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DAVIS TELLS NEW COPS - BE CAREFUL PM reminds officers of duty not to harm force’s reputation By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis advised new Royal Bahamas Police Force officers to “be careful” of their actions, adding that they had a duty to keep the force’s reputation intact. Mr Davis noted public concern over how officers execute their duties and citizens’ righss to have a say in how they are policed. Just last month, a Royal Bahamas Defence Force officer was shot to death after he allegedly “charged” at a police officer and tried to disarm him. It led RBDF Commodore
Raymond King to contend that there should be an established protocol regarding how police officers interact with members of the service. In the wider public, the incident reignited discourse about police and their use of force and ability to de-escalate hostile environments. “Never forget that the Royal Bahamas Police Force works in partnership with all citizens, residents and visitors,” Mr Davis said in remarks at the new recruits’ graduation ceremony at the Police Training College yesterday. SEE PAGE THREE
‘I’VE NOTHING TO FEAR FROM DRA AUDITORS’ By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
TYCOON Waste Management Company’s Ed Curling was on the defensive yesterday as he issued a full-throated rejection of claims that the work he did to clean up portions of Grand Bahama was overpriced and not up to standard. “That is pure bull****,”
Mr Curling told The Tribune as he defended his company in the face of claims that Tycoon Waste submitted bills to the Disaster Reconstruction Authority that did not actually coincide with the level of work done at a debris management site in the nation’s second city. On Wednesday, DRA executive chairman Alex SEE PAGE FIVE
FOI TRIAL TO START WITH TEN GOVT AGENCIES By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE Ministry of Finance, the Department of Public Procurement, Bahamas Power and Light and the Ministry of Works are among the ten government institutions that will be initially involved in the launch of the Freedom of Information system. Deputy Information Commissioner Shane Miller said the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Environment, the Bahamas Investment Authority, the Treasury Department, the Ministry of Public Service and the Department of Immigration will also be involved in the pilot programme. SEE PAGE FOUR
CRACKDOWN ON WAY TO CONTROL UNLICENCED MONEY LENDERS
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
FAREWELL TO SIR GODFREY KELLY OLYMPIAN Sir Godfrey Kelly, KCMG, died at his Eastern Road home at about 10.30am yesterday. He was 93. The avid sailor competed in the 1960, 1964, 1968 and 1972 Summer Olympics, and was knighted in 2020. See PAGE THREE for the full story.
TWO GREAT READS FOR A GREAT WEEKEND SUPER BOWL SPECIAL
A CINCIN
GA TTI BEN
L S ANGE LS V LO
N A TRIBU
S ES R AM
DIANE PHILLIPS: PUTIN MOVE HAS US QUAKING IN OUR SANDALS - SEE PAGE NINE
IC E PUBL
AT I O N
A CRACKDOWN that aims to reverse “non-existent” consumer protection from unregulated money lenders will take effect in the 2022 second quarter, the Securities Commission’s top executive says. Christina Rolle said The Bahamas is “going from zero” in filling “a very big gap” in safeguarding its citizens from predatory lending by persons and entities operating outside financial services supervision. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
13-DAY-OLD BOY AMONG COVID DEAD THREE people, including a 13-day-old infant, have recently died from COVID-19, according to officials from the Ministry of Health and Wellness. The deaths pushed the nation’s COVID-19 death toll to 756, the ministry’s February 8 dashboard notes. The male infant from New Providence died on January 7. When contacted yesterday, health officials had no further details on his death. SEE PAGE FOUR
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PAGE 2, Friday, February 11, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
MEMBERS of the family of the Rev Charles W Saunders at his memorial yesterday.
Photos: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff
Farewell to a titan of the religious commmunity By PAVEL BAILEY THE nation bid final farewell to a titan of the religious community at the state recognised memorial of Reverend Dr Charles W Saunders yesterday at Salem Union Baptist Church. A pillar of the Baptist church community, Rev Saunders was a tireless nation builder. During his 32-year tenure as superintendent of the Bahamas Baptist Union and 17-year presidency of the Bahamas Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention, he forever changed the lives of countless Bahamians. Distinguished guests from both the religious and political arena, including Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis and Governor General Sir Cornelius Smith, attended the service at the church where Saunders had served faithfully as pastor for 39 years until his retirement in 2013. During remarks at the service Rev Dr William Thompson, past president of the Bahamas National Baptist Ministry & Educational Convention, paid tribute to his friend.
“I stand now in this pulpit because I am a Christian, I come to witness his passing into the fullness of his inheritance, but because he was my mentor and friend I come to weep and mourn over his fallen human form. There is a passage born in ancient literature, 1st Samuel 3 and 38 which states, and I quote ‘Know we not that a prince and a great man has fallen in this realm?’ I beg you to indulge to allow me to paraphrase and say, ‘Don’t you know that a prince and a good man has fallen in The Bahamas?’” He said the nation had lost an immense talent with Rev Saunders’ death, whose contribution to the Bahamian people was immeasurable. “To measure the meanings and works of Charles Saunders is as if one were to take a thimble and try to empty an ocean. It would be as if one sought to measure the expanse of heaven with the span of a human hand. My brothers and sisters, something vast and noble has passed from among us. It is like a mighty tree has fallen leaving an empty and gaping space against the sky where he once stood. His life was an epic, a grand tale woven by God himself,” he said.
BYRON SAUNDERS, the son of the Rev Charles W Saunders, addressing the memorial service.
Bishop Neil C Ellis, senior pastor at Mt Tabor Church and officiant at the service, during his sermon spoke to the tremendous legacy Rev Saunders left behind. “The story of his life (Saunders) is wrapped up in something he said to me almost 34 years ago on the first anniversary of my pastorage. ‘Son if you’re not making someone else’s life better you are wasting your life.’ This statement shifted my focus on doing ministry and gave birth to the socialisation arm of the Mount Tabor Church,” Bishop Ellis said. “So, all of those people who live in houses bought by our church, all of those people whose down payment for homes were paid by our church, and all of those people who live in one of the three church’s subdivisions, all of those persons who were scholarshipped to high schools, colleges and universities here and abroad, they must all trace their blessing back to this man. He made one statement and it shifted the focus of an entire ministry.” Mr Davis, during his tribute to Rev Saunders, applauded his contributions to the nation and how he
BISHOP Neil Ellis during the memorial to the Rev Charles W Saunders at Salem Union Baptist Church, picutred in front of a portrait of Rev Saunders. positively influenced the political landscape of the country from the pulpit. “Rev Dr Saunders – this great pastor, administrator, and teacher – without the trappings of politics, invariably and positively influenced the political landscape. Every sermon that he preached, whether it was from this place or another, his reminder was that our conduct in respect of public affairs and management of public resources ought to guarantee the realisation of an ordered society. These principles require governance that is essentially free of abuse and corruption with full regard for the rule of law. His were sermons
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis speaking at the memorial at Salem Union Baptist Church yesterday.
that took into account that Christians were citizens with a higher responsibility for the development of our Bahamas. With his passing, we have lost one of The Bahamas’ finest patriots,” Mr Davis said. Byron Saunders, Rev Saunders’ son, thanked Mr Davis and his government for their effort in honouring his father in such grand fashion. He also extended personal thanks to former Prime Minister Perry Christie, who was in attendance, for allowing his father the opportunity to serve the Bahamian people in public office during his administration.
“Former Prime Minister, who is here, Mr Christie, Daddy and Mum appreciate you for giving my father the opportunity to serve you and serve this country.” In his final respects to his father Byron Saunders called Rev Saunders a great man and his lifelong hero. “I am privileged and honoured just to give brief remarks on my father to the special bond that we shared. Many have spoken about him, but I said simply when people ask, ‘Who is your hero?’ Charles W. Saunders,” he said. Rev Saunders died last month at the age of 91.
FORMER Prime Minister Perry Christie at yesterday’s service.
COMMODORE Raymond King at the memorial.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, February 11, 2022, PAGE 3
SIR Godfrey Kelly pictured as he received his knighthood from Governor General CA Smith in 2020.
Davis tells new cops - be careful from page one “This is outlined in the force’s ‘Statement of Common Purpose and Values’ which places the onus on each of you to perform your duties while respecting individual human rights, reflecting fairness, sensitivity and compassion, while you firmly pursue those who oppose law and order. “You are no longer a civilian, therefore you will be held to a higher standard, and scrutinised at every turn. This is a good thing, and officers of integrity should not fear it. In fact, you should embrace it. Citizens have a right to have a say in how they are policed. We should ‘police by consent’. Ultimately that is the only way in which we will ultimately be effective. “You begin your tenure at a time where there are raging debates about law enforcement officers and how they execute their duties. The arguments relative to the use of force and perceived bias have dominated local conversations and exploded on social media. This has even drawn international attention to these issues. Again, this is a good thing.” He continued: “In the wider society, our people have made it clear that they want public officials and every member of the governing class to work with greater transparency, fairness and integrity. Officers, you are in that part of the state that our people encounter virtually every day, and those expectations are similarly and rightly also directed at you. “And so, this is my charge to you
THE GRADUATION ceremony for police recruits yesterday. Photo: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff today. Be careful of your actions. you are the answer to their pleas. Ensure that you give policing the “You have sworn to prevent and best of your service. Live up to the detect crime, preserve the peace, proauthentic attributes and noble expec- tect life and property, apprehend all tations of a police officer by being offenders and enforce the laws of the impartial, truthful, loyal, courageous, Commonwealth of The Bahamas. courteous, confidential, temperate, “This is a sacred privilege. You must tactful, always showing initiative. prize and guard it zealously. You have You represent the future of this noble been vested with great power and organisation. You have a responsibil- authority. You must never forget the ity to keep its reputation intact.” great responsibility that comes with it. The Prime Minister pointed to the The level of power you will be wieldcountry’s crime challenges and the call ing must be used with much restraint.” for more police. He said: “Our counMr Davis also told the new officers try continues to face many challenges, to strike a balance between work and some of them seemingly overwhelm- family life, while continuing to seek ing and intractable. Crime and the fear avenues for self-development, capacof crime are real concerns for many ity-building and exposure. people, as you join this valiant fight, rest “Develop a prayer life and in all assured that my government is commit- you do, never forget to put God first. ted to your cause. Your colleagues have You will need His strength, guidance been begging for reinforcement – and and direction,” he said.
SIR GODFREY KELLY DIES, AGED 93 SIR Godfrey Kelly, KCMG, 93, died at his Eastern Road home at about 10.30am yesterday shortly after eating breakfast. An avid sailor, he competed in the 1960, 1964, 1968 and 1972 Summer Olympics. Sir Godfrey was bestowed with a knighthood in Queen Elizabeth’s 2020 New Year’s Honours. He was officially knighted at a ceremony at Government House in September of that year. After some criticism about the honour from the Progressive Liberal Party, Sir Godfrey defended his knighthood in January 2020, saying he expected the award “earlier” and viewed it as the government making “amends” for neglecting to recommend it after his decades of contributions to the country. “I expected it earlier,” Sir Godfrey said in 2020 when asked if he saw the honour as long overdue. “I am quite happy. Even though I have already won I can’t jump around (because) I’m 91.” Speaking of his contributions over the years, Sir Godfrey said he had long “given a lot” to the Royal Bahamas Police Force and was an attorney for 66 years, adding he retired not long before his knighthood was announced.
He also contributed much to sports, particularly in the sailing arena. “I have always helped,” he said at the time. Sir Godfrey was born in Nassau on December 21, l928. His early education began at Queen’s College, then at McDonogh College Prep School in Baltimore, Maryland, before he embarked on training in law at Cambridge University and Middle Temple, London. He practised law for 66 years, notably at Higgs and Kelly, before retiring in June 2019. He has served in many capacities over the years, including at the Bahamas Bar Association; as elected representative for the Cat Island constituency in l956, 1962 and l967; as Minister of Education subsequent to the introduction of ministerial government under the United Bahamian Party administration. He was also appointed to the Senate in l968. A keen sportsman who enjoyed tennis, skiing, shooting, fishing and boating, he and the late Sir Harold Christie were founders of the Cat Island Regatta, an annual event since l956. Sir Godfrey is survived by his wife Sonia Kelly, his granddaughter Katherine Ann Elza, and his sisters-in-law, Lady Ann Johnstone and Mrs Nancy B Kelly, MBE.
ELECTED FREEPORT COUNCILLORS INAUGURATED By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
NINE elected local government councillors of the City of Freeport District Council were officially inaugurated and presented their certificates on Wednesday evening on Grand Bahama. The gavel was also turned over to incoming Chief Councillor Frazette Gibson-Bullard. The other council members are Dr Charlene Reid Morris, deputy chief councillor; Kendal R H Culmer II, former chief councillor; Rashad Adderley, Bernard Grant, Omese LockhartLightbourne, Marco Carey, Clifton Francis, and Edwin Strachan. The ceremony was held at New Life Worship Centre. Opposition leader Michael Pintard and Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey brought brief remarks. Also present was Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Leonardo Lightbourne, who presented Ms Gibson with a USB drive with all statutory boards and regulations of local government.
THE NEWLY elected councillors at the inauguration ceremony. Mr Pintard urged the up not for ourselves, but the nine councillors to work people we serve,” he said. Mr Pintard also warned together as a team, despite their political differences. they must not get caught He told them to succeed as up in the trappings of those a council they must work temporary positions they hold. together. “We are given a mandate “Let go of the temptation to not work as a collec- for a period,” he said. “Do tive team,” he said. “And not get fixated and attached. even though you hail from When that happens, you different political organisa- start manoeuvring in ways tions, I am told, it is easy to that are sometimes unethiget caught up in the tribal- cal and illegal to hold on to ism that has not served this what was only entrusted to country — the tribalism us for a moment.” The Marco City MP that tells you red or yellow have a monopoly on the urged the nine councillors best ideas for the salvation to let go of the spirit of of our people. And we… arrogance. “It is useful to listen to know that neither party has those we serve so we are a monopoly on good ideas. “We should find a way in a better position to be to work across the political responsive in our leadership divide to work with each to serve better,” he said. Meanwhile, Ms Moxey other because we all signed
congratulated the newly elected members. “The people of Grand Bahama have elected you to be their eyes, ears, and voices within the communities of East Grand Bahama, Marco City, Central Grand Bahama, and Pineridge,” she said. Ms Moxey noted there was “overwhelming interest” by Bahamians in the recent local government elections. More than 600 people nominated for positions throughout the Family Islands. “This overwhelming interest in our democratic process is a strong indicator more Bahamians want to be involved in governing our country,” she said. Ms Moxey told the
councillors to represent and advocate for the people they are elected to serve. “Be mindful of the issues that face our communities and find innovative ways to positively impact lives and meet the needs of the people. You must commit to use every resource available at your disposal to get the job done. But, most importantly, remember to serve those who elected you with compassion.” Ms Gibson-Bullard is convinced the council will achieve “great things” once they all work as a team.
She said: “Despite the differences in our backgrounds, our personalities and our politics, there is only one Freeport City Council. So, if we are to function effectively, we must function as one unit and must speak with one voice. We must set aside our differences and unite to achieve one common purpose.” Ms Gibson-Bullard, and Deon Feaster, chief councillor for Sweeting’s Cay, were also sworn in as justices of the peace during the ceremony.
PAGE 4, Friday, February 11, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
FROM left, Adrian White, Shanendon Cartwright, Elsworth Johnson, Dr Duane Sands and Michael Foulkes.
101 nominate for party officer positions in FNM convention By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net ONE hundred and one people have nominated for party officer positions at the Free National Movement’s upcoming convention. The virtual event will be headlined by the deputy leader race, featuring parliamentarians Adrian White and Shanendon Cartwright, as well as the chairmanship race, featuring former parliamentarians Elsworth Johnson, Dr Duane Sands and Michael Foulkes.
Sources close to FNM leader Michael Pintard told The Tribune he has avoided lobbying in private for a favourite in the two main races, preferring to let the process play out without his influence. Incumbent Secretary General Serfent Rolle, Treasurer Dwight Sawyer and Chaplain Gregory Minnis, Sr, are the only people nominated for those positions. Other posts available, featuring multiple candidates, include deputy chairman, vice chairman, deputy
secretary general, assistant secretary general, deputy treasurer, assistant treasurer, assistant chaplain, trustee, sergeant at arms, deputy sergeant at arms, chief protocol officer and deputy protocol officer. The decision to hold the event virtually came after COVID-19 cases increased. The event will be held from February 23-25. The FNM’s one-day leadership contest in November cost around $100,000. It is not clear how much the virtual event will cost, but a pre-convention press
13-DAY-OLD BOY AMONG COVID DEAD
FOI TRIAL TO START WITH TEN GOVT AGENCIES
from page one
from page one
In July 2021, officials reported that the country’s youngest victim at the time was a five-month-old girl who died from the virus on June 26, 2021. Meanwhile, the other newly reported deaths include a 62-year-old man who died on January 17 and a 34-year-old woman who died on February 2. They are both from New Providence. Forty-seven other deaths are under investigation. The Ministry of Health and Wellness also said 15 new cases were recorded on February 8 while 22 new cases were recorded on February 7. The country now has had 32,871 confirmed cases of the virus. At last report, 62 people were in hospital with the disease, three of whom are in the intensive care unit.
His comment came during a webinar yesterday hosted by the Organisation for Responsible Governance. “We were very cognizant of some of the key areas of government that the public would probably want to have information from right off the top,” Mr Miller said. “So, we were selective in these ten agencies. This is a phased approach. This is the first ten. There are approximately 20 or so ministries and each of those ministries have various agencies under them but these are the first ten that’s chosen as pilot agencies that will run this programme.” Mr Miller and Information Commissioner Keith Thompson could not say when the pilot programme will officially launch and when people can begin requesting information from the agencies, saying a lot of groundwork is still required. “A lot of reform (is) needed,” Mr Miller said, describing government institutions as still largely paperbased. He said the department has started an assessment process “to figure out where agencies are with
conference is expected in the coming weeks. The FNM’s constitution requires the party to host a convention every two years, a requirement the party has routinely failed to meet. In addition to the election of party officers, the FNM is expected to revise its constitution at the convention. In 2019, the Progressive Liberal Party amended its constitution to significantly increase the number of delegates that could participate and vote in its national
their records management,” something that will be key to making sure the Freedom of Information Act is properly implemented. Commissioner Thompson said one manager will be attached to each of the ten agencies and all ten managers will be trained by two local experts who have already been selected. “In order to get access, many things have to be put in place,” he said. “One of the things is there has to be technology. Technology has to be in place for the public to make the request for the different information that they may wish to request. “The plan for the additional (agencies) being on board... is a bit difficult to peg at this time. It’s because we’re gonna have to put in place the technology... at every ministry or agency that the public will be needing to use to make the request. That we are still working on and that has to be seated whether it’s a system that we can buy, or whether it’s one that we have to build, we are at that stage where we are in discussions on that.”
conventions. With the change, the number of people who can vote from each constituency grew from ten to 20. The party also agreed to appoint five convention delegates for every affiliate group. Fewer people are eligible to vote in the FNM’s convention. Last year, Mr Pintard said: “The closer we get to the convention we’ll give you some more details, we’ll signal what will happen, but certainly that’s one of the things I’m
hopeful that the convention will agree to. “We have many outstanding senior citizens who have played an incredible role over the last 50 years in building this organisation and we believe that they ought to have a place in the Free National Movement convention, a part of our council and I believe that’s a view shared throughout our organisation. So, we fully expect to see an increase in the number of meritorious council members in the upcoming convention.”
SHANE MILLER, pictured when receiving his instruments of appointment as Deputy Information Commissioner.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, February 11, 2022, PAGE 5
‘I’ve nothing to fear from DRA auditors’ from page one
Storr said “red flags” were detected from comparisons between the large sums of money paid out for debris management contracts and the work actually done. He said while the authority was conducting its own investigation into what went on and planned to ask the government to conduct a forensic audit. His comments came as questions swirled around the contracts issued to Tycoon Waste and to a company owned by the husband of former Free National Movement Senator Heather Hunt. Mrs Hunt declined to comment yesterday. In his defence, Mr Curling said he wanted to clear the air about his work with the DRA in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian. He said he also had the records to back up his position for work which was completed in September 2020. Mr Curling was adamant that his contracts were above board and awarded by a tender process. Prior to winning the bid with the DRA to carry out work in Grand Bahama, he said he started off with a verbal agreement with the Ministry of Works. When the monster storm hit the island, his equipment was already on the ground and as soon as possible the company cleared up Pelican Point. When that was finished environmental health got involved and gave him two sites to prepare to accept hurricane debris, each 10 acres in size, he said. They were at High
DIRECTORS of the Disaster Reconstruction Authority’s, led by chairman Alex Storr, took a two-day trip to the Abacos last week to assess the state of current projects. Rock and McLean’s Town. using. Say for instance they He said his billing to the required two tractors on DRA conformed to the each site, two excavators, laundry list of guidelines two this, two that, superneeded to fulfil the obliga- visors, manpower and tions under the agreement. they specified what each “Apparently I would man, whether you were a have won that bid for the supervisor they have what two sites that I would have supervisors would have been occupying in the gotten, what their pay Department of Environ- would have been. mental Health with all the “So, at the end of every necessary equipment that month or their pay schedthey required. Now that is ule you would send in your a long list of equipment that bill depending on what they required,” he said. equipment and manpower “Now let’s say for you use. That would be instance if you wanted that scrutinised and they would job and continue with the check to see whether you DRA you have to have had the equipment, if it specified equipment that was working. Whether they required and the man- you had the manpower power. So, the DRA would that you say you had and have adopted the proto- so their check was thorcol that environment and ough and so the bill would the Ministry of Works was reflect what equipment
and manpower (were used). “In the case of Grand Bahama, people were homeless. In my case I had to have a bus that bussed those same workers that I employed out of Freeport where they were temporarily staying, bus them to East Grand Bahama to help clean up and bus them back. “So, at the end of every given month, after I sent in my invoice, the DRA would scrutinise my invoice to make sure it matches what I was saying and that’s how I was paid and it was no gift to me.” He continued: “During the course of time I was there, let’s say the bill started at $100,000 this is just an example. By the end of the second or the third or the fourth month that bill would have increased because my thing was to get all of the requirements that the DRA required. So, if they called for two tractors and I only had one, that one tractor would have only been billed for that month and then the next month I would have gotten the number of tractors they asked for and three excavators and so on and so forth and an x amount of manpower.” Asked to respond to the assertion that his work was overpriced, Mr Curling said: “That is pure bull****. I went (to) the international market after that hurricane to establish a price to clean up Abaco. “And I can tell you that came in over $100m. That’s when I was trying to get international people to come in to help clean up
Abaco. That bid came in over $100m. If the government would have spent $25m to $30m in cleaning up Abaco and Grand Bahama in my humble opinion they would have saved the country quite a bit of money, plus the money that they would have spent was spent in the country with Bahamians.” Mr Curling said he was not fearful of any investigation. “My books are open and that is what I can tell you. I am not fearful of any investigation and from where I stand, I was not gifted anything because I’ve been on jobs like on Green Turtle Cay where I would have been helping to clean up Green Turtle Cay for labour only. I did not charge the government a red penny for equipment. All I charged the government when I was there was for labour. “Me and a partner of mine would have cleaned up McClean’s Town, the harbour and all the derelict vehicles I took them out of the water with no charge to the government at all. “Also, I finished my work in Grand Bahama and was off the job on the 30th of September 2020. I started the waste management thing with the site in February and I was done on the 30th of September 2020. So, I barely been in there nine months. “Contrary to what anybody thinks or says that I received money in September 2021. Never. Never. “I deny that unequivocally as a matter of fact I have documents to back up where the government, the DRA wrote me and said
cease and desist all work in Grand Bahama and that was September 2020. “Now the sites were left wide open. So, what went there after September 2020 I won’t have any recordings of that, but I do have recordings of what went there from February to September.” Mr Storr told The Tribune on Wednesday that at a site in Grand Bahama, there was no evidence that the debris had been sorted. The board of the DRA was left with questions after conducting both a planned and surprise tour of some sites. He said the sites in Grand Bahama have been discontinued, but what was billed did not, in his opinion, coincide with what officials saw at one of the sites. “The sites on Grand Bahama have been discontinued, but when we look at the history of billing, it’s not in line with what we see at the site and for example on the properly managed site on Abaco you can see active work going on. “You can see where the debris is being sorted, we would have organic debris, metal, plastics and such, but on these sites that were abandoned on Grand Bahama the debris has not been sorted and it’s simply as if trucks just pulled up and dumped debris and left it.” He said the contracts that were being probed were one valued at $400,000 in Grand Bahama and another worth $300,000 in Abaco. A local daily has reported that a company in question was receiving as much as $1m each month.
ROBBER ACCUSED: WE WERE BEATEN BY POLICE MAN DENIES STEALING TOOLS AND SUPPLIES
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
TWO men accused of committing armed robberies claimed they were beaten by officers while in police custody. Alpheus Rolle, 24, and Rashando Gibson, 31, reported the matter during their hearing before Magistrate Kara DeveauxTurnquest yesterday. Police allege the two used a handgun to rob a man of his 2012 Nissan Note on January 12. Rolle faced three other charges of armed robbery after he was
accused of robbing three different men at gunpoint sometime between January 9 and February 3. Police allege items stolen from the victims included clothing, jewellery, personal bank cards and $200 cash. Police also said Rolle had an unlicenced Smith and Wesson pistol and illegal ammunition earlier this month, allegations he denied. Neither accused was required to enter a plea. Bail was denied and the accused were told prosecutors intend to fast-track the case to the Supreme Court on April 22 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment.
Gibson asked the magistrate if he could speak before being remanded. He told the court that he was beaten while in custody. Rolle also claimed to have been beaten by police. Rolle’s attorney, Alex Morley told the court he was informed the incident happened at the Paradise Island Police Station. He said Rolle told him two officers put him in a room and hit him in his head several times. Morely asked the magistrate to allow him to see a doctor at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. The magistrate took note of their complaints.
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
A 66-YEAR-OLD man who denied stealing over $2,000 worth of tools and household supplies from a man earlier this week was yesterday granted $5,000 bail before his trial. Gary Stubbs appeared before Magistrate Kara Deveaux-Turnquest after he was accused of stealing several tools and other items, including a stihl chainsaw, one laundry faucet set and an air compressor tank from Bernard Minnis on February 7.
SMALL BUSINESS BOARD ANNOUNCED AT ‘CRUCIAL TIME IN OUR ECONOMIC LIFE’ By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
THE new board of directors of the Access Accelerator, Small Business Development Centre were announced yesterday. The board includes Lorne Basden; Een Colebrooke; Nolan Carey; Mark Turnquest; Jayel Gibson; Todd Martin; Creighton Moxey; James Julmis; Dr Marlo Murphy-Braynen; Dr Randy Forbes; Antoinette Russell and Charnette Thompson. Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis said the new board is “diverse, young, and youthful”. He believes that this gives great strength and flexibility to the board. “In the COVID-19 environment, it is critical that governments act from a policy position to protect micro, small, and medium enterprises and we are proud to be doing just that. We must ensure that we reach the traditionally under served as well as ensure that we reach the Family Islands.” He added: “This is a crucial time in our economic life as we emerge from COVID19 and the lingering effects
of Hurricane Dorian and so you have a lot of hard work ahead of you, but I’m sure that each of you bring unique talent, skills and commitment to doing the work that is set out before you.” Davinia Bain, executive director, said that up until July of last year the agency had given out around $70 million in support to just under 2,000 clients as a result of the assistance from the government and some international partners. She stated: “In terms of targets moving forward, we’ve never had a target in terms of the specific number of clients. We really want to help as many as possible and that assistance goes beyond just funding. That’s training, that’s education, that’s advisory services. But that said the budget that we’re currently working with, as of June 2021, is a $20m allocation.” When asked about applications, she said: “I know right now we have about 1,300 to 1,400 applications that are actively being processed. I can’t tell you how many of them are new for this year. I know that we have persons signing up on a regular basis, but the
work of the SBDC you would find that a person signing up today may actually be with us building
their strategies. Building their plans for six, seven, eight, nine months before they’re actually funded.”
Death Notice For Police Superintendent Philip Oswald Moxey, 57 affectionately called “Philly” a resident of Garden Hills #3, died at Doctor’s Hospital on Sunday, February 6th, 2022. Cherished Memories are held by his wife: Pearlene Moxey; mother: Patricia Pinder; 2 sons: Donovan and Gitano; 2 daughters: Euclicia and Pharrin; 4 brothers: Derek, Troy, Barry and Sheldon; 1 sister: Gladys; and other host of relatives and friends. Funeral arrangements are entrusted to THE NEW COMMONWEALTH FUNERAL HOME and will be announced at a later date.
Stubbs has denied charges of stealing and receiving. When the question of bail was brought up, the Crown prosecutor in the case objected to bail being granted, noting the accused’s past antecedents and also the weight of evidence against him. In view of this, the prosecutor said she felt the accused would reoffend and advised the magistrate against it. However, Stubbs’ attorney told the court while he considered the prosecutor’s arguments, he didn’t believe his client needed to
be remanded. He noted his last offence was committed in 2018 and was not sufficient evidence to suggest he would reoffend or abscond. As a result, he asked the magistrate to be lenient and instead grant Stubbs bail with conditions. Having taken both arguments into consideration, Magistrate Deveaux-Turnquest granted the defendant $5,000 bail with two sureties. He was also ordered to be outfitted with an ankle monitoring bracelet. The matter was subsequently adjourned to March 28 for trial.
TEMPLE CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL ENTRANCE EXAMINATION 2022-2023 Temple Christian High School will hold its Entrance Examination on Saturday, February 12, 2022 at the school on Shirley Street from 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon for students wishing to enter grades 7, 8, 9 and 10. Application forms are available at the High School Office. The application fee is twenty-five dollars ($25). Application forms should be completed and returned to the school by Friday, February 11, 2022. . For further information, please call telephone number: 394-4481/394-4484.
PAGE 6, Friday, February 11, 2022
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Why mask mandates are failing in US AS THE Omicron wave of the coronavirus subsides, several US states including Nevada, New York and Illinois ended mask mandates this week for indoor settings, while others lifted requirements at schools. The White House says talks are underway about how and when to move the country out of the emergency phase of the pandemic, but in the meantime people are advised to keep following guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommending mask use in indoor settings in places with high transmission rates. WHY ARE MANY PLACES LIFTING MANDATES NOW? Mainly it’s the drop in hospitalisations and case counts, even in states that have enacted the most stringent rules. This week’s epidemiological report from the World Health Organization showed that case counts fell 50 percent in the United States and 17 percent worldwide. Across the US, COVID-19 hospitalisations have dropped nearly 30 percent over the past three weeks. Others have cited the protections offered by vaccines as well as the increased availability of at-home testing kits and therapeutics for those who catch the virus. The risk has also fallen dramatically for health care workers, many of whom have either been exposed to the virus or are fully vaccinated and boosted, said Dr Craig Spencer, a New York City emergency room physician. He said medical workers have been dealing with COVID long enough that treating it has become “run-of-the-mill,” akin to dealing with heart attacks or other conditions typically seen in an ER. “Honestly, for us right now, COVID isn’t hard to treat. We know what to do,” Spencer said. “With this latest wave, we haven’t seen a huge amount of severe disease, and those we do see, we have gotten so much better at managing it.” Even so, the head of the WHO issued a warning Wednesday stressing that “COVID isn’t through with us,” although its focus was more on vaccinations than masks. There’s also a new urgency in finding ways to protect up to seven million Americans with severely weak immune systems who are at greater risks as mask mandates fall. WHERE ARE MASK RULES EASING? Nevada on Thursday became the latest state to end indoor mask mandates, following announcements the previous day in New York and Illinois, though school mandates remain in those states. Nevada Gov Steve Sisolak said the requirement for masks in public places would be lifted “effective immediately”. State casino regulators quickly followed with an order eliminating the mandate for casinos “unless a local jurisdiction still imposes such a requirement”. Sisolak said he knows some people think it’s too early to lift the mandate, but he said school districts and employers may still set their own policies. New York Gov Kathy Hochul said infection rates have declined to a level where it is safe to rescind the broader mask order, and the state will revisit in early March whether to continue requiring them in schools. Illinois Gov JB Pritzker said that state’s indoor mask requirement will end Feb 28 assuming a continued drop in hospitalisations — which his office said are declining faster than at any point in the pandemic. Other places have announced similar plans to ease mask rules, including Juneau, Alaska, and Orange County, California. Not everyone is following suit. The mayors of Minneapolis and St Paul,
Minnesota, said they will soon end vaccine-or-test requirements instituted last month for restaurants, bars and other entertainment venues, but neither has talked about scrapping mask mandates. Washington Gov Jay Inslee said a mandate for large outdoor events will be lifted next but indoor requirements will remain for now: “I agree with CDC that today is not the day to totally eliminate masks, but it is a day that is rapidly approaching.” WHAT ABOUT SCHOOLS? About a dozen states require face coverings in schools. At least six of them said this week they plan to lift statewide mandates this month or next. New Jersey Gov Phil Murphy, who last month reinstated a public emergency due to the omicron wave, said the end of his state’s mandate on March 7 represents “a huge step back to normalcy for our kids”. Individual school districts can still make their own decisions. Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Oregon and Rhode Island have made similar announcements on easing restrictions for schools. Hemi Tewarson, executive director of the National Academy for State Health Policy, said states rescinding or relaxing school mask mandates is a reflection of the country’s desire to move to the next phase of the pandemic after roughly two years. It’s also a sign of progress, she said, from vaccine availability to finding ways to safely return to in-person schooling. “You see this hope,” Tewarson said. “I think we all hope we are on the other side right now.” Pritzker and Illinois health officials said they want masks to be mandatory in schools for a while longer because of the potential “spillover” effect: At any given school, you might have hundreds or thousands of young people, who are vaccinated at lower rates than adults, coming together for six to eight hours a day, five days a week, and then going back out into the community — including sometimes coming into contact with vulnerable family members. That could increase community spread and force schools back online. “Nobody wants kids to be back in remote learning,” said Dr Emily Landon, executive medical director of Infection Prevention and Control at University of Chicago Medicine. WHAT DO THE WHITE HOUSE, SCIENTISTS AND HEALTH OFFICIALS SAY? The CDC has not changed its recommendation that people mask up in indoor public settings in areas where there is high transmission. Last month it updated its guidance to recommend N95 or KN95 masks — those used by health care workers — rather than cloth ones. N95s have a tighter fit and are made with material designed to block 95 percent of harmful particles. Their fibers are pressed close together and have an electrostatic charge that attracts molecules to stick to the mask rather than passing through. The CDC added that it’s most important to pick something you’ll wear consistently — any mask is better than no mask. Masks are generally not necessary in most outdoor settings. Despite growing pressure to ease restrictions, President Joe Biden is waiting for fresh guidance from federal health officials. Press secretary Jen Psaki acknowledged that people are tired of masks and “we understand where the emotions of the country are,” but said the administration is following the advice of medical experts who rely on scientific evidence: “That doesn’t move at the speed of politics; it moves at the speed of data.”
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Stand up against madness EDITOR, The Tribune. THE sporting federations, the Olympic Associations, and fellow sportsmen, now is the time to let your voices be heard before all the benefits of sports are lost and destroyed. We cannot allow a person who is confused about who they are, and the way God made them to destroy sports. Males compete against males, and females compete against females. There is an article in one of the local newspapers today (February 10, 2022), about a swimmer who did not like losing as a male, and so decided he wanted to win instead as a female. The swimmer is a Mr Will (Lia) Thomas who swam for Penn State for three years as a male, and then after getting beaten
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net and being ranked 462 on the men’s ranking, decided he wanted to win by competing as a female, and so after he competed one more “grueling season” as a male, which he says “caused a lot of distress”, he now switches to be ranked number one as a female. God made us all with different abilities and talents, and we cannot all be a Usain Bolt or a Michael Phelps. Be a man and be content at being the best you can, and not trying to rob a woman from her hard work and dedication. Tennis great Martina Navratilova said, “It is not fair for women to race against transgender Lia Thomas”.
Even Bruce Jenner (who now calls himself Caitlyn) who I watched at the Olympics that I competed in (76 games in Montreal) says, “we need to protect women’s sports”. Michael Phelps says “I think sports should be played on an even playing field”. Is that not the same reason that the East Germans were banned from sports, because they were taking performance enhancing drugs? Do not let transgender-minded people cheat women out of sports, stand up and speak out while it is still day. If you love your country and your sport, be courageous and take a stand. ANDY KNOWLES Olympic swimmer and coach for the Bahamas Nassau, February 10, 2022.
Shame on Clint Watson EDITOR, The Tribune. ON 1ST February “Our News Bahamas” posted a newscast on YouTube of media personnel being denied interviews with Government Ministers on their way to Cabinet at The Office of the Prime Minister in the Cecil Wallace-Whitfield Building on Cable Beach. The report detailed the PM’s Press Secretary, Clint Watson rudely refusing his fellow media professionals to interview Cabinet Ministers. It was reported that Watson superciliously told his former colleagues “Reporters cannot depend on the Cabinet to get
stories“ and that “no Minister owes the Media an interview.” This action by Watson is so ironic since he was very aggressive in demanding and extracting answers from government ministers to questions he posed to them under the FNM administration. It is amazing how people can change when they move up in life and become elevated from the unwashed masses, totally oblivious of their humble beginnings. Watson’s attitude toward his confreres reminds me of Shakespeare’s observation of such persons in Julius Caesar when he wrote, “Tis common proof that
lowliness is young ambition’s ladder, Whereto the climber upward turns his face. But when he once attains the upmost round, he then, unto the ladder turns his back, looks in the clouds, scorning the base degrees by which he did ascend.” As we say ova-da-hill, “it take dat kind...” How soon do we forget. Remember, that the same people you pass on your way up, you will pass on your way back down. Be mindful of this, Mr. Watson. GEORGE LL HEASTIE Nassau February 10, 2022
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SANDALS AND CC SWEETING LINK UP HOSPITALITY students at C C Sweeting Senior High School are set to benefit from an internship at the newly reopened Sandals Royal Bahamian Spa Resort and Offshore Island. Speaking at a recent tour of the hospitality training facilities, executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International (SRI), and president of the Sandals Foundation, Adam Stewart, committed to providing students with work experience at the luxury included resort to sharpen their skills and create a seamless transition from the classroom to the workforce. “What’s happening here is quite amazing. I am happy to have students learn from and hone their skills by working with our worldclass leaders and team members at the Sandals Royal Bahamian,” said Mr Stewart. C C Sweeting Senior High School is the first of its kind in The Bahamas - piloting a high school hospitality programme which caters to vulnerable students from some of the country’s underserved communities. During the Sandals Foundation organised visit, which showcased the talents of student cooks and servers, the executive chairman shared words of inspiration to the young men and women present. “The best university to go to is the one that makes you happy, and the best thing to do is the line of work that makes you want to get up every morning and have fun. Continue to work hard, stay positive, stay focused and you will achieve all of your goals. I think you are doing just fine right here. You join Sandals when you’re done and we’ll take you to the moon and as far as you want to go,” Mr Stewart said.
Principal of C C Sweeting, Venessa James Rolle was elated by the announcement, noting, “We are excited about the partnership where our students will be able to go to Sandals and see how the industry works in real time. This is something that we’ve wanted for our students for a while. It’s phenomenal.” As tourism-driven economies around the world position themselves to capitalise on the rebound and unleashed pent-up travel demands, the Sandals Foundation is making significant investments into state-of-the-art hospitality training and education to position the next generation of service providers to meet the needs. In keeping with its 40 For 40 Initiative to use the power of travel to implement 40 sustainable projects with the power to transform Caribbean communities, the philanthropic arm of SRI has continued to expand and strengthen the hospitality training programme at the high school. For the second year running, the Sandals Foundation has provided funding for international certification through the premier American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) national restaurant certification programme in the areas of guest services and restaurant/tourism certification. The support adds to the training kitchen and dining room upgrades with the provision of culinary training utensils, kitchen supplies, cooking and serving equipment, an electrical commercial washer and dryer and the servicing of a pre-existing industrial refrigerator. One hundred and forty students aged 15 to 18 will benefit from this year’s programme with 20 enrolling in the international certification courses.
HAITIAN QUARTET FINED FOR IMMIGRATION OFFENCES By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net THREE Haitian men and a Haitian woman were fined in court yesterday on immigration charges. Francesca Sanon, 22, and Sony Belotte, 43, appeared before Magistrate Algernon Allen after they were caught still living in the Bahamas after the expiration of the time granted to them. In Sanon’s case, immigration officers said she overstayed her welcome in the country for about four years. For Bellote, officers said he had overstayed for six years. Both pleaded guilty to the offences.
As a result, Sanon was fined $1,500 or in default, six months at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Meanwhile, Bellote was fined $2,000 or one year in prison. Also appearing before court yesterday was Obel Yoldy, 26, and Jeff Sejour, 42, who were both charged with illegal landing. After admitting to the offences, Yoldy was fined $2,000 or one year behind bars while Sejour was fined $500 or six months in prison. Magistrate Allen also told the accused that once the fines were paid, they would be handed over to the Department of Immigration for deportation.
ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGE A FREEPORT man was charged in the Freeport Magistrate’s court yesterday with attempted murder. Cesrae Cox, 27, of Grenfell Avenue, appeared
before Magistrate Charlton Smith. He was not required to enter a plea to the charge and was denied bail. He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Corrections until April 26.
UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIP WITH SAYLOR ACADEMY UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas has forged a partnership with Saylor Academy, an open access education provider, to increase pathways to higher learning and professional development. UB has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Saylor under which UB will accept transfer credits from courses offered by Saylor that have been reviewed and recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE). ACE is a US non-profit organisation that assesses courses for collegiate level accreditation. Increasing access to higher learning is one of the pillars of UB’s mission and the institution has been expanding its partner academic institutions in fulfilment of that mission. UB’s Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr Maria Oriakhi affirmed the high priority that the institution places on this mandate. “UB has been aggressive in its approach to expand access to educational experiences in other institutions outside the country to our students to allow them the opportunity to broaden their worldview and perspectives,” said Dr Oriakhi. “We believe that it is
critical for the next generation to be able to operate in a global society and have the necessary international framework to solve the problems of tomorrow.” Preparing students for better lives in a global society is the university’s value proposition. Increasing student enrolment, retention and ultimately persistence to graduation is integral to the university’s success as an institution, according to the UB 2019-2024 strategic plan. The goal is to have that increase reflected in both undergraduate and graduate programme enrolment, UB said. Based in Washington, DC, Saylor Academy offers nearly 100 full-length, selfpaced courses at the college and professional levels. Under the MoU, UB has provided Saylor with a list of course equivalencies indicating the maximum number of transfer credits allowed from non-collegiate credit providers such as Saylor, the university said. The agreement with Saylor is one of nine forged with partner institutions around the globe over the past academic year increasing UB’s capacity to provide world-class education to many more students around the world.
Friday, February 11, 2022, PAGE 7
HOSPITALITY students at CC Sweeting Senior High School with executive chairman of Sandals Resorts International and president of the Sandals Foundation Adam Stewart during a recent visit.
PAGE 8, Friday, February 11, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
READY TO KEEP CITIZENS SAFE
RECRUITS, government officials, Police Commissioner Paul Rolle, and senior officers at the police graduation ceremony and, right, a fitness exercise by recruits. Photos: Racardo Thomas/Tribune Staff
Death Notice For
Daronte Sanjay Knowles, 23
of Mandarine Close died at Princess Margaret Hospital on Saturday, February 5th, 2022.
He is survived by his parents: Marcia Newland and Paul Knowles; son: Azarii Knowles; sisters: Chiquita Knowles, Shakera Knowles and Payton Knowles; brothers: Carlton Knowles, Pablo Knowles and Paul Knowles Jr.; grandparent: Deloris Newland; aunts: Maxine Morris, Melvern Knowles, Denise Stuart and Loretta Munroe: uncles: Marvin Newland, Phillip Knowles, Harcourt Miller and a host of other relatives and friends. Arrangements for the funeral service are being finalized and details will be announced at a future date. POLICE Commissioner Paul Rolle.
PRIME Minister Philip “Brave” Davis presenting the Baton of Honour and Director’s Award.
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Friday, February 11, 2022, PAGE 9
THE FAR-REACHING OLYMPIC MOMENT THAT SHOULD HAVE US QUAKING IN OUR SANDALS NO matter how much Nathan Chen defies gravity and figure skates like he is a swirling missile flying gracefully through the air or snowboarding legend Shaun White continues to dazzle in his fifth and final Olympic appearance, there is one moment that stands out above all others from the 2022 Winter Olympics underway in Beijing, China. It’s a moment that should leave us quaking in our boots or sandals or whatever we normally stand on, even the ground beneath our feet. It’s the moment that Russian President Vladimir Putin reached out to Chinese President Xi Jinping and said, Let’s be friends. The actual words were “in the spirit of friendship and strategic partnership”. I may be totally wrong, but I grew up thinking that the only thing that kept the world safe was that Russia and China did not like each other much. Both had dictators called presidents, neither thought too highly of human rights, both had magnificent topography in some areas and lots of geophysical concerns in others. But the fact that they were not chummy gave all of us a little breathing room. Now they come together at what is supposed to be the world’s greatest gathering of athletes and they act like good sports themselves. Apart, each can pose a threat, a path of prickly thorns the US must navigate. Together, they are the impenetrable gate from which a hidden automated arm reaches out and sucker punches you faster than you can duck. Now I realise this is not top-level world politics analysis. This is as basic as it gets but for a country like The Bahamas that rises and falls on a lot of what the US does and decides, this is no small reason for fear.
By Diane Phillips
CHINESE President Xi Jinping, right, and Russian President Vladimir Putin talk to each other during their meeting in Beijing, China, last Friday. Photo: Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik/ Kremlin Pool Photo via AP A united front between China and Russia, which is now trying to broker enough natural gas to keep China running, would possess the power to squish America. Mr Nice Guy Joe Biden would be like the centre of an Oreo cookie, the sweet part everyone wants to get to that gets crushed by the outsides so you can get to the middle. All this make-nice-in-the-sandbox talk in Beijing was happening while Russia was loudly mounting troops on the border of Ukraine, once part of the USSR but enjoying its independence since the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1992, now threatened with being gobbled up by Russia. Think how we in The Bahamas would feel if the UK suddenly decided that since we were once part of their united commonwealth, they could just come take back our territory, the heck
with our believing that we were a free and sovereign nation. There’s a new sheriff in town and they run the show. Swallow hard and suck it up. In case I am overreacting or being too harsh, let me calm down and turn back to the athletes who are performing feats that don’t even seem humanly possible. The men and women and teens in the games have worked too hard to get where they are to worry about a maelstrom of political mischief by leaders of two of the three largest superpowers in the world. They have enough to worry about, including knowing they are competing in only the second Olympics the US has diplomatically boycotted with no government officials attending though no doubt rahrahing every time an American athlete takes home a medal. It’s a strange Winter Olympics all around, the lack of spectators, the daily testing and the bubble that athletes are living in, the hightech light show for an opening ceremony, the departure from the alphabetical entry of countries into the arena, and the stars themselves shining in some ways brighter than ever to demonstrate that COVID stole time, but it did not steal their spirits. There will be the moments we never forget, the Shaun White snowboarding farewell performance, Eileen Gu, born and raised in America by an American father and Chinese mother, winning gold for China, saying she wanted to inspire young Chinese girls and Americans understanding that desire, forgiving, even if mourning the loss of a medal. We saw hugs and tears and hopes dashed and exceeded. Surely, some friendships will emerge that will build bridges and not tear down world order. In those we have to keep the faith.
PRESSURE TO EXPOSE THE DARK SIDE OF COLD-BLOODED GREED
The February 3 Tribune front page photo of a young man perched atop a sunken boat in the middle of a stormy sea, the sole survivor of a smuggling operation that took the lives of 35 others, was a stark and chilling reminder that human smuggling is a heinous crime in which victims have little or no recourse and we in the public can cry out against but feel helpless in any attempt to help. That image of Juan Esteban, found barely conscious off the coast of Florida after two days at sea when he saw others, including his own sister perish, symbolises the risk desperate people are willing to take. Trying to escape a life of fear or poverty or both they find themselves in the hands of cold-blooded smugglers who exact a high price for the promise of passage to a better life, a passage that too often ends in desertion or worse, as smugglers try to stay one boat length ahead of the law. Esteban, 24, who talked his younger sister, Maria, into escaping the extreme poverty and daily dangers of life in Colombia and going to America to reunite with their mother whom they had not seen for 11 years since she had emigrated to Houston, made international headlines. He was one of 36 passengers from several countries who paid to be smuggled into the US on that fateful voyage, transferred from one boat to another in the middle of the night in The Bahamas. The second vessel, overcrowded and less seaworthy, was no match for the roiling seas. Swamped by one wave too many, it capsized, tossing its human cargo overboard. Esteban watched his sister get swept under the boat. He tried desperately to save her. Others were still alive, some clinging to the hull. In an interview days later, he told reporters that a boat came along and rescued the smugglers, promis-ing another boat would pick up those left behind, but no other boat showed up. The question we must ask – and continue to ask until the need to pressure no longer exists – is where are those smugglers now? Who is protecting them? Smuggling is organised crime carried out in the dark of night. What do we have to do as a people with heart and compassion and outrage to keep up the pace of the investigation in this case, to keep the pressure on, and what do we have to do to stop this gut-wrenching practice that goes on off our shores day after day and night after night? We arrest someone for possession of weed yet fail to capture smugglers who pocket tens of thousands of dollars from the poorest people in the region and get away with murder. Do we need more tools, more light-seeking, night-vision drones, more infiltration into smuggling rings? Where is the desire to conduct undercover operations in this world of risk where a few get rich and the rest of us turn our backs on the tragedy that unfolds in our own backyard. It is not someone else’s problem. It is ours.
PAGE 10, Friday, February 11, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
Biden seeking professional diversity in his judicial picks WASHINGTON Associated Press PRESIDENT Joe Biden spent a recent flight aboard Air Force One reminiscing with lawmakers and aides about his start as a young lawyer in Delaware working as a public defender in the late 1960s. The flight from New York to Washington was short, and there wasn’t much time to explore the president’s brief time in the job during the civil rights era. But as Biden considers his first Supreme Court nominee, this lesser-known period in his biography could offer insight into the personal experience he brings to the decision. The account was relayed by a person familiar with the trip who insisted on anonymity to discuss it. Biden has already made history by nominating more public defenders, civil rights attorneys and nonprofit lawyers to the federal bench during his first year in office than any other president, increasing not just the racial and gender diversity of the federal judiciary but also the range of professional expertise. And it’s possible that theme will continue as he looks to make more history by nominating the first Black woman to the nation’s highest court. While three of the current justices have experience as prosecutors, none was a criminal defense attorney. The last justice with serious experience in defense was Thurgood Marshall, a civil rights attorney nominated about 55 years ago. He was the first Black person on the court and retired in 1991. Some of the women on Biden’s list of potential nominees have deep public defense or civil rights backgrounds: Ketanji Brown Jackson, 51, for example, worked as a public defender and served on the US Sentencing Commission before she was nominated to the bench by President Barack Obama.
ABORTIONS DOWN 60 PERCENT AFTER NEW TEXAS LIMITS ABORTIONS in Texas fell by 60 percent in the first month under the most restrictive abortion law in the US in decades, according to new figures that for the first time reveal a full accounting of the immediate impact. The nearly 2,200 abortions reported by Texas providers in September came after a new law took effect that bans the procedure once cardiac activity is detected, usually around six weeks of pregnancy and without exceptions in cases of rape or incest. The figures were released this month by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
PROTECTION FOR WOLVES RESTORED A JUDGE restored federal protections for gray wolves across much of the US yesterday, after their removal in the Trump administration exposed the predators to hunting. US District Judge Jeffrey White in Oakland, California, said the US Fish and Wildlife Service had failed to show wolf populations could be sustained in the Midwest and portions of the West without protection under the Endangered Species Act. Wildlife advocates had sued the agency last year. The ruling does not directly impact wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains of Idaho, Montana and Wyoming and portions of several adjacent states.
Eunice Lee, 51, whom Biden named to the US Court of Appeals for the 2nd Circuit in August, is the first former federal defender to serve on that court. Biden’s judicial appointments thus far make clear his interest in professional diversity. Nearly 30 percent of Biden’s nominees to the federal bench have been public defenders, 24 percent have been civil rights lawyers and 8 percent labor attorneys. By the end of his first year, Biden had won confirmation of 40 judges, the most since President Ronald Reagan. Of those, 80 percent are women and 53 percent are people of color, according to the White House. “It’s so important to have a diversity of perspectives and having the judiciary really reflect the diversity of lived experiences and perspectives of the folks who are coming before them,” said Lisa Cylar Barrett, director of policy at the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund. The Supreme Court hears only a fraction of federal cases filed each year. Federal judges are hearing most of the cases, with roughly 400,000 cases filed in federal trial courts a year. The high court hears only about 150 of the more than 7,000 cases it is asked to review annually. Most of the judges appointed to the federal bench have worked as prosecutors, corporate attorneys or both. A survey three years ago found more than 73 percent of sitting federal judges were men, and more than 80 percent were white, according to the Center for American Progress. A diversity of professional expertise makes for a more fair and just bench, advocates say. Judges draw on their personal histories to help them weigh arguments and decide cases, and they also learn from each other. Public defenders often represent the indigent and the marginalised,
those who often can’t afford their own attorneys. “They represent the 80 percent of people in the criminal legal system too low-income to afford a lawyer,” said Emily Galvin-Almanza, a former public defender who founded the nonprofit Partners for Justice. “So when you put a public defender on the bench, you’re putting a person on who listens with a very different ear. You have a person on the bench with an experience of the realities of very, very disempowered people.” Biden’s brief time as a public defender isn’t widely discussed, and it isn’t listed in his official biography on the White House website. He’s more prone to talk about his 36 years as a senator and his time as head of the Judiciary Committee, where he oversaw six Supreme Court nominations. But the president has spoken at times about his brief time as a public defender before he became a US senator at the age of 29. It’s informed some of his decisions in office, like directing federal grant money for public defense and expanding other federal efforts on public defense. “Civil rights, the Vietnam War and President Nixon’s rampant abuse of power were the reasons I entered public life to begin with,” Biden said in a 2019 speech in South Carolina during the presidential campaign. “That’s why I had chosen at that time to leave a prestigious law firm that I had been hired by and become a public defender — because those people who needed the most help couldn’t afford to be defended in those days.” In a 2007 memoir, he called the job “God’s work.” The president promised during his campaign for president he’d nominate a Black woman to the bench, and he spent his first year in office broadening his potential applicant pool through judicial appointments.
KETANJI BROWN JACKSON, nominated to be a US Circuit Judge for the District of Columbia Circuit, testifies before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on pending judicial nominations on Capitol Hill in Washington on April 28, 2021.
MEXICO ACCUSED OF ENDANGERING PORPOISE MEXICO CITY Associated Press THE US Trade Representative’s Office filed the first environmental complaint against Mexico yesterday for failing to protect the critically endangered vaquita marina, the world’s smallest porpoise. The office said it had asked for “environment consultations” with Mexico, the first such case it has filed under the US-MexicoCanada free trade pact. Consultations are the first step in the dispute resolution process under the trade agreement, which entered into force in 2020. If not resolved, it could eventually lead to trade sanctions. Mexico’s government has largely abandoned attempts to enforce a fishing-free zone around an area where the last few vaquitas are believed to live. Nets set illegally for another fish, the totoaba, drown vaquitas. US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said that “USTR is committed to protecting the environment and is requesting this consultation to ensure Mexico lives up to its USMCA environment commitments,” adding “We look forward to working with Mexico to address these issues.” Sarah Uhlemann, international program director at the Center for Biological Diversity, said “this is a big move that could save these little porpoises from extinction.” “Illegal fishing is out of control in Mexican waters, and the vaquita is paying the highest possible price,” Uhlemann said in a statement. “We’re glad the
AN ALTAR constructed from recycled material of a vaquita porpoise skull is pictured during a march in support of the endangered porpoise, in Mexico City, in 2018. Photo: Marco Ugarte/AP US government is taking Oceanic and Atmospheric vaquita marina — of which Mexico to task for violating Administration said, in perhaps as few as ten its environmental obliga- response to years of Mexi- survive in the Gulf of Calitions and threatening the can boats illegally poaching fornia — that has made vaquita’s existence.” red snapper in the Gulf. Mexico look the worst. Mexico’s Economy Mexico’s foreign relations For example, Mexican Department said after the secretary, Marcelo Ebrard, authorities allowed the complaint was announced said incidents of fishing by environmentalist group Sea Thursday that “The Mexi- Mexican boats in US waters Shepherd to return to the can government reaffirms were mistakes, saying it can Gulf, also known as the Sea its commitment to the be difficult to locate the of Cortez, to help in conserproper implementation dividing line between the vation efforts, but no longer of the USMCA and the two countries’ territorial allows the group to remove responsibilities it has within waters. illegal gill nets. it.” But critics say it seems It was the latest instance It was the second stinging more likely that Mexican in which the Mexican govrebuke in less than a week boats are going where the ernment appeared to give for Mexico, which has done fish are, rather than making more weight to sovereignty a poor job controlling the the same navigational and fishing concerns than to environmental practices of error over and over again. protecting the species. its fishing boats. The US Coast Guard has For years, Mexico has On Monday, Mexican apprehended many repeat relied on Sea Shepherd fishing boats in the Gulf of offenders, with some Mexi- boats to remove most of Mexico were “prohibited can fishermen being caught the illegal nets that trap and from entering US ports, in US waters over 20 times drown vaquitas, while doing will be denied port access since 2014. relatively little to combat and services,” the National But the plight of the violent attacks by poachers
on the environmentalists’ ships. The group estimates it has removed about 1,000 of the long, heavy nets over the last six years. But the environmentalists were forced to leave the Gulf in January 2021 after a New Year’s Eve attack in which fishermen rammed a Sea Shepherd vessel with their boat; one of the fishermen later reportedly died of injuries sustained in that attack. Since then, the job of locating and removing nets has been largely left to Mexico’s navy, which has done little to stop fishermen setting nets to catch totoaba, a fish whose swim bladder is a delicacy in China and sells for thousands of dollars per pound. President Andrés Manuel López Obrador has expressed his dislike of foreign interference, and his desire to balance the interests of fishermen and endangered species. “We don’t need foreigners telling us what to do or placing sanction on our country’s fishermen,” López Obrador said in June. He insisted that “we can reach an agreement that seeks an equilibrium between fishing and productive activities, and taking care of species.” That attitude appeared to be behind the government’s decision in July to abandon the policy of maintaining a fishing-free zone around the small area holding the last remaining vaquitas. The measure announced replaces the fishing-free “zero tolerance” zone in the upper Gulf with a sliding scale of punishments if more than 60 fishing boats are seen in the area on multiple occasions.
SPORTS PAGE 11
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2022
UB SOFTBALL, Page 15
NFL wide receiver Mike Strachan returns home
DEAN CALLS FOR FITNESS TESTING IN SCHOOLS
By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net
By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
M
ike Strachan is spending a part of his offseason back home and is optimistic about both his role in the NFL and his future impact on the development of football in The Bahamas. Strachan, a seventhround selection in last April’s NFL Draft, recently completed his rookie season with the Indianapolis Colts. The highlight of his debut campaign in the NFL was a 27-17 week four win over the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida. Strachan played sparingly in his Colts’ first win of the season but said the experience of having his family in attendance was a “blessing.” “It was so special being able to see them in the stands and play in front of them for the first time,” he said. “My parents never got to see me play so being able to play in front of them meant the world to me.” The Colts finished the season 9-8 and just missed the playoffs. Strachan began the season with appearances in the first two games of the regular season but played sparingly for the remainder of the campaign. Despite his challenges, he still considers it a season of milestones with the opportunity to represent the country. “It meant so much to be able to say
that I’m a Bahamian in the NFL. It gives my people hope and something to look up to, especially the young ones coming up. “I’m excited to be able to represent them the right way,” he said. “The first year we had a lot of ups and downs, I came in with a lot of confidence, it was a pleasure to represent my country and my family. God brought me a long way, it was a long process and I have even more to go.” He totalled 10 receptions for 130 yards in three preseason games. Overall, Strachan had a Pro Football Focus grade of 73.0 this preseason, he was targeted 16 times, had six receiving first downs, no dropped passes, four contested catches, and was part of three explosive pass plays. In his preseason debut, Strachan finished with three receptions for 57 yards in the Colts’ 21-18 win over the Carolina Panthers. In his second appearance, Strachan finished with two catches for 12 yards in the Colts’ 12-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings. And he had five receptions for 61 yards in the Colts’ 27-17 win over the Detroit Lions. In week one of the regular season, Strachan finished with two catches for 26 yards in the Colts’ 28-16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks. Strachan was on the field for 18 snaps and was targeted three times, a higher
SEE PAGE 13
BAHAMIAN NFL wide reciever Mike Strachan, who plays for the Indianapolis Colts, is spending some of his offseason at home, arriving here in Nassau yesterday. Photo: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff
FOR a number of years, fitness guru Leonardo ‘Nardo’ Dean has been assisting the various local sporting bodies either with advice or training programmes to move their disciplines forward. Today, with students still stagnant because of the coronavirus pandemic, Dean is calling for fitness testing standards and evaluations back into the school system to be included into their athletic programme. “In the Bahamas, our obesity average is about 41 percent for women and 27 percent for men,” Dean said. “This is above the regional average of 30 percent for women and 22 for men. So we are already in a health crisis. “This translates to about 13 percent of our children being obese and as they get older, the obesity rate increases for both males and females. So we have a problem here. Obesity leads to diabetes, high blood pressure and even certain types of cancer.” With the effects of Hurricane Dorian followed by the pandemic, Dean said the majority of the Bahamian student-athletes have been domiciled at home and they have turned to the technology where their focus has switched to the computers, TVs and social media. “They have fallen into a state of slumber and laziness for the most part
SEE PAGE 14
ISLAND TENNIS TEAMS UP WITH BAHA MAR TO STAGE TOURNAMENT By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net THE newly formed Island Tennis, headed by professional players Philip ‘PJ’ Major Jr and Kevin ‘KJ’ Major, are teaming up with Baha Mar to stage a tennis tournament for aspiring young players next weekend. The tournament, designed for boys and girls between the ages of 14-18 years, is set for Saturday, February 19 beginning at noon. The cost is $40 per player with lunch and drinks included. There will also be a beginners kids clinic for players between the ages of five and 20. “We want to get tennis active again by getting the tennis
community together in a tournament,” PJ Major said. “Currently of late, there haven’t been any tournaments for our juniors to come together and display some camaraderie. “There’s been nothing for them to do outside of travelling abroad to compete. We’re hosting our first tournament, along with Baha Mar. “Hopefully we can host more tournaments and continue to grow as we go.” Major said this is a perfect time for players who have an interest in tennis to come out and participate. He noted that the players involved will be playing in a series of matches in a round robin format where they play a 10-point tiebreaker wherever necessary.
PHILIP MAJOR JR, left, and Kevon Ferguson. It’’s going to be the same concept that Major Jr said he and other Bahamian
The Suns led by as many as 27 in the fourth and received a standing ovation from the home crowd in the final minutes when the starters checked out of the game. Chris Paul added 17 points and 19 assists for his 500th career doubledouble. He’s just the fourth guard in NBA history to accomplish that feat. UP NEXT Bucks: Host the Trail Blazers on Monday. Suns: Host the Magic on Saturday.
the restrictions are being eased a bit, they are happy to welcome them back. “I know there ain’t that many places to play, especially with the NTC (National Tennis Centre) closed during the day, we are always open and we are encouraging anyone who is interested in playing tennis to come out,” said Ferguson, who played with Major Jr. Ferguson said he anticipates that the players will come out and just enjoy themselves in a fun environment that they hope to create for all those participating. Interested players can register by emailing: islandtennismgmt@gmail. com or calling 467-2320 or 808-4633.
MLB keeps spring camps on hold, missing opener ‘disastrous’
Suns top Bucks in rematch of last year’s NBA Finals PHOENIX (AP) — Deandre Ayton scored 27 points, Mikal Bridges added 18 and the Phoenix Suns beat Milwaukee 131107 last night in a rematch of last year’s NBA Finals won by the Bucks. The game was tight throughout most of the first half but the Suns slowly pulled away in the third quarter, building a 97-77 advantage going into the fourth. Ayton had an efficient night, shooting 12 of 14 from the field on a variety of post moves and jumpers.
players experienced when they were playing on the junior circuit.
He said they want to reconstruct that same type of atmosphere. “We expect for the kids to come in and enjoy themselves as well as earn some points towards their UTR rankings,” said Major, one of the top players in the country and a former Davis Cup participant. “Depending on their UTR rankings, they will be able to play in certain tournaments in the United States and the Caribbean. So it’s important for these players to be able to earn the rankings to move on.” Kevon Ferguson, now in his third year as the tennis pro at Baha Mar, said their property had started to entertain the players before the coronavirus pandemic struck in 2020, but now that
By MARK DIDTLER AND RONALD BLUM Associated Press
DEANDRE Ayton scored 27 points last night. (AP)
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred says losing regular-season games to a work stoppage would be a “disastrous outcome,” yet spring training remains on hold as the threat to opening day increases. With the second-longest work stoppage in baseball history stretching into its 71st day, Manfred said teams will make a “goodfaith, positive proposal in a effort to move the process forward” when negotiations
MAJOR League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred makes comments during a news conference yesterday in Orlando, Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
with the players’ association resume on Saturday. It will be just the fifth economic bargaining session since the five-year labour contract expired. MLB planned to move somewhat in the union’s direction, two people who attended the owners’ meeting told The Associated Press. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because Manfred did not discuss details of the proposal. “I am an optimist and I believe we will have an agreement in time to play
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NATALIE GEISENBERGER, Johannes Ludwig, Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt, of the Germany, celebrate winning the gold medal in luge team relay at the 2022 Winter Olympics, yesterday in the Yanqing district of Beijing. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)
Updated Feb. 9 at 9:58 PM EDT Source: IOC & Sportradar
MLB
FROM PAGE 11 our regular schedule,” Manfred said during a news conference yesterday after three days of meetings. “I see missing games as a disastrous outcome for this industry, and we’re committed to making an agreement in an effort to avoid that.” Spring training workouts had been scheduled to start on February 16. Opening day is set for March 31. “The status of spring training is no change right now,” Manfred said. “We’re going to have a conversation with the MLBPA about the calendar. We understand where the calendar is, but until we have that conversation and until we see how this session on Saturday goes, it’s no change.” Whenever an agreement is reached, at least three weeks of workouts are needed. “We thought, 20, 21 days, whatever we had in 2020 was a problem for us,” Manfred said, referring to the pandemic-shortened schedule. “The injury data supports that idea. We’d like to be 28. I’m trying not to be hard and fast. But we think more like four weeks makes sense.” Before workouts can start, additional days are needed to gear up. “We do have some logistics that would have to be handled between an agreement and actually opening the camps, the biggest of which is the players getting where they need to be,” Manfred said. “They have to ratify and we have to ratify and we won’t open until it’s ratified. But both of those activities can take place at the same time, concurrently. It’s a few days. It should all be able to be done in a few days.” Manfred confirmed that testing players for steroids stopped when the lockout began. “Our legal authority to conduct drug tests expired with the expired agreement,” he said. “It’s a topic of concern. Labour disputes make topics of concern. It’s another one caused by the dispute.” Manfred also said the teams do not intend to use players with minor league contacts to play major league exhibition games. Players, led by former All-Star first baseman Tony Clark, are angry over a decline in payrolls over the previous contract, what they say is a lack of competition by some teams and what they allege is servicetime manipulation. The union has proposed allowing the accrual of service time by rookies for awards and special accomplishments, a draft lottery, expanding arbitration eligibility to its level before 1986 and decreasing revenue sharing. MLB says it will not increase arbitration eligibility or decrease revenue sharing. The sides disagree on minimum salaries and the size of a draft lottery, and they also are far apart on luxury tax thresholds. MLB would increase tax rates; Manfred said he misspoke during the news conference when he said they were the same in the proposal. The sides both would establish a bonus pool for pre-arbitration players but differ vastly on the amount.
STRIKING GOLD IN BEIJING BEIJING (AP) — A roundup of gold medals from Thursday, February 10, at the Beijing Games: ALPINE SKIING MEN’S COMBINED Austrian skier Johannes Strolz won the Olympic gold medal in the Alpine combined race 34 years after his father did the same. The 29-year-old Strolz was fourth fastest after the downhill run but he was half a second quicker than anyone else in the slalom. He edged first-run leader Aleksander Aamodt Kilde of Norway by 0.58 seconds. Jack Crawford of Canada took bronze. The combined adds the times from one downhill run and one slalom run. Strolz’s father won gold in combined at the 1988 Calgary Olympics. Hubert Strolz also won silver in the giant slalom that year. Kilde won his second medal of the Beijing Games. He also took bronze in the super-G on Tuesday. CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING WOMEN’S 10KM CLASSIC Norwegian cross-country skier Therese Johaug won gold in the 10-kilometre classic race at the Beijing Olympics. It was her second gold of the Games — she won the women’s 15-kilometre cross-country skiathlon on Saturday. Johaug glided around the cold, windy course in 28 minutes, 6.3 seconds. As she watched others come in with slower times, realizing the gold was hers, she shouted and howled, throwing her head back and pumping her arms in the air. Finland’s Kerttu Niskanen was ahead of Johaug at the 8.6-kilometre mark but crossed the finish line just 0.4 seconds behind the Norwegian. Krista Parmakoski of Finland secured the bronze 31.5 seconds back. Natalia Nepryaeva of Russia threatened Parmakoski’s time but crossed the line 31.6 seconds behind Johaug. The Beijing Olympic 10-kilometre (6.2-mile) cross country race was in the classic ski style. Ninety-eight women went off at 30-second intervals to ski two laps on a 5-kilometre course. MLB would expand the playoffs from 10 teams to 14, while the union is offering 12. Manfred said MLB had agreed to expand the designated hitter to the National League and to eliminate draft-pick compensation for free agents, an issue that led to a 50-day midseason strike in 1981. Based on minimum salaries and the bonus pool, Manfred said players would receive over the five-year term of a deal “in the hundreds of millions of dollars” more, plus more value from the DH expansion and free-agent compensation elimination. “We have a proposed an agreement that is better in every respect than the expired contract,” Manfred said.
Roundup of Olympic gold medals from Thursday, February 10
THERESE JOHAUG, of Norway, celebrates after receiving her gold medal for the women’s crosscountry 10-kilometre event at the 2022 Winter Olympics yesterday in Zhangjiakou, China. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) The 10K race alternates between classic and freestyle, or skate, every Olympic cycle, so the Pyeongchang event was freestyle and the 2014 Sochi Games were classic. FIGURE SKATING MEN’S INDIVIDUAL Figure skater Nathan Chen won gold, joining an exclusive club of US Olympic champions in the sport and capping a fouryear journey that started after his medal hopes were dashed at the Pyeongchang Games. The 22-year-old’s win in Beijing makes him the seventh US men’s skater to step atop the podium. Chen delivered a rousing performance of his “Rocketman” free skate, drawing cheers from the limited crowd of spectators. Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama and Shoma Uno won silver and bronze, respectively. Long-time rival Yuzuru Hanyu, the two-time defending Olympic champion from Japan, came into the free skate with a deficit so great that not even his planned quad axel in the free skate would’ve made up for it. He finished in fourth place after falling “In total, the proposals we’ve made would move the agreement decidedly in the players’ direction. Where the clubs have been and remain unwilling to move is in response to player proposals that we believe will undermine the competitive balance in our game.” MLB last week asked that a federal mediator join talks, but the union rejected the offer. Some players have vilified Manfred for his role. “What somebody says on social media really doesn’t affect my thinking,” he said. “It’s my responsibility to do everything we can to make an agreement that the industry can live with and keep the game on the field, and we are trying to do that.”
in his attempt to become the first figure skater to land the quad axel in competition. FREESTYLE SKIING MIXED TEAM AERIALS The Americans won gold in the Olympics’ first mixed team aerials event, giving the US its first medals in the freestyle skiing discipline in a dozen years. The trio of Ashley Caldwell, Christopher Lillis and Justin Schoenefeld each earned their first Winter Games medals. Lillis’ back double fullfull-double full was given the highest score of any trick in the finals, and the US title was assured when Schoenefeld followed with a clean back double full-full-full. Two-time medallist Jia Zongyang cost China a chance at gold when he flipped forward on his landing, and the host country settled for silver. Canada won bronze. The mixed team event made its debut at these Games. Each country gets three jumpers and can’t use more than two per gender. All six countries in the
finals went with two men and one woman. LUGE TEAM RELAY Germany swept the gold medals in luge’s four events at the Beijing Games. The Germans won the team relay last night, holding off Austria and Latvia for the victory. Natalie Geisenberger won the women’s gold, Johannes Ludwig the men’s gold, and Tobias Wendl and Tobias Arlt the doubles gold. They then teamed up to take the relay by less than one-tenth of a second over Austria. The US was seventh, with the team of Chris Mazdzer, Ashley Farquharson and the doubles sled of Zack DiGregorio and Sean Hollander. Germany has now won 11 luge gold medals in 12 events over the last three Winter Olympics. SNOWBOARD WOMEN’S HALFPIPE American Chloe Kim has won gold in the women’s halfpipe at the Beijing Olympics. She turned in a strong opening run as she easily defended her Olympic halfpipe title.
The only real drama was for second place, with 32-year-old Queralt Castellet of Spain taking silver at her fifth appearance at the Olympic Games. Sena Tomita of Japan held off Cai Xuetong of China for bronze. No one was matching Kim’s height or demanding array of tricks. Not after an opening performance that featured a variety of different spins and rotations, including a front and backside 1080 (three spins each). That flawless run even appeared to surprised her as she covered her mouth in excitement. She later told her coach it was the best one she’s done. MEN’S SNOWBOARDCROSS Alessandro Haemmerle of Austria held off Canada’s Eliot Grondin in a photo finish to win the men’s snowboardcross at Genting Snow Park. The 20-year-old Grondin made it close by almost diving toward the finish line with his board. It wasn’t enough to overtake Haemmerle, who took home the gold medal in his third Olympics. Omar Visintin of Italy took home the bronze. SPEEDSKATING WOMEN’S 5,000 METRES Irene Schouten of the Netherlands has completed a speedskating sweep of the women’s distance events at the Beijing Olympics, setting another Olympic record with a victory in the 5,000 metres. Schouten also won the 3,000 on Saturday, setting an Olympic mark on the opening day of speedskating. She was even more dominant yesterday in the longest women’s race with a winning time of 6 minutes, 43.51 seconds. That broke the 20-yearold Olympic mark held by Germany’s Claudia Pechstein. No one else was even close. Schouten finished 4.67 seconds ahead of silver medallist Isabelle Weidemann of Canada, while the bronze went to Martina Sáblíková of the Czech Republic.
MAJOR League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred leaves a news conference at MLB baseball owners meetings yesterday in Orlando, Florida. Manfred says spring training remains on hold because of a management lockout and his goal is to reach a labour contract that allows opening day as scheduled on March 31. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Friday, February 11, 2022, PAGE 13
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Mike Strachan returns home FROM PAGE 11
rate than any other receiver in the lineup. “The biggest thing I took away from it is how to perform at the highest level. For me was just finding a way to stand out, being on my ‘A’ game,” he said. “I expected more playing time but everything happens for a reason, I just had to continue being the
best me I can be. I feel like this season is going to be tremendous and will be big time for me. I plan to go in with great confidence.” The former University of Charleston wide receiver and Grand Bahama native was selected by the Colts with the first pick of the seventh round (229th overall). He became the third
Bahamian born player to be drafted into the NFL following Ed Smith in 1973 (Denver Broncos - Round 13, pick 319) and Devard Darling in 2004 (Baltimore Ravens - Round 3, pick 82). Strachan became a fan favourite and garnered attention from several franchises following a standout performance at his Pro Day
in March. He measured 6’5” 228 pounds with 85” wingspan and 10” hands. He ran a 4.46 seconds 40-yard dash, put up 20 reps on the bench press at 225 pounds, posted a 35” vertical leap, 10’7” broad jump, 4.20 seconds in the short shuttle and 6.96 seconds in the 3-cone drill. He was one of seven wide receivers named to
the initial 53-man roster along with Parris Campbell, Ashton Dulin, T.Y. Hilton, Dezmon Patmon, Zach Pascal, and Michael Pittman Jr. Off the field, Strachan said he looks forward to teaming with fellow Grand Bahamian native Chavano “Buddy” Hield in bringing success to the professional sports culture of Indiana.
Hield was recently traded to the Indiana Pacers after spending five and-a-half seasons with the Sacramento Kings. “He’s going to ball out in Indiana,” Strachan said. “I’m so proud of him and so excited to say we have two Bahamians in different leagues, one in the NBA and one in the NFL in the same state.”
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ATHLETIC HELD BY VALENCIA IN 1ST LEG OF COPA SEMIFINALS
Even with Salah back, Jota shows depth of attacking options LONDON (AP) — Diogo Jota is squeezing every moment out of his understudy role in the Liverpool attack. Even with Egypt striker Mohamed Salah back available after a month away at the African Cup of Nations, Jota still started and scored both goals in a 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton yesterday. “We have more options now and it’s good for the team,” Jota said after taking his tally for the season to 17. “We have a lot of games and everyone will be important at some point.” The second was scored with Salah on the field for the final 30 minutes in a win that keeps second-place Liverpool nine points behind Manchester City with a game in hand. Liverpool is also chasing titles still in the Champions League, FA Cup and League Cup. “He is really helpful for us,” Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp said of Jota. “He was not a bargain, we
did not get him for free. But it was obvious the potential was there, the work rate he puts in. “If you have that there is always space for improvement. We really thought he would be an outstanding player.” The Portugal international has now scored in 18 different league games since joining in 2020 for around $50 million from Wolverhampton, The first against Leicester came in the 24th minute with a close-range strike after Leicester goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel parried Virgil Van Dijk’s header. The second from Jota in the 87th was a smart shot on the turn under Schmeichel. “The second goal is a brilliant goal, I love the counter-press,” Klopp said. “But the first goal is really when you are in a goal-scoring moment, when you are there. That is exactly what is happening for Diogo at the moment.” Liverpool still have a tough task catching City with 15 games to go.
By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer
LIVERPOOL’S DIOGO JOTA, right, celebrates with his teammate Fabinho, centre, after scoring his side’s opening goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Leicester City at Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, yesterday. (AP Photo/Jon Super) “I don’t think they smell our breath already,” Klopp said. “It was not the best game we ever played but we were good enough to win. We had the clear, bigger chances. We were deserved winners and that’s all what you want.” ARSENAL FINALLY WINS After 46 days, Arsenal was finally victorious again. Gabriel poked in a goal in the 25th to clinch a 1-0 victory at Wolverhampton, although the Gunners had to hang on for a first win since December 26 with 10 men after another needless sending off. Gabriel Martinelli was sent off for two yellow
cards within seconds of each other — Arsenal’s fourth dismissal in its last six games. This one came with 21 minutes left after Marintelli first pushed Daniel Podence to stop a quick throw-in but referee Michael Oliver played advantage. Martinelli then chased the ball down only to barge into Chiquinho from behind and was immediately shown two yellow cards. Wolves could not take advantage, though, and lost ground on Arsenal, which climbed to fifth to improve its chances of a top-four finish and a return to the Champions League.
The goal came when Wolves failed to clear Martinelli’s corner and Ben White headed back across goal toward Alexandre Lacazette, who collided with goalkeeper Jose Sa but did enough to deflect the ball toward Gabriel, who scored his third goal of the campaign from five yards. “It means a lot because we really wanted to win this game,” Lacazette said. “We know set pieces are important and I’m happy we could score today. I wanted to be first to the ball and I think I was. It was stressful in this type of game but that is football. I’m really proud, everyone at the back did their job.”
French league powerhouse Bordeaux in deep trouble By SAMUEL PETREQUIN AP Sports Writer HEADING for big financial losses and facing the prospect of relegation to the second division, Bordeaux is in survival mode. With its six French leagues titles, four French Cups, three League Cups and a glorious history on the European stage, the southwestern club is one of the most decorated in the country. But in recent years, Bordeaux has found itself in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. In the wake of consecutive mediocre seasons, Bordeaux was on the verge of bankruptcy last year after the club’s American-based owner, investment firm King Street, withdrew its financial support. King Street took over the club in December 2019 and invested 46 million euros ($53 million) without any significant result. With two games left last season, Bordeaux was just two points above the relegation zone but ultimately managed to stay among the elite. The team, however, was provisionally relegated until the league’s financial watchdog approved the takeover project by businessman Gerard Lopez. “It’s a rescue mission,” Lopez told Le Monde newspaper upon his arrival. “There are red lights
FITNESS
FROM PAGE 11 because of a lack of motivation,” Dean said. “This can increase bullying and the kids can become insecure, body shaming goes on and have low self esteem. “The collaboration between physical activity and mental ability and mental learning has collapsed. They go hand in hand. “Kids that are more focused have a better attention span.” Dean said parents need to get a better grip of the lifestyle of their children and provide the necessary ingredients for them to live their lives in a more healthy environment.
flashing everywhere. There is an enormous wage bill, very little income, and huge losses. We will need three to six months to stabilise the situation.” Saying that nothing has been stabilised in Bordeaux is an understatement. Despite bringing in left backs Gideon Mensah and Ricardo Mangas plus Paris Saint-Germain defender Timothée Pembélé, Bordeaux’s backline has been catastrophic. Bordeaux’s 58 goals conceded in 23 games is the highest tally at this stage of a season since 1976. Symbolically, Bordeaux lost for the first time in 44 years at its home ground against bitter rival Marseille this season. And to add to the supporters’ anger and pain, the club was handed its heaviest Ligue 1 loss since 1986 in a 6-0 thrashing by Rennes. Combined with a 5-0 loss at Reims last weekend, the humiliation led to the sacking of coach Vladimir Petkovic, only seven months after he joined in the summer. Petkovic was previously in charge of Switzerland and led the national team to the Euro 2020 quarterfinals after eliminating France on penalties. Petkovic, who had 18 months left to go on his contract, was
“If you don’t know the standard lifestyle for your children, there’s no way to manage it and so it becomes harder to target those kids who are at risk,” he said. “We just have to start getting our children back outdoors and doing more activities, even if it just starts with shooting marbles, skipping ropes and climbing trees. Our kids don’t do these types of activities.” Kids, who are mentally prepared will end up becoming better athletes, Dean stated. He said they need to be in a better mental state of mind so they can get back into the sporting environment. For those kids who have been stagnant because
MADRID (AP) — Trying to make it to its third straight Copa del Rey final, Athletic Bilbao was held to a 1-1 draw at home against Valencia in the first leg of the semifinals yesterday. Raúl García opened the scoring for the hosts with a header off a free kick by Iker Muniain in the 37th minute, but Valencia equalised in the 65th with a goal from close range by Hugo Duro off the rebound of a shot by Bryan Gil. The second leg will be on March 2 at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium. Real Betis rallied to a 2-1 win at Rayo Vallecano in the first leg of the other semifinal on Wednesday. Athletic lost to Basque Country rival Real Sociedad in the final in 2020 and to Barcelona in the decider last season. It is the competition’s second most successful club with 23 titles, behind Barcelona’s 31, but it hasn’t lifted the trophy since 1984. Athletic is one of the hottest teams in Spain recently under coach Marcelino García Toral, having eliminated Barcelona in the Copa’s last 16 and Real Madrid in the quarterfinals. It is unbeaten in five matches in all competitions, with its last loss against Madrid in the final of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia, after it eliminated Spanish champion Atlético Madrid in the semifinals. Athletic was outplayed by Valencia in the beginning of yesterday’s match at San Mamés Stadium but gradually regained control and was the most dangerous team the rest of the match, though it was unable to capitalise on its scoring chances.
