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TUESDAY, JUNE 21, 2022

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Gov’t eyes double return on ‘harsh health realities’ • Out Island clinic overhaul expands from 9 to 19 • AG: ‘Most aggressive’ plan in Bahamas history • ‘Don’t promise what can’t deliver’ on $66m bid

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Government plans to solve “the harsh realities” of Family Island healthcare by doubling the number of new and renovated clinics that will be

overhauled via $45.5m in development financing. Ryan Pinder, the attorney general, in addressing a recent public consultation on Eleuthera’s two new clinics revealed that the Government is expanding its healthcare transformation effort to 19 facilities as compared to the nine originally targeted by the former Minnis administration. Acknowledging that the available funding will have to be stretched to, in effect, double the return, Mr Pinder pledged that the Government “will not - and cannot - allow” existing conditions at multiple Family Island clinics to persist given that it could compromise the quality of healthcare received by Bahamians when the COVID-19 pandemic remains a threat.

Bahamasair: Extra $200k weekly fuel bill ‘won’t suffocate’ demand By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net BAHAMASAIR’S top executive yesterday voiced optimism that a fuel bill which has skyrocketed by up to $200,000 per week “won’t suffocate” travel demand despite the airline readying “another small” fare increase. Tracy Cooper, the national flag carrier’s managing director, told Tribune Business that Board permission will soon be sought for the latest ticket price rice as the airline seeks to “cope” with soaring fuel costs without pushing air travel “outside the means” of Bahamians. While the airline has added “some fuel surcharges” on to its fares, mainly on international routes as opposed to domestic ones, he added

• Airline to ask for ‘another small’ fare rise • Won’t put cost ‘outside Bahamian means’ • July bookings already at 50-60% loads

Bahamas ‘telling the story’ to its investors By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net THE Government is focused on “telling the story about The Bahamas” and its postCOVID recovery to ensure international investors and markets retain confidence in the country’s debt, a Cabinet minister said yesterday. Michael Halkitis, minister of economic affairs, in leading the Budget debate in the Senate said the Davis administration was concentrating on ensuring that lenders, creditors and other investors have faith in the Government’s economic recovery and debt management strategy to the extent The Bahamas can still access the credit markets at competitive interest rates when it needs. “I believe we have a good story to tell here in The Bahamas,” he argued, pointing to the recently oversubscribed $385m international bond issue that was placed with help from a $200m Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) guarantee. “We have a strong recovery underway, driven by tourism, the prospects are good and we are bullish on The Bahamas.” Mr Halkitis said this was the message that the Government is continuing to drive home in its conversations with Bahamas-based and international financial

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BAHAMASAIR

that prices were “still comparable” with what passengers had paid in prior years as Bahamasair (and likely Bahamian taxpayers) attempted to “absorb” some of the expense hike itself. Conceding that fuel costs will be “the biggest issue” for the national flag carrier as it heads into summer, a peak travel period that is key to its financial fortunes, Mr Cooper asserted that the adjustment in fares to-date has only been about $10 and said: “Bahamians shouldn’t be afraid to travel on Bahamasair.” This latest obstacle comes after Chester Cooper, deputy prime minister who has responsibility for Bahamasair, last week said taxpayers had provided some $150m in subsidies over the previous

SEE PAGE 5

Ex-GBPA chair loses $82k claim strike out By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A FORMER Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) chairman’s bid to be removed as a defendant in an $82,300 claim brought by three ex-employees of his insolvent BISX-listed company has been rejected by the Supreme Court. Justice Petra Hanna-Adderley, in a May 13, 2022, ruling found that Hannes Babak should not be struck out as the “validity” of claims he had “guaranteed” that the trio would be paid their due severance needed to be determined at a full trial. Daniel Mitchell, Nathaniel Hield and Washington Carey launched their action against the former GBPA chair, and his now-defunct Freeport Concrete Company and The Home Centre entities, on June 9, 2017, in a bid to enforce an Industrial Tribunal ruling from earlier that year that they and other former workers

HANNES BABAK were owed redundancy pay following their terminations. Mr Mitchell is claiming $55,100, with Mr Hield and Mr Carey asserting they are due $15,100 and $12,100, respectively. The trio subsequently obtained approval on February 7, 2019, to alter their claim by adding Mr Babak, Freeport Concrete’s chairman, and who enticed Bahamians to invest in the now-failed company

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RYAN PINDER

CLAY SWEETING

The $45.5m funding is coming from a combination of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which is providing $40m, with the $5.5m balance secured via European Union (EU) grant financing. The Attorney General revealed that a separate, COVID-related loan from

the IDB worth some $20m will take the available healthcare-related financing pool to some $65m. The $20m COVID loan, Mr Pinder added, will help finance the acquisition of 15 new ambulances for the Family Islands. And it will

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COVID testing end ‘game changer’ for key markets By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net HIGH-SPENDING tourism markets have hailed the elimination of COVID entry testing and the Health Travel Visa as a potential “game changer” for The Bahamas given the reduced “hassle” involved in accessing the country. Rick Gardner, director of CST Flight Services, which provides flight coordination and trip support services to the private aviation industry throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, told Tribune Business he had received “immediate positive feedback” after posting news

of The Bahamas’ COVID restrictions relaxation to private pilot social media forums last Wednesday. While unable to predict figures, he fully expects the move to boost private aviation traffic to The Bahamas over summer 2022 and beyond, adding: “It’s like the high jump. Any time you lower the bar more people get over it.” Meanwhile, Peter Maury, the immediate past president for the Association of The Bahamas Marinas (ABM), voiced hope that the end to COVID entry testing for vaccinated travellers as well as the Health Travel Visa would help

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PAGE 2, Tuesday, June 21, 2022

NORTH ANDROS ROAD UPGRADE OVERDUE By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net

A $13.5m overhaul to road infrastructure in the area of Red Bays, Andros, will go out to tender in July with the scope of works already completed, a government official has confirmed. Leon Lundy, parliamentary secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office, told the

Andros Business Outlook seminar that this 16-mile road section - which connects all of North Andros’ main settlements - is overdue for repaving. He said: “These 16 miles of road are expected to be reconstructed at a cost of approximately $13.5m using hot mix asphalt. The scope of work has been completed and we expect the project will be put to tender in early July with funding

LEON LUNDY

coming from the supplementary budget. “Concrete ramps will be rebuilt in Nicholl’s Town, Red Bays and Lowe Sound alongside the new docks and attached gazebo and fish cleaning station. In Lisbon Creek, there will be dredging of the approach channel, reinforcement of the concrete dock slab, bulkhead reconstruction and provision of marine bollards.”

Further roadworks are planned for Andros in the upcoming 2022-2023 fiscal year as a two-lane bridge will be constructed at Stafford Creek. Mr Lundy added: “The Staniard Creek Bridge, slated to be executed in this fiscal year, involves the increase in the span of the bridge along with the construction of five culverts with a 50-foot span on the causeway as you approach Staniard Creek.”

THE TRIBUNE

“Andros is poised to become a nature-based economy. We have our national forests, we have the blue holes, we have the creeks that foster bone fishing. In the shortterm, the ground is set for improvements to existing facilities. In the long -term, we must focus on sustainable prosperity and development where we implement our cultural, fishing and agricultural hubs.”

BTC and Six students intern at Bahamas insurer affiliates in local business boost THE Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) and its Caribbean affiliates are encouraging local entrepreneurs to take their business to the next level with their latest series in small business seminars. Starting last Friday, BTC and Flow over a three-week period on June 17, June 24 and July 1 are holding a free series of InKnowvation virtual events showcasing keynote speakers and interactive workshops aimed at providing small business owners with the digital knowledge they need to grow and thrive. Some $15,000 in cash and prizes will also be offered. “This is about the barber shops and salons, cafes and eateries, community shops, contractors, entrepreneurs and all self-starters – whether you’re a team of 10 people or a team of one. These clients may be lesser in size when compared to clients in the enterprise space. However, the contribution of small businesses to our way of life can never be underestimated,” said Nicolas Collette, vice-president for business-to-business at Cable & Wireless Communications (CWC). The theme for the series is Pivot to Success: Transforming your business for the digital age. “We’re proud to support Caribbean entrepreneurs with the best connectivity solutions coupled with the essential know-how, practical help and direct investment that provides them with the opportunity to take advantage of this digital age and, ultimately, grow their business and our communities,” added Mr Collette. “More than 2,500 businesspeople participated in the last series, and we received over 230 entries for the pitch challenge, so we once again invite all small business owners and entrepreneurs to attend and take advantage of this valuable opportunity.” The Bahamas will host the second session that takes place this Friday, June 24, with the final event coming from Jamaica on July 1. Marc Farrell, founder of Ten to One craft rum company, which recently brought music artist Ciara on board as a co-owner, and Kadeen Mairs, founder of soon-to-be-listed microlending service, Dolla Financial, will be delivering the keynote addresses respectively. Other presenters include online business coach and Flow Ambassador, Keron Rose; chief executive of Jamaica-based online food delivery service QuickCart, Monique Powell; artist manager for musical acts Sheneesa and Ding Dong, Romecih Major; and TV host and content curator, Yendi Phillips.

SIX college students last week started their summer internships with a Bahamian insurer in a bid to obtain professional skills, gain industry knowledge and explore future career possibilities. CG Atlantic said in a statement that its Summer Internship Programme, which is designed to expose students to the insurance business, attaches them to departments that align with their academic and career interests. Their activities will include a nine-week group project, team-building exercises and community service days. They will also attend various information sessions with CG managers on subjects such as cyber security, regulatory compliance, legal affairs, investing and managing personal finances, as well as personal career and brand development. Each student will have a dedicated mentor to provide guidance and support throughout the programme, along with advice and direction on resume writing, interview skills and networking opportunities. The students who have secured internships with CG Atlantic are Tyrin Adderley, Ee’den Ellis, Shanae Smith, Cai Marie Strachan,

FROM L to R: Tyrin Adderley; Natori McQueen; Shanae Smith; Cai Marie Strachan; Ee’den Ellis; and Carltoni Forbes.

