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Loretta: Labour reforms ‘most hare-brained’ yet By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A former FNM leadership contender yesterday slammed the Government’s proposed labour law reforms as “the most ludicrous, ridiculous and harebrained legislation I’ve heard of”. Loretta Butler-Turner, the party’s labour spokesman, told Tribune Business that the private sector would be sent into “a tailspin” if the Government imposes “criminal liability” upon employers for failing to inform it of redundancies involving 10 or more workers. And, with the Christie administration also proposing to remove the ‘12-year cap’ on employee severance pay under the Employment Act, Mrs Butler-Turner said

FNM MP fears private sector ‘tailspin’ if enacted ‘We want to grow jobs, not frighten them away’ Says minister, labour chief conflicted by union past Loretta Butler-Turner businesses would become increasingly wary about hiring new workers. This, she added, would have the effect of reducing both unemployment and economic activity at a time when the Bahamas needed GDP growth more than ever.

Mrs Butler-Turner also argued that both Shane Gibson, minister of labour and national insurance, and Robert Farquharson, the director of labour, were the wrong persons to be in charge of the Government’s workforce policies, given that both likely harboured

pro-union sympathies given their backgrounds. “That is the most ludicrous, ridiculous, harebrained piece of legislation I have heard of being proposed,” Mrs Butler-Turner told Tribune Business of the proposed Employment Act reforms, which were presented last week. “Can I say it any more vigorously than that? The reality is that we want to grow employment, not frighten it away. You’re telling me that you’re going to put that liability on the private sector? It’s going to stop them hiring people.” The Christie administration wants to make it mandatory for employers to provide two months’ (60 days) notice to itself and the relevant bargaining agent (trade union) whenever they are about to make 10 See pg b5

Union chief: Employers Govt to spend $2.5m are ‘resistant to change’ monthly on fighting Zika By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A trade union leader yesterday suggested the Bahamian private sector will eventually “come round to reality”, with its response to proposed labour law reforms showing it does not react well to change. Obie Ferguson, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) president, told Tribune Business he had been “surprised” at the vehement reaction of employers to the controversial reform proposals unveiled by the Government last week. He challenged them to say that Sandals had behaved properly in terminating its 600-strong Royal Bahamian staff to facilitate $4 million worth of repairs, adding that this was not the procedure followed “in most civil societies”. Mr Ferguson and other trade union leaders were last night still in a meeting with Prime Minister Perry Christie and senior government officials over the Sandals matter, amid labour movement warnings that it is “planning something major” if the Government fails to satisfy its concerns. While the meeting went beyond Tribune Business’s press deadline last night, Mr Ferguson told this newspaper that he could not understand why employers were objecting so vigorously to

Suggests they will ‘come round’ on labour law reform Ferguson: Severance pay amount ‘debatable’ Unions’ Sandals meeting with PM lasts into the night

Obie Ferguson the two reforms proposed by the Government. “I’m having some difficulty understanding the reaction,” Mr Ferguson said. “Change is not something easily acceptable, but the employers will come round to realise that you can’t have someone who works for you See pg b5

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Ministry of Health has allocated what would be a $30 million annual budget to tackle the Bahamas’ Zika virus outbreak, a senior official yesterday acknowledging that this had forced it to adjust its financial plans. Dr Glen Beneby, the chief medical officer, said the Government - through the Ministry - had allocated some $2.5 million per month to combat Zika. Dr Beneby, who addressed a conference held by the Ministry of Tourism, added that the need to maintain public health required such a budget. “When situations like this occur they go beyond

Translates to $30m annual outlay Bahamas requires $50-$100k lab investment sometimes what you would expect,” he explained. “We had looked at doing upgrades to our services in the public health sector before this actually happened, and then on August 9 we got our first case. “Once that happened we realised that we were going to have to do additional spending. We have teams in the Ministry of Health who were given the specific responsibility to review See pg b4

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BISX targets ‘more proactive’ approach on price discovery By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

The Bahamas International Securities Exchange’s (BISX) chief executive yesterday conceded that it needed to be “more proactive and ensure the market better reflects” prices that will stimulate trading activity. Keith Davies explained to Tribune Business that last week’s expansion of Bank of the Bahamas’ ‘trading bandwidth’ to 54 per cent was intended to achieve this exact objective for a stock whose price has not moved for over twoand-a-half years. He said the Bahamian capital markets already appeared to have “adjusted” to the move, as some 25 Bank of the Bahamas shares traded last week at a price of $2.41 per share - a major departure from the $5.22 they have been stuck at for months. Other ‘sell’ orders, including one seeking to offload some 89,586 shares, have also been placed at See pg b3

BOB price ‘not moved since November 2013’ 54% ‘bandwidth’ move aimed to stimulate trading Davies declines comment on BOB ‘compliance’

Keith Davies

GBPA urges strike of ‘watershed case’ By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net The Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) is urging the Supreme Court not to permit a web shop operator’s Judicial Review to become a “watershed case” against it. Freeport’s quasigovernmental authority and its attorneys, in submissions filed on September 2, 2016, are arguing that See pg b4

Web shop’s case ‘first Judicial Review’ it has faced Port says dispute should be ‘private law’ matter Chances Games slams ‘abuse of process’

PAGE 2, Tuesday, September 6, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Zika a ‘golden moment’ for Health ability By NATARIO McKENZIE

ly many of the resources and manpower can be conmckenzie@tribunemedia.net opted just by good practices and doing those things A senior Ministry of which will help us to mitiHealth official yesterday gate against the spread of said the Zika outbreak had the virus.” given it “a golden moment” Dr Beneby added: “Toto demonstrate its capa- gether as we prepare for bilities prior to National universal health care Health Insurance’s (NHI) (UHC), this gives us a goldintroduction. en moment where we will Dr Glen Beneby, the be able to demonstrate very chief medical officer, said: carefully the things that we “This gives us with some can do. very positive opportunities “It will become very clear to work with our partners, to the Bahamian people to work with the Ministry how important it is for us of Education and all of the to work together as a comother ministries. munity because by dealing “We in the Ministry of with the Zika virus, unforHealth overnight will not tunate as it may be, it will have all of the manpower became very clear how that we need, but fortunate- you can get positive results Tribune Business Reporter

YOUR

when the community steps forward and takes care of their responsibilities.” Health officials have reported that as of August 30 there were eight confirmed Zika cases in New Providence. Officials have also said they are still receiving results associated with the 83 suspected cases reported last month. The Bahamas reported an initial case of the virus on August 10 in a man who had recently travelled to Jamaica. The man is a resident of Pinewood Gardens. Zika, which has been linked microcephaly in newborn babies, can be transmitted through sex.

CHOICE FOR THE FAMILY @JOYFMBAHAMAS WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/JOYFM1019

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 6, 2016, PAGE 3

‘Too early’ to assess Zika’s tourism impact By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

The Ministry of Tourism’s director-general said yesterday it was “too early to tell” whether there will be any significant “fall-out” for the industry from the recent Zika outbreak, adding that August had been “very strong” for visitor arrivals. Speaking at a Ministry of Tourism Zika information session, Mrs Jibrilu said: “It is still too early to tell if the few recorded cases of Zika in New Providence have had, or will have, an impact on travel bookings to the

Bahamas. “August was very strong. We were above where we were last year in terms of our numbers. Certainly that is the base line. If you are falling below your projections, the next question would be why are people cancelling? “If they make bookings and have cancelled, the questions is why? We are following the situation

BISX targets ‘more proactive’ approach on price discovery From pg B1

the same $2.41 price since BISX expanded Bank of the Bahamas’ trading bandwidth beyond the standard 10 per cent. Mr Davies told this newspaper that it was”not uncommon” to expand a BISX-listed stock’s ‘bandwidth’ beyond this percentage, describing it as a “standard operating procedure” throughout the exchange’s 15-year history. He explained that such moves “depend on circumstances” surrounding a particular stock, even through BISX normally allows trading prices to only fluctuate by a maximum of 10 per cent either side of the previous day’s close. This is designed to eliminate the price volatility produced by small retail sellers wanting to exit a stock at any price, but in Bank of the Bahamas’ case, BISX took the view that this was unduly restricting trading activity. Mr Davies explained that in deciding whether to expand a stock’s ‘trading bandwidth’, BISX took

closely. Today, thankfully, we have seen no fallout. In fact, August was a strong month for the Bahamas

year-on-year, surprisingly. People recognise that Zika is not just in New Providence but throughout the world.’ Mrs Jibrilu said the US Centre for Disease Control (CDC) issues three levels of travel alerts to places where there is an outbreak of a viral disease. The first level urges travellers to ‘practice usual precaution’ if travelling to an affected area. The second level urges travellers to ‘practice enhanced precaution’, and the third level warns travellers to avoid non-essential travel to affected areas. Mrs Jibrilu said the CDC has issued a ‘level two’ trav-

el alert for the Bahamas along with most of the Caribbean and Latin America. “We cannot begin to contemplate Level 3,” said Mrs Jibrilu. “That would be the worst case scenario.” She added that the Ministry of Tourism has been involved in a robust public awareness campaign that has been extended to visitors to the Bahamas. The US and Canada, this nation’s two largest tourism source markets, have both issued health and travel advisories on the Bahamas following confirmation of the Zika virus’s arrival on these shores. Canada has warned preg-

nant women, and those planning on having children, to avoid travelling to the Bahamas. Health warnings are a major deterrent to visitors/ tourists travelling to the subject countries. Florida’s tourism-reliant economy has also been impacted by an outbreak of Zika, with Miami Beach among the areas affected. Businesses in locations identified as ‘zones’ where the virus is present, such as Wynwood in Miami, have complained about a reduction in commerce and visitor numbers as a result of health-related concerns.

absence of any buyers for Bank of the Bahamas’ stock, meant that the ‘10 per cent bandwidth’ restriction was inhibiting one of BISX’s key goals - to facilitate trading activity and price discovery. “The goal of BISX is to facilitate price discovery, not maintain a particular price,” he told Tribune Business, “and ensure there is a meeting of minds between buyer and seller as to where they want to trade. “We want to become more proactive, and ensure the market better reflects what buyers and sellers want to do. Right now, there’s an absence of buyers [for Bank of the Bahamas’ stock, different views as to what the price should be, and hopefully there will be better price discovery going forward. “The issue from our standpoint is: Will this expansion of the band facilitate price discovery in the market?” Mr Davies added that he could “see both sides of the coin” in relation to buyer and seller perspectives, but said there had already been “corrections” and “adjustments” to Bank of the Bahamas’ share price and activity surrounding the stock. One of the major criti-

cisms of BISX is that it is a relatively illiquid market, with too few buyers and sellers willing to engage in trading activity and, as a result, stock prices fail to reflect market sentiment and the company’s underlying fundamentals. But, in BISX’s defence, this is a function of the Bahamas’ relatively small population size and investor base, as foreign investors cannot trade in domestic stocks. And many listed companies are controlled either by one large shareholder or a group of likeminded investors, meaning that the majority of their shares never trade. Mr Davies, though, declined to directly address whether Bank of the Bahamas had been forced to amend the dates for its $40 million rights offering, which now launches today, because it was in non-compliance with BISX’s Rules. The bank initially wanted to launch the offering on August 29 and close it yesterday, but its latest newspaper advertisements revealed this has changed. The $40 million issue will now launch today, and close on September 12. Tribune Business sources have suggested that BISX required Bank of the Bahamas to change the offering’s

schedule to ensure that all shareholders had access to the prospectus, after several complained they had yet to see all the information by the original August 29 launch date. “We don’t comment on our internal discussions with companies,” Mr Davies responded, when questioned by Tribune Business. “All we do is ensure they’re in compliance with our Rules, and contact them and work with them. “Once the company [Bank of the Bahamas] properly advised us, we worked to ensure they were in compliance with our Rules. They did so, and they are in compliance and moving ahead with their offering.” Mr Davies conceded, though, that public companies listed on BISX need “to work on” meeting their information disclosure obligations. “One of the things that companies will have to work on is ensuring they take certain steps to meet certain minimum requirements as it related to disclosure. As they get it under their belts and work it out, they will find they meet these requirements much easier.” Mr Davies said it was standard procedure for

BISX to discuss market developments, such as the Bank of the Bahamas rights issue, with the Securities Commission. He added that BISX had also notified its broker/dealer members of the ‘bandwidth’ change involving Bank of the Bahamas, refuting suggestions that this had been done ‘quietly’. Mr Davies explained that the exchange’s broker/ dealer members were the correct persons to inform, given that all market participants traded through them.

