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PM: WE MUST PROVE S&P WRONG ON DOWNGRADE

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net IN the wake of a downgrade by international credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s to “junk� status, Prime Minister Perry Christie said it is up to his administration to prove them “wrong� as he lamented the fact that S&P did not fully appreciate the “weight� of Baha Mar’s impending opening.

SEE PAGE TEN

Rebuilding after hurricane helps cut jobless total

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net THE unemployment rate between October 24-30 was 11.6 per cent, a 1.1 per cent decline from May, the previous time the Department of Statistics conducted their Labour Force Survey, officials announced yesterday.

The decline came as hundreds of Bahamians gained employment in the construction sector after Hurricane Matthew’s devastating impact.

DOS officials could not assess the quality of the jobs created in the time between the two most recent surveys, such as whether

they are likely to be stable or temporary jobs.

However, Leona Wilson, the acting director of the DOS, admitted that an unemployment rate decline would not have taken place if it were not for the construction jobs created in the wake of the powerful storm.

The Christie administration’s 52-week job programme also contributed to the unemployment rate decline, benefiting mostly young people, although officials were unable to say how many people have been employed through the programme.

SEE PAGE SIX

12,000 DISCONNECTED FOR NOT PAYING THEIR ELECTRICITY BILLS

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

AS many as 12,000 Bahamians have had their power disconnected due to nonpayment, Department of Statistics officials revealed yesterday as they released the results of the latest Labour Force Survey.

Cypreanna Winters, a statistician with the DOS, said: “Approximately 10 per cent of households where the main source of lighting was electricity had their power disconnected due to nonpayment of their bills.�

Ms Winters said that

“10 per cent� translates to about 12,000 people.

The survey was conducted between October 24 and 30 of this year.

Earlier this year, Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave� Davis said the government was working with Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) to write off many of the company’s delinquent accounts.

This meant that 3,000 users would then be placed back on the grid, a number far below the 12,000 DOS officials say have had their electricity disconnected.

SEE PAGE SIX

DR HUBERT MINNIS, leader of the FNM, speaking last night at the ratification of two new party candidates - Adrian Gibson, candidate for Long Island, and James Albury, candidate for Central and South Abaco. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

TRIBUNAL APPOINTED TO DECIDE ON REBEL SEVEN

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net  THE Free National Movement appointed a three-person tribunal last night to decide the fate of the “rebel seven� members of Parliament who ousted FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis as leader of the Official Opposition in the House of Assembly.

Dr Minnis made the announcement last night at FNM headquarters on Mackey Street.

While the MPs have yet to submit letters of response to the charges against them, party Chairman Sidney Collie

told this newspaper earlier on Wednesday that the FNM would still proceed with the disciplinary process. The tribunal is expected to mimic that of a court proceeding and Dr Minnis has said he will ensure it is expedited.

The party accused the group of MPs two weeks ago of bringing the party into “disrepute, division, rancour and dishonour.�

They had seven days to write the Executive Committee of the FNM to attempt to exculpate themselves. “I have not received anything,� Mr Collie said when he was contacted

yesterday by The Tribune. “The next step in the process is for the leader to appoint a tribunal. These three persons will come from the Central Council.�

Asked what would be the party’s alternative course of action should the MPs never respond, Mr Collie said there really was none. “The process proceeds in their absence. The procedure under the constitution is the tribunal meets and a case is presented to the tribunal against the seven whether they are present or not.

SEE PAGE 11

MINNIS CONFIDENT ADRIAN GIBSON CAN UNSEAT BUTLER-TURNER

By SANCHESKA BROWN Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net  FREE NATIONAL Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis said last night he is “more than confident� that political newcomer Adrian Gibson will unseat current FNM member of Parliament for Long Island Loretta Butler Turner.

His comments came moments after the FNM’s council ratified Mr Gibson, an attorney and Tribune columnist, for Long Island as well as James Albury, 23, for the Central and South Abaco constituency.

SEE PAGE 11

UNSUBSTANTIATED CLAIMS AND BREACHES OF CONDUCT MARK MONCUR’S FIRST CONTRIBUTIONS TO SENATE

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net

THE leading women in the Senate took newly appointed Senator Rodney Moncur to task during his

first contribution to debate yesterday, with one accusing him of setting a “dangerous precedent� in the upper chamber.

Both Senate President Sharon Wilson and Leader of Government Business

Allyson Maynard-Gibson, who is also attorney general, admonished Mr Moncur on breaches of conduct and failure to substantiate his claims.

Mrs Wilson warned Mr Moncur on one occasion

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

that his statements were “severely� against the rules of conduct, bordered on scandalous and were offensive to another member.

SEE PAGE TEN

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 22, 2016, PAGE 3

SOME of the decorations put up for Christmas along the stretch of road beside Arawak Cay.

Rollins:Wisdom must justify $334,000 contract

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

FORT Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins yesterday called on former Cabinet minister Neville Wisdom to justify how the $334,000 in public funds his company was paid to decorate West Bay Street and downtown Nassau was spent, considering that a “third grader” could have done a better job.

Dr Rollins said he viewed the awarding of the contract to Mr Wisdom’s company – Florarama – as a pay back to a staunch Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) member.

Mr Wisdom served as minister of youth, sports and culture in the first Christie administration.

Dr Rollins said it was “atrocious” that the government thought so little of Bahamians to believe that it was justifiable to award the decorating contract to Mr Wisdom ahead of an election.

“I think it is cronyism at its worst and there is no way that I can see any Baha-

mian accepting that those so called decorations could amount to $334,000,” Dr Rollins told reporters on Tuesday.

“That is slack money; slack money that is really enriching that party’s faithful and a loyal supporter.

“I dare Mr Wisdom and Mrs Wisdom to justify how $334,000 of the public’s money went to pay for decorations that really a third grader could do a better job utilising.

“It looks as if somebody just threw up some fabric around some trees (and) added a few lights. I am not discrediting for one moment the effort that was made to incorporate the corporate community, Junkanoo artisans putting together a couple of costumes or Junkanoo pieces.

But to suggest that that amounts to even a small fraction of $334,000 I think is absurd.”

He added: “The Progressive Liberal Party really needs to approach governance as though it’s much more than looking out for political friends, associates and cronies. I think that

the Bahamian people have been given just one more reason as to why not to restore confidence or to return mandate to the PLP to continue on as government beyond this next general election.”

On Monday, the Ministry of Tourism revealed that Florarama beat out two other bidders for the contract for its second annual Christmas lights programme with the lowest bid of $334,000.16.

The disclosure from the ministry comes nearly a month after The Tribune revealed that Mr Wisdom’s company was awarded the contract. When the story first broke in November, Mr Wisdom and Tourism Minister Obie Wilchcombe refused to say how much the contract was worth.

The decorations evoked a wide range of reactions from the public, with numerous pictures of them mocked in posts on social media, and calls for public disclosure over the cost.

Many have questioned the quality and aesthetics of the decorations and some of them have fallen down into

the road.

Mr Wisdom has said the criticism and press attention to the matter is an attack because of his identity as a former PLP politician.

“All of this is just to get at me,” he said recently.

Mr Wisdom told The Tribune several weeks ago that his family has been in the decorating business for 43 years and he deserves to make a living from it now that he is out of office.

The ministry earlier this week underscored that the programme’s goal was to generate and enhance the joy of Christmas.

“The celebration of lights follow the concept adopted by many countries to celebrate the yuletide season.

Florarama was the lowest of the bidders for this year’s decorations.

“Three quotes were received for the Bay Street, Pompey (Square) and Arawak Cay decorations.

Bahamas Fantasies submitted a quote of $585,766.75; Decorations Den submitted a quote of $429,360.00; and Florarama submitted a quote of $334,000.16,” the ministry said.

POLICE SEARCHING FOR MISSING WOMAN

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

POLICE are searching for a 37-year-old woman who has been reported missing for almost a week.

Linda Vibrun, of Wildcat Avenue, Freeport, was last seen on Sunday, December 18, at Pinta Avenue, South Bahamia.

She was wearing a black shirt and pants with brown slippers. She is about 5’7” tall of slim build with a dark

brown complexion.

Anyone with information concerning Ms Vibrun’s whereabouts is asked to contact police at 242-3503107 through 12, 911, 919 or call the nearest police station.

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PAGE 4, Thursday, December 22, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

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

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH,

jrolle@tribunemedia.net

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914 Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972 Contributing Editor 1972-1991

EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON,

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

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Trump family drops access offered for charity donations WASHINGTON (AP) — Donald Trump’s children may see his move to the White House as a way to raise money for their favourite causes.

Two recent fundraising pitches featuring the incoming first family were meant to benefit charities, but they also raised questions among ethics experts that the Trumps might be inappropriately selling access.

Last week, Eric Trump tried auctioning a coffee date with his sister Ivanka to raise money for a children’s hospital. Now, Eric and Donald Trump Jr. are part of a venture that initially offered a private reception with their father during inauguration weekend in exchange for $1m donations that would go to conservation charities.

Some of those contributors could later go hunting or fishing with one or both of the sons, the invitation promised.

These events are dissolving as quickly as they become public, suggesting the family is learning on the fly what’s acceptable.

Trump aides say the Trump family has been focused on resolving the perception of conflicts when it comes to Trump’s business; how to handle their charitable endeavours has been a secondary concern. But in light of recent events, the Trump team is looking more quickly for solutions, said a Trump transition official, speaking on condition of anonymity to share internal discussions.