PROBLEMS MOUNT FOR BUNDESLIGA LEADER BAYERN MUNICH By CIARÁN FAHEY AP Sports Writer
PSG’S KYLIAN MBAPPE, left, tackles the ball with Bordeaux’s Stian Gregersen during the League One match at the Matmut Atlantique stadium in Bordeaux, southwestern France on November 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Bob Edme) dismissed with the club second to former Arsenal and France last in the standings ahead of Sun- defender Laurent Koscielny in a bid to save money on salaries, with day’s trip to Lens. With only four wins so far, Bor- the club reportedly on track to deaux lags 36 points behind leader make a 64 million euros loss by the end of the season. PSG, which hosts Rennes today. Bordeaux is not the only past According to L’Equipe newspaper, former Reims coach David glory club to struggle. SaintGuion — renowned for his ability Etienne, the most decorated to build solid defensive squads — French side with 10 league titles, has endured similar misfortunes will replace Petkovic. Last month, Bordeaux also and stands at the bottom of the dropped several players including standings.
of the pandemic, Dean is asking them to get involved in some of the sporting clubs and the sporting programmes being offered so that they start to get moving again. “There’s a number of sports that our kids can get involved in,” he said. “If they are not being offered in their schools, they can join a club. So it’s up to the parents to expose them to these kinds of activities and get them moving.” While he commended the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture for the role they are playing, Dean said there needs to be more concentration on athletic classes where the students are taught the fundamental skills of fitness, not a
sporting skill, but agility skills, flexibility and motion exercises. Dean said he has submitted several proposals and will continue to push it now that he has seen the effects of the pandemic and he is willing to push the proposals again because there is a need for more fitness testing to be done in the schools to ensure that the students are better equipped for the future. “We have to teach our kids about balance. It’s all about our body, soul and mind and putting God first because when everything else fails, he will be able to pull them through,” Dean said. “They just have to be focused and disciplined because our body is the only temple that we have.
It’s the only body that God has placed in us to deal with our mind and soul. If we are not taking care of our body, it will deteriorate. So this is something of utmost importance that needs to be addressed.” Dean, therefore, is calling on the authorities to start random fitness testing in schools across the nation, like it was done in the past where awards are presented to the schools who can produce the most healthy kids. Collectively, Dean said there are a number of health experts and gyms that are willing to assist in the development of such a programme and he said it’s a good time to get the programme started because there is a need to get the fitness testing done.
BERLIN (AP) — Suddenly, Bayern Munich has problems it didn’t have last week. After stretching its Bundesliga lead to nine points over the weekend with an almost complete squad at coach Julian Nagelsmann’s disposal, the nine-time champion could have been forgiven for allowing itself a breather before the start of the business end of the season. But Germany defender Niklas Süle’s decision to leave for league rival Borussia Dortmund has clearly irked some at the Bavarian club, and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s decision to opt for knee surgery may yet prove ill-timed. The Bayern captain’s replacement Sven Ulreich missed training early Wednesday due to a COVID-19 infection in his family. The 33-year-old goalkeeper returned after a negative test to train in the afternoon, but Bayern remains short of options if he drops out for any reason over the next few weeks of Neuer’s absence. Jamal Musiala has also since tested positive for the virus, another reminder to Nagelsmann that the uncertainty of an infection can reduce his options at any time. Bayern visits Bochum in the Bundesliga on Saturday, then Salzburg for the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on Wednesday. League games against Greuther Fürth, Eintracht Frankfurt and Bayer Leverkusen follow, before the return leg against Salzburg in Munich. Bayern expects to be playing in the Champions League semifinals in April.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, February 11, 2022, PAGE 15
DONCIC HAS CAREER-BEST 51, MAVS TOP CLIPPERS 112-105
UB Mingoes ladies’ softball team in ‘light workout’ THE University of The Bahamas Mingoes ladies’ softball team went through a light workout yesterday morning before a team meeting as the squad gets ready for its first ever set of international games. The UB Mingoes softball team expects to play two games
THE UNIVERSITY of The Bahamas women’s softball team members take part in drills yesterday morning in Doral, Florida. The team is slated to play three international games in Miami Gardens this week. Photos courtesy of UB ATHLETICS
Thursday in Miami Gardens against the St Thomas University Bobcats and then one game Friday at Flamingo Park in Pembroke Pines against the Florida Memorial University Lions. This tour will be the first for the UB Mingoes softball team. “We were able to get in a light workout
this morning and despite this being the first international game for most of the team I am excited for the team,” said head coach Shane Albury. “Pitching is a concern. I would like for us to be stronger at that position but defensively I think we are going to do very well.”
The team had hoped to practice on Wednesday but showers were flooding the South Florida area. The team plays St Thomas University in a double-header 4pm and 6pm Thursday in Miami Gardens and then plays Florida Memorial University at noon Friday at Flamingo Park in Pembroke Pines.
LONG ISLAND BOXING ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT GETS HIS CERTIFICATE
THE BAHAMAS Boxing Association yesterday presented Omar Daley, president of the Long Island Boxing Association, with his certificate for participating in the AMBC and IBA’s referee and judges’ course. Daley, one of the country’s top bodybuilders, was presented with his certificate on Thursday at the office of the Bahamas Olympic Committee. Federation president Vincent Strachan and vice president Wellington Miller, immediate past president of the BOC, made the presentation. Shown above, from left to right, are Vincent Strachan, Omar Daley and Wellington Miller.
Rams, Bengals have enough stars to keep attention on field By TERESA M WALKER AP Pro Football Writer LOS ANGELES (AP) — Three-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Aaron Donald. Three-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey. Wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr with his pass-catching flair. And the NFL’s best receiver this year in Cooper Kupp. Those are only some of the big names on the Los Angeles Rams. Then there’s Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow. Young, confident to the point of brashness and with a fashion sense and style off the field reminiscent of another young QB named Joe who once made waves on the big stage in Joe Namath. Yes, there will be more than enough star power on the field Sunday at the Super Bowl to match the celebrities in the stands at SoFi Stadium. “I think if you look cool in the dictionary, there’s a picture of him in some Cartier shades,” Beckham said of Burrow. “This guy is smooth and truly, as ... he’s going to be one of the greats, I feel like. And I truly believe that Joe Burrow yes, is definitely cool, for sure.” Burrow has earned plenty of attention leading the Bengals far beyond worst to first in just his second NFL season. With Cincinnati’s first Super Bowl berth since the 1988 season, Burrow is the toast of Ohio. LeBron James has reached out to him and rapper Kid Cudi direct messaged Burrow on social media. It’s why Burrow is staying off social media.
BENGALS quarterback Joe Burrow warms up during NFL football practice on Wednesday in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
RAMS wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr stands on the field during practice for the NFL Super Bowl. (AP Photo/Mark J Terrill)
“I haven’t checked in a while,” Burrow said. “My phone hasn’t been blowing up as much, so that’s been nice. Just trying to eliminate those distractions. But yeah, the social part of the position that I’m in, it’s crazier than the football part to me.” Burrow showed off his fashion sense at the AFC title game. First with a big coat on his way into Arrowhead Stadium, then with a gold and diamond necklace over his classic black turtleneck postgame. Cincinnati rookie kicker Evan McPherson says Burrow’s style is pushing him to up his own game for the Super Bowl. “I probably learned a thing or two from him ...,” McPherson said. “My favourite one is probably the jacket from this past (game) in my opinion. It’s definitely special and definitely unique.” The Rams live in Los Angeles — Hollywood,
this league for years and years and years.” Kupp turned in the best performance by a receiver in the NFL with 145 catches for 1,947 yards. He credits coach Sean McVay with not shying away from letting his best players work against each other. “I get to line up against Jalen Ramsey and compete against Jalen Ramsey every single week,” Kupp said. “Now, that is a huge advantage for me, and so thankful that coach allows us to be in those positions to compete against each other to sharpen each other.” McVay, who has the Rams in their second Super Bowl in four seasons, sees all those stars sharing several of the same traits. They all love football, are extremely intelligent and want to win. McVay and his coaches explain why something
you know — so style comes naturally. No outfit can come close to matching the sheer star power on the roster for a team that seemingly can’t collect enough big names. They traded for Matthew Stafford, upgrading significantly at quarterback. During this season, they traded for linebacker Von Miller, the NFL’s active sacks leader and Super Bowl 50 MVP; signed Beckham in November after he was released by Cleveland; and lured safety Eric Weddle out of retirement for the postseason. “We got a lot of stars over here,” Ramsey said. “We oozing with confidence as well. So don’t forget about who we really are over here. “We’ve been playing some great ball in this postseason. And you know obviously we got individual guys who have been great and doing great things in
needs to happen, and the Rams follow through. “That has been a huge part of why this team has been special,” McVay said. “Yes, you have a lot of guys who’ve established themselves as big-time players in this league, but one of the thing’s that’s common about all those guys, they’re great competitors that they want to win a championship.” In addition to Burrow, Cincinnati has a star in the making in Pro Bowl rookie receiver Ja’Marr Chase. For a team used to playing at 1pm each Sunday through the season far from nationally televised games, the Bengals are eager to take advantage of this spotlight. “We got to prove ourselves to get on the big stage, and that’s what we’ve done,” Cincinnati wide receiver Tyler Boyd said. “And it’s showing off.” Exactly the way stars do.
DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic scored 28 of his career-high 51 points in the first quarter, and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Los Angeles Clippers 112-105 last night. The 22-year-old star’s 3-point frenzy, part of the highest-scoring quarter in the NBA this season, came a few hours after the Mavericks traded Kristaps Porzingis to Washington. The European pairing of Doncic and Porzingis never developed quite like the club wanted in two-plus seasons. Despite Doncic hitting seven of his first nine 3s in the highest-scoring quarter of his career, regular season or playoffs, the Clippers were as close as two points in the fourth quarter. But that just set up Doncic for his first 50-point game. LA stayed in the game with more balanced scoring, led by Marcus Morris Sr. with 21 points. Norman Powell had 19 and Reggie Jackson 18 in the first of consecutive meetings in Dallas. The rematch is Saturday. WIZARDS 113, NETS 112 WASHINGTON (AP) — Kyle Kuzma had 15 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his first career tripledouble, leading injury- and trade-depleted Washington over Kyrie Irving and equally in-flux Brooklyn. Raul Neto scored a season-high 21 points in his first start of the season, and reserve Anthony Gill had a career-high 15 points for the Wizards, who took control at the end of a scoreless third quarter from Irving and hung on in the closing seconds. Irving scored 31 points as the only star on the Nets’ makeshift roster as Brooklyn’s season-worst skid extended to 10 games. Cam Thomas added 27 points. Earlier yesterday, the Nets broke up their Big Three, sending James Harden and Paul Millsap to the Philadelphia 76ers for disgruntled point guard Ben Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and draft picks. Brooklyn had hoped Harden, Irving and Kevin Durant could win a championship, but the trio played only 16 games together. GRIZZLIES 132, PISTONS 107 DETROIT (AP) — Ja Morant scored 23 points, Steven Adams added 17 points and 14 rebounds and Memphis routed Detroit. Desmond Bane added 22 points for the Grizzlies, who have won four straight and seven of eight. Memphis had seven players score in double figures. Jeremi Grant had 20 points for Detroit, which has lost six in a row. Hamidou Diallo added 17 points and 10 rebounds. The Pistons have gone 2-12 since winning five of their first eight games of 2022. RAPTORS 139, ROCKETS 120 HOUSTON (AP) — Gary Trent Jr scored a season-high 42 points, and Toronto pushed its seasonhigh winning streak to eight games with a victory over Houston. Toronto’s winning streak is the longest active one in the NBA and the loss extended Houston’s skid to four games. It was Trent’s seventh game with 30 points or more this season and Pascal Siakam added 30 points for his sixth 30-point game. Trent and Siakam both got going early and had 25 and 26 points respectively by halftime as Toronto built a 73-64 lead. The 42 points were the most for Trent, who made six 3-pointers, since he had a career-high 44 last April against Cleveland. Kevin Porter Jr had a season-high 30 points and Garrison Mathews added 19 for the Rockets, who lost for the eighth time in nine games.
PAGE 16, Friday, February 11, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
Nets send Harden to 76ers for Simmons By DAN GELSTON and BRIAN MAHONEY AP Sports Writers PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Ben Simmons got his wish, a trade out of Philadelphia. The 76ers got their second superstar, with James Harden coming over in a blockbuster multi-player trade with the Brooklyn Nets. The Sixers sent Simmons, the disgruntled star who demanded a trade last summer, guard Seth Curry and centre Andre Drummond to the Nets in a deal for Harden. The Sixers also will get Paul Millsap and the Nets get draft picks, according to people with direct knowledge of the decision. The deal was confirmed yesterday by the people who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade had not been announced. The move came just five days after coach Steve Nash said the Nets wouldn’t trade Harden and only 13 months after they acquired the 2018 NBA MVP to play with Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. But Harden could have left this summer as a free agent and the Nets decided it wasn’t worth the risk to wait, ending their Big Three experiment after the trio played only 16 games together. The Sixers can’t wait to test drive the Harden- Joel Embiid partnership. Simmons did not play this season for the Sixers in the wake of a trade demand centred largely around hurt feelings coming off last season’s playoff loss. Simmons averaged 15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists over four seasons with Philadelphia, which drafted him out of LSU, where he played only one season. His defining moment as a Sixer came when he
passed up a wide-open dunk against Atlanta in the second round of last year’s playoffs that would have tied the game late in Game 7. The end of Simmons’ time in Philly came down to this: He was stung by comments made by coach Doc Rivers and Embiid in the aftermath of the Game 7 loss and how he shouldered the blame for the Sixers’ playoff woes. His refusal to shoot beyond 15 feet — he is a 5 of 34 career 3-point shooter — and his postseason failures at the free-throw line have seemingly outweighed his playmaking ability and a spot last season on the AllDefensive first team. Simmons made a surprise return to the Sixers shortly before the season opened, but was promptly kicked out of practice and suspended for one game. The punishment didn’t matter, the No. 1 pick of the 2016 draft had no intention of ever playing. He later cited mental health concerns. Harden was set to miss his fourth straight game yesterday with a hamstring injury while trade rumours intensified. The Nets acquired the three-time scoring champion from the Houston Rockets in a deal last January, with the idea that Harden, Durant and Irving would be too potent to stop. The Nets loaded up for a title run with three of the highest-paid players in the league but a championship run with them never materialised. Harden and Irving were both hurt last year in the playoffs, and the Nets lost in the second round to eventual champion Milwaukee. With Irving not joining the Nets until December and Durant injured in January, the Nets got only two games out of their Big Three this season.
HORNETS ACQUIRE MONTREZL HARRELL FROM WIZARDS By STEVE REED AP Sports Writer
BROOKLYN Nets’ James Harden (13) tries to drive past Philadelphia 76ers’ Ben Simmons (25) during the second half of a game on Saturday, February 6, 2021, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
PHILADELPHIA 76ers’ Ben Simmons takes part in a practice at the NBA basketball team’s facility, on Monday, October 18, 2021, in Camden, N.J. The Philadelphia 76ers have traded Simmons to the Nets for James Harden as part of a multi-player deal. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke) They are 2-10 since according to FanDuel almost $200 for standingDurant sprained his left Sportsbook. room tickets at Wells Fargo knee, an injury that could Embiid leads the league Center. keep him out until after the in scoring with 29.4 points Less than two hours after All-Star break. and has scored at least 25 the trade, a billboard went With Irving ineligible points in 30 straight games. up along I-95 welcoming to play in home games The pressure was on in Harden to Philadelphia. because he is not vacci- Philly not to waste a season The billboard featured a nated against COVID-19 of his prime. silhouette of Harden’s face as mandated by New York Morey made the trade that read “The Beard is City, it placed a heavy while holding on to Tyrese Here!” burden on Harden. Maxey and Matisse ThyESPN first reported the Harden can become a bulle, two young core deal. free agent after the season, players the Sixers believe Curry — Rivers’ sonthough he could pick up his can help snag them the top in-law — gives the Nets $47.3 million player option. spot in the East. outside shooting they have The 76ers are getting an The Sixers were 1 1/2 missed with Joe Harris out MVP-worthy year out of games out of first place in following ankle surgery. Embiid, and team Presi- the Eastern Conference Drummond could start dent Daryl Morey — who entering last night’s action. or play a key role off the was in the front office with They play consecutive bench for a team that has Houston when Harden home games tonight and mostly played small. played for the Rockets — Saturday. The fresh start for the made the deadline deal Sixers fans might want to deal’s big stars also includes to ensure the Sixers have start saving their cash for new uniform numbers. plenty for the champion- the March 10 game against Harden’s 13 is retired ship push. the Nets. in Philadelphia for Wilt The Sixers had 20-1 preTickets on the second- Chamberlain, and Simseason odds to win the ary market were asking mons’ No. 25 was retired NBA championship but for well above $1,000 for by the Nets for Bill those fell to about 7-1, lower-bowl tickets and Melchionni.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Charlotte Hornets have acquired power forward/centre Montrezl Harrell from the Washington Wizards for veteran backup point guard Ish Smith, secondyear forward Vernon Carey Jr and a future secondround draft pick, said a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press yesterday because the deal has not been announced. Hornets general manager Mitch Kupchak has been looking to add a centre who can score and defend for quite some time. Harrell is 6-foot-7, but has a 7-foot-4 wingspan and he’s expected to play both power forward and centre. Centre Mason Plumlee was acquired this offseason to help bridge the gap after big men Cody Zeller and Bismack Biyombo were not retained as unrestricted free agents. The 28-year-old Harrell is a Tarboro, North Carolina native and is averaging 14.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists in 46 games this season for the Wizards while shooting 64.5% from the field. During his seven years in the NBA, Harrell has averaged 13 points and 5.3 rebounds per game. Harrell’s best season came in 2019 with the Los Angeles Clippers when he averaged a career-best 18.6 points, 7.6 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. Smith has been Charlotte’s third-string point guard since joining the team this past offseason, playing behind LaMelo Ball and Terry Rozier. He has played in 37 games and averaged 4.5 points and 2.7 assists per game. He returns to the Wizards, where he spent the previous two seasons. Carey, a former secondround pick, has played in 23 games during his career and is averaging 2.3 points per game.
