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Bernard Nottage dies, aged 71 Tributes paid to ‘Bahamian patriot and political leader’ FORMER Bain and Grants Town MP Dr Bernard Nottage died yesterday evening in a Florida hospital, according to a statement from his family. The 71-year-old was airlifted to the United States on Friday after spending three days in the Intensive Care Unit at Doctors Hospital. Dr Nottage is survived by his wife, the former Portia Butterfield, and their two sons. In a statement, Dr Nottage’s family described him as “a husband, dad, papa, brother, uncle, godfather, friend and a Bahamian nationalist.” The family expressed sincere thanks to everyone who “reached out” and thanked the management, staff and physicians at Doctors Hospital and the Cleveland Clinic in the United States “for the professional care rendered to him”. “Thank you everyone for your prayers, support and words of encouragement during this very difficult time. May his soul rest in peace,” the statement said. Last night, Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis also released a statement reacting to the death of his colleague and “friend”. “Dr Nottage was an outstanding medical doctor and political leader,” Dr
SYMONETTE: MORE BILLS BEING FOUND By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net FINANCIAL Services Minister Brent Symonette yesterday suggested more “shocks” could be on the way, referring to the reverberations of questionable moves made by the Christie administration during its time in office. In an interview with reporters on Thursday, the St Anne’s MP urged the public to prepare itself for continued fallout as he and other members of the Minnis administration were still discovering outstanding bills and agreements left by the former government. SEE PAGE SIX
MINNIS IS DEFENSIVE ON BAHA MAR
Minnis said. “But he was first and foremost a Bahamian patriot and native son, who at his core, was deeply committed to the development of The Bahamas and the Caribbean. ‘BJ’ as he was affectionately known to us all, was born into a sporting family and so it was no surprise that he went on to become an outstanding athlete and sports organiser. “He nurtured generations of aspiring athletes in The Bahamas as well as in the region. He was one of those responsible for first bringing the Carifta Games to The Bahamas and he remained a committed patron of sports to the very end. “Dr Nottage earned the trust and affection of many patients who found in him a fine medical practitioner who demonstrated an ethic of care and compassion. ‘BJ’ was a Bahamian patriot, whose high sporting profile led him to frontline politics which he used as a platform to advance national development and the common good. He was a dedicated member of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP). “He served for a time as chief executive officer and leader of the Coalition for Democratic Reform (CDR), along with SEE PAGE THREE
L SOUR CE
By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis was on the defensive yesterday over his administration’s apparent change in tone regarding how it intends to handle Baha Mar moving forward. This has placed the newly elected Minnis administration in the line of criticism because in March Dr Minnis, then in opposition, pledged to “engage and execute a real sale of Baha Mar to a qualified and respectable purchaser who believes in Bahamians; a purchaser who will utilise only Bahamian labour to complete the resort, and will put Bahamians back to work with real jobs as quickly as possible.” SEE PAGE SIX
RECEIVERS APPOINTED FOR ASSETS OF TENNYSON WELLS DR BERNARD NOTTAGE, former Minister of National Security, speaking in the House of Assembly in February. Dr Nottage has died, aged 71. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
LIGHTNING FORCES POWER OUTAGES By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Power and Light yesterday blamed a lightning storm for a series of outages in New Providence Tuesday night into Wednesday morning that left some customers without electricity for nearly 16 hours. President of the Bahamas Electrical Workers Union SEE PAGE TWO
SEE BUSINESS
CONTRACTS OF CLAIMS OF MALFEASANCE AND 21 NIB STAFF NEGLIGENCE AT PRISON FACILITY TO BE ENDED By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
TWO retired prison officers are calling on the government to launch an investigation into operations at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. Speaking about their experiences as former assistant commissioners, the pair outlined a laundry list of allegations concerning malfeasance, negligence,
and total disregard for established protocols, such as accounting and reporting procedures. The pair also highlighted severe shortfalls in essential equipment and resources that they allege put correctional officers at risk daily, and contributed to the low morale of officers against the backdrop of the severely overcrowded, unsanitary, and outdated facility.
BRENSIL Rolle, State Minister for Public Service and National Insurance, confirmed yesterday that 21 workers at the National Insurance Board (NIB) are set to be terminated, as their contractual agreements will expire on Friday.
SEE PAGE NINE
SEE PAGE NINE
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net
PAGE 2, Thursday, June 29, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
LIGHTNING FORCES POWER OUTAGES from page one
Paul Maynard said BPL’s system is “very, very weak” and unless it gets new equipment, “when it rains, the power will go off.” Mr Maynard said lightning hit several overhead lines during a storm Tues-
day, causing scattered power outages throughout the capital. “The lightning hit the lines and we have a very, very weak system that we need to shore up,” he said. “I have said it before, we are at a critical stage and we need new equipment. Changes have to be made,
it’s on the company and the government to get this together. Everyone experienced an outage last night (Tuesday), some people for like 12 hours. The men were out there working through the night and through the day trying to restore the power. We need new equipment and a new system or
every time we have a storm, the power will go off somewhere.” In a statement on its Facebook page, BPL said crews were continuing their efforts to restore supply to customers in southern New Providence that were still experiencing outages. “Bahamas Power and
Light Company Ltd advises customers in southern New Providence that crews are continuing their efforts to restore supply to customers impacted by the inclement weather experienced over the last 24 hours,” the statement said. “BPL encourages all residents whose homes may flood to levels that reach above electrical outlets, to immediately turn off the power supply and not to re-energise them until they have had an electrical inspection carried out. “Customers should continue to contact our emergency numbers at 323-55614 or 302-1800 to report outages or power related concerns.” Affected customers took to BPL’s Facebook page to vent their frustration. “I just want to scream,” one person wrote. “We did not have that much rain in Silver Gates and we have been without power for 15 blessed hours! This is ridiculous.” Another customer wrote: “Lights have been off in Bamboo Town from 1am this morning and are still off. This the 21st century there is no need for a power outage to be this long.” In May, with the hot summer months approaching, BPL expressed “confidence” in its readiness to take on the peak period
with its higher power generation capability. In a statement, BPL said while it expected the needed power generation this summer to peak at 255 megawatts, its current generation availability is over 345mw. This is 90mw higher than the demand expected this summer. In addition, the electricity provider said transmission cables between Blue Hills Power Station and the Big Pond Sub-Station have been replaced and upgraded to improve the capacity and reliability of the transmission system. Pointing to the period from June to September last year, in which BPL experienced challenges due to low generation availability and reliability, the company said it wanted to ensure Bahamians would not suffer from the same issues this summer. American company PowerSecure was contracted last year to take over management at the governmentowned utility provider. The new management deal was touted by the Christie administration as being the answer to sub-par electricity service and high electricity bills. However, the country has still been plagued with repeated power outages, especially in the summer months.
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THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, June 29, 2017, PAGE 3
Bernard Nottage dies, aged 71 from page one
individuals such as the late Charles Maynard. The CDR was an incubator for many innovative policy and programmatic ideas which endure. “Our compatriot, brother and friend, ‘BJ’ has finished the race. He has passed the baton on to a new generation of Bahamians. His commitment, caring and all around good nature will be missed.” Dr Minnis said in due course, the government will announce an appropriate tribute “to this Bahamian patriot.” Former Prime Minister Perry Christie also paid tribute to his former colleague in government. He said in a statement last night: “It was with profound sadness that I received the news that my political colleague and very dear friend of more than 60 years, Dr Bernard J. Nottage, passed away this evening. “Dr Nottage was a man of great accomplishment in the spheres of politics, medicine, and athletics. He served as a Cabinet minister in three separate PLP governments: first, under Sir Lynden Pindling, as Minister of Consumer Affairs & Utilities, and later as Minister of Education; then in my first Cabinet as Minister of Health, and in my second Cabinet, as Minister of National Security and Government Leader in the House of Assembly. “For most of this parliamentary career, Dr Nottage was the Member of Parliament for the Bain Town area of New Providence. In each of his ministerial assignments, Dr Nottage won high praise for his competence, unswerving dedication to public duty and for his absolute incorruptibility. It is particularly noteworthy in this latter regard that throughout his lengthy years in politics, there was never so much as a whisper of ethical impropriety uttered against him. He was a public servant extraordinaire and a patriot of the highest order who, to the end of his days, gave the very best of himself to the service of the Bahamian people. “Dr Nottage entered frontline politics after a distinguished and successful career as a medical practitioner, specialising in obstetrics and gynecology. He was widely sought after for his expert skills as a surgeon and for his uncompromising
DR Bernard Nottage pictured with his wife, Portia. dedication to his patients. A perfectionist in the practice of his profession, he was held in great esteem as one of the leading role models and mentors for doctors in our country. Of particular note, he served at various times as both President of the Bahamas Medical Association and President of the Doctors’ Union. “Dr Nottage was also a gifted athlete and sportsman. He was an outstanding sprinter in his youth and represented The Bahamas in a number of important international sports competitions, including the 1962 Central and Pan American Games and the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. He was also for many years the President of the Bahamas Amateur Athletic Association and a tireless proponent of regional and international athletic competition for our young athletes. “Speaking personally, BJ and I were friends from a very early age. While attending university in the UK, we developed our political interests in tandem with each other. Indeed in 1966 while studying abroad, we co-founded UNICOLL, a political action group and think-tank which was the first organization to mount a sustained campaign calling for Bahamian decolonisation and independence. “I extend my deepest condolences to BJ’s wife, Portia, his son, Brian, and their entire family, including Dr Nottage’s siblings, Kendal, Sandra and Philip. This is a great loss for them and for our entire nation. May the soul of this great Bahamian rest in peace.” Last Wednesday, scores of family members, friends and former colleagues descended on Doctors Hospital as reports of Dr Nottage’s critical state began to circulate. There were also false rumours on social media at the time that he had died.
