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Developer pledges to create a ‘lifealtering’ experience in $650m Governor’s Harbour investment

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

A US developer is pledging to “create a life-altering, forever game changing experience” for visitors and Governor’s Harbour residents alike via a resort, marina and boutique casino destination featuring a combined $650m in investment and real estate sales. Jeff Jacobs, chairman and chief executive of Jacobs Investments, in a December 2025 presentation setting out “our Eleuthera vacation vision” for the J Resort Eleuthera, disclosed more details on his plans by revealing that it will cover 600 acres in central Eleuthera “stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Caribbean Sea”. And, apart from the resort itself, the development will feature “five resort-related neighbourhoods” containing more than 350 total vacation residential properties.

See BUSINESS FOR STORY

Equality Bahamas: Govt failing on gender-based violence

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

EQUALITY Bahamas says the Davis administration has not treated gender-based violence as a priority this term, pointing to limited support systems for victims and its refusal to criminalise marital rape.

Alicia Wallace, director of Equality Bahamas, said the government has shown little willingness to take even the most “obvious and uncomplicated action” to address

The group said the administration had not prioritised issues affecting women, who remain among the most vulnerable, pointing to limited resources for victims of sexual and domestic abuse. Recent cases have highlighted complaints from rape victims about a lack of shelters, police support and housing.

EQUALITY Bahamas director Alicia Wllace.

American woman missing after falling overboard

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

COI 100 day play would end naturalisation in first few weeks

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

THE Coalition of Independents is proposing to end naturalisation in The Bahamas within its first week in office, part of a 100-day immigration plan that would overhaul border control, enforcement and citizenship policy.

The plan states that a COI administration would amend the Bahamas

Nationality Act in its first week to eliminate naturalisation, followed by a referendum within its first year to enshrine the change in the Constitution. However, citizenship is governed by the Constitution, meaning any attempt to eliminate naturalisation entirely would likely require constitutional amendment and a referendum first, rather than a simple legislative change.

100-DAYS - SEE PAGE FIVE

Police said officers, along with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and Hope Town Fire & Rescue, began searching nearby waters after the incident was reported.

MISSING - SEE PAGE THREE

A SEARCH is under way for a missing American woman who reportedly fell overboard during a nighttime boat trip in Abaco with her husband, prompting a joint response from Bahamian and US authorities.

30 CARIFTA MEDALS

Track and field team wins

8 gold, 12 silver, 10 bronze

See SPORTS

Govt eyes expansion as third apprenticeship cohort finishes

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

THE government marked the completion of the third pre-apprenticeship cohort under the National Apprenticeship Programme on Thursday, as officials signalled plans to expand the initiative aimed at preparing young Bahamians for work in key sectors.

The ceremony closed out the pilot phase for the hospitality and customer service cohort and brought together programme officials, employer partners and participants ahead of job placement interviews scheduled for April 9.

Executive director Michelle Malcolm said the programme remains in pilot mode as organisers refine its structure before a national rollout.

“For those of you who may not be aware, the National Apprenticeship

Programme is an initiative by the Davis administration to provide opportunities for decent country work and employment for young people in particular,” Ms Malcolm said. She said earlier cohorts focused on construction and maritime industries, while the latest group marks the programme’s first move into hospitality and customer service.

“This is a smaller cohort, but that does not mean that they are in any way diminished from the other cohorts,” Ms Malcolm said.

“This is a very bright group of young people, and we are very excited to see where they will go.”

Labour and Public Service Minister Pia Glover-Rolle said demand for training opportunities continues to grow.

“It is good to know that everyone would like to improve themselves. That is the culture that we are advocating for in the country, a culture of lifelong learning,” Mrs Glover-Rolle said.

She said a government upskilling initiative launched months ago had already surpassed expectations.

“We started our upskill programme with a goal of attracting about 6000 to 7000 Bahamians to upskill themselves. We are at 12000 and we are now looking to

expand to probably another 7000 or 8000,” Mrs Glover-Rolle said. The apprenticeship model allows participants to earn while gaining experience, with placements determined through employer interviews rather than direct assignment.

Mrs Glover-Rolle said apprentices first complete a six-week pre-apprenticeship phase focused on soft skills and work readiness at the National Training Agency before moving into on-thejob placements. Participants receive a stipend during this phase.

Ms Malcolm said apprentices will meet prospective employers, including representatives from Royal Caribbean, Lyford Cay Club and Ocean Club.

“We do not force our apprentices on anyone. We prepare them to be able to shine, and it is their job now to go before those employers and show them their worth,” she said.

About 80 apprentices have completed the pre-apprenticeship phase so far, with some employer partners offering full-time jobs before participants transitioned into placements.

Despite those early results, officials acknowledged the programme remains in a testing phase and will require further investment before full implementation.

Family holds out hope a year after father vanishes at sea

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

A YEAR after a father of two disappeared at sea, his family remains hopeful he will return home alive.

Emmanuel Bain, 32, was last seen on April 6, 2025, in the area of Coral Cay. Mr Bain reportedly went missing while trying to retrieve his jet ski. Since then, his relatives have been left with unanswered questions about what led to his disappearance.

A family member, who asked not to be named, claimed police never launched a search for Mr Bain. The relative said the victim’s mother reported him missing to the Central Detective Unit a day after he was last seen. The family also said it has not received any updates from police on the status of the case.

In the months since his disappearance, relatives have carried out their own searches, focusing efforts near Saunders Beach and surrounding waters. However, they say they have found no signs that bring them closer to locating him or understanding what may have happened.

“They never even posted a picture of him,” she said, referring to the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s missing persons posters.

Mr Bain leaves behind two sons, aged five and seven, along with a fiancé. His family said the uncertainty surrounding his disappearance has taken

a heavy emotional toll on them, especially as time continues to pass without answers.

Mr Bain was known as a jet ski rider and owned a car wash. He had a strong connection to the sea and was often seen fishing in his spare time.

Despite the passage of time, his family remains hopeful and continues to pray for his safe return.

“Every day we sit down through here we pray he come walking through,” the relative said. “We always say we pray he come walking through Nassau Street.

That’s the things we asked for, we just want to see him.”

Asked whether they have accepted the possibility that he may not be alive, the relative said no.

“I don’t even want to believe that even though it’s been a year,” she said, adding they are holding out hope to the end.

The Tribune contacted press liaison Chief Superintendent Sheria King, who said she was advised the matter was never reported to police. However, the family maintains that a report was made.

US working with local authorities in search for missing American woman

MISSING from page one

According to police, Brian Hooker, 58, told officers that he and his wife, Lynette Hooker, 56, left Hope Town around 7.30pm on Saturday in an eight-foot dinghy bound for Elbow Cay.

During the journey, Mrs Hooker reportedly fell overboard while holding the boat’s keys, causing the engine to shut off. Police said strong currents carried her away and Mr Hooker lost sight of her.

ongoing. International reports said the couple are from Onsted, Michigan, and were travelling to their yacht, Soulmate, at the time of the incident.

Mr Hooker then paddled the vessel to shore, arriving at the Marsh Harbour Boat Yard around 4am on Sunday. He alerted a person there, who contacted police. Investigations are

A spokesperson for the United States Department of State said it is aware of the situation and is working with Bahamian authorities to provide assistance.

Davis administration criticized for ignoring marital rape

to address gender-based violence, despite repeated recommendations from advocacy groups and international bodies.

She said the administration does not need to develop new policies, noting that recommendations from organisations such as the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the Human Rights Council are already established, with draft legislation requiring only updates and implementation.

“Since 2018, we have been highlighting the recommendation made by the CEDAW Committee to criminalize marital rape, and even with a new draft bill to amend the Sexual Offences Act, this administration has intentionally steered away from it,” she said.

In February 2025, Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis said he wanted “consensus” on criminalising marital rape, arguing the government needed to understand what a cross-section of Bahamians wanted on the issue, “not just one group”.

That same month, Attorney General Ryan Pinder indicated the administration did not expect to introduce such legislation before the end of its term, citing the political

sensitivity of the issue. Ann Marie Davis, the spouse of the prime minister, has said she supports criminalising marital rape and believes the government should move forward with legislation to do just that.

In 2022, she said: “We must agitate and hold our policy makers accountable. We want them to upgrade our laws and we really need that. Imagine, we are still living in a society where no does not mean no. How could that be? I tell you no and you think I mean yes. No, sir. Of course I’m

talking about marital rape right. No means no.”

Critics note that governments have acted on divisive matters without broad consensus, including the Christie administration’s regularisation of the gaming industry after a failed referendum and the Davis administration’s cannabis reforms despite objections from some religious groups.

Ms Wallace said marital rape is often minimised but argued the legal exception reflects deeper inequality.

“It suggests that women’s identities and autonomy

cease to exist in the context of marriage and, dangerously, that we become the property of men. This is at the root of all other issues of gender inequality and gender-based violence.”

She also criticised the Opposition, saying it has failed to hold the government accountable to its international commitments.

