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VOLUME:117 No.72, MARCH 5TH, 2020
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China travel alert to last six months
Govt fearful over economic fallout from global crisis By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net THE People’s Republic of China, where COVID19 originated, has been declared an “infected” place for six months making it official policy to prohibit non-Bahamian citizens from entering The Bahamas if they have been to that country within the last 20 days. The order was made public as Finance Minister Peter Turnquest told Parliament the virus poses an immediate threat to not only citizens but the
Bahamian economy’s performance. While there have been no reported or confirmed cases of the new coronavirus in The Bahamas, the government is continuing to prepare for a possible local outbreak with officials processing a $4m contingency fund application for the Ministry of Health, Mr Turnquest further announced. Health Minister Dr Duane Sands tabled the order, under the Quarantine Act, in the House of Assembly yesterday. SEE PAGE THREE
THE government will increase the retirement age of subordinate correctional officers from 50 to 55, according to a new bill. National Security Minister Marvin Dames tabled the bill, the Correctional Services (Amendment) Bill 2020, in the House of Assembly yesterday. He also gave notice that the Interception of Communications Act, passed in 2018, came into force on February 13 of this year. In addition to raising
retirement age, the correctional services amendment will also reduce the time in which a subordinate correctional officer could be re-engaged after reaching age 55 or completing 30 years of service. The time will be decreased from ten years to five years. The bill further says: “The pension of every subordinate correctional officer who re-engages with the Department of Correctional Services shall be suspended during the period of reengagement and reinstated upon the completion of his SEE PAGE SEVEN
L SOUR CE
‘LUCAYAN DEAL’S THE SPARK GB NEEDED’
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
THE sale of the Grand Lucayan resort has brought renewed confidence and optimism to Grand Bahama’s struggling business community, which has been anticipating Monday’s signing. Royal Caribbean International and ITM finalised the purchase of the Lucayan Beach strip property for $65m from the government on Monday and signed a Heads of Agreement for $300m redevelopments of the resort and Freeport Harbour. Tourist arrivals to the island are expected to increase a record six-fold once the hotel and harbour projects are completed. SEE PAGE SIX
NAVETTE WIN APPEAL TO CHALLENGE URCA RULING By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
PRISON STAFF RETIREMENT AGE TO INCREASE FIVE YEARS By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
$1
THE LONG ISLAND ACCUSED NATHAN HARDING, 19, outside court yesterday. He is accused of the rape and murders of mother and daughter Jane Harding and Melissa Hui in Long Island. He is related to both victims. See page two for the full story. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
A RADIO station controlled by Sebas Bastian’s Brickell Management Group (BMG) is broadcasting using a licence “voided” by the regulator, the Court of Appeal found yesterday. Justice Stella CraneScott slammed the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority over how the licence for the 103.5 FM radio spectrum was transferred to a company 51 percent majority controlled by BMG’s corporate vehicle, Neman Networks Ltd. Judges unanimously granted Navette Broadcasting an extra 14 days to appeal against a denial of a judicial review over the transfer. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
WEEKEND ‘I’VE PAID UP.’ - ‘WELL, PROVE IT’ By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
EDUCATION Loan Authority chairman Miriam Emmanuel would not say yesterday if Senator Ranard Henfield was accurate about repaying his student loan to the government, suggesting the authority is still awaiting proof from him. Senator Henfield was among nearly 100 people
SENATOR RANARD HENFIELD whose names were published in a local newspaper in December because of
delinquent loans. But he told the press he has no debt and made his final payment in 2004. However, education officials since December have been coy when asked if their list was accurate. Asked about Mr Henfield’s claim yesterday, Ms Emmanuel, the MICAL MP, said: “I had a conversation with him and we are still in the process of continuing SEE PAGE FIVE
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
JANE AUSTEN AND HER LINK TO THE BAHAMAS
PAGE 2, Thursday, March 5, 2020
Teenager accused of Long Island rapes and murders By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
A TEENAGER was charged yesterday with the murders of two Long Island
women who were originally reported missing late last month. Nathan Harding, 19, was arraigned before Chief Magistrate Joyann
Ferguson-Pratt for the murders of Jane Harding, 62, and Melissa Hui, 34. Harding was also charged with two counts of rape. It is alleged that Harding,
THE TRIBUNE
NATHAN Harding outside court yesterday. who is also a Long Island native and is related to both victims, intentionally caused the death of both women by unlawful means of harm between February 25 and 28. It is also alleged he raped both women on February 25. Harding was not required to enter a plea to the charges and the case was adjourned to May 21. He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services
Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
until trial. Harding’s attorney, Bjorn Ferguson, told the judge he planned to make an application for the accused teen to be admitted to the Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre since his client had previously attempted to hurt himself. However, Chief Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt told Mr Ferguson due to the nature of Harding’s charges, he would still be remanded to the Bahamas Department of
Correctional Services. She added that she would send a note to ensure Harding is evaluated by a psychiatric team there. Harding was allowed to speak with his older sisters Heather and Tiffany Harding for a brief moment before he was taken back into custody. The arraignment comes a week after police discovered the bodies of the two women in Salt Pond, Long Island.
A BODY is removed from a boat at Silver Point. Photo: Vandyke Hepburn
BODY FOUND ON BOAT MOORED AT SILVER POINT By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
GRAND Bahama police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a man who was found on a vessel moored at Silver Point earlier this week. According to Superintendent Darrell Weir, the body of a white male was discovered shortly after 7pm on Tuesday. He said that the caretaker
of the property made the discovery and contacted the police. Supt Weir reported that officers, along with EMS personnel, boarded the vessel. The body was examined and they found no signs of life. When asked whether the incident was a suspected suicide, Supt Weir stated that an autopsy would be performed to determine the cause of death. In the meantime, police do not suspect foul play.
