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VOLUME:116 No.69, APRIL 2ND, 2019
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1
WOMAN: CALLING A TRUCE IN A WARRING HOME
Catch her - now Police urged to ‘drop everything’ and find abductor
By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
A ROYAL Bahamas Defence Force marine was fined $10,000 yesterday after he was charged with causing the death of his 17-year-old friend when the car they were in went out of control and flipped over in February. Attorney Bjorn Ferguson later confirmed to The Tribune that his client Kranstone Simms paid $5,250 to avoid prison time for causing Bernard Antonio “Nardo” Saunders’ death on Frank Watson Boulevard on February 28. Prior to Simms being fined, he pleaded guilty to one count each of killing in the course of dangerous driving; driving while not covered against third party risk insurance and driving without a valid driver’s licence. SEE PAGE THREE
By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
incidents happening. Two boys, aged eight and ten, were standing in front of their residence around 9pm IN LIGHT of recent child when a woman driving a kidnappings in the capital, silver vehicle stopped and former Social Services Min- began talking to the chilister Melanie Griffin said dren, police said. yesterday authorities need “The ten-year-old boy to “drop everywalked away, (but) thing” and see to the woman lured it the MARCO the eight-year-old Alert system is into her vehicle implemented fully. and drove off,” In the meanpolice said. “A time, Mrs Griffin short time later, questioned why the eight-year oldthere hasn’t been a boy was dropped full-fledged awareoff on Tonique ness campaign Williams Darling where sketches of A DRAWING issued Highway near to by police of a susthe alleged perpethe entrance of trator are centre pect involved in an the city dump. The earlier abduction stage and informaboy was reunited tion of what should with his parents, be done to avoid becoming however he was taken to a victim is prevalent. hospital, where he was She spoke in the after- examined by doctor and is math of another abduction in good health.” on Friday night following SEE PAGE FIVE a three-week lull of similar
WATER WORKERS PLAN ACTION DAY By NATARIO MCKENZIE Tribune Business Reporter nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net
THE Water & Sewerage Corporation’s two trade unions are planning a “wildcat withdrawal of enthusiasm” today amid claims staff morale is at an “all-time low”. Dwayne Woods, the Bahamas Utilities Service and Allied Workers Union president, said it and the management union plan to co-operate with joint action
as he revealed his members had also expressed fears that their workplace conversations were being “bugged”. Such allegations have been denied by Adrian Gibson, the WSC’s executive chairman, and the state-owned utility’s executives yesterday pledged they would not be distracted by Mr Woods’ “frivolous and attention-seeking efforts” and claimed he was undertaking “a vendetta”. \ FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
MARINE KILLED FRIEND IN CRASH
ACCUSED OF KILLING PERRY A 16-YEAR-OLD was remanded in custody yesterday accused of stabbing 15-year-old Perry Rolle Jr to death last week. Full story - Page 5 Photo: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
JUNKANOO BRIBERY REPORT ‘FINISHED’ By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
JUNKANOO officials are awaiting the release of an internal report concerning bribery allegations connected to the recent Boxing Day and New Year’s Day parades. Outgoing chairman of the Junkanoo Corporation of New Providence, Silbert Ferguson, said when contacted yesterday the sub-committee appointed SEE PAGE SEVEN
EIGHT INJURED IN DOCKYARD ACCIDENT By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
SEVERAL employees were injured at the Grand Bahama shipyard when a crane collapsed on one of the world’s largest cruise ships around noon yesterday. The Tribune understands that eight persons were taken to hospital. Five were injured, and three were brought in as “non-fatal drowning” patients. All
THE SCENE at the shipyard are believed to be foreign workers. Work was being carried out on the Oasis of
the Seas - the second largest cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean International - which was docked for repair work. The ship could be seen listing on its port side, however, the exact damage to the ship and the dock was not known up to press time. However, one shipyard worker who filmed a cell phone video of the incident speculated that there was major damage at the facility. SEE PAGE TWO
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
FACE-TO-FACE A CHILDHOOD DREAM TO GIVE LIFE OF SERVICE SEE PAGE EIGHT
PAGE 2, Tuesday, April 2, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
Eight injured in dockyard accident
from page one
“Big accident in the shipyard, working on the Oasis, ship collapse, dock collapse, crane collapse . . . I was right there on the dock, just miss it by the grace of God,” the worker said in the video, which was circulated on social media yesterday. “Big accident, big accident. Something the shipyard will never survive from this one. Dock two is gone, dock two is finished. All the cranes collapsed. Big, big, big disaster. Big, big, big disaster. Disaster, disaster, disaster. I’ve never seen anything like this in my lifetime.” The ship has a passenger capacity of about 6,000, and crew of over 2,000. The Tribune understands that some crew members were on board while work was being done. Three ambulances responded and took the injured to hospital. There were no Bahamians among the injured at the shipyard, which has a large foreign workforce. Supt Walter Henderson reported that none of the injuries is life-threatening and investigations are continuing into the accident. No one at the shipyard could be reached for comment up to press time. Royal Caribbean is said to be assessing the vessel’s damage. “We are aware of damage to the dock structure and to construction cranes,” Melissa Charbonneau, Royal Caribbean’s director of corporate reputation, emailed in a statement to the Orlando Sentinel. “We are assessing damage to the ship.” Family and relatives of the workers rushed to the shipyard after learning news of the accident. Security personnel were posted at the entrance, which was also blocked by a sanitation truck to prevent access to the facility. After the incident occurred, many of the taxicab drivers stationed at the
THE SCENE at the Grand Bahama shipyard yesterday when a crane collapsed on one of the world’s largest cruise ships. Photos: Vandyke Hepburn. taxi depot/stand at the shipyard were told to leave the area. Cab driver Dwight Williams said that they heard a loud sound shortly after noon that frightened them. “It was a real loud outburst like something break off a tractor; it was really loud and all of us get up the same time to see what was happening, and the front part of the ship started to go down shortly after,” he said. Mr Williams said that it happened so quickly and suddenly. Cab driver Craig Gray was also at the shipyard waiting for a fare when the accident happened. He said that he usually takes crew members from the shipyard to the beach or Port Lucaya. “All we heard was a loud boom,” he recalled. “And at first I thought it was where they normally dynamite down
at the shipyard; I thought it was dynamite but when we looked around we saw the big ship leaning. “I didn’t know if anyone got hurt, but the guy in charge of security came and he told us to move our taxis - that was approximately 12.15pm,” Mr Gray said. He said that two ambulances, police cars, and a fire truck arrived shortly thereafter. As news of the incident spread, a number of persons gathered at the entrance. Marcel Wilson said he came immediately because he has brothers who work at the shipyard. “When I heard the news I became concerned because I have two brothers that work here. We got in contact with one of them but we could not get in contact with the other one so we came down here to find out if everything was okay,” he said.
Mr Wilson said he later learned that his brother was okay. “We had contact with the other brother and he was saying they had a tragedy and they do not know the extent of what happened yet, but that he was okay. When I did not hear from him initially, I came out of concern for my brother. Fortunately, he is okay,” Mr Wilson said. Cooley, a taxi driver who has frequent customers at the shipyard, said it was a scary ordeal because people could have lost their lives. “I am not worried about the jobs so much. The thing is that a lot of lives could have got lost today, so getting a job is really the last thing on my mind. A lot of the guys on the ship are like friends, not just a job. It is a sad day and I hope and pray that everyone is okay,” she said. Grand Bahama shipyard has an excellent safety record.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, April 2, 2019, PAGE 3
RBDF marine admits killing his friend in 3am crash from page one
MARINE Kranstone Simms yesterday.
Photo: Terrel W Carey Snr/Tribune Staff
On the date in question, sometime around 6am, the police control room received reports of a traffic accident on Frank Watson Boulevard involving a single vehicle. Officers from the Mobile Division consequently visited the scene and confirmed that a collision did occur. Involved was a grey 2008 Nissan Note registered to Samuel McDonald, driven by Simms. Phyllis Symonette was in the front passenger seat, while Saunders was in the rear passenger seat. EMS was requested and on arrival rendered medical assistance to all occupants. However, Saunders died at the scene. An autopsy confirmed that he died as a
result of blunt force trauma to the head and chest. Investigations confirmed that at the time of the collision, the car in question was headed east on Frank Watson Boulevard when the driver lost control, colliding with several trees and flipping over. Mr Ferguson, in making a plea in mitigation on his client’s behalf, said the “unfortunate incident” occurred at 3am in the morning on an unlit and wet road due to the rain. He said his instructions were that when the car hit a puddle of water, it ultimately flipped over, taking Saunders’ life. Nonetheless, he maintained that his client is of “good character”, as he operates a charity, Full Life Outreach, at various public high schools such as
CI Gibson and RM Bailey. Mr Ferguson further maintained that his client is “very remorseful” and still suffers mentally and emotionally from the accident, as the deceased was his friend. “We know a life was lost, but your worship, it was an accident,” Mr Ferguson pleaded. Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux subsequently fined Simms $10,000 for killing in the course of dangerous driving, and $250 apiece on the other two charges. Failure to pay the fines in total would result in a year in prison. The matter was adjourned to June 21 for the balance to be sorted out. Inspector Claudette McKenzie prosecuted the matter.
