02102026 NEWS

WOMAN & HEALTH

‘U.S. CAN BACK UP ITS WORDS WITH MONEY’

By EARYEL BOWLEG

Staff Reporter

FORMER Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis last night announced that he will run as an independent candidate for Killarney in the next general election, a decision that would sever his formal ties with the Free National Movement if

Dr Minnis made the announcement during an appearance on the television programme Beyond The Headlines with Shenique Miller, ending months of speculation after previously saying only that “We

Munroe: US Ambassador can make good on intent by assisting Bahamas with prison upgrades

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe yesterday said he now expects the United States to back its words with action by helping The Bahamas secure financing for a new prison and virtual court complex.

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Freeport Reporter

His comment came after US Ambassador Herschel Walker publicly rebuked this country’s decision to borrow from China to fund a second New Providence hospital at terms the US considers unfavourable.

Mr Munroe framed Mr Walker’s remarks not as foreign interference but as a test of American intent.

“I wouldn't call it intervention,” Mr Munroe said, adding that the ambassador was speaking from the standpoint of US interests and had indicated that Washington wanted to do business with The Bahamas. He highlighted the government’s plans for a virtual court campus and a new correctional facility to be FINANCE - SEE PAGE TWO

PRE-dawn house fire left a Grand Bahama family homeless on Sunday and renewed questions about emergency response after residents and a local government official complained that a single fire truck ran out of water before the blaze was fully extinguished. The fire broke out around 2am while two men were asleep inside the home. Both escaped without injury, but the family dog suffered smoke inhalation and was later treated by a

By EARYEL BOWLEG

COALITION of Independents leader Lincoln Bain still owes $90,000 from a long-standing civil judgment stemming from a failed investment dating back to 2010, nearly six months after the UK-based Privy Council declined to hear his appeal in the matter. A legal notice published in The Tribune yesterday requires Mr Bain to appear in person before Supreme Court Registrar Renaldo Toote on March 12, 2026, as enforcement efforts intensify over the unpaid judgment.

Munroe challenges US to fund new prison and court complex

built nearby, both of which already involve American firms.

He said the prison’s cell systems are being supplied by a US company, while the virtual court complex is also largely being constructed by an American firm, making US-backed financing a logical next step.

“I’m encouraged by what he says,” said Munroe, “so I will expect that we will get a good response from American EXIM bank if we approach them for funding for the prison, because that is something else that we would be looking for funding for and I take him at his word that the US is prepared to assist us with that.”

The government broke ground in July 2025 on the long-promised high-and medium-security prison at BDOCS. The project, which will be developed near the judicial virtual court campus, is now expected to cost about $50m and is to be financed through a public-private partnership.

Plans for the facility include mental health cells, a medical clinic, a chapel and a library, along with more than 15,000 square feet of administrative space, over 16,000 square feet for intake and booking, and more than 10,000 square feet for medical housing.

Construction is also underway on a 19,000 square foot virtual court complex featuring

two courtrooms and judges’ quarters. Officials have said the facility will meet certification standards from its first day of operation, reduce overcrowding and improve inmate living conditions.

Mr Walker’s earlier comments were directed at the $278m second New Providence hospital, which is being financed primarily through a loan from the China Export-Import Bank covering nearly 73 percent of the project’s cost and governed by Chinese law.

“It doesn’t appear to be in the best of interests of The Bahamas to submit to Chinese law and labour standards on their own soil,” Mr Walker said.

“It would be better to look at other financing options that adhere to international norms. President Trump believes in fair deals that benefit both nations, and the US is committed to being the economic and security partner of choice.

“We stand ready to work with The Bahamas to help secure a better deal – whether from private or public sources - to provide the healthcare infrastructure Bahamians deserve.”

The US embassy has also confirmed that China Railway Construction Corporation, the hospital’s main contractor, was previously placed on a restricted investment list by the US Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control due to links with China’s military-industrial complex.

SANDS CALLS $268M HOSPITAL A ‘DUMB IDEA’ BUT AVOIDS SCRAP TALK

By JADE RUSSELL

Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

FREE National Move-

ment Chairman Dr Duane Sands declined to say whether a Pintard administration would scrap the proposed $268 million speciality hospital in New Providence if elected.

“I am not going to make policy on the fly,” he told reporters. “What I am going to say is that we are going to fix the existing health infrastructure, and we're going to pay the staff.”

The Free National Movement has repeatedly argued that constructing another hospital in New Providence will not resolve the country’s healthcare challenges. Instead, the party has said efforts should focus on redeveloping the Princess Margaret Hospital.

The proposed hospital has again become controversial after comments by US ambassador to The Bahamas Herschel Walker, who said the terms of the $195 million Chinese financing were not “in the best interests” of this country. Mr Walker said the Trump

administration would “help secure a better deal”. In an official statement responding to The Tribune’s report that Chinese law and jurisdiction would govern the China Export-Import Bank loan covering 72.8 percent, or nearly three-quarters, of the hospital’s $278 million financing needs, Mr Walker argued that The Bahamas would be better served by “financing options that adhere to international norms”.

China has strongly rejected the criticism. In a statement issued by its embassy in New Providence, China said the hospital is a “livelihood project” requested by the Bahamian government and financed through a highly preferential loan aimed at meeting healthcare needs and improving the well-being of the population.

Asked about the growing tensions between China and the United States, Dr Sands said his focus was not on geopolitics but on the interests of Bahamians.

“We made it very clear

that this is an ill-advised project to begin with,” he said, referring to the $268 million hospital. “It's poorly planned, it's poorly conceived. It's a dumb idea. So, when you double down now and start talking about the unusual financing arrangements for a dumb idea, it's still a dumb idea, so let's focus on that.”

Dr Sands said Princess Margaret Hospital needs urgent repairs, nurses must be paid, and overall health infrastructure improved. He said the country’s healthcare system is in its worst state in 20 years.

While the Davis administration has argued that fixing Princess Margaret Hospital would be akin to placing a bandage on a major wound, Dr Sands questioned how long it would take to build a new hospital and what the public is expected to do in the meantime. He pointed to the deteriorating conditions at PMH, where patients can wait days for treatment He also raised concerns about conditions at the Rand Memorial Hospital, as well as the mini hospitals in Abaco and Exuma.

Governor General pays visit to Bahamas Dept of Corrections

IN an official visit to The Bahamas Department of Corrections yesterday, Her Excellency Cynthia “Mother” Pratt, Governor General, delivered a message of hope and redemption to residents at Her Majesty’s Prison, sharing her own humble beginnings, family struggles, and lifelong commitment to service.

Drawing on personal testimony, religion, and experiences she urges the men to see themselves as leaders, fathers, and nation-builders, not as their past mistakes. Emphasizing that “this country needs you” and “you are somebody,” Her Excellency challenges them to embrace change, take responsibility for their future, and return to their families and communities as transformed men ready to help rebuild their islands.

Commissioner of Correction Doan Cleare and National Security Minister Wayne Munroe also brought remarks for the residents.

Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr

Officials defend response to fire that destroyed GB home

was, ‘Where’s the police? Where’s the paramedics?’

veterinarian.

Homeowner Sharon Cooper said she was not at the residence when the fire started and rushed there after receiving a phone call shortly after 2.30am.

“The only thing I was thinking about was my son and close family friend, and the dog,” she said.

When she arrived, she said the men were shaken but safe. The dog, however, could not immediately be found.

“When the fireman turned on a flashlight, she came running out,” she said. “I just got her from the vet and they say her lungs are damaged.”

Ms Cooper said she believes the fire may have been caused by an electrical issue at the rear of the house, though the cause has not yet been confirmed.

While grateful that no one was seriously injured, she expressed frustration with the emergency response, claiming the fire truck ran out of water and left the scene while the house was still burning.

“If they were here and equipped with what they needed, I don’t think my house would have been destroyed as completely as it is,” she said, adding that no police officers or emergency medical personnel arrived to assess the occupants for smoke inhalation.

“The first thing I asked

These boys were sleeping. What if they needed medical assistance? Nobody came to me to explain anything,” she said.

Local Government representative for Marco City Ron Darville Jr, who visited the scene, echoed those concerns and questioned whether current protocols are adequate.

“First and foremost, we always thank the Fire Department for the work they do,” Mr Darville said.

“However, there are some things that beg the question about how well prepared we are for these types of situations.”

He noted that only one fire truck responded and that it had to leave shortly after arriving to refill its water supply.

“There also has to be better protocol for checking residents,” he said.

“Suppose you save the home but not the residents? There were no paramedics or first responders evaluating them. The pet has lung damage and the residents may be experiencing similar effects and not know.”

Assistant Superintendent Javone Richards, officer in charge of the Fire Branch, said firefighters received the call around 2.10am and arrived to find the building already engulfed in flames.

He said the fire was brought under control quickly, though the structure sustained extensive

damage.

Addressing claims that the fire truck left the scene after running out of water, ASP Richards said: “The fire truck actually carries 1,000 gallons of water and it’s not unlimited.”

He said once a fire is under control — meaning it is no longer spreading — crews may still need to leave temporarily to replenish water before returning.

“If we had to go to water resources it should take them up about ten minutes,” he said.

ASP Richards confirmed that Emergency Medical Services was not called to the scene.

“There wasn’t a need of the EMS because no one recorded any injuries that required any need of EMS at the scene,” he said.

Responding to concerns about police presence, he said: “All firemen are police officers.”

ASP Richards said investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing.

Ms Cooper confirmed that the home was uninsured. Recently retired and preparing to relocate permanently to Grand Bahama, she said the loss has been devastating.

“I was so hurt because I want to come home, and here it is I lost my home. I have to start all over again,” she said.

The family is currently staying with relatives.

Minnis confirms he will run as independent candidate in Killarney

he would contest the seat.

By running as an independent, Dr Minnis would automatically cease to be a member of the party he once led, following a period of public tension with the current FNM leadership headed by Michael Pintard. Senator Michaela Barnett Ellis has been ratified as the party’s candidate for Killarney.

“I will be running as an independent candidate. However, I still hold on to the core values and principles of the Free National Movement, as put down by our forefathers, by Cecil Wallace Whitfield and others,” Dr Minnis said.

Dr Minnis said he is not assembling a slate of candidates and assured voters that Killarney can expect the same style of leadership they have known.