Bahamas ‘can’t begin to think of’ US ‘level 3’ alert

into account factors such as trading activity “or the lack thereof”; the amount and nature of open ‘buy’ and ‘sell’ orders; and orders seeking prices “outside” the 10 per cent band. Input from BISX’s broker/dealer members, investors and the companies themselves is also factored into any decision taken by the stock exchange to go beyond the ‘10 per cent’ restriction. “This situation’s a little different,” Mr Davies said, referring to Bank of the Bahamas specifically. “First and foremost, people are focusing on Bank of the Bahamas for a variety of reasons. Anything we do is going to be enhanced or exacerbated because of that. “This company has traded infrequently. Since November 2013, the price has not moved. There’s a huge build up, overhang in terms of sell orders, and the company is now engaging in some activity.” Mr Davies acknowledged that the build-up of several hundred ‘sell’ orders, coupled with the complete

Joy Jibrilu

PUBLIC NOTICE Would the owner of a white 30ft homemade fiberglass hull boat located in Drigg’s Hill South Andros, on Lot #1 of Flowers Estate please contact Percitta Knowles at 369-1466/4710981./369-4569 in reference to removing said item. Storage fee @ $150.00 will be charged everyday for duration of Notice and thereafter. If no contact is made, the owner of the property reserves the right to dispose of the boat. Whether it be by removal of the boat from the property or sale of the boat for all cost incurred.

VACANCY (for an)

ASSISTANT ACCOUNTANT The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas seeks a full time receptionist The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas is seeking a candidate for a full time receptionist position. The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas (NAGB) has an opportunity for a personable and professional Receptionist with an engaged telephone manner, good attention to detail and excellent communication skills. The duties of the receptionist will include answering visitors’ enquiries about The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas, directing visitors to their destinations in the institution and surrounding neighborhood, answering incoming calls on multi-line telephones, and ensuring all messages are relayed to the appropriate parties. The receptionist must have knowledge of the organization and its work and must be able to work under his or her own initiative. Key Accountabilities: - Ensuring telephones are operational; - Report daily to the Office Manager and Executive Director for duties; - Answering telephones during opening hours; - Taking clear messages and delivering to staff members; - Directing vendors and visitors with appointments to appropriate staff members and offices; - Assisting visitors to the NAGB with information and directions; - Assisting Office Manager with communicating rental information. Personal Specifications: • Qualified candidate will possess (5) GCE’s or GCSE’s. • Previous work experience answering telephones is beneficial. The suitable candidate must have excellent phone etiquette. • Excellent verbal communication skills, organizational and interpersonal 3skills. • Good written and oral skills. • Be self-motivated, have strong organizational skills, ability to multitask effectively to ensure proper workflow. • Interest in meeting people and providing friendly and efficient customer service in professional manner • An interest in the NAGB’s mandate is a plus. Please send the following documents in support of your application: 1. CV or résumé – no more than 2 pages. 2. Letter of Intent – 1 page 3. Two (2) letters of good character Selection Process: The selection process will include evaluation of applications in relation to minimum requirements. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the interview. Only those applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the department will be invited for an interview. Deadline for applications: September 9th, 2016 For further questions, please contact: Amanda Coulson Director The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas acoulson@nagb.org.bs or info@nagb.org.bs

Applications are invited from suitably-qualified applicants for the position of Assistant Accountant. Applicants must possess the following qualifications: • • • •

B. Sc., BA, BBA Degree with a minimum of two (2) years experience as Trainee Accountant OR AA Degree and a minimum of two (2) years experience as a Trainee Accountant OR two (2) subjects at the BGCSE level or equivalent and six (6) years experience as Chief Accounts Clerk; Excellent organizational skills; Excellent communication skills (oral and written); analytical and conceptualized thinking skills; excellent interpersonal and leadership skills; Excellent computer skills,(proficiency in Excel required);

The Assistant Accountant will report to the Financial Controller. JOB SUMMARY: The Assistant Accountant will assist in maintaining accounting records, processing payables, receivables, and responding to accounting queries in accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the organization, within the confines of the approved appropriations of a budget year. Also, ensure that pertinent documentation is maintained to substantiate all payments processed within the Accounts Payable Department. DUTIES: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

Prepares payment of invoices to suppliers; Processes requisitions and purchase orders for suppliers; Assists with the preparation of the monthly expenditure report; Assists with the monthly reconciliations of suppliers’ accounts; Liaises with departments on outstanding invoices for payment; Responds to suppliers’ queries; Assists with the budget preparation; Assists in processing the request for the replenishment of funds for imprest account; Assists with the issuance of cheques; Assists with contacting suppliers to ensure that cheques are collected before they become stale-dated; Assists with ensuring that drafts are obtained and disbursed in a timely manner; Assists with the maintenance of company records; Maintains files of all other documentation;

The post of Assistant Accountant is in Salary Scale ($30,000 x 800 - $36,400). Letter of application and curricula vitae should be submitted to the General Manager; P.O. Box N-1986, Nassau, Bahamas, no later than Friday, 7th September, 2016 Please note that only short-listed applicants will be contacted for interviews.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, September 6, 2016

GBPA urges strike of ‘watershed case’ From pg B1

DR Glen Beneby

Govt to spend $2.5m monthly on fighting Zika From pg B1 the situation, particularly in laboratory services, onthe-ground services and research, and they have developed the first budget.” Dr Beneby added: “It [the budget] is in the region of $2.5 million month. This is going to be subject to variation based on what we find. I would like to believe that we are going to be ahead of the curve, and things are going to be done in such a manner that we will not need any more; indeed, we will need less, but that is optimism.”

Health officials yesterday said this nation currently does not carry out Zika testing, as samples currently go to a regional laboratory in Trinidad, which has a turnaround time of about three weeks. Dr Beneby said that turnaround should be reduced by 50 per cent once the Bahamas ‘modifies’ its own testing facility. “It’s going to cost us somewhere in the region of $50,000$100,000,” he said. “That is for the modification of the laboratory situation. We have a lab already. Fortunately, we have skilled

people who can do the testing that needs to be done, and so we had to purchase the equipment, upgrade the place and hopefully that will be done very soon.” Health officials have reported that as at August 30 there were eight confirmed Zika cases in New Providence. Officials are also still receiving results associated with the 83 suspected cases reported last month. The Bahamas reported an initial case of the virus on August 10 in a man who had travelled to Jamaica. He was a resident of Pinewood Gardens. Zika, which has been linked to microcephaly in newborn babies, can be transmitted through sex.

NOTICE PARKING AT THE OAKES FIELD CAMPUS The College extends apologies for any inconvenience associated with parking congestion at the Oakes Field Campus. Over the past eight months, the campuses of the College of The Bahamas, commuter campuses, have begun a massive transformation toward being commuter and residential campuses. The ongoing transformation of the campus at Oakes Field has resulted in the need to build out areas of the campus that were previously used as parking facilities. In an effort to accommodate students, particularly those who commute to the campus after 5:00 p.m., the College built and extended parking facilities in the southern part of the campus next to and behind the Culinary and Hospitality Management Institute. Unfortunately, persons who had become accustomed to parking along both sides of what used to be Tucker Road and the T-Block parking area are now finding that they cannot all be accommodated in the new parking areas. Construction of the Small Island Sustainability Research Complex is underway on the previous T-Block parking area and no one is allowed to park on the street (formerly Tucker Road) in that area. Evening commuter students are encouraged to begin using the Portia Smith Parking lot and the temporary parking areas next to the Band Shell as over flow parking facilities. These parking areas are accessible from Poinciana Drive, effective Monday, September 5th, 2016. The College is asking that students kindly ask the security officers for directions to additional parking areas at the Oakes Field Campus and kindly report any additional concerns to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs.

NOTICE

This Public Notice is issued by the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority (URCA) in exercise of its powers under section 38(3)(c) of the Electricity Act, 2015 (EA). URCA hereby notifies the public that ALL persons, licensees or franchise holders in the Electricity Sector (ES) in The Bahamas, or those involved in the generation, transmission, distribution, importation or exportation of electricity are required to obtain a licence from URCA unless exempt under the EA. Under section 22 of the EA, URCA was established as the independent regulator for the ES in The Bahamas and has the regulatory responsibility to grant a licence with terms and conditions consistent with the national energy and electricity sector policies, as URCA considers appropriate. URCA requests that ALL persons, licensees or franchise holders in the ES, and those involved in the generation, transmission, distribution, importation or exportation of electricity in The Bahamas to contact URCA at its office either at telephone number (242) 396-5211 or email info@urcabahamas.bs or visit its offices situated at Frederick House, Frederick Street, New Providence no later than September 30, 2016 to the end of becoming duly licensed under the EA. URCA hereby advises that, pursuant to section 44(2) of the EA, any person who engages in the generation, transmission, distribution, importation or exportation of electricity without a licence granted by URCA commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000.00).

Jarol Investment’s case is a private law case rather than a Judicial Review action. The significance of this, and the GBPA’s bid to strike out Jarol’s Judicial Review, which is due to be heard by the Supreme Court tomorrow, is that the former has never been subjected to such an action. This was revealed by its attorney, Fred Smith QC, the Callenders & Co attorney and partner, at the April 14, 2016, hearing at which the Supreme Court gave Jarol permission to proceed with its Judicial Review. According to the transcript of that hearing, Mr Smith told Justice Petra Hanna-Weekes: “I said at the beginning that this is a watershed case. It is because I believe that this is the first time the Port Authority has been sued by way of Judicial Review.” Whether the GBPA was found to be a public authority, and “amenable to Judicial Review”, was described by Mr Smith as “a very important point that needs to be determined after full deliberation and evidence by the court”. Mr Smith added that an affirmative answer would likely spark “a lot of other litigation”, and impact “potential rights”, but said the GBPA ‘reserved its position’ as to whether it could be subjected to Judicial Review. Now, in submissions filed just three days before Jarol’s substantive Judicial Review was due to be heard, Mr Smith is arguing on the GBPA’s behalf that the dispute is a private law matter not appropriate for Judicial Review. He alleges that the relationship between the GBPA and Jarol, which trades as Chances Games, is a contractual one based on the license that the latter has to operate in Freeport. Mr Smith’s submissions argue that the dispute stems from Chances Games providing gaming services in Freeport, which it is not

permitted to do, hence the alleged breach of its license. “GBPA is seeking to ensure that Jarol complies with its contractual obligations,” he argued. “Given that Jarol is aggrieved by such action, the most appropriate means of redress is a private law action alleging breach of contract for damages and/or injunctive relief.” Mr Smith continued: “The real purpose of Jarol’s application is to enable it to carry on the business of offering gaming services to the public in the Port Area by virtue of its existing GBPA license(s). “The GBPA contends that Jarol is currently in breach of the terms of its license(s). Jarol is in effect seeking a public law remedy in respect of a private law issue of whether Jarol is currently in breach, and to bar the GBPA from freely negotiating any change to this private law license. This public law forum is simply inapposite for such a claim.” Judicial Review is a mechanism that enables aggrieved parties to challenge decisions by government or legislative bodies, especially in cases where they are believed to have acted illegally, breached their authority or behaved irrationally. Emphasising that his client “reserves its right” to address whether it can be subjected to Judicial Review, Mr Smith said: “Although GBPA may in some circumstances be susceptible to public law actions and remedies, this is not such a case. “ Not surprisingly, Chances Games (Jarol) and its attorney, Carlson Shurland, beg to differ. They are effectively arguing that the GBPA is trying to “usurp” the Gaming Board as the web shop industry’s regulator, and that the former has no power to issue provisional gaming licences - and charge associated fees - for their Freeport operations. Chances Games is thus effectively asking the Supreme Court to determine who is the appropriate regulator and licensor for its

