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VOLUME:115 No.06, NOVEMBER 28TH, 2017
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INSIGHT: WALK IN THE SHOES OF WOMEN WHO ARE VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE
Ingraham raps enterprise bill • Rethink needed on investor guarantee • FNM/PLP should agree permit policy By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net FORMER Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham yesterday attacked the controversial Commercial Enterprises Bill, saying the Minnis administration should “rethink the bill and make necessary adjustments.” His criticism during a rare interview with The Tribune came less than a week after the bill passed the House of Assembly on Wednesday with the unanimous support of Free National Movement parliamentarians. The bill would allow foreigners or Bahamians to receive “economic concessions” if they establish specified types of businesses in The Bahamas with an investment of no less than $250,000. Such businesses would be entitled to a specified number of work permits for executives, managers and
people with “specialised knowledge”. Almost none of the bill’s key provisions were spared Mr Ingraham’s harsh assessment. The bill’s $250,000 threshold “is too low”, he said. The bill’s provision entitling businesses to a specified number of work permits were likened to 1950s era policies that have long since been “discarded”. The bill’s lack of guarantee that a certain number or percentage of Bahamians be employed as a tradeoff for work permits is, he said, something he could not support. “If they say they want a business to open up and a foreigner could get a permit automatically after 14 days and they want to limit this and the other benefits of the bill to a place like Freeport, that’s something that I, as an ordinary Bahamian, could swallow, but I cannot swallow that for The Bahamas, as a national policy, foreigners can come in for SEE PAGE SIX
FORMER prime minister Hubert Ingraham.
DYING? FINANCIAL SECTORS ‘DYNAMIC’ By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE financial services sector in The Bahamas is “vibrant and dynamic,” former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham said yesterday. His view contrasts with Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis who told reporters over the weekend the sector is “dying”. Dr Minnis’ view was supported by
Minister of Financial Services Brent Symonette, who later told The Tribune there has been a decrease in the sector over the past 15 to 20 years. Mr Ingraham, former leader of the Free National Movement, said while the Bahamas will continue losing private banking business, which caters to high net-worth individuals, other elements of the industry brim will opportunity and remain strong. “The financial services
EMPLOYEES at the General Post Office on East Hill Street continued their protest for the third
SEE PAGE SIX
SON IN COURT OVER FATHER’S MURDER
DEAR SANTA, CAN I HAVE MY MAIL FOR CHRISTMAS? By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net
sector is comprised of many parts,” Mr Ingraham said during an interview with The Tribune at his law office yesterday. “The part that many Bahamians know well was the banking side, the large international banks that have come here, the Swiss, Americans, Canadians etc and so people had accounts in The Bahamas at these banks.”
week, with Bahamas Public Services Union President Kingsley Ferguson telling The Tribune that Christmas mail will “probably not be delivered” until the New Year. SEE PAGE NINE
By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter Bnscavella@tribunemedia.net
LEE SWEETING, 21, of Russell Drive, outside Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
A 21-year-old man was charged in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday with the stabbing death last week of his 76-year-old father. Lee Sweeting, of Bamboo Town, stood before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt faced with one count of murder in
connection with the incident off Faith Avenue South. It is alleged that between Thursday and Friday of last week, Sweeting murdered Leon Sweeting. According to initial police reports, Leon Sweeting was found stabbed to death by family members at his home at Ambergris Street off Faith Avenue shortly after 9am on Friday. SEE PAGE EIGHT
NIB STAFF IN PROTEST OVER PAY DELAYS ANGRY employees of the National Insurance Board protested outside the entity’s Baillou Hill Road headquarters yesterday over fears they will receive a pay cut for unexcused absences and not receive increments and Christmas bonuses on time this year.
“We have been receiving letters from HR [human resources] stating that we will be cut for December and they are asking us to present letters of unexcused absences,” President of the Union of Public Officers Marvin Duncombe told ZNS News.
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
“We have submitted these unexcused absences for 2016, we are not going to submit them once again. They seem as if they don’t know how to do their job and they want us to do their job for them.” SEE PAGE FIVE
PAGE 2, Tuesday, November 28, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
PM guests as Greek restaurant reopens By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis helps to cut the ribbon to Zsa Zsa Mojito Bar alongside Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Michael Pintard (right), on Friday. Photos: Lisa Davis/BIS
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and Deputy Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest attended the official opening of Zorbas Restaurant and Zsa Zsa Mojito Bar in Port Lucaya Marketplace on Friday evening. Zorbas Greek Restaurant has been in business in Freeport for the past 26 years, operated by the Vikatos family. The founder Gus Vikatos died last year, but his son is now running the family restaurant business. The restaurant employs over 100 Bahamians. Despite challenges facing many businesses in Port Lucaya Marketplace due to the closure of the Grand Lucayan Resort, and a recent restaurant fire, the Vikatos family did not lay off staff. Zorbas expanded the business, opening a café and pastries section that features authentic European pastries creatively crafted by Greek pastry chef and culinary artist Georgios Kantartzis. The opening of the pastry café has been a dream of founder Gus Vikatos, who unfortunately died before it came to fruition. Nick Vikatos and Noel Clarke are partners in Zsa Zsa’s Mojito Bar. They are also partners in Agave Restaurant in Port Lucaya Marketplace, which opened about four or five years ago and offers a mix of Pan-Latin cuisines, Cuban themed mojitos and Mexican margaritas to Argentine malbecs and Spanish riojas. Dr Minnis commended Mr Vikatos for the confidence in opening a new café and pastries section of Zorbas restaurant, and a mojito bar. Dr Minnis, who had
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis speaking at the re-opening of Zorba’s restaurant in Port Lucaya Marketplace on Friday. earlier attended the launch from the three resorts. The of an entrepreneurial pro- hotel closed last October gramme in Grand Bahama after sustaining significant on Friday at Pelican Bay damage following HurriResort, told guests that his cane Matthew. Dr Minnis government is committed mentioned the signing of to facilitating the creation a contract with the Grand of more small businesses in Celebration on Saturday Grand Bahama. to resume ferry service to He said that the pro- Grand Bahama, and the gramme offers grants to introduction of a second young people interested in cruise ship in mid-April. starting small businesses. The prime minister comIn addition to providing mended Mr Vikatos for the capital/funding of $5,000 to decision not to let staff go, $10,000, he said the govern- despite tough economic ment would also provide times in Grand Bahama. training and business men“The relaunch of Zorbas’ tors to the candidates to and Zsa Zsa – that was ensure that their businesses a great success,” said Dr succeed. Minnis. “This restaurant Dr Minnis also stated plays a pivotal role helping that they are committed to to build and support the the revitalisation of Grand Port Lucaya Marketplace. Bahama, and said he would And I hope to be back very be back in Grand Bahama soon to witness several soon for the relaunch of other signings of big conthe sale and purchase of the tracts here … that I am sure Grand Lucayan Resort. many of you know where I The anchor hotel was the am going.” main economic stimulus Minister of State for in Port Lucaya and many Grand Bahama Kwasi businesses at the market- Thompson also attended place rely on visitor traffic and gave brief remarks.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, November 28, 2017, PAGE 3
TODAY Show correspondent Kerry Sanders with the swimming pigs at Pig Beach in Exuma last year.
TWO BAHAMIAN BEACHES AMONG BEST IN THE WORLD By MORGAN ADDERLEY
TWO Bahamian beaches have been listed among the 50 best beaches in the world. Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island is ranked 4th best, and Pig Beach, Exuma, is 12th. The listings were published recently in “The World’s 50 Best Beaches,” an article compiled by FlightNetwork, the largest Canadian-based online travel company. Decisions were made after FlightNetwork “consulted 600+ of
world’s best travel journalists, editors, bloggers and agencies — the people who do this for a living — to gain insight from their opinions and expertise.” “The World’s 50 Best Beaches” asserts that it is “the most definitive list of beaches ever assembled.” There are beaches from every continent, ranging from Australia to Greece, Fiji to Madagascar. Coming in fourth place, Pink Sands Beach is described as follows: “Pink Sands Beach has a fairytale-like name, and you’ll
understand why when you set foot on the beautifully coloured sands. The nearlyfive kilometres of stunning coastline, saturated in golden sun and pink plush ground, will plant itself in your memory forever. “Harbour Island in The Bahamas is home to inviting stretches of coastline and mellow waters protected by an offshore coral reef. This portion of the island is an especially dreamy part, known for its pale pink sand made from the bright red and pink shells of the microscopic Foraminifera insects.
The colour contrasts and meshes with the turquoise waterline, creating sunrise and sunset colours that are unlike anything else you’ll see in your lifetime.” At number 12, the description for Pig Beach reads: “Pig Beach sits in amongst the Exumas: a chain of 300, mostly uninhabited islands renowned for their euphoric beaches, world-class diving, and luxurious resorts. As you reach its picture-perfect shores by speed or sailboat, you’ll be greeted by swaying palms, pristine sugary-white sands,
and some very cute locals. “Pig Beach really does live up to its name as it is the only place on the planet where you can take a dip in crystal-clear turquoise ocean alongside pink-andbrown-spotted wild pigs. These friendly and very camera-confident animals will be your only company as you walk, swim, and relax in what feels like a deserted Caribbean paradise.” The article also provides suggestions on how to get to these beautiful destinations, after flying into Nassau. For Pink Sands Beach, it
is recommended to fly to North Eleuthera Airport, before taking a water taxi to Harbour Island. For Pig Beach, the site recommends flying to Staniel Cay or Great Exuma before taking a chartered boat or organised day trip to Pig Beach. In “The World’s 50 Best Beaches,” the only beaches listed above The Bahamas’ are Grace Cay, Turks & Caicos; Whitehaven Beach, Australia; and Anse Lazio, Seychelles. The Bahamas is one of only nine countries to have multiple beaches make the list.
HELPING JOBLESS TO GET ON THE PATH TO WORK By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
AFTER nearly ten years of being unemployed, Leneah Davis-Woodside says she is excited to register for the employability component of a $20m initiative funded by the Inter-American Development Bank, which targets inner-city youth and aims to prevent crime. Describing it as a “push to do more” in furthering her education, the 27-yearold expressed confidence that once the initiative begins and all parts are complete, she will put an end to her lengthy bout of joblessness. For Antonio Simmons, this is a chance to learn new skills outside of those he learned as a security officer and customer service representative. Unemployed since August, the 23-year-old said landing a job is his top priority. The programme also targets those who have not finished high school, as was the case with 16-year-old Christna Gilbert. Ms Gilbert said this would likely give her the boost she needs to find employment in the hotel industry. They were among a group of young people who yesterday morning turned out for a registration drive to launch the Citizen Security and Justice Programme (CSJP). This is the second component of a public awareness campaign geared towards at-risk youth by providing skills training. Under this component, which focuses on increasing the employability and employment of at-risk youth, the Department of Labour has
joined with the Ministry of National Security for the training of 1,000 at-risk youth in soft skills and 1,600 at-risk youth in both soft skills and technical skills, Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes said yesterday. He said those individuals who successfully complete the technical training will then have an opportunity for placement in internships and on the job training where they will have the opportunity to receive experience and stipends. This area targets the demographic of young persons – Bahamian or permanent residents between 16 to 29-years-old – who are currently unemployed and have not completed high school. This is a prime grouping for those most at-risk of leading a life of crime and criminal activity, if they are not properly engaged and given skills to succeed. “As far as doing the programme, it’s good for young ladies and gentlemen,” Ms Davis-Woodside told reporters yesterday following the official launch at the Department of Labour’s headquarters on Rosetta Street. “It (pushes) you to do more and further your education, like learning different stuff is easy. But you got to put your best into it no matter what and go on doing what you must do. “I could train in [an] office or hotel,” she said when asked what her preferred area of skills learning and placement was. She continued: “It’s very important because you learn different trading and different stuff like typing, cleaning (and) going out there helping other people to move forward.”
MINISTER of Labour Senator Dion Foulkes launches the Citizen Security and Justice Programme on Monday. From left, Cecelia Strachan, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Labour; Senator Foulkes; Chet Pratt, IDB project consultant; Althea Albury, acting director of labour in the Department of Labour. Photo: BIS For his part, Mr Simmons said: “You know I’m out of a job. I was working from I came out of school, but August of this year I was unemployed so I am going to give this a try and hopefully get successful in a job. “It’s a good opportunity. I see it as it could work if they just plan it out right and I feel as if they have it
planned right so it’s a good opportunity. “I could continue doing security, but I could do anything if I technically learn from this programme if they put me in any different field I would be willing to learn any different field right now. I just need a job,” he added. Mr Foulkes said the CSJP
is designed to do several things, including to improve behaviours for non-violent conflict resolutions, increase employability and the employment of the at-risk youth population, strengthen institutional capabilities of justice services and reducing the recidivism rate among persons within the juvenile
system. The registration drive yesterday was a means of information collection in anticipation of the start of training during the first quarter of next year. Organisers said yesterday the exercise will help speed up the process as they contact those who signed up to begin training.
