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VOLUME:115 No.264, DECEMBER 11TH, 2018

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HEALTH: JINGLE ALL THE WAY WITH THE SANTA JOGGERS

Thanks for the invitation, Brave ... But FNM’s rebels staying put - for now

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net WHILE saying there is no immediate need for him to cross party lines now, Free National Movement MP Frederick McAlpine yesterday said he was keeping his “options open” as relations between him and the governing party remain frigid.

Days after Progressive Liberal Party leader Philip “Brave” Davis said at a party event it was time for

former PLPs to return to the organisation, claiming that some FNMs who were once PLPs “want to come back home”, the outspoken MP said the invitation was “commendable” and was “what real leaders do”.

However, he said, he did not know if the comments were specifically directed at him, adding that he had not officially spoken with anyone in the PLP about becoming a member of the opposition party.

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

THE IMF yesterday gave the government a “boost of confidence” with an upbeat assessment of its economic and fiscal reform progress despite the “many challenges ahead”.

KP Turnquest, deputy prime minister, said of the IMF’s latest verdict: “It is

a bit of positive news that gives us encouragement that we’re going in the right direction, so we will continue to proceed with the reforms we have in progress and look forward to deepening the initial results achieved thus far.

“It’s a boost of confidence that we are moving in the right direction though there’s a lot of work to be done.”

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net

THE Senate delayed debate yesterday on the Non-Profit Organisations Bill to allow for the review and possible incorporation of suggestions from civil society, according to Attorney General Carl Bethel. The bill will now be debated on Monday.

The Senate was expected to debate and pass the bill as a part of a compendium of financial services bills being proposed to comply with the requirements of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

In addressing the government’s decision in the Senate yesterday, Mr Bethel noted that he had received substantial amendments and comments from Civil Society Bahamas, a group seeking input on the SEE PAGE SIX

ATLANTIS STAFF STILL PLANNING STRIKE POLL

SEE PAGE FIVE

IMF VERDICT: ON THE RIGHT TRACK

AG: WE’LL LISTEN BUT BILL WILL GO AHEAD

By NATARIO MCKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

PLEASE, HELP MY BABY DEREKA Grant with her sick baby Ja’Dei yesterday. Read Felicity Darville’s moving interview on Page 8.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

ATLANTIS’ assertion that there is “no basis for a strike vote” was yesterday rejected by the hotel union, which still plans to proceed with its December 18 poll.

The Paradise Island resort called on the Bahamas Hotel, Catering and Allied Workers union to withdraw “any trade disputes” but union president Darrin Woods said that “nothing has changed” on its position because it feels the issues that created the dispute, including a new shift structure, remain outstanding and unresolved.

FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS

‘SHELL DEAL CAN’T COST US JOBS’

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMAS Electrical Workers Union president Paul Maynard insisted yesterday no employee will be pushed out as he raised concerns regarding the job security of Bahamas Power and Light employees upon the completion of the Shell North America deal.

As finalisation of the deal will mean that The

PAUL MAYNARD Bahamas Electricity Corporation, of which BPL is a subsidiary, will no longer be in the business of

generating power, Mr Maynard said there are concerns about the future of workers in a situation where Shell will be performing this role.

Negotiations over the deal are ongoing and officials don’t expect to reach completion until sometime in the first quarter of 2019.

But Mr Maynard maintained that the devil is in the details.

Mr Maynard said: “They are now entering into the

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE NINE

$100K TO KEEP

THE LIGHTS ON

SEE PAGE TWO

PAGE 2, Tuesday, December 11, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

LADY ZOE MAYNARD PASSES AWAY, AGED 92 FRIENDS and family are mourning the death of Lady Zoe Maynard, wife of former Deputy Prime Minister Sir Clement Maynard, who died peacefully at home yesterday, aged 92.

Leader of the Official Opposition Philip “Brave” Davis said Lady Maynard was a “true matriarch of the Maynard family, a pillar of strength and the wind beneath Sir Clement’s wings as he worked tirelessly in public life on behalf of the nation.”

He described her as being a “supporter of the progressive movement,” adding the Progressive Liberal Party thanks her for “her selflessness in her support

role” in sharing her husband with the nation.

“In her own right, she was a freedom fighter, particularly for women’s rights and in the arts,” Mr Davis noted in a statement.

“She followed in the footsteps of her own dear mother Meta Davis Cumberbatch as a patron and supporter of the arts and artists.

“Lady Maynard has been faithful; she ran a good race and has gone on to receive her just and eternal reward.”

The governing Free National Movement also released a statement, lamenting Lady Maynard’s death as well as the passing of another “great Bahamian” Pastor

Ed Allen. Pastor Allen, founder of Abundant Life Church, died on the weekend at Doctors Hospital.

The party said: “The Free National Movement also send its condolences to the Maynard family in the loss of Lady Zoe Maynard who also passed this weekend. Lady Maynard was a loyal and faithful wife to her husband Sir Clement who serve this country with distinction for many years. Lady Maynard will be missed and the country will be forever grateful for her contribution.

“The Bahamas has lost two great Bahamians, may their souls and all the souls of the faithfully departed rest in peace.”

LADY Zoe Maynard.

Lady Maynard was predeceased by her husband of 62 years, Sir Clement, her son C R Julian Maynard and her sister, Gloria Lockhart.

She is survived by her children including former Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson, Dr Peter Maynard, David Maynard, and Clement Maynard III. A mass to celebrate her life will be held at St Matthew’s Anglican Church on Shirley St and Church Lane this Wednesday at 3pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Lady Maynard to Abilities Unlimited or the Bahamas Humane Society.

Nassau Christmas lights costing us $100,000 - but they’ll last for years

By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister revealed yesterday that the new Christmas lights erected around town cost just over $99,000. The creative displays at major roundabouts were the responsibility of the Ministry of Works and are valued at $81,989.66, he told The Tribune.

“As long as no one steals them we should be able to use the items for a number of years just replacing the light bulbs as necessary,” Mr Bannister said. “If we average a 10 year life span of the units - we kept the crates so that they can be properly stored - then averaged over the 10 years, the decorations are just $8,000 per year.”

The breakdown for the roundabout displays and the cost of trucking to Tropical Shipping in Florida was $48,872.00. Additionally there was a $3,923.14 charge for Tropical Shipping Transportation from Florida to New Providence. Duty and value added tax cost taxpayers $29,194.52 for a total cost $81,989.66.

For Bahamas Power and Light’s part, the electricity provider purchased decorative lights for streetlight poles for $10,645 with an estimated duty of $6,400. Combined, both the ministry and BPL spent a total of $99,034.66.

The minister revealed the cost element of the lights after promising on Sunday to disclose the information in response to questions from The Tribune. This year’s Christmas decorations were the result of “direct orders” and not contracted work, as has been the case previously, he revealed.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 11, 2018, PAGE 3

BPL employees ‘didn’t know’ about companies which got fake cheques

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

A BAHAMAS Power and Light retiree claimed yesterday his former department never did any business with two of the many companies a former bank employee allegedly wrote fake Scotiabank cheques for as part of a multi-million-dollar theft scheme in the early part of last year.

Kevin Bowleg, former distribution and construction manager, said his department never did business with the Bobcat Specialist, nor Enviro Tank, and neither did he know of Scuderia Electrical, three of the entities former banker Reno Bethel allegedly made $1.4m payable to between February and April 2017.

Additionally, Peter Rutherford, BPL’s assistant general manager of customer services, said he never did business with Enviro Tank, neither Heavy Machinery and Trucking. He also said he never signed a cheque for Scuderia Electrical, HRT Rentals, Bahamas Crane and Concrete Pumps. The latter two companies are also amongst those to which Bethel allegedly made out fake cheques.

Mr Rutherford, who said he could sign all cheques that passed through BPL, further stated that had he been made aware of the cheque for Scuderia Electrical, he would have “immediately” pulled it and made inquiries about that vendor, because he had never seen that name before.

The testimonies came during the trial of five men charged in connection with a multi-million-dollar theft scheme at the electricity provider.

Bethel, a former FirstCaribbean International Bank (FCIB) employee, Che Campbell Chase, an attorney, James Rueben Dean, a former fixed assets officer at BPL, Anthony Strachan and Orvano Symonette are the accused.