THE TRIBUNE Freeport operations, and to whom it should pay related gaming taxes. Slamming the GBPA’s strike out bid as an “abuse of process”, Chances Games reiterated that the case was about whether the former “can legally and properly exercise the functions and powers of the Gaming Board under the Gaming Act 2014 and Gaming Rules 2015 in the context of its licensing arrangements with its licensees under the Hawksbill Creek Agreement”. Ashley Evans-Carroll, one of Mr Shurland’s associate attorneys, alleged in an affidavit filed yesterday that the GBPA’s strike-out bid was “nothing more than a ploy... to further frustrate” the action by Chances Games. She added that the dispute had “prejudiced” the web shop chain “in expanding its business”, and that the GBPA’s January 25, 2016, letter was “still a live issue and cannot be ignored” without Freeport’s quasi-governmental authority “reversing its position in a formal way”. Jarol Investment wants the GBPA to both “rescind” that letter, requiring it to apply for a provisional gaming licence, and accept the Gaming Board’s regulatory jurisdiction in Freeport. In that letter, the GBPA demands that Chances Games apply to it for a provisional gaming licence, adding that its authority stemmed from the Gaming Act 2014 and accompanying regulations. Mr Smith subsequently admitted in an August 31, 2016, letter that his client had been “incorrect” in stating that the lawful basis for its licence request stemmed from the Gaming Act. Instead, he asserted that the GBPA’s licensing authority was derived from the Hawksbill Creek Agreement, and made no mention of his client withdrawing its January 25, 2016, letter. Chances Games fears that without the GBPA confirming the withdrawal of that letter, and its contents, the issue is left open to further conflict in the future, potentially exposing its Freeport operations to ‘double regulation and taxation’.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 6, 2016, PAGE 5

Loretta: Labour reforms ‘most hare-brained’ yet From pg B1 or more workers redundant, with failing to do so becoming a criminal offence. And, joining this proposal in the “emergency legislation” the Government wants to bring to the House of Assembly by September 30, the Government also wants to remove the Employment Act’s existing ‘12-year cap’ on severance/ redundancy pay. Such a move has long been demanded by Bahamian trade union leaders, while the ‘advance redundancy warning’ measure appears to be a “knee jerk” reaction by the Government to Sandals Royal Bahamian’s termination of its 600-strong workforce. Yet the plans have horrified employers, who see them adding “astronomical costs” and excessive ‘red

tape’ and bureaucracy to their operations - and at a time when many companies are already struggling to survive or avoid downsizing. Mrs Butler-Turner suggested that if the proposals became law, Bahamasbased employers would constantly be assessing staffing levels, and “second guessing” themselves on new hires, given that the severance pay cap’s removal threatened to make redundancies cost-prohibitive. “It’s going to have a very negative impact on hiring,” she reiterated. “What’s going to happen is that private enterprise is going to be constantly looking at how many people are in their workforce. “This is going to put private enterprise into a tail-

Union chief: Employers are ‘resistant to change’ From pg B1 for 30 years and, when you make them redundant, you only have to pay them the same as someone who has worked for you for 12 years. I have a problem with that. That can’t be right.” This refers to the Government’s proposal to remove the Employment Act’s ‘12year cap’ on severance/redundancy pay, a move that Mr Ferguson has long agitated for. The idea has been on the table for some time, but the Government appears to be using the Sandals terminations to bring it to the forefront yet again, in a bid to seemingly appease both the trade unions and the wider

Bahamian public. The Employment Act currently allows line staff two weeks’ severance pay for every year worked up to 12 years, ‘capping’ the maximum payment they are entitled to at the equivalent of six months’ salary plus two weeks’ pay with, or in lieu, of notice. Managerial staff are entitled to one month’s severance pay for every year worked, ‘capping’ the maximum sum they are entitled to at the equivalent of 12 months or one year’s salary, plus a month’s pay with, or in lieu, of notice. Mr Ferguson acknowledged that the amount of severance pay employees should receive, and what

spin, and businesses will be very wary of hiring. This is a very bad proposal.” Should the Employment Act’s redundancy ‘cap’ be lifted, Bahamian companies may respond by discriminating against older workers, given that making them redundant will be cost prohibitive. Employers will be induced to maintain younger workforces, and may also respond by avoiding longterm contracts for staff members, thereby contributing to the spread of lower paid, casual labour - a phenomenon affecting many developed countries. “It’s absolutely ridiculous,” Mrs Butler-Turner added. “The Government needs to go back to the drawing board.... They should not unilaterally force this piece of legislation on anybody that’s hiring people. “This is going to make the environment so difficult. It’s going to make employers second guess every time

they hire someone. This is not going to help to retain jobs and protect workers. It’s going to prevent future hiring.” Mrs Butler-Turner said she was seeking to protect the interests of both Bahamian workers and employees, and called for the proposals to be further debated - and amended - by the National Tripartite Council. That body, which consists of representatives from the Government, private sector and trade unions, is supposed to determine and, in theory, reach a consensus on all labour law reforms presented in the Bahamas before they go to Parliament. Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation (BCCEC) executives have already moved to reassure an increasingly alarmed private sector that the proposed labour law reforms are “not set in stone”, and have to be discussed at the Tripartite Council.

However, the nature of the Government’s reform proposals, which were first publicly unveiled at the Tripartite Council’s meeting last week, make it clear that it intends to use the Sandals situation as justification to push them through as “emergency legislation”. Mrs Butler-Turner agreed that the proposals appeared to be “a knee jerk reaction to see if they can appease” Bahamians over the Sandals terminations, adding that the Government had been “blindsided” over both that situation and Baha Mar. She said that in its haste to show it was responding, the Christie administration was now threatening to penalise hundreds of small and medium-sized Bahamian businesses already struggling with the weak economy. “This approach of legislating liability and criminalising the actions of the employer is not going to help,” Mrs Butler-Turner told Tribune Business.

“It’s only going to create, in my opinion, acrimony between the Government and employers. It’s not going to work. It’s a ludicrous proposal. I just can’t fathom it.” Accusing the Government of “a very heavyhanded approach”, the FNM MP said “it doesn’t work like that” in response to the requirement for employers to provide 60 days’ redundancy notice or face criminal charges. Mrs Butler-Turner also suggested that Messrs Gibson’s and Farquharson’s previous roles as trade union leaders effectively disqualified them as impartial arbiters of the Government’s labour policies. “I find it reprehensible that we have gotten to this point where we have persons in Government in charge of labour coming from a union background, and having this very hostile approach to employers and employees,” she added.

the Employment Act ‘cap’ should be raised to, were issues to be debated between the private sector, trade unions and the Government through the Tripartite Council. “The amount of severance pay, that’s debatable,” the TUC president said. “I can understand that being an issue to be discussed, but I certainly didn’t expect the employers to object.” He argued, though, that the current ‘12-year’ limit was “inequitable” for longtenured workers who were made redundant after giving 20-40 years’ service. However, such employees have been able to win greater benefits and compensation above the Employment Act’s cap by initiating common law actions in the Supreme Court. The Bahamian judicial system has previously ruled

that the Employment Act was intended by Parliament to provide only a statutory minimum, or floor, for severance payments made to Bahamian workers. Employers fear that removing the Employment Act’s 12-year ‘cap’ will make redundancy cost prohibitive, especially in cases where they may need to downsize to survive. And there may be unintended consequences, such as discrimination against older workers and a move to casual employment, if the Government forges ahead. Still, Mr Ferguson said: “I’m surprised that the employers would react in this manner because I would have thought that looking at the Sandals matter would cause them to want to meet and make an agreement that’s satisfactory to all par-

ties. “The way that was done [Sandals terminations], in most civil societies it would not be done in that fashion. You don’t just wake up and do that. That’s not good industrial relations. “I can’t see the employers agreeing that what was done in the Sandals matter was done properly. It is not reasonable for the employer to make the case that was proper. The manner in which those 600 workers were terminated, I don’t think the Bahamian public thought that was the proper way to do it, certainly not in the manner it was done.” The other key reform being pushed by the Christie administration is to make it mandatory for employers to provide two months’ (60 days) notice to itself and the relevant bargaining agent

(trade union) whenever they are about to make 10 or more workers redundant, with failing to do so becoming a criminal offence. Mr Ferguson suggested this was merely putting into statute law what is already contained in most industrial agreements, where employers have to abide by a certain process, consult the relevant trade union and provide a specific notice period to employees being made redundant. “Notice is almost mandatory in any event. Every industrial agreement that is registered provides for notice in case of redundancy,” he explained. “It’s now being made statutory. “I don’t see why it’s an issue now, really and truly. If the agreement is registered, it has the effect of legislation.”

Russia, Saudi Arabia pledge to stabilize oil output MOSCOW (AP) — The world’s two largest oil producers, Russia and Saudi Arabia, on Monday agreed to act together to stabilize global oil output, though it’s unclear what that might entail. Energy ministers Alexander Novak and Minister Khalid al-Falih met Monday on the sidelines of the Group of 20 nations’ summit in China. A joint statement released by Russia said both ministers “recognized the need to restrain an excessive volatility of the oil market” and agreed to act together “in order to stabilize the oil market.” Novak and al-Fatih said they would chair the first Russia-Saudi task force on oil and gas in October. Russia, which is not a member of the oil producing nations’ group OPEC, this year supported calls to freeze production, but the efforts fell through after OPEC member Iran opposed the plan. It was not clear from the joint statement what exactly Russia and Saudi Arabia would be prepared to do to help prop up the markets but the Russian minister mentioned a production freeze. “We believe that the market right now is taking too long to balance out, it’s been two years, and joint steps which were considered earlier this year including a production freeze could be a great help in helping to balance the markets as soon as possible,” Russian news agencies quoted Novak as saying.

National Art Gallery of The Bahamas seeks Communications and Development Officer The National Art Gallery of The Bahamas is seeking a candidate for the Communications and Development Officer position. The NAGB now has an exciting opportunity for a creative, talented and professional Communications and Development and Officer with excellent interpersonal and communication skills and a passion for outreach, fundraising, public relations at the nation’s premier cultural institution. For the past 13 years, the NAGB has committed itself to fostering local artists who continue to push the frontiers and foundations of culture across the islands. The institution assumes a critical role in the development of visual arts and devotes itself to exchange, the shoring up of national identity, scholarship and education. The Communications and Development Officer would oversee the gallery’s communication and publicity efforts and is responsible for the day-to-day management and implementation of the gallery’s public relations and outreach efforts, media relations, programming initiatives and, most importantly, digital communications strategies, including the website. The Communications and Development Officer would also be responsible for assisting Director and Chief Curator with the planning and production of public fundraising campaigns for exhibitions, general programming and capital projects.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Hangzhou in eastern China’s Zhejiang province, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016. (AP Photo) Speaking to reporters after the meeting, al-Falih, the Saudi minister, said in comments carried by the Interfax news agency that the freeze “is not the only solution” but refused to elaborate. The price of oil jumped on the countries’ statement. The U.S. contract rose 2.2 percent, or 99 cents, to $45.43 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: • Writing press releases and blog entries about exhibitions and gallery programming activities; • Assisting in writing about works in the National Collection or in temporary exhibitions; • Assisting with writing educational and communication materials for exhibitions, coordinating with the Curatorial department and the Education and Community Outreach Officer; • Managing the gallery’s external communications, including coordination of any advertising; not limited to radio ads, and print advertising along with the organization of the Blank Canvas Radio show. • Coordinating content across all social media platforms and bi-monthly newsletters under the supervision of the Chief Curator, ensuring that these strategies are optimized in relation to the aesthetic aspects of the museum and its brand in signage and spatial utilization; • Work with the Director and Chief Curator to enhance NAGB’s public identity and positioning, foster positive external relations and build long-term strategic alliances; • Play an active, public role as a spokesperson and representative of the gallery; • Maintaining updates on NAGB website; • Managing gallery tours for schools, donors and VIP guests; • Assisting with communication to corporate and individual patrons; • Assisting in preparing corporate and individual fundraising mailings, including letters and proposals, for exhibitions and other gallery programs in conjunction with the Registrar; • Supervise and manage the research and preparation of all foundation, corporate and government grant proposals, and oversee grant administration and reporting; • Performing general administrative duties, including scheduling of tours and programming talks and screenings. PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS: • Qualified candidate will possess a Bachelor’s degree in related field – Communications, Marketing, English – and two or more years of experience; • Previous working experience in communications, development, social media management in a fast paced cultural environment; • Excellent communications, organizational and interpersonal skills demonstrating various capacities to plan, liaise and manage multiple projects; • Exceptional writing and oral skills, proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); • Some knowledge of working with Adobe Suite, MailChimp, Google Documents; • Must have the ability to plan, prioritize and manage workloads whilst meeting deadlines; • Previous project management experience; • An outstanding team player with the ability to work on own initiative to drive results; • A vested and deep interest in and knowledge of modern and contemporary art, especially from The Bahamas and the region. Please send the following documents in support of your application: 1. 2. 3. 4.