“I will continue to lead with respect, with integrity, with honesty and inclusion. You know, one of the problems Sir Cecil faced, there were many who did not necessarily like him, and they fought against him. What he did, in spite of them fighting him, he invited them and embraced them into the body,” he said.

“That’s what politics is all about. It’s about growth. You don’t push them away. You embrace them and you show them love. That’s what the Bible talks about. The Bible talks about love, not hatred, and that was the core value.”

Despite his rift with Mr Pintard, Dr Minnis said he harbours no ill feelings toward the party and expressed confidence in his longstanding relationship with constituents as he seeks re-election as an independent.

“It’s not necessarily trusting an independent. It’s trusting what they have, whom they knew.

They know about me. They don’t know the others who are trying to get what I have,” he said.

“That’s the situation. We have a relationship. We are a family. I love my Killarney people. Their Killarney people love their representative. They will keep their representative so that they can further build so that we can put the new things in place that we wanted to.”

Dr Minnis repeatedly emphasised that he has remained rooted in Killarney, contrasting himself with politicians who have moved between constituencies.

Joining Senator Barnett Ellis and Dr Minnis in the race for Killarney is the PLP’s former Senator Robyn Lynes. Dr Minnis appeared unfamiliar with both women, despite Senator Barnett Ellis being a member of the FNM and a Killarney resident.

He said he has never met Ms Lynes, adding: “If she stood in front of me, I wouldn’t know her”.

“What I do know and what I’ve heard, I know that she’s active PLP, and what I know of the PLP, they are good, excellent at glitz and glamor. Killarney will finally, we will have some glitz and some glamor going on in Killarney so we’re waiting for that.”

Dr Minnis said residents have told him they are unhappy with both major political parties, with some expressing frustration to the point of saying they are not voting.

Dr Minnis speaking to Tribune Business earlier in the day also asserted his administration would never have agreed to the lender’s home country being the legal forum for resolving any disputes, after it emerged that the China Export-Import Bank funding will be subject to Chinese law with Beijing as the location for any arbitration proceedings.

SEE BUSINESS FOR STORY

Dialysis delays at PMH leave patients waiting for hours

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net

SEVERAL dialysis patients at Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) were left waiting for hours yesterday after staff absences delayed morning treatments.

The Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) confirmed the temporary disruption at the hospital’s dialysis unit, saying the staff call-ins were “legitimate” and unrelated to any industrial action.

Bahamas Nurses Union (BNU) president Muriel Lightbourn backed the claim, saying nurses had already been paid outstanding overtime pay, a flashpoint issue between healthcare workers and the government last month that

prompted mass staff sickouts, mainly among nurses. Yesterday’s delay is the latest issue to draw scrutiny toward PMH’s inadequate resources.

Disabled patient Marvin Johnson said the absence of nurses left many patients wondering if there was a strike.

He said when he arrived at the hospital, he found patients gathered outside, concerned and trying to figure out what was happening only to later find out that several nurses didn’t show up for work. He the staff shortage forced hospital administrators and second-in-command staff to step in, while some patients had to miss work.

He normally begins treatment between 8.30 and 9

am, but was unable to get on a machine until after 1pm. He said up to 4pm yesterday, he was still on the machine even though he usually finishes treatment around noon.

“Everybody down because you know like when the 5am people coming, some of them mummies go to work for nine or 10, then we come in, and then we have things to do so everything is just pushed back,” he said.

He said the delays not only postponed treatments but also reduced the time patients spent on the dialysis machines.

He said the machine normally ran for three to four hours starting around 3.50 or 4am, but backlogs and no-shows had reduced operating time to three

hours or less.

He claimed a nurse left at the end of her shift, saying the government was not paying her for overtime and she would not stay to work extra hours.

“She said ‘see you later,’

her shift is over and she left five of us on the machine,” he said.

Yesterday, the PHA apologised for the inconvenience and distress caused, adding that it remains committed to

providing safe, timely and compassionate healthcare services.

The authority added that dialysis services have since been fully restored and all scheduled patients will receive treatment.

Nicole Martin sworn in as Senator, rejects ‘token’ label

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

NEWLY appointed

Senator Nicole Martin says her appointment to the Senate was not a token gesture, despite speculation that it followed her failure to secure the party’s nomination to represent Nassau Village.

“I would say that we've received many tokens over our life. We didn't turn them away. I do not see this as a token,” she told reporters on the sidelines of her swearing-in ceremony. “I see this as the party recognising what it needs, what strengths, the talents, the resources and they have rightfully deployed them.”

Ms Martin, the former Bahamas Hotel Catering and Allied Workers Union president, replaces Maxine Seymour, who resigned last week after more than four years of service. Ms Seymour’s resignation came months after she announced she would not seek office under the Free National Movement’s banner in the upcoming general election, although she

pledged to remain loyal to the party. Ms Martin ran as the FNM candidate for Nassau Village in the last general election but was defeated by the Progressive Liberal Party’s Jamahl Strachan. Her appointment to the upper chamber comes as

a general election looms. She said she is not concerned that her time in the Senate may be short, adding that the length of her appointment does not reflect what she can accomplish.

“If this was an appointment for one day,” she said, “whatever comes before me, whatever is the most topical, most relevant issue is what I'm going to give everything that I have to.”

“I'm looking forward to debating what comes before us, and to put the case on behalf of my party to the Bahamian people.” Free National Movement leader Michael Pintard said the appointment was significant, describing Ms Martin as an outstanding trade unionist who he believes will help amplify the voice of labour in The Bahamas. He said her work has contributed to advancing labour issues, addressing workers’ rights, workers’ responsibilities, and the importance of productivity.

Munroe uses FNM’s own vetting

to defend Sebas Bastian

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net

FORMER National Security Minister Marvin Dames would have raised any concerns about Sebas Bastian during the vetting process for his diplomatic appointment if there had been evidence of wrongdoing, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe said yesterday, pushing back against allegations referenced in FBI files tied to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Mr Munroe said the fact that Mr Bastian was appointed ambassador under the FNM’s watch spoke for itself, despite unsubstantiated claims contained in a September 30, 2021 FBI document in which a redacted informant alleged that Mr Bastian and others were involved in human and firearms trafficking.

“He must have had comfort to not advance any objection to the appointment of Sebas Bastian as an ambassador. If he felt there was anything that disqualified him, he had a duty, as the Minister of National Security, to come forward with it. Clearly he didn’t, because Mr Bastian was appointed ambassador under his administration, so I like to think the best of people,” Mr Munroe said.

He added that the vetting process itself undermined the credibility of the allegations.

“I would like to think that Minister Marvin Dames carried out his duty as minister of national security, which would indicate to me that there is no substance to any sensible complaint against Mr Sebas Bastian as he would have brought it forward. I could always be wrong, and Minister Dames might have been a horrible Minister of National Security who didn’t do his job, but I think on something as simple as that, he would

have done his job,” he said. Mr Munroe also noted that any credible complaint delivered to the US Embassy would have been examined by American law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, DEA, ATF and Homeland Security. Asked whether the resurfacing of the FBI files could damage The Bahamas’ international image, he warned against treating untested allegations as proof.

“You can say that nothing in it means that you're guilty of anything. If persons, notwithstanding that, go against what they're told, then, by all accounts, there are persons in the US mentioned, and then persons all over the world mentioned in it. And so if you decide that contrary to what I'm told, I'm going to think that if your name called, you did something, then you would one be not operating in the spirit of its advance, and you would be not thinking much of any country in the world, from what I can tell,” he said.

The renewed focus on the Epstein-linked documents has also prompted another public response from Adrian Fox, co-founder of Island Luck, who on Sunday issued a statement rejecting what he described as false commentary circulating on social media.

“Over the past few days, I have watched with deep disappointment as commentary and speculation about me has circulated on social media,” Mr Fox said, adding that the claims were “simply untrue”.

Mr Fox acknowledged mistakes earlier in his life but said those experiences were now being unfairly distorted.

He also said he did not wish to be drawn into partisan politics.

“I have no interest in being used as part of the political point-scoring that has intensified as The Bahamas heads into what is commonly referred to as silly season,” Mr Fox said.

Mr Fox said his focus remains on philanthropic work through the Fox Foundation, which he said has awarded hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships, supported youth development initiatives and assisted families during times of hardship.

“What truly defines my life today is the work of the Fox Foundation,” he said, adding that the organisation plans to significantly expand its community outreach in 2026.

“The inner city is where my heart is. That is where my energy will remain,” he said.

Mr Bastian and Mr Fox were among several Bahamians named in the FBI document, which detailed unproven claims by an informant alleging that Epstein exerted influence over elements of the Bahamian and US governments. Both men have denied any involvement in Epstein’s activities or in human or firearms trafficking.

“I don’t do fool,” Mr Bastian has said. “The closest I come to Epstein, Jepstein or any Stein is the stain on my shirt. We have a country to build and I’m focused on helping with that.”

Mr Bastian is currently campaigning as the Progressive Liberal Party’s candidate for Fort Charlotte.

Other Bahamians mentioned in the FBI document, including Craig Flowers of FML Group, were not accused of trafficking and have not been alleged to have committed any wrongdoing.

“I am not a perfect person. Like many other Bahamians, I made mistakes early in my life that I truly regret and have learned from,” he said. “However, it is wrong and unfair to twist those past experiences into narratives that suggest I am someone I am not. I have paid my debt to society and worked hard to move forward.”

ORG: Desire to ‘hide’ info stalling FOIA

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

THE desire to hide certain information from the public could be a factor in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) remaining largely unimplemented nearly eight years after it was passed, claims the Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG).

Executive director Matt Aubry was speaking after the unsealing of court documents in the United States related to Jeffrey Epstein renewed debate about transparency and public access to information in The Bahamas.

Successive administrations have, for years, promised to implement the FOIA but failed to do so.

Mr Aubry told The Tribune yesterday that past governments have not viewed implementation of the legislation as being “politically valuable” and the desire to hide information could be a factor.

“I think that would probably be true for almost any

government along the way that has done or made Freedom of Information happen,” he said. “The reason that those laws are put into place is because generally there’s always been a historic thought related to most governments that information is power, and when too much information is out there, it’s going to be used in a challenging or disruptive way.”

Mr Aubry noted that Bahamians frequently speak about wanting fair opportunities, greater trust in government, and an end to access being influenced by political affiliation. He said these concerns are directly linked to Freedom-of-Information legislation and suggested that both the government and the public may need to shift their mindset to fully appreciate the value of unrestricted access to information.

When fully implemented, the Freedom of Information Act would allow citizens to access information held

COI leader faces arrest and prison over $90k judgement payment

The renewed enforcement effort follows Mr Bain’s public assertions of financial strength during the 2023 by-election season, when he filed asset declarations showing a net worth of about $1.8m, including substantial holdings in securities and real estate, along with a savings account balance exceeding $40,000. The declaration listed no liabilities.

“I’ve been in the business for a very long time from my early 30s,” he said at the time.

“I’ve run many, many retail businesses in this country and other businesses. I am an IT professional for a very long time and I made some good investments when I was in my 20s and younger, and they paid off.”

The dispute centres on a claim by Zinnia Rolle, who obtained a Supreme Court judgment in December 2021 ordering Mr Bain and his company to repay $64,000. That ruling was later upheld by the Court of Appeal. In October 2025, Mrs Rolle was also awarded a further $26,000 in costs after the Privy Council declined to entertain Mr Bain’s appeal.

The notice published yesterday included two documents. One, dated September 4, 2025 and drawn up by Pyfrom Farrington Chambers, orders Mr Bain to disclose detailed financial records ahead of the hearing.

“You are further required to produce at the hearing such documents in your possession or under your control as are described below: Any and all documents which set out details of your revenue stream, expenses and cash flows.”

“Any and all accounts which show your financial performance and position for the years 2023 to present date. You must obey this order. If you do not, you may be arrested and then sent to prison for contempt of court.”

The second document, dated November 15, 2025, was issued by Mrs Rolle’s attorneys and demanded

by public authorities, thereby improving government transparency and accountability.

More than 120 countries worldwide, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Jamaica, have enacted Freedom-of-Information or access-to-information laws that give the public the legal right to request government records.

On January 30, 2026, the

United States Department of Justice released more than three million pages of documents, 180,000 images and 2,000 videos related to Epstein.

In November, the US Congress passed legislation requiring the Trump administration to release all information it held from investigations into Epstein. The Department of Justice subsequently released two tranches of

files in December 2025 and January 2026.

Although the Epstein files were not released under Freedom-of-Information laws, the disclosures have still fuelled broader debate about transparency and public access to information.

payment of $90,000 within 14 days, reflecting the original judgment sum and the additional costs awarded in Privy Council proceedings.

Mr Bain told The Tribune he has not received any notice and insisted the matter had been handed to his attorney, describing the public filing as politically motivated.

“I don’t understand why a notice have to be put in the papers when I have an attorney, they have an attorney and it appears that this thing is being used as a political football,” he said.

He said his lawyer had been engaged in negotiations and requested proof of life from the complainant before proceeding further.

“That’s all she asked for, and she was willing to settle,” he said. “But we didn’t hear from them anymore, and now we’re just seeing something in the paper, which tells me that this, of course, is political theater and like we said, my lawyer is supposed to deal with it, and she’s going to deal with it.”

Mr Bain claimed his legal team had not heard from Mrs Rolle since the original Supreme Court proceedings and sought confirmation of her identity before continuing discussions. He said no response was received.

Mr Bain dismissed any suggestion that the unresolved civil judgment could affect his political ambitions, framing it as a private dispute.

“This has nothing to do with the public funds that we’ve been experiencing from the politicians all this time,” he said. “Philip ‘Brave’ Davis has had civil matters. Michael Pintard has had civil matters. This is a private civil matter between two business persons and we made every effort to do what we can within our rights. Once the lawyers cooperate and work together, then it’ll be dealt with.”

The case returns to court next month as the registrar considers whether further enforcement steps are required.

While acknowledging that the government does publish financial information such as budget reports, Mr Aubry said more needs to be done to train citizens to understand those documents and how they affect daily life.

In June 2025, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis confirmed that fully funding the implementation of the Freedom of Information Act and other anti-corruption mechanisms was not a priority for his administration.

The last Ingraham administration passed a Freedom of Information Act shortly before the 2012 general election, but did not set a date for its enactment. The Christie administration later overhauled the legislation but never implemented its provisions.

In May 2021, the Minnis administration appointed the country’s first Freedom of Information commissioner, but the department has remained chronically underfunded.

Mr Aubry said FOIA is often viewed as a sensationalist tool used to uncover government secrets, but its true value lies in levelling the playing field between the state and the public. He said government decisions should not only be scrutinised internally, but also withstand public examination.

The Tribune Limited

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RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B.

Publisher/Editor 1972-

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Will Munroe’s bold poker move pay off?

PUT your money where your mouth is. That’s the call from National Security Minister Wayne Munroe after US Ambassador Herschel Walker suggested The Bahamas should do business with the US – while suggesting the loan from China for the new hospital might not be in our country’s best interests.

And if the US has money to spend, Mr Munroe has a proposal to go with that money. He has, after all, got a new prison and court complex to pay for.

That project has a $50m price tag on it, and was due to be financed through a public-private partnership. Mr Munroe is publicly inviting the US to give The Bahamas a positive response to the possibility of funding.

The response to Mr Walker’s comments have been swift – with the government quickly moving to say that the US had been approached for funding in the first place. No deal was forthcoming, and so an option from China was the one the government went with. An offer from the United Kingdom was regarded as too late, with the China deal 90 percent done by then, says the government.

The long and the short of the matter is that The Bahamas has projects it wishes to proceed with – and those cost money.

If funding is not available from one source, the country will look to another – which means the more options the better as far as we are concerned. Then, we can take the offer that is the most favourable when it comes to those best interests.

So whether it is a hospital, a prison, the rejuvenation of our nation’s bridges, the future of the Grand Lucayan resort, or any one of a dozen projects on the table and a dozen more still to be imagined, securing the best financing deal is important.

Mr Munroe is perhaps bold to be responding to criticism from the ambassador by presenting a bill of sale for a prison – but it does put the onus on action rather than words.

There is a bigger picture in all of this.

Returning to the plans for the new hospital, it should be noted that the

FNM has not yet committed to keeping the new facility if it is voted in.

The party has repeatedly said we would be better off redeveloping Princess Margaret Hospital rather than building a new hospital. The party has also expressed concern over where the staff will come from for the new hospital.

Bigger picture is not something our country does well very often, with the constant switching of parties in office, as voters put one party into power only to toss them out after one term.

There is one lost element that could be a unifying force in ensuring our nation has greater continuity.

Remember the National Development Plan? The one that has been shelved for the past ten years?

There are efforts under way to revive the plan – and bring back some of that possibility of administrations not ending the race each time the electorate votes but rather passing the baton.

It would also involve identifying our greatest national needs – and the path to improving the areas where we fall short.

The plan will also – if carried out properly – encourage decisions to be made by communities for communities. If those at the grass roots are calling for things to benefit their own needs, it is up to the leaders to follow through. Decisions from the ground up rather than the top down.

More coherent long-term planning would also make it easier to do what Mr Munroe wants – giving an opportunity for investors to come forward and put funding where it needs to go. Whether that is from the US, the UK, China, or even from our own pockets, in share issues or private partnerships.

Stability is the greatest enticement to investment, a sure knowledge that plans put forward will come to fruition, and will not change depending on the vaguaries of the electorate’s choices. It might be overly optimistic for that big picture to appear in a hurry – but in the meantime, let us see how Mr Munroe’s poker play goes. He has upped the ante – will the US match his call? Let’s see the ambassador’s next move.

The ant and the elephants

EDITOR, The Tribune.

THIS is my third letter about balancing our relations between the United States (US) and China. The first was penned in April 2024 ,and the second was written in February 2025. The Bahamas’ budding romance with China has not gone un-noticed, with China having presented the Bahamas with gifts from time to time, and just recently offering to fund our new hospital. Friday’s addition of the Tribune was emblazoned with the caption “Drop the deal”. These words were attributed to (US) Ambassador Herschel Walker, urging the Bahamas to scrap the deal with China with regard to the funding and construction of our new hospital. In the cut and thrust of global politics, both Washington and Beijing are continuously attempting to extend their reach of influence towards non-aligned countries like the Bahamas and

others in an attempt to pull these countries into their embrace or spheres of influence by overt or covert means.

This is a quest for world dominance or superiority between the two super powers which is playing out before our very eyes, indeed on Bahamian soil. Whether we like it or not, we are caught in the middle. Just to put things into perspective; the Cuban missile crises between the (US) and the then Soviet Union under president J.F. Kennedy in 1962 came about because there were tight relations between the then Soviet Union and Cuba; but the (US) at that time saw that as a direct threat to their national security. With the almost total collapse of world order, and with so much uncertainty and predictability coming out of the American White House, let us hope that history does not repeat itself, because sovereignty and

Have we betrayed sacred trust of 1973?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

MY dear compatriots: if our elders see the state of the Bahamas today they would be wearing sack cloth and ashes if they were alive.

“Progress towards national unity has been slow because of the indifference and ignorance of our political opponents to the demands of the Bahamian people. Rich men have become richer but the average man in New Providence and in every Out Island Community has found living more frustrating and difficult. The high cost of living has caused hardship and financial strain. Promises have been broken, and personal power and desires have been put before the good of the people.” ~ The Progressive Liberal Party’s Plan For Progress & Prosperity (1962)

As I sit in quiet contemplation of the history of party politics and the history of life in the Bahamas, which I do frequently these days, the historical echoes of the Burma Road Riots June 1942, the General Strike of 1958, the ushering of majority rule January 10 1967, and independence July 10, 1973, reverberate with a poignant irony that compels a deep, and often disquieting, introspection into the very soul of our Bahamian nation.

The words quoted from the 1962 Progressive Liberal Party’s Plan For Progress & Prosperity seem to have been taken from the playbook for the upcoming election and previous elections, because the wealth and high living continue, but certainly not for the average Bahamian.

Even Blind Blake can see that for the most part, the players are different; the plan, and the music of the Sirens continue. The only difference is that the beat of the music with the passage of time has placed the Bahamian people in such a swoon that many of them cannot separate reality from the old stories that were told in the Bahamas of long ago…

The vision of a self-determined people, charting its sovereign course after centuries of colonial tethering, stands in stark contrast to the contemporary landscape that unfolds before us.

This pervasive sense of dissonance—a lament that the Bahamas we inhabit today scarcely mirrors the noble aspirations for which our forebears sacrificed so profoundly—has solidified into more than a mere grievance; it has become a fundamental narrative woven into the tapestry of our national identity.

The political edifice, once conceived as the vanguard of collective advancement and liberation, appears to have undergone a subtle, yet profound, transmogrification. What began as a

territorial integrity do not seem to count for much these days. The (US) sees the Bahamas as a playground for its citizens; and whether rightly or wrongly, feels threatened by the intrusion of any other country entering what they see is their backyard. As a small country, we must do a balancing act or walk a political tightrope with regard to our relations between these two superpowers. With the dismantling of world order, diplomacy in retreat, and the insatiable thirst for territorial expansion by the (US) in particular, the Bahamas must play its cards methodically, because our very survival depends on the generosity and good grace of others. I commend Prime Minister Davis for his calm and measured response. Pray hard!

ZEPHANIAH BURROWS Nassau, February 8, 2026.

pursuit of democratic ideals now, to many, manifests itself as an arena where partisan loyalties often eclipse the overarching imperative of national well-being.

This perceived shift from statesmanship to strategic power perpetuation, regardless of the political banner, often evokes a feeling of profound betrayal of the very spirit that animated the foundational architects of our independence.

The promise of a governance rooted in accountability and the relentless pursuit of the common good frequently seems to yield to the exigencies of political survival, diminishing public trust, and fostering widespread disillusionment.

Beyond the political theatre, the very sinews of our social fabric show alarming signs of fraying. The disquieting statistics—a persistently elevated homicide rate, the significant proportion of births outside traditional marital structures, and the insidious proliferation of gang culture—are not merely data points; they represent profound fissures within our communal bonds. These indicators speak to an erosion of the foundational values and protective structures that once defined Bahamian society, impacting the trajectory of future generations and undermining the intrinsic sense of safety, belonging, and opportunity that should be the birthright of every citizen. The vibrant, close-knit communities envisioned by those who fought for our freedom seem increasingly challenged by these stark realities.

Economically, our nation presents a complex, almost paradoxical, tableau. While our per capita GDP often positions us favorably within the region, this aggregated metric belies a more nuanced and challenging reality on the ground: entrenched income inequality and a formidable burden of public debt.

Esteemed international institutions frequently highlight these structural vulnerabilities, underscoring the critical imperative for comprehensive reforms that ensure the fruits of our economic endeavors are not merely concentrated at the apex but are broadly and equitably distributed across all strata of Bahamian society. This raises a fundamental question of economic sovereignty: are we truly masters of our financial destiny, or are we merely stewards of an economic model whose benefits remain unevenly dispersed?

The journey to Majority Rule in 1967 and subsequent independence in 1973 were fundamentally assertions of Bahamian agency over its own fate. Yet, a significant portion of our populace contends that this hard-won control remains elusive, perpetually challenged by the pervasive, often subtle, yet undeniably potent forces of external economic influence in pivotal sectors.

The genuine economic empowerment of local entrepreneurs and citizens, a cornerstone of the independence dream, often appears to be overshadowed by an enduring dependence on foreign capital and expertise. The gains fought for with such fervent dedication thus seem, in this critical perspective, to have been diluted, if not fundamentally compromised. Admittedly, a counter-narrative, often articulated by those within positions of leadership and economic influence, rightly points to the Bahamas’ remarkable achievements. Our success in establishing ourselves as a global leader in tourism and financial services, cultivating an economy resilient enough to weather external shocks, is indeed commendable.

From this vantage point, current challenges are not an indictment of the independence vision itself, but rather complex, evolving issues demanding pragmatic solutions, collective responsibility, and the use of the brightest and the best minds without politics being a trademarked for service to country. This perspective urges a move beyond any romanticised or idealised view of the past, advocating for a sober and practical engagement with the present.

However, the profound depth of the prevailing sentiment cannot be cursorily dismissed. It demands more than a mere acknowledgement of progress; it necessitates a rigorous and unflinching examination of the path we have traversed, the compromises we have made, and the extent to which the transformative promise of 1973 has truly translated into a lived reality for the all of our people. The ultimate query, therefore, transcends mere policy adjustments; it compels a national reckoning: Are we, in our contemporary endeavors, honoring the sacred trust bequeathed to us, or merely navigating a course increasingly divergent from the luminous star that once guided our ascent to nationhood?

DR DONALD M McCARTNEY Freeport, Grand Bahama February 6, 2026.

Is Brave pandering to Haitian vote?

EDITOR, The Tribune. HAS anyone else noticed the uptick in notices of Haitians applying for Bahamian citizenship in the newspapers in recent months? I had seen eleven notices on one page on Sunday on the world wide web. Days before then there was another set of notices. Weeks before that, I have seen about nine notices in the same newspaper. These notices are popping up every week. And they should alarm Bahamians. Prominent Haitian activists Louby Georges and MC Frankie have not hidden where their political loyalty lies. They are PLPs to the core. Their support for the PLP is a two-way street. Both have something fundamentally important to gain. Both need each other. The Haitian activists have the listening ears of policymakers and the PLP can in return depend on the Haitian bloc for much needed votes. Without the Haitian vote, the PLP will lose this

election. The shine has worn off the New Day government. Its honeymoon has finally ended. Its popularity has declined. To mitigate this, I believe that PM Philip Davis and the PLP are looking in the direction of the Haitian voting bloc to make up the much-needed voting numbers. I do not believe that the selling out of our national birthright months ahead of an election is coincidental. It is a strategic plan drafted to shore up support. By handing out citizenship like candy on Christmas morning, the PLP is looking to entice the entire Haitian voting bloc. Non-Bahamians who have legal permanent status and have fulfilled all legal requirements can apply for citizenship. Those born after July 9, 1973 to Non-Bahamians can also apply. There is no need to politicise immigration. But here we are on the cusp of an election. And all Haitians will clamor for

is to be naturalised. They are not going to demand lucrative government contracts or government jobs or money like Bahamians. All they want is a citizenship certificate. For the Haitian voting bloc, what the PLP is allegedly offering is too good to refuse. Brave is pandering to Haitians. And it is working. Bahamians had better wake up. We are losing our birthright because the PLP views being in power as far more important than preserving The Bahamas for Bahamians. Remember dear Bahamians, The Bahamas is all we have. Once this country is destroyed, rich PLP politicians can move to the US, Canada or Europe. And the Haitians can always return to Haiti. As Bahamians, we have nowhere to go.

THE WHISTLEBLOWER Freeport, Grand Bahama February 8, 2026

Privy Council dismisses hotel worker’s decade-long Albany appeal

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net

A BAHAMIAN hotel worker who slipped near a swimming pool before undergoing major spinal surgery has lost his final appeal in London, with the Privy Council ruling that his employer was not negligent and that his dismissal claim was too poorly pleaded to succeed.

In a new judgment, the Board dismissed the appeal brought by Tyson Strachan against Albany Resort Operator Ltd, bringing to an end a legal fight that began more than a decade after a workplace accident at the Albany resort on New Providence. The ruling closes the door on two claims. One alleged

that Albany failed to provide a safe place of work after Mr Strachan slipped on wet tiles while on duty. The other argued that he was unfairly disengaged from his employment while on sick leave. The judges accepted that Mr Strachan had been injured in the fall and rejected earlier findings that he had failed to prove any damage at all. They said his unchallenged evidence showed that he suffered at least significant soft-tissue injuries to his neck and back, requiring hospitalisation and physiotherapy. But the Board was clear that injury alone was not enough. On the evidence, they said, the presence of water near the pool area did not arise from any lack of care

on the part of the resort. The tiles where Mr Strachan was found to have slipped were rough-textured sandstone, designed to reduce the risk of slipping when wet. There was no proof they were unsuitable, nor any evidence that Albany or another employee had negligently caused or ignored a hazard.

The only explanation offered at trial for the wet surface was rain earlier that morning. There was no evidence about how long the tiles had been wet, whether other staff had been in the area, or whether warning signs were reasonably required for outdoor poolside tiles designed to cope with water. Mr Strachan himself, whose job included checking for slipping hazards, said he had not noticed any water despite repeatedly

crossing the same spot moments before he fell.

In those circumstances, the Board said, the trial judge was entitled to find that the accident was not the result of negligence. The Court of Appeal had been right to uphold that conclusion.

The appeal also failed on Mr Strachan’s claim that he had been unfairly disengaged from his employment after the accident.

The Board described that claim as wholly inadequate from the start. His pleadings did not explain whether he was alleging a breach of contract, a statutory unfair dismissal, or a claim for lost earnings. They did not identify what made the termination unfair or what remedy he sought.

By the time the case

reached London, his lawyers clarified that the claim was a common-law breach of contract argument. They accepted that, absent special terms, an employer was entitled to terminate employment by giving notice or paying in lieu. Albany had done just that. In a termination letter dated December 2 2013, the company said it was acting in compliance with the Employment Act and enclosed a cheque covering vacation pay, notice pay and severance, described as “FULL AND FINAL SETTLEMENT” of Mr Strachan’s employment.

Mr Strachan did not calculate what additional sums he claimed, did not seek discovery to clarify them, and did not give evidence that the payments were inadequate. Even before the Privy Council, his lawyers could not say what notice entitlement he was owed.

The claim, the judges said, remained opaque and unparticularised throughout.

“It is elementary that a claim must be particularised and there must be evidence to support it,” the Board held, agreeing with both the trial judge and the Court of Appeal that the dismissal claim could not succeed.

His counsel argued that the termination was communicated months later and that the payments might not have covered the entire period or associated benefits such as medical insurance. But the Board said those points were never properly raised or supported by evidence at trial.

DEFENSE SLAMS ‘SLOPPY’ INVESTIGATION AS EAST STREET MURDER TRIAL CLOSES

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

THE defence and prosecution offered starkly different accounts of the evidence yesterday as closing arguments were delivered in the murder trial stemming from a fatal car wash shooting on East Street in 2021.

Defence attorney Tamika Roberts argued that the case against Tevin Bethel, 28, was riddled with gaps and investigative failures, while prosecutor Eucal Bonaby told jurors that the victim’s girlfriend had clearly identified the accused as the shooter.

The arguments were made before Justice Guillimina Archer-Minnis in the trial of Bethel, who is accused of shooting and killing Michael Thompson

Jr on July 12, 2021.

Ms Roberts told the jury they were the thread that held the criminal justice system together and said the prosecution had failed to produce reliable evidence linking her client to the killing.