PAGE 4, Tuesday, November 28, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
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Bahamianisation PLP style will be gone IT SEEMS that “Big Bad Brad” is still with us. On November 26, he sent a press release for publication, which declared that the FNM’s proposed immigration clauses in the Bahamas Commercial Enterprise Bill was the “death of Bahamianisation”. It is true that the proposed Bill needs more consideration. However, it is not the death of Bahamianisation, but rather the death of victimisation, PLP style. The PLP has always prided itself on the introduction of Bahamianisation for the protection of the Bahamian worker. It is true that when the PLP won its first government, Bahamianisation took on a new look. Rather than protect Bahamian jobs, it became a secret, behind-the-scenes weapon to force Bahamians, who needed immigration permits, either for personal use, or for business to toe the party line – regardless of their personal politics. There was Bahamianisation under the UBP, whereby one could not get a permit for a foreign employee unless Immigration could be convinced that in fact the person was needed for the growth of the business. It was understood at the time that when a business grows under the guidance of an experienced person at the helm, it expands and opens up more jobs for Bahamians with lesser qualifications, but with the ability to learn and the will to succeed. Immigration, under the PLP granted permits, to their friends, party faithful and persons who, were prepared to sacrifice their dignity to toe the party line. We felt particularly sorry for some of the foreigners, who were granted permits, as they were considered suspect by their friends, who felt that they had crumbled under the temptation of the work permit, and possibly could not be trusted. We recall several bank managers complaining that when the bank’s essential work permits were pending, they could depend upon certain politicians appearing to apply for a bank loan. The bank would send these applications to head office because they knew that in the ordinary course of business – such as credit ratings – they could not be approved in the Nassau office. However, the bankers in Nassau also knew that if these loans weren’t approved by head office the work permits needed at the bank in Nassau would be withheld by immigration. No matter which way an employer squirmed, Bahamianisation under the PLP had him pinned to the wall. The same story was repeated in the hotels — that is the main reason for the failure of those hotels managed by government. When the “boys” wanted a free party, they felt they had the right to take over the “people’s hotel” with its free food and entertainment. No wonder the hotel industry failed in the early days under the PLP. It was not until Sol Kerzner entered under the Ingraham administration that the industry started to take its place in the world, and regain the international reputation that The Bahamas once had. Under the PLP, many Bahamians were encouraged to feel that they were entitled to a job, qualified or not, just because they were Bahamian. The Tribune’s growth suffered terribly under these rules. It was the behind-the-scenes bully tactics used by the Immigration Department to deny The Tribune the one or two qualified foreign staff it
needed to assist in the training of young Bahamians that hindered our training programmes, and limited further employment of Bahamians. Rather than hiring mediocrity, we did the job ourselves or introduced machinery that could replace staff in certain areas. In other words, employment of Bahamians was being slowed in certain areas by Immigration under the guise of Bahamianisation. Recently, we told the story of our training school under a qualified British journalist. In his class were Tribune staff members as well as those not on our staff who wanted to learn — the best of these we employed at the end of the course. The programme was most successful — possibly too successful because at the end of the instructor’s one year work permit, Immigration refused its renewal. The school closed. It ended the opportunities for aspiring young journalists. One day, despite this, a young Bahamian came looking for a job as a reporter. She had no training. In the course of the interview, she admitted that her desire was to be a ZNS reporter. However, she was told by the PLP politician then in charge of ZNS that the Broadcasting station could only employ her if she were first trained at The Tribune. That is one thing that was never lacking in a PLP politician — crass nerve. Of course, she was not employed by The Tribune — the Immigration Department had crippled our ability to do further training. However, the PLP did encourage the idea in Bahamians that qualified or not they were entitled to the job just because they were Bahamian. Bahamianisation, PLP style, was killing many Bahamians’ need to apply themselves. “Employers should be able to hire a competent employee and not have to settle in many instances for mediocrity and incompetence because they are forced to hire Bahamian,” said lawyer Fred Smith at the time. This is what over the years Bahamianisation, PLP style, has meant to our work force. It was this protective policy that shackled many Bahamians in mediocrity and incompetence. In 2007, when Bahamianisation and victimisation were the main topics of conversation — mainly because The Tribune defied their threats — today’s Opposition Leader “Brave” Davis stood up in the House of Assembly and recommended that punitive action should be taken against “biased” media outlets by withholding government advertising. In other words toe the PLP party line or be denied business, This is how these people think. And so, if managed properly the Commercial Enterprise Bill, should not start class warfare between Bahamian and foreigner — as predicted by Bradley Roberts. Rather it should create more jobs for Bahamians and open up more opportunities for training. For Bahamians keen on succeeding they will succeed. For those who think, like Mr Roberts, that they are entitled just because they are Bahamian, they will be left behind. Today many Bahamians are being held back by the crippling application of Bahamianisation —PLP style. If properly and fairly managed in the future, it should lead to more job opportunities for trained, hardworking, and ambitious Bahamians.
Steps for future of our nation EDITOR, The Tribune. AFTER reading The Tribune’s November 22, 2017, articles entitled “We have to open up the economy” and “New job bill will ensure ‘Bahamians are a priority’,” I was tempted to join the spirited and lengthy commentary that the articles engendered. However, after perusing the text of the Commercial Enterprises Bill, 2017, I realised that, because I was neither lawyer nor legislator and because I wasn’t willing to take the time to try to fully comprehend the Bill, I was insufficiently qualified to comment. Then I penned observations about the systematic failure of successive Bahamian governments to tackle fundamental issues facing our country — largely because, no matter the political party, governments before and since independence have favoured existing sociopolitical and economic systems, the perpetuation of the status quo, and the “where’s mine?” mentality, all to the detriment greater equity, sustainability, justice, empowerment, cooperation, etc. In the end, I decided to let someone eminently more experienced in these matters than I to share basic principles that should
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net underpin our country’s development policies. Among his other accomplishments, James Gustave Speth is the founder of the World Resources Institute and a former administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, and the paragraph that follows is part of a brief speech Speth made to the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo, Egypt on September 6, 1996: “The great civilising and educating institutions of the world all have at their core the values of human solidarity, tolerance, justice and equity… What is needed to achieve the goals of (the International Conference on Population and Development in) Cairo is sustainable human development. This is development that not only generates economic growth but distributes its benefits equitably; that regenerates the environment instead of destroying it; that empowers people rather than marginalising them. It is development that gives priority to the poor, that enlarges their choices and opportunities, and that provides for their participation
in events and decisions that shape their lives. It is development that is pro-people, pro-poor- pro-nature, projobs and pro-women.” If our country cannot take meaningful steps to meet these and similar goals, and if we are unable to achieve a more just society, The Bahamas’ medium and long-term future is bleak. Our nation has too many have nots, too many under- and unemployed, and too many inadequately educated. Our sense of community is increasingly fractured, and too many national and local leaders prioritise individual advantage over both the health of the broader community and a sense of common purpose. Finally, and perhaps most important, political and other community leaders who have been entrusted with the authority to spearhead consequential, systemic change too often make spurious claims and fail to provide the honest answers and clear direction necessary to make substantive, sustained, measurable progress towards addressing the challenges that threaten the future stability of our nation. CHRIS MINNS Exuma, November 26, 2017.
Looking back on the week’s news EDITOR, The Tribune. COMMERCIAL Enterprise Act - progressive but was it really necessary? Surely a consolidation of all the existing Laws would have been easy. I must again state emphatically that the so-called NEC/ National Economic Council is not supported by Law and again Agreements given by the NEC are not worth the paper they are typed on.
If no one realises it also every single Heads of Agreement from the Ingraham era through Christie and all inclusive are also not worth the paper they are written on with one exception the last Heads of Agreement between Government and EXIM China on Baha Mar for some incredible reason they finally got it right... the Secretary to Cabinet did not sign it, the PS in the OPM/
Ministry of Finance signed, who were the two agencies that could legally give the concessions. All that fuss about Kerzner having special status is rubbish if challenged in court, the judge would laugh at everyone. This is exceptionally important as therefore there are no restrictions to the granting of Casino Licenses In New Providence. Mr Minister of National Security - an event purely
for your Constituency, Mt Moriah, should never have included the use of a Royal Bahamas Police traffic motorcycle outrider escorting Shaq O’Neil and the turkeys distributed for Thanksgiving. This is abuse of power - serious bad sign, Mr Minister. An apology, please. When a Prime Minister talks too early and when he should not incline decline in Crime and fear of crime
as the next day headlines across those newspapers that we now find he, the PM, dislikes reporting they screamed ...... 70+ year old man dead - Police shoot criminal. So there is no fear? The people have changed totally how they live ..... built fortresses around their homes and you tell us there Is no fear? Where are you living, Prime Minister? Kudos to the RBDF on
the completion of the post hurricane in Dominica. Remember that verification exercise of Ministry of Finance – can the good Minister confirm the results ... just curious how many pay cheques were unauthorised and what have you done about it? Actually were there any? W THOMPSON Nassau, November 26, 2017.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, November 28, 2017, PAGE 5
NIB STAFF IN PROTEST OVER PAY DELAYS from page one
He said employees are also upset some workers were not paid their salaries on time this month. “In a $1.7b operation, you can’t pay salaries? For the first time in history, our members have not been paid and today they won’t be paid until after 5 today [Monday],” Mr Duncombe said. “This is unacceptable, we are not taking it and we are here to take a
stand.” He also said: “I’m calling on the leaders of the nation to fix this NIB. NIB is helpful to too many people around this country for the people, the workers to be suffering in the way that they are suffering. According to ZNS News, Minister of Public Service and National Insurance Brensil Rolle said the delay in staff salaries was due to a glitch at FirstCaribbean International Bank.