TWO MEN HELD AFTER SHOOTING POLICE arrested two men, who are in hospital with apparent gunshot injuries, in connection with a shooting that occurred on Tuesday. According to a police report, shortly after 10pm Tuesday officers responded to a shooting incident at Ethel Street in Montel Heights. On the scene, officers saw a man run into a house with an object in his hand. The officers pursued the male, who tossed a firearm behind the sink. The officers apprehended the man and retrieved the firearm, a .380 pistol with
one round of ammunition. The officers also noticed the man was suffering from gunshot injuries. A short time later, police officers intercepted a vehicle on Robinson Road where a woman was transporting a man to hospital who was suffering from apparent gunshot injuries. Police were told the man was shot while on Ethel Street by a man known to him. Both men were taken to hospital where they are listed in stable condition and are in police custody. The investigation continues.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, March 5, 2020, PAGE 3
China travel alert to last six months from page one It gives the health minister authority to declare any place outside The Bahamas an infected place for a period of limited duration. Since January 11, the Bahamas has been denying entry to non-residents who visited China. Returning residents are being quarantined for an incubation period of 14 days. According to Dr Sands yesterday, the government can at any time return to Parliament to amend this order if the need arises. Otherwise, he suggested the order will come to an end in June. “I think we have to look at the existing legislation that allows us to do what we have done,” Dr Sands told reporters yesterday at Parliament. “So the Quarantine Act of The Bahamas has specific language. I would refer you to that act to determine what are the powers vested in the minister, what are the powers vested in the chief medical officer. “This act is more than 100 years old and so there are certain things that need to be done in order to make our current policy legal hence the language. Now we have said six months, but we can some back to this honourable House in a week and make a change. “This is the policy that we have put in place - the immigration policy - so anybody who has been within the confines of the People’s Republic of China within the last 20 days, non-Bahamian, no citizen, no resident will be denied entry,” he also said. Bahamians will be quarantined. “It is in place now. We have said six months. If we have to go longer, we will extend it. If we decide to change that policy then we have to come back and change it in law,” Dr Sands said. When he spoke at Parliament yesterday, Mr Turnquest said the virus posed a number of downside risks to the macroeconomic landscape, both globally and domestically. “…The current global
NATIONAL Emergency Medical Services (NEMS) staff begin Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) training this week at the Public Hospitals Authority’s Training Centre as a part of the Ministry of Health and Public Hospitals Authority’s countrywide readiness campaign ahead of any possible threat of Coronavirus. The training prepares emergency medical technicians and paramedics to safely deal with a potential coronavirus case. outbreak of the coronavirus is creating an immediate threat to the safety of our citizens and the near term performance of our economy,” Mr Turnquest said. The number of confirmed worldwide COVID-19 cases stood at 94,250 up to press time. Of this number, 80,270 cases are in mainland China. Globally, there have been 3,214 deaths with 51,026 recovered cases. “…The novel coronavirus poses a number of downside risks to the macroeconomic landscape, both globally and domestically. Given the serious health impact of the virus on individuals, and the understandable concerns of people everywhere, this outbreak poses serious potential risks to global travel,” Mr Turnquest said. “This is of particular importance to The Bahamas as our economic livelihood is heavily dependent on both trade and travel.” Recognising this threat, the minister said Ministry of Finance officials were already beginning to develop plans to address a
potential economic fallout. “In line with the efforts of a number of other governments and regulatory bodies, this administration is taking precautionary measures to protect its citizens and its borders from this outbreak. “While the threat of the virus reaching our waters is effectively being managed, we will continue to exercise an abundance of caution to ensure that we mitigate this growing risk.” Mr Turnquest’s comments were a part of his mid-year budget statement on the six months ending December 31, 2019, and follow the supplementary budget, which was triggered by the need to revise revenue and expenditure estimates after Hurricane Dorian. He said based on the performance to date, officials were confident in their projections for a positive future outlook despite the impact of Dorian. “Our fiscal indicators remain sound; our cash flow is steady and our revenue enhancement measures are demonstrating success at reducing leakage,” Mr Turnquest said.
FACE MASKS, HAND SANITIZERS AND LYSOL SPRAY - STORES SELLING OUT AS BAHAMIANS PREPARE By EARYEL BOWLEG bowleg@tribunemedia.net SOME stores and pharmacies in New Providence report being sold out of face masks, hand sanitizers, and Lysol spray as Bahamians prepare for a possible coronavirus outbreak here. There are no reported or suspected cases of the new deadly coronavirus locally, however, fears of the virus spreading has prompted some residents to stockpile necessary items. Super Value’s owner Rupert Roberts told The Tribune that customers have bought cases of pocket sized hand sanitizers. He is even shocked that the store is running out of 67 oz bottles of hand sanitizers. “The public hit it (buying sanitizer) as soon as this virus became known,” he said. “The public bought us out of that as well. I was amazed that the public jumped on to them. I suppose more institutions, restaurants, and other businesses bought them.” Mr Roberts said the foodstore chain has a low stock of disinfectant wipes. These items began selling out suddenly last week at Super Value and orders have been placed for more stock. However, the store owner
is not certain when those shipments will come. “We’ve bumped up our orders on all medical type of items like … hand sanitizers, disinfectant, soaps, liquids, and, of course, Kleenex and even toilet tissues,” the Super Value boss said. “They’re expecting a shipment but they don’t know if they’ll be able (to send) any after that because they can’t supply the US and they cutting exports until they can catch up with supplies.” Cashiers at the store are also being provided with a hand sanitizer. The front door handles, counters, and anything the public touches are being cleaned every hour to prevent the spread of germs. Raymond Albury, coowner of the Prescription Centre Pharmacy, said he noticed three to four weeks ago these items were selling out since news of the coronavirus broke. “It’s been a few weeks now…when they first started to announce it was spreading past China we started to get people coming in the door looking for you know buying a box or so, buying a few here and there,” Mr Albury said. “These items were never in demand for flu season
like face masks, we hardly ever sold them. You know …and hand sanitizer is just you know a normal run of the mill day-by-day (thing). So, yeah, this is very abnormal. Not compared to any of the flu seasons.” Like Super Value, the pharmacy is also experiencing a challenge with restocking although Mr Albury stated the items are not “100 percent out” but very difficult to find at the moment. He pointed out hand sanitizers are hard to obtain locally and it’s nearly “impossible” to find the recommended N95 face masks as most masks are typically made in China. According to Mr Albury, other medical items may soon become unavailable. “We’ve heard lately that the next item (in demand)
was going to be the alcohol and spray bottles. That’s going to be the next recommended item because as these things run out, people come out (to buy) the new substitute,” he said. A cashier at the Centreville Pharmacy, who asked to remain anonymous, attributed the demand for these protective items to the fear surrounding the coronavirus. “It’s a higher demand now,” she said. “I think because people are more scared and paranoid.” The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported there are 93,090 confirmed cases globally and 214 deaths outside of China. Eleven of those deaths have occurred in the United States. Currently, two Bahamians are under quarantine.