Taking the witness stand before Magistrate Ambrose Ambrister, Mr Bowleg explained that he was

ORVANO Symonette (left) and Anthony Strachan being escorted into court at an earlier hearing. Inset, right: Reno Bethel at an earlier hearing.

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff responsible for managing all overhead, underground, substation, street lighting and all major projects for BPL. He said major projects, that range in price from $5,000 up to $2m, typically go out to tender, while minor projects, those under $5,000, are usually executed by certain preferred vendors. The price for the minor projects are usually the same, thus making it merely a matter of which vendor completes the project.

Concerning the major contracts, only companies that are deemed qualified

by BPL and consequently placed on the provider’s contractor’s list can bid on any contracts, Mr Bowleg said.

Mr Bowleg said given his former position, he had the power to sign off initially on cheques up to $2,000. Anything above that would be referred to his superior for a second signature.

Mr Bowleg said some of the projects that fell under his former portfolio included street light repairs, something the former manager said only

BANNISTER CRITICAL OF GRAY’S ‘IRRESPONSIBLE STATEMENT’ OVER BILL

By RIEL MAJOR WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister released a statement yesterday dismissing former Minister of Agriculture V Alfred Gray’s “irresponsible statement” concerning a proposed Contractors Association Bill for Parliament.

Mr Gray said in a voice note circulating on WhatsApp that the Ministry of Works is: “Putting together who can qualify for contractors and who can’t . . . and you can only qualify if you have a four-storey building under your contractor’s belt.”

In response, Mr Bannister said there is no government that can match the record of support that the Free National Movement has provided for small contractors.

The minister said: “The allegations made by Mr Gray are untrue and entirely without foundation.

“For those like Mr Gray who may have conveniently forgotten, or who may have been asleep in Parliament, the Construction Contractors Act was passed under

the blundering and disastrous PLP administration.

The restrictions contained in the bill were voted on and passed unanimously by Mr Gray and his colleagues.

“The untrue allegations voiced by Mr Gray in his statement about the current administration are figments of the imagination of a failed candidate who one year after being dismissed by the people appears to have developed a severe case of Parliamentary amnesia and foot in mouth disease.”

In his voice note, the former MICAL MP said, based on his information, if a contractor is not a “Mosko or one of them big brothers, you may not be able to soon qualify as a contractor.”

Mr Gray also urged small contractors to fight for their rights before the bill heads to Parliament, claiming the government is “seeking to put the small man out of business.”

The Tribune contacted Mr Gray for an explanation for his remarks, but efforts to reach him were unsuccessful.

two companies, Nairn’s Construction and Electro Telecomm, were engaged

by BPL to execute.

However, when asked by Crown prosecutor Cordell Frazier if he was aware of a company named Scuderia Electrical, Mr Bowleg said no. He also denied doing business with the Bobcat Specialist and Enviro Tank.

In August last year, Bethel was arraigned on 47 fraud-related charges stemming from a BPL investigation. He faced 23 counts of fraud by false pretences, 23 counts of receiving and one count of conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretences. Approximately two months later, Bethel was arraigned over nearly 100 additional fraudrelated charges.

It is alleged that between February 27 and May 5, 2017, Bethel obtained a total of $1,062,330.05 from BPL’s bank account held at Scotiabank while at Royal Bank of Canada on John F Kennedy Drive. It is also alleged that on May 4, 2017, Bethel attempted to defraud BPL of a total of $109,147.80 from its Scotiabank account while at FCIB on JFK Drive.

It is further alleged that between March 30 and April 7, 2017, Bethel converted $200,000 of Bahamian currency to US currency, and transferred it to an account in the Imperial Bank of Canada.

He also allegedly converted $6,500 of Bahamian currency to Canadian currency and transferred it to an account held at TD Canada Trust in Ontario.

It is further alleged that between February 8 and April 20, 2017, Bethel uttered numerous forged Scotiabank cheques totalling $1,496,005.09 from the Bahamas Electricity Corporation’s account and made them payable to various entities, including Bahamas Crane and Concrete Pumps, KS Civil Engineers, HRT Rentals, Bahamas Industrial Equip Sales and Re, Bahamas Heavy Machinery and Trucking, the Bobcat Specialist, Enviro Tank, and Scuderia Electrical via either RBC or FCIB. It is also alleged that Bethel was in possession of multiple forged Scotiabank cheques totaling $1,496,005.09, drawn from BEC’s account and made

payable to the aforementioned entities.

Bethel pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.

Shortly after that, Dean and Chase were arraigned over allegations they collectively defrauded the electricity provider of close to $2m over a four-month span last year.

Dean was charged before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt with 42 counts of fraud by false pretences, 11 counts of falsification of accounts, and one count of conspiracy to commit fraud.

Chase was charged with seven counts of fraud by false pretences and one count of conspiracy to commit fraud.

It is alleged that between Dean and Chase they obtained $1,966,163.85 from BPL’s Scotiabank account while at either FCIB or Royal Bank of Canada on John F Kennedy Drive.

Dean was accused of solely defrauding BPL of $1,752,077.6, while Chase was accused of defrauding BPL of $214,086.25.

It is further alleged that Dean falsified numerous work order codes totalling $670,056.19.

Dean and Chase both pleaded not guilty.

Strachan was charged with seven counts of fraud by false pretences and one count of conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretences. It is alleged he defrauded BPL of $214,086.25.

Symonette was charged with defrauding the company of $317,652.50. It is also alleged he attempted to fraudulently obtain $109,147.40 from FCIB on May 4, 2017. Symonette also faced four counts of possession of forged cheques drawn on BEC’s bank account and made payable to Bahamas Industrial Equip Sales and Re, BN Backhoe Trucking and Island Site Development and of presenting those forged cheques.

The case continues.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, December 11, 2018

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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C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B. Publisher/Editor 1972-

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From the ruins of the Soviet Union, Putin strives to revive the Russian superpower THE PASSING of former US President George HW Bush reminded many that we are approaching the 30th anniversaries of some of the most critical geopolitical events of the second half of the 20th Century. Among these seismic shifts were the collapse of the Soviet Union, the fall of the Berlin Wall and reunification of Germany, the apparent liberation of Eastern Europe from Moscow’s dominion and the concomitant opportunity for the region’s nations to pursue membership in NATO and the EU, and the creation from the wreckage of the USSR of 14 new independent states at least nominally distinct from Russia.

Thirty years ago was indeed a heady time for proponents of democracy and the triumph of western democratic ideals. Bush, a pragmatic Republican internationalist who believed in free markets and personal diplomacy, oversaw it all with considerable skill and wisdom. There was even talk of an economic assistance package for postCommunist Russia based upon the brilliant post-World War II Marshall Plan that enabled a rebuilding Germany to assume a responsible place in the world.

What must Bush have thought toward the end of his life as he contemplated what has happened in the interim?

American and European indifference, shortsightedness and self-indulgence quickly dashed any hopes of another Marshall Plan for Russia. Instead, the world’s largest nation floundered for a number of years before gradually and then decisively falling under the control of Vladimir Putin, a stalwart nationalist who openly pines for the good old days of the superpower duopoly with the United States. In that pre-1990 world, the USSR’s military rivalry with the US put the two nations on an equal footing in some respects and the world was compelled to respect Moscow.

As recently as five years ago, respected American observers were dismissing Russia as “a gas station with a few natural resources in the back yard,” referring to the economic reality that Russian foreign exchange was largely earned by selling oil, natural gas and other mineral wealth it drew from its own soil. Russia

was consigned to a secondary status in many Western minds. With the obvious rise of China as a world force in the politico-military as well as economic and commercial spheres, it is still seductively easy to look past sprawling but flawed Russia.

This would be a mistake for the West.

Under the wily, determined Putin, Moscow has begun to reassert a place at the big table of international relations.

The effectiveness of their skullduggery in the 2016 American elections is now widely assumed and the proof seems to be inexorably dribbling out as the Robert Mueller investigation unfolds in Washington and other courthouses.

Long masters of disinformation, the Russians have applied effective Cold War propaganda techniques to social media, using Western democracies’ open societies and civil liberties to undermine the American and European way of life.