21-YEAR-OLD DRIVER KILLS WOMAN IN BORROWED CAR By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
A 21-YEAR-OLD woman was charged yesterday with hitting and killing a woman with a car that wasn’t hers and that she wasn’t licensed to drive before fleeing the scene. However, the accused has paid half of $11,000 in fines to avoid going to prison. Attorney Leon Bethel confirmed that his client, Shawna Smith, paid some $5,500 to avoid spending a year in prison for hitting and killing Dianne Morgan on Sea Link Drive with her friend’s car on February 25. The car’s owner, Delanique Johnson, also paid half of the $500 she was fined for allowing Smith to drive the car despite her only having a learner’s permit, and despite her not being covered against third party risk insurance. The prosecution claimed that after striking and killing 48-year-old Morgan, Smith refused to remain at the scene and continued driving, and that a witness to the accident had to follow her in their vehicle and inform her she had struck two pedestrians. But when the witness told her what she had done, Smith then led the witness on a “high-speed” chase in the South Beach area before eluding the witness and abandoning the car somewhere in South Beach Estates. However, Mr Bethel maintained that his client did not intentionally flee the scene, but claimed she did drive to a next corner and also ran through some bushes to escape a man who was “hostile” with her and threatened to haul her off to prison for hitting the two pedestrians. Nonetheless, Mr Bethel said the fatal accident served as a bitter ending to what was supposed to be a simple trip to a nearby gas station for Smith and her friend before work that morning. Before that information was revealed in court, Smith pleaded guilty to one count each of killing in the course of dangerous driving; failing to remain stationary after an accident;
driving while not covered against third party risk insurance; and driving without a valid driver’s licence. Johnson, meanwhile pleaded guilty to one count each of permitting a person to drive without being covered against third party risk insurance, and permitting a person to drive without them being the holder of a valid driver’s licence. According to the summary of the facts read by the police prosecutor, Inspector Claudette McKenzie, around 6.30am on the date in question, police received reports of a traffic accident at Sea Link Drive involving a car and two pedestrians, Kevin Wilkinson and Morgan. Morgan was said to be unresponsive, and the vehicle involved had fled the scene. As a result of that information, officers from the East Street South police station visited the scene and confirmed what was reported to police control room. Involved was a tan 2008 Nissan Cube, licence plate #AR-4205 registered to Johnson and Valentino Woodside, and driven by Smith. EMS was called and upon arrival at the scene, immediately rendered medical assistance to Mr Wilkinson and Morgan. Morgan died at the scene, having suffered multiple injuries, inclusive of blunt force trauma to the head and torso. Mr Wilkinson, meanwhile was taken to hospital by ambulance where he remained for a week. Investigations subsequently confirmed that at the time of the collision, the car in question was travelling east on Sea Link Drive when it struck both pedestrians, who were walking in a westerly direction on the southern side of the street. Smith failed to remain stationary in accordance with the law and fled. A witness to the accident followed her until she stopped and told her she had struck two pedestrians and refused to stop. However, she subsequently led the witness on a “high-speed” chase before eluding the witness and abandoning the car in a yard off Bougainvillea Drive. However, Mr Bethel
painted a different picture of what occurred on the date in question. He said that morning, Smith had left in Johnson’s car to go to a nearby gas station. He said Smith “took a chance” to do so because Johnson had not awoken as yet, and they both had to be ready for work at 8am. Mr Bethel said Smith told him that she is accustomed to seeing pedestrians walking in the area, but did not see anyone walking as she drove along Sea Link Drive, which he noted has no sidewalks. Mr Bethel said as she drove to her intended destination, a “big glare of light” from the morning sun shone through the windshield and in his client’s face. He also said the car’s front windshield was foggy. Mr Bethel said his client leaned forward in a bid to clean the windshield so she could see better, but simultaneously drove over a speed bump and lost control of the vehicle. The car swerved to the right side of the road, though she gained control and guided it back to the other side. However, Mr Bethel said it was at that time that she heard a “bump” hitting the car.
SHAWNA Smith yesterday. Photo: Terrel W Carey Snr/Tribune Staff Mr Bethel said Smith stopped the car, shortly after which a male ran up to her, shouting at her and threatening to drag her off to prison for striking the two pedestrians. Mr Bethel said Smith told him the man was “hostile”, so she drove through the next corner
which was not too far away from the accident, where she contacted a senior police officer by phone, as well as himself. Mr Bethel said Smith was instructed to stay put, though she indicated she was afraid because the police were not on the
scene. Nonetheless, she remained, and the person who collected her turned her over to her attorney, who then took her back to the scene on Sea Link Drive, some two corners away. Mr Bethel said while there, Smith was “very, very concerned” about the reports that she had struck two pedestrians, and in the presence of a “number of police officers”, expressed her concerns for the pedestrians’ condition. Mr Bethel said Smith “cried out aloud” and prayed to “God almighty” that the pedestrians were okay. However, Magistrate Kara Turnquest-Deveaux fined Smith $10,000 for killing in the course of dangerous driving; $500 for failing to remain stationary after the accident occurred; and $250 apiece for not being covered against third party risk insurance and driving without a valid driver’s licence. She faces one year in prison if the fines are not paid in total. Meanwhile Johnson, the car’s owner, faces three months in prison if her fines are not paid.
PAGE 4, Tuesday, April 2, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
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Two steps forward, one step back JUST when we thought things were looking up for Grand Bahama, the island suffers another blow with the collapse of a crane working on the Oasis of the Seas cruise ship at the shipyard. Our immediate thoughts go to those injured in the incident – eight in all – and we hope they all make a swift and full recovery. After that, our concern goes to the extent of the damage caused in the incident – to both shipyard and ship, and hope that damage will not extend to the shipyard’s reputation. The good news is that previously the shipyard has enjoyed an excellent safety record, and that will stand the business in good stead in the wake of this incident. The shock, however, was clearly evident in the comments of those in the area – one witness saying “dock two is gone, dock two is finished. All the cranes collapsed. Big, big, big disaster”. We hope that assessment is incorrect and that the shipyard can get the dock back functioning as soon as possible. We would expect a through examination by structural engineers and every step taken to ensure there will be no chance of any repeat in future. We are certain that the ship’s owners, Royal Caribbean, which also owns a substantial share in the shipyard itself, will be expecting answers as to what went wrong. Things have been moving in a positive direction recently for Grand Bahama – following the proposed development for the Grand Lucayan resort and Freeport Harbour – and this setback comes just as it looked like the island could kick on to a brighter future. Royal Caribbean is heavily invested in that future – given its involvement in that Lucayan development – and that level of commitment to Grand Bahama from the company is to be welcomed. What is discouraging is the level of
sniping over that development from the Opposition in Parliament and disgruntled FNMs. The PLP seems to have taken a position of throwing mud at the deal on the basis of the lack of due diligence in the Oban deal. We share the concerns about that Oban deal, but there were specific concerns raised in the wake of that deal signing – if the PLP has specific concerns about the Lucayan deal, bring them, don’t just smear this new Grand Bahama project by association. We all want Grand Bahama to thrive – and we should work together to achieve that, not just fall back on political divisiveness.
A YOUNG girl splashes water on her body at a watering point in Beira, Mozambique yesterday. The death toll from the cyclone has reached over 500, as Mozambican and international health workers worked to contain the outbreak of cholera in the cyclone-hit city of Beira and surrounding areas, where cases of the disease has jumped to more than 1,000.
It’s hard to influence PM
Heartbreak of juvenile crime
AS terrible as it was to hear the news of a teenage schoolboy’s death in a stabbing incident, we are also heartbroken to see another teenage boy facing court accused of the killing. The heartbreak is not least of all because this is not a unique sight. How many of our young people do we keep seeing appearing before our courts? And how can we reach them sooner to steer them from the path that leads them to that door? More than one life is in danger of being lost in incidents like this – the victim’s and the suspect’s, who sees any prospect of a promising future possibly shattered before it began. As much as we welcomed earlier this year the news of a reduction in crime figures, it is horrible to see people as young as this at risk of setting out on a life of crime. There are many reasons – gangs offering a family they may not have, accessibility to weapons, poverty, more – but those reasons should not stop us from offering another way.
EDITOR, The Tribune
Self-righteous attack EDITOR, The Tribune
AS THE self-appointed defender of this FNM government, the letter writer temporarily dubbing himself ‘the Graduate’ in Monday’s Tribune launched a silly and self-righteous attack on Nicki Kelly for suggesting that our Prime Minister seems weak-kneed before wealthy foreigners yet dismissive of poor and ordinary Bahamians. He suggests she was employing a ‘dog whistle’. Whether or not Dr Minnis is driven by the inferiority complex that Mrs Kelly asserts, is she not entitled to draw that conclusion from countless real-world actions and omissions of his government since coming to office? Did his government not choose (against the advice of every economist and over
the howls of the whole population) to hammer poor and middle class Bahamians with a regressive 12 percent VAT, while backing down in the face of one letter from one Henry Cabot Lodge III of Lyford Cay and assuring residents of that wealthy enclave that their pitifully light Real Property Tax bills will not rise? Every scintilla of available evidence says that taxes on the poor (as opposed to taxes on property and income) reduces economic growth while widening the gap between rich and poor. Yet every move on taxes and spending by Minnis and company has been to cut services to the poor, pile taxes on the poor and middle and sycophantically back away from progressive taxation on wealthy people and corporations.
His government’s response to wage demands of public servants and hotel workers is always the same – claiming to be broke. Yet this flies in the face of a lacklustre approach to collecting taxes from the very wealthiest – as exemplified by the Lyford Cay episode. Rather than piling on those (like Mrs Kelly) who draw their own conclusions as to the motivations of Dr Minnis in making the illadvised decisions that he does, Graduate should use whatever influence he has with the Prime Minister to guide him away from the things that give rise to her observations in the first place. ANDREW ALLEN Nassau March 28, 2019
A dinosaur position EDITOR, The Tribune
VERY fortunately for BP&L news distractions take what has been going on at BP&L off the headlines but their issues stand and their issues involve all of us for at least 20 plus years forward so they are extremely important. The recent purchase by BP&L, not Shell Americas as what was inclined to be the agreement in the MOU certainly questions immediately the legal validity of that as now BP&L are purchasing the equipment which Shell Americas was
contracted to purchase - in my opinion the purpose of the MOU is void - mute has no legal substance anymore. What is the Minnis government’s position on solar? To say the least they spin and spin - no seems priority for government owned facilities and the avoiding of the benefits for the whole, US those living in the heart of Grants Town - Bain Town - Englerston - Sea Breeze - Carmichael - Killarney…these residents by dictate of the Board of BP&L will continue for the next 20 plus years to
pay fuel surcharge and the potentially higher tariff rates for electricity - we all say a mighty Thank you to BP&L. If solar is good for government buildings, then why not good for all residents in New Providence? BP&L are desperately hanging onto their dinosaur position - Atlantis and Baha Mar will not benefit nor will the majority who struggle monthly. We have to ask: Why? D SWEETING Nassau March 29, 2019
LAWYERS are taught that in order to prevail in the courtroom the premise of their argument must be more plausible than the conclusions they draw. Recently, Andrew Allen took issue with this writer’s review of a column by Nicki Kelly that surmised that she was a tad biased in her heavy-handed critique of the Prime Minister. Mr Allen asserts, quite correctly, that Ms Kelly is entitled to her own opinion. True indeed. But she is not entitled to claim her own facts. As a veteran journalist she became known for her mostly objective reporting. Now as a columnist she offers up opinion, but opinion must be anchored in the world of reality. Mr Allen gives a cursory defense of Ms Kelly but then pivoted to a wishy-washy economic dissertation that had it been a thesis defense, the invigilators would have given it short shrift. He made a feeble case for his central premise, namely, that he disagrees with the government’s tax policies. To that he is entitled. However, in rebuttal it bears noting that what he (purposefully) left out of his argument would have destroyed it completely. Though he used the guise of defending Ms Kelly, the real intent of his letter was to get off his chest a thimble-full of policy items that he thinks the Prime Minister got wrong, none of which rises to the level of neurosis or emasculation that Ms Kelly sees in Hubert Minnis. Citizens don’t like to pay taxes. That’s a fact. The rate of VAT was increased by 37 percent from 7.5% AFTER Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar said winning Grand Lucayan bidder ITM Group/ Royal Caribbean was “very close to perfection” with its “game-changing destination” solution for resurrecting Freeport’s tourism economy, readers gave their reaction on tribune242.com. TheMadHatter said: “Sounds good. However, does this mean no development in East End? Good work here by the
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net
to 12%. VAT is a tax on consumption and because lower-income households spend a greater percentage of their income on surviving, the burden of VAT is regressive on them. This is where the government’s public relations messaging at the time of the VAT increase was dreadful. What crippled households in The Bahamas for decades was the even more regressive customs duty. With VAT, the government has been able to roll back or even eliminate some of the duties paid on many everyday items. Most attracted between 35 and 65 percent duty. Minnis et al also zero rated (i.e. eliminated) VAT on many breadbasket and everyday items that lowincome households depend on. Mr Allen knows this, but this little tidbit didn’t serve his soliloquy. On Lyford Cay, he knows that not one of the expats residing there needs to be here in The Bahamas. They chose to be here and not exclusively for the good weather. There is a global cadre of super high net-worth individuals who go wherever they can get real or perceived special treatment. For many it is a second (or third), not a primary, home. In the US rich people don’t just love Florida for the climate. It’s a state with no income tax. Were Florida to introduce one, they would probably leave in droves. It’s also unfair to label this government as the only one to pander to Lyford Cay. We have been giving
government. Must give credit where credit is due.” Readers also responded to PLP Deputy Leader Chester Cooper’s comments, after he said he does not trust the Minnis administration’s handling of the Grand Lucayan deal.
them special treatment since 1959 when Canadian Edward Plunkett Taylor developed it as a playground for the “very rich and determined to not be famous”. Counselor Allen knows what happened just five years ago when the French decided to impose a 75% supertax on the rich. Though popular with 60% of the French, the taxman said it was a flop at raising revenue for their Treasury. When Perry Christie handed over the keys to our Treasury to Peter Turnquest, there was no money, we were downgraded by the international credit rating agencies and we were on the precipice staring down at financial Armageddon. It hasn’t been without pain, but we are on the rebound. Getting our financial house in order means cheaper borrowing costs, lower debt repayment, etc. Fighting corruption helps the poor just as surely as reigning in reckless government spending. Perhaps we can entice an academic study to look into just how the poor and the middle class are truly faring under the new tax and spend policies of this government. It was never the intent to carry water for this Prime Minister or any other. And the influence of this writer on the PM is likely the same as that of Mr Allen: limited to whatever credence the Prime Minister gives to what he reads in the newspapers. Judging by how hard people like Mr Allen and Nicki Kelly grade his performance, you would have to say, “Not much.” THE GRADUATE Nassau April 1, 2019 Rawbahamian posted: “I am certain that if the government sold this property for enough money to pay off the national debt and employ every Grand Bahamian for 10 years with sufficient cash to start the national health plan, there will still be bitter people pulling tickets to get in line to the podium to gripe and complain!!!” Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, April 2, 2019, PAGE 5
16-year-old accused of killing Perry By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net A 16-YEAR-OLD was remanded in custody accused of stabbing 15-year-old Perry Rolle Jr to death last week. The teenager was brought before Senior Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans along with his parents to face a single murder charge concerning Rolle’s death last Tuesday. Rolle, a ninth-grade student at TA Thompson
from page one Mrs Griffin said it is hard to determine the abductor’s motive. “It’s difficult to determine the objective of the persons involved because they certainly are just moving the children from one place to the next and leaving them unattended wherever it is that they are taking them,” the former Cabinet minister said yesterday. “I don’t know if they think it’s a game, but you can’t play with children’s lives like that. It is very traumatic for a child to be taken out of their element by strangers. “Whoever is doing it ought to cease and desist because this is a new phenomenon for us in this country. We are not used to
Junior High School, was fatally stabbed after school near the premises of TG Glover Primary School by a 16-year-old student from the neighbouring CC Sweeting High School, according to initial police reports. The teenager was not required to enter a plea to the charge and the matter was adjourned to May 7 for service of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). Bail was denied and he was remanded into custody in the interim.
THE 16-year-old outside court yesterday.
it and it really goes to show the level of social reprieve that we are in this country at this time.” She continued: “We also need a lot of public education with regards to children which certainly social services does do a bit of, but its time to increase it and to really make the public aware of the steps that ought to be taken to protect children. “It’s a shame that you can’t allow your child to be in front of your yard at your houses. It’s a shame and its frightening for parents and children and I believe that all the agencies that are involved have to get together and create some type of programme to raise the level of awareness with families.” Noting an awareness
from the lot next door and opened fire, shooting two people. The woman was rushed to the hospital in a private vehicle, while the man was pronounced dead at the scene. Hart was not required to enter a plea to the charge and the matter was adjourned to May 8 for service of a VBI. Bail was denied and he was remanded into custody in the interim. He has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.
Police urged to ‘drop everything’ and find abductor A5MAIN
THE TRIBUNE
A3MAIN
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, March 15, 2019, PAG
‘TRUST US TO PLAY FAIR ON COMPLAINTS
Tuesday, March 12, 2019, PAGE 3
VISA SCAM ‘MR FIXIT’ JAILED FOR FIVE MONTHS from page one
Audio recordings obtained from a forensic audit of Saintil’s cell phone, revealed more than six hours of audio recordings between Haitian-Bahamian Edward Israel Saintil and an unnamed immigration officer discussing bribery payments made to senior officials to secure permit approvals. The bribes ranged from $400 to $2,500. By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net
Commissioner of Police Anthony Ferguson told The Tribune last month police were still reviewing the FBI’s information. The team of investigators from the Royal Bahamas Police Force and an attorney from the Department of Public Prosecutions were reportedly briefed on the findings of the undercover investigation in November. Saintil was arrested in late September after the FBI allegedly
recorded conversations between him and paid informants over several months, in which he boasted of close relationships with both current and former top Department of Immigration officials and also claimed a capacity to obtain fraudulent bank statements to support US visa applications. He told the lead FBI informant it would cost $11,000 to obtain Bahamian work permits for two Haitian nationals: $1,500 to get a
fake Bahamian employer; $2,500 for the Department of Immigration official to approve the application; and another $1,500 for other expenses like application fees, labour certificate, police and medical records, and his profit. Saintil settled on $10,500 to provide the work permits, and bank letters indicating the Haitian nationals had Bahamian bank accounts. As part of his plea deal, Santil
HIGH 81ºF LOW 71ºF
from page one
consented to a forfeiture order for a Samsung Galaxy S8 and any property derived from or traceable to the proceeds obtained directly or indirectly from the offense. A forfeiture money judgement for $7,100 has been entered, and the $1,329.80 in cash that was seized at the time of his arrest will be credited towards the judgment. He will be deported to The Bahamas after time served.
“If you are aggrieved by any action taken by police, you would report the matter to the police complaints unit, who I have every confidence in, will investigate the matter and where there is action to be taken action will be taken,” the police chief said yesterday in response to a question about grievances against the police. “I think sometime people are a little weary that the outcome of the action is not the way they would like it, but we have to understand the Royal Bahamas Police Force is no different from any other society.
What is going on in The Bahamas? Why can’t Thechildren Tribune our Weekend be safe?
THE mother of the eight-year-old girl who was abducted from her Culmersville home last week says her daughter, although still traumatised, is ready to return to school. In an interview with The Tribune yesterday, the 39-year-old mother also talked about the five other children who have been abducted in recent weeks. “I just want to know what’s going in The Bahamas now, why our children can’t be safe?” she pleaded. The mother added she has not been able to return to work yet and is now also looking for a new home for her family. She also confirmed police reports that her daughter was not sexually assaulted, adding her adbductor “only touched her bottom”. “(My daughter) was kidnapped but she wasn’t assaulted,” she told The Tribune. “This what the medical team said. “She say the man touch her bottom and that’s it. When the doctors check her… all of us was right there. I happy I hear that so much, because she’s too young.” Although she described her daughter as being “just fine” overall, she did note i’m lovin’ it! her child is still suffering from the trauma of the event. “If a man come close to her she thinks that’s the man there,” she said. However, she added her daughter “really wants to go back to school”. The eight-year-old girl Volume:116 MARCH 8TH, 2019 was taken from No.52, her home in Culmersville sometime after 1am on March 3 and later found in the area of Woodlawn Gardens, Soldier Road sometime after “I lived here for six years, 3am. During that time, never fixed the man allegedly took (landlord) the young girl to a home the house. The door ain’t where he touched her and good,” she said. “In one threatened to kill her, her kick anybody inside. This mother told this newspaper hurt me a lot because I’m the mother and the father. at the time. On March 3, the girl’s Her daddy don’t even know mother lamented the state because since I don’t want of their home, acknowledg- to be with him anymore, the ing it was unsafe and that (four) children are dead to their landlord refused to him.” Since then, the search take action. She has seven children, and four of them for a new home has been tough. are minors.
A1MAIN
“I find one place but it’s very expensive,” she told The Tribune. “I (haven’t) gone back to work yet,” she said, noting she is selfemployed. “When people come to me, I can’t…I just tell them I’m not feeling good, tell them come tomorrow.” She added social services has been involved in the matter. “Yea they get involved. It’s nothing much they do. They just want
me get the kids out of the place… After that, I never heard from them no more.” This girl’s abduction was the second in a string of recent abductions that have taken place in the capital in recent weeks. Regarding these incidents, the girl’s mother said: “I just want to know what’s going in The Bahamas now, why our children can’t be safe? Why they can’t go to school and come home
WHILE recent child abductions have sparked fear in some communities in New Providence, Royal Bahamas Police Force GEORGINA ARMBRISTER, the Anthony Commissioner mother of Tyvon Deveaux Ferguson said police are Established 1903 following good leads and suggested the situation was under severalcontrol. hours later, sparking a manhunt for two As moved womenhe believed to be theto quell abductors. the commissioner concerns, On March 6, eight-yearyesterday also seemed to old Tyvon Deveaux was playing in a park two lots downplay over from histhe home frequency on Drive of off SolandEmmanuel severity the issue, dier Road when he was telling abductedreporters by a lone femalethat not driver in a silver-coloured all Japanese-model of theTHEincidents vehicle. Hereported PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1 was later dropped off byconsidered the were actually entrance of the dump on kidnappings. said as far Tonique WilliamsHe Darling Wee ken d concerned as Highway. police were On March 7, three young boys,three ages of 8-10,the were safe? Why people eyes on only cases fell them? What kind of people abducted on Kool Acres into this category and were Road, which is off Fox Hill - where they come from? as they were walking home My (sympathies) to them being looked at seriously. and I’m very sorry. I’m so from school. They were also taken byhe a lone sorry about their children. However, didfemale not specify Leadi the charge driver in a ng dark-coloured Because I don’t know what Local blogger is dedicated to the which cases were ruled out truth vehicle. The two eight-yearI would do if my child didn’t olds were initially dropped come home.” as abductions. On February 16, three- off by a Haitian village in the vicinity of Seabreeze year-old Shavar Bain was Nonetheless, he said, abducted from outside and Joe Farrington Road. police were following sigThe ten-year-old was his home and then left dropped off later by the city frightened and alone outnificant leads. side a Fox Hill washhouse dump. This, despite Inspector Leonardo Burrows on Sunday telling The Tribune police did not have leads and were challenged with getting people to come forward with information that could lead to the arrest of the person responsible for the abduction of three boys who were taken and returned last Thursday. “Let me say straight out the crack of the gun, the Bahamian people can be assured that we have this situation under hand,” Commissioner Ferguson said yesterday following a guard changing ceremony at police headquarters. “I was advised this morning by the assistant commissioner of crime management, who, along with his team, is actively investigating this matter. They are following significant leads and we will continue to bring these investigations to closure.” He continued: “But I will say all of the incidents are not categorised as kidnapping and so about three of those are matters that we’re looking seriously at. art books film fashion music
fitness gardening puzzles
WEEKEND: BLOGGER ROGAN PULLS NO PUNCHES
Friday, March 8, 2019
food history
GET FIT WITH REGINA Pages 14 & 15
pages 4 & 5
Three taken in 24 hours - Find the...
CHILD SNATCHER
MOREE TO TAKE OVER AS CHIEF JUSTICE ON JUNE 1 BRIAN Moree, QC, will take over as The Bahamas new Chief Justice on June 1. The Tribune understands. Mr Moree, pictured, will assume the post over nine months after Chief Justice Stephen Isaacs died in office. That will be the longest time it has taken to fill the position in the last 60 years. The second longest gap is the time between Sir Hartman Longley’s departure in 2017 and Justice Isaac’s promotion to the role last August. Mr Moree was admitted to the Bar of the Bahamas in 1979 and is one of the country’s foremost legal experts on financial
services. He is said to be winding up affairs at his firm. A senior partner at Mckinney, Banckroft & Hughes, he has served as a stipendiary and circuit magistrate and as an acting Supreme Court justice. He was formerly a member of the Judicial and Legal Services commission, is a former chairman of the Public Service Commission and is a former director of the Bahamas Financial Services Board. Many lawyers support Mr Moree’s promotion to the Chief Justice role but some critics note he will be 65 in July and will only have a maximum of three years serving in the top role.
Are they all linked?
FEBRUARY 16: SHAVAR BAIN, THREE MARCH 3: EIGHT-YEAR-OLD GIRL MARCH 6: TYVON DEVEAUX, EIGHT campaign MARCHon 7: the incidents should nationwide, 10 ANDbe EIGHT-YEAR-OLD BOYS Mrs
Griffin speculated that many in the eastern portion of the island, where most of the abductions have happened, have no knowledge a kidnapper is on the loose and that they could be in danger. “There has to be some By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net
returned to Kool Acres, which is off Fox Hill Road, while the younger boy was dropped off at THREE boys were Tonique Williams Darabducted in two separate ling Highway, near the incidents in less than 24 entrance to the city dump, hours, but were found a which is a considerable short time later, police distance away. When said. A woman police gave is believed to a report have taken the shortly before boys in each 7pm last night, case. Police officers said said they are the eight-yearinvestigating old was with each matter police and had separately no physical but are lookinjuries. ing to see if This latest they are conincident came nected. The less than 24 A SKETCH of the suspect latest abduchours after tion took place involved in the abduction an eight-yearbefore 4pm, of eight-year-old Tyvon old boy was when two Deveaux on March 6. abducted from boys, eight a park off Soland 10, were walking on dier Road shortly before Kool Acres Road in east 7pm on Wednesday. This New Providence when means there have been “they were picked up by five incidents of reported a female who was the lone child abductions in less occupant” of a dark col- than three weeks. oured vehicle, police said. On Wednesday evenPolice said “a short time ing, Tyvon Deveaux was later” the 10-year-old was SEE PAGE THREE
“There has to be due process.” He continued: “You have to be fair to people who complaints are made (against) and the law is quite clear and the procedures are quite clear on investigations of complaints. “The question I will ask is wouldn’t you want someone to be fair with you if somebody is accusing you of something? I am sure the answer would be yes and so we’ll continue to be fair to all persons who make reports and all persons who the reports are made against.” Police have in recent months come under fire for alleged abuses against people in their custody.
Last month The Tribune exclusively reported that the RBPF was being sued for allegedly torturing three people in a bid to secure confessions from them. Two men and a woman in Eleuthera, who were questioned at the Governor’s Harbour Police Station in January 2018, say they were bound, beaten and fishbagged before being released without charge. One claimed police poured hot sauce into his eyes. The trio made formal complaints at the Complaints and Corruption Unit but, after hearing nothing for more than a year, they pursued their case in court.
efforts to increase the level of awareness in the area. All the agencies need to get together and put on a special public education awareness programme for these areas and for the protection of children.” The Nassau Guardian reported yesterday that police now believe that four
Ferguson insists: We are in control over child abductions
“One of the matters involving where a family member came home and met the child at home by their self and they took them at that location. “So the Bahamian people need not be in any state of panic. The Royal Bahamas Police Force, along with members of the public, is actively involved in this matter and so I expect pretty shortly we should be able to bring some resolution to this situation.” Police confirmed last Friday that three boys were taken in last Thursday’s incident and not two as the officer initially reported. In that abduction, all of the boys were relatives. They were later released unharmed. Two were eight years old and the third was ten, police said at the time. Within a 24-hour period four boys had been taken, meaning
six children were reported abducted in a three-week timeframe. On Sunday, Inspector Burrows said the cases had no movement, explaining that people were not coming forward with information. “We aren’t following any other leads other than trying to appeal to members of the public,” Insp Burrows said on Sunday. “The challenge with that (the latest case) is it’s a Haitian Bahamian community and a lot of persons in that community are afraid to come forward. “We believe that some of them may not be here legally so that has been a challenge for us. “So we have been trying to check video cameras in the area to see if we can determine a make and model of the vehicle or anything else.”
of the cases are connected. The newspaper reported police are also seeking a person of interest, said to be the same unnamed suspect who they previously released an artist’s rendering of in an all-points bulletin. “We have a strong belief that four of those incidents are connected and that’s
GEORGINA Armbrister talking to the media yesterday following the return of her son Tyvon. Photo: Shawn Hanna/ Tribune Staff
OFFICERS ‘CASUALTIES’ IN RECKLEY ROW By RASHAD ROLLE HIGH-ranking Royal Bahamas Police Force officers Emrick Seymour and Stephen Dean are perceived to be “casualties” of Clarence Reckley’s early retirement, The Tribune was told yesterday. A senior officer with intimate details of the situation and on condition of anonymity has said some officers feel Deputy
forced to take vacation leave ahead of retirement to make Assistant Commissioner Reckley’s exit from the force “look good”. It was also claimed that many in the senior ranks have looked on with disapproval at the way in which these long serving officers are being treated. It is expected that those with longstanding careers in the RBPF should be afforded certain courtesies in the lead up to retirement. SEE PAGE FIVE
Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
STEPHEN DEAN, left, and Emrick Seymour Commissioner Seymour and Senior Assistant Commissioner Dean were being
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
TWO years after the Office of the Public Defender was opened to much fanfare, the office is slowly growing THE CLOCKS go forwardas this many weekend.to See our feature onserious continue fight Page 9 to find out how you charges in court without a can adjust to losing that hour. lawyer. The problem was highlighted in the US State Department’s 2018 human rights report, which said: “The government provided legal representation only to destitute suspects charged with capital crimes, leaving a large number of defendants without adequate legal representation.” The Office of the Public Defender was launched in January 2017. Then Court of Appeal president Justice Dame Anita Allen said it would “go a long way in eliminating the delay often occasioned by non-availability of criminal defence counsel.” Former Chief Justice Sir Hartman Longley said the office would be expected to reduce delays in criminal trials. The government saw the office as key to reducing trial backlogs, with former Attorney General Allyson
Maynard Gibson revealing that as many as 16 percent of cases do not go to trial because defendants do not have a lawyer. A $20m Citizen Security and Justice Programme loan facilitated the creation of the public defender’s office. According to legal experts, data is not available to show how many people face serious charges without legal representation but the number that do is high. The Office of the Public Defender was initially supposed to assist people on remand awaiting trial. It was expected to eventually open up to anyone who cannot afford a lawyer. The Tribune understands the office is swamped with work and lacks manpower to meet the considerable demand for legal representation. At the same time, the Crown Brief system, the traditional avenue through which defence lawyers have helped poor people for a fee paid by the government, continues to attract a limited number of lawyers. Thomas Evans, QC, director of the Office of the Public Defender, said the office has recently engaged four new lawyers.