However, those claims were later debunked by a family statement which clarified his condition and asked for continued privacy. Party sources have speculated that the former minister of national security was suffering from cancer, however his sickness was never revealed publicly. Dr Nottage has faced two public health scares this year - appearing ill during a campaign rally in late April and becoming disoriented when he addressed the House of Assembly in February. ‘Patriot’ Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Assembly and PLP member of Parliament for Englerston, Glenys Hanna Martin said her “friend and colleague will be truly missed.” “His life was a great victory and he was a true son of the soil,” she said. “‘BJ’ Nottage is a product of a post-1967 Bahamas, highly accomplished and highly achieved. He became one of the most distinguished medical practitioners in the country. He was also an outstanding athlete. He mentored so many people and he will be missed by so many. He gave us decades of distinguished services. I appreciate, so much, the interactions I had with him on a personal level in terms of his sense of humour and he was so personable and very, very, very bright man,” Mrs Hanna Martin said. PLP Senator Fred Mitchell last night said he was “deeply saddened” by the news. “He and I served in the Parliament, the Cabinet, in the party,” Mr Mitchell noted in a statement. “We were at one time co-dissenters. We travelled the road of public life in all its phases. “Each year with our mu-
tual friend Dr Franklin Walkine we gathered at Christmas Day for breakfast with our friends. The gathering in the last few years was only three. We toasted last year not knowing but also realising that one or other or all might not return this year. It is now only two. “He was the consummate perfectionist. He was a patriot. He loved the Bahamas. He loved the people of Bain and Grants Town and Kennedy where he served as MP.” Former member of Parliament for Fort Charlotte Dr Andre Rollins also offered condolences to the Nottage family yesterday, describing him as a “distinguished gentleman.” “Surely, at times politics sought to make a caricature of him but he was indeed a man of substance and character,” Dr Rollins posted to Facebook. “His job was one of tremendous stress for which he suffered immense criticism. However, he carried himself with dignity and strength. “He made no effort to make politics a business of personal enrichment or self-aggrandisement. He was a nationalist. I thank him for his sacrifice on behalf of our nation. “My condolences to his wife, Portia Nottage, and his entire family. May he rest in peace.” Early life Dr Nottage was born in Nassau on October 23, 1945 to the late Bernard Nottage Sr and Olevia Nottage. He received his training as a gynaecologist at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland and The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. An outstanding athlete in track and field, Dr Nottage was also a long-time president of the Bahamas Amateur Athletics Association (BAAA). Over the course of his
political career, Dr Nottage served as a Cabinet minister in one Pindling administration and two Christie administrations. Dr Nottage was first appointed chairman of the National Insurance Board in 1982. In the subsequent general election in 1987, Dr Nottage successfully contested the Garden Hills constituency. In 1989, Dr Nottage was appointed minister of consumer affairs and then minister of education in 1990. However, Dr Nottage left the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) to assist in the formation of the Coalition for Democratic Reform (CDR) and was elected leader of the third party in early 2000. Dr Nottage unsuccessfully led the party into the
2002 general election. In 2005, he returned to the then governing PLP and was afterwards appointed to the Senate. Three months later, Dr Nottage was appointed Minister of Health and National Insurance by then Prime Minister Perry Christie. In 2007, Dr Nottage was appointed leader of opposition business in Parliament and in 2012 leader of government business in Parliament. He served as minister of national security from 2012-2017. Dr Nottage was defeated in the 2017 general election by 22-year-old Travis Robinson in the Bain and Grants Town constituency. He was a member of the Anglican church community.
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PAGE 4, Thursday, June 29, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
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Will The Bahamas remain for Bahamians? “IT should not be a mystery to us what the Chinese want: it is what all powerful countries want. It’s not about interest earned on a loan or making profits from operating a hotel. They want resources for the mother land,” so writes an “Observer” on page 8 of today’s Tribune. “Observer” sees Baha Mar, the resort on which The Bahamas has pegged its future, as eventually, if it remains under the influence of the Beijing government, bringing down the curtain on a Bahamas that we once knew. From the day that Beijing appeared on the horizon as the major lender for the proposed resort we were satisfied that its interests were strictly political. At the beginning, everything seemed to be moving smoothly for Baha Mar under young Sarkis Izmirlian, but still we were not satisfied. We went to our Atlas, gave it a spin and traced the Beijing influence encroaching into and eventually encircling the United States in her own Basin of Influence. Here was Hutchison-Whampoa’s container port at Freeport (a Hong Kong based company, reportedly under the influence of Beijing). Hutchison was also strategically located at the other side of the Panama Canal. It was later joined by China Construction Company, which was instrumental in seeing Baha Mara securely in the clutches of the China Export-Import Bank. Slowly Beijing’s influence crept through the string of Caribbean islands on the Atlantic side of the US continent. The great United States was indeed encircled and imprisoned in her own sphere of influence. We have been uneasy ever since. The Baha Mar story began several years ago when Phil Ruffin, a one-time partner with US President Donald Trump, decided to sell his Wyndham Crystal Palace Hotel. Former prime minister Perry Christie was his lawyer. We understand that it was Mr Christie who went to the wealthy Izmirlian family to interest them in the purchase. Twice he was turned down. On the third approach, it is understood that Sarkis Izmirlian told Mr Christie that he would not be interested in one hotel, surrounded by rundown hotels in an unkept area. Instead of a hotel, he would be interested in creating a destination. He would purchase the three hotels in the area and the large area of land surrounding them. Mr Christie bought into the idea and so a deal was struck. Plans had started. Mr Izmirlian got such hotels as Harrah’s in Las Vegas interested and the project was well on its way. However, when the time came to sign the contract with Harrah’s and its group, the Christie government seemed reluctant to sign off on government’s side. It got to the point where Mr Izmirlian had to write a stiff letter to Mr Christie warning him that the closing date was nearing and all would be lost if his government did not sign onto the agreement. Still no signatures for a firm contract. Meanwhile the world economy collapsed. Harrah’s was eventually sold and because of the economic climate, the new owners were not prepared to continue with the Baha Mar dream. This left Mr Izmirlian with a large project on his hands that he was anxious to get started, but no partners and no one — except the Chinese— in the market to grant loans because of the world’s economic downturn. The China ExportImport Bank undertook the loan, but one of the conditions was that China Construction America (CCA) had to be accepted as the contractor for the project. Before the 2002 election, Mr Izmirlian
had signed heads of agreement, but no final contract. This was to be left until after the election, which Mr Christie lost and Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham won. It was now up to Mr Ingraham to act on the heads of agreement, which had contained certain confidential clauses, which only came to light at the change of government. Mr Ingraham was severely criticised by the PLP then in Opposition for taking his time to study the heads of agreement and in the end renegotiating them. It was discovered that the Christie government had proposed selling parcels of land that could not be sold. Mr Ingraham flew to Beijing to renegotiate certain sections of the loan, one being that instead of Bahamian construction companies only getting $200m of the business, they would get $400m. He took the number of Chinese workers that the Chinese wanted to engage to the House to get the approval of both government and Opposition members. Speaking in the House of Assembly on November 18, 2010, on the question of a foreign state owning so much Crown land, Mr Ingraham had this to say: “It is the view of my government, that it is an untenable position to permit any foreign state to own land in the Bahamas. Under the law, any financial institution providing funding for a development in the Bahamas has a number of alternatives to protect interest should that project fail. One of these protections is foreclosure.” He said should this happen with him as prime minister “my government would not agree to foreclosure on these properties (previously Crown land) to any foreign state or any entity which is owned by a foreign state.” Mr Christie was returned as prime minister and the project continued under his government. Thanks to CCA, the construction company, unresolved problems brought construction to a standstill and eventual closure. Mr Izmirlian’s’ attempt to save the company by apply for the protection of Delaware’s bankruptcy laws was thwarted. Nassau adjudicated the case, invited purchasers, but refused to give them enough information to make an intelligent bid. Sir Sol Kerzner of Atlantis fame, and his partner were interested in the purchase, but eventually gave up. “Our hands are tied,” said Mr Kerzner’s partner, Andrew Farkas of Island Capital, because they could not get enough information to make an offer. Of course, Mr Izmirlian was completely bared from bidding. The Beijing bank found a large Hong Kong company, which will now purchase Baha Mar once it has been completed. The thread running through this whole sordid story indicated that China wants a footprint in this hemisphere. When CCA failed to deliver, the China Export-Import Bank, instead of being concerned by loss of revenue, seemed not to care. The key to the story seemed to be to get Sarkis Izmirlian out of the picture with a large tract of Bahamian land under Beijing’s control. When Mr Ingraham was dealing with the matter in its earlier stages, he was renegotiating heads of agreement. The Minnis government is now studying a contract. We trust that it will make certain that The Bahamas is well protected from what we all fear. We would be surprised at any foreign investor avoiding The Bahamas if the double-dealing behind the Baha Mar resort could be told. We trust that The Bahamas will always remain The Bahamas for Bahamians.
Claims of cutting electric cost EDITOR, The Tribune. LISTENING to parliamentary Channel proceedings of today…MP for Cat Island it continues to amaze me that he still contends that the PLP Government reduced the cost of electricity by 40%! Editor, not only is this untrue it cannot be substantiated that the PLP Government, Christie - Davis & Co had absolutely nothing to do with the global reduction of the price of oil….
dah Mr Davis keep saying it, yes fools believe ya! Steve Wynn, Canada and Our Lucaya…I refer your readers to two websites of interest and would recommended the Minister of Tourism and the Minister responsible for investment to refer to this regards… http://wynn.ca/.…http:// parkdaletenants.ca/wynnproperties.htm. My sole comment is we had better be careful as to who we get into bed with… we have a very unsavory par-
ty at Baha Mar…SLS Hotels…but it seems everyone is forgetting that the Gaming Commission of Las Vegas, Nevada refused to hear the application for a casino attached to the SLS Hotels if a certain person was included or shown to be an equity shareholder…Has the Gaming Board done a good due diligence? Mr Minister of Tourism please investigate. W THOMPSON Nassau, June 19, 2017.
Farwell to Dr Bernard Nottage EDITOR, The Tribune THE sun has finally set on an era, an icon, an athlete extraordinaire, a physician par excellence, a politician of impeccable character and a statesman in the highest order. Dr Hon Bernard J. Nottage has exited stage left, ending a career in medicine and politics that is the envy of many. He has been a gynaecologist to many for decades and developed a reputation of professionalism that followed him to the very end. In a climate where many do not respect politicians, Nottage was untouchable! He earned the respect of all. Dr Nottage was an affable gentleman. People from both sides of the political divide, not only loved him, but respected him highly and sought his wise counsel. He was simply trusted without question. His greatest sin was that no one could say that they
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net knew him to be, or heard that he was shady. Absolutely no one could point their fingers at him. He kept his nose clean and could easily show his hand. He never entertained any resemblance of anything untoward. This is a sad day for all Bahamians. Not only did we lose a friend, or brother, we lost one of our finest sons. His family will no doubt experience his loss, but thousands of Bahamians from all walks of life will remember his free spirit, his charitable ways and most of all, his honesty and integrity. Personally, I remember having had the distinct pleasure of having lengthy conversations with him about how we could implement the principles of the First Bahamas Boys’ Brigade into our nation build-
ing, as we both were members. He always looked for ways to make The Bahamas better. I trust The Bahamas will move with haste to not only record this giant of a man in its history, but that we will be matured enough to create a living physical memory of this true, true Bahamian. BJ fought valiantly, like the real warrior he always was, never shying away from fighting for what he believed. God, in his infinite wisdom and mercy, brought the curtain down. BJ’s act is ended, there will be no encore. NONE! His life should be celebrated. Condolences to his wonderful wife Portia and family. I know his soul is resting in peace. IVOINE W. INGRAHAM Nassau, June 29, 2017
Abuse of the Loading Zones EDITOR, The Tribune. PLEASE print the following copy of my Whatsapp chat sent to the Ministers of National Security, Tourism, Commerce, Trade and Industry et al. I forwarded a copy of the “ticket” for “obstruction to the flow of traffic” on Charlotte Street this morning. I am delighted with the “new found” efficiency of the downtown Constabulary and will happily pay the proscribed fine as indicated. I shall be even more delighted if, whoever leads this Constabulary, will
make a point of DISALLOWING “all day parking” in the designated Bay Street Loading Zones which are “supposed” to be available to downtown businesses to load, and unload goods, thereby obviating the need for business houses to block the flow of traffic while they unload their goods. One such designated Loading Zone is directly in front of The Linen Shop to which my wife was attempting to deliver goods and supplies, and it is always unavailable due to someone “working” in a shop on Bay Street.
There are in fact almost Never any Available Loading Zones on Bay Street. I am not asking for the matter to be dropped, but I am asking for equal treatment under the law (for a change). When my wife mentioned this Loading Zone Issue to the ticketing Constable she was told that that, (Loading Zone Abuse) was not in her bailiwick or words to that effect. Obviously the law is subjective to this enforcer! BRUCE G. RAINE Nassau, June 26, 2017.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, June 29, 2017, PAGE 5
Davis ‘considered’ joining privilege ruling appeal
By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
“But in the exchanges between the bench and the bar, the suggestions was that the ruling had nothing OPPOSITION Leader to do with the privilege of Philip “Brave” Davis said Parliament but rather it had though he considered par- to do with the government ticipating as an interested being sued and there would party in an appeal of Jus- no personal liability on the tice Indra Charles’ rul- part of Jerome Fitzgerald ing that former Education but that the government Minister Jerome Fitzgerald was sued and that there be breached constitutional no personal liability at all rights of a non-profit group either in respect to costs or when he exposed informa- as damages awarded by Mr tion about Save the Bays in Fitzgerald personally. In Parliament last year, he de- those circumstances, issues cided not to do so once he of privilege do not appear was assured that the gov- to be infringed. We leave ernment must the matter as pay all liabili- ‘Consideration is.” ties associated Mr Davis with the matter was given by me said while his and that the as leader of the side may reruling won’t opposition and spect Justice affect a parCharles’ rulliamentarian’s someone who’s ing, one like it privilege. interested in the from a lower “Consideracourt would preservation of tion was given not be bindby me as leader our constitutional ing. of the opposi- democracy to During the tion and someshort session one who’s in- intervene in the in the House terested in the matter as an of Assembly preservation interested party...’ yesterday, of our constiMr Davis attutional detempted to mocracy to intervene in the introduce the withdrawal matter as an interested par- of the appeal as a topic but ty having regard to the fact he was rebuffed by House that the ruling appeared to Speaker Halson Moultrie impinge upon the privilege who said he wants more of Parliament,” he said, not- facts about it. ing he attended a hearing “We made an inquiry at the Court of Appeal on at Court of Appeal and Monday where the matter the Court of Appeal was officially withdrawn by has supplied us with the the Office of the Attorney transcript of the ruling General. but it also appears from
OPPOSITION leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis. this that the appeal has been withdrawn and the question of costs will be dealt with along with the respondents notice on the 25th of July,” Mr Moultrie noted. “I’m also in receipt of a letter from the attorney general making certain requests with respect to this appeal from the Speaker. I have not yet responded to the letter but I just wish Parliament to be notified that I am in
receipt of the letter making certain requests of the chair.” He added: “I am cognisant of jurisdictional issues that arise as a result of this request and I am aware about the separation of powers that seemed to have arisen as a result of this request. After reading the ruling over the weekend, I am satisfied that I shouldn’t make a premature ruling without independent legal advice.”
