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Volume: 121 No.9, December 1, 2023

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HEAD BOY LOCKED UP UNLAWFULLY $50k damages after student behind bars for 17 hours and missed BGCSE examinations

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net THE head boy of Westminster College was arrested, forced to sleep on the floor while in custody for 17 hours, and made to miss several BGCSE exams in what a Supreme Court judge ruled was a case of unlawful arrest and false imprisonment, awarding him $50,120 in damages and

Oh, Christmas tree, how lovely are your branches?

$12,000 in costs.

Justice Camille DarvilleGomez rejected the Office of the Attorney General’s argument that officers had reasonable suspicion that Demiko Rolle, Jr, had committed a crime when they arrested the then 17-year-old at his Adelaide residence in 2020.

After considering the facts of the case, the judge SEE PAGE FIVE

DELEGATES at COP28 agreed to introduce a loss and damage fund for small island developing states and other vulnerable territories such as The Bahamas to recover from storms, floods, and other adverse weather events influenced by climate change.

“We trust that this promise will turn into reality as the days go on with our negotiations and discussions with world leaders who are here with us,” Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said yesterday in a video message from Dubai, where COP28 is being held.

“The key here is to SEE PAGETHREE

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net A MAN assaulted Free National Movement vice chairman Richard Johnson outside the party’s headquarters last night, disrupting the meeting that was happening inside and causing police to get involved.

Mr Johnson told The Tribune he was talking to FNM members outside when someone came out of nowhere and hit him across his head, prompting him to defend himself.

He said people separated the two, but the man got away. He said he had never seen the man before.

He filed a complaint at the Wulff Road Police

CLIMATE IMPACT FUND AGREED AT COP28 DUBAI CONFERENCE

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net

VICE-CHAIRMAN ASSAULTED OUTSIDE FNM HEADQUARTERS

SEE PAGE FIVE

CHRISTMAS tree lighting ceremony took place in Rawson Square last night. For more photos see PAGE SEVEN. Photo: Dante Carrer

TIGER HAS A ROUGH TOURNAMENT START

BACSWN COULD LAND BAHAMAS MILLIONS IN US-CERTIFIED AVIATION CARBON CREDITS A BAHAMIAN company is in the international spotlight after an interview with a US TV network.

Lyrone Burrows, the president and CEO, of Bahamas Aviation, Climate and Severe Weather Network (BACSWN) was interviewed as part of preparations for COP28, the United Nations climate change conference.

BACSWN’s $427m

LYRONE BURROWS, the president and CEO of BACSWN being interviewed by US TV. first-of-its-kind

climate and severe weather sensing and tracking system, with the technical capabilities of the US Centre for Atmospheric Research and the “unparalleled weather forecasts” of Tomorrow.io, offers 3D impact-based simulations, and gives nations the opportunity – and could give The Bahamas the first

aviation,

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE THREE

BEST OF THE BEST REGATTA BEGINS

SEE SPORTS FOR STORIES

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 1, 2023, PAGE 3

Climate impact fund agreed at COP28 Dubai conference from page one ensure that the industrialized world recognize their responsibility to small island developing states like ours, recognise that they have to have a moral obligation, and we’re trying to convert that moral obligation qualification into a legal and enforceable obligation to provide funding for loss and damage as a result of hurricanes and other devastating events related to climate change, and that’s where we are heading.”

Mr Davis also spoke at the launch of The Bahamas Sustainable Investment Programme, an initiative, he said, that will help the country “survive an era of super-charged storms by creating super-charged, win-win investment partnerships.”

“Along with our strategic advisors, Resilience Capital Ventures, we will work with regional and global capital market leaders to underwrite and put in place an innovative financing facility,” he said.

“We aim to secure a facility of 500m US dollars in the first instance. Our priorities for this fund include spending to make our infrastructure more climate-resilient, our transition to clean energy, conservation of our coastal zones, reduction in biodiversity loss, regenerative agriculture, carbon sequestration, and participation in natural asset-backed carbon credit programmes. Blended finance is a smart way to close the climate financing gap at a time when solutions cannot be postponed.”

Minister Jerome Fitzgerald, Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of the Prime Minister, said the programme was carefully designed by Resilience Capital Ventures (RCV) in collaboration with policy teams.

PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis in Dubai for COP28.

Photo: OPM

Halkitis says country’s fiscal MUNROE DEFENDS BOTH MONITORING COMPANY AND POLICE AFTER CRITICISM position stronger than last year

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe defended both the company that monitors people on bail and police who respond to notifications about bail violations after both groups were criticised.

Carlos Reid, a consultant in the Ministry of National Security, told The Tribune that Metro Security Solutions is doing an ineffective job monitoring people on bail, contributing to the high number of murders among people on bail. But Orin Bethel, the president of the company, said police sometimes do not respond to the company’s notifications and that people on bail sometimes turn up dead days after police are notified.

Defending the police, Mr Munroe said yesterday: “Quite frankly, police have many things to do.”

“Most people could say they’ve made reports to the police that haven’t been followed up as they think they

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe should have. So yes, Metro does report to the police violations. Yes, the police do follow up. Whether it’s within the timeframe that Metro thinks is efficient is a different question.”

Mr Munroe noted that police bring numerous people to court for breaching bail conditions and that magistrates may fine the offenders, revoke their bail, or award imprisonment for breaches.

Mr Munroe said if breaches were found with Metro Security Solutions,

the contract could be terminated if needed.

He said he hadn’t received complaints from the Royal Bahamas Police Force concerning defects in the monitoring system, adding that the lack of official complaints must mean police are satisfied with the service.

“Having an ankle bracelet doesn’t stop people coming to kill you and the police, that’s a big case they make,” he said. “When you get out on bail, sadly, the statistics show that quite often people are coming to kill you, and it would be better if they not be granted bail. The ankle bracelet will just show us where to find them and when something happens who was in the area, but it won’t stop people doing foolishness.”

Forty-two per cent of murder victims in 2023 have been people killed while on bail, according to Carlos Reid, a consultant in the Ministry of National Security. Police Commissioner Clayton Fernander has described bail for serious crimes as a death sentence.

BACSWN COULD LAND BAHAMAS MILLIONS IN US-CERTIFIED AVIATION CARBON CREDITS

LYRONE BURROWS, the president and CEO, of Bahamas Aviation, Climate and Severe Weather Network (BACSWN) was interviewed as part of preparations for COP28, the United Nations climate change conference. from page one chance to avail themselves of US certified aviation carbon credits (emissions savings).

The BACSWN collaboration with NCAR could bring in millions of metric tons in US certified aviation carbon credits.

COP28 is being held

from November 30 until December 12 in Dubai.

A delegation from The Bahamas including Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis is also in attendance.

By LETRE SWEETING Tribune Staff Reporter lsweeting@tribunemedia.net ECONOMIC Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis said the country’s fiscal position is stronger than last year.

His comment came after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that after its annual Article IV consultation with The Bahamas that the country’s fiscal deficit would likely be almost three times higher than the government forecast.

He said more attention should be given to the positive projections the IMF made about the country.

“When we had the closing meeting with the IMF at the conclusion of their mission, that was the most positive closing meeting I have ever had with the IMF, and I have been doing this for 15 years,” he said during a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday.

“To have them endorse our position that our economy will be growing faster is very, very important.”

Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis told The Tribune earlier this week that he was shocked by the IMF’s deficit projections.

Explaining the prime minister’s reaction, Mr

ECONOMIC AFFAIRS MINISTER MICHAEL HALKITIS Halkitis said: “When all of us came out of the meeting, it was like, ‘wow, that was the most positive meeting we’ve ever had’. Then, to see a reaction to something and that they have a different projection than we do, we didn’t go in-depth about this piece of information. That is what he meant.

It wasn’t raised in that meeting.”

The IMF is projecting that the country’s economy will grow by 2.3 per cent this year, up from its previous 1.8 per cent projection.

Mr Halkitis said this should be the key takeaway from the IMF report.

“They also said they endorsed our policies so far, particularly as it relates to the debt,” he added.

“What has dominated the discussion is this assertion by the IMF that they think

we will not meet our deficit targets for 2024, not that we have missed any targets so far in our administration.

As a matter of fact, we have met or exceeded all of our projections.”

“We think that we will have a budget deficit of 0.9 per cent in this budget year that concludes June 30, 2024. They think we will have a budget deficit of 2.6 per cent. And so it is a difference of opinion.

“We think we can do it.

Our optimism is backed up by the strength of the economy, which is backed up by the IMF revising our growth rate upward and also backed up by the just released information by the BNSI. “Even in what we consider their worst-case scenario, we are way ahead of last year.”

PAGE 4, Friday, December 1, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

‘Agriculture Crown land leases where shanty homes are built will be ended’

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder said the government would terminate agriculture-related Crown land leases if shanty towns have been built on the properties.

He was responding to a question about whether the Davis administration would go after landlords who charge shanty town dwellers rent, facilitating the expansion of such unregulated communities.

“Well, certainly one would think that they’re not properly registered for what their undertaking from a business licence point of view, and they would have a series of violations on that revenue side as well as land use,” Mr Pinder said during a press briefing at the Office of The Prime Minister yesterday.

“But also, an important component that we’re looking to enforce is that a lot of shanty towns or some of them, I should say, especially the ones in some Family Islands, are on Crown land that is leased to Bahamians.

“For instance, agricultural land, we know of a few that are leased property to Bahamians for agricultural purposes, but being utilized with shanty towns on them, which is a clear violation of the lease.

“We’re looking to enforce that to terminate those leases.”

The Unregulated Communities Action Task Force began demolishing structures in the Kool Acres shanty town area last month. Demolition in the All Saints Way shanty town began earlier this week.

In addition to those communities, shanty towns in Marsh Harbour, Abaco, and elsewhere in New Providence are expected to become targets for the government.

Officials working on legislation to eliminate inequalities in citizenship access, says AG

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder said officials are working at legislation that would eliminate inequalities related to citizenship access.

The Davis administration has long promised to amend the Bahamas Nationality Act to accomplish this, but has not given a timeline.

The Privy Council affirmed in May that children born to Bahamian fathers are Bahamians at birth, regardless of their mother’s nationality.

People born outside The Bahamas to a Bahamian mother and foreign father are not automatically

citizens.

Additionally, Bahamian women do not have the same rights as men when it comes to allowing the foreigner they marry to get citizenship.

During a press conference at the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday, Mr Pinder said a final review is being done on the proposed legislation.

“I would say standby,” he said.

“You should be informed of some things very shortly. We’re working on a framework, an amendment to the legislation that deals solely with the remaining areas of inequalities that exist. We’re finalising that now, doing final review, and hopefully, we’ll meet before cabinet in the coming weeks on that issue.”

ATTORNEY GENERAL RYAN PINDER

Marijuana legislation to be tabled ‘hopefully in January’ says Pinder

By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net ATTORNEY General Ryan Pinder said he hopes marijuana legislation will be tabled in the House of Assembly in January.

He had previously said the legislation would be debated in Parliament before the end of the year.

But yesterday, he said officials want to hold one more public consultation.

“We have some feedback that we’re taking into account now for some modifications to the regime,” he said during a press briefing at the Office of the Prime Minister, describing the considerations as very limited.

“Some have written in with some good points that we’re considering, so we’re going to be adjusting that a little bit and then looking at probably, hopefully, in January to table in the House of Assembly.”

The administration has missed its previous timelines related to the legislation.

In 2022, Mr Pinder said legislation would be advanced within the first six months of the new year, but that did not happen.

Draft legislation was released in August. It is unclear whether the Davis administration will adopt recommendations from the Rastafarian

community to broaden the bills’ religious exemptions.

According to the legislation, Rastafarian organisations could get a religious use licence to distribute cannabis to members as a sacrament, but the substance could only be used on the premises for which the licence or exempt event permit is issued.

People with a religious use license could permit the smoking or other use of cannabis to members of that place of worship as a sacrament within the place of worship. But Rastafarian leaders say these rules are too restrictive, noting most local practitioners do not use cannabis in tabernacles.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 1, 2023, PAGE 5

Head boy locked up unlawfully from page one said there was “great suspicion” over why the boy was arrested.

According to the judgement, Mr Rolle claimed he was hanging out with friends on September 14, 2020, when he argued with a man known as Carroll.

He claimed Carroll threw rocks at him, prompting him to throw a stone “to scare him”.

He said some of Carroll’s family members then approached him and his friends, including a police officer believed to be related to Carroll, who told him that he and his friends would be arrested.

He said two days later, several police cars swarmed his yard with flashing lights. Some officers had guns strapped on them, pistols on their sides and wore body cameras.

He said officers banged on his house door, which his mother opened after police showed Demiko Rolle, Sr, a search warrant.

He said he felt humiliated as he was handcuffed, escorted by police, and thrown in the trunk of a black SWAT police jeep in front of his neighbours.

He said two of his friends were also put in the jeep’s trunk, causing discomfort because the three were jammed together.

He said he was not told of his right to speak to his parents or hire an attorney and was not given a document to sign at the Airport Police Station.

“He laid on the cement floor and barely slept, and he was highly concerned about his health as the COVID-19 pandemic was going on and he was subjected to laying on the unclean cement floor in a small, indoor, enclosed environment along with other persons at risk of contracting COVID-19,” the judge wrote.

Mr Rolle testified that he couldn’t take his scheduled BGCSE history exam the next morning because he was in custody.

Although he was released around 2.15pm on September 17, he claimed he was never told the reason for his arrest, never questioned about criminal activity and missed his biology BGCSE exam.

“Also,” Justice DarvilleGomez wrote, “due to his experience with the police, he was so mentally distressed and shaken that he was unable to sit the BGCSE examinations the following day for math and English Language.”

“His arrest and detention in police custody caused him extreme embarrassment and humiliation in front of his neighbours and strangers as well as temporary mental stress.”

“He suffered financial loss as a result of having to pay to sit his BGCSE in 2021 and additional mathematics lessons.”

Several police witnesses testified during the trial: Inspector Akeem Wilson, Sergeant Hurvis Curtis, Jr, Constable Jeraldo Frazer and Sergeant Craig

Thompson.

Insp Wilson said officers allowed Mr Rolle’s parents to read the search warrant, which was for firearm and dangerous drugs. He also testified that an unlicensed shotgun was recovered from the bedroom of the plaintiff’s father.

The father reportedly said the gun’s licence expired during the pandemic and police instructed him what to do about this.

Constable Frazer testified that the youth was held in custody for suspected participation in organised crime and was released when instructions came from senior police officers.

Sgt Thompson claimed the boy was informed of his right to communicate with a parent and get a lawyer, but refused to sign the acknowledgement form.

Rejecting the defendants’ claims, the judge noted the search warrant was for dangerous drugs, firearms and ammunition but that the warrant did

not specify whether the subject was the boy or his father.

She noted the father admitted to owning a firearm, but there was contradictory evidence about whether the weapon was confiscated, and the father was never arrested.

She said after searching the premises and not finding dangerous drugs, firearms and ammunition, the officers had no reason to suspect the plaintiff of a crime connected to the search warrant.

She said police produced no evidence showing they reasonably suspected the boy was involved in organised crime.

She also noted the plaintiff was never questioned or interviewed about any offence while in police custody.

“This raised great suspicion as to the true reason for the arrest,” she wrote.

“Further, this calls into question the grounds upon which the search warrant for dangerous drugs,

firearms and ammunition was issued by a Justice of the Peace.”

Mr Rolle, Jr, sought damages for breaches of his constitutional rights, special, exemplary, aggravated, and punitive damages. He sought $80k for compensatory damages, $50k for exemplary damages, plus special damages of $120.

Ultimately, the judge awarded him $35,000 in compensatory damages for unlawful arrest and false imprisonment, $15,000 for exemplary damages and $120 in special damages.

She did not grant him damages for constitutional relief, finding his case did not have the “special features” that justify such awards.

“The plaintiff was a 17 year student and head boy at Westminster College,” she wrote, noting there was no evidence that he was “known to the criminal system”.

Bjorn Ferguson represented the plaintiff.

WSC worker denies being coerced to testify against Gibson

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net A SENIOR employee at the Water and Sewerage Corporation denied a defence attorney’s suggestion yesterday that she was coerced into giving evidence against Adrian Gibson and his co-accused to avoid being charged in the case.

As Ian Cargill cross-examined her yesterday, Dedrie Taylor told jurors she cooperated with police because she was a law-abiding citizen.

She admitted earlier this week that police questioned her for suspected fraud last year.

“I’m going to suggest to you that you had one choice –– either do what the police

wanted you to do or you were going to be charged just like all of these innocent people in here,” Mr Cargill said.

Mrs Taylor responded: “The only thing I did is answer the question police asked of me.”

Mr Cargill, who represents Elwood Donaldson, also asked the witness about her testimony concerning WSC water tanks that were painted.

Recalling Mrs Taylor’s testimony that work was unnecessary on the tanks, Mr Cargill asked if she had ever seen the condition of the tanks, to which she said no.

“I didn’t know what condition those tanks were in. I just got quotes for the general painting,” she said.

ADRIAN GIBSON Asked how she concluded the tanks didn’t need painting without seeing the units, Mrs Taylor said there was no PL99 form.

“You are an engineer.

Vice-Chairman assaulted outside FNM headquarters from page one Station last night.

FNM chairman Dr Duane Sands confirmed the incident, saying he did not witness it, but was told Mr Johnson “was struck and then dragged”.

“The only thing I can say is we condemn any or all sorts of violence,” he said.

“It’s inconsistent with our ethos and our culture. We would wish for the police, who were called and were

present very quickly, to investigate, and wherever the chips may fall, so be it.

“We don’t know what the circumstances are or who this individual is. None of the leadership does. We don’t know the nature of the altercation, but we look forward to a complete police investigation, and once investigated, whatever actions they deem appropriate, we will support.”

Mr Johnson sued the FNM after executives

unanimously barred him from council meetings.

Earlier this year, Supreme Court Justice Deborah Fraser instituted an injunction preventing the party’s leaders from barring him from council meetings until she has addressed the substantive matter. She also ordered Mr Johnson and party leaders not to personally attack each other or other FNM members in public until she has ruled on the lawsuit.

You are a supervisor in the department,” Mr Cargill said, interrupting the witness.

“You came to the conclusion that the work was not necessary. You never saw the tanks. You never saw the condition of those tanks.

You never saw the pictures of those tanks, so you could therefore not say the work was not necessary.”

Mrs Taylor said she didn’t know the answer.

Mr Cargill had the witness shown photos of the water tanks.

Mrs Taylor admitted that

she saw corrosion at the top of the tanks.

When asked if her initial position remained the same, the senior employee said yes, adding only urgent work was needed.

She said painting the tanks wasn’t urgent because they were not leaking.

Mr Cargill recalled Mrs Taylor’s testimony about Mr Donaldson and Mr Gibson not being pleased with the work done by Top Notch, one of the companies given a contract.

“As a result of him not being pleased and you not being pleased, they then terminated that contract and hired someone else. Am I not correct?” Mr Cargill asked.

Mrs Taylor said that as Baha Maintenance had subcontracted Top Notch, they would’ve had to terminate the contract.

Mrs Taylor agreed that a satisfactory job was done on the tanks.

Mr Cargill then suggested that Baha Maintenance did more work for less than what they were paid.

Crown Prosecutor Cordell

Frazier asked Mrs Taylor if she had received information that the painting was a government project.

She said she did not.

Ms Frazier asked her if Top Notch was fired initially.

Mrs Taylor said they were not and could not say why.

Mr Gibson is on trial for allegedly failing to declare his interest in contracts awarded to various companies.

He is charged with Mr Donaldson Jr, Peaches Farquharson, Rashae Gibson, Joan Knowles and Jerome Missick.

Together, the group face 98 charges, including conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, fraud, receiving and money laundering.

They have denied all of the allegations.

Damian Gomez, KC, Murrio Ducille, KC, Bryan Bastian, Ryan Eve, Raphael Moxey, Christina Galanos, Cargill and Donald Saunders represent the defendants.

Meanwhile, Ms Frazier, Cashena Thompson, Karine MacVean and Rashied Edgecombe are the Crown’s prosecutors.

PAGE 6, Friday, December 1, 2023

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Promising action at start of COP28 THE United Nations climate conferences – of which COP28 is the latest incarnation – have perhaps too often been seen as talking shops. Lots of talking, not as much doing.

So it is promising that the latest event began with progress.

Delegates at the event in Dubai agreed to introduce a loss and damage fund. This would be for small island development states and other vulnerable territories. That includes us. The Bahamas has certainly been among nations affected by climate change – as the impact of storms such as Hurricane Dorian can show.

These climate conferences have been fertile ground for Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis. His speech at the Glasgow-held event, COP26, sparked international headlines and announced the then-new Prime Minister on the international stage.

At the time, he said: “We are out of time, colleagues. A recent study declared that The Bahamas had the cleanest air in the world. Other studies have shown that our distinctive, beautiful, aquamarine seas are a magnificent carbon sink. Our seas reduce the amount of carbon in the atmosphere. The Bahamas is not now and never has been the problem. But yet we are forced to pay the price.”

He told the conference: “We in The Bahamas will do what we can,” he said, “but the limits of what our nation’s effort can accomplish are stark: we cannot outrun your carbon emissions, we cannot outrun the hurricanes which are growing more powerful, and we cannot outrun rising sea levels, as our islands disappear beneath the seas.”

In this column, we applauded his words – as we have applauded a succession of Prime Ministers who have

spoken out about the dangers of climate change and the existential threat it brings to The Bahamas.

We also said at the time that beyond words we hoped there would be action, saying that we hoped that he could help to bring about the real action that is needed to help us all.

So to see the start of this new conference begin with the agreement over the loss and damage fund is promising.

We must also be blunt, however.

The fund that has been agreed is not enough. Yet. The United Arab Emirates pledged $100m to the fund. So did Germany.

Add another £60m from the UK. The US contribution is somewhat smaller - $17.5m – while Japan adds $10m. All welcome, but when one considers the widely reported cost from Hurricane Dorian of $3.4bn, though that figure is thought to be short of the real cost by some margin, you can see those sums will not go far in the case of cataclysmic climate change damage.

But it is more than there was yesterday, and lays the foundation for more still. That start is an acknowledgement of the need to contribute to the costs of damage – now it’s a question of just how much.

Action should of course not just be on the international level but the local level, and we have our own actions we should take here at home to reduce emissions. If we are asking others to take action, we should lead by example where we can.

For years, we have seen these meetings held and then followed by an absence of action. This change may not be enough to make a radical difference – but it is progress, and that should be welcomed.

PRODIGAL Sons Junkanoo group performs on Bay Street for the Christmas tree lighting ceremony last night.

Photo: Dante Carrer

FNM’s downfall

by Pintard EDITOR, The Tribune.

THE Free National Movement (FNM), once a symbol of political strength and progress in the Bahamas, now languishes under the lackluster leadership of Michael Pintard. This period in the party’s history will likely be remembered as a time of missed opportunities, strategic blunders, and a glaring disconnect from the Bahamian electorate.

The recent by-election was more than a defeat; it was a resounding repudiation of the FNM’s relevance and resonance with the people of the Bahamas. This loss, in a constituency where success should have been well within reach, starkly highlights the party’s descent into political oblivion. The results were not just an indictment of their campaign strategy but a clear signal of the electorate’s growing disillusionment with a party that has lost its way.

Central to this decline is Michael Pintard’s leadership, or rather, the lack thereof.

Pintard, who ought to have been a unifying and visionary figure, has, in my opinion, proven to be anything but. His tenure is marked by a conspicuous absence of any inspiring vision or coherent strategy, leaving the party rudderless and the electorate disenchanted. In a political landscape that demands dynamism and

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net foresight, Pintard’s leadership is woefully inadequate, characterized by indecision, a lack of direction, and an inability to galvanize support.

The ‘Minnis factor’ only adds to the FNM’s woes.

The shadow of former Prime Minister Hubert Minnis looms large over Pintard’s leadership, creating a schism within the party that further undermines its unity and effectiveness. This internal power struggle is a distraction from the party’s core objectives and a testament to the current leadership’s inability to consolidate control and command respect within its own ranks.

Adding insult to injury is the FNM’s apparent crisis of accountability. Under Pintard’s leadership, there seems to be a refusal to confront the harsh realities of their political failings. This denialism is not just a leadership failure; it is an abdication of the responsibility to learn from past mistakes and adapt. The party’s refusal to acknowledge and critically address its shortcomings is a stark departure from the accountability that once defined its leadership.

Pintard’s approach towards the Progressive Liberal Party

(PLP) has been equally baffling. His perceived leniency and lack of assertive opposition are not just strategic missteps; they are betrayals of the party’s foundational principles of robust and principled opposition. This approach alienates the FNM’s base and emboldens a government that should be held to account.

The contrast between the FNM’s storied past and its present state under Pintard is not just disappointing; it is a tragic squandering of the party’s legacy. The current leadership has steered the party away from its historical ethos of transformation and effective governance, plunging it into a state of irrelevance and ineffectiveness.

In conclusion, the FNM’s current trajectory under Michael Pintard is a case study in how not to lead a political party. The party’s failure to adapt, its internal divisions, and a leadership devoid of vision and accountability, have collectively orchestrated its downfall. Without immediate and radical changes in leadership and strategy, the FNM risks becoming a footnote in the annals of Bahamian political history, a stark reminder of the consequences of political complacency and misdirection.

Samoa agreement good or not? Concerned over holiday season safety EDITOR, The Tribune.

THERE is presently a push to have the African, Caribbean, and Pacific countries sign on to a 20-year binding agreement with the European Union (EU). This is a revised version of two previous agreements that primarily dealt with trade between the regions, amongst other benefits.

However, the comprehensive breadth of the areas of focus under the new agreement, along with certain undefined terms, is real cause for concern.

The words ‘human rights’ and ‘gender equality’ have become battle grounds in our modern age. The EU uses these words that appear innocent and even worthy, but I believe that they are cloaks of deception. These words have

been used to weaponise the rights for abortion, comprehensive sexual education (CSE), same sex marriage, transgender rights, and others. This treaty will no doubt bring challenges to our values and culture about what we recognise as legitimate rights.

I believe the Bahamas will not allow the UN, WHO, and EU to dictate to us as a sovereign country what we believe is best for our people. We know the preamble to our constitution says that our individual rights as Bahamians are guaranteed by a national commitment to an abiding respect for Christian values.

The Bahamas will abide by our constitution and stand up against foreign entities that want us to adopt an ideology that is against our Judeo-Christian values that

our country is built on. Let the manner of our bearing be to trust the God of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, our God, to provide for us and rescue us from a world system that wants us to bow to their secular agenda, taking away our sovereignty, our freedom of choice, and sacrifice our conscience and constitution to their demands.

The Caribbean nations are being pressured to accept a treaty that I believe will harm our people. This proposed “economic advantage” is not worth the risk of harming our youth, the future of our country.

We are not a country for sale, neither will we be bullied into selling our birth rights and losing our souls.

ANDY KNOWLES Nassau, November 29, 2023.

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EDITOR, The Tribune.

GUESS I should be saying Season’s Greetings with just short of a month to go, before that big day Christmas, followed by the residual other holidays, a good rest time for some of the country’s essential staffers, well deserved, I think.

I am substantially more concerned though about the safety of the citizenry of The Bahamas, and how easy it is for them to become targets, ending victims of thieves, one of those aches, a pain in the pocketbooks of decent Bahamians being imperiled by the worst amongst us, who either refuse to work, or find it easier to await the

unsuspecting and proceed to relieve them of the proceeds of hard earned hours of work, all gone in a blink of an eye. Is that right?

We don’t think so and implore the Powers That Be, to move with haste, to redirect funds to this urgent caption requested of the governing party, so that in some meaningful way, it would help to ward off most, if not all of the crimes of theft that can likely take place this holiday season.

In conclusion, it is my hope very early in the new year 2024, if Father God delay His Coming, that the authorities find a way to introduce the national

THE GATEKEEPER Nassau, November 29, 2023.

service, even if only in the more troubled areas and the national crime index does highlight where they are, so that normalcy may return to the Commonwealth Of The Bahamas, which used be a crime free country - up until guns and ammunition were introduced.