Regarding Thursday’s incident, police initially said two boys, aged eight and ten, were walking on Kool Acres Road in east New Providence when “they were picked up by a female who was the lone occupant” of a dark-coloured vehicle. When it was time to drop the boys off, the woman reportedly allowed two to leave, but grabbed the third boy’s hand, keeping him in the vehicle and driving off. “I tell her bring me back home, she say she bringing me back home now, but she did not,” eight-year-old J’Dakito Sejour told Our News last Friday. “She drop off them, then she gone through the corner and she gone, she pass by Baha Mar then she drop me by the dump. She tell me go sit on the tyre. Then she gone. Then I start crying. Two cars saw me, they stop and they bring me to the
based on several things,” Chief Superintendent Solomon Cash told The Guardian. He said police were interviewing witnesses who have given similar descriptions of a vehicle that police were still searching for. “What I would also add is, with the recent incident,
PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE ‘MAKING SLOW PROGRESS’
By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
However, days after the story went public, they were told the time had expired for their matter to be addressed by the force, despite the timely complaints they had made. Before this, the father of Shavar Bain Jr, the toddler who was abducted in mid-February and later left outside a washhouse in Fox Hill, alleged police beat him to force a confession that he was involved in the kidnapping of his own child. The child’s mother, Dwaynira Thurston also said her human rights were violated when police came to arrest her but refused to give her the privacy of getting
dressed. Mr Bain went on to a report with the Complaints Corruptions Unit. It is unclear if there has movement in the investigatio Recent reports also cate the Police Compl Inspectorate, which ove the RBPF’s investigations complaints to ensure they impartial, has been nontional. It is not clear whe National Security Min Marvin Dames has appoi anyone to the inspectorat the law mandates. Accordin the most recent US human r report, the inspectorate has met since September 2017.
HOW THE TRIBUNE HAS REPORTED ON THE RECENT ABDUCTIONS
By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
FRIDAY
MELANIE GRIFFIN
He has a right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail. Meanwhile, 18-year-old Deshawn Hart was charged before Acting Deputy Chief Magistrate Subusola Swain with murdering 24-year-old Karo Bullard and attempting to murder Elricka Collie on October 8, 2018. According to reports, the incident took place shortly after noon. The victims were part of a group engaged in a “social gathering” on a porch on Taylor Street, Nassau Village when three men emerged
“We want to be able to satisfy the requirements of the constitution in respect to the availability of competent legal advisers for people who are charged with offences before the court,” he said, noting Article 20 (2)(d) of the constitution guarantees the right of a person to “defend himself in person, or at his own expense by a legal representative of his choice, or by a legal representative at the public’s expense, where so provided by law in force in The Bahamas.” “We think gradually, even if slowly, we’re getting there,” he said. One obstacle for the office is that no legislation governs its work. “We absolutely have to have a legislation on my interpretation of the constitution and I wrote a letter recently addressing that,” Mr Evans said. “I don’t know that we can properly operate the way we are operating now. I think the constitution very clearly says that this kind of activity must be done pursuant to some legislation.” Mr Evans said officials are looking at the possibility of raising funds to meet its needs.
station and they tell me tell them my mommy number and I tell them it and they called my mom.” Young J’Dakito told Our News he had never seen or spoken to the woman before. “I didn’t know where she was gonna carry me.” J’Dakito and the older of the two boys were shown the police’s composite sketch of the abductor and both agreed it was the same woman who took them. But J’Dakito said, “On there she look dark, in the car she was light.” The two eight year olds were initially dropped off by a Haitian village in the vicinity of Seabreeze and Joe Farrington Road. The ten year old was dropped off later by the city dump. The boys were gone for roughly two hours, police said. On March 6,
eight-year-old T Deveaux was abdu by a woman driver silver-coloured Japa model vehicle. He later dropped off by entrance to the dum Tonique Williams Da Highway. And then on Febr 16, three-year-old Sh Bain was abducted outside his home and left frightened and a outside a Fox Hill w house several hours sparking a manhunt fo women believed to be abductors. On March 3, an e year-old girl was abdu from her home by alleged male perp tor. She was discov walking in the are Woodlawn Gardens short time after the ab tion by a passer-by was taken to the W Road Police Station.
we are following some leads,” CSP Cash said. “Again, it’s a bit early to be definitive in saying that that is the person that we suspected but that individual is a person of interest and we will soon be bringing that individual into custody to speak with,” he told the local daily.
PAGE 6, Tuesday, April 2, 2019
THE TRIBUNE
OSBORNE DISAPPOINTED BY ALSTON DEPARTURE By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Bahamas Power & Light chairperson Darnell Osborne is lamenting the abrupt departure of BPL’s Chief Operating Officer Christina Alston, saying it shocked and saddened her. Mrs Alston’s departure from BPL was not amicable, according to sources, though the details surrounding the move are unclear. Her departure comes less than two years after she was made COO to much fanfare. Mrs Osborne, who is suing the government over her own departure from BPL last year, said the well-regarded Bahamian engineer uprooted her life and that of her family in the United States to assume a position at BPL.
“I was not only taken by surprise but deeply saddened to learn of Christina Alston’s departure from both BPL and our beloved country,” she said in a statement yesterday. “Mrs Alston is a fine example of our country’s educational system who graduated from Hawksbill High School in Grand Bahama. She proceeded after graduation to excel academically and professionally in the United States.” Mrs Osborne said she spoke to Mrs Alston on Friday. “Having met Mrs Alston during my teen years,” she said, “I followed her educational path at Florida State University and subsequent career in the utilities business first at Florida Power & Light and then at Georgia Transmission through her family member. Mrs Alston is an award winning engineer
having spent over 30 years in her specialty in a field dominated by men. One of her biggest aspirations was fulfilled to return home to be of service to her country. That opportunity came in October 2017 when she was hired at BPL as chief operating officer. She resigned from GT, sold her house and relocated her husband (a Microsoft computer engineer) and two of her four children back to The Bahamas, the home of her birth and took up her post at BPL. The news of Christina’s departure really caught me by surprise like so many other people.” BPL sought Mrs Alston to fulfil Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis’ mandate of bringing talented Bahamians home, focusing on Family Island development and reducing electricity costs by streamlining BPL’s procurement
DARNELL OSBORNE department, Mrs Osborne said. “Like every organisation,” she said, “we had our challenges and growing pains, but I can say without hesitation that she added value to the executive team. Mrs
Alston, whose ability to communicate so effectively to the general public was lauded for giving one of the best presentations at both the Platts and Grand Bahama Outlook with respect to content, and showed The Bahamas and BPL as moving forward with comprehensive renewable energy plan. Mrs Alston had a handson approach and was known to work in the field with her teams at a moment’s notice to observe, advise and revise procedures if warranted. Sadly, the opportunity that she had looked forward to for many years came to an abrupt end last week for unknown reasons… In my opinion, it is indeed a sad day for BPL and the country as the opportunity has once again been lost to attract and retain one of The Bahamas’ best and brightest minds and talent.”
Prepare for this tremendous opportunity, urges Kwasi By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net MINISTER of State for Grand Bahama Senator Kwasi Thompson has told Grand Bahamians to “ignore the naysayers” in response to criticism from the Progressive Liberal Party about the proposed development by RCI/ ITM Group for the Grand Lucayan resort and Freeport Harbour. Senator Thompson said the new project is far better than the proposed Wynn development that was touted by the former administration for the resort. He noted that the announcement of the signing of a letter of intent between Lucayan Renewal Holdings and Royal Caribbean International/ITM has brought much hope for the people of Grand Bahama. “The government and the people of Grand Bahama recognise that the LOI is only the first but significant step for this development and would encourage the PLP to put aside their partisan rhetoric and support what is clearly an amazing opportunity for GB’s rebirth. We invite all Grand Bahamians to ignore the naysayers and prepare themselves for this tremendous opportunity,” he said in a statement to The Tribune.
He noted that the government intends to commence exclusive negotiations immediately with the joint venture group with the intent of signing an agreement for sale and heads of agreement. During an official signing last week of the LOI at the Office of the Prime Minister in Freeport, it was announced that $195 million, which also included the purchase price of $65m for the hotel, was earmarked for the first phase of the development. It was also estimated that some 2,000 jobs would be created, and that two million cruise ship passengers would be brought to the island annually following redevelopment of the harbour. Mr Thompson said: “Why would the PLP criticise a project that could bring much needed relief to Grand Bahamians? Does the PLP really want GB to succeed? Would those who criticise prefer GB to remain in the state it is in and the government not to try to make things better? “The PLP questions the estimated 2,000 jobs this project could create. The RCI/ITM joint venture includes the hotel development, water park and cruise port development at Freeport Harbour. It also includes transportation between both locations. While this number is only
MINISTER of State for Grand Bahama, Senator Kwasi Thompson. an estimate the PLP had no difficulty accepting Paul Wynn’s first proposal which they touted just before the general election. That proposed development had an estimated 1,500 jobs and did not include a water park or cruise port development,” he said. “The PLP actually said that the proposed RCI/ ITM development is not a
Death Notice For
GORDON CAREY, 82
of Casuarina Point, Abaco and formerly of Tarpum Bay, Eleuthera, died at the Princess Margaret Hospital on Saturday, 30th March, 2019.
meaningful investment for Freeport. In 2018, Grand Bahama welcomed 775,000 cruise passengers, most of which came from Carnival Cruise Lines,” Mr Thompson said. However, he said the RCI/ITM development could bring more than 2 million passengers to the island, which more than doubles the number of cruise ship visitors traveling now. “This is huge for taxi drivers, straw vendors, tour operators, restaurants, and shops,” he stressed. “The development also improves our overall
destination. Most cruise lines did not regularly call on GB but this could all change with the proposed development.” Mr Thompson indicated that the development would also include an airlift and marketing component which will positively impact the hotel and the rest of the island. The component will be negotiated in the heads of agreement, he added. Because the development connects the Freeport Harbour, the hotel property and the Port Lucaya area, he said it would be an incentive for passengers to be moved from the harbour
to the Port Lucaya area, which has always been a challenge. “This is a win-win for all areas of tourism in GB,” Mr Thompson said. Meanwhile, PLP chairman Fred Mitchell has branded Mr Thompson’s statement as FNM “propaganda” that seeks to mischaracterise the PLP as being against economic development for Freeport. “Kwasi Thompson, minster of state for Grand Bahama must have misread the PLP’s statement on the LOI and the Grand Lucayan,” he said. “The issue is not the PLP. We have to remind the FNM that they are the government. The issue then is the conduct of the FNM.” He claims the FNM has a history of phony announcements, noting the controversy last year surrounding what was later called a “ceremonial” heads of agreement signing for a heads of agreement for the proposed Oban oil refinery in Grand Bahama. At the time, the-then Oban executive Peter Krieger signed the document apparently using the signature of another Oban executive, Satpal Dhunna. Mr Mitchell also said: “We must question everything about this letter of intent. Was this simply patched together to make it look like something was going on in Freeport when the devil is in the details?” Mr Mitchell said that Mr Thompson should stop making the PLP the issue and come clean on the Grand Lucayan deal.
FLOWERS FOR EFFIE AT 95
Mourning his death are his Children: Doyle, Debbie-Lou & Wayne; Grandchildren: Channing, Brandy, Joshua & Marla; Great grandchild: Ritter; Sisters: Phyllis, Daphne, Sandra & Gail; and Brothers: Eric & Steven and other relatives and friends too numerous to mention. Gordon was predeceased by his Parents: Joseph Samuel & Sybil; Grandchild: Ashley; Sisters: Jacqueline, Orville & Florence; and Brother: Sherrin.
DAME MARGUERITE PINDLING, Governor General, paid a visit and presented flowers to Effie Walkes of Yellow Elder Gardens as she celebrated her 95th birthday.
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, April 2, 2019, PAGE 7
Junkanoo bribery report ‘finished’ from page one
PICTURES - above and right - from this year’s Junkanoos in Nassau.
MAN DIES IN ACCIDENT ON CARMICHAEL ROAD By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net A MAN is dead following a traffic accident early yesterday morning on Carmichael Road. The Tribune understands the victim to be Tito Ferguson, a former police reserve. Mr Ferguson was reportedly in his late 40s. According to the Royal Bahamas Police Force, shortly after 2am on Monday officers were called to the scene of a traffic accident on Carmichael Road and Cedar Way, at the entrance of Bahamas Faith Ministries (BFM). The incident involved a man riding a motor cycle which was involved in a collision with a truck. The victim died at the scene. Assistant Superintendent Craig Stubbs confirmed yesterday the driver of the truck remained on scene and assisted police with the investigation. ASP Stubbs added there was “no physical evidence” that speeding was a factor in the incident. Last week, amendments to the Road Traffic Act were passed in the House of Assembly after being tabled last September. Lawmakers
passed amendments that will criminalise both the use of phones while driving and driving with an open alcoholic beverage. The amendments will have to be passed at the Senate level and then published in a gazette before they are officially enacted and become law. When asked if police will be adding more officers to the Traffic Division to assist with patrol, ASP Stubbs noted all officers have that duty. “All officers on the (RBPF) carry out traffic duties,” he said. “All. So any member of the (RBPF), other than who are assigned to traffic, can enforce any traffic law.” Regarding how police will police this new law, ASP Stubbs said: “Through visual observation and other technology we will be able to police.” Road traffic accidents are now the 13th highest cause of death in the country and without legislative changes, the government believes this will continue. According to National Security Minister Marvin Dames, there were 63 traffic fatalities last year which represented a 29 percent increase from 2017. He
said unfortunately, resulting from those 63 accidents were the deaths of 69 victims, reflecting a 28 percent increase from the previous year. Of the traffic fatality victims by island, 42 of the fatalities occurred on New Providence, 11 on Grand Bahama and 10 on the remaining Family Islands, he said. The amendment also requires the payment of outstanding traffic offence fines before renewing a driver’s licence. Driving instructors will further be prohibited from holding electronic devices under the bill but the stipulation will not apply to those driving emergency vehicles or a vehicle that is lawfully parked and not impeding traffic. A person failing to adhere to these provisions would be liable to a fine not exceeding $1,000, according to the amendment however Transport Minister Renward Wells told The Tribune last week this would be reduced to $500. The amendments also mean motorists will be perfectly within the parameters of the law if they make a cautious left turn on a red traffic light.
WOMAN IN HOSPITAL AFTER SHOOTING POLICE are seeking the public’s assistance to help them find the suspects behind a shooting incident that left a woman in hospital on Monday. The incident took place shortly after 7am in the area of Boatswain Hill. According to police reports, the woman was standing at the rear of a car when she was approached by two men armed with a firearm. The men opened fire in her
direction before fleeing the scene in a silver Honda. The woman was shot and taken to hospital where she is listed in critical but stable condition. Anyone with information on this shooting is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS. Investigations into this incident continue.
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to investigate the matter is “concluding their report”. Another source in the Junkanoo world not authorised to speak on such matters said the report may have been wrapped up last week. The committee was established to investigate bribery claims after audio recordings between a purported female judge and George “Bommer” Armbrister, a costume designer for the Genesis group, circulated earlier this year. The woman in the recording appears solicits funds from Mr Armbrister in exchange for reducing scores of his rival groups. Seven people were appointed to the JCNP’s committee. They were initially given 14 to 28 days to investigate and report their findings. The Royal Bahamas Police Force is also investigating the allegations, but police sources could not speak to the status of that investigation yesterday. Mr Ferguson said he
has called police several times for an update. “They haven’t said anything regarding the case at all,” he said. JCNP elections were held on March 20. Mr Ferguson said the announcement of its new chairman will happen shortly, though a source told this newspaper the results of the election are in dispute. Mr Ferguson said: “I’m only on as an advisor now. Nobody truly knows what’s going to happen...I expect the report to be taken seriously. Everyone will sign on to it.” Mr Ferguson headed the JCNP for nine years and did not seek re-election
last month. The JCNP asked police to investigate bribery claims in January. Mr Armbrister, the Genesis Junkanoo group costume designer, told The Tribune he attempted a sting operation. He said he downloaded a software that automatically records incoming calls. The JCNP believed the calls originated ahead of the New Year’s parade from inside its Norfolk House location on Frederick Street, access to which is tightly controlled by the parade management team and reserved exclusively for parade operators and judges.
PAGE 8, Tuesday, April 2, 2019
REVEREND George Bodie is a prime example of the truth that your circumstances in life do not have to define the outcome of your life. In times like these with violence and crime on the rise and with inner cities constantly threatened by gang activity, Rev Bodie shares his path to a life that is one to be proud of. He grew up on First Street, The Grove as the fourth of nine children born to George, a barber and Patricia, a homemaker. Whereas George could have easily found himself skylarking on the streets, he had an interest in church from a very young age. It seemed like destiny for him because he comes from a family of prophetic preachers who sincerely believe the Bodie clan was especially chosen by God for a life of service. At family gatherings, they would single out George when he was a little boy and marvel at how “the aura of God’s spirit” seemed to surround him and how they could already discern the mark of the high calling in his eyes and countenance and in his boyish wisdom. He recalls that in his youth, his parents “took seriously the admonition of the scriptures to bring up their children to fear, obey, honour and serve the Lord”. “Nor could I escape the rigid discipline of some of our greatest religious leaders of whom I stood in awe, but proudly boasted as members of my family,” he said. They included leaders like Rev Dr Earl Francis, Rev Harold Bodie, Rev Glenroy Deveaux, Rev Charles Rolle, Rev Jospeh Rolle, Rev. Jospeh Knowles, Rev Stafford Munnings, Rev Elva Johnson and Rev Jacom McCrea of Hollywood, Florida. Rev Bodie said of his mentors and family: “What a religious lineage, what a heritage… what examples to emulate!” And that he did. He attended Big Pond Elementary School (now known as Mabel Walker) and then Yellow Elder Primary, where teachers called him a “well-mannered, exemplary child”. “At the age of 12, I wanted to join the youth department at First Baptist Church to be with my elder sister and my elder brother, but I was too young and was told I would have to wait one more year until I was 13 before I could join,” he shared. “But when I joined, I was so happy because destiny awaited me. At the age of 16 I accepted Christ as my personal saviour and each new year added length and breadth to my Christian statue, as the call (on my life) grew more and more insistent. Some men are born to serve and, although the call to serve may be muted for years, they
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A childhood dream to give a life of service cannot escape their destiny. “I started my mission on leadership when we, the young people of Coconut Grove, put together a youth group called ‘The Grove Survivors’. “We started out doing things for the development of The Grove. Then from there, we had a singing group called ‘The Gospel Shining Stars’ led by Bishop Neil Ellis. Then we went into First Baptist Church youth department where I became the youth and choir leader and served for many years. I also became leader of the Earle Francis chapter of the Royal Ambassadors of The Bahamas.”
