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GUILTY AS CHARGED Conviction rate hits 80% as trial backlog clogs courts system By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net THE conviction rate for serious offences has increased to almost 80 percent, Attorney General Carl Bethel said yesterday. Mr Bethel, speaking during a ceremony marking the opening of the 2020 legal year, said the conviction rate is 78 percent, up almost ten percent from the 70 percent record in 2018. However, Mr Bethel also revealed that of the 529 scheduled trials for 2019, just 150, or 28.36 percent were completed. Of those completed, 103 resulted in convictions while 29 resulted in acquittals. The Attorney General
said it is “clear” that a completion rate of less than 30 percent for criminal trials scheduled in any given year is “far below” where his office “needs to be if we are to effectively address the ongoing backlog of serious criminal matters”. Mr Bethel further revealed that of the scheduled cases, 36.67 percent were served with a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI), thereby fast-tracking the matter to the Supreme Court. However, Mr Bethel said the average time for being served with a VBI is now two months, a “significant improvement” in the time previously taken to bring an SEE PAGE SIX
PAPERS REVEAL TRUTH OF BAHA MAR’S SALE
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
BAHA MAR’S current owner leapfrogged all rival bidders in less than two weeks to become the property’s chosen buyer despite its $1.3bn offer coming from outside the formal sales process. Documents previously kept from public view reveal the breathtaking speed at which Chow Tai Fook Enterprises (CTFE) emerged from nowhere to become the mega resort’s purchaser following Sarkis Izmirlian’s failed Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection bid in 2015. Tribune Business can reveal that the privatelyowned Hong Kong
conglomerate, which is controlled by the billionaire Cheng family, had agreed a “Heads of Terms” with the former Christie administration less than a fortnight after its second “indicative” offer was submitted to Baha Mar’s receivers on August 2, 2016. The “Heads of Terms”, which set out the key points of the commercial agreements between CTFE and the Bahamian government, were “agreed” during the week that began on August 15, 2016, and provided investment incentives and concessions “for the proposed purchaser and only the proposed purchaser”.
FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
POINTED PROBLEM DIRECTOR of Labour John Pinder is unhappy with the disproportionate number of foreign workers to Bahamians at The Pointe’s construction site. Full story - Page 3 Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
NO QUICK SOLUTION TO ‘DON’T BLAME PARENTS HOSPITAL BEDS CRISIS FOR POLICE FAILURES’
By LEANDRA ROLLE lrolle@tribunemedia.net
HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands said yesterday that the issue of bed shortages at Princess Margaret Hospital will not be resolved until emergency care services at the Elizabeth Estates and South Beach clinics have expanded and renovations at PMH’s emergency department have been completed. “There has been movement, but the problem
(of bed shortages) is not fully corrected,” he told reporters during a press conference at the Ministry of Health yesterday. “The only thing that’s going to correct it will be to get the emergency department renovations completed and to get the Elizabeth Estates and South Beach alternative options completed and those projects are moving along. “At the same time, we need to upgrade the SEE PAGE FIVE
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
RIGHTS Bahamas said the commentary of Police Commissioner Anthony Ferguson on police brutality is “an excuse for and an indication of lazy RBPF training policy” and called on him to take responsibility for the conduct of officers. During a press conference on Tuesday, the police chief connected police brutality to poor parenting and
dishonesty from civilians interviewed by investigators conducting background checks into prospective officers. While it agreed with parts of the commissioner’s views, the humanitarian group said yesterday: “Human Rights Bahamas demands that the commissioner and Minister of National Security Marvin Dames expeditiously review officer training politics and ensure that a priority is placed on SEE PAGE FIVE
SCHOOL SECURITY UPGRADE ‘OVERDUE’ Enjoy the By SYANN THOMPSON Tribune Staff Reporter sthompson@tribunemedia.net
A DAY after two students were stabbed at C V Bethel High School, Bahamas Union of Teachers president Belinda Wilson said she has been making a clarion call for more than a decade to strengthen school security. Ms Wilson said incidents like these in high schools are not new and that a more aggressive plan has to be
BUT’s Belinda Wilson put in place to protect not only students, but teachers, administrators and staff
on school campuses. “This is 2020 and for the last 15 years I’ve been saying the same thing over and over about safety and violence in the schools. It’s not the first time that an incident has happened at C V Bethel, not only student-on-student (violence), but student-onteacher and these incidents are not just specific to C V Bethel,” she said. Police reported that two male students, a
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PAGE 2, Thursday, January 9, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
Darville: Govt has put Equinor oil spill on the back burner By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
SAVE the Bays chairman Joseph Darville accused the government of putting the Equinor oil spill on the “back burner,” claiming he has witnessed a “very minor amount” of clean up done in the forest near the South Riding Point site. He claimed “tons and tons” of old steel and machinery was dug up three feet underground this
past Monday during “some excavation done by another entity” that owns land in the area and had an aggregate company on the site. It is not known who dumped the machinery and buried it. Mr Darville said he found the discovery “really disturbing” and questioned if “the powers that be” were aware of the waste, as it was sitting on the water table, which is only two feet below the surface.
“Just about maybe 100 ft from that area there are wells that were dug by the entity who had the aggregate company out there,” the environmentalist said. “I was able to you know, by hand, move the soil from the top of that one well, drop a little stone in there and you can hear it plop within one second – that’s how close the water table is to the surface. . . “And that’s the reason why I’m adamant that we
cannot allow Equinor or any other foreign company to be there all by themselves in that very delicate area which is connected to our water table and also the poisonous aspects that come from and who knows what was in those pieces of machines that was junked and stuff. “Why in God’s name did they find it so convenient to dig a hole and bury them into our land? I mean that is something that is so
JOE Darville sad hw was disturbed by what he saw in the pine forest near Equinor’s site
reprehensible, it is wrong, it is criminal for them to do such a thing.” Mr Darville clarified that he was not blaming Equinor for the dumping, but said it is a matter “that has to be examined very, very closely”. He claimed “some cleaning up” commenced three weeks ago in the area with a team of about 10 or 12 Bahamians, but he did not see foreign workers. “A certain degree” of clean-up, he claimed, was done on the roadside “a little bit beyond” what was excavated in the beginning where most of the oil had been settling. However, he alleged to have seen “absolutely no activity” in the clean-up in the forest when he returned recently. “Now that to me is extremely disturbing,” he admitted. “I don’t know whether or not it was too cold. It was kinda a little bit chilly but I mean their complaint, originally, was the fact that the weather was too hot for them to be there and they were only able to work for about 30 minutes and then they had to take a 30 minute break, but on Monday, the day before yesterday, when I was there it was rather cool.” The Save the Bays chairman said there should be some consistent regular presence of government officials on the site to monitor the clean-up as Equinor is “policing themselves”. The clean-up was estimated by the company to take six months. Although Mr Darville understands that is an enormous task, he said the longer it takes for the company to clean up the oil, the more harm it will cost the environment. Last October, Equinor said it is committed to cleaning up after the incident. At the time, the company said more than 350 responders
from 14 nations – including more than 100 responders from the Bahamas – were working on the recovery operations. “The clean-up operations have expanded to the forest areas north-east of the terminal,” Equinor said in October. “Specially trained teams have started the clean-up work in the most impacted part of the forest, supported by the Shoreline Clean-up and Assessment Technique (SCAT) team and safety experts. Equinor’s plan is to have four teams consisting of around 100 persons involved in the forest clean up. “. . . Equinor has also started execution of a ground water monitoring plan of the impacted area with approval from the Bahamian government. Final planning of well placements based on plume extension and hydrological understanding is ongoing. Suppliers and equipment for drilling the wells are currently being mobilised.” Equinor has said it will establish a long-term monitoring plan of ground water and for the affected forest areas to be submitted to local authorities. It is estimated that the volume of the oil spill is 55,000 barrels (2.3 million gallons). The spill occurred when roofs were blown off Equinor’s storage tanks as Hurricane Dorian pounded Grand Bahama in early September 2019.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, January 9, 2020, PAGE 3
WILSON CLAIMS SCHOOL SECURITY UPGRADE ‘OVERDUE’ from page one
14-year-old and a 16-yearold were in hospital after a stabbing at the school on Tuesday; a 15-year-old boy is assisting police with their investigation. Ms Wilson said there have been visible security concerns on the CV Bethel campus as she called on the Ministry of Education
to implement a full security programme for all high schools that include more police officers on school grounds. “Many schools have the same issues and C V Bethel in particular, we have been telling them about the perimeter of the school, especially at the back of the school being more secure and the school being able to increase its
security complement. I can’t stop stressing about having the police in the schools. We always say you having police in the schools for safety for the administrators, the teachers, the students and the clerical staff, but it seems they only want to use the police to keep the union out of the schools,” she said. “We have done this recommendation in writing
before. There was a school policing programme and I don’t know where that is or what has happened with that because the union had an officer who sat on the school policing committee. That committee met every month. They evaluated what was happening in the schools and how the policing programme was functioning.” In January 2019, teachers
at C V Bethel conducted a sit-out after an altercation between two male students and a male teacher which left teachers traumatised. Yesterday, the Ministry of Education said in the wake of “increased violence among the youth of our nation,” it would continue to ensure schools are as safe as possible. “This unfortunate incident acts as a clarion call
Foreign workers dominate at The Pointe By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net THE Department of Labour is not happy with the disproportionate number of foreign workers to Bahamians at The Pointe’s construction site, Director of Labour John Pinder said. There are 264 foreign labourers to 90 Bahamian workers at site, Mr Pinder told this newspaper. According to a Department of Labour inspection report at the construction site completed at the end of last year, there were 229 Chinese workers and only 90 Bahamians; 35 people of other nationalities were working on the site as well as two Bahamian companies. In the Heads of Agreement between China Construction America (CCA), The Pointe’s developer, and the government, it states that 70 percent of the workers are supposed to be Bahamian and 30 percent should be foreign. Mr Pinder said he has sent a team every month to try do a headcount to see if Pointe officials are complying. Mr Pinder explained what Pointe officials have said about the discrepancy: “Some excuse as to language barrier for the phase they’re dealing with and it’s the reason why you would see more of them but the Bahamians would work all together out on one area - that’s what they try to tell you. “I can assure you that every time we do a count we still see more Chinese workers at The Pointe than we’re seeing Bahamian workers.
“When we were there in the middle of last year, there was a complaint that due to the lack of electricity supply to the construction site they weren’t able to bring on Bahamians who should’ve been engaged at that time. That problem has been corrected but I still cannot say safely or assure you that they had increased to reach (an) amount that’s been agreed to in the Heads of Agreement.” On Monday, The Tribune did a head count of foreigners leaving the Bay Street construction site and estimated more than 200 Chinese labourers walking from the area to their accommodations across the street. A nearly full yellow school bus was also spotted picking up the foreigners from the site. One of the Chinese workers told this newspaper’s photographer to cease taking photos of the site and asked this reporter to stop counting or go somewhere else to do so, as it was scaring the workers. A Bahamian security guard chimed in, telling The Tribune we were on The Pointe’s property, although this reporter and The Tribune’s photographer were standing on the sidewalk. The last headcount this newspaper did was back in January and February of 2018, which revealed dozens of Chinese builders counted but virtually no Bahamians were seen on the site. In May 2018, after looking into complaints about the Bahamian/foreign worker ratio, the Ministry of Labour said it was told
more foreign workers were needed for the “superstructure” stage of construction, which required specialised workers. “A report produced by the Department of Labour, with respect to the composition of the workforce at the project, was presented for review and response. The report reveals that there are 73 non-Bahamian workers and 24 Bahamians presently on site,” the ministry said in 2018. “The Heads of Agreement calls for a 70 per cent Bahamian, and 30 per cent non-Bahamian, workforce composition,” it acknowledged. “The explanation noted is that the present stage of construction, representing the second phase of The Pointe development, is the erection of the superstructure. “This requires specialised post-tension concrete structure workers to complete this phase in a very short timeframe. Qualified Bahamians have been, and continue to be, sought. In the following phases substantially more Bahamian workers and contractors will be engaged in order to comply with the overall
70 per cent Bahamian, and 30 per cent non-Bahamian, workforce composition.” For his part, Mr Pinder said labour officials cannot do anything as it is a matter for the Department of Immigration to deal with as it is an arrangement detailed in the developers of the Heads of Agreement. He said: “They still have this Heads of Agreement that is with the Cabinet because China Construction don’t apply to the Department of Labour for no work (permit). . .They go straight to immigration. “So I really don’t have much control over that. They don’t come to us for no work permit. Maybe one or two in some administration area but not on the construction site.” Mr Pinder added: “We can complain as a Labour Department. We can complain. We could write… It will take the Department of Immigration. . .to go in and say, ‘hold on this amount of work permits is above what’s in the agreement. We need to reduce it.’ And they will determine and they should determine workers they want (to) let go or send back.”
for citizens to realise that creating a safe environment for our youth is not solely the responsibility of the (ministry), but rather it is the duty of parents and every member of the wider community,” the ministry said in a statement. “As a collective, we can mitigate against these egregious acts by teaching our youth to resolve conflicts via peaceful alternatives.”
WORKERS leaving The Pointe yesterday. According to Director of Labour John Pinder, there are 264 foreign labourers to 90 Bahamian workers at the site. Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff It is still expected for construction on the $200 million development to finish in the second quarter of this year and Mr Pinder was informed that some Bahamians are in training for work when the development is completed. The Tribune contacted Immigration Minister Elsworth Johnson
on the number of work permits given out, but he was unable to comment as he did not have the number of work permits issued with him at the time. A representative from The Pointe was also contacted, but refused to comment. Editorial View - Page 4
PAGE 4, Thursday, January 9, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
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We need to get more return from our foreign investors WHEN the final screw is turned and the dust settles on the completed Pointe development we need to take a long hard look at what we are prepared to accept for inward foreign investment. If you’ve been caught in the nightly stampede of Chinese workers pouring out of the site to run into their accommodation across the road you know what we mean. Months ago The Tribune highlighted the overwhelming truth that the Pointe was being built virtually free of Bahamian input. There was an original Heads of Agreement which dictated the worker split should be 70-30 in Bahamians’ favour. That clearly wasn’t happening when we first stood outside the site and looked in desperation for someone, anyone, local who was employed. The Bahamas construction union loudly complained and various government ministers offered obscure explanations on the interpretation of the HOA - 70/30 was not in the construction stage, only over the length of the project. We wanted an 80-20 split when the work was done. We suspect no-one believed it. To give him credit Labour Minister John Pinder has been trying to pin down exactly what’s been going on but it’s like chasing a feather in a hurricane. Make no mistake we welcome the development, a true makeover in an area where thousands of tourists make
the daily trek from cruise ship to Junkanoo Beach. How much happier we’d feel though if through these years of construction we had seen our brothers and sisters working alongside Chinese colleagues instead of looking from outside, wondering why they have not shared the salaries being earned and wired back to families in China. There are thousands of unemployed here in New Providence - swelled by the evacuees from Abaco and Grand Bahama - could not they have had a seat at the table. We fear, alas, the power of the likes of China Construction America to do as they will, regardless of whatever contract is signed, is too much to challenge. Better, some clearly feel, to stick our heads in the sand and wait ‘til the building is finished and then sweep up whatever jobs are available. It’s not enough. Foreign investment should be just that - investment in the country from Day 1 and at every level - labourer, bricklayer, electrician, maid and manager. We should also be asking what are we going to demand if we don’t get a share of revenues earned? Investors come in with duties waived, VAT set aside and future profits left untouched. In future contracts such as the Pointe should be policed more rigorously and the rewards for us all much greater.