FACEBOOK PAGE FOLLOWING MITCHELL STIRS RESPONSE WITH STRONG WORDS FACEBOOK users were amused and shocked yesterday when a Facebook profile associated with Fred Mitchell, the leader of opposition business in the Senate, responded to an insult aimed at the senator with an equally provocative response. On the Facebook page ‘Fred Mitchell––Minute by Minute,’ user Colin Deveaux wrote: “Shut your f****t a** up, y’all was desperately trying to get all the money that y’all could, that’s what y’all was doing.” ‘Fred Mitchell - Min-
ute by Minute’ wrote in response: “Ya ma was a f****t.” When contacted, Mr Mitchell declined to comment on the exchange yesterday, nor did he distance himself from the comment or the page. The exchange was posted under a news clip the Facebook page shared, in which Mr Mitchell expressed his advice for the Minnis administration. Screenshots of the exchange were shared on social media yesterday. Erin Greene, an activist
for the lesbian, gay, bisexual & transgender (LGBT) community, reacted yesterday, saying: “The individual that called Mr Mitchell a ‘f****t’ should appreciate and be thankful that Mr Mitchell responded in kind, with a good ol’ Bahamian comeback.” In November 2016, Mr Mitchell encouraged supporters to read the website bahamasuncensored.com, as well as ‘Fred Mitchell Minute-by-Minute’ on Facebook, because it “aligns with much of my thinking on political issues”.
NOTICE
The Rum Cay Social Club Mini Fair scheduled to be held 1st July, 2017 has been re-scheduled for 8th July, 2017. All tickets sold will be Honored on the new date. Sorry for any inconvenience caused.
PAGE 6, Thursday, June 29, 2017
SYMONETTE: MORE BILLS BEING FOUND
from page one
He also suggested that the new Free National Movement government remains hard at work in its quest to address the country’s economic woes, while working to reduce the cost of doing business across the country. However, Mr Symonette, who made his comments on the sidelines of a Bahamas Chamber of Commerce meeting yesterday, again warned that the “unexpected” has slowed some of the plans promised by the FNM on the campaign trail. “You know, the election was May 10, it is now what, the beginning of July; one of the issues we had to go straight into is budget. Even yesterday (Tuesday) for instance, a minister was telling me about a bill that turned up for some millions of dollars, so every day we are seeing that type of issue,” he said. “The $400m I referred
BRENT SYMONETTE to in the Chamber’s meeting was bills that had to be paid, it was unexpected, (and) so these are issues that have to be dealt for the government. “We do intend, Dr Minnis, the prime minister made comments about VAT on certain areas, has come out and said it will be a two-step event, some were done in
this budget, (and) some will be done in a later time as the finances of the country continue to improve or we get a handle on where we are. “There (are) still some shocks to come, and you will hear about them in the weeks and months ahead.” Many in the country have waited with bated
breath for the outcome of revelations laid out by the Minnis administration over the course of its first budget communication since being elected to office last month. Throughout the presentation, the country was fed details of questionable deals and less than practical decisions made by the
THE TRIBUNE
Christie administration while in office. The information came as the new Minnis Cabinet moved to justify its decision to borrow a record $722m to meet the country’s expenses over two fiscal cycles, the 2016-2017 and the 2017-2018 fiscal periods. One of the primary concerns of the Minnis administration is the status and validity of several of the private-public-partnerships (PPPs) the former government approved before the 2017 general election. Attorney General Carl Bethel has revealed that his office has put six PPPs on hold, one of them including a grant of 30 acres of Crown land that was executed “days, if not on the day” before the election. Of these specific PPPs, Mr Symonette said Thursday that the government is still working to determine what purpose they served and what value, if any, they brought to the country. He stated directly: “I think one of the things we
are looking at is to see if the existing PPPs, what they are relating to, were they properly executed, was the government getting value for money and so on and so forth.” Later he added: “In some cases, they were executed the day before the elections in a manner that is not traditional, in the normal way governments act, Cabinet approval. “You saw (Philip) ‘Brave’ Davis in the House of Assembly say he didn’t know, he hadn’t seen them or didn’t know about them, to that effect. “This is a very serious problem where, traditionally, you know it is difficult to get any contract approved by government and some of these agreements have been approved without even going to Cabinet in some case. “Those are issues that bring questions about serious governance by the former administration. So, we have to look at them and also look at how we are going to do some new ones if that is the way forward.”
cessions and openly accusing the Christie administration of “self-dealing” and “state-sponsored discrimination.” It came days after members of the new administration said it saw no cause to renegotiate the terms of the sale. A statement from Mr Izmirlian’s BMD Holdings Ltd explained the demand for the sale process to be halted was motivated by a review of the recently released heads of terms between the Export Import Bank of China (CEXIM), China State Construction and the government. The statement reiterated the former developer’s pledge that he is fully prepared to purchase the beleaguered resort, complete construction and operate it with a full Bahamian workforce and organisation. It also notes that BMD is now considering legal
options against the parties involved in the heads of terms. However, on Tuesday, Mr Newbold said the government has no official response to Mr Izmirlian’s plea at this time. He added that the situation is still being evaluated. Mr Newbold stressed that the sale was a “very complicated situation” still under review by the government. He said: “There has been no official reaction to the suggestion because the contracts and the entire situation is still being evaluated. “I’m told it’s a very complex situation. Undoubtedly, I will say though, the Bahamian people have a vested interest in the success of that development and we believe that now is the time to ensure that any safeguards that need to be put in place, now is the time to do that in this process,” Mr Newbold said.
MINNIS IS DEFENSIVE ON BAHA MAR
from page one
However, since being elected to office, the government has seemed to step away from this position with Attorney General Carl Bethel, QC, last week stating that there was nothing in the newly unsealed Baha Mar documents that
prompts renegotiation of the deal. Asked about the criticism in this regard, Dr Minnis said: “I have been criticised for five years on many things so that’s nothing new. Thank you.” Before this, he was asked to state the government’s stance on the beleaguered West Bay Street resort and
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appeared to be annoyed in his response. “Listen I told you over and over,” he told a reporter. “I don’t know what about the English language you don’t understand. The government, just like the Bahamian people, we want to see Baha Mar functioning to provide jobs and opportunities for Bahamians and we’ll work towards that goal.” Pressed further for his position on former Baha Mar developer Sarkis Izmirlian’s plea for a moratorium on the sale process, Dr Minnis said: “I have answered you. I told you our position. We would like to see Baha Mar opened and provide job opportunities for Bahamians.” He did not respond to a question on whether he was
going to review the hotel’s file. This exchange with reporters followed the morning session of the House of Assembly, which has been adjourned to September 13. The Nassau Guardian reported that earlier on Wednesday, Dr Minnis told that newspaper that he would not intervene in the Baha Mar sale. That newspaper also reported Mr Izmirlian reportedly met with Dr Minnis last week. When asked about this on Tuesday, Press Secretary Anthony Newbold said he could not confirm reports that Dr Minnis had met with the former developer or his associates. On Sunday, Mr Izmirlian called for a moratorium on the mega-resort’s sale to Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Ltd and a full investigation into the deal struck by the former government citing “unusual, one-sided” con-
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THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, June 29, 2017, PAGE 7
THE ROYAL Bahamas Police Force conducted a walkabout in Sunset Park area, meeting residents and even meeting a former officer who was bedridden. Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
Police reach out to residents in Sunset Park walkabout By DANIELLE BARNES THE Royal Bahamas Police Force organised another neighbourhood walkabout yesterday, moving throughout the Sunset Close Subdivision off Carmichael Road. Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean, and a team of officers from various units, walked the area yesterday morning greeting residents and handing out papers containing safety tips and other important information. This initiative began more than five years ago as police officers saw the need to increase their visibility in different neighbourhoods and build relationships with residents of these communities. Assistant Superintendent of Police Darvey Pratt is responsible for organising
these walks. ASP Pratt has seen changes over the past few years and is confident that the appearance of officers is changing the way the public views the police force. “I find it to be effective to the general public and the people in the communities because they are happy to see the police, and this is something they want to see more of the police doing,” ASP Pratt said. “We have seen a decrease in crime, mainly because they don’t know when we’re going to appear. With the police bring present, we are definitely seeing and expecting changes.” The police force not only wants to make residents aware of officers’ presence, but the goal is to build relationships with the people in these communities. ASP Pratt described oc-
Effective immediately,
Mr. Fabian Fernander Sales & Marketing Manager is no longer employed with Milo Butler & Sons Ltd. therefore, he is not to conduct any business on behalf of the company.
casions when residents have come up to him, praising officers for their continued presence throughout their community. “When we did this walk three weeks ago, there was a person who came up to me and thanked me. He said that they are seeing some changes in the community.”
