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VOLUME:115 No.152, JULY 2ND, 2018
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Inferno at sea One dead, ten hurt as engine of boat explodes By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net AN American woman died after a tour company’s boat engine exploded off Barraterre, Exuma, on Saturday in an accident that left ten other people, including her 39-year-old husband, one Bahamian and nine Americans, injured. Another Bahamian on board the boat was not injured, The Tribune was told. The husband of the woman who died is now in the Intensive Care Unit of the Princess Margaret Hospital. Both of his legs are fractured. A mother is in the hospital’s private surgical ward with injuries, while her husband was not injured, nor was their 13-year-old daughter. However, the mother’s 22-year-old daughter, who lost both of her legs and has a fractured arm, is in intensive care. SEE PAGE TWO
NOWHERE TO GO FOR SHANTY TOWN RESIDENTS By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net THE lack of available rental properties in Abaco could complicate the government’s efforts to regulate several shanty towns on that island, Labour Minister Dion Foulkes has said. Speaking to The Tribune shortly after the government’s Shanty Town Action Task Force completed assessments there on Saturday, Mr Foulkes admitted that there could be some challenges ahead for the plan if suitable housing could not be identified. Referring to some of the preliminary discoveries made by SATF on Saturday, Mr Foulkes said of adequate housing, consideration would have to be given to options that could “handle the persons we would displace”. SEE PAGE THREE
ROBINSON: NO CONTRACTS FROM MINISTRY By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
THE TOUR company boat on fire as seen in this image from video posted to social media.
BODY FOUND AS POLICE HUNT FOR MISSING WOMAN By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net POLICE found the body of a woman in a field off Cowpen Road shortly after 6pm yesterday. A worker cleaning the farm alerted them to the body, according to Superintendent of Police Shanta Knowles. Police are now trying to determine if the deceased is Ria Musgrove, the 25-yearold woman shot in Pastel Gardens on Saturday night
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and said to be missing. The injuries found on the body of the woman yesterday are similar to those reportedly inflicted on Ms Musgrove, Supt Knowles told reporters. A pathologist examination must be conducted to confirm this and Ms Musgrove’s family will be invited to the Rand Morgue this morning to see if they can identify the body. Ms Musgrove was sitting in a car on Peach Street, Pastel Gardens with a man when another man sitting
in the rear seat of that car produced a firearm, shooting her and her companion around 10pm on Saturday. The male victim escaped the vehicle and ran to a house for assistance. At last report, he was said to be listed in serious but stable condition. He gave statements to police that are helping them in their investigation. The suspect, who police yesterday said remains at large, drove off in a brown Nissan Cube along with the woman. SEE PAGE SIX
A BODY is taken from the scene at Cowpen Road last night. Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff
MILLER PLAZA UP FOR SALE OVER BANK DEBT By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
A FURIOUS Leslie Miller yesterday slammed the Bank of the Bahamas (BOB) bail-out vehicle for trying to sell his multi-million dollar plaza while in the middle of talks with the government. The former MP and Cabinet minister said it appeared that “the right hand does not know what the left is doing”, given
that his family is negotiating with the Government to lease the Summerwinds Plaza on Tonique Williams Highway to a variety of public sector agencies. Mr Miller hit out after Bahamas Resolve, the vehicle to which BOB’s ‘toxic’ loans have been transferred, advertised his Summerwinds Plaza for sale to interested buyers via a newspaper advertisement in Friday’s Tribune. However, this newspaper’s real estate contacts
yesterday revealed that Mr Miller was far from the only prominent deadbeat borrower featured in Friday’s newspaper advertisement. For it exposed two former Cabinet ministers, Algernon Allen and Shane Gibson, and an ex-Bank of the Bahamas managing director, Pauline Allen-Dean, as being among those whose delinquent loans were transferred as part of the BISX-listed institution’s rescue. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
BAIN and Grants Town MP Travis Robinson has suggested speculation that his new consultancy business could be set to receive lucrative contracts from the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation is baseless, adding the concerns only came to light through anonymous sources on social media. In an interview with The Tribune on Friday, Mr Robinson was adamant his company – Consult Bahamas Ltd – would not even accept an agreement with the government if one were offered. SEE PAGE SIX
SANDS: GIVE OUT FREE CONDOMS By FARRAH JOHNSON HEALTH Minister Dr Duane Sands said he believes a revamped approach to HIV prevention and treatment inclusive of sex education and free contraceptives for students is “the way to go”. At the Ministry of Health’s “Testing in the Gardens” event on Friday, the minister said the country is living in a “bubble,” where Bahamians “pretend like they don’t have sex,” and if they do, they act as if SEE PAGE SIX
PAGE 2, Monday, July 2, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
Inferno at sea from page one
First-time visitors, like a couple celebrating their 15th anniversary, were among the injured. The deceased and the tourists have not been publicly identified. However, a Gofundme account was created by the family of several people who survived the crash and were treated at PMH. Stefanie Schaffer, according to the page, sustained life threatening injuries and experienced a double amputation. Stacey Bender, with whom she travelled, suffered multiple broken bones and injuries. Up to press time last night, the family had raised $15,863 of their $50,000 goal. According to Health Minister Dr Duane Sands, six of the injured were taken to Princess Margaret Hospital on Saturday and were said to be in stable condition as of yesterday afternoon, but the status of four Americans airlifted to a hospital in St Petersburg, Florida, is not known. Last night, hospital officials said three of the six people at PMH were discharged, among them the Bahamian boat operator. Three other Americans remain at PMH, two of them in the Intensive Care Unit. “The persons under the care of the Princess Margaret Hospital are from two families which are also being assisted by the US Embassy in Nassau as it relates to their care, and future arrangements for transfer to the United States,” health officials noted in a statement. “One person fatally injured was transported to the hospital’s morgue.” Some of the tourists had
RESCUERS board the front of the vessel in a bid to reach someone still on board the burning vessel, above, and, right, the boat after the fire. stayed at Sandals Emerald Bay. The group was touring with Exuma’s largest tour operator, Four C’s Adventures, when one of the boat’s engines exploded, police said, causing a fire that sent thick smoke billowing into the air and unleashed a frantic effort to save lives. The explosion happened within minutes of the tour’s launch and was observed by dozens of tourists and residents, The Tribune was told. A video posted on social media captured the reaction of anxious visitors in a nearby boat. Some of them jumped into the water to offer assistance. Others cried for their own boat to leave the area, fearing it too would catch fire. Captain Horace Smith, owner of Sugar Adventure Company, said he was conducting his tour when he saw smoke coming from
the Four C’s vessel minutes before it exploded. “We saw everyone was in the water,” he said. “Two women were holding onto a guy. One of them said she couldn’t feel her legs so my son jumped into the water to help her. There was a lot of blood on my boat from the lady whose leg was damaged.” Captain Smith said he is eager to talk to Captain Ron Watson, the commander of the destroyed Four C’s vessel. “I really want to speak to him so he could tell me what happened,” he said. “If it was my boat and I saw smoke, everyone would be off the boat before the explosion happened but only he knows what happened.” The local clinic in Exuma is 45 minutes away from Barratarre so rather than wait for emergency services to arrive, residents took the
injured in their personal vehicles. “The injured were bleeding out,” said Edmond Burrows, the owner of Aquadisiac Adventures, who cancelled his tour to provide assistance. “Me and my crew, we helped lift people on board our boat. We put them on plywood, lifted them off, put them in the back of the truck and tried to get them to the hospital with the assistance of a few of the Americans who were nurses and doctors. They told us to tie their wounded areas to stop the bleeding.” Mr Burrows held the hand of the woman who eventually died, comforting her after the explosion. “I was on the truck with her,” he said. “I held her hand straight until we met the ambulance. She had serious wounds. Where they tied her leg, she wasn’t bleeding too much but she was in plenty pain. I had to talk to her to keep her conscious. She was slipping in and out. She held my hand with a tight, tight grip. I looked at her and said, ‘honey you’re not going to give up on me’ and she gave me a big smile. She said she had a ten-year-old son and a husband. When I heard that she passed, I said wow.”
The owner of Four C’s Adventures, Clayton Patterson Smith, did not speak to this newspaper yesterday. When contacted, he said he was speaking to officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force. The Tribune was told his son was on the destroyed vessel but was not injured. The Tribune also understands the vessel was built by his company, a fact likely to draw scrutiny as the investigation continues. Exuma and Ragged Island MP Chester Cooper said the accident has led to a “moment of pause” for residents because it shows the importance of safety precautions. “Our hearts go out to the American tourists, some of whom suffered severe injuries, as well as the family that suffered a loss of life,” he said. Residents of Exuma, meanwhile, are bracing for the potential fallout from the incident. “I’ve gotten a lot of international enquiries from as far as Germany and also ABC News who made enquiries and want information,” Mr Cooper said. “The general sentiment is that accidents do sometimes happen and, whilst it is regrettable and
unfortunate, I believe Exuma will rise again. There will be a temporary dip in enthusiasm for the tours and what we do in Exuma but I’m confident it will be put into context by the international community and the people involved will recognise this was an aberration.” Robert Thompson, owner of Robert’s Island Adventures, agrees. “It will definitely impact the business for a little while until things settle down but we should be all right,” he said. One local tour operator who spoke to The Tribune anonymously said there is tremendous need for stricter oversight of Exuma’s tour industry. “We need more safety inspections,” the person said, adding there is hope the incident will highlight the island’s “hacker” problem even though it was a legitimate business that was involved in Saturday’s incident. To operate tours, businesses require a captain’s licence, renewable boat licences and liability insurance. The Gofundme page for victims can be found at https://www.gofundme.com/ stefanie-schaffer-and-family.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, July 2, 2018, PAGE 3
‘Hunted and priced out of rent because of xenophobia’ By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net SHANTY town residents in Abaco say they have nowhere else to go, adding xenophobia and unaddressed tensions between Bahamians and people of Haitian descent have caused unregulated communities to flourish. As government officials assessed the Pigeon Peas shanty town on Saturday, some residents questioned whether the government’s plan to regulate these communities could actually work. “We here because we get crush in here,” one resident said. “You can try and get out, but they hate us so much they don’t let us go no place else.” Nildles Vincent, a single mother of two who assisted members of the Abaco branch of the government’s Shanty Town Action Task Force during its assessment exercise, said whether residents are first generation Haitians with residency permits or Bahamians of Haitian heritage, the attitudes of Abaconians toward shanty town residents are often inhumane and condescending. “We do this, live this way because it is all we have,” she said. “We can go out
and pay rent if it was affordable. But the second they see the Haitian in you, then you know the price go up. “When I came to The Bahamas, I knew it would be hard, but I didn’t think it would be like this. Every day you are being hunted and taken advantage of. “We work together and build for the next person until we have a roof over us. We do this because that is all we have. I asked the police in town, when they come in here and knock (our homes) down, where can we go? “They are not going to help us or look out for us. They think we are all illegal and dirty. I can pay the rent – $300, $400 or $500… the
people out in the town want $900, $1,000 and more. I can’t get that and feed my family.” Across the community, Paul Boniface, 37, born in The Bahamas but deported along with his parents when he was just five years old, said the years of unaddressed tension between Bahamians and Haitians in Abaco has driven a wedge between the two groups. He said the tensions have grown to a point to where Haitians and those of Haitian heritage are viewed through the lens of what service they can provide and not as people. “You think we like living like this? I don’t think no one here would say the
RESIDENTS of shanty towns in Abaco speaking to government representatives visiting the area. way we are living, that here, like this in the Hai- you don’t save up and go to we are living right. It’s tian village because we do Nassau and spend the time hard most of the time but not have a choice. When to do it yourself, the officers we have to do whatever we go out there we getting here take your money and it takes to live and stay treated wrong. We work, say paper lost. “I put my paper in from here,” he said. “I work we get little money. We go when I can, but it is little shop out there, they give us 2010, still nothing. It is hard money. I came back to The big bill and we have to pay on us.” The Abaco arm of the Bahamas for my son to because no one looks out task force is operating with have a chance. That’s why for us.” Of his current bid for a ten-member central unit my parents came and that legal status, he claimed: and an auxiliary team of up is why I came back. “I was born here. We stay “Even with the paper, if to 60 members.
NOWHERE TO GO FOR SHANTY TOWN RESIDENTS from page one
“I am waiting on (the task force) to finish its report before I say anything else, we need to see exactly what types of recommendations they come up with to address this issue of a lack of housing,” he said. “In New Providence, we don’t have that problem, there are ample rental units throughout New Providence to accommodate all the residents from the 11 shanty towns there.” A 2013 report compiled by the former Christie administration noted that there were some 1,200 homes spread across The Mudd, Pigeon Peas and The Sandbanks communities. On Saturday, Mr Foulkes said he feared that number may have increased in recent years. In addition to that, he said expansions in several other smaller communities around the island had now grown into major concerns. The government has implemented a July 31, 2019, deadline for its regulation effort in Abaco. It has a July 31 deadline of this year for New Providence shanty towns. Mr Foulkes told The Tribune: “We remain resolute with that date. So the residents in the Abaco communities – The Mudd, Pigeon Peas, Sandbanks and the Treasure Cay Farm Road – we have a year plus a month to complete the regularisation process. “That is what it is. But, as I have said on record, the government is committed to have every resident living in these unregulated communities moved to regulated housing. “On the average, that means an apartment complex in Abaco or New Providence,” Mr Foulkes said. Asked whether the government would absorb the cost for supplying affordable housing, Mr Foulkes insisted the government has no intention of “spending any money.” He said: “The government will not subsidise this process in any way; we are not spending any money to move these residents. All of the residents must move according to their own means and pay their own way.” Mr Foulkes said he was of the view that a large percentage of the residents
that live in shanty towns could afford regulated housing if they were made available. “Make no mistake about it,” he said, “shanty towns are nothing more than a cheap option.” “A lot of the residents in these communities do work or earn livings in some form or another. These are legal residents, whether by spousal permits, work permits, permanent residency or citizenship; these people have the right to be here but are choosing these communities because they are relatively inexpensive and affords them a chance to support their relatives, family and loved ones back in Haiti.” He continued: “So that is why we have to be very systematic with what we are attempting to do. We have to provide the option of regulated housing; and encourage these residents to use them the way we are getting them to do so in New Providence. “Many successive governments have attempted this, way back from the 70s, all have been unsuccessful. The prime minister, Dr Minnis and the Cabinet, we have the political will to make this happen and we will make it happen.” However, he maintained the central government has no plans to force its ideas and proposals on the people of Abaco. “I want the ideas and solution for resolve to come from Marsh Harbour and
throughout Abaco. We want to get their input and take it to government and to Cabinet for consideration. We want the ideas to come from the ground up,
instead of central government dictating to Abaco how this problem should be resolved,” he concluded. Last week, officials in New Providence began
issuing the first round of notices to shanty town residents, giving them the opportunity to show proof of their legal right to live in their residences.
Mr Foulkes said the next step, expected to start next week, will be another notice requiring people who do not have a legal right to live in their homes to move.
PAGE 4, Monday, July 2, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
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A shift in the US court balance THIS is the time of each year when the United States Supreme Court wraps up its yearly activity with a rash of judgments to mark the end of its latest term. Often, these decisions do not garner dramatic headlines, because the issues may touch on obscure constitutional points of law or practically not affect too many people. But at numerous times in American history, the Supreme Court has issued opinions that have had dramatic effects on the nation’s course. One such decision most likely to be in the public eye for the foreseeable future is the landmark 45-year-old decision in Roe v Wade that reaffirmed a woman’s constitutional right to have an abortion. This decision has not been far from public view or television pundits’ bloviation for decades, since abortion has become one of the calling cards of a Republican party largely free of positive ideas to move the US forward. It is a party of retrenchment and reaction. The GOP has embraced social conservative issues as a means of rallying support from a white male base of support that is inexorably, demographically shrinking. Last week, a different kind of decision emerged from the chambers of the highest American court. Justice Anthony Kennedy announced he would retire, with effect from the end of the court’s 2017-18 term. For liberals, the establishment American media, the Democratic party and for advocates for progressive social causes, the sky suddenly fell. Now, with Kennedy’s retirement and the Senate changing last year to a simple majority vote to confirm Supreme Court nominees, there is a virtual certainty that the US president will get to nominate yet another staunchly conservative justice to the high court. And unless the Republicans prove to be unable to close ranks in support of whomever Trump nominates, the court could be in conservative hands for quite a while. Is the sky really falling? It must be said first of all that Anthony Kennedy is neither liberal nor progressive. He has moved to allow freer rein to corporations and was a force in the thinking that led to the 2010 decision in the Citizens United case. That decision handed to organisations much more latitude in spending on and thus influencing American elections.
Kennedy has largely been a gun hawk. He has generally favoured corporations over labour. He has actually been pretty reliably conservative, and the fact that he has come to be seen as a “swing” vote in the middle of an ideologically sharply divided court is an indication of its truly conservative majority makeup. The one big area, however, in which Kennedy has been reliably progressive is on issues such as abortion, gay rights and the death penalty. Abortion brings us back to Roe v Wade, Trump campaign pledges to appoint justices who oppose abortion and to the rightwing social screed. Fears are rising that a new justice would join with the court’s four conservatives and overturn Roe v Wade. If the progressives’ worst fears materialise in the US, perhaps a template from across the Atlantic Ocean can serve as a guide. Maybe the US will ultimately have to follow the example of the overwhelmingly Catholic Republic of Ireland. The Irish people just resoundingly overturned by a two to one margin a constitutional amendment outlawing abortion. Many major American newspapers announced Kennedy’s retirement decision with banner headlines and gloomy prognoses. It does seem inevitable that a high court without Kennedy and with an additional staunch conservative will be even more inimical to most progressive causes. Many are reasonably discouraged by events of the last two years, starting with the Republican Senate’s refusal to even grant a hearing to President Obama’s nomination of judge Merrick Garland, through Trump’s election, to Kennedy’s retirement announcement. Some political scientists studying American political history and trends have concluded that due to factors such as constitutional-based overrepresentation in the Senate for rural, mostly Republican areas, gerrymandering of congressional districts by Republicans and the GOP’s aggressive manipulation of election rules, a Republican vote practically counts for 1.05 votes; a Democratic vote counts for only .95. Liberals, progressives, Democrats, moderates and others offended by the degenerating Republican party have a remedy at hand. They need to get out and vote.
Police and a matter of trust EDITOR, The Tribune.
FIRST I would like to reaffirm my support for our policemen. But this is not about me. It is about our young men who have absolutely no trust in the police. Not only the young men but many not so young men and women are not happy with the way the police are executing their duties. Many of them feel as if the police are setting up young people to fail We are all aware of the problems we have with gangs, but that’s not to say every young person is involved with gangs and the police should treat everyone differently. Minister Dames speaks to having the police force undergoing fitness training. One would think that this should have happened during recruitment training. What the minister should be concentrating on is training our police in the ways of dealing with the young people so as to gain their trust. Many of the officers are in need of such training. Young people are often the victims of violent crimes
and we need them to have confidence in the police if those crimes are going to be reported and dealt with effectively. The police cannot do their job unless people report crime. But young people are so distrusting of the police many of them would not report a crime for fear of becoming a suspect. While more police on the streets makes some people feel safer, the exclusion is the young people who are saying they feel less safe when they see the police on the streets. In some cases they fear they would be stopped and interrogated for just being on the streets. I reiterate that if police officers are expected to respond to the needs of young people then they should receive training in how to work with young people. The police must be able to tell the difference between adult and young people’s perception. I see police patrolling the area and I feel safe. Young people see the police and
they go “what I do”? I see a van full of police and I’m curious, young people see a van and they thinking “we are going to get bullied”. Minister a short while back police officers were in the communities interacting with the residents. What happened? You were on the cusp of gaining the trust of those you are sworn to protect and serve. The police need to be embedded in the community they serve. They need to increase the amount of positive interaction with the young people and become a part of their lives rather than someone who stops and searches them. It is important that young people trust the police if we are to improve confidence and prevent crimes. It will take work from both the police and young people to improve their relationship. The question is how do we get the young people to trust the police. ANTHONY PRATT Nassau, June 28, 2018.
Who says yes to the eyesores? EDITOR, The Tribune.
LETTERS
I WOULD like to quote from a letter in your paper letters@tribunemedia.net dated February 14, 2018, from W Thompson where of concrete going into he/she commented: “I producing what looked, totally agree with the writer in its earlier incarnation, Ms Pamela Burnside – the to be a gargantuan, grim gross ugliness of the design medieval garrison built to of this hotel (The Pointe) is protect from invasions from extraordinary and sends a marauding Vikings. warning to me – God help Now, to our utter dismay, us when the Symonette- we are witnessing the final Bethell Group puts their touches to this monstrosity, proposal for the harbour paint. And what a combifront of their Tropical and nation of colours. My only east property. comment is… YIKES!! “Where is the Special And to think this obscenArchitectural Committee ity was allowed in the first for the City of Nassau? I place, it will be seen by don’t think this new design every tourist coming in was ever put to the public from the airport, not to by Physical Planning to mention those tourists who comment…” choose to stay at the Baha I would like to ask W Mar on the upper floors Thompson what he/she and will have this directly in thinks of the atrocious their vision! As W Thompbehemoth which is on the son comments – was this top of the hill at the north put to the public by Physiend of Gladstone Road? cal Planning? Maybe he/she Red flags went up to some can let us know! of us when we saw the Although I have read the bulldozers moving in and numerous comments about mowing down every living The Pointe and its nongreen tree or shrub. One conformity to the ethos of our last few hills being of our downtown area, I made bald, desecrated. think credit should be given Maybe we hoped some- where it’s due. This group thing aesthetically pleasing certainly improved that might be in the offing. whole area coming around No hope of that as we the bend by Virginia Street, witnessed tons and tons plus the little park that was
a total eyesore for years. And, of course, it would be negligent not to mention the beautiful FML building. I would say the generations that survive us will not be looking at the atrocity at the top of Gladstone Road for our “culture” but rather at the lovely office buildings on the right-hand side leading up to the Lyford Cay roundabout. The architects there really did “care” about our heritage and culture by mimicking it in a wonderful way. The sorry story of The Bahamas is that there is just so much that can be embellished and improved, it is just sitting there waiting for inspired architects, namely our old Forts, the potentials are mind-boggling and probably would not even be that costly. How is that after years and years, the old Water Tower does not have an operating elevator? How many of us remember going to the top for that spectacular view over the island? Come on, Dionisio, Mr New Minister of Tourism, look into this. Oh, and while you’re at it, has the lighthouse on Paradise Island been repainted yet? CATHERINE KNOWLES Nassau, June 25, 2018.
VAT and pricing EDITOR, The Tribune. THIS an open letter to the Acting Financial Secretary with respect to the VAT exemption for bread basket items. I assume that the merchants are able to adjust their cash registers to 12 percent where it was previously 7.5 percent. And unless I am shopping the wrong places, all my grocery receipts show the 7.5 percent VAT in one convenient sum, as the last item. Don’t see why thousands of items have to be re-priced.
The merchants need only reduce the price of the bread basket item by 12 percent on the shelves; and at the counter when it is added back; the net result will still be the bread basket items were VAT exempted. The above is not rocket science or require new software just a common sense application to basic math. If you deduct 12 cents from a $1 tin of sardine, that sardine now cost 88 cents on the shelf, if you charge VAT of 12 percent at the counter the sardine will still only cost $1. The onus is on the honest
merchants to always identify the breadbaskets items and always make the 12 percent deduction on the shelves; then the VAT charge will balance out the initial deduction. The proof of all this is whether the sardine will still only cost the buyer $1. Other than the 12 percent reduction for breadbasket items, the only thing the merchants really have to do is calculate 12 percent at point of sale where it was previously 7.5 percent. EDROY DEVEAUX Nassau, June 28, 2018.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, July 2, 2018, PAGE 5
Weekend rush as shoppers try to beat VAT increase By MORGAN ADDERLEY Tribune Staff Reporter madderley@tribunemedia.net MANY shoppers flocked to stores on the weekend to save a few dollars hours before value added tax increased from 7.5 percent to 12 percent. The new tax rate took effect yesterday. While some shoppers who spoke with this newspaper said they were doing normal weekend shopping, others admitted they were trying to take advantage of the 7.5 percent rate while they still could. Some businesses, such as The Work Centre, even held sales in the days leading up to the tax increase in an effort to entice cost conscious shoppers. Jade Souffrant, the manager of The Work Centre, told The Tribune on Friday that the store had seen an increase in customers. “Well the reason why we put the sale on… is to help customers save before the VAT increase,” she said. “It was an initiative to help them out this weekend for back to school, mainly. According to today (Friday), you could say (yes), sales were a little bit more than the days before in this week. “But I guess people are taking advantage of the sale. And there are a lot of vendors that are doing the same. A lot of sales are going on in the paper now — various organisations are having sales due to the increase on VAT coming up.” Jeffrey Dean, 67, who was shopping at The Work Centre, said he was making more purchases before July 1. When asked why, Mr Dean said because it allowed him to save a “couple of extra pennies.” “I intend to bring my son in to get his uniform pants in at least by (Saturday),” he said. “So, he could save…a couple of dollars. And shoes so that we could beat the VAT.” The Freetown constituent added that he had already
A SHOPPER stocking up at the weekend before the increase in VAT on July 1. visited the food store, and be stuck with this 12 per- trying to get my kids ready also had plans to purchase cent. But if you could save for school,” he said. “As now, why not?” it relates to groceries, I some cleaning supplies. While saying that she is try to do that on a weekly “And that will help save in the long run,” he said, among the numbers who basis and try to find my noting that he was trying to are “scared of this 12 per discount (from) week to avoid having to shop in July cent,” Ms Farrington said week.” At Super Value on or at least for the next few she could “cope” with it if the increase will help the Mackey Street, most weeks. patrons said they were Darnita Farrington, 51, country. “I’m concerned, but I simply doing their usual also said she was buying more ahead of the VAT mean if it’s an overall ben- shopping. efit for The Bahamas and A high-level store increase. declined to A constituent of Garden the people, then I guess I employee Hills, Ms Farrington said could… cope with it and give his name, but noted that while tax increases she was doing so to save deal with it.” Timothy Dorsett, 43, is have a temporary impact money, adding that she purchased both food and among those who used the on grocery stores, evenlast few days of a 7.5 per- tually people adjust and clothing ahead of July 1. When asked if she cent tax rate to purchase felt that shopping ahead of school necessities. The Carmichael resident the hike was better, Ms Farrington admitted that the said he was “most defiincrease was going to have nitely” part of the shopping an impact eventually, but rush. “Stores are having sales… appreciated being able to before the VAT (increase), save now. “I mean it’ll save you why not? So, I (found) the couple bucks, but eventu- money. “For right now, it’s ally you still (are going) to
A STORE assistant restocks shelves at Super Value, above, while a visitor browses through a clothes store, below, ahead of the VAT increase.
Photos: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff consumers’ habits return to identified simply as Ms normal. Russell also said she was Andrew Turnquest, 57, doing the “same amount of said he wasn’t doing any shopping”. extra shopping before the However, she said this VAT increase, noting that would change after July 1. he was “absolutely” pur“When the VAT chasing his usual amount of (increase) comes…I’ll do groceries. less shopping,” Ms Russell When asked if his shop- said. “The less you spend, ping habits would change the less you pay for VAT. after the hike, the Fort That’s how I see it.” Charlotte constituent said When asked if the he would possibly buy “a increase will affect the bit less,” but added, “if you amount of groceries she need something, you need buys, Ms Russell said no. it.” “No, not at all…You have A Bamboo Town con- to spend it. Ain’t nothing you stituent who wished to be could do, you gotta live.”
PAGE 6, Monday, July 2, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
BODY FOUND AS POLICE HUNT FOR MISSING WOMAN from page one
A friend of Ms Musgrove, Mandel Miller, was at the scene yesterday with her sister, anxious for news. He and the family remain hopeful their loved one will be found alive. He described Ms Musgrove as a “loving soul, an innocent bystander who was at the wrong place at the wrong time.” “I spent the day with her daughter and I’m just being hopeful,” he said, noting
Ms Musgrove is a bartender with a toddler. “Whenever I’m going out, she is the person I roll with. I’ve known her about five years.” The family of Ms Musgrove spent yesterday searching for her. “My plea to all women,” Mr Miller said, “is to be considerate of the individuals you invest your time with. We’re living in some serious times and trouble is easy to follow.” The incident marked the 54th murder for the year.
OFFICIALS recover the body of a woman from a field off Cowpen Road last night.
Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff
ROBINSON: NO SANDS: GIVE OUT FREE CONDOMS CONTRACTS FROM MINISTRY from page one
from page one
He was asked on Thursday to disclose whether the government had engaged his newly formed company, but he declined to do so. However, when this newspaper contacted him on Friday he said the company has “zero” contractual agreements with any government ministry. The former parliamentary secretary in the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation formed the company nearly two weeks after Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis fired him from that appointment for voting against the value added tax increase. “It is not for government,” Mr Robinson said. “And I will not even if it is proposed or given the option to accept. I will not accept any government contract. “This has zero contractual agreement with any government ministry whatsoever. “This is more so for young Bahamians who would like to start up their businesses in the tourism industry and so I would be that bridge between them and their business or their idea to basically consult them on the steps that they should take when coming to the Ministry of Tourism
or tourism professionals or people in the industry. “(It would be) consulting in what they should have in their proposals, what it should look like and making the connection between various tourism businesses and their start up companies that they would like to carry on with.” Asked to respond to critics who say he has little experience having only served in the ministry for a short time, he said: “If I was a consultant for the government then I could understand that arguing point. “(But) I am a consultant for young persons like myself who only need to know ‘where do I even first apply or where do I start?’ Basic information that many may think is simple but those different critiques in their business proposals make a huge difference. “So I’m not going into some exquisite field of indepth research and all that stuff, no. I simply want to lend the little experience that I got in my capacity, which I served, and to be able to offer that to young Bahamians who have an interest in the tourism field. “Very clearly it is an avenue for young Bahamians who are interested in tourism to assist them with various proposals, offering them advice.”
“it’s always responsible or protected.” “We see a significant number of teen pregnancies, and we’re not only seeing HIV, but syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia, herpes and other sexually transmitted infections,” he told reporters on the sidelines of the event at Victoria Gardens. “Part of this has to do with the fact that we have not been real with the conversation, particularly with our young people, and so they operate with misinformation. I think now we can no longer afford that naivety. So we have to keep it real,” he said. Dr Sands also said that the conversation as to making contraceptives like condoms available is going to “hit hard up against conservatives,” who believe that celibacy or abstinence is the only way. He admitted that while celibacy is “indeed” a strategy, the question still remains on whether the practise holds any weight with the Bahamian population. “We know that a lot of our young people 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 (are) having sex. I ask people to look in the mirror and ask yourself, when did you first have sex? And if the answer was 15 or 16, then why would you think it’s going to be any different now?” he asked. The minister said the “social approaches” employed over the last decade need to be “revisited” and assessed “critically.”
MINISTER for Health Dr Duane Sands at the HIV testing day on Friday at Victoria Gardens. See more photographs from the event on page 15. Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff “Sex education in schools? –Absolutely. Availability for condoms in schools for free? –Absolutely,” he said. “When we start to get into what exactly we do in the schools and how we liberalise access to birth control and other types of family planning tools, it is really going to get hot because you’re going to buck heads with a number of individuals who feel that maybe we’re pushing an agenda which is going to encourage promiscuity,” he explained. Still, he insisted that this was not the case,
emphasising that the main goal is to “ensure that not a single additional Bahamian is HIV infected.” The minister said this indicates that measures have to be employed to save “at-risk youth,” as well as vulnerable people, who he characterised as gay men, commercial sex workers, and “people with multiple partners.” Dr Sands asked people to “acknowledge” that the strategies employed in the past “have not worked well.” He also revealed that the ministry is working on a “90/90/90 strategy,” in an effort to eliminate HIV in the Bahamas by 2030, after stating that the country has the highest rate of the virus outside of Sub Saharan Africa. “What we intend to do is to know the status of at least 90 percent of the
people who are HIV positive in the Bahamas, and of those 90 percent, we’d like to know that 90 percent of them are on effective treatment, and that at least 90 percent of them, have adequate suppression of the virus,” he explained. Still, Dr Sands expressed some content over the “tremendous strides” officials have made in “reducing the number of HIV infected persons over the years.” “So the idea of having everybody know their status – if you turn out to be negative — then you can reinforce your safe sex behaviours — if you turn out to be positive – we will counsel you confidentially and sympathetically, and compassionately, but we will tell you about all of the treatment that is available to allow you to live as close to a normal life as possible,” he said.
JOVAN AMANDA SANDS
HUNT FOR MISSING EXUMA WOMAN By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
POLICE are appealing to the public for its assistance in finding a missing woman in Exuma. Police are trying to find 22-year-old Jovan Amanda Sands of the Forest, Exuma. Ms Sands is described as
being of dark complexion, about 5’7 tall, of slim build, and weighing about 170 pounds. Police said she was last seen leaving her home on Thursday. Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.
THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS
MONDAY, JULY 2, 2018
THE BAHA Mar Resort is now open and running - but if the government can revisit the Heads of Agreement for the Oban Energies deal, can’t it get a better deal from Baha Mar for the nation?
Speaking with forked tongues By MALCOLM STRACHAN
W
HILE the government’s decision to increase VAT has been the centre of the nation’s attention for the past six weeks, their plan to revamp the Oban Heads of Agreement was also announced in the latter part of last month. Clearly, this was a decision made as a result of the massive backlash received from Bahamians – Grand Bahamians, in particular. However, what was interesting about the government’s decision is the precedent of displaying the power to reverse conditions in Heads of Agreements that the Bahamian people are not pleased with. Perhaps knowing that they got the short end of a widely condemned deal was enough for a government already short on victories. Nevertheless, with the government choosing to take this course, we wonder why this bold manoeuvre wasn’t employed in other Heads of Agreements that had some major disadvantages to the Bahamian people. Speaking specifically, the Baha Mar Heads of Agreement, while successfully leading to the employment of 5,000 Bahamians and a 1.3 percent growth of the Bahamian economy, it also surrendered $600m in concessions to the Chinese. Granted, this was treacherously orchestrated by the previous government, but the tough-talking incoming prime minister could have at the very least explored the possibility of reworking the deal to decrease the number of concessions given to his inherited “Chinese cronies”. The prime minister promised the Bahamian people that if upon looking
THE CEREMONY to mark the Oban Energies deal being done - although the actual signing was reportedly done at a different time. into the Baha Mar deal concessions given to Chow they felt it was not reflec- Tai Fook to get Baha Mar tive of the advancement of up and running. the Bahamian people, they Now all of the former would cancel it. Unfortu- detractors sing the praises nately, once becoming the of Chow Tai Fook and bask prime minister, his bluster is in the resort’s success as if now seen for they helped what it was the ‘What leverage does lay – a whole bricks. lot of empty the Chinese have What has rhetoric. been even over the Bahamian Attorney more ironic government? Can General is that this Carl Bethel, we not see that the was done under the penchant to bend in the same direction of year they the prime over backwards for had to the Chinese while minister, borrow to unsealed pay $400m breaking the backs the Baha in arrears Mar deal, of the Bahamian that the only to seal people is a form of former it right back economic genocide?’ governup with the ment left in adhesive still place. The fresh. Guaranteeing the worth of the Baha Mar Bahamian people that there concessions would have was nothing untoward in easily covered the deficit the deal, the government last year. A government completely glossed over that was truly wellthe outrageous number of meaning to its people
would have been more imaginative. While the government barked for over a year to the citizenry about how irresponsible their predecessor was, they’ve employed an insane method of dealing with it – tax the Bahamian people out of our fiscal woes. There have been zero convictions of any former parliamentarians and the cases that they have before the courts apparently can’t even get off the ground. Yet, this has all taken place under a government that perpetuated the hollow tagline “it’s the people’s time”. Meanwhile, The Pointe, another seemingly untouchable Heads of Agreement, has been completely ignored by China Construction America (CCA). And instead of being as heavyhanded as the government has been in placing an onerous 4.5 percent tax increase
on the backs of the Bahamian people, they could not be more sensitive to the needs of the Chinese. What about the needs of the Bahamian people? With unemployment projected to rise a few points before the end of the year, where is the sensitivity to what we need? The Pointe Heads of Agreement explicitly states that there is to be a 70 to 30 labour composition in favour of Bahamian workers. Yet, the Labour Minister has dastardly doubled as the public relations specialist for CCA defending their blatant neglect for the Heads of Agreement at every turn. What leverage does the Chinese have over the Bahamian government? Can we not see that the penchant to bend over backwards for the Chinese while breaking the backs of the Bahamian people is a form of economic genocide?
This is not what the majority of the Bahamian people voted for on May 10. We voted for change. We voted for a better way of life. Instead, now more than ever, we lack trust in our elected leaders. Minister after minister has said one thing before entering office, and have spoken out of another side of their mouths afterwards. It is truly despicable that these men and women who were elected to be the voice of their constituents have largely – with the exceptions of a few good men – only been the sounding boards for voices from within government. How are the Bahamian people supposed to believe in a system that deceives us? Government does not serve the people if the height of their creativity is to impose taxes on us while foreign interests treat The Bahamas as if it’s a huge playpen. The government’s decision to implement a 4.5 percent hike to value-added tax will certainly put both the electorate and the government to the test. While Bahamians across the country will have to figure out more creative ways to stretch a dollar, the government will also have to perform near perfectly to meet their objectives. Former Deputy Leader in the Ingraham administration Frank Watson voiced his doubts on the government’s ability to meet its objective last week. With nearly every technician in the country with a point of view on the VAT increase affirming the same sentiments, it is hard to see how it will be done. However, for our part, we can only do our best to be as fiscally responsible with our personal spending as we can to ensure that we get through this as a people.
PAGE 8 MONDAY, JULY 2, 2018
INSIGHT
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
IN this June 8 photo, President Donald Trump is greeted by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau, during the G7 Summit in Charlevoix, Canada. Photo: Evan Vucci/AP
Seeing President Trump in a pleasing light U
S PRESIDENT Donald Trump did not sign “The Charlevoix G7 Summit Communique” in Canada in early June. In not doing so, he demonstrated doubts about the group in which
the US participates with Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the Presidency of the European Union (EU). The presence of the EU, already represented by Britain, France, Germany and Italy, gives the EU an oversize
and unwarranted voice. From a developing countries’ perspective, President Trump is right to be dubious about the G7’s authority in the world and the actions that they collectively promote. Part of his scepticism was
World View
evident even before the G7 meeting began when he publicly called for the inclusion of Russia. He said: “You know, whether you like it or not, and it may not be politically correct, but we have a world to run and the G7, which used to be By SIR RONALD SANDERS the G8, they threw Russia out, they can let Russia participation has been come back in, because we window-dressing at best; no should have Russia at the significant change in thinknegotiating table.” ing or policy has resulted There is compelling from their appearance. good sense in President At the Canada meetTrump’s call for the inclu- ing, President Trump was sion of Russia in bargaining deeply concerned about on issues that are global in the balance of trade defitheir scope. cit which the US suffers While EU countries with many countries of the wish to punish Russia for world, including all the events in Ukraine over other G7 members; he is Crimea, excluding it from also concerned with high major discussions does not tariffs placed on US exports encourage dialogue and by these countries. diplomacy to address conCaribbean countries cerns over Crimea. And, don’t have high tariffs on it certainly does nothing imported US goods and, to facilitate international with one exception, they are cooperation on crucial mat- among the few countries in ters that threaten global the world with which the peace and stability. US enjoys an annual trade For decades, the G7 has surplus that gives it revedictated global economic, nues and employment. Last finance and trade rules even year, the US trade surplus as the importance of many with the Caribbean was of its members has long more than US$6bn. since dwindled, and other On the wider trade scene, countries such as China, Caribbean countries were India and Brazil have overcoerced, individually, in taken them. October 2008 by the EuroJim O’Neill, who assumes the chairmanship of the pean Commission to sign Royal Institute of Inter- an Economic Partnership national Affairs in July, Agreement with the 28 EU recently observed that: countries collectively. The “The G7 still comprises the disadvantage of what is seven Western democracies essentially an uneven trade with the largest econo- arrangement between Carmies, but barely so. At this ibbean mice and the EU point, Canada’s economy is elephant, was occasioned by not much bigger than Aus- a threat by Peter Mandeltralia’s, and Italy’s is only son, the EU Commissioner slightly bigger than Spain’s. at the time, to sign or else The G7 is an artefact of a face the imposition of unfavourable treatment for bygone era.” O’Neill points out that Caribbean goods. With no regard to historiChina’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is projected cal European exploitation underdevelopment to overtake the entire euro- and zone this year; India’s GDP of the region, Mandelson is already larger than Italy’s, records in his biography and Brazil is not far behind. that he regarded the CarEighty-five per cent of the ibbean’s capitulation to his increase in world GDP threat as the only bright (in US dollars) since 2010 spot in his “lack of prohas come from the US and gress” in re-negotiating China, and nearly 50 per- the trade arrangements cent from China alone. between the EU and the Another 6 percent has African, Caribbean and come from India, while the Pacific group for which the dollar value of the Japa- latter had fought hard. President Trump’s shaknese and EU economies has ing-up of the G7 should be declined. Despite all this, the G7 generally welcomed. His has held on to a dominant desire to include Russia at policy-making role (only the table of global negobecause of US member- tiation should now move to ship) without meaningful include other more relevant consultation with devel- and significant countries. There is another vital oping countries that are affected by them. Cer- area to which the Caribtainly, the G7 has invited bean should hope he turns selected developing coun- attention. And, that is what tries to meetings, but their is happening with financial
services globally. The G7 created the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) which set rules and regulations that are imposed on the rest of the world. Those rules and regulations have gone far beyond their original intention to fight money laundering and the financing of terrorism. They have succeeded in crippling, if not emasculating, the financial services industry in many developing countries, including the Caribbean. The OECD and EU’s backlisting of countries as “tax havens” bear much of the blame for the policies of major international banks to ‘de-risk’ and withdraw correspondent banking relationships from banks in the Caribbean that dim the region’s economic prospects. On May 15th, the EU declared that it would put the US on a blacklist if, by June 2019, it does not agree to provide details of bank accounts held by foreigners. The EU also said that it would investigate whether tax laws, introduced last year by the Trump administration and approved by the US Congress, makes the US “a tax haven”. President Trump is most unlikely to tolerate any actions by the EU that is injurious to the US. Serious retaliation should be expected. If the US President shakes up the unfair control of global rule-making and imposition of financial and tax rules as he has done over trade, there may be an inkling of light for Caribbean countries at the end of a long tunnel in which they have been trapped for two decades. President Trump would be seen by many in the Caribbean in a more benign and pleasing light. • Responses and previous commentaries: www. sirronaldsanders.com. (The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States and the Organisation of American States. The views expressed are entirely his own)
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
Omar is a symbol of hope A FEW months ago, as I wrote a story for the Disenfranchised column,I relived three of the hardest losses of young Bahamian males in our country. Two of them had been murdered and another had been incarcerated for murder. It seemed to me and to many others as if the community at large was in the thick of a category 5 hurricane that came to lay waste to everything in its path emotionally and mentally. The thing with all storms is this - they never last forever. Over the weekend, while we were all discussing a Bahamian
being the first draft pick for the NBA, another young Bahamian male was celebrating his success. A video of a young 17-year-old Bahamian went viral from Facebook to Whatsapp with hundreds of thousands of likes, shares and comments to what was being said. The story of young Omar Davis
TEARS in the audience as Omar Davis Jr speaks.
INSIGHT
Jr was heard all through The Bahamas. To backtrack a bit and give a little insight to his story, as he said, his father was murdered at their doorstep. He was shot eight times, with the bullets riddling his body, while the ninth one went through the door, and entered their home. He watched helpless as his father and best friend was taken away from him. What people don’t know is that months later his first cousin was gunned down just two corners away - and shortly after, the brother of that cousin (just 16 years old) was arrested, charged and sentenced for his role in a murder. For his family, they were in the thick of this proverbial hurricane. But all storms come to an end, and they all teach us to rebuild stronger. For young Omar, he has been through the storm. He has had his trials and tribulations and he’s standing stronger than he
MONDAY, JULY 2, 2018 PAGE 9
OMAR DAVIS JR, valedictorian for the CI Gibson class of 2018, in a video circulated on social media. has ever been. man is a beacon of hope for future generations to be Despite growing up all Bahamians throughout honest, caring, loving, and in Kemp Road, despite our 700 islands and to the productive role models for growing up in a neighbour- Bahamians living or study- generations to come. Let hood with illegal activities, ing abroad. us all do our part in ensurdespite having his father Bahamians, no matter ing that Omar Davis’s murdered at their door where you grew up, no story is not just a one in and cousins murdered and matter where your parents over 400,000 event when a another incarcerated for are from or what your par- young Bahamian makes it murder, he has, through ents do/did, you may be out of the ghetto without a the love and guidance of a “full Bahamian” or any sporting ability. There are his mother and immediate other variation of Baha- hundreds of young Bahafamily, risen beyond any mian, you should know mian teens that have faced expectations of a young your future or your destiny and are currently facing the black Bahamian male are not defined by your past same or similar situations. coming from the ghetto. nor upbringing. Just think for a second Especially one with his life It’s your own responsi- that it may be your words story. bility to determine where of encouragement or you Graduating top of his you end up in life. As a being a positive role model class and being the valedic- nation and as individual in their lives that would torian for the CI Gibson communities, it’s our civic inspire them towards a succlass of 2018, this young responsibility to mould our cessful future.
PAGE 10, Monday, July 2, 2018
THE TRIBUNE
GLANYS Hanna Martin speaking to protestors who gathered outside Parliament to object to VAT increases and web shop taxes.
Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff
‘Don’t fire workers’, web shops are urged By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
WITH the government’s new tax model for gaming house operators taking effect yesterday, Labour Minister Dion Foulkes over the weekend continued to plead with those operators that have threatened to lay off workers as a result, calling on them to be patient. Addressing the current projections being put forth by those operators, Mr Foulkes on Saturday said the government “continues to be serious” about averting a potential labour crisis. Mr Foulkes insisted the sliding tax scale was only considered and introduced following an “intense review” of the sector. He added that while those in the industry may feel targeted, the
DION FOULKES, Minister of Labour. country’s overall finan- shop owners to be patient cial landscape calls for “all and not act prematurely involved” to do their part. in letting go any of their “These are unique eco- employees before allowing nomic times and the the new tax model a chance measures this government to work.” is taking reflects that,” He continued: “That he told The Tribune. “I is why I continue to pubwant to urge all the web licly commend (FML
POLICE are investigating six armed robberies that occurred over the weekend, including one involving a woman who was robbed at knifepoint on a beach in Eleuthera. The first two incidents happened on Friday. Police said shortly after 10pm, a man and woman had just arrived at their
TO OUR VALUED INDIVIDUAL MEDICAL AND GROUP MEDICAL INSURANCE POLICYHOLDERS: Value Added Tax (VAT) will increase from 7.5% to 12% effective July 1, 2018. The VAT increase is applicable to INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP MEDICAL INSURANCE premiums. Clients who have existing payment arrangements with Colina (salary deductions, post-dated cheque payments, pre-authorised credit cards) will need to adjust their standing orders as soon as possible to reflect the increased VAT-inclusive premiums for billing periods after July 1, 2018 to avoid interruption in coverage. Clients who have the selected pre-authorised cheque payment option will have their payment automatically adjusted. For more information on how the new tax rate will impact your premiums due, please visit our website www.colina.com,
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us
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government announced that web shops will pay a 20 per cent tax on up to $20m of their revenue, a 25 per cent tax on between $20m and $40m of their revenue, a 30 per cent tax on between $40m and $60m of their revenue, a 35 per cent tax on between $60m and $80m of their revenue, a 40 per cent tax on between $80m and $100m of their revenue and 50 per cent on revenue above $100m. The government has also proposed taxing gaming patrons through a five percent stamp tax applied on deposits and any non-online games or digital sales. The announcement was immediately opposed by several gaming operators. Many of the operators suggested the measures could lead to large shortfalls within the industry and as such, announced planned staff cuts to offset
the projected losses. A consultant’s report previously commissioned by the Bahamas Gaming Operators Association (BGOA), the industry body, forecast that around 2,000 jobs and 192 web shop locations would be lost if the Minnis administration went through with tax hikes it branded as “expropriation” and an attempt to seize control of the sector under the guise of taxation. ASure Win web shop said it would have closed 11 sites and terminate about 50 workers by the end of June. Island Luck further warned that 350 of its employees could be sent to the unemployment line. Paradise Games had also foreshadowed the same action, although the company did not revealed the number of cuts it was considering.
SIX ARMED RAIDS IN ONE WEEKEND
VALUE ADDED TAX INCREASE
at
CEO) Craig Flowers for his stance. He decided to wait it out and see how this model works. The other web shop owners can do the same thing. “At the end of the day, the FNM government wants to protect jobs. “We are in dialogue with most of the owners, I don’t want to go any further with that, but we are looking to keep loses at a minimum in the industry,” Mr Foulkes said. “I don’t want to comment on the merits of anyone’s actions or the moves of any one particular company, you’ve heard their statements and as the minister with responsibility for labour, my view is to keep Bahamians who are employed, on their jobs. “That is what I am attempting to do here. That is my mandate,” he added. On May 30, the
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residence at Colony Village off Prince Charles Drive, when they were approached by a gunman who robbed them of cash and other items before getting into a black Nissan vehicle and speeding away. Less than an hour later, shortly before 11pm, a man was at his residence on Johnson Road off Eastern Road, when he was approached by three men, one armed with a firearm, who robbed him of cash, before running away. Police also said that shortly after 3pm on Saturday, a woman was at a beach at Rainbow Bay, Eleuthera when she was approached by two men, one armed with a knife, who robbed her of cash before running away. Then shortly before 11pm on Saturday, a man was on
the outside of a laundromat on Joe Farrington Road in New Providence, when he was approached by three men, one armed with a firearm, who robbed him of cell phones before escaping in his silver coloured Toyota Passo. A few minutes later, three armed men entered the office of a motel on St Alban’s Drive in New Providence, held an employee up and robbed the establishment of cash before escaping. Thieves also robbed a man selling snacks outside a laundromat on Carmichael Road shortly after 4am yesterday. Police were told the victim was approached by two men, one armed with a firearm, who robbed him of cash, before getting into the silver coloured Passo stolen earlier and escaping.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, July 2, 2018, PAGE 11
JOHN Beadle’s “Cuffed: held in check”, pictured in the background.
Art prompts row as British body backs out By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net IN what one UK newspaper has called an “unprecedented rebuke,” the National Art Gallery of The Bahamas has criticised the British Council for distancing itself from a Bahamian show it commissioned. The British Council specialises in international cultural and educational opportunities. According to The Guardian newspaper, the show was commissioned for an arts organisation in Venice. “But according to the NAGB,” the newspaper reported, “the UK body took a unilateral decision weeks before publication to remove its logo and texts from the document, while providing little or no explanation for the decision other than to say that the material was ‘too political.’ “Officials in London are understood to have been particularly concerned about a section of an essay by Professor Ian
Bethel-Bennett, a Bahamian academic, which deals with local concerns about the growth of Chinese influence in the Caribbean state saying: ‘As Downtown Nassau falls into China’s lap.’ The report continued: “The British Council has faced accusations of censorship in the past over its anxiety about offending the Chinese government, which has been described as a ‘chill on artists freedom.’ “Following the British Council’s removal of the texts and its logo, the NAGB moved last month to ensure that the catalogue and all of the essays would be published, saying it would be naive to expect the conversation or writings around the artworks would not be ‘uncomfortable, confrontational or provocative.’” The report quotes NAGB Director Amanda Coulson who wrote to the council’s board saying: “A general feeling of being silenced and exploited is the consensus. How this looks from our viewpoint is that a white Scotsman is sanctioned to
VIRGIL-ROLLE IS NEW NIB DIRECTOR By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net
THE National Insurance Board has a new director. Dr Nicola Virgil-Rolle has been appointed to the post, a well-placed source told The Tribune on Friday. Mrs Virgil-Rolle left the Office of the Prime Minister where she was head of the Economic Planning Unit and played a key role in major initiatives, including the government’s Over-the-Hill revitalisation plan. She is the wife of Central Bank Governor John Rolle. Patricia Hermanns resigned from NIB last month. Her resignation was effective from June 15. In her letter to staff members, dated May 31, Ms Hermanns said the decision came after “careful consideration and reflection.” “I am grateful for the opportunity afforded to me
to serve this organisation and the people it represents and I appreciate the support you have given to me during my tenure with the Board,” she wrote. “I encourage you as I leave to continue to strive toward excellence and wish you the greatest of success in your endeavours.” Ms Hermanns was appointed to the post on September 1, 2016. The post is described as the CEO of NIB, heading the executive management team responsible for the day-to-day operations of the socialsecurity organisation. She entered the post as a former banking and insurance executive with more than 30 years experience in the financial services sector, credited with managing corporate transitions for greater efficiency and effectiveness, and successfully launching new life and health insurance as well as investment products and services.
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talk about slavery – and is considered courageous and daring, fêted at the most prestigious international art event – but black people should stay silent because their feelings are too raw, too aggressive, and too ‘political.’ “That the British Council feels that it is wise to distance itself from these voices at such a time, shows a remarkable lack of compassion, care or – frankly – a strategic PR plan.” According to the article, the British Council’s head of exhibitions, Gemma Hollington, apologised for what happened. “It’s clear that the artists feel upset by how we’ve approached this and we genuinely regret that,” she said. “With hindsight, we could have handled this differently. From our perspective, the process was not us unilaterally telling them what to do, but working to make sure the essays published in full while not affecting our non-political status. We continued to discuss with the NAGB throughout, and are still regularly in contact.”
ANINA Major’s “Bessie’s Backbone” in front of Graham Fagen’s “The Slave’s Lament”
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Ecuador migrants found at Freeport canal By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net SIX Ecuadorians, including a minor, were discovered by Bahamian authorities at a canal in Freeport. The five adults were charged in court with breaching the Immigration Act. Three men, two women, and girl were found in the Running Mon Marina area on Sunday, June 24, according to immigration officials. The five adults were arraigned on June 25 in Magistrate’s Court in Freeport before Magistrate Rengin Johnson. Four were charged with illegal landing, and one man was charged with overstaying his time in the country. According to the report, sometime around 6pm on June 24, immigration officials acting on information went to the Running Mon Marina area where a group of Ecuadorians was at a canal preparing to be smuggled to the US by boat. Officers from the Royal Bahamas Police Force were also on the scene. The six Ecuadorians produced their passports, but some of the pages
were missing, and officials could not determine when they had entered the country legally. They were subsequently taken into custody and processed at the Department of Immigration. During further investigations, officials searched a travelling bag of one of the men and found two missing pages of his passport, along with an immigration landing card which showed that he had arrived in the Bahamas in early May and was admitted for seven days. However, he failed to seek an extension after his visitor’s status had expired. The migrants all pleaded guilty and were convicted. The four who pleaded guilty to illegal landing were each ordered to pay a $300 fine or serve six months in prison. They were also ordered deported to Ecuador on payment of the fine or after having served their custodial sentence. The Ecuadorian man who was convicted of overstaying was ordered to pay a $3,000 fine or in default serve nine months in prison. The magistrate ordered him to be deported to Ecuador upon payment of the fine or after serving the custodial sentence.
FIVE Ecuadorians are escorted by immigration officials to the courthouse in Freeport.
FIREARM AND DRUGS FOUND BY POLICE IN SEPARATE SWOOPS POLICE recovered a firearm, a quantity of ammunition and dangerous drugs from the streets of Nassau on Friday. Shortly after 4pm on Friday, Drug Enforcement Unit officers, acting on information, searched a bushy area off Fire Trail Road, where they found a 9 millimetre pistol with eight rounds of ammunition. They also found a
quantity of what they suspected to be marijuana. Shortly after 10am on Friday the Mobile Division and K-9 officers, again acting on information, searched a man on Market Street and found on him a quantity of what they suspected to have been marijuana. Searching the immediate area where he was standing they found more marijuana. The drugs
weighed 3lbs 5oz. He was arrested as investigations continue. In another incident, shortly after 10am Friday, Mobile Division officers acting on information conducted a search of a bushy area on Ida Street, where a quantity of marijuana was recovered. No arrests were made, but investigations are continuing.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, July 2, 2018, PAGE 13
Students head over heels to join the Rangers FIFTY-FOUR students were inducted into the Royal Bahamas Defence Force’s Rangers programme on Grand Bahama during a recent passing out parade ceremony at the C A Smith Government Complex in Freeport. Attending the ceremony were Acting Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of National Security Eugene Poitier, representing Minister of National Security Marvin Dames; Commander Chappelle Whyms, commanding officer Northern Command, representing Commodore Tellis Bethel; and Rangers Director Lieutenant Delvonne Duncombe. Mr Poitier congratulated the newly installed
cadets and encouraged them to take advantage of the many opportunities afforded them through the programme. “The Royal Bahamas Defence Force Rangers have participated and assisted with many major national, international, civic, cultural and sporting events, providing ground support to athletes during both CARIFTA and Commonwealth Games,” said Mr Poitier. “Additionally, Ranger cadets in Grand Bahama have also engaged in a scuba certification programme where 14 Rangers have received their open water certifications. Since July 2017, the defence force through the Rangers became the sub-licensed
RBDF Rangers performing a fitness routine at the passing out ceremony in Grand Bahama.
agency under the Governor General’s Youth Award programme, with the authority to assess and award bronze and gold medals to participants.” Numerous students have passed through the Rangers programme, which has been in existence on Grand Bahamas since 2010. The young cadets who graduated represent 11 schools on the island. Numerous relatives and friends were there to cheer on and
congratulate the students. Awards and certificates were presented to several students. The overall Minister of National Security Award was awarded to Kevin Hanna from St George’s High School, The Commander Defence Force Award was presented to Quentin Levarity of Freeport Bible Academy and the Rangers Director Award went to Anthonique Coakley of Jack Hayward Junior High School.
KEVIN HANNA, from St George’s High School, receiving the overall Minister of National Security Award from acting permanent secretary for the Ministry of National Security Eugene Poitier and Commander Chappelle Whyms.
RANGERS Cadets at the RBDF passing out parade in Grand Bahama and, above right, Andrea Fowler (Jack Hayward Jr High School), Oneisha Leathen (Mary Star of The Sea Academy School), and Sabien Cash (Jack Haywood Jr High School) performing a musical selection. Photos: Marine Seaman Kyle Smith/RBDF
READY FOR GOOMBAY By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net GOOMBAY Summer Festival will kick off on Grand Bahama on Thursday at Taino Beach - the beginning of four weeks of cultural celebration for residents and visitors here on the island. Sanique Culmer, manager of groups and events at the Ministry of Tourism, said the festival highlights the island’s local culture through showcasing the best in food, crafts, and entertainment. Bahamian artists D-Mac, Dyson Knight, Geno D, Elon Moxey, Veronica Bishop, Ira Storr and the Spank Band, Stileet, KB, and Grand Bahama Police Pop Band are some of the featured performers this year. The festival – which coincides with the country’s independence celebrations - is an annual signature cultural event that takes place every Thursday in July from 6pm until midnight at the popular Taino Beach grounds. Ms Culmer said the festival is designed to heighten the visitor experience, increase visitor spend, and drive economic growth. “With the opening night of this year’s festival being an official part of the island’s national independence celebrations, attendees can enjoy the conch and coconut demonstrations; nature walks, bush tea tasting, the ministry’s ‘Peopleto-People’ experience, and a special surprise in the coming weeks,” she said. She stated that Commonwealth Brewery, in celebration of its 30 years in business, will play a major role in Goombay Summer Festival. As a partner of the event, Ms Culmer said the company brings its signature ‘Made in The Bahamas Festival’ to life in the second and closing weeks of the festival. The ministry believes that the merger of the two “iconic” events will provide a fantastic show and revitalise tourism product. As a result of their ongoing partnership with BTC, attendees will have access to free Wi-Fi and a tech pop up shop. Trevor Turnquest, vice president of network and engineering at BTC, said BTC is pleased to be an ongoing sponsor of the event. “We hope that this year’s festival will be a success,” he said. Eris Hutchinson, the City of Freeport Council representative of East Grand Bahama, is getting the park ready for the festival. “We want to have a clean and safe environment,” he said.
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Left-winger Obrador wins Mexico vote MEXICO CITY Associated Press
FURIOUS at spiraling corruption and violence, Mexican voters appeared to have unleashed a political earthquake Sunday by electing a leftist firebrand and giving him a broad mandate to overthrow the political establishment and govern for the poor. A prominent exit poll gave populist Andres
Manuel Lopez Obrador a 16 to 26 point lead over his nearest rivals, who conceded even before official results were released by the National Electoral Institute. And his party allies were predicted to have huge wins in the Senate and lower house, possibly absolute majorities in both. Lopez Obrador, who vowed to transform Mexico and oust the “mafia of power” ruling the country,
rode widespread voter anger and discontent with the governing Institutional Revolution Party, or PRI, of President Enrique Pena Nieto and had led opinion polls since the beginning of the campaign. Conservative Ricardo Anaya of a right-left coalition and the PRI’s Jose Antonio Meade acknowledged defeat shortly after polls closed nationwide. “The tendency favors
PRESIDENTIAL candidate Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, of the MORENA party, is surrounded by the press after casting his vote during general elections in Mexico City yesterday. Photo: Marco Ugarte/AP Andres Manuel Lopez eight state races on the to capture the mantle of the Obrador. ... I recognize his ballot plus for the head of person who’s on the outside triumph,” Anaya said in a government in Mexico City. who wants change.” The central state of GuanaAfter 12 years of nearspeech to supporters. campaigning, “For the good of Mexico, juato was expected to go to permanent I wish him the greatest suc- a candidate of the conserva- Lopez Obrador moderated his message somewhat in cess,” Meade said minutes tive National Action Party. Mitofsky predicted both substance and style. earlier. Lopez Obrador waved to Morena allies would take He said he will govern for supporters from a balcony between 56 and 70 seats in the poor and fight rampant of his campaign head- the 100-member senate and corruption, and also pulled quarters and then left in a between 256 and 291 spots back from promises to commotorcade for the center of in the 500-seat lower house. pletely scrap energy and Lopez Obrador, com- education reforms instithe capital. Supporters began wild monly known by his initials, tuted by the Pena Nieto celebrations in Mexico “AMLO”, was making his administration. He also pledged to City, cruising up and down third bid for the country’s support paythe central Paseo de la highest office, having falling increase Reforma boulevard honk- short in the 2006 and 2012 ments for the elderly and to give scholarships or paid ing horns to the tune of elections. In 2006, rivals convinced apprenticeships to young “Viva Mexico!” and waving Mexican flags from car win- voters that his populist people. message was “a danger for “Now that he has won, he dows and moon roofs. Thousands poured into Mexico.” In 2012, voters cannot fail this new generathe sprawling main square restored the long-dominant tion that believes in him,” known as the Zocalo, where PRI to power in hopes that said Mariano Bartolini, a the 64-year-old former it could cut back-room 29-year-old lawyer who mayor had called on his deals to tamp down rising voted for Lopez Obrador in the northwestern city of backers to rally Sunday violence. But after six years under Tijuana, across the border night. Many danced to the Pena Nieto, that hasn’t from San Diego. “It is trills of mariachi music. thanks to us young people Retired teacher Susana been the case. So deep is Mexicans’ dis- who are supporting him Zuniga beamed and said the country was experienc- content with the status quo that he was able to get more ing a moment similar to the that not only Lopez Obra- votes than he did in past Mexican Revolution a cen- dor but Anaya, Meade and elections.” independent candidate Lopez Obrador’s rivals tury ago. “The people are fed up,” Jaime “El Bronco” Rod- argued he could set the Zuniga said. “That is what riguez all claimed to be country back decades and the ones representing real lead to disaster with an brought us to this.” interventionist economic US President Donald change. In the end, Lopez Obra- policy. Trump tweeted congratu“I am concerned that lations: “I look very much dor’s rants against the forward to working with “mafia of power” rang most some candidates are making proposals that are imposhim. There is much to be authentic. “The anger that the aver- sible, because they’re very done that will benefit both the United States and age Mexican feels toward expensive to carry out,” the way things are being said Juan Carlos Limas, 26, Mexico!” has favored an Anaya supporter. Exit polling by Consulta governed Casting his own vote Mitofsky for the Televisa Lopez Obrador,” said ShanPena Nieto network forecast guber- non O’Neil, senior fellow Sunday, natorial wins for allies of for Latin America Studies promised to work on the Lopez Obrador’s Morena at the Council on Foreign transition with whoever party in at least four of Relations. “He’s been able won.
TIME TO SAVE THE AMERICAN FLAMINGO MIAMI Associated Press
THE American Flamingo has been such an iconic image that has been used to represent Florida for so long — from the Greetings From Florida postcards of the last century to the opening credits of “Miami Vice” in the mid-1980s — one might be excused for thinking the birds are classified as native species and protected. But that isn’t the case of the only flamingo species native to the United States. American Flamingos have never been considered as a focal species for conservation, management or monitoring in Florida, according to a group of researchers, including from Zoo Miami, Cape Florida Banding Station and Big Cypress National Preserve. Zoo Miami’s Steven Whitfield led the research. So Zoo Miami has partnered with the Tropical Audubon Society, the Cape Florida Banding Station, the Florida Keys Audubon Society, Brevard Zoo and other organizations and scientists to help protect the bright pink birds. The South Florida researchers submitted a petition to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to consider changing the present classification of the American Flamingo as a “non-native species” to a “native species”. This designation by the FWC would make the American Flamingo considered a “species of special concern” or “threatened” and lead to their protection and help conserve the population.
According to Zoo Miami spokesman Ron Magill, the researchers cited more than 60 published reports and gathered scientific data to indicate that the American Flamingo “did indeed historically nest and reproduce in Florida”. In February, a comprehensive study published in the American Ornithological Society’s journal The Condor finally provided an answer to a centuryold debate: Flamingos are likely natives, though their footprint in Florida is as light as their hot pink feathers. The study was written by Antonio Pernas, a botanist for the Big Cypress National Preserve, with Zoo Miami’s Whitfield and Frank Ridgely, Audubon Florida’s Pete Frezza and Jerry Lorenz, and biologists Anne Mauro and Judd Patterson. Before his death in 1851, ornithologist John James Audubon observed the American Flamingo in the Florida Keys. Large flocks foraged in the Keys and Florida Bay and could have numbered in the thousands but were almost wiped out by 1900 as they were hunted for food and for their plumes. Today, estimates suggest the number of American Flamingos has apparently at no time exceeded 500 individuals between 1903 and 2015, according to Whitfield’s research. Across the Caribbean, the total number of individuals has been estimated between 260,000 and 330,000, with the largest nesting colonies in Cuba and Grand Inagua in The Bahamas, according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
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Monday, July 2, 2018, PAGE 15
CHECK YA STATU S THERE was a free HIV testing day on Friday at Victoria Gardens, with hundreds of people taking part in the event. Those who attended were able to get a free test for HIV, and Minister for Health Dr Duane Sands attended, taking part in one of the tests to show others how it is done. The event is part of an ongoing drive to try to make people aware of their HIV status in order to be able to protect themselves and others. Photos: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff
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RETREAT THE annual Beat Retreat event was held yesterday, with members of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force and the Bahamas Correctional Services parading along Bay Street and performing music and dance outside Parliament at Rawson Square, as part of this year’s Independence celebrations. Photos: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff