universe modeled on live conditions in the marsh, but populated with fanciful creatures invented in a computer science lab. Could this be the future of the nature walk?
BRIAN MAYTON, a research assistant at the MIT Media Lab Responsive Environment group, holds his mobile phone receiving live stream video and audio data at a marshland in Plymouth, Mass, which is equipped with wireless sensors, cameras and microphones to create a virtual reality world inspired by nature’s rhythms. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology hope that by live-streaming data, sights and sounds at the Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary, they can help scientists understand wildlife restoration techniques and let other virtual visitors experience nature remotely. Photo: Charles Krupa/AP As wireless sensors get cheaper, longer-lasting and more sophisticated, they’re increasingly turning up everywhere. We’re already seeing them in “smart” homes and cities, pulling in data that can be analysed
in real time to smooth traffic flows, save energy, monitor pollution or respond to crime. But what happens when you apply such an internet-connected network to nature? A research team at the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been trying it out at Tidmarsh, a former cranberry bog converting back to natural wetlands just a few miles from where the Pilgrims landed in 1620. Remotely spying on nature isn’t new, but the project goes far beyond simple webcams fixed on a hawk’s nest or sea lions’ favourite pier — or even the more sophisticated acoustic sensors designed to detect animal poachers. The team’s goals for what they call the Living Observatory include supporting wildlife restoration efforts. The sensors measure temperature, moisture and other environmental conditions. But a broader mission is to offer people — including children — a deeper understanding of nature using their laptops, phones or headsets. They can do so remotely or in person while walking a nature trail, said the project’s visionary, Glorianna Davenport, a retired professor and co-founder of the MIT Media Lab. “It’s gorgeous to walk in the woods and not be fiddling with a cell phone,” Davenport said. On the other
hand, she added, what if you can learn more about the microbial environment, or the return of an endangered species, from a well-crafted smartphone app or a virtual reality game? If it works here, Davenport said, researchers are already envisioning more ambitious projects deep in the Amazon rainforest — or on the moon. The idea has sceptics who are worried about the intrusion of technology and constant surveillance into the world’s last places without it. The Massachusetts Audubon Society manages the 480-acre sanctuary and took some time before it agreed to outfit it with live-streaming cameras and microphones. It was assured that human voices would be scrambled. Educators have also asked Davenport why she would want to encourage kids to carry around their smartphones instead of just appreciating nature without them. “And I went, ‘Why not?’ That’s how they learn. That is their mechanism of interacting,” she said.
• A NIGERIAN internet service provider said yesterday that a configuration error it made during a network upgrade caused a disruption of key Google services, routing traffic to China and Russia. Prior to MainOne’s explanation yesterday, there was speculation that Monday’s 74-minute data hijacking might have been intentional. Google’s search, cloud hosting and G-Suite collaborative business tools were among services disrupted. “Everyone is pretty confident that nothing untoward took place,” MainOne spokeman Tayo Ashiru said. The type of traffic misdirection involved can knock essential services offline and facilitate espionage and financial theft. They can also be used to block access to information by sending data requests into internet black holes. Experts say China, in particular, has systematically hijacked and diverted US internet traffic. But the problem can also result from human error. That’s what Ashiru said happened to MainOne, a major west African ISP. He said engineers mistakenly forwarded to China Telecom addresses for Google services that were supposed to be local. The Chinese company, in turn, sent along the bad data to Russia’s TransTelecom, a major internet presence. Ashiru said MainOne did not yet understand why China Telecom did that, as the state-run company normally doesn’t allow Google traffic on its network. The traffic diversion into China created a detour with a dead end, preventing users from accessing the affected Google services, said Alex Henthorn-Iwane, an executive at the network-intelligence company ThousandEyes. He said Monday’s incident offered yet another lesson in the internet’s susceptibility to “unpredictable and destabilising events. If this could happen to a company with the scale and resources available that Google has, realise it could happen to anyone”. • FIFTY nations and over 150 tech companies pledged on Monday to do more to fight criminal activity on the internet, including interference in elections and hate speech. But the United States, Russia and China are not among them. The group of governments and companies pledged in a document entitled the “Paris call for trust and security in cyberspace” to work together to prevent malicious activities like online censorship and the theft of trade secrets. The push is supported by EU countries, Japan and Canada as well as tech giants Facebook, Google and Microsoft, among others. French President Emmanuel Macron had pushed for the initiative, whose unveiling comes a day after dozens of world leaders gathered in Paris on Sunday for the centenary of the end of World War One.
