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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2020

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Fisheries suffers ‘rift’ on non-Bahamian workers

‘TRAGIC AND IRONIC REALITY’ OVER EXPAT FISHERIES WORKERS * Major processors, wholesalers urge Bill halt

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

fisheries industry “rift” has been exposed over arguments that over 1,000 persons will be hurt, and up to $8m lost, if planned legal reforms stop foreign nationals working on Bahamian-owned boats. The Coalition For Responsible Fishing (CFRF), a group representing major fisheries wholesalers, processors and exporters, warned that proposed changes to fisheries and Immigration laws preventing foreigners working

* Fear over 1,000 impacted, $8m exports lost * At odds with fishermen on foreigners bar on locally-owned boats “in any capacity” would result in “the unemployment of hundreds of Bahamians” at a time when the country could least afford it. The group’s October 25, 2020, position paper, which was signed by the likes of Anthony McKinney, Paradise Fisheries’ principal, and Percy Roberts at

Geneva Brass Seafood, warned that more fisheries businesses will fail without “significant amounts of experienced skilled labour” that are presently not available in The Bahamas. Arguing that trained potters and divers, in particular, were in short supply, the Coalition warned that the ban on expatriate labour

but we have to keep the economy going.” Mr Ferguson warned trade unions not to try and seek blood from a stone, or squeeze a dry carcass, for if there were no employers there would be no jobs, and therefore no union members and no union dues. “You can’t ask for something if nothing is there,” he added. “It’s in our interests to forge a respectful relationship. It’s very essential that industrial harmony and industrial peace be enjoyed throughout until we work through this unfortunate time. “After that we don’t have to go back to the way we used to do it. At this kind of time it’s very important we find common ground between the union, employer and worker, and work diligently to get this country back to what it used to be. We want an economy that is going to benefit all citizens.” Peter Goudie, the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation’s (BCCEC) labour specialist, yesterday told Tribune Business that any form of industrial unrest would

A BAHAMIAN fisherman last night confirmed the long-standing “split” with the sector’s major wholesalers and processors over what he described as “a tragic and ironic reality”. Paul Maillis, the National Fisheries Association (NFA) director, told Tribune Business that planned changes to fisheries law that his organisation supports had highlighted a decadeslong rift with other parts of the industry concerning the use of expatriate labour (see other article on Page 1). The proposed Fisheries Bill is being opposed by the Coalition For Responsible Fishing (CFRF), a group whose members include the likes of Paradise Fisheries and Geneva Brass, on the basis that barring legitimate expatriate workers from crewing on 100 percent-owned Bahamian commercial fisheries vessels would retard the sector’s jobs, production and export earnings. The Coalition, advocating for the major wholesale and export houses, argued there was insufficient qualified labour to operate large New Providence-based fishing vessels without foreign workers who specialise in diving and potting in particular. Errol Davis, of Fish Farmers Ltd and a Coalition member, told Tribune Business: “We came together based on an urgent need to address misinformation in the industry; primarily to address the misinformation

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proposed under the Fisheries Bill 2020 was counter-productive and could result in the loss of millions of dollars of export-driven foreign currency earnings just when The Bahamas needed every cent it could get following COVID-19’s devastation. Estimating that the

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Union leader urges: Avoid labour unrest at all costs By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A TRADE union leader yesterday said he had informed his colleagues that industrial action in any form must be avoided until the Bahamian economy fully recovers from COVID-19. Obie Ferguson, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) president, told Tribune Business that he had informed its affiliate unions that “industrial harmony is essential” to helping ailing businesses rebound from the pandemic’s devastation and start hiring once again. Agreeing that workplace disruption, whether it be through strikes, sick-outs or go-slows was the last thing the ailing economy needed, Mr Ferguson said labour and the unions needed to foster a “partnership” approach with employers to ensure that any disputes that emerge - especially over the next two years - are resolved amicably. “With what is going on, I think all industrial unrest should be avoided on the basis that the employer and union decide if there’s a difference of opinion we sit down intelligently and discuss it,” he told this

newspaper. “It cannot be in anyone’s interests to do anything to disrupt the economy. “Certainly, from where I sit as president, I’ve said to all my colleagues that this is time for us to look at how we help the economy. That helps our members. If a hotel opens up, it means people go back to work. “Our job should be to help that. Yes, you’re going to have disputes, but it doesn’t have to be personal. It’s driven by the economy. We need to help the employer open up, run his business so that workers get a job,” Mr Ferguson continued. “If there’s a dispute it doesn’t mean they have to walk off the job, it doesn’t mean they have to have a strike. You discuss it with the employer and work it out. That has to be the process for us in returning the economy, and hopefully the employer does the same thing. We have to move away from a strike or industrial action. I’m for working as a team.” Conceding that The Bahamas’ post-Dorian and COVID-19 struggles call for a different approach to industrial relations, the TUC president added: “No one wants to destroy the country. No trade

GB HOTELIER: ‘WE NEED SOMETHING TO GO OUR WAY’ By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A MAJOR Grand Bahama hotelier yesterday said his property is losing between $200,000 to $300,000 per month, as he lamented: “We need something to go our way.” Magnus Alnebeck, Pelican Bay’s general manager, told Tribune Business that leisure tourism on the island was virtually “nonexistent” with just 400-500 hotel rooms available - and his property accounting for at least 40 percent of them. Disclosing that Pelican Bay’s occupancy levels have been running at between 20-40 percent per month since the COVID-19 pandemic started, apart from the periods including the most severe lockdowns, he said Grand Bahama’s leisure visitors “can be counted on a few hands” with both cruise tourism and the Grand Lucayan closed down. Suggesting that the island was unlikely to feel any benefits from the tourism industry’s re-opening ahead of the upcoming Christmas holidays, Mr Alnebeck said Grand Bahama was “a pretty desperate place at the moment” as he warned

it was “absolutely essential” for something to happen with the Grand Lucayan deal. This newspaper revealed earlier this week that the Government has hired consultants, believed to be the KPMG accounting firm, to review the merits of the ITM Group/Royal Caribbean purchase of that resort amid increasing doubts that the terms as they currently stand deliver significant enough economic benefits for the Bahamian people. Mr Alnebeck said that unless the acquisition started to move forward soon, the Government might have to explore other options for the resort, given the urgent need to make “something happen” for a Grand Bahama economy that has now been in distress for 16 years since the Royal Oasis closure. With Pelican Bay traditionally experiencing a drop-off in its core corporate customer base after Thanksgiving through to the middle of January, the resort chief said he was bracing for a quiet Christmas. “We are now at about 20 percent occupancy,” Mr Alnebeck told Tribune

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OBIE FERGUSON union leader I know wants to destroy the country. “The employers of the country must be prepared to treat with the unions as partners, not that the unions are in the business of trying to disrupt the employer. In times like this we need to work in a partnership relationship, and respectful partnership relationship. Taking industrial action and stuff, I’m not saying it won’t happen

By NEIL HARTNELL and YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporters

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RBC FINISHES DORIAN REPAIRS IN FREEPORT ROYAL Bank of Canada (RBC) yesterday confirmed it has completed repairs to the damage inflicted on its Freeport branch location by Hurricane Dorian. “Our newly redesigned branch in Freeport is open for business,” said LaSonya Missick, RBC’s Bahamas managing director and head of personal banking. “The new branch design is in keeping with our commitment to being the Caribbean’s ‘digitallyenabled relationship bank’. “With this transformation, our Freeport branch will provide the same services and solutions our clients’ value, complemented by the flexibility and convenience of our digital and mobile services.” The location is a fullservice branch that includes RBC’s digital and mobile banking options. The newly-renovated space features an open floor plan; a discovery zone to provide clients with self-service facilities; an event area for marketing and promotions; and client meeting rooms for confidential discussions. “Hurricane Dorian brought unprecedented levels of destruction and damage to the Grand Bahama and Abaco communities. This reopening of the renovated Freeport location, along with the construction of the new state-of-the-art branch in Marsh Harbour, reinforces RBC’s continued commitment to our islands,” Ms Missick added. “We are reimagining banking in The Bahamas. As our client’s banking needs and preferences continue to evolve, we are investing to serve our clients today and in the future.” RBC last month announced the start of construction on its new branch in Marsh Harbour to serve the clients and communities of the Abacos. The bank expects work will be complete within the first quarter of 2021.

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Mortgage Corp aids 5,000 homeowners THE Bahamas Mortgage Corporation’s chairman says the state-owned lender has helped more than 5,000 Bahamians become homeowners during its four decades in existence. Patrick Ward, speaking at the opening of the Corporation’s newly-renovated headquarters on East Street, said: “Today is another milestone for the Corporation, and we continue to be committed to provide affordable housing for Bahamians.” Both the Prime Minister and the minister of the environment and housing, Romauld Ferreira, attended the opening ceremony. “The Corporation is currently able to sustain its expenses,” Dr Hubert Minnis said. “It has reduced the amount of time it takes to process applications. BMC is implementing strategies to repay outstanding bonds, and is currently servicing all bond and interest payments.” The Prime Minister added that the Bahamas Mortgage Corporation is also partnering with the Ministry of Housing to develop strategies for increasing home ownership, noting that it is also creating a new customer service platform. Mr Ferreira, meanwhile, said the Corporation’s move to its new location was long overdue. “This is a

DR HUBERT MINNIS, and the minister of the environment and housing, Romauld Ferreira, officially opened the Bahamas Mortgage Corporation’s new headquarters. An official ceremony was held on the new grounds on November 23, 2020. (BIS Photos/Yontalay Bowe) long time in coming as the institution had completely outgrown the old place,” he said. The minister said it was now located close to downtown Nassau, which is scheduled to undergo a revitalisation exercise. Demolitions of the old general Post Office and Victoria Gardens are underway, with the areas to be transformed into the future sites of the Central Bank and the Supreme Court. The

US Embassy is also proceeding with construction work on its new location. The Bahamas Mortgage Corporation, which was established in 1983, has clients in New Providence, Grand Bahama, Abaco, Andros, Bimini, Cat Island, Exuma and San Salvador. The new headquarters is located in the historic East Hill Club, which previously housed the Ministry of

Foreign Affairs. Refurbishment of the premises included the restoration of the building’s historical characteristics and its extension. This included internal renovations, retrofits and upgrades to the current building codes, including handicap accessibility. The renovated building features four floors for a total area of 18,600 square feet.

BTC UNVEILS RETURN OF POPULAR SERIES

PROPHET Lawrence Rolle and Pastor Simeon Outten.

The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) yesterday confirmed the For the Culture series will return in response to customer demand. Garfield ‘Garry’ Sinclair, BTC’s chief executive, said: “We have received overwhelming support from the community for our For the Culture series. In fact, right after the third show, we were asked daily to bring this epic series back. “Our first series featured six of the best Bahamian

artistes including Wendi, Bodine, Veronica Bishop, Sweet Emily, DMAC and Geno D. I am definitely looking forward to next Wednesday’s edition with Prophet Lawrence Rolle and Pastor Simeon Outten, which everyone is telling me will be a real treat.” Both men have made stellar contributions to gospel music over the years, and are recognised as cultural icons. Mr Sinclair added: “Events like these demonstrate just how

much our culture plays an integral part of our day-today life. We are happy to support our local artistes and give them a platform to showcase their talent during a time when they are unable to perform in public forums.” The event will be aired lived on BTC’s Instagram page @myBTC at 8:30pm. Viewers can look forward to two additional shows before Christmas. The artistes will be announced in the coming weeks.

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GOVERNMENT APPROACHED ON INVESTOR CITIZENSHIPS By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net A CABINET minister yesterday revealed the Government has received several approaches over implementing a Citizenship by Investment programme (CIP) to help stimulate the Bahamian economy. Elsworth Johnson, minister of financial services, trade and industry and Immigration, said the Cabinet had made no decision yet over these approaches. He added that some countries who had chosen to implement such an initiative “have had a bad experience from it”. “It is something that we are looking at,” he acknowledged. “No decisions have been made, and so right now, I’m not going to be able to speak directly to it, but I can tell you there are any number of conglomerates or companies or persons even within the Bahamas who have been making the approaches to the ministry saying: ‘Listen, can we have a discussion on this?’” So-called “Investor Citizenship” initiatives have been mulled and floated in the past, most recently by Sean McWeeney QC, a former attorney general and key advisor to ex-premier Perry Christie. The idea was ruled out, though, by both that administration and the current government, with ex-financial services minister, Brent Symonette, placing the focus on speeding up permanent residency applications. Investor Citizenship would grant citizenship to a limited group of individuals, once they met certain criteria, including a high multi-million dollar investment threshold. Those qualifying would have to invest in Bahamas-based developments and companies that created local jobs, with the initiative targeted at a small group of billionaires and multi-millionaires with the resources to move the economy. The programme would essentially be targeted at the world’s wealthiest individuals, meaning the likes of Joe Lewis and the Izmirlian families. The billionaires, both of whom reside at Lyford Cay, have ultimately invested billions in the domestic economy, and created thousands of local jobs, via Albany and Baha Mar respectively (notwithstanding subsequent events at the latter). Investor citizenship programmes have been adopted by countries such as Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda, Malta, the Netherlands, the UK and Spain, either allowing direct citizenship by investment or offering routes to citizenship for wealthy investors. The tiny Pacific nation of Vanuatu, for instance, was reported earlier this year to have turned a budget surplus for the 2020 first half despite COVID-19 due to $62.6m in income generated by selling passports and citizenship. Concerns have been raised, however, over the transparency and accountability surrounding such programmes, which have also drawn the attention of regulators and law enforcement agencies in nations such as the US on the grounds that citizenship is being ‘bought’ and used to help criminals switch nationalities and evade capture. Mr Johnson, meanwhile, yesterday said the Government was examining its economic permanent residency product to see “how do we broaden and make that process easier to cause persons who want live, work and invest in the Bahamas to come. “With digitisation, we are now at the point where we say if you bring in your applications, because we have had some complaints, and we’ve been saying to investors to check your agent. Sometimes people bring applications and they’re not properly done,” he added. “So if you want to come to live in The Bahamas by way of economic permanent residency, where you purchase a home, they want to know that all the taxes are paid. So don’t bring to us a document that is not stamped on properly recorded. “We can almost get provisional approvals in a day. So once we check with the international monitoring agencies and determine if you’re fit and proper person, you could come in.”

