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Volume: 119 No.127, May 25, 2022
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: PRICE–$1
FINANCE STAFF ACCUSED OF $4M OVERPAYMENT Glover-Rolle says officers adjusted their own pay rates By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net STATE Public Service Minister Pia Glover-Rolle has accused some finance officers of adjusting the system to increase their pay rates, resulting in a collective overpayment of $4m. According to the minister, normal government procedure in terms of adjusting the pay scales were not observed. Mrs Glover-Rolle told reporters yesterday that she was sure “consequences will follow”. The basis of the minister’s claims came from an internal audit that was conducted, which detected some gaps in the controls
regarding the finance officers. Asked to reveal a time period in which this overpayment occurred, she said it was noted when the Davis administration came to office and was ended sometime around January of this year. Her comments sparked outrage among the finance officers, leading them and their union - Bahamas Public Services Union - to gather outside the Office of the Prime Minister at West Bay Street. The union demanded that Minister Glover-Rolle either provide proof of her claims or retract the statements. SEE PAGE THREE
CDC RAISES COVID RISK RATING TO LEVEL THREE By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net TOURISM, Investments and Aviation Minister Chester Cooper said he doesn’t expect the nation’s tourism product to be seriously affected after the US Centres for Disease Control
and Prevention raised the country’s COVID-19 travel risk rating to level three due to increasing virus cases. The latest CDC upgrade was announced in a press statement released by the Ministry of Health and Wellness yesterday. SEE PAGE TWO
MEMBERS of the Bahamas Public Services Union protesting outside the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday.
BUDGET PREVIEW
GOVT OFFICIAL ACCUSED OF INJURING POLICEMAN
HALKITIS HINTS AT HOMEOWNER HELP By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net SOME relief to the public and incentives to promote homeownership will be some of the features of the Davis administration’s first full budget presentation today, according to Economic Affairs Minister
Michael Halkitis. In foreshadowing what Bahamians could expect, the minister told reporters yesterday that the budget will also tend to the key priorities of the government, which include proper handling of the nation’s finances, adequate funding in education, as well as security and health.
MINISTER of Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis. He also ruled out the possibility of the government raising taxes. SEE PAGE SEVEN
...BUT VAT CHANGE COULD HIT HEALTH INSURANCE By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE government is threatening to cause “additional hardship” through VAT-related reforms that will increase medical bills and treatment costs, warned Bahamas Insurance
Association vice-chairman Sandy Morely yesterday. Mr Morley said consumers would “bear the brunt” of plans designed to stop healthcare insurers from reclaiming the VAT portion of medical claims payouts. At present, the insurance industry can deduct,
Photo: Moise Amisial
or offset, the VAT portion of patient care bills against what it pays to the Government from the ten percent levy imposed on client premiums. Mr Morley said insurers would no longer be able to deduct/offset the VAT charged on medical bills. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
FREE National Movement chairman Dr Duane Sands has called for answers regarding an alleged incident that took place between a government official and a police officer over the weekend. Accounts of what allegedly happened between the official and officer have circulated on social media in recent days. Due to the seriousness of what is being alleged, The Tribune has decided not to name the official reportedly involved. In a press statement yesterday, Dr Sands said: “The people deserve answers. Yesterday, social media was abuzz with a report of an incident alleged to have happened on the weekend.” SEE PAGE FIVE
PAGE 2, Wednesday, May 25, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
CDC RAISES COVID RISK RATING TO LEVEL THREE from page one
DEPUTY Prime Minister Chester Cooper said the rating change was a concern, but he didn’t expect tourism to be seriously affected.
It was also reflected on the CDC’s website, last updated on Monday. The reclassification came a little more than two weeks after the CDC increased the country’s rating from a level one to a level two - moderate risk - rating. The Level 3 rating advises international travellers to be up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccines before travelling. It also warns that vaccinated travellers are still at risk for catching COVID-19
and spreading it and further recommends people, aged two and up, to wear proper masks while indoors. Yesterday, Mr Cooper commented on the increased rating, calling it somewhat concerning. He added that while the new change may have some “modest” impact on travel demand to the country, especially among US corporate agencies and event planning groups, he remained confident that bookings will remain strong. “There is always a concern when we see an
increasing number of COVID cases,” Mr Cooper said before going to a Cabinet meeting yesterday. “I point out though that we have sixteen destinations. The majority of the cases that we see are in New Providence. There are still some islands of The Bahamas that’s absolutely COVID free and we send a message to the world that we’re a relatively safe place to travel. “The CDC has increased its rating to a level three recently. This, of course, is (of) some concern and this is watched particularly by groups and event planners and corporates in the US. It should have a modest impact. If it gets to level four, it will have some impact on our overall arrival numbers. “Right now, we are simply seeing what the rest of world is seeing. There’s a bit of a surge in COVID. People are absolutely fatigued by it and people are getting vaccinated. They are boosted and they are travelling nonetheless because at this stage in the game, people are really ready to move on and we’re seeing this materialise in our overall numbers.” COVID-19 cases have been steadily rising in the country over the last several weeks, prompting concerns that the country could be in the fifth wave of the virus. While officials have yet to confirm this, they have admitted that The Bahamas is facing a surge of new infections. On Monday, the Ministry of Health and Wellness
said 52 new cases were reported in the country. There were 694 cases still active with 12 people in hospital with the virus. This comes as some businesses and hotel stakeholders continue to lobby for a relaxation of further restrictions. Baha Mar president Graeme Davis recently told a local daily that he wanted the government to remove its COVID-19 testing requirement for people entering The Bahamas. Asked if the government would consider this, Minister Cooper responded: “We listened to our stakeholders but we make decisions that’s in the best interest of the Bahamian people. We make decisions that balance what’s good for tourism and the economy with the public health and safety of the Bahamian people.” As for potential tightening of COVID measures, the deputy prime minister maintained the government was satisfied with the country’s current protocols and said no additional changes will be made “until the science warrants us removing them.” In the meantime, all Bahamians and residents are urged to continue following the recommended health measures and get vaccinated if they have not yet done so. Booster shots are also available at local vaccination sites and appointments can be made online at vax. gov.bs. Walk-ins are also welcomed, according to the ministry.
TWO FOUND DEAD IN ABACO HIT-AND-RUN By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net ABACO police are investigating a hit-and-run accident early yesterday morning that resulted in a double fatality of two men believed to be Haitian nationals. A male resident of Central Pines is in police custody assisting them with investigations into the accident, police have said. Assistant Superintendent of Police Stephen Rolle reported that the Marsh Harbour Police Station received a report shortly after 5am of two men lying in the street who appeared to be lifeless. Uniformed officers went to the scene to investigate. According to initial reports, sometime around 5.34am a male resident of Marsh Harbour was travelling north on Charles Sawyer Boulevard in a private vehicle when he saw the bodies of two men lying on the southern side of the street. ASP Rolle said EMS personnel, along with medical doctors, went to the scene and examined the victims. Both were pronounced dead. A resident of Abaco said the incident has left many residents concerned. Bishop Silbert Mills, Pastor of Friendship Tabernacle Church in Central Abaco, said it is a very “chilling” thing.
“People here are very concerned and disturbed about it, especially how the victims were left to die,” he said. He said that two young men believed to be the sons of one of the victims turned up at the scene and identified themselves to police as relatives. Bishop Mills said that the young men were shocked by the tragic news of their father’s death. “They were pretty shaken up; the shock of it all left them with a loss for words,” he said. Bishop Mills said there have been several hit-andrun incidents, along with some unsolved accidents in Abaco over the years. He said such incidents are very painful for the families of the victims. “It is always chilling when you have these kinds of acts, and when the heart of an individual leads them to take off and leave individuals dead. Supposed there was a little life left, and you left them. That is very painful for people to process,” Bishop Mills said. He said sometimes there is the possibility that the victims could have been saved if assistance had got to them in time. “Suppose they could have been saved if an ambulance was called – you left them there to perish? We pray that the person responsible is found,” Bishop Mills said.
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THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, May 25, 2022, PAGE 3
Finance staff accused of $4m overpayment from page one They also provided a copy of a letter purportedly signed by permanent secretary Donella Bodie, dated February 17, 2021, announcing a revised career path and salary scales for accounting and finance officers. Before yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Mrs Glover-Rolle said: “An internal audit was conducted and there are some gaps in the controls when it comes to the finance officers. “What has happened is those finance officers have adjusted the system to ensure that their pay rates were increased based on an approval that they would have gotten that we have not in the public service had any approval or vision of. “So, basically, normal government procedure in terms of adjusting the pay scales was not observed. This resulted in an overpayment of $4m plus by that same scale of employees where the system would have been adjusted in their favour without the proper government procedures. So, at this time the Ministry of Public Service and the Ministry of Finance are meeting to figure out how we are
MEMBERS of the Bahamas Public Services Union protesting outside the Office of the Prime Minister yesterday. Photo: Moise Amisial going to address this admin- the government seeks to is what is happening.” me, finance and accountistration of scales that was recover those funds howThe letter from Mrs ing officers, are creatures not properly authorised.” ever that overpayment may Bodie said in part that fol- of instructions and hence She continued: “The have happened and that is lowing an ICC meeting if that were the case then normal policy of overpay- the consequence. conclusion approval was every public servant would ment is recovery. So, I’ll say “If there is an overpay- granted for the creation of have the autonomy to that the audit has revealed ment, there is recovery posts and upgrade of scales determine which salary they some gaps in terms of con- - that is normal. The $4m for the Treasury Depart- would like to receive and trols and the policy is to plus of the government’s ment and Internal Audit so we are very concerned recover. We have found money that they should with effect from January 1, when it is going to incrimisome things as a result of not have should seek to 2020. nate or make it appear as the audit that were done be recovered. We’re not in For his part, Mr Fergu- if the persons charged with wrong and I’m sure conse- a position and it’s against son yesterday said he took keeping the public purse quences will follow.” policy to allow them to keep issue with what he called are dishonest individuals. Asked to explain what the money that isn’t neces- incriminating comments So, today we challenge the consequences could come, sarily theirs. In terms of of the finance officers that minister to either prove the minister explained: consequences, the financial intimated that they were what she’s saying, or to “Consequences mean that team, the financial technical dishonest. retract her statements. throughout the govern- team, and the public serHe said: “I would like to “We challenge her that ment service, everyday, if a vices technical team are still note this afternoon, these where the allegations were public servant is overpaid in communications and that persons standing behind made that is the very same
domain that she must make her public apology to these hardworking public servants and so we also want to challenge the minister if these persons were illegally or unauthorised paid, then we expect that someone who committed this breach would be disciplined. “So, we’re not here to play politics today but we demand that whoever carried out or instructed that the payments be made if it was done without proper approval, we expect that those individuals would be brought either before the courts or some disciplinary action would take place. “The Bahamas Public Service Union will not stand idly by and allow the members to be drugged through the mud. If the need arise, legal action will be taken towards the minister of the public service and so we’re not going to allow them to defame these hardworking public servants who are charged with the responsibility of seeing to it that public officers are paid and whenever there are any special instructions given they come by way of documentation. “So, we demand whatever documentation was issued instructing their salaries adjusted that the union be forwarded copies.”
STATE MINISTER SAYS PUBLIC SERVICES UNION ‘UNGRATEFUL’
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
STATE Public Service Minister Pia Glover-Rolle has branded recent comments from the Bahamas Public Services Union as “ungrateful”, while denying claims the government is stalling on labour issues. Her comments came after BPSU President Kimsley Ferguson said the union had not had a resolution to any of the issues it presented since the Davis administration took office. Mr Ferguson’s comments were published in a local daily yesterday where he also said that nine months into the new government’s term in office, there had been no resolve. However, before yesterday’s Cabinet meeting the minister argued that work had been done and talks were ongoing. Mrs Glover-Rolle was not alone in this position as Trade Union Congress President Obie Ferguson said he was of the view that the government was doing a “reasonably good job” in dealing with the unions and their issues.
Asked about the possibility of industrial action being taken, she said: “That would be very unfortunate because in the last four and a half years a lot of these union leaders have sat with their fingers and have not had anything to say, have not had any interaction with the government because the government previous didn’t allow that. “In the last eight and a half months, we’ve met with, spoken with, and communicated with union presidents across the country via phone, in person meeting, messages and e-mails. So, the dialogue is happening. We’re back at the table in terms of our labour relations unit bringing the industrial relation agreements back to the table.” She said government is looking to negotiate to see where they can assist the unions in closing matters. Moreover, she said there were many agreements that had expired, meaning “there was a lot of work to be done”. “The labour relations unit was composed in October 2021 and since then the unit has been meeting with
the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Public Service, and various unions ensuring they understand the way forward. So, I would say it’s disingenuous to say that they don’t know where we’re going. We have communications and if someone doesn’t answer their phone when we’re trying to reach them that doesn’t mean that there’s no communication. “I would also actually say it’s ungrateful because the same public servants are doing the work that our employees and the union members do to ameliorate longstanding matters that haven’t been touched in years. They’re working long hours and long weeks to ensure that public service matters across the country, these same public servants, especially those in the Ministry of Public Service are working. “So they are bothered when they hear persons that represent them saying nothing is happening because they’re putting in the work. I also think it’s unreasonable because we have processed hundreds of matters in the last eight months.”
When asked if she believed the government is stalling on labour issues, the minister answered: “I know we’re not stalling. We’re meeting on a weekly basis to discuss these matters. If we’re stalling, how is it that we’ve presented already two counter proposals to unions to counter proposal.” Mr Ferguson also noted the start of today’s budget presentation and the contributions to follow and raised concern that allocations have not already been made for “whatever is going to be agreed between the union and the government”. But Mrs Glover-Rolle said she disagreed with this. She explained: “The country’s fiscal strategy report was released by the Ministry of Finance… the country’s financial state has been very transparent by this Ministry of Finance for our administration. To say that the government
isn’t living up to what we’ve promised, we didn’t promise anything other than to handle the outstanding matters. We’re doing that. We’ve proposed. We’ve welcomed counter proposals which we’ve received. “We’ve countered proposed and that process is going on. We are absolutely ensuring that we ensure that some level of payment, some level of amelioration, some return of increments which has already happened is going to happen but I want to make sure that the union leaders are also balanced because where there is this sense of entitlement for promotions, increments, and all of these things there should be a balance of productivity in the workforce.” For his part, the TUC president said the Davis administration was attending to the issues affecting unions. He said: “This
government, the Davis administration, let me make it clearer, has decided to work with the union and to try to resolve things in an amicable way and in a reasonable way. “The government is attending to the issues affecting the unions, not all, not yet, but there is a willingness to negotiate with the unions and come to a reasonable arrangement.” He also said: “They are doing a reasonably good job after about seven months. You talking about four and a half years, we can’t have a meeting and we had to make some announcement that we made some improvement and that we’re meeting.” Mr Ferguson said that he, along with his colleagues, had met with Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis at least three times since the September 2021 election, adding that this was a “big improvement”.
PAGE 4, Wednesday, May 25, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
DARVILLE TELLS WORLD ASSEMBLY OF HEALTHCARE PLANS By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net HEALTH Minister Dr Michael Darville said the government is working to recruit public health specialists and allied health professionals to pave the way for telemedicine platforms and the digitisation of medical records. During remarks at the 75th opening session of the World Health Assembly yesterday, the minister said the devastating Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic brought The Bahamas’ challenges in healthcare to a head in the most dramatic way. He said: “The Bahamas is a small archipelagic nation made
up of 700 islands and is fully committed to peace. While our geography has afforded us hundreds of miles of some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, it has presented us with challenges to replicate the delivery of health care services to each of the 34 most populated islands. “The recent shocks of the devastating effects of Hurricane Dorian and the COVID- 19 pandemic has brought these challenges to a head in the most dramatic way. The destruction caused by Hurricane Dorian to health care facilities in two of our major islands robbed us of the ability to respond adequately to the health crisis that followed. On the heels of our response to
Hurricane Dorian we were hit with the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for us to mount a multi-island response in managing the virus was severely impacted. “I am happy to say that today we are gradually rebuilding better and while we continue to work on improvements in health care delivery, we are ever mindful that the devastating effects of future hurricanes could easily wipe out the progress made. “But in the midst of these intense challenges, my country remains committed to the WHA global agenda to promote economic recovery and to revitalise health care delivery systems through universal health care.”
He said access to proper financial and manpower resources, appropriate medicines and diagnostics are essential in the prevention of both communicable and non-communicable diseases by way of national health insurance and food security. “Our government is working to recruit public health specialists and allied health professionals that will pave the way for telemedicine platforms and the digitisation of medical records. “If we are to alleviate the burden caused by COVID-19 and incidences of non- communicable diseases, we must close the gaps by the introduction of adequately funded wellness programmes. “We support the WHA global
focus on vaccinating 70 percent of the world’s population against COVID-19 by the end of 2022. The Bahamas is diligently striving to achieve this goal and currently provide free vaccines throughout the country and with the integration of the electronic immunisation registry, expanded programmes are going well despite the logistical challenges.” And as The Bahamas prepares for the swiftly approaching Hurricane season, he said a climate resilient health plan remains a key priority. However, like other small island developing states, he said, the country must fight to overcome the negative impacts of global climate change by reducing carbon footprints.
US working with Bahamas to tackle migration issues By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net THE United States government is actively working with nations in the region such as The Bahamas to tackle the root causes of “irregular migration”, according to a high-ranking US State Department official yesterday. Brian Nichols, assistant secretary of state for western hemisphere affairs, told reporters that addressing the migration problem continues to be a key priority for the US and its regional partners, with discussions ongoing in that regard. Mr Nichols spoke to reporters as he was preparing to return home following his diplomatic trip to The Bahamas. During the official visit, Mr Nichols paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Phillip “Brave” Davis to discuss the upcoming Summit of the Americas, which is scheduled to be held in Los
US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols yesterday. Photo: Racardo Thomas/ Tribune Staff Angeles next month. He also visited the Royal Bahamas Defence Force Coral Harbour base where topics on migration and border protection were discussed. Yesterday, Mr Nichols highlighted the need for countries in the region to come up with solutions to address the root causes of
migration. “The Bahamas is a great partner on migration issues around the hemisphere. We have discussed that at the highest levels in our relationship,” he said at a press conference yesterday. “We hope The Bahamas will join us in signing on to the Los Angeles declaration on migration and protection, which we expect to announce at the summit in LA. The challenges that we face with regard to migration are such that we’re really working to address the root causes of migration as essential for all the nations in our hemisphere. “There’s an unprecedented number of migrants active around the world. Over 94 million people are internally displaced, or migrants are refugees and many of those people are in our hemisphere and we have to work together to address the root causes of that – migration—to ensure that it’s safe, orderly and humane and look forward
to continue to work with the government of The Bahamas to that end.” This comes as the country has seen a marked increase in illegal migration activity over the last several months, with nearly 1,500 migrants apprehended in Bahamian waters between February and April. According to Royal Bahamas Defence Force Commodore Raymond King previously, various factors have sparked this trend, including the migrants’ ability to seek asylum in the US. However, he said, there remains sporadic attempts of migrants to enter The Bahamas. Asked whether US officials were concerned by this trend, Mr Nichols said there was concern about the risks associated with migration travel, such as the potential loss of life among other things. He also described the situation in Haiti as challenging, but said the US and
its partners were committed to helping return Haiti “to the path of democracy”. “Migration, particularly maritime migration from Haiti, puts individuals at great risk,” Mr Nichols added. “The risk of death by drowning or a serious injury on the high seas is quite elevated and we encourage anyone whose considering this not to put their lives and the lives of friends and family at risk. “The situation in Haiti - politically, economically and from a security standpoint - continues to be quite difficult and we are working within countries around the world, including The Bahamas, which has participated in some of our senior officials’ meetings around the situation in Haiti, to collaborate and to address the root causes of irregular migration from Haiti, working together to improve the security situation, including ship riders from Haiti on vessels from the Bahamas and
the US Coast Guard working together to strengthen the justice system in Haiti to train police and Coast Guard and operate jointly and to return Haiti to the path of democracy through free and fair elections as soon as can be organised effectively.” “Addressing those root causes will reduce the number of irregular migrants and help Haitians succeed in their own country, which is after all what everyone wants is for Haitians to be able to succeed in their own country.” International news outlets have reported increased incidents of gang violence, violent deaths and kidnappings in Haiti in recent months. The situation is said to have prompted the closures of some schools and businesses there, as the nation continues to grapple with social and economic turmoil following last year’s assassination of former Haitian president Jovenel Moïse.
FOOD AUTHORITY WARNS ON PEANUT BUTTER RECALL ALERT By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lroll@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority has advised the public to be on high alert after a number of Jif Peanut Butter products were recently recalled in the United States due to concerns about potential salmonella contamination. In a statement issued yesterday, BAHFSA said the selected products were voluntarily recalled by the manufacturer – the JM Smucker Company - in the US last week after concerns were raised about possible presence of salmonella bacteria.
According to international reports, the list of potentially affected products includes both crunchy and creamy peanut butter, natural peanut butter and no-sugar-added peanut butter among other products. BAHFSA said the affected products can be identified with lot codes between 1274425 and 2140425 “which appear alongside the best-if-usedby date” and further urged consumers to discard these products if purchased. Local restaurants and retailers have also been advised to refrain from selling the recalled items. “On May 20, 2022 the JM Smucker Co in Lexington,
Kentucky, USA, voluntarily recalled select Jif Peanut Butter products due to potential Salmonella contamination.The Food and Drug Administration has also issued an urgent alert regarding these products,” BAHFSA said yesterday. “The FDA along with the Centres for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention are investigating a multi-state outbreak of Salmonella senftenberg infections associated with selected Jif Peanut Butter products where Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) analysis on an environmental sample indicated that a strain of the bacteria found at the same manufacturing plant in 2010, matches the
strain causing illnesses in the current outbreak.” “The FDA has recommended that ‘all potentially affected products are not eaten’. Fourteen infections related to the outbreak have been reported in the US thus far, with two persons being hospitalised. Although no countries have been named in terms of exports, out of an abundance of caution and because the US market is a major food supplier for The Bahamas, we urge consumers to adhere to the advice provided by the FDA.” The agency said salmonellosis is an illness that usually includes symptoms of diarrhea, fever, nausea, vomiting or abdominal cramps.
These symptoms, BAHFSA added, can be developed within 12 to 72 hours after consuming the affected food. “The affected products can be identified with lot codes between 1274425 and 2140425 which appear alongside the best-if-usedby date. If anyone has any of these products in their pantry, they are advised to ‘dispose of it immediately’, BAHFSA added. “Furthermore, restaurants and retailers should not sell or serve any recalled Jif brand Peanut Butter and for those who may have used the recalled product, they are urged to wash and sanitise the affected surfaces and utensils. The
affected products may also be identified by their UPC as listed at: www.fda.gov/ safety/recalls-market-withdrawals-safety-alerts.” Anyone who may have eaten the products or have shown signs of salmonellosis are asked to visit their health care providers immediately. “Most persons are able to recover from this illness without the need to be hospitalised, however, those who are more vulnerable, such as young children, pregnant women, the elderly and immunocompromised individuals, are at a greater risk of severe outcomes. The investigation is ongoing,” the authority said.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, May 25, 2022, PAGE 5
Ferguson sets sights on Labour Day parade return By PAVEL BAILEY OBIE Ferguson, Trade Union Congress president, announced yesterday his organisation’s intention to resume their annual Labour Day parade after the previous two attempts were cancelled due to COVID19 safety concerns. “This Labour Day is a different day,” Mr Ferguson said. “This is a different Labour Day; we will be on that march and we are inviting all Bahamians no matter what labour you have. We want you to be on East Street by Super Value. I’m inviting all Bahamians to come out and let’s celebrate our history, because you know if you don’t know your history you tend to
TRADE Union Congress president Obie Ferguson. repeat your past.” In addition to announcing that this year’s parade is slated for June 2nd at 8am, starting from Windsor Park, Mr Ferguson said the Davis administration is truly willing to work with the unions to see their goals
accomplished. The theme this year is “Forward, Upward, Onward, Together with Labour”. He then highlighted the accomplishment of the long-sought union goal of the separation of labour
director from registrar and congratulated Van Delaney’s appointment to the post of Registrar of Trade Unions in The Bahamas. It was due to the increased collaboration between the unions and the government that Mr Ferguson extended a formal invitation for Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis to attend this year’s parade. This parade will also include a family fun day at Arawak Cay, concluding a week of celebrations for Labour Day. During questions from the press, Mr Ferguson discussed how the trade union is working with the government in planning a proposed nationwide wage increase. He said both trade unions, employers and the
government will be part of the drafting process of the Living Wage, “So, the living wage right is something new, the government has bought in on that. All we have to do is work out the details. The employers will be a part of that, the government will be a part of that, and the trade unions will be a part of it. So, we are coming up with the living wage, not the minimum wage, that was the 60s.” Arlington Bethel, chairman of the Labour Day Committee, responding to safety concerns regarding next week’s parade said that strict policies are in place and health protocols will be followed to ensure public safety. Additionally, in view of the recent rise in COVID
cases Mr Bethel said that if safety restrictions change by June 2 there is a contingency plan in place. “The TUC will be managing the parade different(ly) from the past. We have implemented some new policies that will bring safety awareness by ensuring the following: There will be no alcohol consumption tolerated by anyone driving vehicles in the parade. There will be Marshalls designated by all affiliates to ensure that the parade progresses safely. We will not tolerate any littering on the parade ground. All health protocols will be strictly enforced.” Mr Bethel said. “It is a march, however if the protocols happen to change before that we will transition to a motorcade.”
DISCUSSIONS ONGOING BETWEEN NIB AND MANAGERS UNION By KHRISNA RUSSELL Tribune Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net DISCUSSIONS remain fluid between National Insurance Board officials and the Public Managers Union, according to Myles Laroda. Mr Laroda, the state minister with responsibility for NIB, told reporters yesterday that the board is currently reviewing a proposal from the union. The union holds a strike certificate after the majority
of union members voted in favour of a strike in April. Previously the Public Managers Union (PMU) president Cassandra Lewis said the union would only use their right to take industrial action as a last resort. They continue to hope for an amicable agreement before resorting to more drastic measures. Ahead of yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, Mr Laroda said: “I had a communication yesterday (Monday) with the chairman of the National
Insurance Board, the director of the National Insurance Board and two of the executives. “They would have told me of a counter proposal that the union, PMU, have made to the government in response to our proposal that was sent to the PMU based on the meeting with officers of the PMU, including the president, Mrs Cassandra Lewis, two of her members and the chairman at my office. “So, we sent a counter proposal to them (and)
they rejected our proposal and countered with another proposal and we will review their proposal and respond to them. “So, the negotiation is fluid, notwithstanding the fact that they have a strike certificate.” Early last month, the majority of PMU members cast ballots in a strike vote, a show of frustration with the NIB following 29 months of wrangling over outstanding issues. Union members both in New Providence and the
Family Islands cast ballots at the time. At the time, Mrs Lewis said while a majority vote did not necessarily mean the union would strike, it intended to use the right to do so if there was no swift action from NIB. In the days that followed the vote, Mr Laroda told The Tribune exclusively that an actuarial review of NIB predicted the fund could be depleted by 2028 should officials neglect to take urgent action. The 11th report of its
kind reduced the fund’s potential depletion timeline by one year, as the 10th review had made a prediction of 2029. At the time, Mr Laroda told this newspaper that he was of the view that the situation persisted because the board had run deficits for nearly six years. However, Mr Laroda raised the shocking development as he made a case for the board’s tight financial position in response to union pressure to resolve labour issues.
GOVT OFFICIAL ACCUSED OF INJURING POLICEMAN from page one He said the incident allegedly resulted in the officer being injured by the driver of a vehicle, adding that: “As the allegations swirl, we believe that the executive of the government of The Bahamas must issue an urgent explanation.
“Was there indeed a road traffic incident/ assault involving a sitting Cabinet minister? Are the allegations that an automobile was weaponised, factual? Did the driver of the vehicle leave the scene of this alleged incident? Was a law enforcement officer injured and transported to hospital? How is he recovering?”
Such serious assertions – if substantiated- paint a frightening picture of our society and by extension, our government. The official opposition demands an urgent public statement to set the record straight, Dr Sands said. He continued: “We wish an absolute assurance of this administration that all necessary care and
support required, has been and will be provided
to this officer and all uniformed officers who risk
their lives to ensure law and order.”
PAGE 6, Wednesday, May 25, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
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Pay attention to details on Budget day TODAY is a landmark day for the Davis administration – its first full Budget presentation. The PLP has of course now been in government for some months, but the moment when any government lays out its plans for spending and revenue raising always marks out the direction we are going. There have been contrary claims ahead of this Budget – with some saying there will be new taxes, and some saying there will not. Among the latter category is Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis, who has ruled out the possibility of increasing taxes. Keep an eye on the small print, however. We already had this government campaigning on reducing VAT only to then snip off the breadbasket exemptions, therefore raising taxes on those items. That was not quite as advertised on the campaign trail. And while Mr Halkitis has hinted at incentives for homeowners and relief in areas such as investment, green energy and so on, health insurers are pointing at the possible end of the ability to reclaim VAT on medical claim payouts. That may not look like a tax, but it certainly will feel like one when that missing income ends up going on insurance premiums. As one source told Tribune Business yesterday, “It’s a consumer tax that falls back to the consumer. Whatever your claim is, you will only now get 90 percent of it. It’s going to drive up the cost of private healthcare by ten percent. There are more than 100,000 people with private health insurance. Some of them will be forced out and unable to afford it any more, or companies will look to reduce benefits to make it more affordable.” If this turns out to be the case, then that is raising taxes in a more roundabout way.
That same source added: “You are increasing tax rates on the middle class. All it’s doing is taking the individual tax rate, which was last time said to be 34 percent, closer to 40 percent with these measures. These are a bunch of subtle taxes that are adding up.” So when the Budget is delivered, remember the devil is in the details. Money out of your pocket, whichever way it goes, is still money out of your pocket. There will also be talk of increased revenue from carbon credits. How does that work? Every nation has carbon credits. When a polluter nation blows through its allotment, it can buy credits from a nation such as ours, which does not pollute as much. So we can make money from it. It may not do much to actually help the environment, but we can use those funds to help compensate for the damage we suffer from someone else’s contribution to climate change. That’s what it should go towards – we’ll see if it does. The important thing of course is that we all want to have a strong economy. We have suffered tremendously from, first, the impact of Hurricane Dorian, and then the pandemic. Mr Halkitis says that the tourism industry is very strong, and he does not want any increase in taxation to undermine that recovery. Nor should he. There are many Bahamians who have not yet felt the full rebound of the economy. There are many who are still out of work or financially disadvantaged because of the hardships we have gone through. A strong economy should help all Bahamians – that’s not always the case, but it should. And if this Budget can help towards that, that should be something we should all cheer. Watch carefully, though. We certainly will be.
PEOPLE react outside the Civic Center following a deadly school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, yesterday. Photo: Dario Lopez-Mills/AP
Tribute to Dr Eugene Newry EDITOR, The Tribune. I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr Eugene Newry, my dear friend of many decades and a comrade in the struggle for the fullness of democracy in our Bahamas. He was one of a group of young men who banded together back in the late Fifties to further the cause of majority rule for the Bahamas. This involvement entailed many long hours of discussions and political activity and an historic demonstration on the occasion of the 1962 Big Three meeting in Nassau (President JF Kennedy of the US, Prime Minister Harold MacMillan of the UK and Prime Minister
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net John Diefenbaker of Canada). Even though his pursuit of education took him to Europe, he remained active in the movement and contributed articles to our newspaper Bahamian Times. Dr Newry had an attractive personality, an impressive intellect, a love of literature, a delight in debate and a deep devotion to our Bahamas. That devotion led him to serve his people in several capacities: as a young political activist, as a neurosurgeon
and more recently as a diplomat. Some of the bonds created decades ago never weakened. So it was that just recently I had the great pleasure of spending some beautiful hours with our late friend and brother, Eugene, along with another friend and comrade Rawson McDonald. My wife Joan and my family join me in extending our deepest sympathy to Mrs Newry and the children. I share in their loss. May he rest in peace. ARTHUR A FOULKES Nassau, May 24, 2022.
Cat Island is suffering EDITOR, The Tribune. CAT ISLAND is so beautiful, but it has a good reason to sing “O Lord We Got Do Right In” - you see the people of Cat Island had made you honourable for the past 21 years please tell us what have you done for us lately or in the past 21 years? Give it your best shot one day you will hang your head in shame if
you don’t do it now you will be held accountable by God for your wrong doing. We, the people of Cat Island, need help - what are you going to do? Please we need our airport paved to protect the people who come to visit the land. We also need a proper lounge to house the travellers - your tent is not working the old rotting
plywood will soon cause someone to be injured, we need development take some of the moneys you are spending on travelling, and hosting visits and give the people of Cat Island the royal development they deserve.
empower the WHO Director-General to unilaterally declare health emergencies in any member state without their support or consent, without consulting their leader(s), and without necessary specification as to what would or should constitute such an emergency. If passed, these new amendments will, by their existence alone, drastically compromise the independence and self-governing authority of The Bahamas and hundreds of other countries across the globe.
I hope our leaders at the UN and the World Health Assembly will sincerely listen to the concerns of the Bahamian citizens they represent, and oppose this takeover of our country’s ability to respond to future health crises and pandemics without undue influence by an outside, global entity. • Stop The Treaty • Stop The Who Thank you.
GRANVILLE McMINNS Old Bight, Cat Island May 24, 2022.
Protect our sovereignty EDITOR, The Tribune. I WRITE to you as a concerned Bahamian citizen, urging The Bahamas Government to oppose the proposed amendments to the World Health Organisation’s International Health Regulations, which would effectively cede the Bahamas’ sovereignty to a globalist organisation seeking the power to control free nations’ response to future health crises. These new proposals would, among other things,
CHRIS and IOLA Nassau, May 24, 2022.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, May 25, 2022, PAGE 7
Man who attacked and threatened to kill his ex-girlfriend fined $850 By PAVEL BAILEY A MAN was fined $850 in a Magistrate’s Court yesterday for assaulting his former girlfriend who he accused of having an affair with his brother. Bill Frazer, 36, of Homestead Avenue, stood before Magistrate Algernon Allen, Jr, on charges of threats of death and assault against his ex-girlfriend, Pretrell Clarke.
At 10.50am on May 19 at Frazer’s residence he was arrested after striking Clarke on her left arm with a PVC pipe causing her pain and then threatening to kill her. After police arrested the accused he admitted to the offence in a subsequent interview. In court, the accused pleaded guilty to the offence, but with an explanation. Frazer told the court that he had an argument with
the complainant on the day of the incident when he accused her of sleeping with his brother. It was because of this that he was trying to get her to move out of his home and only after getting angry during their argument did he use the pipe to slap a phone out of her hand, Frazer told the court. Before breaking down in tears the accused further explained that he thinks his family is conspiring against
him. Frazer added that even under all of this serious emotional distress he would never intentionally hurt the complainant who he says is a good caretaker of their son. When the magistrate asked if he regretted his actions, Frazer said that he was remorseful, and apologised for what he had done. He said he wanted to start his life over. While Magistrate Allen acknowledged that the
accused had a prior conviction from 2021, he noted that Frazer was trying to turn his life around as he now had a new job to provide for his two children. In view of this, the magistrate spared Frazer a custodial sentence. Magistrate Allen further advised Frazer to cut out some of the toxic relationships in his life and to better control his temper. As part of the
magistrate’s sentence, the accused is expected to pay a fine of $500 for the threats of death charge and a further $350 for the assault charge. Failure to pay either of the fines would result in one month in custody to be served concurrently. The court agreed that Frazer can be released as long as he pays half the balance of his fine by June 2, with the remainder to be paid at a later date.
FOUR IN COURT OVER DANGEROUS DRUG POSSESSION CHARGES By PAVEL BAILEY
MINISTER of Economic Affairs Michael Halkitis.
Photo: Donavan McIntosh/Tribune Staff
HALKITIS HINTS AT HOMEOWNER HELP from page one “What you can expect is, of course, this is the first full budget of this administration and you can expect to see us bringing some relief to the public,” he told reporters yesterday before going into Cabinet where the executive branch of government were said to be putting the final touches on the highly anticipated budget. “You can expect to see some incentives to promote things like homeownership, investment in business, investment in green energy, and efforts to promote the economy. “We are making efforts to ensure that what we call the key priorities of the government are properly financed, talking about education, security, health, etc, and so stay tuned for tomorrow.” Asked about tax
increases, Mr Halkitis said: “No, as the prime minister has said repeatedly, that’s an absolute last resort. We’re not anticipating that, well, we’re not doing that. “Our view is that we need to grow the economy. We are still emerging from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. “We are very optimistic and encouraged by the signs that we see coming out of the economy in terms of people being employed. If you look around the construction that’s going on, the investment in the country. So, we’re in terms of the tourism industry, very strong and so we’re encouraged by that, but we believe that any increase in taxation would tend to work against that recovery. “So, our view is we need to encourage the continued growth of the economy, employment, spending in the economy and another
thing that we’re doing as we have been speaking about is ensuring that in tandem with that we are improving our revenue collection. “So, what’s on the books: people who can afford to pay and owe, we make sure that we have the mechanism in place for them to pay and for us to collect and we continue to seek out new sources of revenue.” He also said there would be focus on monetising carbon credits as a source of revenue, adding that as opposed to increased taxation, the focus would be on growing the economy and doing a better job of collecting money that is outstanding. Government will also focus on managing spending and eliminating waste as much as possible. These things, he said, will assist in the road to economic recovery.
FOUR MEN were charged in a Magistrate’s Court yesterday on separate drug offences. Daniel Johnson, 28, Renaldo Hepburn, 38, and Elmore Sherman, 52, stood before Senior Magistrate Samuel McKinney on a charge of possession of dangerous drugs. On May 22 in New Providence, the accused were arrested when officers stopped them for acting suspiciously and found 1
oz of Indian Hemp in their possession. The suspected drugs were reportedly hidden in an Arizona can in 12 separate foil wrappings. In court, all three accused pleaded not guilty to the charges against them. They were each granted $1,500 bail with one or two sureties. August 2 is their next court date. Another man, Cranston Rolle, 52, appeared before Magistrate McKinney on separate charges of possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply and money laundering.
On May 22 in New Providence, Rolle was arrested after he was found in possession of 5 3/8 ozs of Indian Hemp. Police also confiscated $264 that Rolle had at the time of his arrest, suspecting it to be the proceeds of crime. In court, the accused pleaded not guilty to both charges against him. With there being no objections to bail, it was granted in the sum of $1,500 with one or two sureties. The accused’s trial is expected to start on August 4.
ACCUSED FACES COURT OVER MARCH 6 SHOOTING DEATH By PAVEL BAILEY A MAN was charged in a Magistrate’s Court yesterday in connection with the murder of Perez Cuffe. Javardo Adderley, 20, appeared before Senior Magistrate Samuel McKinney on a murder charge in connection with the shooting death of Cuffe on March 6 in New Providence. Due to the nature of the
offence, Adderley was not required to enter a plea in magistrate’s court. The Magistrate then informed him that his case would proceed by way of a Voluntary Bill of Indictment (VBI). Adderley’s case will go to the Supreme Court where he is expected to plead to the charge and apply for bail. Until bail is granted, Adderley will be sent back to the Bahamas
Department of Correctional Services. Before being escorted from court, the accused told the magistrate that he has not had contact with his mother since his arrest. Magistrate McKinney then permitted Adderley to speak to his mother over the phone before his return to custody. The accused is expected to return to the Magistrate’s Court on August 5 for service of his VBI.
MAN ACCUSED OF VAGRANCY GRANTED BAIL By PAVEL BAILEY A MAN was granted bail in a Magistrate’s Court yesterday after he was alleged to have committed vagrancy and assaulted a police officer. Victor Russell, 28, appeared before Senior Magistrate Samuel McKinney on multiple charges. These include vagrancy,
deceit of a police officer, resisting arrest and assaulting a police officer. On May 22, the suspect was found at a building on Oak Hill Road without giving a satisfactory account for his presence. Russell is further alleged to have lied to P/C 4239 Thompson by giving him a false name when the officer approached him and then in the process of resisting
arrest, assaulting the officer. In court, the accused pleaded not guilty to all four charges against him. As there was no objection to bail from Prosecutor Inspector Timothy Bain, the accused was granted $2,500 bail with one or two sureties. Russell is expected to return to court for trial on August 2.
PAGE 8, Wednesday, May 25, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
Know your rights over family leave By Alicia Wallace
THERE are many laws in The Bahamas that need to be reformed for various reasons. Over the past few years, I have specifically focused on gender inequality in the law and laws that have the effect of perpetuating and sustaining gender stereotypes. One law that does not often get attention have leave, paid or unpaid, is the Employment Act. In following adoption or particular, we need to pay becoming legal guardians. attention to leave allowIt is important for us to ances and the impact that know the law and use it to they have on the lives of access our rights. It is also individuals and dynamics in the family, workplace, and important for us to recognise when the law does not community. In the Employment work as well as it could for Act, Sections 17 and 18 on us. In many cases, other maternity leave allows for people and organisations 12 weeks of maternity leave recognise gaps and problems, and with pay. To there are often qualify, the ‘Corporate standards and woman must Bahamas needs have been to step up. models set employed that we can by the same Companies need use. employer for to see the value of In fact, The at least 12 their employees, Bahamas has months, and signed on to she is only and understand various conentitled to that their lives are ventions, maternity pay not divided into acknowledgonce every ing that the three years. compartments. State can do Additional Every aspect of a better job leave of up people’s lives is of taking care to six weeks, of the people unpaid, is with them at all within their granted if times, impacting jurisdictions. there is “any their performance.’ Unforillness arising tunately, out of such we are not always aware confinement”. There is one week of of the agreements made unpaid family leave, as with multilateral organilong as the employee was sations because they are employed for at least six not publicised, education months, following the birth and training are not made of a child or the death or available, and even those illness of a child, spouse, working in relevant spaces or parent. No provisions do not necessarily know are made for people to where to look or what to
monitor in order to keep up. One of the organisations we need to keep in mind when it comes to the workplace and workers is the International Labour Organization. It brings governments, employers, and workers together to “set labour standards, develop policies, and devise programmes promoting decent work for all women and men”. International Labour Organization (ILO) adopted C183, Maternity Protection Convention 2000, in June 2000. Article 4 states that women are entitled to “a period of maternity leave of not less than 14 weeks”. It further states that “maternity leave shall include a period of six weeks’ compulsory leave after childbirth” the Maternity Protection Recommendation of 2000 calls for no less than 18 weeks leave. It goes further, stating that there should be a period of six weeks mandatory leave following the birth of a child. Article 10 states, “A women shall be provided with the right to one or more daily breaks or a daily reduction of hours of work to breastfeed her child”. It also states that these breaks are a part of
RECOMMENDATIONS 1. Finding Me by Viola Davis. “I wrote this for anyone running through life untethered, desperate and clawing their way through murky memories, trying to get to some form of self-love.” Oscar nominated actress Viola Davis shares her story, from her childhood experiences of domestic violence, bullying, and poverty to trying to find the line between using financial gains of her success to support her family and enabling them. It is no ordinary rags to riches tale. Davis plainly shares her relationship with family members, her ambition and its roots, wounds and trauma that
have not disappeared, and the unglamorous side of her career. 2. In the Dark . This drama series centres Murphy, a blind woman in her 20s who “works” at her parents’ nonprofit organization and lives with her supportive best friend Jess. Her only other friend is Tyson, a teenager who saved her life and hangs out with her while she smokes cigarettes in an alley. Things get complicated very quickly when she thinks Tyson has been murdered and she cannot convince the police, both because there is no body and they doubt her
because she is blind and often drunk. Everyone gets caught up in Murphy’s web as she tries to solve a crime and gets herself, and quite a few of her new friends, into trouble. 3. Doing what Matters in Times of Stress, an illustrated guide, adapted version for the Caribbean by PAHO and WHO. This is a stress management guide presenting ideas that can be practised and applied over time. This resource uses plain language and can be a great tool for engaging young people in conversations about stress and how it can be managed.
working time and are to be remunerated. ILO adopted R191, Maternity Protection Recommendation, 2000 in June of 2000. Article 1 states, “Members should endeavour to extend the period of maternity leave referred to in Article 4 of the Convention to at least 18 weeks.” It also calls for an extension of maternity leave in the case of multiple births. Our laws leave much to be desired, and reform is slow to come. Awareness of international standards helps to put our laws into perspective, to see what is possible and beneficial, and to expand our rights. At times, the private sector recognises needs and adjusts to meet them more readily than governments. This is usually not a sign of benevolence, but recognition that people drive profit, staff retention is less expensive than recruitment and training, and healthy, happy workers are more likely to be productive than those who are not. Multinational companies are usually the first to respond to available data and drive change. In January 2022, Scotiabank announced the implementation of its new global standard for parental leave, expected to be completely rolled out by 2025. It includes eight weeks of paid leave for adoptive parents welcoming a new child and an additional eight weeks for those who give birth. As of April 1, family benefits increased for employees in Canada to include, for example, fertility treatment. Eligible employees in Canada, and their dependents, will also have $10,000 — an increase from $3,000 — in mental wellbeing services, including clinical counseling and online therapy. This increase comes after employees indicated they
time off from
were approaching the previous limit, proving the need for more support. They also have round-theclock access to healthcare providers. Managers in Canada are also able to participate in mental health workshops to gain skills to help them support employees. In The Bahamas, the Parental Leave Policy at Scotiabank was implemented in March 2022, including birth, adoption, and legal guardianship. Maternity leave is now 16 weeks, and father, adoptive parents, and legal guardians have four weeks of paid leave. It is also being implemented in Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos and Cayman Islands this year. Human resources director Nadia Stubbs said this is a demonstration of Scotiabank’s “core commitment to a culture of diversity and inclusion”. Patricia Adams, acting managing director in Turks & Caicos, said Scotiabank is leading in “progressive and inclusive employee-centric policies” in the country. She noted that there is data available on the benefits of paid parental leave for individuals, communities, and companies. Longer maternity leave is beneficial for mothers and babies, and parental leave is beneficial for families. It is important that, when there is more than one parent, all parents are able to take
work. Healing from childbirth takes longer than the time allotted for family leave. This means that mothers are healing from childbirth which, in many cases, involves surgery and/or trauma while taking care of newborn and adjusting to constant changes in schedule and home dynamics. This is not only stressful during this period, but reinforces harmful gender stereotypes including ideas about who is responsible for domestic and care work. Paid leave for all parents is one way to support the involvement of men in caring for and raising of children. It is a way to encourage people to make the decision to share care and domestic work and move toward equality at home. Corporate Bahamas needs to step up. Companies need to see the value of their employees, and understand that their lives are not divided into compartments. Every aspect of people’s lives is with them at all times, impacting their performance. Even if businesses want to put profit over people, we are seeing evidence that the two are linked and it is not an inverse relationship. There are some companies in The Bahamas that are offering benefits beyond the minimums set by the law. There needs to be research on these practices and the outcomes. We need to see models, and to encourage others to replicate and improve on them. While we agitate for better laws, let’s also advocate for change in the places we spend the largest proportion of our waking hours — work.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, May 25, 2022, PAGE 9
HOSPITAL USES VIRTUAL REALITY TO AID IN REHABILITATION By EMILY SCHABACKER The Billings Gazette
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — Dr. Jose Ortiz counted the minutes he spent in the back of an ambulance transporting him from Red Lodge to Billings. Timely treatment is imperative to saving one’s life or quality of life during a stroke. And Ortiz had at least a 60 minute drive before he would be admitted to the hospital. His training in medical school and more than 20 years of practicing family medicine may have given him an edge in quickly identifying the symptoms of a stroke, but when he arrived at Billings Clinic, his entire left side was limp. Ortiz eventually started therapy at the Rehabilitation Hospital of Montana (RHOM) in Billings. Now, about three months later, the only visible marker of the event is a slight droop to his smile on the left side. Every patient at RHOM is expected to complete three hours of demanding therapy a day. To spice up the grueling repetitions, RHOM partnered with tech companies Penumbra and BIONIK Labs to integrate virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI) to patient care, The Billings Gazette reports. RHOM is now the first and only facility in Montana to utilize this technology. “(Rehab) is probably the
LAURIE Brown tries out a virtual reality rehabilitation tool during an open house at the Rehabilitation Hospital of Montana in Billings. The hospital uses the technology to help patents who have suffered from strokes and other medical problems. (Mike Clark/The Billings Gazette via AP) last frontier for medical robotics,” said Loren Wass, chief commercial officer with BIONIK Labs. BIONIK Labs produces the InMotion ARM which uses robotics, AI and machine learning (ML) to help patients work on upper extremity rehabilitation when they have a neurological disorder such as a stroke, Wass said. The patient is seated in front of a monitor and their forearm is strapped into the device. Guided by games on the screen, the patient grips a handle and moves their arm forward and back,
challenging them to get in more reps. The AI and ML allows the device to collect data and adapt to the patient’s needs. The machine produces progress reports, makes treatment recommendations and it can follow protocol driven treatments. In a conventional therapy session, the patient completes about 30 to 60 movements in an hour, while BIONIK’s InMotion ARM devices achieve 600 to 1,000 movements in the same amount of time. While the BIONIK Labs device isn’t something you
might see in your living room, the virtual reality tools are. The REAL y-Series is a comprehensive VR rehabilitation tool that helps distract the patient from any discouraging or limiting thoughts or feelings, said Jen Graves, RHOM CEO. Similar to an Oculus, the REAL y-Series headset fits over the eyes to immerse the user into a whole new environment. Straps with sensors are then attached to the hands, upper arms and over the shoulders and back to generate a body in the VR world that is similar to the patient’s.
Plunged into a carnival themed pinball game, patients reach to hit the balls coming toward them. The game tests shoulder range of motion including flexion and extension, reactive movement, core control, motor skills and tests their vision while engaging in a high stimulation environment that distracts from physical pain or fatigue. In another environment, the patient finds themselves behind a deli counter. On one side they see a sandwich order and on the other are all the ingredients to build the sandwich. The game focuses on sequencing and memory work, object recognition, shoulder and cervical range of motion and coordination. Penumbra occupational therapist Jessica Hauert is trained to select activities specific to the patient’s needs and watches the patient’s progress from a handheld tablet. Hauert finds that many older patients are familiar with things like tablets and VR through their families, and are eager to try it in therapy. “Patients often work harder because when they’re transported to another world … they forget that they’re doing really hard work. They’re reaching higher and working a lot harder because they’re having fun,” said Jennifer Wong, VP of market development with Immersive Healthcare at Penumbra.
BOEING DOCKS CREW CAPSULE TO SPACE STATION IN TEST DO-OVER By MARCIA DUNN AP Aerospace Writer CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — With only a test dummy aboard, Boeing’s astronaut capsule pulled up and parked at the International Space Station for the first time Friday, a huge achievement for the company after years of false starts. With Starliner’s arrival, NASA finally realises its longtime effort to have crew capsules from competing U.S. companies flying to the space station. SpaceX already has a running start. Elon Musk’s company pulled off the same test three years ago and has since launched 18 astronauts to the space station, as well as tourists. “Today marks a great milestone,” NASA astronaut Bob Hines radioed from the orbiting complex. “Starliner is looking beautiful on the front of the station,” he added. The only other time Boeing’s Starliner flew in space, it never got anywhere near the station, ending up in the wrong orbit. This time, the overhauled spacecraft made it to the right spot following Thursday’s launch and docked at the station 25 hours later. The automated rendezvous went off without a major hitch, despite the failure of a handful of thrusters. If the rest of Starliner’s mission goes well, Boeing could be ready to launch its first crew by the end of this year. The astronauts likely to serve on the first Starliner crew joined Boeing and NASA flight controllers in Houston as the action unfolded nearly 270 miles
TECHTALK
HYUNDAI ANNOUNCES $5.5B ELECTRIC VEHICLE PLANT IN GEORGIA By RUSS BYNUM ASSOCIATED PRESS ELLABELL, Ga. (AP) — Hyundai Motor Group confirmed Friday the company will spend $5.5 billion on a huge electric vehicle plant near Savannah that will employ thousands — a deal Georgia’s governor called the largest economic development project in the state’s history. Hyundai Motor Group CEO Jaehoon Chang made the announcement with Gov. Brian Kemp at the site of the future factory in Bryan County, where state and local officials purchased a flat, sprawling tract for $61 million last year in hopes of luring a major manufacturer. “Hard-working Georgians are going to have the opportunity to have a really high-paying, advanced manufacturing job with a great company,” Kemp said in an interview. Hyundai said it will employ at least 8,100 workers at the plant near the unincorporated town of Ellabell. It will be Hyundai’s first U.S. plant dedicated to assembling electric vehicles and will also produce vehicle batteries. “This new, high tech EV plant represents the future of our business,” Chang told more than 100 people sipping champagne under a tent pitched at the site on a dusty field of cleared dirt. Hyundai Motors said it plans to start construction early next year and in 2025 begin producing up to 300,000 vehicles per year. The company didn’t say which vehicle models the Georgia plant will make. In a video shown at the Georgia announcement, Hyundai Motors Chairman Euisun Chung said it will produce “a wide range of exciting, innovative EVs for our American customers.”
Houston could see the space station through the capsule’s cameras. “We’re waving. Can you see us?” joked Hines. There was only silence from Starliner. The commander’s seat was occupied once again by the mannequin dubbed Rosie the Rocketeer, a space-age version of World War II’s Rosie the Riveter. The gleaming white-with-bluetrim capsule hovered 33 feet (10 metres) from the station for close to two hours — considerably longer than planned — as flight controllers adjusted its docking ring and ensured everything else was in order. Mobile, 1. Apex Legends When the green light finally s rt came, Starliner closed the Electronic A gap in four minutes, elicits, 2. Subway Surfer ing cheers in Boeing’s control Sybo Games ApS centre. Applause erupted once the latches were tightly 3. Figurine Art, secured. TapNation “These last 48 hours have just been a barnstorm, so it’s 4. Tall Man Run, going to be very good to sleep SUPERSONIC tonight,” said Mark Nappi, STUDIOS LTD vice president and director y of Boeing’s commercial crew 5. Disney+, Disne programme. It was a double cel!, ebration for NASA’s commercial 6. Dream Wedding crew program director Steve MagicLab Stich, who turned 57 Friday. Inc. “What an incredible birthday it 7. Netflix, Netflix, was,” he told reporters. 8. Coffee Stack, The space station’s seven Rollic Games astronauts will unload groceries and gear from Starliner and x 9. Roblox, Roblo pack it up with experiments. n tio ra Corpo Unlike SpaceX’s Dragon capch, sule that splashes down off the 10. YouTube: Wat Florida coast, Starliner will aim Listen, Stream, for a landing in New Mexico next Google LLC Wednesday.
TOP FREE iPAD APPS:
THIS image from NASA TV shows the Boeing Starliner preparing to dock at the International Space Station, Friday. Boeing’s astronaut capsule arrived at the International Space Station in a critical repeat test flight. Only a test dummy was aboard the capsule for Friday’s docking, a huge achievement for Boeing after years of false starts. (NASA via AP) (435 kilometres) up. NASA wants redundancy when it comes to the Florida-based astronaut taxi service. Administrator Bill Nelson said Boeing’s long road with Starliner underscores the importance of having two types of crew capsules. U.S. astronauts were stuck riding Russian rockets once the shuttle programme ended, until SpaceX’s first crew flight in 2020. Boeing’s first Starliner test flight in 2019 was plagued by software errors that cut the mission short and could have doomed the spacecraft. Those were corrected, but when the new capsule awaited liftoff last summer, corroded valves
halted the countdown. More repairs followed, as Boeing chalked up nearly $600 million in do-over costs. Before letting Starliner get close to the space station Friday, Boeing ground controllers practiced maneuvering the capsule and tested its robotic vision system. Everything checked out well, Boeing said, except for a cooling loop and four failed thrusters. The capsule held a steady temperature, however, and had plenty of other thrusters for steering. Once Starliner was within 10 miles (15 kilometres) of the space station, Boeing flight controllers in
PAGE 10, Wednesday, May 25, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
‘Remarkable’ recovery for pilot who passed out in flight THE 64-YEAR-OLD pilot of a small plane who became incapacitated on a flight from The Bahamas, leaving his passenger with no flying experience to land the Cessna in Florida earlier this month, suffered a tear in his aorta, his surgeon said. Dr Nishant Patel, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, said in a news conference last week that Kenneth Allen’s recovery from the aortic dissection was remarkable. “Every step of the way, it was really extraordinary that he was able to get through it,” Patel said. “The first thing he said to me the morning after surgery was, ‘When can I go home?’”
KENNETH Allen and his wife, Stanna. Mr Allen, of Florida, was Darren Harrison told flying two passengers to NBC’s “Today” show earFlorida from The Bahamas lier this week the “hand of on May 10 when he lost God” was with him when consciousness. he landed the plane after
Allen passed out. Harrison said he was relaxing with his feet up in the back of the single-engine plane after a fishing trip in the Bahamas when the pilot told him and another passenger: “Guys, I gotta tell you I don’t feel good.” “He said, ‘I’ve got a headache and I’m fuzzy and I just don’t feel right,’” the 39-year-old flooring salesman said. “And I said, ‘What do we need to do?’ and at that point he didn’t respond at all.” “All I saw when I came up to the front was water out the right window and I knew it was coming quick. At that point I knew if I didn’t react, that we would die,” Harrison told NBC. Harrison, of Lakeland,
landed the plane at Palm Beach International Airport a short time later with the assistance from Air Traffic Controller Bobby Morgan. An ambulance was waiting at the airport and Allen was taken first to St Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach, where he was suffering signs of a stroke that left the left side of his face droopy and the loss of movement on one side of his body. Patel said when doctors discovered Allen needed complex cardiac care, he was transferred to Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center. When Allen arrived, he was “confused and lethargic”, Patel said. He then
underwent a nine-hour procedure to correct the aortic dissection. Patel and his team stopped the blood flow to every organ except Allen’s brain, which meant his body temperature was cooled. “When you cool someone down that low, the clock is ticking,” Patel said. He said Allen had no excessive bleeding during the surgery or afterward. “The moment that he was describing to his friends on the plane, ‘Hey guys, I don’t feel well. I have the worst headache of my life. I’m feeling fuzzy, dizzy.’ That is the exact event that the tear occurred in his aorta,” Patel said. “To be able to survive that acute event was really quite remarkable.”
‘Unusually busy’ hurricane season predicted - for seventh year in row By SETH BORENSTEIN AP Science Writer FEDERAL meteorologists are forecasting a record-shattering seventh straight unusually busy Atlantic hurricane season. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted yesterday that the summer in the Atlantic will produce 14 to 21 named storms, six to ten becoming hurricanes and three to six turbo-charging into major hurricanes with winds greater than 110mph. Even with normals shifting upwards to reflect more active storm seasons in recent decades, these predictions are above the 30-year average of 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes. The National Hurricane Center ran out of names for Atlantic storms in the last two years, with a recordsetting 30 named storms in 2020 and 21 last year. In the past five years there have been more Category 4 and 5 hurricane landfalls in the United States than in the previous 50 years combined. This hurricane season “is going to be similar to last year and given that you need only one bad storm to dramatically affect your life, if you fail to plan around this outlook, you’re planning to fail,” NOAA administrator Rick Spinrad told The Associated Press yesterday. “You can take this outlook to the bank literally when it looks to protecting your property.” Every weather factor pointed to a busier season, said Matthew Rosencrans,
THIS satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Hurricane Sam, centre right, in the Atlantic Ocean, on September 27, 2021. Photo: NOAA Last week, President hurricane that became lead hurricane season out- NOAA that the Atlantic look forecaster for NOAA’s conditions are ripe for yet Joe Biden also warned one of the most expensive Climate Prediction Center. another active hurricane the nation about “another weather disasters in AmeriHe pointed to a multi- season. They say La Nina tough hurricane season” can history with massive decade long trend to more reduces wind shear that coming. flooding in New York. “We’re seeing these storms in the Atlantic, an could decapitate storms. “We’ve seen such a draactive monsoon season in The warmer water — about storms happen more fre- matic change in the type of West Africa, a La Nina — half a degree warmer (0.3 quently. They’re lasting weather events that could the natural and occasional degrees Celsius) than last longer,” FEMA director be seen as a result of cliin storm-forming Deanne Criswell said in mate change,” Criswell cooling of parts of the equa- year torial Pacific that changes areas, according to Rosen- a New York City press said. weather worldwide — and crans — serves as hurricane conference. NOAA says NOAA said there’s a warmer than normal ocean fuel. A reduction in pollu- 13 people in the city died 65% chance for an “abovetemperatures, which sci- tion particles in the air has during Hurricane Ida with normal” hurricane season, entists say are stoked by taken away artificial cooling 11 of them dying in flooded a 25% chance for a normal in the Atlantic and a new basements. It is also the season and only a one in climate change. Several outside hurri- study links that to increas- 10th anniversary of Super- ten chance for an unusually storm Sandy, a downgraded quiet season. cane experts agree with ing storms.
One key indicator, that takes into account the number of storms, how strong they are and how long they last, is called Accumulated Cyclone Energy index or ACE and Rosencrans said this year could be as much as double what’s been normal since 1950. The calculation is used when determining what is an average season and what’s above average. The average ACE since 1950 is just shy of 100, while the last six years have ranged from 132 to 225 in 2017. That stretch of six straight above-average years is a record, smashing the old mark of three-in-a-row, said Colorado State University hurricane researcher and seasonal forecaster Phil Klotzbach. He said it is highly likely that the record will stretch to seven this year. “It’s really a strange thing that we’ve had six consecutive seasons be so active,” said University of Miami hurricane researcher Brian McNoldy. NOAA’s predictions mesh with ten of ther meteorological teams — government, university and private — that have made their hurricane season predictions. The average of their predictions is 20 named storms, eight becoming hurricanes and four becoming major hurricanes. Because La Nina has a different effect in the Pacific and conditions usually are opposite, earlier this month NOAA predicted a quieter than normal Pacific storm season.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, May 25, 2022, PAGE 11
LAW enforcement personnel outside Robb Elementary School following yesterday’s shooting. Photo: Dario Lopez-Mills/AP
19 children and a teacher killed in school shooting UVALDE, Texas Associated Press AN 18-YEAR-OLD gunman opened fire yesterday at a Texas elementary school, killing at least 19 children as he went from classroom to classroom, officials said, in the deadliest school shooting in nearly a decade and the latest gruesome moment for a country scarred by a string of massacres. The attacker was killed by law enforcement. The death toll also included two adults, authorities said. Gov Greg Abbott said one of the two was a teacher. The assault at Robb Elementary School in the heavily Latino town of Uvalde was the deadliest shooting at a US grade school since a gunman killed 20 children and six adults at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, in December 2012. Hours after the attack, families were still awaiting word on their children. Outside the town civic center, where families were told to gather, the silence was broken repeatedly by screams and wailing. “No! Please, no!” one man yelled
as he embraced another man. “My heart is broken today,” said Hal Harrell, the school district superintendent. “We’re a small community, and we’re going to need your prayers to get through this.” Adolfo Cruz, a 69-yearold air conditioning repairman, was still outside the school as the sun set, seeking word on his ten-year-old great-granddaughter, Elijah Cruz Torres. He drove to the scene after receiving a terrifying call from his daughter shortly after the first reports of the shooting. He said other relatives were at the hospital and the civic center. Waiting, he said, was the heaviest moment of his life. “I hope she is alive,” Cruz said. The attack came just ten days after a deadly, racist rampage at a Buffalo, New York, supermarket that added to a yearslong series of mass killings at churches, schools and stores. And the prospects for any reform of the nation’s gun regulations seemed as dim, if not dimmer, than in the aftermath of the Sandy Hook deaths.
But President Joe Biden appeared ready for a fight, calling for new gun restrictions in an address to the nation hours after the attack. “As a nation we have to ask, when in God’s name are we going to stand up to the gun lobby? When in God’s name are we going to do what has to be done?” Biden asked. “Why are we willing to live with this carnage?” Many of the wounded were rushed to Uvalde Memorial Hospital, where staff members in scrubs and devastated victims’ relatives could be seen weeping as they walked out of the complex. Officials did not immediately reveal a motive, but they identified the assailant as Salvador Ramos, a resident of the community about 85 miles west of San Antonio. Law enforcement officials said he acted alone. The attack came as Robb Elementary was counting down to the last days of the school year with a series of themed days. Tuesday was to be “Footloose and Fancy,” with students wearing nice outfits and shoes. The school has nearly 600 students in second, third and fourth grades. The vast
A WOMAN cries as she leaves the Uvalde Civic Centre following a shooting earlier in the day at Robb Elementary School. photo: William Luther/The San Antonio Express-News via AP majority of the students are Latino. Ramos had hinted on social media that an attack could be coming, according to state Sen Roland Gutierrez, who said he had been briefed by state police. He noted that the gunman “suggested the kids should watch out”. Before heading to the school, Ramos killed his grandmother with two military-style rifles he purchased on his birthday, Gutierrez said. “That was the first thing
he did on his 18th birthday,” he said. Other officials said later that the grandmother had survived, and was being treated, through her condition was not known. The attack began about 11:30am, when the gunman crashed his car outside the school and ran into the building, according to Travis Considine, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety. A resident who heard the crash called 911, and two local police officers exchanged gunfire with the
shooter. Both officers were shot, though it was not immediately clear where on the campus that confrontation occurred, or how much time elapsed before more authorities arrived on the scene. Meanwhile, teams of Border Patrol agents raced to the school, including ten to 15 members of a SWAT-like tactical and counter-terrorism unit, said Jason Owens, a top regional official with the Border Patrol.
SPORTS PAGE 12
WEDNESDAY, MAY 25, 2022
NBA, PAGE 15
NACAC Championships set for Grand Bahama By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
T
o help restore the “magic” in Grand Bahama, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture announced that the Bahamas’ Sports in Paradise campaign will host the fourth edition of the North American, Central American and Caribbean Championships. Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg made the announcement of the biggest international sporting event to take place in Grand Bahama from August 19-21 at the Grand Bahama Sports Complex. Minister Mario Bowleg revealed that it was only fitting that with so many events being Nassau-centric heading and during the Bahamas 50th celebrations of Independence next year, they decided to spread out the sports and entertainment activities on various islands. “One thing this
administration does not want to do is become Nassau-centric,” Bowleg said. “You will see in a matter of days some of the things that we intend for sports for the length and breadth of the Bahamas. “Grand Bahama is the second city. We would like to get them back to the magic city and bring the grand back to Grand Bahama. If we don’t do it now, I don’t know when we will do it.” Bowleg said the NACAC officials, headed by President Mike Sands, have already completed their site inspection in Grand Bahama and work has commenced on ensuring that the Grand Bahama Sports Complex is ready for the championships. “Not only will the athletes compete in a newly renovated Grand Bahama Sports Complex, but they will be doing so in style on a level two Mondo surface finish that will be recertified. “The stadium is also being equipped with an
DALLAS WINS 4TH STRAIGHT ROAD GAME, 85-77 OVER JONES & SUN NACAC president Mike Sands, BAAA president Drumeco Archer, Minister of Social Services Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg, Minister for Grand Bahama Ginger Moxey and Grafton Ifill Jr, government financial advisor. electronic timing system and proper lighting to capture the moments.” Ginger Moxey, the Minister for Grand Bahama, said it’s only fitting that they get to stage the championships in Grand Bahama as they continue
their bid to “recovering, rebuilding and revoluting their communities” in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19. “We are very excited about what’s in store for Grand Bahama and, what it means to our people and
what it makes to sports development in the Bahamas,” she said. “I know that the entire community is thrilled by it and it’s the beginning. In our blueprint for change,
SEE PAGE 13
CENTRO BASKET: UNDER-15 BOYS GETTING READY TO TRAVEL By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net QUINTON ‘Three Ounce’ Hall said it has been difficult getting a chance to view all of the potential players for the Bahamas Basketball Federation’s Under15 boys’ team that will represent the country at the Centro Basket Tournament. The team will be heading to Girabola, Puerto Rico, for the tournament June 16-23 and once again, Hall is aiming for another qualifying performance for the Tournament of Americas. “Next
week during the Labour Day weekend, we expect to have all of the players to come together for the trials,” Hall said. “This will be the last chance for us to make our team selection, except for one or two kids in the United States, who are still in school.” Hall is expected to make the trip with his coaching staff that includes Kevin Clarke, Denykco Bowles. Stephen ‘S’ Brown is the head of delegation. Delva Francis will be the team manager and George Burrows will serve as the team’s medical personnel. He said he’s hoping that the practice sessions that the players
were engaged in from January with their respective coaches will help them out tremendously because the national team has not had sufficient time to get the players assembled at the same time. “It’s a difficult time for island to island to get together,” he said. “We know that a lot of basketball was played, and a lot of teams have been traveling. “So, we are hoping that over the Labour Day holiday weekend, we can get this team together and we can come up with a 24-man roster to work with before we make the final team to travel.” Hall said it will be difficult to get all the top players together
as some maybe competing in two tournaments being planned by Bowleg and Kevin ‘KJ’ Johnson respectively. “We’re still working on whether the players will come to Nassau, or they come here to Freeport, and we work on some scrimmages to see what they look like,” Hall said. “But I know for sure that by the end of the Labour Day weekend, we should have an idea of what the team looks like. That will only give us a few days after that to select the final team. “So, we are hoping that everything will work out over the Labour Day weekend.”
UNCASVILLE, Conn. (AP) — Marina Mabrey scored 20 points, Allisha Gray had 17 points and eight rebounds, and the Dallas Wings beat the Connecticut Sun 85-77 last night for their fourth straight road victory. Dallas trailed 38-27 at halftime before taking its first lead since the opening minutes late in the third quarter. Mabrey capped a 12-2 run with a 3-pointer to help Dallas take a 53-51 lead. Arike Ogunbowale added 16 points for Dallas (5-2). Kayla Thornton grabbed 10 rebounds and Isabelle Harrison had nine points and eight rebounds. Mabrey made three 3-pointers and reached 20 points for the third time this season. Alyssa Thomas, Jonquel Jones and Brionna Jones each scored 13 points for Connecticut (4-2), which had a four-game winning streak snapped. Thomas moved into third on Connecticut’s rebounding list. Connecticut announced before the game Jasmine Thomas would miss the remainder of the season with a torn ACL.
INAUGURAL ‘UNCLE LOU’ ADDERLEY CHARITY GOLF TOURNEY ON PAR By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net THE life and legacy of the late Leviticus Adderley will live on as the Alumni Association of St Augustine’s College hosts the inaugural ‘Unca Lou’ Adderley Charity Golf Tournament. The two-man scramble event is scheduled for Saturday, June 11 at the Royal Blue Golf Course at the Baha Mar resort on Cable Beach with proceeds going towards the completion of the sporting facilities at SAC. Robert Sands, a graduate of SAC’s class of 1970, when he was approached to host the event at their facilities, he didn’t hesitate to assist the committee. “There are very few people in my life that I can point to as being mentors or role models, other than
immediate family members or acquaintances,” Sands said. “One such person was Lou Adderley. “He tended to gravitate to those who were not the best but strived to be the best. He gravitated to those individuals who he saw had the potential of achieving more and he encouraged them. He was not a judgmental individual. He created an environment for you to feel wholesome, real, ambitious and could achieve anything.” Sands said SAC needs the funds to complete its project and Baha Mar, which has employed so many individuals from SAC, is prepared to do its part and they are looking forward to the success of the tournament. While SAC got established in 1945 by the Benedictine Monks of St John’s Abbey in Collegeville, Minnesota,
ORGANISERS of the Unca Lou Adderley Golf Tournament pose above. Adderley emerged as its top graduating student in 1950. Adderley then enrolled at St John’s University where he excelled as a student and top athlete. He attained a BA in Mathematics, while
athletically, he set NCAA and school records in Greco Roman wrestling and tennis. After completing his studies, Adderley returned home to his alma mater as a teacher and coach. He later
became the first Bahamian born principal and was dearly loved by the student population. Michael Rolle, the chairman of the Golf Tournament committee, also talked about his
involvement with Adderley, who was considered a father figure, a mentor, a teacher, a coach, and a confidante. Rolle said Adderley was the glue to SAC’s achievement as the Big Red Machine in the high school sporting arena and he was responsible for developing the SAC pride in its students. “Uncle Lou was very stern, but also a very humble man,” said Rolle, who was at SAC during the 1960s. “He taught me mathematics and he was also my coach. “I trained with Martin Lundy and Sharon ‘the General’ Storr and we called him Mr Fundamentals. Whatever sport he taught you, he could also play. If you didn’t know how to play basketball, he taught you how to dribble
SEE PAGE 13
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, May 25, 2022, PAGE 13
Pauline Davis presents her memoir THROUGH a special donation from World Athletics, the governing body for track and field around the world, Pauline Davis made a presentation of 450 copies of her book, Running Sideways, to the Ministry of Education, Technical and Vocational Training. The presentation was made Monday in the foyer of the Ministry of Education and Youth, Sports and Culture. Accepting on behalf of Minister Glenys Hanna-Martin was Minister of State Zane Lightbourne. Also present was Mario Bowleg, the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture. Various dignitaries from both ministries were also on hand to share in the ceremony.
MINISTER of State for Education Zane Lightbourne, far left, and Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg were in attendance.
BAHAMIAN REFEREE APPOINTED TO NATIONS LEAGUE COMPETITION
PAULINE Davis yesterday made a presentation of 450 copies of her book, Running Sideways, to the Ministry of Education, Technical and Vocational Training in the foyer of the Ministry of Education and Youth, Sports and Culture.
GOLF
FROM PAGE 12 the ball and protect it. Softball, he taught you how to catch.” Through his coaching, Rolle said Adderley developed several outstanding athletes, who went on to represent the Bahamas on the international scene. Rolle said the Alumni Association is using the golf tournament to raise funds to complete the softball fields and to help start the creation of the indoor gymnasium that Adderley so much desired to see established before his demise. Glenn Archer, former president of the Bahamas Golf Federation, said he too benefitted from Adderley, who provided him with the opportunity to begin his teaching profession at SAC after he graduated. “Between those two experiences, I think they are some of the most rewarding experiences that I have ever
been associated with in my life,” Archer said. Georgette Rolle, the head pro at the Royal Blue Golf Course, said she remembers Adderley as a coach when she participated on the girls’ basketball team. She noted that the twoman scramble will combine the handicaps of both players to make the tournament equitable for everyone to win. Among the prizes being offered is a hole-in-one on hole number three for a brand-new BMW or Toyota Highlander, longest hole drive for males and females straightest drive; two closest to the pin and most honest golfer. She encouraged as many persons as possible to come out and participate in the tournament. Cherelle Cartwright, the chairman of the Alumni Association, advised persons interested in participating to contact their office located on Buen Retiro Road and Shirley Street. Or call the office at 397-1744 or the tournament
cell number 820-5568 for more details. She noted that while the Alumni Association is seeking to secure a millionplus dollars to complete the entire sporting arena at SAC, including the refurbishment of the track surface, she encouraged graduates to make a contribution of at least $50, $100 or $200 per year to help secure their goal. Persons can also make their donation through the Alumni Association’s bank account at CIBC Sandy port Branch, The SAC Alumni Association, bank account# 201705627, transit 07046. Cartwright thanked God for allowing everyone to lend their support of the wisdom of a man who gave so unselflessly of himself for the vision of the school. She also thanked Adderley’s wife, Floridell Adderley, a former educator, and his daughter Daria, who followed in her father’s footsteps as a graduate and physical education teacher at SAC.
NACAC
FROM PAGE 12 we said we will have a 52-week calendar event, and this is one of those events that we will be hosting and we look for Grand Bahama to have at least half of these events since we are the events and entertainment destination of the Bahamas.” Obie Wilchcombe, the Minister of Social Services, thanked Bowleg and Sands for what they are doing for Grand Bahama. And in light of the 50th anniversary celebrations, they have agreed to stage it under the patronage of the late Anita Doherty, a pioneer in sporting activities on the island. Bowleg also announced that Lord Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics, formerly the International Amateur Athletic Federation, will be heading a host of dignitaries for the event.
Olympic men and women 400 metre champions Steven Gardiner and Shaunae Miller-Uibo have been confirmed to lead the Bahamian athletes at the championships, along with Anthonique Strachan, Devynne Charlton and Donald Thomas. Athletes representing more than 36 member federations or countries are expected to start arriving in Grand Bahama for the event from August 15 as they bring some economic boost to the island. As the leading athletic federation in World Athletics, Sands called it a red-letter day for the sport of athletics in the country and, indeed the region, including the United States of America, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America and three associates - Central American countries Suriname, Guyana, and French Guyana. “In no other sport has the Bahamas been so successful at the level of the prestigious Olympic
AS the CONCACAF region prepares for the start of the second edition of the Nations League competition and as national teams from the participating member associations prepare by hosting training matches, here in the Bahamas we are preparing on two fronts. The focus is on Evens Julmis, a 22-year-old trained referee, who has received his first Nations League appointment. Julmis has been appointed by CONCACAF to the 4th referee position for the League B, Group B match Haiti vs Bermuda in Bermuda on June 4th, 2022. Having come through the Bahamas Referee Academy and having attended the CONCACAF Referee Academy, Julmis most recently traveled to the prestigious Dallas Cup Tournament where he gained additional experiences which led to this appointment. Julmis, a graduate of CR Walker High School where he played soccer for the GSSSA Champions Knights as well as being a member of the BFA champions Dynamos Football Club, was also was a member of the men’s soccer and beach soccer national teams. Julmis has been a referee for 5 years and finds it a challenge to juggle his schedule but thanks his bosses at Fourth Terrace Diagnostic Center for allowing him the opportunity to persue his dream of working up the ranks to one day be a FIFA Referee. So, keep your eyes peeled too the television and you may see young Julmis doing his duties in Bermuda. Games and the international federation’s World Championships, thanks to the NACAC area athletes, our coaches, our technical officials and our administrators.” Sands thanked the Bahamas Government for their continued support in assisting in the hosting of more than 300 athletes and officials. He also thanked the Grand Bahama Amateur Athletic Association for the leading role they are playing in making the event possible. Norris Bain serves as the deputy director and manager of the Local Organising Committee in Grand Bahama with Perez Cooper as the chairman. “I always considered Grand Bahama to be the sporting capital of the Bahamas,” Archer said. “As the Bahamas always argues that we are the best sporting country in the world per capita, the same can be said about Grand Bahama and its success in sports.
PAGE 14, Wednesday, May 25, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
Adieu, Jo: French salute injured, retiring Tsonga at Open By HOWARD FENDRICH AP Tennis Writer PARIS (AP) — Much as he wanted to avoid tears, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga simply could not. And, he said later, he knew he would not. So they flowed freely during the final moments of his final match at the French Open, the final singles match of his professional tennis career, and he wiped them away with the black sweatband on his left wrist. They were not there because of the right shoulder that was so painful he couldn’t properly swing his racket by the end of a 6-7 (8), 7-6 (4), 6-2, 7-6 (0) loss to No. 8 seed Casper Ruud yesterday in Court Philippe Chatrier. They were there because he knows he is done trying to win matches, done hearing the supportive roars from spectators, done experiencing the highs and lows of a professional tennis career that featured a spot at No. 5 in the rankings, a run to the 2008 Australian Open final and France’s first Davis Cup title in 16 years — but also a series of injuries. He’s been limited to a total of 18 matches since the start of 2021, turned 37 last month, has a family now and knew this trip to Roland Garros would be the perfect way to bid adieu. “It was pure madness today. One of the best atmospheres I have seen in my career (for) my last match. I couldn’t have asked for something better,” Tsonga said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better script, apart from the fact that I could have won.” He appeared to have a chance to extend the match by breaking to go up 6-5 in the fourth set. But at the end of that game, he wrenched his shoulder,
and that was that. Ruud quickly broke back, and Tsonga was visited by a trainer, who tried to help the situation but could not. During a three-minute medical timeout, a band in the stands got fans to clap and chant “Jo! Jo!” to the rhythm of a drumbeat, then played “La Marseillaise” as some in the seats sang along to France’s national anthem. When play resumed, Tsonga could barely even serve, tapping the ball at barely more than 60 mph (100 kph) — less than half as fast as the booming offerings he was known for — and even tried hitting one shot left-handed as the tiebreaker ended in a shutout. No matter. The locals gave Tsonga a prolonged standing ovation, and he went up near the net, knelt and rested his forehead on the ground, creating a splotch of the rust-coloured clay on his face. Asked later what he’ll miss the most as he leaves the sport, he replied: “The adrenaline, stepping on a big court like this one. Adrenaline you can feel when you have 15,000 people shouting your name.” It all offered the most compelling moments of Day 3, which included firstround victories in the men’s bracket for U.S Open champion Daniil Medvedev, No. 7 seed Andrey Rublev and No. 24 Frances Tiafoe, who had been 0-6 at Roland Garros. Danish teenager Holger Rune eliminated No. 14 Denis Shapovalov 6-3, 6-1, 7-6 (4). Women who advanced to the second round included 2017 champion Jelena Ostapenko, 2018 champion Simona Halep, No. 9 Danielle Collins, No. 11 Jessica Pegula and No. 22 Madison Keys.
FRANCE’s Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has a mark on his forehead after kissing the clay after losing to Norway’s Casper Ruud in a first round match of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros stadium. The Frenchman retired following his 1st-round loss against Casper Ruud. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) Tsonga leaves with 121 wins in Grand Slam matches, a record for a French man. It is a tough time for tennis in the land of the French Open: For the first time since 1980, there were zero men or women from the country seeded in the tournament. Another member of Tsonga’s talented generation, Gilles Simon, has said he will retire at the end of the season. Yet another, Gael Monfils, missed Roland Garros because he needs heel surgery — although he was there yesterday for a postmatch retirement ceremony in Chatrier, along with so many folks who mean so much to Tsonga: other players; a group of his coaches dating to when he was a kid; his wife and children; his parents. There were video tributes from the greatest four
male players of this era — Novak Djokovic (who called Tsonga’s retirement “a big loss for professional men’s tennis”), Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray (“You’ve been a great ambassador for the sport,” he told Tsonga) — and a series of speeches. “You’ve been an inspiration to me and many young players around the world,” said Ruud, a 23-year-old from Norway who joked about being sad at age 10 when his favourite player, Nadal, lost to Tsonga at the Australian Open. “Thank you for all the memories.” No. 3 seed Paola Badosa, whose 6-2, 6-0 victory over France’s Fiona Ferro followed Tsonga vs. Ruud in Chatrier, said she got “super emotional” watching the whole scene. Later, she ran into Tsonga as they were doing interviews and
told him kiddingly she was upset that all the hullabaloo over him delayed the start of her match — then asked him to pose with her for a photo. He obliged. What awaits Tsonga now? He said he’ll need to have medical tests today on his shoulder, which he said was in bad enough shape he couldn’t hold his baby. But Tsonga took pride from playing — well, trying to play — until the end, rather than conceding the match. “Unfortunately, I didn’t finish the way I want to finish, but I finished on the court, playing like I did all my career, running after the ball,” Tsonga said. “It was emotional for me. And anyway, it’s going to stay a good moment in my head. Yeah, in a way, I finished like I wanted to finish.”
REAL MADRID TRIES TO FORGET ABOUT MBAPPÉ, FOCUS ON CHAMPIONS LEAGUE By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid wants to quickly forget about Kylian Mbappé and turn its focus back on the Champions League final against Liverpool. Four days before the final in suburban Paris, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti and his players tried their best to avoid talking about the France forward and his decision to stay with Paris Saint-Germain. They also downplayed the apparent call for vengeance by Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah, who was on the losing side when the two teams met in the 2018 final in Kyiv. Mbappé made the surprising announcement about his future on Saturday, dealing a major blow to Madrid and its fans, who were certain he would be playing in the Spanish capital next season. “It’s very clear for us that we have to think about our own things,” Ancelotti said yesterday. “We’ve never talked about players from other squads. We respect everyone, every decision, every club. We have to do our own job. It’s very clear and obvious what we have to think about, which is to prepare for the final.” Madrid as a club had not made any comments about Mbappé’s decision, although some players were quick to post messages praising the club and saying it was a honor to wear its jersey.
Veteran defender Marcelo said there was no Mbappé talk in the locker room. “It wasn’t a surprise because we don’t talk about players from other teams,” said Marcelo, one of the Madrid players with a chance to win a fifth Champions League title. “It’s indifferent. It would be something else if he had been signed by Madrid, but because he was not a Madrid player, there is no reason to talk about what happened.” Karim Benzema, Mbappé’s teammate on the French national team, said there was nothing more important than Saturday’s match. “We are playing a Champions League final on Saturday,” he told MarcaTV. “It’s not the time to talk about these other small things.” Mbappé had said last year he wanted to join Madrid but PSG turned down offers of nearly 200 million euros ($214 million) for the player. The France forward was widely expected to complete a move to Madrid after becoming a free agent at the end of this season, but instead opted to sign a three-year contract with PSG. “I’ve never talked about players who are not playing for Real Madrid, and I will never talk about players who are not playing for Real Madrid,” Ancelotti said. Mbappé’s decision to reject Madrid was the most talked-about subject in
REAL Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois trains during a Media Opining day training session in Madrid, Spain, yesterday. Real Madrid will play Liverpool in Saturday’s Champions League soccer final in Paris. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez) Spain in recent days, leaving the Champions League final to the side. Madrid will be trying to win a record-extending 14th European title on Saturday at Stade de France in its fifth Champions League final in eight seasons. It has won 13 of the 17 European finals it has played in the continent’s top club competition. The last title, against Liverpool, came after Salah couldn’t finish the match because of a shoulder injury after being fouled hard by then-Madrid captain Sergio Ramos. Salah said after this season’s semifinals that “we have a score to settle” with Madrid. “Apparently he has a problem with us,” said Madrid defender Éder Militão, one of the players who will be trying to stop the Egyptian on Saturday.
Ancelotti said Salah’s comments may serve as extra motivation for Madrid as well, as can the 1981 final the club lost to Liverpool in Paris. “We can have the same motivation as Salah,” Ancelotti said. “We respect him, he is a great player. It may be a revenge for them, but it may also be one for us because of 1981.” Madrid won its 10th European Cup eight years ago with Ancelotti as coach, then clinched three straight titles from 2016-18 with Zinedine Zidane at the helm. “There was a lot more pressure then (in 2014). It had been several years since Madrid had won the Champions League. It was almost an obsession for everyone,” Ancelotti said. “Now Madrid fans are motivated, but not so much
obsessed about it, and I think that can give us an advantage.” Ancelotti, who can become the first coach to win four Champions League titles, will have Madrid at full strength on Saturday. “The starting lineup is not really a problem, to be honest,” Ancelotti said. “It’s not a match for only 11 players. And those who have entered off the bench have done well to help us so far. Everything has gone well for us so far.” Madrid reached the final after comebacks against PSG in the round of 16, Chelsea in the quarterfinals and Manchester City in the semifinals. “I hope this time it’s Liverpool trying to rally against us,” Ancelotti said. “It will be an entertaining final, very even.”
AT BREEZES, CONCACAF MATCH COMMISSIONERS WORKSHOP WAS A BLAST THE Breezes Resorts Hotel and Spa on Cable Beach was the venue for the CONCACAF Match Commissioners Work shop held this weekend, which was attended by administrative members of the Bahamas Football Association, coaches and club executives. The first workshop of this level held in the Bahamas was the brain child of President Anton Sealey and Howard McIntosh, one of CONCACAF Caribbean’s senior managers. The course was conducted by Mr Mario Monterrosa, Director of North & Central America Member Association Affairs. The course covered the role and responsibilities of match commissioners, planning and successful execution of international matches, conducting pregame coordination meetings, post-match reporting, working with regional counterparts and maintaining the integrity of the game. Successfully completing the course and immediately becoming available for additional mentorship and postings for competitions were, Anya James, Executive Vice President of the Bahamas Football Association, Frederick Lunn BFA General Secretary, Carl Lynch Jr, Deputy General Secretary of the BFA, Club executives Kevin Davies, Samuel Thibaud, Charlene Johnson and Shenika Johnson CONCACAF expects there to be more of these workshops in the near future and with the success of this one, we can expect more to be held locally.
MATCHDAY: ROMA PLAYS FEYENOORD IN CONFERENCE LEAGUE FINAL A LOOK at what’s happening in European soccer today: EUROPA CONFERENCE LEAGUE FINAL: The final of the inaugural Europa Conference League features two established clubs, with Roma facing Feyenoord in Albania’s capital Tirana. Up to 100,000 Italian and Dutch supporters are expected in Tirana even though each club has been allocated only 4,000 tickets, sparking concerns about possible fan violence. Capacity at the National Arena is only about 20,000. Feyenoord fans clashed with Italian police and damaged a historic fountain by the Spanish Steps ahead of a Europa League game at Roma in 2015 — raising the possibility of retaliatory acts. In his first season at Roma, José Mourinho will be coaching in the fifth European final of his career. He has won all four that he’s participated in so far, over a span of nearly two decades: the 2003 UEFA Cup and 2004 Champions League finals with Porto; the 2010 Champions League final with Inter Milan; and the 2017 Europa League final with Manchester United. It will be Roma’s first European final since losing the 1991 UEFA Cup trophy to domestic rival Inter Milan. Roma also lost a penalty shootout against Liverpool in the 1984 European Cup final in its home stadium. The only European trophy Roma has won came in 1961 in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup — a tournament considered to be the precursor to the UEFA Cup and Europa League.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, May 25, 2022, PAGE 15
Doncic, Mavericks avoid sweep with 119-109 win over Warriors By STEPHEN HAWKINS AP Sports Writer DALLAS (AP) — Luka Doncic had 30 points and 14 rebounds, and the Dallas Mavericks beat the Golden State Warriors 119-109 last night to avoid being swept in the Western Conference finals. It was the 10th doubledouble in his 14 games this postseason for Doncic, who also had nine assists and got some help from his supporting cast to extend this series. He had 40 points in Game 3, when Reggie Bullock shot 0 for 10 shooting with seven misses from 3-point range. Dorian Finney-Smith had 23 points and Bullock had 18 on 6-of-10 shooting — all 3-pointers. Jalen Brunson had 15 points. The Mavs were 20 of 43 on 3-pointers. The loss snapped the Warriors’ nine-game winning streak in Western Conference finals games, though they are still firmly in control of this series headed back to California for Game 5 on Thursday night. Stephen Curry had 20 points and returned to the game with 3:22 left — his first appearance in the fourth quarter — after the Warriors had cut a 29-point deficit to 110-102. But they never got closer even with Curry and other starters returning to the floor. Doncic then drove for a dunk and Bullock made his sixth 3-pointer. No NBA team has ever come back from a 3-0 deficit to win a series. Only three of the 146 teams to fall in that deep hole have even been able to force a seventh game. Jonathan Kuminga had 17 points and Andrew Wiggins 13 points for the Warriors, who had seven players score in double
CZECH Republic’s Yan Hirt celebrates winning the 16th stage of the Giro D’Italia cycling race yesterday. (Massimo Paolone/LaPresse via AP)
HIRT CLAIMS 1ST GRAND TOUR STAGE, CARAPAZ KEEPS GIRO LEAD
DALLAS Mavericks guard Luka Doncic shoots a 3-point basket over the stretched arms of Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins during the second half of Game 4 of the NBA Western Conference finals last night in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez) figures. There was even a 16-minute rain delay, when the start of the second half was held up because of rain leaking through the roof at American Airlines Center. There was heavy rain outside, and there were at least two leaks. One was dropping water near the Golden State bench, and at the other end of the court water appeared to be falling in the stands.
A 3-pointer by Doncic put the Mavs up 81-56 with 6:57 left in the third quarter, their largest lead to that point. Draymond Green was fouled on the ensuing Golden State possession, and his first free throw attempt stopped on the wide back side of the rim. After Doncic and Green stood in the lane together laughing about that, before
the ball was eventually knocked down, Green then missed the second attempt as well, though that one just didn’t go through the rim and was rebounded by Doncic. Dallas went ahead to stay with a 25-6 run over a nearly 7-minute span of the second quarter during which the Warriors missed nine of 10 shots and had two turnovers.
Golden State was up 31-29 after a jumper by Moses Moody, then had only one made basket the next seven minutes. A 3-pointer by Davis Bertans put the Mavericks in the lead for good the rest of the game. The Mavericks had a 62-47 halftime after Doncic drove for a hard layup, responding to Curry’s basket at the other end.
Celtics, Heat in tight series, though games are anything but By JIMMY GOLEN AP Sports Writer BOSTON (AP) — Huge leads. Lengthy scoring droughts. Blowouts. The Eastern Conference finals between the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics are as close as can be, heading back to Miami all tied up at two wins apiece. But the individual games have been anything but. Boston scored 18 of the first 19 points on Monday night on the way to a 102-82 victory in Game 4 of the best-of-seven series. The Celtics led by as many as 32 in the third quarter — a big gap, even for a series that has been full of them. “Sometimes when you have two really competitive teams, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s going to be a one-point game,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “It means that it can be flammable, either way. Both teams are ignitable.” And they seem to be taking turns catching fire: The team that has gotten blown out has won the next game each time. “Whatever they have done to us, we can do to them,” Spoelstra said. “None of us are happy about what happened tonight. This is part of the playoffs. There are these extreme highs and lows, particularly when you have
two teams that are pretty closely, evenly matched.” And both pride themselves on their defence. And games dominated by defence don’t always make for entertaining television. The series shifts to Miami for Game 5 today, with Boston guaranteed another game at home on Friday. The Heat would host the decisive seventh game on Sunday, if necessary. “I think human nature plays a part in, when you win a game, you can relax a little bit,” said Celtics star Jayson Tatum, who had 31 points in Game 4 after scoring 10 on 3-for14 shooting the previous game. “Obviously, when we lose a game, we feel like the next game is do or die, and then we come out and play like we did. “I think we have to have that mindset going into Game 5 — that it is a mustwin game, because tonight was essentially something like that,” he said. “Everybody knew it. We could all feel it. I think that showed in the way we came out.” It was the fourth straight game that has featured a 20-point lead, with two of them topping 30. There have been four lead changes in the entire series — just one in the second half and none in the fourth quarter. “It’s wild, right,” said Miami guard Victor
BOSTON Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) drives to the basket against the Miami Heat during the second half of Game 4 of the NBA Eastern Conference finals on Monday night in Boston. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) Oladipo, who came off the In Game 2, Boston built that aspect. We shouldn’t bench to score the Heat’s a 34-point advantage on have to get punched in the first basket more than eight its way to a 25-point win. mouth to respond.” minutes into the first quar- The Heat said they were Although the Heat saw ter after they were already embarrassed on their home their 26-point lead cut to trailing 18-1. court, and Game 3 was one in Game 3, Boston “I’m not even sure how payback; they zoomed out never led in the entire to explain it.” to a 26-point lead, first-half game. On Monday night, In a seesaw series, Game lead. the Celtics led by double 1 was the most competitive And after losing big at digits for more than 43 of the bunch. home on Saturday, the of the 48 minutes despite The Celtics led by 13 Celtics led 8-0, 18-1, 26-4 in shooting under 40%, with points early before Miami the first quarter of Game 4. their starters going 3 for 20 outscored them 39-14 in “Obviously, (it’s) because from 3-point range. the third quarter to take we lost last game,” Boston “It’s an inconsistent took the lead for good. The centre Robert Williams series from both teams at Heat nursed a double-digit III said. “I feel like that’s times,” Boston coach Ime advantage for most of the how our team is. We need Udoka said. “It’s an odd fourth. to work on being better in one, honestly.”
APRICA, Italy (AP) — Czech cyclist Jan Hirt won the tough 16th stage of the Giro d’Italia yesterday for his first grand tour victory and Richard Carapaz kept the pink jersey as the race headed into a final week in the high mountains. Hirt clutched his head almost in disbelief before raising his hands into the air as he crossed the line at the end of the 202-kilometre (126-mile) route from Salo to Aprica, which included one of the sport’s toughest climbs up the Mortirolo. “Every time someone asks me why I do cycling, what I want to achieve, I thought I want to win one stage on the Giro and then I can stop my career,” Hirt said with a laugh. “So now I’m happy, but I don’t want to stop.” The leg also included two other top-classified ascents as more than 5,000 metres (16,000 feet) of climbing was packed into an epic stage. It was also the race’s annual wine stage and was dedicated to the Sforzato variety of the Valtellina area. Hirt attacked near the top of the Santa Cristina climb, with double-digit gradients, and although he almost lost control on a descent made treacherous by earlier rain, the 31-year-old managed to stay on his bicycle and finished seven seconds ahead of Thymen Arensman. “I wanted to try to do something nice today,” Hirt said. “I had quite difficult moments .... then in the end on the last climb I had also a problem with my bike, it was not shifting properly and the chain was jumping and also I had cramps on the downhill, so I was really suffering and I had all these problems, but I wanted to win so much so I fight until the end.” There was a fight for third place and the final bonus seconds between the overall favourites, with Jai Hindley edging out Carapaz and Mikel Landa. The quartet – which also included Alejandro Valverde -- crossed 1 minute, 24 seconds behind Hirt. Hindley, who was runnerup in 2020, reduced the gap to Carapaz to three seconds. João Almeida remained third overall but lost 14 seconds and is now 0:44 behind the Ecuadorian cyclist. “It was a tough stage and in the end I have to say I am happy,” Carapaz said. “I thought I was going to win the sprint for third place. I eventually didn’t but it’s still a good day for me. “I’ve lost a few seconds on Hindley but I gained more on Almeida so the balance is positive.” Landa was fourth, while two-time Giro winner Vincenzo Nibali moved into fifth after an attack from the peloton on the descent of the Passo Mortirolo. Although he was caught by his rivals, the form he showed hinted that there is more to come for the Italian cyclist in his last Giro. Today’s 17th stage has almost 4,000 metres (13,000 feet) of climbing along the 168-kilometre route from Ponte di Legno to Lavarone. The Giro ends on Sunday in Verona.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, May 25, 2022, PAGE 17
BA AMAS ‘CAN’T BE COMPLACENT’ ON FROM PAGE 24 way or another, whichever way it goes, to the country and industries that will be affected,” he told Tribune Business. Acknowledging the greater time afforded to consult the Bahamian financial services industry and critical sectors in the domestic economy, he added: “It’s more time for the industry to articulate what their views may be on the subject. It’s a beneficial development but we cannot be complacent. “It’s not just to give us breathing room space and time to work out the analysis and see which way to go, but also to more fully
appreciate how the economy’s growth is trending. It gives us the opportunity to get more information and make a more informed decision.” Mr Delaney said converting the Business Licence fee regime, which “has a great deal of controversy around” it, into a corporate income tax was an obvious option for The Bahamas but the ramifications needed careful study before any reform is decided. Besides The Bahamas needing to ensure there is “a level playing field” when it comes to implementing any changes, Mr Delaney added: “As a general rule of thumb, high taxes
CORPORATE TA PUS BAC
are unlikely to make our economy an attractive or effective economy in which to do business and operate. We should look at having clarity and certainty, and reasonableness, in relation to our taxes.” The Bahamian private sector has long called for the annual Business Licence fee to be converted into a corporate income tax that is instead levied on net profits rather than gross revenues and turnover. The Prime Minister, in unveiling the mid-year Budget, confirmed such a reform is being studied and assessed by the Government given the global push for a minimum 15 percent corporate
income tax rate to combat tax arbitrage by large multinational enterprises. Business Licence fees, which are projected to generate some $101m in revenues for the Government in the 2021-2022 fiscal year, are forecast to increase to $150.376m by 2023-2024. However, while they represent a significant revenue stream for the Government, many in the private sector view Business Licence fees as distortionary. They are seen as penalising high turnover/low margin businesses, such as food stores and gas stations, while favouring low turnover/high margin services companies
because they are levied on gross revenues. Many firms also complain that they regularly pay more in Business Licence fees than they earn in profits, or that it drives them into a loss-making position. Mr Davis’ mid-year Budget communication indicated that his administration has picked up where its Minnis predecessor left off in continuing with Deloitte & Touche’s study of tax reform options including imposition of a corporate income tax. The G-7/OECD initiative has two components or “pillars”. The first = is billed by the OECD as ensuring “a fairer distribution of profits
THE WEATHER REPORT
5-DAY FORECAST
TODAY
ORLANDO
High: 90° F/32° C Low: 73° F/23° C
TAMPA
FRIDAY
SATURDAY
SUNDAY
Partly sunny with winds subsiding
Breezy early; increasing clouds
A t-storm in spots in the morning
Clouds and sun with a thunderstorm
Variable clouds with a thunderstorm
Cloudy with a shower and t-storm
High: 85°
Low: 76°
High: 83° Low: 76°
High: 84° Low: 74°
High: 85° Low: 75°
High: 83° Low: 75°
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
AccuWeather RealFeel
92° F
78° F
91°-79° F
93°-78° F
95°-79° F
91°-76° F
The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.
ALMANAC
E
W
ABACO
S
N
High: 83° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C
10-20 knots
S
High: 87° F/31° C Low: 78° F/26° C
8-16 knots
FT. LAUDERDALE
FREEPORT
High: 87° F/31° C Low: 79° F/26° C
E S
E
W
WEST PALM BEACH
W
UV INDEX TODAY
THURSDAY
N
N
| Go to AccuWeather.com
TONIGHT
High: 91° F/33° C Low: 77° F/25° C
High: 86° F/30° C Low: 74° F/23° C
MIAMI
High: 89° F/32° C Low: 80° F/27° C
8-16 knots
Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 88° F/31° C Low .................................................... 77° F/25° C Normal high ....................................... 85° F/29° C Normal low ........................................ 72° F/22° C Last year’s high ................................. 84° F/29° C Last year’s low ................................... 66° F/19° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ............................................... 14.38” Normal year to date ..................................... 8.00”
ELEUTHERA
NASSAU
High: 85° F/29° C Low: 76° F/24° C
Forecasts and graphics provided by AccuWeather, Inc. ©2022
High: 83° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C
N
KEY WEST
High: 86° F/30° C Low: 79° F/26° C
TIDES FOR NASSAU High
E
W
10-20 knots
S
10-20 knots
Low
Ht.(ft.)
4:44 a.m. 5:24 p.m.
2.5 2.7
11:06 a.m. 0.0 11:42 p.m. 0.3
Thursday
5:37 a.m. 6:13 p.m.
2.5 2.8
11:53 a.m. -0.1 ---------
Friday
6:25 a.m. 6:58 p.m.
2.4 2.9
12:35 a.m. 0.2 12:36 p.m. -0.1
Saturday
7:10 a.m. 7:38 p.m.
2.3 2.9
1:22 a.m. 0.1 1:16 p.m. -0.1
Sunday
7:51 a.m. 8:17 p.m.
2.3 2.9
2:05 a.m. 0.1 1:54 p.m. -0.1
Monday
8:31 a.m. 8:55 p.m.
2.2 2.9
2:46 a.m. 0.0 2:32 p.m. -0.1
Tuesday
9:10 a.m. 9:33 p.m.
2.2 2.9
3:26 a.m. 3:09 p.m.
0.1 0.0
SUN AND MOON Sunrise Sunset
6:22 a.m. 7:52 p.m.
Moonrise Moonset
3:27 a.m. 3:48 p.m.
New
First
Full
Last
May 30
Jun. 7
Jun. 14
Jun. 20
ANDROS
SAN SALVADOR
GREAT EXUMA
High: 83° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C
High: 83° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C
N
High: 84° F/29° C Low: 76° F/24° C
E
W S
LONG ISLAND
TRACKING MAP
High: 84° F/29° C Low: 76° F/24° C
L
Ht.(ft.)
Today
High: 83° F/28° C Low: 76° F/24° C
N
S
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.
CAT ISLAND
E
W
and taxing rights among countries with respect to the largest and most profitable multinational enterprises”. This taxing rights reallocation only applies to multinationals with annual turnover greater than 20bn euros and profit margins greater than 10 percent, with a particular focus on those that have benefited so much from the digital economy - the likes of Facebook, Apple and Google. Just 25 percent of profit above the 10 percent threshold is to be reallocated. And the 15 percent minimum global corporate tax, billed as generating an additional $150bn in annual global tax revenues, is only targeting companies with a yearly turnover of greater than 750m euros.
10-20 knots
MAYAGUANA High: 84° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C
Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures
CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS
are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.
RAGGED ISLAND High: 84° F/29° C Low: 77° F/25° C
High: 83° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C
GREAT INAGUA High: 86° F/30° C Low: 78° F/26° C
N
E
W
E
W
N
S
S
12-25 knots
10-20 knots
MARINE FORECAST ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR
Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday:
WINDS E at 8-16 Knots E at 10-20 Knots E at 10-20 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots E at 8-16 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 10-20 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 10-20 Knots ESE at 8-16 Knots E at 10-20 Knots E at 8-16 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots ENE at 10-20 Knots E at 8-16 Knots ENE at 8-16 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 8-16 Knots E at 12-25 Knots E at 10-20 Knots NE at 10-20 Knots E at 8-16 Knots
WAVES 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-2 Feet 1-2 Feet 2-4 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 3-5 Feet 3-5 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet 3-5 Feet 2-4 Feet 1-3 Feet 1-3 Feet
VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 7 Miles 9 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 7 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 8 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles
WATER TEMPS. 80° F 80° F 83° F 83° F 80° F 80° F 82° F 82° F 80° F 80° F 82° F 82° F 82° F 81° F 82° F 82° F 82° F 82° F 81° F 81° F 81° F 81° F 82° F 82° F 80° F 80° F
PAGE 18, Wednesday, May 25, 2022
THE TRIBUNE
ON’T ALLO COVI APAT Y TO ‘STRANGLE ECONOMIC REBOUN ’ FROM PAGE 24 business such as conventions, meetings and events. Graeme Davis, Baha Mar’s president, has recently renewed calls for The Bahamas to do away with measures such as the Health Travel Visa and the requirement for a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours prior to a tourist travelling to this country, but Mr Sands conceded that the combined effect of the CDC downgrade and rise in COVID cases - both locally and worldwide - will likely discourage the Government from further relaxation in the immediate future. “A CDC ‘Level 3’ designation is certainly not where any tourism destination wants to be and, regrettably, we’re there at this point in time,” the BHTA president said. “But there is certainly an uptick in COVID cases which has resulted in over 100 destinations now, including The Bahamas, being assigned to this ‘Level 3’ designation. “It’s vital we as a community, every employer, employee, work to reverse this trend as fast as we can and, with the numbers rising, we must not allow apathy to impair our health and wellness
and strangle our economic rebound. The good news is that it falls in our hands, and if we encourage more vaccinations and ensure the protocols are observed, we can bring this spread largely under control. “We can, and must, take control of the direction in which we are headed. We cannot afford to go backwards. It may sound cliched, but forwards and upwards is our only option in terms of this particular situation.” Mr Sands said The Bahamas needed to target a return to a ‘Level 2’ or “moderate” rating with the CDC as rapidly as possible, and then rapidly extend its ambitions to a ‘Level 1’ designation - the best possible. Asked whether the CDC downgrade, and rising COVID infections, will make the Government reluctant to further ease testing and other remaining protocols as the tourism industry has been seeking, he replied: “I think that,yes, the Government may be a little more tentative now in advancing those decisions. It’s a ‘let’s wait and see’ type of situation. “I think, in the main, we must find ways to continue to operate, and we encourage and not deter those
coming into the destination. At the same time, we must be safe and realistic about the things that we are doing. Asked whether The Bahamas’ COVID restrictions are competitive with rival destinations in the Caribbean and elsewhere, Mr Sands responded: “It’s a mixed bag. “I think today, or maybe yesterday, dropped its requirement for testing coming into the destination. A number of other Caribbean destinations have done that. Hopefully we’re not too far behind.” The BHTA chief conceded that the CDC downgrade could especially impact large New Providence resorts that have traditionally depended on the group and convention market for a significant portion of their business, but said the industry’s booking momentum - despite slowing slightly - had been largely maintained despite the arrival of the slower summer months. “Especially for the large properties in New Providence, where a number of hotels have been experiencing a substantive rebound in group business, this can unfortunately have an impact,” Mr Sands said of the CDC action. “We
hope that it’s short-lived so that we can get back on track with the booking pace we’ve been seeing in the first months of the year. “For impetus and interest in group bookings, we need to work to get back to at least a ‘Level 2’. I think it’s slowed down slightly, but the booking pace is still encouraging when you look year-over-year or compare it to 2019. In some instances we are getting closer to that benchmark; we are not quite there yet, but are getting there.” Notwithstanding the fresh COVID outbreak in The Bahamas and globally, Mr Sands added: “The industry is in a very favourable position and the upward momentum is good. I think The Bahamas is certainly on the radar again, and I think we’re seeing encouraging results not only in the Family Islands but certainly in Abaco, coming back and rebounding fairly quickly, and certainly in New Providence we’re seeing some encouraging occupancies at the moment.” Acknowledging that COVID-19 remains a concern, he said: “I think we have to find a way to be smart about working with it. Impediments to travel tend to work against us in
VI FUND MANAGEMENT LTD. Reg. No. 202132 B
VI FUND LTD. SAC Reg. No. 176923 B
NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION
NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION
Notice is hereby given, in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act of 2000, that the above-named Company commenced dissolution procedures on the 23rd day of May 2022 and that Sterling (Bahamas) Limited of Suite 205A, Saffrey Square, Bank Lane & Bay Street, P.O. Box N-9934, Nassau, Bahamas has been appointed voluntary Liquidator of the Company.
Notice is hereby given, in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act of 2000, that the above-named Company commenced dissolution procedures on the 23rd day of May 2022 and that Sterling (Bahamas) Limited of Suite 205A, Saffrey Square, Bank Lane & Bay Street, P.O. Box N-9934, Nassau, Bahamas has been appointed voluntary Liquidator of the Company.
Notice is also hereby given that any person having a claim against the Company is required, within 14 days of the date of this Notice, to send their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to Sterling (Bahamas) Limited, the Liquidator of the Company, or in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts or claims are proved.
Notice is also hereby given that any person having a claim against the Company is required, within 14 days of the date of this Notice, to send their names, addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to Sterling (Bahamas) Limited, the Liquidator of the Company, or in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts or claims are proved.
Dated this 23rd day of May 2022
Dated this 23rd day of May 2022
Sterling (Bahamas) Limited Liquidator
Sterling (Bahamas) Limited Liquidator
www.bisxbahamas.com
TUESDAY, 24 MAY 2022 CLOSE
CHANGE
%CHANGE
YTD
YTD%
2448.01
0.11
0.00
219.77
9.86
(242) 323 2330 (242) 323 2320
BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 6.70 53.00 2.05 2.90 2.60 6.10 10.05 3.50 9.02 3.10 8.00 16.60 2.59 10.25 11.25 10.85 15.20 4.00 11.00 16.50
52WK LOW 4.75 32.12 1.49 2.20 1.30 5.75 6.96 2.82 4.25 2.27 5.94 9.75 1.99 6.50 10.02 9.01 13.10 3.50 8.00 15.50
SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Benchmark Bahamas First Holdings Limited Bank of Bahamas Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Cable Bahamas Commonwealth Brewery Commonwealth Bank Colina Holdings CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Emera Incorporated Famguard Fidelity Bank (Bahamas) Limited Focol Finco J. S. Johnson
SYMBOL AML APD BBL BFH BOB BPF BWL CAB CBB CBL CHL CIB CWCB DHS EMAB FAM FBB FCL FIN JSJ
LAST CLOSE 5.35 39.95 2.04 2.31 2.25 6.10 9.75 3.30 7.52 2.81 8.00 16.60 2.74 10.25 12.29 10.85 15.20 3.98 10.00 15.50
Shavonne Darville, general manager of Gems at Paradise, Long Island, said: “This Level 3 designation is a bit harsh considering that we have had little to no cases on the Family Islands and minimal hospitalisations. This is just another example of the Family Islands suffering for what was done in Nassau. Everything is always so Nassau-centric. COVID19 numbers were expected to go up from the Exuma regatta in addition to last weekend’s Junkanoo Carnival March.” As for bookings going into the summer, Ms Darville said: “We are still benefiting from persons being COVID-wary, and wary of restrictions and wanting the ability to travel. So far this is not expected to put a damper on us for our summer bookings. “Both with international and domestic, and even more so with international visitors, we have not had a slowdown in pace and, in fact, typically in the summer months we see not too many international travellers. However, this summer is already looking to be different.”
NOTICE
MARKET REPORT BISX ALL SHARE INDEX:
this particular environment, but we need to work with it, keep the economy open, encourage business to flow on and we’ll be OK.” Family Island hotels yesterday said they were “disappointed” with the CDC downgrade to ‘Level 3’. Cheryl Bastian, president of the Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board, told Tribune Business: “I’m disappointed that our levels have gone to Level 3, because it certainly will be a deterrent to travellers. For bookings over the summer and going forward, we’re already seeing a downturn, which is typically when you would have more people in house about this time.” Arguing against removing further COVID entry protocols at this time, she added: “I think we still need to be very cautious and continue the rapid antigen tests. Even though it may show a lower level of bookings in the summer, we want to be really attractive and doing that would take away from that. At about this time, they started to reduce the airlift, and that’s going to be another blockage, so it’s scary.”
CLOSE 5.35 39.95 2.04 2.31 2.25 6.10 9.75 3.30 7.52 2.81 8.00 16.60 2.83 10.25 12.32 10.85 15.20 3.98 10.00 15.50
CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.09 0.00 0.03 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
VOLUME
180
450
EPS$ 0.239 0.932 0.000 0.140 0.070 1.760 0.369 -0.438 0.140 0.184 0.449 0.722 0.102 0.467 0.646 0.728 0.816 0.203 0.939 0.631
DIV$ 0.170 1.260 0.020 0.080 0.000 0.000 0.260 0.000 0.000 0.120 0.220 0.720 0.434 0.060 0.328 0.240 0.540 0.120 0.200 0.610
P/E 22.4 42.9 N/M 16.5 N/M N/M 26.4 -7.5 53.7 15.3 17.8 23.0 27.7 21.9 19.1 14.9 18.6 19.6 10.6 24.6
YIELD 3.18% 3.15% 0.98% 3.46% 0.00% 0.00% 2.67% 0.00% 0.00% 4.27% 2.75% 4.34% 15.34% 0.59% 2.66% 2.21% 3.55% 3.02% 2.00% 3.94%
NOTICE is hereby given that WESLY DORCELY of Palmetto Point, Eleuthera, The Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for Registration Naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 25th day of May, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P. O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.
PREFERENCE SHARES 1.00
1.00
1000.00 1000.00
1000.00 1000.00
1.00 10.00 1.00
1.00 10.00 1.00
Bahamas First Holdings Preference Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Colina Holdings Class A Fidelity Bank Bahamas Class A Focol Class B
BFHP CAB6 CAB9 CHLA FBBA FCLB
1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00
1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%
CORPORATE DEBT - (percentage pricing) 52WK HI 100.00 100.00
52WK LOW 100.00 100.00
SECURITY Fidelity Bank (Note 22 Series B+) Bahamas First Holdings Limited
SYMBOL FBB22 BFHB
LAST SALE 100.00 100.00
CLOSE 100.00 100.00
CHANGE 0.00 0.00
107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.26 100.53 100.54 100.34 100.23 89.62 100.00 100.00 100.00
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
VOLUME
INTEREST Prime + 1.75% 6.25%
MATURITY 19-Oct-2022 30-Sep-2025
BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing) 115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.71 100.53 100.43 100.34 100.23 100.00 100.00 100.98 100.00
104.79 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.26 100.28 100.43 100.04 100.23 89.62 89.00 90.24 90.73
Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y BGS: 2015-10-7Y BGRS FX BGR145231 BGRS FL BGRS68023 BGRS FL BGRS70022 BGRS FL BGRS75022 BGRS FL BGRS81037 BGRS FL BGRS88028 BGRS FX BGR129249 BGRS FX BGR131249 BGRS FX BGR132249 BGRS FX BGR136150
BAH29 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0307 BG0330 BG0407 BSBGR1450315 BSBGRS680232 BSBGRS700220 BSBGRS750225 BSBGRS810375 BSBGRS880287 BSBGR1292493 BSBGR1312499 BSBGR1322498 BSBGR1361504
107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.26 100.53 100.54 100.34 100.23 89.62 100.00 100.00 100.00
6.95% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.50% 6.25% 4.25% 5.45% 4.62% 4.50% 4.43% 4.87% 4.33% 5.55% 5.60% 5.65% 5.69%
20-Nov-2029 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2022 17-May-2031 21-Jul-2023 29-Jul-2022 7-Sep-2022 26-Jul-2037 26-Jul-2028 15-Apr-2049 15-Jul-2049 15-Oct-2049 21-Apr-2050
MUTUAL FUNDS 52WK HI 2.52 4.69 2.22 207.86 212.41 1.73 1.83 1.82 1.05 9.37 11.83 7.54 16.64 12.84 10.77 10.00 10.43 14.89
52WK LOW 2.11 3.30 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.68 1.73 1.75 0.99 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57 9.88 8.45 11.20
FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund Leno Financial Conservative Fund Leno Financial Aggressive Fund Leno Financial Balanced Fund Leno Financial Global Bond Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund RF Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - Equities Sub Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - High Yield Income Fund RF Bahamas International Investment Fund Limited - Alternative Strategies Fund Colonial Bahamas Fund Class D Colonial Bahamas Fund Class E Colonial Bahamas Fund Class F
NAV 2.52 4.69 2.21 197.44 202.39 1.73 1.82 1.82 0.99 9.37 11.79 7.54 15.94 12.47 10.74 N/A 10.43 14.89
YTD% 12 MTH% 0.99% 4.22% 0.36% 5.78% 0.67% 2.74% -2.97% -2.35% -4.72% 6.04% 0.83% 2.82% -0.18% 3.72% 0.76% 3.55% -3.55% -3.85% -0.02% 10.36% -0.33% 18.23% 0.22% 3.05% -3.89% 14.76% -1.04% -2.57% 0.81% 4.20% N/A N/A 3.00% 25.60% 7.90% 48.70%
NAV Date 31-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 25-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 31-Mar-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Jan-2022 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021 31-Mar-2021
MARKET TERMS BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00 52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks 52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume Change - Change in closing price from day to day Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings
YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths NAV - Net Asset Value N/M - Not Meaningful
TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | CORALISLE 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225 | BENCHMARK 242-326-7333
LEGAL NOTICE
N O T I C E SUNNY VALE HOLDINGS LIMITED (In Voluntary Liquidation) Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000, the above-named Company is in dissolution, which commenced on the 11th day of May, 2022. The Liquidator is Windermere Corporate Management Limited, 200 Sterling Commons, East Building, Harbour Drive, Paradise Island, Bahamas, P.O. Box N-7797, Suite A-084, Nassau, Bahamas. WINDERMERE CORPORATE MANAGEMENT LIMITED Liquidator
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, May 25, 2022, PAGE 19
‘BUY GOO REAL ESTATE BUT A C EAP VE ICLE’
FROM PAGE 24 “Bahamians have to take responsibility; save, budget and invest, and stop spending on all this crap. That is the mentality of many people There’s a saying that you buy good real estate and a cheap car. That’s a saying I always try to impress on young people. It makes a lot of sense. The car is an expense, and a depreciating expense that happens very quickly.” “Everybody wants to keep up with the Joneses and buy what they have. It’s the jewellery, the necklace, whatever it is, rather than a smart investment like real estate which is one of the most proven ways of creating wealth.” The main obstacle to more Bahamians becoming homeowners is their inability to qualify for mortgage loans, which is often directly linked to the fact
they have too much consumer debt. As a result, the debt servicing costs are more than their income can bear. The Central Bank’s recent lending conditions survey found less than 40 percent of mortgage applications were approved during the 2021 second half, with the report adding: “The primary specified reasons for the rejection of mortgage requests was applicants’ breach of the debt service ratio threshold of 40-45 percent (50.5 percent) and prior loan delinquency (12.6 percent)” How the Government intends to push increased home ownership will be further revealed today. It will likely use fiscal policy, and tax breaks and incentives, to reduce the transactions costs associated with closing a home purchase which are also viewed as an obstacle
for Bahamians because of the sums involved. Besides the attorney’s fees and realtor’s commission, typically 2.5 percent and 6 percent of the purchase price respectively, 10 percent VAT (often split 50/50 with the vendor) is also applied to the transaction cost. Bahamians thus have to come up with significant sums, usually running into five-figures, to close a home purchase, while commercial banks have added to this cost by typically requiring mortgage borrowers to come up with 10-20 percent equity down payments. While the Government will likely seek to mitigate these costs, as it did during the first Christie administration with the first-time buyer Stamp Tax (now VAT) waiver, its focus on increasing renewable energy penetration was
yesterday met with calls for further electric vehicle incentives. Pia Farmer, partner in Easy Car Sales, called for the Government to either eliminate or reduce the present 45 percent tariff rate on “fast chargers” while also removing the $50,000 price threshold above which commercial electric vehicles currently attract an 85 percent Excise Tax rate. “There are a couple of things that would be beneficial,” she told Tribune Business. “The first one would be the elimination, or reduction, of duty on electric vehicle chargers because they are currently taxed at 45 percent, which is a very high rate for fast chargers that can charge an electric vehicle in under half-an-hour. “It’s prohibitive to have taxes that high on an electric vehicle chargers, and
FNM AN UNIONS UNITE ON changes were made retroactive to January 1, 2020. “The Free National Movement calls on the minister of state to clarify or apologise for her statement that finance officers overpaid themselves $4m,” he said. “The Cabinet of The Bahamas approved the creation of posts and upgrade of scales for the Treasury Department and internal audit with effect from January 1, 2020. “This approval was communicated in a notice to permanent secretaries, heads of department, finance officers and officers with responsibility for human resources. In this notice, they were asked to upgrade salary books accordingly. It is very curious that the minister has said the Ministry of Public Service has not had any ‘vision’ of the approval. However, it was the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Public Service who sent out the notice in February 2021. “The minister’s comments have been flat out denied and refuted by the president of the Bahamas Public Service Union (BPSU), Kimsley Ferguson. It is unfortunate that the
PIA GLOVER-ROLLE reputation of all hard-working finance officers has been damaged by the statements made by the minister.” BPSU representatives later provided a copy of the letter, purportedly signed by permanent secretary, Donella Bodie, and
dated February 17, 2021, which announced a revised career path and salary scales for accounting and finance officers. The letter said in part that following an Cabinet meeting, approval was granted for the creation of posts and
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garbage trucks and big trucks are all over $50,000. “I know, for example, that New Providence Ecology Park (the former landfill) is interested in electric trucks and garbage trucks but, right now, they’re at 85 percent duty. Unless you get an exemption, that makes it cost prohibitive. It should be eliminated for commercial vehicles. I have no opinion on passenger or delivery.” Ms Farmer even suggested eliminating one of the border taxes, either 10 percent VAT or 10 percent Excise Tax, as a way to encourage faster adoption of electric vehicles. And, describing regulation of the sector as akin to “the Wild, Wild West”, she called for the creation of a body that would develop policies, guidelines and rules for the electric vehicle sector.
M ‘OVERPAYMENT’
upgrade of scales for the Treasury Department and Internal Audit with effect from January 1, 2020. Mrs Glover-Rolle, meanwhile, outlining what the Government’s response may be, said: “Consequences mean that throughout the government service every day, if a
FROM PAGE 24
that [eliminating or reducing duty] will be very conducive to establishing a network of charges throughout the country and establish the structure we need.” Ms Farmer then targeted the $50,000 price threshold below which an electric vehicle can be imported into The Bahamas at a 10 percent Excise Tax rate. Above that benchmark, passenger vehicles attract a 65 percent duty rate and the commercial variety, 85 percent. “I’m really lobbying for commercial vehicles over $50,000,” she added. “I think the initial concept was that if you can afford to bring in a luxury vehicle valued over $50,000, you can afford to pay a higher rate of duty. That’s debatable. For commercial vehicles, it’s critical to eliminate threshold. Jitneys,
public servant is overpaid, the Government seeks to recover those funds however that overpayment may have happened and that is the consequence. “If there is an overpayment, there is recovery. That is normal. The $4mplus of the Government’s money that they should
not have, it should seek to be recovered. We’re not in a position, and it’s against policy, to allow them to keep the money that isn’t necessarily theirs.... The internal audit has happened and we’re analysing the results.” The audit ended in January, Mrs Glover-Rolle said.
PAGE 20, Wednesday, May 25, 2022
‘ AR S IP’ T REAT OVER VAT ME ICAL BILL MOVE
FROM PAGE 24 longer be able to claim this as an input tax deduction. “The industry is concerned about this, we most definitely are in opposition to this, but in meetings with the Department of Inland Revenue’s director [Ms Strachan] and the financial secretary [Simon Wilson] said it’s not an industry issue. It’s an issue that is a lot broader than this. It impacts the broader population, and would only cause for additional hardship to Bahamians at a time when Bahamians need to be supported. That’s the real issue and message we reiterated to them.”
Asserting that the Government should be consulting the Bahamian public, and not just the health insurance sector, Mr Morley said “ultimately that will be the impact” when asked if the planned change would result in increased medical bills and costs that have to be paid by the consumer. “How that is assessed to them, we don’t know, but we’re hoping we don’t go down that road,” he added. “As an industry, we would have to adjust our prices, providers would have to adjust how they provide services. We’re unsure how this will be done, but ultimately the end consumer,
who pays VAT on the insurance premium, will bear the brunt of this.” Mr Morley added that the Bahamian insurance industry was equally concerned with the relatively short implementation timeframe, given the present July 1 target date. “This is a little bit more advanced than the proposal stage,” he said. “There was an effective date of July 1, and we’ve expressed concern with that, the timing issue, as to how we accomplish that. We’re waiting for a response.” The July 1 implementation date, which coincides with the start of every fiscal year, suggests that the
change may be unveiled in today’s 2022-2023 Budget, although Mr Morley said he was “not necessarily sure there’s a correlation between the Budget and the effective date given to us”. However, all taxrelated changes are usually wrapped up with the annual Budget. Mr Wilson could not be reached for comment before press time last night, while Senator Michael Halkitis, minister of economic affairs, did not respond to a What’s App message sent by this newspaper. However, Tribune Business understands that the Ministry of Finance and Department of Inland Revenue (DIR) have taken the position that medical bill payments are made on behalf of the end-user, or insured consumer, and as such should be treated as a VAT-able activity rather than deducted by insurers from the taxes they collect on the health insurance policy’s premium. One source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said of the Government’s plan: “Currently, if an insurance company pays out a medical claim it can claim the VAT back via a claw back. The Ministry of Finance is looking to clarify that payment is made on behalf of the insured, the consumer. It is a major bone of contention, and they want to clarify that the insurance company cannot claim it back. I heard a little while back that they’re looking to address it in legislation.” As to the impact if the VAT-related reform goes
ahead as is, they added: “That will raise the cost of insurance, because insurance companies won’t eat that. That’s a 10 percent hit on the claim or they will leave the customer to pay the VAT themselves. It’s a substantial hit for the insurance company and the customer. Your margins go down by 10 percent. That will be significant.” An insurance industry contact, noting that the Prime Minister and Mr Halkitis have promised repeatedly that there will be no new and/or increased taxes in today’s Budget, accused the Government of seeking to introduce taxation “by stealth” through the health insurance VAT treatment change. “It’s a consumer tax that falls back to the consumer,” they added. “Whatever your claim is, you will now only get 90 percent of it. It’s going to drive up the cost of private healthcare by 10 percent. There are more than 100,000 people with private health insurance. Some of them will be forced out and unable to afford it any more, or companies will look to reduce benefits to make it more affordable.” Turning to the wider picture, they added: “You cannot solve this [fiscal] problem without increasing individual tax rates, and that’s what you are doing. You are increasing tax rates on the middle class. All it’s doing is taking the individual tax rate, which was last time said to be 34 percent, closer to 40 percent with these measures. People will no longer be able to afford it and will have to drop out.
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THE TRIBUNE
These are a bunch of subtle taxes that are adding up.” Another source, also declining to be named, said they understood “the technical case” that the Ministry of Finance is making for ending the health insurance VAT ‘claw back’. However, they voiced surprise that the Davis administration would pursue this now given the fragile economic climate and the fact that health insurance is seen as socially desirable in improving people’s welfare - especially amid the ongoing COVID-19 threat. Research conducted for the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme showed that more than 100,000 persons, or over a quarter of the country’s population, are covered by private medical insurance either individually or via their employer’s group policy. The source agreed that the Ministry of Finance plan would “drive up” the cost of both health insurance and treatments, making them less affordable, which ironically could boost NHI enrollment. “It throws off the equilibrium we have now, where the premiums are very expensive but the benefits are very contained,” they added. “You’re increasing the cost in a very risky situation for a key consumable, and it shouldn’t be the issue that they tackle. “Insurance is already expensive. This would have the effect, I imagine, that the insurers will give the money to pay the VAT to their clients directly or they’ll only settle claims up to the actual bill and you will be responsible for the VAT directly. It will fall into the customer’s lap. “This is not the vehicle to go after and raise prices now with what’s happening in the health industry and broader economy. It’s a critical element of social welfare and is not the hill you want to climb at this stage. I don’t think this one is going to play well at all. Adding 10 percent to medical bills is a tough sell.”
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, May 25, 2022, PAGE 21
NIB to boost prosecution of delinquent employers By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net A CABINET minister yesterday said the National Insurance Board (NIB) plans to prosecute more delinquent employers, and recover all contribution income due to it, amid projections that its $1.6bn reserve fund will be exhausted by 2028. Myles Laroda, minster of state in the Prime Minister’s Office who has responsibility for NIB, told reporters prior to the weekly Cabinet meeting: “As complaints come in the NIB is prepared to prosecute those individuals for whatever they’re accused of doing.” He pledged that the social security system will ensure that both delinquent employers and self-employed workers, especially those of the former who have deducted NIB contributions from workers’ salaries but not paid them over, will be “put before the court” and “whatever funds that are outstanding to the individuals who put them there, NIB will seek to have those recovered”. Mr Laroda added. “In particular, deductions that would have been made out of the employee salaries and not paid into NIB are actually not the possession of those companies or individuals.” Meanwhile, NIB’s industrial agreement negotiations with the Public Managers Union continue despite the union - which represents its middle managers - obtaining a strike certificate. The union has now given the Government a counterproposal in response to the latter’s initial offer. “So we sent a counter-proposal to them, they rejected our proposal and countered with another proposal, and we
MYLES LARODA will review their proposal and respond to them,” Mr Laroda added. “The negotiation is fluid, notwithstanding the fact that they have a strike certificate.” Mr Laroda also addressed “numerous complaints” that beneficiaries are unable to get their benefits from NIB. “We have had numerous complaints. During the pandemic you would see that the process has slowed down considerably,” he added. “Since we have come to office, we have increased the amount of doctors that are hearing industrial accidents. In the past, there was one. We have a chief medical officer and another officer. We have tribunals in place to hear matters that involve industrial accidents. But we’re also trying to get a hold of the backlog of other matters; claims that would have been placed, and some of them are going back about two years.” Mr Laroda gave no timeline for when these outstanding complaints will be satisfied, but said it was a “priority” to have them dealt with by NIB to ensure there is improvement in resolving them more rapidly.
‘NO IFFICULTIES’ IT SOUT OCEAN AREA CASINO LICENCE By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net THE deputy prime minster yesterday said a casino licence for the South Ocean area will have “no difficulties” in receiving approval from the Gaming Board (GB). Chester Cooper, also minister of tourism, investments and aviation, and who is responsible for the Gaming Board, told reporters ahead of the weekly Cabinet meeting that while he does not want to preempt the regulators work it is reviewing applications for new casino licenses. “The proposed buyers of the Grand Lucayan resort have indicated to us that they have a world-class, world-renowned casino operator that they are in active negotiations with to take over the casino at the Grand Lucayan on their behalf,” he added. “As it relates to casino licences, I can tell you that there had been a previous licence in the South Ocean hotel. I would think that the Gaming Board would have no difficulties in issuing another licence in that area. As for how many licences might be available in New Providence, I believe that there is a distance requirement between casinos. I suspect that’s a matter of technicality that will be really guided by the Gaming Board based on the applications that they receive.” The long-standing gaming strategy for New Providence has been that there will be three licensed casinos permitted on the island - one at Paradise Island (Atlantis), another at Cable Beach (Baha Mar), and the third one at South Ocean once the resort achieved a particular room count. However, that threshold has never been reached, and the South Ocean property has now been sold to the Albany
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CHESTER COOPER developers who may well have different plans for the site. Mr Cooper said the Government will continue to “monitor” its COVID-19 measures, noting that the “world has moved on” from the pandemic. “Many countries are treating COVID as a common cold. We still have some protocols in place. We will keep those protocols until the science
warrant us removing them,” he added. “There is a call for the removal of masks, and there is a call for the removal of inbound testing and certain other protocols, and we will work along with the Ministry of Health and the physicians to ensure that we are doing what’s best for the economy and the Bahamian people.” Mr Cooper continued: “We listen to our stakeholders, but we make decisions that are in the best interests of the Bahamian people. We make decisions that balance what’s good for tourism and the economy with the public health and safety of the Bahamian people. “So I, as minister of tourism, would co-ordinate often and directly with the minister of health. We will assess all the data; we will listen to the experts. And we will make decisions on
the basis of the data and the experts. Like I say, we listen to our stakeholders. But we are hired by the Bahamian people to protect their interests and that is what we will do.” The Bahamas has 16 island destinations, with the majority of COVID-19 cases concentrated in New Providence. While there is an ongoing surge in infections, Mr Cooper said: “We send the message to the world that we are a relatively safe place to travel. “The CDC (US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) has increased its rating [of The Bahamas] to a ‘level three’ recently. This, of course, is some concern as this is watched particularly by groups, event planners and corporates in the US. It should have a modest impact. If it gets to Level 4, it will have some impact on our overall arrival numbers.”
PAGE 22, Wednesday, May 25, 2022
TO AY’S BU GET FOR A BETTER TOMORRO W
e previously considered The Bahamas’ debt sustainability, and looked at the challenges faced from a Caribbean context. Today the Government’s 2022-2023 Budget will be unveiled. In my view, the critical takeaways from the presentation should be fundamental reform of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and the civil service; updates on tax reforms and new/increased taxes that will generate the momentum needed to achieve a 25 percent revenue-to-GDP ratio by 2025; eliminating structural impediments, especially in the energy sector; increasing social services spending; strategy adjustments for healthcare and education; a clear plan for economic
growth strategies and initiatives; and, extremely important, adjustments to the debt management strategy. Debt is, and will likely remain, an uncomfortable Achilles heel for The Bahamas. The debt trap The Bahamas finds itself in somewhat of a debt trap. With the national debt now around $10.5bn, and annual interest payments on this amounting to $512m, representing 23 percent of revenue and 18 percent of total Budget expenditure, respectively, the country is carrying a significant burden. Given the current realities and ongoing borrowing needs, this burden will likely increase further. The national debt is one of
the most critical issues to be addressed during this Budget cycle. When $500m of a $3bn spending budget goes to servicing interest payments on debt, it is beyond time to start taking close notice and implement real action. The Bahamas is struggling with two important challenges - low growth and high debt. Fixing both, concurrently, is fundamental to an improved economic condition. To put these challenges in context, consider that in the last Budget we had a primary deficit. This measures the amount by which the Government’s recurrent (fixed cost) spending exceeds its income when interest payments are stripped out. Or, put another way, it is
the amount by which the annual fiscal deficit exceeds those same interest payments. What this means is that we are actually borrowing to pay interest. This cycle, if not broken, will consistently tighten like a noose around The Bahamas’ neck. Escaping this trap by making some hard decisions, and taking definitive action, is critical. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Case studies abound in the region, and The Bahamas should look to those who have suffered on this path before for insight in what to avoid. Barbados and Jamaica provide potent lessons as to what is at risk, and the potential upside of proactive reform strategies. Jamaica struggled with the burden of a debt-to-GDP ratio that peaked at more than 140 percent. Over two IMF programmes, this was reduced to below 100 percent for the first time in many years. This has been hailed as a success in allowing Jamaica to unlocking important resources that have boosted its economy, especially on infrastructure development. Barbados is currently going through its own crisis and, while struggling, it is being supported by the IMF, which enhances the likelihood of getting things right and setting the country on a better socio-economic path. In a recent Article IV report, the IMF said: “While Barbados has been making good progress in implementing its Economic Recovery and Transformation (BERT) plan to restore fiscal and debt sustainability, rebuild reserves and increase growth, it continues to face major challenges owing to the global pandemic. The outlook remains highly uncertain, and risks are elevated” What are the main lessons here? First, and the most obvious, is that a country is unlikely to progress with debt at high levels. However, there are other finer points. With such high debt levels, there is a need for reform and discipline. Left unaddressed, drastic action will be required. Even with focused efforts it will require time, at the cost of great uncertainty, before a country emerges from the woods. The Bahamas’ debt-to-GDP is expected to remain in the 80 percent range over the near term given anticipated borrowing needs. Together with detailing strategies for economic growth, this Budget cycle must
HUBERT EDWARDS BY
underscore that the country is caught in a debt trap and send clear signals of a commitment to improving its creditworthiness. Consequences I wish to consider a few other consequences here. There is no doubt that increased debt levels can result in rising poverty. Having regard for what we discussed before, the impact of debt on private investment could lead to increased unemployment, while the affect on social safety nets will lead to vulnerable Bahamians becoming more disadvantaged. Factors such as these lead to economic scarring, especially following episodes of crisis, translating into a generational disparity in wealth and increased poverty. High debt results in a reduction in the national savings rate, and affects the ability to create buffers against economic shocks. One formula for national resilience is to invest in sustainable growth, and carve out savings for countercyclical spending or “saving for the rainy day”. It is a formula that we recently observe at play in the likes of the Cayman Islands, and both Trinidad and Jamaica to a lesser extent. The Bahamas is unable to achieve this with its high debt burden and low growth, apt evidence of how both affect the performance of the economy, resulting in a lack of resilience. As more money is borrowed, more resources are needed for debt servicing, and more and more will be taken away from other public services. This is never a sustainable approach. At some point there will be a need for increased revenue. This will require increased taxation, and this is where The Bahamas is today. The Government has laid out its intent to increase revenue to 25 percent of GDP by 2025, up from the present 18 percent, and there should be every expectation that in this Budget cycle there will be some marked changes with a foreshadowing of more to come for 20232024. There is no “painless” path to a fiscal surplus. The final consequence I want to share is this. A country with high - and growing - levels of unsustainable debt, and which fails to find internal solutions, will ultimately have to look to external partners for help. I want to be very clear: I do not believe that The Bahamas is anywhere near an IMF structural adjustment programme. I believe there are many options available to the Government at this time to make such “local adjustments”. However, what I seek to do here is state as objectively as possible, and in general support of the revenue trajectory projected by the Government, that increased deficit spending without reforms in multiple areas of the economy and government policy will definitely increase the possibility of finding ourselves in that unenviable position. Searching for Solutions There is no value in a discussion without exploring solutions. I do not claim to have the answers, but some broad themes exist. The Bahamas must diversify its economy; it must implement greater reforms to facilitate effective public financial management and governance; it must reduce the national debt to more sustainable levels (this does not automatically translate to 50 or 60 percent debt-toGDP); and it must address structural impediments to economic growth. While the Budget is narrowly focused,
THE TRIBUNE
permit me to raise some questions on what is needed to carve a path to economic and fiscal sustainability and resilience. What do we want The Bahamas’ economy to look like? What will tourism look like? What will financial services look like, especially with digital assets? What do we want to see in agriculture over the next five years? What sectors are ripe for policy support? What legislation and policies do we have languishing which, if repurposed, can add value? How does governance impede economic growth? Is there value in devolution and local government? This Budget should bring the answers to these questions together. Which sectors of the economy are causing a drag on others? What are the unexplored pockets of value we have ignored because of entrenched thinking? How can we add greater diversity to the economy? How can we diversify tourism? What values are locked-up in “Historical Bahamas”? Are there social assets, such as diversity of culture, that we can take advantage of? How do you diversify without a broader skill-set? Does Immigration hold any value in diversification? How do we influence greater trade? How do we restate a policy of Bahamianisation for the 21st century based on fairness and empowerment, economic inclusion and social equity? The diversification question looms large and should be answered clearly. What exactly will the tax regime look like? What tax regime would provide the greatest future value for the country? How can our fiscal policies (taxes and investment incentives) be exploited to drive Family Island economies? How do we create a more vibrant capital market? How do we create a more vibrant funding machinery for businesses? What is the role of University of the Bahamas, and academia in general, in creating centres of excellence? How would a financial services sector thrive in an environment with a recognised school of banking? Are there opportunities in CARICOM? How can we leverage the Caribbean to improve the domestic economy? How can the region be used a first step to greater food security and exports? What opportunities are there for intra-regional trade? What is our targeted GDP in 10-15 years? How do we get there? What industries are primed to help us do that? What reforms are needed to unlock economic value? How do we achieve them? I believe we have the capacity to face all our challenges, provide the necessary answers and act in the best interest of the county. However, we must all be mindful that this is not simply a task for government. We all have a role to play in this process. Every segment of society must actively participate in the drive for greater economic development and resiliency. Take time to understand the issues, support positive developments and offer suggestions. Due mainly to the debt and the pandemic, this Budget might be the single most important in the life of the country. It must pave the path, and lengthen the runway ,to the future. It must be focused on the decisions to be taken today that will lead to a better tomorrow. NB: Hubert Edwards is the principal of Next Level Solutions (NLS), a management consultancy firm. He can be reached at info@nlsolustionsbahamas.com. He specialises in governance, risk and compliance (GRC), accounting and finance. NLS provides services in the areas of enterprise risk management, internal audit and policy and procedures development, regulatory consulting, anti-money laundering, accounting and strategic planning. Hubert also chairs the Organisation for Responsible Governance’s (ORG) Economic Development Committee. This and other articles are available at www.nlsolutionsbahamas.com.
THE TRIBUNE
Wednesday, May 25, 2022, PAGE 23
Minister says tax hikes an ‘absolute last resort’ By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net A CABINET minister yesterday reiterated that new and/or increased taxes are an “absolute last resort” given that they will undermine The Bahamas’ post-COVID recovery, again pledging that they will not feature in today’s Budget. Senator Michael Halkitis, minister of economic affairs, said prior to the weekly Cabinet meeting: “The Prime Minister has said repeatedly that’s an absolute last resort. We’re not anticipating that. Well, we’re not doing that. Our view is that we need to grow the economy. “We are still emerging from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are very optimistic, and we’re encouraged by the signs that we see coming out of the economy in terms of people being employed. If you look around, construction is going on and investment in the country, so in terms of the tourism industry we’re very strong and so we’re encouraged by that. “We believe that any increase in taxation will tend to work against that recovery. So our view is we need to encourage the continued growth of the economy, employment and spending in the economy, and another thing that we’re doing, as we have been speaking about, is ensuring that in tandem with that we are improving our revenue collection.” The Government, though, is facing outside pressure to enhance its
MICHAEL HALKITIS income having targeted a 25 percent revenue-to-GDP ratio by 2025. This, according to its Fiscal Strategy Report, will involve increasing revenues by $1.3bn over the next four fiscal years - a jump of 55.7 percent - to achieve a Budget surplus of $71.9m by the end of the 2024-2025 fiscal year. Many observers believe this will be impossible to achieve without some measure of new and/or increased taxes. And the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in is most recent Article IV Consultation on The Bahamas, encouraged the government to engage in meaningful tax reform that would boost overall revenue administration and collections. The Fund argued that a gradual increase in the VAT rate towards the Caribbean average of 15 percent would boost revenue as a percentage of real GDP by around 2.7 percent. It also called for income tax to be applied to the top 10 percent of earners at a 10-15 percent rate, saying
this - coupled with a flat 5 percent withholding tax on capital income - would raise revenue equivalent to an additional 2 percent of GDP. The Government, which is not compelled to follow the IMF’s advice, also plans to implement a mechanism contained within the VAT Act that allows it to request that financial institutions provide it with delinquent taxpayers’ financial records. This comes after Department of Inland Revenue officials recently said they planned to garnish, or take a lien over, a person’s salary or company’s income and bank accounts if they have unpaid taxes. With the Government focused on enforcement and compliance, Mr Halkitis said it wants what is “on the books” from persons who can afford to pay and “make sure that we have the mechanisms in place for them to pay, and for us to collect, and we continue to seek out new sources of revenue”. Such “new sources” include the possibility of carbon credits, and the minister said of the Government’s goals: “Grow the economy, do a better job of collecting what’s out there, seek out new sources of revenue and it’s very important that we manage our spending and eliminate waste as much as we can. So we believe if we focus on those four things, we should we should continue on this road to recovery.”
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‘Hardship’ threat over VAT medical bill move By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Government is threatening to cause “additional hardship” for thousands of Bahamians who enjoy private medical insurance through VAT-related reforms that will increase medical bills and treatment costs. Sandy Morley, the Bahamas Insurance Association’s (BIA) vice-chairman, yesterday confirmed to Tribune Business that consumers would “bear the brunt” of plans designed to stop healthcare insurers from reclaiming the VAT portion of medical claims payouts. At present, the insurance industry can deduct, or offset, the VAT portion of patient care bills submitted to it by doctors, hospitals and other medical facilities against what it pays to the Government from the 10 percent levy imposed on client premiums. However, Mr Morley said the Ministry of Finance and Department of Inland Revenue
- with effect from July 1, 2022 - want to change this treatment such that health insurers are no longer able to deduct/offset the VAT charged on their clients’ medical bills against the taxes collected on the premium. With the industry no longer able to treat medical bill VAT as an ‘input’ deduction, the BIA vice-chair warned that consumers will “ultimately” pay the price through having to absorb the levy on their patient care expenses something that will effectively increase health treatment costs by 10 percent at a time
‘Buy good real estate but a cheap vehicle’ By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net SUGGESTIONS that today’s Budget will seek to “promote home ownership” and green energy yesterday generated calls for an attitude overhaul and a variety of tax MARIO CAREY reforms from participants in both sectors. Mario Carey, the Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate MCR Group Bahamas principal, responding to the broad-brush overview given by Senator Michael Halkitis, minister of economic affairs, backed the objective of increasing home ownership but added that Bahamians needed to do their part by “stopping spending on all this crap”. While Mr Halkitis gave no details on the Government’s plans, the real estate veteran called for a cultural or mindset shift on the priority that Bahamians give to owning their own home. He added that the younger age group, especially, needed to adopt the mantra of “buy good real estate and a cheap car” if they are to realise their ownership dream. “Home ownership has so many benefits,” Mr Carey added. “In any society it provides a means of stability. It creates wealth, helps children to do better in school. There’s just so many benefits when you have a high level of home ownership, and the Government should do everything in its power to make it more affordable for Bahamians. Anything to help Bahamians enjoy the fruits of this country. The foreigners are enjoying it. Every Bahamian should have that right.” However, he quickly added that Bahamians needed to do their part by avoiding the temptation to become over-leveraged on consumer debt through the desire “to keep up with the Joneses”, which led to spending on frivolous ‘wants’ rather than saving and investing towards home ownership.
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when Bahamians are grappling with soaring inflation and the continuing fall-out from the ongoing COVID-pandemic. Given that some medical costs can be substantial, reaching into the hundreds of thousands and even millions of dollars, the potential revenue boost for the Government could well be significant. Yet, if implemented, the increased cost could be just as impactful for both individuals and employees who presently enjoy private health insurance under their company’s group policy, potentially making
quality healthcare less affordable and accessible when COVID-19 remains a threat. Confirming that the BIA and its members “most definitely oppose” the change, Mr Morley said the industry had written to Prime Minister Philip Davis QC voicing its concerns and was awaiting a response. Should the revised VAT treatment become law, he added that insurers would likely be forced to alter their pricing while providers of medical care would need to adjust their services. Responding to Tribune Business inquiries, after this newspaper was tipped-off to the medical claims payout VAT change, Mr Morley said: “We would have preferred to have given him [Mr Davis] an opportunity to respond to us. The Government has taken the position that the industry will no longer be able to use the VAT paid to facilities or providers like Doctors Hospital on behalf of clients... we will no
ROBERT SANDS
Don’t allow COVID apathy to ‘strangle economic rebound’
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Bahamas ‘can’t be complacent’ on 15% corporate tax push back By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE BAHAMAS “cannot be complacent” despite yesterday being granted more time to determine its approach to the G-7/OECD-led push for a minimum 15 percent global corporate income tax rate. John Delaney QC, a former attorney general, told Tribune Business it was beneficial that The Bahamas has seemingly obtained “more breathing space” to develop its response after Mathias Cormann, the Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development’s (OECD) secretary-general, conceded that the plan’s implementation has been pushed back by one year to 2024. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Mr Cormann said the previous timeline had been “very ambitious” and “difficult discussions” were being held amid fears that Republicans in the US
JOHN DELANEY Congress could scuttle any agreement - especially if they seize control of both the Senate and House in the upcoming mid-term elections. “We deliberately set a very ambitious timeline for implementation to keep the pressure on, and we think that has helped keep the momentum going,” the OECD chief said. “But I suspect it is probably most likely that we will end up with a practical implementation from 2024 onwards.” The delay comes just as the Government delivers its 2022-2023 Budget in the
House of Assembly today. Prime Minister Philip Davis QC, in his mid-year Budget address several months ago, said the Government was awaiting the results of a study by the Deloitte & Touche accounting firm into the Bahamian tax system to determine how it should respond to the 15 percent corporate tax push, including whether the Business Licence fee should be converted to such a regime. Mr Delaney, head of the Delaney Partners law firm, yesterday said the OECD secretary-general’s comments mean The Bahamas now has more time to determine what - if any tax reforms are necessary to suit this nation’s own economic and fiscal competitiveness as opposed to outside pressures. “It does mean that the Government would have a greater period, an extended period, to determine how to it wishes to go for our own national purposes and communicate that decision one
By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A top hotelier yesterday warned The Bahamas “must not allow apathy” to undermine the COVID fight, while admitting the surge in cases will make the Government “more tentative” over the further restriction easing sought by tourism. Robert Sands, the Bahamas Hotel and Tourism Association’s (BHTA) president, told Tribune Business this nation must not permit pandemic fatigue to “strangle our economic rebound” after US federal health regulators downgraded the country to ‘Level 3’ with a “high” level of COVID19 infections. Speaking after The Bahamas recorded another 52 new infections on Monday, taking the number of active cases to 694, he added that while a ‘Level 3’ designation from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was “not where any tourism destination wants to be” the country was in good company with more than 100 nations in the same category. Calling on “every employer and employee” to do their part in reversing the rising COVID infection trend, Mr Sands told this newspaper that The Bahamas “cannot afford to go backwards” any further and sink to a ‘Level 4’ given the deterrent effect on travellers considering this nation - especially those who direct which destination is chosen for group
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FNM and unions unite on $4m ‘overpayment’ By NEIL HARTNELL and YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporters A CABINET minister’s assertion that the Government’s finance officers awarded themselves a $4m pay rise without any Cabinet or other approvals yesterday united the FNM and trade unions in opposition. Kwasi Thompson, minister of state for finance in the former Minnis administration, demanded that Pia GloverRolle, current minister of state for the public service, “clarify or apologise” for statements that “damaged” the reputation of the Government’s accounting and finance staff. He hit out in a statement after Mrs Glover-Rolle told reporters ahead of the weekly Cabinet meeting that an
KWASI THOMPSON internal audit showed this group of civil servants had granted themselves increased salaries without first gaining any Cabinet, ministry or Public Service Commission approvals.
She said: “An internal audit was conducted and there are some gaps in the controls when it comes to the finance officers. What has happened is those finance officers have adjusted the system to ensure that their pay rates were increased based on an approval that they would have gotten that we have not, in the public service, had any approval or vision of. “So, basically, normal government procedure in terms of adjusting the pay scales was not observed. This resulted in an overpayment of $4m-plus by that same scale of employees, where the system would have been adjusted in their favour without the proper government procedures. “So at this time, the Ministry of Public Service and the Ministry of Finance are meeting to
figure out how we are going to address this administration of scales that was not properly authorised. The normal policy on overpayment is recovery. So I will say that the audit has revealed some gaps in terms of controls, and the policy is to recover. We found some things as a result of the audit that were done wrong, and I’m sure consequences will follow.” However, Mr Thompson rejected Mrs Glover-Rolle’s contention that no approvals were granted by the Minnis administration. He added that the then-permanent secretary in the Ministry of Public Service sent out a formal notice advising of the creation of new posts, and upgraded salary scales, in February 2021. The
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