11162023 BUSINESS

business@tribunemedia.net

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2023

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Retail’s extra ‘strain’ in Christmas run-up

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIAN retailers say downtown closures, and a longer wait to clear key stock, are imposing extra “strain” on the “make or break” Christmas shopping season that has assumed greater importance this year.

Tara Morley, the Bahamas Federation of Retailers’ co-chair, told Tribune Business that most merchants are “hoping Christmas will be good” after many in the industry experienced “a summer season slowdown” attributed to the cost of living crisis, “astronomical” Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) bills and other factors.

With the retail sector squeezed on both sides by the ‘double whammy’ of reduced consumer demand and higher operating costs, she added that the “increased” number of road closures related to events staged in downtown Nassau this year had

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And, with the festive shopping season fast approaching, Ms Morley told this newspaper that “quite a number of merchants have reached

out to me expressing concern” about the extra time required to import goods that fall under duty exemptions - the likes of clothing and shoes - due to a change in clearance processes.

Such inventory is now taking up to 14 days to clear and, given that Bahamian merchants have no control over the shipping industry or when overseas suppliers/manufacturers release their orders, several are now said to be fretting over whether stock will arrive in time for the Christmas shopping rush.

Besides causing supply chain management woes, Ms Morley said the extended time and associated uncertainty over when duty-exempt goods will be cleared, has also created cash flow challenges. These are worsened if suppliers ship goods prior to payment, with Bahamian merchants allowed 30 days to pay, as up to 14 days - almost half that period - is lost

SEE PAGE B6

DPM blasts ‘unacceptable’ Aliv, BTC dropped calls

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net THE DEPUTY Prime Minister yesterday said the service quality provided by the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) and Aliv is “unacceptable” with their failings “difficult to comprehend”.

Speaking at the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority’s (URCA) digital transformation forum, Chester Cooper blasted both providers over the level and quality of communication services they offerl especially to Family Island residents.

“As far as BTC and ALIV is concerned, we believe that you must find

CHESTER COOPER more ways to collaborate within the framework of what is possible within URCA’s guidelines to improve service delivery, most importantly, in the Family Islands,” Mr Cooper, also minister of

SEE PAGE B7

Pilot ‘cannibalisation’ fear on Bahamasair

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net PRIVATE Bahamian airlines fear they will be “cannibalised” by Bahamasair poaching their best pilots to ease its cockpit shortage amid the ongoing impasse over raising the retirement age to 65.

Anthony Hamilton, president of the Bahamas Association of Air Transport Operators, told Tribune Business that “a measure of this” is already occurring with the national flag carrier able to offer pilots “better benefits” due

to its multi-million dollar annual financial support from taxpayer subsidies.

Arguing that Bahamasair needs “a proper comprehensive plan” to address its pilot needs, he added: “Where’s the feeder system for Bahamasair? That’ll be the domestic operators. In this kind of situation, the domestic operators suffer because pilots are attracted from them to Bahamasair by the benefits Bahamasair is able to offer.

“What we have is a kind of cannibalisation taking place. There’s a measure of it already. The domestic

SEE PAGE B12

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‘Full probe’ demand on WSC chair resignation t 4BOET A#PY JT PQFOFE MFU T TFF XIBU T JO JU

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Opposition’s chairman last night demanded “a full investigation” into the resignation of the Water & Sewerage Corporation’s executive chairman, asserting: “You’ve opened the box so let’s see what’s in it.”

Dr Duane Sands told Tribune Business that the Government should “let the chips fall where they may” over Sylvanus Petty’s departure as he hinted that other contract awards at the state-owned utility since the Davis administration took office should also come under scrutiny.

The Prime Minister’s Office, in confirming that Philip Davis KC had asked Mr Petty to resign from his post, gave no explanation of the circumstances or rationale for the request

DR DUANE SANDS in its release. The resignation was accepted by acting prime minister Chester Cooper, and came after it was revealed last week that Mr Petty’s daughter had been given a contract with the Water & Sewerage Corporation.

Mr Petty thus becomes the second successive Water & Sewerage Corporation to be ensnared in controversy, with his predecessor,

SEE PAGE B10

PAGE 2, Thursday, November 16, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

WHY ENTREPRENEURSHIP IS SUCH A REWARDING CAREER

By DEIDRE BASTIAN

W

hile the journey to entrepreneurship is likely to be filled with sacrifices and challenges, the reward is often far greater. With the right amount of knowledge and guidance, it is indeed possible for anyone to be successful as an entrepreneur.

So, who is an entrepreneur? An entrepreneur is anyone who is willing to take significant risks and overcomes numerous challenges to start a business.

Here are a few main reasons why entrepreneurship is rewarding: * Entrepreneurs have the freedom to use creativity: They have the opportunity to create their own ideas and develop profitable business ventures. * No Age Limit: Anyone can become an entrepreneur as long as they have the courage, passion and perseverance to do so. * Create something valuable: One of the most exciting factors about becoming an entrepreneur is the opportunity to create

something of value that benefits an entire society.

It represents the freedom to envision something new and spectacular. * Valuable skills: Not every entrepreneur is skilled in all areas of business. In fact, entrepreneurship can be viewed as a learning opportunity for numerous aspects such as marketing and finance, resulting in developing skills in other relevant fields. * Role model: Entrepreneurs do not only build a business. They also build a legacy for their family and industry, which creates a path for other potential entrepreneurs.

Moreover, it must be understood that as an entrepreneur you are no longer an employee, and becoming the face and decision-maker of your entity may require long hours and advanced thinking. For that reason, it is necessary to put in the effort to take your vision from your mind and make it a reality *Certainly, entrepreneurs must exude confidence: It is unrealistic

to think everything will go as planned even if you have every detail plotted out.

Notably it takes an optimistic mind that thinks differently from the herd to create something new and defy the odds.

Entrepreneurs must be able to pivot. And building a business takes time, money and other relevant resources. It may take months, and even years, for your business to grow and attain a positive status.