NIB staff pictured in a photograph circulated on social media yesterday as they protested.
Full enactment of FOIA still some way off - Bethel By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net FULL implementation of the Freedom of Information Act is still out of reach as the government is actively seeking experts to help policymakers strike the right balance between restrictions and access. Attorney General Carl Bethel told The Tribune yesterday he has reached out to colleagues in the Caribbean with similar experience, and hopes to connect with key persons in Europe when he travels for meetings early next year. Notwithstanding the pending search for a consultant that will assist with FOIA’s roll-out, Mr Bethel insisted yesterday the implementation track was now “speeding up”. He said the government was still committed to implementing the protections for whistleblowers contained in the Freedom of Information Act before the end of the year. “I’ve reached out to
some of my Caribbean colleagues,” he said, “trying to find someone to come and do a short consultancy so when we implement we can find the right person to be the information commissioner with the right set of skills. We are operating somewhat in the dark. “I’ve reached out to my colleagues, who have experience with this implementation, to determine if they can assist us. We want to implement it with minimum amount of error, not too restrictive or too open. We want a balance between the two and so we need guidance from persons who’ve been there before. “I’ve actively done some outreach, due to travel to Europe early in the New Year, trying to make efforts to have some meeting to access expert assistance so we don’t make a mess of it. I’ve went through the whole file and reviewed it.” When asked if the search for a consultant meant progress was stalled, Mr Bethel said: “No, it’s speeding up now, I’ve already reached
out to experts and colleagues in the region so it’s moving ahead.” The previous Ingraham administration passed a FOIA shortly before the 2012 general election, however there was no date for enactment. The incoming Christie administration then overhauled the legislation, and conducted an extensive public consultation process. The former Christie administration passed a FOIA in Parliament in February. However, only part one and sections of part five and eight of the legislation have been enacted, allowing for the appointment of an information commissioner and repealing the 2012 FOIA. Activists have expressed concern over the stalled pace of the bill, and a collective of 20 civil society organisations issued a statement calling for the government to consider recommendations for revisions but ultimately move ahead with full enactment.
UNION LEADER CONCERNED AT LAY-OFFS IN PUBLIC SECTOR By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Public Services Union President Kingsley Ferguson said yesterday he is “seriously concerned” about the number of persons being let go from the public sector, adding that the “union is not being consulted” about the lay offs. In an interview with The Tribune, Mr Ferguson said he learned of most of the terminations through the press and he is concerned some might be “political”. His comments came days after 30 people were sent home from the Department of Inland Revenue after their contracts ended. In a statement on Friday, Acting Financial Secretary Marlon Johnson said the department “has determined not to renew the contracts of 30 employees whose contracts have come to an end”. Last month, 18 employees of the Gaming Board, including some who hoped to become permanent staff, were let go. The Minnis administration has taken a conservative approach to public sector hiring and has not shied away from letting workers go since the May 10 general election. Since that time, more than 100 people have been let go for various reasons, according to The Tribune’s reports. In August, at least 27 employees of the Ministry of Tourism were let go. Fifteen people were let go that month from the Bahamas Agriculture and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) as well. The contracts of 21 workers at the National Insurance Board (NIB) were terminated in June after their agreements expired and in recent months the National Health Insurance Authority
(NHIA) has let go at least 42 people in its bid to make its budget work. “I am very cornered about what is going on and why the union is being kept out of the loop,” Mr Ferguson said. “We don’t know what is happening. When persons were let go from the Gaming Board, I found out when I received a call from the press letting me know about it. I would have figured the employer would have considered it is a sensitive situation and want to have a discussion with the leader of the organisation. These people are a part of the bargaining unit and are being terminated without consultation. I am very concerned because we are in the business of ensuring persons keep their jobs and I want to know the
YOUR
rationale behind terminating persons. I believe at some point all the persons who were politically hired were already terminated so what is the rationale behind these set of firings and terminations. Is this also political? We need to know.” Earlier this year, Brensil Rolle, minister of the public service and National Insurance, said between December 2016 and May 2017, the government’s payroll ballooned by $16.5 million due to the Christie administration’s hiring of new public service workers during that period. More than 1,700 people were included in this count. According to Mr Rolle, the public service increased by 6,500 people over the last five years, during the last Christie administration.
CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019
ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel.
PAGE 6, Tuesday, November 28, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
FORMER prime minister Hubert Ingraham.
Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
Ingraham raps enterprise bill from page one only $250,000 and open these businesses without us knowing how many Bahamians will be employed,” Mr Ingraham said. “That’s not kosher for me. I’m sorry, but every now and again I reserve the right to speak my mind about matters that come up with the public.” Mr Ingraham said if the Minnis administration wants to adjust the country’s immigration policies on work permits, it should not only do so in concert with the Progressive Liberal Party but it should also take a comprehensive approach rather than a piecemeal one. “If there is going to be a
guarantee in law of a certain number of work permits they should speedily move toward determining that guarantee for other people and businesses. How many for Atlantis? How many for Citibank? How many for Baha Mar? Or is it going to apply to these particular businesses only? “Normally what would happen is Atlantis would say I’ll hire 3,000 people and then there will be a heads of agreement that says you can get a certain number of work permits but only in relation to what employment levels you would have for Bahamians. There’s a big difference between that and saying to somebody if you want to invest $250,000 and work in the Bahamas and bring a certain number
of people you could do so but you don’t have to say how many Bahamians you are going to employ. All of that for $250,000? Oh no, no, no. If I have to accommodate you, what will I get in return?” “Many investments are stifled and are not properly proceeded with because of immigration regulations and procedures,” Mr Ingraham said. “That’s a fact. It would be good for The Bahamas if both political parties can agree on an immigration policy that becomes a national immigration policy so that when the PLP is in and the FNM is out they don’t change it and the FNM doesn’t change it when it gets in so everyone knows this is the national policy
of The Bahamas. “The national policy has been you get the work permit if there are no skilled Bahamians available but it has never been that a company is entitled to a certain number of work permits. If that policy is going to change and it appears to be changing, then it seems to me that there will need to be a national consensus between the political parties because otherwise what you will have happen is people who are going to invest will take account of The Bahamas’ history; in recent times, we have been voting the government out every five years so the investors will think, ‘if I do this deal now because they promise me this and the next fella say he’s going to repeal it when he gets in, it’s not going to be very effective.’ I would suggest that the government seek to have a policy that could be agreed between itself and the opposition. Both of them should recognise we need to make some changes to immigration if we are going to make the Bahamas a more attractive place for investment.” Through the National Economic Council (NEC) and the Bahamas Investment Authority, it has been a longstanding policy of the Bahamas since the 1990s to offer concessions to international businesses that invest a certain amount of
money in the country. Mr Ingraham, pointing to old Hawksbill Creek and Hotels Encouragement Act laws from the 1950s that he had on his desk, noted that policies entitling businesses to work permits were repealed. “Back in the 50s when the government wanted the hotels to have this provision, they said that you had to have at least 75 per cent of your staff Bahamian. The PLP government repealed that and said that is unfair to The Bahamas; but in that case, you at least had a minimum threshold for the number of Bahamians employed. That same concept has been discarded in Freeport, where the Hawksbill Creek Agreement in the 1950s provided that people in Freeport, licensees, could bring skilled persons into The Bahamas to work and The Bahamas could only refuse permission for them on the grounds of personal undesirability. Those policies since discarded are coming back again. Those who’ve been around for a long time don’t support it coming back; it’s not in the interest of The Bahamas in our point of view and I’m very clear about that.” Under Ingraham administration policies in 1994 and for years after, that threshold was $250,000. The threshold was raised to $500,000 under the last
Ingraham administration in 2011. Mr Ingraham noted that Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, Works Minister Desmond Bannister, Financial Services Minister Brent Symonette and Labour Minister Dion Foulkes were all Cabinet ministers at the time and agreed to the amendment. “The rationale was we wanted to encourage investment and we thought $250,000 was too small,” he said. “Sixteen years from then we may have removed that threshold further up but certainly not reduce it in half. They ought to explain how they have now arrived at $250,000.” As for the bill’s provision automatically granting work permits to people if the director of immigration fails to address their application in 14 days, Mr Ingraham said: “To say that I can in 14 days approve or have your permit deemed to been approved does not give me enough time to determine your suitability, your character and the rest of it. You are a foreigner. Every foreigner who comes to The Bahamas needs permission from The Bahamas to come here. And so I would not be prepared to open myself up to say just come, apply and if you don’t get an answer in 14 days go to work. That’s a matter of judgment but I’m not for that.”