“As story after story of domestic violence and sexual violence reach headlines, they have not reiterated recommendations, support our demands, or made their own interventions, completely wasting the leverage they had as an opposition,” she said.

Prodesta Moore of the Bahamas Urban Youth Development Centre said domestic violence and sexual assault continue to affect families across communities, with young people often directly or indirectly impacted. She said marital rape remains uncriminalised and support services, including shelters, are limited.

“These are not just adult issues, they are youth issues,” she said. “They shape the environments our young people grow up in, the trauma they carry, and the futures they are trying to build.”

She called for stronger protections for women and girls, expanded education and prevention programmes, and more accessible support services.

Khandi Gibson of FOAM said many women continue to suffer abuse but argued the government should not bear sole responsibility, noting that some women remain in abusive relationships for complex reasons. She added that resources remain limited, particularly for temporary housing and counselling.

The Tribune yesterday contacted Minister

COI 100-day plan looks to restore control at borders

100-DAYS from page one

The party, which faces an uphill election battle in a country with a dominant two-party system, did not explain what alternative routes to citizenship would replace naturalisation or how pending applications would be handled.

Under the proposal, immigration and national security would be merged under a single ministry led by COI leader Lincoln Bain, bringing multiple enforcement agencies under one command so that “planning, interdiction, processing, and enforcement operate on one national timetable”.

The plan also outlines a 30-day amnesty period. During that time, people would undergo biometric screening, employment and housing verification, and security checks. Those deemed compliant could receive temporary lawful status, while others would be registered for repatriation.

A digital Legal Immigrant Portal would allow employers and landlords to verify immigration status before offering jobs or housing. Non-compliance could result in fines, licence action or court proceedings.

The COI also proposes suspending the issuance

of new work permits for Haitian nationals from day one, with existing permits subject to review as part of a wider system audit. A blanket suspension of work permits based on nationality could also raise constitutional questions, as immigration policies must be applied in a manner consistent with protections against arbitrary or discriminatory treatment.

Border enforcement features heavily in the document. The party proposes a “sea wall” using marine assets, drones, radar support and rapid-response teams deployed east and west of Inagua to intercept vessels suspected of carrying migrants.

A commission of inquiry into the alleged abuse of passport, work permit and residency approvals is slated for the first month. The plan also calls for a targeted state of emergency on illegal immigration and border security from day one. Other measures include closing selected shanty towns, creating regulated housing for lawful workers and requiring approved health insurance coverage for immigrants to ease pressure on the public healthcare system.

The proposal introduces a volunteer deputisation pilot, allowing vetted

civilians to assist with observation and reporting in high-risk areas under official supervision. It also calls for “officer modernisation”, including improved pay and benefits, upgraded equipment, advanced training, shared intelligence systems and wellness support.

Between days 61 and 100, the party says it would introduce legislation targeting illegal hiring and housing, anti-smuggling measures, vessel confiscation, and frameworks for the portal, worker housing, health insurance and anti-fraud protections.

The COI says the plan is designed to restore control of the country’s borders, strengthen compliance and expand enforcement capacity. However, it does not set out how the measures would be funded or fully implemented within the proposed timeline, particularly large projects such as a new immigration headquarters and an enforcement base in Inagua.

The party says progress would be measured within the first 100 days through increased enforcement activity, a verified national immigration database and active repatriation efforts, with a national report to follow outlining results and the next phase of implementation.

The Tribune Limited

NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI

“Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”

LEON E. H. DUPUCH,

Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH, Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .

Publisher/Editor 1919-1972

Contributing Editor 1972-1991

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

Publisher/Editor 1972-

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Manifestos and broken promises

Let us tell a story of two parties and their promises.

First up, the Coalition of Independents (COI). The party, whose very title is somewhat illogical, has produced its 2030 Vision platform, putting fears over immigration front and centre.

In the first week, it has promised to suspend new work permits for Haitians and to end naturalisation.

It says that in the first year, it will enshrine that change in the country’s constitution. That would, of course, be the wrong way round.

You do not change a law to put it in breach of the constitution and then change the constitution later. That is a sure way to end up in the Supreme Court explaining why you have broken the constitution.

For a party that preaches about how it seeks to uphold Bahamians, it seems to have little regard for the Bahamians who framed our nation’s constitution. What will replace naturalisation? Well, the COI has not troubled us with the niceties of such details, just as it has not explained why scrapping naturalisation would not fall foul of the courts who know the constitution better than the COI’s manifesto writers.

That is not the only area where the COI, if successful in winning office, would end up in the courts.

That ban on Haitian work permits, for example. Immigration policies should not be applied in an arbitrary fashion. Pick one nation alone for a ban and you can bet, again, that you will be tied up in court before long.

The party is also proposing a “sea wall” to enforce the border – boats, drones, radar and all to intercept migrant vessels, as well as proclaiming a state of emergency to tackle illegal immigration and border security from day one. Now, there should absolutely be measures in place to prevent illegal migration and to intercept such vessels. The criminals running such operations are friends to no nation.

However, running for office should not just involve producing a wishlist. You should also be able to specify how much it is going to cost, and how you are going to pay for it. What does a state of emergency mean for our country? Or is it just a catchphrase without substance?

There is more from the COI’s pledge to tackle immigration, as the party has clearly decided pointing the finger of blame at foreigners is the way to go this election.

Heaven forbid that we tackle the issues here at home instead. After all, we often see crackdowns on shanty towns, but seldom see landlords who rent the land to migrants being prosecuted in the courts.

Read the Vision 2030 document and you will see the COI making lots of other empty promises. Energy plans? They plan to “offer electricity free of charge to all Bahamian citizens”, while “other legal residents and businesses will pay standard rates”.

Education? Pretty much doubling teacher base pay, adding universal, free pre-school education on every island, cutting class sizes, eliminating BJC and BGCSE exams, free breakfast and lunch for all students, and build, build, build new facilities. Healthcare? Free healthcare for all Bahamians, increasing staff pay to level to compete with the United States, free meals for staff, hiring more staff, new hospitals, and more. No electricity to pay, no healthcare to pay for, big expenditure on schools and education, increased spending on border control, oh, and the party is still promising to give every Bahamian an acre of Crown land somewhere – so where will the money come from?

Well, the party is also promising to cut fuel taxes, provide VAT relief and ensure reductions in rent and internet costs.

It says it would immediately halve customs duty and cut the pump tax to five percent, then reform VAT to save more money, provide electricity and rent relief and “start a grocery price war the private market cannot ignore”. It will “lower rent by flooding the market with new apartments”. It paints “blue and climate finance” as one of the magical sources for this money, while also pledging to build a 100MW solar plant within the first 100 days.

Now none of this is to say that teachers and medics do not deserve more money, that students do not deserve better facilities, that living costs continue to be too high – but adding more costs and taking away taxation is just going to run up the deficit. Climate finance is not some magic money tree you can shake to get what you need.

Whatever the party is that comes knocking on your door asking for your vote, do not let them get away with promising everything and accounting for nothing.

To which end, we come to the second party we mention in tonight’s article –the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP).

As Equality Bahamas points out in tonight’s Tribune, the PLP has not treated gender-based violence as a priority, refusing to criminalise marital rape and not prioritising issues affecting women. There are other issues of gender inequality that remain too – including when it comes to citizenship.

You can add to that the promises from the PLP’s last manifesto on freedom of information, transparency and anti-corruption, which remain unfulfilled. Manifesto promises should mean something – just as should be the case with the Free National Movement with their promises this time around.

But parties should be able to deliver – and where they have not, they should explain why not. Holding all sides to account is something that we at The Tribune have done daily year in, year out. Election time is a chance for you to do the same. Vote wisely.

Closing the gap in governance

EDITOR, The Tribune. LET us dispense with the comforting illusions. The 2026 general election is not a routine democratic exercise, nor is it simply a choice between political parties. It is a referendum on whether The Bahamas will finally confront its stagnation or continue sleepwalking into managed decline.

For too long, we have hidden behind easy explanations - global conditions, geographic limitations, historical circumstances. None of these withstands scrutiny. There exists a clear and undeniable counterexample: Singapore.

Like The Bahamas, it emerged from British colonial rule in the same era, inherited similar institutional frameworks, and lacked natural resources. Today, it stands as one of the most advanced and disciplined societies in the world. We do not. The difference is not fate. It is governance.

What we are witnessing in The Bahamas is not simply policy failure - it is a failure of ambition, discipline, and national mindset.

We have normalised mediocrity. We have accepted opacity in governance as routine. We have tolerated a political culture where loyalty is rewarded over competence, where elections are treated as transactions, and where leadership is too often about preservation of power rather than transformation of society.

The current Davis PLP administration has not challenged this culture; it has reinforced it. Major decisions are made without sufficient transparency. Economic policy remains anchored in dependency - mistaking the inflow of foreign capital for genuine national development. There is no coherent, aggressive strategy to diversify the economy, no serious commitment to building a knowledge-based society, and no urgency in preparing Bahamians to compete in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

This is not governance aimed at progress. It is governance aimed at maintenance. And maintenance, in a world that is accelerating, is simply another form of decline.