Therefore, if something is not working, changing your approach, business model or plans is part of the power of the pivot to success.

Until we meet again, fill your life with memories rather than regrets. Enjoy life and stay on top of your game.

UÊ \Ê Õ ÃÌÊ welcomes feedback at deedee21bastian@gmail.com "1/Ê " 1 -/\Ê i `ÀiÊ °Ê >ÃÌ > Ê ÃÊ>Ê«À fessionally-trained graphic designer/brand marketing analyst, international award-winning author and certified life coach

Join Our Team Currency Department

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Financial Markets Infrastructure Analyst

Approved July 2018 Size: Ratio - 1.004:1 Font: Optima/Ultima

OVERVIEW:

The Financial Markets Infrastructure Analyst resides in the Currency Department and reports directly to the Deputy Manager, Financial Markets Infrastructure. This role carries responsibility for oversight of market infrastructures systems developments, enhancements, and maintenance and works with external and internal stakeholders to promote the highest level of systems availability and resilience.

This role also administers the change management processes for short- and long-term systems development and manages help desk queries to ensure prompt and efficient resolution of financial markets infrastructure issues. This role requires sound Information Technology background to aid in systems development, along with a general understanding of payment systems.

CORE FUNCTIONS:

• Oversee and document financial market infrastructure developments, enhancements, and maintenance, including pre- and post-architecture assessments for scheduled and ad hoc system maintenance.

This includes working with stakeholders to complete and improve scheduled disaster recovery tests and system failovers.

• Administer the change management process for short- and long-term system developments and enhancements. This includes creating system test scripts, and recording and reporting all system incidents to senior management and executives within established timelines.

• Manage help desk queries to promote prompt and efficient resolution of financial market infrastructure issues, in accordance with the Bank’s agreements, user group rules, and international standards.

This includes maintaining user engagements to promote

efficient communication with stakeholders.

• Coordinate financial market infrastructure operations to ensure system resilience and stakeholder satisfaction, in accordance with established guidelines. System risks are identified and recorded in a Risk Register with planned mitigation established.

This includes assisting with development and maintenance of appropriate risk assessment models.

• Conduct annual evaluations on financial market infrastructures performance against established standards, including Principles for Financial Markets Infrastructure.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Master’s Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related quantitative discipline.

• Sound knowledge of assessing IT application lifecycle.

• Strong project management competencies.

• A fair understanding and working knowledge of payment systems, securities administration, and security origination.

• Strong understanding of financial market risk components and the ability to quantitatively measure risk in a dynamic market environment.

• Working knowledge of banking laws, central banking (functional knowledge of financial markets).

Some knowledge of retail payments, securities settlement.

• Working knowledge of spreadsheet applications and MS Office suite of applications.

• Three (3) years’ work related experience.

• Good time management and organization skills.

• Good oral and written communication skills.

Deadline for Application:

FRIDAY, 24TH NOVEMBER 2023

Interested persons should send resumes directly to hrd@centralbankbahamas.com Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 16, 2023, PAGE 3

DOCTORS HOSPITAL: BLAKE ROAD REVENUES SURGE ON GOV’T DEAL

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net Doctors Hospital has revealed that in-patient revenues at its Blake Road facility near-quadrupled during its 2024 first quarter due to the deal to treat public healthcare patients there.

The BISX-listed healthcare provider, unveiling its results for the three months to end-April 2023 and half-year, gave an insight into how lucrative the agreement with the Government and Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) was as that revenue line for Doctors Hospital West jumped by 265 percent year-over-year.

Felix Stubbs, Doctors Hospital’s chairman, writing in his first quarter report to shareholders, said: “The impact of the agreement with the Government of The Bahamas

to treat patients at Doctors Hospital West increased patient days to 1,455 for the first quarter this year compared to 67 patient days in the first quarter last year.

“Net patient service revenue for Doctors Hospital West was $3.081m in the first quarter this year compared to $843,312 in the first quarter last year.”

Given that the PHA and Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) are almost entirely financed by the Bahamian taxpayer, this increase effectively represents a transfer from the public purse to a private healthcare provider.

Dr Michael Darville, minister of health and wellness, in announcing the deal to transfer PMH patients to Doctors Hospital West last December said it was estimated to last 14 weeks and cost between $2m and $2.5m. However, consultant physicians at PMH voiced unhappiness with the plan

to “outsource” care to Doctors Hospital due to ward closures and renovations at the public hospital.

They alleged that there was no justification for the plan, and wrote: “The more appropriate stewardship of public funds is to fix and maintain the Princess Margaret Hospital’s current infrastructure as present circumstances can allow.”

The consultants said 121 beds were out of commission at PMH across seven wards, some for several years. “It is appropriate to fix the existing seven wards and bring them back into commission, and to invest in the public hospital system currently and going forward, rather than continuing a costly care model that does not build the public hospital capacity in any way,” the doctors wrote.

However, Dr Darville argued that some “extensive renovations” at PMH

were planned that could not take place with patients on the ward. Meanwhile, Mr Stubbs told Doctors Hospital shareholders that neg t profits for the half-year to end-July 2023 had risen year-over-year by 77.6 percent to $6.687m as opposed to $3.765m for the same period in 2022.

“Consolidated net patient services revenue increased $11.938m or 25.57 percent over the second quarter last year.

The surge in revenue is indicative of the continuing rebounding of outpatient activity combined with a decline in inpatient days,” Mr Stubbs wrote.

“Total inpatient days for the six months ended July 31, 2023, were 4,596 days, a decrease of 13.8 percent for the comparable period last year. While inpatient days for Doctors Hospital (Bahamas) declined, revenue from outpatient services rose by $6.233m to

$36.144m for the six months ended July 31, 2023. Also of note is the significant decline in COVID-19 revenues totaling $3.873m, a 97.8 percent drop for the comparable period last year.”

Turning to expenses, Mr Stubbs added: “Consolidated expenses increased by $9.371m or 20.67 percent over the comparable period last year.” The dollar figure included a $3.2m or 413 percent rise in bad debt expense as Doctors Hospital “increased its loss rates on its portfolio of receivables at the end of fiscal year 2023”.

Salaries and benefits also surged by $3.9m, or 20.1 percent, as Doctors Hospital expanded its workforce by 117 staff to cope with its expansion into outpatient care. This also resulted in a $1.6m or 33 percent rise in medical services costs.

“There have been declines in other variable

expenses, primarily medical supplies ($2m or 34.2 percent). The decrease in this expense is a result of adjustments made to medical supplies inventory during this fiscal year, combined with the increased utilisation of supplies due to the additional outpatient locations.

“Return on sales (net income margin) increased to 10.9 percent for the six months ended July 31, 2023, an increase of 77.6 percent compared to the same period last year of 7.7 percent, reflecting an improvement in efficiency.”

Costs associated with outside services increased by $1.1m or 26.9 percent during the 2024 first half to end-July 2023 as Doctors Hospital “incurred consulting services’ fees of $2m relating to the launch of our new software at the beginning of the fiscal year, which is a non-recurring expense”.

‘Stop Starlink from offering cellular services in Nassau’

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net A SENIOR communications executive has called for Starlink to be prevented from providing cellular services in New Providence, calling the satellite-based service as effectively “the third mobile operator”.

Rawiya Rahming, VP of legal and regulatory at CBL group, speaking at URCA’s digital transformation forum yesterday, said low earth orbit (LEO) satellite services such as Starlink can provide cost-effective internet in hard-to-reach areas and after natural disasters, but said the service should be properly regulated as over time it will become more popular and affordable.

She said: “We would like to see transparent regulation of low Earth orbit satellite technology providers.

“I believe and I share the belief that LEOs can provide a cost-effective means of connecting hard-to-reach area areas where internet terrestrial fibre is not really practical. LEOs can be useful to provide network resiliency in the face of natural disasters.

“So it’s important to note that services delivered by LEOs are going to become more affordable as the

years go by, and as their use is more widely adopted.”

She said Starlink has indicated they are launching satellite cellular services next year and that the company is “the third mobile operator” although the government has decided not to grant them a mobile licence.

She said: “Starlink, which was licenced by URCA in 2022 has indicated actually that it’s going to be launching satellite cellular services, including SMS functionalities next year.

“So they’re not just looking at resiliency, they’re not just covering hard-toreach areas, LEOs, I would argue, are the third mobile operator in the Bahamas albeit the government of the Bahamas has taken the position that it would take at this time the advice of URCA and not grant a third mobile licence.”

She said regulators internationally are “struggling” with the regulation of this new industry and that until the government put proper regulation in place and

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reassessed the decision to not issue a third mobile licence Starlink should be precluded from providing cellular service in New Providence.

She said: “I know that regulators all over the world are struggling with how to properly and appropriately regulate this disruptive technology and don’t want to fetter its rollout. However, regulation guardrails have to be put in place that are appropriate.

“And to the extent that the government has indicated that it’s not going to issue a third mobile licence at this time, until the government has made an assessment based on changed circumstances or the factors that they considered leading to that determination is changed. I would urge that Starlink be precluded from providing

these types of services in areas like New Providence which amount to mobile services.”

Ms Rahming said proper regulation should be put in place to support digital transformation and that with competition from “traditional and grey market providers” market liberalisation is the next step.

She said: “We would like to see regulation of retail services by market forces and a removal of all SMP significant market power designations.

Appropriate legal and regulatory framework should set the guardrails and enable digital transformation.

“I submit that the industry springboard into the information age with technological innovation and digital digitalisation. Now, competition from traditional and grey market

providers being present in the Bahamian electronic communications sector, market liberalisation is the necessary next step in the furtherance of this revolution.”

She said SMP designations “fetter” a provider’s ability to be “nimble and agile” and that URCA should reduce regulation of retail markets and focus on the wholesale activities of major operators.

She said: “The CPL group implores our regulator to utilise market-led regulation and remove

all accepted designations, which fetter an operator’s necessary ability to be nimble and agile in a competitive environment.

“Ex post competition investigations, collaboration, dialogue and coordination in regulatory matters is advocated and we urge that reducing the regulation of retail markets and instead concentrating on major operators wholesale activities should be employed.”

OPERATIONS MANAGER Successful applicant must have: • Several years of experience in the planning and management of a multi-unit restaurant group • Experience in training and developing quali ed management teams and staf ng groups • Prepare and implement restaurant control procedures • Experience in preparing and implementing operating budgets • Experience in developing plans for new restaurants, site selection, design and menu planning • Minimum of 5 years experience in management of full service and quick service restaurants Interested applicants are to submit resumes via email to: humanresources@restaurantsbs.com

PAGE 4, Thursday, November 16, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Sandals unveils off-resort dining at Royal Bahamian SANDALS has this week unveiled an initiative that allows Royal Bahamian resort guests to dine-off property at four New Providence restaurants while paying the bill for them.

The resort chain, in a statement, said the move “redefines the world of allinclusives”. Sandals chief operations officer, Shawn DaCosta, revealed the initiative through a statement to travel industry partners.

“At Sandals, we are constantly searching for ways to make a great guest experience even greater, ways that create memories that build loyalty,” said Mr DaCosta.

“We know that one of the main components of any great vacation is great dining, so today we are proud to announce that we

have taken the bold and, we believe, industry-first, step to invite guests of Sandals Royal Bahamian to explore a culturally immersive culinary experience by enjoying an evening at one of the island’s finest restaurants including transportation on us.”

The plan applies to guests in certain categories staying seven nights or more at Sandals Royal Bahamian.

While the property features an array of 10 specialty restaurants, Sandals executives said broadening guest options reaffirms the resort chain’s commitment to the overall experience while boosting the local economy.

Guests receive a $250 voucher that is good at any of the four restaurants initially partnering in the

programme. Transportation to and from the off-property restaurants is included.

Those restaurants include Bon Vivants, a craft cocktail and small bites bar.