CV or résume Letter of Intent Writing sample of under 500 words. 3 Letters of recommendation.

Note: Make sure your application and any attachments to the application submitted at the time of filing are complete and accurate and include details on all experience, education, training and other information that qualifies you for this recruitment. Failure to submit a complete and accurate application at the time of filing may result in your ineligibility for this recruitment. Only the most qualified applicants will continue on in the selection process. Selection Process: The selection process will include evaluation of applications in relation to minimum requirements. Applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement to the interview. Only those applicants whose qualifications most closely meet the needs of the Department will be invited for an interview. Deadline for applications: September 9th, 2016 For further questions, please contact Amanda Coulson, Director, The National Art Gallery of the Bahamas at acoulson@nagb.org.bs or info@nagb.org.bs

PAGE 6, Tuesday, September 6, 2016

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Asian stocks rise Eurozone economy ‘losing momentum’ as Germany falters as tepid jobs

LONDON (AP) — The 19-country eurozone lost some economic momentum in August, largely because of a slowdown in Germany, a closely watched survey showed Monday, days ahead of another possible stimulus package from the European Central Bank. Financial information company IHS Markit said its purchasing managers’ index — a broad gauge of economic activity — for the eurozone fell to a 19-month low of 52.9 points in August from 53.2 the previous month. The fall was unexpected as the initial estimate for August was 53.3. In spite of the fall, the eurozone is still growing, albeit sluggishly as anything above 50 indicates expansion. IHS Markit said the August reading is pointing to a quarterly economic growth rate of 0.3 percent. The firm did not assign any fundamental reason to the slowdown, such as uncertainty related to Britain’s decision in June to leave the European Union, but did note that Germany was “perhaps the biggest cause for concern” as output growth slowed to a 15-month low. Italy and France also saw modest rates of growth while Spain remained the “standout performer” with another strong quarter of growth at around 0.7 percent. The firm’s chief econo-

report stokes low rate hopes

TOKYO (AP) — Asian stocks rose Monday as a U.S. jobs report set off hopes among traders that the Federal Reserve will wait before raising interest rates.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel listens to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s speech during the opening ceremony of the G20 Leaders Summit in Hangzhou Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016. (AP Photo) mist, Chris Williamson, said the survey overall was “clearly disappointing” and suggested it may fuel expectations of a further stimulus package from the European Central Bank this week. “The survey data will fuel expectations that the ECB would prefer not to wait before injecting more stimulus into the economy, adding pressure for policymakers to act later this week to help shore up confidence in both the outlook for the economy and the bank’s commitment to its inflation target,”

he said. The central bank has launched a series of stimulus measures to help the eurozone over the past couple of years, including cutting its key interest rate to zero. It is also pumping 80 billion euros ($90 billion) of new money into the economy every month by buying bonds from banks and companies in the hope of keeping a lid on borrowing rates in the real economy to encourage lending and promote business activity. Williamson said the cen-

tral bank may just extend the duration of its bondbuying program, which is currently set to end in March 2017, at its meeting on Thursday. The decision over whether the ECB will do anything more is no foregone conclusion, not least after separate figures from the European Union’s statistics agency showed retail sales across the eurozone rising by a whopping 1.1 percent in July, more or less double the rate anticipated among economists.

KEEPING SCORE: Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 added 1.2 percent to 17,129.68 in the morning session. South Korea’s Kospi gained nearly 1.0 percent in early trading to 2,057.77. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 1.4 percent to 23,582.86, while the Shanghai Composite was virtually unchanged, inching up 0.01 percent to 3,067.52. US JOBS: Job gains slowed in most major industries in August and wages only rose a little. While the U.S. is on a long streak of job growth, reports over the last few months have been inconsistent. The Federal Reserve raised interest rates slightly in December and wants to gradually bring them back closer to where they were before the financial crisis of 2008. But most investors didn’t expect rates to rise this month, and the jobs report appeared to confirm that.

Bill to shield retired miners divides coal-state Republicans WASHINGTON (AP) — An election-year bill to fulfill a 70-year-old government promise and protect healthcare and pension benefits for retired miners is dividing coal-state Republicans, pitting endangered incumbents against GOP leaders wary of bailing out union workers. Retirement and healthcare funds currently support about 120,000 former miners and their families nationwide. But account balances have dwindled amid continued layoffs and bankruptcy filings as the coal industry struggles against competition from cheaper natural gas and tightening environmental regulations. The bill would ensure that retired miners receive hundreds of millions of dollars in benefits now at risk amid the industry’s steep decline. Without congressional inter-

vention, some of the funds could run out of cash by next year, according to the United Mine Workers of America. “These folks spent their whole lives going underground and mining the coal that made this country what it is today. They energized this nation for decades and through today,” said Phil Smith, a spokesman for the UMW, which has pushed for the bill. In 1946, President Harry S. Truman brokered an agreement to guarantee miners’ lifetime health and retirement benefits, a move that averted a lengthy strike. Thousands of retired miners and their supporters are expected to gather at the Capitol Thursday to push for the bill, which they describe as a life-saving measure that honors the pact made by the federal government.

The bill would affect more than 30,000 retired miners in West Virginia, and tens of thousands more in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Virginia and Alabama. Republican Sens. Rob Portman of Ohio and Mark Kirk of Illinois — both in tough re-elections in two months — back the legislation, but face resistance from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky. McConnell, a staunch defender of his home state’s coal industry, blocked the pension measure last year and says he’s not going to fast-track a plan that some Republicans warn amounts to a bailout. “There are hundreds of private-sector pension plans in critical, endangered or declining status throughout America today,” Sen. Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, said earlier this year. “So I’m not sure how Congress would help the United Mine Workers and not the others. Where do we draw the line?” Wyoming is the nation’s top coal producer — mainly from non-union plants — and Enzi said the bill would “do absolutely nothing for miners who are not members” of the UMW. Nearly 11,000 coal workers have lost

Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio listens during a hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. An election-year bill that would protect health-care and pension benefits for more than 100,000 retired coal miners is dividing coal-state Republicans. Thousands of miners are expected to gather at the Capitol to push for the measure, which they describe as life-saving and fulfilling a promise the government made in 1946. (AP Photo) jobs in the last year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the pension bill “wouldn’t help put those folks back to work,” Enzi said. Portman calls the bill a matter of fairness. “These are people who not just power our country but power their communities,” said Portman, who has been endorsed by the mine workers union as he faces a challenge from former Democratic Gov. Ted Strickland. In Pennsylvania, Sen. Pat Toomey, another endangered Republican, declined to comment, although his Democratic challenger, Katie McGinty, supports the

NOTICE

NOTICE EL-HUNI HOLDINGS LIMITED N O T I C E IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows: a) EL-HUNI HOLDINGS LIMITED is in voluntary dissolution under the provisions of Section 138 (4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000. b) The dissolution of the said company commenced on the 01st September, 2016 when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General. c) The Liquidator of the said company is Octagon Management Limited, The Bahamas Financial Centre, Shirley & Charlotte Streets, Nassau, Bahamas. Dated this 06th day of September, A. D. 2016 _________________________________ Octagon Management Limited Liquidator

bill. “Our nation owes every single coal miner a debt of gratitude for staring down risks and helping meet our energy needs,” McGinty said. She called on Congress to ensure “America’s coal miners get the dignified, secure retirement they deserve.” A spokesman for McConnell said the senator “has been and remains committed to helping ensure the retirement security of our nation’s retirees, including coal miners.” McConnell “continues to believe this issue deserves an open, transparent debate through regular order,”

WALL STREET: The Dow Jones industrial average added 72.66 points, or 0.4 percent, to end last week at 18,491.96. The Standard & Poor’s 500 index rose 9.12 points, or 0.4 percent, to 2,179.98. The Nasdaq composite gained 22.69 points, or 0.4 percent, to 5,249.90. THE QUOTE: “Overall, jobs data continue to paint the broad recovery picture in the labor market. And this does not change the view that the Fed is still on course to tighten policy,” said Cynthia Jane Kalasopatan, Singapore Treasury Division at Mizuho Bank. ENERGY: U.S. benchmark crude oil lost 33 cents to $44.11 a barrel in New York. It rose $1.28 to $44.44 late last week. Brent crude, the benchmark for international oil prices, fell 37 cents to $46.46 a barrel. The CURRENCIES: dollar rose to 103.89 yen from 103.31 yen and the euro edged down to $1.1160 from $1.1202. spokesman Robert Steurer said, noting that the Senate Finance Committee is expected to vote on the bill later this month. At least nine Senate Republicans, including Finance Chairman Orrin Hatch of Utah, support the bill, along with nearly all Senate Democrats. Sen. Sherrod Brown, DOhio, said McConnell has blocked the bill “because he doesn’t like the United Mine Workers union,” which endorsed McConnell’s Democratic opponent, Alison Grimes, in the 2014 election. Don Stewart, another McConnell spokesman, denied that and said McConnell met with the union earlier this year and laid out criteria for the bill to be considered, including a hearing and vote by the Finance panel. “There are a lot of different opinions. We’ll see what kind of bill comes out of the committee,” Stewart said. Portman, who has lobbied McConnell on the issue, said he was pleased backers secured a vote in the Finance panel. “We think it actually is going to save money over time,” Portman told reporters. “Because if we don’t provide for these coal miners now with some sort of an immediate stop-gap measure it’s very possible you could see ... taxpayers generally having to step in and do some kind of a bailout” to prevent a collapse of the pension fund.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that PEDRO ALLEN WILLIAMS of Holmes Rock, Deadman’s Reef, Grand Bahama,e Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 6th day of September, 2016 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that AUDLEY PETION of #21 Sunlight Cottage, New Providence, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 30thday of August, 2016 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE BELMONT UNITED INC. In Voluntary Liquidation

NOTICE KELSO OVERSEAS CORP. In Voluntary Liquidation

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, BELMONT UNITED INC. is in dissolution as of September 1st, 2016.

Notice is hereby given that in accordance with Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act. 2000, KELSO OVERSEAS CORP. is in dissolution as of September 1st, 2016.

International Liquidator Services Inc. situated at 3rd Floor Withfield Tower, 4792 Coney Drive, Belize City, Belize is the Liquidator.

LIQUIDATOR ______________________

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 6, 2016, PAGE 7

China promises cooperation on steel at global summit

HANGZHOU, China (AP) — China agreed to cooperate more closely with its trading partners on its politically volatile steel exports as leaders of major economies ended a summit Monday with a forceful endorsement of free trade and a crowded agenda that included the Koreas, Syria and refugees. In a joint statement, Chinese President Xi Jinping, U.S. President Barack Obama and the leaders of Britain, Japan, Russia and other Group of 20 nations pledged to boost sluggish global growth by promoting innovation. “The global recovery lacks momentum,” Xi told reporters after the meeting. “We need to do more to unlock the potential for medium and long-term growth.” There was no mention of a global stimulus or other joint action, which officials said earlier was unworkable because economic conditions vary widely from country to country. In an effort to shore up public support for trade, the leaders promised “inclusive growth” to spread the benefits to people who have been left behind by wrenching change. That reflects a recognition that economic strains are fueling political tensions and a growing clamor to raise barriers against foreign competition. The statement expressed “opposition to protectionism on trade and investment in all its forms.” The governments pledged to avoid devaluing their currencies to boost exports. They called for cooperation to reduce tax avoidance. They appealed for stepped up aid for surging global numbers of refugees and their host countries. Chinese leaders hope the two-day meeting will increase their influence in managing the global economy.