PAGE 4, Thursday, March 5, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
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Fighting off the coronavirus PIECE by piece, The Bahamas is putting the building blocks in place to protect the country as best as possible from the risk of the coronavirus. We need not look far for the effects of the virus around the world – the empty streets in China, a deserted Disney park in Singapore, and even just across the water in Florida, a music festival, Ultra, yesterday postponed until next year. Sporting fixtures in Italy are being played behind closed doors, with no fans to cheer on the players, and the country is closing down its schools and universities until mid-March. Large gatherings have been banned in France. The world is taking the virus seriously, and so should we. So it is reassuring to see in today’s Tribune the images of medical personnel training with the equipment they will use to deal with people who potentially have the virus. It is also reassuring to see the government put in place the necessary declaration to control travel from China. We hope the government is keeping a watchful eye on other areas with high levels of infection. South Korea had 145 new cases yesterday, not far behind the 160 new cases in China, even if it lags some way behind on total cases still, while Italy has been the hotspot in Europe, with more than 3,000 cases so far. Japan has had more than 300 cases, while the US, our biggest concern as a neighbour, has logged 159 cases, with 11 deaths. Last night, around 1,000 New Yorkers were being asked to selfquarantine after five more people were diagnosed with the virus. It seems almost impossible that the same declaration that has been placed on China also will be placed on the US if the infection spreads widely there, if nothing else because of the chilling economic reality that would mean for the country. In Parliament yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest said the outbreak “is creating an immediate threat to the safety of our citizens and the near term performance of our economy”. While concern does not need to be panic, Bahamians it seems have been
taking precautions, with sales of hand sanitizer and cleaning items up at local supermarkets. That is sensible – as is the need for people to regularly use that sanitizer or wash their hands for at least 20 seconds regularly. In short, it is not just the government that needs to be prepared, but all of us. More changes may need to come if the virus does reach here – and as a country we should do all we can to support any measures to prevent its spread. In the meanwhile, after washing those hands thoroughly? Let’s keep our fingers crossed that it won’t reach here.
Stirring trouble at the prison?
IS the government picking an unnecessary fight? The announcement of an increase in the retirement age of prison officers from 50 to 55 seems like it might stir up unrest among correctional staff, at a time when officers have already had a number of complaints about treatment by management and conditions at Fox Hill prison. Prison association officials were closelipped last night, but we do wonder if it will stir up tempers rather than soothe troubled waters. That wasn’t National Security Minister Marvin Dames’ only announcement yesterday – the Spy Bill is now in force. Of course, its formal name is the Interception of Communications Act, but as it was called the Spy Bill when the FNM were opposing it in opposition, so Spy Bill it shall remain. Since February 13, it has empowered the obtaining of warrants to set up interception devices in institutions secretly, and allows the minister of national security – Mr Dames – to allow authorised people to use a listening device for no more than 30 days. The attorney general can allow that too. It’s now nearly a month since that came into force – so we guess that was one more secret for the past few weeks…
Crisis of the Constitution? EDITOR, The Tribune. IT IS very disappointing and disheartening to observe the level of disrespect geared toward the supreme law of our country. The constitution of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas serves as the blueprint on how the machinery of government should work and also serves as the social contract between the government and the people. I continue to sit and observe how the government of The Bahamas continue to violate the supreme law of our land. The current cabinet of The Bahamas consist of several lawyers. But most importantly the Attorney General acts and operate as the attorney for the government (country). The Legal Profession Act (Bahamas Bar Professional Code of Conduct Rule IX) also mandates that attorneys who hold public office continue to discharge their duties as attorney at the highest standard.
In the constitution of The Bahamas at Part V or article 118 it mandates the establishment and composition of a Police Service Commission. As a result of this, I conducted some research and soon found out that the three members of the Police Service Commission were Rev Charles Saunders (Chairman), Mr Paul Farquharson QPM and Mr Alonzo Butler. Further research revealed that Rev Charles Saunders has been incapacitated for some time now and Mr Alonso Butler had passed away. Therefore, in effect the Police Service Commission has one member, Mr. Paul Farquharson QPM. This now drives me to my second point. Article 119 clearly outlines how appointments and transfers are made in the police force. Article 119, paragraph 6 states that powers to make transfers within the police force is vested in the commissioner of police. It clearly doesn’t provide the commissioner of police with the power
to transfer officers outside of the police force. Interestingly, the minister of national security has no power to transfer any police officer. The power to remove officers at the rank of assistant commissioners from the police force is vested in the governor general acting in accordance of the advice of the police service commission. This then begs the question; how can any legal transfer or removal take place if the constitutionally mandated police service commission has been defunct or improperly constituted? So clearly, the attempt to transfer or remove assistant commissioners Ken Strachan and Clayton Fernander in its current form is illegal and unconstitutional. The supreme law of the land must not be trivialized. The constitution must be respected by everyone. No one is above the law, including the government. BJORN R FERGUSON Nassau March 5, 2020
Undermining of the South Andros MP EDITOR, The Tribune. THE constituency of South Andros is considered by many Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) supporters to be a low hanging fruit for the political organisation, having been represented by Sir Lynden Pindling from the 1960s till his retirement in 1997. This mindset was reinforced after incumbent Picewell Forbes managed to stave off the Free National Movement’s Zendal Forbes in the 2017 general election political massacre of the PLP. As history would have it, Forbes was just one of four PLP standard bearers to remain standing. Indeed, the “home town boy” has represented South Andros and Mangrove Cay since 2007 with distinction. While Forbes has been at a disadvantage in doing for his constituents as other deep-pocket Parliamentarians are able to do for theirs, his financial constraints have not prevented him from giving optimum representation. Forbes has never been embroiled in any scandal. He’s a down-to-earth MP that makes it a point to stay in touch with his Family Island constituents. Forbes reminds this writer
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net of a blue-collar worker who goes to Parliament with his lunch pail and works his tail off in representing South Andros. Consequently, I am happy that PLP chair Fred Mitchell and the hierarchy of the official Opposition have formally renominated Forbes as the party’s standard bearer for South Andros in 2022. The Forbes camp can now breathe a sigh of relief, in the wake of a political leaflet with Monique Pindling that had recently surfaced on Facebook and other social media platforms. Based on my layman’s observations regarding the scheduled “meet and greet” event for South Andros, Pindling has given the perception that her camp was entertaining thoughts of elbowing Forbes out of the way, on the sole basis of her relations to the father of the nation. Equally disconcerting to the Forbes camp are The Tribune reports of Dame Marguerite Pindling inquiring about the feasibility of her daughter running in South Andros. Had PLP Leader Phillip
“Brave” Davis accommodated the Pindlings, it would’ve given the perception that the PLP is an elitist party that is willing to undermine one of its very own loyal incumbents for individuals with a sense of entitlement. Moreover, was Forbes even consulted by the Pindling clan? As far as I am aware, he has never given any indication of retiring from frontline politics. With 35 seats currently held by non-PLPs, and Englerston being the sole New Providence seat currently held by Glenys Hanna-Martin, why is the Pindling clan singling out Forbes’ constituency which Monique Pindling has never even lived in, to the best of my knowledge? Being a political aspirant who desires to continue her legendary father’s political dynasty, Pindling has started off on the wrong foot. Rather than attempting to undermine the South Andros incumbent, who is a political colleague, Pindling should instead roll up her sleeves and begin the arduous process of working the grounds in Nassau where she resides. KEVIN EVANS Freeport, Grand Bahama. March 4, 2020.