Mavericks sending Porzingis to Wizards for two players
CELTICS SEND DOZIER, BOL TO MAGIC TO CUT SALARY
By SCHUYLER DIXON AP Sports Writer
By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer
DALLAS (AP) — Kristaps Porzingis never could escape the shadow of injuries in Dallas after the blockbuster trade that brought the 7-foot-3 Latvian from New York. The Mavericks are moving on without the “Unicorn.” Dallas is sending Porzingis to the Washington Wizards for Spencer Dinwiddie and Davis Bertans, a person with knowledge of the trade said yesterday. The deal was reached not long before the NBA trading deadline and ends the plan to pair Porzingis with fellow European and young star point guard Luka Doncic. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the trade hasn’t been announced. Porzingis has missed the past five games with a right knee injury and has been sidelined for 21 of 55 games this season because of various injuries and a positive COVID-19 test. Doncic and Porzingis never established the bond the club hoped would develop when Dallas acquired Porzingis from the Knicks in a seven-player deal with the
Knicks before the deadline in 2019. At the time of the trade, Porzingis was still recovering from surgery for a torn ligament in his left knee not long after he was named an All-Star with the Knicks in 2018. His ability to move and score on the perimeter at his size led to superstar Kevin Durant calling Porzingis the “unicorn.” Porzingis kept pulling up lame in two-plus seasons with the Mavericks, who signed him to a $158 million, five-year max contract before he ever played a game for them. Dallas decided not to play Porzingis the rest of the 2018-19 season after the trade even though he had recovered from the injury with the Knicks. The club hoped the extra time would lead to better health. It didn’t. The longest stretch of consecutive games for Porzingis with the Mavericks was 23, from early in his first season. After the third time he played in a backto-back, Porzingis missed the next 10 games with a knee injury. Porzingis never played more than 12 consecutive games the rest of his tenure with Dallas, with issues that included both knees, his back and an ankle
DALLAS Mavericks’ Kristaps Porzingis, centre, stands on the court talking with staff before the first half against the Oklahoma City Thunder in Dallas on Wednesday. Porzingis did not play. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) along with the 26-year-old’s in the conference, followed two seasons in Washingby Washington and the ton. But the 6-10 Latvian’s COVID-19 absence. playing time is way down Porzingis averaged 20 Knicks. Dinwiddie started all 44 this season, along with his points and 8.8 rebounds in 134 games with Dallas. The games he played for the scoring and rebounding seventh-year player has Wizards this season, aver- averages. After a significant calf averaged 18.7 points, 7.8 aging 12.6 points and 5.8 rebounds and 1.9 blocks for assists. Although his career strain ended his season in 3-point shooting percent- the playoffs against Philahis career. Before the trade, Por- age is just 32%, Dinwiddie delphia last season, Bertans zingis appeared to be gives Dallas another scor- has dealt with ankle and close to a return from his ing option in the backcourt foot issues in 2021-22. Dinwiddie is in the first latest knee injury. The with Tim Hardaway Jr Wizards are on the fringe likely sidelined until the year of a $54 million, threeof the playoff race in the playoffs with a broken foot. year deal. Bertans started his career Bertans has two fully bunched-up Eastern Conference. Atlanta, an East with Dallas rival San Anto- guaranteed years remainfinalist last season, holds nio in 2016-17 and was ing on an $80 million, the last play-in spot at 10th solid as a backup the past five-year contract.
BOSTON (AP) — The Boston Celtics announced they’ve traded guard PJ Dozier and forward Bol Bol, along with a future second-round pick and cash to the Orlando Magic on Thursday in exchange for a protected 2023 secondround pick. Dozier and Bol came to Boston in January from Denver as part of a three-team trade that also involved San Antonio. Neither has seen action for the Celtics. Dozier is out for the season following surgery for a torn ligament in his left knee. Bol is recovering from right foot surgery. Boston entered the day about $3 million over the salary cap as the league’s trade deadline loomed. It was in danger of being hit with the “repeater tax” for being over the cap threshold in three out of four seasons. The 2021-22 salaries of Dozier ($1.9 million) and Bol ($2.1 million) will keep Boston from incurring that luxury tax penalty. The Celtics (31-25) have won a season-high six straight games and are in seventh place in the Eastern Conference.
PAGE 18, Friday, February 11, 2022
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BAHA MAR SUPERVISOR LOSES DISMISSAL FIGHT INVOLVING DRUNK GUEST FROM PAGE 24 surveillance department to monitor their movements. “The guest struggled uncontrollably during the escort and, as they entered his room on the seventh floor, another security supervisor used his company-issued cell phone and video-recorded the incident. “While the guest was being placed on the bed, he became combative and attempted to attack the security manager, who then decided that he should be taken to a holding room instead of involving the police. The guest continued to be combative while being escorted to the holding room.” Mr Glass alleged that he was “asked by the other security supervisor” to resume video-recording
because the latter’s phone battery was running low, and he complied. “During this time the guest was observed on surveillance cameras to be lying on the floor of the holding room, his clothes dishevelled, and partially naked,” the verdict recalled. “The guest was returned to his room around 4am and video recording resumed as officers re-entered the room.” Five days’ later, on January 24, 2019, Mr Glass was asked by Baha Mar’s investigations unit to give a statement on the incident. He was then placed on five days’ suspension and, upon returning to work, met with Baha Mar’s director of human resources, Sharelle Rodgers, and the security director, whereupon he was summarily dismissed for violating the
resort’s guest privacy and confidentiality policy. Mr Glass, in giving evidence, admitted that the video recording he took breached this policy but argued that it was “justified to safeguard himself against any false accusations that may arise as the unnamed guest was already making allegations during the escort and he knew that there were some blind spots that surveillance would not be able to pick up on camera”. While the recordings were to be used as evidence if accusations were made against him, Mr Glass said they were not to “be posted or shared, and he felt that he was doing the right thing”. However, on his post-suspension return to work, he was told “that the guest was threatening to sue the hotel,
and legal action could have serious consequences for the company if the matter went to trial, as the surveillance footage showing him recording the guest would be damaging”. As a result, Baha Mar decided to terminate his services. Mr Glass, though, argued that his breach was not serious enough to warrant dismissal and asserted that Baha Mar had increased the seriousness of the offence without his knowledge, thus amounting to a unilateral variation of his employment contract. Kellie Mackey, Baha Mar’s security manager, said he decided to “escort the revived guest to his room because he was incoherent and unaware of where he was”. While the guest was “difficult to manage”, and “attempted to strike him” at one point, he added that
By ROB GILLIES AND TOM KRISHER Associated Press
SIGNS WORKERS NEED NEW JOB CHALLENGE FROM PAGE 23
You want a better worklife balance If you feel that you have less time to spend at home because of your work, it could be time to find a new job that better accommodates your personal life. You should speak with your manager first before taking steps to pursue other opportunities since it may be possible that they can help ease some of your workplace stress.
You found a better opportunity You may enjoy your job, but you could always encounter a better opportunity. If you find a position that better suits your career path and offers better benefits, sometimes it is totally worth the jump. While it is difficult to leave a job you enjoy, if there is a better opportunity you should not completely rule it out.
• NB: Ian R Ferguson is a talent management and organisational development consultant, having completed graduate studies with regional and international universities. He has served organsations, both locally and globally, providing relevant solutions to their business growth and development issues. He may be contacted at tcconsultants@ coralwave.com.
TORONTO (AP) — The Biden administration urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government Thursday to use its federal powers to end the truck blockade by Canadians protesting the country’s COVID-19 restrictions, as the bumper-to-bumper demonstration forced auto plants on both sides of the border to shut down or scale back production. For the fourth straight day, scores of truckers taking part in what they dubbed the Freedom Convoy blocked the Ambassador Bridge connecting Windsor, Ontario, to Detroit, disrupting the
MARKET REPORT www.bisxbahamas.com
THURSDAY, 10 FEBRUARY 2022
BISX ALL SHARE INDEX:
CLOSE
CHANGE
%CHANGE
YTD
YTD%
2217.49
-0.16
-0.01
-10.75
-0.48
(242) 323‐2330 (242) 323‐2320
BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK LOW 4.50 32.12 1.46 2.20 1.30 5.50 6.00 2.82 4.25 2.27 5.00 9.75 1.99 6.50 9.50 8.40 13.10 3.42 8.00 15.50
SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Benchmark Bahamas First Holdings Limited Bank of Bahamas Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Cable Bahamas Commonwealth Brewery Commonwealth Bank Colina Holdings CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Emera Incorporated Famguard Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) Limited Focol Finco J. S. Johnson
PREFERENCE SHARES 1.00
1.00
1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00
1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00
1.00 10.00 1.00
1.00 10.00 1.00
Bahamas First Holdings Preference Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 8 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Cable Bahamas Series 10 Colina Holdings Class A Fidelity Bank Bahamas Class A Focol Class B
CORPORATE DEBT - (percentage pricing) 52WK HI 100.00 100.00
52WK LOW 100.00 100.00
SECURITY Fidelity Bank (Note 22 Series B+) Bahamas First Holdings Limited
SYMBOL AML APD BBL BFH BOB BPF BWL CAB CBB CBL CHL CIB CWCB DHS EMAB FAM FBB FCL FIN JSJ BFHP CAB6 CAB8 CAB9 CAB10 CHLA FBBA FCLB SYMBOL FBB22 BFHB
BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing) 115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 102.00 101.55 96.09 99.44 100.11 100.70 100.43 100.58 100.06 100.36
104.79 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 99.72 96.09 99.44 100.11 100.00 99.98 100.58 100.00 100.36
Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y BGS: 2015-10-7Y BGRS FX BGR124228 BGRS FX BGR139140 BGRS FX BGR141240 BGRS FL BGRS76025 BGRS FL BGRS84033 BGRS FL BGRS71023 BGRS FL BGRS75023 BGRS FL BGRS92028 BGRS FL BGRS98031
BAH29 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0307 BG0330 BG0407 BSBGR1242282 BSBGR1391402 BSBGR1411408 BSBGRS760257 BSBGRS840331 BSBGRS710237 BSBGRS750233 BSBGRS920281 BSBGRS980319
LAST CLOSE 5.30 39.95 2.04 2.39 2.49 6.05 9.50 3.15 8.00 2.73 7.00 13.00 2.00 10.06 11.54 10.75 15.00 3.61 9.85 15.51 1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00 LAST SALE 100.00 100.00 107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 99.72 96.09 99.44 100.11 100.15 99.98 100.83 100.00 100.47
CLOSE 5.30 39.95 2.04 2.39 2.49 6.05 9.50 3.15 8.00 2.73 7.00 13.00 1.96 10.06 11.38 10.75 15.00 3.61 9.85 15.51
CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 (0.04) 0.00 (0.16) 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
CLOSE 100.00 100.00
CHANGE 0.00 0.00
107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 101.55 96.09 99.44 100.11 100.15 99.98 100.83 100.00 100.47
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1.83 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
VOLUME
850
1,000 VOLUME
2,500
EPS$ 0.239 0.932 0.000 0.070 0.070 1.760 0.369 -0.438 0.140 0.184 0.449 0.722 0.102 0.467 0.646 0.728 0.816 0.203 0.939 0.631 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
DIV$ 0.170 1.260 0.020 0.110 0.000 0.000 0.260 0.000 0.000 0.120 0.220 0.720 0.434 0.060 0.328 0.240 0.540 0.120 0.200 0.610 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
INTEREST Prime + 1.75% 6.25% 6.95% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.50% 6.25% 4.25% 4.66% 5.60% 5.90% 4.53% 4.68% 4.53% 4.46% 4.34% 4.30%
P/E 22.2 42.9 N/M 34.1 N/M N/M 25.7 -7.2 57.1 14.8 15.6 18.0 19.2 21.5 17.6 14.8 18.4 17.8 10.5 24.6 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
YIELD 3.21% 3.15% 0.98% 4.60% 0.00% 0.00% 2.74% 0.00% 0.00% 4.40% 3.14% 5.54% 22.14% 0.60% 2.88% 2.23% 3.60% 3.32% 2.03% 3.93% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%
MATURITY 19-Oct-2022 30-Sep-2025 20-Nov-2029 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2022 13-Jul-2028 15-Sep-2040 17-Nov-2040 18-Jan-2025 22-Sep-2033 22-Oct-2023 7-Sep-2023 10-Nov-2028 26-Jul-2031
MUTUAL FUNDS 52WK HI 2.48 4.59 2.19 207.86 207.68 1.72 1.82 1.80 1.05 8.92 10.81 7.44 16.64 12.76 10.57 10.00 10.43 14.89
52WK LOW 2.11 3.30 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.68 1.73 1.75 1.03 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57 9.88 8.45 11.20
acknowledging that Mr Glass felt in some danger due to the situation he was in. With the taking, distribution and publication of photos and videos featuring guests “strictly forbidden” in Baha Mar’s employee handbook, the Industrial Tribunal found that Mr Glass’ actions “undermined his core duties” to protect guest privacy and Baha Mar’s public image. While Mr Glass alleged that the purported misconduct did not rise to the level of a dismissal, Ms Cooper-Brooks found that Baha Mar had conducted a sufficient investigation and was entitled to terminate him. She dismissed both the wrongful and unfair dismissal claims.
US URGES CANADA TO USE FEDERAL POWERS TO END BRIDGE BLOCKADE
POLICE officers patrol on foot along Albert Street as a protest against COVID-19 restrictions continue in Ottawa, Thursday, Feb. 10, 2022. Photo:Justin Tang/AP
52WK HI 6.70 40.05 2.05 2.90 2.60 6.05 10.05 3.60 9.02 3.25 7.01 13.00 2.71 10.10 11.06 10.75 15.00 4.00 9.91 16.50
at all times he was under control and monitored by Baha Mar’s surveillance cameras. The security chief added that he never instructed Mr Glass or other members of the team to video record the incident, adding that at one point he told them this was not necessary because it was all being captured by the resort’s cameras. Breaching the ‘no recording’ policy, Mr Mackey said, “had the potential to negatively impact repeated guest visits/business”. Ms Rodgers, the human resources head, said that the guest was “coherent enough to know that he was being filmed against his will” and asked Mr Glass to stop. She added that violations of guests’ privacy and confidentiality could result in lawsuits and loss of repeat guests, while
FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund Leno Financial Conservative Fund Leno Financial Aggressive Fund Leno Financial Balanced Fund Leno Financial Global Bond Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - Equities Sub Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - High Yield Income Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - Alternative Strategies Fund Colonial Bahamas Fund Class D Colonial Bahamas Fund Class E Colonial Bahamas Fund Class F
NAV 2.48 4.59 2.19 204.67 199.97 1.72 1.82 1.80 1.02 8.92 10.81 7.44 16.64 12.73 10.57 N/A 10.43 14.89
YTD% 12 MTH% 3.60% 4.38% 3.43% 3.47% 2.22% 2.69% 1.37% 3.18% 8.18% 14.94% 2.70% 2.70% 1.63% 1.63% 2.39% 2.39% -2.79% -2.79% 5.11% 6.98% 7.77% 9.88% 2.28% 3.71% 19.64% 29.95% -0.81% -0.62% 5.19% 2.28% N/A N/A 3.00% 25.60% 7.90% 48.70%
NAV Date 31-Oct-2021 31-Oct-2021 29-Oct-2021 30-Sep-2021 30-Sep-2021 31-Dec-2021 31-Dec-2021 31-Dec-2021 31-Dec-2021 31-Aug-2021 31-Aug-2021 31-Aug-2021 31-Aug-2021 31-Aug-2021 31-Aug-2021 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021
MARKET TERMS
BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00
YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price
52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks
Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity
52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks
Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity
Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume
Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price
Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume
Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week
Change - Change in closing price from day to day
EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths
Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today
NAV - Net Asset Value
DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months
N/M - Not Meaningful
P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings
TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | CORALISLE 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225 | BENCHMARK 242-326-7333
flow of auto parts and other products between the two countries. The White House said Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg spoke with their Canadian counterparts and urged them to help resolve the standoff. Conservative Ontario Premier Doug Ford, meanwhile, moved to cut off funding for the protests by successfully asking a court to freeze millions of dollars in donations to the convoy through crowd-funding site GiveSendGo. Ford has called the protests an occupation. Canadian officials previously got GoFundMe to cut off funding after protest organizers used the site to raise about 10 million Canadian dollars ($7.8 million.) GoFundMe determined that the fundraising effort violated the site’s terms of service due to unlawful activity. With political and economic pressure mounting, Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens announced the city will seek a court injunction to end the occupation. “The economic harm is not sustainable and it must come to an end,” he said. In the U.S., authorities braced for the possibility of similar truck-borne protests inspired by the Canadians, and authorities in Paris and Belgium banned road blockades to head off disruptions there, too. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in a bulletin to local and state law enforcement agencies that it has received reports that truckers are planning to “potentially block roads in major metropolitan cities” in a protest against vaccine mandates and other issues. The agency said the convoy could begin in Southern California as early as this weekend, possibly disrupting traffic around the Super Bowl, and reach Washington in March in time for the State of the Union address, according to a copy of Tuesday’s bulletin obtained by The Associated Press. The White House said the department is “surging additional staff” to the Super Bowl just in case. The ban on road blockades in Europe and the threat of prison and heavy fines were likewise prompted by online chatter from groups calling on drivers to converge on Paris and Brussels over the next few days. The Ambassador Bridge is the busiest U.S.-Canadian border crossing, carrying 25% of all trade between the two countries, and the effects of the blockade there were felt rapidly. Ford said its Windsor engine plant reopened Thursday after being shut down on Wednesday because of a lack of parts. But the factory and the company’s assembly plant in Oakville, Ontario, near Toronto, were operating
at reduced capacity, the automaker said. On the U.S. side, General Motors canceled the second shift on Wednesday and the first and second on Thursday at its SUV factory outside Lansing, Michigan. Toyota said three of its plants in Ontario closed for the rest of the week because of parts shortages, and production also had to be curtailed in Georgetown, Kentucky. Workers on the morning shift at a Windsor minivan plant operated by Stellantis, formerly Fiat Chrysler, were sent home early. Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer urged Canadian authorities to quickly resolve the standoff, saying: “It’s hitting paychecks and production lines. That is unacceptable.” The Teamsters denounced the blockade, saying in a statement from General President Jim Hoffa that it threatened “the livelihood of working Americans and Canadians in the automotive, agricultural and manufacturing sectors.” Hundreds of demonstrators in trucks have also paralyzed the streets of downtown Ottawa for almost two weeks now, and have now closed three border crossings: at Windsor; at Coutts, Alberta, opposite Montana; and at Emerson, Manitoba, across from North Dakota. The protesters are decrying vaccine mandates for truckers and other COVID19 restrictions and are railing against Trudeau, even though many of Canada’s precautions, such as mask rules and vaccine passports for getting into restaurants, theaters and other places, were enacted by provincial authorities, not the federal government, and are already rapidly being lifted as the omicron surge levels off. Trudeau continued to stand firm against lifting vaccine mandates, including a requirement that all truck drivers entering the country be fully vaccinated. But because an estimated 90% of the nation’s truckers are already inoculated, some conservatives have called on the prime minister to drop the mandate. The convoy has been promoted and cheered on by many Fox News personalities and attracted support from the likes of former President Donald Trump and Texas Sen. Ted Cruz. The Associated Press identified more than a dozen Facebook groups encompassing roughly a half-million members that are being used to drum up support for the Canadian protests or plan similar ones in the U.S. and Europe. To get around the blockade and into Canada, truckers in the Detroit area have had to drive 70 miles north to Port Huron, Michigan, and cross the Blue Water Bridge, where there was a two-hour delay leaving the U.S.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, February 11, 2022, PAGE 19
BAHAMAS NEEDS ‘TOTAL ENERGY TRANSFORMATION’ FROM PAGE 24
The IDB said the “gap analysis” of The Bahamas’ existing energy sector laws, regulations and policy infrastructure, and the development of a “road map” for improvement as envisaged by the $150,000 project, were critical to “kickstart” reforms. Noting that The Bahamas’ National Energy Policy, established in 2013, had set a target of producing 30 percent of the country’s electricity mix from renewable sources by 2030, the report added: “In recent years, there has been increasing interest from commercial entities to pursue renewable energy self-generation projects selling surplus energy to BPL. “However, the current market governance and regulatory framework pose barriers to such developments in renewable energy and private sector participation.” Bahamian renewable energy providers spoken to by Tribune Business yesterday argued that the regulatory overhaul contemplated by the project was “long overdue”. Guilden Gilbert, vicepresident of Alternative Power Solutions (APS),
said: “Hopefully we will see the current government be more progressive in how they handle that. They have said they are looking to advance the sector but, as they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating. “It comes down to allowing access, and maybe allowing BPL to engage in power purchase agreements (PPAs) with larger renewable systems, although BPL needs to determine how much solar it can accommodate without causing issues to its existing system.” The instability of BPL’s existing electricity grid, which limits the amount of renewable energy that can be supplied to it by private solar and other systems, has long been an obstacle to greater penetration of The Bahamas’ energy mix by sustainable sources. And, with 2030 just eight years away, time is rapidly running out to hit the 30 percent renewable goal. “It all comes down to grid stability and BPL has to be transparent in how much solar it can take on before it has grid instability,” Mr Gilbert added. “Only they can answer that. But I think it should be very easy for homeowners both to set-up and export power. It should be a very simple process between them and BPL.”