The Tribune shadowed police officers and listened to the stories of residents who were happy to open their doors as they expressed their gratitude for the work the RBPF is doing. Officers visited 79-yearold Godfrey Brathwaite, a resident of Sunset Drive. Mr Brathwaite is a former
police officer who became bedridden after Christmas last year. Senior ACP Dean and a group of other officers were invited into his home and spoke to family members about his condition. Residents of Sunset Drive walking in the neighbourhood made several comments to the officers men-
tioning that “things could be better” but that their area is relatively peaceful considering crime levels in the capital. The RBPF intends to continue walkabouts nonstop throughout the year as the force keeps with its commitment to increase police visibility in communities.
PAGE 8, Thursday, June 29, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
The Chinese strategy - economic colonisation Your SAY By THE OBSERVER ON MANY occasions Hubert Alexander Ingraham stated publicly that Mr Sarkis Izmirlian would never get financing for Baha Mar. He was wrong. He was wrong, because when it comes to high risk, bound to fail ventures there is always a loan shark lurking. It is seldom the objective of the loan shark to get the money back. They know they won’t and they don’t need the money. It is the ulterior objective, it is the big fish they seek and they are ruthless in their pursuit. It should not be a mystery to us what the Chinese want: it is what all powerful countries want. It’s not about interest earned on a loan or making profits from operating a hotel. They want resources for the mother land. Whether it is the provision of employment for their endless supply of labourers or coal for their power plants, the Chinese need resources. They are the seekers of the dilithium crystals as the Romulans were on Star Trek and they will be ruthless in their quest. They have a four thousand year history of ruthlessness, and as evidenced in their position on human rights, the trait has not diminished over time. For their population of 1.3 billion to thrive and survive, they need an almost infinite supply of resources that can sustain the needs of that population and if other “lesser” or “inferior” civilisations must be vanquished, then so be it. Darwinian truth does not limit itself to the Galapagos, and from the perspective of the Chinese we are “a weak link”. If you have not yet ascer-
SARKIS Izmirlian with then Prime Minister Perry Christie during a tour of Baha Mar before it hit turbulent times and ended up changing ownership. tained what the above al- tech vessels in the 15th and the conquerors a foot in the lusions to loan sharks, Star 16th centuries in search of door, perhaps reluctantly Trek and Darwin all add mythical gold and the foun- abetted by the Ingraham up to, let me put it in abun- tain of youth. administration and zealousAnd what you ask is Baha ly promoted by the Christie dantly clear terms. After 43 years of Inde- Mar’s role in all of this? administration to a people pendence, The Bahamas is Unknowingly, the global that lay waiting anxiously perhaps on the cusp of be- supplier of peanuts turned for economic salvation. coming a colony to a power hotelier, may have inad21st century Bahamas far greater that the slew of vertently removed, or at has real and retrievable reEuropean conquerors that best, weakened the barrier sources; an abundant fishcame ashore in their low of sovereignty, and allowed ery, arable land, sand, and
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oil, and the degradation of our environment to access those resources are irrelevant to the invader. The Chinese care about tourism and the effect of turning turquoise waters to black, fished out oil slicks as much they do about the impact on mountain climbers that scaled the summits that have been flattened so that copper and other minerals could be extracted. Along with the debauchment of our land and sea, the modern breed of Bahamian people could possibly go the way of the folks we now ironically revere and remember with the handing out of the Duho for our tourism awards. Why would the Chinese government be interested in a “small 4 billion dollar” venture in The Bahamas or giving a gift of a poorly constructed stadium and cheap loans for roads? What possible interest would they have in a place that is as removed culturally from them as oxygen is from the moon? Is it a coincidence they are excitedly building docking facilities in Abaco and Andros? Was it in preparation for the fishing deals that got politically skewered (for now)? Almost every financial expert in hospitality and gaming will tell you – a 4 billion dollar Baha Mar can never make money. So why do it? The opening of Baha Mar will lead to a spiraling down of average room rates and a reduction in capital investment for upgrading and maintaining facilities that will result in the decline in the quality of experience that will render the Bahamian tourism product akin to two stars at best and our standard of living to the status of an undeveloped country. And in that
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state of desperation, we will give way our fisheries and arable land and sand and oil for crumbs so that we may put food on the table where, as we seek to fill our bellies, one generation will reminisce about when there was an abundance and the younger generation will only imagine those times, as we now repeat tales of when bread was five cents a loaf. Only when we are desperately trying to under cover of night, seek to migrate on raft or unsafe watercraft to a US whose borders will be more tightly controlled, will we all realise that Baha Mar was maybe much ado about our undoing. We don’t have to look very far to see the evidence of this possibility. Look to Freeport, Grand Bahama. The loan sharks in that instance were the Hutchinson Whampoa Group. The eye was on the container transshipment business. In exchange they also managed to control the entity (Port Authority) that would control what went on in Freeport and ultimately its business. The nail in the coffin was the hurricanes and voilà, you are left with an island economy in critical demise. Could the hurricane in the instance of New Providence be Baha Mar and the CAT 5 impact it will have on tourism and therefore our national well being? Freeporters are evacuating to Nassau, Abaco and even Bimini in droves. Where will the destitute from the capital seek economic refuge? What may appear to some as the gift on Cable Beach from the Far East may indeed be the Trojan Horse that leads to our going the way of both the Trojans and Lucayans.
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THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, June 29, 2017, PAGE 9
CLAIMS OF MALFEASANCE AND NEGLIGENCE AT PRISON FACILITY from page one
They told The Tribune that their desire for a national spotlight on these issues was sparked by the new administration’s postelection pledge to root out corruption, and invitation to the public to report all instances of wrongdoing. The Tribune has repeatedly reached out to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services (BDCS) for an interview in connection with the allegations. An email was received from the office of the commissioner of corrections on May 29, which acknowledged receipt of the request for interview, however an interview was never given. “We were in the inside looking out, we’re talking about what we know,” said one of the former assistant commissioners. “You hear about rehabilitation in prison, in order for you to rehabilitate me things have to be conducive to where you want things to be at the end of the day. The maximumsecurity structure needs to go. “For them to start rehabilitation they need to
knock down maximumsecurity prison and build a prison that holds about 2,000 people. Modern facilities with better security for the staff and then you’re on your way. You can go to Canada, you can go to England and you can go to the United States, when you check those facilities their policy or their act is intertwined to their structure and they achieve that at the end of the day. “We can’t achieve nothing, I look at it and laugh, we come here and paint this and say we moving,” the retired corrections officer added. The second retired officer said: “They are putting the cart before the horse, they’re sending these officers abroad but what they learn they can’t come back and use it here, can’t implement it because the facilities are not ready.” The claims levelled by the former officers mirror anecdotal accounts sent to The Tribune by inmates over the past year, and also appear to fall within the remit of the review undertaken by the Parole and Reentry Steering Committee. The committee is part of
MINISTER of National Security Marvin Dames during a tour of the prison. the government’s overarching strategy to address the challenges of crime in the Bahamas through its Citizens Security and Justice Programme, financed by a $20m loan from the Inter-
American Development Bank. The committee submitted its report late last year, and some of its recommendations have already been adopted. However, the re-
Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
port has not yet been released to the public. The BDCS is on the list of quasi-governmental agencies set to be audited by the auditor general. Yesterday, Auditor Gen-
eral Terrence Bastian confirmed that his team met with officials last year to plan the scope of the audit, but could not confirm when the audit would be staged.
WOMAN AWAITS PSYCHOLOGICAL REPORT ON FITNESS TO PLEA By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net A WOMAN accused of stabbing another woman who offered her a ride in Eleuthera must await the court’s receipt of a psychologist’s report on her fitness to plead before the judge can rule.