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FORMER Senator Frank Smith is pictured at Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
Too much hot air delays Smith hearing from page one wouldn’t want others to be uncomfortable, suggested that he was fine with proceeding in those conditions due to his experiences with working in the Magistrate’s Courts in Jamaica, the vast majority of which do not have air-conditioning. He further stated that his colleagues in Jamaica would be “shocked” at Mr Jenkins’ submissions given their familiarity with working without air-conditioning. Nonetheless, Mr Knight
further proposed to purchase more fans and portable air conditioning units to place in the court so as to have the matter proceed. However, that proposal in turn led to concerns that placing so many fans or a/c units in the courtroom would generate too much noise, thus impacting the public’s and the press’ ability to hear and follow the proceedings. And when discussions arose about a replacement venue, the chief magistrate noted that any venue selected would have to be
large enough to accommodate both the press and the public. After a brief adjournment, the chief magistrate indicated that they had found a replacement courtroom that herself, the Crown and the defence had the opportunity to examine during the short break and confirm that it was up to their standards. The matter was consequently adjourned to today. Various court officials and attorneys have complained to The Tribune about the lack of air-conditioning
throughout the entire Nassau and South Streets court complex over the last three weeks, which have caused staff to work shorter days. Shortly after Smith’s matter was stood down yesterday, a senior attorney expressed his frustration to The Tribune in having to work without air-conditioning in court three in the court complex, which he said was mould infested. Concerns were especially raised by court staff stationed in the court rooms without windows, which are
notably more humid than those with windows, and especially if they’re fully occupied. One senior court official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Tribune that from his understanding, the issue stems from a faulty part in the complex’s a/c system, which costs over $100,000 to replace. However, he said whatever the price tag may be, three weeks is too long a time for the building’s a/c unit to be out of commission, and stressed that the discomfort caused is
adversely impacting various court matters. “Justice delayed is justice denied, so we don’t want to deny or delay justice for persons who have issues in the court, whether they’re civil, criminal or any other matter because of the courts not being able to function in the prescribed time that is permitted by law,” the official said. He added: “I don’t think it should take three weeks to get this part in to fix this. (Even) if they have to send that person away to bring that part in, it shouldn’t take three weeks.”
SANDS - WE’LL MAKE FAIR OFFER TO DOCTORS from page one
“Doctors are first and foremost, they care about patients and ensuring that individuals are well and lives are saved,” the prime minister told reporters yesterday. “That will always be a priority for doctors, always, and they would ensure that patients’ care is never compromised – that’s how they were trained.” He added: “It’s only a matter of communication. I’m sure the physicians will be in meetings with the Public Hospitals Authority, it’s only a matter of communication, negotiation, because first and foremost, the doctors want to ensure that their patients are cared for and their care is never compromised.” For his part, Dr Sands said industrial action from doctors would be unfortunate. “That would be most unfortunate and so we continue to be prepared to sit at the table to negotiate to improve in a substantial way the terms and conditions and service for physicians which have been a challenge for the last decade,” Dr Sands said. “We understand the concerns but we also understand that the Bahamian people only have so much capacity to augment salaries and other benefits for any particular group of professionals. “We will do the best that we can and we hope that is enough. The government of The Bahamas will negotiate in good faith. The government of The Bahamas, PHA, will do the very best that it can to make an offer to what we feel is fair that is reasonable and that is sustainable by the people of The Bahamas.”
The minister said he believes the management and board of PHA are quite willing to make a generous offer to physicians, in keeping with what the public purse can afford. “It would be unreasonable to make a commitment that cannot be met by the public purse and by extension it cannot be met by the people of The Bahamas,” said Dr Sands. “Let me simply say again that the PHA is prepared to make a fair and reasonable offer to all of the professionals who provide service to the Bahamian people in the delivery of health care services. Anything else would prejudice the negations and I’m not prepared to do that. “Ultimately what needs to happen is (we) need to sit down at the table and there needs to be dialogue back and forth. It is not progressing as quickly or as well as we would like to see but obviously in a democratic country where there are very mature labour relations that have been forged over decades this has to play out according to our convention and our laws.” Dr Sands said he’s obviously hoping the physicians won’t withdraw their services. He said: “Again we’re hoping that it doesn’t come to that, we would have to make contingency plans anyway if it does come to that, but certainly we will negotiate in good faith and the Bahamian people can be assured that health services will be provided.” Last month, most members of the Consultant Physicians Staff Association (CPSA) voted in favour of a strike because of their failure to secure an industrial agreement with
the PHA despite years of negotiation. The CPSA is seeking greater financial benefits for its members, but the PHA insists there is not enough money to give it to them. Yesterday, it was reported that senior physicians were considering withdrawing their services over the issue, CPSA President Dr Locksley Munroe saying the group would inform PHA officials at a meeting this Friday. “We are planning to go back to the table on Friday, but we are going back there with our lawyer who is going to basically say to them exactly what is going to be the next step,” Dr Munroe said. Asked whether this meant the CPSA would officially inform the PHA of its intention to withdraw services, Dr Munroe said “Yes.” Meanwhile, Labour Minister Dion Foulkes noted negotiations with public health nurses are progressing. A little over a week ago nurses staged multiple protests over a new shift system that is set to take effect next month. Mr Foulkes said: “That meeting was chaired by Mr John Pinder, the director, both the leadership of the PHA and the leadership of the nurses union were present. Progress was made on some of their issues their doing to meet again this upcoming Friday at 10 (am). We are very hopeful that we will be able to resolve all of the crucial issues that face the nurses. I’m very pleased that both the nurses union and PHA that they have agreed to sit down and talk and to be respectful to each other and to both sides.”
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, November 14, 2018, PAGE 11
HOMELAND SECURITY CHIEF EXPECTED TO LEAVE NEXT WASHINGTON Associated Press
PRESIDENT Donald Trump is weighing an administration-wide shakeup as he looks to prepare his White House for divided government, with Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen expected to be among the next to go. Trump has soured on Nielsen and White House chief of staff John Kelly, in part over frustration that his administration is not doing more to address what he has called a crisis at the USMexico border, according to two people with knowledge of the issue. But the scope of the contemplated changes is far broader,
as Trump gears up for a wave of Democratic oversight requests and to devote more effort to his own re-election campaign. According to people familiar with the situation, Trump is discussing replacing Kelly with Vice President Mike Pence’s chief of staff, Nick Ayers. Kelly, a retired marine general, has been credited with bringing order and process to a chaotic West Wing, but he has fallen out of favour with the president as well as presidential daughter Ivanka Trump and sonin-law Jared Kushner. Ayers, a seasoned campaign operative, would restore a political-mindset to the role, but he faces stiff opposition from some corners of the West Wing, with
some aides lobbying Trump directly against the move. Others changes are afoot, as Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke are being discussed for replacement. And in an extraordinary move Tuesday, first lady Melania Trump’s office called publicly for the firing of Trump’s deputy national security adviser, Mira Ricardel. For all of the talk of churn, Trump often expresses frustration with aides and then does not take action. Talk of Kelly’s exit has percolated for months and he remains in place. Nielsen had hoped to complete one year in the job and leave in December, but it appeared
KIRSTJEN NIELSEN
unlikely she would last that long, said two sources. Curbing illegal immigration is Trump’s signature issue — and one he returns to as a way to rally his most loyal supporters. But anyone who takes over at Homeland Security is likely to run up against the same problems that Nielsen faced. The administration has already tried to clamp down at the border but those efforts have been watered down due to legal challenges. Trump also told allies that he never fully trusted Nielsen, whom he associated with President George W Bush, a longtime foe. He felt, at times, that her loyalty was more toward her longtime mentor — Kelly — than to the president.