However, he argued that there was “definitely an opportunity” for state-owned BPL to exit electricity generation on sparsely populated Family Islands by handing this over to the private sector via PPAs. With private operators providing power from utility-scale renewable systems, the APS chief argued that a generation exit would enable BPL to reduce its reliance on Nassau to subsidise the Family Islands. The state-owned monopoly would remain responsible for transmission and distribution (T&D). As for the 30 percent target, Mr Gilbert said: “If I had to guess we’re probably somewhere in total.... maybe around 3 Mega Watts (MW) of solar throughout the entire Bahamas, if that. That’s still a long way to go for 30 percent because 30 percent is around 90 MW. If we’re at 3 MW we’re way off. “To get there is going to require investment upgrades at BPL. BPL could never accept 90 MW at this point... I understand their concerns about controlling the amount of solar in the system to avoid disruption in a sense, but it’s up to BPL to get their
system to a point where they can accept more MW.” Mr Gilbert said the Government must also focus on the “ease of doing business”, and streamlining the number of agencies approvals were required from for renewable systems, as well as potentially provide waivers from VAT and other taxes on all system components to incentivise their uptake. Bahamian energy regulators have already conceded their renewable policies are “not attractive” for companies and investors seeking to enter the sector The Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) last year unveiled a move away from the “buy all/sell all” pricing that one provider yesterday described as “a non-starter” from the very outset. The regulator, in a muchcriticised compensation proposal for larger grid-tied renewable energy systems, had mandated that those capable of producing more than 500 kW (kilowatts) were to be compensated by BPL for selling energy to the grid via a “buy all, sell” method. This required participants with such systems, mainly larger businesses and government facilities, to not consume any electricity
generated by their renewable systems. They instead had to export all energy they generated to BPL, and consume all the electricity they need from the stateowned monopoly, at the standard retail tariff levied on all its customers. Those who “sell all” under this arrangement have been compensated by the equivalent of BPL’s appropriate monthly fuel charge, which normally accounts for just 50-60 percent of customer bills. Such a mechanism was vehemently opposed by private sector renewable energy players on the basis that producers will not be fully compensated for what they produce. They argued at the time that reducing the rate of return on utility investments in such a fashion will discourage Bahamians from investing in renewable systems, and URCA subsequently appeared to agree. Meanwhile, the IDB report said: “Energy consumption in the country is dominated by gasoline (40 percent), followed by diesel with 28 percent and electricity with 24 percent. “Transportation represents the largest energy consumption sector (around 40 percent of the total). Gasoline accounts
IDB’S 37% DIGITAL WOE ‘TOTALLY DIFFERENT’ NOW FROM PAGE 24 Island Pay chief told this newspaper. “If they did that survey today they would get a totally different reply because there are more merchants, more consumers and more users. “We have 40,000 Bahamians using our wallets and products. If you took that number to 18 months ago, we could barely beat 20,000. Based on the timing of the survey and research, that [37 percent] is a reasonable number but if you did that 18 months later you’d get a completely different survey.” “A new potential obstacle that was included in the survey was the access (or lack thereof) to digital payment,” the IDB analysis of its findings said. “While this particular issue is not
among the most pressing, there are differences worth noting. “Thirty-seven percent of Bahamian firms report access to digital payments as an obstacle (major or very severe) for their operation, but this proportion is higher for female-dominated firms (43 percent) and firms who are completely domestic (45 percent). This points to a potentially binding constraint that could deter performance among women-led firms, widening further the economic gender gap observed in the country. “Furthermore, 45 percent of firms dedicated marketing efforts in the form of development and implementation of digital media. This share is higher (51 percent) among female-dominated firms,
PUBLIC NOTICE
INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, ANDREW SHAVADO CLARKE of #88 Seabreze Lane, Nassau, Bahamas, intend to change my name to ANDREW SHAVARDO CLARKE. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O.Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.
which points to a mismatch between digitalisation efforts in marketing and access to digital payments for female-dominated firms. This mismatch is particularly important to address in order to increase the percentage (46 percent) of firms that use e-commerce for their purchases.” The IDB survey found that while 96 percent and 95 percent of Bahamian companies used mobile phones and e-mails, respectively, in their daily operations, just 61 percent employed social media and less than half 48 percent - have a website. “Additionally, the share of firms that have a website is lower (42.7 percent vis a vis 65.7 percent) among young firms (established after 2000) relative to the oldest firms (established
between 1929 and 1980),” the report added. “It is encouraging that older firms have adapted and use basic technological tools to operate, but young firms could see an improvement by adopting the use of websites as well, complementing their higher utilisation of social media. “Following the COVID19 pandemic, Bahamian firms face new challenges for their operation or manufacturing. The ‘increased volume of available data from all sources’ represents the phenomenon that will have the most impact in the way with which their businesses operate, followed by the recourse to artificial intelligence and the transferability of digital information to machines.” Mr Beckles, meanwhile, said he was less convinced
PUBLIC NOTICE
INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL
The public is hereby advised that I, BERYL CHRISTINE RAHMING of P. O. Box CB-12108, #6 Fernander Road, Gambier Village, New Providence, Bahamas, intend to change my name to BERYL CHRISTINE FERNANDER. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Chief Passport Officer, P.O. Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of the publication of this notice.
by the IDB’s assertion that the findings revealed “a potentially binding constraint” for women-led businesses when it came to the ability to receive and send digital payments. Some 43.25 percent of “female dominated” companies reported struggles in this area, as opposed to just 35 percent of companies headed by their
for 76 percent of the total consumption in this sector followed by kerosene/jet fuel (12 percent) and diesel (11 percent). “Together with an old power generation infrastructure, The Bahamas suffers from a high fuel import bill - 7 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), high electricity prices, as well as a large and financially challenged utility, Bahamas Power & Light (BPL), which experiences frequent power outages and elevated system losses. “Volatile oil prices have contributed to making electricity tariffs among the highest in the Caribbean,” it continued. “With a tourism and services-oriented economy, electricity is consumed by large commercial users 42.6 percent (mostly hotels); residential 34.8 percent; small commercial 8.3 percent; street lighting 1.9 percent and other 2.7 percent, and is concentrated in New Providence (about 75 percent). “Despite the potential for solar and wind power generation, and the steady cost decline of such technologies, The Bahamas ranks lowest in the region for renewable energy (RE) penetration (around 1 percent).” male counterparts, despite 51 percent of women-led companies dedicating marketing resources to a digital media strategy. However, pointing out that digital payments platforms and their providers are “not gender biased”, the Island Pay chief said it seemed a stretch for the IDB to make the leap to the conclusions it had reached. “I don’t understand how they connect the two,” he added.
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that CARLOS ALBERTO MORADEL ALEMAN of Bar 20 Corner & Kemp Road, New Providence, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 11th February, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE
Ombrilliant Limited
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act, (no. 45 of 2000) as follows:
NOTICE
NOTICE
NOTICE is hereby given that DONALDSON BENJAMIN LUBIN of Rose Bud Road, Farrington Road, Nassau, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 11th day of February, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
NOTICE is hereby given that MICHAEL SONPON NIMLEY WISSEH of #47 Woodland Way, Winton Heights, Nassau, Bahamas, is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 11th day of February, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
LEGAL NOTICE
NOTICE
NOTICE
ALVAGLEN ESTATES LIMITED
WESTCOURT PROPERTIES LIMITED (in Voluntary Liquidation)
APRIL INVESTMENTS LIMITED (in Voluntary Liquidation)
Notice is hereby given that the above-named Company is in dissolution, commencing on11th February, 2022. Articles of Dissolution have been duly registered by the Registrar. The Liquidator is Lynden D. Maycock, P. O. Box EE-15953, Nassau, Bahamas.
Notice is hereby given that the above-named Company is in dissolution, commencing on 11th February, 2022. Articles of Dissolution have been duly registered by the Registrar. The Liquidator is Lynden D. Maycock, P. O. Box EE-15953, Nassau, Bahamas.
All person having claims against the above-named Company are required on or before 11th March, 2022 to send their names and addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to the Liquidator of the Company or, in default thereof, they may be excluded from the benefit or any distribution made before such debts are proved.
All person having claims against the above-named Company are required on or before 11th March, 2022 to send their names and addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to the Liquidator of the Company or, in default thereof, they may be excluded from the benefit or anydistribution made before such debts are proved.
Dated this 11th day of February, 2022
Dated this 11th day of February, 2022
Lynden Maycock Liquidator
Lynden Maycock Liquidator
NOTICE is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 138(8) of the International Business Companies Act 2000, the dissolution of ALVAGLEN ESTATES LIMITED has been completed; a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued and the Company has been struck off the Register of Companies with effect from the 26th day of November, 2021. Kevin G. Cambridge & Prince Rahming (Joint Liquidators)
(a) Ombrilliant Limited (the “Company”) is in dissolution under the provisions of the International Business Companies Act, 2000. (b) The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 9th day of February 2022 when its Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General. (c) The Liquidator of the said Company is Ms. Jonell Rolle. Dated the 9th day of February, 2022. H&J CORPORATE SERVICES LTD. Registered Agent for the above-named Company
PAGE 20, Friday, February 11, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
PRICE CONTROLS USELESS TO FIGHT ‘STAGGERING’ INFLATION FROM PAGE 24
political base. Price controls do nothing.... A policy talking about price controls and things like that may play well in fooling some people, but it makes no sense in terms of effective policy.” He cited the Rent Control Act as an example of price regulation that had created unintended consequences. “A major impediment to the construction of rental homes in this country has been rent control,” the Arawak Homes chairman argued. “The Government will do well to abolish it. “Rent control has the effect of discouraging investors to go into rental properties. There was a time in this country when high-profile investors were significant players in rental properties and they’re gone. People like Gerald Cash were significant investors involved in properties and rent control helped kill it.” The Rent Control Act limits the annual rent charged for a leased “dwelling house” to 20 per of its assessed value. Merchants, too, have frequently hit out at what they view as an antiquated regulatory mechanism, but cost of living increases will likely create growing public pressure for price controls to be extended beyond “breadbasket” foods and other items in their existing remit. Price controls were initially imposed by the Government to prevent what it viewed as a unscrupulous merchant class from exploiting lower income Bahamians by unreasonably
hiking the price of food staples and other products, thus placing them out of reach while undermining living standards. However, opponents argue they are an out-dated and distortionary mechanism that create more unintended consequences than problems they solve. They can result in product shortages, while retailers and wholesalers have to increase prices and margins on non-price controlled items to compensate for selling these goods as effective “loss leaders”. Michael Halkitis, minister of economic affairs, recently argued that the Government “cannot control the market” when asked whether it planned to expand price controls as a measure to combat inflation. This prompted Carlyle Bethel, the head of the Free National Movement’s (FNM) Torchbearers, the party’s youth arm, to interpret this as a sign the Government will “take a completely hands-off approach and turn a blind eye” to the impact food price hikes and other cost increases will have on Bahamian living standards. However, Sir Franklyn argued that The Bahamas’ status as a price-taking importer meant there was little any government can do. “The politicians ought to be truthful and honest,” he told Tribune Business. “On the Government side, they have to be careful about what promises they make because the banks, the lenders and the rating agencies are listening.
“Those in the Opposition are talking about food prices as if they have amnesia. They were just in office, and the leader of the Opposition was minister of agriculture. Maybe he can tell us what he did about food security during his tenure. Sir Franklyn was last night backed by Walter Ferguson, the Consumer Protection Commissioner, who also indicated there was little The Bahamas can do to combat the global inflationary surge. “One of the biggest challenges in our country is that more than 90 percent of our goods are imported. Due to the supply chain disruptions, bad weather, staff and trucking issues in our number one source market, the US, our prices will rise,” Mr Ferguson said in a statement. “Inflation has hit the US by 7 percent, so you can only imagine what is going to happen here in The Bahamas. We are looking at staggering price increases. There is no way, at this time, to control this global environment. What we will have to do as Bahamians is buckle our belts, tighten up and buy what is needed more than what is wanted.” In fact, US inflation as measured by the Bureau of Labour Statistics hit a 40-year high in January 2022 with a 7.5 percent year-over-year increase. The 12-month rise in the US consumer price index (CPI) survey, which measures the costs of a wide variety of goods, was the largest since February 1982. It also rose by 0.6 percent
month-over-month compared to December 2021. The US food index rose 0.9 percent in January following a 0.5 percent increase in December, according to reports, while the energy index also increased 0.9 percent during January 2022. Even after stripping out volatile food and fuel prices, US inflation still rose by 6 percent on a yearly basis. Used cars prices were 40.5 percent higher in January, while housing costs were up 4.4 percent. Inflation’s impact at home is likely to be worsened by The Bahamas’ consumption-based tax structure, which means that import tariffs and border VAT - which are charged as percentages - will also increase. The amount of VAT dollars paid by the end-consumer will also increase. The one mechanism at the Government’s disposal to mitigate inflation’s impact is to thus reduce taxes on essential commodities, such as food and fuel, but it is highly unlikely to do this as the post-COVID fiscal crisis means it needs every cent of revenue it can get. Inflation, described as a sustained rise in prices across the board, devalues savings and causes particular problems for those on fixed incomes such as pensioners. It also raises the cost of living, reduces living standards and narrows disposable incomes, with those less well-off inevitably hit hardest. And, with many Bahamian households still struggling to rebuild jobs,
livelihoods and incomes following the COVID-19 pandemic, the spectre of inflation could not have emerged at a worse time. It will also likely result in increased demands on the Government for social assistance. “It’s terrible, terrible news,” Sir Franklyn said of rising US inflation. “For consumers it impacts pretty much everything that you’re buying. In so many things that we do it’s a real downer. “With inflation the way it’s going, just the impact on house prices, given the time taken between paying the deposit and constructing the home, a company like Arawak Homes has got to figure out a way to get that [inflationary impact] into the price.” Inflation has been sparked by a combination of surging global demand and COVID-induced supply chain disruption, with lockdowns causing manufacturer order backlogs, container shortages and and a disrupted shipping industry. A shortage of truckers and freight yard workers in the US has only exacerbated the problem. “What makes the problem worse is that we’ve had such a long run of price stability,” Sir Franklyn added. “A lot of us have forgotten how to deal with this. It’s been a non-issue for so long. It was a non-factor. Now it has reared it’s head and, quite frankly, very suddenly. I don’t know how many people professed they could see it coming at this depth.
“There’s no spin on this thing. It’s bad news. What makes it worse for us is that the economy is just showing signs of really recovering. The timing is really terrible. Every way you skin the cat it’s bad news. The impact will be significant. There’s no two ways about that.” And in an economy where it is estimated that twothirds of GDP is driven by consumption. The Consumer Protection Commission, in its statement, said it will monitor inflation’s impact “and ensure that all local wholesalers and suppliers abide by the regulations laid out in the Consumer Protection Act and the Price Control Act”. It called on Bahamians to safeguard their rights to receive the services/products and value expected in their purchases, and reminded persons to supply evidence in the form of receipts, warranties, contracts and e-mails - as well as an explanation of their grievance when making a complaint. The inflationary surge is not unexpected. Robert Roberts, Super Value’s principal, warned earlier this year that higher food prices may be here to stay, with inflationary pressures lasting for an unknown length of time. He added that the possibility of up to 20 percent price hikes “on most items” by year-end 2022 could not be discounted based on US inflation estimates and information he was receiving from suppliers in The Bahamas’ northern neighbour.
MONEY LENDERS FACING REGULATORY CRACKDOWN FROM PAGE 24 The rules, which will capture all money lenders and require them to operate as companies or other legal entities, rather than as individuals, also prohibit such persons/firms from using physical violence, threats or other forms of intimidation against a borrower or their family members when collecting loan repayments and debts. No penalties for such ‘loan shark’ type tactics are contained in the rules, which make clear that both guilt and punishment is to be determined by the Supreme Court, but they do impose far more stringent transparency requirements on non-bank lenders not covered by the Financial and Corporate Services
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Providers or any other financial services-related Act. “What these rules do is that they set out the standard by which people in the business are to operate,” Ms Rolle told Tribune Business. “It sets out the rules by which they are to conduct their business practices. The main purpose of the rules, if I were to point to one, is consumer protection. “There are a lot of provisions around the calculation of interest. There are provisions around how loans can be rolled over, the fees that can be applied. The main purpose is consumer protection. It has been a very big gap in the past. At the moment nothing exists in this space in terms of consumer protection. We’re going from zero. That’s absolutely significant. “I think this goes a long way in closing some of these gaps. Obviously once the rules are in use, and consumers begin to become familiar with them and their
rights under the rules, we will see whether there are adjustments to be made but this is a good place to start.” No data exists on how large the non-bank, nontraditional lending market in The Bahamas is, although Ms Rolle said anecdotal evidence suggested it is significant and has played an increasingly important role in providing residents with access to credit ever since the 2008-2009 recession. And that may have further expanded due to COVID-19’s devastating impact. “I think they’re extremely important,” Ms Rolle said of the proposed money lender rules, “especially when you consider that non-bank money lending has been on the rise since 2008, and more and more consumer loans are in the non-bank, non-traditional space as opposed to traditional banks. “We don’t at the moment have any idea in terms of market size. Some of the things these rules put
in place is our ability to require reporting on these matters. So once these rules are in place, we’ll be able to get reporting and make reports on the size and other statistics with respect to the industry in the future.” Ms Rolle added that the latest industry consultation on the Money Lenders rules is the thirds, with the feedback period due to end on March 15, 2022. An industry briefing featuring the rules will be held on February 24, and the Securities Commission is also planning to give the wider public “an opportunity to engage directly with us on any concerns they have”. The regulator will spend two weeks post-March 15 reviewing the feedback and making adjustments and, once satisfied, will send the final version to the Prime Minister, in his capacity as minister of finance, for a ‘no objection’ sign off. Once that is received, the rules will be implemented, and Ms Rolle hopes to accomplish this by the “early 2022 second quarter”.’
She disclosed that the Money Lenders rules have been in development since 2016, when the thenChristie administration had hoped to introduce them as part of a package alongside the Homeowners Protection Bill (now Act). The Securities Commission chief added: “At the time I think the Government had expressed concerns to the Commission on the lending practices of some money lenders. The Government also expressed concern to the Commission with respect to the collection policies and calculations of rates of interest.” However, Ms Rolle said the reluctance of many Bahamians to file formal complaints about such practices had largely stymied the Securities Commission’s ability to conduct investigations. “The truth is that in financial services it’s very difficult to get Bahamians to make formal complaints,” she told Tribune Business. “Without a formal complaint it’s very hard to investigate these matters.
We might receive a formal complaint with respect to money lending practices once a year. We get a lot of anecdotal evidence, stories of what may be happening. Without a formal complaint it’s very difficult for us to proceed.” Ms Rolle said the Securities Commission typically allows six months from when such rules are implemented for impacted parties to come into compliance. “The Commission will work with them,” she added. “We just need to know they are out there and have started the process at least, and will work with them to get through the process of regularising their activities.” The Securities Commission executive director said the rules are targeted at those “in the business of money lending” and providing “third party loans on a consistent basis”. They are not meant to capture, though, persons lending money to other family members.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, February 11, 2022, PAGE 21
MINISTER MEETS IDB IN PUSH FOR FOOD SECURITY THE Government has met with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in a bid to further improve The Bahamas’ food security in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Daniela Carrera Marquis, the IDB’s Bahamas country representative, said the multilateral lender had examined multiple funding options when she met with Clay Sweeting, minister for agriculture, marine resources and Family Island affairs, as well as the ministry’s parliamentary secretary, Leonardo Lightbourne. “We have several projects that are related to agribusiness already,” she said. “We have a project that is in Grand Bahama, and it’s about managing the sustainability of conch with the local communities. “That project is being implemented through the Bahamas National Trust (BNT), and it was very much affected by both Dorian and COVID-19. We have extended it so that we can see more relevant results there, and so that
we can allow them to have a real source of living, but in a sustainable way to help them to protect the conch. “We were also looking at fisheries because The Bahamas has so many coastal areas, and fisheries is just a small part of it. We were on the basis of analysing and refining it, but now we need the input of the new government to see if this is something of interest,” Ms Carrera Marquis said. “We were looking at the legal framework and potential land development based on what is out there. We just thought of fisheries because The Bahamas is based on the coasts, and has a very small fisheries industry compared to other countries that have the same mass.” Ms Carrera Marquis added that the IDB is also keen on the development of agribusiness in The Bahamas. “We are also looking for ways to bring agribusiness from the Family Islands, like growth of produce and how to make them commercially viable. We’ve
MINISTER of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs Hon Clay Sweeting, Parliamentary Secretary Leonardo Lightbourne met with IDB Country representative Daniella Carrera Marquis. The trio discussed numerous opportunities for the IDB to assist with the development of Agribusiness, Fisheries and Family Island expansion. Photo:Stephen Hanna
been looking into SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) that can be transformative in the area of agribusiness - not just in New Providence, but in the rest of the Family Islands,” she added. “We were looking into something called the Family Islands investment funds to see if there was a way to bring a critical mass of investment that could really trigger private sector investment, not just from The Bahamas but internationally.”
The IDB also developed an energy loan designed to generate more energy in the Family Islands. “This loan was designed prior to Hurricane Dorian. When Dorian happened, we used part of the loan for reconstruction in Abaco and parts of Grand Bahama,” Ms Carrera Marquis added. “But the idea is to create some microgrids in some of the Family Islands in a way that they not only serve to have more energy or access to cleaner energy, but also
to provide the data. We had proposed 20 different microgrids in several islands. Mr Sweeting replied: “I am very intrigued that the IDB is interested in agribusiness and Family Island development, and we are looking forward to collaborating with them to increase development in the Family Islands with not just tourism but how it can tie in with marine resources as well as agriculture. “In the Family Islands there is a challenge with electricity. Renewable energy is something we really need to look into, especially with clean energy, and not just with the IDB but with the Ministry of Environment that would have to facilitate renewable energy sources in the Family Islands.”