It is my hope that in 2024, those Bahamians who have found it easier to wreak havoc on fellow citizens, and cause mayhem, defaming the good name of our country, will try to turn over a new leaf, ceasing in their criminal ways.

FRANK GILBERT Nassau, November 29, 2023.

THE TRIBUNE

MAN ACCUSED OF SEXUALLY ABUSING MENTALLY ILL WOMAN GETS BAIL

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A FORMER corrections officer was granted bail yesterday after he twice allegedly sexually abused a mentally ill woman this summer.

Justice Gregory Hilton heard the bail application of Christopher Gomez, 24, who faces two charges of unlawful sexual intercourse with a person suffering from a mental disorder.

The defendant appeared while on remand at the

Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Gomez is accused of twice having unlawful sexual relations with a mentally ill woman in New Providence between July 23 and August 1.

Justice Hilton set the defendant’s bail at $9,500 with one or two sureties.

Under the conditions of this bail, Gomez must sign in at the South Beach Police Station every Monday and Friday. He was warned not to contact the complainant or any witnesses.

His voluntary bill of

indictment (VBI), which transfers his matter to a Supreme Court judge for trial, is set for service on February 29, 2024.

A man accused of fatal shooting this October was also granted bail yesterday.

Justice Hilton heard the virtual bail application of Shaquille Smith, 27, for murder.

Smith and accomplices allegedly gunned down 44-year-old Dennis Basden as he tried to get to his Nissan Cube car on Tyler Street off Boyd Road on October 13.

The culprits reportedly fled the scene in a Nissan Note.

At the time of his death, Basden was on bail, accused of killing Taraz Hanna in Wilson Tract on June 30, 2015.

Justice Hilton set Smith’s bail at $30,000 with two or three sureties.

Under the terms of this bail, Smith must sign in at the Central Police Station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday by 6pm.

He must also obey a 9pm to 6am daily curfew.

His VBI will be served on January 25, 2024.

Friday, December 1, 2023, PAGE 7

MAN ACCUSED OF HAVING GUN AND AMMO GRANTED $9K BAIL

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was granted bail yesterday after he was allegedly found with the shell of a gun and 11 rounds of ammunition last week.

Magistrate Lennox Coleby charged Vernon Davis, Jr, 20, with possession of a part of a

POSSESSION OF A GRAM OF WEED LEADS TO $1,300 FINE FOR MAN

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was fined $1,300 after admitting to having a gram of marijuana last weekend.

Magistrate Samuel McKinney charged Mauricio Hepburn, 31, with possession of dangerous drugs.

Hepburn was arrested after police found him with one gram of marijuana in New Providence on November 25.

After Hepburn pleaded

THE CHRISTMAS tree lighting ceremony at Rawson Square yesterday saw a variety of talent set the mood for the yueltide season, including Junkanoo, dance and music.

Photos: Dante Carrer

firearm and possession of ammunition.

Officers reportedly arrested Davis after they found a black Austria Glock .40 and 11 rounds of .40 ammunition on him in New Providence on November 26.

After pleading not guilty, the defendant’s bail was set at $9,000 with one surety.

Davis’s trial is set to start on January 24.

guilty, he was ordered to pay a fine of $1,300 or risk three months in prison.

Another man was fined $400 after he admitted to a separate drug charge.

Magistrate McKinney charged Lance Rose, 38, with possession of dangerous drugs.

Rose was arrested after police found him with eight grams of marijuana on November 26.

Following his guilty plea, Rose was ordered to pay a fine of $400 or risk one month in prison.

MAN ACCUSED OF STABBING ANOTHER MAN NEAR HIS EYE

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net A MAN was sent to Sandilands yesterday after he allegedly stabbed another man near his eyes outside Super Wash on Nassau Street earlier this week.

Magistrate Shaka Serville charged Quentin Johnson, 27, with grievous harm and vagrancy.

Johnson, while outside Super Wash on Nassau Street, allegedly stabbed

Charles Gibson with a blade on the side of his right eye on November 27.

While Johnson initially pleaded guilty to the charges, his mother indicated to the magistrate that the accused was a patient at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre.

Magistrate Serville then sent the accused to Sandilands for a psychological evaluation to see if he was fit to enter a plea.

Johnson must return to court for a report on December 11.

COP28 begins: From methane to money PAGE 8, Friday, December 1, 2023

By RACHEL KYTE University of Oxford

THE United Nations climate conference is underway in Dubai, and representatives from around the world will be confronting an extraordinary array of challenges over its two weeks. They carry with them some longheld – and new – grievances, and strong expectations.

Framing the agenda is a “global stocktake” – an assessment of progress toward the 2015 Paris Agreement to keep global warming in check.

Unsurprisingly, as recordbreaking extreme heat has underscored so powerfully in 2023, the world is not on track.

To cut emissions, progress is needed on national economic and fiscal policies, such as taxing pollution and ending subsidies for fossil fuels that are even higher today than before the pandemic, and on funds and commitments to speed a global energy and economic transformation.

Funding for adaptation and disaster recovery is also high on the agenda.

There is an undercurrent of deep scepticism in some quarters about the leadership of this year’s COP28 president, Sultan Ahmed al-Jaber, who also heads the United Arab Emirates’ national oil company.

Recent news reports suggest the UAE may have muddled its roles by seeking oil and gas deals with countries while at the same time presiding over negotiations of when – not if – to phase out fossil fuel emissions. Al-Jaber has denied

THE TRIBUNE

Four issues that will determine if the UN climate summit is a success

the allegation.

I have been involved in climate negotiations for several years as a former senior UN official. Here are four issues I’m watching that will indicate whether COP28 makes material progress.

STOPPING METHANE EMISSIONS

In 2021, 149 countries signed the Global Methane Pledge, with a vow to cut methane emissions 30% by 2030. Now, the world needs to see action, from everyone.

Durwood Zaelke, a veteran of multilateral environment negotiations, describes methane as global warming’s “blow torch”.

The greenhouse gas – and primary ingredient in natural gas – traps about 80 times more heat than carbon dioxide over the short term. But since it only lasts about a decade in the atmosphere, stopping methane emissions can have an immediate impact on global warming.

There is reason to expect progress on methane at COP28. Chinese and US officials announced in November that they would host a methane summit during the conference. And all eyes are on the UAE to see if it can flex its diplomatic muscles and bring remaining oil - and gasproducing countries – such as Turkmenistan, Iraq and Iran – to the table along with national oil and gas companies across the world.

Human activities account for about 60 percent of global methane emissions, with about a third of that coming from leaking fossil

CYCLONE FREDDY, one of the longest-lived cyclones on record in the Indian Ocean, caused widespread damage in Mozambique in 2023. The country has been hit hard by several destructive storms in recent years.

Photo: Thoko Chikondi/AP fuel equipment, gas flaring 75 percent this decade for investment in mitigation. gas emissions, or international solidarity taxes. For and abandoned oil and gas the world to stay within RESTORING INTEGexample, French President wells and coal mines, and the internationally agreed RITY IN CARBON Emmanuel Macron has another third from agri- limits of the Paris climate MARKETS signaled a willingness to culture. This year, for the agreement. first time, agriculture’s role The pressure is on the There has been growing explore international fees in climate change is a key UAE to broaden the indus- interest in the potential of on business class air travel, financial focus of the conference. try’s commitments to stop voluntary carbon markets international But fossil fuels are the best the leaks, to ensure that – now worth about US$2 transactions, bunker fuels target for cutting methane industry players make billion – to fund mitigation in shipping, and excess or emissions quickly. substantial financial contri- and adaptation in develop- windfall profits from fossil fuel companies. While The International butions to fund technical ing countries.

Energy Agency estimates help in developing counVoluntary carbon mar- supported by Kenya, Barmethane emissions from tries, and to turn pledges kets allow companies to bados and others, this new stream fossil fuels will have to fall into the foundation of a invest in projects such as potential binding international agree- protecting forests or install- of financing has yet to ment to zero out methane ing renewable energy and be embraced by the emissions. then count the expected US or other advanced emissions avoided as a drop economies.

PAYING FOR LOSS AND The UAE has worked in their own emissions.

DAMAGE But these markets have hard to galvanise the interDuring the 2022 climate come under fire as inves- national community to conference, nations agreed tigative reporting showed triple renewable energy and double to establish an international that many forest projects capacity Loss and Damage Fund to couldn’t deliver carbon energy efficiency by 2030. channel financial support to credits as promised and the Look for announcements vulnerable and low-income companies that bought the from the UAE of new countries that are facing credits weren’t cutting their investment funds to ramp up renewable energy. compounding climate dis- emissions.

In the last year, there asters, despite having done Many groups are worklittle to cause the climate ing to fix the problems, in has been an uptick in crisis. particular by establishing efforts to blend philanA proposal for how to principles and a code of thropic capital with public finance design that fund is now practices for “high-integ- development with negotiators at COP28 rity” markets. Under these and private investment for adoption, and no one is voluntary rules, companies to increase investment. I entirely happy with it. would commit to develop expect to hear announceThe proposal has a broad their own plans to transi- ments of new investment definition of who would be tion to net-zero emissions funds, not just for energy, allowed to draw from the and only use projects to but also for nature protecfund, describing recipients offset the residual emis- tion and improvements in as “developing countries sions they cannot reduce food systems.

The UAE’s last dash that are particularly vul- on their own. diplomacy before nerable”. Countries that The UAE is keen to of were formally considered show how voluntary carbon COP28 focused on secur“developed” when climate markets can get more ing commitments to big and negotiations began in the finance flowing to develop- announcements the impasse 1990s would be “urged” ing countries. At the same breaking to pay into the fund, while time, however, no oil and between developing counother now-wealthy nations gas company has a cred- tries that need investment would be “encouraged” to ible pathway to net-zero and developed countries contribute. emissions, so there will be that haven’t upheld their The proposal also names intense scrutiny of the qual- promises. But the scale of investment needed the World Bank as the trus- ity of any announcements. requires a whole of econtee for the fund’s first four FINDING INNOVATIVE omy approach this decade. years, a choice that some WAYS TO FINANCE It is the COP president’s developing nations argued EVERYTHING role to get everyone to puts too much power in the hands of wealthy nations.

Several proposals are raise their ambition and The Loss and Damage being floated to help fund act on it without delay.

Fund is just one stream of projects and recovery The result will determine financing for developing funds related to climate whether COP28, beyond splashy announcements, is countries. The conference change. needs to make progress on One is to charge fees a win for the world.

UÊOriginally published on funding adaptation more for “over consumption” generally, as well as driving that drives greenhouse www.theconversation.com

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 1, 2023, PAGE 9

‘Tis the season to be... WHAT?

‘TIS the season to be jolly, deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la la la la la, or so the song goes, but as a friend reminded me it’s also the season for something else – licensing firearms.

Before I go into how I feel about these instruments of potential mass destruction, let me be right up front with you. I don’t know a thing about guns. They simply don’t interest me like words do or emotions. It’s not that they are necessarily bad in and of themselves and I know they are only dangerous when in the wrong hands, but I simply don’t care about them. What made me tackle the subject this week that is so distant to any realm of interest or knowledge started with a phone call.

“Hi Di,” said the familiar voice who is often good for a story lead, “a short one for you today.

Did you know that this is gun licensing season and you can license semi-automatic and automatic weapons in The Bahamas?”

Not ever having owned either of those, I did not know it was time to renew licenses for them nor would I know what they looked like but it did pique my curiosity and I recalled a letter I wrote to a friend in the US shortly after I moved here some 40 years ago.

“The Bahamas,” I wrote, “is such a peaceful place. The police are not armed, unless you consider those baseball bat

By Diane Phillips like things called Billy clubs that some of them carry armaments. There is no army. Strangers hail each other and it took a while to understand that uncle was an endearment lavishing respect and friend status to someone who may or may not have any blood relation whatsoever.”

I asked the friend, waiting patiently at the other end of the phone line while I was silently remembering the letter about a non-violent Bahamas, why anyone would need an automatic weapon in The Bahamas. You can’t use it to kill sharks, they are protected, thank heavens. Do you need it to hunt pigeons or ducks?

Isn’t that what a shotgun is for, the kind you pull the trigger, pump and fire, or in the semi-automatic version, pull once and get a few shots off and bring home dinner.

But an automatic weapon?

In The Bahamas?

An AK-47, an AR-14, a Gatlin gun, a gas-operated assault rifle like those used by rebels and soldiers in places where corruption and civil unrest threaten to unseat governments, destroy lives and

where those bearing such arms feel nothing when they burst into a house, building, community and slaughter women and children without remorse.

Why, oh why, would we ever permit automatic weapons in The Bahamas unless, of course, there were an underground business in them? What place would they possibly have, what purpose could they possibly serve in The Bahamas, a country dependent on tourism, an industry dependent on safety and security, where there is already a shameful record of more than 100 homicides involving guns per year for the last 10 years.

I could cite the statistics till you would be bored and toss this paper aside. I could compare our crime rates to those who have worse like Haiti, Jamaica and Trinidad and to the many who have far better like Antigua and Barbuda or Panama, less than half the crimes per 100,000 population of The Bahamas.

But the bottom line is this – if we are to achieve a more peaceful society, and a culture in which we are not afraid of the dark, the easiest thing to is rid

the island of guns, especially those high calibre gas operated assault rifles that are weapons meant to kill. They have no other purpose but to take lives.

Putting a stop to the guns won’t end gang warfare, nor give kids who hang out on the block with little but trouble to look forward to a better chance at success, but it will give many of us and the visitors we depend upon an opportunity to live a safer life.

The problem with guns is not just that they are dangerous in and of themselves but that they creep into society as the norm and change the culture around them, as if they were a magnet toward a more violent temperament with less self-control and more reliance on a finger and a trigger.

For Christmas, how about a full-on gun amnesty programme with substantial monetary reward. I personally don’t care who had the automatic weapons and how the person turning them in got them. They should not be legal and getting them off the street is a start. Then, it really can be season to license the guns for hunting or for certain businesspeople who need to protect themselves, obviously for law enforcement and the rest of us can wake up singing ‘Tis the season to be jolly’ without concern that it is the season for licensing deadly weapons meant to kill.