Natori McQueen and Carltoni Forbes. The CG Summer Internship Programme operates in two other Caribbean jurisdictions, the Cayman Islands and Bermuda, where eight more students have been selected for the programme. Naz Farrow, CG’s chief executive, said: “It’s a programme that empowers the students by providing insights into the insurance industry, revealing career paths within it and, above all, encouraging

them through the collegial spirit and support of the CG professionals working with them. “For us as a company, the internships are an expression of our people-first approach to business. They are a way to invest in the future by tapping into the strength and promise of our local young people, and deepening our connections in the communities we operate.” Following an application assessment and interview

process involving dozens of candidates, the interns were selected based on their school course work, degree ambitions, academic and extra-curricular achievements and desired career path. CG Atlantic departments welcoming the interns include property and casualty insurance; medical; pensions; life and health; compliance; finance; marketing and legal.

TOURISM CORPORATION EYES PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT THE Tourism Development Corporation (TDC) says it plans to expand support for entrepreneurs as part of efforts to further diversify the country’s largest industry. The Corporation, after a meeting with stakeholders at Sapodilla restaurant, said in a statement that it will focus on product development and developing new ways to enhance and rejuvenate business growth. It added that the ultimate goal is to broaden opportunities for Bahamian

entrepreneurs and strengthen existing small and mediumsized enterprises (SMEs). The Government agency also aims to foster greater collaboration within the tourism sector, encouraging dialogue between different businesses and greater linkages with nontourism sectors. “The resounding theme of ‘tourism is everybody’s business’ reminds all of us here this evening that strategic partnerships are vital to the success

of everything we do in tourism,” said Dr Kenneth Romer, deputy director-general of tourism and acting director of aviation. “We will ensure that the Bahamian people have a Tourism Development Corporation that we can all own and be very proud of.” The Tourism Development Corporation also plans to engage hotel brands on resort development, while rejuvenating existing attractions, creating new ones, developing new tours and excursions

and facilitating agritourism opportunities for Bahamian entrepreneurs. Rafique Symonette is the incoming Tourism Development Corporation’s chairman, with the Board of Directors also comprising Raquel Hinds, Tasmin Darling, Robert Meyers and Dr. T. Jennifer Edwards. Hand-crafted products by Bahamian artisans were on full display at the event, and the Shadow Band filled the halls with music throughout the evening.

PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY AT CDB GOVERNORS MEET Wayde Watson, parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, represented The Bahamas as alternate governor at the Caribbean Development Bank’s (CDB) Board of Governors meeting from June 1-16 in the Turks and Caicos Islands. He is pictured at the forum meeting Charles Washington Misick, premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands

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Tuesday, June 21, 2022, PAGE 3

GOV’T’S ‘FINTECH FESTIVAL’ AIMING TO ATTRACT 3,000 By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net THE Government is planning to stage an “international Fintech festival” that will attract 3,000 industry executives to The Bahamas early next year and further boost this country’s digital asset ambitions. Senator Michael Halkitis, minister of economic affairs, made the announcement in kicking-off the Budget debate in the Senate. He said: “The Government, along with the Securities Commission, intends to build upon its global recognition as an innovative and appropriately-regulated Fintech (financial technology)

jurisdiction by hosting an inaugural international Fintech festival. “We are working with a leading Fintech events planner with a goal of bringing up to 3,000 Fintech thought leaders, enthusiasts, entrepreneurs, regulators and people with a deep interest in this space to our shores early next year. “ The Bahamas has already hosted the CryptoBahamas Conference, organised by cryptocurrency exchange FTX Digital Markets, where hundreds of operators in the digital assets, blockchain, non-fungible token (NFT) and decentralised finance space descended upon this nation in late April. Mr Halkitis added: “The Bahamas continues to take

SENATOR MICHAEL HALKITIS a principles-based regulation approach. We aim to strike the appropriate balance between encouraging innovation and ensuring robust regulation to attract more compliant digital asset businesses to the space.

“We also pledge to fully develop the orange, green, and blue economies, as well as foster the growth of a local digital economy, leveraging our geopolitical, cultural, economic and tax-related strengths to become a hub for emerging advances in technology. We are already seeing our strategies pay dividends when it comes to Fintech, blockchain and Web3-based enterprises within our borders.” Building on a Bahamian financial services industry ‘Landfall’ promotional event, which was held in New York in March, Mr Halkitis added: “Less than two weeks from now, we will join the Bahamas Financial Services Board at The Bahamas Spotlight

Event in London, where I will be opening the event under the theme: The Bahamas 360: The complete and compelling choice. “Global attendees will be given insight into existing wealth management strategies; The Bahamas’ value proposition as a financial services centre; existing investment fund and wealth management options; and the role of digital assets and Fintech in expanding and strengthening our services.” Mr Halkitis continued: “DeFi (decentralised finance) has great potential to disrupt finance, but there are many regulatory issues that must be addressed, including consumer protection issues. Regulators must also look at unique issues that may arise as a result of

the lack of intermediaries, and how they will continue to ensure market integrity, which is critical for the functioning of the financial system. “The Government, with advice from the Securities Commission, will address unique issues in this space as they evolve.” With regard to “staking,” which is a process that involves committing crypto assets to support a blockchain network and confirming the transactions, he added: “For exchanges and custodians that use clients assets for the purpose of staking, we are looking to address minimum disclosures that must be made to clients, along with other issues related this topic.”

Compass Point restaurant to follow resort into closure By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net COMPASS Point’s restaurant will close at the end of July, its proprietor confirmed yesterday, following the previous shuttering of the resort. Leigh Rodney told Tribune Business that the former resort huts were still being taken down, adding: “We kind of hit a stumbling block with the huts, but we got three of them dismantled and the other 10 will be going shortly.” He closed the resort following the September 2021 general election after the former Minnis administration failed to address

concerns he raised over the regulatory regime for hotels, particularly the licensing process, viewing it as unnecessarily bureaucratic and costly. He even has a sign posted outside the former Compass Point resort blaming Dionisio D’Aguilar, former minister of tourism and aviation, for the closure. Despite the Government changing hands, Mr Rodney said he has had not been contacted by the Davis administration. “They know who I am and they know where I am,” he added. “They don’t want to eliminate any of their red tape or save any money. They don’t want to do any of that. Neither

administration, and certainly not the last one. “There is no chance of me re-opening the resort and, as I told the last administration, you live with the leaders you have. As the sign on my property reads, they left you with $4bn more in debt, and the debt crisis is coming as interest rates are going to go up by 10 percent and people are going to look around and wonder if The Bahamas could support its debt and all sorts of things can happen.” With the restaurant closing in July, the property will now turn become “residential”. Mr Rodney will not be renting or selling the resort component, but has

COMPASS POINT BEACH RESORT

BUSINESS ‘BLOWS UP’ AT FAMILY ISLAND RESORTS By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas Out Island Promotion Board’s (BOIPB) president yesterday said business for its member properties has been “blowing up” ahead of the traditional summer slowdown. Cheryl Bastian told Tribune Business that despite her Andros-based property, Swain’s Cay Lodge, having to close down until September after its fly fishing business “went quiet” with guests opting to book for later in the year, overall Family Island tourism numbers remain very strong. Voicing hope that this trend will hold through the summer for other properties, Ms Bastian said: “I’m hoping for some of the other lodges that offer boating and marinas to be

doing good. Some of our other board members who have facilities for beaching and other amenities, like how they have at Baha Mar and the other Nassau resorts, have been doing better since the requirements have been lifted for COVID travel testing.” Family Island room revenues and room nights sold are said to be at 80 percent of pre-COVID levels, and Ms Bastian said: “Business over the last year - over the spring, autumn and winter - was very good. It was almost to 2019 levels. We had a great year and we’re encouraged that it’s coming back. We’re continually hoping for 2023 to be even better. We want to exceed 2019 in 2023.” Tourism arrivals for 2019 were just over 7.2m, with 1.8m of those stopover visitors. Since the economy re-opened following the COVID lockdowns and restrictions of 2020 and 2021, Family Island

resorts and marinas have been among those benefiting from pent-up travel demand. Ms Bastian added: “With our members they are all saying the same: That things are better. All of our fishing guides were engaged. For the hotels around the island, business increased, and for places like Andros it is refreshing to visitors. It is pristine, and it is a great getaway if you are not into the building and being trapped in elevators, putting yourself at risk for COVID-19. It is adventurous and the beautiful landscape is appealing. “We’ve seen numbers for the Out Island hotels just blow up. We just recently had a board meeting and it was pleasing to see everybody doing much better. As the president, I’m just encouraging them to better their properties and find more activities for their guests.”

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received proposals to rent the restaurant space that he is considering. He will reinvest in the resort site to convert it into residential units. Mr Rodney added: “Some of the employees I had were good employees, and they will have

opportunities all over the island, and the others will move around like they always do. “I’ve been thoughtful of the employees. I can look them all in the eye, and they know what’s occurred and why it’s occurred. I just won’t be running a business

here in The Bahamas any more, but I’ll still enjoy The Bahamas on vacation like I did in the past. I can be just more of a witness and a bystander than being frustrated by the nonsense.”

PAGE 4, Tuesday, June 21, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

GOV’T EYES DOUBLE RETURN ON ‘HARSH HEALTH REALITIES’ FROM PAGE ONE

proceeds providing further assistance. “With the resources of both loans, we are in the process of purchasing 15 new ambulances for facilities in our family of islands,” the Attorney General added. “All of us have the right to be transported in dignity when injured, in labour, or have some other emergency, and our health professionals should have all the tools they need to deliver optimal services. We are, therefore, purchasing 50 vehicles to facilitate their work throughout The Bahamas. “In addition to the infrastructural works, we are constructing isolation facilities around the islands so that health professionals can safely and effectively treat patients with COVID19 or any other airborne infectious disease. Fifteen islands have been selected for this bolstered capacity to include Abaco, Acklins, Andros, Bimini, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, Grand Bahama, Inagua, Long Island, Mayaguana, New Providence, Rum Cay and San Salvador.” Mr Pinder said the Davis administration also plans to consolidate and standardise primary healthcare services provided by National

Health Insurance, the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) and Department of Public Health. He added that the IDB and EU funding will also be used to integrate patient records held at the 54 different clinics into one public health database accessible to all facilities. Clay Sweeting, minister of agriculture, marine resources and Family Island affairs, and south Eleuthera’s MP, told the consultation that January 2023 was being eyed for a construction start on the new Palmetto Point and Rock Sound clinics. He added that enhanced medical care would boost the island’s economic growth prospects and make it more attractive to investors. “Everywhere I turn, people tell me that who is not working in Eleuthera does not want to work. Our economy is booming. People are moving back home. That is what we want,” he said. “We promised to unlock this island’s potential by driving overall economic growth. With the exponential growth that we anticipate for south and central Eleuthera, we expect the two facilities will serve the area well for the foreseeable future.”

Mr Sweeting said the Rock Sound clinic will be built at a site previously identified for such a facility, and will include facilities such as an emergency room, delivery suite, prenatal examination room, x-ray facilities, dental suite, pharmacy, isolation room, ambulance bay and a morgue. Palmetto Point, he added, will “satisfy our promise to make major investments to develop a new mini-hospital in Eleuthera” with the provision of non-complicated surgery facilities and other treatments. Reaction to the Government’s plans was positive, although attendees called on it to finally deliver after decades of promises that have failed to come to fruition. Several commented that the existing Rock Sound clinic was old with poor working conditions for medical professionals, and Thomas Sands, Eleuthera’s Chamber of Commerce president, was quoted as saying: “How we move forward is imperative. “Much discussion about promises of the past. Do not promise what you cannot deliver. Medical care of residents and tourists is deficient. Be assured of personal and community support.”

BAHAMAS ‘TELLING THE STORY’ TO ITS INVESTORS

and offsets could play a vital role in helping countries with the decarbonisation of the global economy, while also providing substantial economic benefits,” Mr Halkitis added. “The Securities Commission reviewed and benchmarked seven jurisdictions to determine how The Bahamas can develop and implement an international voluntary carbon credit trading market. “The intention is to create a carbon credit regulatory framework that would allow for the cross-border trading of carbon units, which ultimately can assist in reducing The Bahamas’ greenhouse gases footprint, fulfilling its obligations under the Paris Agreement and increasing direct and indirect economic and financial opportunities.” Mr Halkitis also pledged that The Bahamas was finally making progress on establishing itself as an international arbitration centre - something it has been talking about for more than two decades. “We have been talking about ADR (alternative dispute resolution) in The Bahamas for

well over 20 years now with little substantive progress,” he acknowledged. “It’s not been due to a lack of passion or enthusiasm on the part of local ADR experts and enthusiasts within the public and private sector. They have been clamouring for this. After all this time, progress is now being made. The ADR Unit is in the process of appointing Bahamian members to the Court of the Permanent Court of Arbitration. “The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Council has been reformed. It is hoped that through the ADR Council, The Bahamas can effectively promote itself as a leading jurisdiction for international arbitration and other ADR processes.... After two decades, we are seeing real movement in ADR and are hopeful that businesses and people involved in disputes will soon have an International Arbitration Centre in The Bahamas to address those disputes.”

also fund the purchase of 50 other vehicles for use in the Bahamian healthcare sector. The construction of Eleuthera’s two proposed new clinics, at Palmetto Point and Rock Sound, is aiming for a January 2023 start, Mr Pinder, who was standing in for Dr Michael Darville, minister of health and wellness, due to the latter’s attendance at the World Health Assembly, hailed the Davis administration’s healthcare plans as “phenomenal” and boasted that it was “setting out the most aggressive approach to health infrastructure improvements” in Bahamian history. He told consultation attendees: “When we came to office just eight months ago, we met this loan programme in place. The plan at that time was to construct five new clinics and renovate four primary care clinics in seven islands. “We knew that that was insufficient given the harsh realities of residents in our Family Islands. Minister Darville has travelled throughout The Bahamas and has witnessed the state of facilities. As a Government, we will not and cannot allow the conditions

FROM PAGE ONE institutions, as well as other money

market

players,

emphasising that this has

to persist. The Cabinet of The Bahamas, therefore, took the decision to do more with the funds provided under this loan while adhering to our contractual agreement and conforming to the policies of the [IDB]. “We will now construct nine new clinics, each at varying levels of service at Moore’s Island, Abaco; Fresh Creek and Mangrove Cay, Andros; Smith’s Bay, Cat Island; Staniel Cay and Black Point, Exuma; Long Cay; and Rock Sound and Palmetto Point, Eleuthera. We will relocate the National Reference Laboratory in New Providence to the former Bahamas Mortgage Corporation Building on Russell Road,” the Attorney General continued. “We will modify the clinic at Matthew Town, Inagua, and renovate seven other clinics at Marsh Harbour and Fox Town, Abaco; Mastic Point, Andros; Simms and Deadman’s, Long Island; Alice Town, Bimini; and Fox Hill Clinic in New Providence. To make a comparison, the former administration planned to build and renovate nine facilities. We intend to build and renovate 19 – nine of them are new.”

to be continually reinforced in an environment where so-called emerging market countries such as this nation are under pressure

TOUR DRIVER/TOUR GUIDE WANTED PUBLIC SERVICE DRIVERS LICENSE IS A PLUS Knowledge of Bahamian Cuisine A PLUS Call: 425-0982 FOR AN APPOINTMENT Legal Notice NOTICE

UBK INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION S.A. (In Voluntary Liquidation)

Notice is hereby given that the above-named Company is in dissolution, commencing on the 14th day of June, 2022. Articles of Dissolution have been duly registered by the Registrar. The liquidator is (Amicorp Bahamas Management Limited, whose address is Bahamas Financial Centre, 3rd Floor, Shirley & Charlotte Street, P.O. Box N-4865, Nassau, Bahamas). Dated this 17th day of June, 2022 (AMICORP BAHAMAS MANAGEMENT LIMITED) LIQUIDATOR

Legal Notice NOTICE

BAY COVE CREEK INC. (In Voluntary Liquidation)

Notice is hereby given that the above-named Company is in dissolution, commencing on the 16th day of June, 2022. Articles of Dissolution have been duly registered by the Registrar. The liquidator is (Amicorp Bahamas Management Limited, whose address is Bahamas Financial Centre, 3rd Floor, Shirley & Charlotte Street, P.O. Box N-4865, Nassau, Bahamas). Dated this 17th day of June, 2022 (AMICORP BAHAMAS MANAGEMENT LIMITED) LIQUIDATOR

Dr Darville could not be reached for comment yesterday. However, Mr Pinder told the consultation that the minister of health and wellness had “brought an aggressive focus” to the post and “is busy about shoring up the capacity of our healthcare system”. “What this government intends for our health system is phenomenal. While there is a wider plan that includes new hospitals on greenfield spaces for New Providence and Grand Bahama, we are setting out the most aggressive approach to health infrastructure improvements in the history of our modern Bahamas,” the attorney general said, adding that the new clinics will be designed to be hurricane resistant, with renewable energy and water-saving features. “Our infrastructure improvements will not be limited to buildings under this loan programme. We will also enhance the capacity to provide primary care by upgrading medical equipment - defibrillators, portable X-ray machines, ultrasound, electrocardiogram, and equipment for laboratory tests, dental services and preventive care,” Mr Pinder promised, with the second $20m IDB loan

from global inflation and rising US interest rates post-pandemic. He added that The Bahamas had been “very well-received” to-date, and described this as an “ongoing process” to educate investors about what is happening in The Bahamas to ensure this nation both gains and retains their confidence. Again explaining why the Davis administration has elected not to impose any new and/increased taxes on Bahamians, Mr Halkitis added: “We believe we should be growing the economy. A rising tide lifts all boats. This is the path we have taken..... We officially launched the Revenue Enhancement Unit, which has already identified hundreds of millions of dollars in uncollected revenues that will now be pursued via enhanced collection and enforcement measures.” Acknowledging that the Budget’s combination of duty rate cuts, planned public sector wage

increases, continued social services support and food security investments will not be a cure-all for soaring inflation that has plunged many Bahamians into a cost of living crisis, Mr Halkitis added: “The current wave of global hyperinflation has made a bad situation worse in The Bahamas, where we already had high costs of living even before the pandemic. “We cannot stop global inflation, but we can take steps to lessen the impact and support our people. It may not be enough to completely reverse the impact of inflation, but we believe that during these times every dollar counts.” Elsewhere, the minister said the Government has asked the Securities Commission to “develop and advise on carbon credit secondary markets trading legislation, which will be debated alongside the Government’s legislation very soon. “Carbon markets with high-quality carbon credits

NOTICE

AZUL INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION (In Voluntary Liquidation) Pursuant to the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act, 2000 (Chapter 309) notice is hereby given that the above-named company is in voluntary dissolution, commencing 17th June 2022. Articles of Dissolution have been duly registered with the Registrar General’s Department. Brittany Investment Company Limited, 3rd Floor, Maritime House, Frederick Street, P.O. Box N-9346, Nassau, Bahamas is the Liquidator. All persons having claims against the above-named company are required on or before the 17th July 2022 to send all their names, addresses and particulars of their debts and claims to the Liquidator of the Company or, in default thereof, they may be excluded from the benefit or any distribution made before such debts are proved. Dated this 17th day of June 2022. Brittany Investment Company Limited Liquidator

NOTICE

NOTICE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS COMPANIES ACT, 2000

Transatlantic Advisory Communication SA (IN VOLUNTARY LIQUIDATION) NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that in accordance with section 138(6) of the International Business Companies Act, 2000, as amended, the winding up and dissolution of Transatlantic Advisory Communication SA is complete. Kim D Thompson Sole Liquidator Address: Equity Trust House Caves Village West Bay Street P O Box N-10697 Nassau, Bahamas

NOTICE

OVAL TRADING INC.

CAMPECHE MANAGEMENT CO. LTD.

(In Voluntary Liquidation)

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act, 2000 (Chapter 309) notice is hereby given that the above-named company is in voluntary dissolution, commencing 17th June 2022. Articles of Dissolution have been duly registered with the Registrar General’s Department. Brittany Investment Company Limited, 3rd Floor, Maritime House, Frederick Street, P.O. Box N-9346, Nassau, Bahamas is the Liquidator.