Victims come into focus as grim searches carry on PARADISE, California Associated Press ERNEST Foss was a musician who gave lessons out of his home when he lived in San Francisco, where an amplifier that ran the length of a wall served as the family’s living room couch. Carl Wiley refurbished tires for Michelin. Jesus Fernandez was known as “Zeus.” They were among the first victims identified in the aftermath of the deadliest, most destructive wildfire in California history, an inferno blamed for at least 42 deaths, with authorities ramping up the search yesterday for still more victims. The flames all but obliterated the Northern California town of Paradise, population 27,000, and ravaged surrounding areas last Thursday. The exact number of missing was unclear, but many friends and relatives of those living in the fire zone said they hadn’t heard from loved ones. Efforts were underway to bring in mobile morgues, cadaver dogs, a rapid DNA analysis system for identifying victims, and an additional 150 search-andrescue personnel on top of 13 teams already looking for remains — a grim indication that the death toll would almost surely rise. As of midday yesterday, Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea’s office had identified four of the dead. James Wiley said sheriff’s deputies informed him that his father, Carl, was among the dead, but the younger Wiley hadn’t been able to leave his property in the fire area to see for himself. Wiley, 77, was a tire-recapper, and the family lived in Alaska for many years before moving to Butte County decades ago. James Wiley said his father was a stoic veteran, and the two had not spoken
UK CABINET TO MEET AFTER BRITAIN & EU REACH DRAFT BREXIT DEAL LONDON Associated Press
RUBBLE remains where mobile homes once stood at the Camp Fire in Paradise, California. in six years. “Hey, I lost him a long time ago,” the younger man said. Foss, 63, moved to Paradise eight years ago because the high cost of living pushed him out of the San Francisco Bay Area, according to his daughter, Angela Loo. He had swollen limbs and couldn’t walk. He had also been on oxygen. Loo told KTVU-TV in Oakland that her father gave music lessons out of their home in San Francisco and turned the living room into a studio. The family couch was an amplifier. “I love that he shared his gift of music with me and so many others during his lifetime,” she said. “He would want to be remembered for being a San Franciscan through and through.”
Fernandez, a 48-yearold Concow resident, died along with his beloved dog, King. Five days after the blaze, over 1,000 people were at more than a half-dozen shelters set up for evacuees. At the Neighborhood Church in Chico, counsellors, chaplains and nursing students from California State University at Chico were available to help. Volunteers cooked meals, and there was a large bulletin board with information about missing people. Eddie Lazarom, who fled Paradise on foot before getting a lift from a UPS truck, was among those staying at the church. He said he had yet to hear from his three grandchildren, ages 22, 24 and 28. “I am really worried
about them. They have common sense, I’m sure, but I’d hate to find out later that they burned up,” he said. The Northern California tragedy surpassed the deadliest single fire on record, a 1933 blaze in Griffith Park in Los Angeles that killed 29. At the other end of the state yesterday firefighters continued making progress against a 150-square-mile blaze that has killed two people in star-studded Malibu and destroyed well over 400 structures in Southern California. The flames roared to life again in a mountainous wilderness area in the morning, sending up a huge plume of smoke near the community of Lake Sherwood and prompting authorities to
send aircraft to drop retardant and water. Still, the number of people evacuated was down by about half from the day before, to around 100,000, authorities said, and the fire was reported 35 percent contained. “We’re getting the upper hand here. We’re feeling better,” said Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby. The fire burned through part of a former research site that once housed a nuclear reactor and has been undergoing a yearslong waste cleanup. But measurements taken over the weekend found no abnormal levels of radiation or hazardous compounds, the state Department of Toxic Substances control said.
AFTER months of stalled talks, false starts and setbacks, negotiators from Britain and the European Union struck a proposed divorce deal to provide for the UK’s smooth exit from the bloc. But the agreement faces major political hurdles starting today when British Prime Minister Theresa May will try to win the approval of her divided Cabinet for a deal many ministers view with skepticism. The British government confirmed that the negotiating teams had reached a draft agreement and the Cabinet would hold a special meeting this afternoon to consider the proposal. Its support isn’t guaranteed: May is under pressure from pro-Brexit ministers not to make further concessions to the EU on the key issue of the Irish border. A spokesman for chief EU negotiator Michel Barnier urged caution, saying a deal wasn’t yet finalised and the bloc would “take stock” today. Britain wants to seal a deal this autumn so that Parliament has time to vote on it before the UK leaves the bloc on March 29. Officials have said for weeks that agreement on divorce terms and a framework for future UK-EU relations was 95 percent complete, and for several days negotiators have been meeting late into the night in Brussels in a bid to close the remaining gaps. The main obstacle has long been how to ensure there are no customs posts or other checks along the border between the UK’s Northern Ireland and EU member Ireland after Brexit.
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