from page one
family offices, investment funds and boutique firms have all been established. So The Bahamas has great opportunity for business in those sectors and to provide employment and other opportunities for skilled Bahamians. But on the private banking side, that business we have lost and we are losing the remainder of it.” Mr Ingraham said though commercial banks have downsized in the wake of new technology and other factors, “that has nothing to do with trying to get additional businesses to go into the business of wealth management or boutique health facilities or call centres, etc. These are all services that can be broadly characterised as financial services in the country; banking is only one of those sectors.” Mr Ingraham said such sectors could be developed to make up for the loss of private banking services. “We can be more vibrant and more attractive,” he said. “When it comes to family offices or investments funds and boutique firms, there are great opportunities for The Bahamas to attract some of those and to the extent the government
can tweak legislation to attract more of those, they should do so.” The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in a report accompanying its recent Article IV assessment of the Bahamian economy, said the financial service sector’s contribution to the country’s wider economy “has remained broadly stable” despite a 65 per cent shrinkage of the industry’s total bank assets between 2011 and 2016. In terms of the financial services industry’s impact through a combination of jobs, tax revenues and local purchases of goods and services, the IMF said: “The overall direct contribution has remained broadly stable over the past ten years, as the bulk of it originates from the relatively stable local expenses and employment, which are not sensitive to the asset size of the system. “An orderly adjustment of the sector to global regulatory initiatives has contributed so far to manageable direct effects on the real economy, although it is difficult to determine the full extent of the impact— including spillovers,” the IMF said.
DYING? FINANCIAL SECTORS ‘DYNAMIC’ “Then the allegation was that people were hiding their money from the taxman of the United States and from Europe, etc. The international community has taken a very aggressive approach towards trying to shut down such enterprises that are not onshore, meaning in New York, in London and elsewhere. “So, we’ve taken a big hit and many, many jobs have been lost in The Bahamas as a result of that and so it’s fair to say that the private banking sector has decreased and declined substantially and will continue to do so for international persons who bank in The Bahamas. “But our financial services sector is an evolving thing and we’ve been in this business for a long time and it is very dynamic,” the former minister of finance said. “It has included over the years Eurodollars, it included captive insurance, mutual funds; it now has ship registration, it includes trust administration, it’s now evolving to the point where wealth management and estate planning and
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, November 28, 2017, PAGE 7
Davis ‘scaremongering’ over foreign investment By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
ATTORNEY General Carl Bethel yesterday criticised Official Opposition Leader Philip Davis as an anti-investment “scaremonger”, accusing him of pandering to irrational fears in his recent pledge to repeal the Commercial Enterprises Bill if the Progressive Liberal Party returns to office. Mr Bethel advised potential investors, whom he said included Bahamians, not to pay attention to Mr Davis’ claims. He predicted the PLP, and a Davis-led administration, would embrace the bill and its investors if they ever regain the trust of the electorate, noting the party’s
historic opposition and later support of landmark FNM initiatives. “In his [Mr Davis] latest statement,” Mr Bethel said, “[he] is seeking to play to irrational fears and to create an anti-investment attitude to destabilise the potential of this government to grow the sector after the entire economy was stagnated in every last one of the five years of their administration. Unemployment is through the roof, youth unemployment is even higher, people are suffering. “But in this matter, he is no better than his political predecessor, who similarly sought to stagnate progress. He’s just as much a sheep in wolf’s clothing as they are.” Now before the Senate, the Commercial Enterprises Bill would liberalise the
granting of work permits to enterprises that wish to establish themselves in The Bahamas in niche sectors and require work permits for management and key personnel. The government has said the legislation will attract new industries and create jobs and training opportunities for Bahamians; however, critics claim Bahamians will be disadvantaged by preferential treatment of foreign investors. In a statement released Sunday, Mr Davis pledged the PLP would repeal the Commercial Enterprises Bill when the party returns to power. In an interview with The Tribune yesterday, Mr Bethel dismissed the threat, highlighting the PLP’s early opposition to Sol Kerzner and the Atlantis project; the
advent of Sunday shopping; and the International Persons Holding Act. “When we brought Sol Kerzner, (former PLP Attorney General) Paul Adderley wrote threatening him that when they came in they would revoke all of his permits and approvals,” Mr Bethel said. “When they came in, they embraced him. When the FNM brought in Sunday shopping, the PLP said they would revoke it, pandering to what they thought were the popular views in society. When they came in they embraced Sunday shopping, they told the shops, after the hurricane they said they could stay open till after three or four. “For the FNM’s International Persons Land Holding Act, they promised
they would repeal it and when they came in they embraced it. The financial sector reforms, they made no change,” he said. While the PLP has levelled the strongest opposition to the bill, other nonpartisan groups have expressed some concerns over the controversial legislation. The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) announced support for some provisions but listed concerns and suggested some components of the bill are unclear or contradictory. Gowon Bowe, president of the Bahamas Institute of Chartered Accountants, has also called for wider consultation. However, Mr Bowe also warned against xenophobia
in response to the bill, saying the country needs economic activity and investment. Yesterday, Mr Bethel said: “I would just advise potential investors both Bahamian and foreign, because this bill is for both, the idea is the business will attract foreign investment but Bahamians can do it just as much, they don’t have to spend the $250,000 capital to get permission to do it. “I would advise them they don’t need to pay any attention to Mr Davis and his scaremongering. If he should be so trusted with the reins of government in the future, he will warmly embrace the Commercial Enterprise Bill and every investor that is in The Bahamas because of its provisions.”