They want the G-20, created to respond to the 2008 financial crisis, to take on a longer-term role promoting trade and economic growth. The joint statement reflected that ambition by calling it the “premier forum” for economic cooperation. Beijing made trade a theme of the gathering in this lakeside city southwest of Shanghai but faces complaints that a flood of low-cost Chinese steel into global markets threatens U.S. and European jobs, propelling the rise of political movements that promise to curb trade. The joint statement calls for formation of a steel forum under the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to study excess production capacity. In a concession to Beijing, the statement doesn’t mention China by name and says excess steel capacity is a global issue. However, U.S. and European officials say the vast Chinese state-owned industry, which accounts for half of worldwide output, is the root of the problem. Washington has hiked import duties by up to 500 percent on Chinese steel to offset what it says are improper subsidies. Beijing promised in January to reduce steel production capacity by 100 to 150 million tons by 2020. But that is half of China’s estimated excess capacity of 300 million tons, so deeper cuts would be required to bring it in line with demand. “The market is distorted by subsidies and other support measures, and that is the fundamental problem,” said Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, according to broadcaster NHK. The president of the European Union’s governing body, Jean-Claude Juncker, called Sunday for the G-20 to take action on steel. He said the trade bloc will look

at Beijing’s response when deciding whether to grant China market economy status, which would make it harder to bring anti-dumping cases. The steel forum could help to ease strains with Beijing’s trading partners, said economist Rajiv Biswas of IHS. “It may help to reassure countries about tangible steps China is taking,” he said. Obama, Xi and other leaders called during the meeting for governments to defend free trade. “The benefits of trade and open markets must be communicated to the wider public more effectively,” the joint statement said. The World Trade Organization is forecasting global trade growth this year at just 2.8 percent — its fifth year below 3 percent. The International Monetary Fund has cut its outlook for global economic growth to 3.1 percent. The G-20 as a group is unlikely to be able to do much to boost trade or economic growth, Biswas said. He noted that talks on Obama’s TPP initiative for Asia-Pacific governments and a U.S.-European pact have slowed or stalled. Britain is wrestling with the effects of its June vote to leave the EU. Russia, Nigeria and other economies are in recession. “I would say it is hard for the G-20 to come up with a coordinated action plan because many of the countries are caught up in domestic issues,” Biswas said. The summit was frequently overshadowed by other concerns. It got off to a rocky start Saturday when there was no staircase at the airport for Obama’s plane. Quarrels with Chinese officials broke out on the tarmac and at other venues over access by U.S. officials and reporters. Heavy security for the

Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, shakes hands with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Hangzhou in eastern China’s Zhejiang province. (AP Photos)

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Chinese President Xi Jinping, right, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shake hands before their bilateral meeting, on the sideline of the G-20 Summit in Hangzhou, China, yesterday. event brought Hangzhou, a city of 2.5 million people, to a standstill and left downtown streets deserted. On Monday, North Korea added to the drama by firing three ballistic missiles off its east coast. At about the same time, Xi was in Hangzhou telling his South Korean counterpart, Park Gyun-hye, that China opposes plans to deploy a U.S. anti-missile system outside South Korea’s

capital, Seoul. China has warned Seoul against installing the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, system. But Monday marked the first time Xi raised the issue directly with Park. Beijing complains THAAD will allow the U.S. military to peer deep into northeastern China. Another key issue at the meeting was Britain’s vote to leave the 28-nation EU trade bloc, seen by some an-

alysts as the first in a wave of moves by governments to withdraw from free trade. British Prime Minister Theresa May, who took office after the referendum, tried to reassure other governments Britain was not isolating itself. Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayypip Erdogan, met to discuss the conflict in Syria and to try to mend frayed relations.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, September 6, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

US holiday keeps a lid on European markets LONDON (AP) — European stock markets closed a tad lower Monday following mixed economic data. Trading activity was dented by the Labor Day holiday in the U.S.

KEEPING SCORE: In Europe, Germany’s DAX ended 0.1 percent lower at 10,672.22 while the CAC-40 fell 0.02 percent to 4,541.08. The FTSE 100 index of leading British shares finished the session 0.2 percent lower at 6,879.42. BRITAIN HOLDS UP: Another survey of British economic activity provided further evidence that the British economy has held up better than many people expected following the June vote to leave the European Union. According to IHS Markit and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply, the purchasing managers’ index for Britain — a broad gauge of economic activity — jumped to 53.2 points, reversing a

record fall to 47.4 in July experienced after the June 23 referendum. The index is on a 100-point scale, with figures above 50 representing growth. MARKET REACTION: The pound rose modestly on the news, trading 0.1 percent higher at near seven-week highs of $1.3313. British stocks slipped as investors marked down export-oriented companies in light of the pound’s move. A higher pound makes their products more expensive in international markets. ANALYST TAKE: “The latest reading negates some of the pessimism from the July reading, which sparked fears of a substantial slowdown in business activity following the EU referendum after showing the largest decline on record,” said David Cheetham, market analyst at XTB. EUROPE SLOWING?

An equivalent survey for the 19-country eurozone suggested that the region lost some economic momentum in August, largely because of a slowdown in Germany, a closely watched survey showed Monday. IHS Markit said its purchasing managers’ index for the eurozone fell to a 19-month low of 52.9 points in August from 53.2 the previous month. The fall was unexpected as the initial estimate for August was 53.3 and has stoked speculation that the European Central Bank will enact a further stimulus on Thursday at its regular policy meeting. That has helped shore up stocks across the eurozone. ENERGY: Oil prices pushed ahead amid speculation of a production freeze after the world’s two largest oil producers, Russia and Saudi Arabia, agreed to act together to stabilize global oil output. It’s unclear what that may entail though. Benchmark U.S. crude oil

People walk by an electronic stock board of a securities firm in Tokyo, yesterday. Asian stocks rose Monday as a U.S. jobs report set off hopes among traders that the Federal Reserve will wait before raising interest rates. (AP Photo) gained 70 cents to $45.14 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange, while Brent crude, the benchmark for international oil prices, rose 67 cents to $47.50 a barrel.

ASIA’S DAY: Japan’s Nikkei 225 added 0.7 percent to finish at 17,037.63. South Korea’s Kospi gained 1.1 percent to 2,060.08. Hong Kong’s Hang Seng rose 1.7 percent to 23,668.40, while the Shanghai Composite edged

up nearly 0.2 percent to 3,072.10. Australia’s S&P/ ASX 200 climbed 1.1 percent to 5,429.60. The CURRENCIES: euro was steady at $1.1150 while the dollar fell 0.6 percent to 103.39 yen.

Obama makes trade deal top priority in remaining months WASHINGTON (AP) — Despite formidable opposition across the political spectrum, President Barack Obama is using his final months in office to fight for congressional approval of a 12-nation free trade pact called the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Obama plugged the trade agreement Monday in China, saying it is “indisputable that it would create a better deal for us than the status quo.” He said he doesn’t have to sell the deal to Asian leaders who were part of the negotiations because “they see this as the right thing to do for their own countries.” At home, presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump bash the agreement and public opinion polls show voters closely divided on its merits. A survey by the Pew Research Center estimated that 39 percent of registered

voters view TPP as a bad thing for the United States and 37 percent consider it a good thing, hardly the kind of numbers that would inspire Congress to heed the president’s call. Where things stand on the agreement and Obama’s effort: WILL CONGRESS VOTE ON TPP? It’s hard to argue with House Speaker Paul Ryan’s assessment that TPP doesn’t have the votes to pass. Throw in Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s statement that the Senate would not take up the agreement this year and TPP’s prospects look dismal. Last year, the House barely passed legislation establishing a streamlined process for approving TPP, called “fast-track,” but the details of the actual agreement were not made public until November. Since

then, about a dozen Republicans who voted for the fast-track process have switched and said they oppose the deal, seemingly eliminating a narrow cushion of support. That leaves the administration and other TPP supporters with a tough task. The ripest recruiting grounds: 50 GOP lawmakers who voted against fast-track. Many consider themselves free-traders but voted no for separate reasons. The fight in the Senate could be easier since supporters only need a simple majority for passage rather than the 60 votes usually needed for advancing legislation. Business groups that want the agreement approved used the August recess to lobby lawmakers and their staffs. Foes of TPP have been heartened by the dire talk from congressional leaders.

U.S. President Barack Obama, center, chats with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, left, as they and other leaders arrive for a family photo at the Xizi hotel in Hangzhou in eastern China’s Zhejiang province, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2016. (AP Photo) But many suspect a vote is looming. Witness the fundraising pitch from the politically active nonprofit launched by Sen. Bernie Sanders, a Vermont independent who tells potential donors that “we will have a very, very narrow window” to defeat TPP in the lame-

MARKET REPORT MONDAY, 5 SEPTEMBER 2016

t. 242.323.2330 | f. 242.323.2320 | www.bisxbahamas.com

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX: CLOSE 1,974.89 | CHG 0.00 | %CHG 0.00 | YTD 150.94 | YTD% 8.28 BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 4.05 17.43 9.09 3.50 4.70 0.18 8.34 8.50 6.10 10.60 15.50 2.72 1.60 5.80 8.76 11.00 8.20 6.90 12.25 11.00

52WK LOW 2.47 17.43 9.09 3.15 2.41 0.12 6.09 7.25 5.50 7.00 13.99 2.25 1.27 5.51 6.00 9.85 6.12 5.75 11.75 10.00

PREFERENCE SHARES 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

1.00 106.00 100.00 106.00 100.00 105.00 100.00 10.00 1.01

1.00 105.50 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 10.00 1.01

SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Bank of Bahamas Benchmark Cable Bahamas CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Colina Holdings Commonwealth Bank Commonwealth Brewery Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Famguard Fidelity Bank Finco Focol ICD Utilities J. S. Johnson Premier Real Estate

SYMBOL AML APD BPF BWL BOB BBL CAB CIB CHL CBL CBB CWCB DHS FAM FBB FIN FCL ICD JSJ PRE

LAST CLOSE 4.05 15.85 9.09 3.50 5.22 0.12 6.47 8.50 5.83 10.60 14.00 2.51 1.55 5.80 8.77 10.95 8.12 6.60 11.93 10.00

CLOSE 4.05 15.85 9.09 3.50 5.22 0.12 6.47 8.50 5.83 10.60 14.00 2.51 1.55 5.80 8.77 10.95 8.12 6.60 11.93 10.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

CAB6 CAB8 CAB9 CAB10 CHLA CBLE CBLJ CBLK CBLL CBLM CBLN FBBA FCLB

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 10.00 1.01

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

SECURITY Fidelity Bank Note 17 (Series A) + Fidelity Bank Note 18 (Series E) + Fidelity Bank Note 22 (Series B) +

SYMBOL FBB17 FBB18 FBB22

LAST SALE 100.00 100.00 100.00

CLOSE 100.00 100.00 100.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00

Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2014-12-3Y BGS: 2015-1-3Y BGS: 2014-12-5Y BGS: 2015-1-5Y BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-3Y BGS: 2015-6-5Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y

BAH29 BG0103 BG0203 BG0105 BG0205 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0303 BG0305 BG0307 BG0330

115.42 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 8 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Cable Bahamas Series 10 Colina Holdings Class A Commonwealth Bank Class E Commonwealth Bank Class J Commonwealth Bank Class K Commonwealth Bank Class L Commonwealth Bank Class M Commonwealth Bank Class N Fidelity Bank Class A Focol Class B

CORPORATE DEBT - (percentage pricing) 52WK HI 100.00 100.00 100.00

52WK LOW 100.00 100.00 100.00

BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing) 115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

113.70 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

VOLUME

EPS$ 0.304 1.351 1.086 0.220 -1.134 0.000 0.185 0.551 0.508 0.541 0.528 0.094 0.166 0.510 0.612 0.960 0.650 0.703 0.756 0.000

DIV$ 0.090 1.000 0.000 0.160 0.000 0.000 0.187 0.260 0.200 0.360 0.610 0.060 0.040 0.240 0.275 0.000 0.280 0.120 0.640 0.000

P/E 13.3 11.7 8.4 15.9 N/M N/M 35.0 15.4 11.5 19.6 26.5 26.7 9.3 11.4 14.3 11.4 12.5 9.4 15.8 0.0

YIELD 2.22% 6.31% 0.00% 4.57% 0.00% 0.00% 2.89% 3.06% 3.43% 3.40% 4.36% 2.39% 2.58% 4.14% 3.14% 0.00% 3.45% 1.82% 5.36% 0.00%