Time to buy gold EDITOR, The Tribune. THE Corona virus spreading globally caused the US Federal Reserve to lower interest on March 3, 2020 by 0.5%. This was to help the economy and stock market. Ironically, it had the reverse effect. The broader S&P 500 (SPX) closed 2.8% lower, only a day after the index logged its best day in more than two years. The Nasdaq Composite (COMP) closed nearly 3% lower. This reminds me of 1929 but it is China
not the US who is the central player. In 1929 the US was the world’s cheapest producers of goods in agriculture and the factory of the world. In the 1930s the Great Depression occurred. The Corona Virus has pulverised the automotive sector in China, Germany, South Korea, and the rest of the world. The automotive industry is the heart of industrial manufacturing. This phenomena has affected computer production, luxury goods and every aspect of the global supply chain. This is
affecting tourism, which is about 60% of the Bahamas’ s GDP, globally. Australia is losing about one billion a month because of cancelled flights. My advice is better to be safe than sorry. The Central Bank of the Bahamas should buy gold for foreign reserve. Prepare for a global recession or depression. My calculus says there is a 70% chance within the next 10 months. BRIAN E PLUMMER Nassau, March 3, 2020.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, March 5, 2020, PAGE 5
Money launder suspect granted bail By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
A 38-YEAR-OLD man, charged in connection to a $1.2m Ministry of Tourism fraud scheme, has been granted bail ahead of his trial. Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt granted Damalus Curry $25,000 bail with two sureties yesterday ahead of his trial over allegations of money laundering. The judge ordered Curry to surrender his passport immediately and return to court for future hearings as required. She also said Curry must not interfere with witnesses. Curry’s bail came one day after Supreme Court Justice Gregory Hilton released Elma Campbell and Che
Chase on $20,000 and $30,000 bail respectively. On Tuesday, the former Cabinet minister and her son were charged in the Magistrates’ Court with defrauding the Ministry of Tourism of $1.2m. Campbell and Chase were charged with fraud by false pretences and 18 counts of money laundering. Curry was also charged with one count of money laundering after he was accused of acquiring $465,000 on October 16, 2019 knowing that it represented the proceeds of crime. All of the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him. The matter was adjourned to March 30 at 10am.
DAMALUS Curry outside court.
‘I’VE PAID UP.’ - ‘WELL, PROVE IT’ from page one
that conversation. Out of that conversation there are some formalities that need to be taken care of. As far as I know and that he knows, we still have to finish those formalities. Those formalities are confidential, because
they are personal records pertaining to him that he is seeking to further satisfy the authority so until he does that I am not able to say if he spoke the truth or didn’t speak the truth because we’re still dealing with it. Until then I can’t say that he didn’t speak the truth or he did speak the truth.”
When contacted for a response, Mr Henfield told The Tribune: “I have no comment as I’m satisfied with my recollection of 2004.” The ELA started giving out student loans in 2000, however, the programme has been plagued with a high default rate.
MINISTER of Foreign Affairs Darren Henfield welcomed Her Excellency Kshenuka Senewiratne, High Commissioner-designate of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka to The Bahamas during a courtesy call at his office yesterday. Photo: Patrick Hanna/BIS
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In 2017 Education Minister Jeffrey Lloyd said $156 million was owed to the programme with 4,700 loans issued for 26 disciplines up to that point. The default rate, he said, was 75 percent. Warning in January 2018 that the authority’s patience was wearing thin, Mr
Lloyd criticised “stubborn and recalcitrant” defaulters who refused to enter settlement discussions. Last year Ms Emmanuel said nearly 500 borrowers paid off their student loans through the government’s student loan repayment incentive
programme established in February 2016. To that date, some 3,938 loans worth $42.56m had been awarded to borrowers in New Providence, she said, with another 669 loans worth $7.41m awarded in Grand Bahama and 126 loans worth $1.39m were awarded in the Family Islands.
PAGE 6, Thursday, March 5, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
‘Lucayan deal’s the spark GB needed’ from page one Grand Bahama Chamber of Commerce president Greg Laroda said the sale of the hotel is something that the business community had been anticipating. “It is something we were looking forward to on the island for a long time,” he said at a reception held following the signing on Monday. “I feel positive about it. It was not just a Heads of Agreement, but also the agreement for the sale and purchase, and I feel like it is only a matter of time before we really start seeing some shovels in the ground.” There are plans to transform the property into a premier world-class destination. Mr Laroda believes the project will be a major “positive boost” to the Grand Bahama economy. “It will bring lots of jobs as was mentioned in all different areas, and directly impact the hotel workers, taxicab drivers, tour operators, and straw vendors. “There will be a lot of trickle-down potential as a result of this project, and I am looking forward to it. I believe it will provide that spark for the economy that we were all looking for, and I’m sure there are lots of good investors out there that have been taking a wait and see approach. But now that a project of this magnitude is about to take off, together with what is happening with Carnival in the east, I think a lot of persons will take a real serious look at Grand Bahama now.” Also at the signing were many of the neighbouring merchants at the Port
THE GRAND Lucayan Resort.
‘There will be a lot of trickle-down potential as a result of this project, and I am looking forward to it. I believe it will provide that spark for the economy that we were all looking for, and I’m sure there are lots of good investors out there that have been taking a wait and see approach.’ Lucaya Marketplace. Lauren Wells, the owner of Freeport Jewellers, is excited about the sale of the resort and what is expected to come. “I like what I heard from the CEO of Royal Caribbean (Michael Bayley) who gave his commitment to seeing the project through to fruition,” she said.