there would also be a limit on the number of permits granted per enterprise. Mr Foulkes said as the world changes, the Bahamas must adapt. However, as it stands, he said the country has steadily lost its edge to other parts of the region. In a press statement on Sunday, PLP Leader Philip “Brave” Davis said the party has warned investors and people who may accept the bill’s benefits to “think carefully” before doing so. The bill passed the House of Assembly with unanimous support from the Free National Movement last week Wednesday and is up for debate in the Senate. It would liberalise the granting of work permits to enterprises that wish to establish themselves in the Bahamas in niche sectors and require work permits for management and key personnel. “I can guarantee Bahamians that the Commercial Enterprise Bill will not take one single job from Bahamians,” the minister told reporters yesterday
on the sidelines of the Citizen Security and Justice Programme launch at the Department of Labour’s headquarters. “This bill is designed to attract new industries especially in the ICT area or the IT area to the Bahamas. It is also a bill to enhance and to create an economic environment to stop the slowdown in the growth of the financial services sector. “We are losing a lot of business to other jurisdictions such as the Cayman Islands for example because of their ease of doing business and the rate at which they turn around applications for everything whether it’s business licences, work permits and we are determined to attract and to be the major player as we have been in the financial services industry. That is one of the main thrusts of this bill.” Asked specifically about the opposition’s position on the bill, Mr Foulkes said: “I think the PLP is making a big mistake. This initiative will generate high paying jobs for Bahamians (and)
for the working professionals in our country whether it is the financial services sector, whether they’re lawyers, whether they are accountants, whether they are special financial persons. That is what this is geared towards. “So we have a limit on how many work permits can be issued for any particular enterprise and we will be monitoring that extremely closely. “But the world is changing. We are becoming more globalised and the Bahamas so far we have been on the cutting edge of this charge and we want to make sure we stay there. But other jurisdictions are far ahead of us with respect to these matters and we are really catching up.” The Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) has given
a mixed reaction to the bill. It announced support for some provisions but listed concerns and suggested some components of the bill are unclear or contradictory. The chamber characterised the bill as a possible “interim solution for businesses in certain industries with a foreign ownership component” that need to navigate the process of obtaining approvals and work permits. The chamber said it supports the bill’s creation of a Commercial Enterprises Facilitation Unit, which would receive and consider applications “in a timely manner” and advise the Investment Board. In response to the concerns, Mr Foulkes assured the business community that the intent of the bill is to supplement the provisions that are already in
place, not to compete with or remove anything presently in operation. “I know there are some concerns. Every application has to go through the normal process that we’re going through now with the Bahamas Investment Authority and the NEC [National Economic Council]. Every applicant has to be approved by the National Economic Council, which is a subcommittee of Cabinet of which I am a part along with seven, eight other Cabinet ministers.” “So it isn’t a carte blanche for these enterprises coming in. The government will do their due diligence and we’d be very careful to protect the interest of Bahamians. That is what we got elected for and I can assure the business community if they have concerns that they need not have those concerns,” Mr Foulkes said.
FOULKES OFFERS GUARANTEE NO BAHAMIAN WILL LOSE JOB FROM BILL By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net IN the face of criticism of the Commercial Enterprises Bill, Labour Minister Dion Foulkes “guaranteed” Bahamians that “not one single job” will be taken from them as a result of the law’s implementation. He also said the Progressive Liberal Party is making a “big mistake” by standing against the legislation, which the opposition party has vowed to repeal if elected back into office. The CEB, Mr Foulkes said, will not give businesses coming into the country complete freedom to do what they want, adding the government will do its due diligence and be careful to protect the best interests of Bahamians. In his defence of the controversial bill, the minister was adamant there will be a limit on the number of work permits granted to foreigners who are expected to still be subject to various procedures of vetting as is the norm now. He suggested
MINISTER of the Environment and Housing Romauld Ferreira addressing the 2017 Montreal Protocol Conference. Photo: Gena Gibbs/BIS
MINISTER AT MONTREAL CONFERENCE By GENA GIBBS Bahamas Information Services
MINISTER of the Environment & Housing Romauld Ferreira addressed global environmental experts at the Montreal Protocol Conference discussing earth’s ozone layer concerns on November 23. “This is indeed a historic place, where our journey towards preserving the ozone layer began some 30 years ago,” he said. “It has been over 24 years since The Bahamas became a signatory to the Montreal Protocol; and today as we face new challenges that threaten to disturb the delicate balance needed to sustain our way of life, we wish to affirm our commitment to this environmental treaty, and give the assurance in an official capacity to all our partners in the international community of our sincerity and unwavering support in the implementation of this agreement.”
He added: “With the threat of climate change, SIDS or ‘Small Island Developing States’ like The Bahamas are particularly vulnerable. Over the past few years, we have seen significant changes in our weather patterns, which have the capacity to dramatically alter life as we know it.” He described the recent history of dangerous hurricanes that have passed through The Bahamas, sobering the tone of the Bahamian response for disaster management to the reality of climate change. “In 2015, 2016, and just this year alone, The Bahamas and the Caribbean region have suffered though the devastating effects of Hurricanes Joaquin, Matthew, Irma, and Maria. The impact, size, and strength of these hurricanes, in succession, was virtually non existent just a decade ago, which is indicative of climate changes that we are experiencing,” said Mr Ferreira. “There is no doubt that
we have arrived at yet another crossroads similar to the one we were facing in 1988 in this very city. With the realisation that most ozone-depleting substances are also greenhouse gases, it is the position of my government that the Montreal Protocol is the instrument best suited to tackle the challenges associated with global warming.” Mr Ferreira took the position that the Montreal Protocol was soundly designed, structurally, financially, and capacitywise, to address the global challenges that climate change presents to SIDS. “It should be noted that The Bahamas, like many other countries in our region, is a large consumer of HFC [hydroflourocarbon] gases and equipment. This increase in the use of gases, such as R-134a, and R-410A is due to the imposed quota system, which restricts the quantities of R-22 that can legally be imported into The Bahamas,” said Minister Ferreira.
PAGE 8, Tuesday, November 28, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
Court to appoint lawyer in teen sex assault case By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net THE SON of former Governor General Sir Arthur Foulkes will receive a court-appointed lawyer to appeal his prison sentence for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl entrusted to his wife’s care, The Tribune understands. Officials at the Court of Appeal confirmed Joseph Andrew Foulkes will
return to court on January 22, 2018 concerning his appeal, which stems from the ten-year prison sentence given him nearly three years ago. A Supreme Court jury returned a 7-2 guilty verdict against Foulkes for unlawful sexual intercourse on March 11, 2015. The trial was held before Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs. Foulkes had pleaded not guilty to the single count of unlawful sexual intercourse
with which he was charged. At trial, the girl testified that on a Sunday morning during the period in question, she was at her guardian’s house, a normal practice for her on weekends. The accused had taken his wife, who was her guardian, to work before returning to the house to inform his son that he was going to take him to church. When he returned from
taking the child to church, he came into the bedroom where the victim was watching television and sat on the bed before putting his hand on her chest, the girl testified. When she looked into his eyes as instructed, he threatened to kill her if she told anyone about his actions. She told the court that she was asked to disrobe and that her alleged attacker instructed her to bend over near the dresser.
He then proceeded to have sex with her for five to 10 minutes. “I told him I was hurting and he told me to shut up,” the girl said while testifying previously, adding that after he was done, the man finally let her go to clean up. She said her abdominal area and genitals were in pain when she urinated and upon wiping herself, she saw blood. Moments later, the man entered the bathroom and tossed her clothes
LEE SWEETING, 21, outside Magistrate’s Court yesterday, where he was charged in connection with his father’s death.
at her to get dressed, she said. The girl said she declined to immediately report the sexual assault because she was threatened and did not want to ruin her good relationship with the wife of her attacker, she told the court. Nonetheless, the complainant admitted Foulkes had never been inappropriate with her on previous occasions when she was alone with him.
Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
SON IN COURT OVER FATHER’S MURDER from page one
That evening, police confirmed that a 21-year-old male suspect, a relative of the deceased, was in police custody and assisting with
the investigation. Sweeting was not required to enter a plea to the charge and the matter was adjourned to January 25 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment. He was remanded to the
Bahamas Department of Correctional Services in the interim. Subsequent to having the charges read to Sweeting, his attorney, Shaka Serville, told the chief magistrate that his client, whose lower
right hand was entirely bandaged, was on prescribed antibiotics for his injuries. Mr Seville said that Sweeting, who received treatment at the Princess Margaret Hospital for his
injuries on Thursday and Friday of last week, is due for a follow up visit on December 1. The chief magistrate noted the information, and said she would ensure that the prison’s doctor is advised
of Sweeting’s situation. Sweeting’s mother, who was present during the arraignment, wept as she hugged and spoke with her son in the courtroom before he was escorted away by officers.
20-YEAR-OLD ACCUSED OVER HOSPITAL LANE MURDER Death Notice For
Francis Peter Noronha, 84 of Nassau, Bahamas and formerly of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania East Africa, died on Wednesday, November 22nd, 2017. Predeceased by his father, Dr. Robert Francis Noronha and mother, Altina Maria Noronha, nee Souza-Cordeiro. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Yvonne Noronha nee Hilton; daughter, Indira; Sons, Ravi and Roshan; one grandson, Ragesh; sisters, Sheila Clarke of Nottingham, England and Gabriella Champion of London, England; Brother: Dr. Michael Noronha of Manchester, England; Sisters-in-law: Dr. Enid Noronha of Manchester, England, Alma Perry and Sylvia Price of Nassau; Brothers-in-law: Mr. Christopher Clarke of Nottingham, England, Dr. Benny D’Mello of Nottingham, England, Dr. Brandon Donaghy of Sussex, England, Martin Champion of London, England, Cecil and Spurgeon Hilton of Nassau. We remember also his beloved nieces, nephews and many friends. He will be missed. Funeral Arrangements will be announced at a later date.
By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
A 20-YEAR-OLD man was charged with attempting to murder another individual in the Hospital Lane area last week. Javar Ferguson, of King
Street, stood before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt facing one count of attempted murder in connection with the November 20 incident. It is alleged that on the day in question, Ferguson attempted to murder Latrell Johnson.
He was not required to enter a plea to the charge and the case was adjourned to January 26 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment. He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until that time.
AMERICAN WOMAN DROWNS POLICE are investigating the apparent drowning of an American woman in waters at Great Sturrup Cay off the Berry Islands on Sunday. Shortly after 11am, the American woman was swimming with family members in the water near Great Sturrup Cay when she became unconscious, police were told. The woman was taken to shore and despite extensive CPR efforts was declared dead by a medical doctor.
An autopsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death. Investigations are continuing. • Police are looking for two men who robbed a web shop on Cowpen Road. The robbery occurred shortly before 1pm on Sunday, police said, when two men, one armed with a handgun, entered the gambling establishment and robbed the cashier of money. The men escaped in a silver vehicle.
Investigations are ongoing. Police also said 11 people were arrested by Mobile Division officers over a 48-hour period during targeted patrols intended to reduce crime and to minimise the ability for criminals to commit illicit activities. The persons were arrested for possession of dangerous drugs and outstanding court warrants. Also, 44 drivers were ticketed for various traffic violations.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, November 28, 2017, PAGE 9
Dear Santa, can i have my mail for Christmas?
from page one However, Mr Ferguson said he has been assured that work on the “rat and mould” infested building will begin as early as next week. When the building is safe, he said the employees will “gladly” return to work. Dozens of employees demonstrated in front of Parliament two weeks ago, after days of protesting on East Hill Street, demanding the government either make the building habitable or move them immediately. Rat infestation, heat from a broken air-conditioner and alleged rashes from handling mail are just a few of the problems the workers are protesting. “The workers are still out but it was agreed by the minister that those temporary things will be fixed and the building will be safe for occupation,” Mr Ferguson said. “So as soon as the mould is dealt with and the air conditioning and cosmetic issues are fixed work will resume. “The mail is backed up and I assume there will have to be overtime for persons to get mail before Christmas but that will be the mail starting back from June.
“So getting Christmas mail delivered is something that will probably not be realised. We cannot make any promises.” Earlier this year, then-BPSU President John Pinder threatened industrial action if the government did not immediately relocate employees from the “unsanitary” building. At the time, he said his members were forced to work in a mould infested building with rats, termites and a leaking ceiling. Since then, Mr Ferguson said things have become progressively worse and despite employees only working half days, many of them have reportedly developed respiratory issues because of the toxic environment. In an interview outside Cabinet last Tuesday, Transport and Local Government Minister Frankie Campbell told reporters the government is aware of the situation and his ministry is “redoubling our efforts to ensure that Christmas cards are delivered on time”. “We are advised that a part we were seeking for months is about a week away. It has been shipped, it’s in Florida and we are advised once it’s here, installation should take
three to five days and that will resolve the aircondition and ventilation problems,” Mr Campbell said last week. “The rodents, since I became the minister, I have sent the Environmental [Health] Department there and we will send
READERS’ VIEW ON FINANCIAL SERVICES CLAIM
them back. That is a continuous problem that is caused by our bad habits but they will go back and resolve that issue. Also there is a question of poor lighting in the general mail sorting area, so we will seek to remediate those pressing issues to make
the place tolerable until such time as a permanent location is identified and addressed... “In the meantime, we will address the urgent matters, we want them to know that help is on the way,” Mr Campbell had said earlier.
AFTER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis said the financial services sector was ‘dying’ while speaking about the Commercial Enterprises Bill, readers gave their reaction on tribune242.com. Observer2 was against the Bill: “The FNM should hold their heads in shame for passing the Commercial Enterprises Bill. This bill will greatly benefit foreigners with only a ‘trickle down’ impact for Bahamians. It may benefit the blue collar trades but professionals will be negatively impacted.” OldFort2012 agreed: “The foreigners are a huuuuge problem. They are all queuing up to swamp a market of 300,000 people with an average wage of $21,000, as opposed to staying in US or Canada, with a combined market of 400 million and twice the income. How is it that Minnis can’t see that? It is obvious! Must be the bad Bahamian education system. He never learnt the maths.” But there was this from BahamaPundit: “The Bill is no big deal and nothing very new has changed. The only thing of note is that the 500K threshold has been reduced to 250K for international investment. All of these sectors were open to international investment previously. What is all the fuss about? I can only imagine it is due to Bahamians not having read or understood the previous laws in place.” • In our latest online poll, we asked readers if they were in favour of the Commercial Enterprises Bill. At the time of going to press, 53 per cent of those voting said they backed the Bill. The poll is still open to don’t miss your chance to vote on the tribune242.com homepage.
PAGE 10, Tuesday, November 28, 2017
TRUMP MAKES POCAHONTAS JIBE DURING NAVAJO EVENT
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump returned to his own kind of code talking Monday by deriding Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren as “Pocahontas” at a White House event honoring Native American war heroes. “You were here long before any of us were here,” Trump said as he honored three Navajo code talkers from World War II. And then he added, without naming Warren: “We have a representative in Congress who they say was here a long time ago. They call her Pocahontas. But you know what, I like you.” In fact, Trump deployed that nickname for the Massachusetts senator repeatedly during the 2016 presidential campaign and, as president, as recently as a Nov 3 tweet. Native American leaders have called Trump’s past attacks on Warren offensive. Trump made the comment as he stood near a portrait of President Andrew Jackson, known for signing the Indian Removal Act of 1830, in which the Cherokee Nation was removed from its lands.
POPE MEETS SUN KYI OVER REFUGEES YANGON, Myanmar (AP) — Pope Francis spends his first full day in Myanmar traveling to the country’s capital Tuesday to meet with the civilian leader, Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, a day after hosting the military general in charge of the crackdown on the country’s Muslim Rohingya minority. Francis’ speech to Suu Kyi, other Myanmar authorities and the diplomatic corps in Naypyitaw is the most anticipated of his visit, given the outcry over the crackdown, which the US and UN have described as a campaign of “ethnic cleansing” to drive out the Rohingya from northern Rakhine state. The operation, launched in August after Rohingya militants attacked security posts, has sent more than 620,000 Rohingya into neighboring Bangladesh, where they have reported entire villages were burned and looted, and women and girls were raped.
THE TRIBUNE
Prince Harry to marry Meghan Markle LONDON Associated Press NEWLY-engaged Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on Monday lifted the secrecy that had shrouded their 18-month romance, revealing they met on a blind date, bonded during a camping trip under the stars in Botswana and that Harry proposed over a roast chicken dinner at their London home, getting down on one knee to pop the question. Speaking just hours after the couple’s engagement was announced by palace officials acting on behalf of Prince Charles, Harry said he was thrilled when she said yes, and he placed an engagement ring of his own design on her finger that included two diamonds that had belonged to his mother, Princess Diana, set alongside a large central diamond from Botswana. “Just an amazing surprise,” said the 36-year-old Markle, an American actress known for her role in the TV legal drama “Suits”. ‘’It was so sweet and natural and very romantic.” Did she hesitate? Not if Harry can be trusted. “She didn’t even let me finish,” the 33-year-old prince said of his betrothed. “She said ‘Can I say yes, can I say yes?’ And then there were hugs and I had the ring in my finger and I was like ‘Can I, can I give you the ring?’ She goes, ‘Oh yes, the ring.’” The couple said they plan to marry in the spring, and Harry — fifth in line for the British throne — said he hopes to start a family. They seemed very much aglow as they sat on a sofa
during their first ever joint interview and described their long-distance courtship, with Markle busy filming in Canada and Harry fulfilling royal duties in Britain. They said they saw each other every two weeks, despite the pressure and put their relationship first. Markle, whose mother is African-American and whose father is white, said she had been “disheartened” when early press coverage about their relationship focused on her mixed-race background. But she seemed thrilled to be joining the royal family and spoke glowingly about Harry’s brother Prince William, his wife Kate and other senior royals. They will live in Nottingham Cottage on the grounds of Kensington Palace, where Harry proposed and where they will be neighbors with William and Kate. Markle has already brought one of her rescue dogs from Canada, while the other is staying with a friend for now. In many ways, their story mirrors those of engaged couples everywhere — with some crucial differences. When they first went on vacation together, it was a five-day camping trip in the wilderness of Botswana — where one hopes the royal protection officers gave them some space. And when Markle met Harry’s grandmother for tea, she was sitting down with Queen Elizabeth II, the longest-reigning monarch in British history. Markle said they managed to date for five or six months before the media found out, giving them an “amazing” amount of
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle pose for the media in the grounds of Kensington Palace in London, on Monday. It was announced that Prince Harry, fifth in line for the British throne, will marry American actress Meghan Markle in the spring, confirming months of rumors. Photo: Eddie Mulholland/Pool via AP privacy as they got to know each other. She said she knew very little about the royal family when a mutual friend suggested a blind date with Harry. Markle had only one question: “Is he nice?” Their first date, for a drink, went well and they quickly decided to meet again. Harry said it took three or four weeks to persuade Markle to join him in Botswana. For his part, Harry said
he had never watched the TV show “Suits” and hadn’t heard of Markle. But when he met her, he said he quickly realised he would have to “up my game” if he was to have a chance. “Taking that huge leap of only two dates and then going effectively on holiday together in the middle of nowhere and, you know, sharing a tent together and all that kind of stuff. It was ... fantastic. It was absolutely amazing to get
to know her as quickly as I did,” Harry said. The rugged red-headed prince, an army veteran whose one-time bad-boy image has been superseded by his tireless devotion to wounded veterans and his embrace of charitable causes, has said for several years that he wants to start a family, and rumors of his engagement to Markle had been flying for months, fueled by reports she was leaving her television show.
MOUNT Agung volcano erupts in Karangasem, Bali, Indonesia, on Tuesday. Photo: Firdia Lisnawati/AP
VOLCANO ERUPTS ON BALI KARANGASEM, INDONESIA Associated Press
A VOLCANO gushing towering columns of ash closed the airport on the Indonesian tourist island of Bali for a second day Tuesday, disrupting travel for tens of thousands, as authorities renewed their warnings for villagers to evacuate. Mount Agung has been hurling clouds of white and dark gray ash about 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) above its cone since the weekend and lava is welling in the crater, sometimes reflected as an orange-red glow in the ash plumes. Its explosions can be heard about 12 kilometers (7 1/2 miles) away. The local airport authority said Tuesday that closure for another 24 hours was required for safety reasons.
Volcanic ash poses a deadly threat to aircraft, and ash from Agung is moving south-southwest toward the airport. Ash has reached a height of about 30,000 feet as it drifts across the island. Indonesia’s National Disaster Mitigation Agency raised the volcano’s alert to the highest level Monday and expanded an exclusion zone to 10 kilometers (6 miles) from the crater in places from the previous 7 1/2 kilometers. It said a larger eruption is possible, though a top government volcanologist has also said the volcano could continue for weeks at its current level of activity and not erupt explosively. Agung’s last major eruption in 1963 killed about 1,100 people. Authorities have told 100,000 people to leave homes that are in close proximity to the volcano,
though as of Monday tens of thousands stayed because they felt safe or didn’t want to abandon livestock. They have also warned people of the danger of mudflows from the volcano as it’s now rainy season in Bali. Villager Putu Sulasmi said she fled with her husband and other family members to a sports hall that is serving as an evacuation center. “We came here on motorcycles. We had to evacuate because our house is just 3 miles from the mountain. We were so scared with the thundering sound and red light,” she said. The family had stayed at the same sports centre in September and October when the volcano’s activity was high but it didn’t erupt then. They had returned to their village about a week ago.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, November 28, 2017, PAGE 11
SAC alumni group launches projects THE newly elected executive board of the SAC Alumni Association (SACAA) is wasting no time in getting down to work. The newly elected team of Stephen Godfrey Robinson, president, Cherelle Cartwright, vice-president, Sharmaine Goodman Davis, secretary, Avinel Rutherford, treasurer, and Paul Frazier Jr, assistant Treasurer, is determined to start the executive term off with a bang. Toward this end, despite just having been elected on October 26, plans are already underway
for the committee’s first two fundraisers namely: “A Night Under The Stars”, which promises to be a memorable, fun filled event, and a raffle with fantastic prizes and surprises. “Everyone is very enthusiastic, energised and committed to ensuring that we have a very vibrant and active alumni. We especially want to build on the wonderful work done by the outgoing executive members, as we continue to grow our participation by SAC alumni and increase our support, financial and otherwise, to our beloved
alma mater,” said Mr Robinson. He also said money raised will go toward creating scholarships for deserving students, and upgrading the academic and sporting facilities at the school, among other necessities. Thus all alumni, friends and family of alumni and general supporters of St Augustine’s College are urged to support SACAA’s efforts to assist an institution which played an integral part in shaping who many alumni have become. Stay tuned for more information on upcoming events.
FROM left are Stephen Robinson, Cherelle Cartwright, Sharmaine Goodman Davis, Avinell Rutherford and Paul Frazer Jr, members of the SAC Alumni Association (SACAA).