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VOLUME:115 No.131, MAY 31ST, 2018
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Ouch! Peter turns the screw on VAT Giveaways then Turnquest hits us with 12% rate By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net FINANCE Minister K Peter Turnquest delivered a stunning blow to consumers and businesses yesterday with a shock increase in the rate of Value Added Tax to 12 percent. In his budget address to Parliament, Mr Turnquest had carefully laid the ground for a string of changes to the country’s tax regime which would benefit thousands of families and businesses. Then came the price for paying for these measures: VAT nearly doubling from 7.5 percent to 12 and taking effect on July 1. The government projects the VAT increase will help it reap $1,115,007,455 in revenue in the next fiscal year, a 60 percent increase compared with the forecasted VAT revenue for 2017-2018. Mr Turnquest said this was indicative of the government choosing not to wait until it is too late to shore up the economy, but opting to act now and act responsibly. The decision attracted the fury of Opposition members in the House of Assembly who shouted “shameful” from
• CLOTHING AND FOOTWEAR NOW DUTY FREE
their seats, while others asserted the government was “trying to kill the Bahamian people”. Later during a press conference, the Progressive Liberal Party warned the move would spark a recession as it poured scorn on Mr Turnquest’s economic growth projections. Despite touting the Minnis administration’s lowering of the wage bill and the purchase of goods and services by a projected $120m - along with a $351m deficit reduction - the deputy prime minister dropped his VAT bombshell, justifying the hike by saying there was an urgent need to pay off a “mountain” of arrears and unbudgeted commitments totalling some $360m left behind by the former administration. In his address, Mr Turnquest said this fiscal irresponsibility of the Christie administration inflicted damage on the state of the economy, making the Minnis administration’s task all the more difficult. The government also moved a resolution yesterday for a loan of $187,233,623 to defray expenditure in the 2018/2019 estimates of revenue and expenditure. SEE PAGE THREE AND FOR FULL COVERAGE, SEE PAGES 4,5,6 AND BUSINESS
•WEBSHOPS AND • FOOD, BILLS, • PLP - THESE GAMBLERS HIT HOUSING, PLANES ARE FIRST STEPS WITH NEW LEVY HAVE TAX REMOVED TO RECESSION JUDGES REJECT BID TO RETRY JEAN RONY By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
CROWN attorneys yesterday called for the Court of Appeal to dismiss a Supreme Court judge’s landmark ruling that Bahamas-born Jean Rony Jean-Charles was unlawfully expelled from The Bahamas, with the alternative being a retrial on the facts in the Supreme Court. Crown attorney Loren Klein submitted that Justice
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JEAN Rony Jean-Charles outside court previously. Gregory Hilton’s January 27 ruling was ultimately
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based on “flimsy” and “very dubious” evidence, which warranted it being set aside or alternatively reheard with “proper submissions and evidence”. However, Mr Klein’s call for a retrial was contested by Mr Jean-Charles’ attorney Fred Smith, QC, who maintained a retrial would be an “exercise in futility”, and that the Crown can neither discover nor produce any new evidence in any event. SEE PAGE TEN
DIANE PHILLIPS: A TALE OF TWO LIGHTHOUSES
SEE PAGE NINE
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PAGE 2, Thursday, May 31, 2018
DEPORTEE FACES COURT OVER AMMUNITION CASE By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
A MAN recently deported from the US after being indicted on firearms trafficking charges was arraigned yesterday over allegations he imported more than 400
rounds of ammunition into the country. Dealo Cordell Pratt, of Jacksonville, Florida, stood before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt charged with three counts of importation of ammunition and one count of conspiracy to It is alleged that between
March and July 2016, the 33-year-old imported 50 rids of .357 ammunition; 199 rounds of .40 ammunition; and 200 rounds of .45 ammunition into the country. It is also alleged he conspired to import the ammunition between those dates.
Pratt plead not guilty to the charges and the matter was adjourned to August 9 for trial. He was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS) in the interim. He has the right to apply to the Supreme Court for bail.
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THE TRIBUNE
POLICE HUNT FOR ARMED ROBBERS By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
POLICE are appealing for public assistance as they investigate three armed robberies in the capital on Tuesday. In the first incident, according to reports, a man was standing outside a home in Ridgeland Park when he was approached by two men armed with firearms shortly after 10pm. The culprits robbed him of cash, and other items, before speeding off in his white 2003 Ford Taurus. The second incident was reported an hour later on St Albans Drive, where a man was approached by two
armed men as he sat in his silver coloured 2007 Nissan Murano jeep parked in front of a home. The men demanded the man get out of the vehicle, with one man getting into the jeep and the second man escaping in a white Ford Taurus. Police were then called to a beach in the western district of New Providence shortly after 11pm. A man and woman were walking on the beach when they were approached by two armed men. The men robbed them of cash and other items before indecently assaulting the woman and escaping on foot. Investigations are continuing.
INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT THE LEADERS of the two umbrella unions met with Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and Minister of Labour Dion Foulkes yesterday at the Prime Minister’s Office to discuss labour issues. From left, Obie Ferguson, president of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas Trade Union Congress; Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis; Bernard Evans, president of the National Congress of Trade Unions of The Bahamas and Mr Foulkes.
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The next edition of The Tribune is on Monday after the holiday.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, May 31, 2018, PAGE 3
THE FNM government walking across Rawson Square towards the House of assembly, with Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest carrying the traditional red briefcase holding the 2017/18 budget communication. Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
Ouch! Peter turns the screw on VAT from page one to defray expenditure in the 2018/2019 estimates of revenue and expenditure. Mr Turnquest said: “Our government fully appreciates the sacrifice that the substantial increases in the VAT rate and other taxes will represent for our citizens. But as I have repeatedly said on record: this government was elected to do what is right for the welfare of the country and not to do what is politically expedient or politically popular. Facing the situation that we have, we could do as governments have done before – and simply present a misleading budget with under-budgeted allocations and hidden obligations. “We could have kicked the can down the road and borrowed some more – delaying the inevitable day of reckoning. By playing this game we would have only made a bad situation worse. The country’s bond rating is at junk status. The reason for that is because others before us failed to act promptly and judiciously. But worse than the junk status, the penalty for inaction is a continued quickening crawl toward a fiscal point of no return. And as we have seen, when countries hit crisis mode, the path to correction is extraordinarily hard and painful. “In the Budget, we could have pretended that this time, we could collect all the uncollected and undercollected taxes in a few weeks and months. But, we recognise that while we must improve our tax yield on existing taxes immediately – which is why we are institutionalising the Revenue Enhancement Unit – we understand that, to realistically improve our capacity to collect all of our taxes, is a multi-year project given the institutional weaknesses that prevail today. We will improve in this area. We must. And we will report on our progress regarding same.”
DEPUTY Prime Minister Peter Turnquest gives the Budget Communication for the year 2017/18. Mr Turnquest attempted to soften the blow of the higher VAT rate by unveiling VAT free breadbasket items, duty reductions and exemptions. “Effective August 1, we are eliminating VAT on all breadbasket items, with the exception of sugar, as sugar will – for health reasons – be removed from the list of breadbasket items,” he said. These items include butter, cooking oil, mayonnaise, grits, cheese, corned beef, evaporated milk, margarine, rice, flour, tomato paste, baby cereal, soups, broths, powdered detergents and mustard among other things. VAT will also be eliminated on medicines and residential insurance. The tax will also be waived on residential electricity bills at or under $100 and water bills at or under $50. For electricity customers, this would impact over 30,000 BPL households alone, he said. For water customers, 43,000 Water & Sewerage customers would be impacted. The customs personal travel exemption will also be increased from $300 to $500 per person twice each
year. Government is also eliminating duties on solar kits upon application to the Ministry of Finance. The duty on aeroplanes and helicopters is also being eliminated. Mr Turnquest said this is in an effort to build an Aeroplane Registry Industry. At a press conference after Mr Turnquest’s address Exuma MP Chester Cooper mocked the FNM’s election campaign slogan, saying the budget by the FNM is no ‘People’s budget’. “(It) is a betrayal of the trust reposed in the Minnis administration by the people of The Bahamas,” said Mr Cooper. “The PLP will oppose these tax increases and vigorously defend the Bahamian people against an FNM whose self-interest and political survival have caused them to abandon any pretence of this being ‘The People’s Time.” Mr Cooper said the government’s removal of VAT from breadbasket items an action opposed by the business community and institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) - undermines the image of fiscal prudence the administration has cultivated. “All the advice suggests that you think you are helping the poor but by the cost of administration being more expensive, you actually make it worse for the poor,” he said. “In the end you have to make up the loss of revenue with higher taxes on other items. This is a shameful exercise of smoke and mirrors.” During his address to Parliament, Mr Turnquest said there a number of critical factors to be taken into account this fiscal year. As he pinpointed the $360m arrears, the minister said the government has a plan to pay off the debt. He said: “$172m in 2018/19; $106m in 2019/20; $75m in 2020/2021; and a small balance thereafter.” “Second, the adoption of proper and factual budgeting for all known
commitments across the breadth and scope of government expenditures, thus ending the past practise of under-budgeting for the sake of displaying unrealistically favourable fiscal outcomes during the budget exercises, but leaving large, unpaid arrears to be paid later. We refer to this as ‘right budgeting’,” Mr Turnquest also said. “This government will not continue the sham of purposefully under-budgeting known commitments which only leads to another build up of arrears left for others to clean up. “As a result, the ‘right budgeting’ approach has led to an increase in allocations of some $76m in 2018/19. Examples of some of the more significant such adjustments include having to increase provisions to meet core IT service contract obligations, pensions for public officials, and even the lunch school programme all of which were seemingly under-budgeted knowing full well that the allocations would be insufficient.” The right budgeting he said would further allow for $48m in financing for selected new initiatives, in respect of both recurrent and capital expenditure, which the government is implementing in the next fiscal year to advance its socio-economic policy agenda. These include $13.5m for the digital government initiatives in the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Education; $6m for the construction of a new school in New Providence, $5m for small and medium sized business support; $5m for the Over-the-Hill initiative; and $5m for LED street lighting. Additionally he said $5m will be spent on a solar demonstration project on a family island, $4m for recruiting college graduates, $2.6m for Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute scholarships, $1m for the prime minister’s cultural grant and $1m for the Freedom of Information.