She focused heavily on the handling of evidence by police, pointing to testimony by Officer Durell regarding photographs of a blue Nissan March connected to the shooting. She said the officer initially described the images as “irrelevant” before being recalled to testify after Chimika Louis, the victim’s girlfriend, spoke about the vehicle.

Ms Roberts said that when the officer returned to the witness stand, he produced hundreds of photographs of the car.

While acknowledging

the trauma Ms Louis experienced, the defence questioned her credibility, noting that she was hysterical during her police interview and had given differing accounts between her statement and her testimony.

Ms Roberts described as a recent fabrication

Ms Louis’s claim that the accused first pointed a gun at a group of men before turning it, with trembling hands, toward her and the deceased.

She also highlighted that a chair Ms Louis said she was sitting on at the time of the shooting was never recovered.

The defence maintained that Ms Louis did not witness the shooting and did not know who fired the fatal shots, arguing that the identity of the shooter remained unanswered.

Suspect remanded after stealing car from stadium and assaulting officer

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN on crutches was acquitted yesterday of trying to kill two police officers on St Lucia Crescent in 2022, but was convicted of possessing a loaded rifle on the same day.

Antonio Cartwright, 34, was unanimously found not guilty on two counts of attempted murder and two counts of possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life before Justice Franklyn Williams.

However, the nine-person jury returned 6–3 verdicts finding Cartwright guilty of the lesser charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.

Justice Williams told the convict that he faces a lengthy term of imprisonment due to the prevalence of illegal firearms and their use in violent crimes, explaining that firearm offences attract substantial prison sentences. Cartwright returns for sentencing submissions on February 23. Prosecutors alleged that

Cartwright shot at and attempted to kill Sergeant 3614 Danielle Wilson and Police Constable 4318 Whitley Brown while they were on patrol on May 5, 2022. During the trial, the court heard that Cartwright, while fleeing from police, threw a loaded AR-15 rifle into nearby bushes.

He was later arrested at his residence at 44 St Lucia Crescent, where officers said he was found sweating profusely in his bedroom.

Janet Munnings and Jacklyn Burrows prosecuted the case, while Stanley Rolle represented Cartwright.

Man accused of indecent assault on 17-year-old girl granted bail

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter

pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN accused of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl on East Street last week was granted bail yesterday. Prosecutors allege that Giteau “Deedo”

Shabba Boyer, 48, inappropriately touched the teenager on February 5. Boyer pleaded not

guilty to a charge of indecent assault before Magistrate Abigail Farrington. His bail was set at $6,000 with one or two sureties.

As part of his bail conditions, Boyer must sign in at the Quakoo Street Police Station every Friday by 7pm. His trial begins on April 17. Miranda Adderley

Man attempts suicide over workplace bullying, and a juvenile hospitalised

A MAN who police said had been depressed after being bullied by a co-worker attempted suicide on Grand Bahama on Friday by ingesting a quantity of medication. Police said the adult male took the medication around 1.30pm and was taken to hospital for medical assistance, but left before being evaluated.

“Despite being registered for medical attention, the individual discharged himself or left the hospital against medical advice before being evaluated by medical professionals,” police said. The incident was followed by a suspected suicide attempt involving a juvenile male yesterday. Police said the boy ingested a quantity of medication and was rushed to hospital. Up to press time, police said they were not aware of the boy’s condition. He was found at a residence on Carmichael Road.

represented the accused, while Inspector K Bould prosecuted the matter.

Ms Roberts further criticised the investigation, noting that fingerprint results taken from a suspect vehicle were never produced in court and that a hat recovered from the scene was never tested to link it to her client. She said the hat would not have fit the accused.

She described the police investigation as “slack”, “sloppy” and “sad”.

Ms Roberts also pointed to evidence suggesting that the vehicle photographed and dusted for fingerprints was not the same one used in the shooting, and said investigators acknowledged that the actual vehicle was still unaccounted for.

She challenged the fairness of the identification parade, claiming that people from outside the Criminal Investigation Department were summoned within

minutes and were meant to resemble the accused.

Ms Roberts said CCTV footage from two angles was never presented to the court and added that her client cooperated fully with investigators. She urged the jury to return a verdict of not guilty.

Mr Bonaby, in his closing, said he would lower the emotional temperature of the case. He told the jury that the prosecution had called six witnesses, including a statement from the victim’s father, Michael Thompson Sr. He maintained that the evidence was sufficient to prove the accused’s guilt and said the jury’s verdict should be grounded in the testimony and exhibits presented.

Mr Bonaby said Ms Louis was an eyewitness who

had the courage to testify, adding that she saw the accused approach in broad daylight and later identified him in a photo lineup.

He argued that the absence of the chair did not mean the witness had not been sitting on it, describing the defence’s focus on the chair as a distraction. He said the witness described it as a temporary seat made of wood.

Mr Bonaby also said that fingerprints recovered from a vehicle not used in the shooting would naturally be irrelevant to the accused and reminded the jury that inconsistencies are common in witness testimony. He urged jurors to assess the evidence carefully and dispassionately and said they would deliver the justice the case deserved.

Cassie Bethel also represented the accused.

Bail denied for man accused of car theft and station escape attempt

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN accused of stealing a car from Bahamas Games Boulevard and trying to escape from the Cable Beach Police Station was denied bail yesterday.

Prosecutors allege that Javonne Fernander, 20, stole a silver 2012 Nissan Juke belonging to Lacarita Newton from Thomas A Robinson Stadium on January 10.

The vehicle was recovered on Dolphin Drive on February 5, when Fernander and fellow suspects Anthon Johnson, 29 were arrested.

Fernander is further accused of acting disorderly

at the Cable Beach Police Station on February 6, where he allegedly assaulted Police Constable 694 Etienne and threatened to kill him.

He is also alleged to have attempted to escape from lawful custody on the same day.

Both defendants were charged with stealing and receiving, while Fernander faced additional charges of assaulting a police officer, threats of death, disorderly behaviour in a police station and attempted escape. The men pleaded not guilty to their respective charges before Magistrate Abigail Farrington.

Inspector K Bould objected to Fernander’s bail, citing previous convictions

of a similar nature.

In December 2024, Fernander was fined $8,000 after being convicted of stealing another vehicle on Poinciana Avenue earlier that year.

Fernander was denied bail but informed of his right to apply to the Supreme Court. He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Johnson was granted bail in the amount of $6,000 with one or two sureties. As part of his bail conditions, he must sign in at the Nassau Street Police Station every Friday by 7pm.

The accused return for trial on March 2. Keevon Maynard represented the defendants.

The end of the illusion in Haiti: what next?

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

FEBRUARY7 mattersin

Haiti notbecause itpromises relief,but becauseit marksthe end ofan illusion.On thatdate, the mandate of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council expires.From itsinception,the Councilwasneverembracedby the Haitianpeople. Itwas widelyseen asanine-headed contraption: unwieldy, inwardlooking, andvulnerable to rivalry,corruption,andpersonal ambition. Haitians warned that it would fail. They were right.

The Council has failed on everyelementof itsownman-

gangs.But thesetacticalimprovements do notredeem strategic failure. Security advances cannotsubstitute forconstitutionallegitimacyorpoliticalcoherence. They are necessary, but far from sufficient.

Political disunity Haiti s most enduring affliction reasserted itself even as the country slid deeper into violence and humanitariandespair.Theresult is now unmistakable: there is wide convergence both inside Haiti andamong international partners that the Council’s mandateendsonFebruary7and must notbe extendedby man-

date. Security has not been brought under effective control. Daily life for Haitians has not improved. Elections to restore constitutional governanceare nowhere in sight. Thereare, tobe fair,limited signsofimprovementonthesecurity front. Haitian police operations, supportedby international partners,have registered some tactical gains against

oeuvreor politicalimprovisation.

Caribbean leaders have warned repeatedlyagainst lastminute destabilization and the manufacture of freshcrises at the moment of expiry. The United NationsSecurity Council, in renewingits political missionin Haiti,has underscored the centrality of national dialogue, accountability,and

elections.

A February 2 consultative meetingconvened byAlbert Ramdin,the SecretaryGeneral of theOrganizationof American States (OAS)--involving two CARICOM foreignministers andrepresentatives of the United Nations, Canada and theUnited States--produced acommon position,despitereporteddifferencesofview.Whileparticipation in theconsultation was limited,the expectation conveyed was broadly shared: predictablegovernance, crediblesecurity, timely elections,and still hoped for a Haitian-led solution.

This strips away a familiar alibi. The failure ofthe Transitional Council is not the product of foreign imposition. It is the consequence of internal conduct. That realitywas articulatedwith moralauthorityby Edmonde Supplice Beauzile, a former parliamentarian, party leader, andserious contender for Haiti s presidencyin 2016. Speaking not as a factional actorbut asa committedcitizen,shewarnedthatHaitisuffers lessfrom alackofdiagnosis than from a collective refusalto accepttreatment. Her appeal was not for another council or political document, but forcivic courage for leaderswilling,evenbriefly,to placethe countryabovepersonal ambition.

As February 7approached, fears arosethat someCouncil members mightresist departure,heightenedbytheappearance of USwarships offshore. Publicly, thedeployment was framedwithin abroader counter-traffickingandregional securityoperation.Politically,it carried deterrentsymbolism. Yetinformed voicesinside Haiti, including former senior officials andcivil-society leaders, are confident that no constituency willmobilize to preservetheCouncilorprovoke US intervention. That assessment is reinforced by Pierre Esperance, Executive Director of Haiti’s leading human-rights organization.Esperance expectsall membersof the Transitional Council to leaveofficeon February7.In

MEMBERS of theNational Palace General Security

the absence of an agreed replacement framework,he observesthat thePrimeMinister should remain inplace solely to manage routineadministration anoutcome thatwould amount to athird consecutive transition rather than a resolution of the crisis.

Crucially, Esperanceis explicit thatcontinuity mustnot slideinto ruleby decree.Any interim arrangementmust be bounded by a defined roadmap for governance,security, and elections,andconstrainedbyindependent oversight in the absence of a legislature.That oversight drawn from Haiti’s own audit,financial-intelligence,andanti-corruptioninstitutions would reviewpublic expenditures, test legality, and publicly flagabuse. Itsfunction would besupervisory, notexecutive:to constraindiscretion, deter misuse, andpreserve the temporarycharacter ofauthority.

February 7closes the Council s mandate.It also closesthe benefitof thedoubt. Transitions arejudged byoutcomes, not intentions. On security, governance, unity, and elections, the Transitional Presidential Council didnot deliver. In law and in fact, its authority ends. It must go.

But it cannotreasonably be expectedthatallgoverningauthorityshouldrestinthePrime Minister alone. However able orcommitted hemay beto Haiti’s recovery, theremust be a governing structure that aligns more closelywith Haiti s constitutional order.

A moredefensible course exists. Haiti s Constitution locates executive authority not in the PrimeMinister acting alone, butin theGovernment actingcollectively throughthe

Cabinet, which the Prime Ministerchairs (Articles155–158).

That structure long understood within Haiti serves as a constitutional check on rule by decree andprovidesthe lawfulbasisfor interim collectivegovernance pending elections. Itis an important considerationseldom acknowledged byexternal actors who influenceHaiti’s political arrangements. Authority vested inthe Cabinet,exercised fora strictlylimited period, subjecttooversight by civil society and the private sector,and anchoredto anirreversible commitmentto elections,would tiepower tocollective responsibility. Civil-society oversight would provide review of proposed decisions and prevent unchecked discretion. Itis notelegant but neitherwas theTransitional Council, norwould governance by prime-ministerialdecree be. Collective Cabinetauthority,

withindependent review,isproportionate to thismomentin Haiti s history. Haitian actors must now govern with restraint and accountability. At the same time, the international community led bythe UnitedNations, workinginconcertwithCARICOMandkeybilateral partners must match political expectations with operational support. What next forHaiti must mean sustainedaction onsecurity, andtimely resourcesto beginaddressing thenation’s long-neglectedsocial andeconomicneeds: basicservices, livelihoods, food security, and institutional capacity.Without thatparallel commitment,interim governance will beasked to carry burdensno transition can bear. And the cycle of failure will simplyresume underadifferent name.

Backyard vegetable gardens are healthy for people and the planet

By CALEIGH WELLS

If you want healthy food, ex perts say to eat what's local, or ganic and in-season. Those foods benefit the planet too, because they are less taxingon thesoiland they don't travel as far.

It doesn't get more local, organicand inseason than a backyard vegetable garden.

Atthis timeofyear, many backyards across the countryare still covered in snow. But it's the perfect time to start planningfor agardenbe cause you'll want to have supplies ready tostart planting justafterthelastfrostdateinyour area.

Beloware sometips onhowto plana backyard gardenand reasons why you should do it.

Homegrown vegetables have fewer emissions

Vegetable gardens benefit the surrounding ecosystem by adding diverse plant life, especially where theyreplacegrassor coveradeck orpatio.They alsocanprovideflowering plants for pollinators.

The plants capture and store carbon in the soil,promotehealthy soilbypreventingcompactionandcanmaketheaircooleronrooftops andpatios, accordingtoEllen Comeau,who chairsthe advisorycouncilfor theCuyahoga County MasterGardener Volunteerswith the Ohio State University Extension program.

Homegrown vegetables andfruits are responsible for fewer emissions than their storebought counterparts because grocery store produce typically travels long distances on trucks.

“There’s thiswhole idea ofa zero-kilometre meal,that Idon’thaveto travelanywhere,exceptmybackyard,tomakefood.Thatcertainly helps the climate, saidCarol Connare, editor of The Old Farmer s Almanac.

Gardening has health benefits

Thehealthbenefits fromgardeningaremultifaceted, social,emotional, nutritional,phys-

said Katherine Alaimo, an associate professor of food science and humannutrition at Michigan State University. Gardening promotes physical health because it requires alot of movement. The food is typically picked at theheightofripeness and eaten freshso it tendsto havemore nutrients thangrocery store produce. Alaimo said most gardeners don t use pesticides and grow their food organically. And of course, when you grow moreproduce, youeat more produce. That sgoing toreinforce people eating more fruits and vegetables evenintheoff seasonwhenthey re not growing food. So theytry newfoods, theypotentiallyincrease creativityand theircooking skills,” she said.

Alaimosaidgardening alsoconnectspeople with nature, provides a sense of responsibility and accomplishment andencourages sharing harvests with friends. All of that can contribute toreducedstress, lowerbloodpressureand higher energy, she said.

Picking the right spot and budgeting Sunlight isthe biggestfactor inchoosing where to put your garden. Most produce wants atleastsixhoursof sunlightperday.Ifsunny spotsare few,save themforfruiting plantsbecause leafy greens can tolerate more shade. It also helpsto have a nearbywater source because you'llget morefood forless effortif you'renot luggingbuckets ofwater along way. If you'regrowing in theground, Comeau saidtostart withasoiltest todetermineits acidity and nutrientmakeup. Soil samples, oncebaggedorboxed,cantypicallybesenttoa cooperativeextensionoffice atauniversity. TheOld Farmer'sAlmanacoffersa list of extension officesby state. The resultswill give you an idea of whatto grow and whether you need fertilizer or other amendments.

When the steelleaves the foundation

THEREis aquietbreakdown happening in many families,onethatdoesnotalways announce itself with shouting orscandal. Sometimesit slipsinunnoticed, disguised as “having fun,” as harmless socialising,or asa man’s right toenjoy himself after ahard day. Butwhen a father choosespopularity over responsibility,nightlife overnurture, andapplause fromdrinking buddiesover theneeds ofhis family,the consequences are neither quiet norharmless. Theyare devastating. And theyecho through generations.

The family is society’s firstclassroom. It s where children learn howto behave, how to love, how to respect themselvesand others, and how to navigate the world. When the father--the man expected tobe the steel in thefamily s foundation-abandonsthat role,thestructure weakens. When he leavesaltogether, orisphysically presentbut emotionally absent,the collapsebegins from the inside.

Traditionally, andunderstandably, the father is expectedto providesecurity:a roof over his family’s head, foodonthetable,andasense of stabilitythat allows everyoneelse tothrive.But provision goes beyond money. It includes wisdom, guidance,and leadership.A father is meant to set standards,to laydownguidelines thathelp shapegood,productive citizens. Heis supposed tomodel dignity, pride, truth, self-respect, and respect for others.These are not abstract ideals. They are daily lessons taught by example.

Yettoooften,theselessons are never taughtbecause the teacher is missing.

Whena fatherprioritises bar hoppingover bedtime stories, laughter with drinkingbuddies overconversation with his children, and publicadmiration over private responsibility, the messageis loudandclear: the family is not first. And children, whether we acknowledge it or not, are al-

A

ways watching.

Theson watcheshis fatherand learnswhatit means to be aman. If the father is irresponsible, unreliable,intoxicated, oremotionallydistant, thesoninternalisesthat behaviouras normal even admirable. He sees that manhood is measuredby howmany people know yourname at the “watering hole,”by how easilyyoucan buyaround of drinks, orby how loudly otherspraiseyouforbeinga cool brother. Responsibility, sacrifice,and self-discipline fadeinto thebackground.

Withouta positivemale rolemodelat home,theson gravitatestoward menoutside thehome. Toooften, thesemenarejustaslost,just as broken, and just as irresponsible as thefather who failed them. Butat least they offerattention. Andfora young boy craving validation, attention--anyattention!--can feel like love. This ishow destructivecyclesare born, andhow patternsof chaos are passedfrom one generation to the next.

Thedaughter suffersdifferently, but noless profoundly. A father’s love givesadaughter asenseof safety,worth, andemotional grounding. It teaches her what to expect from men and what behaviourshe should never accept. When that love is absent, whenthe father is drunk, distracted, or disengaged,a dangerousvoid forms. Predatorymen recognise thatvoid immediately. Theysee insecurity,hunger for affection, and emotional neglect, and they exploit it. Thisdoesn't happenby chance. It’sa directresult of fathers leaving their families.

Meanwhile, themother carries theheaviest burden. She becomes both nurturer and enforcer,provider and protector, emotionalanchor and disciplinarian.She stretches herself thin, often trying to rub two coins together to make a meal, worrying aboutschool lunches, uniforms, andbasic necessities. She does this while re-

chatbot powered by humans, not AI?

By MATT O'BRIEN AP Technology Writer

ceiving littleor noemotional support from the man who is supposed to be her partner. Her strengthis slowly drained,not becausesheis weak,butbecausesheisdoing the work of two people alone. The emotional neglectshe experiencesis rarelyacknowledged.She becomesinvisible,exhausted, andresentful, yetstill expectedtohold everything together.This is not strengthcelebrated. It s strength exploited. While themother struggles athome,thefatherisoftenout partying, drinking,and seekingattention.Hefeelsimportantbecause othersnotice him outside, even though his familyisfallingapartathome. He spends money on strangers,buthisownchildren go without. This is not just sad, but deeply wrong. Manymenwhoactthisway would rathernot talkabout it. Some ofus whodiscuss this issuedo sobecause wehave made thesemistakes ourselves.But admittingwhat wehave donewrong doesnot makeit okay.Weneed tobe honest and facethese problemsdirectly. Stayingsilent has never fixed a broken family, andignoring thetruth hasneverhealed adividedsociety. The damage doesnot stop atthe frontdoor. Whenfamilies breakdown, societyabsorbs theshock. Undisciplined, misguided youth wanderthestreetswithoutdirection,self-respect, orpurpose. Theyare anxiousto be accepted,often byquestionableadultswho donothave their best interests at heart. Crime increases.Violence escalates. Distrustbecomes the

Popularity has never built a nation. Applause from drinking buddies has never raised a child. It’s time to stop standing out for the wrong reasons and start standing up for the right ones.

misplaced cultural pride, we have confused “having fun” with integrity,irresponsibility with freedom, and recklessnesswith masculinity.Too often,we turna blindeye to or worse, celebrat--behaviour that undermines the family structure. Thisisnot confinedtoany one group. It affects every socioeconomic level,every neighbourhood, everyeducational background,and every religiousaffiliation.Thisisnot a problem ofpoverty alone, nor wealth, norlack of education. It s a moraland cultural crisisthatcuts acrossalldivisions.

Fordecades, thesedestructive patterns have been passeddown. Sonsgrowinto men who repeat what they saw.Daughters growinto women who tolerate what they learned to expect. Afterseveral generations, chaos beginsto feel normal. Disorder becomes familiar. Responsibility feels optional. But isthere hope?