Rhonda Knowles, of Tarpum Bay, was told by Justice Bernard Turner that the next hearing for her bail application would be next Wednesday, granted that Knowles’ attorney, Moses Bain, presents Justice Turner with a copy of the psychological report used in a separate matter. Before the adjournment,
Crown prosecutor Anishka Hanchell submitted that it would not be prudent for Knowles to be granted bail ahead of the court’s receipt of the report, adding that it would be wiser to have Knowles in custody until such time. Nonetheless, Mr Bain, in responding to a question from Justice Turner on the
CONTRACTS OF 21 NIB STAFF TO BE ENDED from page one However, he said this is not to say that the agency will not examine these individuals to identify if any of them are best suited to remain at NIB. He said this is “certainly an option.” He said the group was a part of the former Christie administration’s pre-election hires, adding that they were hired about eight to 12 months ahead of the May 10 election. Asked to describe their job descriptions, Mr Rolle said he could not say specifically. The Garden Hills MP further revealed to reporters following the morning session of Parliament that officials were now looking into 1,700 persons who are on contract. He told reporters that this number was in addition to two other agencies with high levels of contracted workers and the 3,000 people that were hired on the 52-week job programme. These contracts, he added, will also expire in a number of days. “(Former) Minister Jerome Fitzgerald hired workers. His quote to the workers according to my PS (permanent secretary) and some workers on the question of whether or not workers who had been working in the Ministry of Education - whether or not they should be made permanent and pensionable - his quote was ‘that’s them other people business, I am making permanent and pensionable those that I hired,’” Mr Rolle told the press following the morning session of Parliament. “So what does that mean to you or me? Well for the record they hired their people that’s what they say.” He also said: “We are totally different from the PLP. We don’t hire based on political orientation. We hire based on merit. That’s our record and that’s our history. We are not getting rid of anybody. “I said their contracts have expired and as a consequence the director of NIB, consistent with the contracts, is living up to the conditions of the contract. That is not to say that NIB will not examine these individuals and identify who (are) the best persons who were working there and may call them back. That’s certainly an option. “But we are only honouring the contracts. We are saying that the contract has expired. That’s the end of the contract. We are not in
the position to renew your contract. We could now make a case as to why we should keep you or why we should bring you back and have you re-engaged.” Regarding the 1,700 persons on contract, Mr Rolle said: “That’s the biggest story. I’m going to get to that soon. That’s in addition to two other agencies and the 3,000 that were hired on the 52-weeks programme, whose contracts will expire in a couple of days. “If you give a person a job you don’t give them a letter of employment. You don’t give them a job description, you make that call.” Asked if the jobs fell in the category of janitors and security guards, he said they fell in “any category you could wish.” “I just can’t tell you because it was not done in the public service and so that’s the biggest story that you will get in a couple days,” Mr Rolle said. Englerston MP Glenys Hanna Martin, who asked for clarity over the firings, raised the matter prior to Mr Rolle’s explanation to reporters and in the morning session of the House of Assembly. It led to a shouting match between both seated government members of Parliament and those in the Official Opposition. “I am advised that the National Insurance Board is about to terminate 21 people and I am wondering whether they are able to verify that,” Mrs Hanna Martin said in the House of Assembly. “The concern is there is a lot of apprehension about what will happen with the change of government and we are now hearing that 21 people will be let go at the National Insurance Board and I am wondering whether we can get clarity on that because everybody has a family. Then it mushrooms out into the wider community.” In response, Mr Rolle said the Englerston MP should have been aware that the workers were on expiring contracts. He said the government was “abiding” by these agreements, which were issued under the former Christie administration. However, this was not sufficient for Official Opposition Leader Philip ‘Brave’ Davis who questioned whether the group would be replaced with 21 Free National Movement supporters. “Mr Speaker this govern-
ment will not operate in that fashion,” Mr Rolle replied. “We are fully aware of the fact that many families are hurting and we have a commitment to the Bahamian people that we will not victimise them (and) neither will we replace 21 PLPs like they did with 21 FNMs.” Mrs Hanna Martin in turn expressed shock over Mr Rolle’s remarks and questioned whether he ascertained the political affiliations of the 21 contracted workers. The back and forth was put to end when Renward Wells, leader of government business in the House intervened, insisting that it was the member statements portion of proceedings and not question and answer.
report, said in summary that Knowles’ report says she is fit to plead. The matter is set for July 5. Knowles is accused of armed robbery and causing harm in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred on January 25. According to initial reports from police, a woman
was driving her vehicle in Palmetto Point, Eleuthera, when she picked up a woman who asked her for a ride to Savannah Sound. Upon arrival, the passenger allegedly stabbed the driver with a knife and demanded cash. The victim handed over her handbag, but was stabbed again. The suspect is alleged
to have then taken a small amount of cash from the woman’s handbag and then fled on foot. The victim was treated by the island’s local doctor and later transferred to New Providence for further medical treatment. A short time later, police arrested Knowles in connection with the incident.
PAGE 10, Thursday, June 29, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
PAHO team says residents by landfill ‘acutely affected’ by fumes from fire THE recent fires that plagued the Harrold Road landfill in early March of this year were a turning point for many residents on New Providence who
suffered the shutdown of schools and public facilities, and in some cases, had to be evacuated from their homes. Based on an assessment
by a Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) team, the closest residents to the landfill site at Jubilee and Victoria Gardens were acutely affected by the
fumes. Although healthier alternatives of disposal such as sanitary landfills, incineration and composting do exist, the Harrold Road landfill is currently classified as a hazard waste partially controlled dumpsite by PAHO. Thus, it is critical that an open and honest dialogue on solid waste management be established engaging The Bahamas’ government, our private sector, and local civil society groups to ensure the safety and cleanliness of the very air that we breathe. Uncontrolled landfill fires are sadly not unique to The Bahamas. Finding an adequate solid waste disposal mechanism is a challenge for most countries in the Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) region. Jamaica experiences one to two landfill fires annually, while St Maarten experienced a record-breaking 19 dump fires just in 2016. It goes without saying that the appropriate disposal of waste is critical to prolonged health and well-being for all citizens. Throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, solid waste management is one of the least recognised public policy challenges, although its relevance to the economic and environmental policy-making can be clearly identified. Recognising the importance of proper waste management, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), in partnership with the government of the Bahamas (GOBH), funded a comprehensive study of garbage collection practices and the condition of the various landfills within the Bahamas during the early 1990s. The purpose of this IDBGOBH study was threefold: (1) to invest in appropriate disposal facilities for New Providence and 10 of the Family Islands; (2) to develop well-managed hazardous waste disposal facilities in The Bahamas; and (3) to provide comprehensive institutional support with a focus on health education and awareness. Based on the study’s recommendations, the IDB provided a loan to support a Solid Waste Management Plan in 1999, which culminated in the construction of waste management infrastructure. Although the integral infrastructure was developed, operational management and support has remained inadequate
A WORKER in a protective mask at a dump fire earlier this year. throughout the past 18 process of recruitment. years. As result, a number Maintaining longevity and ofr key lessons were learnt stability in government opfrom this experience. erations is also critical. The Even with the best in- implementation of longtentions, challenges in im- term concessions may also plementing efficient solid serve to maintain momenwaste management prac- tum until a stakeholder aptices in small island devel- proved tariff, levy or alteroping states (SIDS) like native can be implemented. The Bahamas are complex. Knowing that challenges Limited institutional and occur in the real world and human resource capacities, navigating rough waters an ever-growing popula- within a co-partner system tion, the mixed density of -- rather than a sovereignpopulations scattered on subordinate one-- is critimore than 700 islands in cal to successful solid waste the Bahamian archipelago, management. the limited availability of Returning focus to The suitable land, and the ex- Bahamas’ case study, efcessive costs required for fective solid waste manwaste management opera- agement is reliant on the tions are just a few of many immediate implementation hurdles that SIDS typically of policies that can lay the face. However if progres- foundation for consistent sive measures are employed waste management. A full to tackle these challenges, understanding of realistic core sectors of SIDS econ- operational costs is also omies stand to be signifi- critical to maintenance, cantly impacted, especially especially within an archiin the realm of tourism – a pelago that is consistently sector most SIDS countries impacted by storms and heavily depend on. hurricanes - events which Barbados has undertaken have catastrophic effects on innovative approaches to equipment, amenities and solid waste management by human resources. Building utilising the expertise of the trust between private and private sector. In 2009, Bar- public entities should be bados created the Sustain- emphasized and improved, able Barbados Recycling even if there have been hisCentre (SBRC), to divert toric deficiencies. waste from its sanitary landThere is also a strong role fill; and the SBRC ultimate- to be played by civil society ly achieved a 70 per cent in the management of the conversion of waste into country’s waste, since after recyclables. As the prod- all, we personally produce uct of an IDB-sponsored it – we’re all stakeholders. Solid Waste Management Local non-governmental Workshop in 2015, Barba- and community based ordos improved its favourable ganisations have already results further through a started when it comes to collaborative effort with the public awareness and eduImport-Export Bank of Ko- cational activities related to rea (KEXIM). The IDB- waste management. NotaKEXIM collaboration re- ble local examples include sulted in the improvement the eco-schools programme of transport routes for represented by The Bagarbage collection on Bar- hamas Reef Environment bados, using international Educational Foundation best practices. As a result of (BREEF) to encourage these solid waste manage- sustainable waste management initiatives, Barbados ment practices, as well as now has a collection rate of the Abaco-based Friends 90 per cent. Supported by a of the Environment who well-functioning regulatory undertake an awareness framework, Barbadians based litter reduction and anticipate further benefits, recycling programme. Naonce the recommendations tionwide, the annual Interfor transport optimisation national Coastal Cleanup are fully implemented. was positively recognised Belize has also had its by many environmental and fair share of solid waste social groups who served to management challenges. remove over 1,000 pounds Troubled by a range of in- of trash from the beaches of stitutional and budgetary the Bahamas during 2016. shortfalls, the Belizean Achieving success in authorities approached solid waste management in the IDB’s private sec- The Bahamas also requires tor window in 2002 seek- partnering with local stakeing solutions for its waste holders who know the Bamanagement problems. In hamian environment and coordination with the gov- its logistical structure. They ernment of Belize, a public- are best able to identify poprivate partnership for the tential opportunities and construction, management, future challenges within operation and maintenance the system since they stand of major facilities was de- to be most impacted by any veloped. To ensure finan- flaws therein. Knowledge cial viability, the project sharing and expertise can design included compliance be gained by working with supervision funded by an international stakeholdenvironmental tax as well ers who have worked and as the use of user fees which learned through successwould gradually be phased ful and not-so-successful in at a socially acceptable experiences in solid waste rate. To ensure social sus- management, bringing with tainability, a heavy focus them best practice methwas placed on integrating ods, lessons learnt, innovainstitutional strengthening tive ideas, and the capital and public awareness. needed to effectively imAlthough these projects plement these complex and are by no means perfect, costly programmes. they illustrate the possibili• Authored by Chitraleties of sustained partner- kha Deopersad and Naships with the private sec- talie Bethel from the Intertor. To engage the private American Development sector, trust needs to be Bank’s (IDB) country ofbuilt. For example, when fice in the Bahamas (CBH), the government under- in collaboration with the takes competitive requests IDB’s Infrastructure and for proposals, this activ- Energy and its Water and ity serves to build trust by Sanitation (WSA) Divifacilitating a transparent sions.