Wednesday, November 25, 2020, PAGE 3

US TRAVEL ALERTS BRANDED ‘UNFORTUNATE’ FOR TOURISM By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

A CABINET minister yesterday said continued US government alerts about travelling to The Bahamas amid COVID-19 were “unfortunate” given that case numbers here are declining. Dionisio D’Aguilar, minister for tourism and aviation, expressed hope that the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and State Department will soon reassess their latest travel advisories given the improvement in local infection rates. Speaking outside the Cabinet Office, he said that while little had changed from July’s advisories the latest versions were poorly timed given the

re-opening of the travel to this nation. country’s borders The State Departand tourism prodment, though, in uct, and with major its separate travel hotels such as Atlanadvisory upgraded tis and Baha Mar The Bahamas to planning to return in “Level 3,” which mid-December. urges Americans to “First of all, let “reconsider travel”, me state that this while also elimiis no change from nating previous what was said by warnings about the the US government Arawak Cay Fish from July, so this DIONISIO D’Aguilar Fry. situation has been in Mr D’Aguilar effect from July. It’s all about said: “When they released the timing,” Mr D’Aguilar said, ‘do not travel’ order at the end after the CDC maintained The of July it was very unfortunate, Bahamas at so-called “Level because up to the end of June 4”. we’d been doing remarkably This means the COVID- well in terms of our manage19 related risks of travelling ment of the COVID pandemic. to The Bahamas are consid“Once again, this is a quesered to be very high, and that tion of timing. At the end of all Americans should avoid October, we were not doing

terribly well. Here we are a month later, and we are much better. So we are hoping that the Americans see fit to do a reassessment, as they see our numbers improve, and see fit to change that rating. Obviously, it is concerning. But as I said, it’s a function of timing.” Warning Bahamians to take the COVID-19 health and safety protocols seriously, Mr D’Aguilar added: “This is why it’s so important for the Bahamian public to do what they need to do. Please don’t party, please don’t congregate, because if you contribute to a spike in numbers, this rating or this warning will persist. “We are heading in the right direction. Our numbers are coming down, and this will then lead to a change in that travel advisory. So we need

the Bahamian people to do their part. There is no doubt that the level of COVID, the death rate, the positivity rate, in The Bahamas is half that in the United States. So it’s much better here than there.” Acknowledging that there was “no point in fighting” the US advisories, Mr D’Aguilar said: “We just have to improve, and continue to improve our numbers and ensure that we keep our numbers respectable so they then see fit to change that rating. “Obviously, we depend on the United States for almost all of our tourists. So it’s very, very important that in their eyes we change our status or level of community spread, because if they change that rating then that will, of course, be positive for the Bahamas.”

TOURISM OPERATORS EXPECT MINIMAL US ALERT IMPACT

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamian tourism industry yesterday said it is not particularly concerned by the latest advisories from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Sate Department warning against travel to this nation. Carlton Russell, the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association’s president, told Tribune Business: “We are aware of the travel notices issued, and will continue to work with our industry partners to ensure, to the best of our ability, The Bahamas is a destination where visitors can enjoy the beauty of the people, environment, culture and cuisine in a safe, health conscious and enjoyable manner. “It is our opinion that the best way to mitigate the challenges COVID19 has placed before tourism is that reliant jurisdictions such as The Bahamas, and countries such as the United States of America, continue to work together as citizens, business operators and government agencies to ensure all participants, visitors and locals alike do their part by adhering to globally recognised, universally implemented, health and safety protocols while enjoying life, work or play in The Bahamas.” The CDC, in its recent travel advisory, maintained The Bahamas at so-called “Level 4”, which means the COVID-19 related risks of travelling to The Bahamas are considered to be very high, and that all Americans should avoid travel to this nation. The State Department, though, in its separate travel advisory upgraded

The Bahamas to “Level 3”, which urges Americans to “reconsider travel”, while also eliminating previous warnings about the Arawak Cay Fish Fry. Wesley Ferguson, the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union president, said: “In a way I agree with the travel advisories. Though we want the economy open, and it’s important for us to move ahead and co-exist to find new innovative ideas for COVID-19, that is the balancing act with the economy and your health.

Infections “If we proceed without caution, we could end up losing the battle for health, because if you look at the high numbers of the new infections in the US, it is frightening. It is out of control. We get most of our tourists from the United States. The protocols are not 100 percent fool-proof because when you look at the cruise ship that came from Barbados, they took all of the necessary precautions and were actually operating in a true sense of a bubble, meaning that everybody was on that cruise ship and nobody came off, and still COVID-19 infiltrated their best efforts,” he added. “So we have to be extremely cautious. We wouldn’t mind so much if those numbers wasn’t so high in the United States. But they are, so I’m not against the fact that they are saying no to travel right now. I want the economy open, but this is a double edged sword. “We want people to come to try to get the economy going, by at the same token if we are not cautious we may

have a third surge and this might be the worst one yet. Every time COVID shows up, we say lay down and play dead. COVID-19 is going to be with us for a little while, so we have to learn to live with it. Be cautious, but at the same time try to get our economic product going again.” Captain Michael Russell, owner/ operator of Chubasco Tours, said of the US advisories: “They have the nerve to say something about us with a high COVID rate with what they have got taking place over there now? “So far, we haven’t had a season. We haven’t had a season since the end of February. It’s crazy. My wife is actually in Charlotte right now waiting to come home and, as you know, you have to get a health visa and they’re charging Bahamians $40. “For tourists they are charging $60plus. You’ve got to get a test there, and then you got to get a test when you come back home. You know, we’re killing ourselves. The CDC doesn’t have to kill us. We’re killing ourselves. I understand right now that in the Dominican Republic, their tourism business is booming. “What’s going to happen now is, I’m sure you probably realise, is that if you talk to any of the hotels they are not going to open up under that situation because what’s the sense of them opening up if Americans can’t come here? Seems like it’s a no-win situation with us right now.” Nicholas Pinder, general manager of Born Free Fishing Charters, said: “The CDC warning to me is very disturbing. I think that the amount of case results that we have is partially due to the

amount of testing that Bahamians are not doing. “For example, if we had more people testing COVID negative, our results percentage wise would not be so bad. But the average Bahamian doesn’t want to go and get tested, or doesn’t want to get a Q-Tip pushed to their brain, so they opt not to get tested. If they feel bad, to the extent to where it’s getting serious, then they go to the hospital. But the average person is just going to wait it out.” He added: “Which means, let’s say somebody with the common flu does not get tested. It doesn’t allow them to get a negative result. Because only the people who are in pain or in dire straits say ‘well, I have nine symptoms, I have to go get tested; and if you wait until you have every symptom, then over 85 percent of who they test are probably going to test positive.” Dismissing the impact of the US advisories, Mr Pinder said: “I know when I travel I don’t go on any government website and look to see if I should travel. If I want to travel, I book my airline and I go. So I don’t know that just because there’s a travel advisory out to The Bahamas, I don’t know how many people really see that. “Yes, it may be on the government website. It may be here, but who sees that? Do Americans really see that? The world itself is in a situation now where everybody’s trying to protect the best interests of their citizens, and I don’t know that you could blame them for that. I think our government needs to find ways of doing better on the testing in terms of having more tests so that we can have more negative results.”

FISCAL STRATEGY SET FOR DECEMBER 3 UNVEILING

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

THE deputy prime minister yesterday said the delayed Fiscal Strategy Report will be tabled in Parliament on December 3 as he gave no hint of resigning over the near$27m “bogus loan” claims. K Peter Turnquest, speaking to reporters outside the Cabinet Office, said he planned to press on with conducting business on behalf of the Government and Bahamian people despite the furore surrounding the allegations made against him by long-time business partner and employer, Fred Kaiser. Shrugging off calls for his resignation by both the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) and Democratic National Alliance (DNA), Mr Turnquest conceded that The Government was “significantly behind” its fiscal projections for the early part of the 20202021 fiscal year and this will create “some challenges” for The Bahamas moving into the next calendar year. “We have given our interim report, which indicates that we are significantly behind last year and where we had hoped to be,” he said. “That is going to continue to present some challenges for the country and we are, in fact, due to put our Fiscal Strategy Report before Parliament on December 3, which will outline the challenges and our responses to those challenges. “I think it’s no secret that this is a difficult time for the country, and so we’ll do the best we can and, as I say, put our report before Parliament and have it scrutinised by Parliament. We go into the New Year looking forward to a rebound, hopefully with a successful vaccine treatment protocol that will allow tourism to come back and start to flourish again, letting people go back to work and our economy go back to its previous levels.” Responding to concerns over why the Government has paid a deposit to drug manufacturer, AstraZeneca, for a COVID-19 vaccine, which is reportedly only 70 percent successful thus far when rival products have shown a higher efficacy rate in clinical trials, Mr Turnquest said: “The Government is a part of a consortium of countries