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%

INTEREST 7.00% 6.00% Prime + 1.75%

MATURITY 19-Oct-2017 31-May-2018 19-Oct-2022

6.95% 4.00% 4.00% 4.25% 4.25% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.00% 4.25% 4.50% 6.25%

20-Nov-2029 15-Dec-2017 30-Jul-2018 16-Dec-2019 30-Jul-2020 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2018 26-Jun-2020 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045

MUTUAL FUNDS 52WK HI 1.99 3.90 1.92 167.58 138.35 1.44 1.67 1.55 1.08 6.94 8.65 5.92 9.94 11.15 10.46

52WK LOW 1.67 3.04 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.39 1.67 1.48 1.03 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57

FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund FG Financial Preferred Income Fund FG Financial Growth Fund FG Financial Diversified Fund FG Financial Global USD Bond Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Equities Sub Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - High Yield Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Alternative Strategies Fund

NAV 1.99 3.90 1.92 167.58 136.68 1.44 1.67 1.55 1.08 6.94 8.65 5.92 9.59 11.15 9.57

YTD% 12 MTH% 2.33% 4.05% 3.34% 6.09% 1.63% 2.99% 3.41% 5.18% 2.95% -0.58% 2.19% 3.91% 2.46% 8.70% 1.94% 5.28% 4.11% 1.26% 4.05% 8.28% 5.93% 13.53% 2.73% 4.73% 3.97% -3.53% 2.96% 4.33% -4.26% -6.22%

NAV Date 31-Jul-2016 31-Jul-2016 27-Jul-2016 30-Jun-2016 30-Jun-2016 31-Jul-2016 31-Jul-2016 31-Jul-2016 31-Jul-2016 31-Jul-2016 31-Jul-2016 31-Jul-2016 31-Jul-2016 31-Jul-2016 31-Jul-2016

MARKET TERMS BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00 52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks 52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume Change - Change in closing price from day to day Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings

YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths NAV - Net Asset Value N/M - Not Meaningful

TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | FG CAPITAL MARKETS 242-396-4000 | COLONIAL 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225

duck session after the elections. WHAT’S THE PATHWAY FOR PASSAGE? The top concern of lawmakers is that the protection of clinical testing data for certain drugs made from living organisms, called biologics, falls short of the 12 years required by U.S. law. TPP requires countries to provide eight years of data protection, and possibly only five if they take other steps. Led by Sen. Orrin Hatch of Utah, the Republican chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, lawmakers want the U.S. standards to prevail. The Obama administration will try to work out some language during September and October that satisfy Hatch’s concerns, though any insistence that countries accept a baseline closer to the U.S. standard could prompt other nations to walk. Hatch also insists that participating countries provide the U.S. with roadmaps

for how they intend to implement the agreement. The Obama administration has sent negotiators to begin that work. Eventually, the administration will send draft legislation to Congress with the changes in U.S. law needed to enact the trade deal. Given the political winds, it probably won’t happen until after the election.

HOW DOES OBAMA SEAL THE DEAL? The president’s case for TPP emphasizes two points: First, he says it’s good for the economy because it eliminates thousands of tariffs that will lower the price for American-made goods and services. Second, it’s good for U.S. national security because it demonstrates America’s commitment to being a Pacific power. While the administration has been making both cases from the get-go, the closing argument for TPP increasingly has taken a national security emphasis.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that SAMANTHIA APRIL BULGINPINDER of #460 Manderville Road, Hudson Estate, Freeport, Grand Bahama, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 30thday of August, 2016 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that ROSEMARY PIERRE of Abaco, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/ naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twentyeight days from the 6th day of September, 2016 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that JACKSON JOSEPH of Marsh Harbour, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 6th day of September, 2016 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 6, 2016, PAGE 9

b o dy a n d m i n d

Freedom Kids first workshop with 100 Jamz where they did tons of activites including arts and crafts, board games and live demonstrations from the DJ’s at 100 Jamz. Photos/Shawn Hanna

An inspiring day for Freedom Kids By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net

special fun day organised by Cancer Society of the Bahamas and 100 Jamz for children battling cancer and sickle cell disease was nothing short of inspiring, according to the organisers. Some 20 children who are a part of the Freedom Kids programme were invited to Radio House on Shirley Street, the home of 100 Jamz, last Saturday to be educated and entertained. Throughout the day, youngsters participated in arts and crafts activities and had the opportunity to learn and exercise their disc jockey skills. “It was really a good day and the parents also had a good time,” said 100 Jamz on-air personality JJ McKenzie. “It was an awesome day. I just have to say I am so proud to have been a part of such a great group of people here at 100 Jamz. DJ Fines, Xtra Large, Xcitement were just absolutely amazing. DJ Fines and Xtra Large did the actual workshop, which went extremely well. They were just so amazing and the kids just had such a great time.” The fun day was such a success that organisers are considering hosting it on an annual basis. “I am very glad that we did that and I think we are going to have to make this an annual thing. We are definitely going to do it again because the kids had too much fun,” Ms McKenzie said. Freedom Kids is a social, support and education programme for kids with cancer or sickle cell disease. It is under the umbrella of the Cancer Society of the Bahamas and sponsored by the Lyford Cay Foundation. Melissa Major, the programme’s coordinator, told Tribune Health that the aim of Freedom Kids is to provide ongoing and practical hands-on support for the children while offering support to their parents at the same time. Entertainers like Bahamian Tre, Fadda Fred and Spicy Dee were also on hand to make sure the event was as fun as possible for the kids. “We want to send a very special thank you to Bahamian Tre, Faddah Fred and Spicy Dee. They were so great with the kids. They were doing arts and crafts and they were talking to them and painting with them,” said Ms Major. “It was really great to see young men in that age group as teenagers taking the time to spend with younger children. For more information or to donate to the programme, contact the Cancer Society of the Bahamas at 323-4441.

Spa treatment the Bamford way By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

The tranquil, soothing and inviting atmosphere of a day spa can offer a sweet escape for both women and men unwinding after a busy work week. But for Angelique Williamson, massage therapist at the Island House Bamford Spa on Mahogany Hill, a day spent visiting a spa can offer much more than that. In addition to offering relaxation, she believes the greatest advantage of visiting spas are the health benefits you receive with the various treatments. “With a body massage, it helps with relaxation, circulation, cellulite lymphatic drainage and also helps for the heart to function better. It is a feel-good experience, especially the oils we use here such as the camomile oil and so much more. They are so soothing and also help people rest better,” she said. “If people are able to financially, I think it is important to get a massage at least twice a week if possible. Other than that, every other week. People go through so much on a daily basis, for instance with

stress and challenges with lifestyle and eating habits, this would put them in the right frame of mind.” Bamford Spa services include their signature treatment which is designed to awaken and penetrate the muscles, the deep tissue massage directed at the most common areas of tension in the body, and the full body exfoliation where the whole body is lightly massaged with a warm blend of pure sea salt and brown sugar suspended in rich oil and body butters. One patron at the spa described a pedicure service with Bamford’s Pennie Baldacchi as “a sweet escape from the usual hustle and bustle of everyday life.” “While you can get a pedicure at many different places in Nassau, I found the experience at Bamford especially unique, mostly due to the atmosphere and the tranquility of the scenery. The fact that they use all natural products was a win for me. Pennie, my nail technician, she has a very vast experience and knowledge in the field. She offered great service and knowledge on what products to use going further,” said the patron. Bamford Spa, a fairly new wellness retreat, offers

The Bamford Spa at The Island House is the UK brand’s first location outside of Europe.

a wide variety of individually crafted treatments, all based on their trademark holistic approach to harnessing the rejuvenating power of nature. The Bamford Body Collection is the product line used throughout the Island House and forms the basis of a range of beauty, massage and therapeutic treatments offered at the spa. Founded by Lady Carole Bamford in 2006, the award-winning brand is a reflection of her passion for natural living, traditional skills and craftsmanship. The Island House is the first property outside Europe to feature a Bamford Spa. Anja Allen, marketing department representative at The Island House, said the beauty of the Bamford Spa is that patrons can tell the team what they are looking for, and get just that. She said the staff is well trained by international Bamford Spa specialists. “It is important that we work closely with them so that is something else that people will notice here, that all of the ladies have been trained well. The main key is this is a little small hidden gem, offering all natural products which you can’t get in any of the spas here in Nassau. They are also

renowned and well-known that have proven themselves through time. Bamford is an exclusive all organic brand based in the UK. It was really a passionate dream of the Holoweskos, especially Lauren, to go and actually source something that is all natural and bring it to the Bahamas,” said Ms Allen of the owners of the The Island House. She said the idea to promote health and wellness in this holistic way is paying respect to the environment, embracing what is natural and green. “Here at The Island House you see a lot of natural colours and woods. It’s all about those things that we enjoy when we travel and haven’t noticed here yet in the Bahamas. Farmers markets are picking up and a lot of people are farming now, which is good. It is been really refreshing since we opened in April. People are really noticing that you have to do a little bit more good to your body, knowing the environment has all the solutions. We have some wonderful ladies that came to work here and made this their home,” said Ms Allen.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, September 6, 2016

THE TRIBUNE

Talking about gangs and social breakdown This piece is derived from extensive research around gang violence, civil society participation and systemic failure. It points to some obvious problems that so far, have been ignored and thus the problem has been allowed if not encouraged to grow. We may talk about going back to an old way of life, but there simply is no going back, we can only move forward. In the past, gangs and gang violence were obviously less common, although the United States had gangs that dated back to the late 19th century. In many instances, survival was contingent on gang membership in some places. What has changed is the kind of gangs we have, the reasons they develop as well as the way we deal with abuse and our inter-familial relationships. We have a serious problem with abuse. We choose not to talk about it. We, in fact, choose to ignore it when it goes on under our noses. Parents may, and that is a strong may, call the police or Social Services when they know their child is being abused by a neighbour, but they certainly will not call the police when they know their child is being abused by a family member. In reality, they won’t deal with it at all. They will ignore the facts. Ignore the abuse. The acting out will be excused or ignored. If they have to, they will ignore the child, their child. Oftentimes, when we live in multi-generational homes where extended family members reside as well, and/or non-familial members, there is a tendency for abuse to flourish. Grandparents will never get

When communities ignore

Dr Ian Bethell-Bennett their own children into trouble if they are sexually molesting the grandchildren, nieces and nephews. In many instances, these abusive structures encourage exploitation of the children outside the home. The apparent permissiveness of the adults tells the younger children that they are aware of what is occurring and it is condoned. We assume that these children will grow up to be just fine, no scars, no problems at all. Years later, we realise that everything has gone wrong, or sometimes they hide it even better and manage to function until something causes the trauma to surface and it explodes. Given that parents have chosen to ignore the facts for so long, their children are angry, resentful and become dysfunctional. In some cases, even when the parents mean well, but do nothing towards seeking out professional assistance, they encourage the later breakdown of the child’s spiritual being. What develops is a serious social problem that negatively impacts the entire community.

Research tells us that gangs are a serious problem in the capital city. One Order gang seems to wish to take ownership of all the streets. Many of the young people come to these gangs because they need to belong to something. They are indirectly abused at home or they are directly abused. Indirect abuse is when they are ignored at home, not cared for, things are allowed to happen and there are no checks or balances put in place. Direct abuse is when parent and/or guardian is involved in abuse. When people ignore, these severely damaged people act out. They begin to gravitate to gangs because they are offered a home there. They feel welcome. Research also tells us that gangs protect their family. They protect an area and they provide a structure for communities that have been ignored or abandoned. These are pretty much the same thing. We expect to know or to see persons who are victims of abuse or abandonment by their “look”, but this is far from the case. Many persons who have experienced abuse will be the most outgoing yet oddly dissociative people in the group. They can disconnect one part from the other and continue to function. Many victims of abuse are fragile though rough. They are volatile, given internalised anger. Yet no one pays them any mind. Being in a gang allows them to vent their anger. They can express their frustration and their feeling of isolation and abandonment. They are encouraged to be themselves.

They are grouped in with younger as well as cooler, older people who lead them, which is exactly what many young people want, even if they won’t tell their parents. Gangs function well because of these dysfunctions. Gangs also thrive because of a failure of the community and the state. State failure means that people turn to strong members of their community for assistance. Just as family failure means that young people turn to stronger people in their world to help them, which is usually not a positive relationship. There are too few positive role models within many communities. Many people will tell stories of their youth and they will say that they survived growing up in poor areas where there were many strong characters ready to step in and encourage them into the gang family because of a strong mother or grandmother who took no nonsense. This does not necessarily mean to beat mercilessly, but to be strict, firm, clear and caring. Many parents today are too busy to care. Another irony is that we consider this kind of uncaring behaviour absent from “good” families. The same ills that befall “poor” families, occur in “good” families. Again, we assume that families with money are “good” families, when many of them are suffering the abuse experienced in the Fritz Lane home. Cable Beach is as human as Fox Hill and so open to abuse, human failure and exploitation. Many parents spend hours ignoring their “good” children because they are good. Many “good” families spend

no time together. Many “poor” families spend as much time together as they can, and manage to survive all the insanity that is heaped on them. When we ignore the problems in homes, we create the dysfunction that follows. When communities experience male failure at alarming rates, we ignore it. Gang violence proliferates across town because the system has failed most young people. We know this because young men and women in schools indicate that their first experiences with gangs were at the end of primary school or in junior high school. By the time children are 11, they have been approached to become members of a gang. When these same children are hungry for attention, cannot read, cannot write, cannot reason, as most of the youth in the public system given that there is a 50 per cent failure rate, we feel the brunt of their frustration because they become fast gang members and even quicker understudies. Leaders can be found everywhere, but they are extremely attractive to young people when they have an edge to them, when they resemble idealised characters from movies. When we have 50 per cent failure of young men, we should understand that the system is failing them, not the other way around. That percentage is far too high to simply disregard the facts. As the failure of young people grows, we should be able to change something that can positively turn the tide. Yet nothing happens. Aggressive antigang policing is not the answer; it only produces more anger and more active gangs.

Don’t be afraid: Overcome dental anxiety In order to have healthy teeth, more than brushing twice daily and flossing once daily is required. For complete oral care, it is important to visit your dentist every six months for a check-up and professional cleaning. While most have no problem with the brushing and flossing, visiting the dentist is where they fall short in their oral care regimen. There are a plethora of reasons people do not see their dentist regularly. Some do not visit because of time constraints, others do not visit due to their financial situation, but the main reason is many people fear the dentist. They would rather suffer through pain than seek professional help. Why do so many people dislike/ fear the dentist? In many cases this fear/phobia of the dental environment usually stems from a bad experience during childhood which has left an indelible mark on that individual’s life. If you are afraid of visiting the dentist here are some tips that may help you relax and feel more at ease in the dental setting.

Talk with your dentist about your fears Before you begin any procedure talk to your dentist and voice your concerns. Once your dentist is aware of your fears, he/ she will try to make you as stressfree as possible. It is important to find a dentist you are comfortable

Dr Tamika Ferguson with and one you can establish a trusting relationship with. There are many dentists out there, you have to find the right one who will make you feel at ease and is willing to work through your fears.

Fear of the dentist is common, but can easily be overcome

Wear headphones as a distraction

fall in this category find a dentist who offers these options.

Arrive early to your appointment

Many people have a fear of the noises heard during a dental appointment. To block out the sounds, you can bring your own headphones and listen to music. In some dental offices headphones will even be provided for you.

Breathe deeply and try relaxation techniques

By arriving early to your appointment this allows you to calm down before sitting in the dental chair. You may relieve some stress by simply watching TV or reading a magazine in the waiting room.

You may need anti-anxiety medication

Some dental practices recommend anti-anxiety medication for extremely nervous patients. If you

There are numerous relaxation techniques you can try: chatting to the nurse before the appointment starts, taking deep breaths in and out, asking to listen to your favourite radio station etcetera. Further, try scheduling early morning appointments before the stress of the day adds up.

Visit the dentist regularly to prevent major problems If you are someone with an extreme phobia of the dentist just going for a check-up may be trau-

matic. But the truth is the more you go to your dentist for your routine check-up and cleaning, the more you avoid lengthy/taxing procedures. Dental anxiety is extremely common and in some cases is so strong persons avoid visiting the dentist completely. If you are one of those who avoid your dentist because of a dental phobia, this is a situation that needs to be addressed head on because your oral hygiene is important to your overall health!

Chiropractic education Many times I have patients ask me about the educational requirements to become chiropractor. Is it more or less than it takes to become a medical doctor? Are you considered a real doctor? These are very good questions because there’s a great deal of misconception regarding a chiropractor’s education. In order to be accepted into a chiropractic college you must go to an undergraduate school to take a number of prerequisite courses. The prerequisites are very similar to those required to get into medical or dental school. A minimum of two years of undergraduate work with credits in biology, chemistry, anatomy, and other pre-med subjects are required, although most chiropractors have four years of undergraduate education. Once in chiropractic college, the first two years are very similar to medical school. In fact, chiropractors receive more hours in subjects like anatomy and physiology than medical doctors do. The second two years of the four years are specialised in the

Chiropractic

Dr Susan Donald chiropractic field. While medical doctors study drugs and surgery, chiropractors study the various techniques of adjusting the spine, diagnosis, case management, nutrition and X-ray analysis. The average chiropractic college requires over 4,000 hours of study over four years, just as much a medical doctor gets. A graduate must pass the rigorous national board to receive their licence to practice. Once they receive their license the chiroprac-

Chiropractors take a non-invasive, low risk, holistic approach tor must take 12 hours minimum of additional training each year. Many chiropractors continue their education with postgraduate courses such as sports injuries, treatment of auto and work related injuries, soft tissue therapies, advance degrees in X-ray radiology and neurology and advanced adjustment techniques. As to the other question – are chiropractor considered real doctors? Yes, upon graduation we

receive is a degree of doctor of chiropractic, so therefore we are a real doctor. A real doctor is a teacher, someone who helps educated patients on ways to improve their health and that of their families. Doctors of chiropractic teach non-invasive, low risk, holistic approach. So if you are seeking health and wellness care your first choice should be chiropractic.

to advertise today in the tribune call @ 502-2394

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, September 6, 2016, PAGE 11

Speaking the language of straw By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net

FTER 20 years as a straw artist, Beatrice Gardiner feels she is well versed in all of the intricacies of the craft. To bring her particular brand of art to the masses, she launched her own company – Beagard Land & Sea Designs – which seeks to satisfy its customers’ refined tastes with beautiful, well-executed, handmade straw products. Beagard Land & Sea Designs offers a variety of bags, hats, fans, wallets, door hangings, wreaths, bookmarks, belts, men’s wallets, place mats, portfolios, napkins, jewellery, and more at the Graycliff’s Heritage Village, Artist Studios on West Hill Street. Straw craft, she said, has always been in her blood. “Some people speak other languages fluently. I like to say I speak craft fluently. My blood boils with creative juices,” she said. In addition to enjoying the creative process, Ms Gardiner said she loves the interaction with her customers and getting direct feedback on her products.

Artist turned entrepreneur strives for perfection “We listen to people carefully. When sales are slow we get a good feedback as to what they think we should create next. I like the fulfillment I get from creating, and the fact that I am constantly reminded of how awesome God is to have created me, and indeed to have created all of us and give us the ability to create such wonderful works of art. I like the fact that other persons who we meet in the craft industry over the years have become life-long friends. I appreciate Mrs Gibson from Andros, Mrs Hunter from Cat Island and treasure the legacy that Elsie from Long Island who has now passed on has left us,” she said. Before launching her career in the arts and crafts sector, Ms Gardiner wrote poetry. She participated in poetry readings, contributed to a book published by poets in Cuba, published “The Other Footprint – A Book of Poems”, and co-authored “The New

Straw work and handicrafts by Beagard Land & Sea Designs Bahamian” with Millard Missick. She also served as secretary of the Bahamas’ Writers Association. “Now I make most things straw while I keep a light that hopefully shines wherever I am. You know, when the Lord gives us a talent and we use it, it just swings the door wide open for us to receive other talents from Him to be used for His glory. My overall

Six parenting tips to live by Parenting is the hardest job on earth. And not just because it requires your full attention at all times, but because it’s the only job that no matter how challenging it gets, you can never quit! Most of us feel like we are failing in some ways with this whole parenting thing, which is probably quite normal given that there are no guarantees and you always have to adjust and tweak it. There’s no 100 per cent satisfaction, money back guarantee to succeed book that you can buy that will give you a step-by-step guide to acing parenting. And, may I remind you that some parents do almost everything “right” and still end up with challenging kids. Parenting is like starting a new business venture; you can read all the books, do tonnes of research for years, take classes, talk to “experts”, and still I can promise you things won’t go

Bun In The Oven

Every parent has their method of parenting that works for them and their kids. You don’t have to follow all the parenting rules you discover, you just have to find what works for you. Over the years, I’ve picked up a few parenting tips that I live by:

Be consistent

Bianca Carter as planned. And just like new businesses, you fail all around in many ways, but you have to keep getting up and keep moving forward in the best way you know how.

This one is so hard. I’m not ashamed to say that I struggle with this one a lot. You make the rules and three weeks later you’ve gotten slack with them. Two things this teaches your child – you’re not serious, and with persistence, they can wear you down.

Let the punishment fit the crime Sometimes children will disobey you in small ways, and sometimes in really big ways. If your

Do you have the action habit? When it comes to habits, there are two that rise to the top. One is the habit of talking, the other is the habit of action. Which habit do you possess? It doesn’t take rock science to figure out that a large number of people are burdened by the talking habit. So much so that many of them are ignorant of the fact that the action habit exists and is way more powerful than mere words. Without knowing about something, it is difficult to benefit from it. This means that before you can adopt the action habit, you must know that this habit is an option or choice that you can make. A habit is defined as a routine behaviour that is repeated regularly. In other words, habits are what we repeatedly do; much of

Michelle Miller Motivationals

Michelle M Miller which is done on autopilot. Once it becomes a habit, you do it without even thinking. Consider the

Sherrina Abdool puts foundation in place for engineering career From pg B12 ity referendum and the Bahamas’ election to the CEDAW Committee, coexisted in the same political space and time,” Ms Bethel told the conference. Reflecting on the failed gender equality referendum, Ms Bethel said: “It was shocking but not surprising that each of the bills that advanced in its own way the two principles of gender equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex was soundly defeated. It was shocking as even the two bills that were slated to grant citizenship to children under the constitution were defeated. It was not surprising that the Bahamian electorate voted against the constitutional right to citizenship of the foreign husband of a Bahamian woman. It was not surprising that bill four that proposed to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sex being defined as a female or male, was defeated.” CEDAW, she pointed

out, brings together in one international human rights treaty wide-ranging provisions concerning discrimination on the basis of sex. It is essentially a ‘Bill of Rights’ for women, which focuses on rights in all areas of public and private life and is also an agenda for action by member states to guarantee the acquisition and enjoyment of human rights by women, she said. CEDAW as a human rights treaty has been ratified by all but four UN member states and represents wide acceptance by the international community of certain standards and norms. The outcome of the gender equality referendum in the Bahamas, Ms Bethel said, left her with these questions for national reflection: “What is the vision that we collectively have for our country in regard to the two human rights principles of equality and nondiscrimination? What are the principles, values and standards that we embrace

vast number of folks that talk and talk and talk. Years later they are still talking, having done nothing to change their situation. Same goes for the habit of “praying about it”. Praying without taking action is just as futile. As the Good Book says, “Faith without works is dead”. The more important point here is to understand that we are born to act. Taking action is the human way. I know for sure that having the action habit is a central ingredient in my capacity to live an empowered life. Although such a life is readily available to all of us, only those who adopt the action habit will be take the plunge. Habits are like arrows, steadily moving towards a particular outcome. Whether positive or nega-

that will continue to guide us as a nation for decades to come?” In light of the low voter turnout on June 7 (47 per cent of the electorate) and the vote of “no” to each bill, Ms Bethel feels that the questions posed have yet to be adequately answered. “How did we arrive at this point in our history where the two principles of equality and non-discrimination on the basis of sex were resoundingly defeated by the electorate that voted on June 7?” “The principles or values that have made the Bahamas a self-respecting democratic country are anchored in our historic struggle of the 1940s, 50s and 60s for the right to equality, the right to non-discrimination, the right of the consent of the governed and the right to majority rule and to selfdetermination,” she said. “These are the principles and values that continue to give me a sense of pride, dignity, self-respect and a profound sense of national identity; these are the principles that constitute the moral fabric of our nation.” Bahamian women, she added, must reflect on how to give an account for such a defeat when Bahamian

Straw artist Beatrice Gardiner child sneaks an extra cookie from the cookie jar it doesn’t necessarily warrant grounding that child for two weeks. Take the appropriate action.

Confessions shouldn’t be punished Do you have a remorseful child like I do? I know that if my child does something that he shouldn’t I will hear about it in the very near future. He can’t keep secrets, especially if he knows it’s something he shouldn’t have done. As frustrated as I am that he did something knowing that he shouldn’t have, I can’t fly off the handle if he confesses. He’s admitting it, so it should be discussed in a manner that will empower the child to make a better decision next time. I would rather my child feel comfortable enough to tell me so that we can correct the behaviour together, rather than him stopping with the confessions and doing it anyway. Parenting is all about picking and choosing your battles. tive, once the habit remains in play, the results must be the same. The results you are living today are based on the habits that you have in play. For example, if you have the habit of spending frivolously, the result of money problems is automatic. Similarly, the habit of prudent spending produces the result of better money management. Having the action habit is not so much about just taking action. Instead, it is about making deliberate action a habitual part of your life. Changing your habits literally changes your life. As I said, endless talking amounts to a life in the wasteland,whereas action habit builds you a city of confidence. This is the preferred habit of successful people everywhere. Yes, while habits are hard to break they are also hard to build. However, if you are willing to assess your habits and be brutally

women of the past would have fought so assiduously for their rights and created a “vibrant, dynamic and successful” women’s suffrage movement. “In 1961, both a colonial Parliament and a colonial Bahamian society upheld the principles of equality between women and men and non-discrimination on the basis of sex in regard to the right to vote and to stand as an electoral candidate,” said Ms Bethel. “This was the result of decades of lobbying, demonstrating, educating and strategising by women of the suffrage movement. This political movement offers us many lessons for mobilisation, women’s agency, empowerment, voice and participation in the service of change and transformation of societal norms.” The failed referendum, she added, amounts to a failure to complete the unfinished business of the previous generation. “We have allowed the energy and dynamism of the suffrage movement to be muted and relegated to a footnote of Bahamian history at our peril. It is difficult to assess the damage to our history and ourselves when on the two occasions

goal for my company is to create items wholesale to ship to the United States and Europe, and to have an online store where purchases can be made,” she said. Ms Gardiner’s intention is to also open a few other storefronts, as well as start a school for those interested in learning how to make various craft items. “People always want to know, ‘Where do you get the talent to do such beautiful work?” I say to them, firstly, from the Lord Jesus Christ and then a lot of it came from the influence of my mother, Matred Louise Missick Gardiner. People love the bags and I see the evidence of that because of how much they are purchased. They are impressed with the straw belts made with coconut shell buckles and like the fact that the products are well made,” she said. Ms Gardiner said she is looking forward to taking her Beagard Land & Sea Designs to the upcoming Bahamas National Trust Jollification. “We also hope to hold straw handbag making classes and approach other souvenir businesses to get more of the wholesale business involved. Beyond that, the sky is actually the limit, and we can hardly wait to see what God has in store for us,” she said.

Communicate to your child in the way that they understand Every time you punish your child you should have a few minutes after the punishment to discuss what happened. You should make sure that they understand clearly why they were punished. Sometimes kids really don’t understand what they did wrong.

Praise them If your kid does something respectful, kind, or makes positive changes and improvements in their life, praise them for it. Kids like to know that their parents are proud of them.

Say, “I love you” a lot

I don’t need to tell you why you should practice this in your daily parenting routine, do I? Love and hugs! honest about which habits you harbour and which ones serve you best, you can begin the deleting and rebuilding process. This is important because no two opposing habits can exist at the same time. One must be deleted before the other can be erected. Leader to leader, understand that your habits determines your destiny. You have full authority to adopt those habits that moves you towards your best self. The action habit is such a habit. By adopting the action habit you confidently live an empowered life. Yes, you can do it! What do you think? Please send your comments to coaching242@ yahoo.comor call 429-6770. • Michelle M Miller is a certified life coach, communication and leadership expert. Visit www. michellemmiller.com; mail can be sent to PO Box CB-13060.

in an independent Bahamas we have chosen to dishonour and demean ourselves, our history, the legacy and struggle of our maternal foreparents,” she said. Ms Bethel said it is “deeply distressing” to her that there remains a need to make a case for Bahamian women as worthy of equal rights under the constitution. “It is our obligation and responsibility as women parliamentarians and women in civil society to extend and advance the principles of equality and non-discrimination in our constitution,” Ms Bethel said. For this reason, she said, she is elated to serve on the CEDAW Committee. The Bahamas has had a long and active engagement with the United Nations in regard to the United Nations Charter, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the specific fundamental rights and freedoms as set forth in this Declaration, the International Labour Organisation Conventions, and the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples of 1960. “It is to our advantage to know and appreciate this

historical engagement as a colony as it has a direct and significant bearing on the current political and social issues that confront us today,” said Ms Bethel. Over the past few weeks, Ms Bethel said she has been busy making a series of courtesy calls and working meetings. She met with Prime Minister Perry Christie and had working meetings with women parliamentarians of the Bahamas. She also participated in working meetings with the National Congress of Trade Unions and the National Commission on Persons with Disabilities. Ms Bethel paid two courtesy calls on United States Embassy officials, including the US Chargé d’Affaires Lisa Johnson and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. In January of 2017, her work with CEDAW will begin in earnest. Prior to that, she will engage in talks with civil society institutions and several women’s associations, such as the Sister Sister Breast Cancer Support Group.

SECTION b

tuesday, september 6, 2016

Sherrina Abdool puts foundation in place for engineering career By Felicity Ingraham

s Beyonce says, girls can truly “run the world” by daring to enter fields dominated by men and doing their best to succeed. One Bahamian girl is doing just that by exploring the field of engineering even before she graduates from high school. Fifteen year-old Sherrina Abdool was afforded the opportunity to work at Integrated Building Services (IBS) this summer after successfully competing in the IBS Build-a-Bridge challenge. Her school, St Augustine’s College (SAC), won the ninth annual Build-aBridge challenge, which is an annual bridge-building event for high school students across the Bahamas. Student teams and their science teachers enter the competition free of charge and receive a kit containing the necessary materials to design and build bridges. Sherrina, who is now entering her final year at SAC, said she was excited to work closely with IBS executives on a variety of engineering projects. Her interest in engineering was first kindled while she was a student at St John’s College Primary School. Her father was a mentor for the Builda-Bridge team at that school. She would sit with the club and keenly watch them work in the afternoons while she waited for her father. Those afternoons of watching and learning resulted in her joining the team in high school. IBS offers high school teams 100 popsicle sticks and school glue with which to design the most sturdy

Sherrina Abdool explores engineering opportunities at Integrated Building Services. bridge. The bridge which holds the most load without collapsing wins the competition. The competition is a lively and exciting one as IBS executives add sand to a bucket, then weights if necessary, to stress the bridge until it can bear no more load. It allows the students to learn the importance of design, materials, and other elements when creating structures. The soundness and safety of such structures really come into play when human lives are involved – as the models are translated into real-life structures. “I’ve always had a vague idea of what I want to become,” said Sherrina.

“Engineering is such a diverse field that I can choose to specialise in an area which suits my particular skill set. At the moment I plan to educate myself in the basics of civil engineering and later, as I gain more exposure and knowledge about the various aspects of engineering, select an area in which I have the potential to succeed and aid in our advancement as a nation.” That’s exactly the kind of mindset that IBS President Nick Dean wishes to see

displayed by young students of engineering. “We feel that it is a small investment in the future of our country,” he said. “Students who participate in the challenge learn the value of teamwork and partnership while gaining an interest in the practical

uses of science.” The event was started in 2008 and continues to be a success because of the private and public sector support, local media support and hard-working volunteers who plan and work at the competition, Mr Dean added. Sherrina and the SAC team beat out Anatol Rodgers High School for first place, ending that school’s three-year reign as the competition’s victors. She received a twomonth internship as one of the prizes for winning the competition. Since she became interested in engineering, Sherrina said she has learned about the great strides made by women in the profession and the enormous support provided to girls interested in engineering. “The opportunities available to me as a female interested in pursuing a career in engineering have made me confident in my ability to succeed in this profession,” she said. “My goal has always been to be of service to my community and country, to aid in our progress as a nation. Engineering in all its aspects is a field that allows me to do just that. It is a field that is ever-advancing and strives to improve our quality of life. Being exposed to a discipline so committed to advancement has fostered my interest and has given me opportunities to aid in that advancement as well.” The SAC team successfully constructed the lightest bridge which held the heaviest load and won the load category. The bridge weighed 0.369 pounds and held a 252.6 pound load. Anatol Rodgers’ bridge weighed 0.3775

pounds and held a load of 202 pounds. The third place winner, St Anne’s, produced a bridge which weighed 0.4015 pounds and held a load of 188 pounds. Family Island schools made a sweep in the additional category of aesthetics: St Paul’s Methodist of Grand Bahama was the first place winner followed by Central Andros High in second and North Andros High School in third place. Twenty schools participated in this year’s challenge, which was held at the Holy Trinity Activities Centre. Tenth and 11th grade students from 12 private and eight public schools participated in this year’s competition. Mr Dean said it brings him much joy to be able to give back to the community by hosting the Build-ABridge challenge annually, and his company is excited for next year’s competition, which will represent the 10-year anniversary for the competition. The IBS team said it is very proud of the fact that the Build-A-Bridge challenge is endorsed by The Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Youth Sports and Culture, the Ministry of Works and Urban Development and the Bridge Authority. He encouraged the students to always be committed and dedicated as they aspire to become the future engineers of the Bahamas. He reminded them that “we have a country to build”, and as the professional engineers of future they will be responsible for propelling the Bahamas forward and making the environment structurally safe, and therefore a better place in which to live.

Bahamian attorney appointed to UN committee for women’s rights By Felicity Ingraham Bahamian women continue to soar to lofty heights on both local and international fronts, proving their viability in making a worldwide impact. Most recently, attorneyat-law Marion Bethel was elected to serve on the United Nations’ CEDAW Committee, which places her in a prominent position to make a difference in the lives of women all around the globe. The energetic elections ended with Ms Bethel successfully beating out a candidate from Spain, due to the support from the CARICOM countries. Ms Bethel is a “guru” in social, cultural and literary circles for her numerous national contributions.

She laid out the history and triumphs of the women’s suffrage movement in the Bahamas in detail on the website: www.womensuffragebahamas.com. She is also author of the acclaimed poetry book “Guanahani, My Love”. Ms Bethel is not only a practicing attorney, but also a partner in her law firm along with her husband, former Attorney General Alfred Sears. Her most recent appointment to serve the United Nations will begin in January 2017 and will require her to travel at least three times a year for intense CEDAW committee meetings, lasting three weeks at a time. CEDAW stands for the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Dis-

Marion Bethel (right) with US Chargé d’Affaires Lisa Johnson.

crimination Against Women. It is an international treaty adopted in 1979 by the United Nations General Assembly. It is also an international bill of rights for women instituted on September 3, 1981, and has been ratified by 189 UN states. The Bahamas, which ratified it in 1993, is now obligated to uphold its commitments to the Convention, which seeks to protect and promote equal attainment of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights for women. The Ministry of Social Services and Development released its first CEDAW report in 2012. Currently, a new report is near completion for presentation to the United Nations. This most recent report is expected

to inform the international body about the unsuccessful constitutional referendum on gender equality held in the Bahamas this past June. The referendum failed on June 7, and two weeks later Ms Bethel was elected to CEDAW. On July 24, she addressed the issue during a presentation to Caribbean Women Parliamentarians during the 41st Regional Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association of the Caribbean, the Americas and the Atlantic Region under the theme: “Strategising for Women’s Leadership in the Caribbean Political Space.” “It is indeed ironic that these two events – the defeat of the gender equalSee pg b11