Eric Trump cancelled the coffee with Ivanka after The New York Times reported that some of the bidders were doing so to gain insight about the Trump administration.

Hope Hicks, a Trump spokeswoman, said the hunting and fishing events reflected “initial concepts that have not been approved or pursued by the Trump family.” She added that the sons “are not involved in any capacity. Additionally, the president-elect is not aware of the event or the details pertaining to it.”

The two previous presidents, Barack Obama and George W. Bush, expressly forbade immediate family members from such fundraising activities to avoid the appearance of selling access.

“We kept it simple. We did not allow the first family to be auctioned off, which is what is happening here,” said Norman Eisen, who served as White House chief ethics counsellor as Obama took office in 2009.

Richard Painter, who filled a similar role for Bush, said the White House “strongly discouraged” the president, his family and top aides from fundraising for charities, and avoided altogether charity fundraising that came with any access to those people.

Both said that while there’s nothing explicitly illegal about the charity fundraising, it diverges from the best practices of previous White House administrations.

In an invitation that began circulating last week when the entertainment site TMZ posted it, Eric and Donald Trump

Jr were listed as honorary co-chairmen for a group seeking up to $1m donations for a Jan. 21 inauguration event dubbed “Opening Day.” Top donors could enjoy other perks such as a “private reception and photo opportunity for 16 guests with President Donald J Trump” and “a multi-day hunting and/or fishing excursion for 4 guests with Donald Trump Jr and/or Eric Trump and team,” according to the invitation.

A few days before the invitation went out, a new non-profit called Opening Day Foundation was registered in Texas. Paperwork filed with the state lists the two adult Trump sons and their Texas-based friends Gentry Beach and Tom Hicks Jr. as the nonprofit’s directors. The documents were first reported by the Centre for Public Integrity.

But Eric and Donald Trump Jr had no idea they were named in the new nonprofit and have asked the Texas secretary of state to amend the filing to delete them, according to the Trump transition official. Mark Brinkerhoff, a spokesman for the event planners, also said Tuesday that the Trump sons should not have been listed as directors of the nonprofit.

On Tuesday, the inauguration venture put out a new invitation, which stripped out all references of access to the incoming president and his immediate family, although Eric and Donald Trump Jr. remain listed as honorary co-chairmen.

The $1m donors can attend a private reception “with VIPs and celebrities associated with the event,” the invitation now says. And in place of the Eric and Donald Trump J. hunting and fishing trip, there’s more generic mention of a “multiday excursion for four guests.”

The walk-back follows a turnabout on the Ivanka Trump coffee after the Times report last week.

“Today, the only people who lost are the children of St Jude,” Eric Trump said after cancelling the fundraiser for the children’s hospital.

Painter and Eisen — the former White House counsellors, who have been critical of Trump’s business entanglements and failure to publicly address them so far — said part of the problem with these charity fundraisers is that the presidentelect has yet to explain which of his family members will be involved in the government and which will stay at the helm of his international business empire.

They praised the Trumps for making quick adjustments after seeing bad press about the fundraising but said that doesn’t eliminate the need for Trump to develop and follow hard-and-fast rules as previous presidents did.

“How many times are they going to have to stub their toe?” Eisen asked. “If you continually have to reverse course and improvise, what is the point at which it becomes a sign of recklessness instead of willingness to do good will?”

By Julie Bykowicz of the Associated Press

The future for The Bahamas EDITOR, The Tribune.

AS I looked on the news and saw the Russian ambassador to Turkey assassinated and the terrorist attack with a mere truck in Germany, I contemplated about the new geopolitical reality of the world, the Caribbean, especially The Bahamas.

It is very difficult to fight an enemy that’s fanatically committed. The Caribbean is historically and immensely connected to the United States and Europe. They are our number one trading partners. We study in both zones and we have a lot of family and friends that live in both zones. The derisking is one of the side effects of this global war on terrorism on Caribbean coun-

tries, including The Bahamas. Derisking have made doing business in all Caribbean countries more costly and inconvenient. I am certain there will be other detrimental side effects to this international war on terrorism. For instance travelling internationally will definitely become more cumbersome and international trade will become more onerous.

There is also a cold war 2.0. The take over of Crimea by Russia and the civil war in Syria that both US and Russia are involve in supports my assertion.

The allegations that Russia interfered in the recent United States presidential election illustrates that this new cold war will be modern and different from the

first Cold War. Preliminary evidence suggests that new geopolitical strategies needs to be developed and implemented and that conventional diplomacy will be inadequate. The Bahamas must become more self sufficient in response to the volatile geopolitical global situation. We must not wait until this global instability gets worse. The Bahamas must find ways to mitigate the present and future challenges. The Bahamas will either rise or fall it depends on how strategic we act instead of just reacting.

BRIAN ELLIS PLUMMER Nassau, December 20, 2016.

Reckless spending of the PLP EDITOR, the Tribune.

YOUR Tribune headline and editorial of today bear the final testament to the nearly five years of reckless and destructive PLP financial mismanagement.

A party supported, and in many ways managed, by seemingly educated men and women. And so it is all the more concerning that this kind of thing can happen while these people are in charge. And that concern, most assuredly must consider that if the mismanagement was not the result of gross ignorance or stupidity, then it could only be the result of abysmal neglect, or malfeasance, or both.

How in the name of God can a Government, budget a tax revenue (VAT), anticipated to be a quarter of a billion dollars, which actually turns out to be more than double the estimate and, at the end of the day, it has not made any improvement in our financial standing in the credit markets of the world.

There are many more questions, of a similar na-

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net ture, and most have been well documented elsewhere.

But why did the Government give a decorating contract to a very close party supporter, to decorate downtown Nassau, when these businesses could have, and would have, done a far, far better job of doing this on their own and “$aving” the Treasury Three hundred and seventy some thousand dollars that it does not have.

So why did they spend it?

Yes, we all know why.

And, when virtually every country on this earth, manages motor vehicle and driver licensing, registration and identification, and computer software being what it is, and very easily transportable, how could this Government legitimately spend eight million dollars, acquiring a software programme that there must be hundreds, if not thousands of, already developed, available, and ideally suited to our needs. How much did we pay for this

software, and how much went to the agency selling it to us? This sounds too much like an Alstom/BEC transaction. The Government has quickly revealed the details on the Wisdom/ Florarama transaction, including price, and competitive bidders, so maybe they will likewise give us the full details on the Road Traffic system purchase.

Perry Gladstone Christie has now cast his, and the PLP party’s, legacy in BRONZE and they will now go down in history as the Prime Minister and the Government of the Bahamas, that has brought this country to the very brink of bankruptcy. This on the eve of its fiftieth anniversary of MAJORITY RULE. Please “hang your heads to the setting sun, Bahamaland ” The Ship of State has now foundered on that wide and treacherous shoal that Timothy Gibson warned us about way back when. And sadly, it had nothing to do with the weather.

MONKEEDOO Nassau, December 21, 2016.

Why these choices?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I SUSPECT virtually all the country has been asking Why Ms Butler - why?

Ms Butler’s message after the announcement was that these nominations brought something to the table and brought diversity.

I believe you, Ms Butler has lost an enormous political opportunity and you are now measured and measured horribly negatively and worse Bran McCartney and the DNA have been pulled into the quagmire.

Surely on your cell directory you had one better candidate than Mr Moncur?

No one else would volunteer to be a Senator for four-six months?

His record on Woman’s Rights clashes 1000% with yours - he encouraged voters not to get registered - his sole platform is for Capital Punishment which I believe Ms Butler does not support - where is the commonality?

I just might join Mr Moncur with this decision as what we see is an ineffectual FNM with zero leadership and now the breakaway “mighty seven” seem to be not mighty anymore and the DNA has gotten themselves into a mess.

I am becoming more and more suspicious this is all by design and one Rt Hon Hubert Alexander Ingraham will appear soon riding on the proverbial “white horse” and take the government with the largest landslide The Bahamas has ever seen.

No one can deny he is a leader!

I could see the reasoning to nominate McCartney - Gomez okay but stop there... the rest don’t make any sense.

W THOMPSON Nassau, December 20, 2016.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 22, 2016, PAGE 5

Turnquest not surprised

by Gibson’s blame of union

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net FREE National Movement Deputy Leader Peter Turnquest said yesterday he isn’t surprised by Labour Minister Shane Gibson’s attempt to shift blame for the termination of more than 60 One&Only Ocean Club employees to the Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union, calling the move the latest in a trend of demonstrating hostility towards Bahamian workers.

The East Grand Bahama MP, in a statement to the press on Wednesday, said the Bahamian people deserve a government that works for them and in favour of their rights and not one that looks to discredit them and their unions.

Mr Turnquest labelled Mr Gibson and to an extension, the entire Christie administration, a “disgrace”.

“For nearly five years this government has demonstrated hostility towards Bahamian workers, very rarely ever standing up for or, being on their side,” stated Mr Turnquest.

“Workers deserve a minister who is on their side not one who is constantly attacking them.

“Under the PLP government and Minister Gibson’s failed leadership, we have seen our labourers taken advantage of time and time again.

“As a former trade unionist he must understand that workers need a government that will look out for and proactively collaborate with them.

“We have resorts and companies across our islands that continue to disregard labour and immigration laws with no re-

percussions.

“The Ministry of Labour and this PLP government should do their job; the Bahamian people are trying to do theirs – and they deserve the protection of their government.

“The FNM knows the Bahamian worker deserves better than the PLP government that sits idly as they are taken advantage of.

“Far beyond the rhetoric, the PLP has proven they are not the party for Bahamian workers.

“By its actions, the FNM has demonstrated its commitment to the workers of The Bahamas by implementing the minimum

wage, the prescription drug plan, the unemployment assistance benefit, the tripartite labour forum and other progressive labour friendly legislation that has assisted workers to achieve some level of respect and dignity in their productive daily lives.

“We remain committed to improving their lives and conditions,” Mr Turnquest said.

On Monday, Mr Gibson said the BHCAWU had allowed the workers’ industrial agreement to expire, leaving the door open for them to be fired.

The Golden Gates MP said the union withheld

CONTAINER PORT WORKER INJURED

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A FREEPORT Container Port worker was seriously injured in an industrial accident at the port this week.

According to reports reaching The Tribune, the employee sustained multiple injuries when a crane

elevator he was in fell to the ground.

The man was rushed to Rand Memorial Hospital for treatment.

Details are still sketchy, and a spokesman for the company could not be reached up to press time.

It is not known whether the man was a contract, temporary, or permanent

worker. It is that contract not provided ance/medical the company.

understood workers are with insurbenefits by

K PETER TURNQUEST this from employees and was instead trying to portray the Christie administration as a government not concerned with the rights of workers.

Mr Gibson explained that in the expired industrial agreement was a clause that stipulated if the union wanted to change the agreement, a proposal had to be submitted at least six months prior to the expiration date.

Mr Gibson further accused the union of refusing to extend the agreement on the invitation of hotel executives. He added that the union had been “ungrateful” despite

all the government had done to safeguard employee rights.

On December 6, 61 employees were fired from the resort with its executives citing “performance based”

reasons as the basis for the terminations.

The hotel was reportedly dissatisfied over unsavoury guest reviews about its staff, prompting the pre-Christmas layoffs.

PAGE 6, Thursday, December 22, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

STATISTICIAN Cypreanna Winters and Leona Wilson, acting director of statistics, held a press conference at the Department of Statistics to announce the November 2016 Labour Force Survey results.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Unemployment falls to 11.6% from page one The survey will likely be embraced by government officials, as it is the last labour force survey that will be released before the next general election.

The release of the survey’s results came a day after rating agency Standard & Poor’s (S&P) downgraded the country’s credit rating to “junk” status, a first for the country.

Cypreanna Winters, a statistician with the DOS, said between May and October, 4,025 people were

employed and 2,155 people became unemployed.

“The three most populated islands that were surveyed experienced decreases in their unemployment rates,” she said.

The unemployment rates in New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco were 12.9 per cent, 13.3 per cent and 9.1 per cent respectively for the specified period.

For the first time, the DOS included Bimini and Exuma in its Labour Force Survey.

Those islands have an employment rate of four

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per cent and eight per cent respectively.

“Among the employed labour force, there were more men than women,” Ms Winters said.

“However, in all the islands surveyed, except Bimini and Exuma, men were fewer in numbers among the unemployed labour force.”

Employment among youth, people aged 15-24, “decreased slightly since May,” Ms Winters said.

“However, when compared to November 2015, employment among youths increased by 4.3 per cent.

The youth unemployment rate stood at 25.1 per cent in November (2015).”

The number of discouraged workers, people who do not look for jobs because they believe none are available, declined by over 15 per cent between May and late October.

The DOS concluded that more than 1,385 people were employed directly because of Hurricane Matthew.

The construction industry experienced the largest employment growth of all the sectors, a growth rate of 16 per cent.

Ms Winters said: “Prior to the passage of Hurricane Matthew, 14 per cent of households in the country needed repairs. However, after the storm 51 per cent of the households in the country needed some kind of repairs to their dwelling. Sixty-eight per cent of homes that were severely impacted were in New Providence and 18 per cent in Grand Bahama. Damage to roofs was the most severe followed by damage to floors due to flooding. Of the homes in New Providence that needed repairs, 94 per cent needed roof re-

pairs and in Grand Bahama nearly all had roof damage.”

In July, DOS officials announced that the overall unemployment rate was 12.7 per cent after a 2.1 per cent decline, with officials pointing to Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival “related activities” accounting for some of the improvement.

That survey covered the reference period of April 25 to May 1, 2016.

The overall unemployment rate stood at 14.8 per cent when the previous survey was done in November 2015.

12,000 DISCONNECTED DUE FOR NOT PAYING ELECTRICITY BILLS from page one

However, BPL officials have said they have no plans to restore power to the homes of delinquent customers.

“Our statement is we don’t have any plans to do that at this time,” a BPL of-

ficial said in June.

And in July, Pamela Hill, BPL CEO, reiterated that BPL officials were “not in any talks” with the government over a forgiveness or write-off programme.

She instead encouraged customers to continue paying their bills on time to remain connected.

At the time, former Bahamas Electricity Corporation Chairman Leslie Miller was critical of Ms Hill’s statement.

“Y’all getting mix up here,” the Tall Pines MP

said. “(BPL has) a contract to manage BEC so they don’t have the final say as to what goes on in BEC. As far as anything, the government is the one who fund BEC, not BPL. With the greatest respect they only managing (the company) so ain’t nobody could dictate and say what the government (can do) or (say) no discussions are taking (place). (Those) discussions (are) above her head as far as what the government intends to do. If the minister says they intend to write

off those bills that cannot be collected that is a decision by the government not BPL.” BEC, as the state owned utility provider was then called, launched an electricity assistance programme in June 2013 to reconnect more than 7,000 delinquent residential customers. BEC, which was renamed BPL earlier this year, ran another programme that month offering residential customers in arrears a 10 per cent discount if they paid their outstanding bill in full.

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 22, 2016, PAGE 7

United People’s Movement launches 2017 election campaign after merger

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net THE United People’s Movement, a merger of the United Democratic Party and The People’s Movement, yesterday launched its official campaign for the 2017 general election with the release of a 21-page synopsis of the party’s vision document.

The plan contains extensive legislative reform proposals and several ideas meant to better Bahamian society.

Released to the press on Wednesday, the UPM’s “Vision Bahamas: taking our country back” document detailed the party’s intentions if elected to public office.

Among some of its key elements, the UPM’s document promises to protect members of the press and strengthen freedom of information legislation.

On December 7, officials from both the United Democratic Party and The People’s Movement announced plans to merge ahead of the 2017 general election.

The new party is led on an interim basis by Marco City MP Gregory Moss, with Bahamas Public Services Union President and People’s Movement political chair, John Pinder serving as the interim deputy leader.

The UPM said it is committed to not withholding any information from the Bahamian people except in the interest of national security and with respect to Cabinet deliberations and private proprietary rights.

Party officials said they intend to enact a FOIA in line with the model FOI Bill produced by the Commonwealth Secretariat and approved by the Commonwealth Law Minsters since 1999.

The UPM will also look to introduce anti-corruption legislation, strengthen press freedoms and freedoms of expression.

“We regard the freedom of the press as being an integral part of the democratic fabric of our nation.

GREG Moss along with his team including Bahamas Public Services Union President John Pinder outside the House of Assembly.

“While we lament the partisan politics that is far too often reflected in the reporting of various segments of our press, we nonetheless regard it as being essential to protect the press to report on matters of public interest involving public officials with a wide latitude in the writing or rendering of such reports under the firm belief that the sanitising effect of public scrutiny and public commentary far outweighs any hurt feelings that might result from honest comments by the press not otherwise predicated by malice on matters of public interest.

“We greatly deprecate the specter of artists and radio broadcasters being detained and questioned by the police as a result of their critical comments concerning politicians and regard such conduct as being an unconstitutional infringement of our constitutional right of freedom of expression, a threat to our democracy and an affront to our common standing as citizens of this great commonwealth.

“We will enact legislation to protect the press, including radio broadcasters, in their honest commentaries - meaning commentaries believed by them to be honest - on matters of public interest.

“We will also enact legislation to protect the consti-

TEENAGER SPARED JAIL FOR VAGRANCY OFFENCE

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN was spared a fine and possible imprisonment by a magistrate yesterday after he pleaded guilty to being found on private property.

Michael Fawkes, 19, appeared before Magistrate Derence Rolle-Davis facing a charge of vagrancy concerning his arrest on Monday, December 19.

It is alleged that he was found on the premises of

Old Fort Bay and could not give a satisfactory account for being there.

Fawkes pleaded guilty to the charge, which carries a fine of $50 and/or four months at the Department of Correctional Services.

Magistrate Rolle-Davis, given Fawkes early plea of guilt and relative youth, warned him about trespassing on private property before ultimately discharging him.

Fawkes apologised and said it would not happen again.

PSYCHIATRIC TESTS FOR FLASHER

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A PSYCHIATRIC evaluation has been ordered for a man who appeared in Magistrate’s Court accused of exposing his genitalia in a public space.

Ashley Dorsette, 35, of Curtis Road, appeared before Magistrate Constance Delancy facing a charge of indecent exposure concerning an incident on Monday, December 19.

It is alleged that he did willingly and indecently ex-

pose his “person in a public place.”

The charge came under Section 212(12) of the Penal Code, Chapter 84 and carries a $150 penalty upon conviction.

However, the accused was not allowed to enter a plea to the charge, as there was concern for his mental health.

Magistrate Delancy ordered a psychiatric evaluation at the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre and adjourned the matter to January 20, 2017 for a status hearing.

ASSAULT CLAIM AT MORTGAGE CORP

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN will stand trial next month concerning an altercation that allegedly occurred at a government agency last week.

Kenneth Wallace, 32, appeared before Magistrate Derence Rolle-Davis facing a charge of assault and two counts of threats of harm stemming from an incident on Friday, December 16.

It is alleged that he, while at the Bahamas Mortgage Corporation on Russell Road, unlawfully assaulted Terrance Hanna.

It is further alleged that he threatened Mr Hanna and Eva Joyce with harm.

Wallace denied the allegations when called on to answer a plea to the charges.

He was granted $1,500 bail with a suretor and returns to Magistrate’s Court on January 30, 2017, for the start of his trial.

tutional right of freedom of expression of our citizens in the arts and on matters of public interest.”

The document notes that the UPM will seek to introduce term limits for the post of prime minister and make the judiciary more independent.

The party said while it recognises recent efforts by the judiciary to protect private citizens from the might of the executive arm of the state, more still has to be done to ensure that members of the judiciary be shielded from influence by the government.

“We believe that it is essential that the power of the prime minister to appoint the chief justice and to appoint the members of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission who appoint and promote other judges, must be terminated.

“While we cannot effect the termination of those powers of the prime minister without constitutional reform, we commit as a party that those powers will not be acted upon by any prime minister of our party without prior consultation with the president of the Bahamas Bar Association and the various Queen’s Counsel who shall be asked to provide written advice to

the prime minister asked to (make) those appointments.”

With respect to parliamentary independence, the UPM said it is determined that the greatest impediments in all three previous governments has been that the majority of any Cabinet are members of Parliament and therefore view the proceeding of the House and Senate as a rubber stamps to what transpires around a Cabinet table.

To that end, the UPM is committed to having a Cabinet of 15 members and shall not utilise the appointment of members of Parliament and senators as ministers of state or Parliamentary Secretaries as a means of rewarding “favoured members of Parliament and senators.”

“Instead we commit to increasing the salaries of members of Parliament and senators to the levels of their counterparts in the judiciary and the executive once we have successfully introduced income tax upon the rich - with an appreciable consequential increase in tax revenue - and tax relief and jobs to the middle and working class.

“Our further views on the independence of the judiciary are listed below under

the heading of constitutional reform.

“Pending constitutional reform, we believe that the budget of the legislature, once approved by the House and the Senate, must be under the direction and control of the speaker of the house and shall act to ensure that the budget of the House and Senate are under the direction and control of the speaker.”

Additionally, the UPM will look to enact the necessary legislation to bring about fiscal accountability and transparency in government, generate sustainable capitalism, create an immigration side of the Supreme Court, constitutional reform, tax reform and tax relief.

The UPM said it believes that the greatest fiscal challenge to the Bahamas is not a lack of revenue collection, but wastage and corruption by the government in the spending of money that has been collected.

The party proposed that there are three main areas of wastage and corruption that must be eliminated and commit to address those areas.

“First, we regard it as being indefensible and untenable that ministers of government and members of Parliament can be involved in the procurement of government contracts whether directly or through the means of third parties or corporate structures.

“The leasing of buildings, procurement of government contracts, procurement of private contracts with third parties who receive concessions or benefits from the government and other means by which members of Parliament procure, directly or indirectly, private benefits from government contracts or as rewards for third parties procuring government contracts or concessions must be made illegal and must be prosecuted.

“Secondly, we regard it as being unacceptable that the procurement of government

contracts is not a transparent process that is open to all Bahamians.

“The practice by all three previous governments of the Bahamas of ‘inviting tenders’ from specified individuals and companies is nothing short of a predetermination by those politicians of who will be awarded those contracts - with the purported ‘losers’ invariably participating in the contract as sub-contractors under the ‘winner’ - with no real competitive bidding and at resulting inflated costs to the people of The Bahamas.

“Thirdly, we regard it as unacceptable that the government of the Bahamas is engaged in renting so many offices, buildings and residences throughout the Bahamas. We regard it as being particularly egregious where such rentals have been effected with sitting Cabinet ministers or with their families or family structures and commit to bringing those contracts to an end.

“We commit to inviting the auditor general to present a report to Parliament on all rental contracts in which the government is presently engaged, including the names of the landlords, the period for which the rental has been going on, the remaining period of the rental, the cost of the rental and the competitive bidding process - if any - which was undertaken for the procurement of the rental premises.”

Further to these plans, the party has proposed “true” mortgage and banking relief, sweeping education reform with enhancements to public education, tertiary education and technical vocational education sectors in the country; access to internet and development of a university in Andros.

The party’s vision document is split into two halves, with the second segment proposed to be released in the coming months.

PAGE 8, Thursday, December 22, 2016

ADRIAN GIBSON, candidate for Long Island, at his ratification last night.

THE TRIBUNE

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

A pledge of service to my hometown

D

A Young Man’s View

EAR Long Islanders, To use the words of founding father Sir Cecil Wallace-Whitfield, today “my soul is dancing!”

Firstly, I want to thank the Executive of the By ADRIAN GIBSON Free National Movement (FNM), the Council and the privilege of serving as FNM leader Dr Hubert the FNM’s standard bearer Minnis, deputy leader Pe- in the constituency that I ter Turnquest, chairman call home.

Sidney Collie and secretary I am a son of the soil. I general Michael Foulkes for was raised in Long Island furnishing me the opportuand continue nity to stand to have sigfor my won- ‘The water in Long nificant ties derful home- Island is brackish to it. My heart town during lives in Long or salt, resulting the next genIsland. eral election. in one’s fixtures It is my I maintain quickly rusting hope that my the view that nomination Long Island and clogging. In a is a spark to is the best is- modern Bahamas, ignite the fire lands in The why are these under millenBahamas. nials to regisbasic amenities not It is with ter to vote. great grati- available to all?’

Our countude and hutry has just mility that I suffered another economic accept the nomination for downgrade. We are now in the Long Island constituen- junk status, notwithstandcy. I cannot begin to express ing the fact that we pay how honoured I am to have Value Added Tax (VAT)

and our leaders ought to have long adopted a fiscally prudent approach to our economic affairs. There is no fiscal responsibility. No accountability. That is most unacceptable.

To my Long Islanders … it has been a long time coming! It is Long Island’s time.

Long Island deserves representation that is exceptional, transparent and one that facilitates and guarantees equal opportunity for all!

To those struggling small business owners on Long Island, I hear you!

To those fishermen who lack proper ramps, properly dredged channels and docks and constantly lose their catch to poachers, I hear you. Fishermen are also in need of duty free concessions to upgrade

ADRIAN Gibson speaking to the media last night. are unemployed and underemployed, I hear you.

To those islanders who are too frustrated to return due to a lack of opportunity, I hear you.

I will chat with you more in the coming weeks. We have plans for you that will be revealed in the coming weeks. We will together plan our island’s destiny. I will always listen to you.

their boats and purchase and import new engines.

To those farmers in Long Island, who have no market and need assistance, I hear you. Perhaps a substation of the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute could be placed in Long Island. After all, Long Island is a fishing and farming community!

To those residents who

As it stands, there is a need for a technical school for Long Island, even if that means instructors fly in to conduct six to eight week courses in boat building, carpentry, tiling, masonry, etc. We must establish classes that teach Long Islanders how to preserve fruits and market them to New Providence and elsewhere.

Disappointingly, Long

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THE TRIBUNE

ADRIAN Gibson reacts last night as he is ratified as the FNM’s candidate for Long Island.

Islanders who were is- dor could have an interna- to the next. That is an attainsued vouchers in the wake tional airport, Long Island able goal. The water in Long of Hurricane Joaquin are must also have the same.

Island is brackish or salt, unable to redeem them.

Agitating for a new air- resulting in one’s fixtures The vouchers expire at the port and terminal is a key quickly rusting and clogend of this month. Why is plank of my campaign go- ging. In a modern Bahamas, VAT being charged on the ing forward. why are these basic amenivouchers?

Crown land is another is- ties not available to all?

Why are trees and live- sue of concern to Long IsI expect that Cable Bastock and equipment not landers. There are hundreds hamas would extend its seravailable when Long Is- of acres of crown land in vices further north of Deals landers board a flight to Long Island. Yet, islanders and further south of DeadNassau and seek to use the who have applied have no man’s Cay. voucher? How could the received responses. The DeLong Island needs an government possibly be so partment of Lands and Sur- economic boost. inconsiderate? veys should move to settle I look forward to sitting Why are tractor opera- and locate the crown land lit- with Long Islanders and tors such as Frank Curry tered throughout the island. planning the way forward left in limbo and not paid The healthcare facili- for our island. Our transwhen they completed thou- ties in Long Island are in formation is on the horizon. sands of dollars in remedial dire need of improvements.

I dedicate last night to my work following the storm?

Why must it take so long to grandparents Edward and We need special educa- obtain the results of a blood Lenora Gibson (of Long Istion teachers on Long Is- test? Why does the north land) and to the memory of land. The Ministry of Ed- not have a full-time doc- my late uncle Aaron Gibson! ucation has done little to tor? Why has the shortages I would like to also take cater to special needs chil- in available medication not this opportunity to thank dren. What’s more, we need been addressed? my loyal supporters who to fully staff schools with Is the X-ray machine include but are not limited teachers, particularly for functional? And, if so, is to, Elias Cartwright, Jason BJC and BGCSE subjects. there anyone present to op- Cartwright, Bernard AdThere are teacher shortages erate it? derley, Dyllis Smith, Ian in Long Island and little is We need three brand new Knowles, Kevin Burrows, seemingly being done to ad- ambulances in Long Is- Kenneth Cartwright and dress the matter. land. The used ambulances Maurice Minnis. To them I Most importantly, we served no purpose and now say “forward march!” need a spanking new air- permanently off the road.

Long Island, I look forport. I am keen to see that What’s more, we do not ward to being your humble come to fruition. We have have a fire truck. servant. I coming home. very little airlift into Long Where is the Ministry Island. The airports at both of Works on Long Island?

Respectfully, Stella Maris and Dead- How is it that that ministry Adrian Gibson man’s Cay cannot accom- has no building inspector? modate large international Why must local government Comments and responses flights. be saddled with performing to ajbahama@hotmail.com Long Island is one of the duties that should be at• Adrian Gibson was only major islands without tended to by the Ministry of last night ratified by the an international airport. Works?

Free National Movement Airports are economic For many years, Long Isas the party’s candidate for hubs. If Exuma, Abaco, landers have been promised Long Island in the general Grand Bahama, San Salva- running water from one end election

Thursday, December 22, 2016, PAGE 9

Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

ADRIAN GIBSON, left, FNM candidate for Long Island, pictured alongside Dr Hubert Minnis, FNM leader, and James Albury, newly ratified FNM candidate for Central and South Abaco.

PAGE 10, Thursday, December 22, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

PM: we must prove S&P wrong on downgrade from page one His comments came as opposition forces yesterday railed against the government over the country’s downgrade, placing the blame squarely on the ineptitude of the Christie-led administration this term.

However, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation Chairman Gowon Bowe yesterday countered that partisan criticism could not be given legitimacy unless accompanied by a tested, economically viable alternate plan.

Speaking to government owned broadcaster ZNS yesterday, Mr Christie said: “They’re saying that there will be, by 2018, positive indicators, but that they have doubts as to whether what has been promised by Baha Mar and the government, that it would take place in the time in which we say it is going to take place.

“Our job is to prove Standard & Poor’s wrong and verify why Moody’s retained the investment grade for the Bahamas.”

He added: “(There was an) upgrade on the outlook from negative to stable and that means therefore we are disagreeing on the time it’s going to take to bring about

the results that they say should be in place here.”

According to the nation’s leader, S&P “failed to properly take into account the weight of Baha Mar.” He added: “And we felt that if they had spoken to the new owners they would have had a different view as to what is going to take place there. For example, they and I see some elements of the opposition, doubt that there would be 1,000 to 1,500 jobs in January - the government has no doubt about that fact at all.”

Meanwhile, when asked to weigh in on the matter, Mr Bowe said this downgrade has been in the making for a long time.

“Since independence,” Mr Bowe said, “there is no one government that can take the credit, or duck the credit, for this downgrading. There has been no fiscal surplus (historically) so in reality this here is a culmination of years, decades, of deficit spending and borrowing.

“I don’t think we’ve ever met the budget, but has any government said what we came up short or long on as far as expenses go? We have the information but there has never been an analysis, any real critique, over what has taken place.

“The rating agencies are

not saying which political party did what, they are looking at the Bahamas.

Casting blame is an exercise in futility, all of them have a blame to share and a role to share in this downgrade.”

Mr Bowe continued: “Will it have any impact on Christmas festivities?

No. Was it ideal to have the news break now? No. But this is when the National Development Plan should be heightened, if we are serious about really changing the course.”

Global credit rating agency S&P has justified the downgrade to BB+ (speculative or “junk” grade) from BBB- (investment grade) on the basis that it is now projecting the Bahamian economy will only grow by 0.3 per cent this year, down from its 1.2 per cent estimate in April.

Echoing the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) recent warnings, S&P said government spending was still outpacing revenue despite the introduction of value added tax (VAT), with Hurricane Matthew restoration costs set to inflict “further pressure” on expenditure in 2017.

Lower gross domestic product (GDP)/economic growth would also negatively impact the government’s tax revenues and fiscal consoli-

dation plans, the agency said.

At a swearing-in ceremony for her new slate of senators on Tuesday, Official Opposition Leader Loretta Butler-Turner forecast that the country was headed into the “bleakest Christmas” it had ever seen.

“We’ve just been downgraded by S&P, just last week the IMF predicted that the reckless spending of this government is out of hand, there is no accountability, no transparency, and now we have literally been downgraded to non-investment grade status.”

She continued: “What we plan to do, as this grouping, is stay focused to not get caught up in all of the side discussions as to who has different personal views.

We are going to come to the Bahamian people as early as possible and demonstrate that it is our combined effort to get rid of this incompetent, inept, and untrustworthy PLP government, and that is what drives us to overlook our differences and to work past them.”

For his part, Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr Hubert Minnis posited that the downgrade was a “disastrous consequence of nearly five years of an inept PLP government and their policies.”

Dr Minnis hit out at the

government’s “continued failure” to reduce unemployment and curtail spending, and promised that his party would provide “real economic leadership.”

“The embattled prime minister will have all of us believe that they have in fact acted,” Dr Minnis said, “but as we can see by the downgrade to junk status – Christie’s words are just as worthless as our sagging credit. The credit rating agencies have continued to ask the government to cut expenditures but typical of this PLP government they refused to heed any practical economic advice.

“They forced through a 7.5 per cent VAT saying it would be put towards debt reduction. More empty rhetoric and broken promises. The results? The debt continues to rise, they have never been held to account for where the VAT money went, yet they continue to spend millions of the taxpayer dollars on ill conceived and mismanaged programmes that fail to deliver significant economic impact.

“And as our economy spirals downward they hand out contracts to their allies like the wasteful Christmas decorations in Nassau that cost taxpayers (nearly) $350,000,” Dr Minnis added.

Meanwhile, calling for

mature dialogue on the concerns highlighted by S&P, Mr Bowe also made the point that the global agency was just one of three leading institutions. He noted that another leading agency, Moody’s, did not make a similar downgrade, and that it demonstrated the subjectivity of agencies undertaking rating evaluations.

In considering the disappointment expressed by the governing side over the downgrade, Mr Bowe underscored the need for a cultural shift from reliance on anecdotal stories to empirical data.

He urged Bahamian experts in the financial services sector and related fields to lend their skills to public service.

Mr Bowe said: “The international agencies have grown tired of the rhetoric, we’ve been doing it all on anecdotal stories, they want to see empirical change and that is a culture change.

Telling them that your plan is to grow the economy, decrease spending, which party hasn’t said that internationally?”

“All of that is lip service,” he said.

“The current government should not be touting plans but demonstrating it empirically, present plans with analysis.”

UNSUBSTANTIATED CLAIMS AND BREACHES OF CONDUCT MARK MONCUR’S FIRST CONTRIBUTIONS TO SENATE from page one

For his part, Mr Moncur apologised for his errors and underscored that he did not have much time to prepare for the new post or the current debate as his appointment took place less than 48 hours prior. He said he only received the bills that were being debated on Tuesday morning.

Standing to her feet on a point of order, Mrs Maynard-Gibson said: “I do hope that the honourable member will refrain from making wild and untrue statements, and under the guise that he is a new member and that he doesn’t understand.

“This is a very dangerous precedent that has been set in here. Members are expected to be responsible, they are expected to come to this place and debate and telling the Bahamian

people about the content of these bills and how they affect their lives.”

Mr Moncur began his contribution with an admission to Mrs Wilson and Mrs Maynard-Gibson that he would need a lot of mentoring in his new post.

He implored colleagues to be kind and assist him because he had not yet read the rules that govern the conduct of representatives in the upper chamber.

Senators debated four bills related to automated exchange of account information; trust law; and National Health Insurance.

Mr Moncur went on to clash several times with Mrs Maynard-Gibson, who routinely stood to her feet to challenge the new senator to substantiate his claims.

On two separate occasions, his comments were withdrawn and expunged from the record. He frequently punctuated his con-

SENATOR Rodney Moncur. tribution with “God save the queen.”

Speaking to the finance legislation, Mr Moncur ultimately told the Senate that the legislation was “a wicked piece a bill,” that he would still vote for. However he urged Mrs Maynard-Gibson to be slow in implementing the financial legislation, speculating that that United States President-elect Donald Trump,

who he called “his man,” would not approve of it.

“I’m not going stand in here and allow this place to be turned into a circus,” Mrs Maynard-Gibson said.

“I’m equally not going to allow the honourable member to impugn the extraordinary good work of the entire team in Parliament.

If the honourable member was interested in obtaining these bills, as a senator or

any other capacity, citizens in the Bahamas may go to the House of Assembly and obtain any bill that has been tabled. These bills have been in front of the House of Assembly for months, they have been on the website of the Office of the Attorney General for months.

“Now, we do not expect for any of us to suffer because the leader of the opposition in Parliament decided to wait until the 9th hour to appoint her senators that is nothing to do with us, or the citizens of this country. We are here to debate these bills, and we do not expect to waste time.”

Turning his attention to National Health Insurance, the controversial senator endorsed the government’s proposed scheme with an anecdotal story of a 25-year-old man that was unable to afford a MRI scan sometime during the previous term under the then-FNM government.

Mr Moncur was a member of the Democratic National Alliance at the time, and yesterday told parliamentarians that he felt the FNM government was wicked for not rendering assistance.

He lauded Golden Gates MP Shane Gibson, whom he claimed had acted immediately to help the young man, as his favourite minister in the PLP-led government.

As he advocated for the full passage of NHI before the country celebrates the 50th anniversary of Majority Rule, Mr Moncur also took the government to task over medication shortages at the Princess Margaret Hospital.

“These bills are very important, the amendments, why are you dragging your foot? It is a revolutionary piece of bills. …Let’s have it before we celebrate the 50th because the majority, which is my people, the Negro people, will need it.”

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THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 22, 2016, PAGE 11

DR HUBERT MINNIS, leader of the FNM, alongside fellow party members including the two latest candidates for the 2017 election - Adrian Gibson, candidate for Long Island, and James Albury, candidate for Central and South Abaco.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

TRIBUNAL APPOINTED TO DECIDE ON REBEL SEVEN from page one

“Once they have been given an opportunity to be present then it’s just like a court. If you are charged or someone files a lawsuit against you and serves you with it and gives you a date to show up and you don’t show up, the court would proceed in your absence and come to a conclusion.

That’s exactly what happens with the tribunal.”

The FNM has never ex-

pelled a member before, but this is one possibility that hangs over the seven MPs. If not exculpated, they could also be fined not more than $100 or be suspended for no longer than a year, according to the FNM’s constitution.

According to a wellplaced source in the party, it is not expected that the MPs will be expelled. That source told The Tribune that the “rebel” MPs will likely be suspended, adding that party officials expect

the seven to then quit the party of their own volition.

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

The Executive Committee said the parliamen-

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

That letter expressed no confidence in Dr Minnis and asked that he be replaced as Official Opposition leader by Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner.

Fort Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins, one of the

MINNIS CONFIDENT ADRIAN GIBSON CAN UNSEAT BUTLER-TURNER from page one

Dr Minnis said the Bahamian people are demanding change and the two new candidates “will bring a much needed youth perspective to a FNM government with Travis Robinson from Bain and Grants Town.”

Mr Robinson, who was ratified in late October, is 21-years-old while Mr Gibson is 32.

Last week, Dr Minnis confirmed that the FNM had started to search for a new Long Island candidate to represent the party in the 2017 general election.

The seat is currently held

by Mrs Butler-Turner, who is one of seven FNM MPs who ousted the Killarney MP as leader of the Official Opposition in the House

of Assembly earlier this month.

Mrs Butler-Turner, who was already ratified to run on the party’s ticket in 2017, was also chosen to replace Dr Minnis in the lower chamber.

“We are not worried about Loretta - Adrian Gibson is running in Long Island as the FNM candidate. He will carry the torch. Her ratification has been revoked, we have now placed a new candidate in Long Island and Adrian Gibson will represent Long Island,” Dr Minnis said before a crowd of supporters at FNM headquarters.

“I am confident that Adrian will win no matter who runs. You are witnessing a new generation, members of the change agenda.

Long Island has always been FNM territory and I am certain that Long Island

will remain FNM.” In an interview with The Tribune following his ratification, Mr Gibson said he did not want to seem “disrespectful” but he described Mrs Butler-Turner’s performance in Long Island as “lacklustre”.

“I know the constituents are not happy with her representation and we are putting that behind us and moving forward,” he said.

“I am 100 per cent confident I can beat her in Long Island. I am the man for the job.”

Mr Albury, who has replaced current MP Edison Key on the FNM’s ticket, said it is time for new, young leadership. Mr Key, who is 78, has been in politics for 40 years and has represented Central and South Abaco since 2007.

Earlier this month, he

accused Dr Minnis of “betraying” him over a reported snub for the nomination in Central and South Abaco for the next general election.

“Abaco needs someone who can engage with them, “ Mr Albury said.

“Abaco is a very strong FNM association and they are my guiding principle, so between my energy and their experience we are the team that has Abaco’s best interest at heart. I am here, I am you, I am not going to be what was here before. I am carrying the banner for a new generation.”

Dr Minnis encouraged Bahamians to “get out and vote” to rescue the country from the “inept PLP, a regime that has been responsible for bringing this country to the brink of disaster and financial ruin”.

seven MPs, has said their actions were aimed at causing Dr Minnis to step down from the party’s leadership.

Mr Collie has maintained that there is “no chance in hell” that the FNM leader will be removed from his post before the next election.

Mr Collie has also said the Fort Charlotte MP is a “loud mouth, political juvenile” that is “just talking to hear himself.”

Last night, the FNM ratified two new candidates, SPEND LESS SLEEP WELL

Tribune columnist and attorney Adrian Gibson, 32, for Long Island and Abaco native James Albury, 23, who works with the Abaconian newspaper, for Central and South Abaco.

Last week Dr Minnis revealed that the FNM’s council had revoked Mrs Butler-Turner’s nomination for her constituency based on her being a part of the effort to oust him.

The disciplinary tribunal is expected to meet next week.

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PAGE 12, Thursday, December 22, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Mitchell: Christian values include condemning violence THE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration has responded to three pastors who have raised alarm about a vote at the United Nations on the adoption of the annual report of the UN Human Rights Council, saying the country voted in favour of the move and this is “consistent” with the mandate of the people of this country.

Earlier this week, pastors Cedric Moss, Alfred Stewart, and Lyall Bethel, in a

letter to Foreign Affairs and Immigration Minister Fred Mitchell, issued a reproach of the position taken by the country on a UN resolution that sought to block the appointment of a UN independent expert to investigate worldwide cases of discrimination and abuse against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) people.

They expressed disappointment over the country’s decision to side with a

“slim majority” of nations to uphold Professor Vitit Muntarbhorn’s appointment, and accused the government of misrepresenting the views and wishes of the “overwhelming” majority of Bahamians.

Yesterday the ministry issued a statement that said “Christian values” include condemning actions which support violence, discrimination, bigotry or intolerance against all people.

“The vote at the UN General Assembly was a procedural one on whether the report of the Human Rights Council should be adopted in its entirety or with certain deletions,” a statement from the ministry said.

“The Bahamas voted to accept the report in its entirety as we have done in the past and consistent with the mandates of people of The Bahamas.

“We remind the public

that each diplomat is instructed in the language and philosophy of the Constitution of The Bahamas which in so far as is relevant for this purpose, it says ‘an abiding respect for Christian values and the rule of law.’ Each vote of The Bahamas whether at home or abroad is guided by those principles.

“Christian values include decrying any action which would support violence, discrimination, bigotry or

intolerance against people of every stripe without distinction.

“The vote was consistent with those values. We were joined by scores of other countries, including the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union and in the Caribbean, St Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda.

“Any other characterisation of the vote is misleading.”

RED DRESS SOIREE DONATES $13,000 TO WORK OF THE BAHAMAS AIDS FOUNDATION

FROM left, Fernella Finlayson, silent auction chairperson, The Red Dress Soiree; Tyrina Neely, founder and director, The Red Dress Soiree; Lady Camille Barnett, president of The Bahamas AIDS Foundation; Bianca Bethel-Sawyer, events, sponsorship and community manager, Aliv; Anissa Adderley, Aliv champion; Earlene Cartwright, Aliv lead champion. Photo: Madistic Photography for Fusion IMC THE Red Dress Soiree presented a cheque in the amount of $13,214.67 to The Bahamas AIDS Foundation to benefit their Adolescent

Outreach Programme.

The funds were raised at the event’s silent auction held on December 10 in the Imperial Ballroom at Atlantis.

More than 30 silent auction packages with items donated by more than 70 corporate donors were offered in the digital silent auction.

JORCORTHAN HOLDINGS LTD.

1.

That Jorcorthan Holdings Ltd. be voluntarily wound up.

2.

That BF Company Limited be appointed Liquidator for the purpose of winding up the affairs of Jorcorthan Holdings Ltd.

BF COMPANY LIMITED Liquidator JORCORTHAN HOLDINGS LTD. (In Voluntary Liquidation)

gowns created by 12 Bahamian fashion designers.

In addition to the many silent auction sponsors, community minded corpo-

OMARIS LIMITED

(In Voluntary Liquidation)

In accordance with Section 228 of The Companies Act, NOTICE is hereby given that at an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Company held on the 20th day of December, 2016 the following Resolutions were passed:

The three part event – runway show, dinner and silent auction - featured 12 of the Bahamas’ “leading ladies” who showcased red

rate sponsors of the event included Aliv, The Island Game, Zamar Productions, Mercedes-Benz and Commonwealth Fabrics.

OMARIS LIMITED

(In Voluntary Liquidation)

(In Voluntary Liquidation)

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Shareholders of Omaris Limited is hereby called to be held at the office of the Liquidator, 51 Frederick Street, Nassau, Bahamas on the 23rd day of January, 2017 at 10:00 in the forenoon.

In accordance with Section 228 of The Companies Act, NOTICE is hereby given that at an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Company held on the 20th day of December, 2016 the following Resolutions were passed:

The object and purpose of the said meeting is to have the liquidator, BF Company Limited, give an account of the manner in which the winding-up of Omaris Limited has been conducted and to hear any explanation that may be given by the said Liquidator.

1.

That Omaris Company Limited be voluntarily wound up.

2.

That BF Company Limited be appointed Liquidator for the purpose of winding up the affairs of Omaris Limited.

Dated the 20th day of December, 2016.

DATED the 20TH day of December, 2016

BF COMPANY LIMITED Liquidator OMARIS LIMITED (In Voluntary Liquidation)

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BF COMPANY LIMITED Liquidator OMARIS LIMITED (In Voluntary Liquidation) DATED the 20th day of December, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 22, 2016, PAGE 13

Christmas on the Cay counts down the final days to holiday CHRISTMAS on the Cay at Arawak Cay kicked off its final week in grand style on Monday.

Children from Urban Renewal Fort Charlotte were treated to tasty treats, gifts from Santa and a fun time in the children’s corner.

“We’re inviting all Bahamians to come down to Christmas on the Cay,” said Bernadette Bastian, Ministry of Tourism senior manager for national planning and special markets. “We have lots of fun, food, exciting games for the children.

We have a very exciting children’s corner. We have different games such as the who can be the fastest nutcracker and pin the nose on Rudolph. We have a lot of food vendors out here selling their tasty Bahamian treats and a lot of Bahami-

an artisans out here selling their work.

“If you are looking for a Christmas gift, we are inviting all Bahamians to come down and share in this wonderful experience and get your Christmas gifts at the same time.”

Visitors and locals enjoyed music from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Marching Band, the St Francis Church Choir and a Junkanoo rush out from the Shell Saxon Superstars.

The Christmas Village, which opened to the public on December 5, is an exciting venue for Bahamians and visitors to gather and enjoy a Bahamian Christmas.

The Christmas Village is open to the public every weeknight from 6pm – 9pm, showcasing authentic Baha-

mian gifts and Christmas decorations, mouthwatering holiday treats and great Bahamian entertainment.

Each night will showcase a new and exciting event for visitors and locals alike.

The Christmas Village at Arawak Cay is a one-stop shop for all of your holiday needs featuring a variety of artisans selling unique Bahamian gifts and Christmas decorations, the Ministry of Tourism said.

The Ministry of Tourism wraps up its Christmas celebrations on the eve of Christmas Eve. On December 23, all roads lead to the Thomas A Robinson Stadium for the most exciting Christmas football game, the Popeyes Bahamas Bowl.

For more information, visit www.tourismtoday. com/events.

YOUNGSTERS at Christmas on the Cay.

READERS RESPOND TO DOWNGRADING OF CREDIT RATING THE news that global credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s had downgraded The Bahamas to “junk” status, prompted angry readers to give their reaction on tribune242.com.

MassExodus said: Well a big Merry Christmas from the PLP Bahamians! Hope you enjoy everything this government did for us as citizens!”

Observer2 saw problems ahead: “The offshore financial services industry is now at risk. Who in their right minds would deposit their funds in a country that has a junk rating? You see, now that the government has squeezed the Bahamian consumer dry with VAT, who will they soak next?

Foreign bank accounts, trust funds, mutual funds, second homes, income taxes, taxes on corporate dividends? What will they do next to raise money?

The real property tax bills have gone up so much they haven’t even mailed them to the people. What are they going to do next? Start confiscating family homes for real property tax?”

Honestman saw “several years of pain” ahead: “Thanks to the PLP, the next administration is going to have a Herculean task of turning the country around.

Bahamians had better be prepared for several years of pain to bring the Bahamas economy out of ICU. The next government is going to have no choice but to greatly reduce public spending and increase VAT. On top of that, NIB

contributions are going to have to rise to plug some of the state pension under funding. What a mess! The PLP should NEVER be allowed to govern this country again.”

Banker raised the issue of the Christmas decorations: “They should have used the $340,000 that they paid to Neville Whizdumb for the granny-panties Christmas decorations to pay off some of the debt. The ramifications are huge. If we get

another Hurricane Matthew, we will not be able to pay for the reconstruction.

This will affect the amount of capital reserves that the country is required to hold to maintain the value of its foreign debt. This will push us closer to bond covenant default. We will have to pay more to import goods for infrastructure. This will curtail Foreign Direct Investment – our country’s creditworthiness is junk.

The PLP have spent money

like drunken sailors. They have enriched themselves and destroyed the country.

Baha Mar cannot save the country. The only thing that can save it, is a total diversification and re-deployment of the economy.”

Zakary didn’t think opening Baha Mar would be enough: “. . . Baha Mar definitely cannot save the country, a harsh truth, but the politicians and media will try to convince otherwise. I believe this country will continue to learn it the hard way, and that is with the economy ultimately failing.”

BAHconcerned said: “Government spending is out of control!! There needs to be an immediate moratorium on non-essential travel and expenditure. Including grounding frequent flyer Fred!”

There was this from Hj: “Well done. The next step

will be the devaluation of the dollar. Come on Perry and Michael finish the job.”

Socrates didn’t hold much hope for the future: “We’ve been heading in this direction for some time. Looking at the PLP performance that had plenty to do with where we are, and looking at the quality of recent Senate appointments, I don’t think there is any reason for hope. We used to laugh at our Caribbean neighbours and how much better we were economically, well look at us now . . .

And in The Tribune’s latest online poll, in which we asked readers if they supported Loretta ButlerTurner’s decision to appoint Rodney Moncur to the Senate, the final results were: Yes - 21 per cent, No - 79 per cent.

• Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.

PAGE 14, Thursday, December 22, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

MEMBERS of the EY team during their visit to Andros to donate Christmas gifts to students and supplies to Lowe Sound Primary School.

A CHRISTMAS GIFT TO ANDROS A GROUP of nine employees from EY’s Nassau office recently visited Andros to donate Christmas gifts to students and supplies to Lowe Sound Primary School.

Lowe Sound was among the many areas that suffered heavy damage from category four Hurricane Matthew, which hit the Bahamas in October. The storm caused extensive damage to infrastructure, homes, schools,

and businesses.

“In the wake of Hurricane Matthew, the last several months have been an enormously testing period for the residents of Andros,” said Michele Thompson, EY’s Bahamas country managing partner. “Local authorities, the Ministry of Tourism and other officials have done an amazing job of helping the island and its residents recover. We wanted to do our small part to

ensure that the school has the resources it needs to fulfill its educational mission, while delivering some much-needed holiday cheer to the students. Over the years, we have focused our holiday charity initiatives on programmes that can have a real impact on the daily lives of children and communities, and this was a great opportunity to extend our efforts to a new location that needed assistance.”

TROPHY FOR STATISTICS OFFICE THE 25 men and women who work to gather statistics for the country pulled together as a team and gave a winning performance in the “Orange Your Office” competition hosted by the Department of Gender and Family Affairs in the Ministry of Social Services and Community Development earlier this month.

The Department of Statistics claimed the large orange trophy for its efforts to bring awareness to violence against women. The competition was launched during National Women’s Week, which ended on the November 26 anniversary of women’s right to vote in the Bahamas.

On December 16, Carmen Dawkins and Joan Rolle attended a special service at the Ministry to receive their prizes. Ms Dawkins said the team gathered everyone’s

thoughts about violence against women and the situations in which the violence usually occurs in order to bring real life situations to the fore, so that more people could be aware of how to help prevent or stop unwanted situations before they occur.

The competition judges - Regieta Minns, Alayna Ledard and Bernard Petit - were impressed by the acting skills portrayed by Department of Statistics staff.

They noted that the performances were realistic and allowed the messages of non-violence to hit home.

The department was fully decorated in orange and messages emblazoned the walls for all their clients to see. The staff even rolled in a coffin to bring to bear the reality of the effects of violence against women.

“Participating in this

competition gave us a sense of oneness in our department and brought sensitivity to the statistics that we have to present to the Bahamian public,” Ms Dawkins said. She explained that the staff used five locations in the workplace to demonstrate gender-based situations, including genderbased killings. They also offered solutions to these problems, including conflict resolution, proper communication and respect.

The Centre for the Deaf received a cash prize as runners-up in the competition. Director of Gender and Family Affairs Gaynel Curry noted that the judges were impressed by the children who were deaf or hearing impaired, who gave such passionate presentations about gender-based violence. They also received a cash prize.,

THE DEPARTMENT of Statistics accepting their cash prize and floating trophy from Minister Melanie Griffin, acting permanent secretary Phedra Rahming and director Gaynel Curry.

Ministry of Tourism, The spurred by the United groups attended to give Bahamas Mortgage Corpo- Nation’s UNiTE to End support, including the Anration, the National Train- Violence Against Women glican Church Women, the ing Agency, the Depart- Campaign, and the Ba- Bahamas National Breastment of Housing, the Public hamas was one of many feeding Association, the Hospitals Authority and countries to participate, as National Women’s Advithe Department of Local the UN sought to “orange sory Council, Zonta Club, Government also partici- the world” to bring aware- Ann-Marie Bain for the pated in the Orange Your ness and help stop the rate United States Embassy, and Office Campaign. of violence against women the first female Bahamian These efforts were worldwide. physiologist, Dr Carolyn Many women-centred Hanna.

Family Medicine Center Welcomes Dr. Parker Dr. Parker looks forward to assisting patients living with Joint Pain and conditions such as Lupus, Gout, Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis to have productive lives by providing appropriate treatment to control conditions reducing pain and disability.

Dr. Parker joins Family Medicine Center on January 6th, 2017

OMARIS LIMITED (In Voluntary Liquidation) Pursuant to the appointment of the undersigned as a Liquidator of the above mentioned Company, NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that all persons having any outstanding claims against Omaris Limited should send particulars thereof to the undersigned at P.O. Box N-4853, 51 Frederick Street, Nassau on or before the 13th day of January 2017.

BF COMPANY LIMITED Liquidator OMARIS LIMITED (In Voluntary Liquidation)

FAMILYMEDICINECENTER.ORG

DATED the 20th day of December, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Thursday, December 22, 2016, PAGE 15

LPIA passengers are encouraged to plan ahead during peak holiday travel.

Holiday tips for airport travellers THE busy holiday travel season is underway at Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) with officials anticipating an estimated 85,000 passengers will move through the airport’s facilities between mid-December and New Year’s Day. With anticipated heavy traffic in and around the terminals, Jan Knowles, Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD), is encouraging travellers to pack some patience and plan ahead when flying to or from Nassau.

“We’re seeing our numbers pick up as people start making their way home for the holidays or heading to Nassau to celebrate Christmas in The Bahamas,” Ms Knowles said. “We know that getting to their destination is what matters most to our passengers and we want to ensure that their experience in the airport is as stress-free as possible.

“All of our airport stakeholders have dedicated time and resources to improving passenger movement and overall operations from the kerbside to the airside.”

Technology like Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks in US Customs, an Electronic Boarding Pass (EBP) system for check-in via mobile devices and electronic call-up features in Bahamas Immigration and Bahamas Customs reduce overall wait times for travellers.

To break up the monotony and add some holiday

cheer, officials have introduced a holiday experience programme complete with live entertainment, caricaturists, face-painting, interminal games, shopping specials and visits from Santa.

Ms Knowles offered additional tips on travelling through LPIA during the holiday peak period.

Confirm travel details in advance Several days before your flight, check your reservation, determine baggage specifications and see what your airline offers for onboard service.

Give yourself ample time Anticipate extra hustle and bustle at the airport.

Check-in at least three hours early for US-bound flights and two hours early for international departure flights. This gives ample time to clear security and head to the gate area with time to shop, dine, relax and enjoy airport amenities.

Get mobile Many airlines offer passengers the option of online check-in and mobile boarding passes. Download all relevant apps and electronic travel documents before you leave for the airport.

Choose to travel outside peak departure times Early morning and evening flights are considered off-peak.

Pack wisely Restrictions still apply for

LPIA passengers enjoying holiday travel.

liquids, aerosols and gels so remember the 3-1-1 rule: 3.4 ounces or less per container for liquids, gels or aerosols; packed in 1 quart-sized clear plastic zip-top bag; limit of 1 bag per passenger.

ID check Be sure to bring the right ID for your trip, or you won’t be going far! This includes a valid passport and for local travellers heading to the US, a visa or a police record issued within the last six months.

Screen smart Take advantage of the wait in security lines by placing coins, keys and any small metal items in the screening bin, removing jackets and outerwear and unpacking your laptop from its bag. Leave gifts unwrapped. They may be opened for inspection as part of the baggage screening process and be sure to wear comfortable clothing and shoes that can be easily removed.

Stay connected Check the airport website www.nassaulpia.com for the latest updates on flight schedules and information on parking, in terminal services or new security regulations and procedures. Connect with LPIA on social media at www.facebook.com/NassauAirport and on Twitter and Instagram @nassau_ airport. Also, be sure to follow your individual airline carriers on social media for more specific flight details.

PAGE 16, Thursday, December 22, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

FROM left, Dr Maurice Isaac, veterinarian; Dr Khadija Hassan, veterinarian; Dr Godfrey Springer, sr veterinarian officer; Chris Hedley, legal consultant; and Simeon Pinder, director of agriculture.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY SENIOR MANAGER, ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Commonwealth Bank is the premier Bahamian Bank with branches located in New Providence, Grand Bahama and Abaco. We are committed to delivering superior quality service, to training and developing our employees, to creating value for our shareholders and to promoting economic growth and stability in the community.

JOB SUMMARY: The position of Senior Manager, Organizational Development is an important management position within the Bank responsible for creating a well trained team within a performance driven culture enabling employees to contribute their best. The position reports to the Vice President HR & Training.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE: • To contribute to the design and delivery of people and organizational development strategies and the management of change in support of the organization’s strategic and operational plans.

• To provide information, advice and learning services as required by working with teams across the Bank to support a programme of continuous organizational performance improvement.

• To ensure organisational development initiatives are appropriately integrated and aligned with strategic and business goals.

• To oversee coaching and mentoring to support staff development and the achievement of Individual Development Plans.

• To oversee the creation and maintenance of a standardized learning curriculum for the Bank.

• To develop and execute the Bank’s framework for talent management and succession planning.

• To lead on the development of staff skills and knowledge database in order to maximise the diverse talents within the organisation.

• To be responsible for the Bank’s job evaluation system, advising on job design, job descriptions and the correct grading of jobs.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE: • Master’s Degree in Human Resources, Organizational Development, Business Administration or a related discipline.

• Training certification.

• Minimum 7 years as a Manager with expertise in financial services or related field.

• Minimum 5 years of Corporate training experience.

• Strong coaching/mentoring skills.

• Advanced training skills.

• Effective planning and project management skills with the ability to set and work toward deadlines.

• The ability to engage, conduct diagnosis, analyze findings, generate options and build commitment to solutions.

• Change management skills.

• Event design and facilitation skills.

• Ability to analyze quantitative and qualitative data.

REMUNERATION PACKAGE: Commonwealth Bank is a Great place to work! We offer an exciting work environment with the opportunity for growth and development. We also offer a competitive compensation package, reflecting the successful applicant’s experience and qualifications, including a performance based incentive plan, health, vision, dental and life insurances and a pension plan.

Qualified individuals should complete an online application by December 30, 2016 at: www.careers.combankltd.com/careers “ Commonwealth Bank sincerely thanks all applicants for their interest in becoming a part of our team, however, only those applications being considered will be contacted.”

Workshop on animal health DRAFT animal health regulations governing the import and export procedures for live animals and meat will be based on risk analysis, stakeholders at a one-day workshop hosted by the Department of Agriculture learned earlier this month.

The regulations, which are based on international standards, will cover abattoirs and slaughtering facilities, import and export procedures as well as surveillance for animal

diseases.

Additionally, the proposed slaughtering regulations are based on standards established by the World Organisation for Animal Health and will require minimum standards for abattoirs and slaughtering facilities that will ensure the welfare of the animals, the safety of the meat and the proper disposal of effluent.

The regulations are designed to support the sustainable development of

the local livestock industry by ensuring that there is a dynamic and comprehensive system to detect and monitor animal diseases.

The Bahamas has a relatively low incidence of diseases in farm and domestic animals and the regulations will ensure that this status is maintained, particularly for diseases such as rabies and classical swine fever.

The regulations will be available for wider public consultation and posted on the Government’s website.

RELIEF SUPPLIES DONATED

BY FAITH PARTNERSHIP TWO community organisations representing the young and the old of Grand Bahama have received essential relief supplies thanks to a partnership between the Ministry for Grand Bahama and The Faith Centre of Sunrise, Florida.

Among the supplies given to Columbus House were two generators, a large supply of water, and Christmas boxes while the Burrows Home received donations of blankets and toiletries.

In two separate brief ceremonies, Minister for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville thanked Pastor of The Faith Centre Bishop Henry Fernandez for his gifts to the Grand Bahama community. “These essential supplies will go a long way as we prepare for the Christmas holidays and as the kids at Columbus House prepare for the reopening of school in January,” Dr Darville said.

This marks the second trip to Grand Bahama for Bishop Fernandez. A week earlier, Dr Darville and representatives from the Ministry of Grand Bahama and the Ministry of Tourism were in Fort Lauderdale as guests of Bishop Fernandez and The Faith Centre. It was during that visit that Bishop Fernandez made an appeal to his church membership for financial donations to assist Grand Bahama following the devastation of Hurricane Matthew.

During the presentation to Columbus House, the local arm of the National Emergency Management Association (NEMA) presented supplies to the Grand Bahama Red Cross, including blankets, radio and eating utensils.

In a surprise gesture, Bishop Fernandez made a promise to the owner of the Burrows Home for the Aged, Irene Burrows, to

send a cheque every month to help defray the cost of the home’s electricity bill.

“NEMA, through the Ministry of Grand Bahama, has assessed the damage to the Burrows Home and we are going to partner with them to make sure that the structural integrity of the home is well-kept and all of the damage that took place from Hurricane Matthew are repaired as soon as possible,” said Dr Darville.

As part of collaboration with the Grand Bahama Ministry of Tourism, Bishop Fernandez and the Faith Centre will host a second annual religious conference in Freeport, Grand Bahama, called ‘Faith Fest’. The purpose of the conference, scheduled for March, will be spiritual rejuvenation and physical relaxation.

Some 21 countries are expected to take part at next year’s conference, which will include hundreds of visitors to Grand Bahama Island.