in the region through PAHO (Pan American Health Organisation) that has sought to pre-order or put a deposit on potential vaccines. “I don’t know that they have determined which vaccine they intend to use yet, but by us participating in the programme, and the minister of health would really be the one to talk to speak to this, it guarantees us a certain number of doses of the vaccine once it becomes available. So it was an effort to try and be proactive about that, and ensure we secure a source of vaccines once they become ready.” Mr Turnquest said little about the claims made against him by Mr Kaiser’s companies in their Supreme Court legal action, which did not name him as a defendant, other than to say his reputation spoke for itself. He added: : “I think you guys have known me for at least eight years now, most of you, and I think that you know that I’m focused on what I do. I’m very disciplined about what I do. The matters that are circulating out there are unfortunate and they will be dealt with in the due course of time. “I’m focused on working for

the Bahamian people while I have the opportunity to do so, and I’ll do my best to ensure that we get through this crisis.” Asked if he will resign from Cabinet, and if calls for him to do so are warranted, Mr Turnquest responded: “You know, again, we’ll see what happens. But as far as I’m concerned, I’m focused on the work of the Bahamian people.” Arinthia Komolafe, the Democratic National Alliance (DNA) leader, argued that the deputy prime minister “should step down for the sake of the nation”. While agreeing that Mr Turnquest was “innocent until proven guilty”, she described the claims by Mr Kaiser’s companies as “very serious”. “The deputy prime minister occupies a major office in the current administration, and has oversight of the country’s finances,” Mrs Komolafe said. “Our number two industry, financial services, also falls under the portfolio of the deputy prime minister in his capacity as minister of finance. It is therefore important that the character and reputation of the holder of this office remains untainted. “At a time that our nation is

PUBLIC NOTICE OF INTENDED APPLICATION TO RESEAL A FOREIGN GRANT In the Estate of NICOLE DUMONT late of 15 rue Richelieu, Bordeaux, France, deceased. NOTICE is hereby given that CASTINO D. SANDS of the Western District of the Island of New Providence one of the Islands of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, after the expiration of fourteen days from the date hereof, and as the Attorney for FRANCOISE AMADIO, Executor of the above referenced estate, will make application to obtain a RESEALING OF A GRANT OF REPRESENTATION WITH THE WILL ANNEXED in the above estate granted to FRANCOISE AMADIO of the Estate, by the Appeals Court of Bordeaux, Procureur General, in Bordeaux, France on the 9th day of March, 2014.

Dated this 17th day of November, 2020. Lennox Paton Counsel & Attorney-at-Law

facing an economic and health crisis, we cannot afford to have this albatross around the neck of our country. Our efforts to bring about economic recovery must not be derailed by a legal matter that could take some time to conclude. “The deputy prime minister should not want his personal affairs to serve as a distraction to the nation and negatively impact The Bahamas’ reputation globally. He should step down or take a leave of

absence for the sake of our nation until the case is concluded,” she continued. “The DNA is hopeful that the deputy prime minister’s claim of innocence will be upheld by the courts; any other outcome will be detrimental our reputation as a nation. We do not need another public relations nightmare as we have witnessed under successive PLP and FNM administrations based on the actions of their Members of Parliament.”

COMMONWEALTH OF THE BAHAMAS IN THE SUPREME COURT Common Law and Equity Division

2018 CLE/qui/00568

IN THE MATTER OF The Quieting Titles Act, 1959 AND All that piece parcel or tract of land containing Thirty-two acres and Three Hundred and Fifty-four Thousand of an acre situate on the Southern Side of West Bay Street immediately East of Atlantic Drive in the Western District of the Island of New Providence one of the Islands of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas AND IN THE MATTER OF The Quieting Titles Act, 1959 AND IN THE MATTER OP The Petition of Brien Philip Andru Miller

The Petition of Brien Philip Andru Miller of the Eastern District of the Island of New Providence, one of the Islands of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas in respect of: All that piece parcel or tract of land containing Twenty-three acres and One Hundred and Twenty-eight Thousandths of an acre situate on the Southern Side of West Bay Street immediately East of Atlantic Drive in the Western District of the island of New Providence one of the Islands of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas. Brien Philip Andru Miller the Petitioner herein claim to be the owner in fee simple in possession of the said land free from encumbrances and have made application to the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Tice Bahamas under section 3 of The Quieting Titles Act, 1959 to have this title to the said land investigated and the nature and extent thereof determined and declared in a Certificate of Title to be granted by the Court in accordance with the provisions of the said Act. AND TAKE NOTICE that the Petition and Plan of the said land may be inspected during normal business hours at the following places: (a) The Registry of the Supreme Court, British American Building, Marlborough Street Annex, Nassau,Bahamas; (b)

The Office of the Peptones Attorneys J. Michael Saunders Chambers, Knowles Drive, Off Tonique Williams Darling Highway, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that any person having an adverse claim or a claim not recognized in the Petition shall on or Brien Philip Andru Miller claims to be the • owner in fee simple of the said land fret from encumbrances and has made application to the Supreme Court in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas under section 3 of the Quieting Titles Act 1959 to have his title to the said land investigated and the nature and extent thereof determined and declared in a Certificate of Title to be granted by the Court in accordance with the provisions of the said Act. J. MICHAEL SAUNDERS Chambers Knowles Drive Off Tonique Williams-Darling Highway Nassau, Bahamas. Telephone No. 323-8005/6 Attorneys for the Petitioner

PAGE 4, Wednesday, November 25, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Fisheries suffers ‘rift’ on non-Bahamian workers FROM PAGE 1 survival of 17 New Providencebased vessels alone could be endangered, the Coalition’s paper said that when dependents were added to the 260 total crew who worked on these boats, some 1,040 people could be negatively impacted. It added that the fall-out would be felt throughout the Bahamian economy given that these vessels did business with companies ranging from Bay Street Garage to the Montague fish stalls through to the likes of Sam’s Refrigeration and Kelly’s Home Centre. The Coalition’s position stands in direct opposition to that of the National Fisheries Association (NFA), which last week said it fully endorsed a Bill that “represents the will of the majority of law-abiding Bahamian fishermen” and “puts Bahamians first as the stewards and managers of the fisheries sector”. Paul Maillis, the NFA’s director, yesterday confirmed to Tribune Business that the use of legal expatriate labour - primarily Dominicans possessing either work permits or spousal permits (meaning they are married to Bahamians) - had long caused a “split” between local fishermen on one side and the wholesalers, processors and exporters on the other (see other article on Page 1B). However, the Coalition, saying that it wanted to provide “a different perspective” on the Fisheries

LABOUR UNREST from PAGE 1

only cause further “chaos” for a severely weakened economy that is still struggling to breathe. “Any labour unrest would make