The most dangerous outcome in this election is not that these patterns will continue, but it is that they will be rewarded.

That the Bahamian people, conditioned by decades of incrementalism and patronage, will accept another cycle of underperformance. That we once again will choose

Out of touch with modern realities

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I READ, with disappointment, The Tribune’s leading story in its March 31 edition, in which Heather Hunt declared that the FNM will give single mothers $200 per month to help women in the first two years after giving birth. As the National Insurance Board (NIB) already provides maternity benefits and grants for insured women, the proposed $200 per month extends the tax burden on the Bahamian people and continues to expand the welfare state approach to which we seem to aspire. Further, nowhere in Heather Hunt’s proposal did I see an acknowledgement of any kind that there are thousands of single fathers also raising children in The Bahamas, often silently and with little to no social assistance from the state. Single fathers, like single mothers, find themselves in these scenarios for various reasons. Moreover, as men in general make up slightly more than 50% of the workforce (according to BNSI Labor Force Surveys) and maintain around an 80% labor force participation rate, men bear a significant proportion of the tax base for NIB. Despite this, there is no mention of aid for single fathers in the plans.

It is unfortunate that those of us proclaiming to be leaders or aspiring for national leadership roles do not take the time to understand the full scope of the issues facing the country. While I am, personally, not in favor of expanding welfare systems and further tax burdens, if we are going to provide for single child-rearing mothers, we should also provide equally for single child-rearing fathers, with all of the guardrails that come with administering such welfare programmes.

CARLOS KNOWLES Nassau

April 1, 2026.

familiarity over effectiveness. That we prove, decisively, that our expectations of leadership are too low to produce meaningful change.

There is also a hard, uncomfortable reality that must be confronted. That leadership is not ageless. The demands of modern governance are relentless. They require stamina, adaptability, and a long-term developmental horizon.

The country cannot afford to organize its future around the longevity of any individual. This is not a personal critique but it is a structural truth. Nations that succeed build systems that outlast leaders. Nations that stagnate rely on leaders to compensate for weak systems. The Bahamas has done too much of the latter.

This is where the opposition leader faces a defining test. Michael Pintard’s candidacy represents more than political competition, it represents a narrowing window for generational transition. He occupies a unique position. He is not of the founding independence era, nor of the generation that will ultimately inherit the consequences of today’s decisions, but directly between them.

That position carries responsibility.

If he approaches this election as merely an opportunity to replace the current administration, he will fail - even if he wins.

The Bahamas does not need a change in management. It needs a change in direction. Correction is not enough. Incremental improvement is not enough.

The scale of our challenges demands structural transformation.

That means confronting uncomfortable truths and making arguments that may not be politically convenient. It means telling Bahamians, clearly and without apology, that the patronage system is not a benefit - it is a barrier.

A nation cannot progress when public institutions are shaped by loyalty rather than merit. That transparency is not optional. That accountability cannot be seasonal. That economic independence requires more than attracting foreign investors; it requires building domestic capacity, innovation, and competitiveness.

Most importantly, it requires redefining the relationship between the

government and the people. Bahamians must no longer see themselves as passive recipients of governance. A functioning, modern state demands active citizens - engaged, informed, and unwilling to tolerate underperformance.

No leader, no matter how capable, can transform a country whose population expects little and demands less.

This is the conversation that has been consistently avoided. It must now be forced into the centre of national discourse.

Pintard’s true role, if he is serious about leadership, is not to present himself as the solution, but as the foundation. His responsibility is to establish systems so disciplined, so transparent, and so resilient that progress becomes embedded - regardless of who holds office next. That is how real transformation occurs. Not through personalities, but through institutions.

This is the lesson that successful nations have already learned. The Bahamas now faces a narrowing window to learn it as well.

The choice before voters is stark. Continue with a model that has produced dependency, limited diversification, and declining competitiveness - or demand a break from it. Continue accepting governance that manages the present or insist on leadership that builds the future.

There is no neutral path. Inaction is a decision. Complacency is a decision. Repetition is a decision. And each of those decisions carries consequences that will not be borne by today’s leaders, but by the generations that follow.

The Bahamas has the talent. It has a geographic advantage. It has the institutional foundation, however under utilised. What it has lacked is the consistent application of discipline, vision, and accountability required to convert potential into reality. That deficit cannot continue.

This election must not be decided by personality, loyalty, or tradition. It must be decided by a single, uncompromising question. Who is prepared to fundamentally change how this country is governed?

Anything less is surrender dressed as choice.

A concerned citizen of the gap.

RABBI COMMON ZENSE

Freeport, Grand Bahama March 31, 2026.

Promiscuity disguised as social conscience?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

NONE of us, as far as I am aware, are paragons of virtue. It seems wrong to me, however, that the FNM and its seemingly anti-Christian leadership, are advocating out of wedlock children and single parent units. Don’t get me wrong. No one is castigating anyone for having children out of wedlock or a stable relationship, But there are consequences. Far too many young Bahamian women get hooked up in sexual relationships which produce, in many cases, an unwanted child or multiple children. Sad to say, often the mothers are semi-educated and may possess no marketable social skills. The child or children are short changed in that they often may not know their putative fathers or, simply put, their daddies. The mothers, who cannot hide, are then saddled with that child or children while she may have no real job or sustainable income. What happens? That child or children becomes, along with the

mother, a ward or liability to the state/taxpayer. We profess to be a Christian nation but we know that we are all playing Doll House Big Time.

The FNM is to be condemned for promoting a naked and shameless attempt to ‘buy’ votes in the next general elections.

A child or children is a natural ‘gift’ from God and is not to be trifled with.. They are promoting, in my view, promiscuity and slackness of the highest order. In fact, the FNM seems to be anti-Christianity and God’s natural order.

How many children of that single mother will be assisted with $200.00 per month? What is the cutoff point? Where are the deadbeat dads or fathers? Are you suggesting that one should go out and impregnate as many nubile and possibly misguide young Bahamian females, while the state bears responsibilities? If this is the best that the FNM is able to offer, then it is clear that they are

merely pandering to humanistic nature-something for nothing. Are there any Parliamentarians; Ministers of The Gospel and societal fakes who may have a child or children out of wedlock whom they do not check for or support?

The cohesive family, within wedlock or a stable and sustainable relationship is critical, in my view. Yes, mistakes do happen and as a society we should have empathy But to have multiple children a challenged situation is dead wrong; for the mother; the child/children; the state and the taxpayers.

The FNM is, clearly, a promiscuous and anti-legal family entity and is worthy of rejection at the polls. To God them, Who established the ‘first’ family, in all things, be the glory. God is not mocked, the last time I checked. To God then, in all things, be the glory.

ORTLAND H BODIE, Jr Nassau, March 31, 2026.

Mother turns own tragedy into Easter hope for grieving children

BY JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

CHILDREN grieving the loss of their fathers to murder were shown a gesture of love this Easter, as an entrepreneur partnered with an organisation to bring comfort through specially prepared baskets.

Shantavia Cooper-Rolle last September watched her twin daughters grieve their father after he was murdered. At the time, the girls were entering their final year of high school when their lives changed forever. She recalled that her daughters entered a dark period but were able to overcome it through the love of their family. Both were later offered multiple scholarships and now attend college.

Mrs Cooper-Rolle said she felt inspired this Easter

to give back to other mothers trying to support their children after such a loss.

Her business, 2S Snacks & More, sells baskets for various occasions. This year, she collaborated with Families of All Murder Victims (FOAM), led by its president Ms Khandi Gibson, to create Easter baskets for 30 families. The families were selected because they have children who lost their fathers to murder.

Mrs Cooper-Rolle recalled the gratitude expressed by mothers while she delivered the baskets. She said some asked how she was able to cope after her children lost their father. She encouraged them to use school counselling services for their children and to give themselves grace.

“They just asked me how I overcome this?”, she said referring to the

conversations with the single mothers. “It's nothing to be overcome. You learn every day. It's something you take with you. It's not something that's going to go away.”

“We just have to learn how to deal with this, hopefully, try to remember the memories.”

During one delivery, she said a mother brought her child outside to receive a basket. She noted how the child’s eyes lit up with excitement.

“That filled my heart,” she exclaimed.

Ms Gibson, president of FOAM, emphasised the importance of providing hope for children who have lost their parents, especially during the holiday season.

“I thought it was very important because, you know, children look up to their fathers and their mothers. Everybody expect Christmas baskets, especially if you're a child, that’s what we grew up on.”

Ms Gibson said her organisation wants every child to know they are loved and appreciated, no matter the pain they face.

1,056

1,196 sq.ft, 4

1,906 sq.ft,

Caribbean forced to reconsider US trade ties

THE Caribbean hasnot set out to loosen its trade dependence on the United States.It is being driven to do so.