A week to remember two good men in media

EUGENE DUFFY

STEVE HAUGHEY

THE world of journalism is like a family, connected, no matter how far apart we are or where we are in the world searching for the right words to tell the important story. This week we remember two men who were part of that family, both of whom left us in the past year, untimely deaths leaving the media houses and the public they serve poorer for their absence.

On Monday, we mark the one-year anniversary of the death of Tribune managing editor Eugene Duffy, one of the toughest, hardest working journalists ever to hit The Bahamas. Gene sniffed a story, a lie, a wrong move like a hungry dog sniffs a steak and he never let go until he got to the meat. On December 7 we celebrate the life of Steve Haughey who died suddenly at age 59, leaving an emptiness in the halls of The Nassau Guardian and a sense of loss among all those in the world of media where he had served print and electronic publishers with quiet dignity and friendship as he managed the financial side of business. We remember them both with fondness and with gratitude.

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PAGE 10, Friday, December 1, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

ROTARY Club of East Nassau, seated from left: Kenrad Wilchombe, club vice president; Christian Knowles, president; Barry Rassin, chair of the Rotary Foundation; Lindsey Cancino, End Polio Now coordinator for the Caribbean and Mike Russell, chairman of Road to Peace and member of the White Ribbon committee.

AGATHA THOMPSON, media operations and channel administrator, Kiwanis Club of Over-TheHill (KCOTH) past president Quintin Percentie, Vinnette Gaitor – media operations manager, Megan Shepherd – OUR News reporter, David Burrows – vice president media, KCOTH president Dominique Gaitor and Dion Godet – head of media sales.

CANCER SOCIETY OF THE BAHAMAS

On Saturday, December 9, from 11am to 3pm, the Cancer Society’s Freedom Kids Support Group will hold its Annual Christmas Kids Party, featuring food, games, and gift giving.

Hosted by TradeZero International, this party will take place off the grounds of the Cancer Society and will be a fun-filled event for the members of our Freedom Kids Support Group and the Bahamas Sickle Cell Association, as they’ll be able to temporarily put their illness aside and experience the joy of the holiday season!

This week, during a press conference held at the Cancer Society’s headquarters, the Bahamas Chinese Dragon Boat Association donated proceeds from their 2nd Annual Bahamas Dragon Boat Festival, which saw many groups pump adrenaline through their veins as they raced across the beautiful waters of Goodman’s Bay! Recently, the Bahama Islands Co-operative Credit Union presented a donation to the Cancer Society, fueling efforts in providing much-needed assistance to Family Islanders who stay at our facility while undergoing cancer treatment in Nassau.

KIWANIS CLUB OF OVER-THE-HILL On Thursday, November 23, the Kiwanis Club of Over-The-Hill and the

JOIN THE CLUB OUR Clubs and Societies page is a chance for you to share your group’s activities with our readers.

To feature on our Clubs and Societies page, submit your report to clubs@tribunemedia.net, with “Clubs Page” written in the subject line.

For more information about the page, contact Stephen Hunt on 826-2242.

FROM left, RCN president Darren Bain and past president Captain Gus Roberts.

Cable Bahamas Media to continue our service to “Oh, Give Thanks”. It Department collaborated the community under our was a pleasure to serve and to provide groceries con- theme “Service with Pas- host Thanksgiving Dinner sisting of canned goods and sion & Strength”. for the folks at Unity cleaning supplies to three House this year. Unity families in the Englerston House is a Nursing Home community. At a time when here in The Bahamas so many families need assisthat caters to the Elderly tance, we were pleased to and disabled. It was an donate these items, with honour to bring Thanksour partner Cable Bahamas giving dinner to them, Media Department, and each person was served traditional Ham, Turkey, Stuffing, beets, peas and rice, and sweet corn. President of the Rotaract Club of East Nassau Camron K. Reckley stated that “One of Rotaract’s core values is to give back to the community, especially our Elders, those who paid it forward for us to be here, this is just one of the many examples of what the club is all about”. Rotaract Club of East Nassau’s motto is service above self!

ROTARACT CLUB OF EAST NASSAU

CSOB administrator Errin Storr (centre) receiving a donation from the Bahama Islands Co-operative Credit Union.

FROM left, Cancer Society of The Bahamas immediate past president Dr Williamson Chea, CSOB administrative assistant Omega Miller, CSOB administrator Errin Storr, CSOB president Rochelle Wilkinson, and representatives from the Bahamas Chinese Dragon Boat Association president Dr Christine Chin, vice president Susie Chan, and treasurers Windy Gardiner and Angie Ao.

ROTARY CLUB OF EAST NASSAU

The men in the Rotary Club of East Nassau marked the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism at their meeting on November 25 by wearing White Ribbons. This year’s 16 Days theme is “UNITE! Activism to end violence against women and girls”.

ROTARY CLUBS OF THE BAHAMAS It was a glittering night at the Annual Rotary Clubs of The Bahamas Foundation Gala, held this year at the Rosewood hotel. Rotarians and guests came together to celebrate the heartbeat of Rotary, the Rotary Foundation and to laud outstanding Rotarians and community leaders.

The Annual Peter Christie Heart of Rotary Award has, since its original launch in 2016, become a coveted award, with a

list of exceptional Rotarians taking it home. Each Rotary club nominates one of its members and the Nassau Club committee assesses and selects the final winner. That club then donates funds to the Foundation in the winner’s name.

The selection is kept secret until presentation night.

This year was a very tough choice but the award went to a stellar Rotarian - Rotary Club of New Providence 1988 charter member and former Bahamasair pilot Captain Augustine ’Gus’ Roberts.

Gus has been involved with several Rotary youth programmes, including sending Interactors to participate in Whitewater Seminars in Wisconsin and working with the Bahamas Model United Nations Committee’s annual high school debate (the winning school team goes to the UN to hear our Prime Minster address the assembled nations). His latest projects were during the COVID epidemic, when he ran the Vaccinations Centres at both Gladstone Road and the Mall at Marathon.

To a cheering crowd, the award was presented to PP Gus, as he is affectionately known, by David Kirkaldy, District Governor of Rotary District 7020 (the northern Caribbean) and Nassau Club President Darren Bain.

ABOVE and below, members of the Rotaract Club of East Nassau bringing Thanksgiving Dinner to Unity House.

SPORTS PAGE 11

NBA, Page 13

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2023

Regatta time again

CARL HIELD ON A ROLL Best-of-the-Best off to great start in Montagu Bay IN PRO BOUTS

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

T

he sixth Best of the Best Regatta lived up to the hype on day one of the sloop sailing event.

Skippers and their crew members were in top form on the waters at Montagu Bay, competing in Class A, B, C and E. Stefan Knowles, last year’s triple crown winner, had quite the day at the event. The top Long Island skipper earned first place finishes in Class A, B and C on the opening day of the sailing event.

In Class A, the Running Tide came out on top on the waters. Ed Sky placed second in the event and Ruff Justice finished in third place.

Class A was a crowdthriller yesterday at Montagu Bay. The Running Tide led all sloops from the beginning of the race.

The first lap of Class A concluded with the winning boat positioned in first, Silent Partner in second and Ed Sky in third.

However, in the second lap, a costly tack by Silent Partner ruined the momentum built and they veered away from the buoy.

Ed Sky then capitalised on their mistake and sailed into second place and remained there.

Silent Partner never recovered and ended fourth in the race.

Knowles talked about his day one performance on the waters in Class A with the Running Tide. “The

SEE PAGE 13

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

MAKO finished 2nd in the E Class on day one of the Best-of-the-Best Regatta in Montagu Bay. Photos by Patrick Hanna/BIS

SINCE making his professional debut in October, Bahamian boxer Carl Hield has been unstoppable.

On Tuesday, he emerged victorious in his third straight bout, this time against Colombia’s Edinson Jimenez in the super welterweight division at Fight Night 2 in Santa Marta, Colombia.

Hield now owns an unblemished 3-0-0 (win/ loss/draw) record in professional fights after knocking out his opponent in the third round once again.

The veteran boxer was grateful to have such a successful stretch over the last three matches and was happy with those that gave him a chance to prove himself.

“First of all I want to give God thanks and give a special thanks to Rueben Lopez, Saga Boxing and Cassidy Hernandez for giving me the opportunity to come down there with their arms wide open to help me with my pro career, “I am thankful that I was able to get another knockout on my opponent. I just go in there and do what I have to do. I do not go in looking for the knockout, I wait and let it come on

SEE PAGE 12

NPBA: HIGH FLYERS EARN VICTORIES

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net

TIGER WOODS HAS A SLOPPY FINISH ON THE GREEN: Tiger Woods held up just fine Thursday in his first time competing in eight months, except for limping at the end. That was more about his golf than his fused right ankle. Woods was holding his own at the Hero World Challenge until a double bogey from a bush on the par-5 15th, followed by two more bogeys.

The result was a 3-over 75, eight shots out of the lead and a score better than only two players in the 20-man field at Albany.

SEE THE FULL STORY AND MORE PHOTOS ON PAGE 12

THE Sand Dollar High Flyers division one and two teams added another victory to their win columns after defeating the Island Development Rebels and BIBT Great Whites on Wednesday night at the CI Gibson Gymnasium.

The High Flyers D1 team bested the Rebels 97-89 in their matchup. Meanwhile, the division two team closed out the Great Whites 85-79 to collect their first victory of the NPBA season.

SEE PAGE 13

UNLOCKING SPEED: THE SEVEN KEYS RELOADED BASEBALL COLLABORATES WITH GRAND TO PROPEL YOUR PERFORMANCE IN the pursuit of speed, athletes explore a multifaceted journey where various elements intertwine to propel them toward greater velocity. Here, we unravel the seven keys to unlocking your fastest self, backed by both empirical evidence and the synergy of scientific wisdom.

1. Body Composition: The Weight of Speed Optimal body composition is the cornerstone of speed. Scientific literature, including studies like those in the Journal of Sports Sciences, emphasizes the relationship between lean body mass and enhanced sprinting performance.

Maintaining a lean physique reduces resistance and improves power-to-weight ratio, allowing athletes to cut through the air with greater efficiency.

2. Adequate Sleep: The Restorative Engine The impact of sleep on athletic performance, especially speed, cannot be overstated. Quality sleep is linked to enhanced reaction time, a critical factor in sprinting. Research published in the journal Sleep supports the connection between sleep duration and sprint performance, highlighting the importance of a well-rested nervous system for explosive bursts of speed.

3. Motility and Range of Motion: The Limber Advantage Sprinters are akin to finely tuned machines, and their range of motion is the engine that propels them forward. Scientific studies, including those found in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, underscore the positive

DR KENT BAZARD correlation between flexibility and sprint performance. Optimal motility ensures that every stride is a full expression of power.

4. Sprint Mechanics and Techniques: Precision in Motion Sprint mechanics and technique are the sculptors of speed. Literature in the Journal of Sports Science & Medicine delves into the biomechanics of sprinting, emphasizing the importance of proper arm swing, foot strike, and posture.

Refining these mechanics not only optimises stride length but also reduces energy loss, fostering greater speed.

5. Strength and Weight Training: Power from Within Strength is the bedrock upon which speed is built.

Studies published in the Journal of Applied Biomechanics affirm the positive impact of strength training on sprint performance.

SEE PAGE 12

BAHAMA BASEBALL/SOFTBALL LEAGUES FOR FIRST TIME THE Reloaded Baseball executive team commuted to Grand Bahama earlier this week to meet with representatives of the Grand Bahama Little League and Legacy Baseball League.

After fruitful discussions, all parties decided it was best to collaborate for a baseball and softball tournament which will be held in January.

Peron Burnside, president of Reloaded Baseball, shared details about the successful meeting with Sonia Knowles, president of Legacy Baseball/Softball Association, along with coaches Dencil Wiliams, Ron Marshall, Oscar Green and Donovan Cox. “They have

been following Reloaded’s developmental journey and we took this opportunity to explain in detail what Reloaded is all about and our ultimate goal, which is developing our kids to international standards and mapping them into scholarships,” Burnside said.

The upcoming tournament between Reloaded, Grand Bahama Little League and Legacy Baseball League will feature the coach pitch, 10U, 12U and 14U divisions in January.

With the plans now in motion for next year’s tournament and future programmes, Burnside

SEE PAGE 13

PAGE 12, Friday, December 1, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

Hero World Challenge at Albany: Tiger Woods has a sloppy finish for a 75 NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Tiger Woods held up just fine yesterday in his first time competing in eight months, except for limping at the end. That was more about his golf than his fused right ankle.

Woods was holding his own at the Hero World Challenge until a double bogey from a bush on the par-5 15th, followed by two more bogeys. The result was a 3-over 75, eight shots out of the lead and a score better than only two players in the 20-man field at Albany.

Asked what he got out of his round, Woods laughed and said, “Hit a lot of shots.”

British Open champion Brian Harman and Tony Finau led the way at 5-under 67, one shot ahead of Jordan Spieth, who was entertaining as ever. Spieth made only five pars and had one stretch of 10 holes without one until the final hole.

But this day was all about Woods, as it usually is whenever he plays, and especially when he has been away for so long. He expected to be rusty, and it eventually it showed.

“I didn’t have my feels,” Woods said.

“Conditions were tough early. I did not finish off the round like I needed to.

Kind of went sideways at the end.”

He was 1 under for the round through 14 holes when he pulled his tee shot to the left at the base of a bush. He contemplated his options before he decided to try to punch it out toward the fairway or even a bunker, even though he could take the club back only a foot or so.

Woods caught mostly soil and advanced it only a few feet. He punched his third shot back to the fairway and then came up about 40 yards short of the green.

He pitched that to 10 feet only to miss the bogey putt.

He found a fairway bunker off the tee on the tough 16th, came up short of the green and hit a weak pitch to 20 feet that led to bogey. Then, he threeputted the par-3 17th from 45 feet.

Woods wasn’t the only player who struggled in his

BRIAN HARMAN, of the United TIGER Woods chips onto the third green during the first round of the Hero World Challenge States, watches his putt on the 17th PGA Tour at the Albany Golf Club, in New Providence, Bahamas, yesterday. green yesterday.