Turning to fishing, Mr Sweeting said: “The investment in fishing is definitely something that we must continue to capitalise on. It has been an astronomical year in fisheries, but there are other markets such as stone crab and other sources of fish that we can possibly export as well as to sell domestically. “I think that we just don’t have the push to get us over the edge, so we are looking to do that within the ministry and the Department of Marine Resources. I am hoping that within the first quarter we can put something together, whether it’s investment opportunities, research or development to see what the possible scenarios are where the IDB can facilitate some of our goals at the Ministry.”
BAMSI TARGETING ‘AUTHORISED’ SOCIAL SERVICES VENDOR STATUS THE Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute’s (BAMSI) newlyappointed president has moved to secure authorised vendor status with Social Services’ food assistance initiative. Senator Dr Erecia Hepburn discussed the issue with Obie Wilchcombe, minister of social services and urban development, on Tuesday in the belief that it will provide marginalised individuals and communities with greater access to fruits and vegetables. Should this be approved, those receiving assistance will be able to use their vouchers to purchase BAMSI’s $20 produce box. The Institute also plans to redistribute and channel foods where there may be a surplus for reduced sale and/or donation to the ministry and its clients. Dr Hepburn added that BAMSI will focus on food security via initiatives designed to cut The Bahamas’ $1bn annual food import bill over the longterm. The goal, she said, “is to provide more Bahamians with equitable access to quality, locally grown, healthy foods”. She pointed out that courses in backyard farming, landscaping and aquaponics could all help persons transition into entrepreneurs and also show families how to feed themselves. Dr Hepburn also voiced hope that persons on the school feeding programme will have access to BAMSI’s produce as an option in their meal packets.
NEWLY appointed President of the Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) Senator The Honorable Dr. Erecia Hepburn paid a courtesy call to Minister of Social Services and Urban Development Obie Wilchcombe on Tuesday.
PAGE 22, Friday, February 11, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
FUNERAL INDUSTRY FEARS ON NEW ENTRANT INFLUX By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net THE Government was yesterday again urged to properly regulate the funeral industry amid fears that untrained persons are being licensed to offer mortuary services. Kirsch Ferguson, the Bahamas Funeral Directors Association’s president, told Tribune Business: “There are some age-old
problems that we have been having over the years. “We’ve been trying to address, as an association, the Government considering proper legislation for funeral service providers. We’ve seen a quite an influx of new entrants into the industry because of the death rate increasing during this pandemic, where new funeral homes came on stream. “While we do welcome persons to come into the industry, we only require that they have the proper credentials. The licensing
authority issued licences for persons who are not trained at all in mortuary science,” he continued. “It’s a great insult to those of us who would sacrifice our time and finances to become qualified morticians to now have anybody prey on persons because of this COVID-19 environment, and open funeral homes and begin offering services. “We find it a great injustice to us as morticians, and to Bahamians as a whole, and we plead for government to please take into due
consideration what we have proposed over the years and let’s move forward with this expeditiously.” Mr Ferguson, meanwhile, added that COVID capacity restrictions are more damaging to the deceased’s family and friends than to the industry. He said: “These COVID19 restrictions aren’t affecting the funeral homes per se, but rather the clients we serve. As you know, people would prefer to go the traditional route with the body being housed in
church and having a final viewing at the church. I think we have had some leeway where the Christian Council was able to negotiate with the powers-that-be to at least allow families to have the funeral services in church, but the body remains in the hearse. So that has been a compromise at this point, which has been most favourable for most Bahamians based on what we have experienced over the past year and-a-half.” Current COVID-19 restrictions limit outdoor and indoor gatherings
to a maximum size of 30 and 20 persons, respectively. Mr Ferguson said that if an arrangement can be reached between the Christian Council and the Government on further easing funeral services restrictions it would be “great” for family members who are enduring an emotional time saying farewell to a loved one. He added that the strain on New Providence’s morgue, caused by family members’ failure to collect their loved ones’ bodies for burial, has “subsided”.
DISASTER AUTHORITY GETS ‘BIG PUNCH LIST’ URCA outlines 2022 regulatory agendas By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net
THE Abaco Chamber of Commerce’s president yesterday said the newlyappointed Disaster Reconstruction Authority (DRA) board has been given a “big punch list” of issues to take care of Mr Hutton told Tribune Business: “The new DRA seems to be off to a good start. The board of the DRA met with the Abaco Chamber last week and asked us to send our
priority list to them, which we are doing. So, at least they are listening, which is a good start. We’ll see where it goes from there, there is so much work still left to be done here. It’s a big punch list.” He said he was “not surprised” that the Davis administration was questioning a number of DRA contracts issued since Hurricane Dorian devastated the island in September 2019 given the amount of reconstruction work that remains to be done.
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By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net
KEN HUTTON Describing this as staggering, Mr Hutton said that while the DRA had been somewhat successful in organising small home repairs and creating debris management sites, very little impact had otherwise been seen from its efforts under the former Minnis administration despite thousands of dollars in contracts being issued. Also speaking to the concerns raised about DRA contracts, Brent Collins, chief executive of Freeportbased Power Equipment, said: “I’m disappointed that more and more stuff keeps coming up. It’s like every other day something
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Administrative Assistant, Client Accounting Position Summary: Contributes to the overall success of the Client Accounting Department in The Bahamas ensuring specific individual goals, plans, initiatives are executed / delivered in support of the team’s business strategies and objectives. Ensures all activities conducted are in compliance with governing regulations, internal policies and procedures
Key Accountabilities for this role: w Contribute to the efficient and effective preparation of financial statements by: m organizing and prioritizing financial statements required to be completed, resolving any potential conflicts in conjunction with the supervising accountant m consolidating statements and schedules received from the client accountants into formalized financial statements in accordance with standard formats for trust, company, and agency accounts. m ensuring formalized financial statements are produced in a timely manner. m ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in the formalized financial statements by agreeing to draft statements and schedules. m monitoring the status of the financial statements to be completed, reviewed, and bound. m preparing financial statement packages for the trust department to include required sign-off sheets, copies and bound statements. Contribute to the effective internal controls related to the financial statements by: w maintaining a record of all financial statements finalized by section members, and those bound and sent for distribution. w maintaining finalized statements in hard copy and soft copy format in a secured environment. w preparing and posting book-keeping entries, accurately and promptly, in balanced form related to adjusting and closing entries. Contribute to the productive day-to-day administration and development of the Client Accounting section by: w ensuring that routine and regular administration aspects are diarized and achieved promptly, including preparing the necessary forms for unplanned staff absences for sign-off; maintaining adequate levels of office supplies; liaising with operations department for facilities related queries. w preparing miscellaneous statistical reports as required related to the functioning and productivity of the department. w participating in in-house training programs. w providing ideas and developing concepts for consideration which will enhance the departments processes and products and contribute to the improved efficiency and effectiveness of the client accounting service to clients and the organization. w attending to any routine and regular administration task as required, including preparation of communications and research into queries. w assist in the efficient administration of the section by performing any other duty requested by the Sr. Manager, Client Accounting and/or Manager Client Accounting.
Educational/Competency Requirements: w Post-secondary/college level education w Knowledge of basic accounting w Proficiency in the use of a typewriter, spreadsheet and word processing software, and computer terminals to retrieve data. w Clerical experience is desirable w Basic organizational and numeracy skills w Proficiency in oral and written communication
Qualified candidates should submit C.V. via email to: hrbahamas@scotiawealth.com on or before February 14th, 2022. Please note that only those individuals short-listed for an interview will be contacted.
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is coming up. I’m just tired of it all.” Mr Collins added: “With the work that needs to be done on Grand Bahama, the East End alone, it’s going to take them years to get back to where they once were. In Freeport where I live, lately I have been seeing a lot of activity with some land clearing and heavy equipment moving back and forth. “Some businesses have finally opened that were planning to open before the storm hit, but they had to start over. But at least a few of those businesses are opening. I think people are really just tired of laying around and not doing anything, and tired of waiting for hand-outs.”
THE Utilities Regulation & Competition Authority (URCA) yesterday pledged it will consider further liberalisation of the communications sector once the “market is ready for competition”. Kandice Davis, an URCA economist, told a meeting to discuss the utilities regulator’s draft 2022 annual plan that it would either adjust or remove regulations if there was evidence to show this would benefit communications sector competition. Meanwhile, Carlton Smith, URCA’s director of electronic communications, said the regulator will prioritise the impact of over-the-top (OTT) providers such as Netflix in its pay-TV market review. “On the television review, we’re beginning with the OTT issue, which is a major issue for all of our pay TV platforms,” he said.
“We are beginning with the OTT review, and then, eventually, we will get around to the more comprehensive pay-TV review. There will be opportunity for stakeholder participation in the process, and we will engage a consultant to assist us with the initial document and their draft recommendations. “We will then engage with the sector to get the sector’s views. I’m sure, during the development of the initial consultation document, that the consultant will probably engage with the key stakeholders in the sector and, in particular, those major stakeholders like the mobile operators to ensure that all of the views are considered as part of the recommendation that will be made to the Government regarding the way forward with the mobile market - whether there will be further liberalisation, or whether there will not be some further liberalisation of the sector.” Shevon Cambridge, URCA’s director of utilities and energy, said: “We’re an independent regulatory authority, and we receive all of our funding, basically, through fees from our licensees, but what we do encourage is for people to invest their time checking our website and participating in our consultations. “That is the extent of the public engagement as we seek to find out what your needs and desires are for the sector, and integrate them into our projects and our decisions.”
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, February 11, 2022, PAGE 23
SIGNS WORKERS NEED NEW JOB CHALLENGE E
CONOMISTS indicate that the only form of healthy unemployment is frictional unemployment. That is the process of leaving a job to explore options that are more in line with a worker’s interests and skills. The last two generations of employees have been far less afraid of resigning and assuming new roles, trying their hands in the new and unfamiliar. Others, though, remain pensive and trying to determine whether a move is necessary or worthwhile. Here are the signs that will indicate whether you are ready to leave your current
employer and take on new opportunities. You are overqualified While it may feel like a good thing to complete your work every day and have additional time left over, this can be a sign that it is time to find a job that offers greater challenges. Seeking a new opportunity can help you learn more, progress in your career path and complete new challenges every day. You are overworked Feeling as if you have too many duties to complete in one day can be a sign of needing a new job. If you feel you are overworked,
you may need to seek an opportunity in which you feel comfortable with the workload. Before looking for a new job, speak with your manager or supervisor and express your concerns. They may be able to help with certain tasks or hire another employee to complete some of your duties. Your productivity has declined “Burn out” can occur when you complete the same tasks or duties continuously over a long period of time. Sometimes, burn out can lead to a decrease in productivity. This is a natural reaction that happens
to many employees, and the best way to solve the problem is to find a new challenge that helps you feel excited to work again. You do not have room to advance A career should have a steady upward trajectory, but it may not be available at every company. If you feel there are no opportunities to advance at your current company, you may have to seek opportunities elsewhere. Sometimes, companies create new positions for employees with unique qualifications. It is helpful to research the business you work for to see if they have
an employment gap that you could fill in a new role. You do not fit in the workplace culture Employees may sometimes find it difficult to fit in with the workplace culture. For example, you may enjoy being involved with your community while the company could be uninterested, or you may love working with people and these opportunities may not be available. Finding a business that shares the same values as you can help you feel more motivated and productive.
SEE PAGE 19
THE WEATHER REPORT
5-Day Forecast
TODAY
ORLANDO
High: 76° F/24° C Low: 56° F/13° C
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Partly sunny with a passing shower
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Partly sunny with a passing shower
Turning sunny and windy
Cloudy and windy
High: 79°
Low: 68°
High: 78° Low: 68°
High: 80° Low: 65°
High: 76° Low: 63°
High: 75° Low: 65°
AccuWeather RealFeel
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85° F
68° F
86°-70° F
85°-62° F
76°-59° F
73°-60° F
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High: 78° F/26° C Low: 68° F/20° C
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TONIGHT
High: 74° F/23° C Low: 56° F/13° C
High: 75° F/24° C Low: 66° F/19° C
MIAMI
High: 79° F/26° C Low: 68° F/20° C
6-12 knots
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High: 75° F/24° C Low: 68° F/20° C
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Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2022
High: 78° F/26° C Low: 73° F/23° C
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tiDes For nassau High
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Today
3:54 a.m. 4:06 p.m.
2.3 1.7
10:27 a.m. 0.5 10:12 p.m. 0.2
Saturday
4:46 a.m. 4:59 p.m.
2.4 1.8
11:18 a.m. 0.4 11:02 p.m. 0.1
Sunday
5:33 a.m. 5:46 p.m.
2.5 1.9
12:04 p.m. 0.3 11:49 p.m. 0.0
Monday
6:16 a.m. 6:30 p.m.
2.7 2.1
12:45 p.m. 0.1 ---------
Tuesday
6:56 a.m. 7:11 p.m.
2.8 2.2
12:33 a.m. -0.1 1:23 p.m. 0.0
Wednesday 7:34 a.m. 7:51 p.m.
2.9 2.4
1:15 a.m. -0.2 1:59 p.m. -0.1
Thursday
2.9 2.5
1:56 a.m. -0.2 2:34 p.m. -0.2
8:11 a.m. 8:30 p.m.
sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset
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Feb. 16
Feb. 23
Mar. 2
Mar. 10
CAT ISLAND
E
W
High: 79° F/26° C Low: 74° F/23° C
N
S
E
W
6-12 knots
S
4-8 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
Statistics are for Nassau through 1 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 79° F/26° C Low .................................................... 73° F/23° C Normal high ....................................... 77° F/25° C Normal low ........................................ 64° F/18° C Last year’s high ................................. 81° F/27° C Last year’s low ................................... 71° F/22° C Precipitation As of 1 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.24” Year to date ................................................. 4.29” Normal year to date ..................................... 1.91”
ELEUTHERA
High: 79° F/26° C Low: 68° F/20° C
IAN FERGUSON
ANDROS
SAN SALVADOR
GREAT EXUMA
High: 80° F/27° C Low: 73° F/23° C
High: 80° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C
N
High: 78° F/26° C Low: 71° F/22° C
E
W S
LONG ISLAND
tracking map
High: 81° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C
4-8 knots
MAYAGUANA High: 81° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures
CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS
are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
RAGGED ISLAND High: 80° F/27° C Low: 76° F/24° C
H
High: 80° F/27° C Low: 75° F/24° C
GREAT INAGUA High: 83° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C
N
E
W
E
W
N
S
S
6-12 knots
7-14 knots
marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR
Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday: Today: Saturday:
WINDS NE at 7-14 Knots E at 4-8 Knots NE at 6-12 Knots E at 4-8 Knots SE at 4-8 Knots ESE at 7-14 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots E at 4-8 Knots SE at 6-12 Knots ENE at 7-14 Knots E at 4-8 Knots E at 4-8 Knots ESE at 6-12 Knots E at 7-14 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots ESE at 7-14 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots ESE at 7-14 Knots SE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 6-12 Knots SE at 4-8 Knots E at 6-12 Knots ESE at 7-14 Knots SE at 4-8 Knots ESE at 6-12 Knots
WAVES 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 0-1 Feet 0-1 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-6 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 0-1 Feet 0-1 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 4-8 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-3 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet
VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 7 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles
WATER TEMPS. 76° F 76° F 76° F 76° F 78° F 78° F 79° F 79° F 77° F 77° F 73° F 73° F 79° F 79° F 81° F 80° F 80° F 80° F 77° F 77° F 79° F 79° F 81° F 80° F 79° F 78° F
business@tribunemedia.net
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2022
$5.05
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$5.05
Price controls useless to fight ‘staggering’ inflation By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net PRICE controls will “do nothing” and prove useless against the “staggering” cost increases facing all Bahamians after US inflation yesterday surged to a 40-year high, a businessman is warning. Sir Franklyn Wilson, the Arawak Homes and Sunshine Holdings chairman, told Tribune Business that while such measures “may play well in fooling some people” they will prove ineffective in holding back the across-the-board price hikes heading The Bahamas’ way. Describing January’s 7.5 percent year-over-year increase in US inflation as “terrible news” for consumers and businesses alike, he added that the magnitude of this increase now posed a “significant” threat to The Bahamas’ post-COVID economic revival prospects.
SENATOR MICHAEL HALKITIS, minister of economic affairs (centre), meets members of the Consumer Protection Commission (CPC) yesterday. Pictured from L to R are: Roselyn Miller; Shantell Butler; Mr Halkitis; commissioner Walter Ferguson; and Neno Newbold. Photo:Patrick Hanna/BIS Urging both the Government and its political opponents to be “truthful and honest” with the Bahamian people about inflation’s likely impact on their daily lives, Sir Franklyn said this nation’s status as a small, open economy that produces very little
and imports virtually all it consumes means that - in the short-term at least - it is a price taker and can do relatively little to mitigate the effects. While many may look to the Davis administration for salvation, he argued
• Sir Franklyn: Policy ‘only plays well in fooling people’ • Bahamas’ revival threatened as US hits 40year high • Consumer protection chief urges: ‘Buckle our belts’ that increased government regulation and controls will prove ineffectual and may even backfire by making an already-bad situation worse. “There’s no point talking about price controls,” Sir Franklyn told this newspaper. “Price controls don’t work other than to agitate the
SEE PAGE 20
Bahamas needs ‘total energy transformation’ By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas’ requires “nothing short of a total energy sector transformation” to revive its economy post-COVID but faces massive “barriers” to achieving this, a multilateral lender has warned.
The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in unveiling a $150,000 “technical co-operation” designed to strengthen the energy sector’s oversight, warned that “current market governance and the regulatory framework pose barriers to developments in renewable energy and private sector participation”. Arguing that reforms were critical for not just the
electricity sector, but transportation (gasoline) and heating/cooling too, the IDB said: “As the country approaches a decisive moment in terms of tackling the climate crisis and the related impacts it suffers, and fulfills its climate commitments, it requires nothing short of a total transformation of the energy system.”
This, it added, necessitates a “whole sector approach” that “establishes a path for investment, innovation, policy design and implementation, technology deployment, infrastructure design and building, regional and international cooperation and many other efforts across others areas”.
SEE PAGE 19
Baha Mar supervisor loses dismissal fight involving drunk guest By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A BAHA Mar security supervisor lost his claim for wrongful and unfair dismissal against the mega resort after he videoed efforts to subdue a violent, drunken guest. Ingrid Cooper-Brooks, the Industrial Tribunal’s acting vice-president, in a January 17, 2022, verdict found that Mr Glass had “committed a fundamental breach of his contract of employment” by breaching the prohibition on taking photos/videos of Baha Mar guests. The security supervisor, who was earning $46,350
per annum when he was dismissed at end-January 2019, ran into trouble when he responded to an “altercation” between two guests - one of whom was unconscious - at the Grand Hyatt’s Bond nightclub at around 2.46am on January 18 that year. “Both guests were heavily intoxicated and lying on the ground; one in an unconscious state,” Ms Cooper-Brooks noted in her ruling. “After the guest was revived he was escorted to his room by about eight security officers, including [Mr Glass] and the security manager, who had arranged for the
SEE PAGE 18
IDB’s 37% digital woe ‘totally different’ now By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A DIGITAL payments provider yesterday said a survey that found 37 percent of Bahamian firms have challenges accessing electronic payments would have “a totally different result” if done today. Jeffrey Beckles, Island Pay’s managing director, told Tribune Business that the accelerated transition to digital services driven by the COVID-19 pandemic over the past 18 months would likely produce a much different outcome
for the Inter-American Development Bank’s (IDB) Innovation, Firm Performance and Gender survey. That survey, which received 157 responses from Bahamas-based companies between June and November 2020, found that “37 percent of Bahamian firms reported access to digital payments as an obstacle (major or very severe) for their operations” - a figure that Mr Beckles predicted will now be much lower. “I am absolutely sure that if you did that survey today you would get a much different response,” the
SEE PAGE 19
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Money lenders facing regulatory crackdown • Commission tackles ‘non-existent’ consumer protection • Violence, threats towards borrowers will be prohibited • New rules targeted for early 2022 second quarter start By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A CRACKDOWN that aims to reverse “nonexistent” consumer protection from unregulated money lenders will take effect in the 2022 second quarter, the Securities Commission’s top executive CHRISTINA ROLLE says. Christina Rolle yesterday told Tribune Business that The Bahamas is “going from zero” when it comes to filling what has been “a very big gap” in safeguarding its citizens from predatory lending practices by persons and entities operating outside the established financial services supervisory environment. She spoke out after the regulator, which oversees the capital markets, financial and corporate services provider, and investment fund sectors, released the draft Money Lenders rules for a third round of industry consultation amid hopes it will prevent Bahamians from falling prey to practices such as sky-high interest rates that exceed the lawfully-allowed 20 percent maximum.
SEE PAGE 20