Forgenerations,Caribbeanimporters and consumers have looked first to the American market.They havedone sofor reasonsof preferenceandpracticality.TheUnited Statesisnear. Shipping is easier. Delivery is faster. Commercialroutes areestablished. Refrigeratedcargo and containerservices arestructured tosupport thetrade. Forfood, medicines, household supplies, machinery andconstruction materials, theAmerican markethas long been the natural first choice.

TheUnitedStateshasformany years enjoyed a significant trade surplus with Caribbean countries, and that surplusremains overall, notwithstanding the more recent oil and gas exports from Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. Even there, theUnited Statesbenefits from supply by nearby, reliable, and friendly countries.

The Caribbean, therefore, has beenaloyal market.Thatisprecisely why recent developments deserve sober reflection.No sensiblegovernment intheregion wishes toweaken tieswith a countrythathaslongbeencentral to Caribbeancommerce. Butthe cumulative effect ofrecent US trade measures is now forcing governments, businesses,and consumersintheCaribbeantoreconsider assumptionsthat once seemed settled.

The first is thecontinuing tariff burden on Caribbean exports to the United States. Although the sweeping tariff action announced by Washington on2 April 2025 was later narrowed after the US Supreme Court struck down part of the emergency-based approach, the consequences remain serious for many Caribbean producers. As of April2026, most Caribbean goods stillface a 10% baseline import duty under Section122 of theTrade Actof1974. Thatmay appearmodestwhenviewedfrom alarge economy.Itis notmodest for small states exporting rum, processed foods, specialty preparations,personal careitems, building products and other niche goods whose competitiveness de-

and more corrosive.It liesnotonly in the tariffimposed on Caribbean goodsentering theUS market,butin thetariffsthe UnitedStateshasimposedonim-

DIRECTOR OF PROJECTS, PLANT AND SERVICES

Director of Projects, Plant and Services is responsible for the planning, execution, and lifecycle management of all major engineering infrastructure projects and critical plant operations across the Albany Bahamas property. senior leadership role oversees the installation, operation, maintenance, and term reliability of major utility infrastructure including high-voltage electrical systems, large-scale mechanical plant, and core utility services that support the entire development.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Major Engineering Project Management

neatlywithin Americanborders.Theyfeedinto USprices, includingthe pricesof food, manufacturedgoods, agriculturalinputs, andotherproductson whichCaribbean economies depend.Since theregion stillimports a largeshare of its essentialsupplies fromthe United States, orthrough USlinked channels,higher pricesin America quicklybecome higher This is already pressing heavilyonthe costoflivingin countriesthatcanleastaffordsustained imported inflation. Wages andsalaries inCaribbean economies cannotkeep paceindefinitely with rising prices for basic goods. Governments do not trade directly,but theycannot escape the fiscal and political consequenceswhen householdsare squeezed by higher prices for food, medicines,household items and construction supplies.At that

point, food security and health security cease to be future concerns.They become present national concerns. The third factor is practical, but noless important. Caribbean businesspeople have long travelled to the United States toinspect goods,meet suppliers, attend trade fairs, negotiate contracts and maintain commercial relationships. Wherevisa requirements become moreonerous,orwherehigh bondrequirementsareimposedin somecasesand mayyetbecome more widespread,the costof doing businesswith theUnited States rises yetagain. The issue thenisnotonly thepriceofthe goods themselves. Itis also the cost,uncertainty andinconvenience ofentering themarket from whichthose goodsare bought.

Caribbean governments,importers and consumers are thereforebeing pushedto lookmore seriouslyatalternatives.Theyare notdoingsooutofhostilitytothe UnitedStates,nor fromanywish to sever longstanding trade ties. Theyaredoingsobecauseprudence requires it. When basic goods become moreexpensive,hardertosource, or moreburdensome tosecure fromatraditionalmarket,alternativesuppliers inevitablycome into view. That processhas already begun.CARICOM statesareintensifying effortsto sourcemore

withintheregionandtowidenrelationships withother internationalpartners.The calltobuy local and buy regional within the CARICOM Single Market and Economyis gainingpractical force.This is growingtrendby other countries.Canada, forinstance, is movingtowards a freetrade agreement with Mercosur, precisely because dependence on an uncertainUS tradeenvironment now carries greater risk. That trend will not benefit the Caribbeanor theUnitedStates. TheCaribbeanisafriendlyproximatemarket,andareliableone.If US policiespush Caribbeanimporterstosourcemorefood,pharmaceuticals, consumer goods and building materials from Latin America andelsewhere, the United Stateswill losenot only exportsales,butalsomarketpresenceandcommercialinfluencein a regionthat haslong lookedto it first.

Thisisnot anargumentfor grievance.It isan argumentfor realism.Caribbean countriesare notmoving todiversifytheir trade relationsbecause theywish to turnaway fromthe United States.They arebeingcompelled to do so by circumstances that increasingly threaten economic stabilityathome and,withit,social and political stability as well. No responsible government can ignore risingprices foressential goods,growing uncertaintyin supply,andthe mountingcostsof doingbusinesswith amarketon whichtheregion haslongdepended. If that imbalance is not addressed, diversificationwill accelerate,notasamatterofpolicy, butas amatterof necessity.In thatevent, theUnited Statesmay lose a loyal market that had no wish to go elsewhere, but which would beleft withlittle practical choice. That would be an unfortunate outcome for theCaribbean, and anunnecessaryonefortheUnited States.

(The writeris Antiguaand BarbudasAmbassador totheUS andtheOAS, andChancellorof theUniversity ofGuyana.The viewexpressedarehisown)

Lead the planning, budgeting, design coordination, and execution of major engineering infrastructure projects across Albany. Ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, and within approved

Manage project risk assessments, commissioning procedures, testing, and

• Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP)

• Lifting stations

• Sewer pumping systems

Environmental discharge compliance systems

3. Financial Management and Budget Control

• Prepare and manage budgets related to plant operations, maintenance programs, and major infrastructure projects.

• Monitor operational costs and identify opportunities for efficiency improvements.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electric al Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related field.

• Minimum 10–15 years engineering experience with significant exposure to major plant infrastructure and utilities.

• Minimum 5 years in a senior engineering leadership or project management role.

• Extensive knowledge of:

o Reverse Osmosis Water Production Systems

o Wastewater treatment plants

o Diesel generator systems

o High-voltage electrical infrastructure

o Pumping systems and water distribution networks

• Proven experience managing large-scale engineering projects and infrastructure installations.

• Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills.

• Ability to manage multidisciplinary engineering teams and complex projects.

Please forward resumes to Albanyhr@albanybahamas.com

India has begun its long-delayed population census. Why it matters

India has begun the s largestnational populationcount, which couldreshape welfareprogramsand politicalrepresentation across the country.

Thepreviouscensusin2011recordedapopulationof 1.21billion. It'snow estimatedto bemore than 1.4billion, makingIndia themost populous

The newcensus had beenplanned for2021 but waspostponed duetothe COVID-19pandemic and logistical challenges. scensusworksand whyitis

Counting more than 1.4 billion people

The first phase of the count started Wednesday and willroll out around thecountry through September.Theworkerswillspendaboutamonth ineachareacollecting informationonhomesand available facilities and will document housing stock and living conditions.

Theexercisewill blendin-personsurveyswith a digitaloption where residents cansubmit information through amultilingual smartphone application that integrates satellite-based mapping.

The secondphase to beconducted from September to next April 1will record more detailed information, like people'ssocial and economic characteristics, includingreligion and caste.

More than3 million governmentworkers are expected tobe deployedover thecourse ofthe year. In 2011, nearly 2.7 million enumerators surveyed morethan 240million householdsnation-

wide.

A politically sensitive caste count

The secondphase of thecensus willattempt a broaderaccounting ofcaste beyondhistorically marginalized groups. Casteisanancientsystemofsocialhierarchyin Indiaandisinfluential indefiningsocialstanding anddeciding whogetsaccessto resources,educationand economicopportunity.There arehundreds ofcaste groupsbased onoccupation and economic statusacross India,particularly among Hindus,but thecountryhaslimited oroutdated data on how many people belong to them.

The last attempt togather detailed caste informationthrough acensus datesto 1931,during Britishcolonial rule.Since independentIndia’s first censusin 1951,it countedonly Dalitsand Adivasis,membersofmarginalizedgroupsknown as ScheduledCastes and ScheduledTribes who qualify for certain government benefits. Successivegovernments haveresistedconductinga fullcaste count,arguing itcould heighten social tensions and trigger unrest.

Population data matters for India’s politics Population data collectedthrough the census underpinsthedistribution ofgovernmentwelfare programs and a wide range of public policies. It couldalso prompta redrawingof India s political map,as seatsin thelower houseof Parliamentandstatelegislaturesmaybeincreasedtoreflectpopulationgrowth.A2023lawreservesonethirdoflegislativeseatsforwomen,soanyexpansionwould raisethenumber ofseatsset asidefor female representatives.