WEB SHOP PATRONS TO PAY STAMP TAX By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
WEB shop patrons will have to pay five percent stamp tax on in-store deposits to accounts and any digital online sales, effective July 1, 2018. Although not implicitly stated in yesterday’s budget presentation, it is presumed this tax will be applied based on the dollar value of the deposit or winning amount. According to Finance Minister K Peter Turnquest, the government is also increasing taxation on gaming house activities with the
introduction of a sliding scale of rates applied to taxable revenue. “To facilitate this,” he told parliamentarians during the 2018/2019 Budget Communication, “we are proposing a number of measures that are designed to generate additional revenue to the government. “Specifically, we are increasing the taxation of gaming house activities through the introduction of a sliding scale of rates applied to taxable revenue, namely: up to $20m, a rate of 20 percent; between $20m and $40m, a rate of 25 percent; between $40m and $60m, a rate of 30
percent; between $60m and $80m, a rate of 35 percent; between $80m and $100m, a rate of 40per cent; and over $100m, a rate of 50 percent. “Also, the taxation of
gaming patrons through a five percent stamp tax to be levied on both deposits made by patrons at the gaming houses and any non-online games/digital sales...”
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THE TRIBUNE
Giveaways offered in Budget By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net DEPUTY Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest announced a number of tax reductions and eliminations during his budget communication yesterday. Value added tax (VAT) would be eliminated on medicines and residential property insurance, he said. The tax will also be eliminated on residential electricity bills less than $100 and water bills less than $50, changes he claimed will impact 30,000 Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) customers and about 43,000 Water & Sewerage (WSC) customers. VAT will also be coming off breadbasket items, including butter, cooking oil, mayonnaise, grits, cheese, corned beef, evaporated milk, margarine, rice, flour, bread, tomato paste, baby cereal, baby formula, soup, broths, baby good, powdered detergents, condensed milk, soaps, fresh milk and mustard. Mr Turnquest said VAT on fundraising activities of charitable organisations will be zero-rated. The VAT changes brings the administration closer to fulfilling some of its pre-election campaign promises, though it still has a way to go. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis promised over the years to repeal VAT on breadbasket items, all baby and children’s clothing, electricity, water, all health coverage and insurance. Nonetheless, Mr Turnquest announced that the personal travel exemption Bahamians will have on custom duties will increase from $300 to $500 twice a year. In a major move for shoppers, he also revealed Bahamian-based businesses will no longer have to pay duty for imported clothing and footward. “We are providing for the waiver of duty on clothing and shoe imports upon application by importers and retailers of same,” he said. “This will be extended to any merchant, large or small, who has a business licence for the sale of clothes or shoes. This will be a benefit to all Bahamians, but particularly to those who do not have the means to travel abroad to shop for their clothes like others are sometimes able to do.” Mr Turnquest pointed out this exemption would not apply to online businesses operating here but importing goods from abroad. He said: “We are providing duty-free entry for goods for use in the commercial
printing industry, as well as for processing and garment manufacturing equipment without the need to apply for specific concessions as before.” Custom duties will also be eliminated on whole salmon, frozen fish fillets, bread spreads, potato products, tofu and prepared and preserved tomatoes. “We are eliminating duties on solar kits upon application to the Ministry of Finance,” Mr Turnquest said. “Presently solar panels are duty free, and this new allowance will mean that vendors or individuals who are bringing in full solar kits can have all related elements brought in duty free. We are reducing duties on floor tiles and fabric softener. We are providing an exemption from Business Licence fees for all schools that are registered with the Ministry of Education; and we are eliminating the duty on airplanes and helicopters in an effort to build an airplane registry industry within the country.” Custom duties on new small vehicles will be reduced to 25 percent as well. A number of changes were announced to encourage a reduction in the country’s dependency on fossil fuels. “We are reducing the excise duty on electric and hybrid vehicles valued at $50,000 and under down to 10 percent,” Mr Turnquest said. “We are reducing the excise duty on electric motorcycles down to 10 percent; we are reducing the excise duty on new smaller vehicles up to 1500cc in engine size down to 25 percent; for clarity this applies to new vehicles only. We are reducing the excise duty on rechargeable batteries, other than conventional car batteries, down to 10 percent; and we are increasing the environmental levy on all vehicles from $200 to $250.”
VAT GONE ON...
• Medicines • Residential property insurance • Residential electricity bills at $100 or less and water bills at $50 or less
CHANGES MADE TO... • Customs personal travel exemption raised to $500 per person from $300 • Providing for zero-rating of fundraising activities held by charitable organisations •Waiver of duty on clothing and shoe imports by importers and retailers
Shopping list
Butter Cooking Oil Mayonnaise Grits Cheese Corned Beef Evaporated M ilk Margarine Rice Flour Bread Tomato Paste Baby Cereal Baby Formula Soup Broths Baby Food Powdered Det er Condensed M gents ilk Soaps Fresh Milk Mustard
No VAT charged on these breadbasket items
PROPERTY TAX AND IMMIGRATION FEES UP
THE Minnis administration’s VAT grabbed the spotlight yesterday but Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest also announced select increases to real property taxes and immigration fees. Real property tax on foreignowned vacant land will rise to two percent of value, up from 1.5 percent. Licencing fees on large commercial vehicles will increase by $50 for class B and class C vehicles. Fees will also be increased for immigration services, police records, fingerprinting for casino employees and labour certificates.
At the same time, the administration is looking to enhance other revenue generation capacities. “The Real Property Tax system has long been acknowledged to be antiquated and inadequate to its mandate and mission,” Mr Turnquest said. “The desirable reforms identified in recent years must be reassessed and, where appropriate, re-initiated and pursued with purpose and determination. We will do so as a matter of priority and ensure that the necessary resources are dedicated to this important challenge. “Developing a modern and equitable system of property taxation
will better serve our citizens and secure the revenues that are anticipated from the system. Previous estimates suggest that a properly functioning system could readily yield significant improvements in revenues.” Problems in underpayment and avoidance of paying property taxes is a huge problem for the government with millions of dollars in revenue not being paid by consumers. Strengthening the collection process - along with an increase in excise duties - Mr Turnquest hopes will generate an extra $80m for the Treasury.
MOVE TO DIGITAL SEEKS TO MAKE GOVT MORE EFFICIENT By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net
THE government will be undergoing a “digital transformation” to strengthen the country’s competitiveness, Deputy Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest said yesterday. Known as the “Digital Bahamas Initiative”, the project will be financed in part by a $500,000 nonreimbursable grant from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Speaking during the budget communication in the House of Assembly, Mr Turnquest said overall the purpose of the project is to help the government use technology to deliver public services at a cheaper, faster, and better rate. Furthermore, it will result in a “reduction in
processes and paperwork and the means to conduct government business more efficiently”. The project will also lead to the development of a “single national identity number [and] card” which can be used to facilitate business transactions. Mr Turnquest also discussed the government’s support of Central Bank and the commercial banking sector’s move toward a cashless society. According to the deputy prime minister, the main objective of the Digital Bahamas Initiative is to “foster the country’s competitiveness by reducing the costs of conducting business with the government”. In order to accomplish the goal, first government procedures will have to be streamlined and published
on the internet to “reduce the cost of government bureaucracy”. Additionally, the use of information and communications technology (ICT) in the public sector must increase. Mr Turnquest added there must also be “increasing transparency of government activities and strengthening auditing and control mechanisms”. The project will focus on three principal components. These are: “simplifying and digitising government procedures”, “strengthening institutional capacity for a digital government”, and “enhancing transparency and integrity in government”. The project’s outcomes are expected to include a reduction the time and cost of government procedures.
Additionally, there should be an improvement in the quality and quantity of published government information, as well as its use by citizens. Furthermore, the project should cause an increase in the data “shared and used across government offices for policy design and government management”. It is also expected to lead to the “establishment of a single national identity number and identity card – presumptively using the current NIB ID number – that will allow for ease in transacting business in the public and private spheres of the country”. In terms of financing, Mr Turnquest said: “The Government has a stated objective of pursuing the further diversification of our economy as a means of supporting more buoyant
and resilient economic growth.” “To that end, we have secured a non-reimbursable grant from the [IDB] in the amount of $500,000 to finance a three-year technical cooperation project with a particular focus on the Digital Economy and the Blue Economy.” The deputy prime minister broadly defined the Blue Economy is an “economic activity that directly or indirectly uses the sea as an input”. However, this project will move beyond the traditional industries such as fisheries to sectors like marine biotechnology, ocean renewable energy, and deep-sea oil and gas production. Last month, Mr Turnquest announced the Central Bank plans to roll-out a ‘test’ digital
Bahamian currency by 2021. Doing so will be part of the regulator’s strategy for an “accelerated shift” to reduce cash-based transactions. Mr Turnquest reiterated these remarks yesterday. “The government will also provide support to the Central Bank’s current move toward a digital form of Bahamian currency, as well as support to the efforts of the Central Bank and the commercial banking sector to move toward a cashless society,” he said. The goal is to make The Bahamas a regional and then a global leader in the use of digital technology to benefit citizens. “In so doing, we shall catapult The Bahamas ahead of many of its contemporaries and create opportunities and efficiencies for all Bahamians.”
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, May 31, 2018, PAGE 5
MEMBERS of the government assemble for the one-year Budget communication, delivered in the House of Assembly by Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest.
Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
First steps to be taken for catastrophic care insurance By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net THE Minnis administration will introduce the first phase of its Catastrophic Care Insurance Plan in the upcoming fiscal year, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest announced yesterday. It’s not clear what provisions have been budgeted for the plan, with the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) slated to receive $20,000,000 in the next budget cycle, 50 percent less than it received last year. “We anticipate a
contributory plan,” Health Minister Dr Duane Sands said when asked about provisions for NHI yesterday. He is expected to elaborate on this when he contributes to the budget debate in the next few weeks. Mr Turnquest yesterday also revealed information about the administration’s breadbasket transformation plans when he talked about value added tax exemptions on such items. Changes to the new breadbasket list are not as ambitious as the government had forecasted. Margarine, mayonnaise, corned beef, canned soups, broths and condensed milk, items officials said
were likely to be removed from the list, remain on the list. One item removed is sugar. Items officials hoped would be included on the list like beans and peas, raw almonds, raw cashews, fresh organs, fresh apples, root crops, oatmeal as well as tuna, sardine and mackerel canned in water were not included on the breadbasket list Mr Turnquest outlined yesterday. “This is a process,” Dr Sands said yesterday. “There’s one thing to adjust the financial implications of the breadbasket, it’s another thing to continue the conversation to get people to modify their
CHARITIES TO BENEFIT FROM BUDGET MOVE By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net
ONE of the tax relief measures announced by Deputy Prime Minister K Peter Turnquest yesterday will have a direct impact on charities. Mr Turnquest promised that the government will “provide tax relief to individuals and businesses” as he announced a Value Added Tax zero-rating on fundraising activities held by charitable organisations. Bishop Walter Hanchell, of Great Commission Ministries, celebrated the news yesterday, telling The Tribune he hoped VAT also will be removed from all foods and medications. “That’s good,” he said. “Any charitable
organisation would be happy for, be elated for that.” “We appreciate that. I want to commend the government for that.” He also expressed appreciation VAT was removed off breadbasket items and medicines Bishop Hanchell said he is “lobbying” for the removal of VAT from “all food”, as these are “essential” for people to survive. He believes the government is doing “as much as they could” to stimulate the economy. However, Bishop Hanchell said: “We hope the measure the government is taking today would result in some sort of relief for the general public.” “It’s really the small people that are hurting more than anybody else,” he said.
• BUSINESSES FEAR VAT HIKE MAY SPARK RECESSION • 30 DAYS NOT ENOUGH TO IMPLEMENT NEW RATE • WEB SHOPS FEARING TAXATION ‘WIPE OUT’
SEE BUSINESS
behavior even if there’s not an immediate impact in terms of pricing. The fact that there are certain things that remain on the breadbasket that we would
have made comments about in our public consultation doesn’t necessarily mean that people will continue to consume them at the same rate nor is this process fixed
in time.” “We’re going to continue to lobby for more fruits and vegetables. The idea is to refine this process as we go along.”
PAGE 6, Thursday, May 31, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
From burden to VAT hike - the FNM’s changing view on tax
THE Free National adding: “The opposition Movement insisted value will not vote for that.” added tax would be a While in opposition, Dr burden on Bahamians Minnis formed a special before announcing their commission within the plan yesterday to increase Free National Movement the tax rate by more than to evaluate where the party 50 percent in the next fiscal could repeal VAT. year. It was at On that time, August 20, ‘I don’t believe in in Janu2014, Prime increasing taxes, I ary of 2015, Minister Dr believe in decreasing when Dr Hubert Minnis first Minnis and taxes and increasing mentioned Deputy plans to opportunities. Prime Min- Increasing taxes is a repeal the ister Peter tax in cerlazy way out. When Turnquest tain areas, voted namely you don’t want to “no” in utilities, think, you just tax.’ the House children’s Dr Hubert Minnis clothing of Assem- bly to the and bread Christie basket administration’s bill intro- items. ducing value added tax That promise endured (VAT). into the 2017 general elecVAT “will inflict pain and tion campaign cycle. stress on the middle class Still, Dr Minnis criticised and poor,” Dr Minnis said the very idea of increasing months before that vote, taxes in a 2016 interview
THE FNM government members at the Budget communication delivered in the House of Assembly yesterday by Deputy Prime Minister Peter Turnquest. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff said in 2014. with The Nassau Guardian, viral yesterday. revenue base, and disclose “I don’t believe in Then-Deputy Chair- any such reports which quotes from which went increasing taxes, I believe man of the FNM, Health have detailed alternative in decreasing taxes and Minister Dr Duane Sands tax solutions other than a increasing opportunities,” also opposed VAT. VAT system, stating why he said. “Increasing taxes “To say you’re going to the government decided is a lazy way out. When you put this yoke around the to propose VAT instead don’t want to think, you just workers and businesses of the many alternative tax.” of this country and on the systems which could have Attorney General Carl backs of the poor people, is been proposed.” Bethel, then an Opposi- unconscionable,” Dr Sands Yesterday, Darron Cash, tion Senator, rejected the told Tribune Business in the former chairman of the Progressive Liberal Party’s 2014. party in 2014, said the FNM (PLP) bill to introduce Critics yester- must be very concerned VAT as well. day slammed the Minnis about its credibility. “We do not believe gov- administration for plan“When I served as chairernments should rip their ning to increase the VAT man,” he said, “one of the economies and people with rate without seemingly things I castigated Prime unnecessary taxation,” he consulting stakeholders or Minister Christie for was citing analysis that justifies his credibility gap and that the decision. was just a polite way of In 2013, Dr Minnis had saying there was always a similar criticism of the a great distance between PLP. what he said and the “The PLP should truth.” immediately disclose to Mr Cash said: “I think the Bahamian people the concern that the the details of any eco- FNM ought to have is nomic studies and that people will be a lot analyses either by domes- more critical and damntic or international ing than how Christie was advisors or agencies held accountable in that which have led the gov- this government continues ernment to this proposed to conduct itself in a way course of action,” he said. that says it never genuinely “The government must committed to so many also disclose to Bahami- of the things they talked ans whether they have about, that so much of it explored all potential was saying things to get alternatives available in elected and that was the order to expand the tax extent of it.”
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THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, May 31, 2018, PAGE 7
FAMILY members and friends gathered on Saxon Way after the shooting of Deangelo Evans.
Officers in police shooting still on duty By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net THE officers involved in the fatal shooting of Deangelo Evans are expected to stay on active duty while a coroner’s inquest into the incident is carried out. Assistant Commissioner Clayton Fernander, the officer in charge of crime investigations, yesterday said the ongoing investigation into the incident must be concluded before any decision is made about the officers involved in the shooting. “Let the investigation take it course,” he told The Tribune. “The matter is at the Coroner’s Court, let that play out before we make any further decisions or act.” ACP Fernander said while he understands the public’s concern, the country would be best served with the matter being properly reviewed and analysed by the relevant authorities. “I am not going to condemn anyone in this ordeal until we see what the Coroner’s Court has to say. That is why the court is here, allow it to work before
we go all out with our demands,” he said. “This takes time, let’s see what happens.” The coroner’s process was also yesterday cited by National Security Minister Marvin Dames in his refusal to openly address the shooting death of the 20-year-old, insisting the process should in no way be undermined. He was responding to Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin, who yesterday urged him to use his Parliamentary post to allay the concerns of the public. Mrs Hanna Martin, referring to the prevalence of police-involved killings, said the country needed to be reassured that all was not lost and that any investigation would be carried out without interference. Mrs Hanna Martin said due to the serious nature of the matter, the public deserved a statement in Parliament. In response, Mr Dames, visibly frustrated by the request, said: “She understands that there is a process and the process is going to take its course. Listen to me please. I am not going to turn this into
a political back and forth, alright. I take my job very seriously and I want you to know it. I take my job very seriously, alright. “And if you insinuated. Mr Speaker, if the Member from Englerston is insinuating that something is amiss, then I would say that she ought to come to this house with the relevant facts, alright, and we will address it accordingly.” According to reports issued by the Royal Bahamas Police Force Sunday, officers were responding to an armed robbery near East Street and Bethel Ground Corner when they travelled to McCullough Corner, and met Evans and another man sometime around 9.15am. Police said the pair matched the description of suspects involved in that earlier robbery. Evans was purportedly shot 18 times. Relatives have maintained he was not armed. They also insisted he was searched by police on Sandy Lane and was shot during that process. Police shot and killed 11 people in 2017 compared with eight people have been fatally shot by officers so far this year.
Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
PAGE 8, Thursday, May 31, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
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Still time to review the heavy hammer of VAT THE governing party under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis presented its proposed budget in the House of Assembly yesterday. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Peter Turnquest delivered the 111-page, nearly 14,000-word document that sets taxation and expenditure for the fiscal year July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019. Those are the straightforward facts. But the budget itself was anything but straightforward. What it gave with one hand, it took away with another. From our perspective, we believe what it took away was greater than what it gave, it levied taxes that will stifle instead of opportunities that will stimulate and the economic repercussions, we fear, will be widespread. Most notable was the dramatic increase in Value Added Tax (VAT) from 7.5 percent to 12 percent and we have no doubt the national conversation over the next days will focus on this action. Even in the most prosperous of economies, increasing the cost of living by nearly five percent in one jump is hard to digest. But doing so in an economy that is anaemic, when many businesses are struggling to keep their doors open, individuals struggling to keep their lights on and families trying to keep their children in school, in untenable. We fully appreciate the government has massive expenses and, in plain language, is broke. The current administration inherited a financial mess. But increasing the cost of consumer goods and services by 4.5 percent at one go is a heart-thumper triggering a knee-jerk reaction and predictions that this was the end of The People’s Time and the PLP Opposition would be back in power next election. We believe that line of thinking is too simplistic, ignoring the fact that if the FNM wanted to increase taxes at any time this would be the time to do it. People have short memories and tend to be forgiving. If the current administration is able to achieve even some of the goals it outlined, the higher rate of VAT will be absorbed and, if not liked, borne with quiet resignation. Our problem with raising the VAT rate is not that it spells a political doomsday for the FNM, but that it discourages rather than encourages growth. The less money people have to spend, the harder it is to grow the economy. When people feel pinched, they hesitate to invest. That goes for everything from buying a home to going out to dinner and a movie. Businesses do not hire, they do not expand when they sense lack of consumer confidence. Nearly 80% percent of the Bahamian economy is servicebased, many of those from professional services to dry cleaning representing non-essential services that can be curtailed, further shrinking a struggling economy. We worry more about the message that the government is in financial trouble so we will tax, instead of one that says we will do better when the economy is better so our focus is on expansion, not contraction. The way the Minister of Finance introduced the increase was also of great interest. He preceded it with all the sugary ingredients of the proposed budget that would be well-received – removal of fat on bread basket items likes butter, cooking oil, grits, cheese, corned beef, rice, flour, soaps, and more. Customs duties, he announced, would be eliminated on clothes and shoes. The City of Nassau Revitalization Act and the Family Island Development
Encouragement Act would be extended for one year, the first-time homeowner’s stamp tax exemption for five years and construction materials exemption for repair of dilapidated buildings for two years. Customs duties would be eliminated on helicopters and jets, paving the way for The Bahamas to become a long-sought-after international aircraft registry. Duties would also be eliminated on certain food products including whole salmon, frozen fish fillets and more. There would be reduced Customs duties on materials used for printing and on floor tiles and fabric softener. The sweetest part of the “what they gave” portion of the budget for consumers was an increase in duty exemption from $300 to $500 per person for accompanied personal goods twice a year. Smaller hotels would get a break in business licence fees. Mr Turnquest outlined positive steps – reduced expenditure on government’s wages and purchases of goods and services by $120m, or 10 percent, promised that the long-term plans would be to create a balanced budget within three years, clear up “the mountain of arrears and unbudgeted commitments left behind” that total $360m, establish legally-binding Fiscal Responsibility legislation and reduce debt to no more than 50 percent of GDP. He pledged to stop under-budgeting and to provide accurate, transparent accounts, to develop the Blue Economy based on the resources of the ocean while preserving the marine environment and to continue the government’s commitment to its socio-economic growth agenda. And then the hammer fell – the increase in VAT. It is not the average consumer alone who was slapped on the smiling face with a slab of frozen fish (soon to be Customs duty free does not make it feel any better). Web shops, thought by many to be among the most successful businesses in the country, were hit especially hard. Gaming houses with revenue of $20m or less will pay 20 percent, a sliding scale rate that reaches 50 percent of earnings at $100m or more. Patrons at gaming houses will also be taxed at a rate of five percent. While those businesses were singled out, thousands of other persons and companies, foreign and local, will also be paying the piper for past playing that left the country burdened by debt. Immigration fees, already high, will be increased and new port fees introduced. The government says it is all about the bottom line to “pay off the massive backlog of arrears, judiciously finance our policy agenda, meet our deficit targets and set the stage for the pending reductions in Customs duties. That is a most daunting fiscal policy challenge indeed that requires decisive, though difficult, policy action”. We believe what we need are incentives to promote small and medium size businesses, to develop skills training for at risk youth and others participating in an increasingly digital world and we believe the country needs facilitation of entrepreneurial opportunities. The government would be in a far better position to accomplish its worthy goals by looking at ways to stimulate rather than stifle the economy. Taxation or imagination? That is the question. There is still time. We recommend a review, a reduction from 12 percent to a maximum 10 percent and a new look at how to stimulate growth through additional economic zones and other options that countries and economies far less bountiful than ours have discovered.
No more private islands EDITOR, The Tribune. IT is simply shocking that the government would even consider allowing Carnival Cruise Lines to take possession of, and ban everyone but its passengers from visiting yet another one of our beautiful islands. The practice of cruise companies establishing “private islands” is an abomination on every level - environmental, economic, ethical – and should never have been allowed to take place in the first place. There are already six such islands around the Bahamas, once beautiful, secluded environmental sanctuaries ruined by huge plastic slides and cheap, gaudy buildings; trampled by thousands of feet on a weekly basis; the precious wildlife turned into entertainment for cruise ship guests or killed off by pollution from the ships. Carnival Cruises already uses Little San Salvador, which was renamed Half Moon Cay as apparently, the original and historically significant name wasn’t good enough for cruise guests. Now, they want another private port destination at Grand Bahama’s pristine East End, home to ecologically significant marshlands, mangroves, reef systems and marine life. Environmentalists say East End one of the most fragile and important ecological areas in The Bahamas. And according to international experts,
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net the threats involved are very real. During every cruise, enormous amounts of untreated human waste, chlorinated water from pools, toilets and spas, waste from onboard medical facilities, are dumped into our waters. This is apparently perfectly legal as long as the ship is three miles from land. But this kills fish and other marine life in huge amounts and also suffocates reef systems by lowering the level of oxygen in the sea. Cruise ships are also responsible for significant air pollution from the dirty fuel they burn, which can lead to serious health problems. Even while at dock, cruise ships run their diesel engines to provide electrical power to passengers and crew. According to the American EPA, every day an average cruise ship emits more toxic gas than 13 million cars and more soot than 1 million cars. Is this really good for the Bahamas? What will this mean for East End in the long run? But Carnival has refused to even discuss environmentalists’ concerns. According to news reports, a spokesperson said: “There is no finalised deal at this time. If/when a deal is finalised, we’d be happy to discuss specifics of the project.” No discussion about
environmental safety until AFTER the deal is done? This is typically smug response from one of these cruise companies, which often adopt the attitude that we need them more than they need us. But is this really the case? While they are putting our precious environment at risk, the cruise companies are also sucking the money out of our economy. These private islands are staffed by cruise employees, the shops, bars and restaurants all belong to the cruise companies – in other words, all of the money goes in to their pockets and is shipped out of the country. Nothing for Bahamians. They are effectively methods of bypassing the Bahamian population while getting rich off our natural resources. I urge this FNM government, who promised that it would be the people’s time, to cancel this terrible deal with Carnival. I urge them also to re-examine their policy of cruise ship dumping in our waters, and conduct a close environmental review of the impact on each and every private cruise island in The Bahamas. Minister Romi Ferreira, were he not in office, would be right there among those opposing this deal. It is time for him to step up and fulfil his mandate. Angrily but sincerely, ESSY BOOTLE Nassau, May 25, 2018.
Parliamentary lessons to be learned EDITOR, The Tribune. HOUSE of Assembly rules seem today to be stifling democracy. Over the past week or so I watched how the mother of all parliaments, The Commons, London, worked and wow what a difference. Certainly, the UK Speaker
allows latitude in interventions you do not have to give reason. In 30 minutes, you rarely heard the Speaker intervene, not like ours - he is intervening every five minutes. The Prime Minister is required to appear every Wednesday for Prime Minister questions (none of what we see the Prime Minister
hides not only from the House of Assembly but the Media). Hint, PM Minnis you said you are the People’s Government - hmm, you don’t show it. Hundreds of questions are unanswered. I know new rules were written a few years ago maybe it is time to really throw democracy open to the free wind in our House of
Assembly? Shouldn’t there be numerous House Committees which, unlike the lack of practice of the Finance Committee, be required to sit and work? We certainly need one urgently to deal with Heads of Agreements. This mid-year Budget rubbish and it is rubbish just an excuse for
hot air from MPs – a total waste of parliamentary time in my estimate. Invented by Ingraham when a simple 30-minute statement by the Minister of Finance could achieve everything. ABRAHAM MOSS Nassau, March 18, 2018.
THE TRIBUNE
150 lighthouses y rs ea
By Diane Phillips
t g ofpin two
Thursday, May 31, 2018, PAGE 9
Kee
A tale
t h o g n i l for e h
L
IGHTHOUSES about it, tens of thousands captivate our of photos have been taken imagination of it over the years, and and move us there is a group of people in a way we rarely stop to so dedicated to its survival define. Maybe it is because that they run a gift shop they stand apart from all open daily with 100 percent else around them - tall, of the proceeds going to the proud, lonely, independent, lighthouse. The Elbow Reef dependable, a sentry that Lighthouse has become the never needs sleep. centrepiece of a commuThey are there when we nity, not merely serving to need them most and long guide vessels into safe harfor their light. We never bour, but uniting residents, think about how they are second homeowners and maintained or who looks repeat visitors, all dedicated after them, we just know to keeping the edifice and they help us find our way its history alive. Women home from a stormy sea, sew potholders with images lighting our way into a har- of the lighthouse, selling bour where we can anchor them as fund-raisers. There THE HOG Island lighthouse is the oldest lighthouse in The Bahamas. or dock safely to replenish is a newsletter called the Can it gain the support the Elbow Cay light, pictured right, has in Abaco? supplies, reconnect with Lightstation News, the most loved ones or simply return recent one packed with if people had not cared the title of another. “This LBOW Reef abovewe and right, which is the 150 kind yearsofold this week. to the lifeLighthouse, we had before images from gala so much or if they had trip is not for the faint sailed off. Beyond the prac- that Abaco excels at – black depended upon someone hearted,” reads one titled tical, there is a mystique tie and barefoot, proceeds else to restore, preserve “Walk from Atlantis.” about lighthouses, guiding also going to the lighthouse. and respect the historic Those who successfully got beacons that shepherd us, The Diamonds are Forever treasure that today holds a to the “rickety’ structure twinkling in the worst of campaign raised $128,000 world record. What might found it “unmanned” and storms, reassuring us. to replace diamond weather have happened if Abaconi- “unmaintained”. We marvel, glass that had ans, second homeowners, Compare the lack of too, at the ‘In one place in to be renewed. yachtsmen and fans had not attention with what could life of the Sometime taken on the responsibility be a Nassau/Paradise Island few remain- The Bahamas, last year, while themselves? With the strain treasure to the showering ing lighthouse the lighthouse other buoys on limited government of community affection for keepers, some- has a friend. and light- resources and demands to the Elbow Reef Light in one we believe houses around spend on disaster recov- Abaco. must be so In fact, it has a the world were ery along with education, expenditure After space all, better than the a And here is what is prob- Bycapital KORTNEY RODGERS they than reasoned, content with whole community in varying health selfie put nextthe to areef lighthouse? care, hospitals, ably less well known. The required for a structure or Lord there and his own comstates of disre- the war on crime, infra- Nassau/PI lighthouse is site connected with he When ONEthat of isAbaco’s belovmade you the consider wind to what blow dedicated to its pany he does pair as boaters structure and other areas actually more historic. It edthe marine industryReef or and one the photograph byLightthe jewels, the Elbow sea to rage. not need ours. preservation and increasingly environment, it could fall houses legendary photographer is 150 years old including economic devel- was built and completed Lighthouse, were the works of If ever we well-being.’ relied on GPS opment, preserving an old between 1816 and 1817, this to week. the Ministry of TransRoland did toconsidbring The lighthouse, on man and,Rose all things had Peeping and other elec- lighthouse may seem like a nearly half a century before Elbow port Cay, or even The ered, the Elbow Reef Lighthouse is theWorks. last manuthey preferred to be on Tom tendentronic guides, luxury. Or, at the very least, Elbow Cay’s, which has ally-operated western end offuelled Paradise to the attention so light by the side public’s of the Lord. cies, they would be directed the Elbow Reef Lighthouse it may fall so low on the list been operating since 1863. kerosene Island in is the ripe for devel- many years ago, before world. “Nowhere werelong lighthouse to see how the lighthouse got new life. Some 102 of must-do’s that preserva- The PI lighthouse was origi- opment as atheme controlled, images more were frustrated shared, liked Under the “150 builders than keeper spends the long pieces of 3/8-inch curved tion receives pennies when nally known as the Hog Years inviting beach The attraction and re-shared, does Cay. not Of Keeping Light those who went toitElbow hours and, in bitterly cold glass, mined and manufac- it needs tens of thousands Island lighthouse, under- On” with access was for locals and The take people great imagination to a festival organised of Hope Town weather, the lonely days. tured in South Carolina, of dollars. Such development see where of they the going a name change as byvisitors. the Lighthouse Society, placed everyimages obstacle We are so inured to the were installed around the will take pockets revival of ofain the 200-year-old sponsors and deep volunteers to could Compare the love that Paradise Island did. think way. They vulnerability of lighthouses tower, two pieces a day is keeping the Elbow Reef because theremore is only so refused lighthouse couldfresh takewater us. So whose responsibility commemorate than to supply we act as if we had no until at the end there were Lighthouse alive with what is it to maintain such struc- a much youofcan raise to with We the opportunity century service thea to themissed construction crew, and responsibility toward them. no more leaks and the re- has happened to the Para- tures? Once again, like community. beach attraction even celif it at tonight markthey its 200th birthday, Tuesday’s sank the vessels We behave as if we expect birth was re-celebrated dise Island lighthouse at the many things in The Baha- ebrations includes drew dininga and enterbut it with is never toomaterial. late to crowd of loaded building them to sustain themselves with a reverence usually western entrance to Nassau mas, it’s a little of this, a nearly tainment but with start doing the right 1,000,options with entertain“But, the work wentthing. on to with the same steely deter- reserved for religious sym- harbour. Nearly four mil- little of that, though mostly ment the including right marketing Preserving A a few piece of after the a beer plan, gar- completion. years mination they show to bols. Why all the fuss over lion cruise passengers pass it falls under the purview den, it should include restora- itpast cantodeepen pride local artist exhibition, began function,our lightning storms, letting the angry a single structure? Stand- that lighthouse every year, of the Port Department antion and maintenance in our the heritage help to educational booth and of a struck towerand one night seas slap them until the ing atop a hill, overlooking but rarely do you see a and thus, the Port Control- children’s the oldest lighthouse in and secure place inwere a tourpavilion. the our inhabitants conwaves subside, emerging the picturesque town with photo of it appear. Why? ler, whereas maintenance the live in ism competitive future. Onecountry. of the We event’s co-a vinced that Providence had inhammered but proud. its busy harbour thriv- Because it is faded, dilapi- of buoys at sea are largely ordinators, visual world and Feinstein, with every tervened A tale on of two Joanne theirlighthouses, behalf. The But in one place in The ing on boating, the Elbow dated, as impressive as a the responsibility of the said: lighthouse being Elbow Reef and Paradise “Not only is itdistinctive a symbol next night, however, the light Bahamas, the lighthouse Reef Lighthouse is the last yawn at the end of a long Royal Bahamas Defence for(there are noit’s cookie cutter shone Island, and the story direction, a monuforth as bright as everof to has a friend. In fact, it has surviving kerosene mantle day. lighthouses), whatadefines whatbitter a little love can do. Force operating under the ment that has been part ofa their disappointment. a whole community dedi- hand-wound rotating Here’s what those few authority of the Ministry many historical industries “Without the Bahamian cated to its preservation and Fresnel lens lighthouse in visitors who make the of National Security. Yet, like sponging and wrecking wreckers, hundreds of thouwell-being. The famed red- the world. trek have to say about the RBDF has a miniscule in The Bahamas.” sand of pounds worth of imand-white candy-striped It is no wonder the town it and these are direct budget for replacing lights Although some locals did perilled merchandise which lighthouse at Elbow Cay, around the lighthouse is excerpts from TripAdvisor. in buoys, often destroyed not agree with the original was saved, would have been Abaco, is so respected by proud. com: “Legal but sketchy deliberately by smugglers building of the lighthouse in swallowed up forever by the the community that books But the story could have lighthouse hike” is one. who want to avoid capture. Hope Town for fear of losing sea. And this merchandise and poems are written ended very differently “Rickety lighthouse” is Where there is a major their income from reclaiming proved to be a great boon to 1,081today sq.ft. 2they open emplan areas, shipwrecks, the conference, Bahamianreception, people. There bathroom IT closet. brace it as a partkitchenette, of their herwereand many to say that far too $4,233.92 pm inc. CAM VATproceeds found itage and a Bahamian treaslittle of+the ure worthy of preservation. its way to the rightful own4 offices, room, reception, The late1,056 Paulsq.ft. Albury, au-conference ers of the goods. But we must kitchenette and bathroom, IT closet. thor of “The Story of the Baremember that except for the $3,696.00 pm. Inc. CAM of + VAT hamas”, had a wealth of stoefforts the wreckers the ries of the wrecking of that owners would have received sq.ft.played 3 offices,by conference room, reception, era and the850part nothing.” and bathroom, IT are closet. the lights from kitchenette those sentiVisitors able to climb the pm. Inc. CAM + VAT nels in helping kill$2,975.00 the trade. lighthouse’s 101 steps to enjoy “The Bahamian wreck- panoramic views. The LightContact Mr. Chappell on 327 1575 orand 477-7610 ers,” wrote Dr Simon Albury, house Society its supportEmail: simon@cavesvillage.com “looked upon the erection ers plan to “keep the light on” of lighthouses with dismay. for many years to come.
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RANFURLY HOMES FOR CHILDREN NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Please be informed that an Annual General Meeting of RANFURLY HOMES FOR CHILDREN has been called for Wednesday, 13th June, A. D. 2018 to be held at the Ranfurly Homes for Children situated Mackey Street at 6:00pm in the afternoon for the following purposes: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
The appointment of Directors and Officers; Signatories on the Bank accounts; Financial Report of the company; Any other related matter/s; Adjournment.
LaToya Polacek Secretary
PAGE 10, Thursday, May 31, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
Judges reject bid to retry Jean Rony from page one
And concerning Mr Klein’s calls for the dismissal of Justice Hilton’s ruling, Mr Smith said the decision was a sound one based on the contents of the Crown’s own Return to a writ of habeas corpus on his client’s behalf, which Mr Smith said they “shackled” themselves to when they submitted it as evidence on their behalf. “They can’t flee from the Return”, Mr Smith charged, adding the facts set out in the Crown’s response were “sufficient” to establish the constitutional breaches found by Justice Hilton. In January, Justice Hilton found that Mr Jean-Charles was “unlawfully expelled” from The Bahamas after having been unlawfully detained from September 17, 2017 to November 24, 2017, in breach of his right guaranteed under Article 25 (1) of the Constitution. Mr Jean-Charles was deported from The Bahamas to Haiti on November 24. Justice Hilton further found Mr Jean-Charles has been deprived of his personal liberty, unlawfully arrested and detained/ falsely imprisoned in breach of his rights guaranteed him under the Constitution. He ordered the government to issue a travel document to Mr JeanCharles to “allow and permit” him to travel from Haiti into The Bahamas, and that it pay the “reasonable cost” of Mr Jean-Charles’ journey “forthwith upon his return”. Justice Hilton further ordered the minister and director of immigration should, no later than 60 days after Mr Jean-Charles’ return and upon his application, issue “such status” that would “permit him to remain in The Bahamas and to legally seek gainful
JEAN Rony after his previous court victory with Fred Smith QC. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff employment”. However, Justice Hilton dismissed the writ of habeas corpus Mr Smith had filed on November 29 for the government to produce Mr Jean-Charles, finding as Mr Jean-Charles was not in the custody of the state at the time the application for the writ was made, the order for the writ should not have been issued. The Crown subsequently appealed Justice Hilton’s decision, but according to Mr Klein, did not contest the judge’s dismissal of the writ of habeas corpus. Rather, Mr Klein called for the appellate court to affirm Justice Hilton’s decision to dismiss Mr Smith’s habeas corpus application. Mr Klein submitted that while Mr Jean-Charles’ constitutional motion was mainly supported by the contents of a sworn affidavit by his sister Clotilde Jean-Charles, her affidavit was solely in support of the habeas corpus application. However, Mr Klein submitted Justice Hilton accepted Ms Jean-Charles’ affidavit for the purposes of
the constitutional motion. Nonetheless, Mr Klein contended that once the habeas corpus application fell away consequent to Justice Hilton dismissing it, any evidence it relied on should have fallen away as well, thus meaning the constitutional motion should likewise be dismissed. Mr Klein also submitted the evidence in support of Mr Jean-Charles’ constitutional motion was “third-party” evidence and not entirely reliable, as he questioned the veracity of a lot of the claims contained therein. He further stated Justice Hilton placed “a lot of stock” in Ms Jean-Charle’s claim that her brother never left The Bahamas, despite admissions by Mr Jean-Charles’ legal team that he was the beneficiary of several travel documents, with the reasonable inference being that he used those to travel. Mr Klein submitted that Justice Hilton accepted “carte blanche” that Mr Jean-Charles never left The Bahamas, and said
conversely, those claims and the claims made by his counsel should have been investigated. In response, Mr Smith said there is no rule of law that mandates a constitutional application cannot be made in existing proceedings and must be made via separate proceedings, adding an application under Article 28 of the Constitution can be made “at any time”. And even if the appellate court found that Ms Jean-Charles’ affidavit was inadmissible, Mr Smith said Justice Hilton’s decision would still not be “disturbed”, as the facts stated in the Crown’s response to the writ are enough to establish the breach of his client’s constitutional rights. However, a true issue arose when the appellate judges could not seem to get past the discrepancy surrounding whether the individual immigration authorities said they deported — Jean Charles, and Jean Rony JeanCharles, are one and the same.
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that while he has produced a birth certificate, that document is not proof of citizenship, but rather merely just a document that evidences the “circumstance of his birth” in this country. Mr Klein further submitted Justice Hilton “erred” in making an order against the Crown for the payment of compensation for the alleged breaches of the Constitution, with there being “no basis” for the grant and justification of such an award. He also submitted Justice Hilton “overreached” his “Constitutional authority” by ordering the government to issue travel documents to Mr Jean-Charles and to issue “such status” to allow him to remain in the country and seek employment. Mr Klein said while the Crown has no issue with the court’s power to craft relief for constitutional redress, such power is not unlimited, as is made clear by a proviso precluding the court from granting relief “where adequate means of redress exist under any other law”. Nonetheless, Mr Klein submitted that Justice Hilton realised he may have overstepped his judicial boundaries, as evidenced in his ruling to issue a partial stay of his initial ruling when he said the order would “necessarily be subject to any legitimate national security and policy concerns of the executive”. In response, however, Mr Smith said Justice Hilton’s power under Article 28 to craft relief to vindicate an applicant’s constitutional rights is “unrestricted”. Mr Smith further contended the orders recognized the “standard of civility and humanity which undergirds the law”, and was appropriate in the “special and exceptional” circumstances of Mr JeanCharles’ case. The matter continues on June 22.
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And, as Sir Michael noted, that issue was apparently unsolved by Justice Hilton as evidenced in his ruling when he said he was concerned” about the “uncertainty” surrounding the issue, and that there can be “no conclusive answer or determination on the question”. Justice Hilton ultimately said he would refer to the individual in question as “Jean-Rony Jean Charles AKA Jean Charles”, however, the appellate judges, Sir Michael in particular, noted that the confusion over the issue is still a “live” one that has not been resolved to date. Sir Michael thus questioned how Justice Hilton could have come to a conclusion on the constitutional motion if he had no conclusive answer as to who Mr Jean-Charles was/ is, adding that the answer to that question was “fundamental” to the resolution of the constitutional motion. And when they presented the issue to Mr Smith, Sir Hartman asked him: “Does that not restrict us in where we go from here?” Mr Smith, in response, submitted Justice Hilton was only concerned with the discrepancy with the two different names, thus suggesting that as evidenced in his ruling, the judge was satisfied that both names could be affixed to Mr JeanCharles, and that the issue is essentially non-existent. Mr Klein further charged Justice Hilton erred in law and fact in determining that Mr Jean-Charles’ constitutional rights had been breached, despite there being no evidence of those breaches, and failed to pay any regard to the exemptions provided under both Articles 19 and 25 concerning the removal of non-citizens from the Bahamas. He submitted that Mr Jean-Charles is not a citizen of The Bahamas, and
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• Ability to solve problems independently
QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION
”
• Strong communication (written and verbal) and excellent interpersonal skills • Able to demonstrate a keen sense of awareness during work hours • High energy and professional
• High school diploma • Emergency Medical Technician Course
QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION
• Registered with National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians
• High School Diploma (mandatory) & 2 BGCSEs
• 1-2 years work experience • Computer literate
• 2 years work experience • Computer literate
APPLICATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JUNE 15TH, 2018 PLEASE SUBMIT RESUME TO: hr@doctorshosp.com WITH SUBJECT LINE: Emergency Medical Technician
APPLICATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JUNE 15TH, 2018 PLEASE SUBMIT RESUME TO: hr@doctorshosp.com WITH SUBJECT LINE: Security Officer
Doctors Hospital I P.O. Box N-3018 I Nassau, Bahamas Fax us at: (242) 302-4738 I Email: hr@doctorshosp.com I Website: www.doctorshosp.com
Doctors Hospital I P.O. Box N-3018 I Nassau, Bahamas Fax us at: (242) 302-4738 I Email: hr@doctorshosp.com I Website: www.doctorshosp.com
THE TRIBUNE
OUT WITH THE OLD JOBS SCHEME, IN WITH NEW SKILLS PROGRAMME THE National Employment and Empowerment Programme (NEEP) comes to a close today, with the government embarking on a new 52-Week Skills Empowerment Programme. NEEP participants will be given notice pay plus any accrued vacation leave, according to a release from the Ministry of Public Service and Insurance. Former participants who “demonstrate a willingness to work” will be invited to join this new 52-Week Skills Empowerment Programme - which is styled after the 2011 programme initiated by the Ingraham-led administration of the same name. The now-shuttered programme was started in 2016 by the former Progressive Liberal Party administration, and faced scathing criticism from the incoming Free National Movement government. In its release yesterday, the ministry reiterated NEEP placed individuals in government and other offices
“irrespective of qualifications, suitability, interest or checks to determine whether or not they were employed at the time”. “These individuals were not officially engaged,” the release continued. “They were not given any letter of employment, which means that their placement remained uncertain throughout the life of the programme. “On July 1, 2018, the Ministry of the Public Service and National Insurance will begin a new 52-Week Skills Empowerment Programme. The release continued: “The programme emulates the 52-Week Programme initiated by the former FNM administration in 2011. These (former NEEP participants) and new participants will officially receive letters advising the terms of their employment. “Its objective is to ensure that by the end of the programme, individuals have obtained skills that will help them to be employable and,
hopefully, employed.” The programme will be launched with softskills training, designed and implemented by the National Training Agency, and training will take place on New Providence, Grand Bahama, Eleuthera, Exuma, Abaco and any other Family Island with a sizeable number of participants, it read. The release continued: “Some of the main areas of training include skills development required for patient care assistants, teachers’ aides, landscaping, caregivers for the elderly and various construction trades. “The programme will be structured to ensure that participants do not have second jobs in place of persons who have none, that participants actually exist, and that they are working.” The ministry welcomed participation from the private sector, and advised that current employees are not to be terminated due to the engagement of the 52 Week participants.
Thursday, May 31, 2018, PAGE 11
PAGE 12, Thursday, May 31, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
‘Get ready - hurricane season is on its way’ BY DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net THE Grand Bahama Port Authority is urging residents to ensure they are prepared for the 2018 Atlantic Hurricane Season. The regulatory body met
with corporate stakeholders on Wednesday to discuss its hurricane preparedness plan for Grand Bahama. The island was devastated following Hurricane Matthew in October 2016, and in 2017 with Hurricane Irma. GBPA president Ian
HURRICANE damage in Grand Bahama last year. Rolle said their City Management Department and the GB Utility Company has worked hard to ensure the city is prepared
ACCOUNT INFORMATION UPDATE
Photo: Vandyke Hepburn
heading into the severe weather season. He noted businesses and residents should also ensure their premises and property are protected as well, underscoring persons should have on hand safety and first aid kits, batteries, flashlights, radio and adequate stocks of nonperishable food items, and water. “Check the expiration dates on food items…and store important documents such as passport and bank cards in durable resealable storage bags and purchase
medication from the Pharmacy in advance,” Mr Rolle said. Frank Woodworth, vicepresident of the Grand Bahama Power Company (GBPC), said the electricity company is storm-ready and is working with local stakeholders ensure they also prepared. “We are in constant preparation,” Mr Woodworth said, noting their insurance is up to date and they have proper stocks and materials, and manpower available for safe and effective restoration if a hurricane comes.
Please be advised that Bahamas Registered Stock (BRS) holders are required to complete,and return a BRS Account Information Form to the Central Bank. This information is mandatory to ensure that all accounts are updated and accurate in advance of the Bank’s migration to the Centralized Securities Depository (CSD) electronic BRS registry. To ensure full compliance, the completed form along with copies of one’s NIB smartcard, and driver’s license or passport, should be submitted via email to domesticdebt@centralbankbahamas. com or delivered to the Banking Department no later than June 30, 2018. Delays in receipt of this information may result in a delay in settlement of payments. Any additional concerns and queries should be directed to the Banking Department at the Central Bank of The Bahamas at 302-2600 or the Markets Unit at:
domesticdebt@centralbankbahamas.com.
YOUR
CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019
He asked residents to report any low-hanging and damaged wires and warns they should not touch the lines. According to Mr Woodworth, GBPC’s power system is designed with a redundancy component to protect the system and customers. He said that they would try to keep the power running for residents for as long as they can during the storm, and recalled the system worked well during Hurricane Matthew. “Throughout the day things went well and we had feeders tripping off and on, and we were able to keep customers on,” Mr Woodworth said. “After the winds picked up and things started to, and we got to a point where there were too many faults to the system, and it was jeopardising our plant and the transformers to one of our sub-station, we had to shut things down,” he explained. He stressed the importance of proper installation and use of generators by residents during a power outage, and advised residents should refer to manufacturers recommendation for installation and contact a qualified electrician. Mr Woodworth said generators could pose a risk to consumers and their employees when they are not correctly installed.
THE TRIBUNE
VOLUNTEERS OFFER TO WALK STUDENTS HOME COMMUNITY activists have launched a pilot volunteer programme that pairs groups of primary schools students with adults who can accompany them as they walk home from school. The initiative “Our Children’s Keepers” follows three high-profile incidents of sexual attacks on children walking home from school in recent weeks. It is piloted at Eva Hilton Primary, Columbus Primary, and Yellow Elder Primary Schools. “As the reported incidents occurred after school in these areas and in the absence of adults, our primary objective is to provide adequate supervision for groups of children walking home from school,” read a press release by activist group Equality Bahamas. “Through this initiative, volunteers will accompany small groups of children on their walks home from school and/or be stationed in strategic locations at least one day per week for the remainder of the school year. While this volunteer-led initiative begins immediately, organizers continue to work to develop a more comprehensive and permanent version of the walk together programme to launch at the start of the 2018-19 academic year.” Lead organiser Cheryl Bazard yesterday spoke to the community’s collective duty to protect children. “When the reports of the attacks began to surface,” she said, “I remembered walking home from Mabel
Walker Primary School from the tender age of 5 and could only imagine having to live with such fear. For most of our children, as it was with me, there was no option but to walk.” She said it is our duty to ensure the safety of our children. Ms Bazard continued: “This - the safety and wellbeing of children -- is a matter of urgency. As we continue to call for a Sexual Offender Registry, we recognise the need to take immediate action. We call on parents, civic organisation members, and community members to support Our Children’s Keepers.” Members of the public can register their interest and availability by completing the volunteer registration form at tinyurl. com/walktogether or by contacting Equality Bahamas on Facebook or via email at equalitybahamas@ gmail.com. “I would prefer to have an incident avoided rather than have a young mind, family members and the community at large affected physically, emotionally and mentally by sexual violation,” Ms Bazard said. Volunteer recruitment is ongoing, according to Equality Bahamas, and more detailed information will be shared with approved volunteers. “The organisers look forward to working with community members to protect children through this and other community-led initiatives and partnerships,” the release added.
READERS RESPOND TO BUDGET NEWS AFTER yesterday’s Budget Communication the big talking point was the rise in VAT from 7.5 percent to 12 percent. Although the tax will be removed from breadbasket items (but not sugar), medicine, residential property insurance, electricity bills under $100 and water bills under $50, many readers on tribune242.com were not happy. TerenceRollins said: “Barely a year in power? No achievements no real change. I guess the ‘People’s Time’ was an imaginary first 12 months. Cabinet millionaires need not worry though. Please step forward DNA - assuming there’ll be anyone left in The Bahamas who can afford to live here and stay to vote.” Joeblow had this to say: “And this is exactly why I am against income tax. Politicians never keep their word (except Trump it seems), taxes always go up, they never go down and government waste continues unabated. Meanwhile I still don’t know how much they have collected in VAT this year and where it has been spent!” Sheeprunner12 said: “Even with 12% VAT . . . The Bahamas is still a lowtax jurisdiction . . . But it is a HIGH cost of living society and people who are not financially educated or prudent . . . Hence our societal ‘hand-to-mouth’ dilemma.” That prompted this reaction from Well_mudda_ take_sic: “Taxes, duties, fees, etc, on individuals with a gross income under $50,000 now greatly exceed the tax burden imposed by developed countries with a lower cost of living. As for small and medium-sized businesses in our country today, many of them can be expected to close their doors or fail. The VAT increase to 12% is the nail in the coffin of a nation that was still struggling to cope with the introduction of a 7.5% VAT.” DonAnthony said the middle class will bear the brunt of the increase: “Make no mistake about it, this is a massive tax increase. The impact has been somewhat mitigated on the poor through exemptions, but still likely an overall increase in taxes for even them. The
middle class will have no such luck and will bear the brunt of this increase which, not allowing for exemptions etc, will bring in an extra 375 million per year. “I can live with this if the govt continues to downsize the civil service and our debt service ratios begin to fall. We have to get recurrent govt expenditure under control. Perhaps this saves us from devaluation down the road. If we are to bear this pain I want to see government downsized in a meaningful way. Otherwise the FNM will pay the price for this in the next general election.” But Realitycheck242 had plenty of praise for the government: “That is the best Budget presentation in the history the Bahamas. Bahamians need to bite this bullet and sell bottles if they have to make extra funds. Look at the long term projections of how this budget will begin to turn this country’s fiscal position around. In three years our debt to GDP ratio will be at 52%. We will have reversed ourselves from going over the fiscal cliff – like so many other countries have done – after years of PLP and FNM mismanagement. This ship of state will begin to turn around finally. “In three year’s time a black briefcase will be used to transport the Budget to the House. That will be in time for the next election and this red shirt govt will have a lot to brag about. The world and all the international agencies – IDB, OECD, FATF, IMF, the World Bank and the rating agencies will all be singing the praises for the good fiscal work that has done for 2018 to 2021. So Bahamians, I implore you to do what you have to do to swallow this pill and think about the burden this budget is removing off the backs of our grandkids.” • Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.
Thursday, May 31, 2018, PAGE 13
PAGE 14, Thursday, May 31, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
BUS ROUTE IDENTIFIED TO TEST OUT NEW SYSTEM By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
THE government has identified a route for its pilot project on a new busing system, according to Transport Minister Frankie Campbell, who insisted the program moving forward. Mr Campbell told media outside Cabinet the project will not be a “mock bus route”, but a way to gather data on the feasibility of a unified system. Funding has already been
FRANKIE CAMPBELL allocated for the project, he said. “The hold-up is just getting it going, but the
housing has been put in place, the team has been identified, we just need now to get the vehicles (and) put them on the road, because a route itself has already been identified.” He continued: ““The fact of the matter is The Bahamian public, particularly those of us in New Providence, deserve a system that is reliable, deserve a system that gives certain assurances, and so like any other government our job is to do the best we can for the most we can, and the most
persons are not the bus drivers or the bus owners. The majority are the persons who use the system. “So it is their voices that must matter most,” he said. “A team has been identified. They are persons who are already in the industry, but they will be dedicated to this pilot project for
the time frame that it is enforced. It’s going to be a six-month period to see how much data we gather. “The route – while I don’t recall the entirety of it, but it is a route that cross(es) several different routes to enable them to gather data from several different routes,” he continued.
Mr Campbell acknowledged the project was initiated by the former administration under his predecessor, Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin. He added: “As government continues, I’m continuing with it because I’m satisfied that it will benefit the Bahamian people.”
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, May 31, 2018, PAGE 15
CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF THE CHILDREN AT RANFURLY
T
he Ranfurly Homes for Children has been a safe haven for thousands of Bahamian children since 1956. The Home provides a safe, structured environment for children who have been orphaned, abused, neglected or abandoned. YOU can make a difference in the lives of the children at Ranfurly. With your support children can have nutritious food, warm beds and a safe environment where they can discover the joy of being children. For years the children living and learning at Ranfurly have made great social and academic strides. Their further development requires additional support in the form of a Transitional Home, planned for construction on the Ranfurly property. This residence will cater to teenagers and young adults who are beyond school age, but need accommodation while they find work and gain independence from the Home. We look forward to your continued support in this worthwhile endeavour.
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Invitations to Ranfurly events Assist with fundraising events Involvement with special activities Adults are eligible to join the Board after three months • Stay in touch with Ranfurly through website and newsletters
BENEFITS
• Personal fulfillment in knowing you are impacting lives • Ranfurly children’s appreciation and positive response • Continued support provides stability and constant care
For more information visit: www.ranfurlyhome.org Please “Like” us on Facebook Ranfurly Home for Children, Mackey Street P.O. Box 1413 Nassau, Bahamas 242-393-3115
PAGE 16, Thursday, May 31, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
IN this September 29, 2017, file photo, police lift the coffin that contain the remains of fellow officer Luis Angel Gonzalez Lorenzo, who was killed while trying to cross a river in his car during the passage of Hurricane Maria, in Aguada, Puerto Rico. Photo: Ramon Espinosa/AP
‘4,600 DEAD’ IN PUERTO RICO HURRICANE - NOT 64 CLAIMED SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico Associated Press
A NEW study contends that many more deaths than normal occurred in Puerto Rico in the three months after Hurricane Maria devastated the island, mostly because of problems getting medicines or medical care. Researchers surveyed a small sample of neighborhoods and from that estimated that up to 4,600 more deaths than usual occurred, far more than earlier studies have suggested. At least one independent expert questioned the methods and the number in the new study. “This estimate could be off by thousands. Easily,” Donald Berry, a professor of biostatistics at the University of Texas MD
Anderson Cancer Center, told The Associated Press in an email. The research was published online in the New England Journal of Medicine. It’s the latest study to analyse how many people died during or after the Category 4 storm that hit the US territory in September 2017, causing more than an estimated $100bn in damage. Researchers led by Harvard University called the official toll of 64 deaths a “substantial underestimate”. Maria caused the longest blackout in US history, leaving the entire island of 3.3 million people without power, including those in hospitals and nursing homes who relied on respirators. Researchers surveyed 3,299 households earlier this year and used the findings to
extrapolate to the whole island. They found that 31 percent reported disruptions in medical services, and more than 14 percent said they were unable to access medications. “Indirect deaths resulting from worsening of chronic conditions or from delayed medical treatments may not be captured on death certificates,” researchers said in the study. They calculated 4,645 more people died in the three months after Maria compared with the same period in 2016. One of the researchers, Rafael Irizarry of Harvard University, told the AP that the estimate is uncertain because of its limited size, but that the study still provides valuable information, including how some people died.
‘MURDERED’ JOURNALIST SHOWS UP ALIVE AT PRESS CONFERENCE KIEV, UKRAINE Associated Press
TO the gasps of stunned colleagues, Russian journalist Arkady Babchenko walked into a news conference yesterday, less than a day after police in the Ukrainian capital said he had been assassinated. Authorities said his death had been staged to foil a plot on his life by Moscow’s security services and one arrest was made. Russia denounced the faked
killing as an outlandish attempt at defamation by its neighbour. Even Babchenko’s wife was unaware of the deception, and the 41-year-old Kremlin critic who fled to Ukraine 15 months ago apologised to her “for the hell she had to go through in the past two days. There was no choice there, either.” Neither Babchenko nor Ukrainian Security Service chief Vasyl Gritsak gave details of the sting operation or how they made his
wife believe he was dead. Kiev police chief Andriy Krishchenko had announced Babchenko’s death on Tuesday, saying the journalist’s wife found him bleeding at their apartment building in Kiev but that he died en route to the hospital. “I’m still alive,” an uneasy-looking Babchenko said with a straight face. Then he apologised for the deception. “I know that sickening feeling when you bury a colleague.”
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, May 31, 2018, PAGE 17
Embiid braves the leap... eventually By FARRAH JOHNSON fjohnson@tribunemedia.net ALTHOUGH he towers over his opponents on the court, Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid was no match for the 60-foot tunnel drop through a shark-filled tank at Atlantis Paradise Island Resort. The seven-foot NBA star jetted to The Bahamas this month to celebrate model Jocelyn Chew’s birthday with a few guests including 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin. Still, the mini trip wasn’t
all relaxation and rejuvenation because the big baller exerted a lot of energy building up courage to ride Atlantis’ Leap of Faith slide. In videos posted to social media, Embiid is seen being coaxed for several minutes, before finally obliging and taking the big plunge. In a photo posted to Instagram, Mr Rubin stated: “This took us exactly 37 minutes to convince @joelembiid to go down the slide. He only got in and out six times before he went!!!!! #LeapOfFaith.” In response, Embiid
posted another photo to his own Instagram account, which was captioned: “Scary experience that will never happen again... Fought for my life holding on to the sides, almost drown because Black people can’t swim but it was fun #TheProcess.” Fans say it is a muchdeserved vacation for Embiid following a great season. ESPN reports the player logged 22.9 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.1 assists, and 1.76 blocks per game for the last 63 games.
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PAGE 18, Thursday, May 31, 2018
THE TRIBUNE