Bill, said the planned legislation as it currently stands creates “survival challenges” that will make it difficult for the industry to achieve the expansion in industry output targeted by the Economic Recovery Committee (ERC). The Committee, in its report to the Government, had set the goal of increasing combined fisheries and agriculture output from $150m to $1.2bn per year within ten years - the equivalent of a leap from the present 1.5 percent of Bahamian gross domestic product (GDP) to 10 percent of GDP. “The existing fisheries sector has been in decline over the years with several boats and seafoodrelated businesses failing,” the Coalition’s position paper argued. “In order to sustain what we have, we will need significant amounts of trained manpower (divers, potters) to diversify and grow the economy, similar to most skilled industries in The Bahamas, that lack required expertise. “Presently that trained workforce, like most major industries, need an injection of experienced skilled labour. Therefore, the proposed changes to the Fisheries/Immigration Act that would exclude non-Bahamians from working on 100 percent-owned Bahamian fishing boats in ‘any capacity’ is not in the best interests of any stakeholders.” The Coalition’s position paper included the Bahamian public and government among these “stakeholders”. Listing the names of the 16 impacted New

Providence-based vessels, it said that should Parliament pass the Bill as is it would result in the “guaranteed failure of a significant number of additional fishing boats”. Besides the job and foreign exchange export earnings loss, the position paper - which was also signed by Errol Davis of Fish Farmers Ltd and Ronald Lebranche of Los Primos Ltd - argued that the Government would also experience reduced tax revenues while fuel suppliers, dive shops and grocery stores will also take a revenue hit. Also suggesting that the Bill’s provisions would hit food security, the Coalition said it represented “a violation of the human rights of persons living and working in the Bahamas with permanent residencies (some with 20-plus years) with the right to work, spousal permits and work permits”. “Without the help of these nonBahamians it would not make sense to fish, as the operating cost and expenses are too significant to even try,” it added. “The typical expense to prepare a large commercial boat to go out to sea is approximately $50,000 to $60,000. It requires a break even of at least five thousand pounds of lobster.” Pointing out that a total of 260 persons worked on the 16 affected boats, split into 180 Bahamians and 80 non-Bahamians, the group argued that 1,040 livelihoods could be at stake based on four dependents per crew member.

“Many of these persons, if not employed on these boats, would otherwise resort to criminal activity,” the Coalition said, suggesting many crew were otherwise “unemployable” due to having criminal records or no formal education. Breaking down the economic impact from the 16 vessels, the group added that fuel sub-suppliers - three to four small companies that credit diesel and gasoline to the boats - typically received $3m$4m per year from these vessels and would be “severely impacted” if they stopped operating due to the proposed Bill. Wholesale grocers were said to earn around $800,000 per season from their activities, while a further $600,000 was generated by credit advances from the fisheries wholesale exporters. Average maintenance and repairs, excluding major jobs, were pegged at around $132,000 per season. “Catch generated is approximately 500,000 pounds at $13 per pound for a total of $6.5m,” the Coalition said. “This translates into approximately $8m in direct foreign currency earnings from lobster export among the three major export companies in New Providence from these 16 boats. “Numerous boats sit vacant at Potter’s Cay for a lack of a decent crew,” it added, suggesting that the Fisheries Bill’s blanket prohibition on expatriate labour “is not the solution to growing and diversifying the industry, and will hurt more Bahamians than it helps.

“Any suggestion to the contrary is supported by special interest groups that have no interest, understanding or appreciation of the economics of the industry, and have not suggested a significant enough reason for such an unnecessary act except anecdotal.” The Coalition said the majority of dive permits issued to locals went to self-employed Family Island residents who had no interest in spending four weeks at sea on large commercial fishing vessels from Nassau. Telling the Government that it was “time to grow the industry, not shrink it”, the Coalition and its members urged it to drop the proposed Fisheries Act changes and instead work with all stakeholders to develop a “balanced” approach that also involved training and knowledge transfer for Bahamians. The group added that they had sought to engage the National Training Agency and Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources on developing training programmes to expand the Bahamian labour pool, but this effort had suffered several false starts. It said it wants to revive this initiative with training in potting for fish, crab and lobster, as well as diving, with the aim of graduating 30 persons per year in each discipline. Funding, it suggested, could come through the $50m a year that the Government is granting to small businesses as well as the private sector.

absolutely no sense,” he agreed. “We’re in trouble, companies are in trouble, and if anybody wants to start making trouble with labour unrest it would be chaos. Businesses are closing down; The Linen Shop was only the beginning. “To have any labour unrest now.... We’re praying the hotels

will open on December 10 and December 17, and we get tourists back here and get people employed. People are out there right now on $100 per week. It would just be chaos; chaos for the country, chaos for the worker. It makes absolutely no sense. “We’re going through an extremely difficult time in our

lives. It’s awful. I can’t imagine what mental trauma a lot of those people who are out there on $100 a week are going through. How they pay their bills and feed themselves, I have no idea. I feel so sorry for the children. They are just the victims of circumstance. It’s heart-wrenching right now,” Mr Goudie said.

“There’s a lot of people that cannot afford to take care of their children. You just have to wonder what they’re going through. I can’t imagine it. “I have no way to fathom what they’re going through right now other than to feel dreadful. There’s people that can’t afford to eat.”

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE

OMBRIGHT LIMITED

OMBLOOM LIMITED

WALZROSE LIMITED

Pursuant to the Provisions of Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act 2000 notice is hereby given that the above-named Company has been dissolved and struck off the Register pursuant to a Certificate of Dissolution issued by the Registrar General on the 26th day of October, 2020.

Delano Aranha Liquidator of OMBLOOM LIMITED

Delano Aranha Liquidator of WALZROSE LIMITED

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE

OMASSOCIATES LIMITED

OM-ELITE LIMITED

Delano Aranha Liquidator of OMGEMINI LIMITED

Delano Aranha Liquidator of OMASSOCIATES LIMITED

Delano Aranha Liquidator of OM-ELITE LIMITED

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE

OMDREAM LIMITED

OMSILVER LIMITED

OMRISE LIMITED

Delano Aranha Liquidator of OMDREAM LIMITED

Delano Aranha Liquidator of OMSILVER LIMITED

Delano Aranha Liquidator of OMRISE LIMITED

Delano Aranha Liquidator of OMBRIGHT LIMITED

OMGEMINI LIMITED

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, November 25, 2020, PAGE 5

‘Tragic and ironic reality’ over expat fisheries workers FROM PAGE 1 about legitimate non-Bahamians and other matters of concern in the fishing industry. “Group affiliates are not members of the other fisher groups. We consider affiliates more progressive in our approach to expanding the business in a sustainable way, with due regard to conservation and preservation. We are in the process of formalising the organisation.” However, Mr Maillis said those foreign nationals relied on by the Coalition’s members largely came from the Dominican Republic - the nation whose boats and fishermen have frequently been arrested and hauled before the Bahamian courts for poaching in this nation’s waters. Suggesting it was “ironic” that nationals from the country blamed for depleting The Bahamas’ fisheries stocks now stood to benefit from the Coalition’s recommendations, Mr Maillis urged its members to encourage their Dominican employees to become “invested in this country” as Bahamian citizens rather than relying on work and spousal

permits for their lawful employment. “There is a rift,” said Mr Maillis, whose Association backs the new Fisheries Bill. “This goes back several years where several fisheries processing owners decided to go and hire mainly Dominican fishermen to work on their sea food processing vessels. That’s been their business model. “The National Fisheries Association has always been fighting against this for years many, many years, even before it was formed. If you speak to Bahamian fishermen across the country, they don’t like the reality and see it as something that goes against the law, the Fisheries Resources (Jurisdiction and Conservation) Act. “The problem really isn’t the Act as it is. It speaks about Bahamian fishermen working on commercial vessels. It’s that the Immigration Act provides the loophole for anyone with a valid work permit or spousal permit to work in any industry....... It seems like Bahamian women only have eyes for Dominican men.” Mr Maillis said Bahamian fishermen, who have “been on the front line dealing with the implications and impact of Dominican poaching for