(AP Photos/Fernando Llano)

TIGER Woods hits out of a bunker on the second hole yesterday. return. Will Zalatoris had back surgery right after he withdrew from the Masters. He had three double bogeys and a bogey in a four-hole stretch around the turn and closed with one more bogey for an 81.

Woods attributed his mistakes to a lack of commitment, that coming from a lack of playing.

Instincts gave way to thinking about too many elements as he began to swing.

“Should I do this or not? By then I’m pulling the trigger,” he said. “I shouldn’t really pull the trigger. Hit a bad shot.

I kept doing it time and time again. It was a lack of commitment to what I was doing and feeling. I’ve got to do a better job of it.”

He also said he was plenty sore and would resume the process he has come to know all too well — recovery in the evening, back in the gym to get his body ready before the next round.

He still had no regrets about playing for the first time since Saturday at the Masters. He didn’t finish his rain-delayed third round in the April chill at Augusta, and then had fusion surgery on his right ankle a few weeks later.

“I wanted to compete, I wanted to play. I felt like I was ready to compete and play,” Woods said.

“I hit it solid most of the day. As I said, I just didn’t mentally do the things I normally would do and I need to do.”

TONY FINAU, of the United States, watches his putt on the 17th green.

TIGER Woods hits from the first fairway during the first round.

Big Red Madness to honour ‘Geno’ Saturday

By TENAJH SWEETING Tribune Sports Reporter tsweeting@tribunemedia.net THE St Augustine’s College Big Red Madness is back for another year this Saturday at the school grounds, starting at 1pm.

The event, which started in 2021 to honour the now retired principal Sonja Knowles, will honour Eugene “Geno” Nairn.

Additionally, the familyfriendly affair is geared towards helping to raise money for training equipment and assisting with sporting facilities on campus.

Jason Edwards, head of the athletic department, talked about the importance of this year’s event as it relates to youth development at the secondary school.

“We saw it as an opportunity to raise money for sporting events and facilities on campus.

“This year we are trying to buy equipment for the gym that we finally extended and we are gonna outfit it, put flooring in, weight room equipment and other things so that the kids can have what they need to be the best they can be,” Edwards stated.

The school spirit extrava}> â>ÊÜ Êvi>ÌÕÀiÊ>ÊÌ Àii « ÌÊ shootout, home run derby, 4x400m mixed relay, sack race, egg and spoon race, and tug-ofÜ>À°Ê Ê ÊÃ Õ `ÊV >Ã ÊÜ Ê> Ã Ê take place at the SAC grounds.

In true Big Red Madness fashion, Edwards said that it is important to recognise the

contributions of an upstanding SAC alumni like ‘Geno’ Nairn.

“Geno Nairn is one of our best and finest Sacers of all time.

“He is a part of our communities, the school board and still coaches the senior boys’ softball team at 75 years old.

“He believes in youth development and anything we ask of him he does and goes above and beyond for the institution,” coach Edwards said.

The event is open to all members of the public, including SAC alumni that wish to support the continued growth and development of their alma mater. “Alumni should support this event because it is not only bringing Sacers back to campus and keeping that spirit alive, but also supporting the youth and

THE St Augustine’s College Big Red Madness is back for another year this Saturday at the school grounds starting at 1pm. development that is happening at this school and supporting the young ones,” he said.

Tickets are priced at $5 for adults and $2 for children.

Refreshments will be on sale.

UNLOCKING SPEED: THE SEVEN KEYS TO PROPEL YOUR PERFORMANCE FROM PAGE 11 Targeted resistance training, focusing on the muscles involved in sprinting, amplifies force production and contributes to faster acceleration and top-end speed.

6. Explosive Power and Plyometric Training: The Springboard to Velocity Explosive power is the secret weapon of speedsters. The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research highlights the efficacy of plyometric training in enhancing sprint performance. Jump training and explosive exercises build the reactive power necessary for quick starts and rapid accelerations.

7. Sprinting Often: The Mastery of Repetition The more you sprint, the faster you become. Regular sprinting conditions the neuromuscular system and refines the motor patterns crucial for speed. Research in the International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching advocates for a well-structured sprint training programme, incorporating both maximal and submaximal efforts to refine technique and build endurance.

Conclusion: A Symphony of Speed In the realm of sprinting, speed is not a singular attribute but a symphony of finely tuned elements.

These seven keys, harmonising body composition, sleep, motility, mechanics, strength, power, and repetition, create the melody of peak performance. As you embark on your journey to get faster, let the scientific notes guide your steps and propel you toward the exhilarating realm of speed mastery.

UÊ ÀÊ i ÌÊ >â>À`Ê ÃÊ >Ê Bahamian sports medicine physician, sports performance coach, sports nutrition specialist and founder of Empire Sports Medicine. Our mission is to empower athletes to reach new heights while safeguarding their health and well-being. We understand the unique demands of sports activities, and we are dedicated to helping athletes prevent injuries, overcome challenges, optimise nutrition and performance.

CARL HIELD FROM PAGE 11

its own and it just came in the third round,” Hield said. Before his most recent performance, the 36-year-old earned a third-round technical knockout win against the more seasoned L ÝiÀÊ i`iÃÊ À> `>Ê >ÌÊ Ì iÊ } ÌÊ } ÌÊ Ê Ì iÊ Ãi Ê `iÊ *iÃV> Ì Ê >Û `Ê ,Õ âÊ1ÀiV iÊ >ÃÌÊ7i` iÃ`>Þ°Ê Additionally, in his pro debut, Hield lifted his hands in victory after defeating Colombia’s Elkin Bolaño via TKO at the International Knockout Night in Cartagena, Colombia.

Over the last three matches, the former amateur boxer has improved in each bout and credited his training partners for their assistance with his transition to the pro ranks.

“I am gaining experience because a lot of the top sparring partners here [Colombia] and in the USA prepare me and those guys have a lot more fights than me. I use the experience from them to transfer over to professional boxing,” he said.

After his latest win, Hield will focus on training until 2024 where he will fight in a major pay-per-view match on January 20. The event will be his last before the Olympic trials ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

“I am prepared for 2024 to be a good year where I can be able to fight for a world title. I am just gonna stay focused, train and prepare for that. I just hope that The Bahamas gives me the opportunity and sends me to the Olympic Trials to give me a chance to represent my country and qualify for the Olympics,” the boxer said.

A special thanks was offered to sponsors Jet Wave, West End Contracting & Repair, Create Escapes (Landscape and Maintenance), Rigger Life 242, the Bahamas Boxing Federation and Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture.

Individuals interested in sponsoring Hield for his fight next year can reach out at 242-447-2940.

THE TRIBUNE

Best-ofthe-Best Regatta off to great start in Montagu Bay FROM PAGE 11 boats were sailing well.

It is gonna make for some good competition. I wasn’t surprised that they caught me up a little bit, that is a brand new mast and we had to fix everything. I still have a lot of adjustments I need to make to ensure that everything is working.

The win was somewhat the luck of the draw,” he said.

It was not the luck of the draw in Class B where Knowles was victorious once again, this time with the New Susan Chase IV. The boat won last year’s Best of the Best Regatta in the same class.

In the event, Lonesome Dove, which started in first place, fell to second and Lady Sonia came third.

“Last year on the first day I was not doing so well, I think I got two thirds and a second. The Lonesome Dove got a good little jump on me because I had some issues at the line but I was able to catch up,” he said.

In Class C, Long Island’s Sassie Sue came in first to keep day one’s victories coming for Knowles. The H20 sailed in second and the Bull Reg was third.

Efford Kemp, who has been sailing since 1969, talked about his experience during the Class C race.

“When we first started our sail we got pushed more to the wind, with the heavy puff I could not catch up. I had to bring it to the wind and when the puff blew through, I was able to reach in,” Kemp said.

One of the most experienced skippers at 81-years-old credited his love of the national sport, a fast boat, and knowing how to handle the change in wind speeds for his performances over the years.

Lady Kayla won the first series race in Class E and Mako wrapped up second.

Today, the Class C race begins at 9am at Montagu Bay. The Best of the Best Regatta wraps up on Sunday.

NPBA

FROM PAGE 11 Division One The High Flyers were locked into a competitive match with the Rebels in the opening quarter which ended 23-20 favouring the winning team. However, the now 2-0 team advanced by 7 at the 5:00 mark of the following period and closed out the half 46-33.

The game was a physical match between the division one teams as tensions rose throughout the bout resulting in players being ejected by officials.

Donillo “Donnie” Culmer, High Flyers head coach, shed some light on his perspective of the team’s most recent win against the Rebels.

“There are plenty of hot heads in the game and they felt that they were not getting certain calls in the paint, but it is basketball and you have to stay mentally strong and play through it. Despite that, the Rebels shot well tonight but we were able to overcome it for the win,” Culmer said.

Rashad Ingraham led the High Flyers in scoring on the stat sheet. He charged his way to a team-high 19 points on a crisp 6-for-10 shooting from the field.

His scoring prowess was bolstered by the defensive efforts of Van Hutchinson Jr and Dave Davis. The latter posted 15 points and

Friday, December 1, 2023, PAGE 13

Knicks send Pistons COWBOYS EARN 41-35 OVER to 16th straight loss WIN SEAHAWKS NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Brunson scored 42 points, Julius Randle had 29 points and 10 rebounds, and the New York Knicks sent the Detroit Pistons to their franchise-record 16th consecutive loss with a 118-112 victory last night.

The Pistons (2-17) completed a winless November, having not won a game since a victory over Chicago on October 28 left them 2-1.

RJ Barrett had 15 points and Donte DiVincenzo added 12, including two crucial 3-pointers down the stretch for the Knicks, who have won their last two games.

HAWKS 137, SPURS 135 SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Trae Young scored a season-high 45 points and drew a charge from Jeremy Sochan with 2.7 seconds left as Atlanta handed San Antonio its 13th straight loss.

Sochan matched his career high with 33 points and Victor Wembanyama had 21 points, 12 rebounds and four blocks for San Antonio, but the Spurs remained without a win since November 2.

Atlanta guard Dejounte Murray had 24 points and five steals in his third game against his former team. Bogdan Bogdanovic added 14 points as Atlanta snapped a two-game skid.

HEAT 142, PACERS 132 MIAMI (AP) — Jimmy Butler scored 24 of his 36 points in the second half, and Miami overcame a career-high 44 points from Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton.

Rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 24 for the Heat, who trailed by 13 early and didn’t take the lead

SAN Antonio Spurs’ Zach Collins collides with Atlanta Hawks’ Clint Capela (15) during the second half of an NBA basketball game yesterday in San Antonio.

(AP Photo/Darren Abate) for the first time until early in the fourth.

Butler added 10 rebounds, Josh Richardson scored 19 points and Duncan Robinson added 16 for Miami, which snapped a three-game slide.

The Heat used a 28-6 run in the fourth to take control in the opener of a two-game series. They host the Pacers again Saturday.

THUNDER 133, LAKERS 110 LOS ANGELES (AP) — Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 33 points and Oklahoma City beat LeBron James and Los Angeles.

Gilgeous-Alexander made 11 of 18 field goals and 10 of 10 free throws.

Jalen Williams scored 21 points and Chet Holmgren added 18 for the Thunder, who were coming off close losses to Philadelphia and Minnesota.

Anthony Davis led Los Angeles with 31 points and 14 rebounds. James had 21 points, 12 rebounds and six assists for the Lakers. He was a gametime decision with a left calf contusion.

TIMBERWOLVES 101, JAZZ 90 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Karl-Anthony Towns had 32 points and 11 rebounds, and Minnesota weathered the absence of leading scorer Anthony Edwards to beat Utah.

The Wolves moved into a tie with Boston for the best record in the league (14-4).

Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored a season-high 20 points and Rudy Gobert had 15 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks for Minnesota.

HORNETS 129, NETS 128 NEW YORK (AP) — Terry Rozier had 37 points

and 13 assists, and shorthanded Charlotte beat Brooklyn.

Miles Bridges added 23 points, Gordon Hayward chipped in 22 and Mark Williams had 12 points and 12 rebounds. The Hornets snapped their two-game losing streak despite playing without star guard LaMelo Ball and No. 2 pick Brandon Miller.

Cam Thomas scored 26 points in his return from a sprained ankle and Mikal Bridges had 22 points and nine rebounds as Brooklyn’s three-game winning streak was snapped.

Cam Johnson missed a 3-pointer that would have won it.

TRAIL BLAZERS 103, CAVALIERS 95 CLEVELAND (AP) — Shaedon Sharpe scored 29 points, rookie Duop Reath added a seasonhigh 13 and Portland got its second straight impressive road win this week, beating Cleveland.

The Blazers came in just 5-12 overall and 3-7 away from home before rallying to stun the Cavs, who had a massive letdown following a solid 23-point win over Atlanta on Tuesday in the NBA’s In-Season Tournament.

Sharpe went 11 of 15 from the field and added 10 rebounds for the Blazers, who scored 12 straight points in the fourth quarter to separate from the Cavs. Cleveland went more than five minutes without a field goal.

Donovan Mitchell scored 23 and Evan Mobley 20 for the Cavs.

Darius Garland had 15 points, but the All-Star point guard was sloppy with the ball, committing eight turnovers.

RELOADED BASEBALL FROM PAGE 11

is excited to take Reloaded’s developmental initiatives into the Family Islands.

“We want to bring Reloaded’s developmental initiatives to all Family Islands with baseball and softball programmes so that these kids can be afforded the opportunities like all the other kids.

“To take softball and baseball to the next level we must change the mindset, put aside our egos and focus on our kids and the a game-high 17 rebounds to record a monster double-double in the win.

Hutchinson played the role of facilitator as he notched 14 assists and pulled down 10 rebounds in the game.

The High Flyers got their biggest lead of the contest in the third quarter where they created a 16-point scoring differential on the scoreboard to lead 57-41.

Although the Rebels were able to erase some of the deficit, the game was a foregone conclusion from the halftime break.

The Sand Dollar bench played a pivotal role, outscoring the Rebels’ players 61 to 19.

Additionally, they crashed the boards with purpose and outrebounded the Rebels 61 to 49.

Martin Conliff scored a game-high 27 points, to pair with 3 assists in a losing effort for the Rebels.

Division Two In the first game of Wednesday’s double header, the division two High Flyers snuck past the Great Whites.

Omar Pierre gave the Great Whites defence problems all night long as he dropped a side-high 35 points in the ball game.

He also grabbed four rebounds and had two assists. His scoring was validated by great shooting numbers with 12-for-24 on 50 per cent shooting from the field and 5-for-10 from deep. The 17-year-old

THE Reloaded Baseball executive team in Grand Bahama. opportunities that we can afford them,” he said.

The Reloaded executive team consisting of

Burnside, Bishop Beneby, James Clarke and Mandell Curry are imploring those in the baseball and softball

worlds in The Bahamas to unify our efforts and channel the focus onto the children.

shared how it felt to drop 35 points in the win.

“It felt good and was not easy but I tried my best to score. Coach Donnie has been great and taught me things to contribute to my game and now I just want to improve my playmaking,” he said.

The High Flyers and Great Whites were locked at 14 apiece to close out the first quarter. Both teams refused to give an edge in the tightly-contested game but Sand Dollar went into the halftime break in charge with 34-30.

The matchup continued with this pattern, including 12 lead changes and the score being tied 7 times.

In the final quarter, the Great Whites narrowed down the High Flyers lead to 7 at the 1:04 mark after Mark Sawyer, who finished with 14 points, made a layup. However, Pierre retaliated with a layup of his own to give his team a double-digit advantage and cushion for the win.

Coach Culmer said he is very proud of the team and loves the potential of the new group of players.

“This is a new group of guys I just formed the past two weeks, but I am very proud of them. We have a lot to work on but I see a lot of potential. I came back into division two with a three-year plan, once the guys continue to come to practice and stay off the streets, they will be alright,” he said.

NPBA games continue today with Your Essential Store Giants matched up against the Discount Distributors Rockets at

7:30pm. The CB Giants take on the Leno Regulators in game two at 8:30pm in the CI Gibson gymnasium.

SPORTS CALENDAR BEST-OFTHE-BEST REGATTA Venue: Montagu Foreshore Date: November 30 - December 3 Thursday (On Sea) E Class - 8:30am C Class- 10:30am B Class- 12:30pm A Class- 3:30pm BAHAMAS YOUTH FLAG FOOTBALL LEAGUE Championships Venue: Playing fields opposite original Thomas A Robinson national stadium Date: December 2 11:30am - Team Allen vs. Team Munroe (Age 10 - 13)

By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Pro Football Writer ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Dak Prescott threw three touchdown passes and the Dallas Cowboys extended their home winning streak to 14 games, rallying for a 41-35 victory over the Seattle Seahawks last night.

Prescott’s 12-yard pass to Jake Ferguson put Dallas in front with 4 1/2 minutes remaining as the Cowboys (9-3) set up a rematch with NFC East rival Philadelphia by escaping what would have been their first loss since falling to the Eagles 28-23 to start November.

Geno Smith threw three touchdown passes to D.K. Metcalf, including a 73-yarder, as the Seahawks (6-6) got their offence going again. But Seattle couldn’t avoid a third consecutive loss to drop to .500 for the first time since splitting its first two games of the season.

Dallas’ Brandon Aubrey kicked four field goals to extend the 28-year-old rookie’s NFL record to 26 consecutive makes to start a career.

Neither team punted, the fifth time in NFL history that’s happened. But the Dallas defence, ranked third in the NFL coming in, got fourth-down on the Seahawks’ final three possessions as the Cowboys kept alive their best home winning streak since an 18-game run at old Texas Stadium from 1979-81.

The Cowboys trailed 35-30 when Zach Charbonnet was stopped on fourth-and-1 from the Dallas 46. Seven plays later, Ferguson scored, and Prescott hit Brandin Cooks for the 2-point conversion.

Cooks also had a TD catch in the second quarter.

CeeDee Lamb had the other touchdown catch while finishing with 12 catches for 116 yards, and his 24-yard run on a jet sweep helped set up Aubrey’s final field goal to put Dallas ahead by six. That came after Smith threw incomplete on fourth down near midfield with 3:11 to go.

The Seahawks reached midfield with 1:11 left, but Micah Parsons’ pressure on fourth down forced Smith to throw the ball into the ground, sealing the Dallas victory.

Metcalf had a season-high 134 yards on six catches in his second career threeTD game as the Seahawks scored touchdowns on five of their first seven drives after coming in with 20 consecutive possessions without an offensive TD. Smith also ran for a score while throwing for 334 yards with an interception.

Nov 2023

Noon - Team Moss vs. Team Dawkins (Age 10 - 13) 12:30pm - Team Dawkins vs. Team Sheldeen) (Age 6 - 9) 1:00pm - Team Allen vs. Team Deangelo (Age 14 - 17) 1:30pm - Winner of Team Allen/ Team Munroe vs. Team Kevin (Age 10 - 13) 2:00pm - Team Chavar vs. Team Munroe (Age 14 - 17) 2:30pm - BYFFL Championships for all ages NEW PROVIDENCE PUBLIC PRIMARY SCHOOLS SPORTS ASSOCIATION Softball and Baseball The NPPPSSA softball/baseball championships conclude today.

Venue: Baillou Hills Sporting Complex Date: November 27 to December 1

PAGE 14, Friday, December 1, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

CLASS OF 2023: 12 INDUCTED INTO NATIONAL SPORTS HALL OF FAME

New inductees take the spotlight HISTORIC EVENT HELD AT SUPERCLUBS BREEZES RESORT

D

eputy to the Governor General Mrs Ruby Ann Darling joined Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg at the Ministry’s 2023 National Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

The big event was held at SuperClubs Breezes resort last week Thursday, November 23.

Also in attendance were acting permanent secretary Montez Williams, acting director of sports Kelsie Johnson-Sills and

other ministry officials, president of the Bahamas Olympic Committee Rommel Knowles and other national sports stakeholders and well-wishers.

The 12 inductees to the Hall of Fame were captain Fernley Palmer, Craig Flowers, former senator Jennifer Isaacs-Dotson, Yvonne Lockhart, John “Bumpy” Johnson, James “Sam” Brown, Dr Larry Davis, Allan Murray, Anton Sealy, Peter Pratt, Mark Knowles and Irvin Taylor.

Photos by Eric Rose/BIS

PAGE 16, Friday, December 1, 2023

NIB move saves drug access for thousands FROM PAGE A20 is managed by “an independent third-party provider” but he declined to identify them.

“It has just been reported to me that it is down, and the independent provider I guess has attempted to bring it back online,” he said.

“In the interim, we’ve made a decision to go to manual prescriptions and distribution of medicines. I just got off the phone with the executive in charge of the National Prescription

Drug Plan. She told me we’ll go manual in 30 minutes, and I called her ten minutes ago. Patients will be able to receive their medications.”

While the system shutdown’s cause was not revealed, Mr McKenzie added: “Unfortunately, they discovered it just yesterday [Wednesday] afternoon.

That was when the problem first started, and they tried to reach the service provider; the system operator. They’ve been in communication with

THE TRIBUNE them, and are trying to have the system rebooted and become operational.

“We are hoping that it happens tonight or certainly tomorrow, but in the meantime we decided to go to manual processes until the system comes back up.

Notice is going to go out to the pharmacies that they can go to the manual dispensing of drugs.”

In 2019, the last year for which data is available, the National Prescription Drug Plan had some 32,856 beneficiaries. That number expanded by 2,002 registrants compared to the prior year, whole some $13.2m was paid to private pharmacies for medications and supplies.

However, medical industry sources yesterday branded NIB’s initial response to the Drug Plan’s system failure as “absolutely unacceptable”.

They confirmed that senior executives had at first refused to switch to a manual system unless the pharmacies assumed all liabilities and financial risk associated with issuing medicines to patients who had yet to be approved to receive them.

This would have potentially exposed participating pharmacies to loss if NIB subsequently refused to approve the issuance of drugs to certain patients.

One source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told this newspaper: “The National Prescription Drug Plan computer system, its IT system, has completely crashed. There’s no redundancy in place of any sort.

“What they [NIB] are telling pharmacies is that they’re not going to be held accountable for any medications distributed to patients on the Drug Plan. The

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that DREWYANA LOUIS, Abaco, The Bahamas, Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 24th day of November 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that SMITH BRANCHEDOR of Kemp Road, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 24th day of November, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

pharmacies will be unable to give medications, so patients will have to buy them or go without until the National Drug Plan’s computer system is back up “Different pharmacies and pharmacists are giving patients a couple of days’, or a couple of weeks’, medication, but NIB has said they are not going to honour that.

The National Prescription Drug Plan is in a complete state of collapse because their computer system, their IT system, their infrastructure has collapsed,” the source added.

“Thousands of people in our country will not have access to their medicines, so they’re going to have to go without blood pressure medications; sugar medications; other medications they get from the pharmacies. A lot of patients are unable to afford to purchase medications because of financial constraints. What a mess.

Just another reflection of what is going on behind the scenes.”

This scenario, though, will not happen now that NIB has reversed course and switched to manual processes for the issuance of Drug Plan medications.

Informed of Mr McKenzie’s comments, the source replied: “Obviously they’re now making some sensible decisions for once. We’re 48 hours into crisis mode

and they’ve decided to go manual. You’d have thought they’d have some mitigation and a contingency plan if something goes wrong.”

The Government earlier this year signalled its intentions to combine the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme with the NIB-managed National Prescription Drug Plan in a bid to help curb healthcare waste and inefficiency in the public sector.

Dr Michael Darville, minister of health and wellness, said that once the 2023-2024 Budget was passed, his ministry will begin negotiations on the NHI and drug plan transition. The latter will include new medications, including anti-rejection drugs that are necessary for transplant patients that will participate in the National Organ Donor Programme expected to launch by the end of the year.

He said: “The negotiations with NIB, my ministry, NHI and the Ministry of Finance will begin shortly after the passing of this Budget. As part of this change, we will also add new drugs to the current drug list of the National Prescription Plan to facilitate improvements in clinical outcomes of patients suffering from noncommunicable diseases and anti-rejection drugs for renal transplant patients.”

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, JONIQUE SARAH KRISTY CAMPBELL of #120 Shipton Drive, Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas mother of JUDAH BRYSON OMEGA CAMPBELL a minor intend to change my child’s name to JUDAH BRYSON OMEGA ARMBRISTER 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.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that JONEL JOSEPH, Central Pines, Abaco, The Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 24th day of November 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that SHANIA GARCON, P.O Box FH14406 Yamacraw Hill Road, Nassau, The Bahamas, Bahamas applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 24th day of November 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that LOUIBERT JOSUE of P. O. Box N-3308, Kool Acres, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 24th day of November, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that SHAQUIEL ONEAL MORINDA of Johnson Terrace, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 24th day of November, 2023 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 1, 2023, PAGE 17

‘TABLES ARE TURNED’: BPSU CHIEFS IN VACATION PAY FIGHT FROM PAGE A20 in his ruling as an “unimpressive witness” who gave many “evasive” answers to “questions which he should have had no difficulty answering”. The judge branded the current union president’s evidence on several important details as “confusing and contradictory”.

“Few names have been more prominent in the fight for public workers’ rights in recent times than that of the plaintiff, John Pinder, who is one of the longestserving presidents of the Bahamas Public Services Union (BPSU),” Justice Klein wrote. “In this claim, however, the tables are turned and it is the former union leader himself who is seeking to vindicate employment rights against the union he led for many years.”

Mr Pinder held the presidency for five successive three-year terms between 2022 and 2017, and launched legal action against the BPSU and its three trustees - Peter Outten, Theophilus Dean and Terrance Dorsett - on May 10, 2019, in a bid to claim a $71,916 vacation entitlement along with associated interest and costs.

The ex-BPSU chief claimed he was entitled to five weeks’ annual vacation leave per annum, but had “only exhausted one year’s entitlement”, and alleged that he and the union had both agreed he was owed the near-$72,000 sum. However, Mr Pinder alleged that the BPSU had “refused and continues to refuse” to make the payment.

The BPSU and its three trustees, in their defence, argued that Mr Pinder was blocked from “seeking payment for accrued vacation time after demitting office as he failed to do so during his tenure as president, hence waiving any lawful claim that he might have had”. They also alleged that the long delay before he sought the money meant the former president had effectively “acquiesced” to non-payment.

In response, Mr Pinder “claimed that he deferred his vacation entitlement due to travel commitments on behalf of the BPSU and ongoing negotiations with numerous government entities. However, he maintained that he never waived his outstanding vacation entitlements and always held the ‘legitimate expectation’ to be paid”.

Detailing the evidence presented at trial, Justice Klein noted an October 25, 2017, letter from Mr Pinder to Mr Ferguson stating that his BPSU contract included a 15 percent gratuity to be paid at its end along with accrued vacation.

He requested that these payments be made to him “as soon as possible”.

However, the BPSU’s secretary-general, in a January 24, 2019, letter to Mr Pinder said the union’s Board had met on November 2, 2018, and requested that the expresident provide evidence to support his vacation pay claim.

Justice Klein said of Mr Pinder: “According to his witness statement, the plaintiff was first elected president of the BPSU in 2002 at a starting salary of $55,000 per annum, with an annual increment of $1,000.

Additionally, under the contract he received five weeks’ vacation leave, 20 sick days’ leave with pay, six call-in days, four sick days with a sick note and a 15 percent gratuity at the end of the contract.

“He was subsequently re-elected president for four consecutive terms. His salary increased to $60,000 in 2005, $65,000 in 2008, $68,000 in 2011 and $72,000 in 2014, with the additional benefits outlined under the first contract applying to the subsequent contracts..... He averred that it was the practice within the BPSU that vacation time was either taken, cashed in, or paid as directed by the Board.”

Mr Pinder said financial constraints sometimes made it difficult to “cash in my vacation entitlements in a timely manner”. Prior to stepping down in 2017, he asked the BPSU secretarygeneral to determine what was owed to him, and also

KIMSLEY FERGUSON spoke to Mr Ferguson on the matter, who suggested he was “having problems with the office records” in verifying the claim.

The former BPSU president offered to reduce his claim, and seemingly did so, then “approached Mr Ferguson on numerous occasions, and he eventually told me that he was not minded to authorise any payment in settlement of my outstanding vacation entitlements, in spite of the fact that during the tenure of my last two contracts, he served as my executive vice-president”.

Under cross-examination

by Khalil Parker KC, the Bahamas Bar Association president who was acting for the union and its trustees, Mr Pinder confirmed that his five three-year contracts were separate deals but admitted he should have raised his vacation entitlements at the end if each contract and before leaving office.

Mr Ferguson, his successor, was the sole witness for the defence. “Mr Ferguson indicated that he served as the vice-president of the union during the presidency of the plaintiff, and that at no time before demitting office was the Board informed by the plaintiff that he was owed funds for his accrued vacation entitlements,” Justice Klein wrote.

“He claims, therefore, to have been taken by surprise by the plaintiff’s claim stretching back well over a decade. He further stated that it was open to the plaintiff to take his vacation

leave during the periods, or to have applied for payment at the end of each of the contractual periods, to ensure that all accounts between himself and the BPSU were settled before demitting office.”

Stating that both sides’ pleadings “left much to be desired”, Justice Klein found “there was no evidence of any personal vendetta between Mr Pinder and Mr Ferguson” despite suggestions from one of the former’s witnesses that personal animosity had prevented the vacation entitlement pay-out.

“Having said that, I generally did not find Mr Ferguson to be an impressive witness. It seemed to me that many of his answers were evasive or intentionally abstruse, prompting the court to intervene on more than one occasion to try to elicit answers to questions

which he should have had no difficulty answering as president,” the judge added.

“His evidence with respect to several important details is confusing and contradictory. Firstly, he conceded in cross-examination that it was not the Board (but only certain members) that initially considered the plaintiff’s claim.

According to him, the matter was later brought to the Board, which referred it to counsel to be litigated.

“However, when his attention was drawn to the union’s letter of 24 January 2019, written on behalf of the Executive Board, he conceded that the union never formally denied the claim. In the same breath, however, he maintains that the Board did not recognise, nor was it prepared to pay, the plaintiff’s claim.”

However, Justice Klein ruled that the BPSU and its

trustees could rely on the Limitation Act, which bars any contract-related litigation more than six after the events which are subject to the complaint take place. Given that Mr Pinder launched his claim on May 10, 2019, he could only claim damages for events after May 10, 2013.

“Unfortunate though it might be, this has the effect of abrogating a large part of the plaintiff’s claim,” Justice Klein said. “I am not satisfied that the plaintiff has made out his claim that the defendants agreed to pay him $71,000 for outstanding vacation leave.

“I do find, however, that the plaintiff is entitled to be paid the sums for accrued vacation entitlement for the period after May 10,

2013, to the end of his contract in 2017, subject to any deductions for leave taken or cashed-in during that period. I will also order that the statutory interest of 6.25 percent be paid on the amount found due from the date of judgment until payment.”

Mr Klein said it was impossible to determine the true amount due to Mr Pinder, as there was evidence he had taken or cashed-in some of his vacation leave. He urged all parties to co-operate on an accounting exercise to work out the sum due to the former BPSU president without going through another court battle.

NOTICE INVERSIONES URUGUAY LIMITED (Voluntary Liquidation)

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000, the above-named Company is in dissolution, which commenced on the 29th day of November, A.D., 2023. The Liquidator is Galnom Ltd., CUB Financial Center, Western Road, Nassau, Bahamas.

GALNOM LTD. Liquidator

NOTICE VARO COMPANY LIMITED (Voluntary Liquidation)

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000, the above-named Company is in dissolution, which commenced on the 29th day of November, A.D., 2023. The Liquidator is Galnom Ltd., CUB Financial Center, Western Road, Nassau, Bahamas.

GALNOM LTD. Liquidator

NOTICE WESTSIDE COMPANY LIMITED (Voluntary Liquidation)

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000, the above-named Company is in dissolution, which commenced on the 29th day of November, A.D., 2023. The Liquidator is Galnom Ltd., CUB Financial Center, Western Road, Nassau, Bahamas.

GALNOM LTD. Liquidator

NOTICE BEMY COMPANY LIMITED (Voluntary Liquidation)

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000, the above-named Company is in dissolution, which commenced on the 29th day of November, A.D., 2023. The Liquidator is Galnom Ltd., CUB Financial Center, Western Road, Nassau, Bahamas.

GALNOM LTD. Liquidator

PAGE 18, Friday, December 1, 2023

THE TRIBUNE

GOV’T ‘BETTING ON ABILITY’ TO PROVE THE IMF WRONG prospects from 1.8 percent to 2.3 percent, he added: “That doesn’t happen every day.

Normally when they come, they tell you they’re going to revise you downwards, so that was the most positive aspect.” That 0.5 percentage point jump is equivalent to a $70m-$75m hike in Bahamian GDP. And, even if the IMF’s deficit forecast comes true, Mr Halkitis said it would represent a significant $150m-plus improvement on the $533m worth of ‘red ink’ accumulated in the 2022-2023 fiscal year.

He added: “We are also confident in our ability to collect (taxes) and our revenue enhancement initiatives that we have reintroduced that are bearing fruit. And so we have seen, for example, a deficit in 2019 of $839m; in 2020-2021, $1.3bn; in 20212022, $717m.

“Last year, 2022-2023, $533m, and we project next year $131m, which represents 0.9 percent of GDP. So we’ve seen it coming down steadily from those high levels during COVID and after, and we project that it will continue to decline.”

“The IMF, again, recognised that in our concluding meeting the debt [to-GDP ratio] is on a very positive downward trajectory. In June 2021, we had debt-toGDP over 100 percent, and so now at the end of June 2023, debt-to-GDP is 84 percent. We project that by 2025-2026, debt-to-GDP will be at 72 percent,” Mr Halkitis continued.

“So, towards the end of this first term, we anticipate we would have reduced our debt-to-GDP ratio almost by more than a full 25 percent which, again, is very,

very significant and identified by the IMF as a positive development.”

Mr Halkitis, talking up the Bahamian economy’s prospects in 2024, said: “We’re going to emerge from this COVID crisis through growth in the economy, growing the economy, aggressive pursuit of investment, ease of business, etc...

And we have seen the fruits of that effort, verified by our Statistical Institute and the IMF in terms of growth in the economy.

“Proven revenue collection, we’ve seen the fruits of that with the increased revenue; containment of expenditure, again, expenditure largely contained within our targets; and new sources of revenue, which we continue to pursue and hopefully, we’ll have some good news as we get into 2024. And so those four elements comprise our strategy, and we think it’s working and we think it will continue to work.”

BAHAMIANS ‘GET BETTER IP PROTECTIONS ABROAD’

Bahamas. We likewise recognise that we must provide a legal and practical framework to incentivise creatives to obtain intellectual property for their creations that will empower these creatives to negotiate contracts with international distribution platforms.

“This is why we are charging ahead to rectify a long-standing deficiency in our intellectual property regime with a holistic and comprehensive reform project. It is certainly a new day for Bahamian creatives and participants in our Orange Economy,” he added.

“We will reform our entire intellectual property framework. This starts with legislative reform, to ensure that we have the suite of legislative protections to permit

the economic protection and exploitation of Bahamian creative assets.”

A National IP Strategy will guide investment and the sector’s development over the medium-term for about five years. It will help provide a road map for the institutional strengthening of the IP framework in The Bahamas and allow for the country to have a path to grow the sector.

Mr Pinder said: “Once we have implemented our reforms, we will look to split the functions of administering intellectual property rights in The Bahamas from where they currently exist in the Registrar General’s office, and have a standalone dedicated IP Office.

“This is internationally recognised best

practices and would provide the necessary focus on what our government believes is fundamental to Bahamian economic empowerment, especially in the creative industries and orange economy.

“Upon passing the legislation, we will partner with the World Intellectual Property Organisation, known as WIPO, which is the United Nations arm on intellectual property protections, to implement a new state-ofthe-art online intellectual property platform, digital platform to manage applications and to manage property rights. And that will be interconnected into the worldwide system through WIPO.”

for $300,000, which is great compared to what you’d pay in somewhere like Sandyport, which is $500,000 these days just to get in.”

Mr Knowles said the Windsor Lakes developer had slightly reduced the number of available lots to 173 after several buyers had sought more real estate, with this number broken down into 136 single and 37 multifamily. “It’s an 18-24 month build-out,” he added. “We’re already six months or so into it. We have another 18 months to go before we are finished.

“By the end of 2024 we will have all the horizontal work done, all the infrastructure and roads will be in, so people will start building houses in early 2025. The clubhouse, pool, all those things will go in. Before the end of this year you will see the community starting to take shape.

“We will break ground on the first two model homes by the summer of next year.

We’ve got the construction crews going, we have the tractors out there, the key equipment guys are moving everything around.

It’s moving quickly.”

Besides residential options, Mr Knowles said Windsor Lakes’ storage units are expected to be fully rented out by year-end 2024.

“The first phase of the storage facility will be completed by the end of the first quarter next year,” he added. “That will be the first thing built.

“We’ve seen increased demand for the storage facility. We’ve sold a number of those units and have others for rent. It’ll be completely rented out by next year.

Water is already in one of the two lakes, and the largest is under construction.”

FROM PAGE A20 had” in relation to a final Article IV meeting as the Fund revealed it was revising its 2024 gross domestic product (GDP) expansion projections upwards from the original 1.8 percent to 2.3 percent.

Drawing further encouragement from data released by the Bahamas National Statistical Institute, which showed economic growth for the 2023 first half was some $295m or 4.5 percent ahead of 2019 pre-COVID comparisons, Mr Halkitis said the Government was confident in its forecasts that fiscal consolidation will occur far more rapidly than predicted by the IMF. He argued that the Fund always took a far more conservative view of the revenue impact from enhanced enforcement, compliance

FROM PAGE A20 home. Therefore, many of them don’t file for IP protection at home because it’s so cumbersome and the actual protections are so antiquated.” Mr Pinder said the reforms will bring The Bahamas in line with international standards and “make it easy” for members of the cultural and creative community to seek IP protection for their work.

Citing the changes as critical to developing an economy driven by innovation, the Attorney General added that the creation of a standalone IP Office, enhanced regulatory regime

and administration, believing such gains are effectively one-offs that are not recurring year after year, whereas the Davis administration’s view is more positive.

Mr Halkitis added that the administration “have met or exceeded all of our projections”, which contrasts with its recent June and 2023-2023 fiscal year-end report. While the $533m deficit came in lower than the original Budget projection, it was slightly higher than the revised $520m estimate unveiled with May’s Budget.

“When we had the concluding meeting with the IMF at the conclusion of their mission, that was the most positive concluding meeting I’ve ever had with the IMF, and I’ve been doing this on and off for 15 years,” the minister said.

With IMF officials raising The Bahamas’ 2024 growth

and easier process through which to obtain copyrights, patents and the like could ultimately generate sufficient activity and revenue such that it pays for itself and no longer requires taxpayer support.

Mr Pinder also suggested that the regulatory enhancements could attract international businesses to register their IP in The Bahamas, so that their creativity and innovations are protected in this nation. And he added that it may also capture “a lot of business coming from within” The Bahamas, with the planned integrated circuits regime designed to attract IT and technology companies.

Noting that Junkanoo and Bahamian cascarilla farmers are just some of the industries that can benefit from a more robust IP regime, Mr Pinder said: “Our government believes intellectual property protection is a foundational element of economic empowerment for Bahamians. We strive for sustainable growth in the future and providing meaningful opportunities and protections for Bahamians in the Orange economy.

“In our ‘Blueprint for Change’ we recognised that a key component of our economy requires the creation of a new economic model for culture and the creative industry in The

PROJECT FILLS ‘10-YEAR VOID’ FOR UPPER MIDDLE HOUSING FROM PAGE A20 Lakes represented the first development to target “upper middle class” Bahamian buyers since Charlotteville emerged almost 15 years ago.

“I think we’ve blown through expectations,” he told Tribune Business of demand to-date. “It’s always a little difficult to predict how sales are going to go. We launched in August and we have sold 48 lots in the space of three months. I would say we’ve exceeded expectations with over 48 lots, over $13m, in sales.

“Bear in mind that we’re also selling home packages, so the $13m might include that. We’ll probably be north of $20m when the home packages are launched. We

want to get the infrastructure in place first, but I would imagine half of the people who have purchased lots will go for home packages.

There’s going to be a great response. We’ve just gotten started.”

Disclosing that the average lot sales price to-date has been around $285,000, Mr Knowles voiced optimism that the project will drive “badly needed” inventory and supply for a middle and upper middle class Bahamian market that has been starved of such opportunities over the past decade amid ever-increasing focus on the foreign multi-million home segment.

“There’s been a bit of frustration for buyers in the market that options are limited to relying on the resale

NOTICE JUJITSU STARS LTD. In Voluntary Liquidation

market almost entirely,” he told Tribune Business.

“Normally in a hot market a lot of supply comes in and you have a lot of community options to choose from.

“In Nassau, we haven’t had that. We’ve had the same sort of supply in this segment for the past ten years. If you look at the high end, it has had a lot more development with Aqualina, One Cable Beach and GoldWynn, but as far as the middle market we’ve not seen anything for ten years.

“It’s beyond needed. It fills a void in the market.

The fact we’ve sold 48 lots in three months is incredible, and we’ve seen a cross-section of buyers. Most of the buyers are Bahamian. We do have foreign buyers as well, but most are Bahamian. We

have entrepreneurs, household names who most people would recognise, all the way to first-time buyers building their homes,” Mr Knowles added.

“The developers are filling a void that is needed....

It’s really badly needed.

It’s incredibly important to our supply. We haven’t seen this kind of development since maybe Charlotteville, which was maybe 15 years ago. What we’re finding is a number of buyers are being priced out of communities like Sandyport and Charlotteville in some cases.

“The pricing has gone through the roof, and people are not getting great value in those communities any more. Because our start-out pricing is ‘early bird’ pricing, you can get a lot on the lake

NOTICE BOUGAINVILLEA Advisory Ltd. In Voluntary Liquidation

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, JUJITSU STARS LTD. is in dissolution as of November 29, 2023.

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, BOUGAINVILLEA Advisory Ltd. is in dissolution as of November 27, 2023.

International Liquidator Services Ltd. situated at 3rd Floor Whitfield Tower, 4792 Coney Drive, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator.

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

LIQUIDATOR ______________________

LIQUIDATOR ______________________

The reference to “good news” in 2024 is the Government’s efforts to develop blue carbon credits. Mr Halkitis, meanwhile, rejected assertions by Kwasi Thompson, the Opposition’s finance spokesman, that the Davis administration is engaging in unnecessary spending.

He argued that “in the next breath” Mr Thompson talks about the need for more spending and endorsed the IMF call for the Government to subsidise private insurance for individuals.

“And so you have to have it one way or the other; either you want to control spending, or you want to open the floodgates,” Mr Halkitis added.

“So you can’t in one breath say government needs to control spending, then in the next breath you’re talking about how you endorse subsidised insurance. It might have some merit, but let’s be consistent here.”

THE TRIBUNE

Friday, December 1, 2023, PAGE 19

HOW TO AVOID STRIFE OVER FAMIY-OWNED BUSINESSES M

any micro, small and mediumsized enterprises (MSMEs) in The Bahamas are family-owned sole proprietorships or husband and wife partnerships. There are MSMEs that are quite small, operating in a ‘Mom and Pop’ type fashion, but there are others who have navigated the landscape well enough to grow and expand.

Across the globe, small family-owned businesses have been the catalyst for creating generational wealth, but can also be the cause of great frustration and family strife. This week, we focus attention on tips to help small family businesses sustain and grow their enterprise.

conducted in a business environment, not at the family dinner table or in the bedroom. You will also want to clarify which family members will be involved in the decision-making. Inviting everyone into the inner circle could create chaos.

Establish the Board, and identify the chairman, who will ultimately make the final call.

IAN FERGUSON

* Know when to seek external help. No family has all the necessary talent to make a business run successfully. Bringing in employees from outside the family can expand your perspective and fill in the gaps of expertise and skillsets that family members might not have. Outsiders do not have the sense of entitlement that you might

* Establish boundaries.

Setting boundaries can be difficult when family members run a business together. Make it clear that business should be

* Write the vision. Business is business, so put everything in writing. That includes roles and responsibilities, partnerships, compensation, financials and exit strategies. Get it down on paper and make sure all parties sign it to acknowledge their agreement.

Documentation prevents misunderstandings that could cause a rift during times when you need everyone on the same page.

The paper trail and formal documentation creates the safeguards you need even among relatives.

experience with siblings or spouses. They are a healthy addition for most familyowned businesses, as long as you properly screen them. * Create a family environment for the outsiders.

Working for a family business can be a weird experience. When you hire team members from outside the family, you should not treat them differently from how you would if you were related to them. That means making them feel welcome, but not giving them access to the business bank account. Schedule team meetings where everyone has an equal say, run team-building events that are all-inclusive, and promote people based on merit.

will continue into the next generation is vital and necessary. By documenting this, you will be able to save relationships and avoid conflicts. No one wants their children fighting with each other over money. Make sure everyone knows who gets what when you decide to exit from the business.

UÊ \Ê > Ê ,Ê iÀ}ÕÃ Ê ÃÊ >Ê Ì> i ÌÊ > >}i i ÌÊ > `Ê À}> Ã>Ì > Ê `iÛi « i ÌÊ V ÃÕ Ì> Ì]Ê >Û }Ê V « iÌi`Ê }À>`Õ>ÌiÊ ÃÌÕ` iÃÊ Ü Ì Ê Ài} > Ê > `Ê ÌiÀ >tional universities. He has ÃiÀÛi`Ê À}> Ã>Ì Ã]Ê L Ì Ê V> ÞÊ > `Ê } L> Þ]Ê «À Û ` }Ê Ài iÛ> ÌÊ Ã ÕÌ ÃÊ Ì Ê Ì i ÀÊ LÕÃ iÃÃÊ }À ÜÌ Ê > `Ê development issues. He may be contacted at tcconsultants@ coralwave.com.

* Plan for succession.

Consider the Bahamian companies who has survived the past 100 years.

These are very few in number. Drawing up a plan for how your business

UN ATOMIC CHIEF BACKS NUCLEAR POWER AT COP28 AS WORLD RECKONS WITH PROLIFERATION

By JON GAMBRELL Associated Press THE world wants more nuclear energy as a means to fight climate change and supply an ever-growing demand for electricity, part of a generational shift in thinking on atomic power, the head of the United Nations nuclear watchdog

said Thursday.

Rafael Mariano Grossi, the directorgeneral of the International Atomic Energy Agency, made the comments in an interview with The Associated Press at the COP28 climate talks. He called the inclusion of nuclear power at the summit, where he said a major nuclear agreement was likely, showed just how

far the formerly "taboo" subject had come decades after the disasters at Three Mile Island and Chernobyl.

However, he acknowledged the challenge still posed for his agency in monitoring nuclear programs in countries, particularly in Iran after the collapse of its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

"This used to be easier when this international consensus was there and so Iran could see that this was not about political pressure, but a widespread approach that was to see a Middle East, one of the — if not the most — volatile region in the world, not to add to the mix the possibility of a country

getting nuclear weapons," Grossi said.

Grossi said more countries getting nuclear weapons could create a "domino effect."

"So it's a very, very complicated and potentially dangerous trend," he said.

Grossi, who had just arrived in Dubai from Paris, said he spoke with

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-DAY FORECAST

ORLANDO

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 69° F/21° C

TAMPA

TODAY

TONIGHT

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

UV INDEX TODAY

Partly sunny and humid

Clear to partly cloudy and humid

Mostly sunny and humid

Humid with periods of sun

Humid; a few afternoon showers

Breezy in the morning; partly sunny

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

High: 83°

Low: 74°

High: 83° Low: 74°

High: 84° Low: 73°

High: 83° Low: 73°

High: 82° Low: 70°

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

AccuWeather RealFeel

92° F

80° F

92°-79° F

93°-78° F

92°-73° F

84°-68° F

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 69° F/21° C

E

W

ABACO

S

N

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C

8-16 knots

S

WEST PALM BEACH High: 83° F/28° C Low: 73° F/23° C

8-16 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 75° F/24° C

E

W S

E

W

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 73° F/23° C

MIAMI

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 75° F/24° C

8-16 knots

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

10:20 a.m.

10:44 p.m.

2.9 2.1

3:55 a.m.

4:55 p.m.

0.2 0.3

ALMANAC

Saturday

11:06 a.m.

11:35 p.m.

2.8 2.1

4:42 a.m.

5:43 p.m.

0.4 0.5

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 81° F/27° C Low .................................................... 72° F/22° C Normal high ....................................... 80° F/27° C Normal low ........................................ 68° F/20° C Last year’s high .................................. 86° F/30° C Last year’s low ................................... 71° F/22° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ................................................ 50.85” Normal year to date ................................... 38.53”

Sunday

11:54 a.m.

-----

2.6 -----

5:32 a.m.

6:31 p.m.

0.6 0.6

Monday

12:28 a.m.

12:43 p.m.

2.1 2.5

6:27 a.m.

7:19 p.m.

0.8 0.6

Tuesday

1:24 a.m.

1:34 p.m.

2.1 2.4

7:25 a.m.

8:06 p.m.

0.9 0.6

Wednesday 2:18 a.m.

2:26 p.m.

2.2 2.3

8:26 a.m.

8:52 p.m.

0.9 0.5

Thursday

2.3 2.2

9:23 a.m.

9:36 p.m.

0.8 0.4

KEY WEST

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 74° F/23° C

Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2023

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 78° F/26° C

N

SUN AND MOON Sunrise Sunset

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 75° F/24° C

N

S

E

W

7-14 knots

S

8-16 knots

ANDROS

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

6:38 a.m.

5:20 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

9:15 p.m.

10:31 a.m.

Last

New

First

Full

Dec. 5

Dec. 12

Dec. 19

Dec. 26

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 75° F/24° C

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 78° F/26° C

N

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 77° F/25° C

E

W S

LONG ISLAND

TRACKING MAP

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

H

3:10 a.m.

3:16 p.m.

CAT ISLAND

E

W

TIDES FOR NASSAU High

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.

N

N

French President Emmanuel Macron about the likely nuclear announcement that will include "a public commitment in favor of nuclear energy, which in a way that we have never seen before."

He said such an arrangement with the backing of world powers could see nuclear energy become attainable by more nations.

8-16 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 86° F/30° C Low: 77° F/25° C

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

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 83° F/28° C Low: 80° F/27° C

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 86° F/30° C Low: 79° F/26° C

N

E

W

E

W

N

S

S

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

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business@tribunemedia.net

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2023

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PHILIP MCKENZIE

A SOUTH-WEST New Providence development was yesterday said to be filling a “ten-year void” in the middle class housing market after clinching $13m in lot sales during its first three months.

Ryan Knowles, also founder and chief executive of Maison Bahamas Real Estate, told Tribune Business “there’s a good chance” one-third of Windsor Lakes’ 173 total lots will be sold by year-end after “blowing

THE National Insurance Board (NIB) last night went manual to preserve access to essential medicines for thousands of Bahamians after the National Prescription Drug Plan’s IT system crashed.

Philip McKenzie, the social security system’s chairman, told Tribune Business that the Plan will approve manual prescriptions and purchases “until the system comes back up” following warnings that NIB’s

WINDSOR LAKES RENDERING through expectations” following the initial launch.

Speaking ahead of the project’s first buyer ‘open house’ tomorrow, he forecast that the value associated with the first 48 lot closings is “probably north of $20m” given estimates that around half the purchasers will likely opt for the “home package” construction offered by Windsor Lakes developers.

Armed with all the necessary environmental and planning approvals, Mr Knowles told this newspaper that Windsor Lakes’ developers - former Chamber of Commerce chair, Robert Myers, and Bahamas resident,

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

MICHAEL HALKITIS the Government’s $131.1m forecast at around $379m.

Seeking to shift the focus to economic growth, he described the Government’s final discussions with the visiting IMF team as “the most positive closing meeting I’ve ever

SEE PAGE A18

Bahamians ‘get better IP protections abroad’

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIANS are better able to safeguard their intellectual property rights and innovations in foreign countries than at home due to an existing regime that is “so antiquated”, the Attorney General said yesterday.

Ryan Pinder KC, addressing the Prime Minister’s Office’s media briefing on upcoming reforms to this nation’s intellectual property rights (IP) regime, pledged that the legislative changes as well as the

Tribune Business was told the Bahamas Pharmacy Council was due to discuss the situation last night, but the need for such a meeting may have been rendered moot after Mr McKenzie confirmed the Drug Plan will switch to manual medication dispensing following his conversations with NIB executives in charge of the initiative. He added that all participating pharmacies were due to be informed of the move last night.

Describing himself as “very concerned” by the Drug Plan’s IT system woes, which began on Wednesday afternoon and lasted the whole of yesterday, the NIB chair said: “We know how critical access to medication is for persons who need them. It’s a matter we treat as very serious. That’s why we’re going to manual. We understand that a day might be too long for some persons.”

Mr McKenzie disclosing that the National Prescription Drug Plan’s computer system and IT

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vacation pay fight Michael Huttman - are “moving quickly” as they seek to complete all the necessary infrastructure and “horizontal work” by 2024’s year-end.

Affirming that vertical construction would begin in earnest in early 2025 with amenities such as the clubhouse and pool, he added that ground will be broken on the community’s first two model homes in summer 2024.

With lot prices starting at $205,000 and going up to $400,000, and home packages costing between $895,000 and $1.2m, Mr Knowles said Windsor

SEE PAGE A18

Gov’t ‘betting on ability’ to prove the IMF wrong THE Government is “betting on our ability” to hit its fiscal targets, a Cabinet minister asserted yesterday, predicting that the Opposition and other critics will “be wrong again”.

Michael Halkitis, minister of economic affairs, sought to use the Prime Minister’s Office’s media briefing to change the narrative surrounding this week’s International Monetary Fund (IMF) Article IV statement, which predicted the current 20232024 fiscal year’s fiscal deficit will be near-triple

initial response would result in member patients being cut-off from critical medications.

Medical industry sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, yesterday informed this newspaper that NIB executives had initially wanted the Plan’s participating pharmacies to assume all financial risk and liabilities associated with issuing medicines following the technology meltdown. This was because the system shutdown had left the Plan unable to vet and approve any drug distribution to its patients.

Bahamian pharmacies were refusing to take on this risk burden, arguing it was unfair and that NIB should bear the liability because its system collapse sparked the crisis. Many pharmacies were still taking care of their patients’ needs by providing them with a reduced supply of medications - for several days or “a couple of weeks” - in the hope this would give sufficient time for the IT woes to be corrected.

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‘Tables are turned’: BPSU chiefs in

Project fills ‘10-year void’ for upper middle housing

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

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planned industry strategy will reverse this situation.

“Because of the proper protections at home, and making it easier to apply for these protections, especially those in the performance industries, the musicians and the artisans and the like, those consuming those services in The Bahamas will have to respect those property rights,” Mr Pinder said, signalling that the creative community could at last receive royalties due for their work.

“It’s easier for them to file for intellectual property rights abroad than it is at

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By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net AN EX-BAHAMAS Public Service Union (BPSU) president has enjoyed “limited success” in securing the $72,000 in accrued vacation pay he alleges is owed following a furious legal battle.

Justice Loren Klein, in a November 29, 2023, verdict, slashed 11 years off the claim by John Pinder, who subsequently became the Government’s labour director and the FNM’s Fox Hill candidate in the 2021 general election, finding that almost 75 percent was

barred by the six-year Limitation Act imposition.

The Supreme Court judge described the case as one in which “the tables are turned”, with Mr Pinder fighting to secure what he believed were his employment rights. It also pitted the former president against his successor, Kimsley Ferguson, with home he is still battling over the outcome of the recent BPSU election that has yet to be certified amid an ongoing investigation into alleged irregularities.

Mr Ferguson, who gave evidence on behalf of the BPSU’s three trustees, was described by Justice Klein

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