Silent erosion: ingratitude and the death of the common good

THEREisa hollowspacein our publiclife wherea simple thank you once lived. That spacehas notmerely beenneglected it has beenstripped, repurposed, and replaced by something colder,sharper, andfar more corrosive: expectation. In today’sclimate, kindnessis no longerreceived asa gift,it is processed asan obligation. Favours are no longer remembered, they arelogged. Relationships are nolonger nurtured, they are leveraged. And gratitude the quiet glue that onceheld communitiestogether has becomean endangered virtue.

This is not a matter of etiquette.It snotaboutpolitenessor social niceties.The erosionof gratitudesignalssomethingmuch deeper:aculturalshifttowardentitlement so entrenched that it nolonger recognises generosity as voluntary. Whena helping hand is interpretedas a duty owed,we crossa dangerousthreshold.We move froma societyof mutual careinto oneof silentextraction, whereeveryinteraction is weighed for personal gain.

Thepathologyofingratitude

At theheart ofthis shiftlies a disturbing ethos: takecare of me, and mine,and the restcan fend for themselves.It s anideology dressed up as pragmatism, often justifiedby scarcity,competition, or survival. Butbeneath those justifications liessomething far less noble rank selfishness elevated toa guidingprinciple. It’s thebelief thatone s immediate circleisthe onlycirclethatmatters, and that any benefit secured forthat circle--nomatter howobtained--is justified. Thismentalityisnotjustcorrosive. It’sfundamentally anti-social. It rejects theidea that a nation isa shared project.It denies the basic truththat no individual or family thrives in isolation. Roads, schools,institutions, opportunities these are not conjuredby individualambition alone. They are built through collective investment,sustained by trust, and strengthened by reciprocity.When gratitudedisappears,thatentiresystembeginsto fracture.

Ingratitude is often subtle. It doesn’talways announceitself loudly. Sometimesit appearsas

silence theabsenceofacknowledgementafter asignificantgesture.Other times,it manifestsas amnesia, wherepast supportis convenientlyforgotten themomenta newopportunityarises. Andincreasingly, itshows upas escalation: thetransformation of onefavour intoan expectationof many.

Thecycleofextraction Considerthenow-familiarpattern.Someone receivesameaningful opportunity ajob recommendation, a contract,a connectionthat changestheirtrajectory. Forabriefmoment,theremaybe appreciation.Butit sfleeting.Almost immediately, the question becomes: what next? Oneopportunityis notenough. Theremust be another, andanother still. The initialactof kindnessisnotseen asagenerousintervention.It sreframedasproof ofaccess,a signalthatmore can,andshould, be extracted. Thisinsatiability revealsa deeperproblem. It’s not simply that peoplewant more that’s human. It sthat theyfeel entitled to more fromthe same source, without regard for limits, fairness, or theexistence of otherswhohavereceivednothing at all. It’s thelogicofaccumulation without accountability,

driven bya beliefthat proximity to poweror opportunityjustifies continuous reward. And when theinevitable “no” comes whenboundaries areasserted,when resourcesarefinite, whenfairness demandsrestraint theresponse isoftennot understanding,but hostility.The same individualswho benefited fromgenerosity mayturnagainst the verypeople whosupported them,castingthemasinadequate, ungrateful, or even adversarial.

Thenarrative shiftsrapidly: yesterday s benefactor becomes today’s obstacle. Thisiswherethedeathofgratitude becomes most visible. And most dangerous.Because atthis point, kindness isnot just unappreciated, it s weaponised. Itbecomes leverage ina transactional relationshipwhereloyaltyisconditional,and supportiscontingent on continuedbenefit. “Do more forme, orI willwithdraw my support.”

Thisis notreciprocity. It s coercion.

The "saints" ofour own making: the problem with publicrecognition

Thisculture ofingratitudeand entitlementmanifests mostvisibly in ournational honours and accolades. Wesee aconcerning

JOB VACANCY

PROJECT ENGINEER

Ocean Cay – MSC Marine Reserve – The Bahamas Full-Time | Site-Based | Rotation or Permanent Assignment (as applicable)

Job Purpose: The Project Engineer will support the Technical Manager in managing and coordinating engineering and architectural design, quality control, and construction activities to ensure the successful delivery of complex infrastructure, civil, and/or building works in The Bahamas (MSC Cruises Ocean Cay). Responsibilities include reviewing and approving engineering and architectural drawings and construction documents along with coordinating all aspects of the projects such as: project management and administration, design and construction management, project performance, developing and controlling financial metrics and project schedules; and developing, planning, and enforcing quality assurance of project deliverables.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support the Technical Manager in the review and implementation of engineering and architectural designs, technical drawings, and specifications.

• Coordinate with design consultants, subcontractors, and construction teams to ensure works are executed in compliance with project requirements.

• Monitor daily site progress, prepare technical reports, and raise technical queries as needed.

• Assist in reviewing and managing RFIs, shop drawings, and material submittals.

• Ensure adherence to QA/QC protocols and perform site inspections to validate workmanship and material compliance.

• Participate in planning and scheduling of construction activities, supporting project timelines and milestones.

• Contribute to site logistics planning, especially considering the constraints of working on a remote island (e.g., limited access, weather conditions, material delivery).

• Work closely with HSE teams to uphold safety standards and contribute to a zeroincident culture.

• Provide technical support during installation, testing, and commissioning phases. Project management and administration during the design and construction cycle, including technical, required manpower, schedule and financial project metrics;

• Collaborates and coordinates with other MSC Cruises internal departments and divisions;

• Supports MSC Construction Managers;

• Evaluates and reports risks along with mitigation plans;

Job Requirements: Skills, Competencies, Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, Construction Management, or related field.

• 3–6 years of relevant experience in construction project engineering; island or remote-site experience is an advantage.

• Familiar with international construction standards and codes (e.g., BS, ASTM, ACI).

• Proficient in MS Office Suite, AutoCAD, MS Project, and other engineering/project management software.

• Strong communication and coordination skills with multidisciplinary teams

• Ability to work under pressure and adapt to isolated, resource-limited environments.

• Excellent knowledge of construction materials and equipment, as well as construction means and methods;

• Excellent time management, communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills;

• Experience in Design-Build, CMAR, and other project alternative delivery methods;

pattern of behaviourthat appears entirelycounterproductive to thespirit of nationbuilding.Every year,we watch asvarious accolades are handed outfor contributions in finance,politics, civicduty, music,andreligion.Yet,astrange phenomenonpersists: thesame peoplekeep gettingthehonours.Some individuals possess three, four, or five national awards,while the"ordinary" person remains invisible. How is it that those who are not connected,not affluent,and not part of the "signature dress" inner circle are consistently overlooked?

There are hundreds,if not thousands, of unsung heroes who have never been mentioned. These are the people who keep the enginesof oursociety running the communityorganisers who feed the hungry without a camera crew,the teacherswho spendtheir ownmeagresalaries on students'supplies, thechurch elderswhoprovidecounsellingin the dead of night. Their contributionsareequaltothoseinhighfinance or politics. Nothing is inherently wrong with recognising thosewho have achieved great heights,but a healthysociety mustlevelthe playingfield. Whenweonly honour theelite, wesend the message thatonly contributions tied to power and prestige matter. Thisisaprofoundformofinstitutional ingratitude toward the working class thatsustains the nation.

The consequencesof disrespect Whenwefail toshowgratitude,we domorethan justforget a "thank you." We actively disrespectthe humanityof thegiver. Toreceiveagift andtreatitasa rightistoreduce thegivertoa mere tool a utilityto beused and discarded.

This disrespectbreeds apro-

found sense ofbeing misunderstood. The benefactor, who acted out ofa genuinedesire tohelp or build,findsthemselvesrecastasa "resource"rather thanaperson. Thisleadstothe HollowState a condition where public service and privatecharity becomedistorted. When leaders or institutionsattempttoactinthebroader interest, theyare pressuredby competing demands from individuals whosee themselvesas entitled stakeholders, regardless of the wider consequences.

The loudest voices,not the most deserving, begin to dominate. Meanwhile, thosewho have received nothingremain invisible. They are notpart of the transactional exchange, and therefore, they are not part of the conversation.Their needsare overshadowed bythe relentless demandsofthose whohavealreadybenefited.The resultisa grotesque imbalancein whichresourcesare notdistributed onthe basis of equity or need, but on proximity, persistence, and pressure.

The distinction ofthe nation builder We mustbe clear:those who operate solelyout ofself-interest arenotnationbuilders.Theymay accumulatewealth,secureopportunities, andadvance theirfamilies, but they do not build.

Building requires vision beyond the self. Itrequires an understandingthat trueprogressis measured notby howmuch one takes, but by how much one contributes to asystem that uplifts all.Nationbuildersrecognisethat every actof kindnessis aseed, not a transaction. They understand thatgratitude isnot merely expressed inwords, butdemonstrated throughconduct through loyalty, through restraint,throughawillingnessto extend the same generosity to others.