Ms Wells stuck it out and kept her business open, despite the hard times and challenges following the closure of the hotel in 2016 following Hurricane Matthew. She said: “I feel very positive, but it would be good for us when we see work started over there. We have been in this position before
where there have been promises after promises, but the CEO said he would not let this project fall, and he brought us confidence.” She was also grateful to Royal Caribbean for the company’s humanitarian relief assistance to Grand Bahama following Hurricane Dorian and its continuing ongoing efforts here with relief. Noel Clarke, operator of Agave, a Latin restaurant, thinks the project will have a tremendous widespread impact on the island of Grand Bahama. “I am very optimistic about it in terms of tourism, and its impact on other sectors. It would not only be felt in Port Lucaya but island-wide; it will touch every industry,” he said.
D’AGUILAR: REWARDS WILL OUTWEIGH WHAT GOVT SPENT ON HOTEL By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net TOURISM Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar said the future economic benefits of the Grand Lucayan resort sale outweigh what the government spent to manage the hotel before it was sold and any concessions given to the buyers. Mr D’Aguilar also doesn’t think the concessions given to the buyers of the resort are extraordinary. However, the minister seemed unsure of when the heads of agreement would be made available for public scrutiny, telling The Tribune yesterday it would “probably” be during the 2020/2021 budget presentation, but ultimately is up to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis. Mr D’Aguilar was asked about the recently inked deal following the morning sitting of Parliament. The government signed a sales agreement and heads of agreement on Monday with Bahamas Port Investments Limited – a joint company of Royal Caribbean International and ITM Group – for the sale of the resort and the development of a cruise port on Grand Bahama. “I don’t think they are at all (extraordinary) when you balance over the revenue,” he said in response to a question from this newspaper. “Just the head tax alone you are going to get off 2.5m new passengers to Grand Bahama from this deal and another million from the Carnival deal. When you look at the investment that it’s going to create in the hotel, when you look at the airlift that’s going to be brought into the destination and bringing people in in terms of airport taxes and the like. “When you look at the VAT receipts that you are going to be making with all these people buying food and going on excursions - the employment opportunities that it is going to create for Bahamians running their business or seeking employment opportunities, it outweighs the couple million dollars or so that you’re going to be spending every year in operating losses and you would have incurred while we held it for 18 months and the concessions that you will be given. It just far outweighs.” He also moved to clarify confusion over the purchase price of the hotel. The government purchased the Grand Lucayan from former owners Hutchinson Whampoa for $65m. But when the deal was
signed Monday for the resort to be sold to Royal Caribbean International and ITM Group, Lucayan Renewal Holdings Chairman Michael Scott said the final buying price was $50m. His comments triggered criticism from the Progressive Liberal Party that the government suffered a loss considering operational costs for the last 18 months. “There are two issues in acquiring the hotel,” Mr D’Aguilar told the House of Assembly. “The first is ‘did you make a loss on the acquisition of the hotel?’ and we contend that we purchased the hotel for $65m and we are selling the hotel for roughly $65m probably a little more than $65m. “The agreement will say that we are selling it for $50m but then we also have the insurance proceeds that we are going to receive from the insurance company based on the damages incurred from Hurricane Dorian. “So we reflected that somewhat in the price but we expect to get that money directly from the insurance company and it will balance out at $65m. Now obviously while we operated the hotel, there were some operating losses for the 18 months that we held it or the period that we operated the hotel. But we thought it was much more important to keep that hotel open and we were prepared to incur those operating loses to keep that hotel open. “Once you let a hotel close it becomes very difficult to sell it the value of it diminishing significantly and it is harder to get it sold and reopened. The Royal Oasis is a classic example of what happens when you close a hotel. So we were determined not to let that happen and we were right and it worked.” His comments followed a heated exchange in Parliament when Exuma and Ragged Island MP Chester demanded the heads of agreement be made public. Mr Cooper said: “We can clear this up today. The devil is in the details. We want the Bahamian people to have the details laid on the table of the House. We want to know how much in dollar terms will go back to the developer in terms of rebates and concessions and we want to know the exact number of that insurance amount.” At the time Mr D’Aguilar maintained the revenue streams to come would financially out perform any taxpayer dollars that had been spent to date.
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Thursday, March 5, 2020, PAGE 7
Pathologist testifies in Fox Hill shooting trial By LEANDRA ROLLE lrolle@tribunemedia.net A FORENSIC pathologist yesterday testified how she signed the death certificates of four victims who were killed during the 2013 mass shooting in Fox Hill. Dr Caryn Sands, taking the witness stand before Justice Deborah Fraser yesterday afternoon, said she signed the four death certificates, which also revealed the cause of death, after conducting an autopsy on the deceased individuals. There were four autopsy
reports completed following an examination of the bodies, she told the court. While being questioned by the Crown prosecutor, Dr Sands was asked to identify if there were any distinguishable features between the four autopsy reports. To this, Dr Sands replied: “Each report has a unique post-mortem number.” “The post-mortem number is found on the header of each report,” she also told court. However, Dr Sands was not allowed to further elaborate on the “unique”
numbers assigned to each report after the defence claimed that such evidence given by the witness would not be “permissible.” There were several objections made by the defence in relation to the Crown’s questions on the matter. Following these objections, prosecutor Roger Thompson then asked about the procedures taken by morgue personnel in order to assign a post-mortem number. Responding, Dr Sands then explained: “When someone dies suddenly…, there’s a procedure to
identify the body. This occurs by a relative, next of kin supplying documents for the deceased like a government issued ID. “…Once that body has been received and identified to the morgue, that case is assigned a post-mortem number if an autopsy is going to be performed.” Dr Sands’ evidence came during the trial of Peter Rolle, Jermaine Curry and Justin Williams concerning the December 27, 2013 shooting at Freedom Park. This is the second time Dr Sands has appeared before the court to give evidence
relating to the trial. Williams, Rolle and Curry are accused of murdering four people – Claudezino Davis, Shaquille Demeritte, Eric Morrison and Shenique Sands on that date. They are also charged with attempting to murder Janet Davis, Samuel Ferguson, Chino Davis, John Davis, Jermaine Pratt and Leroy Taylor. According to initial reports from police, around 6pm on December 27, 2013 occupants of a vehicle opened fire in the area just behind the basketball court near Fox Hill park where
several people were gathered awaiting Junkanoo results. One of the victims was pronounced dead at the scene while several others were taken to hospital in private vehicles and an ambulance. Three later died in hospital of their injuries, according to earlier reports. Curry is represented by attorney Murrio Ducille, Rolle is represented by Sonia Timothy, and Williams is represented by Mr Farquharson. The trial continues on Friday.
PRISON STAFF RETIREMENT AGE TO INCREASE FIVE YEARS from page one re-engagement.” The president of the Correctional Staff Association declined comment on the matter last night. Meanwhile, the Interception of Communications Act has broadened the communication services and networks from which law enforcement officers could intercept data while allowing them to obtain entry warrants from the Supreme Court to secretly enter institutions to set up interception devices. It forces people who work for postal or communications services, be they public or private networks, to assist in executing interception or entry warrants. It also empowers the minister of national security to allow authorised people to use a listening device for no more than 30 days. The attorney general, under the law, is also authorised to permit the use of a listening device. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and the Free National Movement were attacked for approving the law, dubbed by critics as the “Spy Bill”, this term after opposing it when in opposition. PHOTO: Officers from the Department of Corrections.
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Anyone But Trump - and it looks like Biden WHEN voters went to cast their ballots in the Democratic presidential primary election on this week’s Super Tuesday, there were 14 names on the ballot in several states including Virginia. But only five actual candidates were still in the race. Such is the frenetic, chaotic nature of Democratic politics in this renewed era of Anyone But Trump. When Joe Biden won the South Carolina primary race last weekend with a preponderance of the black vote, it was the first presidential primary election he had ever won, despite this being his third attempt to secure his party’s
STATESIDE with Charlie Harper nomination for the White House. But that South Carolina win, regarded as Biden’s last, best hope to get his campaign untracked, produced amazingly quick results. Within days, Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar had both left the race and endorsed Biden. Even forgotten Beto O’Rourke, the former El Paso, Texas
congressman, chimed in with his endorsement. All this activity put on a platter for Republican conspiracy theorists the notion that the Democratic Party and its ruling elites have banded together to deny maverick Bernie Sanders their nomination this year. Whether this notion is true or not, it certainly can seem plausible.
Few experienced observers expect Sanders could mount a serious or successful challenge to Trump unless the American economy falls apart in the next six months. That’s always possible, but with the US central bank intervening to lower interest rates in the wake of the recent stock market
sell-off, the chances of a full-blown recession receded somewhat. So what happened on Super Tuesday? Biden, buoyed by endorsements by his erstwhile rivals, was a big, broad winner. He prevailed over Sanders in Texas, Virginia, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Alabama,
Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee and (probably) Maine. Sanders won in California, Vermont, Utah and Colorado. Bloomberg got some delegates, but not momentum and yesterday announced his campaign was over leaving Warren to wonder whether it’s time she threw in the towel as well.
LIFE AFTER BETRAYING THE PRESIDENT WHILE American pundits, politicians and commentators got all excited about Tuesday’s polls, lost in all the furore was the curious case of Jeff Sessions. This mild-looking but doggedly conservative politician from Alabama has become one of the most important case studies in the phenomenon now increasingly known as the Cult of Trump. On Tuesday Sessions was in the highly unusual position of running for the Republican nomination for his own former seat in the US Senate - representing Alabama. He held the post from 1997-2016, when he left the Senate to serve as Trump’s first Attorney General. The basic rule of the Cult of Trump is that the principal qualification for finding favour with the current US President is unfailing fealty to him, and/or donating to him directly or through his hotels and other properties. In the increasingly rarefied and isolated atmosphere of American politics at the congressional level and above, where senators and the president are routinely surrounded by an echo chamber of sycophants and yes-people, this is not altogether unusual. But the degree to which Trump insists on public obeisance from allies and supporters is striking. It might even be unprecedented. Few were surprised when, after impeachment failed in the Senate, Trump moved resolutely to push out of the White House and his administration those who had dared to offer testimony in the impeachment hearings that contradicted the administration narrative that Trump extorting Ukraine for dirt on Joe Biden’s son was really a hunt for corruption around the world. “We want bad people out of our government,” Trump tweeted after the Senate acquitted him. No one paying attention doubts what Trump meant by “bad people.” He meant not only “Never Trumpers” but also those whose affiliation with him was less than complete. The key question in the Alabama senate primary race this week was whether Jeff Sessions remains a “bad person”.
It was not ever thus. Sessions was one of Trump’s most trusted senior advisers on the 2016 campaign trail. The Alabama stalwart was actually the first sitting senator to endorse Trump’s then-renegade candidacy for the presidency at a time when the GOP power elite regarded the brash New York entrepreneur and showman with undisguised concern and disdain. Sessions, who agreed with many of Trump’s positions on trade, immigration and other issues, was often at his side at campaign appearances as a national security adviser. “I’m proud to call (Sessions) a friend,” Trump said as he nominated his close adviser to be Attorney General. But things quickly changed. Very early in Trump’s presidential term, Sessions properly recused himself from the Mueller investigation on Russian interference in Trump’s election. The President, who clearly regards America’s top law enforcement official as owing first allegiance to him personally, saw Sessions as a traitor. Trump said he still believes Sessions should have remained in the case and pushed for an early termination of the Mueller probe, which would ultimately last for nearly two years. “I said, ‘what kind of man is this?’ I don’t really have an Attorney General. It’s sad,” Trump said after the Mueller inquiry concluded. He then pushed Sessions out of his administration in late 2018. Last October, a year after exiling Sessions, Trump was still calling him “an embarrassment” and his “biggest (cabinet appointment) mistake”. But for the past four months, Sessions has been running hard in Alabama for his old senate seat. And the biggest question in this race was which of the four candidates could profess allegiance to Trump most convincingly. Sessions himself tells sometimes sceptical audiences that he has never wavered in his allegiance to Trump. He avoids the recusal issue if he can in public appearances. He took a year off after Trump fired him, only re-entering public life last fall to announce his candidacy for his old seat. Polling has suggested Trump’s favourable ratings
in Alabama are his strongest in any state. Any Republican primary candidate in Alabama must, therefore, pass the Trump loyalty test. Other candidates in the running included former Auburn University head football coach Tommy Tuberville, among whose distinctions were his six straight wins over arch rival University of Alabama before Nick Saban arrived as head coach of the Crimson Tide. Tuberville campaigns in a big bus with “Trump and Tuberville” emblazoned on the back. “As Attorney General, Sessions handed the ball to the other team and walked off the field the moment play started getting rough,” the former football coach said of Sessions’ recusal in the Mueller investigation. Also in the race was Bradley Byrne, a Mobilearea congressman and staunch Trump defender during the impeachment hearings. Trump has appeared in public with Byrne on a couple of recent occasions. “I think Jeff Sessions was controlled by the swamp and the people at the Justice Department” in making his recusal decision, Byrne has declared. Rounding out the field was Judge Roy Moore, the accused predator of underage girls whose disgraceful candidacy led to the astounding 2017 upset victory of Democrat Doug Jones in a special Alabama senate race to fill Sessions’ then-vacant seat. Tuesday’s primary election results were to designate Jones’ opponent in the upcoming November election. What happened? Tuberville and Sessions both wound up with about onethird of the vote, and will face each other in a March 31 run-off election. Byrne finished third and conceded his defeat. Moore finished in a weak fourth place. But the big news yesterday came via Fox News. Trump weighed in, after maintaining an uncharacteristic silence throughout the primary campaign. True as always to his instincts, Trump slammed Sessions hard, repudiating him again for abandoning him over the Mueller investigation. Democrat Jones will face Tommy Tuberville in November. You can take that to the bank.
