Issuu

business@tribunemedia.net

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2020

$3.98 Briland developer slams ‘laughable’ cruise ship claim By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A HARBOUR Island development and its opponents yesterday renewed battle over allegations the project will impose further strain on the destination’s already overloaded water and electricity infrastructure. 4M Harbour Island, the Briland Club developer, slammed Br-Island Responsible Development Association (BIRD) for “laughable” claims it plans to bring cruise ships to its project as the two sides intensified their fire ahead of Friday’s Town Planning Meeting on the project’s second Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).’ Arguing that the latest assertions “indicate a heightened level of desperation on the part of our detractors”, 4M and its principal, Michael Wiener, said in a statement that while the project would tie-in to the Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) and Water & Sewerage grids as mandated by law it would generate its own water and energy. Despite pledging that it has $3m worth of generators and electrical equipment on Harbour Island, capable of producing three megawatts (MW) of power with the possibility of being expanded to five MW in later phases, the developer’s arguments were met with scepticism by BIRD. A spokesperson for the group, denying all knowledge of any claims linking 4M to bringing cruise ships to the island, confirmed that the extra electricity and water load potentially being generated by the 63 planned residences at the Briland Club was a major concern on the basis it had not been adequately addressed in the latest EIA. They revealed that BIRD has now started a petition on change.org to lobby the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) not to issue 4M’s environmental clearance approvals “until such time as an infrastructure feasibility study is completed for the island and made publicly available for review, and until such time as the concerns expressed by the public are taken into account and incorporated into the development’s plans”. Firing the first salvo, 4M said: “It has been brought to our attention that more misinformation concerning 4M Harbour Island Ltd’s development is being spread by opponents. The latest round of misinformation to hit the rumor mill is that Briland Club intends to bring cruise ships to Harbour Island, and its development will run only off the already-strained water and electrical grids of Harbour Island. “Nothing could be further from the truth. Briland Club is unaware of (and not involved with) any effort to bring cruise ships to Harbour Island. The mere thought is laughable and indicates a heightened level of desperation on the part of our detractors.”

SEE PAGE 3

$3.98

$4.02

Investigation demanded over China’s alleged BTC ‘spying’ By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

“SERIOUS investigation” was demanded yesterday into allegations that China has exploited the Bahamas Telecommunications Company’s (BTC) mobile phone network to spy on US citizens. BTC, which is 49 percent owned by the government, told Tribune Business in a statement it was “carefully reviewing” claims - first published in the Guardian newspaper in the UK - that state-owned Chinese communications providers had used its systems to conduct surveillance on Americans roaming on their mobile phones in The Bahamas. “Across all the markets where Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC) operates, including The Bahamas, we continuously monitor our networks and have robust security policies and protocols in place

• Carrier ‘carefully reviewing’ surveillance claims • Mobile network ‘used to eavesdrop’ on Americans • National security and economic fears ‘if true’

BTC HEADQUARTERS to protect the data of our customers. We take our commitment to data protection seriously, and are carefully reviewing the information in the Guardian article,” BTC said. Other CWC subsidiaries in the Caribbean, especially Barbados, were also identified as major sources of these alleged breaches which - if true - have huge national security and

economic implications for The Bahamas, as well as its ability to safeguard the personal data and civil liberties of both its own citizens and US visitors that make up 85 percent of its tourism market. The assertion that major security vulnerabilities exist in the Bahamian telecommunications system was based on a report by Gary Miller, a US former mobile

THE Bahamas National Trust’s (BNT) president last night said its rejection of the proposed $580m South Abaco project shows “we are definitely not swayed” by a developer’s donation pledges. Eric Carey told Tribune Business that the Trust’s stance proved it will not “cut short our approach or high environmental standards in fully reviewing” the Tyrsoz Family Holdings development despite its principal promising to donate $1m to aid its efforts to approve the Abaco National Park. Acknowledging that many may have viewed Ra’anan “Ronnie” BenZur’s offer as “a quid pro quo” to ensure the BNT’s support, Mr Carey vehemently rejected this interpretation. While conceding that it would have to work with the developer if the government approved

ERIC CAREY the project, he said “our choice” was that it not proceed given its location in an area of extreme environmental sensitivity. “People thought there was a quid pro quo arrangement,” Mr Carey explained of Mr Ben Zur’s offer, “but no. If the development gets approval it will be in close proximity to the Abaco National Park, and we will

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)” submitted by Mr Ben Zur, and added: “The proposed development will directly reduce the quality and quantity of habitat available for bonefish, Bahama parrots, and numerous other commercially and culturally important species. “This threat is compounded by the proposal’s economic shortcomings, which could undermine the project’s success, leaving large areas of pristine terrestrial and marine ecosystems decimated. While the proposal includes plans to mitigate some environmental damages, these measures are not enough to justify the environmental

SEE PAGE 7

SEE PAGE 6

network security executive, who was said by the UK Guardian to have “spent years analysing mobile threat intelligence reports, and observations of signalling traffic between foreign and US mobile operators”. Miller and his business, Exigent Media, a cyber threat research firm, have published two reports that detail how BTC’s mobile phone system was purportedly used in a “coordinated attack” on US cellular phone numbers by Chinese state-owned mobile providers. The first report, Far from home - active foreign surveillance of US mobile users, argued that international roaming - the practice whereby Bahamians use a

SEE PAGE 6

• Stands in ‘direct opposition’ top $580m project • Rejects ‘quid pro quo’ notion on South Abaco • Argue that ‘size and scope’ simply don’t fit have no choice but to work with the developer, but our choice is this development does not take place because the size and scope do not fit with what is in place in Abaco. “We are definitely not swayed by any amount of money in the project proposal to cut short our approach, our high environmental standards, in reviewing this project.” Mr Carey spoke out after the BNT, in a statement, said it had joined the Sustainable South Abaco coalition in “direct opposition” to the Tyrsoz Family Holdings project obtaining the necessary environmental approvals to proceed as is. The environmental watchdog body said its decision was based on a “thorough review of the

No protest ‘ducking’ by oil drill ship ENVIRONMENTAL activists yesterday said they were “extremely concerned” that time is rapidly running out to halt Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC) after its drilling ship “ducked” their welcome. Joseph Darville, of the Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay (Save the Bays), told Tribune Business that his preparation of banners at Freeport Harbour proclaiming the group’s opposition to oil exploration in Bahamian waters had been in vain after the Stena IceMAX anchored well out to sea between the Berry Islands and Grand Bahama. “They ducked our protest,” he said. “They had word there would be marine and land protests, and decided it would be better to anchor out there between the Berry Islands and Grand Bahama.” However, a source familiar with BPC’s plans said there had been no “ducking” as there had never been any intention of the Stena IceMAX coming into Freeport. Mr Darville, meanwhile, said there had been significant air and sea activity with a helicopter and boats frequently racing between Freeport and the drilling ship to deliver both men and equipment. A support ship was also said to be present offloading drilling gear. With time now against the activists to stop BPC’s plans, given that it intends to begin drilling its first exploratory well in waters 90 miles west of Andros on Sunday - just four days away - Mr Darville added: “We have it in the court. It’s up to the judge to give us a hearing but we’re hoping we’ll be able to get a stay before they actually begin drilling. “I am extremely concerned but, even at the last hour, if the dictum given by the court is to cease drilling they have to stop. Even at the last hour, or 11th hour, they have to stop drilling if the court dictates such.”

BNT ‘definitely not swayed’ by developer’s $1m pledge By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

$3.98

Taxpayers ‘sacrifice’ to pay Water Corp wages By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A CABINET minister last night reminded the Water & Sewerage Corporation’s two unions the utility “loses money every day” after they moved to cut-off all contact with its chairman and general manager. Desmond Bannister, deputy prime minister and minister of works, told Tribune Business both the middle management and line staff needed to see the wider picture and appreciate that “there will be Bahamians who cannot eat and feed their families this Christmas” as they launched “stage one” of

• Minister tells unions: Others won’t eat at Xmas • Comes as ties severed with chair, top manager • Union chief warns over ‘three stage’ action

DESMOND BANNISTER

ADRIAN GIBSON

DWAYNE WOODS

their industrial action. He added that he planned to meet leaders from the Water & Sewerage Management Union (WSMU) and

Bahamas Utilities Services & Allied Workers Union (BUSAWU) tomorrow after the two, in a joint statement entitled “enough is enough”,

called on their members to block all phone calls from Adrian Gibson, executive chairman, and Elwood Donaldson, the general manager.

Besides severing communications with the state-owned utility’s top management, the two unions took their non-cooperation further by urging members to “immediately exit all Water & Sewerage Corporation What’s App chat groups” and “turn in all cell phones” belonging to the utility. Such action, if union members follow through, threatens to paralyse the corporation’s operations over the Christmas season as senior management will not be able to communicate or issue instructions to the junior executives and line staff.

SEE PAGE 10

PAGE 2, Wednesday, December 16, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

THE GBPA’s new Micro-Business License is designed to reduce start-up costs for entrepreneurs looking to start micro-ventures. Pictured with Sarah St George, the GBPA’s acting chairman, is Ian Rolle, GBPA president, left, and Derek Newbold, GBPA’s senior business development manager, far right, during a visit with Kristian Rahming, owner of OnPoint Designs, a graphic design and printing company in downtown Freeport.

New GBPA licence to reduce start-up costs THE Grand Bahama Port Authority (GPBA) will introduce a new licensee category in January 2021 in a bid to reduce start-up costs for aspiring entrepreneurs and micro businesses. The Micro Business License (MBL) has been created from more than 18 months of data gathering during Hurricane Dorian recovery efforts and grant funding programmes, which supported hundreds of micro and small businesses. “GBPA is excited to announce the new Micro License category, which not only offers a lower cost start-up for entrepreneurs entering specific business sectors, but will also offer significant day-to-day cost savings by way of a GBPA

bond,” said its president, Ian Rolle. “While the new license category will cost less, it will still offer all the benefits of a traditional GBPA business license including access to a GBPA bond, free marketing and promotional opportunities, free business training initiatives and access to investment capital through grant funding opportunities.” Derek Newbold, the GBPA’s senior business development manager, believes the initiative will encourage the introduction of new, innovative business ideas. “Entrepreneurs will find that the cost of an MBL is affordable, and ideal for starting and testing new micro-business concepts,” he added.

“There has been an increase in unemployment and underemployment post-Dorian. Consequently, we found that persons were pushing to start new micro businesses in order to make up a shortfall in their household income. “As the organisation responsible for regulating businesses within the city of Freeport, the GBPA designed the MBL to facilitate low-cost start-ups, and provide significant benefits to aid micro business growth and success.”. Information on the MBL and application forms will be available early in the new year on the GBPA’s website from its customer relations department and through the Invest Grand Bahama Small Business Bureau.

To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, December 16, 2020, PAGE 3

Retailers outline ‘end of one cent’ concerns By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas Federation of Retailers yesterday voiced several concerns with the adjustments required by eliminating the one cent coin even though it hailed the move as “a positive change”. Tara Morley, its co-president, detailed potential issues as The Bahamas gears up to cease using the coin as legal tender by year-end. In particular, she told Tribune Business there were concerns over the “return on uneven amounts” - something that merchants encounter on a fairly regular basis. As an example, the Federation said that if a customer purchased several items costing a total of 42 cents via a cash transaction, the post-elimination “rounding” system rounds

this down to 40 cents. However, if the customer later returns one of the goods, and the retailer has to round up, the sector fears it would lose the percentage involved in rounding down and thus miss out on marginal profits. They fear losing the two cents they originally rounded down to, in addition to any marginal losses from only one of the items being returned and not the whole set. The federation also expressed concerns with “multi-payment method transactions”, adding: “Currently, the suggested rules anticipate differentiating between cash transactions and other tenders. However, transactions can often be mixed tender. “For example, a customer may come in to purchase a pair of shoes and allocate a certain portion of the transaction to a credit card based on an available limit at the

Briland developer slams ‘laughable’ cruise ship claim FROM PAGE ONE Turning to the other concern, 4M added: “Their recent attack about the strained water and electrical services is another recent attempt to mischaracterise the Briland Club development. Our project, like all businesses, is required by the utility companies to tie into the water and electricity grids. “Briland Club - as previously indicated - will be capable of providing 100 percent of the electricity and water services for its project, and will not use BPL electricity or Water and Sewerage Corporation water unless and only to the extent required by law. We previously highlighted this point in a fact sheet which was circulated in December 2019. “Briland Club currently has over $3m worth of generators and electrical service equipment sitting on island ready for the day-today operation of the project. This generator capacity is the equivalent of three MW of power in the first phase, and capable of expanding to five MW in later phase,” they added. “Likewise, Briland Club is capable of being selfsufficient for potable water with its own reverse osmosis water system. Also, and to further our environmental consciousness, sewage generated on site will be treated and used for irrigation.” A source familiar with the development conceded that the latest EIA, which will be discussed at Friday’s Town Planning Meeting, was unclear on whether 4M will use public utility services or produce its own power and water. However, they argued that the latter objective was the intention. “The BOH (back of house) area will include the wastewater treatment plant, standby generators, standby reverse osmosis plant and water storage tanks,” the EIA says. “It is located in the north-east corner of the property near Queen’s Highway. “Potable water will be provided via a combination of potable water supply from the Water and Sewerage Corporation and the on-site standby reverse osmosis (RO) plants. A sanitary sewer system will be constructed on site to treat all wastewater produced by the development.

“Storm water from roads and buildings will be collected in drainage swales, drainage wells and conveyed to dry storm water retention areas throughout the site. Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) will provide electricity for the property and standby diesel generators will be installed to provide backup power supply to the site.” This was seized on by the BIRD spokesperson, who said: “There is no detail on where power is going to come from. There is no detail on how much water they’re going to use, and where that is going to come from. “What we’re advocating for, and asking 4M to do, is they partner with us and we commission an infrastructure feasibility study for the island that not only takes into consideration their development but other developments on the island.”

time, and pay the remainder in cash. This would have contradictory implications for rounding based on the current rules.” The Federation identified lay-a-ways as another issue, adding that they also present an “obstacle” to rounding based on payment tender. While a consumer may make an initial cash payment at the beginning of the lay-away, future payments could take the form of debit, credit card or other electronic transactions. Similarly, with “multipayment invoicing”, the Federation said: “Similar to lay-a-ways, some invoices are paid over a period of time depending on the item. For example, a special order for a construction project may require a deposit, another payment upon arrival of goods to the island, and then a final payment upon delivery of goods.

“Or, alternatively, purchases of furniture, appliances and electronics might be purchased through in-house financing with payments and interest over a period of time. In either scenario, the invoice would be created at the time of purchase. However, the payments can be made in any tender.” The federation continued: “Some retailers offer in-house charge accounts. The tender of payments at the time of the charge would not be known, yet the invoice is created at the time of the sale which may result in a balance of a few pennies after payment is made depending on the tender used. “Unlike a BPL or Cable Bahamas bill, which is a recurring monthly invoice, some retail customers may only come in once or twice a year to use an inhouse charge account. This

will create an unintended additional administrative burden. “For example, the company will continue to generate and send out monthly invoices for one or two cents until such time as settlement is made on the account in full. Additionally, as the systems are designed to close or freeze an account with an outstanding balance longer than 30 days, this will create customer service issues if there is a positive balance of a few pennies,” it added. “Alternatively, if there is a negative balance of a few pennies, it will trigger additional accounting requirements to track the liability for any accounts with a negative balance of one or two pennies. “In the event a refund is required, there are instances where it would occur in a different tender from the original

transaction, which may trigger a different rounding method to be used from that of the original sale. This will result in an additional administrative burden or inconvenience to the customer.” The federation recommended that “to streamline the roll-out of the elimination of the penny, amounts are rounded on the total irrespective of payment tender. This will greatly reduce administrative burden and logistics surrounding the bulk of the issues raised above. “The Central Bank has offered to revert on the above and take this into consideration. We look forward to a successful outcome to this suggestion in order to reduce the continued burden placed on businesses, and our ability to navigate in what we see as a positive change to doing business.”

BREA chief backs PM’s cut-price land strategy

“I am sure that when it is all done the community and association fees were well thought-out, including the Heads of Agreement and covenants, and that there is full transparency throughout this process as community association fees vary in amounts with the different communities in The Bahamas, and especially Nassau.” The prime minister, speaking in Abaco last Friday, said the government will offer lots valued at $150,000 for about $50,000 to young professionals. He said the community will have a swimming pool and a community centre, but did not give details such as where it will be located, nor when the lots will be available for purchase. “The land will be upscale and the overall value of the

land – probably 90 by 100 – we’ll put in all the infrastructure, community centre, etc. The lands in the west are usually about ($120,000 to $150,000); most are about $150,000,” Dr Minnis added. “We would sell it to the young professionals for about $50,000 or less because it’s really their land. Crown land is really the people’s land. It’s not individuals; it’s the people’s, and we just want to ensure that the people receive their land. “They would purchase the property at about $50,000. The property with all the infrastructure would be worth $150,000, which means they would automatically qualify for a mortgage and have their homes built without that great outlay that’s

prohibiting most young people from building today.” Elbert Thompson, a former BREA director, said: “This is great news for Bahamians looking to own a piece of the rock that have had a difficulty qualifying for properties. When you consider the average wages of most people, and you see the prices of vacant lots and houses, it does pose a challenge for many people to become home owners. “I hope that the process to purchase these properties will be done fairly and efficiently. As the community will have amenities, I trust there is a plan in place to ensure everything will be properly maintained and budgeted if there are homeowner maintenance fees.”

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas Real Estate Association’s (BREA) president yesterday backed the prime minister’s drive to offer cut-price land to first-time buyers in western New Providence. Christine Wallace-Whitfield told Tribune Business that she “hopes that it comes to fruition”, and that “all persons applying for an opportunity to purchase land in this community do get their proper title deeds and are able to enjoy what is promised to them. “I hope that government has consulted the real estate community to make sure the proper valuations were done to justify the pricing. I also hope that our young professionals do get a chance at owning Bahamian land as it is important,” she added.

LEGAL NOTICE

FINAL NOTICE Pursuant to the provisions of Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act 2000, notice is hereby given that:HESHCEL FUND LIMITED has been dissolved and struck off the Register pursuant to Certificate of Dissolution issued by the Registrar General on October 7, 2020.

Dillon R. Dean Liquidator

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that KATHY JANE FOX HAIME of Old Fort Bay Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 9th day of December 2020 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE To advertise in The Tribune, contact 502-2394

NOTICE is hereby given that JOANEL PETIT-BEAU of Carmichael Road Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 9th day of December 2020 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

PAGE 6, Wednesday, December 16, 2020

THE TRIBUNE

Investigation demanded over China’s alleged BTC ‘spying’ FROM PAGE ONE foreign carrier’s network for communications services overseas, just as Americans use BTC and Aliv’s systems when they are in this nation - has enabled “covert foreign surveillance” of mobile users. It explained that hostile actors can exploit this to send signalling messages to Americans’ mobile phones while they are in The Bahamas and other countries without alerting the user. While these SS7 signals can legitimately be used by operators to locate mobile users, connect calls and assess roaming fees, Mr Miller’s report argued that

they can also be deployed for illicit purposes. He added that most such intrusions were intended to trace the mobile user’s location, but they could also extend to monitoring and covert surveillance once the phone’s “network identity” and number are obtained. Such information can be exploited to “purge” a user from their mobile network, and ultimately take over all communications they send and receive. While The Bahamas and BTC accounted for just 0.34 percent and 0.35 percent of country and operator “attacks”, respectively, in 2019, both were singled out for special mention due to their unwitting alleged

involvement in a series of “co-ordinated” raids on several US phone numbers in 2018 and 2019. “Attacks are co-ordinated between foreign country networks,” the report asserted. “In 2018, China, Barbados and The Bahamas networks were observed attacking the same mobile users with similar techniques. Likewise, attacks from China, Palestine, The Bahamas and Panama networks were also observed, indicating network selling for conducting intelligence operations..... “A cluster of attacks was discovered targeting a group of US phones from networks including China Unicom, Cable & Wireless

(Flow) Barbados and BTC. The attacks against these phones indicated co-ordination between the operators. “This could be achieved by China acquiring network addresses from these two Caribbean operators, allowing China to originate attacks, both of which are partially owned by the same parent company, CWC.” One US mobile was purportedly subject to 87 such “attacks” via BTC’s network, while two other users saw some 14 and 12 intrusion attempts, respectively. State-owned Chinese providers, China Mobile and China Unicom, were identified as the major source of these so-called “attacks”, with the report

speculating that BTC and other Caribbean communications providers may have unwittingly aided them by selling or leasing network addresses to Beijing-controlled entities. Both Marvin Dames, minister of national security, and Dionisio D’Aguilar, minister of tourism and aviation, both said they were unaware of the allegations and declined to comment when approached for comment by Tribune Business yesterday. Ricardo Thompson, president of the Bahamas Communications and Public Managers Union (BCPMU), which represents BTC’s line staff, argued that the matter warranted “serious investigation” to determine whether the report’s findings and accusations were true. “We should definitely be very concerned. I’m sure we should be very concerned,” he told Tribune Business. “We’ll have to look into the matter. That calls for some serious investigation if that is what has been happening. I’m surprised this sort of thing has not been picked up in the network. Some things you look for, other things you don’t. “I think we definitely should be very concerned about it. When you think about national security, if it has happened for a second time with another international interference, this is really cause for concern.” The “second time” reference by Mr Thompson alludes to claims made in 2014 by National Security Agency (NSA) whistleblower, Edward Snowden, that the US was intercepting almost every mobile call made in The Bahamas via a spying/surveillance initiative called SOMALGET. BTC, as the then-monopoly provider, said it would investigate the allegations but asserted that “no such activity is ongoing”. The then-Christie administration promised to take the matter up with US officials, but the outcome was seemingly inconclusive. Some in the Bahamian communications industry, though, were more cautious and sceptical of both the Miller report and the Guardian article. “The whole thing is odd,” one source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said. “It’s so speculative, the whole article. I’d have to look into it a lot more. As someone who understands telecommunications and how it works, it doesn’t make sense to me.” Meanwhile, Damian Blackburn, top executive at Aliv, BTC’s mobile rival which wasn’t mentioned in

the report, declined to comment beyond saying: “We take the appropriate measures to keep our customers’ data as safe as possible.” The assertions, if true, threaten to drag The Bahamas into the US-China global geopolitical struggle at the worst possible time with the economy struggling to recover from COVID-19. There has been much speculation, none confirmed, that one factor driving the US embassy’s relocation is the nearby presence of stateowned China Construction America (CCA) at the Hilton and Pointe. It also badly timed from the perspective that The Bahamas is moving to make greater inroads into the digital economy postCOVID-19, and secure and reliable communications will form the foundation for this venture. Tourism and financial services, the economy’s existing “twin pillars”, rely heavily on their clients being able to roam and having security over their personal data and finances. The affair may also reignite US pressure about the use of technology and equipment manufactured by Huawei, and other Chinese companies, in The Bahamas’ mobile communications networks and elsewhere. The US Embassy was recently prohibited from doing business with Bahamian companies that employ products made by Huawei and other firms, such as ZTE, Hikvision, Hytera, Dhaka and their subsidiaries and affiliates, due to their purported close ties to the Chinese Communist Party. Bernard Evans, the former Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union (BCPOU) president, yesterday voiced concern that The Bahamas was “somewhat being used as a pawn” in the battle between the world’s major powers due to its dependency on outside communications technology. Acknowledging that Bahamian civil liberties, as well as those of its visitors, were under potential threat, he added: “It’s very, very alarming if our tourists are coming here, and 85 percent of them come from the US, and they can’t use their phones for leisure and business without their data being captured by a foreign entity. “Obviously, from a tourism and business perspective it’s very disheartening and very concerning that we can’t guarantee those coming here are protected in using their phones leisure and business wise.”

A PROTEST sign against oil drilling.

No protest ‘ducking’ by oil drill ship FROM PAGE ONE The threat of legal action blocking its first Bahamas exploratory well has so far proved no obstacle to BPC’s continued capital raising to obtain the finance necessary to undergird its activities in both this nation and Trinidad & Tobago. The company, in a statement to the markets, totally ignored the Judicial Review challenge by activists in saying its Bahamian well will begin “imminently” after it accessed up to $20m in new funding from a “European alternative asset manager”. BPC, in a move that dilutes existing shareholders, including Bahamian investors in the mutual fund it created, is issuing 375m new shares to this “asset manager” at 2 UK pence per share in return for $10m upfront. The oil explorer added that it also has the option to raise a further $5m from the same investor “within ten business days after the spud of the Perseverance One well” on the same terms,

and can also seek an additional $5m on top of that for a grand total of $20m. Should it raise the extra $10m from this “asset manager”, BPC will have a $57.5m financial war chest and sufficient funding to just about cover both its planned Bahamian and Trinidadian activities - estimated to cover $55m at the top end - going into 2021. “The company has, as previously announced, a planned 2021 work programme in Trinidad and Tobago and Suriname of between $15m and $25m, and a remaining cost associated with the Perseverance One well, net of amounts already prepaid, in the order of $19m-$23m (plus an identified $7m contingency, which may be fully required, in part, or not at all),” it added. BPC’s financial arrangements appear increasingly tied to seeing off the Judicial Review challenge quickly, as another £3m in financing from another source “has been committed, subject to spudding of Perseverance One by 28 December, 2020”.

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, December 16, 2020, PAGE 7

BNT ‘definitely not swayed’ by developer’s $1m pledge FROM PAGE ONE degradation necessary to complete the resort, marina, golf course and other structures. “One mitigating activity of note is the donation of land and funds to the BNT to support conservation activities. This concession was not the result of any request, solicitation or suggestion from the BNT, and will not influence the organisation’s view of the project.” Tyrsoz Family Holdings, in materials detailing its plans, said it would contribute significantly to environmental causes via a $1m donation to the BNT “for the purpose of improving and developing the Abaco National Park” and its 20,000 acre pine tree forest. The developer also pledged to grant 175 acres from its landholdings to increase the Abaco National Park’s footprint, along with a $350,000 donation to develop a coppice tree habitat for the Abaco Parrot. And a further $1.5m was promised to restore the Hole in the Wall lighthouse. The BNT’s rejection of his project comes at a sensitive time for Mr Ben Zur, with the consultation process on the EIA having just concluded. That material, as well as its own review, is now being considered by the newly-named Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) as it determines whether to grant the permits and approvals he needs. Mr Ben Zur had recently told Tribune Business he hoped to obtain approval before year-end, and then move on to the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) early in the New Year, although several sources suggested this timeline was unlikely as decisions normally took around 60 days from EIA submission to be rendered. The developer, though, already has a signed Heads of Agreement with the government for the project dating from just before the COVID-19 pandemic. And, as reported by Tribune Business, he has received strong backing from the South Abaco District Council in the hope it will bring much-needed investment

SOUTH Abaco project land use plan. and job creation to the area. The project’s two sites, covering a combined 1,100 acres that Mr Ben Zur has an option to acquire, are extremely close to breeding and nesting grounds for the Abaco parrot and other valued wildlife. Mr Carey, in particular, voiced concern about the planned golf course “in a very sensitive area, so you’re talking about several hundred acres of annihilation of natural habitat”. “That is a huge environmental footprint,” he added. “We just don’t see how it fits. The sad part is a lot of thought went into South Abaco and what could be sustainable there. The late Orjan Lindroth was involved, and the environmental consultant, Keith Bishop. A team from St Andrew’s University came in to look at what was best for South Abaco. “We understand people want jobs, and understand the terrible stress south Abaco has been under because of Hurricane Dorian and the double whammy with COVID-19. But we have to be careful about jumping at the first one that comes along. It may have short-term benefits, but long-term the environmental impact is not going to be offset by whatever development happens in this area.” Asked to explain the BNT’s statement that the Tyrsoz Family Holdings project has “economic shortcomings”, Mr Carey said this relied on the document obtained by Sustainable South Abaco - reported on in this newspaper - showing that Mr Ben Zur was contributing just $10m of the required $60m in equity funding, and seeking other investors to make up the $50m balance

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that DION CARLOS EXELANT of Marshall Road, South Beach, Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 16th day of December 2020 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that MARCELLIN BLANC of Guana Cay, Yamacraw, Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 16th day of December 2020 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE NOTICE is hereby given that LORRAINE GORDON of Spitefire Road, Stapleton Gardens, Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 16th day of December 2020 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

via a limited partnership. He added that too many resort and real estate-based projects were started without the necessary financing in place, resulting in their shutdown and/or closure and leaving The Bahamas and surrounding communities to grapple with the consequences of prime commercial land being tiedup for years. Mr Ben Zur, though, has repeatedly asserted to Tribune Business that he has all the financing necessary to proceed with the project. And he has also argued that the project’s economic viability has been “stretched to the maximum” to produce “the lowest density project in The Bahamas” and satisfy environmental concerns. The Tyrsoz Family Holdings project currently features 170 hotel rooms, 290 residential units, a 136slip mega yacht marina, 18-hole golf course and

other amenities. However, the BNT argued yesterday: “The proposed marina will disrupt the nation’s secondlargest freshwater lens – the source of much of the unique biodiversity found in the area and in the Abaco National Park. “In addition, construction and dredging will generate turbidity which can disrupt one of the largest bonefish spawning aggregations in The Bahamas, coral reefs and seagrass beds in the area. Lastly, a significant portion of rare, old growth coppice habitat that supports Bahama Parrots, Bahama Warblers, and other resident and migratory birds will be severely degraded. “These are just three examples of the many negative impacts this and other unsustainable developments can have on the environment that supports our way of life. Allowing this development would mean

sacrificing the ways of life people have come to rely on for a questionable chance at financial returns.” Mr Carey, in a statement, added: “A national investment policy should be formulated in co-ordination with the National Development Plan to seek developments that are sustainable, environmentally friendly and complement how we would wish development to take place on our chain of islands. The BNT added that it plans “to canvass the owners of properties surrounding

national parks and protected areas to gauge and generate interest in sustainable developments that would complement natural areas. “The Bahamas, and particularly the areas surrounding the Abaco National Park and Cross Harbor protected area, can be developed without sacrificing the natural resources in our stewardship,” it added. “Instead of sacrificing our natural environment for the promise of financial gain, we can capitalise on our natural resources while preserving their integrity.”

NOTICE Pursuant to the provisions of Section 138 (4) (a), (b) and (c) of The International Business Companies Act, notice is hereby given that:(a) HOGAR LIMITED is in dissolution. (b) The date of commencement of the dissolution was the 15th day of December, 2020. (c) The Liquidator is Erica M. Ferreira t/a Ferreira & Company of Kemp Building, No. 39 East Street North, P. O. Box EE-15790, Nassau, Bahamas. For the above-named Company Erica M. Ferreira t/a Ferreira & Company - Liquidator

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that TARANO TARON WILSON of Murphy Town Abaco, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 9th day of December 2020 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that PHILOGENE PHILIPPE LIMAGE of #16 Sunrise South off Blue Hill Road P.O.Box SB-52349 Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 9th day of December 2020 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

MARKET REPORT www.bisxbahamas.com

TUESDAY, 15 DECEMBER 2020

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX:

CHANGE

%CHANGE

YTD

YTD%

2090.51

1.26

0.06

141.09

-6.32

(242) 323-2330 (242) 323-2320

BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 4.11 33.05 2.00 1.79 2.39 6.00 6.75 4.10 8.01 4.50 6.16 12.77 3.64 6.50 10.88 8.44 16.75 4.25 9.26 15.21

52WK LOW 3.13 22.65 0.67 1.62 1.67 5.00 6.00 2.70 4.75 3.50 5.90 11.06 2.10 3.96 9.60 7.50 13.04 3.25 8.15 14.00

PREFERENCE SHARES 1.00

1.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1.00 10.00 1.00

1.00 10.00 0.90

SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Benchmark Bahamas First Holdings Limited Bank of Bahamas Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Cable Bahamas Commonwealth Brewery Commonwealth Bank Colina Holdings CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Emera Incorporated Famguard RF Bank & Trust Limited Focol Finco J. S. Johnson

SYMBOL AML APD BBL BFH BOB BPF BWL CAB CBB CBL CHL CIB CWCB DHS EMAB FAM FBB FCL FIN JSJ

Bahamas First Holdings Preference Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 8 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Cable Bahamas Series 10 Colina Holdings Class A RF Bank & Trust Limited Class A Focol Class B

BFHP CAB6 CAB8 CAB9 CAB10 CHLA FBBA FCLB

CORPORATE DEBT - (percentage pricing) 52WK HI 100.00 100.00

52WK LOW 100.00 100.00

115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 102.00

104.79 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

52WK HI 2.37 4.43 2.13 198.39 176.73 1.69 1.85 1.77 1.24 8.39 10.26 7.23 12.80 12.81 10.81 10.00 8.98 11.79

52WK LOW 2.11 3.30 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.65 1.79 1.75 1.05 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57 9.88 8.45 11.20

SECURITY RF Bank Note 22 (Series B) + Bahamas First Holdings Limited

SYMBOL FBB22 BFHB

BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing)

MUTUAL FUNDS

MARKET TERMS

Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y BGS: 2015-10-7Y

BAH29 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0307 BG0330 BG0407

LAST CLOSE 4.06 32.12 1.62 1.78 1.67 6.00 6.61 2.90 4.75 3.62 5.90 11.26 2.29 6.50 10.45 8.40 14.24 3.80 8.25 15.20

CLOSE 4.11 32.12 1.62 1.78 1.67 6.00 6.61 2.95 4.75 3.62 5.90 11.26 2.37 6.50 10.52 8.40 14.24 3.80 8.25 15.20

CHANGE 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.08 0.00 0.07 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00

LAST SALE 100.00 100.00

CLOSE 100.00 100.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00

107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

VOLUME 1,000

5,000 435

900

400

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 VOLUME

FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund Leno Preferred Income Fund Leno Growth Fund Leno Diversified Fund Leno Global USD Bond Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Equities Sub Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - High Yield Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Alternative Strategies Fund Colonial Bahamas Fund Class D Colonial Bahamas Fund Class E Colonial Bahamas Fund Class F

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00

EPS$ 0.239 0.932 0.000 0.000 0.070 1.760 0.369 -0.438 0.140 0.184 0.449 0.722 0.102 0.467 0.646 0.728 0.816 0.203 0.939 0.631

NAV 2.37 4.43 2.13 198.36 173.98 1.69 1.79 1.77 1.05 8.39 9.88 7.23 12.33 12.80 10.20 N/A 9.28 11.86

DIV$ 0.170 1.260 0.020 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.260 0.000 0.000 0.120 0.220 0.720 0.434 0.060 0.328 0.240 0.540 0.120 0.200 0.610 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

P/E 17.2 34.5 N/M N/M N/M N/M 17.9 -6.7 33.9 19.7 13.1 15.6 23.2 13.9 16.3 11.5 17.5 18.7 8.8 24.1

YIELD 4.14% 3.92% 1.23% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 3.93% 0.00% 0.00% 3.31% 3.73% 6.39% 18.31% 0.92% 3.12% 2.86% 3.79% 3.16% 2.42% 4.01%

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%

INTEREST Prime + 1.75% 6.25%

MATURITY 19-Oct-2022 30-Sep-2025

6.95% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.50% 6.25% 4.25%

20-Nov-2029 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2022

YTD% 12 MTH% 3.76% 4.43% 1.54% 2.56% 2.12% 2.59% 1.65% 2.39% 4.34% 9.82% 1.65% 1.95% -3.06% -2.22% 0.80% 1.17% -12.30% -11.81% 0.64% 0.98% 1.19% -3.63% 4.20% 5.04% 2.63% 7.68% 3.68% 3.93% -4.89% -4.62% N/A N/A -0.50% 3.70% -3.80% 4.10%

NAV Date 31-Oct-2020 31-Oct-2020 30-Oct-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 31-Oct-2020 31-Oct-2020 31-Oct-2020 31-Oct-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020 30-Sep-2020

YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price

52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks

Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity

52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks

Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity

Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume

Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price

Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume

Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week

Change - Change in closing price from day to day

EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths

Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today

NAV - Net Asset Value

DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months

N/M - Not Meaningful

P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings

TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | CAROLISLE 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225 | BENCHMARK 242-326-7333

PAGE 10, Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Taxpayers ‘sacrifice’ to pay Water Corp wages FROM PAGE ONE Explaining their actions, the two unions’ statement said: “We have now arrived at a place where the corporation has refused to acknowledge, and failed to consult, legitimate officers of each union in regard to union-related matters.” In response, Mr Bannister said: “I am going to meet with those unions on

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday morning. The reality is we all have to appreciate there are Bahamians this Christmas that cannot eat, that cannot feed their families. “At the Water & Sewerage Corporation, everyone is getting paid and getting their salaries. We all have to understand the serious challenges the country faces. There are serious challenges that the Bahamian people face. Every single one of us has to appreciate that we may reach some kind of understanding where we can’t get everything we want. “I expect union leadership will understand and lead their members. If we have the type of conduct they suggest, it’s going to work to the detriment of

the corporation and will not enhance the corporation. The corporation loses money every day. The government [meaning taxpayers] sacrifices to pay the corporation’s salaries, and we have union leaders making these kinds of statements.” The two unions, in their joint statement, cited their major grievances as the failure to pay Christmas bonuses to their members. This has been a growing cause of industrial unrest elsewhere, with unions alleging that employers are unilaterally varying the terms of agreements that stipulate a bonus and defined amount are to be paid. Both bodies also pointed to the corporation’s alleged

“failure” to complete and negotiate industrial agreements with each of them, as well as “unilaterally varying the terms and conditions of the industrial agreement with respect” to accrued vacation and “transferring day workers to shift workers without consultation and agreement”. The fifth and final concern related to the alleged failure to “pay overtime associated with Hurricane Dorian for both unions”. Neither Mr Gibson nor Dwayne Woods, BUSAWU’s president, returned Tribune Business calls and messages seeking comment, while Mr Donaldson said he was in a meeting and promised to call back but never did. Ednel Rolle, the management union’s president,

told Tribune Business that the two unions have two more stages planned in their “three stage” approach to industrial action, although he declined to detail what they were. “We already started initiating that today,” he added of severing communications with top executives, saying “we’ll know by tomorrow [today]” how widespread and effective that has been. Besides the most recent issue of Christmas bonuses, Mr Rolle said the corporation had “failed to treat” over a new management union industrial agreement that has been outstanding for several years. He argued that the terms had been agreed in principle only for Water & Sewerage Corporation

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 77° F/25° C Low: 60° F/16° C

TAMPA

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Partly sunny with a shower in spots

Partly cloudy

Sunshine mixing with some clouds

Breezy; clouds followed by some sun

Partly sunny and nice

High: 80°

Low: 69°

High: 80° Low: 67°

High: 76° Low: 65°

High: 78° Low: 67°

AccuWeather RealFeel

85° F

70° F

85°-61° F

76°-62° F

77°-63° F

81°-68° F

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

almanac

ABACO

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 71° F/22° C

7-14 knots

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 67° F/19° C

6-12 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 69° F/21° C

N E S

WEST PALM BEACH

uV inDex toDay

TONIGHT

High: 75° F/24° C Low: 59° F/15° C

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 67° F/19° C

MIAMI

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 69° F/21° C

6-12 knots

Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 79° F/26° C Low .................................................... 66° F/19° C Normal high ....................................... 79° F/26° C Normal low ........................................ 67° F/19° C Last year’s high ................................. 83° F/28° C Last year’s low ................................... 69° F/21° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ............................................... 67.20” Normal year to date ................................... 39.11”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 80° F/27° C Low: 69° F/21° C

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 70° F/21° C

KEY WEST

High: 79° F/26° C Low: 71° F/22° C

tiDes For nassau High

6-12 knots

Low

Ht.(ft.)

8:46 a.m. 9:08 p.m.

3.5 2.5

2:21 a.m. -0.8 3:17 p.m. -0.5

Thursday

9:36 a.m. 10:00 p.m.

3.3 2.4

3:12 a.m. -0.6 4:08 p.m. -0.4

Friday

10:26 a.m. 10:54 p.m.

3.1 2.3

4:04 a.m. -0.3 4:59 p.m. -0.2

Saturday

11:17 a.m. 11:49 p.m.

2.9 2.3

4:57 a.m. 5:50 p.m.

0.0 0.0

Sunday

12:08 p.m. -----

2.6 -----

5:53 a.m. 6:40 p.m.

0.2 0.1

Monday

12:46 a.m. 1:00 p.m.

2.2 2.4

6:51 a.m. 7:31 p.m.

0.5 0.2

Tuesday

1:43 a.m. 1:53 p.m.

2.2 2.3

7:51 a.m. 8:20 p.m.

0.6 0.2

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:48 a.m. 5:23 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

8:47 a.m. 7:34 p.m.

First

Full

Last

New

Dec. 21

Dec. 29

Jan. 6

Jan. 12

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 70° F/21° C

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 73° F/23° C

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 70° F/21° C

W S

LONG ISLAND

tracking map

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 72° F/22° C

Ht.(ft.)

Today

High: 82° F/28° C Low: 70° F/21° C

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

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

CAT ISLAND

executives to seek the lastminute removal of a clause giving the union’s members first option, or right of first refusal, on all outsourcing opportunities. “If you fail to meet and treat with the union, it’s a sign of disrespect,” Mr Rolle said. “It doesn’t say something good about the government itself. Nevertheless, that’s who we have to deal with. It’s time to closure. “What happens from here on is up to the government. Mr Bannister is now the deputy prime minister, so obviously with his word some solution could come forward. Now he has a high position he has more clout. He has the government on his shoulders, so I think he’ll look to do the right thing.”

6-12 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 81° F/27° C Low: 73° F/23° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS

are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

RAGGED ISLAND High: 82° F/28° C Low: 73° F/23° C

High: 81° F/27° C Low: 73° F/23° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 82° F/28° C Low: 73° F/23° C

7-14 knots

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

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

WINDS S at 6-12 Knots SW at 8-16 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots S at 4-8 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots SSW at 4-8 Knots E at 7-14 Knots E at 6-12 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots SSW at 4-8 Knots S at 7-14 Knots WSW at 7-14 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots S at 4-8 Knots E at 7-14 Knots ENE at 7-14 Knots ESE at 7-14 Knots ESE at 4-8 Knots E at 7-14 Knots E at 6-12 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots SSW at 4-8 Knots SE at 7-14 Knots ESE at 4-8 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots SSW at 4-8 Knots

WAVES 4-7 Feet 3-6 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-2 Feet 0-1 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 3-6 Feet 4-7 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 7 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 78° F 78° F 77° F 78° F 80° F 79° F 81° F 81° F 79° F 78° F 79° F 80° F 79° F 80° F 81° F 81° F 81° F 81° F 80° F 80° F 79° F 79° F 80° F 80° F 79° F 78° F