several decades”, were naturally suspicious of those who were now here possessing valid Immigration documents. Suggesting that many may have just come off poaching vessels prior to arriving in The Bahamas, he added that local fishermen were often suspicious that Dominicans working on Bahamian-owned boats were still in touch with their countrymen and relaying advice on the location of the vest fishing grounds and how to avoid detection by the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. Denying that “race” had anything to do with Bahamian fishermen’s concerns, Mr Maillis told Tribune Business: “What I would say to those owners is: If there’s any of their Dominican employees who have been here long enough, let them apply for citizenship. “If they have a family and children here, they can apply for citizenship and live here and work on Bahamian fishing vessels. If they only have a work permit, as long as their owners need them they will be sending money back home. We’re not interested in that type of model. We want people invested in our country

to be working on our fishing vessels. “Their country [the Dominican Republic] is responsible for the worst crisis in our fisheries history; the poaching crisis. It’s an ironic reality that the country responsible for taking our fisheries resources is able to export its citizens to work on our boats. It’s a tragic and ironic reality for many fishermen, and has become unpalatable.” Arguing that the Coalition and its members are “in the minority” over their views, Mr Maillis acknowledged the fisheries sector had issues with finding a sufficient supply of qualified labour but said these were no greater than for other industries. “Are there challenges? Yes. There are challenges across the board in this country when it comes to sustainable labour, but fisheries is one of the few industries where Bahamians have a substantial stake and control of the outcome,” he said. “Where is there going to be a place for the dwindling Bahamian fisherman if we don’t work to protect it? Some may say it’s affirmative action, but it’s about enforcing the law.”

GB HOTELIER: ‘WE NEED SOMETHING TO GO OUR WAY’ FROM PAGE 1 Business. “We have been going back and forth from 20 percent to sometimes 40 percent. That’s where we’ve been apart from may and June, when we had severe lockdowns. “We are probably losing $200,000 to $300,000 in cash every month. Of course, if you want a hotel to maintain its value, you have to keep on maintaining it and I think that’s the problem with some of our hotels in The Bahamas that are not owned by companies with big pockets. Do they even have the money to start up?” Mr Alnebeck said the unresolved reconstruction of Grand Bahama International Airport; salt contamination of the island’s water supply; and the “non-functioning” Rand Memorial Hospital all meant the island is “not the best place to be” for tourists especially if a medical emergency occurs. “The leisure tourists can really be counted on as few hands,” he told this newspaper, saying they were likely to be persons visiting residents or boaters. “At the moment the leisure tourist market does not exist in Grand Bahama. “Pelican Bay has 184 rooms, and we have some smaller hotels. I really don’t believe it’s more than 400 to 500 rooms open in Grand Bahama, and pandemic or not it’s going to take time before something else happens. “Rock bottom is the last person to leave the island and turn off the lights. We’re far from that, but from a tourism perspective I would say rock bottom has been reached. Because of the pandemic we have no cruise passengers, and that’s what saved us for the last four years,” Mr Alnebeck added. “We need economic activity. We need something to happen. Grand Bahamians are quite resilient, and have got used to an economy that doesn’t really work, but it’s a pretty desperate place at the moment. We need something to go our way.” Mr Alnebeck said the Grand Lucayan had been “standing there as a monument on the beach” for the past four years ever since Sunwing/Memories pulled out in the wake of Hurricane Matthew and their dispute with then-owner Hutchison Whampoa, taking a substantial chunk of the island’s airlift with them.

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE

OMTREASURE LIMITED

PROARYA INC.

SUCCESS FIRST COMPANY LIMITED

Delano Aranha Liquidator of OMTREASURE LIMITED

Delano Aranha Liquidator of PROARYA INC.

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE

PROARYA INC.

WALZBLEND LIMITED

WALZUNIVERSE LIMITED

Delano Aranha Liquidator of PROARYA INC.

Delano Aranha Liquidator of WALZBLEND LIMITED

Delano Aranha Liquidator of WALZUNIVERSE LIMITED

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE

WALZRESOURCES LIMITED

WALZLOTUS LIMITED

BAYOU INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Delano Aranha Liquidator of WALZRESOURCES LIMITED

Delano Aranha Liquidator of WALZLOTUS LIMITED

PAGE 8, Wednesday, November 25, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Push to help small businesses hit by pandemic costs MINNEAPOLIS Associated Press

MINNESOTA Gov Tim Walz talks with co-owner Mike Runyon yesterday outside the Nook burger joint.

DEMOCRATIC Gov Tim Walz and Minnesota House Republicans yesterday unveiled separate relief proposals for small businesses that have been hit the hardest by new restrictions to slow the spread of the coronavirus. Walz said the package he developed with House Democratic leaders aims to keep businesses afloat, support workers struggling

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE

HUIFU CENTURY INVESTMENT GROUP LIMITED N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows: (a)

HUIFU CENTURY INVESTMENT GROUP LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b)

The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 20th November, 2020 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c)

The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas Dated this 25th day of November, A. D. 2020 _________________________________ Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

to get by and help families put food on the table. He expressed hope that lawmakers would pass it as early as next week. “Now is the time for a package to go forward, and that the sacrifices they’re making can’t be for naught,” Walz said. “We’re actually saving lives (by) keeping people out of the hospital, but we need to make sure that we’re taking care of these folks.” Highlights include grants for about 14,000 affected businesses, a 13-week extension of unemployment benefits and $500 one-time emergency payments for struggling families enrolled in the Minnesota Family Investment Program. Walz last week ordered bars, restaurants, fitness clubs and other businesses to close for four weeks. Bars and restaurants will have to scrape by on takeout and delivery service, while holiday dinners, prep sports and other gatherings also fall under the partial shutdown, which is due to end Dec. 18. Minnesota health officials reported 38 more COVID19 deaths on Tuesday and 6,423 new confirmed infections, raising the state’s pandemic totals to 3,303 deaths and 282,916 cases. Minnesota ranks fifth in the nation for new cases per capita. Minnesota hospitals were treating around 1,800 COVID-19 patients, including around 380 in intensive care. Walz told reporters he would call a special session to pass an aid package when there’s a deal, and

expressed hope that lawmakers could have it ready by next Tuesday when a “materially better” state budget forecast will be released. He said it feels like there’s “bipartisan momentum” to take action. Walz spoke outside Casper’s and Runyon’s Nook, a landmark family-owned St Paul burger joint. “The Nook’s been around since 1932,” co-owner Mike Runyon said. “We took this place over 20 years ago. It’s been our heart and soul. We’ve put everything into this place. And to see that a package is around the corner means so, so much to us. ... It needs to happen. We’re on the brink of collapse in this industry.” The governor’s plan also includes relief from licensing and other regulatory fees, and incentives for hospitality businesses that share surplus food with families in need. He said the cost has not been determined. Democratic House Majority Leader Ryan Winkler said it would cost roughly $350m if 14,000 businesses hypothetically each received a $25,000 grant. The House GOP proposal includes a $400 million grant fund for restaurants, bars, breweries, bowling alleys, gyms, and other establishments that suddenly had to close or scale back operations last week. Republican lawmakers want to tap the state’s rainy day fund and repay it with federal aid if Congress agrees on a relief package.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that BLONISE NORDILES of Sunshine Park off Carmichael, P.O.Box General Delivery 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 twenty-eight days from the 25th day of Novemver 2020 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas. LEGAL NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE

SCARLETT IBIS IMITED

DANLIDENSE LIMITED

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows: (a)

SCARLETT IBIS LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(a)

DANLIDENSE LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b)

The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 20th November, 2020 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(b)

The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 20th November, 2020 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c)

The Liquidator of the said company is MANEX LTD., of the Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley and Charlotte Streets, P.O.Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas.