Putin’s resolve to turn back the clock on the 30-year independence of the 14 former Soviet republics has been evident for a while. Enjoying favourable relations with most of them already due to historical political, military and/ or economic dependencies, Russia has more recently turned westward to focus on Ukraine. Putin’s annexation of the Crimea in 2014 triggered economically painful Western sanctions, but this has not inhibited him from initiating new border skirmishes with Ukraine, both on land and in the narrow sea off Kerch at the entrance to the Sea of Azov. Historically profoundly paranoid, especially during the 20th Century toward the West, Russia is determined that Ukraine will not drift further toward NATO. Working under the partial cover of the many sinister and worsening US– China trade disputes, Russia has also diplomatically solidified its status in the Middle East, perhaps most significantly with its long-time Black Sea rival Turkey. The Washington Post counts 20 phone calls in the past year between Putin and Turkish President Erdogan, compared with seven between the Turkish leader and the US president. The Saudis and even Israel have given indications they are receptive to warmer relations with Moscow.

FNM would lose an election if held today EDITOR, The Tribune

charade - person signing a Heads of Agreement where MAY 10, 2017 for the he forged the signature of FNM party it was a red another. letter day they had been RFP for the 80MW voted in with a very large standby generators at majority 35 against four but BP&L clearly something the electorate knew this was was adrift here. Aggreko not the real world it was are still in place. the proverbial Bahamian RFP for Prince George decision when they are fed Wharf Cruise Port - seems up with Party ‘A’ just vote to be heading into a scandal dem out. Did they want the as many the Cabinet probFNM? ably own shares in Arawak Many wondered after Port development - a whopMay 10 - pre-election ping piece of conflict but in Minnis and his principal the eyes of some who care. cohorts had attacked the RBDF Patrol Craft - can’t prospective opening of keep them operational Baha Mar incredible as going aground or worse. there were 5-6,000 votes BP&L Costs sky rocket but they attacked it even and after the fire no assisthreatened in office they tance coming except the will rescind all agree- exemption from VAT - $91 ments to the favour of million owed to BP&L Sarkis Izmirlian (Dionisio unsure if that includes GovD’Aguilar’s buddy). ernment probably not.

Their manifesto possibly Buying Our Lucaya for only read by the few sort $65 million on certainly not and promised much most of the best of terms - can it be which is carried out would flipped without a massive have been a strong breathe $40m loss? of fresh air to what we had Transparency in governbecome accustomed with ance - great commitment under Christie & Co, but now lost in the morning that was not to come.

Fog! The Oban Energy Nurses are only asking to

pay them what is owed! Is that too much?

Then it was bad enough before when PM Minnis scoffed off to the press he was rushing off to eat boiled fish but to basically ridicule the Unions to a level where they were insignificant by referring to his ‘priority’ in his mind will the Saxons win Boxing Day… the Unions were annoyed before that comment now they are really ready to make sure the. Saxons don’t win. Eight-Unions have certificates to strike - is this a rational position of the Head of Government?

To be Prime Minister there is a lot of serious responsibility and respect to the people…we have not seen that since May, 2017…The people are annoyed, furious and if there was an election would throw the FNM out wholesale even their safe seats would lose.

JEROME HIGGS Nassau December 5, 2018

Glad to see this BISX flexibility EDITOR, The Tribune.

THREE months ago, I suggested that BISX remove the pricing restrictions that reduce trading in our local market. Those restrictions remain in place, but BISX did accede to investor requests to widen the trading band on Arawak Port Development, Bahamas Property Fund, and Benchmark Bahamas.

This caused a resumption of trading and significant price changes in all three stocks.

In view of BISX’s welcomed flexibility and responsiveness, I would like to suggest two more changes they can implement today that would increase trading.

First, BISX can update the day’s trading results throughout the day on its website, perhaps at 15-minute intervals, rather than only once per day after the market has closed.

Knowing which stocks have already traded gives an investor an idea of what is available to buy and sell “in the moment”. The more information an investor has, the more likely he or she is to trade.

Second, BISX can update their open order books every morning when the market opens, so that all investors have access to this crucial information at the same time. The open order books list all the unfilled

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net buy and sell orders for a security, and it is the most direct way for investors to know what the market is for any particular stock. BISX should also show the full list of buy and sell orders, not just those priced within ten percent of the last closing price.

By only showing orders within this band, as it currently does, BISX gives investors the false impression that there is no demand to buy or sell a stock outside of the band.

Along with these two changes, BISX should improve their website design. Currently, it takes so long to access the order book for each stock that even the most enthusiastic investor can be forgiven for abandoning the quest.

Instead of having to click through twenty stock pages to find each order book, a simpler solution would be to have all twenty order books displayed on a single page.

It is true that the various broker dealers also have access to this information and can update their clients themselves. But there is wide variance in how well the broker dealers inform their clients.

The largest broker sends a

daily morning email with the entire order books – but because of technology problems, some clients receive the email well after the trading day has ended, or sometimes not at all. The second largest broker only sends the order books once a week. The smaller broker dealers, to my knowledge, do not send this information at all. Perhaps, in a perfect world, the broker dealers would better take on this responsibility. But, after 18 years of low trading, BISX should move on from the strategy of hoping the brokers stimulate the market by themselves.

BISX alone can provide the market with fast and equal access to information, increasing transparency and stimulating trading. They should not wait for anyone else to do it for them.

BISX regulators at times seem like anxious parents watching their child take the car keys for the first time. They say the right things, but they don’t really want to let that car out of their sight! Well, the market is now 18 years old. Many of its investors are experienced both locally and internationally. It’s time to remove the restrictions and increase transparency.

BISX, let the market show you what this car can do.

JEHAN UNWALA Nassau December 6, 2018

With a bodyguard, I would feel safe too EDITOR, The Tribune I DON’T care what the Prime Minister or the Minister of National Security says we the People do not feel safe in our neighborhoods. He and his minister have bodyguards!

Fact (1) the RBDF if ever has stopped One Murder… they receive a 911 call and turn up to a murder scene.

Murder rate down? Yes we admit that but if you look at the real world over the past two years over

230 persons were murdered…that eliminated 230 people…RBDF have arrested how many people for murder? Get the line of thought? There are less people out who might be included to murder and to be murdered. Simple statistics.

Amendment to the Penal Code…surely the Customs Management Act also has to be amended?

Why bring this AG-under the Customs Management Act the Controller has

powers of the almighty when it comes to incorrect reporting of valuations and no limit as to how far back he may go.

Maybe best to reduce the $1,000.00 Duty Free exemption or the $235 million untaxed Florida purchases which this is…buy at home, surely this should be what Finance encourages not to buy in Miami?

D L MURRAY Nassau December 6, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 11, 2018, PAGE 5

Thanks for asking, Brave, but any FNM rebels are going to stay put - for now

PINERIDGE MP Rev Frederick McAlpine

from page one Golden Isles MP Vaughn Miller added that although “politics makes strange bedfellows”, leaving the party under whose umbrella he was elected was not on his radar.

Expounding on his comments made Saturday, Mr Davis declined yesterday to reveal if there were any FNMs in talks with the PLP, saying he did not want to breach confidential conversations. However he told this newspaper he is aware there are disgruntled FNM ministers and MPs. “I don’t know if I would consider it,” Mr McAlpine said yesterday in an interview with The Tribune. He was asked if he would ever consider leaving the FNM as the invitation was extended from the PLP leader. “I don’t know what tomorrow holds, but I would leave my options open.

“I think The Bahamas is searching for something. I don’t know right now if they can find it within the FNM or the PLP but I know

LEADER of the PLP, Philip Davis

that The Bahamas is searching and they want something better and I don’t know if the parties today are up to par to give them what they are searching for.

The Bahamian people voted for change and they seem to think that they got much of the same.”

Asked about his relationship with the FNM, Mr McAlpine said his party has a communications problem.

“Still to this day communication seems to be a big divider, whether it’s with individuals or collectively there seems to be a major barrier.

“I mean you would have thought that by now reaching out to me, you would have thought that that would have happened.

That has not happened. From the day I voted against (an increase in) VAT, that’s not happened.

Leadership has not reached out.

“It would have made good political sense to reach out not just to me but perhaps to some of my other colleagues as well.”

The backbench MP said while there may be some in the party incensed by his refusal to tow the party line, many in his

constituency have been encouraging and supportive.

“I would venture to say beyond my constituents, people in Grand Bahama have been very encouraging in many ways.

“I would hope that whatever decision I would make, I would first contact my constituents and speak with them, but at this time I don’t see the reason for me to have to make any decision at this time,” Mr McAlpine said.

When he was contacted yesterday, Mr Miller said his level of displeasure with the FNM has not got to such a level that he would consider leaving the party.

He said: “Nobody spoke to me.

I can tell you that.

“You know I am new to this.

This is my first time so you hear a lot of things from a lot of quarters (but) it’s not to that point.

But what y’all say, politics makes strange bedfellows?

“But I am doing my best to represent the great Golden Isles constituency. That’s where my focus is, so that statement (from Mr Davis) wasn’t referring to me.

“I haven’t given it that much

thought. That’s not presently on my radar,” Mr Miller said when The Tribune asked him if he would consider the move.

Expounding on his comments made Saturday, Mr Davis declined yesterday to reveal if there were any FNMs in talks with the PLP. However he said that Mr McAlpine, Mr Miller or even Centreville MP Reece Chipman could join his party if they desired.

“A lot of the conversations are held with me in confidence and I don’t breach persons confidence.

But what I can say is that there are a number of disgruntled FNM MPs and ministers,” he told The Tribune.

However Mr Davis added that based on the conversations he would not say they were wanting to join the PLP, but he said the conversations were most likely them exploring and testing the waters. “(Whether they join) that’s a matter for them. The PLP is a national organisation to which anyone could become a member.

So if you want to join tomorrow you could join, it’s what you wish

to do so if they wish, the party is there.

“Becoming a member requires some commitment and willingness to adhere to the philosophy, mission and governing documents relating to our relationship one to another.”

Mr McAlpine, Mr Miller, Mr Chipman and Bain and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson all voted against the value added tax increase in June.

As a result, Mr McAlpine was fired as Hotel Corporation chairman while Mr Miller and Mr Robinson were fired from their parliamentary secretary posts for breach of the Manual of Cabinet and Ministry Procedure.

Mr Chipman had been fired previously in March as chairman of the Antiquities Monuments and Museums Corporation after defying Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ ultimatum to either tender his resignation or be fired.

All the backbenchers have at times held opposing views to those of their party.

THE BIG CLEAN-UP BEGINS...

Funeral Service For Zoë Ruth Davis, Lady Maynard, passed away, peacefully, at her home on 10th December, 2018.

She was predeceased by her loving husband of 62 years, the Honourable Sir Clement T. Maynard; her son, C. R. Julian Maynard; and her sister, Gloria H. D. Lockhart.

AFTER the fun of the regatta down at Montagu Bay, the place was in need of a good tidy up yesterday. Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

She is survived by: Children and their spouses: (Georgette) Maynard, Dr. Peter (Dianne) Maynard, Allyson (Maxwell) Maynard-Gibson, David (Tonia) Maynard, and Clement (Heather) Maynard III. Grandchildren and their spouses: Gerard Maynard, Christophe (Dennice) Maynard, Julian Maynard, Joseph Maynard and (Kristina Becker), Jason (Melinda) Maynard, Justin (Karima) Maynard, Dorian Maynard, Desmond Maynard, Zoë Gibson, Jonathan (Ariel) Maynard, Dr. Demetra (Emmanuel) Gibson-Obusez, Juliana Maynard, Parissima Maynard, Amelia Maynard, Tatyanna Maynard, and Mary Maynard. Great Grandchildren: Zoen Maynard, Moanna Maynard, Zakariya Maynard, Sacha Maynard, Leo Maynard, Kaia Maynard, Aria Maynard, and Mackenzie Maynard.

A Mass of Resurrection to Celebrate her life will be held at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, Shirley St. and Church Lane, on Wednesday, 12th December, 2018 at 3 o’clock in the afternoon.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in the name of Zoë, Lady Maynard, to Abilities Unlimited or the Bahamas Humane Society.

PAGE 6, Tuesday, December 11, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

We’ll listen but the bill will go ahead, AG Bethel tells Senate from page one the legislation as proposed by the government.

Mr Bethel requested the bill be left “in committee” to allow legal draftspersons in the Office of the Attorney General to review the suggestions of the group, and incorporate aspects where needs exist.

However, he insisted the recommendations would not affect the bill’s overall intent, nor the passage of the compendium financial sector bills passed in the House of Assembly last week.

Those bills all have to be passed by December 31, to keep The Bahamas in-line with its commitments to the G-20, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the European Union.

“We are a reasonable government, a government that is prepared to accept positive suggestions to improve on our initiatives, necessary criticism where it is so and to act in a positive way and through meaningful dialogue with all partners. It is not our intention to disregard the well-meaning and positive contributions of all who could assist us,” Mr Bethel said.

His comments came less than a day after Civil Society Bahamas contended the legislation, if implemented as proposed, would be catastrophic for Bahamian non-profits.

For such groups to follow through with the new registration demands, they would have to show “evidence” that they are compliant with the “Know

Your Client” stipulations - meaning that they know the sources of their funding, and the background of these donors.

Non-profits will also be required by law to maintain financial statements, showing all income and spending, at their registered offices.

Non-profits will also be made to declare these documents to the registrar of companies, who can ultimately require that these financial statements be produced to it.

Those not meeting these requirements can be hit with a $5,000 fine for failing to maintain financial statements.

In addressing the bill’s full scope, Mr Bethel admitted that aspects of the legislation would have to reviewed and reconsidered, but noted

WE are a reasonable government, a government that is prepared to accept positive suggestions, says AG Carl Bethel. the bill was not the Minnis administration’s “invention.”

“It is modelled after comparable legislation elsewhere in the Caribbean,” he said. “We are satisfied that the bill is absolutely and critically necessary for the supervision of this vitally important sector of economic activity.”

He further insisted that to date, there has been little or no accountability in the sector.

“To whom much is given, much can sometimes also be required,” he said.

Meanwhile, debate on the remaining financial services bills - the Commercial Entities (Substance Requirements) Bill 2018; the Removal of Preferential Exemptions Bill 2018 and the Register of Beneficial Ownership Bill 2018; and the Penal Code Amendment Bill 2018 - did proceed as scheduled.

According to Mr Bethel, these bills reflect a continuous dialogue from the past several months with EU officials, as well as with industry leading professional organisations, lawyers and service providers.

Speaking specifically to the Beneficial Ownership Bill, Mr Bethel said the government will require that the beneficial ownership information of all international business companies (IBCs) and Bahamian companies be obtained by financial and corporate services providers (FCSP) or attorneys incorporating or maintaining the same, and that such information be maintained in a digital format which is accessible by law.

The bill will also require an amendment to the Companies Act to allow for non-compliant companies to be struck off of the register of companies.

Mr Bethel revealed that of the 80,000 companies registered in the Bahamas, only about 4,000 apply for business licences - a reality he said gives great cause for concern.

“So you have a mass of companies about whom nothing is known. We also know for a fact that of these 80,000 companies, thousands have not paid or made any annual declaration,” he added.

The amendment will give the registrar of companies the

power to strike all dormant companies from its register, on identical terms as applied to dormant bank accounts.

This means that any property owned by that business will be held by the registrar and then vested in the Public Treasury after a period of 17 years.

Of the Removal of Preferential Exemptions Bill, Mr Bethel said the government is seeking to create a “level playing field” between IBCs and regular Bahamian companies as it relates to exemptions. The bill will remove all exemptions from regular taxation for IBCs. Of the Commercial Entities (Substance Requirements) Bill 2018, Mr Bethel said the legislation will require all IBCs and similar offshore vehicles to perform their income generating activities within the Bahamas.

Lastly, of the Penal Code Amendment 2018, Mr Bethel said once passed, the Bahamas would finally be able to shake the label of “tax haven,” insisting that no other jurisdiction would be “credibly” able to make the claim.

BILL IS AN INVASION OF OUR PRIVACY, WARNS QC SMITH

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

ATTORNEY Fred Smith yesterday echoed concerns levelled by civil society over the proposed Non-Profit Organisations Bill, calling the legislation a complete invasion of privacy rights.

Mr Smith, who holds director posts at environmental group Save The Bays and advocacy group Rights Bahamas, told The Tribune the bill also threatens constitutional protections for freedom of association.

“It’s an invasion of our right to privacy,” he said, “of our constitutionally protected right. It’s a complete invasion of our right to private correspondence.

It’s an abomination against civil society.”

The NPO Bill requires all such organisations to be registered with a new regulator - the registrar of non-profit organisations.

Organisations must show “evidence” that they are aware of the funding sources and the background of their donors - in order

ATTORNEY Fred Smith. to become registered. It also mandates that all nonprofits provide the registrar with details on donations that exceed $50,000 - either in total or as a lump sum - and of their ten largest contributors every two years.

Finance Minister K Peter Turnquest defended government’s intention to legislate non-profit organisations last week.

The bill was part of a compendium of financial services bills the

government seeks to pass to further comply with international tax standards.

Mr Turnquest explained the decision to regulate groups was meant to increase transparency while safeguarding the country against international risks, adding the government did not want to overly interfere or monitor their activities.

The bill was set to pass in the Senate yesterday but a vote has been delayed in the face of criticism from civil society.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 11, 2018, PAGE 7

‘Strike vote at school must be certified’

By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson yesterday said the union will have to seek legal recourse if the strike vote held by C H Reeves Junior High School teachers is not certified.

On Friday, 62 teachers out of 74 at the school voted in favour of a strike, according to Mrs Wilson.

Sixty-one voted “yes” and one voted “no”.

However, on Sunday, Director of Labour John Pinder said there may be an issue certifying the vote because only C H Reeves teachers participated.

Mr Pinder referred to a ruling that states that a union cannot discriminate against its members if it takes a strike vote.

In August, Labour Minister Dion Foulkes referred to this ruling during a press conference while discussing the strike vote held by the Bahamas Nurses Union earlier this summer.

“The law requires that all members, whether they vote or not, should have the opportunity to vote,” he said at the time.

Regarding Mr Pinder’s comments, Mrs Wilson told The Tribune: “The Department of Labour has conducted the poll. The teachers (of) C H Reeves Junior High School have voted – 61 yes and one no, therefore the union expects to get the strike certificate in accordance with the law.

“Mr Pinder is entitled to his opinion, but we all are governed by the law. If they refuse to grant the certificate we will have to seek a legal recourse.”

Mrs Wilson defended the strike and expressed

BELINDA WILSON her pride in the teachers’ actions.

“I am proud of the teachers at C H Reeves Junior High School who stood up for their rights and stood in solidarity with each other,” she told The Tribune.

“Teachers, or any workers, should not be expected to work in unsafe, unsanitary conditions. The results of the vote (show) the level of frustration and discontent that teachers feel working at the school in the unacceptable, deplorable conditions.

“Does the government really care about the nation’s children?”

Last month, Joan Knowles-Turnquest, then BUT’s acting president, said teachers were working in untenable conditions.

“Classes are being held outside and under a pavilion, four individual classes are packed into the school’s auditorium,” Ms KnowlesTurnquest said.

“Teachers have broken out with skin diseases, upper respiratory ailments, we had a few miscarriages, and God knows what else is out there that we are not addressing,” she said.

“These are hardworking and dedicated teachers who are working (under) conditions that are unhealthy and

hazardous to their health. I think health is more important than anything else.

We have students getting sick and we have teachers getting sick so we stand in unison with our teachers,” Ms Knowles-Turnquest said.

Vernon Rodgers, BUT area vice-president of New Providence, said last month: “One of the major problems is the roof that is leaking... there are some chemicals in the roof that we are not aware of and the ministry cannot give us any answers.

The (chemical) drips on them and it burns their skin, sclerosis, teachers’ thyroid glands, swollen because of the environment.

“The teachers and the unions have questions and the government has yet to give any answers.”

Before this, Education Minister Jeff Lloyd said the Ministry of Education requested the assistance of Anthony Ryan of the Environmental Monitoring Risk Assessment Division in the Department of Environmental Health, who assessed the school’s affected classrooms, finding what he described as recognised environmental concerns, including dust and accumulated dirt. He subsequently formulated a prescription to rectify those issues, Mr Lloyd said, adding that a contractor was immediately hired to conduct the remediation process. This included the removal of mildew, the cleaning of dust on ceiling beams, and the cleaning of air-conditioning units, window sills and elsewhere.

Other contractors made repairs to a leaky roof and to faulty toilets in one of the female students’ bathrooms, the minister had said previously.

VACANCY NOTICE

Broadcast IP Video Specialist Cable Bahamas Limited is seeking to employ an experienced Broadcast IP Video Specialist. The successful candidate must be a highly motivated person, organized and detailed oriented.

SUMMARY The position of Broadcast IP Video Engineer will be responsible for the installation and maintenance of all video equipment within the Headend and at field locations.

This position is responsible for troubleshooting activities for outages in conjunction with the technical teams, and ensuring acquisition routing and quality control of incoming and outgoing video feeds. The position also requires occasional extended work in and around a typical data center, telecommunications facility, and/or Central Office. These environments may include loud machinery/fan noise, chilled temperatures and wind, and lowered humidity working with and around highamperage AC and DC power.

JOB DESCRIPTION • Configuration, installation and management of Core Video Multiplexers, Edge Video Switches, Routers, IP Video Modulators; • Configuration and Management of IPTV, OTT, ATSC and all IP related video equipment.

• Ensure the integrity of video and encoding hardware and software; • Perform analysis, diagnosis and troubleshoot root cause of issues/ outages related to IP video content; • Assessing the impact of content issues that arise as part of daily operations; • Review current IP video environment, product requirements, and determine gaps; • Liaise with new equipment vendors and middleware service providers; • IP Video Headend system monitoring and management; • Troubleshooting of all alarms in relation to IP video broadcast generated from the Headend monitoring systems; • Work closely with IP Engineers and Headend Technicians to identify and resolve issues that impact the IP video network; • Development of MOPs, Testing Procedures, Labs with ticket creation; • Meticulous documentation of video network infrastructure; • Liaising with internal and external clients to deliver new products and initiatives; • Working within a team with a focus on delivering the company’s yearly objectives; • Help facilitate new network projects ensuring minimal disruption to live services; • Ensuring the video network infrastructure is fit for effective and efficient service delivery and aligned with the company’s objectives; • Assisting in the maintenance and tracking of hardware and software owned by the company; • Perform all other Headend related duties as determined and assigned by management.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED • A bachelor’s degree in Computer Science/Engineering, Electrical Engineering or equivalent; • Two or more years of strong understanding and experience working with MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 (H.264) compression, MCPC and IPTV platforms, video transmission/reception equipment, video monitoring equipment and ancillary video equipment; • Two or more years of strong experience working with multicast and next-generation Video delivery technologies (IPTV, ABR HLS, Smooth Streaming, etc.); • Two or more years exposure with various test equipment, including: MPEG analyzers, optical power meters, RF signal level meters, RF spectrum analyzers; • Must have knowledge of and experience with a wide range of technologies including routers, multiplexers, switches, RF uplink and downlink hardware, and associated redundancy hardware; • A fundamental understanding of Linux command line; • Comprehensive understanding of IP Video Technologies and Network Environments; • Networking and IP multicast routing; • CCNA/CCNP, Comp TIA Network +; • IP transport of MPEG-TS over UDP/RTP multicast; • Strong understanding and experience working with TCP/IP technologies desired, including IPv4, addressing/subnetting, IP unicast routing and IP Multicast routing and associate technologies; • Able to Diagnose Network Connectivity Issues; • An understanding of digital modulation technologies (QPSK – 256 QAM) is desirable; • Working knowledge of RF systems, including: general understanding of the EIA spectrum, general understanding of RF performance requirements in a QAM environment, basic RF troubleshooting techniques, Working knowledge of the OSI model, specifically layers 1, 2 & 3; • Knowledge of multi-vendor middle-ware software such as Imagine, Arris, Builtwrite, Minerva, Anevia and TiVO/ROVI; • Ability to effectively use engineering NMS tools such as Solarwinds, Wireshark etc.; • Experience with MS Office and MS Visio; • Ability to isolate problems and troubleshoot issues down to the hardware level.

PERSONAL COMPETENCIES • Ability to exercise judgement within broadly defined practices and select methods and techniques for obtaining solutions; • Excellent attention to detail and methodical approach; • Ability to self-motivate and work independently; • Strong decision-making & analytical skills; • Customer service orientated approach; • Strong oral & written communication skills; • Ability to manage multiple tasks and priority levels; • Proactive approach to changing technologies; • Be able to work outside normal work hours; • Be able to travel periodically to perform work/maintenance at all digital Headend sites in The Bahamas and United States; • This position requires on call support (Tier 2/3) and off-hours maintenance activities (weekends, weeknights and/or Holidays); • Possess personal traits: Friendly, mature, factual, honest, meticulous, self-starter.

FREDRICK Johnson III attended the five-day expo which combined workshops and conference sessions.

PHA PARAMEDIC TRAVELS TO TENNESSEE FOR EXPERT HELP

A PARAMEDIC supervisor from the Public Hospitals Authority’s National Emergency Medical Services (NEMS) recently joined nearly 6,000 participants from more than 50 countries at the EMS World Expo held this year in Nashville, Tennessee.

Fredrick Johnson III attended the fiveday expo which combines workshops and conference sessions and is the largest emergency medical services dedicated event in the world.

The expo aims to provide training that increases the quality of patient care with a focus on progressive curriculum and technology. Mr Johnson who met fellow EMS professionals from Denmark; Calgary;

California and Iowa among others said he was overwhelmed with the offerings.

“Gaining a wealth of knowledge pertinent to the diverse field of EMS was extraordinary,” Mr Johnson said, “especially the way in which this field excels in technology, innovative ideas, practices, education and critical assessment care.”

Mr Johnson encouraged others in NEMS to take advantage of opportunities like the EMS World Expo for further international exposure and training.

“This opportunity provided me with the validation regarding the importance of using international modules as a guideline to develop and redevelop EMS here in The Bahamas,” he said.

Qualified applicants should submit Resumes on or before Tuesday, December 11, 2018, to the Director of Human Resources, PO BOX CB-13050, Nassau, Bahamas or send electronically with Ref: Broadcast IP Video Specialist to humanresources@cablebahamas.com.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, December 11, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

When the mountain is too high you have to ask for a little help J

ARVIS and Dereka Grant are a power couple in the world of culture in The Bahamas.

Their contributions to the development of the arts and culture is immeasurable and they continue to selflessly offer their time and energy passing on their skills to the next generation. During over a decade of their joint dedication to Bahamian arts, they have raised their children and naturally had to involve them in their tireless efforts, as their commitment calls for long nights and early morning hours of practice.

The most recent addition to the family, a little girl whom they named Ja’Dei, is facing a medical crisis is too big for the Grants to handle on their own and now they are hoping for the love they have poured into the community to be returned to them at a time when they need it the most.

Before marriage, they were already making significant inroads in the development of the arts and culture. Jarvis is the wellknown DJ “Broke as Hell”; he was my work colleague for many years at More 94.9fm. On the air and at parties and events around town, he was popular for his hype music mixes which always included some of the latest Bahamian talent. He was known for taking the party with him wherever he went. Additionally, Jarvis was always known in the world of dance. He is known as a vibrant performer and a teacher of the art form. He has performed in the casts of Cirque du Soleil, Universoul Circus and Bring in the Noise Bring in the Funk.

Dereka (nee Deleveaux) is an outstanding Bahamian dancer who has dedicated many years to the National Dance School.

Countless dancers in the country can say they have come up under Dereka, who continues to do her best to impart everything she knows to them. Through her direction, the National Dance School has performed locally and abroad spreading Bahamian culture with pizazz. Dereka holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music, Dance and Theatre and has a Master of Arts Management Degree in Performing Arts Management. She also lived and worked in New York and Chicago before returning home to dedicate herself to the culture of her birth.

Jarvis and Dereka met at the National Dance School in 1992 and married in 2007. Two years later, they fulfilled their dream and started Emanji Circus Arts. It is the first Bahamian Circus and the group has performed at numerous national and private events and has held several shows filled with stellar performances over the past decade. The group is growing as young, new talent have come to love this new opportunity to express themselves through circus arts. Emanji is a not-for-profit circus arts and entertainment company currently comprised of 25 young artists between the ages of 14 and 37, all born, raised and trained in The Bahamas.

T

HE group is filled with diverse talent, including acts such as: aerial silk cloth; single, double and triple trapeze; aerial cube, lyra and straps; Spanish web; and corde lisse. The floor acts include: juggling; the cyr wheel; Rola Bola; fire manipulation; magic/ illusion arts; table balancing; human balancing; contortion; Chinese pole; still object balancing; and candle sticks.

The roaming and interactive acts include: stilt walkers; clown acts; human statues/ characters; mimes; unicyclists; and balloon twisting. Emanji is committed to providing opportunities for people in the local community to experience “Bahamian live entertainment at its best” by mounting a minimum of two circus productions per year.

With this full schedule, Dereka also must juggle her full-time job at the Department of Culture. In addition, the couple are committed parents to Jamai, 18; Ja’Daj, 8;

DEREKA and Jarvis Grant with Ja’Dei. Below, the parents with their other children Jahmai, Ja’Daj, and Ja’Dal. Inset, top, baby Ja’Dei. Main photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Ja’Dal, 2; and their newest addition, five-month-old Ja’Dei. She was born with a rare condition and one which has called on the Grants to rise to the greatest challenge of their life to date.

Baby Ja’Dei was born with bilateral microphthalmia (tiny eyes) and a unilateral cleft lip and palate in July of 2018. Microphthalmia is a developmental disorder of the eye in which one (unilateral microphthalmia) or both (bilateral microphthalmia) eyes are abnormally small and have anatomic malformations. Ja’Dei was born with bilateral microphthalmia with ocular cysts. The cysts grew as her body’s response to the empty space left when her eyes did not grow. She also has what is called disorganised eyes, which means she has all of the parts of the eye, such as the cornea, retina, optic nerve and muscles, but because the ball of her eyes were not big enough the parts could not attach to create what we know as a perfect eye. Due to this, it is believed Ja’Dei will be blind when the cysts are removed.

There are no doctors in The Bahamas able to deal with microphthalmia and so medical treatment is being sought at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Florida. She will have at least one surgery in 2019 to remove the cysts and place ocular prosthetics in her eye sockets. She will also need to have surgery every three years to enlarge and repair her sockets as her face grows. A cleft lip and

palate happens during the first trimester of pregnancy. The hard palate of the mouth does not join together all the way or not at all and the top lip subsequently does not join together, appearing as a split in the lip and a hole in the top gum of the mouth. A child born with this deformity will have trouble eating and thriving and may have trouble breathing depending on the severity of the cleft of the palate which in extreme cases can extend all the way to the nose.

Ja’Dei’s cleft is considered a wide cleft that impacts all the way to her nasal cavity on the right side of her face.

She will have at least two surgeries by the time she is one

to close the split in the lip and attempt to fill in the gap of the palate so that she can eat, breathe and speak normally. A team of doctors which include a specialised paediatric plastic surgeon, a specialised paediatrician, a specialised paediatric orthodontist, an ear nose and throat doctor and a paediatric speech therapist, will be required until she is at least 14 years of age. At present, the starting cost for the surgeries for a baby born with a cleft lip and palate is $75,000 in The Bahamas. Medical treatment is being sought at Rush University Medical centre in Chicago, Illinois which is much cheaper.

When Dereka was about five months pregnant, an ultrasound detected the cleft lip and palate and professionals gave her and Jarvis the diagnosis. At that time, they began exploring information and researching hospitals in The Bahamas and in the US in order to correct the cleft once the baby was born.

They were told that cleft is the second most popular child birth issue after the heart and that there were at least three doctors available locally to assist with the surgery, if they chose to have the operation done at home.

For them, it was just a matter of price and they were still determining the best route to take. Although two ultrasounds were done, none of them gave any indication to Ja’Dei’s eye issues.

“We did not find out about her eyes until she was born,” Dereka said.

“The cysts in her bottom eyelids were so big that they looked like regular eyes on the ultrasounds. When she was born, the cysts were huge but by the third day, they reduced to the size they

are now. It was on the fourth day that we got the diagnosis of bilateral microphthamlia (tiny eyes) with ocular cysts for the eyes.

The opthalmologist who saw her in NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) made a strong recommendation for us to take her to Bascom Palmer Eye Institute as there are no doctors here in The Bahamas who can deal with microphthalmia.

“Our plan was to try to get both issues addressed at the same hospital at the same time, but there are very few doctors in the world that deal with this condition. It was after our second opinion trip at Bascom Palmer (our first was at Rush University ophthamology department) that we got further diagnosis of the disorganised eyes.”

Unfortunately, Ja’Dei’s challenges are considered pre-existing conditions by her family’s insurance companies since she was born with the deformities. The medical costs associated with her treatment will not be covered and must come out of pocket. Ja’Dei is scheduled to have at least three surgeries during the course of 2019 and the Grants are appealing to the public to partner with them to help in assisting with the costs of her surgeries, which begin at $68,000.

“Life has changed tremendously in terms of medical bills,” Dereka shared. “Ja’Dei is expected to need surgery every three to four years to correct her cleft and any eye issues that may arise as her body grows until she is 18-yearsold and her body stops growing.

“We have had three small fundraisers for her (two before she was born and one right after) but these funds have already been depleted by doctor consultations and medical tests that she has already undergone. She is scheduled to have her first three surgeries by August, 2019. The cleft is fixable but specialists believe she will not have any sight. Other than her visual impairment she will be a normal child.”

I

N response to the mounting medical bills, the Grants and their Emanji team, which is really like an extended family, are coming together to present their latest production in Ja’Dei’s honour, with all proceeds going towards her medical bills. “The Doll Maker” will be held at the Dundas Centre for the Performing Arts on Mackey Street this December 27-30. The first night will be a gala night at 6:30 with tickets set at $100, which will include food and drink with the show.

There will also be a silent auction and a raffle. Matinees will be held on the following days at 3pm with ticket costs set at $15. Additionally, there are sponsorship packages available with incentive such as tickets and advertisement in the local media and in the souvenir booklet.

“Ja’Dei is a wonderful child,” Dereka exclaimed. “She is feisty and happy and you will know if she likes or dislikes something.

She loves to explore her surroundings and loves music and dancing. We cannot imagine life without her even though she has only been here for five months.

Her brothers and sisters love her so much and are always trying to help us do things for her. She is achieving her milestones right on track with her siblings when they were younger. She is teaching us that there is a difference between being blind and having no sight.

It is all in the mind, as there are people with sight who are blind to all their possibilities.”

Online monetary donations can be made at www.fundrazr.com/ JGrant2018. Anyone wishing to make a donation directly to the hospital or to purchase tickets for The Doll Maker can contact the couple at 820-4534 or email emanjicircus@gmail.com.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, December 11, 2018, PAGE 9

Maynard tells Shell: ‘You ain’t pushing the Bahamians out and they be without jobs. That ain’t happening.’ from page one power purchase agreement and I have spoken to the chairman and the minister and I’ve raised my concerns that it’s obvious that Shell will be taking over the whole generation.

“BEC is getting out of the generation business, which means that Shell will now be in the power generation business.”

He continued: “The union’s concern is primarily our staff being trained and the future of our staff at the power station.

Obviously, they are going to have to keep the staff.

“The union is not going to tolerate them bringing foreigners in here when our staff could be trained and they do it.

“No you ain’t pushing the Bahamians out and they be without jobs and the foreigners have jobs.

That ain’t happening.”

He admitted that executives have consulted the union, but their concerns have remained.

Last month, the country was said to be one step closer to lower energy bills and more stable electricity generation with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between BPL and Shell North America for an integrated LNG gas-to-power project.

However, at the time of the signing it was unclear whether consumers will feel the impact of the corporation’s transition to liquefied natural gas (LNG) during the Minnis administration’s term as the project, which features a 220-250 megawatt (MW) power plant is not slated to be completed until the “early 2020’s”.

Shell officials were also unable to offer any estimates on how much it planned to invest on the project, stating it was too early to tell.

“In terms of starting construction,” Donovan Moxey, BPL chairman said last month. “It won’t start until after the PPA

BAHAMAS Electrical Workers Union president Paul Maynard insisted yesterday no employee will be pushed out as he raised concerns regarding the job security of Bahamas Power and Light employees upon the completion of the Shell North America deal. (power purchase agreement) has been negotiated, all of the environmental studies, impact assessments, environmental plans have been done. Everything is done in accordance with the planning and subdivisions act and we follow all those processes.

“And so the hope for us is that we get construction started soon enough so that we can have the plant online by the early 2020’s.

Our target goal is sometime before or around 2022 but you never know what may delay the project moving forward.”

GRAND BAHAMA ENJOYING LIFT IN TOURISM SECTOR

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

MINISTER of State for Grand Bahama Kwasi Thompson highlighted revelations from the latest report from the Central Bank of the Bahamas which showed an overall increase of more than three percent in stop-over visitors to Grand Bahama, marking improvement in the island’s tourism sector.

“The government’s efforts have resulted in improvement in the tourism sector in Grand Bahama during the year-to-date 2018,” Mr Thompson said in a recent press statement.

Referring to the Central Bank of the Bahamas’ Monthly Economic and Financial Developments October 2018, published on December 3, Mr Thompson indicated the report showed improvement in Grand Bahama for the first nine months of the year, recovering from the huge decrease in 2017 of 39.5 percent.

The junior minister stated the report indicated in Grand Bahama, “Despite the ongoing challenges in room capacity after the closure of several hotels due to hurricane damage, stopover visitors to Grand Bahama firmed by 3.5 percent on a year-to-date basis, a reversal from the prior period’s 39.5 percent plunge.”

He further noted the report indicated a significant increase in online vacation rental bookings from AirBnB. Mr Thompson said that in fact, Grand Bahama had showed a 44.2 percent increase which reflected the largest increase in the country.

He pointed out the report had indicated: “An analysis of the major markets revealed that bookings in Grand Bahama firmed by 44.2 percent, amid gains in both the entire home and

MINISTER of State for Grand Bahama Kwasi Thompson hotel comparable listings.”

The minister stated the Ministry of Tourism will continue its online marketing and rebranding of Grand Bahama.

Additionally, he said the ministry is continuing to work with advertising agencies in promoting the Grand Lucayan resort to generate additional room occupancy in partnership with Bahamasair, American Airlines, Balearia Caribbean, and Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line through summer 2019.

It was noted that airlift to Grand Bahama island is also being addressed by the board of Bahamasair which expects delivery of the a

727-800 series jet aircraft in Spring 2019 for a summer airlift programme that will offer four-night rotations from several US gateways starting May 2019 through August 2019.

Mr Thompson also stated that over $3 million has been approved for renovations to Grand Lucayan and the process of choosing contractors has already started.

He said the hotel board is also working very hard on bookings for the next few months which could lead to at least one additional hotel property being reopened if necessary to accommodate the additional bookings.

Shell, the project developer and independent power producer, will absorb the costs of developing marine infrastructure, and constructing the gas pipeline, LNG terminal and new power plant, according Mr Moxey, who said negotiations will now turn to

locking down commercial agreements over the supply rate.

Mr Moxey last month said negotiations over the PPA will likely take around three to four months. He could not be reached for comment up to press time yesterday.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, December 11, 2018

THE TRIBUNE

SCRAMBLE IS ON TO FIND NEW WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF WASHINGTON Associated Press

WANTED: Top aide to most powerful leader in world. Chief qualification: Willing to take the job. Must also be prepared to tolerate regular undermining by boss and risk of steep legal bills.

Post-employment prospects: Uncertain.

President Donald Trump is scrambling to find a new chief of staff after his first choice to replace John Kelly bailed at the last minute and several other potential successors signaled they weren’t interested in the job.

Back to square one, Trump is mulling over a list of at least four potential candidates after Nick Ayers, Vice President Mike

Pence’s chief of staff, took himself out of the running on Sunday and decided that he would instead be leaving the White House. The announcement surprised even senior staffers who believed that Ayers’ ascension was a done deal.

Trump is now soliciting input on a list of candidates that is said to include Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney, Rep. Mark Meadows, R-N.C., the chairman of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, and former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie. And allies are pitching Trump on even more contenders.

But as quickly as names were being floated, candidates appeared to be pulling themselves from consideration, underscoring the challenges of working for

a mercurial president who has acknowledged that he likes to surround himself with chaos and despises any suggestion he’s being managed.

“In the best of times, it is relentless,” said Chris Whipple, an expert on chiefs of staff and author of “The Gatekeepers,” a book on the subject. “It’s 24/7. It’s thankless. You get all of the blame and none of the credit for everything that happens. And that’s in the best of times. We are not in the best of times.”

Trump’s administration has set records for staff turnover, and the president has often struggled to attract experienced political professionals, a challenge that has grown more difficult with the upcoming threat of costly

PRESIDENT Trump in search of a chief of staff.

Democratic oversight investigations and an uncertain political environment.

Those who take high-level positions in the White House at this time open themselves up to potential legal exposure and pricey lawyer bills, said David B. Cohen, a political science professor at The University of Akron who co-wrote a book on chiefs of staff.

After reports surfaced yesterday that he was unwilling to take the job, Meadows told Politico Playbook: “Serving as Chief of Staff would be an incredible honor. The President has a long list of qualified candidates and I know he’ll make the best selection for his administration and for the country.”

Brexit deal in turmoil as May postpones vote LONDON Associated Press FACING almost certain defeat, British Prime Minister Theresa May yesterday postponed a vote in Parliament on her Brexit deal, saying she would go back to European Union leaders to seek changes to the divorce agreement.

May’s move threw Britain’s Brexit plans into disarray, intensified a domestic political crisis and battered the pound. With EU officials adamant the withdrawal deal was not up for renegotiation, the country does not know on what terms it will leave — and whether May will still be Britain’s leader when it does.

In an emergency statement to the House of Commons, May accepted that the divorce deal she struck last month with EU leaders was likely to be rejected “by a significant margin” if the vote were held today as planned.

May said she would defer the vote so she could seek “assurances” from the EU and bring the deal back to Parliament. She did not set a new date for the vote. The UK’s departure is supposed to take place on March 29.

Opposition lawmakers — and ones from May’s Conservative Party — were incredulous and angry. Some accused her of trampling on parliamentary democracy.

“The government has lost control of events and is in complete disarray,” Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn said.

Corbyn demanded, and was granted, an emergency debate today on the postponement. But Labour lawmaker Lloyd Russell-Moyle was expelled from Parliament for the day after he grabbed the House of Commons’ ceremonial mace as a sign of protest.

The centuries-old gilded staff is the symbol of royal authority. Without it, the Commons can’t meet or pass laws.

Jacob Rees-Mogg, a leading proBrexit Conservative, expressed despair at the Brexit shambles. “It’s not really governing,” he said. “It’s just an awful muddle.”

Yesterday’s turmoil sent the pound to a 20-month low against the dollar of $1.2550.

It was a new blow for May, who became prime minister after Britain’s 2016 referendum decision to leave the EU. She has been battling

BRITAIN’S Prime Minister Theresa May makes a statement in the House of Commons, in London, yesterday.

Left, someone who thinks May’s proposals are a “Brexit Fudge”.

ever since — first to strike a divorce deal with the bloc, then to sell it to skeptical British lawmakers.

May insisted the agreement hammered out with the EU after a year and a half of negotiations was “the best deal that is negotiable.” But it has been scorned by lawmakers on all sides of Britain’s debate about Europe.

Derisive laughter erupted in the House of Commons when May claimed there was “broad support” for many aspects of the deal.

Pro-Brexit lawmakers say the deal keeps Britain bound too closely to the EU, while pro-EU politicians say it erects barriers between the UK and its biggest trading partner and leaves many details of the future relationship undecided.

The main sticking point is a “backstop” provision that aims to guarantee an open border between EU member Ireland and the U.K.’s Northern Ireland after Brexit. The measure would keep Britain under EU customs rules, and is supposed to last until it is superseded by permanent new trade arrangements.

Critics say it could leave Britain tied to the EU indefinitely, unable to strike new trade deals around the world.

May said she would hold talks with EU leaders ahead of a summit in Brussels on Thursday and Friday, seeking “further reassurances” over the backstop.

“Nothing should be off the table,” she said.

EU leaders signaled they are prepared to help Britain, up to a point,

but insisted the Brexit agreement could not be changed.

“The deal is the deal,” Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said. “It’s taken two years to put together. It’s a fair deal for both sides.”

European Council President Donald Tusk tweeted: “We will not renegotiate the deal, including the backstop, but we are ready to discuss how to facilitate U.K. ratification.”

A key member of the European parliament’s Brexit team, Green lawmaker Philippe Lamberts, predicted May’s shuttle diplomacy would fail to secure changes.

“The only net result of this round of capitals will be an additional amount of CO2 in the atmosphere,” he said.

Despite May’s dogged determination to press on, the tumult leaves her in a precarious position.

Conservative rivals are preparing for a potential leadership challenge, and Labour has threatened call for a no-confidence motion in the government.

NEARLY 85 % OF UN NATIONS BACK MIGRATION DEAL BUT NOT US MARRAKECH, Morocco Associated Press DEFYING fierce opposition from the US and a few other nations, nearly 85 percent of UN member states agreed yesterday on a sweeping yet nonbinding accord to ensure safe, orderly and humane migration.

The debate over the Global Compact for Migration, the first of its kind, has proven to be a pivotal test of the UN-led effort to crack down on the often dangerous and illegal movements across borders that have turned people smuggling into a worldwide industry, and give people seeking economic opportunity a chance.

“Unregulated migration bears a terrible human cost: a cost in lives lost on perilous journeys across deserts, oceans and rivers; and a cost in lives ruined at the hands of smugglers, unscrupulous employers and other predators,” UN SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres told a migration conference in Marrakech, Morocco.

“More than 60,000 migrants have died on the move since the year 2000,” he said. “This is a source of collective shame.”

Migration affects hundreds of millions of people across the globe — farmers coming off the land or forced by climate change to head to cities, families fleeing war or persecution at home, impoverished workers from the developing world looking for jobs in rich countries. It can also involve high-skilled workers from developed nations looking for opportunities beyond their homelands.

Defenders say migration greases the wheels of the world economy by diversifying and rejuvenating workforce in aging rich countries and providing a needed source of cash to poorer countries through remittances sent home by migrants.

A total of 164 countries among the 193 UN members approved the agreement by acclamation yesterday.

NEW ZEALAND LEADER APOLOGIES MACRON VOWS TAX CUTS, PAY RISE FOR DEATH OF BRITISH TOURIST - WILL FRANCE’S ANGER SUBSIDE? WELLINGTON Associated Press

NEW Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made an emotional apology yesterday to the family of a 22-year-old British tourist who police say was murdered.

Ardern spoke about the nation’s reaction to the case several hours after the man that police accuse of killing Grace Millane made his first appearance in court.

Police on Sunday found a body in a forested area near Auckland which they believe is Millane’s.

“From the kiwis I have spoken to, there is this overwhelming sense of hurt and shame that this has happened in our country, a place that prides itself on our hospitality,” Ardern said.

“On behalf of New Zealand, I want to apologize to Grace’s family,” Ardern

NZ PM JACINDA ARDERN said, her voice breaking with emotion. “Your daughter should have been safe here, and she wasn’t. And I’m sorry for that.”

Ardern said it wasn’t necessarily her role to apologize for individual acts of violence, but she’d sensed that New Zealanders were feeling a collective sense of shame over the case and that many were taking it personally.

Earlier, the 26-year-old man accused of killing Millane stared at the floor while a judge addressed him during his brief appearance at the Auckland District Court. The man has not yet entered a plea on murder charges and the court has temporarily blocked his name from being published.

Millane’s father, David Millane, traveled to New Zealand last week after his daughter vanished, and Judge Evangelos Thomas addressed him and other family members.

“I don’t know what to say to you at this time, but your grief must be desperate,” he said, according to television station Three. “We all hope justice will be fair and swift and ultimately bring you some peace.”

As the man was led away from the dock, somebody in the public gallery yelled out “Scumbag!” Three reported.

PARIS Associated Press

FRENCH President Emmanuel Macron tried to reassert control over a nation wracked by increasingly violent protests with offers of tax relief for struggling workers and pensioners — and an exceptional admission yesterday that “I might have hurt people with my words.”

It may not be enough.

Even as Macron broke his silence on the protests in a brief televised address, yellow-vested demonstrators vowed to keep up the pressure on a man they see as arrogant, out-of-touch and “president of the rich”.

“We are at a historic moment for our country,” the French leader said from the presidential Elysee Palace. “We will not resume the normal course of our lives” after all that has happened.

PEOPLE watch French President Emmanuel Macron during a televised address to the French nation yesterday.

Speaking with a soft voice both France and Europe. and gentle tone, Macron Macron rode to the presipleaded for a return to calm dency last year on promises after almost four weeks of rejuvenating France’s of protests that started stagnant economy and salin neglected provinces to vaging European unity. His oppose fuel tax increases credibility on both fronts is and progressed to rioting now deeply damaged, just in Paris and a plethora of as the EU struggles with broad demands.

Britain’s chaotic exit and It’s a turning point in as France’s protests have Macron’s presidency, prompted copycat moveand a crucial moment for ments beyond its borders.