The second restaurant is Cocoplum, developed by French chef, Cecile Cathelin, while third on the list is Island Brothers. The fourth and final choice for Sandals Royal Bahamian guests is Sapodilla.

The Nassau experience could be expanded, executives said, to one or more other Sandals resorts throughout the Caribbean and The Bahamas, including those in Jamacia, Barbados, Grenada, Antigua, Curaçao and Saint Lucia.

SANDALS is breaking the traditional all-inclusive mold by treating guests at its Nassau-based Royal Bahamian property to a complimentary night out at one of four local restaurants, including Bon Vivants (above), selected for an immersive cultural experience with local flare and fare.

Photos:Roybn Damianos Photography

BON Vivants is one of four restaurants selected by Sandals for its dining out guest experience at Royal Bahamian. Other restaurants include Sapodilla, Island Brothers and Cocoplum.

NOTICE

GUESTS who enjoy a week-long stay at Sandals Royal Bahamian in Nassau are treated to a complimentary off-site culinary experience at one of four restaurants, such as Sapodilla, complete with chauffeur to and from the dining establishment of choice.

TO ALL PENSIONERS & BENEFICIARIES OF THE

BAHAMAS HOTEL AND ALLIED INDUSTRIES PENSION FUND VERIFICATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF GIFT CARDS THE BAHAMAS HOTEL AND ALLIED INDUSTRIES PENSION FUND

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“DRIVE THRU ONLY” MONDAY NOVEMBER 27th – FRIDAY DECEMBER 15TH 2023 FROM 9:00AM TO 2:00PM

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Dates

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Monday November 27th Wednesday November 29th

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Thursday November 30th Monday December 4th

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Wednesday December 13th Friday December 15th

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CAREER OPPORTUNITY Vice President – Information Technology Bahamas First Holdings Limited, the publicly traded company that carries out general, health and group life insurance through its wholly owned subsidiaries in The Bahamas and the Cayman Islands, is seeking qualified candidates to fill the role of Vice President - Information Technology.

POSITION SUMMARY The Vice President of IT is a key executive responsible for leading and managing the Group’s Information Technology department and providing the business with contemporary and innovative technology platforms.

This role encompasses strategic planning, technology implementation, infrastructure management, cybersecurity, team leadership, and budget management.

The position also provides direction and overall quality assurance of the project management and governance disciplines throughout the Bahamas First Group. The VP has the overall responsibility for planning, directing & coordinating the activities pertaining to projects on an enterprise level using Agile methodologies.

Scan to view core responsibilities and eligibility requirements. Interested persons should apply in writing to The Manager of Human Resources & Administration at careers@bahamasfirst.com by 22 November 2023.

BAHAMAS FIRST HOLDINGS LIMITED 32 Collins Avenue, Nassau, NP, Bahamas www.bahamasfirst.com

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 16, 2023, PAGE 5

Government in talks with pilots but Bahamasair is ‘fully staffed’

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Business Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net BAHAMASAIR is “fully staffed” and the government is in active negotiations with pilots, Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper maintained yesterday.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Cooper said the nation’s flag carrier is currently in active negotiations with the union and that although line staff agreements have been settled, negotiations with management and pilots are ongoing.

He said: “Bahamasair is fully staffed, in some areas they are overstaffed, perhaps. We are working to run a very efficient operation, there are always union negotiations. We completed the line staff agreements over the course of the last few months. We are in active negotiations with the pilots at the moment and whilst those negotiations are going on between management and pilots, I won’t have a lot to say about it.

“But let me say that we do accept that Bahamasair still has one of the best safety records anywhere in the world. Our pilots are well trained, they are diligent, and they feel the heart and soul of Bahamasair and they have the best interests of Bahamasair and the people of the Bahamas at heart.

“I expect those negotiations to conclude shortly.

When they are concluded there may be some adjustments in the contractual arrangements for pilots, etc.

In the meantime, we are running an efficient, safe and effective operation at Bahamasair.”

He said Bahamasair needs more equipment so the airline can facilitate long haul flights and multi-destination tourism and said the Davis administration has “big plans” for Bahamasair.

He said: “What we need at Bahamasair is more equipment. We needed more capacity to be able to do long haul flights. It is

my view that Bahamasair ought to be more actively engaged on the international routes. We ought to be bringing the traffic to Nassau or Exuma or Grand Bahama and allowing the small commuter airlines to push that traffic out. This is our vision.

“We expect that the Bahamasair is going to play a key and important role in Caribbean multi-destination tourism. We’ve been advancing this concept a lot especially in Europe and the Middle East and once the guests come here on Qatar Airways or Emirates or another large airline, we want Nassau to be a hub for the Caribbean and Latin America.

“We got big plans for Bahamasair and I hope that God gives me an opportunity to transform Bahamasair whilst I have the responsibility of being Minister.”

Mr Cooper said PPP agreements for the Family Island Airports Renaissance Programme are “progressing very well”, listing progress in a number of areas.

He said: “They are progressing very well… we signed the Bimini agreement most recently. We have signed an agreement for Grand Bahama international airport that is progressing very well. You should hear more about that soon.

“Within the first several weeks, we opened a new terminal building in Ragged Island. Within the first few months, we opened the

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PUBLIC NOTICE This is to inform the public that B.K.B Enterprises Machine Shop located on #96 Miami Street will be closing permenantly on Friday, November 24th, 2023 Signed BKB Enterprises Management

BAHAMASAIR BOEING Great Harbour Cay airport that we started, the PLP started under our former administration, we opened it when we came back to office.”

He said funding has been obtained for the airports in Exuma and North Eleuthera and that he is “excited about the possibilities”.

He said: “We promised to revitalise 14 airports, we got funding recently for Exuma and North Eleuthera. North Eleuthera is going to be built based on the designs of the Exuma airport. So once Exuma is up and finalised and running, we anticipate that North Eleuthera is going to come behind that very quickly.

“I’m happy with the progress. We’re going to be building out Long Island and Black Point, Exuma, based on the designs of Great Harbour Cay so this is going to move swiftly from here.

I’m excited about the possibilities.”

PAGE 6, Thursday, November 16, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Retail’s extra ‘strain’ in Christmas run-up FROM PAGE B1 with no sales if product is awaiting Customs clearance.

The festive season is vital to the financial health and well-being of retailers worldwide, accounting for up to 40-50 percent of annual sales for some, and The Bahamas is little different. Summer’s sales “slowdown” is likely to

make the traditional “make or break” December sales even more important in 2023.

“It’s been a slow year overall,” Ms Morley told Tribune Business. “I’m hoping, and a lot of people are hoping, that Christmas will be good but there was definitely a slowdown in the summer season for almost everyone I spoke to.

“It’s the same all over the world. Increasing costs for your day-to-day living, and less disposable income to spend on other items. With the world opening back up as well, I think people have been travelling to shop rather than focus their funds on shopping locally.

I think there’s a number of contributing factors.”

Retailers, in common with all other Bahamian industries and households, were also confronted with “absolutely astronomical” BPL bills, and Ms Morley said: “It just seems to be one thing after another with additional costs.... It’s been a nightmare. It’s just not a burden that all Bahamians should be bearing.

“With regard to additional expenses, we’re feeling it not only from the consumer side with lack of discretionary spending but feeling it in actual expenses and the day-today operations of the business.” And reduced consumer purchasing power and soaring expenses have not been the only issues facing Bahamian retail.

Focusing on downtown Nassau specifically, where her business, Cole’s of Nassau, has an outlet on Parliament Street, Ms

Morley said: “There’s also been an increase in the number of road closures, which is always disruptive to retail traffic, so I know that has been impacting businesses downtown.”

Arguing that “there’s got to be a way” to manage events staged in downtown Nassau, she added: “It greatly impacts every single business that operates there, and they often happen at very short notice.

There has been a downtown stakeholders group which Senator Randy Rolle has principally taken charge of, and he’s been better at getting a line of communication on events when he has the details himself.

“There was an event this Friday that nobody seemed to have details about. I don’t understand how that happens. It’s the notification of businesses and other stakeholders that are impacted, but it’s maybe evaluating how many events are allowed to occur downtown every year because it causes a serious strain on downtown stakeholders.”

The Federation cochair said the longer Customs border clearance process for duty-exempt products is also sparking merchant worries. “I know the other thing that has been impacting a lot of retailers is there has been a change to the clearance process, which is making it take longer to clear our goods and get them in our

shops,” Ms Morley told Tribune Business.

“It’s on the goods that need an exemption, clothing and shoes. It has been putting a strain on clearing goods.” The border clearance time for such imports can take up to 14 days, or two weeks, and she added that this was especially disruptive for merchants on 30-day payment terms with their distributors.

“Sometimes suppliers ship without payment, and retailer have 30 days to pay,” Ms Morley explained.

“If and when you have good sitting in Customs and being held up, it massively impacts your cash flow if, for 14 of those 30 days, they are sitting in limbo.”

Clothing, shoes and other duty-exempt imports “happen to be popular for the Christmas season”, and she added: “A lot of retailers are expressing concern about whether they will be able to clear their goods in time for Christmas.

“We have no control over when suppliers ship.

Stores have been proactive in communicating with suppliers to ship as early as possible, but it’s definitely created an additional strain on businesses in addition to BPL bills, which are astronomical. It’s just one thing after another.

“I understand why they have this process, and hopefully we’ll be able to meet with them to make it more expedited. For whatever

reason, it seems to be taking a little longer to clear goods under the exemption.

Sometimes they will clear it much faster than 14 days,” Ms Morley continued.

“But I have heard quite a number of retailers reach out to me expressing concern, particularly in the lead-up to the holiday season. Sometimes you get goods under the exemption in 72 hours, sometimes it takes two weeks. There’s no way of predicting.

“It’s just not an efficient process for managing your cash flow and managing your supply line. Hopefully we can get through the season OK, but that will be another potential impediment in retail this season: Whether we get the goods in on time.”

The Federation cochair added: “Christmas is extremely important for retailers in making their numbers unless they are in categories that do not rely on festive sales. For consumer goods, it’s one of the top months of the year. December is make or break.

“Regionally, speaking to suppliers, other stores in the region experienced a similar slowdown over the summer months and have started to see a pick-up in November. Hopefully that translates to The Bahamas.”

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 16, 2023, PAGE 7

DPM blasts ‘unacceptable’ Aliv, BTC dropped calls FROM PAGE B1 tourism, investments and aviation, said.

“As I mentioned earlier, I still find it unacceptable that for weeks on end we cannot have data connectivity in Staniel Cay and Black Point, some of the most active touristic destinations in The Bahamas. It is still difficult to comprehend that the Government owns 49 percent plus of each of these companies, yet, we find ourselves with the issues that we face.”

In fact, the Government has a 51.75 percent majority equity ownership interest in Aliv, although Board and management control resides with BISXlisted Cable Bahamas. The 49 percent interest is in BTC. Mr Cooper, meanwhile, said the Government and Bahamian people are “unhappy shareholders”. He complained of dropped calls in the middle of negotiations with foreign investors and talking up The Bahamas’ “stable” information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure.

He added: “So let me say on behalf of the Government..... let me say on behalf of the 400,000 public shareholders, let me say that we are unhappy shareholders.

“It is most embarrassing, ladies and gentlemen, to have calls dropped. Just as I get on my stride convincing a foreign direct investor who happens to be a billionaire, invested in many places in the world, and just after I talk about a stable democracy, just after I talk about our political stable environment, the beauty of our country, then I talk about the stable ICT infrastructure and the call drops.”

The Exuma and Ragged Island MP added that it is “embarrassing” to be the

BTC HEADQUARTERS part-owner of companies that do not provide sufficient service to the Family Islands and encouraged both providers to “deliver” on their commitments.

He said: “It is embarrassing to be a part owner of a company that cannot provide the service needed to children to do their virtual homework in the Family Islands. I’ve had this on my mind for a little while. So I thank URCA for giving me an opportunity to get this off my chest.

“As we are speaking with the Cats tech hub, the largest in Saudi Arabia, about the possibility of establishing a tech partnership and raving about the ICT infrastructure, the call drops. In our opinion, this has gone on long enough.

We must deliver on the service we promised. You

must deliver on your commitments under the laws of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.”

Mr Cooper added that the Government is committed to the country’s digital transformation and,although it is not “simple work” and requires financial and technical resources, it can be accomplished with collaboration from all stakeholders.

He said: “It is crucial that even with different commercial and regulatory interests, all in the environment facilitate the advancement of our country. It is far from simple work, I concede. I concede that great resources, financial and technical, are required, but it’s nowhere near impossible.

“The Government is deeply committed to this

vision, but it cannot do it alone. It cannot be alone in implementing change. The digital and utility regulatory environment has shifted from one of operating in silos to one of collaboration amongst stakeholders.”

Sameer Bhatti, BTC’s chief executive, said he would follow up with Mr Cooper on the dropped calls to determine the cause of disconnection but maintained that the carrier has “no outage at this time”.

He added: “I did not hear BTC called. Be that as it may, it was a question of a dropped call and what we don’t know is the nature of that. What drove that?

“We certainly don’t have an outage happening right now on the island. That was referenced, so is there something technological with the phone itself? Was there something different from the technology itself that we consider telecommunication?

“So we don’t know the nature. My action is to follow up with the DPM, understand the nature of and follow up, but I can assure you that there was no outage at this time.”

Mr Bhatti said receiving negative feedback “pushes us to raise our game”, and he was unsure if Mr Cooper was referencing a specific incident or “something bigger”.

The BTC chief added: “Government is the chief stakeholder in BTC, and therefore an investor in

BTC. Like any citizen giving us feedback, that’s not positive, of course. It pushes us to raise our game.

“So I’d like to again have a conversation with the DPM to understand that dissatisfaction he’s referencing. Was it this specific moment that he referenced or is it something bigger?”

Mr Bhatti said BTC is a “proud partner” of the Government, adding that the company provides a range of services including broadband Internet, mobile phone services and WiFi in the parks.

He said: “But I’d also say we are in communication with multiple members of the Government on their services. We’re a proud partner of the Government for all the services we provide to them, and we have certainly focused on reliability, be it for CCTV programmes, be it for Wi Fi in the parks, be it for cell phone, or broadband with our fibre.

“So I’d like to have a follow up conversation just to understand the specifics, to see what the cause might have been.”

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that JOSE ALBERTO POLONIA HERNANDEZ, South Beach, Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 9th day of November 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that RONEL FRANCOIS, Queens Highway, Eleuthera, Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 9th day of November 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

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BMW TECHNICIAN for long-term commitment, growth and longevity.

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Interested persons should send resumes and supporting documents to: P. O. Box N-9240 Nassau, Bahamas OR Or email address: bahamasmedia@gmail.com All applications must be submitted on or before November 20th, 2023.

PAGE 10, Thursday, November 16, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

‘Full probe’ demand on WSC chair resignation FROM PAGE B1 Long Island MP Adrian Gibson, currently on trial before the Supreme Court with five others on a combined 98 charges relating to allegations of conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, fraud, receiving and money laundering.

While avoiding commenting directly on his fellow FNMs court case, Dr Sands last night argued that “what is good for the goose should be good for the gander” in signalling that a probe similar to what Mr Gibson was subjected to is now required into Water & Sewerage Corporation affairs under the Davis administration.

The FNM chairman, who had previously called for Mr Petty’s resignation following his testimony during Mr Gibson’s trial last week, also queried whether the former executive chairman should retain his post as deputy speaker of the House of Assembly.

He said of yesterday’s developments: “I think that’s step one. I think that this thing speaks for itself.

Clearly the Prime Minister felt strongly enough that this person should resign.

We agree, and thank the Prime Minister for taking the recommendation.

“But on what basis does the Prime Minister feel this gentleman should resign? Nothing less than a full investigation and revelation of full information will do.” Questioning if more contracts have been awarded to persons with family or other ties to the Government, the Water & Sewerage Corporation’s Board or senior management, Dr Sands asked if Mr Petty will be subjected to the same sort of investigation as Mr Gibson.

Describing this as “the question that inquiring minds want to know”, he added: “Now you have opened this box, let’s find out what’s in it and let the chips fall where they may. Let’s have a full

investigation. What’s good for the goose should be good for the gander.

“Bahamians want to know why a steward of the public purse is not against nepotism of any kind, not against patronage of any kind. Let’s find out who else had contracts awarded and what the dollar amount is.

Let’s do what should have been done and generate all the contracts [as mandated by the Public Procurement Act] and let’s see what comes out of it.”

Dr Sands’ references to “nepotism” and “patronage” relate to Mr Petty’s court testimony last week as part of his predecessor’s trial. The contract award to his daughter and her company, Mainscape Maintenance and Management, was revealed when the nowformer executive chairman was cross-examined by Mr Gibson’s attorney, Damian Gomez KC. He said he did not frown upon nepotism, meaning favoritism based on kinship and the awarding of public

sector contracts to family members, or granting awards to political supporters and cronies, so long as they are qualified and capable to do the work.

Mr Petty said he also did not discourage the Water & Sewerage Corporation from awarding contracts to persons known to its Board members because “everyone in The Bahamas was family”, although he added that he tried not to get too closely involved with the utility’s tendering processes.

When asked if he ever voted on a contract that a family member had an interest in, Mr Petty denied doing so. But, when asked about his daughter’s contract with the Corporation, he said it never came before the Board because it was “a small contract” worth less than $50,000. Mr Gomez suggested the total value of his daughter’s contract was around $26,000, but Mr Petty could not confirm this saying it never came to his desk.

The week started with the Prime Minister strongly suggesting that the contract award to Mr Petty’s daughter should be cancelled, as this was the action he took upon finding out his brother had obtained two contracts from Bahamas Power & Light (BPL), an entity that was in his portfolio when deputy prime minister in the last Christie administration.

However, it appears that his and the Government’s deepened to such an extent that he felt compelled to request Mr Petty’s resignation. The value of the contract awarded to the latter’s daughter also appears relatively minimal when set against the $1.2m worth of tank painting and maintenance contracts at the heart of Mr Gibson’s trial.

There are multiple plausible reasons why the resignation may have been requested. One is that Mr Petty’s trial testimony, and the contract revelation, are distracting public attention away from where the Government wants it to be placed - on Mr Gibson’s trial. And the matter is also not generating the desired media coverage with the West End and Bimini byelection fast approaching.

However, Dr Sands yesterday strongly suggested

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that other contract awards by the Water & Sewerage Corporation during the Davis administration’s tenure in office are also attracting scrutiny. In particular, he focused on the utility’s security contract, which was removed from ICS, the company headed by former FNM Garden Hills candidate in the 2017 general election, and awarded to a newly-formed entity last year.

“I think that information would be revealing,” the FNM chairman said. “This is a good start, but only the start. Let’s see whether the Prime Minister is prepared to come clean and let The Bahamas know exactly what has transpired at the Water & Sewerage Corporation. This administration’s been talking about a Commission of Inquiry.

Let’s inquire into the business of Water & Sewerage since September 2021...

“Let’s see if this is about anything more than optics.

I think what they hope is we’ll punish him with a slap on the wrist, and maybe that will satisfy the public’s appetite and they’ll go in another direction.

“What the public wants to know is what else is at the Water & Sewerage Corporation. Are there other contracts? How much are they for? When were they given? What relationship did they have with the executive chairman or anyone else? Did they act alone or were there others who were aware?” he added.

“It doesn’t stop there.

Let’s look at BAIC and a few other quasi-government agencies. I think those findings will be instructive.”

Legal Notice

NOTICE Goksor Fund Limited NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows: Goksor Fund Ltd. has been dissolve on the 8th day of November 2023 under the provisions of the International Business Company Act, 2000.

(a)

Shareece Scott Liquidator

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, November 16, 2023, PAGE 11

FCC ADOPTS RULES TO ELIMINATE 'DIGITAL DISCRIMINATION' FOR COMMUNITIES WITH POOR INTERNET ACCESS

By MATT BROWN Associated Press THE Federal Communications Commission has enacted new rules intended to eliminate discrimination in access to internet services, a move which regulators are calling the first major U.S. digital civil rights policy.

The rules package, which the commission ratified on Wednesday, would empower the agency to review and investigate instances of discrimination by broadband providers to different communities based on income, race, ethnicity and other protected classes.

The order also provides a framework for the FCC to crack down a range of digital inequities including the disparities in the investment of services for different neighborhoods, as well as the "digital divide," a term experts use to describe the complete lack of internet access many communities experience due to regional or socioeconomic inequality.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said that Congress required the agency to adopt rules addressing digital discrimination, through bipartisan infrastructure legislation passed at the start of the Biden administration.

"The digital divide puts us at an economic disadvantage as a country and disproportionately affects communities of color, lowerincome areas, and rural areas," Rosenworcel said in a statement to The Associated Press.

"We know broadband is essential infrastructure

for modern life, and these rules will bring us one step closer to ensuring everyone has access to the internet, no matter who they are or where they live," she said.

Poorer, less white neighborhoods were found to have received lower investment in broadband infrastructure and offered worse deals for internet service than comparatively whiter and higher-income areas. That inequity in access "was especially pronounced during the pandemic," the chairwoman said.

There is no clear standard for tracking inequities in the provision of digital services, though communities impacted by other discriminatory practices such as redlining and rural disinvestment report worse rates of service or outright lack of access. The FCC hopes its new rules will streamline the process for reporting such issues to establish an official record of discrimination going forward.

The rules allow the agency to examine whether an internet service provider knowingly discriminated against a community in how it built, upgraded or maintained internet access, as well provide a framework for determining whether a proposed service plan would create a "discriminatory effect" that couldn't otherwise be avoided by reasonable steps.

"While the intent of the statute is to apply pressure to internet service providers in order to avert discrimination, it also eases the

responsibility of states and localities who are receiving (federal infrastructure) funds to have that same responsibility," said Nicol Turner Lee, director of the Center for Technology Innovation at The Brookings Institution.

The telecommunications industry has opposed the framework, arguing that the policy would hamper investment in communities by requiring regulations that the industry says are unnecessary. In a statement after Wednesday's vote, The National Cable and Telecommunications Association, the industry's main trade association, called the new rules "potentially unlawful." The group also said the FCC was seeking "expansive new authority over virtually every aspect of the broadband marketplace."

"Many, if not most, longstanding, uniform business practices could be seen to have differential impacts on consumers with different income levels," the group said.

Meanwhile, Free Press Action, a digital advocacy group, applauded the new rules and called on the FCC to go further by reclassifying some aspects of broadband to bring about "quick action to bring back the important oversight powers the agency needs to do its job.

During Wednesday's FCC hearing, Brendan Carr, one of the agency's commissioners, argued that the new policies opened the agency up to potential litigation and would hamper operations by the telecommunications

industry. "It's not about discrimination. It's about control," said Carr, who said that the telecommunications industry had entered a "Faustian bargain" by supporting the bipartisan law and had previously called the framework a "power grab."

"Ignoring disparate impact would have denied

Congress's directive to this agency. It is simply not plausible that we could prevent and eliminate digital discrimination by solely, solely addressing intentional discrimination," said fellow commissioner Geoffrey Starks. "The rules we adopt here today are not the end of our work."

The FCC is also poised to reimplement landmark net neutrality rules that were rescinded under the Trump administration. President Joe Biden has said the investments in the bipartisan infrastructure law are meant to connect every U.S. household to quality internet service by 2030 regardless of income or identity.

www.ub.edu.bs

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PAGE 12, Thursday, November 16, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Pilot ‘cannibalisation’ fear on Bahamasair FROM PAGE B1 [private] operators train the pilots. Every pilot coming out of school needs to build hours. Where do they build their hours? Their hours are built with the domestic operators.

“When the domestic operators build this programme from pilots to captains and lose them, they have to begin the process all over again.

It’s exorbitantly expensive for the operators. We create this despite fee increases, small margins and expense increases,” Mr Hamilton added.

“You can imagine the toll it’s taking on domestic operators every now and again when this cycle presents itself. Over and over.”

Tribune Business revealed last week how Bahamasair is seeking to raise its pilot retirement age to 65 from 60, amid fears it faces an imminent shortage of experienced captains with eight passing through the ‘departure gate’ since 2022.

The national flag carrier now wants to lift its long-standing mandatory pilot retirement age by five years so that it can return this expertise and ensure a smoother succession, with a further three captains set to hit that threshold and leave the airline during the 2024 first half.

However, increasing the retirement age is inextricably bound-up with industrial agreement negotiations with the Bahamas Airline Pilots Association (BAPA), which

have yet to be concluded.

The loss of up to 11 captains, which sources said amounts to the departure of around 30 percent of Bahamasair’s most experienced pilots in two-and-half years, is also coinciding with the expansion of the airline’s fleets and routes.

And Tribune Business has also learnt that increasing the retirement age to 65 is bound-up with the outcome of a Supreme Court action launched by one of the pilots who has reached 60 yearsold, Captain Joseph Moxey.

Legal documents obtained by this newspaper show he is arguing that the 2018 industrial agreement between Bahamasair and the Pilots Association, which stipulates a retirement age of 60, has been “invalidated” by the Civil Aviation Authority Act 2021.

In particular, he pointed to the Act’s accompanying regulations - especially Regulation LIC 070 (b) - as raising the retirement age for all pilots - including those employed by Bahamasair from 60 to 65.

“By e-mail dated November 16, 2022, Captain Moxey informed the director of flight operations, managing director and deputy managing director of Bahamasair that the mandatory age of retirement was purportedly raised from 60 to 65 by virtue of the newly-enacted Civil Aviation Act 2021 and its regulations – particularly Regulation LIC 070(b),” Justice Fraser wrote in a

preliminary ruling on an injunction.

“Captain Moxey also alerted the human resources committee of the Board of Directors about this purported change on November 25, 2022, who allegedly stated that the matter was to be addressed at a meeting on November 29, 2022.

“By letter dated December 30, 2022, Bahamasair notified BAPA about the purported change in retirement age. On that same day, Captain Moxey was informed by the manager of training for Bahamasair that his mandatory recurrent training would take place in February 2023 and that Captain Moxey must pay his TSA (Transportation and Security Administration) clearance for the training session.”

However, just six days later on January 5, 2023, Captain Moxey received an e-mail from the same training manager that “he was directed to remove Captain Moxey from the training session and that the initial notice was to be disregarded”. Captain Moxey wrote back requesting the next available date for training but never received a reply and, in the meantime, hit the mandatory retirement age of 60.

“Captain Moxey claims that, if he does not receive the mandatory training by February 28, 2023, he will be disqualified from piloting.

He was subsequently placed on vacation leave as at

February 13, 2023, for four weeks,” Justice Fraser noted.

Nine days later, Captain Moxey launched his legal action against Bahamasair and the Association, seeking a declaration as to when the Civil Aviation Act regulation stipulating a 65 year-old retirement age for all pilots took effect.

One well-placed source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the wait for Captain Moxey’s legal action to be decided as well as a split in the Association has delayed resolution of the retirement age impasse.

They explained that, while older pilots are in favour of raising the retirement age to 65, their younger counterparts are against this for fear it will delay and retard their progress to becoming captains.

The Association, which has taken the position that raising the retirement age is inextricably bound-up with the wider talks on a new industrial agreement, wants to raise it to 62-63 in a bid to find a middle ground that will pacify all members.

Bahamasair wants to go the whole way to 65, and the Association is understood to be using this as leverage to extract significant salary and benefit increases for its members again in the hope that it will ease the concerns of junior pilots. Meanwhile, the airline is also hoping that the issue will be resolved for it by the outcome of Captain Moxey’s court case.

Tracy Cooper, Bahamasair’s managing director,

NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that MILTON MORNLES VASQUEZ, South Beach, Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 9th day of November 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that RODOLFO SANDY CABRERA SUERO of #3 South Beach, Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 16th day of November, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

did not respond to Tribune Business phone calls and messages seeking comment before press time. Mark Johnson, the Bahamas Airline Pilots Association’s president, last week confirmed that Bahamasair is seeking to raise its mandatory pilot retirement age from 60 to 65 and that this must be done through negotiations with the union on a new industrial contract.

One source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that out of 32 captains - 12 working the jets, 20 on the ATRs - some eight have retired since 2022. That figure will hit 11 by June 2024 with three more departures due.

“Are they they going to keep these captains out, or move the age to 65 and allow expert knowledge to be around while giving upand-coming pilots more time

to be schooled so they don’t have so many new captains and officers flying side by side?” they added.

“The question is: What are they doing? The pilots who have retired, the company has not paid them out, as they are hoping something happens by moving the retirement age to 65.”

In a note sent to Tribune Business, they added: “From 2022, and up to the time of this writing, the national flag carrier would have lost an estimated 30 percent of its more experienced senior captains due to retirement, some with up to 39 years of experience.

“By June 2024, three more senior captains will be listed as retired. As these aviators leave, they take not just a substantial part of the labour force with them, but also decades of expertise and experience.”

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that GUILAINE LUBIN of Chippingham, Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 16th day of November, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that GILBERT FAB of Claridge Road off Wulff Road, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 16th day of November, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that CHESLIN LALANE of Christie Avenue, Stapeldon Gardens, Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 16th day of November, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that ROBERTA PREVAL, Fox Hill, Nassau, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 9th day of November 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.