Yes,but onlyif we arewilling torevisit old principles that oncegrounded us.There mustbea renewing ofthe mind, particularly among men.Fathers must reclaim their rightful placeas leaders ofthe family, not dictators, nottyrants, but steady,present, accountable leaders. Leadership inthe home transcends ego. It requires sacrifice. It demands consistency. Andit restores order.

Order, discipline,and selfrespect are notoutdated concepts.They arestabilising forces. They cool tempers, theyreduce suspicion,and

they create environments whererespectfuldialoguecan flourish. Whenchildren grow upseeing respectpractised daily, theylearn toextend it outward to neighbours, to classmates, and eventually to the nation. Facing reality,a positive mindsetiscultivatedathome. Webecome whatwerepeatedlysee andlive. Ifdisrespect is normalisedin the family, it will manifest in society.Ifresponsibilityismodelledconsistently, itwillspill into the neighbourhood and strengthen the country. Thiscrisis isfixable,but notifwecontinuetryingtofit in.Popularity hasneverbuilt anation. Applausefrom drinking buddieshas never raisedachild.It’stimetostop standing out forthe wrong reasons and start standing up for the right ones. Let s stand up for our children.

Let’sstandup forourfamilies.

Let’stakeresponsibilityfor building a countrybased on integrity. Our grandchildren deserve to inherit a nation defined bypeace, notchaos; by accountability, not excuses. And that futuredoes not begin in parliamentor policy, it begins in the home.

About 50 residents of a community outsideChile’s capital spent Saturday tryingtheir best to power anentirely human-operatedchatbotthatcouldanswer questions and makesilly picturesoncommand,inamessage to highlightthe environmental tollofartificialintelligencedata centres in the region. Organisers say the 12-hour project fieldedmore than 25,000requestsfromaroundthe world. Asking theQuili.AI website togeneratean imageofa “sloth playingin thesnow” didn't instantly produce an output, as ChatGPTor Google'sGemini would. Instead, someone responded in Spanish to wait a few moments and reminded the userthata humanwasresponding.

Thencame adrawingabout 10minutes later:apencilled sketch of a cute and cartoonish slothinapileofsnowballs,with itsclaws clutchingoneand about to throw it.

“Thegoal isto highlightthe hidden water footprint behind AI prompting and encourage more responsible use, said a statement fromorganiser LorenaAntiman oftheenvironmental groupCorporación NGEN. Theanswers camefrom aro-

tatingcrew ofvolunteers working onlaptops ina community centrein Quilicura,a municipality at the urban edge ofSantiago thathas becomea datacentrehub. Askedbyan Associated Pressreporter for the identity of who made the sloth drawing,the websiterespondedthatit wasalocal youth who's helpingwith illustrations.

The websiteresponded quickly toquestions thatdrew on residents'cultural knowledge, likehow tomake Chileansopaipillas, afried pastry. Whenthey didn'tknow

theanswer,theywalkedaround theroomtoseeifsomeoneelse did.

“Quili.AI isn’t aboutalways having an instant answer. It’s about recognising that not every question needs one," Antimansaid. "Whenresidents don t know something, they can say so, share perspective, orrespondwithcuriosityrather than certainty.”

Shesaidit's notdesignedto reject the incredibly valuable uses ofAI butto thinkmore about the impactsof so much casual prompting on waterstressed places like Quilicura.

Tensions flare at Exuma townhall meeting over proposed $200m resort

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

TENSIONS flared in Black Point, Exuma, last week as residents, developers and stakeholders clashed over a proposed $200m resort, with the Town Planning Committee signalling that a decision will be taken only after a second meeting later this month.

The public meeting, held on Thursday afternoon, saw Miami-based investment firm Yntegra return to the community to present a revised site plan for its Sampson Cay development, following sustained criticism over the scale of the project and the impact of its proposed service dock.

Opening the presentation, Yntegra Group chief executive officer Felipe MacLean told residents the company had revised its plans after extensive feedback from the community and neighbouring developments, and was seeking to “peacefully coexist” with Black Point and nearby

resorts. “This project was born in Black Point, shaped with Black Point,” Mr MacLean said. “Based on the feedback and recommendations we received from members of the community and our neighbours, we felt it was important to revise our site plan to better address those concerns.”

He said Yntegra had held multiple formal and informal meetings in Exuma over the past two years, listening to concerns about employment, partnerships and the size of the proposed resort. He described the revised application as an attempt to reflect transparency and long-term benefits for Exuma and The Bahamas, before handing over to chief development and investment officer Javier Guerra.

Mr Guerra outlined plans for a resort comprising 33 hotel bungalows, 40 private residences, two marinas, employee housing, and associated service and utility infrastructure, again stressing that the project was designed to “peacefully co-exist” with neighbours.

Despite those assurances, several residents warned that the scale of the development — particularly its marine infrastructure — risked permanently altering the Exuma Cays’ environment, navigation safety and character.

Residents repeatedly said they were not opposed to development or job creation, but argued the project was too large for Sampson Cay. Concerns centred on dredging, barge traffic, currents, seagrass beds and a bay residents described as central to daily life, recreation and tourism.

The proposed service dock again emerged as the most contentious issue. Mr Guerra said the revised site plan reduced its footprint, with the service dock shortened from 183 feet to 130 feet, the floating dock from 110 feet to 60 feet, the breakwater from 390 feet to 206 feet, and the dredge footprint from 1.4 acres to 1.2 acres.

He also said several resort amenities would be open to the wider public, rather than restricted to hotel guests, and that the

development was intended to integrate with the Exuma community rather than operate as a closed enclave.

After the presentation, tensions rose during public comments. At one point, Mr MacLean questioned the impartiality of at least one resident opposing the project, suggesting their views were influenced by their association with Turtlegrass Resort owner Bob Coughlin. His remarks drew audible reactions from the audience and prompted intervention by the Town Planning Committee chair.

Longtime Exuma resident Cecil Smith said the dispute was not about rejecting development, but about whether it was being pursued at a sustainable scale.

“Most of us here are not saying we don’t want development. We want jobs. We want opportunity,” Mr Smith said. “But we believe it’s too big, and it’s going to leave too big a scar on the environment, and it’s going to change the ethos of the Exuma Cays.”

He urged the developer to reduce the project’s footprint.

“If you scaled this project down to about 50 or 60 percent, most people would hold on to you and say, ‘Let’s go. Let’s get it done,’” he said.

Others warned that the dispute itself was fracturing the community.

“You guys are professional businessmen. You can come together and come up with a solution that wouldn’t have this community the way it is right now — families going against families,” one resident said.

Attorney Fred Smith, representing Mr Coughlin, said he and his client were participating in the meeting

without prejudice and criticised the availability of Yntegra’s revised site plan, describing it as “extremely difficult, if not completely impractical” for residents to review because the documents were only accessible in person in New Providence or Georgetown.

He described the materials as “voluminous” and questioned why they were not available online, saying Turtlegrass had not been able to submit the plans to independent experts.

Town Planning Committee chairman Keenan Johnson responded that environmental concerns were outside the committee’s remit, explaining that its role was limited to landuse and technical planning considerations.

Mr Coughlin then reiterated long-standing objections to the project, particularly the location of the service dock and marine access in North Bay, warning that dredging and barge traffic could alter currents, damage seagrass beds and disrupt a sensitive bay.

“So if you stretch that out, it would be about we’ve marked about six to 700 feet of dredging that would come through a high current area and then bring barges in within 150 feet of our beach,” he said. He also argued that the revised site plan lacked sufficient technical and environmental detail.

“There’s no map of where they plan to dredge. So, you know, the turn radius of the barges — there’s no way to validate their assumptions,” he said. “You’ve got sea grass. That’s where we snorkel. It’s the most pristine beach in the Exumas that they want to destroy. There’s rays, turtles, you know, you name it — thousands of fish, the reef in the

middle.”

Mr Guerra rejected claims that the revised plan misrepresented changes and said Yntegra had resubmitted plans precisely because of objections raised during earlier consultations. Addressing criticism over document access, he said the company had complied with statutory requirements.

“You were clear that you don’t like the process, but that’s the process established by law,” he said. “I’m not part of it. I am simply as Yntegra complying with the law and this process that we are following is what the law states. If you are not happy with it Mr Smith, I am sorry, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I suggest you call your MP for that.” His remarks were met with audible gasps from some residents.

A local boat captain later warned the Town Planning Committee that the proposed service dock was impractical from a marine navigation standpoint, citing shallow waters, strong currents and tight turning points.

“I get that you guys are doing your job, but you have 365 islands of the Caribbeans jewels, West Indies jewels,” he said. “Little Sampsons Cay, Over Yonder Cay and everybody’s affected by 3, 4, 5 barges a week? I would hope town planning take in consideration that there is nothing that you’re going to be able to do to reverse the damage of accommodating three barges that over 100 and some feet coming into an area that is so restricted in its ability.”

The Town Planning Committee said it will consider submissions before making a determination after a second meeting later this month.

Social Services delays stall criminal record expungements

By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter

ONLY 45 Bahamians had their criminal records expunged last year after applying to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Committee, a figure officials say could have been higher if not for delays in obtaining crucial reports from the Department of Social Services.

Reverend Ronald Campbell, chairman of the committee, confirmed a decline in successful expungements for 2025 and attributed

it largely to delays in receiving required documentation.

He said about 137 people applied to the committee last year seeking a clean slate. Applicants include people convicted of offences such as armed robbery, firearm offenses, incest, child cruelty, fraud, disorderly behaviour, and minor drug-related matters.

Officials said nine applications were denied and referred to the Prerogative of Mercy Committee, while six applicants were deemed

to have applied too early. However, 69 applications could not move forward because reports from the Department of Social Services were not received in time.

The reports are required to assess whether applicants have been rehabilitated and are making positive contributions to society.

“They don't feel the burden or the need, and they don't hear the stories that, listen, ‘I need a job taking care of my family,” Reverend Campbell said, referring to the social services

department. “They don't hear these stories, stories that laid at our doorstep and so we are pleading with them to speed it up so we can assist these persons to get back on the feet.”

Committee administrator Ann Ferguson said the body met every two months under its former chairman, but now struggles to hold more than three meetings a year.

“For a prime example, I went on vacation in December around the 18th or 19th and I submitted a request for the reports but

from December to now, I received like two reports,” she added.

Meanwhile, officials said COVID-related convictions have been removed from applicants’ records.