He attended SC McPherson junior high school and graduated from The Government High School and during that time, he was active in sports but also very active in his spiritual life. He likes track and field, softball, volleyball, and basketball, and he plays the guitar. Meanwhile, his ministry in his youth continued to grow. When Rev CB Moss was leader of the Bahamas Christian Council, Rev Bodie served as the youth leader. He was also president of the youth department of the New Providence district of the Bahamas Baptist Union.
On another occasion, he served as President of the Bahamas National Baptist Convention Young People Department. On November 9, 1979 fresh out of high school, he was employed at Flagler Hotel on Paradise Island. He worked his way up from a front desk cashier, to front desk clerk, to night auditor and then to head night auditor. When the hotel was sold, he became the storeroom and purchasing manager at the Fun Club (of what became the Warwick Hotel). In 1987 when his first child was born, he decided to seek out another profession: “I went into life underwriting with Family Guardian Insurance under Mr Gerald Strachan who was the president and I was very successful at it for a while in the home service division. Then I tried ordinary insurance with Colina and British Fidelity. When things did not break for
me in the insurance business I went back to my first love, the hotel industry for a short while. Then on May 13, 1996, I joined Her Majesty’s Prisons, now the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.” Professional career changes were coupled with a steady forward-moving pace in his spiritual life. He was a staple in the Baptist Sports Council for many years serving as vice chairman and long-time public relations officer. He was the executive secretary of the Bethel Baptist Association and director of the Bahamas National Baptist Convention Men’s Department. He was once the Youth Minister for Carmichael Road Union Baptist Church. Today, he has found a home in St Paul’s Baptist Church, Fox Hill where he serves as an Associated Minister. He started out as the Youth Pastor and then Men’s Minister. Meanwhile,
REV BODIE SHARES HIS PATH TO A LIFE THAT IS ONE TO BE PROUD OF TOP picture: Rev George Bodie (second from right) with his wife Lolita Michelle, sons George III, Joshua and Aaron, and grandson; Above, with his wife; top left, with his three sons; Bottom left, leading a procession.
he continues to serve as a Sergeant for the Bahamas Department of Corrections and as the Assistant Chaplain for the prison, responsible for medium security. Rev Bodie is also the host of “Inspirational Moments” Devotional Team which is aired every weekday morning on Global 99.5fm (channel 974 on cable television) from 5.30am to 6am. This past weekend, a testimonial banquet was held in his honour, where colleagues, religious leaders, and people from all spheres of his life came together to applaud him for his life’s work of service and dedication to the cause of good. The event was held at the William Thompson Auditorium under the theme: “Honouring a Mighty Man of Valour”. Deacon Patrick Sweeting brought the welcome, while opening remarks came from Bishop Dr J Carl Rahming, Pastor of St. Paul’s Baptist and Onesimus Strachan, former Bahamas National Track and Field member. Rev Dr Philip McPhee, first Vice President of the Bahamas Baptist Convention was the keynote speaker. Tributes came from the likes of: The Tribune’s own Minister Brent Stubbs of the Baptist Sports Council; Deacon Larry Bodie, his brother; Minister Wellington Smith; Penny Ferguson of Young People Fellowship; Rev Stephen Ferguson; and C/ Sgt Gregory Daxon of the Bahamas Department of Corrections. Brother Bernard Frazer made a presentation and Rev Eugene Patton closed out the night filled with tributes as well as performances by Adrianna Munnings and the New Dynamic Feature. “If when you give the best of your service telling the world that the saviour has come, be not dismayed when men don’t believe you; Jesus will understand and say well done,” said Rev Bodie, husband to Lolita Michelle, father to George III, Joshua and Aaron, and grandfather to Harper and George IV. “May the work and may the life you live speak for you because when you are resting in the grave, there is nothing more to be said. May my work and life speak for me.”
THE TRIBUNE SINCE Britain’s departure from the European Union is causing political upheaval in a nation divided on the issue, it remains top of the news agenda. So, reluctantly, I am covering Brexit in this column for a third week running. This time, while mentioning the latest developments splashed daily across the British and European media, a brief look at the background that has led to the impasse might be interesting. Prime Minister Theresa May’s Withdrawal Agreement with the EU has been blocked by the Westminster Parliament for a third time. So far, however, it has been unable to agree alternative terms for an exit. The UK is, therefore, on course to leave on 12 April with or without a deal, but there could instead be another extension of the departure date which would require participation in the European Parliament elections in late May. There will be further discussion in the House of Commons this week about alternatives, but eight non-binding ‘indicative votes’ have already failed and Leavers now fear Parliament will find a way of keeping Britain in a customs union or of stopping Brexit altogether. Clearly, a so-called soft Brexit of staying in a customs union is not what leavers voted for because it would prevent the UK from negotiating bilateral trade deals with others and would keep its regulatory regime aligned to the EU while having no say over setting tariffs. Meanwhile, Mrs May could insist on another vote on her deal this week since she is convinced it is the best means of ensuring an orderly withdrawal, and, if it is passed, she has agreed to stand down as prime minister. As a result, the knives are out among deeply divided Tories and the polls show Labour in the lead so that in the event of a snap election the hard-left opposition leader, Jeremy Corbyn could become prime minister. Unsurprisingly, having passed the original date of 29 March that it was due to leave the EU, people wonder how a mature country like Britain, with its long history of democracy, tolerance and fair-mindedness and its famous ‘mother of parliaments’ as the cradle of that democracy, could end up in such a mess. It seems a mixture of EU intransigence and a flawed negotiating strategy by the UK government have caused the current impasse, with the EU being uncooperative
Tuesday, April 2, 2019, PAGE 9
Mother of Parliaments? Rather the mother of all messes The Peter Young column because it does not want Brexit to happen lest other member states follow suit. To some observers,
the idea of an agreed deal on procedure, termed a divorce bill that has become Mrs May’s Withdrawal Agreement as a precursor to a post-Brexit negotiation of new trading arrangements, was the wrong approach. Instead, Britain could have committed to meeting existing financial obligations and to treating EU nationals in the UK properly while insisting on leaving formally on 29 March - after which, during an agreed implementation period, the details of all that could have been agreed together with negotiation of a trade agreement to include a solution to the Irish border problem. To Remainers, it would be a foolhardy act of collective economic madness to leave voluntarily a single market of some 450 million that takes more than 40 percent of British exports and, at the same time, a customs union which ensures tariff-free access to that market. In the lead-up to Britain’s membership of the European Economic Community, known
REMEMBERING the Falklands War of 1982.
A moment of pride TO MANY, the Falklands conflict involving Britain and Argentina is long forgotten, but it was an important historical event that dominated the world’s news at the time. Today marks the anniversary of this short-lived military conflict. On 2 April 1982, Argentina invaded the Falkland Islands, a remote British colony with a population of less than 3,000 which had been ruled by the UK for 150 years. The British government reacted furiously to this attack on its sovereign territory, not only in response to the islanders’ fierce opposition to any Argentine interference in their lives but also because bilateral talks with Argentina about the future of the Falklands were taking place at the time. A naval task force was quickly sent and British forces landed on the islands on 21 May. After some fierce fighting, the capital, Stanley, was liberated when the Argentines surrendered on 14 June. The official
statistics make grim reading. In the course of a conflict lasting 74 days, six British ships were sunk, 255 British and 649 Argentine military personnel were killed and three Falkland Islanders also died during the hostilities. Despite Argentina’s claim to what it calls the Malvinas, the British government was clear about the status of the Falklands as a colonial territory. It recognised the obligation to protect the islanders. It also acted under the principle of respect for self-determination contained in the UN Charter. As a young(ish) desk officer in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office working on the reconstruction of the Falklands, I made a familiarisation visit there in 1986. Despite the horrors of the conflict, I had to admit to a certain pride in knowing my own country was prepared to protect such small numbers of islanders against Argentine aggression despite the high cost of so many lives lost.
as the Common Market, in 1973 it was labelled the sick man of Europe because of the dire state of the country’s economy. Remainers say its subsequent recovery was attributable to membership of the EEC and, later, the EU. By contrast, Leavers maintain the issue is one of sovereignty and control of the nation’s affairs: in the oft-repeated words of the prime minister, taking back control of its borders, its laws and its money, as well as management of its agriculture and fisheries and ending the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice. In particular, control of immigration from the EU by leaving the single market, which requires free movement, was a significant factor in the referendum. Furthermore, they contend the EU is moving inexorably towards political union and a federal super state that, reportedly, would lead to absorption of sovereign nations in to designated regions of a new country called Europe. The sovereignty issue can be controversial
BRITISH PM Theresa May since nations already concede a degree of autonomy through international treaties and conventions that impose obligations on signatory states. But the EU has created what amounts to a new legal order within the jurisdictions of its member states that ensures the supremacy of EU law over domestic statutes through directives drawn up in Brussels. Concerns about loss of sovereignty were expressed when Britain joined the EEC, but these were brushed aside as being less important than the advantages of trading on beneficial terms with its nearest neighbours in Europe. Now, commentators regard the ambition of an EU elite to bring about bureaucratic centralisation and ever-closer political union is a mistake because it disregards the current political mood and the strength of ‘euroscepticism’ in member states which are unlikely to accept any single power structure. Certainly, there has never been much doubt that membership of a full federal Europe is not compatible with British sovereignty. In the view of one well-known contemporary English historian, Westminster MPs are now out of touch with ordinary voters over Brexit and are disregarding the will of the people. They are ignoring them to such an extent that there is a real threat of the nation’s tried and tested longstanding democracy unravelling before people’s eyes. Events surrounding Brexit are developing almost by the hour, but this is how the situation looked at press time yesterday.
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SEMI-NAKED PROTESTERS INTERRUPT COMMONS BREXIT DEBATE LONDON Associated Press
SEMI-NAKED climate change protesters interrupted a Commons debate on Brexit last night as they stripped off in the public gallery. Several of the ‘Extinction Rebellion’ group glued themselves to the window dividing MPs from the watching public in the biggest Commons security breach since 2014. Labour MP Peter Kyle joked about the ‘naked truth’ as MPs’ attention was distracted from his speech by the demonstration. Tory MP James Heappey defied
Commons rules to photograph the dozen people, who had slogans including ‘climate justice act now’ and ‘eco collapse’ daubed on their backs. Speaker John Bercow told MPs to ignore the demonstration and continue with the debate as they stood in a line with their backsides pressed against the security glass. Shocked MPs including former Labour leader Ed Miliband glanced up at the group as they stripped off behind the glass screen that separate the chamber from the public gallery. Some of the protesters were singing Nelly the
CLIMATE change protesters interrupting a debate on Brexit last night.
Elephant while under the gaze of Parliamentarians. Savannah, an English literature student from Ladbroke Grove in west London, was one of the naked protesters. She said: ‘A bunch of people glued themselves to the window in the public gallery. ‘Everyone stripped and two people were elephants and had climate crisis written on them.We were pointing at them as the elephants in the room of the Brexit debate.’ Twelve climate change protesters were later arrested on suspicion of outraging public decency, Scotland Yard said.
SPANISH CIVIL WAR VICTIMS REBURIED PAMPLONA, Spain Associated Press MARKING eight decades since the end of the Spanish Civil War, the remains of 46 unidentified victims of the conflict have been reburied in the northern city of Pamplona. More than 500,000 people died in the 1936-1939 war between rebel nationalist forces led by Gen. Francisco Franco and defenders of the short-lived Spanish republic. Those buried yestertday had been exhumed from mass graves by relatives’ associations with local governments’ funding. DNA tests are still inconclusive. Spain’s Socialist government has promised a national plan to carry out exhumations if they stay in power in an election later this month.
RELATIVES and friends carry the coffins of some of the 46 coffins of unidentified people killed during the Spanish Civil War.
Trump considers having an ‘immigration czar’ WASHINGTON Associated Press AS HE threatens to shut down the southern border, President Donald Trump is considering bringing on a “border” or “immigration czar” to coordinate immigration policy across various federal agencies, according to four people familiar with the discussions. Trump is weighing at least two potential candidates for the post: former Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach and former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. Kobach and Cuccinelli are farright conservatives with strong views on immigration. Cuccinelli was seen at the White House yesterday. The planning comes as Trump is threatening anew to close the US-Mexico border as soon as this week if Mexico does not completely halt illegal immigration into the U.S. And it serves as the latest sign that the president plans to continue to hammer his hardline
PRESIDENT Donald Trump and his wife outside the White House. immigration rhetoric and policies as he moves past the special counsel’s Russia investigation and works to rally his base heading into his 2020 re-election campaign. Aides hope the potential appointment, which they caution is still in the planning stages, would serve as the “face” of the administration on immigration issues and would placate both the president and his
supporters, showing he is serious and taking action. White House press aides, Kobach and Cuccinelli did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Kobach previously served as vice chair of the president’s short-lived election fraud commission, which was disbanded after finding little evidence of widespread abuse. A Department of Homeland Security official noted that White House czars have been appointed \when there has been an “urgent need” for inter-agency policy coordination. Trump has often complained, both publicly and privately, about how he has not been able to do more to stop the tide of illegal immigration, which he has likened to an “invasion” and described as a national security crisis. Arrests along the southern border have skyrocketed in recent months and border agents were on track to make 100,000 arrests or denials of entry in March. More than half of those are families with children.
Still, Trump has been pushing. He has deployed National Guard troops to the border, forced a government shutdown to try to pressure Congress to provide more money for his long-promised border wall, and eventually signed an emergency declaration to circumvent lawmakers. He also moved to cut direct aid to El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, where citizens are fleeing north and overwhelming US resources at the southern border. Those moves have involved a swath of government agencies. The Justice Department manages the immigration courts that decide whether a migrant is deported; Health and Human Services manages the care of migrant children apprehended at the border; agencies within Homeland Security manage the allocation of legal status, immigration enforcement and asylum requests; and the Pentagon and the Army Corps of Engineers manage facets of border wall construction.
PRESIDENT’S MISDEEDS ON GOLF COURSE WASHINGTON Associated Press
COLLUDING with Russia? The special counsel says no. Cheating at golf? Well, that’s something else. From pulling a fast one on Tiger Woods to exaggerating his handicap, Donald Trump’s alleged misdeeds on and around the golf course are the subject of a new book by former Sports Illustrated columnist Rick Reilly who documents dozens of examples of underhanded golf behavior by the president. “In golf, he’s definitely not exonerated,” Reilly said. “There’s been dozens and dozens of people that can declare him guilty of cheating.” Trump’s cheating motivated Reilly to write the book. He says: “I don’t know much about politics, but I know golf and it really offended me, not as a voter or as a citizen — just as a golfer.”
ALGERIA’S LEADER, GIVING WAY TO UKRAINE’S PRESIDENT TRYING TO PROTESTS, WILL QUIT BY APRIL 28 HOLD OFF RIVAL FOR RUNOFF SPOT ALGIERS, Algeria Associated Press
KIEV, Ukraine Associated Press
ALGERIAN President Abdelaziz Bouteflika will step down before his fourth term ends on April 28, his office said yesterday, as the ailing leader capitulated to growing calls for his resignation after two decades in power. It’s unclear if the stunning move will appease the masses of protesters whose vociferous calls for Bouteflika and his cadre of loyalists to quit have expanded to demand an overhaul of the entire political system. Their weekly protests since February 22 have challenged the political status quo in the country long ruled by Bouteflika, 82, a onetime wily political survivor who has rarely been seen in public since he suffered a stroke in 2013. A short statement from Bouteflika’s office said he would take “important steps to ensure the continuity of the functioning of state
UKRAINE’S president was holding off a longtime rival in a bid to claim the other spot in a runoff set for later this month, while a comic actor with no political experience was leading strongly in the election, according to results released yesterday. With nearly 97% of the polling stations counted, Volodymyr Zelenskiy had 30% support in Sunday’s vote, while President Petro Poroshenko was a distant second with just under 16% of the vote. Ex-Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko trailed behind in third with 13% support. The strong showing for the 41-year-old Zelenskiy reflects the public longing for a fresh leader who has no links to Ukraine’s corruption-ridden political elite and can offer a new approach to settling the grinding five-year conflict with Russia-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine that
ALGERIAN President Abdelaziz Bouteflika institutions” after he leaves the office he assumed in 1999. The Algerian Constitution calls for the head of the upper house of parliament, Abdelkader Bensalah, to act as interim leader for a maximum of 90 days while an election is organised. Algerian national television reported Sunday night that Bouteflika and the replacement prime minister he appointed last month, Noureddine Bedoui, had formed a new government after struggling for weeks to
find potential Cabinet ministers amid the uncertainty surrounding the president. The new government must stay in place during the transition period before the next election. In recent weeks, the president saw key figures withdraw their support from him. Algeria’s powerful army chief proposed launching a procedure to have Bouteflika declared unfit for office, prompting tensions between the army and the president’s inner circle.
UKRAINIAN comedian Volodymyr Zelenskiy. has left 13,000 dead since 2014. “This is only the first step toward a great victory,” Zelenskiy said. The top two candidates advance to a runoff on April 21. Final results are expected today. Zelenskiy dismissed suggestions that he could pool forces with Tymoshenko to get her voters in the second round in exchange for forming a coalition later. “We aren’t making any deals with anyone,” he said. “We are young people. We don’t want to see all the past in our future.” Like the character he plays in a TV comedy show, a schoolteacher-
turned-president angry over corruption, Zelenskiy made fighting corruption a focus of his candidacy. He proposed a lifetime ban on holding public office for anyone convicted of graft. He also called for direct negotiations with Russia on ending the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The election was marred by allegations of widespread vote buying. Police said they had received more than 2,100 complaints of violations on voting day alone in addition to hundreds of earlier voting fraud claims, including bribery attempts and removing ballots from polling stations. Zelenskiy’s headquarters alleged multiple voting and other cheating on the part of Poroshenko’s campaign, but election officials said the vote took place without significant violations. Election monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe hailed Sunday’s election as competitive and free.
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Tuesday, April 2, 2019, PAGE 11
FESTIVAL OF FUN
MORE than 500 entries are expected to take part in the Grand Bahama Festival in dance, drama, the visual arts, and music, until April 5. Photos: Eric Rose/BIS
PAGE 12, Tuesday, April 2, 2019
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THE GROUP in front of Government House with Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling, at the front, centre; Minister Lloyd, centre left; and Permanent Secretary Lorraine Armbrister, centre right.
CHANCES for tuition assistance with master’s and doctor of philosophy degrees for public school teachers are on the horizon. Jeffrey Lloyd, minister of education, said teachers need to evolve and master subject areas so funds will be set aside for this purpose. “When I became the minister of education almost all of the money was going toward bachelor’s degrees. What about master’s? What about PhDs? I said no, no, no. We are
Teacher of the Year nominees urged to keep pace with changing world going to apportion a certain amount of the money toward master’s degrees,” he said. He made the announcement at the 13th National Teacher of the Year Award pinning ceremony when 48 teachers from public
schools representing 13 districts in New Providence and the Family Islands were celebrated and congratulated for excellent work. They were also individually pinned by Governor General Dame Marguerite Pindling, under whose
patronage the event was held at Mount Fitzwilliam, Government House. Mr Lloyd thanked the teachers and informed them that the Ministry of Education is grateful for them. “Today is the epicentre of our recognition of you – for
the greatness, splendour and magnificence of what you are. Please understand those people who sit before you called students: you are truly changing their lives and they are changing yours at the same time,” said Mr Lloyd.
“You can never ever be paid. No matter how many thank you’s, endorsements, celebrations we have please understand that your satisfaction comes from that vocational call in your life, an answer of God to be of service to Him.”