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, June 29, 2017, PAGE 11
Romans 13:1-14
Submit to Government Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
Love Your neiGhbor Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,”[a] “You shall not covet,”[b] and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”[c] Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Put on ChriSt And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
PAGE 12, Thursday, June 29, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
Increase in security screening for US flights US Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly has announced enhanced security screening measures for all commercial flights to the United States. According to a statement from the US Department of Homeland Security, these measures, “both seen and unseen, include enhanced screening of passengers and electronic devices as well as heightened security standards for aircraft and airports.” The statement continued:
“These measures will affect both foreign and domestic carriers and will further secure flights from more than 280 last point of departure airports in 105 countries around the world.” In separate remarks, Mr Kelly said Wednesday: “Terrorists want to bring down aircraft to instill fear, disrupt our economies, and undermine our way of life. And it works—which is why they still see aviation as a crown jewel target. “The threat has not di-
minished. In fact, I am concerned that we are seeing renewed interest on the part of terrorist groups to go after the aviation sector—from bombing aircraft to attacking airports on the ground, as we saw in Brussels and Istanbul. “However, we are not standing on the sidelines while fanatics hatch new plots. The US government is focused on deterring, detecting, and disrupting these threats.” According to the DHS,
the enhanced security measures include but are not limited to: enhancing overall passenger screening; conducting heightened screening of personal electronic devices; increasing security protocols around aircraft and in passenger areas; and deploying advanced technology, expanding canine screening, and establishing additional preclearance locations. The DHS said these changes will be done in phases.
“Some will be required immediately, while others will be implemented over time, in coordination with our international partners. Those stakeholders who fail to implement these requirements within certain timeframes may be subject to additional security restrictions being imposed, including a ban on large personal electronic devices on the aircraft or even suspension of flights to the United States. “Enhancing security on
a worldwide scale is critical to keeping the traveling public safe and the department will continue to assess and adapt its aviation security posture in a riskbased manner and based on the latest intelligence,” the DHS said. In March, Mr Kelly banned electronic devices larger than a cell phone from the passenger cabins of US-bound commercial flights from ten airports in the Middle East and North Africa.
MURDER WITNESS TO BE ALLOWED TO TESTIFY VIA TELEVISION LINK By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net
A SUPREME Court judge has granted the Crown’s recent application
for a key witness to a murder in 2014 to be allowed to testify to the court by a live
television-link to ensure her safety. Justice Bernard Turner, before fully commencing Jason Simmons’ murder trial, approved both the Crown’s notice of additional evidence application and the application to adduce evidence by live televisionlink. It is expected that the female witness in question will be the first to testify in day two of Simmons’ trial, which starts at
10.30am today. Meanwhile, yesterday’s hearing saw testimonies from two crime scene investigators, including the deceased’s mother, who was called in to identify her son by post-mortem images produced by one of the Crown’s witnesses for the court and jurors to examine. Simmons is accused of the April 27, 2014 fatal shooting of Neko Lloyd at Gibbs Corner. Shortly af-
ter midnight on the day in question, Lloyd was sitting on a bench near a woman friend’s home when a gunman approached him and opened fire. Lloyd was hit multiple times in the upper body as well as in his lower extremities. While the gunman fled on foot, Lloyd ran to the front of his friend’s home where he collapsed. A short time later he was pronounced dead at the scene.
BAIL APPLICATION TO BE HEARD FOR MAN ON MURDER, ATTEMPTED MURDER CHARGES By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net A man formerly accused of murdering the son of veteran trade unionist John Pinder and attempting to murder another man will have his bail application heard before a Supreme Court judge today. Jamean Johnson, whose charges of murder and attempted murder have been
reduced to aiding and abetment to murder and aiding and abetment to attempted murder, had his matter adjourned by Justice Bernard Turner after the Crown requested an adjournment so that it could give a more informed response to his bail application. He returns to court at 9.45 this morning. Johnson was one of two men accused of murder-
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ing Pinder Jr in 2016, the other being Dylan Brown. The two men were alleged to have intentionally caused the death of the 27 year old and attempted to kill Kerrigan McCoy. According to initial reports from police, on the night in question, Pinder Jr was in his Hillside Park home off Bernard Road playing video games with several male friends when unknown persons shot through a window of the home. Pinder Jr was shot several times and pronounced dead at the scene. Mr McCoy was also shot. He was rushed to hospital by ambulance and treated for his injuries.
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THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, June 29, 2017, PAGE 13
Hundreds gather at GB convention
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
THE 77th Annual Convention of the International Association of Ministers’ Wives and Ministers’ Widows Inc (IAMWMW) brought hundreds together in Grand Bahama for a time of praise, worship, and fellowship. Some 400 delegates from the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and the Bahamas attended the conference held in the Grand Lucayan Resort June 17 – 22. Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt, former deputy prime minister of The Bahamas, was also present and addressed attendees. Also in attendance was Bishop Neil C Ellis, presiding prelate of Global United Fellowship. Although the conference was held in The Bahamas on three other separate occasions, this year it took place for the first time in Grand Bahama. According to a tourism
spokesman, the six-day conference immersed delegates in tasteful cultural activities, informative, educational sessions, and spirited worship gatherings. It culminated with an awards banquet where members of the association were recognised for their contributions to ministry. Rev Dr Sherry Collie, president of the Bahamas Chapter and Convention Co-Chairperson, said their convention was initially held in The Bahamas in 1990. “We praise God for the opportunity He has given us once again to fellowship with each other,” she told participants. Debbie Huyler, manager of religious tourism on Grand Bahama, said members not only attended the conference but also engaged in outreach and leisure activities while on the island. “The ladies went out into the community and visited the children’s home, local
READERS RESPOND TO COOPER VIEWS ON PLP EXUMA MP Chester Cooper’s suggestion that the PLP should apologise to Bahamians and acknowledge that internal errors, including ignoring scandals, led to the party’s election defeat was met with support from readers on tribune242. com. Birdiestrachan said: “I really do like Mr Cooper. It is good to look one’s self in the mirror and acknowledge one’s mistakes. As you are a member of the PLP you make me very proud. and it enforces my belief that the PLP is a great Party. God speed.” Gotoutintime agreed: “Words of a sensible man – he could go far!” But, starting with a quote from Mr Cooper, Realfreethinker said: “‘The truth is that – despite our shortcomings, history will judge us fairly . . . we helped many, we tackled issues, we left the Bahamas as a whole better than it was in 2012’. He was doing okay until this sentence. ‘0’ economic growth, four downgrades, $2billon added to the debt, double digit unemployment, all in the past five years, but the PLP left the country better than they met it in 2012. He just lost whatever credibility he had.” Honestman had this to say: “Chester Cooper has some good intentions no doubt, but he would be better off getting together with like minds and forming a new party with a new support base. PLP supporters have tolerated and perhaps even encouraged corrupt practices for so long now that they are incapable of changing their mindset. The PLP will forever be associated with corruption - it is too late to rebrand.” CatIslandBoy said: “No matter his rhetoric, Mr
Cooper ran, and won his seat, under the PLP’s banner. He cannot now disassociate himself from the brand upon which he staked his political future.” And there was this from Socrates: “Sensible talk from the PLP side for a change . . . he needs to tread carefully though . . . I don’t think the ‘old guard’ will appreciate a ‘political babe’ giving them advice . . . but then again, he’s in and most of them are not.” After Galleria Cinemas confirmed it will close its JFK Drive location permanently today there was this response from Banker: “Tough business to be in especially with Netflix.” FraudAnalyst wished the company all the best: “JFK location was my personal favourite. However, any business savvy person cannot ignore the obvious signs when their market is under threat so all the best to Galleria!” Sheeprunner12 had a suggestion: “Galleria . . . come and open a mini-cinema on every Family Island . . . profits guaranteed.” The_Oracle said: “‘Dinner and a movie’ is the model adapted by many theaters in the US and Europe. By the time we do it, it will already be dead over there. IMAX is a novelty experience, but a great one. Outdoor malls have taken over from indoor malls. And on it goes. Time and the tides wait on no man.” • Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.