Acallforaculturalreset

Thestakescouldnotbehigher. A society thatloses its capacity forgratitudelosesitscapacityfor cohesion. Without appreciation, generosity withers. Without generosity, trustcollapses. And without trust,the veryidea ofa shared future becomes untenable.

Westandat acrossroads.One pathleads deeperintotransactionalrelationships, whereevery act is calculated,every favour is leveraged,and everyconnection is conditional. It’s a path of fragmentation, whereindividuals and familiescompete foradvantage in a zero-sumgame, and where theconceptof thecommongood is reduced to rhetoric. The other pathis moredemanding, butfar more rewarding.It is thepath of gratitude,fairness, andsharedresponsibility.To choosethispath, we must commit to four essential pillars:

Structural Fairness: Opportunitiesand honoursshouldnot be distributedthrough informal networksof favour,butthrough transparentsystemsthatprioritise meritandneed. Wemuststop givingthefifthawardtothesame personand startlooking forthe "unsung hero"in thesignatureless dress.

Responsible Leadership: Leadersmust resistthetemptation toappease theloudest, most entitled voices.They mustguide development inline withthe long-term national interest, not theshort-term appeasementof the affluent.

Personal Accountability: We musteachexamineourownlives. Have we thanked those who pavedthewayforus?Orhavewe reframed their help as something we "deserved"?

Redefining Success: Success must beunderstood ascontribution, not accumulation.

Reclaimingthe"thankyou" Ingratitudeisa sinbecauseit’s a lie the liethatwe areselfmade, that we owe no one, and that theworld is ouroyster to shuck atwill. It sa theftof the spirit,stealing thejoy fromthe giverandthe dignityfromthereceiver.Thetimetoactisnow.We must reclaim gratitudeas a living principle, nota forgottenideal. Wemust rebuildsystems thatreward fairness over favouritism.

Facing reality, we must commit, individuallyand collectively, tothe workof nationbuilding notfor personalgain, butfor theenduring strengthof the communities we share. Let us show ourappreciation to"all and sundry," forin theheart ofthe smallest“thankyou”liestheseed of a great nation. Howcanwebetteridentifythe "unsungheroes"inourowncommunities whoare currentlybeing overlooked bytraditional award systems?

The British are coming, the British are coming!

When I say the British are Coming, I mean British Lion, the sideline band of rock icon, Steve Harris, founder and bassist of one of the biggest Heavy Metal bands in the world, Iron Maiden.

Many Bahamians may not know, but The Bahamas has played a very important role in the world of Rock and Roll, and music as a whole.

Back in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s, and even into the 2000’s, one of the most influential recording studios lay tucked away outside the unassuming community of Gambier. I think that is what attracted Chris Blackwell, legendary record company owner and producer, to come here and build Compass Point Studios.

For those who don’t know, Chris Blackwell co-founded Island Records in 1959, home of many artists from Steve Winwood, to Cat Stevens, to Robert Palmer, to U2, Bob Marley, and too many more to count.

In 1977, Blackwell opened Compass Point Studios and the who’s who of music came and recorded there — partly for that unique sound they got from recording in

Lenny Kravitz, B-52’s, David Bowie, Grace Jones, Diana Ross, Celine Dion, Sade, Julio Iglesias, Ziggy Marley, Robert Palmer, AC/ DC, Judas Priest to Iron

“I love it here because no one knows who I am.” - Steve Harris

Compass Point’s Studio A, but also, because they were working in one of the most beautiful places one could record.

When I say the who’s who, I mean it -- from Sly & Robbie, Jimmy Cliff, Mariah Carey, Mick Jagger,

Maiden.

Which brings us to Steve Harris, founder of Iron Maiden, who said when he first stepped foot in The Bahamas in 1983 to record the first of four Iron Maiden albums at Compass Point: “This is a place I know I

want to live one day.”

He has now been calling The Bahamas "home" for over 15 years. When he’s not on the road, selling out huge stadiums, you can find him unassumingly hanging out in The Bahamas. “I love it here because no one knows who I am," he laughs, “except for you and Sean.”

Sean is Sean Nottage, his good friend and also the organiser of the British Lion concert here in The Bahamas. Steve confides: “I have never played a gig here, so this is special. For me, this is very historic.”

Steve says he’s very excited about playing an intimate venue like John Watling’s because it brings him back to when Iron Maiden first started — playing smaller clubs and theatres.

This was why he formed British Lion in the first place back in 2012. The band now includes bandmates Richard Taylor, Grahame Leslie, David Hawkins and Simon Dawson.

When you go to an Iron Maiden concert in a large arena and you're not seated right up front, you may see Steve Harris running around like a small dot on a stage far away, but here at John Watling’s, you’ll be up close and personal.

So, for all those who long for the good old Rock and Roll days at Club Waterloo, this is a chance to see a classic Rock and Roll band without having to fly to South Florida.

I remember those days well, as I was a DJ there

back in the late 80’s and had the good fortune to meet, and sometimes hang with, musical icons like AC/DC, Judas Priest, David Bowie, Mick Jagger, David Lee Roth, and Iron Maiden, who could just stroll through the doors of Waterloo unbothered. I think that after 18 years, Steve Harris has finally settled into becoming just another Bahamian resident fulfilling the dream he had when he stepped foot in The

Funeral Service For

Nickola “Nicki” Patrice Gomez-Dawkins, 66

a resident of Palm Cay, New Providence, Bahamas will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at Holy Cross Anglican Church, Highbury Park, New Providence. Officiating will be Rev. Dr. Ethan P. J. Ferguson assisted by Rev. Fr. Berkley J. Smith, Rev. Canon Norman D. Lightbourne, Rev. Canon Peter A. G. Scott, Rev. Fr. Whitfield Hutcheson, Rev. Fr. Eric A. A. Miller and Rev. Fr. Philip Hield. Interment will follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens, John F. Kennedy Drive, New Providence.

Nickola is survived by her daughter: Dr. Gabrielle Dawkins; parents: Patrick & Jeanie Gomez; fiancé: Dale Minnis; brothers: Craig Tony Gomez (Candise Gomez) & High Commissioner, His Excellency Paul Andrew Gomez; sisters: Nathalie Pache (Porfirio “Rafi” Pache), Michelle Gomez (Cliff Moxey), Lisa Moncur (LeRoy Moncur II); Aunts: Jackie & Linda Gomez, Louise Dorsett, Murtel & Flornell Gomez; nieces & nephews: Vaughan & Stacy Miller, Anthony (Holly Sands), Bianca “Toni”, Craig Antoin & Cameron “Cam” Gomez, Paul Andrew II & Naeemah Gomez, Dr. Adrienne Gomez-Lucas & Dr. Charles Lucas, Rayne, Deja (Mychael Clarke) & Yale Rutherford (Shannon Wilson), Corei, Ciaro (Michaela Watkins) & Mischa Moxey & Liya & LeRoy “Tre” Moncur III; grand nieces and nephews: Kaden & Kyle Miller, Paul III “Pablo”, Elliot “Cruz” & Christian Gomez, Cheryll-Marie & Anderson Lucas, Daii-Amor Thompson, JaZiya, Rome & Reagan Riley; relatives & friends: Vernon Burrows & Family, Christine Burrows-Williams & Family, Mr. & Mrs. Melvin Brown & Family, Gracine Simmons & Family, Glenroy & Elaine Aranha & Family, Sherry Wood & Family, Devon, Fran & Charmaine Aranha, Cheryl & Marva Aranha, The Aranha Family, Mary Carmel Ritchie, Kenny Stuart & Jasmin Lundy, Kurtz & Carol Ritchie, Mark & Kressville Ritchie, Keith & Elaine Gomez & Family, Leonardo & Patrice Miller, Humphrey Gomez, Jerome & Jean Gomez & Family, Warren Gomez & Family, Marco Gomez & Family, Shantel Gomez, Donna Johnson & Family, Danny & Sabrina Higgs & Family, James & Christine Gomez & Family, John & Simone Gomez & Family, Calae Rolle, Monique Bethel, Dwayne & Tiffany Pratt, Lisa Rolle, Jason Gomez & Family, Alicia Gomez, Bentley Collie & Family, Hyacinth Grant & Family, Carol Brice & Family, Diane Curtis & Family, Dr. Adrian Fox & Family, Lisa Gomez, Andy Gomez & Family, Antoinette Aranha & Family, The Family of the late Edna Miller, The Family of the late William & Alfreda Brennen, The Family of the late Elmore Gomez, The Gomez Family, The Brennen Family, Daisy French, Gregory & Elizabeth Burrows & Family, Yale & Tammi Rahming & Family, Krystal Tynes, Margaret Dillet & Family, Lenora Daniels & Family, Gina Sweeting & Family, David & Tonya Maynard & Family, Kathy Ingraham & Family, Andi Barr & Family, Carole Barnett, Stephanie Ferguson & Family, Terah Rahming & Family, Tammy Clarke, Anthony Butler & Family, K. Darron Turnquest, Patrick Rollins, Beverly & Shelly Archer, Ghislane Wilkinson, Deidra Sands, Eulamae Edwards, Loretta Parris, Eva Hilton & Family, Beverley Wallace-Whitfield, Douglas & Angeline Turnquest, The Honourable Justice Bernard & April Turner, Francis Ledee & Family, Angelo Dean & Katina Roach-Dean & Family, Lydia Isaacs, Ileen Barthley, Cynthia Roye, Natasha Brown, James & Kara Virgil, Antoine & Mei-Lin Hinsey, Carlos & Anastarcia Palacious & Family, LaGary & Mitzy Simpson, Marquisha Franks, Jyssica Batiste, Corey & Kiara Johnson, Dr. Jia Yee & Mark Smiley, Drs. Sassine Ghanem & Evgenia Granina, Matthew Eapen & Dr. Amy Phillips, Dr. Isha Mehta, Dr. Isabel Marcano & Family, Dr. Seema Malkana, Dr. Mica Winchester, Dr. Amber Kuk, DeAsia Lewis, Jeanette Dormio, Kathleen Dummeth, Elaine Butler & Family, Venencia Thompson & Family, Patricia Neilly & Family, Barbara Johnson & Family, Marco & Cleo Rolle & Family, Mavis Tinker & Family, Monica Moss & Family, Dellareece Kemp & Family, Paul & Jan Major & Family, Florence Rahming & Family, Mavis Darling Hill & Family, Ludell Ferguson & Family, Stoney & Julie Duncanson & Family, Marcella Sands, David Curry, Troy & Violet Johnson & Family, The Family of the late Joyce Drakes, Cherrylee Pinder, The Community of Palmetto Village, Gwendolyn Brice, PS Loraine Armbrister & Mr. Armbrister & Family, Delores Scavella & Family, Mrs. Hutchinson & family, Denice Sears, Renee McKinney & Family, Mr. Tony Pratt Family, Gwayne Ward & The Ward Family, The Right Honourable Philip Davis, KC and Mrs. Ann Marie Davis, Paulette Campbell & Family, The Right Honourable Hubert Ingraham & Mrs. Delores Ingraham & Family, Mr. & Mrs. Roosevelt Nixon & Family, Nicole Seymour & Family, Dave Hanna & Family, Lillian Smith & Family Patricia Burke & Family, Mitzi Swaby, Leroy & Deloris Moncur, Dr. Leander & Andrea Moncur & Family, Joseph & Mary Mycklewhyte & Family, Peter & Phyllis Garraway, Liu Yun, The Soldier Road Boys, Sir Franklyn & Lady Sharon Wilson, Anthony & Renee Barrow, Pat Mortimer & Stan Davis, Jason & Elsie Moxey, Mae Curry, Denise & Tex Turnquest, Ms. Genie Nutall, Damian & The Honourable Madam Justice Indira Francis, HC Richard & Mrs. Ruth Demeritte, Val & Thelma Grimes, Felix & Carla Stubbs, Minister Fred Mitchell, Ambassador Dr. Gilbert Morris, Andrew Owen, Dr. Selvin Seymour, Dr. Nazia Habib, Andy Ingraham, Tonya Bastian & Family, Garth Fraser & The Honourable Madam Justice Debbie Fraser, The Honourable Madam Justice Cheryl Grant Thompson, Sir Arthur and Lady Foulkes, Lorraine Collins, Duchess Williams-Alonga, Dr. Evadney Keith, The Bahamas Diaspora Chat, Shano Rolle, Fr. Stephen Coleman and Mrs. Coleman, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Mitchell, Ms Candice Hanna, Tina Demeritte, Barbara Outten, BJ Saunders, Janet Johnson, Cherisse Moss, Dave Cartwright, Craig Gibson, George Watson, Dellareese Symonette, Mary Mitchell, Jeffrey Beckles, Lloyd Wong, Allison Christie, DHC Janet Charles, Damian Francis , Franz Hepburn, Melvin Claridge, Eric and Lynn Gibson, Charles Scott, H.E., Max and Allyson Gibson, British High Commissioner, H.E. Smitta Rossetti, Dame Mary Martin, Eldridge McPhee, Matthew Mitchell Malvese, Minister Glenys Hanna Martin, John Bain, Danny Ferguson, Antoine and Lisa Bastian, Justice Cheryl Bazard,, Justice Cheryl Grant, Catherine Bellot, Ambassador Pat Hermanns, Diana Wallace, James and Freda Malcolm, Paul and Jan Major, Gina McKenzie, Dr. Debbie Bartlette, Leslie Vanderpool, Phillip and Hedda Smith, Elaine Pinder, Albertha Bartlette, Sharon Stuart, Gandhi Pinder, Dr. Veronica McIver, Stan & Dennie Burnside, Mary Elfituri, Dedrie Turnquest, Deborah Jamieson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Caricom Caucus of High Commissioners in London, Bahamas High Commission in London, Baroness Patricia Scotland, Karen Cummings Palmer, Charles & Andrea Gordon, Gilles & Inez Graham, Ambassador Tony Joudi, Kendall and Emily Demeritte, Don & Sue Demeritte, Ambassador Peter Deveaux-Isaacs & Mrs. Isaacs, John Xanthoudakis, Julius Xanthoudakis, Mr. & Mrs. Terry Corcoran, Raffaele & Josefina Di Lillo, Mrs. Michaelene HolderMarch, Caribbean Global Awards Alpha Intel, Tracey Godet, Patrick Wilson & Family, Inell Adderley, Linda Bain, Ilene Smith & Family, Judy Williams & Family, Anne Turnquest & Family, Sonia Saunders, Evan Dean & Family, Nathaniel Adderley & Family, Gladstone & Marva Patton & Family, Renee Hamilton, Debbie Stubbs & Family, Tony Galanis & Family, Shirley Russell & Family, Kelly Burrows & Family, Kendal “Funky” Demeritte & Family, Ivan Butler & Family, The Gardiner Family, Lavern Cooper, Malcolm Adderley & Family, Seron Adams, Derek Rutherford & Family, Roselene Gustelia & Family, Michael Saunders, Marko Chea & Family, The entire Bartlett Family, Mark & Naja Finlayson, Andrew & Sheryl Chea, Dellareese Roxbury-Wilson, Cleomie Lightbourne, Shelton & Shelly Beneby & Family, Brenda Duvalier & Family, Loretta Butler Turner, Patricia Roberts & Family, Dominque Johnson & The Honourable Madam Justice Denise Lewis-Johnson & Family, Pam Smith, Christa Grant & Family, Vivian Dean & Family, Dr. Christine Chin & Family, Dr. Sheena Antonio Collie, Vanessa Colby & Family, Mary Davis & Family, Illinois Cash & Family, Anne Smith & Family, Wanda Williams, Leesa Coakley & Family, Vasco Bastian & Family, Monalisa Hanna & Family, Glen & Zina Pratt & Family, The Moncur Family, Antoinette Knowles, Victorine BannisterCollie, Holy Cross Anglican Church Family, St. Margaret’s Anglican Church Family, Canon Lightbourne & Mrs. Lightbourne, Fr. Ethan Ferguson & Mrs. Ferguson, The Rt. Reverend Laish Z. Boyd & Mrs. JoAnne Boyd & Family, Whitfield Hutcheson & Mrs. Hutcheson & Family, The Staff of Clico (Bahamas) Limited, The Partners & Staff of Baker Tilly, Star General Insurance, Bahamas District of Pilot International, Pilot International, SAC Class of 1977, Mykonos group 2026, Go Go Flamingo Staff

Man remanded over fatal shooting of ex-girlfriend

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN accused of the murder of his ex-girlfriend on Adderley Street last month was remanded to prison last Thursday.

Prosecutors allege that Stefan Miller, 35, called over Janetta Thompson while she was sitting under a tree with male friends around 10.30pm on March 28.

After she approached, Miller allegedly shot her in the chest, upper back and right side, then fled on an electric scooter. The victim later died of her injuries at Princess Margaret Hospital.

Miller is also accused of endangering the life of Jeffery Cooper with a handgun that same day. He was allegedly found with a silver and black .40 Smith

& Wesson pistol, seven rounds of ammunition and a component part of a firearm.

He was not required to enter a plea to the murder charge before acting Chief Magistrate Ancella Evans. He faces additional charges of possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of ammunition, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of a component part of a firearm.

The court was told the matter will proceed to the Supreme Court by way of a voluntary bill of indictment. Miller was advised of his right to apply for bail in the higher court. He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services until July 16 for service of the VBI. Inspector Deon Barr prosecuted the case.

59-YEAR-OLD SENTENCED TO TWO YEARS IN PRISON

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN who admitted to a violent robbery was sentenced to two years in prison last Thursday. Alfred Collie Darling, 59, robbed Matthew Knowles of a gold chain and silver charm on March 31 in New Providence. Darling pleaded guilty to robbery with violence before acting Chief Magistrate Ancella Evans. He was sentenced to two years at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Inspector Deon Barr prosecuted the case.