(c)

The Liquidator of the said company is CST Administration (Bahamas) Limited of the Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley and Charlotte Streets, P.O.Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas.

Dated this 25th day of November, A. D. 2020

_________________________________ MANEX LTD. Liquidator

_________________________________ CST Administration (Bahamas) Limited Liquidator

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE

HAKUNA MATATA LIMITED

PRAISE RESOURCES LTD.

GIANT STRIDE LIMITED

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

(c)

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

(a)

HAKUNA MATATA LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b)

The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 20th November, 2020 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General. The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

Dated this 25th day of November, A. D. 2020 _________________________________ Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows:

(a)

PRAISE RESOURCES LTD. is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(a)

GIANT STRIDE LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000.

(b)

The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 20th November, 2020 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(b)

The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 20th November, 2020 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General.

(c)

The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

(c)

The Liquidator of the said company is Bukit Merah Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, P.O. Box N-3023, Nassau, Bahamas

Dated this 25th day of November, A. D. 2020 _________________________________ Bukit Merah Limited Liquidator

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, November 25, 2020, PAGE 9

VIRUS SPIKE DIMS FINANCIAL OUTLOOK FOR AIRLINES WITH coronavirus cases spiking in the US and Europe, the financial outlook of the world’s airlines is getting worse. Airlines will lose more than $157bn over this year and next because of the pandemic, their main trade group said yesterday. The forecast from the International Air Transport

Association was worse than the group’s June estimate of $100bn in losses for the two years. The latest estimate breaks down to airlines losing $66 for every passenger carried this year. However, the trade group now sees a quicker recovery. It said airlines will begin taking in more cash than they spend in the fourth

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, ASHLEY NIVONE, of Bahama Avenue, Nassau, Bahamas intend to change my name to ARCHILLE NIVONE. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Deputy Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE CERRWOOD UNITED S.A. In Voluntary Liquidation Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, CERRWOOD UNITED S.A. is in dissolution as of November 19, 2020. International Liquidator Services Inc. situated at 3rd Floor Withfield Tower, 4792 Coney Drive, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator. LIQUIDATOR ______________________ LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE BIFIN ADVISORY LTD. In Voluntary Liquidation Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, BIFIN ADVISORY LTD. is in dissolution as of November 19th, 2020. Lighthouse Corporate Services Ltd., situated at Old Fort Building 4, Suite 303, Lyford Cay, Nassau, Bahamas is the Liquidator.

LIQUIDATOR ______________________ LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE Mifta Investments Ltd. In Voluntary Liquidation Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, Mifta Investments Ltd. is in dissolution as of November 19, 2020. International Liquidator Services Inc. situated at 3rd Floor Withfield Tower, 4792 Coney Drive, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator. LIQUIDATOR ______________________

quarter of 2021, earlier than it had previously forecast, on the belief that travel will increase as COVID-19 vaccines becomes available. US airline stocks rose yesterday on further encouraging news about vaccines. But industry officials are pressuring governments around the world to move more quickly

by lifting travel restrictions for passengers who test negative for the new coronavirus. “We cannot wait for the vaccine that will not be fully available before mid-2021,” said the trade group’s chief, Alexandre de Juniac. “We need testing in the meantime.” Lufthansa chairman and

LEGAL NOTICE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT, 2000 SPECIALTY INCORPORATED Voluntary Liquidation Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, 2000, the dissolution of Specialty Incorporated was completed, a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued and the Company has therefore been struck off the Register. The date of completion of the dissolution was 14th October, 2012.

CEO Carsten Spohr called passenger testing “a bridge toward the vaccination of travellers”. Airlines and airports have launched trial testing programmes in the US, the UK, Germany and elsewhere. It is unclear, however, whether test results will ever replace quarantines and other restrictions.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said once vaccines are widely available, the carrier will likely require crossborder travelers to show proof of vaccination. Last year, airlines carried 4.5 billion passengers, according to the trade group. It estimates that number will plunge to 1.8 billion this year.

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE BIEXP Advisory Ltd. In Voluntary Liquidation Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, BIEXP Advisory Ltd. is in dissolution as of November 19th, 2020. Lighthouse Corporate Services Ltd., situated at Old Fort Building 4, Suite 303, Lyford Cay, Nassau, Bahamas is the Liquidator.

Amicorp Bahamas Management Limited LIQUIDATOR

LIQUIDATOR ______________________

LEGAL NOTICE

NOTICE

LINA Business Advisory Ltd. In Voluntary Liquidation

Cementrade Ltd. In Voluntary Liquidation

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, LINA Business Advisory Ltd. is in dissolution as of November 19th, 2020.

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, Cementrade Ltd. is in dissolution as of November 19th, 2020.

Lighthouse Corporate Services Ltd., situated at Old Fort Building 4, Suite 303, Lyford Cay, Nassau, Bahamas is the Liquidator.

LIQUIDATOR ______________________

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, November 25, 2020, PAGE 11

OPPOSITION DEPUTY ‘OFFENDED’ ON $1BN ALBANY EXPANSION By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net THE Opposition’s deputy leader said he was “offended” by the lack of prior consultation over Albany’s phased $1bnplus redevelopment of the former South Ocean resort site,. Chester Cooper, the Exuma and Ragged Island MP, who lives in the area, told a virtual Town Planning meeting on the proposed Albany West expansion: “For the purpose of emphasis, let me say that firstly, I’m offended that the developers have not consulted this neighbourhood before now. “Secondly, I want to emphasise that I’ve enjoyed uninterrupted beach access since owning the property in this area and, thirdly, I do not support any diversion of the road without consultation. Any proposal comes without beach access will be strongly opposed.” Albany representatives subsequently reassured Mr Cooper and other South Ocean Estates residents that public beach access would be maintained, and that the initially proposed diversion of South-West Bay Street will no longer, as part of a first phase expansion involving a $300m investment. Yolande Julien, attorney and partner at Glinton, Sweeting & O’Brien, in representing Albany, said: “Anticipated construction spend will be approximately $300m in phase one and over $1bn across future phases. “At least 500 new construction jobs during phase one and approximately 2,000 jobs for future phases. After the completion, a viable operating resort will lead to increased annual tax revenue for The Bahamas.” Noting how the former South Ocean property has fallen into disrepair over the past 16 years since it closed in 2004, Ms Julien, said: “Albany West will be

an extension of the existing Albany resort, and this investment allows us to create a world-class enduser experience at Albany without having to replicate major components. “As an example, the region only needs one mega yacht marina not two. Albany will continue to work alongside relevant government agencies to obtain the necessary approvals, and to develop a site plan in a responsible and appropriate manner. Pending all approvals, we plan to start phase one in the first quarter of 2021.” Albany West will feature eight beach front properties; a pool with a swim-up bar; a food and beverage component; a fitness centre and two condominiums with approximately 24 units per building. “Albany has used a great amount of care and consideration to ensure that there will be minimal impact on the existing public infrastructure and, as you can see, there will be no need or plan to reroute the southwest road or install a tunnel. Albany is fully aware of the BPL pipeline, and our plan in no way impacts the existing utility,” said Ms Julien. ““In addition to the obvious aesthetic benefits of revitalising the dilapidated South Ocean resort, the proposed redevelopment will create significant economic and social benefits to The Bahamas.” She listed the advantages as increased safety within the surrounding area; increased property values in the surrounding areas over time; and new business opportunities for entrepreneurs. As for beach access Ms Julien said: “Also shown on the plan, you’ll see that we’ve made a note that a formal beach path has been created through the adjoining properties over the years. Our plan in no way changes how people access the beach.” Brian Glinton, Glinton, Sweeting & O’Brien’s managing partner, who also

sits on Albany’s board of directors, said: “The land known as South Ocean coastline remains largely undeveloped and, over the past 15 years, multiple informal beach access paths have been created. “The approvals of this phase of the South Ocean project in no way impact how people access the beach. As far as the diversion of the South-west Bay road, there will be no changes made to the existing South-west road. “As indicated earlier, there will be no changes made to the existing Bahamas Power and Light fuel line and no structures will be built over it, allowing easy access and also avoiding the risk of potential damage.” South Ocean residents, though, echoed Mr Cooper in their beach access concerns. Clement Maynard said: “The first concern is, piggybacking on what has already been said, the entire master plan of the property. “As I’ve said before, we’d like to know whether the remaining portion of the South Ocean property is within the ownership of the developer and, if so, we would like to know the proposed use of it. We don’t want to be surprised. We’d like to know what they have planned for that property.” Mr Maynard then added: “Are you aware that there has been access on the South Ocean property itself. There was access there prior to the South Ocean development, there has been access on the South Ocean property itself during the operation of the South Ocean hotel. There was proposed access through the same property by the prior developer. “There has been access to that property currently. In recent times, there has been a fence erected. There have been signs placed, no trespass signs placed, but those have largely been ignored and there has been continual access through there uninterrupted,

undisturbed. As I said, I would call it historic access, and so I raised that point because it has not been mentioned in the presentation.” Harry Winner, Albany’s vice-president of new development, said: “Quite simply, like we mentioned in our presentation, we are not doing anything to change the current status of how you access the beach today. The site that we are proposing to develop has been a private property for a long time and, simply put, there’s nothing that we are changing with regards to how people access the beach today. “There are informal paths as we mentioned. They don’t lie on our site, and so people want to keep using those passes as access and they can do so. But it’s

like I said. It’s private property. Nothing changes with regard to access.” Mr Winner added: “There was a question on are we purchasing the total 382 acres? The answer is yes to that. But we’ve only focused on the nine acres of beachfront property as far as conceptual development plans go. “We plan to keep the golf course, which is going to be open to the public at a future date. It is not part of this phase of the development, though, and on the north side of the road we plan to do low density and stuff, but we don’t have any real plans. “This is the reason that we have not presented the full development plan of 382 acres to you because we simply don’t have a plan for the remaining lands.”

“We are trying to get approval for these nine acres and, at the appropriate time, once we have developed the conceptual plans, then we will host another Town Hall meeting whereby we will walk you all through those plans once we seek approval for them. But like I reiterate, at this time, we are seeking approval for the only for the nine acres that we’ve discussed on during this presentation.” Mr Winner said the wall that will be constructed around the property will be eight feet high, and will only run along the property boundary line. He added with regard to overhead utilities and streetlights Albany has “no plans” to change any of the infrastructure already in place.

PAGE 12, Wednesday, November 25, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

VACCINE HOPES PUSH DOW THE Dow Jones Industrial Average broke through 30,000 points yesterday as investors were encouraged by the latest progress on developing coronavirus vaccines and news that the transition of power in the US to President-elect Joe Biden will finally begin. Traders were also encouraged to see that Biden had selected Janet Yellen, a widely respected former Federal Reserve chair, as treasury secretary. The Dow rose 454 points, or 1.5 percent, to close at 30,046. The S&P 500 index, which has a far greater impact on 401(k) accounts

than the Dow does, rose 1.6 percent. Treasury yields rose as investors became more optimistic about the economy. The gains extend a month-long market rally driven by growing optimism that development of coronavirus vaccines and treatments will loosen the pandemic’s stranglehold on the economy. They also mark a rapid climb for the Dow from its March 23 low of just under 18,600 during the worst of its early pandemic nosedive. “We are one step closer to moving past the election uncertainty,” said Lindsey

Bell, chief investment strategist at Ally Invest. “People are still optimistic about what 2021 has to bring, from an economic perspective and an earnings perspective.” Traders are favouring stocks that stand to gain the most from a gradual reopening of the economy, such as banks and industrial companies. Overseas markets also rose. Treasury yields and oil prices were headed higher. “There’s some relief that Biden is choosing moderates to fill out the cabinet,” said Barry Bannister, head of institutional equity strategy at Stifel.

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 62° F/17° C

TAMPA

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Partly sunny, breezy and mild

Mainly clear

Sunny to partly cloudy and nice

Sunny to partly cloudy

Mostly sunny and nice

Mostly sunny and pleasant

High: 81°

Low: 73°

High: 81° Low: 73°

AccuWeather RealFeel

81° F

73° F

84°-76° F

88°-76° F

88°-77° F

87°-76° F

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 67° F/19° C

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

almanac

ABACO

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 70° F/21° C

8-16 knots

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 72° F/22° C

8-16 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 73° F/23° C

W S

WEST PALM BEACH

uV inDex toDay

TONIGHT

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 70° F/21° C

MIAMI

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 71° F/22° C

8-16 knots

KEY WEST

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 73° F/23° C

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 70° F/21° C

tiDes For nassau High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

4:14 a.m. 4:24 p.m.

2.6 2.4

10:28 a.m. 0.7 10:41 p.m. 0.3

Thursday

4:58 a.m. 5:08 p.m.

2.7 2.4

11:16 a.m. 0.6 11:20 p.m. 0.2

Friday

5:38 a.m. 5:49 p.m.

2.8 2.4

12:00 p.m. 0.4 11:57 p.m. 0.1

Saturday

6:17 a.m. 6:28 p.m.

2.9 2.4

12:41 p.m. 0.3 ---------

Sunday

6:54 a.m. 7:07 p.m.

3.0 2.3

12:33 a.m. 0.1 1:20 p.m. 0.2

Monday

7:31 a.m. 7:45 p.m.

3.0 2.3

1:09 a.m. 1:59 p.m.

0.0 0.1

Tuesday

8:08 a.m. 8:23 p.m.

3.0 2.3

1:46 a.m. 2:38 p.m.

0.0 0.1

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:34 a.m. 5:20 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

2:47 p.m. 2:26 a.m.

Full

Last

New

First

Nov. 30

Dec. 7

Dec. 14

Dec. 21

CAT ISLAND

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 71° F/22° C

8-16 knots

8-16 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 81° F/27° C Low .................................................... 73° F/23° C Normal high ....................................... 80° F/27° C Normal low ........................................ 69° F/21° C Last year’s high ................................. 88° F/31° C Last year’s low ................................... 68° F/20° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.02” Year to date ............................................... 66.83” Normal year to date ................................... 38.05”

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 71° F/22° C

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 74° F/23° C

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 71° F/22° C

W S

LONG ISLAND

tracking map

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 73° F/23° C

8-16 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 82° F/28° C Low: 73° F/23° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 82° F/28° C Low: 74° F/23° C

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 72° F/22° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 83° F/28° C Low: 74° F/23° C

10-20 knots

12-25 knots

marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday:

WINDS E at 8-16 Knots E at 6-12 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 6-12 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 7-14 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 6-12 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots NE at 12-25 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots NE at 12-25 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots E at 8-16 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots NE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 7-14 Knots

WAVES 6-10 Feet 4-8 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 5-9 Feet 4-7 Feet 4-8 Feet 4-8 Feet 6-10 Feet 4-8 Feet 3-6 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 5-9 Feet 4-8 Feet 4-8 Feet 3-5 Feet 6-10 Feet 6-10 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 4-7 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-6 Feet 2-4 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 78° F 78° F 77° F 76° F 78° F 78° F 82° F 82° F 78° F 78° F 76° F 75° F 79° F 79° F 82° F 82° F 81° F 81° F 81° F 81° F 80° F 79° F 81° F 81° F 78° F 78° F