All persons having claims against the above-named company are required on or before the 17th July 2022 to send all their names, addresses and particulars of their debts and claims to the Liquidator of the Company or, in default thereof, they may be excluded from the benefit or any distribution made before such debts are proved.

Dated this 17th day of June 2022.

Brittany Investment Company Limited Liquidator

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, June 21, 2022, PAGE 5

BAHAMASAIR: EXTRA $200K WEEKLY FUEL BILL ‘WON’T SUFFOCATE’ DEMAND FROM PAGE ONE five years to keep the airline operational during the COVID-19 pandemic’s peak. However, Tracy Cooper yesterday said the national flag carrier is “looking much better” with passenger occupancy (load factors) on its US routes striking 83 percent in April 2022. Describing that month and May “as two of the strongest” since the pandemic struck in March 2020, he added that there were strong signals Bahamians are travelling en masse once again as flights for July are already 50-60 percent booked several weeks out. Describing the elimination of COVID entry testing and the Health Travel Visa with effect from Sunday as “a blessing”, the Bahamasair chief added that the airline was “in the 70 percent range” in terms of its recovery to pre-COVID business levels with “one or two planes” yet to return to operation. Pointing out that aviation worldwide, and not just Bahamasair, is grappling with surging fuel costs, Tracy Cooper told this newspaper: “Fuel at the pump right now is over $7, and when you recognise that in 2021 we were all-in at $4 and change, fuel has almost doubled in price. That’s straight across the board, not just for the general public, but aviation as well. Unfortunately, there’s been some significant increase.” With Bahamasair consuming an average 95,000 gallons of aviation fuel per week, he added of the bill: “It’s easily gone up now to around $150,000 to $200,000 extra per week. What we’ve done is added some fuel surcharges on [to ticket prices] and tried to absorb some of it, understanding just how much of an impact it has. “It you look at the pricing of tickets, particularly domestic ones, we’ve not done much of an adjustment. If you look at international, we’ve done more of an adjustment, but it’s still comparable to what we paid in prior years. Bahamians shouldn’t be afraid to travel on Bahamasair. It [prices] will be a bit higher but not outside their means. “So far we’ve had about a $10 adjustment in fares. We’ve sold it across the amount of seats we have. We’ve recognised,

unfortunately, that prices have just gone up again so we will be talking to the Board for another small adjustment to cope with the rise the price of fuel.” Tracy Cooper, though, said advance bookings for July gave him confidence that rising fuel and ticket prices will not stifle air travel at present. “We’re seeing good, healthy load factors again for the coming months,” he told Tribune Business. “We don’t believe it will have a suffocating negative effect for right now. “We’re hoping the price of fuel stabilises at some point so it does not become so cost prohibitive for the public. There’s no doubt it definitely will be the biggest issue going into the summer. That’s where we’re at.” However, the Bahamasair chief expressed hope that the removal of the COVID entry testing mandate and Health Travel Visa, the latter of which had already been eliminated for returning Bahamians and residents, will at least partially offset the fuel price effect. The move will eliminate both red tape and costs facing travellers, and Tracy Cooper added: “We recognise with some of the costly restrictions because of the pandemic, the testing regime being peeled back and the whole hassle associated with it, Bahamians are really responding positively to the change. “For The Bahamas, especially being a tourist destination, it’s an immense load lifted off the back. We’re in a competitive environment, and when you don’t have the Dominican Republic and Mexico doing it, the traveller has a choice. In removing those impediments, you’re providing a much more level playing field. That’s a blessing. I wouldn’t even say it’s a disguise. It’s just a blessing. It makes travel so much more affordable.” Tracy Cooper said Bahamasair had enjoyed “some very good traction as far as the Bahamian people beginning to travel” during the March-May 2022 period, “and with the restrictions being removed we think that traction will have an even better footing with the regattas and festivals returning. We’re starting to see Bahamians go back to the island. “Definitely in March and April, particularly April

and May, they were two of the strongest months we’ve had since the onset of the pandemic. It was very encouraging what we saw in April and May, not just in the domestic market but internationally. The flights were relatively full. In April, I believe we had an 83 percent load factor on US routes, so things are looking much better.” Asked how Bahamasair is performing compared to pre-COVID figures, the managing director responded: “We’re still not there at pre-pandemic levels. I would say we’re probably somewhere around the 70 percent range. We’re operating one or two planes less at this time. Even if we were at full loads we would not match what we did in 2019. “But we’re starting to see the rebound where Bahamians and tourists are flying. We looked at our loads for the month of July, when Bahamians like to book two weeks out, and we’re already seeing 50-60 percent loads in a lot of weeks in July. We know things will be good for July, and we anticipate the same for August.” Bahamasair’s typical peak months are the summer and Christmas seasons, together with Easter, as the airline traditionally relies on these periods to minimise losses and the burden on taxpayers stemming from the annual subsidy. The national flag carrier consumed $78.213m in support during COVID’s height in 2020-2021, and had used up $21m of its $30m full-year 2021-2022 allocation during the nine months to endMarch 2022. The airline will receive $32m from Bahamian taxpayers in the upcoming 2022-2023 fiscal year, with this sum forecast to be cut to $21m and $19m in 2023-2024 and 2024-2025, respectively. “The thing is we still have some remnants of what was owed and the rest of that from 2021, and we are working our way through that,” Tracy Cooper said. “We anticipate going forward we’ll definitely have a reduction in subvention because of the return of the market. Going forward in subsequent Budget years we know that there will not be as much needed from the Government. We’re doing pretty good in comparison to what happened in the pandemic years.”

PAGE 6, Tuesday, June 21, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

EX-GBPA CHAIR LOSES $82K CLAIM STRIKE OUT FROM PAGE ONE

The Home Centre were “in involuntary liquidation”, and there were several creditors and liabilities that still have to be satisfied. He added that there was nothing to justify “piercing the corporate veil” and adding Mr Babak as a party to the proceedings as there were no allegations of fraud and wrongdoing. And Mr Edwards also argued that the action was statute barred under the Limitation Act, as it had been filed outside the time prescribed in law for doing so. Mr Babak also

denied giving a personal undertaking to pay the due severance. James Thompson, attorney for the former workers, argued that Mr Babak was acting as an agent for Freeport Concrete. And Justice Hanna-Adderley found that the issue of the oral guarantee needed to be determined by a full trial before the Supreme Court, ruling that the claim was not statue barred because, although the undertaking was given seven years ago, it only became “enforceable”

when Mr Babak allegedly refused to pay. “I find that these are factual issues that have yet to be determined, and the only way in which the validity of the same can be determined is by a trial,” she ruled. “I find that it is necessary for [Mr Babak] to remain a party to this action in order for the court to effectually and completely adjudicate upon and settle all the questions involved in this matter.”

COVID TESTING END ‘GAME CHANGER’ FOR KEY MARKETS

elimination of the COVID entry test for vaccinated travellers and the Health Visa Travel comes just weeks after The Bahamas eased fears of further bureaucracy, red tape and cost to access this nation when Customs indefinitely suspended applying its Click2Clear system to private pilots and their passengers. “Unfortunately I got an e-mail from a private pilot for a wealthy individual who said they were moving to Turks & Caicos because of Click2Clear,” Mr Gardner recalled. “He was the first one to call me. He was flying to Exuma and in Exuma they thought Click2Clear went into effect on May 18. He told me he was tired of waiting, and the boss had moved to Turks & Caicos. That was one person, but how many more.” Both the private aviation and yachting markets are highly lucrative for The Bahamas because they attract high-spending, high-yielding tourists who typically stay in the destination for longer and can move about at will, thus spreading the tourism industry’s impact into the Family Islands. Mr Maury, meanwhile, told Tribune Business he had been “pushing all along” for the elimination of COVID entry testing for the vaccinated and the Health Travel Visa given that it represents an opportunity to lure higher spending visitors into The Bahamas. “It was not the visa; it was the testing because it was

getting harder and harder to get a test over there [the US],” he said. “It all adds to the price of travel. Obviously in the maritime industry fuel is a huge expense. Having the testing and Travel Visa on top of it made the Florida Cays and free places easier to go to. “This week we saw the highest increase in fuel; they’re over $5 in the US. Hopefully the fact they don’t have to get a visa and find a test will compensate for that. June is a busy time, and July and August are big. It’s right before peak season, so I think it’s perfect. It certainly helps with the summer business.” While voicing optimism that the COVID restrictions ease will partially offset the fall-out from higher fuel prices, Mr Maury expressed concern that the increased cost associated with travelling 200 miles from Florida to The Bahamas could dampen summer season traffic and that for holidays such as the July 4 weekend. “I had a guy say while I was in San Salvador last week that what cost him $1,500 now costs him $5,000,” he revealed. “That’s pretty expensive, and that was just a sports fishing vessel. It’s on everyone’s minds. How many times are they willing to pay that expense to get a lot less? I’ll know more in July when we see a lot of boats travelling this way. I talked to a yacht captain in Exuma yesterday, and he was surprised there were not as many boats as the year before.”

via an initial public offering (IPO), as a defendant. They justified this on the basis that, after informing the trio of their terminations on June 21, 2010, Mr Babak allegedly said “they would not be immediately paid their severance pay” by Freeport Concrete. Instead, he promised this would happen “upon completion of the sale of the assets” of Freeport Concrete and told the trio “he will see to it” they were paid what was due.

