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VOLUME:116 No.199, OCTOBER 9TH, 2019

THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1

ALICIA WALLACE: Are we getting the next steps right?

Million gallons leaked in spill Full scale of disaster revealed as Equinor clean-up continues

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net EQUINOR officials in Grand Bahama yesterday confirmed that more than 35,000 barrels of crude oil have been recovered to date from its South Riding Point facility and efforts continue towards “full recovery” in East End. It’s been a month since “the catastrophic” oil spill at the facility on September 2 during Hurricane Dorian.

According to an official, 36,299 barrels have been recovered so far, which amounts to more than 1.4 million gallons of oil. Additionally, officials have “categorically denied” accusations of unsafe and unfair treatment of Bahamians who are working, along with foreign responders, to clean up the spill. Human rights and environmental activist Joseph Darville recently toured the facility and the affected pine forest area just north SEE PAGE THREE

ATTORNEY Fred Smith, QC, believes the government is acting outside of the limits of its powers through several measures designed to hammer down on shanty towns in Abaco, adding that in some respects, it has acted unlawfully. In the days following Hurricane Dorian’s passage, the government issued

a prohibition to build order for The Mud, Sand Banks, Farm and Pigeon Peas. Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis later announced a plan to compulsorily acquire these portions of land. The government has also started to clean the areas, including bulldozing a few existing structures in Sand Banks, in Treasure Cay after the prime minister gave an order to do so. SEE PAGE FIVE

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

BUSINESSMAN Jonathan Ash yesterday claimed he can’t remember telling this newspaper he did not know former Cabinet minister Shane Gibson, despite evidence to the contrary. Mr Ash testified that he “can’t recall” adamantly telling a Tribune reporter that not only did he not know the former labour minister, the reporter must have been “crazy” for even asking him if he did. That, despite the fact that not only was Mr Ash quoted as saying the remarks in question, the evidence led during Gibson’s ongoing bribery trial, in which he is the key witness, suggests otherwise. During yesterday’s proceedings, lead defence attorney Keith Knight, QC, drew Mr Ash’s attention to SEE PAGE 10

VICTIM, 22, SHOT DEAD OUTSIDE HIS HOME

SMITH CHALLENGE TO SHANTY TOWN ACTION By KHRISNA RUSSELL Deputy Chief Reporter krussell@tribunemedia.net

TRIBUNE’S QUESTIONS: ASH ‘CAN’T REMEMBER’

By RIEL MAJOR Tribune Staff Reporter rmajor@tribunemedia.net

IT’S DUNKIN’ DAY MERMAID Linzi takes part in 100 Jamz’ annual Dunkin’ for Boobies charity fundraiser – marking the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month – outside Radio House yesterday. See page two for more. PHOTO: Terrel W Carey Sr/Tribune staff

‘MY CATEGORY FIVE HOUSE SURVIVED’

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

WHEN Mary Thaysen built her “Category Five” house in East End, everyone “teased” her about it. But homes were destroyed and swept from their foundations in East Grand Bahama during Hurricane Dorian, hers remained intact, withstanding the wrath of the

MARY Thaysen outside her home in East End. monster storm as it sat over the island for two days with more than 155 mph winds and 20ft storm surge.

Ms Thaysen — an 82-year-old retired nurse from Miami, Florida – had built a near perfect storm house in Gambier Point, East Grand Bahama. She was not on the island when Dorian came on September 2 but had seen pictures of the devastation on Grand Bahama and had expected to see some damage to her house, which is near the beach.

Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper

SEE PAGE SIX

POLICE are investigating the country’s latest homicide after a man was shot in broad daylight sitting near his Wilson Track home yesterday afternoon. The incident took place shortly after noon at Spence Court off Wilson Track. According to Superintendent Shanta Knowles, a man was sitting on a log when a small grey vehicle drew up and the occupants, all armed, opened fire in his direction, fatally wounding him before speeding away. The Tribune understands the deceased is Shawquan SEE PAGE SEVEN

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