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Thursday, March 5, 2020, PAGE 9
WATER and Sewerage Corporation on University Blvd.
Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
Water union chief ‘suspended for asking if WSC was a plantation’ By EARYEL BOWLEG ebowleg@tribunemedia.net WATER and Sewerage Management Union (WSMU) president Montgomery Miller claims he was suspended for two days by the Water and Sewage Corporation (WSC) for questioning the authority. “In a most recent instance I, in my capacity as president of the Water and Sewerage Management Union, would have written to the general manager asking of them a very basic
question - has the Water and Sewerage Corporation converted from a place of employment to a plantation?” he said at a press conference at WSC’s headquarters yesterday. “That is the question that I asked and as a result of that question I was placed on two day suspension without pay as a union president representing the members of this corporation. How could this be right. . .and my question is how can the general manager be judge, jury and executioner?”
Bahamas Utilities Services and Allied Workers Union (BUSAWU) president Dwayne Woods, who works at WSC as a technical officer, was warned by executive chairman Adrian Gibson in a letter about holding impromptu union meetings with staff during working hours and for not working the full eight hours a day as mandated. Mr Gibson noted the corporation “will not tolerate these types of interruptions” as union meetings are to be held before working hours or during lunch.
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Yesterday, Mr Miller raised other union grievances including WSC allegedly failing to deal with a three year mould issue at the Eleuthera office. He claimed the health hazard has been an issue since 2017. “From 2017, information has been provided and approval was given by the former general manager to move these employees. To date, nothing has been done to address this issue,” Mr Miller said. He claimed that “tens of thousands” of dollars were
spent on upgrading the conference room and refurbishing the executive suite of the corporation while the employees “suffer” under unsafe work conditions. High employee turnover during Mr Gibson’s tenure as executive chairman was another point of tension. Mr Miller said WSC managers were “fleeing” the corporation at high rates because of the “torment and chaos” at the water provider. “While our prime minister goes on the international airwaves speaking of the natural disasters of recent
hurricanes like Dorian, he seemingly takes no notice of the unnatural disaster taking place under his watch at WSC by the name of ‘Adrian’,” Mr Miller said. Yesterday’s press conference is the latest in an ongoing dispute between the union leaders and WSC executives. A strike commenced on February 11 but was halted when the matter was referred to the Industrial Tribunal. A temporary court injunction was granted to stop the strike; the injunction has been extended to March 20.
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Clocks spring forward on Sunday
...and they should stay there I
N MY research on daylight saving time (DST), I have found Americans don’t like it when Congress messes with their clocks. In an effort to avoid the biannual clock switch in spring and fall, some wellintended critics of DST have made the mistake of suggesting that the abolition of DST – and a return to permanent standard time – would benefit society. In other words, the US would never “spring forward” or “fall back”. They are wrong. DST saves lives and energy and prevents crime. Not surprisingly, then, politicians in Washington and Florida have now passed laws aimed at moving their states to DST year-round. Congress should seize on this momentum to move the entire country to yearround DST. In other words, turn all clocks forward permanently. If it did so, I see five ways that Americans’ lives would immediately improve.
By STEVE CALANDRILLO Professor of Law, University of Washington 1. Lives would be saved Simply put, darkness kills – and darkness in the evening is far deadlier than darkness in the morning. The evening rush hour is twice as fatal as the morning for various reasons: Far more people are on the road, more alcohol is in drivers’ bloodstreams, people are hurrying to get home and more children are enjoying outdoor, unsupervised play. Fatal vehicle-on-pedestrian crashes increase threefold when the sun goes down. DST brings an extra hour of sunlight into the evening to mitigate those risks. Standard time has precisely the opposite impact, by moving sunlight into the morning. A meta-study by Rutgers researchers demonstrated that 343 lives per year could be saved by moving to yearround DST. The opposite effect would occur if the US
Simply put, darkness kills – and darkness in the evening is far deadlier than darkness in the morning. The evening rush hour is twice as fatal as the morning. imposed year-round standard time. 2. Crime would decrease Darkness is also a friend of crime. Moving sunlight into the evening hours has a far greater impact on the prevention of crime than it does in the morning. This is especially true for crimes by juveniles, which peak in the after-school and early evening hours. Criminals strongly prefer to do their work in the darkness of evening and night. Crime rates are lower by 30 percent in the morning to afternoon hours, even when those morning hours occur before sunrise, when it’s still dark.