stores, and restaurants and made an impact on the local economy of Grand Bahama,” she said. Dr Beverly WilliamsGlover, international president of the IAMWMW, stated that the experience was excellent and everyone enjoyed their time in Freeport. “Freeport is wonderful; the people are so kind, so warm, so loving and so welcoming that we have enjoyed ourselves here,” she said. She commended the Ministry of Tourism for its partnership and assistance in making this year’s convention a success.
CYNTHIA ‘Mother’ Pratt, who was among attendees at IAMWMW.
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THE TRIBUNE
Casualties in the war on drugs
“Before you can break out of prison you must realise that you are locked up,” – Unknown. HE great war on drugs! Wars cause untold devastation, death, disability both physical and mental and some people profit enormously. Drug wars are the same, death by overdose, bad reactions, murder and of course massive profits for sellers, suppliers and financiers. I am told the economy of The Bahamas benefited from the cocaine trade but the social price in addiction, crime, guns and death was always too big a price to
T
pay. This desire to decide which are good drugs and which are bad drugs so we can fight over their use is a concept that in my humble opinion is doomed to fail. There is a very simple fact call it a formula which helps us understand drugs— all drugs have both good and bad effects. The good effects are part of modern medicine and
treat all sorts of illnesses and really save lives; the bad effects are the devastation mentioned above. To balance my equation, we need to know if we are allergic to the drug, when even a so-called good drug can create horrendous effects. We need to know how much of the drug we are taking and the speed we are consuming it, this is called
the delivery system. A good example is aspirin, in many ways a wonder drug, used for pain, fevers, inflammation and as an anticoagulant in heart patients, it is even cheap and has no restrictions on its sale. Some people are allergic to aspirin but even if you are not, if you take too much it can burn holes in your stomach which causes bleeding and can cause death, as can a simple overdose. A wonder drug that can kill! I talked about alcohol earlier and most of us know that drinking a bottle of cold beer slowly is totally different from drinking a bottle of rum rapidly. Cocaine first came on the scene in the Inca culture, the leaves were chewed and a mild stimulant effect helped people work at high altitudes. Cocaine hydrochloride was isolated from the leaves in 1860 and rapidly gained a reputation as a wonder drug. It was used to increase energy, served in drinks and even injected intravenously as an adjunct to psychotherapy by Sigmund Freud himself. The ensuing addictions and paranoid psychosis put a damper on its use until the eighties when The Bahamas became the international laboratory for freebase, now known as crack. The addiction proved to be so powerful that the profiteers soon marketed it heavily in North America
and then the rest of the world. Heroin is generally regarded as the worst drug around. The very word conotates evil and certainly it creates a devastating addiction that leaves a path of destruction and death. The other side of the equation is that when working in general medicine in England, I was licensed to prescribe heroin for terminal illness and it is excellent giving good pain management whilst allowing the patient to remain mentally clear. Cannabis, weed, pot, herb the names go on forever, not too different from the drug itself. The active ingredient tetra- hydro cannabinol breaks down into numerous active isomers which affect us differently, in effect it is more than one drug and like other drugs the effects depend on the strength and delivery system. Small doses are probably safe for most people, large doses not so safe. There is also the problem that if you happen to have the genetic make-up that makes us vulnerable to psychosis then cannabis triggers psychosis in these vulnerable people. The great war on drugs seems to me to have been a complete failure; drugs are plentiful and relatively cheap and educational efforts seem to be failing so we are faced with a conundrum. Why not try something else?
There is an old saying that the only good thing about banging your head against a brick wall is when you stop. There is a pressing need for international social research as to what happens when we change drug laws. Spain briefly legalised all drugs but drug tourism put a stop to that before true results could be evaluated. Many countries are changing their laws on cannabis use and time will tell if that is the correct way to go. Amsterdam poured money into drug education and treatment, whilst decriminalising cannabis use and granting cafes licenses to sell it. They also sent ambulances with uniformed nurses into drug affected areas where heroin addicts could get their drugs administered by the nurse free. It showed everyone that addiction was a medical problem and they really took the cool out of “drugs”. I am not sure where the answer lies but as with all medical and social problems controlled international research must be the best way to find the answer. • Dr Mike Neville is a forensic psychiatrist who has practised for more than 40 years in The Bahamas, working at Sandilands, the prison and in private practice. Comments and responses to mneville@ tribunemedia.net
THE TRIBUNE
Thursday, June 29, 2017, PAGE 15
Honours for BTVI students giving back to their communities GIVING back to the community has seemingly become a duty for information technology entry level major Elijah Small, a student at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI). From a young age, Mr Small understood the significance of lending a helping hand. He grew up on hard times and saw firsthand the impact caring for others can have. Now that he is older, he feels compelled to return the kind gestures he received. The 18-year-old describes himself as a selfless person and his actions support that. Being the son of a pastor, the character trait was instilled in him from childhood. He also had other positive role models who fueled his desire to become altruistic. “I grew up on hard times. My parents didn’t have it most of the time and I just want to relate to children out there to deter them from becoming juvenile delinquents,” he said. He believes giving back to the community shows a sense of responsibility and described it as an endless life cycle until the Lord comes. He sees it as an ex-
cellent torch to carry from generation to generation. In honour of students like Mr Small, BTVI’s Student Affairs Department recently hosted its Community Service Awards ceremony where over 25 students were honoured for their selfless acts within the community. Like Mr Small, information technology management major D’Ante Ferguson has been very present in the community. Not only does she volunteer with her BTVI classmates, she also independently volunteers. Ms Ferguson has offered her time and service at the Elizabeth Estates Children’s Home, the Children’s Ward at Princess Margaret Hospital, the Children’s Emergency Hostel and other charitable organisations. The 21-year-old believes in being there for others. Simply being a listening ear for those in need gives her great satisfaction. BTVI’s Dean of Student Affairs Racquel Bethel told the students that their commitment is appreciated. “Thank you for taking time out to volunteer. When you give the gift of time to provide encouragement, you make someone’s day
MEMBERS of the BTVI team and students who are happy to give back. more bearable. You took “At BTVI, we aim to have volunteered, through the time to care. In return, build good citizens,” she their own initiative, is inyou received friendship, ap- stated. credible. The experiences preciation and satisfaction,” Community engagement you gain from such interacsaid Ms Bethel. is one of the five strategic tion, you will carry with you Ms Bethel has long been plan goals of BTVI and for life. Those who volunconvinced that giving is a Associate Vice President teer don’t just stand by and part of learning. She and of Academic Affairs Leroy watch things happen; they her team continue to push Sumner congratulated Ms make things happen,” said for activities that motivate Bethel for bringing that Mr Sumner. BTVI’s students to become goal to life. Mr Sumner encouraged more community-minded. “The fact that students the students to take that
Photo: Shantique Longley same volunteerism attitude with them when they leave BTVI. Student Counselor Pamela McCartney noted that there is much negativity in the headlines, so as a way of encouragement, the Student Affairs’ team wanted to pay homage to students who are performing positive acts.