Let’s hope Trump keeps his gun in its holster MANY of us would have gone to bed on Tuesday night aware Iran had fired ballistic missiles at bases in Iraq which housed US armed forces. What would the morning bring would have been on many people’s minds. President Trump’s actions in authorising the assassination of Iran’s second most powerful statesman had placed the world on a knife-edge, Iran threatening revenge and Trump warningif they did the Islamic Republic would pay a deadly price. Iran did respond so what would Trump do next. It is with some surprise we watched yesterday morning’s press conference from Washington where Trump set out his position. Thankfully no American cruise missiles were on their way to Iran, no Special Forces attacking specially selected individuals and institutions. No ‘mother of all’ responses. Instead, Trump told us, Iran’s brief barrage on Tuesday had caused no casualties and Iran seemed now to be stepping down its forces. Not since the Cuban missile crisis can
ON TUESDAY, Police Commissioner Anthony Ferguson connected police brutality to poor parenting and dishonesty from civilians interviewed by investigators conducting background checks into prospective officers. That prompted a lively reaction from readers on tribune242.com. Clamshell posted this: “This may be the saddest, stupidest thing ever uttered by a Bahamian government official — and that’s a pretty low bar. Utterly astonishing in its stupidity.” Proudloudandfnm said: “What a stupid statement, this man should not be in charge of our police . . . Wow . . .” Moncurcool had this to say: “Guess Marvin Dames’
such a global sigh of relief have been let out around the world. Today, says Trump, the road to peace for Iran lays wide open. It must abandon - forever - any nuclear weapon ambitions. It must disavow terrorism and take its seat in the world of nations where citizens seek nothing more than a peaceful, prosperous life. Of course there are many questions unanswered in how Trump arrived at his decision kill Qasim Suleiman, we have seen no evidence to back up Trump’s claims. Trump spouts his own interpretation of the Obama-Iran nuclear peace deal which many will disagree with; there are issues with how he has opened the door to Russia and China to play a bigger role in the Persian Gulf. The most important thing, however, is Trump’s gun, for now, is back in its holster and long may it stay there. The powers-that-be in Tehran, we can but pray, must be alert to this unexpected position from a much-maligned President. If they don’t the troubled-night’s sleep we endured will not be our last.
statement that the police commissioner is on the way out looking like more sense now.” But there was this from Godson: “Bravo Commissioner . . . I fully support you on this one. We are only getting the social response of what we sowed in our children! I have been preaching this from October of 1999.” That prompted this from Ashinnabash: “Before reading the entire article I would’ve disagreed because
the title sounds like he’s playing the blame game, but he has a point. We have to take action – we are too used to sitting back, watching and complaining. Still the toleration of police brutality has just been overlooked for so long I feel like by now you should’ve taken an approach to say ‘how can this be fixed?’ rather than just ruling it off as ‘you get what you give’. It sounds lazy and just like you don’t care.” And this response from Geostorm: “Yup, we get what we have given! I have to agree with Commissioner on this one. We have become a dishonest society and we are raising dishonest young people. Good luck!”
Tommy never had what it takes to be PM EDITOR, The Tribune I MAKE no bones about it. Over the years I have been an adviser to all of the leaders and wannabe leaders of our wonderful nation. 90% of them who followed my advice and adopted the tactics advocated by me went on to become Prime Ministers. Those who failed to do so either never ascended the greasy pole or they were voted out of office big time and had to withdraw from the public arena with their tails between their legs. Except for the late great Sir Lynden Oscar Pindling, they are all alive so if anyone doubts me or if the people who are alive wish to challenge me on this, please let them do so at their own peril. At one juncture or the other I had high hopes for the Hon. Orville Tommy Alton Turnquest, former Deputy Leader and Leader of the Free National Movement. His father, the Hon. Sir Orville Turnquest, also a former Deputy leader and Deputy Prime Minister cum Attorney General of our wonderful nation was also one of my clients, politically. Sir Orville, would have made an excellent Prime Minister but he, like Brave, was saddled with a hard-nosed leader in the form of the Rt. Hon. Hubert Alexander Ingraham who was not prepared to relinquish power
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net and precedence. Brave, of course, was saddled with Christie. Tommy, unfortunately, never had what it takes to become Prime Minister. He and his Dream Team fellow traveller, the Hon. Dion Foulkes, were doomed to fail. The rest is history. Christie blocked Brave’s political ambitions. Now that he is gone for good, Brave has emerged as the Real Deal Leader of the PLP. Already one is able to see; feel and smell the difference...refreshing and innovative. Brave, of course, needs to focus on the things that really matter. The race card is definitely not one of them. The fiasco at Bahamasair requires the resignation of the Chairman down there. OAT Turnquest is the Chairman and he must accept responsibility for what went down. To now say that we are wet leasing alternative jet aircraft, at taxpayers’ expense, when it was he; his fellow board members and the Managing Director who caused this event, they all need to go home. I do not expect that Minister D’Aguilar to suffer any political repercussions if OAT , et al, is jettisoned.
Majority Rule Day while an historic political milestone should never have been designated a national holiday. We already have too many holidays which impact national and individual productivity big time. In addition, to even name a holiday Majority Rule Day is not designed to bring Bahamians together as one nation and one people. The name symbolizes an event wherein the black majority celebrate its ascendancy to political dominance. How do you expect the white or Conchy Joe Bahamian to celebrate? It will never happen. No doubt, however, there will be some Bahamians, especially the black ones who will parade up and down ; getting dead drunk and/or high while celebrating and carrying on. The next day the facts on the ground will still reveal that Majority Rule Day is a misnomer big time. The white Bahamian and their black allies, regardless of political labels, will still be business and professional partners. The majority of blacks, however, will continue to catch economic hell until the very Rapture. To God then, in all things, be the glory. ORTLAND H. BODIE, JR Nassau, January 6, 2020
Facts, not theories EDITOR, The Tribune GLOBAL warming is clearly a fact not a theory so why would notable politicians such as Trump ignore/ deny it? One obvious reason with Trump is he is 70’s with limited time left on the planet, why on earth should he worry? It’s someone else’s problem he will be long gone before it’s a full blown crisis. Also right wing politicians traditionally mistrust
scientist regardless of facts/ data. As an example of global warming the Russians have found five new islands which have been exposed by the melting ice cap. Could global warming be more obvious? In regards to politicians being tried for corruption I wrote a letter to The Tribune some six weeks back stating politicians never get convicted not just here but anywhere in the world. The establishment always looks after their own. Contrast
that with the lady earlier this year who stole under $70,000 from COB (now University of the Bahamas) who is right now doing 14 years hard time. No such power for her. Interestingly cabinet ministers earn approx $1500 per week, not a fortune by any stretch of the imagination. I wonder how some live such lavish lifestyles? THE REALIST Nassau December, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, January 9, 2020, PAGE 5
DON’T BLAME PARENTS FOR POLICE FAILURES, SAY ACTIVISTS from page one compassion and competent communication skills. “Our officers are real-life heroes, but they are still human beings, and as such must be provided proper training to deal with members of the public compassionately.” The longstanding issue of police brutality exploded into the public consciousness after videos depicted
police beating people with batons at the New Year’s Junkanoo Parade. One man was left bleeding from his head while his sister was slapped so hard she fell to the ground. Police said the matters are under investigation. “It is important that RBPF make available training to improve the interpersonal skills of officers so that they are able to quickly identify disabled
persons - both mental and physically - and are able to assist as necessary,” Rights Bahamas said. “We understand the government has implemented an independent investigative body that investigates cases of alleged policy conduct, including police brutality. The results of that committee’s investigations should be made available to the public. After all, it was the government who ran
and won on a campaign of transparency.” The Complaints and Corruption Unit of the RBPF investigates complaints against officers. The Police Complaints Inspectorate reviews the findings of that unit to ensure investigations take place free of bias. Rights Bahamas said: “Finally, Human Rights Bahamas calls on the commissioner of police to take responsibility for
ANTHONY FERGUSON
the actions of his officers. How can the country feel safe when the head of law enforcement would rather blame parents for the acts their children commit while serving the Bahamian people? Of the prime minister is expected to take responsibility for the actions of his Cabinet and members of this government, then you should do the same. That what leaders do, they lead.”
Sands: No quick fix to hospital beds crisis from page one
HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands yesterday
Photo: Derek Smith/BIS
services there so people can go there as opposed to going to Princess Margaret Hospital…Once they’re completed, then we should see a reduction in the number of people who perceive that there’s a real bed shortage.” The health minister added that with remediation of the several wards at PMH, the problem of not having sufficient beds at the hospital will be rectified. “So, the Accident and Emergency (Department) right now continues to be challenged with admitted patients who have no beds in which to be housed,” he said. “And so as a part of the
remediation project, we have accepted a gift from, I think it’s the Beck group, to assist in the remediation of the Children’s Ward and we will provide the financing to go ahead and repair the old Intensive Care Unit and the Male Surgical Wards. “So, unfortunately, there will be a significant amount of simultaneous construction going on at Princess Margaret Hospital, specifically to address these issues. We have a number of challenges, but we’re pleased to say that we’re now actually able to affect those improvements.” Compounding the issue of bed shortages at PMH, as noted by Dr Sands, is the challenge of boarders. “We continue to have an issue with boarders and
this issue of boarders is a complex matter. There’s seldom a day that goes by that someone is calling to complain that the hospital is asking for my mummy, my daddy and my aunty to go home and I’m not ready for them to come. “Understood, but the longer that someone who has been discharged remains in the hospital, that means that someone else mummy, daddy or grammy can’t get a bed in the hospital and so we all have to play our part. “It may not be convenient for you to take some time off to deal with your loved one, but the fact that that person is occupying a bed that they don’t necessarily need means that somebody is being inconvenienced.”
BUILDING WORK WILL BLOCK PMH ACCESS By LEANDRA ROLLE lrolle@tribunemedia.net
CONSTRUCTION at Princess Margaret Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department will temporarily block access to the area’s main entrance off Elizabeth Avenue for a few months starting Monday, Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said yesterday. Patients will have to go through the Maternity Ward entrance or the hospital lobby’s main entrance to seek access into the block. This, according to Dr Sands, includes “patients arriving by ambulance and emergencies in
private vehicles, emergency patients arriving in ambulance or private vehicles and maternity care (patients).” He told reporters yesterday: “(They) will be diverted to the Maternity Ward entrance, which will be accessed through the security arm located off Sands Lane. So, Sands Lane, Elizabeth Avenue and the security arm that puts us behind Princess Margaret Hospital.” Meanwhile, “walk-in or ambulatory patients and visitors will (have to) access the emergency department through the main hospital lobby entrance that’s in the
new critical care block off Shirley Street,” he said. “And, for general public access, the public should use that entrance and the legacy entrance off Shirley Street….for a period of months, the only way to get into Accident and Emergency at (PMH) if you’re walking is through the Critical Care Block entrance.” The entrance’s temporary closure will allow for further renovations to be completed at PMH’s A and E Department, ultimately advancing the ministry’s Urgent and Emergency Care Project. The $3.6m project was launched in 2018 by the
Ministry of Health in an effort to improve and reform urgent health care in the capital. Noting that the project will take a phased approach, Dr Sands said in order for Bahamians to see improvements in healthcare, they must be prepared to experience changes. “If we are going to dramatically improve the quality of the patient’s experience at Princess Margaret Hospital and Accident and Emergency in particular, we are going to have to make some changes. You’re going to have to break some eggs to make an omelet,” the health minister said.
UN SET FOR HURRICANE DORIAN PLEDGE DAY THE United Nations Development Programme in partnership with the Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation is hosting a Hurricane Dorian pledging conference on Monday for storm relief. The pledging conference will mobilise commitments to help Abaco and Grand Bahama rebuild and recover from the impact of Hurricane Dorian. “These pledges will fund recovery priorities identified by the
government, with the aim of rebuilding a stronger, more resilient Bahamas,” a press release noted. “This will be achieved by reducing vulnerability to future natural shocks in the Bahamas through innovative resilience initiatives and improved compliance with building and environmental standards and best practices. A senior level working group will be established to facilitate follow-up on commitments made at the conference. It
will also manage support for the implementation of funded objectives and report on progress. The working group will be comprised of representatives from the government, the private sector, and UNDP.” The conference will include an opportunity for local and international companies to showcase technologies, products and services that are available to be used in the reconstruction of the devastated islands, organisers said.
NOTICE ROAD CLOSURE The public is hereby notified that all entrances to and exits from the Palmdale Shopping Plaza property which is situated on the southern side of Madeira Street on the Island of New Providence shall be closed to the public from 6:30 a.m. on Friday, January 10th, 2020 to 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, January 11th, 2020 in order to preserve the Private Properties Rights and to prevent the Acquisition by the Public of any Right of Way Home Furniture Holdings Limited
Ministers of government will participate, along with designated officials of key departments and agencies, multilateral and bilateral partners and other donors. Private sector firms locally, from the Caribbean, and internationally, which have committed to pledging will be invited to play a key role in the conference. The event is slated for Monday at the Andros Ballroom, Baha Mar Convention Centre.
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PAGE 6, Thursday, January 9, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
2020 LEGAL YEAR
MORE THAN 100 COMPLAINTS AGAINST ATTORNEYS By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas Bar Association’s Ethics Committee received over 100 complaints against attorneys in 2019, its president Kahlil Parker said yesterday. Mr Parker, speaking during the opening of the 2020 legal year, said the Bar Association’s ethics committee received 126 new complaints last year. The ethics committee held four hearings in April, July, September and
December and heard 23 matters. As a result of those hearings, eight attorneys were reprimanded, three matters were dismissed, seven were referred to the Disciplinary Tribunal and five matters were adjourned. The other matters have been set for hearing something this year. Mr Parker said both the ethics committee and the disciplinary tribunal are making “every effort” to deal with the backlog of complaints lodged. During his speech, Mr Parker also drew Chief
Justice Brian Moree’s attention to members of the Bar awaiting “timely and proper consideration” of “longstanding” applications to be appointed Queen’s Counsel. Mr Parker said members of the Bar are awaiting “fair and reasonable” consideration of long-standing applications for judicial appointments and promotions. “The pathway to the Bench and senior legal offices in this country must be meritocratic, straight and narrow, and it must also be transparent
and accessible to all,” he said. “There are members of the Bar and Bench qualified and ready to serve their country and all they want is a reasonable and fair opportunity to be considered. “We insist that a public commitment be made to ensuring meritocracy, transparency and due process in the appointment of Queen’s Counsel and the appointment and promotion of all judges and judicial and legal officers. “This must include the reasonable and public
advertisement of vacant posts, a clear and detailed application process, and meaningful consideration of applications and consultation with the Bar with respect thereto.” Mr Parker further noted that the Bar Council regularly advertises for judicial and senior legal officer positions available abroad, and said he and his colleagues insist “upon a level playing field for our members at home”. Mr Parker also said 22 new attorneys were called to the Bahamas Bar in 2019.
A CEREMONY marking the opening of the 2020 legal year was held yesterday. Photos: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
Conviction rate hits 80% as trial backlog clogs courts system from page one accused person before the Supreme Court. During last year’s legal year opening, Mr Bethel said the criminal justice conviction rate rose by 10 percent in 2018 from the 60 percent achieved in 2017. At the time, he said, the conviction rate was just over 70 percent for murder and related offences, such as attempted murder and manslaughter. He also said at the time that the Office of the Attorney General prosecuted 78 murder and By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net CHIEF Justice Brian Moree yesterday called for the construction of a new “state of the art” court complex, as he said the current facilities are all in “various states of disrepair” and “are not suitable for a modern court system”. The country’s top judge, speaking during the opening of the 2020 legal year, criticised the “ill-suited” buildings the judiciary must use, some of which, he said, had no business being converted into courthouses in the first place. Roofs are leaking, ceilings are collapsing and floors are cracking in different areas of the various court buildings, significantly impairing efficient use and optimal productivity of the court system, Chief Justice Moree said. If it is raining, judges, lawyers, litigants, court staff and jurors using the ‘Swift Justice’ building “should expect to get wet” or, at the very least, have to “navigate around the buckets and makeshift containers” on the floor, he said. And if they take a journey over to the nearby Ansbacher Building, they would easily see the “leaking” in Justice Ian Winder’s court, as well as the holes
related offences in 2017, 54 of which resulted in guilty verdicts while 16 resulted in not guilty verdicts. He said while those figures were “still a ways off” from the 75-80 percent conviction rate his office was targeting, it is still a “very decent conviction rate” when compared with the statistics of “comparable jurisdictions”. Additionally, Mr Bethel said at the time that 31 cases were disposed of in 2017 by way of a nolle prosequi – or a stop prosecution order – compared with the 92 in 2016, making
In 2018, Mr Parker said the Bar Association’s ethics committee received 76 complaints for 2017. At the time, he said six matters were closed and three were settled. One complaint was withdrawn. Four of those complaints were referred to the Disciplinary Tribunal, Mr Parker said at the time. Complaints not referred to the Disciplinary Tribunal were either awaiting information from the complainant or a response from the attorney concerned and were said to be under “active review” by the Ethics Committee.
for a 66 percent decrease. In 2017, former Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson boasted a four percent increase in conviction rates for 2016 compared to the previous year. At the time, she said the Office of the Attorney General had a 67 percent conviction rate in 2016, and that the conviction rate for murder trials was 75 percent that year. And during the 2016 legal year opening, Mrs Maynard-Gibson said the conviction rate for 2015 was 63 percent, compared to 31 percent in 2012.
We need state of the art courts, says Moree in the ceiling and leaking in the deputy registrar’s office. Thus, he said, rather than spending millions of dollars continuously “patching old, ill-suited buildings”, it would make more sense to “stop this drain and actually do what we all know must be done”. “…Build a new state of the art customised court complex which reflects the aspirations and standards of the Bahamian people so that we can better serve their interests through a reformed and modern court system,” he said. “One which is accessible, efficient and effective in protecting the rights and liberties of all in the Bahamas and adjudicating disputes brought before the courts.” During the opening of the 2019 legal year, Attorney General Carl Bethel said the government is aware of the judiciary’s infrastructural needs, and that the
Minnis administration had consequently entered into a loan programme with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), termed the Citizen Security and Justice Loan Programme, to enhance the delivery of justice. He further noted that as part of the city centre project, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has announced his government’s intention to erect a new Supreme Court building on the site of the former post office building on East Hill Street. Mr Bethel also said the government intends to acquire additional facilities in the downtown area in Nassau to house the Civil Registry. Yesterday, however, Chief Justice Moree said talk about the need for reform and modernisation of the country’s court system, is “now impatient of debate”. He said the topic has been addressed
by his predecessors for the last 15 years, but had never translated into a priority. Rather, Chief Justice Moree said what has actually happened over the years is the implementation of a “series of ad hoc temporary measures costing millions of dollars resulting in the use of a series of renovated old buildings which were never intended to be used as a courthouse.” “That is how we have ended up in seven different buildings spread from George Street to east of Bank Lane,” he said. Chief Justice Moree added: “I am aware that the government is actively considering the construction of a new Supreme Court complex and has identified a specific property for the building. The prime minister referred to this project during his remarks at the groundbreaking ceremony of the new US Embassy last year and identified the old post office property as the
location for the Supreme Court complex. “I encourage the government to now move from where we have been for almost two decades to making this long sought after project a reality.” Yesterday, Mr Bethel did not address the court system’s physical infrastructure during his remarks. However, he did say that the government is in the final stages of preparing a new office space for the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, which will be housed in Charlotte House. The relocation should take place within the first quarter of 2020, Mr Bethel said. Mr Bethel also said yesterday that the government is committed to updating the draft Court Administration Bill, which, he said, will “further enhance” the independence of the judiciary. By way of the Bill, Mr
Bethel said the government’s intent is to “firmly and effectively remove the operations, decisions, staffing and day-to-day expenditure of the court system from the public service bureaucracy and direct executive control”. He also said that by way of the bill, the government is seeking to provide the judiciary with the full authority to “fully administer the affairs of the courts, inclusive of retaining or engaging and dis-engaging employees”. Mr Bethel said Chief Justice Moree has solicited the government to commit to updating the bill, which he said has been “lying around in one form or another” since 2011. Mr Bethel said the government has committed to go through a final “quality and consistency review” prior to tabling the bill and passing it into law before the end of the first quarter of 2020, and well before the next annual budget.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, January 9, 2020, PAGE 7
Mitchell calls for more to be done over Iran tensions By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Foreign Affairs Minister Fred Mitchell has suggested the government should be doing more to warn Bahamians of the potential travel risks associated with the United States’ and Iran’s ongoing tension. Mr Mitchell, Progressive Liberal Party chairman, said the Minnis administration must get its “foreign affairs act together”, pointing to conflicting positions emanating from government officials. This week, Foreign Affairs Minister Darren Henfield said while the government was monitoring the situation, officials did not think that Bahamians travelling around the world needed to be on special alert. However he also said officials were in talks with the American Embassy and local law enforcement about “any need to beef up security in the interim” until there was a de-escalation between the US and Iran. Meanwhile, Finance Minister K Peter Turnquest has said there is need for concern as the Bahamas is an open and vulnerable market, which depends heavily on the United States. According to Mr Mitchell,
FRED MITCHELL the Minnis administration should not “approbate and reprobate at the same time on public policy”. He said there needed to be unity. At the same time, he said several steps should have already been taken to make Bahamians aware of potential risks. He said: “By now the foreign ministry under a PLP administration would have done the following: advise our citizens travelling to the Middle East to avoid that area; Bahamians travelling to or living in the Middle East would have been advised to take special precautions and if possible to leave the area. The Bahamas government would have assisted in their evacuation.”
Bahamian citizens living in the US should have also been advised to take care, especially students, not to involve themselves in any way in US domestic matters, Mr Mitchell also said. He said the Bahamas should join the international chorus led by the United Nations Secretary General António Guterres who appealed for peace and restraint in that region, adding a rise in the level of watch and surveillance would have also been announced. On Friday, the United States announced it killed Major General Qassim Soleimani, the leader of the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps and, experts said, the second most powerful person in Iran. In recent days, hundreds of thousands of Iranians have taken to the streets to mourn his passing. The killing has raised concerns about a wider conflict and Iran’s government has vowed revenge. However, yesterday the US and Iran stepped back from the brink of possible war with US President Donald Trump indicating he would not respond militarily after no one was harmed in Iran’s missile strikes on two Iraqi bases housing American troops. Editorial View - Page 4
PAGE 8, Thursday, January 9, 2020
B
EFORE he was elected President in 2016, there was no real evidence that Donald Trump concerned himself with social conservative issues like abortion. He was a registered Democrat for many years and, like wealthy people in democracies in many countries including The Bahamas, he contributed generously to all major political parties. In fact, his public behaviour most closely resembled that of an outlandish entertainer, which is what he was. Married three times and the eager subject of tabloid gossip for decades, Trump revelled in his fame and appeared indifferent to the moral corrosion it exemplified. So why has he been so steadfastly been embraced by the Christian and evangelistic community in the US? This was a question asked in December by the editor of the influential Christianity Today, founded in 1956 by legendary evangelist and presidential counsellor Billy Graham and often described as evangelism’s flagship publication. The editor, Mark Galli, wrote in an editorial that Trump should be impeached and removed from office. He compared evangelicals with a wife in an abusive marriage where the husband is a reliable provider. Galli wrote that removing Trump “is not a matter of partisan loyalties but loyalty to the Creator of
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The dangerous dance of President and the Pulpit
STATESIDE
with Charlie Harper
the Ten Commandments. To the evangelicals who continue to support Mr. Trump in spite of his blackened moral record, we might say this: Remember who you are and whom you serve. “None of the president’s positives can balance the moral and political danger we face under a leader of such grossly immoral character.” Editor Galli was perhaps emboldened to speak out since his own retirement was imminent when he wrote his controversial editorial. The publication, Christianity Today, has reported losing 2,000 subscriptions in the wake of the editorial but gaining 5,000 new ones, mostly from younger people. There was a sustained backlash from Trump, the GOP and much of the surveyed evangelical community after Galli’s editorial appeared. Public reports show that
80 percent of white evangelicals voted for Trump in 2016, and 75 percent of them still approve of his job performance. Why? The answer appears to be two-fold. A leading black evangelical told the Washington Post that evangelicals “feel they have benefited from their association with the President and fear him at the same time. They’re afraid he’s going to remove them from the table of power and shame them. We have a new category of evangelicals: Trump evangelicals.” Perhaps a larger reason for the Christian movement’s warm embrace of this President is to be found in the politics of social conservatism. The evangelical opposition to abortion and the Supreme Court’s 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade has found a supremely useful ally in Trump. He and the GOP-controlled Senate
have managed to achieve what amounts to a judicial coup. In addition to appointing anti-abortion justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Cavanagh to the US Supreme Court, Trump & Co. have appointed 25 percent of all sitting federal appeals court judges, and have achieved a conservative (presumably anti-abortion) majority on seven of the 13 American federal appeals courts, which represent the highest level of the US judiciary below the Supreme Court. So, it seems to be their fear of losing a privileged place at the political table and satisfaction in swinging the American judiciary to a much more anti-abortion position. That’s why evangelicals so strongly but counter-intuitively support this brazenly immoral chief executive.
BEFORE he was president, Trump revelled in his fame and appeared indifferent to the moral corrosion it exemplified.
NEW England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, left, and New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees both ended up on losing side in the first round of the NFL playoffs last weekend.
TIME FOR THE LEGENDS TO MOVE ON
Clinic Opening Dr. Evet Benjamin-Peet (MBBS, DCH, DM, EMBA, MACPE), is pleased to announce the opening of her new Pediatric practice at #3 Fairwind Street (On the top of Hawkins Hill immediately south of the Immigration building) under the name and style of THE CHILDREN’S CLINIC. She brings over 30 years of experience to the new practice. We are committed to expert, thorough and exceptional quality care. Our services will be available as of Monday, January 6, 2020 between 9:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. We look forward to seeing you and your precious young ones from newborns to age 18 years. Have a blessed New Year!! Telephone: 242-323-0266
THE first round of the NFL playoffs last weekend was a stunner. Two legendary, future Hall of Fame quarterbacks were rather unceremoniously dumped out of the playoffs as Tennessee went to New England and beat the sixtime champion Patriots and the Vikings took out New Orleans in the Super Dome. That neither Tom Brady nor Drew Brees will be playing this weekend shocked many, including the oddsmakers in Las Vegas. The 42-year-old Brady is out of contract in New England and there is much speculation about his future. Perhaps he will move to another team, like his idol Joe Montana did in joining Kansas City from the 49ers in 1993. But in that case, San Francisco already had Hall of Famer, Steve Young ready to take
over. The Patriots don’t have any kind of similar contingency plan. Brees, 40, is expected back in New Orleans, where the Saints have now suffered dramatic playoff losses for three years in a row. The Saints still have a powerhouse team, and it would be unwise to bet against them winning their division again and making some playoff noise in 2020. As for this weekend’s second round games, Minnesota faces another stiff test in the first Saturday game against the 49ers in northern California. As seven-point underdogs, the Vikings have their major offensive stars healthy and QB Kirk Cousins may have finally shed his big-game loser reputation in upending the Saints last week. The 49ers have a powerful team and a slightly
cocky coaching staff so far mostly untested in the playoffs. Look for this game to be close and maybe the Vikings pull off an upset. The Tennessee Titans, like the Vikings, get rewarded for last week’s heroics by now facing their conference’s top seed in Baltimore. The Ravens, favoured by ten points, have already whipped some of the very top teams in the NFL this year, and are led by a coach in John Harbaugh who has already won a Super Bowl. Likely league MVP Lamar Jackson steers a relentless offense that should overwhelm a Tennessee team that may be too dependent on stud running back Derrick Henry. On Sunday, Houston travels to Kansas City to face the Chiefs in hopes of repeating an upset of the Chiefs earlier this season. The Texans
managed to eke out a win at home over the rising Buffalo Bills last weekend, but this game looks like it might be too much for the visitors. The Chiefs are favoured by ten points and should advance to next week’s conference finals. In the last game of the weekend on Sunday night, Green Bay awaits the visit of the Seattle Seahawks and QB Russell Wilson. Wilson might be the league MVP this year if not for the prodigious accomplishments of Jackson in Baltimore. His counterpart for the Packers, Aaron Rodgers, has not enjoyed his best year but still guided Green Bay to the conference’s second-best season. The Packers are four-point betting favourites. Like the other NFC game, this one could be exciting and full of suspense right to the end.
BETTING ON TELLING LOCAL NEWS TO SURVIVE THREE weeks ago, major American newspapers were still full of stories about the impeachment of President Trump and other “important” political stuff, despite the absence from Washington of Congress and the Christmas season being already in full swing. But what about newspapers outside the big media markets? The Telegram is the major daily newspaper serving several counties in rural northeastern North Carolina. It is based in
Rocky Mount, the 17th most populous city in a growing and diversifying state deemed sufficiently politically significant that it was chosen to host this year’s Republican national convention in August. Rocky Mount with its surrounding counties has a population of 140,000 and is attempting to transition from an agricultural economy to one based upon health care and transportation. On December 20, readers of the Telegram woke up to
the following headlines on its front page: * State orders inmates removed from Nash (County) jail * Local man shoots wife, kills himself * School board works to fix payroll errors * Nash commissioner won’t seek re-election * Legendary football coach dies at 84 * Grier to start Sunday (for Carolina Panthers) The Telegram is now in its 110th year. Like other local newspapers all over
the US, it is struggling with competition from TV and the internet in attracting readers. The newspaper has a daily circulation of around 13,000. It got new ownership about 18 months ago. Its headlines epitomise the strategy of similar American newspapers. Most are betting on local news to survive. It’s no wonder Trump and the Democrats are all betting so heavily on TV advertising and various types of internet material and disinformation to influence voters this year.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, January 9, 2020, PAGE 9
NORTH Abaco residents listen to presentations made at the town hall meeting
250 HOMES TO BE REPAIRED IN ABACO
THE government and an international NGO are partnering to repair 250 homes that were damaged in north Abaco during Hurricane Dorian. Details of the partnership between Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) and the Government were discussed at a town hall meeting at Faith Walk Church of God in Cooper’s Town on Tuesday night. GEM, which works with partners, will provide supplies for small home repairs for the communities in the areas of Cooper’s Town, Blackwood and Fire Road. The Government will pay for the labour associated with the repairs, and provide logistical support for the initiative. “We’re not going to stop until this is done,” said Michael Capponi, Founder and Executive Director of GEM Based on the plan for these communities, supplies will be brought in by GEM and small coordinated teams will perform the repairs with inspectors ensuring the work is done to the relevant standards. GEM’s mission is to provide relief to victims of natural and manmade disasters. GEM has provided relief to communities in need by taking over 200 mission trips around the world. Katherine Forbes-Smith, Managing Director of the Bahamas Disaster Reconstruction Authority, told residents that 80 workers
were needed as part of the repairs initiative in north Abaco. She encouraged those in attendance seeking work to sign up with the Authority. The Authority was set up by Parliament to spearhead reconstruction in the areas in Abaco and Grand Bahama devastated by Hurricane Dorian. “I just really want to thank GEM and Mr. Capponi for all the work he is doing. He is very dedicated,” said Mrs. Forbes-Smith. “This is a great partnership. The international community has been tremendous in support of the Bahamas and this disaster. And we really appreciate what he is doing and what the many NGOs on the island are doing.” Mr. Capponi also asked local business owners to contact him for assistance in getting their operations restored. “We want to come up with a master plan to get you back in business other than just fixing, you know, the roofs and things like that,” he said. “Possibly we could help give you, give you some funds to like get your business going again.” Minister of Foreign Affairs and North Abaco MP the Hon. Darren Henfield pledged that the Government will continue its reconstruction efforts until Abaco and Grand Bahama are restored. “That’s a promise I make
MAN IN HOSPITAL AFTER BEING SHOT A MAN is in hospital after he was shot on Tuesday night, police said. Shortly after 11pm, a man had just arrived at a home on Prison Lane, Fort Fincastle, when he was approached by a gunman, who shot him before running away, police said. The injured man was taken to hospital and is listed in stable condition. The shooting came two days after another man was murdered in the same area. Keashawn Fortune, 22, was standing on Prison
Lane with a group of men when he was injured during a drive-by shooting on Sunday night. Police said occupants of a silver Nissan Tiida opened fire at the group’s direction around 9.40pm, hitting a male before speeding away. Anyone with information on these incidents or any other crimes are asked to contact police at the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991/2, Crime Stoppers at 328-TIPS or the nearest police station.
PAY RULES MINNIS OUT FOR HOLIDAY OF COUNTRY THE Cabinet has announced that tomorrow, a Public Holiday, is being observed as Majority Rule Day. As a result, stores wishing to do so may open for business during normal business hours. However, employers are to note that employees who are normally not required to work on holidays, must be paid wages in accordance with section 10 (a) of the Employment Act.
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis left Nassau on a “personal trip” yesterday. According to a statement from the Cabinet Office, Dr Minnis will return on Saturday. In Dr Minnis’ absence, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest will act as prime minister.
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to you as long as I stay your Member of Parliament,” he said. “We’re going to be bigger. We’re going to be better. We’re going to be stronger than we were before Dorian.” Mrs. Forbes-Smith also announced the Government’s Homes Repair Programme for structures damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Dorian. The programme is scheduled to begin the first week of February. Residents will be able to use the vouchers to purchase building materials and other items related to restoring their homes. There will be four categories for which vouchers will be granted. Residents whose homes were assessed with minimal damage will be eligible for $2,500 in vouchers; those with medium damage will be eligible for $5,000 in vouchers; those with major damage will be eligible for $7,500 in vouchers; and those whose homes were destroyed will be eligible for $10,000 in vouchers.
PAGE 10, Thursday, January 9, 2020 By SYANN THOMPSON Tribune Staff Reporter sthompson@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS National Trust Executive Director Eric Carey wants Bahamians to see the bigger picture regarding the single use plastic ban, noting it is meant to protect the environment and Bahamian way of life. Mr Carey told The Tribune he understands the public’s frustration with paying for plastic bags, but stressed Bahamians should have a long-term perspective on the issue. “Since the environmental regulations
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Carey calls for more time to understand plastic ban and initiatives were put in place, there is an outcry because people don’t like things being taken away from them or restrictions being placed on them. So, I understand the psyche and I certainly understand the response of some of the people. But we need to look
Entrance Examination
Temple Christian High School will hold its Third Entrance Examination on Saturday January 18, 2020 at the school on Shirley Street from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon for students wishing to enter grades 7, 8, 9 and 10 Application forms are available at the High School Office. The application fee is twenty-five dollars ($25). Application forms should be completed and returned to the school by Friday, January 17, 2020
For further information, please call telephone number: 394-4481/394-4484
beyond the 25 cents and look towards the bigger picture. Our very way of life is threatened, and we need to do all we can as a people to support it,” said Mr Carey. A ban on single use plastic bags, food utensils, straws and Styrofoam food containers came into effect on January 1. Although the plan was announced in early 2018, when the ban went into effect last week, there was immediate pushback, particularly over the fee of 25 cent to $1 a merchant can charge a customer for a plastic bag under the new law. Some view the plastic bag fee as a tax, but environment officials have said the charge is meant to
discourage consumers from using plastic bags, choosing reusable bags instead. “The logic behind the purpose for including the charge for the plastic bags is simple, it is to discourage people from using the plastic bags,” Mr Carey said. “Hopefully if it will trigger people before leaving home remember ‘I have to take my reusable bags or pay 25 cents,’ so the purpose of the charge is to disincentivise people from wanting to pay for those plastic bags. “Research has shown that countries who have banned it and put in place a charge to discourage people, there was a rapid decline in the use of the plastic bags and
a switch to using the reusable shopping bags. It think it is a very simple deterrent mechanism the government wanted to put in place so that people would realise, instead of going to the supermarket and paying for eight, nine, 10, 12 or how many some people come out with 30 or 40 of those plastic bags.” Stressing the need for Bahamians to become environmentally conscious, Mr Carey explained that climate change is connected to plastic bags due to their toxicity and disruption in the marine environment. “. . .If there is one thing we need to do more of, we need to intensify the education efforts to make
Bahamians aware of the real threat climate change poses to the Bahamian environment, the Bahamian way of life to the very existence of these islands. The Bahamas is one of the most vulnerable countries on the planet, most vulnerable on the planet to the effects of climate change including sea level rise. There is irrefutable evidence that sea levels are rising, and they are going to continue to rise. We need to do what we can as a species on this planet to try and reverse and minimise the impact on the environment, we need to try and reduce as much as we can, greenhouse gases CO2 emissions,” said Mr Carey.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, January 9, 2020, PAGE 11
BEWARE SOCIAL MEDIA OFFERING ASSISTANCE By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
ACTING Director of Social Services Lillian Quant-Forbes said recent documents circulating online from the “Ministry of Social Development and Family Services” listing various types of government grants have not been issued by the Department of Social Services in The Bahamas. This past Sunday, a number of images listing various types of government assistance made their rounds on social media. While some Bahamians have been led to believe the
THE DAMAGE done to Marsh Harbour by Hurricane Dorian
Storm victims are finding it hard to get help By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net ABACO residents who were forced to relocate to New Providence after Hurricane Dorian destroyed their homes said they are frustrated with the difficult process storm victims have to go through to receive assistance from the government. One victim, who asked to be identified only as Mrs Curry, and her mother Virgie Russell, said prolonged waiting and hostile attitudes from workers in the Department of Social Services have discouraged the family from seeking the assistance they need. “For me my frustration has already been thrown out of the window because I’ve realised that at the beginning when I came here, the process of getting help was frustrating,” Mrs Curry told The Tribune. “It got to the point where I stopped going for help because I’ve made up my mind that I’m not getting the help that I think I should be getting.” Mrs Curry said to deal with her frustration, she has decided to make herself content with her current situation. “I’ve said to myself, I have to make myself happy. Right now I’m just trying to live day by day, but going out reaching to social services and all the other places, I don’t do that anymore because the process is too frustrating. “And then they feel as if you’re coming there to beg them,” she added. “The government telling you to go there and when you do, the persons who work in the offices they in return treating you as if you come there looking for something when you’re told to come there.” Mrs Curry insisted she
and her family would love to move back to Abaco but realise they will have to stay in Nassau for the “long haul”. “The first time I went (back to Abaco) I was fine,” she said. “The second time I went to retrieve some stuff, I promise I was not going back because it was too depressing. “I spoke to some persons (and) it seems like the streets are cleared where you could drive about, but the Marsh Harbour area still looks depressing. So I made up my mind for at least three years I’m going to be here.” Mrs Curry also said the lack of employment opportunities have made adjusting to life in New Providence particularly difficult. She added that she also missed being in Abaco because living in Nassau had become too costly. “I thought Maxwell’s Supermarket was expensive but it’s nowhere compared to here. We just went to Super Value on Saturday to shop for basic stuff. We only bought two pieces of meat, everything else was dry goods and the bill was over $300,” she lamented. “I’m staying with a sister because the rent is just out of the window,” she added. “The way I see it, if you’re working and you have to pay utilities and rent, you won’t have anything to buy groceries with because the rent is extremely high.” Her mother, an 87-year old diabetic, also told this newspaper that she is trusting in God to keep her family despite their current circumstance. “We was living in one apartment in Central Pines and we had a lot of water from the roof come into our house because the roof blew off. I can’t complain because there’s no use. You have to wait on God’s time.
There’s nothing I could do, so I’ll have to stay in Nassau,” Mrs Russell said. When asked to respond to complaints from storm evacuees, Lillian QuantForbes, acting director of social services, said while she understood the frustration of storm victims, “everything has a process”. “One of the things that the Ministry of Social Services has been looking at is to look at strengthening our capacity and bringing on some project persons to work this with us so that we can move things along and do this more quickly,” she said. Mrs Quant-Forbes also apologised on behalf of staff who may have discouraged storm evacuees from coming to the department for assistance. “I do apologise if my staff has made anybody feel any way,” she said. “That is not what we are here for. We are here to provide a service to the best of our ability and so the first thing off the bat is being able to interact with persons coming in in a professional manner.” Still, Mrs Quant-Forbes said there have also been cases where people seeking assistance have come to the Department of Social Services “already agitated”. “We are prideful people – we meaning Bahamians and people who have status here – and so the majority of times they find themselves in a situation which is foreign to them,” she explained. “They’ve never had to come to social services for assistance...so it’s awkward for them and when we say to them ‘We need to have your information, here’s what is required,’ some of them give us the pushback. Still, we try our best to see how quickly we can have the process done.”
figures quoted in the grants are available locally, Mrs Quant-Forbes confirmed this is not the case. “The Department of Social Services in The Bahamas comes under the umbrella of the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, not the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services,” she explained. “It is believed that the document may be applicable to Trinidad and Tobago whose dollar is valued much less than our Bahamian dollar.” Mrs Quant-Forbes said while the Department of Social Services does offer
“similar types of assistance,” the rates shown in the documents circulating on social media are not accurate. “That document is coming from Trinidad and Tobago and so when you look at the rates that are being quoted there, the T&T dollar is valued 15 cents compared to the Bahamian dollar. “So when people see these things saying thousands of dollars, then they say, ‘Okay we can go into social services and we can apply for that,’ but it is not the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development.”
PAGE 12, Thursday, January 9, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
Harry and Meghan turn their backs on leading a royal life LONDON Associated Press PRINCE Harry and his wife, Meghan, say they plan “to step back” as senior members of Britain’s royal family, a stunning announcement that underscores the couple’s wish to forge a new path for royals in the modern world. A statement issued by Buckingham Palace, described as “a personal message from the Duke and Duchess of Sussex,” said Harry and Meghan intend to become financially independent and to “balance” their time between the UK and North America. “After many months of reflection and internal discussions, we have chosen to make a transition this year in starting to carve out a progressive new role within this institution,” the statement said. “We intend to step back as ‘senior’ members of the royal family and work to become financially independent, while continuing to fully support her majesty the queen.” Their dramatic decision was taken without the knowledge of the Queen, Prince Charles or Prince William, who learnt about the announcement as it broke on television news channels. A senior royal source said the Queen and her family were
THE COUPLE at Bondi Beach in Sydney, Australia last October “deeply disappointed”. Another future plans was also posted on said the royals were “shocked, the couple’s official Instagram saddened and downright furi- page and referred readers to a website, sussexroyal,com, for ous” at the couple. The 35-year-old Harry is information. Hours later, Buckingham Queen Elizabeth II’s grandson and sixth in line to the British Palace issued a second statethrone. With his ginger hair and ment, hinting that the first had beard, he is one of the royal caught some in the royal housefamily’s most recognisable and hold by surprise. The statement popular members and has spent said discussions with the Duke his entire life in the glare of the and Duchess of Sussex were “at public eye. Before marrying an early stage.’’ It was not known exactly the prince in a royal wedding watched around the world in where in the Americas the 2018, the 38-year-old Duchess of couple plan to spend their time. Sussex was an American actress Meghan grew up in Los Angeles known as Meghan Markle and a and filmed TV shows in Toronto. star of the TV show “Suits.” The Harry and his family skipped the couple’s first child, Archie, was queen’s traditional Christmas gathering at her Sandringham born in May 2019. The message about their estate last month to visit Canada.
US and Iran step back from brink WASHINGTON Associated Press
THE US and Iran stepped back from the brink of possible war yesterday as President Donald Trump signaled he would not retaliate militarily for Iran’s missile strikes on Iraqi bases housing US troops. No one was harmed in the strikes, but US forces in the region remained on high alert. Speaking from the White House, Trump seemed intent on deescalating the crisis, which spiraled after he authorised the targeted killing last week of Iran’s top general, Qassem Soleimani. Iran responded overnight with its most direct assault on America since the 1979 seizure of the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, firing more than a dozen missiles at two installations in Iraq. The Pentagon said Wednesday that it believed Iran fired with the intent to kill. Even so, Trump’s takeaway was that “Iran appears to be standing down, which is a good thing for all parties concerned and a very good thing for the world.” Despite such conciliatory talk, the region remained on edge, and American troops including a quick-reaction force dispatched over the weekend, were on high alert. Last week Iranian-backed militia besieged the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, and Tehran’s proxies in the region remain able to carry out attacks such as the one on Dec. 27 that killed a US contractor and set off the most recent round of hostilities. Hours after Trump spoke, an ‘incoming’ siren went off in Baghdad’s Green Zone after what seemed to be small rockets “impacted” the diplomatic area, a Western official said. There were no reports of casualties. Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman
PRESIDENT Trump speaking at the White House on the missile strike Iran launched against Iraqi air bases of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, warned that it was “perhaps too early to tell” if Iran will be satisfied that the missile strikes were sufficient to avenge the Soleimani killing. “We should have some expectation,” Defense Secretary Mark Esper added in a Wednesday briefing, “that Shiite militia groups, either directed or not directed by Iran, will continue in some way, shape or form to try and undermine our presence there,” either politically or militarily. There is no obvious path to diplomatic engagement, as Trump pledged to add to his “maximum
pressure” campaign of economic sanctions. He said the new, unspecified sanctions would remain in place “until Iran changes its behavior.” Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the overnight strike was not necessarily the totality of Iran’s response. “Last night they received a slap,” Khamenei said. “These military actions are not sufficient (for revenge). What is important is that the corrupt presence of America in this region comes to an end.” Trump, facing perhaps the biggest test of his presidency, credited
the minimised damage to an early warning system “that worked very well” and said Americans should be “extremely grateful and happy” with the outcome. The strikes had pushed Tehran and Washington perilously close to all-out conflict and left the world waiting to see whether the American president would respond with more military force. Trump spoke of a robust US military with missiles that are “big, powerful, accurate, lethal and fast.” But then he added: “We do not want to use it.” Charlie Harper - Page 8
AT LEAST 63 CANADIANS DEAD IN TEHRAN AIR CRASH
TORONTO Associated Press
CANADIAN Prime Minister Justin Trudeau vowed his government will get answers after a Ukrainian passenger jet crashed, killing at least 63 Canadians, just minutes after taking off from Iran’s capital. Trudeau said yesterday 138 passengers on the flight were connecting to Canada. The flight included many international students who
were studying at universities across Canada. Newlyweds and a Canadian family of four were also on the flight. Trudeau said his government is reaching out to his international counterparts. Getting answers from Iran might prove difficult as Canada closed its embassy in Iran in 2012 and suspended diplomatic relations. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said the United States is calling for cooperation with any
investigation into the cause of the crash. The crash of the Ukraine International Airlines plane came hours after Iran launched a ballistic missile attack on Iraqi bases housing US soldiers, but Iranian officials said they suspected a mechanical issue brought down the 3½-year-old Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Ukrainian officials initially agreed, but later backed away and declined to offer a cause while the investigation is ongoing.
“There is a clear need for answers,” Trudeau said. “Canada is very concerned on this.” Trudeau said he spoke to US President Donald Trump earlier yesterday. Asked if he could say whether the plane was shot down or not, Trudeau said: “I cannot. It’s too early to speculate.” Trudeau said Canadian victims’ families want and deserve answers. “Know that all Canadians
are grieving with you,” Trudeau said. Transport Minister Marc Garneau said he could not speculate but said soon after the departure of the plane contact was lost. Authorities said they found the plane’s so-called black boxes, which record cockpit conversations and instrument data. But it was not immediately clear how much access to the information the Iranians would allow.
IMPEACHMENT: NO HAGGLING - MCCONNELL WASHINGTON Associated Press
SENATE Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said yesterday there will be “no haggling” over the process for President Donald Trump’s impeachment trial in a deepening standoff with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi over Democratic demands for details and more witnesses. McConnell has indicated Republicans have the leverage they need to launch Trump’s trial on his terms, but Pelosi’s reluctance to transmit the articles of impeachment leaves the Senate proceedings at a standstill. A resolution is expected this week in the showdown that is testing the negotiating skills of the two seasoned leaders as they face off over the rare impeachment trial, only the third in the nation’s history. The House impeached Trump last month on charges that he abused the power of his office by pressuring Ukraine’s new leader to investigate Democrats, using as leverage $40m in military assistance for the US ally as it counters Russia at its border. The funding for Ukraine was eventually released but only after Congress intervened.
COCAINE HAUL FOUND HIDDEN IN BANANAS LISBON Associated Press
FOR the second time in 12 months, Portuguese police discovered a large stash of cocaine concealed in a shipment of bananas from Latin America. This time the haul was 825 kilogrammes with a street value of more than $33m. Last year, the seizure was 430 kilogrammes and worth around $17m. Cocaine hidden in bananas from South America is not uncommon. Over the past year, authorities in the United States, China and Germany have found large quantities of cocaine concealed in banana shipments. Portuguese detectives said the highly pure cocaine was found in recent days inside boxes in northern Portugal. They say it was heading to other European countries.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, January 9, 2020, PAGE 13
‘The Bahamas’ own street philosopher’
NOTICE NASSAU DOMINO LEAGUE The Nassau Domino League ninth season is scheduled to begin January 25, 2020. We are inviting all business establishments, interested in submitting teams, that the deadline for submission is January 30, 2020. Interested persons may contact the following persons:Ms. Kemp Ms. Mortimer Mr. Zonicle Mr. Saunders
422-6395 557-4841 376-8633 422-2397