“They had a time span number five years, and once that time was up, then there's no need to come to us,” Rev Campbell noted. He also encouraged people convicted of minor offences to apply to the committee, noting that many remain unaware there is a formal process to have such

records expunged. He noted that rehabilitation periods begin once a court-imposed sentence is fully satisfied, either immediately after a fine is paid in full or, in the case of imprisonment, after the sentence has been served. Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act, people who have committed murder, manslaughter, treason, armed robbery, rape, etc, cannot have their records expunged. However, such cases may be reviewed by the Prerogative of Mercy after a prescribed period.

Student relaunches Adopt-a-Grandparent at Sandilands

By FAY SIMMONS Tribune Education Reporter jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

ATJUST 11yearsold,Jayson BrianGomez II is already redefining what student leadership looks like beyond the classroom.

The Head Boy of The Samuel Guy Pinder AllAge SchoolinSpanish Wellsrecently partnered with Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre in Nassau to help relaunch its Adopt-AGrandparentProgramme an initiative grounded, he says, ina simple belief: Elderly peopleshouldnotfeellonely,especiallyduring

special times of the year. While many studentleadership roles focus on school-based activities,Jayson’s vision of service stretches across islands. Although he resides inSpanish Wells, Eleuthera,he travelled toNassau tosupport theprogramme, demonstrating thatmeaningful communityengagement is not limited by age or geography. Jaysonexplained thatthedecision torelaunch theprogramme cameafter learning about it through hismother, who had considered adopting a grandparent. When he discoveredthat manyelderlyresidents atSandilands Geriatric Hospital do not receive regular visitors, giftsoroutside interaction,he felt compelled to act.

“IknewIhadtothinkofawaytochange that, he said. I wanted them to know they areloved,rememberedandvaluedbymany people.”

The Adopt-A-GrandparentProgramme pairs volunteers with elderly residents, allowing themto buildgenuine relationships throughvisits, conversations,letters,cards andshared stories.According toJayson, adopting a grandparent means treating that person as family. It s aboutbuilding areal relationship andlettingthemknowthatsomeonecares,” he explained. “It doesn’t matterifyouare not related; what matters is the love, time and attention you choose to give.

Duringhisvisit toSandilandsRehabilitation Centre,Jayson touredall fourgeriatric wards and ensured that every resident was included.Gift bagscontaining essential itemswere distributed, butthe most

Government highlights expanded pathways at YEP Day celebrations

THE Governmentof TheBahamas hasexpanded opportunities for young peopleto turn their skillsand passionsinto purpose-driven careers, Prime MinisterPhilip Brave Davis said during the 14thAnnual Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP) Day celebrations on Cat Island.

Speaking at the GAVCommunity Centre in New Bightduring theYEP CatIsland District Seminar, the Prime Minister told students that leadership is rooted in service and that national progress depends on youth success. Leadership is not abouttitles, it s actually aboutservice,”MrDavissaid.“Toeveryyoung personin theroom,yoursuccess isthe country’s success and that’s why it’s important that we reproviding opportunitiesfor youto succeed.”

Headded thateachgenerationcarries aresponsibility tohelp shapethe nationwhile preserving itsidentity. Thateffort startswith belief beliefin yourself, belief inyour communities, and belief in possibilities, he said.

Simultaneously, Ministerof Labourand the PublicServicePia Glover-Rolleaddressedapproximately 500 young people in New ProvidenceonSaturday, February7,encouraging themtotakefull advantageofalternativepathways beyond traditional tertiary education.

Shehighlightedprogrammesandinstitutions including the Creative and Performing Arts School (CAPAS),DigiLearn, UpSkillBahamas, theBahamas Agricultureand Marine Science Institute (BAMSI), the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute(BTVI) and the National ApprenticeshipProgramme, noting that these options provide practical routes for students with diverse talents and interests.

“Iwantyoutounderstandhowimportantitis for you to embrace every opportunity you can, everyday, inevery environment,and makethe most of every moment, Minister Glover-Rolle told YEP participants.

Whileemphasising expandedaccess toeducation and training,she alsourged studentsto remaincivic-minded andconscientiousabout their role in building the nation.

YEPfounder andchief executiveofficer Delano Munroesaid theprogramme continues to growin reachand impact.During the 2025–2026 programme year, approximately 1,200 students are enrolled nationwide, supportedby anetwork ofabout120 trainedand vetted adultvolunteers whoserve asmentors and role models.

The parallel observances marked 14 years of continuous operation by the Youth EmpowermentProgramme, whichoperatesas aregistered non-profit organisationwith active centres inNorth and CentralAbaco, Bimini, CatIsland,GrandCay,Inagua,LongIslandand New Providence. YEP serves students in grades nine through 12 fromboth public and privateschools, utilising a comprehensive curriculum designed to engage andempower young peoplefrom a wide rangeof backgrounds.The programme maintainsnon-discriminatory enrolmentrequirementsandattracts participantsfromall walks of life, including many from marginalised and at-risk communities. Organisers noted that high-performingYEP studentscontinue to excel academically and within the programme. New Providence s YEPDaycelebrations alsofeatured theinstallationof thenewly elected YEPStudent AssociationExecutive Board, alongwith competitivedistrict activitiesrecognisingstudentengagementandteamwork.

South 2 District securedfirst place for best entranceand mostenthusiastic district,and placed third for best song. The North District placedfirst forbest bannerandsecond forbest shirt designand best entrance.South Central earnedfirst placefor bestshirt design,second forbest banner,mostenthusiastic districtand bestsong, andthirdforbest entrance.TheEast District captured first place for best song.

Duringthe event,YEPalsopresented itsannual Partnership of ExcellenceAward to Consolidated Water (Bahamas)Ltd, CIBC Bank, SunOilLimited, JSJohnsonInsuranceCompany and MinisterPia Glover-Rolle, recognising theirlong-standing supportofyouthdevelopment initiatives.

meaningful momentscame through personal interaction. Hespent timegreetingresidents,answering theirquestions and listeningto their stories simpleyetpowerful gestures that reinforced their senseof dignityandbelonging.

Jayson noted that the programme is especially impactful for residents who do not receive frequent visitors.

It reminds them that they are seen, valuedand not forgotten,” he said,addingthat the opportunity toshare life experiencesalso benefitsvolunteers.

The programme isopen to

students, families, churches, community members and civic organisations throughout TheBahamas.

Jayson himself servesas an example of inclusive participation.

“I am 11 yearsold and participatewhile livingin Spanish Wells, he said, “whichshowsthatanyonecan takepart,no mattertheirage or where they live.” Support fromfamilies, churches andcommunity organisationsalso playsacriticalroleinsustainingtheinitiative. Jayson credits his family forassisting with transportation andresources,

whilechurches andcivic groups help foster a culture of service and awareness. When families, churches and communityorganisations worktogether,theprogramme becomes strongerand more successful, he said.

Recently nominated as Bahamas Student of the Year 2026 for TheSamuel Guy Pinder All Age School, Jayson continuesto demonstratethat educationextends farbeyond textbooks shaping character, nurturing responsibility andinspiring service thatleaves alasting impact across generations.

CG Atlantic opens applications for 2026 summer internship

CG ATLANTIC Group of Companies is inviting applications forits 2026 Summer Internship Programme, offering college students and recent graduatesthe opportunitytogain hands-onexperience inthe insurance industry.

The in-person programme,which willbe based at CGAtlantic’s offices, provides exposure to multiple departments including Property and Casualty, Medical-Wellness, Financeand Marketing.Interns willalso participateina group-wide project alongside local initiatives, allowing themto develop practical, technicaland professional skills.

Since theprogramme s

launch in 2019, CG Atlantic saidit hashelpedinterns transition into confident professionals, withseveral former participants going on tosecure full-timeroles within thecompany across Cayman, Bermuda, Barbados,TrinidadandTobago, Jamaica and The Bahamas. Ty EshaSmith,a2025intern,described theexperience as transformative, noting thatit helpedher build confidence, gain practical experienceand recognise her potential while working in a supportive team environment.

CG chief executive officerNazFarrowsaidtheinternshipprogramme isdesigned toprovide meaningful, real-worldexperience for young people entering the workforce. Seeing former interns join our teams full-time highlights theprogramme’s success andour commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent,” Mr Farrow said. Applications for the 2026 programme arenow open. Eligibleapplicants mustbe citizens of the country in whichthey areapplyingand mustbe currentlyenrolled ina fullyaccrediteddegree programme or have graduated noearlier thanOctober 2025.

The applicationdeadline is March31, 2026.Additionalinformation aboutthe CGAtlanticSummerInternship Programme is available online.

PLP holds Ratification night rally

Bastian donates ATVs to RBPF to boost community patrols

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party candidate for Fort Charlotte, Sebas Bastian, presented three All-Terrain Vehicles to the Royal Bahamas Police Force today, reinforcing his campaign commitment to public safety and proactive policing. The vehicles were formally received by Commissioner of Police Shanta Knowles, who emphasized that the units will be deployed to areas where standard patrol cars often struggle to navigate. The ATVs are designated for specific high-activity and geographically challenging locations, with one unit assigned to the Arawak Cay Police Station within the Fort Charlotte constituency, and the remaining two sent to Harbour Island and Spanish Wells. These vehicles are intended to enhance police mobility, visibility, and response times in communities where flexible transportation is essential for maintaining order and economic vitality. Bastian stated that public

safety is built through partnership, noting that when law enforcement is properly equipped and communities are engaged, it creates safer neighbourhoods and stronger foundations for opportunity. He added that the presentation forms part of an integrated approach to safety that combines law enforcement support, technology, and community empowerment. This initiative follows his ongoing distribution of Ring Doorbell cameras to residents

and active discussions with the police force to expand CCTV coverage throughout the Fort Charlotte constituency.

Commissioner Shanta Knowles thanked Mr. Bastian for the donation, pledging that the muchneeded vehicles will be used effectively to protect the people of The Bahamas. She confirmed that the officers will utilize the ATVs for extra patrols in areas that regular vehicles find difficult to access, ensuring a stronger

law enforcement presence in community-centred areas.

Bastian reaffirmed his support for the rule of law, noting that safety and accountability are essential to national progress. He commended the men and

women of the police force for serving with professionalism and courage, stating his intent for Fort Charlotte to serve as a model for modern community safety grounded in innovation and shared responsibility.