A 2013 British study found that improved lighting in the evening hours could reduce the crime rate by up to 20 percent. 3. Energy would be saved Many people don’t know that the original justification for the creation of DST was to save energy, initially during World War I and II and then later during the 1973 OPEC oil crisis. When the sun is out later in the evening, peak energy loads are reduced. Virtually everyone in our society is awake and using energy in the early evening hours when the sun sets. But a considerable portion of the population is still
asleep at sunrise, resulting in significantly less demand for energy then. Having more sun in the evening requires not just less electricity to provide lighting, but reduces the amount of oil and gas required to heat homes and businesses when people need that energy most. Under standard time, the sun rises earlier, reducing morning energy consumption, but only half of Americans are awake to be able to use the sun. This rationale motivated some in California to recommend permanent DST a decade ago, when the state experienced recurrent electricity shortages and rolling brown-outs. Officials at the California Energy Commission estimated that 3.4 percent of California’s winter energy usage could be saved by moving to yearround DST. Similarly, DST resulted in 150,000 barrels of oil saved by the U.S. in 1973, which helped combat the effect of OPEC’s oil embargo. 4. Avoiding clock switches improves sleep Critics of DST are correct about one thing: The biannual clock switch is bad for health and welfare. It wreaks havoc with people’s sleep cycles. Heart attacks increase 24 percent in the week after the U.S. “springs forward” in March. There’s even an uptick during the week in November when the clocks “fall back.” If that’s not bad enough, a study from 2000 shows the major financial market indexes NYSE, AMEX and NASDAQ average negative returns on the Monday
trading day following both clock switches, presumably because of disrupted sleep cycles. Critics of biannual clock switching sometimes use these points to argue in favour of permanent standard time. However, I think it’s important to note that these same sleep benefits are available under year-round DST, too. Plus, standard time doesn’t offer the energy or lifesaving or crime prevention effects of DST. 5. Recreation and commerce flourish in the sun Finally, recreation and commerce flourish in daylight and are hampered by evening darkness. Americans are less willing to go out and shop in the dark, and it’s not very easy to catch a baseball in darkness either. These activities are far more prevalent in the early evening than they are in the early morning hours, so sunlight is not nearly as helpful then. Not surprisingly, the US Chamber of Commerce as well as most outdoor recreational interests favours extended DST. Research shows that sunlight is far more important to Americans’ health, efficiency and safety in the early evening than it is in the early morning. That’s not to say there aren’t downsides to DST – notably, an extra hour of morning darkness. But I believe the advantages of extended DST far outweigh those of standard time. It is past time that the US sets the clocks forward forever, and never has to switch them again. • Originally published on theconversation.com
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Thursday, March 5, 2020, PAGE 11
DRUGS IN SUITCASE A JAMAICAN man was arrested at Lynden Pindling International Airport on Tuesday after police found marijuana in his suitcase. According to a police report, the arrest occurred
shortly before 2pm. Canine Unit officers, acting on information while at the Bahamas Customs Hall section of LPIA, conducted a search of a suitcase belonging to the Jamaican man. Police
found 13 packages of marijuana in his luggage. The man is expected to be formally charged in Magistrates’ Court. The drugs weigh nine pounds and have a street value of $9,000.
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Thursday, March 5, 2020, PAGE 13
KINGSWAY ACADEMY LEADS THE WAY TO VICTORY IN ANNUAL ESSAY COMPETITION
KINGSWAY Academy came out on top when McKayla Miller was declared the overall winner of the 4th annual economics essay competition organised by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with The Nassau Institute. The competition took place at Anatol Rodgers High School on January 30. Runner-up was Deja Dorsette of St Augustine’s College, and Emily Campbell of St Andrew’s International School took third place. At an awards ceremony at Stapledon School, these three shared a cash prize of $1,000 while the winner will attend a three-day economics seminar in Atlanta, Georgia under the auspices of the Foundation for Economic Education and with all expenses paid. In addition, each was presented with an inscribed trophy for submitting the best essay from their individual schools. Apart from the three taking the top prizes, those who produced the best essay from each school received an inscribed trophy and all students and their teachers were given individual certificates of participation, with the teachers also receiving plaques in recognition of their important coaching role. A total of 76 students and 12 teachers participated. Proposed originally, and partly funded, by The Nassau Institute thinktank, the Templeton Religion Trust was the main sponsor of this joint venture. It was open to pupils in both public and private high schools enrolled in Business Studies Programmes.
Participants were required to write an essay in their own words under examination conditions on a subject based on the book ‘Economics in One Lesson’ by the renowned economic journalist Henry Hazlitt. This book was given to them to study in advance. In addition to the students, the awards ceremony was attended by Keyshan Bastian, assistant director of education, and by Rick Lowe, president of The Nassau Institute, together with board member Professor Randy Forbes of the University of The Bahamas, as well as the teachers from the schools that participated. Addressing the gathering, Mrs Bastian congratulated the students on their good work and thanked all those who had organised another successful competition. Former British High Commissioner and Nassau Institute board member, Peter Young, who was also present and who originally spearheaded the competition on behalf of the Institute, praised the participants for the high standard of their essays. He also thanked the Templeton Religion Trust for its sponsorship and he paid tribute to those concerned at the Department of Education – Gwendolyn Johnson, Lakell Johnson and Keziah Knowles – for all their efforts in ensuring the success of the competition. He said that The Nassau Institute would continue to cooperate with the Department, both in organising future competitions and in looking at ways to assist the teachers of business studies in their work.
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Thursday, March 5, 2020, PAGE 15
HAITIAN MAN ACCUSED OF FAKING MARRIAGE FOR PERMIT By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net
A HAITIAN man has been accused of entering into a fraudulent marriage in order to obtain a spousal permit. Lugens Saint-Aude, 40, was charged before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt with committing a fraudulent marriage; fraud by false pretences; possessing false documents and uttering false documents. It is alleged Saint-Aude entered into a marrige on August 11, 2015, in order to obtain a spousal permit. It is also alleged he obtained a marriage certificate from the Registrar General Department by means of false pretences on the same day. Saint-Aude is further accused of possessing a
LUGENS SAINT-AUDE marriage certificate bearing the name Jessica Newbold and Lugens Saint-Aude, knowing the same not to be genuine. He was also charged with obtaining a spousal permit by means of false pretences on April 15, 2016, and July 17, 2017. It is also alleged that Saint-Aude, while at the National Insurance Board, possessed the same fake marriage certificate knowing it was not genuine. Saint-Aude denied all
the charges yesterday. The matter was adjourned to May 19-21 for trial. Bail was denied and he was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. He has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail. In a separate matter, two men were charged with deceiving a public officer. Paron McKinney, 22, and Dereck Allen, 19, were charged before Chief Magistrate Joyann-Fraser. Both pleaded guilty and were granted conditional discharge on the condition of good behaviour for six months. Prosecutor Samantha Miah said on February 26 both men were in the area of West Bay Street when they gave P/C 3893 Miller false names when questioned. McKinney and Allen
were subsequently cautioned and arrested. During interview under caution conducted by PC 4012 Bethel on March 1, McKinney admitted to the offence. He said he only gave a false name because he did not want to tarnish his name as he had never been to jail before. On the same day, the prosecutor said Allen also admitted to the offence in another interview under caution with PC Bethel. At the time, Allen told the
officer he was shocked when his cousin, McKinney, gave his name to the police, so he had no choice but to give police a false name as well. PC Bethel cautioned and charged both defendants. While pleading for leniency, Allen’s attorney, Alex Morley, said his client accepted responsibility and was remorseful. He noted that Allen had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and had made a positive contribution to society as a barber before
the incident occurred. Mckinney, who was not represented by an attorney, adopted Allen’s defence. During the arraignment, Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt told the accused men she considered the fact that both of them have no pending matters or convictions and are gainfully employed. Still, she reminded them that failure to oblige to the terms of their conditional discharge would result in a penal consequence of three months in custody.