TEEN SENTENCED TO 18 MONTHS FOR MAC-11 SUBMACHINE GUN

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A TEENAGE boy who admitted to having a submachine gun and ammunition was sentenced to 18 months in prison last Thursday.

Tanario McKenzie Jr, 18, was found with a black MAC-11 submachine gun and seven .380 rounds on March 28 in New Providence.

He was found with an additional three .380 rounds later that day.

McKenzie pleaded guilty to possession of an

unlicensed firearm and two counts of possession of ammunition before Magistrate Lennox Coleby. His co-accused, Trevor Robinson, 53, pleaded not guilty to a single shared ammunition charge. After McKenzie took sole responsibility, the charge against Robinson was withdrawn. McKenzie was sentenced to 18 months in prison. He must also pay a $6,000 fine or face an additional 24 months in prison. Sergeant 3738 Johnson prosecuted the case, while Gary Russell represented the accused.

47-YEAR-OLD GRANTED BAIL AFTER DEADLY WEAPON ASSAULT CHARGE

By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net

A MAN accused of a firearm assault last weekend has been granted bail. Prosecutors allege that Lamatt Munroe, 47, assaulted Anwar Lockhart with a handgun on March 29 in New Providence. Munroe pleaded not guilty to assault with a deadly weapon before Deputy Chief Magistrate Shaka Serville. Inspector Cordero

Farrington, the prosecutor, objected to bail, citing the seriousness of the offence. Levan Johnson, the defence attorney, argued that his client was a fit candidate for bail and would return for trial. Munroe was granted

$7,000 bail with one or two sureties. He will be fitted with a monitoring device and must sign in at the Fox Hill Police Station every Monday, Thursday and Saturday by 7pm. His trial is set to begin on September 16.

Relatives and friends may pay their respects at Cedar Crest Funeral Home and Crematorium Ltd., Robinson and Baillou Hill Roads, New Providence on Wednesday from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. and at the church on Thursday from 9:00 a.m. until service time.

Blairwood students create giant artwork to mark National Autism Awareness Month

STUDENTS atBlairwood Academy have created a giant work of art composed of jigsaw puzzle piecesto markthe startof National Autism Awareness Month,showingboththerangeof young talent andof experiences for those with autism.

Autism awarenessis thefocus ofgroupsaround theworldin April, and onTuesday, students

Thedirector ofD’Aguilar Art Gallery, SaskiaD’Aguilar, said thegalleryhad launchedacommunity outreach programme eightyearsago,workingwithstudents atUriah McPheePrimary

days, so wehave Valentine’sprojects,Easterprojects, Christmasprojects, Mother’sDay projects – I thinkthat helpsthechildren understand the whole cycle ofthe year too.”

decorated individual puzzle piecestobepiecedtogetherintoa

single largerpiece ofartwork to be displayedat theVillage Road school. Anart teamfrom the D’Aguilar ArtGallery worked with thestudents toencourage their art and create the larger piece.

School andthen addingBlairwood Academy last year.

“We reachedout toBlairwood and we knowthese students are responsive to artand to creativity andsowehavebeencominghere since September. Wecome here every Tuesdayand wework with different groupsof kids – we cycle betweenthe primary school,the middleschool andthe high school, and we do all kinds of artprojects, all ofwhich the children getto sharewith their families, and take home as gifts,” shesaid. “Wefocusalot onholi-

“We decidedto usepuzzle pieces becauseon theautism spectrumthereare somanydifferentpieces,sowethoughtitfittingforthattobeapartoftoday, said Blairwoodvice-principal ShemecaMoss. Awareness is an importantpart ofthe month,and westillneed peopletoknowthat neurodivergent childrencan learn,itjustmeanstheylearndifferently.”

Sheadded: With children of different age groups, obviously like a puzzle, theyall have different talents,different strengths. Some started from a very young age and have exquisite artistictalent–soit’s a huge,massed array of youngartistic talent.”

Gallery director

Dyah Neilsonexplained the reasoningbehind usingthe puzzle pieces, which is used asasymbolbyautismorganisations around the world. It issymbolic. The symbolis usedforautism aroundthe world.I thinkeveryone learns differently and absorbs informationdifferently and sothis represents the autism community, she said. “We askedall thekids todrawsomethingthatisimportant tothem orrepresents them or makesthem happy in someway,and whenwe’re finished,weput allthepiecestogetherand displaythem asone piece here at the school.”

Sheadded: Wehave someof thevolunteersdoingitaswellbecause obviouslythey liketo be here with the kids. I think it’s important to try to reduce stigma as much aspossible becausepeople arenotexposed toautismas much,I think,and perhapsdon’t knowhowtoreactorengage.Just engage with people, say hello.”

National Autism Awareness Month seeks toraise awareness and acceptance of autism around theworld, emphasisingunderstanding, inclusion and support.

Ministry announces new Galanis scholarship

Bahamas Information Services

The Ministryof Education and Technical & Vocational Training (MOETVT) and the College ofSaint Benedict/Saint John's University announced they will offer full scholarships tofive Bahamianaccounting majorsthrough thePhillip Galanis memorial scholarship in honor of the late accountant. PhilipGalanis, adedicated alumnus ofSt. John'sUniversity class of1975, wasa Memberof Parliamentand ahighlyrespected professional accountant.

Throughout his lifehe passionatelymentored Bahamianyouth offeringguidance andhelping them secure theirfirst professional opportunitiesat HLBBahamas and Ernst and Young.

The scholarship aims to celebratea pioneering figureinBahamianaccounting andaleader known for unwavering integrity, andto createapathwayforhighachieving math students to pursue accounting.

Some criteria include a 3.0 or higherGPAwith fouryearsof mathematics and adeclared intent to major in Accounting at theCollege ofSt.Bene-

dict/St. John's University.

The Ministry will support the programme bypromoting awareness, assisting with recruitment and contributing $15,000 annuallyfor upto four yearsfor each ofthe fivestudents.

The College of St. Benedict and St. John's University has committed to providing $38,000 annually forup tofour yearsfor the five students.

The application deadline is April30,2026.Visitthescholarshipswebsite formoreinformation, at scholarshipsbahamas.com

Ms D’Aguilar paidtribute to the volunteers who have been taking part inthe art projects, saying: Allthe volunteersare unpaid.They arepeople whofeel they wantto contributesomething backto thecommunity. They careabout thechildren and theyturn upevery weekto puta smileon thefaceof thechildren.”

Blairwood Academyhas been livinguptoitslong-standingmission to leave nochildbehind since itsfounding in1989. National Autism Dayis held on April 2 around the world.

Blairwood director Kim Kooskalis said the academy welcomes donationsfrom thecommunity tosupport itswork. "We aregrateful forthe manysupporters and volunteers who give theirtime,talentsanddonations,” she said. “However, there are manyBahamiansstillinneed.We are constantly seeking ways to support ourstudents, andalways welcome scholarshipsfor Bahamian students in need."

TolearnmoreaboutBlairwood Academy and its programmes, visit blairwoodacademy.com or follow BlairwoodAcademy on social media.

BTVI granted UNESCO Center of Vocational Excellence status

The Bahamas Technicaland Vocational Institute(BTVI) hasbeen granted statusas aUnited NationsEducational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Centre of Vocational Excellence.Known asUNESCO-UNEVOC –an acronymcombining ‘UNESCO’ and ‘vocational education’– it is a global network ofinstitutions specialisingin technical and vocationaleducation and training(TVET). Thereare now253 UNEVOC centres in 152 countries.

Thefour typesof UNEVOCCentres are ministries, national bodies, training providers and research institutions.

BTVI President, KeyshanL. Bastian, expressed pridein theinstitution’s latest achievement,notingthat itreflectsthe organisation scommitment toexcellence.

“UNESCO is aninternationally respected body, so to be accepted as a UNESCO Centre ofVocational Excellence in is a nod to the high standards being upheldbyBTVI.The BTVIteamtrulydeserves congratulations asthis accomplishmenttookover threeyearstocomplete with one year working on the applicationandtwoyears beforeitwasap-

proved,” said Ms. Bastian.

BTVI has certainly taken its place on theglobalstage, alongsideotherinstitutions thatimprove equalaccess to quality skills, empowerindividuals and build capacityfor upskillingand reskilling; therebytransforming lives and communities,” she added.

A key performance indicator of BTVI’s strategic plan objective, ‘Forge Globally RelevantConnections was to establisha UNESCO-UNEVOCCentre of Vocational Excellenceby June 2026. Additionally, the accomplishment is connected to BTVI’sstrategic pillar of Connectingour Communityandthe World.’

Ms.Bastianaddedthat itisanhonour for BTVI to be a member of an organisation likeUNESCO-UNEVOC that shapes and advancesthe global TVET agenda, transforming education systems, labour markets,economies andsocieties.

BTVI s UNESCO-UNEVOC designation comesjust sixmonths afterthe institution’s accreditation by the Council onOccupational Education(COE), headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia.