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Volume: 113 No.16

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016

WHERE NOW FOR FNM? INSIGHT - PAGE SEVEN

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Butler-Turner talks to DNA over Senate McCartney ‘lined up’ for post in deal with rebels

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net IT WAS claimed last night that newly appointed official Opposition leader Loretta Butler-Turner has offered a Senate seat to the Democratic National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney.

However, Mrs ButlerTurner declined to comment on the report, saying she had made no decision, but would announce her Senate appointments within the next 24 hours.

On the heels of her historic appointment as the first female leader of the official Opposition, according to well-placed sources, Mrs Butler-Turner was expected to name her one-time Cabinet colleague during the last Ingraham administration leader of Opposition business in the Senate this

week, if he accepts the offer.

The Tribune understands that after a weekend of “high level talks,” Mrs Butler-Turner, the Free National Movement’s MP for Long Island, has offered a deal to the DNA - “guaranteeing” the third party an official voice on national issues in the build-up to the 2017 general election.

In the wake of the ousting of FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis as leader of the Official Opposition in Parliament, all four of the party’s Senate appointments - Carl Bethel, Kwasi Thompson, Monique Gomez and Dr Duane Sands - have tendered their resignations.

They did so because Dr Minnis appointed them.

“The ball is with the DNA now, she laid her SEE PAGE SIX

MINNIS SLAMS REPLACEMENT IN POST AS ‘ABUSE OF PROCESS’

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE appointment of Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner as leader of the official Opposition was labelled yesterday as the result of an “abuse of the democratic process” by the “blind, greedy and selfish ambition of a few,” according to Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis.

In a press statement released shortly after 3pm Sunday, as Mrs Butler-Turn-

er was receiving her instruments of appointment in a ceremony at Government House, Dr Minnis slammed the move as a swipe to the “faithful, dedicated, hardworking and committed” members of his party.

Dr Minnis said despite the tactics used to oust him, he remains “steadfast” in his duty as party leader, contending that the occurrences in the wake of his removal as official Opposition leader in Parliament have not “moved” him.

SEE PAGE FIVE

HISTORY MAKER LEADS OPPOSITION LORETTA Butler-Turner at Government House yesterday where she received her instruments of appointment as the first female leader of the opposition.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net HINTING at new and unexpected possibilities for the country, Long Island MP Loretta ButlerTurner yesterday accepted her instruments of appointment to become the first woman to serve as leader of the official Opposition.

While she noted the historic first, Mrs Butler-Turner stressed that greater significance lay in the conviction expressed by herself and her parliamentary colleagues for a new direction in the country.

“Today is about the collective judgment and the sincere beliefs of the majority of the duly elected representatives opposed to the government of the day,” she told those

CHIPMAN HOPES TO AVOID FNM ‘KANGAROO COURT’

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunmedia.net

POINTING to the “vague” language in the party’s constitution, St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman yesterday said he hoped the disciplinary proceedings launched by the Free National Movement against him and his parliamentary colleagues would not become a “kangaroo court”.

Mr Chipman insisted

attending after receiving the instruments from Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling.

“We have acted in accord with the Bahamas’ Constitution and in accord with parliamentary democracy. We have acted in accord with our consciences, as have others in this country who have also acted similarly.”

SEE PAGE FIVE

REBEL SEVEN HIT OUT AT ‘ABSURD’ EXPULSION PLAN

FULL COVERAGE OF FNM CRISIS

By TANEKA THOMPSON Tribune News Editor tmthompson@tribunemedia.net

- SEE PAGES 3-7

THE seven “rebel” Free National Movement MPs who ousted Dr Hubert Minnis as leader of the official Opposition in Parliament have called plans to expel them from the party “absurd” and “perverse”.

In a statement released last night, the group said the actions taken by the FNM’s Executive Committee “to initiate expulsion

that he and the “rebel” FNM MPs were not in breach of the party’s constitution when they moved to oust Dr Hubert Minnis as leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Assembly last Wednesday.

SEE PAGE SIX

proceedings” against them shows that party officials “are obsessed with the embarrassment suffered by Dr Minnis, instead of the interests of the FNM as an organisation, or the larger national interest”.

The statement came from Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner, Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant, St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman, Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn, SEE PAGE THREE

ONLY ONE SEAT EXTRA RECOMMENDED FOR NEW PROVIDENCE

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

House & Spray We can computer colour match:

THE Constituencies Commission is expected to convene today for a final meeting on its recommendations for boundary changes, which, according

to well-placed sources, will call for the addition of only one seat in New Providence.

Constituencies Commission Chair and House Speaker Dr Kendal Major confirmed to The Tribune that the report had been completed last week and sent to opposition member K Pe-

ter Turnquest for review.

The Constituencies Commission is comprised of Dr Major; Senior Justice Stephen Isaacs, vice-chair; government members, Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis and Jerome Fitzgerald; Official Opposition member East Grand

Bahama MP Mr Turnquest; and House clerks Maurice Tynes and David Forbes.

Members are expected to provide feedback at today’s meeting, and subsequently turn it over to Prime Minister Perry Christie.

SEE PAGE 11

Friday Oct 28th Saturday Dec 24th, 2016

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PAGE 2, Monday, December 12, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

HOW DO YOU PARK LIKE THAT?

THE TRUCK that became lodged in the wall outside Treasure Cove, knocking down part of the gated community’s sign.

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RESIDENTS in eastern New Providence woke up yesterday to find the entrance to one gated community on Yamacraw Hill Road boasting a strange new feature.

A white truck was parked atop the exterior wall of Treasure Cove, having appeared to have ploughed across the entrance, taking out a water hydrant en route and somehow flipping into the air, up onto the wall

and demolishing a large section which included part of the signage.

People who gathered to look at how the truck had arrived at its position six feet above the ground suggested the tyre tracks showed the truck was facing back the way it came, from the direction of St Andrew’s School and heading for Palm Cay. By yesterday afternooon, the truck had been removed.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, December 12, 2016, PAGE 3

Minnis ‘irrational and selfish’ to ask rebels to quit the FNM

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

FORT Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins said it was “irrational and selfish” of Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr Hubert Minnis to request that the “rebel” seven members of Parliament who ousted him from the post of Official Opposition leader in the House of Assembly resign, as he suggested the Killarney MP had a “lust for power.”

Dr Rollins was frank when it came to the group’s game plan and revealed to The Tribune on Friday that he hoped their bold move in the House of Assembly on Wednesday would lead to senior FNMs successfully calling Dr Minnis to a series of closed-door meetings with the intention of helping him to realise what was important.

He defended their actions as a move that “spoke truth” in acknowledging that the Official Opposition had suffered from an “inexcusable lack” of competent leadership.

“Asking for the resignation of 70 per cent of your representation in the House of Assembly is irrational and selfish,” Dr Rollins told The Tribune. “I am hopeful that senior, respected members of the FNM will be successful in calling Dr Minnis into a series of closed-door meetings with the intention of helping him to realise that the welfare of the party is far more important than the lust for power.”

The MP said seeking to

reduce the Opposition’s presence in Parliament to just three of 38 seats was not the best course of action. He went on to accuse Dr Minnis of swearing that he would break up the party if there were any attempts to remove him as leader.

This comes after Central and South Abaco MP Edison Key told The Tribune on Thursday that Dr Minnis could not force him out of the party and Central Grand Bahamas MP Neko

Grant’s “respectful” rejection of the leader’s request that they all resign.

Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn, North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly and St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman, in speaking to ZNS News, also said they had no plans to resign from the party.

Dr Rollins continued: “Dr Minnis recently advised me that if there was any attempt to remove him as leader he would - and I quote - ‘break up the party’. I want to publicly ask Dr Minnis, in light of his irrational request for the resignation of practically the entire FNM parliamentary team, whether he still intends to ‘break up” the FNM party?

“I believe that I can say without fear of contradiction that none of the seven, several of whom have been members of the FNM far longer than Dr Minnis, is motivated by any selfish desire to ‘break up the party’.

Our mission is to speak truth to power, whether it be in relation to the governing party or the opposition,

executive committee of the FNM, attempting to exculpate themselves.

“In the event that you fail to reply or the Executive Committee is of opinion that such reply as you have furnished does not exculpate you, the Executive Committee may, under the provisions of Article 54 of the constitution of the FNM, appoint a tribunal, as therein specified,” the letter says.

A copy of the letter, which is signed by FNM Secretary General Michael

Foulkes, has been sent and received by the seven parliamentarians.

The FNM has never expelled a member before, but that is one possibility that now hangs over the seven MPs. If not exculpated, they could also be fined not more than $100 or be suspended for no longer than a year, according to the FNM constitution.

The Executive Committee said the parliamentarians brought the party into disrepute through the

events of December 7 when they sent a letter to Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling that was read in the House of Assembly by House Speaker Dr Kendal Major.

In the letter, the parliamentarians declared that they have withdrawn their support for Dr Hubert Minnis as leader of the Opposition in the House of Assembly and voted for Long Island MP Loretta ButlerTurner to lead them.

Last week, the seven par-

liamentarians said they would not resign from the party.

“I don’t have any plans to,” Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn said, echoing a sentiment expressed recently by St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman, Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins, Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant, North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly and Mrs Butler-Turner.

“I supported the party from God knows when,” he added. “I worked for the party and believe in its prin-

ciples and I plan to remain an FNM.” Regarding the future, he said: “I don’t know where we go from this.”

Mrs Butler-Turner was sworn in as the first female leader of the Official Opposition on Sunday at Government House.

Mrs Butler-Turner met with Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling on Friday morning.

She described the meeting to The Tribune as “nice and cordial”.

sonality in a post-Majority Rule Bahamas.

“We, the majority of the FNM’s parliamentary team, were constrained to seek the assistance of the governor general in the best interests of the FNM and the wider interests of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.