FROM PAGE ONE to partially ease the pain associated with soaring fuel costs for the boating/yachting sector. Asserting that it was too early to tell how the increased expense of travelling to The Bahamas and its multiple islands will impact the summer season, he recalled how one boater recently told him while in San Salvador that “what cost me $1,500 now costs

The three alleged that Freeport Concrete/the Home Centre’s assets were being sold up until 2018, but Mr Babak refused to ensure they received their severance pay “in breach of the undertaking and/or guarantee he had given”. Mr Babak and his attorneys, Davis & Company, responded by trying to have him struck out as a defendant on the basis that he had been “improperly and unnecessarily made a party to the action”. They also argued that the move by the employees was

me $5,000”. That illustrates the potential impact from surging global oil prices which last night remained at $109 and $112.3 per barrel on the West Texas and Brent Crude indices, respectively. Meanwhile, Mr Gardner, a Bahamas Flying Ambassador, told this newspaper that he immediately posted The Bahamas’ elimination of the Health Travel Visa on private aviation forums having received “early

statute-barred and that the ex-GBPA chairman had “no nexus” to Freeport Concrete and The Home Centre. Legal documents filed on Mr Babak’s behalf by attorney Andrew Edwards, who is now Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) chairman following the September 2021 election, alleged that Mr Babak was “not a proper party to the proceedings” as he was not a party to the three workers’ employment contracts. Mr Edwards added that Freeport Concrete and

warning” that it would be coming out last Wednesday. “The question I got was ‘what about the testing’, and then they released that there was no more testing for the vaccinated, so I posted that and the feedback was immediate and very positive,” he recalled. “That, coupled with the CDC (Centres for Disease Control and Prevention) eliminating the testing requirement to go back to the US, it’s a game changer. It releases that burden, that hassle of where do I get tested, how do I get tested, especially if you are staying in the southern half of Long Island or some place where the infrastructure is less.

People stress about how to get tested to go back to the US. “It’s like the high jump. The lower you set the bar, the more people get over it. Anything that simplifies, removes the burden and lowers the complexity is going to be good. It will be very good. A couple of people that responded said they are only just planning to go in July. There was a lot of good feedback immediately,” Mr Gardner continued. “I can’t give you that there will be a 5 percent increase. I don’t know. But any time you simplify a process more people are willing to tackle it.” The

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that MAKEDA ETIENNE of Marsh Harbour, Abaco, 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 14th day of June, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

MARKET REPORT www.bisxbahamas.com

MONDAY, 20 JUNE 2022

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX: BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 6.70 53.00 2.30 2.61 2.60 6.10 10.05 3.89 9.02 3.10 8.00 16.60 2.65 10.75 11.25 10.85 15.80 4.00 11.00 16.50

52WK LOW 5.30 33.80 1.54 2.20 1.30 5.75 6.96 2.82 4.50 2.27 5.95 9.75 1.99 7.05 10.02 9.55 13.10 3.50 8.19 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

PREFERENCE SHARES 1.00

1.00

1000.00 1000.00

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

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

CHANGE

%CHANGE

YTD

YTD%

2474.04

0.08

0.00

245.80

11.03

SYMBOL AML APD BBL BFH BOB BPF BWL CAB CBB CBL CHL CIB CWCB DHS EMAB FAM FBB FCL FIN JSJ BFHP CAB6 CAB9 CHLA FBBA FCLB SYMBOL FBB22 BFHB

BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing) 115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 98.65 99.30 100.67 100.43 100.34 100.23 100.00 100.00 100.98 100.00

104.79 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 98.65 99.30 100.67 100.43 100.04 100.00 89.62 89.00 90.24 90.73

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

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 BGR141350 BGRS FX BGR142251 BGRS FL BGRS71024 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 BSBGR1412505 BSBGR1420516 BSBGRS710245 BSBGRS750225 BSBGRS810375 BSBGRS880287 BSBGR1292493 BSBGR1312499 BSBGR1322498 BSBGR1361504

LAST CLOSE 5.45 39.95 2.25 2.35 2.51 6.10 9.75 3.89 8.36 3.01 8.00 16.00 2.62 10.26 10.83 10.85 15.80 3.98 10.00 15.50 1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00 LAST SALE 100.00 100.00 107.31 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 98.65 99.30 100.91 100.54 100.34 100.00 89.62 100.00 100.00 100.00

CLOSE 5.45 39.95 2.25 2.35 2.51 6.10 9.75 3.89 8.36 3.01 8.00 16.00 2.62 10.26 10.93 10.85 15.80 3.98 10.00 15.50 1.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 10.00 1.00

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

VOLUME

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

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 98.65 99.30 100.91 100.54 100.34 100.00 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

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

MARKET TERMS

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 0.00 0.00 0.10 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

(242) 323‐2330 (242) 323‐2320 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 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

VOLUME

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 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

INTEREST Prime + 1.75% 6.25% 6.95% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.50% 6.25% 4.25% 6.35% 6.40% 4.56% 4.43% 4.87% 4.33% 5.55% 5.60% 5.65% 5.69%

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%

P/E 22.8 42.9 N/M 16.8 N/M N/M 26.4 -8.9 59.7 16.4 17.8 22.2 25.7 22.0 16.9 14.9 19.4 19.6 10.6 24.6 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

YIELD 3.12% 3.15% 0.89% 3.40% 0.00% 0.00% 2.67% 0.00% 0.00% 3.99% 2.75% 4.50% 16.56% 0.58% 3.00% 2.21% 3.42% 3.02% 2.00% 3.94% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%

MATURITY 19-Oct-2022 30-Sep-2025 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-Nov-2050 15-Feb-2051 22-Oct-2024 7-Sep-2022 26-Jul-2037 26-Jul-2028 15-Apr-2049 15-Jul-2049 15-Oct-2049 21-Apr-2050

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

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

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that WINIE MANDELLA BEAUBRUN of P. O. Box N-10584, Mount Royal Avenue, New Providence, 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 14th day of June, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that NARILIEN MERISIER of P.O. Box AP-59247, Cowpen Road, New Providence, 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 14th day of June, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that GARY LARAMORE of East Storrs Ct., Yellow Elder Gardens, New Providence, 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 14th day of June, 2022 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, New Providence, The Bahamas.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, June 21, 2022, PAGE 11

LIZZO RIGHT OR WRONG? from page 12

While many people were quick to praise Lizzo for her politically correctness and understanding, others said that she should not have had to because words have different meanings in different countries. This week, Bahamian women weighed in. “It is unrealistic to always assume that just because a word is offensive to you in your country that it means the same thing somewhere else,” Ashley told Tribune Woman. “Lizzo is not where the person who tweeted her is from and so

she can’t be the standard bearer for every word in every country and if you follow that logic, everything you say will be offensive to someone somewhere. Gina agrees: “I think sometimes people only think about things through their own sphere of knowledge. “Just like the tweeter expected Lizzo to know what the word meant where she was from, is the same way that she could have googled or read up about it and then she would have known that Lizzo was just using a word that is innocent where Lizzo is from. “I think it’s just unfortunate when you are being accused of being hurtful when you are just

expressing yourself in your culture,” she said. Both women and a few others who spoke to Tribune Woman however did commend Lizzo for not wanting to offend her fans. Rita says: “I really think that it shows her character that she stepped up and said you know what even though I didn’t mean what you thought it meant, I respect your feelings enough to go through the trouble and expense to change this. I wonder how many artists would have taken the high road like she did.” Leonette added: “I am not even a Lizzo fan like that but I think that was a classy move right there.”

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

ORLANDO

High: 90° F/32° C Low: 71° F/22° C

TAMPA

TONIGHT

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

A t‑storm in spots in the afternoon

Breezy early; partly cloudy

A t‑storm in spots in the afternoon

Times of clouds and sun

A t‑storm around in the afternoon

Cloudy, a t‑storm in the afternoon

High: 86°

Low: 76°

High: 87° Low: 76°

High: 86° Low: 77°

High: 88° Low: 78°

High: 86° Low: 77°

AccuWeather RealFeel

94° F

79° F

91°-80° F

95°-84° F

99°-86° F

98°-85° F

High: 94° F/34° C Low: 76° F/24° C

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

ABACO

High: 83° F/28° C Low: 77° F/25° C

10‑20 knots

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 76° F/24° C

10‑20 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE

FREEPORT

High: 87° F/31° C Low: 77° F/25° C

W S

WEST PALM BEACH

| Go to AccuWeather.com

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 75° F/24° C

MIAMI

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 76° F/24° C

8‑16 knots

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 88° F/31° C Low .................................................... 75° F/24° C Normal high ....................................... 87° F/31° C Normal low ........................................ 74° F/23° C Last year’s high ................................. 90° F/32° C Last year’s low ................................... 76° F/24° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday .................................. trace Year to date ............................................... 25.77” Normal year to date ................................... 12.03”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 76° F/26° C

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 77° F/25° C

KEY WEST

High: 87° F/31° C Low: 80° F/27° C

tiDes For nassau High Today

8‑16 knots

7‑14 knots

Low

Ht.(ft.) 0.0 0.5

2.8 2.7

8:45 a.m. 9:15 p.m.

Wednesday 3:15 a.m. 4:01 p.m.

2.6 2.7

9:39 a.m. 0.1 10:20 p.m. 0.6

Thursday

4:12 a.m. 4:56 p.m.

2.4 2.8

10:30 a.m. 0.1 11:19 p.m. 0.6

Friday

5:06 a.m. 5:46 p.m.

2.3 2.8

11:18 a.m. 0.1 ‑‑‑‑‑ ‑‑‑‑‑

Saturday

5:56 a.m. 6:31 p.m.

2.2 2.9

12:13 a.m. 0.5 12:03 p.m. 0.1

Sunday

6:42 a.m. 7:13 p.m.

2.2 2.9

1:00 a.m. 0.4 12:45 p.m. 0.1

Monday

7:25 a.m. 7:54 p.m.

2.2 2.9

1:44 a.m. 1:26 p.m.

0.4 0.1

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:21 a.m. 8:03 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

1:30 a.m. 1:44 p.m.

New

First

Full

Last

Jun. 28

Jul. 6

Jul. 13

Jul. 20

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 77° F/25° C

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 78° F/26° C

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

W S

LONG ISLAND

tracking map

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 78° F/26° C

Ht.(ft.)

2:17 a.m. 3:02 p.m.

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 77° F/25° C

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

uV inDex toDay

8‑16 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 87° F/31° C Low: 80° F/27° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS

are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

RAGGED ISLAND High: 85° F/29° C Low: 78° F/26° C

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 88° F/31° C Low: 78° F/26° C

8‑16 knots

marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday: Today: Wednesday:

WINDS NE at 10‑20 Knots ENE at 8‑16 Knots NE at 8‑16 Knots NE at 10‑20 Knots NE at 7‑14 Knots NE at 10‑20 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 4‑8 Knots NE at 10‑20 Knots NE at 10‑20 Knots ENE at 10‑20 Knots NE at 8‑16 Knots NE at 7‑14 Knots NE at 10‑20 Knots E at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 6‑12 Knots ENE at 7‑14 Knots NE at 6‑12 Knots E at 6‑12 Knots E at 3‑6 Knots NE at 10‑20 Knots NE at 10‑20 Knots NE at 8‑16 Knots ENE at 6‑12 Knots NE at 8‑16 Knots NE at 10‑20 Knots

WAVES 3‑5 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 3‑5 Feet 3‑5 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 0‑1 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑2 Feet 2‑4 Feet 3‑5 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑3 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 6 Miles 6 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 6 Miles 6 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 7 Miles 5 Miles 6 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 7 Miles 6 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 6 Miles 6 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 84° F 83° F 87° F 87° F 85° F 83° F 83° F 84° F 86° F 84° F 85° F 85° F 86° F 85° F 83° F 84° F 84° F 84° F 83° F 83° F 87° F 85° F 84° F 84° F 86° F 84° F

PAGE 10, Tuesday, June 21, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

The fascination revealed by the Depp-Heard trial By RACHEL GEVLIN BirminghamSouthern College

LOOKING BACKWARD AND PUBLICISING HUMILIATION

salacious accounts of 18thcentury divorce trials in a Los Angeles library. Meanwhile, a jury ruled mostly in Depp’s favor, awarding him $15m in damages. The jury also gave Heard $2m. The verdict came at the end of a sixweek defamation trial that unearthed graphic stories of alcoholism, domestic violence and sexual assault. Many observers, including Heard herself, described the trial’s verdict as a broader loss for women and domestic violence survivors. But it was the publicity around this trial – the scandal, the spectacle of a celebrity relationship breaking down – that perhaps resonates most with viewers. There wasn’t television and social media in the 18th and early 19th centuries. But even then, trials focusing on intimate relationships were widely publicised in newspapers and other publications. Readers, including author Jane Austen, who loved to skim newspapers for scandal, were hungry for gossip. Broadly speaking, it was almost impossible in both the US and England to get a divorce before the 20th century unless you were a wealthy man whose wife had committed adultery. This meant that these trials always uncovered private sexual details – and almost always revealed secrets of the extremely wealthy.

When the Depp-Heard trial verdict was announced on June 1, 2022, I was working my way through

As the Depp-Heard trial emboldened millions to

THE Johnny Depp and Amber Heard defamation trial attracted record-breaking numbers of viewers who closely followed the heated exchanges between the two celebrities on YouTube and social media. The trial’s popularity was in odd company. Historically, murder trials are the most-watched court cases. Despite a few exceptions, a trial detailing a private relationship hasn’t captured as much live coverage since President Bill Clinton’s impeachment in 1999. But the legal spectacle of the Depp-Heard trial is actually a return to the norm. My research focuses on the legal and literary history of marriage and divorce. In other words, I work on the history of legal proceedings around romantic relationships gone bad. While the public frenzy surrounding the DeppHeard case may seem linked to social media’s power to make salacious incidents go viral, there is a long history of trials that publicie sexual details of relationships to threaten women with humiliation.

A MEANS TO AN END

shaming becomes a form of entertainment. This means that public shaming can not only work to influence trial verdicts – as many are saying it did in the Depp-Heard case – but can also keep victims from discussing or reporting their abuse.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR #METOO?

THE TRIAL has been big news even after its conclusion, with Amber Heard being interviewed exclusively by NBC News journalist Savannah Guthrie, right, earlier this month. chime in with their takes on Twitter and the short-form video platform TikTok, people similarly took commentary into their own hands before the age of social media. One self-styled anonymous “civilian” and “faithful Historian” of the 18th century, for instance, attended all public divorce proceedings in London throughout the 1760s and 1770s. This person then compiled witness testimony in the book “Trials for Adultery: or, the History of Divorces.” Around this time, financial and legal barriers kept most women from pursuing divorce. Married women weren’t allowed to own anything until the mid-19th century in the US and the 1880s in England, making it nearly impossible for them to pay for a divorce.

But the loss of reputation during a trial was also a big factor that discouraged divorce. Being known as an adulterous woman was not only humiliating, but could also be a serious financial threat. The author of these volumes used this reality to his advantage. The primary objective of this civilian’s pet project was to humiliate his subjects. He introduces these volumes by stating his hopes that his project will “effect what the law cannot: the transactions of the adulterer and the adulteress will, by being thus publicly circulated, preserve others from the like crimes, from the fear of shame, when the fear of punishment may have but little force.” Public shaming, this writer is well aware, will reinforce the status quo

where the law may fail to do so.

‘IT’S BEEN AGONISING’

More than 200 years later, Heard reflected on her embarrassment at the trial, after detailing her alleged abuse at the hands of Depp. People on social media who called her testimony a hoax worsened this experience, she said. “It’s been agonising,” Heard told jurors in May. “This is humiliating for any human being to go through. Perhaps it’s easy to forget that, but I am a human being.” Studies show this longpracticed method using public shaming to control people in society can have “unpredictable” outcomes and can “work at crosspurposes with the forces of law,” particularly when this

Advocates for the #MeToo social movement, which launched in 2017 as women publicly spoke out about sexual harassment and abuse, have suggested that the outcome of the Depp-Heard trial could harm victims of abuse. Heard called the verdict a “setback” for women, writing in a public note on social media: “It sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly humiliated.” Some observers have said that Depp’s success in suing his accuser for defamation paves the way for people accused of domestic violence to take similar legal tactics in the future. Regardless, it’s clear that the widespread exhibition of this particular case multiplied the cost of humiliation in a way that echoes pre-20th-century modes of seeking justice. Whether news spreads via TikTok or its 18th-century counterpart, widespread exhibition of domestic cases never ends well for women. •Originally published on www.theconversation.com

SANDALS HELPING COMMUNITY A NUMBER of guests who recently vacationed at Sandals Royal Bahamian made a sizeable donation to the St Elizabeth Estate Children’s Home. The guests, more than 20

in total, who all work for Manulife Bank in Toronto Canada, packed more than 30 bags of school supplies, stationaries and toiletries and handed them over to the facility.

VOLUNTEERS from Sandals Royal Bahamian helping the Nassau Village community recently.

The group vacationed at the reimagined resort for a little over a week and were happy to be able to give back to an entity in the country. “We wanted to be able to help and donate to this amazing island. We’ve worked with charities before and we were made aware of the Elizabeth Estates that they were in need of some items so we chose them. It is the least we could do,” shared Deanna Basso, an Event Planner with Manulife Bank. The guests also served the children ice-cream and cake, played some cool games and spent the day interacting with the Elizabeth Estates team.

Deputy administrator at the facility, Miss Beryl Gray said: “We are extremely appreciative. I was the person who coordinated the day with the guests and the kids enjoyed everything. The donations were very useful and the little bags with supplies made our day. Not only were the bags unique, they were well put together with items that the children needed.” Two weeks ago, more

than 25 volunteers from the resort also journeyed to Nassau Village where they donated more than 120 warm meals to residents. They also issued school supplies, hygiene supplies, clothing items, sheets and towels. This was done from the FOAM headquarters and president Khandi Gibson said: “Words are

THE MANULIFE team with packages of school supplies ahead of their departure to Elizabeth Estate Children’s Home. not enough to express how grateful we are to the entire Sandals team for coming to our community and doing such a phenomenal job. We are very thankful and we are looking forward to future partnerships with the resort.”

SECTION B

TUESDAY. JUNE 21, 2022

Raising up ‘Little Entrepreneurs’ in the beauty field By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net BAHAMIAN beautician and entrepreneur Anthonique Mackey is hoping to raise up a crop of kids who not only master hair braiding techniques but are able to eventually launch their own entrepreneurial ventures in the beauty field, once they are confident enough to do so. Ms Mackey who is hosting Little Entrepreneurs Braid Camp - a skill-enriching programme - has a desire to inspire an entrepreneurial spirit in. She believes it is never too early to begin teaching children how important entrepreneurship is in a community and how they can monetise a passion and eventually launch a successful venture. The camp takes place at St John’s College from June 29-July 22. The camp targets little girls aged from eight to 16. Ms Mackey has been an entrepreneur from her teen years, having tried her hand at a number of successful ventures. However, it was her love for hair braiding that has become a passion that she wants to pass onto others. “Little Entrepreneurs Braid Camp is actually the first ever braiding summer camp. I’ve always had a passion for braids since I’ve worn them as a little girl. It is definitely a part of our culture and deeply rooted within me,” she said. The versatility and longevity of braided hairstyles has made them an extremely popular hairstyle choice. Stylists tailor them to fit any texture, length, or occasion. So it’s no surprise that braided hairstyles are still trending for the summer. Some of the most popular braiding styles will be shared during the the braid camp. “Techniques being taught are the classic box braid, knotless

braids as well as butterfly locs,” she said. Ms Mackey said she wanted to teach the young participants in her camp some of the more trending styles because should they master after a few practices, they can almost immediately monetise their skill. “The kids can start applying their skills to make money the minute they have learnt the technique and are confident in their work. “And of course, with the right supervision they can begin offering this event to their friends or kids in their age bracket. The opportunity is certainly there for the young folks.” In addition to techniques, the participants in the camp will learn other aspects of offering a beauty service. “The young girls will be exposed to the business aspect of braiding. They will learn how to start a small business, showcasing the skills they learned during braid camp. So, they will brainstorm business names, learn about branding themselves and their business as well as ways they can market their business,” she said. “After this experience, I would be delighted in knowing that my young campers worked hard and picked up a few braiding techniques and feel proud of themselves for having learnt a new money-making skill,” she said. Ms Mackey appealed to parents to get their children involved in constructive activities that will leave a lasting impact. “This is a worthwhile experience and an investment in your child that will have great returns in the future. Children have so much capacity and ability to excel in different areas. Our jobs as parents and guardians are to unlock their potential or locate the area of passion. So, if you see your daughter is interested in becoming a stylist sow those seeds in her now and

BEAUTICIAN and business woman Anthonique Mackey is hosting Little Entrepreneurs Braid camp to teach kids hair braiding techniques.

watch them grow,” she said. Little Entrepreneurs will feature an etiquette session as well as educate the girls on the importance of hygiene. For more information, contact 242455-5785 or littlebusinessowner@ outlook.com.

SOME of the hairstyles created by Anthonique Mackey,

LIZZO RIGHT OR WRONG? By CARA HUNT Tribune Features Writer cbrennen@tribunemedia.net

AMERICAN singer and song writer Lizzo recently made headlines when she voluntary changed a lyric to her newest single following claims that it was derogatory. The lyric in question was in her song GRRLS where she originally said Hold my bag/Do you see this s***? I’ma spazz.” However, someone tweeted that the line was offensive saying ““Hey @lizzo my

disability Cerebral Palsy is literally classified as Spastic Diplegia (where spasticity refers to unending painful tightness in my legs) your new song makes me pretty angry + sad,” “‘Spaz’ doesn’t mean freaked out or crazy. It’s an ableist slur. It’s 2022. Do better.” Lizzo’s response was immediate as she announced that she had changed the line. “It’s been brought to my attention that there is a harmful word in my new song “GRRRLS,” the singer wrote in a statement posted on her

verified Instagram account on Monday. “Let me make one thing clear: I never want to promote derogatory language… as a fat black woman in America, I’ve had many hateful words used against me so I understand the power words can have (whether intentionally or in my case unintentionally). I’m proud to say there’s a new version of GRRRLS with a lyric change. Now the lyrics are “hold my bag/Do you see this s***? Hold me back.” SEE PAGE 11

LIZZO ON STAGE.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, June 21, 2022

THE TRIBUNE

BODY AND MIND

The heat is on By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

ALTHOUGH scorching hot temperatures recently have been suggesting otherwise, today marks the first official day of summer. And while the weather is favourable for outdoor activities people must exercise caution and ensure they stay hydrated to avoid heat exhaustion. For many, summer is the time where fun and relaxation await. Going to the beach, engaging in outdoor sporting activities, special events that require good weather, all make summer a highly anticipated season. It is also a time where many families take vacations and enjoy new destinations around the world. Given that many Bahamians choose to travel to the Unites States for vacation, having a plan to beat the hot temperatures while also enjoying the most out of your times is paramount. According to the Center

SURVIVING SOARING TEMPERATURES DURING SUMMER VACATION For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), high temperatures kill hundreds of people every year. Heatrelated deaths and illness are preventable, yet more than 700 people die from extreme heat every year in the United States. Those at highest risk include people 65 and older, children younger than two, and people with chronic diseases or mental illness. Some Bahamians say they will be taking measures to stay cool, remain hydrated, and keep informed on temperatures while they make the most of out of their summer vacation. They have also shared some of their tips to making it through the heat.

CHECK THE WEATHER Shanaire Fowler is the planner in her family and one of the main things she

takes into consideration is the weather. “I do not only check for rainy weather, but how hot the temperatures will be,” she told Tribune Health. “Traveling is already tedious. When you have to travel and the temperatures are really hot, travelling becomes extra draining. Though the airports and other place have air-conditioning, traveling up and down in the sun can sap your energy,” she said. Las Vegas is one of the top places to travel. While considering this destination for vacation, Shanaire said some Bahamians may forget that Las Vegas experiences really hot temperatures during summer. “Temperatures can get as high as 100 degrees Fahrenheit. I have been there and this is certainly something to consider when you are planning out your trip as well as activities,” she said.

DRINK LOTS OF WATER

Staying hydrated is singlehandedly one of the most important things anyone can do during hot temperatures, especially if they intend on being outdoors. “Tote your water with you, Shanaire said. “Wherever you go always ensure that you water and or some energy boosting beverage. When we are traveling, I like to keep a cooler bag with me to keep ices in as well. Sometimes just sucking on ice can certainly cool you down. But this is very important especially if you are travelling with kids,” she said.

EAT FOODS WITH HIGH WATER CONTENT Fluid intake can be easily

complemented by eating foods with a high-water content. Watermelon, cantaloupe and strawberries are among fruits with the highest water content. Darlene Sawyer said this is always her go-to when trying to stay hydrated during her travels. “I like putting them in baggies. They not only quench thirst but they can also curb hunger as well. “Bahamians who travel tend to do a lot of running up and down. Sometimes when you have a tight schedule, it may be challenging to pick up food, especially when you are trying to get in and out of airports. “I also recommend bagging up fruits especially if you are going sight-seeing or to theme park. They are a great snack for kids,” she said.

DRESSING LIGHT

Erica Clarke said hot weather means when going on vacation she adapts her wardrobe to the weather. “I always opt for lightweight, light-coloured and loose-fitting clothing. Flowing garments allows air circulation and light coloured fabrics reflect light and heat. This will keep you cooler. Use natural fibre fabrics; cotton, linen and silk work best in absorbing sweat and allow the skin to breathe. Cotton fabrics are best.” And even though weather can get really, she said always prepare for things to flip. “Ensure you have a windbreaker or rain coat. The weather gets very rainy during the Summer mothers. So, if you are travelling ensure that you have a jacket to protect yourself.

SPECIAL OLYMPICS TEAM BRINGS HOME GOLD FROM USA GAMES By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIAN athletes struck gold after flying to take part in the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, Florida. The tournament took place from June 5-12, and the Special Olympics Bahamas team included nine delegates and 14 athletes. Under the them “Together We Shine As One”, the competition united more than 5,500 athletes and coaches from all 50 states and the Caribbean. Team Bahamas won five medals - three golds and two bronzes. Erin “Bionic” Brown, The Bahamas’ first paratriathlete told Tribune Health she understands the importance of supporting the community living with disabilities. She said: “The theme this year #ShineAsOne touched me deeply as an athlete with a disability. Many times, we dream about goals, what it looks like and how it will feel to represent our country as an athlete. Yet, that

may very well start with one person who dared to believe, ask questions, show up for training and receive the support of one person who refuses to let them give up. Special Olympics is a space where one is powerful and will teach you how to shine together.” A welcome home reception was held at the Sir Lynden Pindling International Airport with family, friends, members of the disability community, partners and service providers present, along with ALIV Connect. There were also performances by the Roots Junkanoo Group. Among those present were Timothy Munnings, director of sports at the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture, and Pauline ‘Golden Girl’ Davis, Olympian and a sports specialist at the ministry. There was also ALIV CEO John Gomez; Nickolette Elden, ALIV head of marketing and branding; Alexia Johnson, ALIV communication manager; Sienna Evans, 2021 Miss Bahamas World; Ky Capron, ALIV TikTok

THE SPECIAL Olympics Bahamas’ soccer team defeated Special Olympics Ohio 4-3 to claim the gold medal in their division af fhe Special Olympics USA Games.

influencer; Charlis Robbins, president of the Occupational Therapy Association of The Bahamas; Down Syndrome Association members and Erin Brown. Ms Brown said: “We all have reasons to shine. For Special Olympics athletes, one of those reasons is the love of sport. Special Olympics athletes display remarkable abilities not only on the field, but in all areas of life. By celebrating their dedication and perseverance, we become champions for a more inclusive world. A world where we all Shine As One. “It is important to increase access for sports and paralympic development for our athletes with disabilities. Inclusive physical literacy programmes foster healthier lifestyles, physical movement in recreation and competition arenas and camaraderie for all athletes. We are inspiring the future Special Olympians and Paralympians of tomorrow,” said Erin. Johniece Blyden, Special Olympics Bahamas assistant head of delegation said this was the first time in the history of the Special Olympics USA Games that the Caribbean programmes were invited to participate. She said: “This event gave our athletes another opportunity to compete. So, we were more than excited to be a part of this historic event. Especially because a part of our mission statement is to provide year-round sports training and competitions in Olympic type sports for persons with intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics USA Games is the National Games for USA programmes and is held every four years. There were over

TEAM Bahamas showing off their medals at the USA Games in Orlando, Florida. 5,000 athletes in attendance from the 50 states and the ten plus Caribbean programmes represented.” Moreover, she said, this was the first international competition the Special Olympics Bahamas team members participated in since the 2019 Special Olympics World Summer Games held in Abu Dhabi. As an organisation and local program, Johniece said the mandate is to provide year-round sports training and competition opportunities. She said: “Once we got the all clear to commence training, we made sure that all the proper protocols were in place and all of our athletes’ coaches

and volunteers completed the return to activities protocol. We in The Bahamas have not had our signature events such as our Track or Bocce Nationals since 2019. But training and local competitions were ongoing. The delegation of athletes aged from 15-51 and came from two islands, New Providence and Grand Bahama. Vashti Thompson, a New Providence delegate, who won a bronze singles and gold doubles in Bocce said she was proud of her and her teammates’ accomplishment. She credited their Special Olympics coaches, family, friends and sponsors who didn’t allow them to quit and kept them in competition mode.

Stephen Russell, a Grand Bahama delegate who also won gold in Bocce singles and doubles, echoed those thoughts, saying how important the coaches, volunteers, family and friends were to their athletic development. “Team Bahamas returning to a hero’s welcome with Roots Junkanoo Group music was icing on the cake,” said Johniece. All those interested in participating in the Special Olympics, are encouraged to contact Gilbert Williams at 242-817-7646 or visit the Special Olympics on Facebook at https://www. facebook.com/specialolympics242/ or the website, https://specialolympicsbahamas.org/.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, June 21, 2022, PAGE 9

Worst nightmare for men • Weight gain • Chronic fatigue and • Erectile dysfunction

VACCINATIONS BEGIN IN US FOR UNDER-FIVES

By LINDSEY TANNER and ANGIE WANG Associated Press LITTLE Fletcher Pack woke up yesterday and asked: “Is today vaccine day?” For the three-year-old from Lexington, South Carolina, the answer was yes. US infants, toddlers and preschoolers are finally getting their chance at COVID19 vaccination as shots for tots roll out this week. Shipments arrived in some locations over the weekend and some spots, including a Walgreens in South Carolina and another in New York City, opened up appointments yesterday. Fletcher’s mother said that once her son is fully vaccinated, he can finally go bowling and visit the nearby children’s museum. “He’s never really played with another kid inside before,” McKenzie Pack said. “This will be a really big change for our family.” She began seeking an appointment last week as US regulators took steps to OK the vaccines for kids six months to five years old. “It’s just relief,” said Pack. “With this vaccine, that’ll be his best shot at going back to normal and having a normal childhood.” The Food and Drug Administration greenlighted the Moderna and Pfizer kid shot s on Friday and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended them Saturday. In the US, COVID-19 vaccines were first tested and given in late 2020 to health care workers and older adults. Teens and school-age kids were added last year. “This is certainly an exciting moment in what has become a very long campaign to vaccinate people against COVID-19,”said Dr. Matthew Harris, an emergency room pediatrician at Northwell Cohen Children’s Medical Center in New York. Many parents have been anxiously awaiting the rollout, and Harris said shots for his own nine-month-old are a “matter of when, not if”. Roughly 18 million youngsters under five are eligible. “It’s just a huge step toward normalcy,’’ said Dr Debra Langlois, pediatrician at University of Michigan Health CS Mott Children’s Hospital. “We’re two-plus years into this pandemic and there’s things that my 4-year-old has never been able to do,’’ Langlois said. The family skipped a trip to Disneyland and a Michigan vacation island because the ferry ride to Mackinac Island would mean mingling with unmasked passengers. President Joe Biden, public health authorities and pediatricians hailed the moment. But they also acknowledged that getting some parents on board may be a challenge given disappointing vaccination rates — about 30 percent — in school-age kids. The American Academy of Pediatrics and American Medical Association were among physician groups that encouraged doctors and families to get young children vaccinated. The CDC advises vaccination even for those who already had COVID-19 to protect against reinfection, and says it is OK to get other vaccines at the same time.

MANY Bahamian men and residents, particularly middle-aged men, are often frustrated by unexplained weight gain, a loss in sexual libido, erectile dysfunction and new onset persistent tiredness. They often feel like they have aged rapidly and their physical well being has deteriorated over a short period. A possible explanation and potential solution are forthcoming. The hormone testosterone in men plays an important role in regulating a man’s sex drive, fat distribution, muscle mass, endurance, bone density, red blood cell production and sperm production; in addition to many other bodily functions. Testosterone levels generally fall as men age but obesity is more influential in lowering testosterone levels than advancing age. Low testosterone is diagnosed when levels fall below 300 nanograms per deciliter. The rate of obesity in The Bahamas has created a national healthcare crisis. Childhood obesity in the Bahamas is an alarming health concern in our nation. It is estimated that approximately 40 percent of men in developed nations are obese. Obesity is defined as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30. Overweight persons have a BMI greater than 25 but less than 30. The BMI is calculated by taking a person’s weight in kilograms and dividing it by their height in meters. General and abdominal obesity are associated with an increased risk of premature mortality; but studies have shown that abdominal obesity could be a stronger risk factor for premature mortality than a high Body Mass Index (BMI). Obesity and being overweight can lead to type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance and multiple comorbidities including heart disease. Cardiovascular disease, diabetes and kidney disease are some of the leading causes of obesity related death and health complications. Combating obesity is essential in reducing cardiovascular death in men in the Bahamas. Hypogonadism, low testosterone is very common in obese men; with approximately 70 percent of obese men having low testosterone levels. There is a bidirectional link between testosterone deficiency and obesity. A vicious cycle exists, whereby low testosterone contributes to the development and exacerbation of obesity and obesity can lead to low testosterone. Testosterone can be metabolized to estrogen by fat cells, which will lower testosterone levels. Obesity also lowers testosterone by reducing the levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBH), which is a protein that carries testosterone in the blood, so lower levels of SHBH leads to lower free testosterone levels. Diet and behavioral modifications are the first step in achieving weight loss so that the vicious cycle of obesity and low testosterone can be addressed. Exercise and diet changes alone usually do not lead to sustained weight loss over a long period of time, particularly for men with low testosterone. Study suggests obese men may benefit From testosterone therapy Fifteen years of data was presented at the 2020 European and International Congress on Obesity, suggesting that testosterone therapy could be very useful in the management of some obese men with low testosterone levels. Dr Farid Saad, from the UAE’S Gulf Medical University School of Medicine and colleagues investigated the relationship between obesity and testosterone for a period of over a decade. The research used German registry tracking men with low testosterone over a fifteen year period. Professor Saad and research colleagues examined data involving 471 obese men who received long term testosterone therapy and 276 obese men in a control group that did not receive testosterone therapy. The testosterone therapy group of obese men were shown over a follow-up period of eight years to have lost 50 pounds on average. The obese men in the control group,

who did not receive testosterone therapy, gained 13 pounds on average over the same follow up period. The important parameters of body mass index, waist circumference and visceral fat measurements all improved in the testosterone receiving group when compared to the control group. The mortality rate was significantly lower in the testosterone group versus the control group; 7.6 percent compared to 32.3 percent. A striking finding in this long term scientific study, was that over 20 percent of men in the control group developed type 2 diabetes over the study period, whereas no men in the testosterone group developed diabetes over the same time frame. There were 76 morbidly obese men in the study, with 59 of these men having received testosterone replacement therapy and 17 of the morbidly obese men received no testosterone. The morbidly obese group lost an average of 66 pounds and the control group of morbidly obese men gained an average of 11 pounds over the study period. In the prospective Massachusetts Male Aging Study (MMAS), shifting from nonobese to obese state in men lead to a decline in testosterone equivalent to aging ten years. Testosterone therapy in obese men with testosterone deficiency and differing grades of obesity has shown in several large long term studies, to produce significant and sustained weight loss. The ideal testosterone preparation of testosterone replacement therapy for men wishing to preserve fertility, is the nasal spray. A side effect of most testosterone treatment preparations such as the intramuscular injection, the patch, gel or pellet therapy, is a relative reduction in fertility as the testosterone treatment decreases sperm production by reducing levels of the hormone FSH follicle stimulating hormone, which is important in stimulating sperm production. In the majority of cases, the infertility caused by testosterone treatment is reversible. The results of these long-term studies investigating the effects of testosterone therapy for obese men with low testosterone, is very promising but further broader scientific studies are needed before testosterone for obese low testosterone men could be validated. Metabolic syndrome and low testosterone Metabolic syndrome is a medical condition characterised by high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, high glucose levels and waistline obesity. Metabolic syndrome puts affected men at increased risk for cardiovascular events such as strokes and heart attacks. Studies show that men with low testosterone are more likely to develop metabolic syndrome. In short-term studies, testosterone replacement improved blood sugar levels and obesity in men with low testosterone. However, testosterone therapy increases the risk of heart disease, so it is not used to treat metabolic syndrome. Obstructive sleep apnea, obesity and low testosterone Men suffering from both obesity and low testosterone, have negative impacts on their

fertility levels, exercise tolerance, mood, motivation and sleep apnea. There is a tridirectional link between low testosterone and obstructive sleep apnea and obesity; with a vicious cycle existing, whereby low testosterone can worsen obstructive sleep apnea and obstructive sleep apnea can lead to a reduction in testosterone levels and obesity can worsen both sleep apnea and testosterone and vice versa. Men who suffer from obstructive sleep apnea have less REM rapid eye movement sleep, increased nighttime awakenings, sleep fragmentation, lowered sleep efficiency and reduced deep sleep time; all of which contribute to lowering testosterone levels. Many Bahamian men and residents live their life in an almost zombie-like state, feeling chronically fatigued secondary to low testosterone, obstructive sleep apnea and obesity. Far too many middle-aged men and older cannot understand the reason for their large weight gain, fatigue, loss of muscle mass, lack of motivation in life, mood disturbances and poor sexual drive and erectile dysfunction. Many men plagued with obesity, low testosterone and obstructive sleep apnea, must consume large volumes of caffeine throughout the day in an attempt to function despite low energy levels and fatigue; with caffeine being a diuretic that leads to urinary urgency and frequency. The increased urinary frequency and urgency further disrupts the life of these men as they must live their life centered around the next available bathroom. Large caffeine intake often leads to increased night time urination that further disrupts the sleep pattern of these men. There is a strong correlation between obesity and obstructive sleep apnea; both reduce testosterone levels, which exacerbates both conditions. Men often are trapped in the vicious cycle of obesity, low testosterone and obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea must be treated before any testosterone replacement is commenced as testosterone therapy could actually worsen untreated obstructive sleep apnea. Testosterone replacement therapy is not the fountain of youth and it should not be implemented without a thorough investigation by a physician. A physician must determine whether the low testosterone has a primary or secondary cause. Very rare conditions such a pituitary tumor must be ruled out in the case of low testosterone levels. Testosterone supplementation could worsen untreated obstructive sleep apnea and hasten the progress of existing prostate cancer. Testosterone does not lead to prostate cancer but existing prostate cancer needs testosterone as a fuel to proliferate and spread. Men have their highest testosterone levels during young adulthood but the risk of prostate cancer is lowest during this age period; evidence that higher testosterone levels does not cause prostate cancer. Testosterone therapy could promote benign prostate gland growth which could worsen or lead to urinary complaints. Obese men should have dietary modifications, appropriate medical therapy, exercise regimes and possible bariatric surgery in severe cases of morbid obesity; in addition to medically responsible and appropriate testosterone therapy in select patients with symptomatic low testosterone. Testosterone therapy increases LBM lean body mass, reduces fat mass and promotes sustainable, significant weight loss, while reduces both the BMI body mass index and the waist circumference. Appropriate testosterone therapy can be safely provided to select obese men with low testosterone levels. This represents a new, promising and effective therapy for managing obesity in men with hypogonadism, low testosterone. • Dr Greggory Pinto is a board-certified Bahamian urologist and laparoscopic surgeon. Dr Pinto can be contacted at OakTree Medical Centre at #2 Fifth Terrace & Mount Royal Avenue, Nassau, Bahamas. Telephone: (242) 322-1145 (6) (7). Email: welcome@urologycarebahamas.com or visit the website:www. urologycarebahamas.com.