“We acted in response to serious concerns about the performance of the leader of the Opposition and those concerns do not go against the provisions of Article 53 of the FNM’s constitution in any way. Indeed, to assert that they do is to put forward the notion that the FNM is nothing more than a dictatorship, where concerns voiced about the leadership are met with violent intolerance. That is a form of fascism. The FNM was formed as a check against such dangerous political overreach. We wish to re-

mind Dr Minnis that we live in a democracy.

“The ridiculous suggestion that our actions were treasonous or undemocratic suggests a lack of understanding the difference between the political party and the state.

Any accusation that our actions were unlawful would only be appropriate if Dr Minnis were a reigning monarch. However, we must remind all Bahamians that Dr Minnis is not a king.”

The MPs added: “In taking these actions, we are enthusiastically supported

by FNM supporters and Bahamians-at-large. The FNM was conceived in dissent and nurtured in struggle. The actions taken on December 7, 2016 were envisaged by the framers of the Bahamas’ Constitution, men like Sir Arthur Foulkes and Sir Orville Turnquest, together with founding fa-

thers of the FNM like Maurice Moore and Dr Elwood Donaldson who are still alive today, as a democratic means of removing an ineffectual leader of the Opposition. We have acted lawfully in accordance with our nation’s supreme law.

“We remind Dr Minnis that the FNM is at its root a party that was built on principled dissent in response to political intimidation.

We proudly carry on that tradition of fighting against those, like Dr Minnis, who wish for us to cower in the face of threats of expulsion for speaking truth to power.

Our country desperately needs people of courage to rise up and take a stand. We stand with men and women of courage.”

Last Wednesday, seven of the FNM’s ten MPs wrote to Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling ask-

ing her to remove Dr Minnis as leader of the Opposition, invoking Article 82 of the Constitution. The MPs asked Dame Marguerite to replace him with Mrs Butler-Turner.

The Long Island MP was officially sworn in yesterday.

After a special meeting at FNM headquarters on Wednesday night, Dr Minnis, who is still FNM leader, called on the dissenting

MPs to quit the party or face disciplinary action.

The MPs have said they have no plans to resign.

Letters outlining the charges against the MPs was sent to them on Friday.

AN EXTRACT from one of the letters sent to the dissenting MPs.

for the purposes of promoting the advancement of our country.

“Our actions (Wednesday) spoke truth in acknowledging that the parliamentary opposition has suffered from an inexcusable lack of competent leadership and serious change is desperately needed for the sake of our country and the Bahamian people.

“Therefore, I will be recommending to my parliamentary colleagues that we seek to join senior figures within the FNM in a closed-door meeting with Dr Minnis to determine the best course of action for the party under these difficult circumstances. Seeking to have your party’s representation in the House of Assembly reduced to three out of 38 seats, or less than 10 per cent, certainly does not qualify as the best course of action.”

Dr Minnis was blindsided by the seven MPs when House Speaker Dr Kendal Major revealed on Wednesday morning that they had submitted a letter of no confidence in the Killarney

MP and that they voted to have Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner be the new Opposition leader.

This letter was also sent to Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling, who has officially approved the request. Mrs Butler-Turner was sworn in as Official Opposition leader at Government House yesterday.

On Wednesday night at the FNM’s headquarters following the stunning move by the rebel seven, Dr Minnis called on the MPs to do the honourable thing and resign from the party or face disciplinary action.

Speaking to a raucous crowd of supporters, Dr Minnis said he thanked God that the MPs launched their plot before the party was victorious at the 2017 polls, as their actions would have destabilised the government.

He called the plot a “stunning usurpation of the very essence of the democratic right of a political organisation to determine its leadership”.

SEVEN MPS CHARGED WITH BRINGING PARTY INTO DISREPUTE

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Free National Movement (FNM) has charged the “rebel seven” parliamentarians with action that has brought the party into “disrepute, division, rancor and dishonour,” according to a letter about disciplinary proceedings obtained by The Tribune.

The parliamentarians will have seven days to give a written response to the

REBEL SEVEN HIT OUT AT ‘ABSURD’ EXPULSION PLAN from page one

North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly, Central and South Abaco MP Edison Key and Ft Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins.

The group called accusations from Dr Minnis that their actions were undemocratic “ridiculous,” stressing that the time had long passed to put the country’s interests ahead of the “selfish political pettiness of Dr Minnis”.

The statement said: “To be clear, it is absurd and perverse that our party would entertain the thought of expelling us for taking the same actions that the dissident eight – the founders of the FNM – took against Sir Lynden Pindling and the PLP in response to our country’s first preoccupation with the cult of per-

PAGE 4, Monday, December 12, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

The Tribune Limited NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI “Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

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Put your country first, Dr Minnis FROM TIME to time, one hears the suggestion that the Westminster system of government does not suit The Bahamas. In our opinion, the only reason that it doesn’t suit The Bahamas is because we don’t understand it and have, over the years, bastardised it.

The Westminster system in England has been developed over centuries in the UK parliament by conventions, practices and precedents. In The Bahamas, for example, as in many other areas of the Commonwealth, it has been codified in a written constitution.

Today, in our own parliament, we have a situation where the majority of Opposition MPs have declared that they are no longer prepared to serve under their present leader. They have elected Long Island MP Loretta Butler Turner as their leader and have received the instruments of office from Governor General, Dame Marguerite Pindling, who represents her Majesty the Queen, to make her appointment official.

The head of government – who in the case of The Bahamas is Prime Minister Perry Christie, is appointed by the head of state, who is the governor general. To be appointed prime minister, the governor general must be satisfied that he has the support of the majority of the Members of Parliament. Therefore, in addition to being Prime Minister, Mr Christie enters parliament as the leader of his party, the Progressive Liberal Party.

Now we have the situation in our House of Assembly where, after over four years of giving Opposition leader Dr Hubert Minnis an opportunity to convince his parliamentary colleagues that he is ready and able to mount a formidable opposition to the ruling PLP in the 2017 general election - a mere five months away – he doesn’t even have a united party behind him. All we hear of are squabbles among members, with some now declining to offer for re-election.

In a surprise move on Wednesday, seven of Dr Minnis’ MPs delivered a letter of no confidence in him to both Speaker of the House Dr Kendal Major, and Governor General, Dame Marguerite Pindling. The dissidents informed both that they had appointed Long Island MP Loretta Butler Turner as their Leader in the House.

We now have the absurd position where Mrs Butler-Turner is the Opposition leader in the House, but outside of the House Dr Minnis is the leader of their party, the FNM. That certainly is not the spirit of the Westminster system of government. Mrs Butler-Turner should be the leader of both.

Dr Minnis has now turned around and brought expulsion proceedings against the seven “rebels”. So instead of spending the next five months on the business of the people, Dr Minnis, if he gets his way, has put his own interests first and will probably spend the next five months fighting in court with his own parliamentary colleagues — which is primarily what he has been doing for the past four years.

This time, it is not the “Dissident Eight” protesting the leadership of the late Sir Lynden Pindling of the PLP, but the “Dissident Seven” protesting the leadership of Dr Hubert Minnis of the FNM. “We acted in response to serious concerns about the performance of the leader of the opposition and those concerns do not go against the provisions of Article 53 of the FNM’s constitution in any way,” said the majority of the FNM’s team in the House.

“Indeed, to assert that they do is to put

forward the notion that the FNM is nothing more than a dictatorship, where concerns voiced about the leadership are met with violent intolerance. That is a form of fascism. The FNM was formed as a check against such dangerous political overreach. We wish to remind Dr Minnis that we live in a democracy.

“The ridiculous suggestion that our actions were treasonous or undemocratic suggests a lack of understanding the difference between the political party and the state. Any accusation that our actions were unlawful would only be appropriate if Dr Minnis were a reigning monarch.

However, we must remind all Bahamians that Dr Minnis is not a king.”

Obviously, Dr Minnis seems to think otherwise.

“What has occurred over the last few days in the FNM is the result of individuals who have failed to respect the democratic process of their own party,” said Dr Minnis.

“They have put their self-centred ambitions for leadership, and personal feelings toward me, ahead of the will of the people and the best interest of the country.

“The Free National Movement is not distracted. Our party remains the best opportunity for real, systemic change in this country. To our supporters in these seven constituencies, many of whom have contacted the party over the last few days expressing a sense of deep betrayal and disappointment in these representatives, please be assured that your party has not abandoned you.”

Now let’s look at how a similar situation was handled in the Westminster system of government.

The year was 1990 and the formidable “Iron Lady”, Dame Margaret Thatcher after 11 years as prime minister had lost the confidence of her cabinet — we shan’t go into the political background leading up to this. However, in the Commons, the question was whether to fight for her position in a second ballot or bow out of the contest. Her first instinct was to fight, but after consultation and reflection she made the following statement.

“Having consulted widely among my colleagues, I have concluded that the unity of the Party and the prospects of victory in a General Election would be better served if I stood down to enable Cabinet colleagues to enter the ballot for the leadership. I should like to thank all those in Cabinet and outside who have given me such dedicated support.”

She stepped down on November 28, 1990 and recommended John Major to replace her as party leader.

An election was looming. However, because of the unrest in the country it was doubtful that Mr Major’s Conservatives would have a chance at the polls. However, he surprised the nation when he led the Conservatives to a fourth election victory. It was reported that in that election he won the most “votes in British electoral history with over 14 million in the 1992 general election, with a reduced majority in the House of Commons”.

This is how it is done in the first world, Dr Minnis. Mrs Thatcher put the country before herself and the country won.

As someone remarked last night, if Mr Major could mount a crippled horse midstream and win, so can the FNM in five months.

We hope that Dr Minnis gets the message, backs aside and gives the Bahamian people a chance to have a government that will put their interests first.

The Wisdom of Solomon EDITOR, The Tribune.

EXCLUDING the Lord Jesus Christ, the biblical King Solomon is considered to be the wisest man who ever lived.

Solomon once faced the daunting task of determining which of two prostitutes was the true mother of a child that both claimed to be the mother of.

Solomon was able to determine the true mother by identifying the one who had genuine concern for the welfare of the child. The false mother showed no such concern and exposed her illegitimate claim to the

child when she uttered these heartless words to the true mother: “He shall be neither mine nor yours; divide him.”

Thus Solomon gave the child to its true mother, and the false mother walked away empty handed.

Today, we don’t fight over children like the two prostitutes in Solomon’s day. But we fight over many other things, like who should pastor churches and who should lead political parties. And that enduring principle that flowed from Solomon’s wise judgment is still helpful to us in rendering just decisions in these matters. We can call it Solomon’s Rule: Those

with legitimate claims demonstrate genuine concern for that which the dispute is over, whether a church or a political party or something else, and will do what they can to protect it; on the other hand, those with illegitimate claims will forcefully take what does not belong to them and are even willing to destroy it in the process.

May Solomon’s Rule guide us all as we are faced with judging disputes between competing sides, both now and in the future.

PASTOR CEDRIC MOSS Nassau, December 10, 2016.

True face of Opposition EDITOR, The Tribune.

I WOULD be the biggest fool in The Bahamas if I were to say that the governing Progressive Liberal Party, my party of choice, does not have serious challenges as we prepare to go into the 2017 general elections. There is still an unacceptably high level of crime; the employment statistics remain troubling; our societal order is badly broken and far too many of our politicians, especially PLPs, have become, apparently, tone deaf when it boils down to the unwashed and forgotten masses.

Yes, there are some of my colleagues in the PLP who, like the ostrich, with its head in the proverbial sand, continue to exist in a state of denial and gung-ho shaving cream. The people of this wonderful nation are at a cross roads and are hungry for real hope; help and actual deliverance.

The never ending infighting within the Free National Movement commenced the very minute that Hubert Minnis declared: “The Ingraham era is over”. A seasoned and deliberate politician would never have said that, at that raw and emotive time within that party. You simply do not diss a former Prime Minister and Leader of your party like that in public. Minnis is not a natural or even a competent politician, no matter what his flunkies may say or postulate.

Minnis, like a bull in the china shop, has long employed a slash and burn sort of leadership style. It would appear that one must always fall into place with his outlandish and diabolical stance on issues of national importance or be relegated to his ‘enemies’ list. He quickly threw Michael Pintard under the bus after they all met with two outstanding, self admitted “criminals”’, but not before Minnis got his share of the fish. Pintard can’t now expect to be nominated for the post of dog catcher.

Edison Key, regardless of whatever anyone might think about him, is an astute businessman with solid roots in South Abaco. His political base is secure and it is a given, almost, that he will be re-elected by a substantial majority if he offers in 2017.

Minnis, apparently, back stabbed him with the biggest of the rusty cutlasses, when he sent his lap dogs into the

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net South Abaco constituency ‘to test the waters’.

Mind you, this is the same Minnis, who apparently sanctioned Andre ‘2000’ Rollins to go into Long Island, a few months ago when they were allies, ‘to test the waters’. The leader of a real party simply does not do these sort of things, unilaterally and without much deliberation. Politics is ‘war’ but in a different form. If my friend is your enemy then you are also my enemy. This is a core political concept and universal principle.

Minnis, clearly, is not a leader or consensus adherent. He has single handily decimated the FNM and bust up any semblance of electoral hope which it might have had. Several FNM senators have now resigned, inclusive of Carl ‘Darth Vader’ Bethel (thank God) and the question is: Who will Loretta appoint and to whom will the appointees ‘owe’ their loyalty and, more importantly, at what price?

As a constitutional scholar, it is beyond me to rationalise the disjointed state of the so-called opposition. Those who are in that doll house situation are no friends of this wonderful nation. They would appear to be, by their very antics, in hot and naked pursuit of political ascendency, consumed by the same.

The Bahamian people are a unique breed. We are passive in many areas but when it comes down to political leadership we do not like to see public and acrimonious spectacles being played out too long.

The true face of the opposition has now been exposed to public ridicule.

Minnis, a noted surgeon, who, by virtue of his profession, was privileged to deliver more than 5,000 babies. No doubt, after doing so, he may have developed a warped personality, politically speaking. Who knows, perhaps not even Dr. No. Loretta is the personification of determination, regardless of the consequences.

She has either assumed the mantle of national saviour or she might believe that she has an ‘entitlement’ to national leadership. Who knows?

The others in that entity with the boys in short pants and the girls in quindolyn

skirts are also politically delusional. It has been opined that ‘the moneyed classes’, whoever they might be, are poised to financially support a ‘united’ opposition.

In politics, money might play a role, but I submit that in 2017 it will be more of political unity and strategy rather than pure cash (take it, please, from all sides, if offered). The ‘leaders’ of the opposition cabals are not genuine or sincere people.

They could care less about the unwashed masses which they will use and abuse to defeat the PLP, if it were possible.

The PLP, however, must pull up its socks and get on with the real business of the people. We have no more time to waste. Our core message must get out into the public arena with a vengeance, no pun intended. The message must be urgently sent and actually delivered that ‘The Bahamian Contract’ will be implemented during the first quarter of 2017.

‘The Bahamian Contract’ is simple: stand and delivered on the bulk of the electoral promises made in 2012. We all accept that crime is not a political issue but the PLP administration has the tools and legislative majority to harden the teeth or dentures of the criminal justice system right now, today. The persistent high levels of unemployment will continue until and unless the PLP encourages and facilitate the development and growth of a ‘real’ entrepreneurial sector within our fragile economy.

Crown Land must be freed up incrementally for immediate usage by Bahamians for home construction, at basic cost with complete infrastructure. The Bahamas Development Bank should be combined with a consortium of commercial banks in a public/private sector partnership, free from ALL overt political interference.

Yes, the PLP will prevail next year but there is still yet a lot of work that has to be done by us. The true face of the opposition has been exposed and it is still the chore of the PLP to wipe away the tears from every eye; to clothe the naked; to bring sight to the blind (politically) and to feed the hungry. To God then, in all things, be the glory.

ORTLAND H. BODIE JR. Nassau, December 10, 2016.

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, December 12, 2016, PAGE 5

History maker leads Opposition from page one She added: “We stand on a firm and tested democratic foundation, history will judge our intention and our resolve.”

After the ceremony, when pressed for details on the next move for herself and the six Free National Movement parliamentarians who ousted Dr Hubert Minnis as leader of the official Opposition in the House of Assembly last Wednesday, Mrs Butler-Turner replied: “Stay tuned.”

The FNM has charged that the parliamentarians have brought the party into “disrepute, division, rancor and dishonour,” according to a letter about disciplinary proceedings that may be launched against them, obtained by The Tribune.

Mrs Butler-Turner said she and her colleagues would issue a response to those charges by today.

When asked whether the resulting dispute will affect efforts to mount a strong Opposition in Parliament, Mrs Butler-Turner said: “I seriously doubt that, we know what needs to be done in the House.

We’ve watched for a long time as the Progressive Liberal Party has done many things that the Opposition has not stood up to strongly enough, and so our position in the House will be very strong.”

Mrs Butler-Turner said: “Much of what our decision is predicated on is on the Constitution of The Bahamas which supersedes any constitution there is, and so our position certainly hearkens to all of the perimeters of where we are as the official Opposition as laid out in the Constitution of The Bahamas.

“We have done absolutely nothing undemocratic or unconstitutional,” she said.

Asked about her efforts to mount a strong opposition in the context that Dr Minnis was still the leader of the FNM, and if successful, would become prime minister after the next election, she said: “I think a lot of that is hinged on the response that we get from the party itself and so as we move forward very quickly those determinations will be made.”

Democratic National Alliance chairman Andrew Wilson, and the third party’s candidate for Elizabeth,

Prodesta Moore, attended the ceremony amid reports that the “rebel” FNM MPs are negotiating a coalition with the DNA. For his part, Mr Wilson said he wanted to witness history in the making.

To this, Mrs Butler-Turner said: “Rumours are simply that - rumours.”

Mrs Butler-Turner named North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly to replace Bamboo Town MP Renward Wells as leader of Opposition business in the House, but was tightlipped over Senate picks slated for release “within the next 24 hours”.

“New appointments is only one of the tasks that we have at hand. We also need to ensure that we have a person on the Boundaries Commission, we have an opportunity to do that.

“From a statutory and constitutional position there is much work to be done and we will not wait to draw it out. You will see immediate things happening within 24 hours.”

All of the MPs who called for Dr Minnis’ removal, except Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant, were present at yesterday’s ceremony.

“To FNMs throughout the Bahamas, rest assured that your Free National Movement Party is ready, energised, and committed more than ever to fight, for and on your behalf.

“As Oscar Wilde once wrote, sometimes, ‘what seems to us as bitter trials, are often blessings in disguise.’”

On Wednesday, Mrs Butler-Turner led the successful ousting of Dr Minnis, after she and six of her colleagues - Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant, St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman, North Eleuthera Theo Neilly, Central and South Abaco MP Edison Key, Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn, and Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins - wrote Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling, stating that they had lost faith in the leadership of Dr Minnis.

The MPs exercised their right under Article 82 of the Constitution.

They also said they voted to have Mrs Butler-Turner replace him as leader of the official Opposition in Parliament.

In response to the move, Dr Minnis called on the group to do the honourable

thing and resign from the party or face disciplinary action.

To date, none of the parliamentarians have tendered their resignations from the party.

When contacted by The Tribune on Friday for comment, FNM Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest insisted that the party’s constitution spoke clearly to the matter, adding that Dr Minnis would be absolved and the party “best ready to move forward”.

He said the FNM must now focus on completing its platform, the ratifications of its remaining candidates and its overall election machinery, as it awaits the outcome of the process.

Mr Turnquest maintained that there would be no split in the party over the ordeal, as the “disgruntled” parliamentarians didn’t speak for party supports.

“There is no split. We have a serious difference of opinion by seven members

LORETTA Butler-Turner MP receiving her instruments of appointment as leader of the Opposition from Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling.

MINNIS SLAMS REPLACEMENT IN POST AS ‘ABUSE OF PROCESS’ from page one

“What has occurred over the last few days in the FNM is the result of individuals who have failed to respect the democratic process of their own party,” said Dr Minnis.

“They have put their self-centred ambitions for leadership, and personal feelings toward me, ahead of the will of the people and the best interest of the country.

“The Free National Movement is not distracted. Our party remains the best opportunity for real, systemic change in this country. To our supporters in these seven constituencies, many of whom have contacted the party over the last few days expressing a sense of deep betrayal and disappointment in these representatives, please be assured that your party has not abandoned you.

“Indeed, we are energised and committed more than ever to ensure that you and our beloved Bahamians, receive what you truly deserve: the highest quality representation, with impeccable integrity.

who have taken a unique but not unprecedented position. The overwhelming majority of the FNM, its associations and its various constituencies and councils fully support our leader and our party.

“Not to say that there may not be a few other individuals that agree with their actions. I’m sure there are, but the overwhelming majority supports the leadership and the party. That was clear in successive conventions and in council.”

Earlier this year, six of the MPs, excluding Mr Key, threatened to ask the governor general to strip Dr Minnis of his post as official Opposition leader if he did not convene an earlier con-

vention, which was originally scheduled for November.

Dr Minnis acceded to this demand and the party held a three-day convention in July. Leading up to the event, Mrs Butler-Turner campaigned for the leader

post, only to drop out of the race hours before votes were cast.

Despite the bitter campaign, she was recently ratified as the FNM’s candidate for Long Island for the 2017 general election.

PAGE 6, Monday, December 12, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

FNM DENIES REPORTS IT HAS BEEN EVICTED FROM ITS HEADQUARTERS

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

THE Free National Movement (FNM) has denied social media reports that the organisation has been evicted from its headquarters.

The party’s Secretary General, Michael Foulkes, said on Friday that the par-

ty owned the building on Mackey Street, and as such, could not be evicted.

The rumours alleged that “the real owner” of the building demanded that the organisation vacate the premises unless the party rescinded its request for the seven parliamentarians - who expressed “no confidence” in Dr Hubert Minnis last week, and sought

his removal as leader of the Official Opposition - resign from the party.

It was unclear what prompted the rumour but it comes at a sensitive time for the party after Dr Minnis became the first person to be removed as leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Assembly following the vote of no confidence by seven of his colleagues.

In a statement, Mr Foulkes said: “The Free National Movement is the absolute beneficial owner of its national headquarters building on Mackey Street and has not received any claim from any person or entity regarding the building. Further, no person or entity has purported to serve any eviction notice or any other notice, on the

Free National Movement relevant to our national headquarters or otherwise.

“The rumours that have been circulated surrounding the ownership of the FNM national headquarters are just that, totally false, baseless and unfounded rumors and the effort of mischief makers,” he said.

“An untrue story circulating on social media is

just an example of that new phenomenon of ‘fake news’ which plagued the recent American presidential election.”

He added: “The FNM will not allow rumours to affect our continued fight to bring much needed change for our people and accountability and transparency to the government of The Bahamas.”

Butler-Turner talks to DNA over Senate from page one cards out to Mr McCartney and (his) team. It is all up to them now,” stated one source close to Mrs ButlerTurner.

“There is still some confusion over how exactly this will play out, but the DNA will move forward as the leader in the Upper Chamber if everything goes as planned.”

The offer was confirmed last evening by at least three high-ranking DNA officials, who did not want to be identified.

“The ink isn’t dried on this yet,” noted one DNA source.

Another DNA insider insisted that executives of the party still had to hold a final meeting today to determine if the party could and should accept the arrangement.

DNA Chairman Andrew Wilson, who was present during Mrs Butler-Turner’s appointment ceremony at Government House on Sunday, told The Tribune he was not in a position to confirm or deny if an arrangement was in place.

“I was at (Sunday’s) event

because I viewed it as history in the making,” he said when contacted by The Tribune.

“I wanted to be there to see that. We have never made any secret about the fact that we are open to talk with any group, any person, focused on moving this country forward.

We have had conversations with many people to that end.”

Mr Wilson confirmed that Mr McCartney would address the press later today on the brewing speculation over the future of the DNA. On Friday, Mr McCartney told The Tribune he had not “given any consideration” to public speculation that his party could be the destination for those seven FNM MPs who moved to oust Dr Minnis last week.

The former Bamboo Town MP told The Tribune at the time, that while he had not communicated directly with Mrs ButlerTurner, her move had opened the door to many political opportunities which he said needed to be “thoroughly considered” before being explored.

LORETTA BUTLER-TURNER, leader of opposition in the House of Assembly, pictured with Andrew Wilson, DNA chairman, at yesterday’s ceremony to present her with her letters of appointment.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

CHIPMAN HOPES TO AVOID FNM ‘KANGAROO COURT’ from page one

Meanwhile, fellow “rebel” MP Dr Andre Rollins insisted that last week’s shake-up was the catalyst for a revitalised electorate.

The Tribune spoke to both men on the sidelines of Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner’s historic appointment as the first woman to lead the Official Opposition.

Dr Rollins said: “There is absolutely no doubt about it that people are now far more interested in the political future of this country than they were before Wednesday of last week.

People had grown so despondent towards politics in this country because, quite frankly, it was stale.

“There was no real message coming from the Opposition, no policies being clearly articulated that all of the members of the Opposition could speak to. So it appeared as if we really didn’t know what we were doing.”

The petition to remove Dr Minnis was signed by Mrs Butler-Turner, Central Grand Bahama MP Neko Grant, St Anne’s MP Hubert Chipman, North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly, Central and South Abaco MP Edison Key, Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn and Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins. All of the signatories have declared that they will not quit the party, and as such, have been accused of bringing the party into “disrepute, division, rancour and dishonour.”

It’s a case that many expect will languish on at the party’s tribunal, and ultimately in the courts.

“I’d hate to see it go all the way to court,” Mr Chipman said, “because I think really the matter is a very simple matter. According to the FNM constitution, Article 53, it’s kind of vague.

“When you’re talking about disrepute, how did we bring the party into disrepute? We can go back and name quite a number a lot of things that has been, as far as the leader is concerned, (bringing) disrepute,” he said.

Mr Chipman added: “I would think about disrepute as a criminal matter, bankruptcy, or something like that. I don’t have no charges against me. As far

as I’m aware there is no precedent for that. I think if anyone reads and interprets article 53 of the constitution of the FNM there is leeway.

“I would hate to see it be a kangaroo court, but if it is we don’t control that.”

The parliamentarians have seven days from receipt of a letter from the party outlining the charges against them to give a written response to the Executive Committee of the FNM, attempting to exculpate themselves.

Both Mr Key and Dr Rollins have publicly called for Dr Minnis to step down from the top post as the best possible solution for the party, and the country.

When asked if he adopted that position, Mr Chipman said: “I think we have

gone through that scenario on a number of occasions. I think there have been ultimatums in the recent past, even at the convention, we were granted the convention.

“There have been a number of things that have transpired as far as, look here what are we doing, where are we going, how are we going to get there, but like my grandmother always said, ‘all can’t be wrong and you’re right.’”

For his part, Dr Rollins said: “I don’t believe six months out from an election you can honestly say that you are performing properly or effectively as the government in waiting, if your standard bearers can’t tell you what they are going to be bringing to the country if elected.

“That’s problematic,” he said.

Responding to questions about his tenuous past with Mrs Butler-Turner, who infamously slapped him in the House of Assembly in 2013, Dr Rollins said: “I’m just here today as a spectator to history, I’m proud to have played some small role in allowing there to be a true expression of the belief that men and women are capable of being leaders in our country.

“We got a lot of (voter) apathy, and forget about my personal relationship with Loretta Butler-Turner.

It has nothing to do, as far as I’m concerned now, with whether or not I consider Loretta Butler-Turner one of my close friends, we’re not close friends but we’re coming together to do what we believe is in the country’s best interest and that is what all of us as politicians have to do.”

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the stories behind the news

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016

insight@tribunemedia.net

Meet the new team: Loretta Butler-Turner with the FNM MPs who voted to dislodge Dr Hubert Minnis as leader of the Official Opposition last week at the cermony of her receiving the instruments of appointment yesterday at Government House. From left, Theo Neilly, Eleuthera; Edison Key, Central and South Abaco; Mrs Butler-Turner, Long Island; Hubert Chipman, St Anne’s; Richard Lightbourn, Montagu; and Andre Rollins, Fort Charlotte. Neko Grant, MP for Central Grand Bahama, was not present yesterday.

Where do we go from here?

Do the FNM rebels have a plan? Will Branville McCartney be the power broker and how?

Malcom J Strachan looks at the ramifications of upheaval in the Official Opposition

T

he deed has been done, and with the stroke of a pen, Dr Hubert Minnis is no longer the leader of the Official Opposition.

Loretta Butler-Turner, the Free National Movement’s (FNM) Member of Parliament for Long Island has been sworn in as the first female leader of the Opposition. A glass ceiling shattered.

Her supporters and wellwishers turned out at Government House yesterday afternoon to witness the occasion in all its finery.

But while champagne glasses were clinking and congratulations shared around, another conversation was being had around the country – what in the world is going on? What will happen next?

To say that this move caught the public by surprise is an understatement.

No one saw it coming; least of all Dr Minnis. The look on his face in Parliament on Wednesday, when the letter of no confidence

Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) administration.

LBT v Minnis Over the coming days and weeks there will be a barrage of meetings and high-level conversations with supporters of both Dr Minnis and Mrs ButlerTurner, all eager to broker deals.

The leader of the Democratic National Alliance (DNA), Branville McCartney, will be the singular object of their attention.

We understand that a deal has already been struck between Mrs Butler-Turner’s camp and that of the DNA, which will result in Mr McCartney being appointed to the Senate as one of her three constitutionally mandated choices. Mr McCartney will remain as the leader of the DNA while Mrs Butler-Turner will join with his party and become the leader of the DNA in the House of Assembly.

A nice accommodation to say the least!

But, there must be a

First ladies: Loretta Butler-Turner becomes the first female leader of the Official Opposition in Bahamian history after being given her instrument of appointment by the Governor General, Dame Marguerite Pindling, yesterday. Photos/Shawn Hanna

Sink or swim The Opposition forces, as they currently stand, must come to an agreement.

Now is not the time for the factions of ButlerTurner, or Minnis, or McCartney to dig their heels in. Yes, feelings are raw right now and emotions are running high. To

a real, digestible plan that the Bahamian people can accept.

But this plan has to work for all.

If the FNM is seen to be giving up too much, it won’t work. If the DNA is only a minor player in the deal, it can’t be sold to their support base either.

To truly beat the PLP in 2017, there needs to be

a unified, well-funded, and disciplined opposition force - not party. A force that is united by a single goal, and with a shared vision.

Cooler heads must prevail Can such an accommodation take place?

That is yet to be seen, but we hope so. For the betterment of the country, we hope so. The Bahamas can not take another five years of the PLP. The country can not take another five years of mismanagement and corruption.

The country can not afford to be blacklisted, or plunge into a fiscal abyss.

The country can not take it. The Bahamian people can not take it.

They deserve to have a real option for which to vote in 2017.

Without a unified opposition, the PLP could sail back into office and complete their objective of selling this country out to their private interests.

We can not allow this travesty to take place.

Loretta Butler-Turner should not allow that to take place. Branville McCartney should not allow that to take place. Dr Hubert Minnis should not allow this to take place.

It will be up to these three, over the next few days and weeks, to determine what type of election we will be facing in 2017.

We hope for the nation’s sake that cool heads will prevail as the real work starts. The country is watching with bated breath to see what takes place next.

• Comments and responses to insight@tribunemedia.net

“We understand that a deal has already been struck between Loretta ButlerTurner’s camp and that of the Democratic National Alliance, which will result in Branville McCartney being appointed to the Senate as one of her three constitutionally mandated choices. Mr McCartney will remain as the leader of the DNA while Mrs Butler-Turner will join with his party and become the leader of the DNA in the House of Assembly.” to the Governor General from seven “rebel” FNM MPs was read out by the Speaker, was one of utter bewilderment and shock.

Many Bahamians around the country, whether they be supporters of Mrs Butler-Turner or not, were equally surprised!

What just happened?

What does this mean, they asked? We are still wrapping our heads around it.

One thing we know for sure: while this all makes for high political drama, it cannot and must not distract from the main object of rescuing this country from an out-of-control

larger plan.

We can venture a guess.

The DNA will likely accede to running as many of the “Rebel Seven” - Mrs Butler-Turner, Neko Grant, Hubert Chipman, Theo Neilly, Edison Key, Richard Lightbourn and Dr Andre Rollins - as they request. After all, due to the actions of the seven, overnight the DNA has gone from a third party force to the Official Opposition catapulting the FNM to a status they haven’t held in over 40 years. Not a bad move on their part.

But we ask again, what is the end goal?

those who felt betrayed or offended by the actions of Mrs Butler-Turner and her Parliamentary colleagues, we say now is not to time to push for blood. To those who are elated by the move and have preached for it to happen for years now, we say now is not the time to gloat.

To Minnis’ supporters who want to banish the “Rebel Seven”, we warn them against such a move.

Now is the time for cool heads and sober minds.

Now is the time for truly putting the country first, and ambitions second. Now is the time to put forward

YOUR

CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY @JOYFMBAHAMAS WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019

PAGE 8 MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016

THIS WEEK IN THE TRIBUNE

GAIN AN EDGE

Tuesday Woman and Health - weekly advice on taking care of your mind and body and women making waves in the Bahamas Plus comment from Nicole Burrows and sporting mischief and mayhem with Inigo “Naughty” Zenicazelaya

Wednesday Christmas Shopping Guide 2016 gift ideas and where to shop The lessons of Hurricane Matthew Consumer Voice section Tribune Tech - a weekly look at what’s new in the world of technology

Thursday Obituaries and Religion, a weekly review Young Man’s View - trenchant opinion from Adrian Gibson on the hot topics in the country Sports - The Tribune’s ‘experts’ pick their weekend NFL winners ‘On da Hook’, a weekly look at fishing in the Bahamas

Friday Weekend - a 28-page section devoted to the best in arts, music, fashion, food, books, entertainment, gardening, animal matters, fitness, history and interviews Sports - The Finish Line, a look at the local sports scene, by Brent Stubbs Plus A Comic’s View - Naughty’s unique take on the week in the Bahamas

Saturday The Tribune’s Top 5: a special video review of the week’s top stories by Khrisna Virgil on www.tribune242. com Every day in The Tribune, news, business, sports, weather and Classifieds Trader - the best guide to cars for sale, real estate, help wanted and more.

Plus breaking news and updates on your mobile-friendly tribune242.com

Email: insight@tribunemedia.net

A NATIONAL DIALOGUE ON HIGHER EDUCATION

GAIN AN

High flier Le’Andra pursues her dream

A NATIONAL DIALOGUE O

L

e’Andra Mackey’s determination to become a medical doctor, specialising in anesthesiology, remains resolute, demonstrated by her fervent studies to maintain a 3.5 Grade Point Average in her biology and chemistry classes.

Just like an anesthesiologist constantly monitoring blood flow, breath and the heartbeat of a patient undergoing surgery, Ms Mackey’s current rhythm of classes, rigorous study and volunteerism keeps her focused and driven.

The 18-year-old high flyer from Government High School, who is the first in her family to attend university, was awarded a $40,000, four-year scholarship and inducted into the prestigious University of The Bahamas (UB) President’s Scholars Programme (PSP). In her first year, she is thriving in all aspects of university life, but not without sacrifices.

When asked what it takes to succeed in university, she reflects, “time management is the key. I create a weekly schedule where I allot time to complete assignments and study which is usually between Mondays and Fridays. I reserve my weekends for community service and volunteer work which I usually do with the Rotaract Club.”

Since her arrival at UB, Ms Mackey has received mentoring and support from university faculty, staff and President Dr Rodney Smith on how manage the bustle of university life while balancing a full course load.

Proudly wearing the prestigious jacket as a PSP member,

Le’Andra Mackey, an ambassador for the University of The Bahamas President’s Scholars Programme, is specialising in anesthesiology.

A top scholar explains what it takes to succeed at the University of The Bahamas

Ms Mackey and her fellow ambassadors receive leadership development from the Department of Student Leadership and Counselling and Health Services. Each ambassador participates in development programmes throughout the academic year and study abroad opportunities to inform their world view and learn from student leaders at other aspirant institutions.

Director of Student Leadership and International Relations Joe Stubbs implores students to place high value on the exceptional educational and service-oriented opportunities available at the University of The Bahamas. “A student will get the most from the university experience when there is a holistic approach to learn-

ing,” he explains. “When you merge academics with volunteerism, the student is able to put the theories learned from the classroom into practice in their respective fields. Here at UB, we are equipping our students to be ambassadors for the nation, ones that are academically strong, critical thinkers, conscious citizens with a heart to serve mankind.”

Maintaining her outstanding grades while juggling multiple assignments and activities may be daunting, she admits.

However, for Ms Mackey, sacrifice is part of the process to becoming successful. “As I always have assignments and extracurricular activities, they sometimes clash. When this occurs I have no problem sacrificing a few hours of sleep to ensure that both are done. Fortunately, I’m a kinesthetic learner and I take the opportunity to study aloud while taking part in any activities that I am immersed in. For subjects like Math that I am challenged with, I ask my mathematically inclined friends to tutor me. I know the importance of being active but education is of the utmost importance. Although I am always busy, I create time to complete all my assignments,” she says.

While leaning on friends for support at times, Ms Mackey also provides words of affirmation, “to get good grades, I encourage my friends to study, research extensively and to not be afraid to ask questions when they misunderstand something”.

Her North Andros family is proud of her achievements and the demands Ms Mackey has placed on herself to make the most of her higher education experience. “For me, higher education is integral for success as it displays your passion and drive to learn more about the field you’re interested in. It assists a person in being well versed and encourages logical thinking. It is critical for success because knowledge gained about a particular subject can be used to take a country to the next level,” she says.

• NEXT WEEK: bridging the gap between TVET and academic education “Gain An Edge” is a weekly collaboration of the Lyford Cay Foundations, Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute and University of The Bahamas aimed at promoting a national dialogue on higher education. To share your thoughts, email gainanedge@tribunemedia. net.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016 PAGE 9

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

Plans to stop gridlock stuck in a jam Paul Thompson renews his call for a modernisation of the Bahamian public transport system

Y

EARS ago, I wrote an article for The Tribune calling for a major upgrade to our public transportation system in order to increase safety and efficiency while reducing traffic congestion.

I am not the only one to have made such calls over the past decades - and over several political administrations. But despite the fact that modernisation is so clearly in the public interest, absolutely no progress has been made.

Anyone who is uncertain about this should take a look at Bermuda’s highly efficient and safe public bus system. Buses are frequent, plentiful and service most points on the island, operating from a central city terminal. They run between 7am and 11pm. The bus system is operated by the Bermuda Public Transportation Board, which is part of the Ministry of Tourism and Transport. Bermuda has had a unified public bus system since 1946.

In The Bahamas, the current Transport Minister (Glenys Hanna Martin) recently described our public transport system as “a major failing”. Yet she is one of the key ministers who has presided over this failed system for many years. In fact, she readily admits that there has been virtually no progress towards public transport reform, despite numerous studies from as early as 1992. Minister Hanna Martin is still trying to implement improvements that had initially been proposed during her first term as transport minister, from 2002-2007.

In August, 2012 - at the beginning of her current term in office - she promised that the government would move “aggressively” towards the establishment of a unified bus system. As she pointed out then, the traffic congestion we all have to endure is partly due to the reluctance of the public to use jitneys because of safety and efficiency concerns. “We have 500-plus individual owners running our public transporta-

tion system on New Providence,” she said. “It is not rational. It is not conducive to an effective system.”

In 2015, she told Parliament that the valuation of the public transportation sector was complete and the next step was the design of a structure for the new system. Earlier this year, she said the Inter-American Development Bank was funding a pilot project that would form the basis for the island-wide roll-out of the unified public transportation system. The pilot was scheduled to launch early this month, but there has been no announcement so far.

Buses on the pilot route will feature fare boxes and uniformed and salaried drivers. Buses on the route will be carefully monitored to demonstrate how the unified system will work in order to encourage operators to take the next step.

The underlying issue with the public transport sector is destructive competition due to the indiscriminate granting of franchises, which results in too many ill-equipped operators. And since there is no co-ordination to maintain schedules, severe problems of coverage and reliability have aggravated traffic congestion and safety issues.

Many New Providence residents would undoubtedly welcome a better-organised bus system. And those with their own vehicles might well leave them at home if they had a suitable option. The present chaotic system is a largely unregulated free-for-all that endangers lives, provides terrible service, and has no redeeming value.

The outline of a deal to achieve a unified bus system was formulated in 2005 - under Mrs Hanna Martin’s earlier tenure. Bus operators would become joint shareholders in a public transport corporation administrated by government experts.

Capital would be raised through an initial public share offering, with the government taking a 30 per cent stake “at no cost” to the

JOSTLING jitneys in downtown Nassau reveal a lack of co-ordinated transport schedules which leads to traffic congestion.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff taxpayer. The 790 franchises issued in 2005 were then valued at a total $12.3m. A well-run public transport corporation would end the need for reckless driving and indiscriminate stopping in a never-ending fight for passengers to make up a quota.

Based on recommendations (including mine) that have been made over the years, a unified bus system would seek to implement the following improvements: Routing All of the main roads and subdivisions from east to west and from north to south would be part of a well-thought-out route system radiating from a central terminal. Secondary terminals would be located at strategic points throughout the island.

Stopping All bus stops would be properly signed and located as far as possible in areas that would not obstruct moving traffic. Rules against improper stopping

Paul Thompson is the quintessential policeman. His career spanned the modern development of The Bahamas - from colonial times to the challenges of nationhood.

Born in a small farming village in Trinidad, he was recruited by the Royal Bahamas Police Force in 1951. He spent most of his time on the force in the Criminal Investigation Department, retiring in 1981 as an Assistant Commissioner.

He then began a second career as head of security for the Paradise Island Resort & Casino, returning to the police force as a civilian training officer in 1998, and in 2002 was appointed general manager of Wemco Security.

Five years later, he set up his own security company - Paul Thompson & Associates.

Now in his 80s, he remains active in security work.

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would be strictly enforced and sheltered seating would be provided where possible.

Fares Fares would be calculated based on the number of route zones through which a passenger travels. For example, a journey from Lyford Cay to Delaporte would include one zone and a smaller fare than a journey that crosses several zones. Special fares could be offered to schoolchildren and seniors.

Information The entire route system would be displayed on a map of the island with all of the transport zones colour-

coded, stops clearly indicated and times provided.

These maps would be widely available in various forms and ticket sales would take place at all bus terminals.

Finance The corporation would establish a transparent accounting system to protect revenues from fraud and theft. Inspectors would be appointed to monitor operations, supervise drivers and investigate complaints.

Drivers Drivers would have to meet strict criteria for employment. These would include age limits, medical and police certificates, driv-

ing skills and a background character check. Compensation would be by salary rather than commission.

These recommendations and others have been communicated to various government ministers and officials over the past 20 years.

Some administrations have worked on the issues, but nothing concrete has ever been achieved. We hope that this time something will be done.

NEXT WEEK: Keeping our schoolchildren safe Comments and responses to insight@tribunemedia. net

PAGE 10 MONDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2016

EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net

Caribbean lessons from Britain’s EU exit World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

T

HE ‘Brexit’ chickens are coming home to roost in a troubled British economy, however much British government ministers and other English nationalistic hopefuls are trying to suggest otherwise.

It was a colossal mistake to hold the referendum. In the words of former Conservative Party Prime Minister, David Cameron, it “unleashed the demons”.

The decision of the referendum was an even greater mistake by the English voters who favoured leaving the European Union (EU).

The majority of people in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland (the rest of the United Kingdom) preferred to remain with the EU, in part to escape English dominance, but also because it made sense to remain in a single market that accounts for 45 per cent of all British exports.

Staying in the EU also made sense because the UK’s attractiveness for foreign investment was based significantly on the access that it provided to the other SPEND LESS SLEEP WELL

27 EU states with the largest single market of over 450 million people.

The City of London has long been recognised as the banking centre of the world, despite the efforts of other European cities to lure the banks to their shores. The UK’s financial services sector contributed $89.8bn (£71.4bn) in taxes in 2015, accounting for 11.5 per cent of the UK’s total tax receipts. The financial services sector employed 1.1 million people, or 3.4 per cent of Britain’s national workforce.

All that is now about to change, as the formal triggering of the negotiations between Britain and the EU looms large. A study, just released by the British think tank Centre for Business and Economics Research (CEBR), Japan’s Hitachi Capital, and online pollsters YouGov, says the UK is likely to lose more than $82bn (£65.5bn) of investment due to the vote to leave the EU. British businesses are either abandoning or delaying their investment plans.

Foreign investors, such as

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BRITISH Prime Minister Theresa May is responsible for starting Britain’s exit negotiations from the European Union after what Sir Ronald Sanders describes as “a colossal mistake to hold the referendum” and “an even greater mistake by the British voters who favoured leaving”.

Photo: Alastair Grant/AP the Japanese car manufacturer, Mitsubishi, are concerned about being restricted from the EU’s single market which its Chief Executive, Haruki Hayashi, says is a major concern for Japan. He emphasised that Japanese businesses had come to Britain as a gateway to Europe. Further, he revealed that EU countries have already begun to woo them to shift their investments directly into Europe.

The financial services sector is also setting up for a hit as leading banks make plans to move some of their operations from London to Paris. According to a BBC report, Benoit de Juvigny, secretary general of Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF), has said that “large international banks” based in London have conducted due diligence to move operations to the French capital.

Who can blame them?

Business - and certainly banking - is not based on sentiment. And, if Britain’s departure from the EU means the loss of rights for Britain-based financial institutions to offer services to companies and governments across the EU without restrictions, it makes good business sense to move to the much larger EU market.

It is well known that at least eight financial centres across Europe - Paris, Frankfurt, Dublin, Luxembourg, Amsterdam, Ma-

drid, Bratislava and Val- will be no trade deals with letta - are actively wooing any country, including Britcompanies based in Lon- ain, that does not favour the don.

US. When some of the finanIncreasingly, the notion cial institutions shift to the that the other 51 members EU, and foreign investors of the Commonwealth of make the business decision Nations would be the anto locate where their manu- swer to Britain’s trade probfactured products will not lems is being debunked for be subject to tariffs, the ef- the false campaigning that fect on the British economy it was in the ‘Brexit’ Referwill be rough and it will be endum. Some went as far as widespread. Not only will calling the Commonwealth revenues to the British gov- the potential “saviour” for ernment decline, causing it the UK. They were clutchto have far less ing at straws. to spend on ‘A certain English As I pointed social welfare out at two reprojects that arrogance - a cent public benefit the belief in English occasions - in lower income ‘exceptionalism’ London and groups, unemGrenada - the ployment will and the Commonsoar resulting superiority of their wealth has in mortgage institutions and, much merit foreclosures; but trade is the rental in some cases, definitely not property and even of their tribe one of them. housing mar- - encouraged the Britain’s kets will wane; earnings from and the econo- ‘leave’ vote in the exports to the my will shrink. UK referendum.’

CommonAll that will wealth are not make Britain huge now, repa lesser power in the world. resenting only 9.76 per cent Its economy has already of its total exports in 2014, declined from fifth to sixth while its merchandise exlargest in the world. Find- ports to the EU represented ing markets to offset the a hefty 45 per cent. In any loss of duty-free access for event, total Commonwealth goods and services it now trade in goods has declined enjoys in the EU will not over the last four decades be easy. Proximity makes a since Britain joined the big difference to costs and EU. And, even the Comcompetitiveness of exports. monwealth’s share of world So, even if Britain were to trade is owed to the trading open markets in Africa, capacity of only six states Asia and Latin America, Singapore, India, Malaysia, the cost of its manufactured Australia, Britain and Canand agricultural products ada. Moreover, that trade would face fierce competi- is not between themselves. tion from other nearby sup- For instance, China is Auspliers. And, if the US Pres- tralia’s biggest trading partident-elect, Donald Trump, ner and the US and Mexico is taken at his word, there are Canada’s. In 2014, the

six countries accounted for 84 per cent of all Commonwealth exports; 47 countries combined, including South Africa and Nigeria made up only 16 per cent.

The contribution of the Caribbean and Pacific regions (21 of the 52 member states) to overall Commonwealth exports is small, accounting for a paltry 1.14 per cent in 2013. In any event, none of the Commonwealth countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean and the Pacific are compromising their access to the EU market of 450 million for Britain’s smaller 60 million.

The lesson for the Caribbean is that countries benefit more from being inside a single market than outside of it. A certain English arrogance - a belief in English ‘exceptionalism’ and the superiority of their institutions and, in some cases, even of their tribe - encouraged the ‘leave’ vote in the UK referendum. No country in the Caribbean should fall prey to the notion of its ‘exceptionalism’; none is exceptional from the others; and those who mistakenly believe otherwise are destined to fall on their swords.

Sir Ronald Sanders is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organisation of American States. He is also a Senior Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the University of London and Massey College in the University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own. Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com.

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THE TRIBUNE

Monday, December 12, 2016, PAGE 11

ONLY ONE SEAT EXTRA RECOMMENDED FOR NEW PROVIDENCE from page one

Dr Major said it was likely that the document would be tabled in the House this week.

The House Speaker did

not confirm the contents of the report; however, sources claim that the new seat appears to be the reemergence of the St Cecilia seat.

That constituency was axed by the Ingraham-

led Free National Movement government in 2011, reducing the number of seats from 41 to 38 after the 2012 general election.

The commission used data from the 2010 census

that had been extrapolated in a 2016 report prepared by the Department of Statistics, to guide recommendations.

The report, prepared by the Census Section, projected a population increase of

6.9 per cent on New Providence.

Former Progressive Liberal Party Cabinet minister George Smith had called for the creation of additional seats in the Family Islands, specifically splitting the

Exuma and Ragged Island constituency into two seats.

Mr Smith, who represented Exuma during the Pindling era, had also asked Mr Christie to select him as the PLP’s candidate for a second Exuma seat.

BPL confirm they will fix damage to Clifton Pier plant

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net OFFICIALS from Bahamas Power and Light have confirmed plans to repair the external structure of the damaged smoke stacks at the company’s Clifton Pier plant.

The announcement comes days after Bahamas Electrical Workers Union President Paul Maynard threatened industrial action if the government didn’t give the matter “urgent attention”.

In an interview with The Tribune last week, Mr Maynard said the conditions at the plant were a danger to his members stationed at the western New Providence site.

He claimed the covering was peeling and falling to the ground, adding that at any moment, one of the metal plates could “hit one of the workers”.

Mr Maynard said the issue was brought to the attention of the executive director of BPL’s board, Deepak Bhatnagar, but he claimed Mr Bhatnagar refused to sign off on the repairs to be done “in order to save a dollar”.

He said if the issue was not resolved by this week, his workers would not return to the Clifton Pier plant However, on Sunday, BPL’s

Corporate Communications Manager Arnette Ingraham confirmed that a deal has been signed to carry out the repairs soon.

“A contract has been signed to replace the cladding on the smoke stacks at Clifton Pier.

Work is scheduled to begin next week,” Mrs Ingraham said in response to an inquiry made by The Tribune.

“The external cladding was damaged by (Hurricane Matthew). The cladding does not impact the functioning of the smoke stacks.

“The cladding that remained wasn’t in imminent danger of falling off the stacks.

“Discussions were under way long before the union president’s comments to repair the stacks.

“As with anything, we can’t rush to sign a contract without ensuring that we select the best team for the job, secured at a reasonable price.”

Earlier this year, the government and PowerSecure signed a five-year management services agreement (MSA) for BPL, formerly the Bahamas Electricity Corporation (BEC).

At that time, the old BEC board was dismantled and Mr Bhatnagar was named executive director of the new BPL board.

DAMAGE to a stack at BPL’s Clifton Pier plant, which has not been repaired since Hurricane Matthew.

MAN INTERVENING IN FIGHT RECOVERING IN HOSPITAL AFTER BEING SHOT A MAN is in hospital after he was shot while intervening in a fight between

two men at a nightclub, police said.

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ports, shortly after 3am Saturday, a man was at a club on East Bay Street when he intervened in a “heated confrontation” between two men, resulting in him being shot.

The victim is in stable condition in hospital.

Police are also looking for a gunman who stole a man’s car on Saturday.

Shortly after midnight, a man had just pulled up to his home in his Honda vehicle located in Stapleton Gardens, when a man armed with a handgun approached and robbed him of cash and his vehicle before speeding off. Police later recovered the vehicle abandoned in the nearby area.

Investigations are continuing in both incidents.

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PAGE 12, Monday, December 12, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

People ‘let down’ by PLP over closure of Treasure Bay Casino THE Progressive Liberal Party has “disappointed” and “let down” the people of Grand Bahama once again with the news of layoffs from Treasure Bay Casino, Free National Movement Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest said in a statement yesterday.

Earlier this month, The Tribune reported that about 150 casino workers were expected to join the unemployment line in Grand Bahama due to the closure of Treasure Bay Casino on December 4.

A source told The Tribune that workers were expected to be paid their severance packages on Friday, December 2.

When contacted for comment, Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe indicated that the closure would be temporary and the employees will likely be rehired once the casino reopens under new management.

In response, Mr Turnquest said: “As Grand Bahama continues to suffer from neglect and lack of opportunity as a result of the silence and ineffectiveness of the Minister for Grand Bahama and member of Parliament for Pine Ridge (Dr Michael Darville), and the Minister of Tourism and Member of Parliament for West End & Bimini (Mr Wilchcombe), both senior Cabinet ministers, Grand Bahamians have been disappointed and let down once again.

“Less than a week ago, the staff at Treasure Bay Casino received the dreaded news they feared of terminations and closure of

the Treasure Bay Casino with no hope offered from anyone as to when they may look forward to a new operator or resumption of the casino operation.

“Grand Bahamians and the nation will recall the insensitive negative statements made by the PLP prior to the 2012 elections over the FNM’s support for the casino and its workers, which allowed many families to survive in an economically

K PETER TURNQUEST depressed time, to feed and and criticised then and has support their families while now abandoned the casino, sustaining economic activity those workers and our ison the island. land, seemingly without “Despite the cost, the care or concern for their fuFNM administration felt ture or economic survival.” compelled to take the acMr Turnquest said Mr tion it did in support of our Wilchcombe made proonly remaining casino as nouncements over four years an important amenity of ago “of a slew of proposed our tourism product and new casino operators he had as a commitment and sol- lined up to take over.” emn act of solidarity with He added: “That pool of Grand Bahamians. For its potential operators went part the PLP complained from four, to two and now

to none; strangely similar to the frequent misleading and disappointing pronouncements made over the secret Baha Mar deal. The Bahamian public, Grand Bahamians and residents of West End, are disappointed with all of the talk and flowery promises that have not brought solutions to their plights and recovery to their communities and island.

Ginn remains dormant, the schools in West Grand

Bahama remain in a state of disrepair and neglected, health administration on the island remains a challenge, the economy continues to decline with further job losses and hope is in short supply. When will it end and when will the Bahamian people be delivered real solutions and relief?”

Mr Turnquest, MP for East Grand Bahama, said his party has a plan to turn the island around.

“We are focused on expanding our industrial sector, leveraging on the assets we have today. We are actively soliciting new investment in the hospitality sector and encouraging domestic players to expand their offerings. We can do better than the PLP over the last five years and with God’s help and the support of the Bahamian people, we will bring about the true restoration of Grand Bahama as a favourable place to do business and enjoy good quality of life.”

When asked about the layoffs on December 1, Mr Wilchcombe told The Tribune: “They will be replaced by another company, we’re completing (due diligence) work on them as well and they hopefully will begin the transition process a week or so post closure.

“All employees will be satisfied by the severance from Treasure Bay and the government. The arrangement we’re discussing now is for the employees to be rehired.

“We’re hoping to bring a more exciting casino to add to what we’re doing in Grand Bahama.”

SHIPYARD DISPUTE INVESTIGATION COMPLETED, SAYS MITCHELL MINISTER of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Fred Mitchell has confirmed that investigations into labour disputes at the Grand Bahama Shipyard

have been completed by Director of Labour Robert Farquharson.

Mr Mitchell received a report on the matter just a few days ago.

“I’m still in the midst of studying the report and I’m awaiting the advice of the director of immigration,” Mr Mitchell told reporters following graduating cer-

emonies for immigration officers in Grand Bahama on Friday morning.

“I will obviously be consulting with various people.

Key, of course, is the commercial sector in Grand Bahama generally, the trade union, the employer and then I will make a decision in the best interest of this island, the employers, the employees and the country.”

It was recently reported that several employees from the Grand Bahama Shipyard had been let go from the company without explanation.

Since then appeals were

made to Mr Mitchell and other government officials, as workers claimed they were “unjustly” terminated.

Mr Mitchell said that he has spoken with all parties concerned in the matter and ordered an investigation into the claims of the employees.

“I strongly believe that this is a country for Bahamians and I don’t step back from that sentiment whatsoever,” said Mr Mitchell.

“So, the people of Grand Bahama can be assured of my desire to do everything possible and in the best interest of all parties to solve

the problem. This is not just a problem here in Grand Bahama, because there is a real immigration problem in Abaco, complaints in Eleuthera, Harbour Island and even New Providence.

“It appears to me that Bahamians think that people, in exchange for an investment in the country, want to define them out of the country. So, the government must stand in the gap.

At the same time, there are balancing factors such as one’s qualifications must be good, productivity must be good, value for money must be good and service must be good.”

THE TRIBUNE

Monday, December 12, 2016, PAGE 13

A festive Renaissance

THE Nassau Renaissance Singers are holding their annual concert “A Nostalgic Christmas” at the Trinity Methodist Church on Frederick Street this Thursday.

The event will feature a number of guest artists along with the many voices of the choir. The concert begins at 7.30pm with proceeds to benefit the University of the Bahamas’s music scholarship fund that the Nassau Renaissance Singers has been supporting for decades.

The newest recipient of this scholarship is soprano singer, Courtney Newbold.

She will graduate in the spring with her associate’s degree in music. She intends to pursue a bachelor’s degree in primary education afterwards.

“One of my passions is singing, which I have been doing since I was about five years old,” Ms Newbold said. “It was not until recently that I took up classical singing, which I now greatly enjoy. I am thank-

YOUTH CHOIR TO HOST CHRISTMAS CONCERT THE Bahamas National Youth Choir under the direction of Cleophas Adderley, OBE, founder/director, will present its eighth annual Concert of Music for Christmas on Tuesday, December 13, at Trinity Methodist Church at 7.30pm.

The Bahamas National Youth Choir was established in 1983 under the direction of Mr Adderley as a part of the celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of Bahamian independence. Over the years the choir has toured and given performances in 28 countries on four continents including the United States, Canada, Mexico, England, France, Germany, Trinidad, China, South Africa, and Swaziland. They have also sung in 25 languages, including German, French, Spanish, Mandarin, Hungarian, Italian and five African languages.

The singers have graced the stages of internationally acclaimed venues, including the Concert Hall of The John F Kennedy Centre For The Performing Arts (Washington, DC), The Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall (New York

City), The Grand Hall of The Moscow Conservatory (Russia), Beijing Symphony Hall and The Poly Theatre (China), Oxford University Playhouse and The Barbican (England); and have rendered anthems and sung the responses at mass at St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City.

During the summer of 2016, the choir cruised the western Caribbean on Carnival Cruise Line’s vessel Glory. The group performed, not only at sea but in port in Belize, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico.

The director and members are grateful to Reverend William “Bill” Higgs and the trustees of Trinity Methodist Church for their continual support of the choir, and to all others who have helped to make this performance possible.

The concert is expected to last for about one hour and 20 minutes, without intermission. There is no admission charge but a collection will be taken to help defray expenses.

Mr Adderley will be assisted by Dexter Fernander, assistant director/keyboard accompanist.

TIME TO RELAX AT PAINT AND SIP NIGHTSPOT

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A PAINT and sip nightspot opened in Freeport this weekend that promises to provide a “breath of fresh air” after a long week.

The Painting Bar opened its doors to the public at the Gloria Banks Art Gallery at the Rand Nature Centre on Saturday.

The ‘paint and sip’ concept is popular in the United States, but is new to Grand Bahama where residents are looking for something different and enjoyable to do on the island.

A spokesperson at Immerse Bahamas says the Painting Bar offers a unique nightlife experience for both the young and not so young at heart. For two hours in a relaxing, fun environment, patrons can unwind while sipping a beverage and painting on canvas.

“It is a form of entertain-

ment that captures the attention of novice and veteran artisans alike where the instructor takes you on a step-by-step journey to creating a masterpiece,” said the spokesperson. “The goal is to have fun, let loose, paint, be expressive and make your own artwork while sipping on a beverage of your choice. The painting is a simple design that allows you to add your personal touch.”

The venue can accommodate up to 35 on a given night. It is a getaway for a girls’ night out, date night, birthday or group outing. It also caters to private bookings such as birthdays and corporate social events.

Tickets for the Painting Bar are available for delivery and information can be found on Facebook at the paintingbarfreeport, follow them on Instagram at thepaintingbarfreeport or email thepaintingbarfreeport@outlook.com.

ful for the scholarship that I received from the Nassau Renaissance Singers - such a blessing. I hope that many more young musicians will excel in music at the University of the Bahamas, and maybe they too will receive the kind gift that I have received.”

Other featured artists at this year’s concert include renowned singer JoAnn Callender, with her husband Lee Callender as accompanist, Soprano Nikita Thompson

and the Voices of Paradise. Aaron Neily will be the pianist through the evening performance. Director Audrey DeanWright will conduct the choir.

She is a noted musician in many respects as a teacher, a singer, composer and director.

There is no entrance fee for the concert, although it is hoped that those that are able would contribute to the University of Bahamas music scholarship fund.

PAGE 14, Monday, December 12, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Tips to keep you safe during the Christmas holidays

WHILE the holidays are always exciting, with shopping, presents and family, criminals love the opportunities that this time of the year provides.

While there is no need to be afraid, you should keep in mind these holiday safety tips from the Royal Bahamas Police Force National Crime Prevention Office to avoid becoming a victim.

Shopping safety • Always pay attention to your surroundings and be aware of your environment.

• Consider shopping with others. There is safety in numbers.

• Avoid walking alone in dark, isolated areas such as back parking lots.

• Keep your wallet or

Police advice

• Avoid wearing excessive, valuable jewellery, such as heavy gold chains and bracelets.

• If you feel that you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station.

Protect your vehicle • Lock your doors, and buckle up while driving.

• Beware of jewellery snatchers who may lurk on street corners.

• Park in well-lighted areas.

• Avoid parking in isolated areas.

• Never leave your motor running unattended.

• Take all personal property out of your vehicle.

Hide property that you have to leave behind.

• Do not approach your

car if suspicious people are nearby.

Secure your home • Ensure that your home’s windows and doors have secondary locks.

• Keep landscaping trimmed back so that you can easily see around your property.

• Flatten boxes and conceal product pictures when putting garbage on the outside.

• Consider keeping gifts and expensive property out of plain view from the outside. Keep ground level blinds and curtains closed while away and at night.

• Consider having a trusted neighbour or friend watch your home while you are away. Ask your neighbour to occasionally park

their car in your driveway.

• Never open your door to strangers. Always find out who is on the other side of the door before answering. Never let people know you are home alone. People are watching and they know when you are at home alone.

Should you need more information on personal safety or if you have information pertaining to any crime, please contact the police at ‘919’ or Crime Stoppers at 328-tips (New Providence), 1-300-8476 (Family Islands). Or if you know of individuals who may be in need of counselling and emotional support please contact the Department of Social Services hotline 322-2763.

THE CARIBBEAN spiny lobster is the focus of new research.

By NICO SCAVELLA figure almost doubled.”

Tribune Staff Reporter The significance of those nscavella@tribunemedia.net clams, specifically the Tiger Lucine clam, Dr Higgs said, NEW research on the is that they make their own Caribbean spiny lobster food with the help of chemhas led to one international osynthetic bacteria - organmarine biologist advocating isms that synthesise organic the conservation of The Ba- compounds using the enerhamas’ seagrass habitats, as gy derived from organic or findings indicate the under- inorganic materials - living water gardens are responsi- in their gills. ble for nearly $20m in local According to Dr Higgs, lobster production. that “chemosynthetic food Dr Nicholas Higgs, depu- source” represents an “alty director of the Marine In- ternative food pathway stitute at Plymouth Univer- to the traditional photosity, England, said that the synthesis (the process of “high productivity” of local harnessing and converting lobster production is largely sunlight energy into chemidue to their consumption cal energy) based food of lucinid clams, which are chain”. found in the seagrass beds As such, Dr Higgs exin Bahamian waters. plained that by consuming According to Dr Higgs, the clams, which he said ofa stable isotope analyses ten live “deep down” in the of the tissues of Caribbean ocean sediment, seemingly spiny lobsters indicate that making them “inaccessithe creatures obtain “about ble,” the lobsters are “taka fifth” of their diet from lu- ing advantage of extra food cinid clams and that in some that few other predators lobster populations “that seem to be able to access”.

To support his claims, Dr Higgs referred to a recent study conducted by he and some of his colleagues in which they monitored spiny lobsters at ten locations across the Great Bahama Bank. On multiple occasions, Dr Higgs said, they caught spiny lobsters “in action, eating lucinid clams”.

“Although chemosynthetic organisms were known to inhabit certain shallow ecosystems like seagrass beds and mangrove swamps, they were thought to be ‘dead ends’ in the good chain or pretty minor at best,” Dr Higgs said on Friday. “It shouldn’t have been a surprise because they can be some of the most abundant animals in seagrass beds, but they often live deep down in the sediment so people thought that they were generally inaccessible. It was pretty surprising to find that they help support a major eco-

nomically important fishery species.”

More importantly, Dr Higgs said the study’s findings provide the “first empirical evidence” that chemosynthetic primary production contributes to the productivity of a “lucrative commercial fishery”, which he says is worth over $17m in local lobster production.

Dr Higgs also said the study shows that “seagrass habitats and chemosynthetic productivity should be reconsidered in conservation and environmental management going forward.”

Nonetheless, Dr Higgs said he is interested in exploring and finding out which other animals are eating the clams.

“We are just beginning to scratch the surface of understanding just how important these alternative forms of food production are in marine and freshwater ecosystems,” he said.

By CORPORAL MAKELLE PINDER

purse close to your body.

Remember to dress casual and comfortable.

• Avoid carrying too many bags or packages.

Keep your hands as free as possible.

• Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Use an ATM/debit card when possible.

• Consider using ATM machines located in the malls. Avoid using ATM

machines in isolated areas.

• Young children should always be accompanied by parents while shopping and to the restrooms.

• Teach your child their full name, phone number, and address. Keep your child close to you at all times.

• Never leave your purse in the shopping cart. Or leave your children in the car alone.

CONSERVE SEAGRASS TO PROTECT $20M OF LOBSTER PRODUCTION Legal Notice

SII ENERGY S.A. NOTICE is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138 (8) of The International Business Companies Act, 2000, of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, SII ENERGY S.A. has been dissolved and struck off the Register of Companies in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas according to the Certificate of Dissolution issued by the Acting Assistant Registrar General on the 29th day of September, 2016.

Dated this 8th day of December, 2016.

Lucy Dalrymple-Smith (Liquidator)