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VOLUME:118 No.21, DECEMBER 21, 2020
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‘WE’RE HOPING FOR A MIRACLE’ LEADING THE WAY
Anti-oil campaigners wait for court date as drill ship nears well By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net ENVIRONMENTAL activists yesterday admitted they are seeking “a Christmas miracle” as the Bahamas Petroleum Company’s (BPC) drilling ship closed in on the location for its first exploratory oil well. Sam Duncombe, reEarth’s president, said it was “supremely depressing” that global positioning (GPS) tracker co-ordinates showed the Stena IceMax bearing down on its Perseverance One well location in waters some 90 miles west of Andros. With the activists’
Judicial Review challenge to BPC’s permits still awaiting a court date, and the imminent Christmas holiday likely to close down much of the judicial system, time is rapidly running out to obtain a stay or order halting the oil exploration outfit’s activities. Given it expects drilling of Perseverance One to take place within 45-60 days of starting, it is possible much of the work BPC intends to perform could be completed before the case initiated by Waterkeepers Bahamas and the Coalition to Protect Clifton Bay is heard or any ruling is made. FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
SEVERAL members of the United States Congress have written to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis and Environment Minister Romauld Ferreira urging them to reconsider the oil drilling agreement with Bahamas Petroleum Company. Yesterday, Dr Minnis told The Tribune he had not formally received the letter through the Office
‘WHY DIDN’T POLICE TRY TO EXTRADICT NYGARD?’ By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net ATTORNEY Fred Smith said Commissioner of Police Paul Rolle should have encouraged local extradition proceedings against Peter Nygard over the sexual assault allegations he faces. Mr Smith also called for a commission of inquiry into the events at Nygard Cay dating back to the 1980s. His comments yesterday came after Commissioner Rolle said as part of law enforcement’s investigation into Nygard, officers visited the fashion mogul’s Nygard Cay residence but found that the Canadian national had already left the country and would not return. Mr Smith, QC, said: “It is a sad and tragic reflection on The Bahamas that the FBI and the New York police should be pursuing extradition of Nygard instead of the Bahamian police.” SEE PAGE TWO
FATF TAKES BAHAMAS OFF WATCH LIST By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net
US CONGRESS MEMBERS URGE MINNIS TO SAY NO TO DRILLING By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
HO&USE
THE PEOPLE’S PAPER: $1
THE attorney general has voiced optimism the financial services industry will go “from strength to strength” after The Bahamas’ efforts to shore up its anti-financial crime regime gained global approval. Carl Bethel QC, hailed the two-year “team effort” that secured the country’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force’s enhanced surveillance initiative. The FATF certified on Friday that The Bahamas merited delisting after addressing previous weaknesses in its regulatory regime.
of the Prime Minister and offered no further comment. Attorney General Carl Bethel is expected to address the oil drilling issue when the Senate meets today. BPC’s drilling ship, Stena IceMAX, anchored out to sea between the Berry Islands and Grand Bahama last Tuesday. BPC planned to begin drilling its first exploratory well in waters 90 miles west of Andros yesterday. SEE PAGE THREE RAMANDA Lee gets her COVID-19 vaccination in Florida while wearing a T-shirt created by Bahamian artist Angelika Wallace-Whitfield. The Bahamian nurse works in the United States, and was vaccinated as part of the Jackson South Medical Center’s team, making her one of the first Bahamians to get the new vaccine. By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Senior Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net NURSE Ramanda Lee became one of the first Bahamians to get the COVID-19 vaccine last Friday, pushing aside her initial scepticism. The 34-year-old grew up in New Providence but moved to the United States about nine years ago and currently works as a nurse at the Jackson South
Medical Center in Florida. The Jackson Health System has received over 19,000 vaccines that are being distributed throughout its hospitals. “My hospital, we got thrown into the whole COVID situation that was going on and what prompted me to get the vaccine was just seeing what the patients and families have been going through,” Nurse Lee told The Tribune. “I felt personally that it
was a step in the right direction to be one of the first people to get the vaccine.” Receiving the Pfizer vaccine, she said, was a simple, non-extraordinary process. “It was just like every other vaccination that you’ve done,” she said. “They registered me because it is a new vaccine and they want you to wait 15 to 30 minutes to see if you have a reaction. SEE PAGE FOUR
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
FULL STORY - SEE BUSINESS
INSIGHT WHAT ARE WE DOING TO STOP PLASTIC POLLUTION?
SEE PAGE EIGHT
PAGE 2, Monday, December 21, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
‘Why didn’t police try to extradict Nygard?’ from page one “I encourage the commissioner of police to immediately seek the extradition of Nygard from Canada. Just like the US authorities can extradite Bahamians for decades to stand trial in the USA, we should grow some prosecutorial testicular tissue and seek extradition of Nygard to stand trial in the Bahamas.” Prosecutors in the Southern District of New York charged Nygard with racketeering and sexual
assault offences last week, prompting the arrest of the 79-year-old in Canada. Commissioner Rolle declined to discuss Nygard at length with reporters last week, citing sub judice rules. In response to his position, Mr Smith said: “I urge the commissioner to take advice about the sub judice rule. There are no criminal or civil proceedings afoot in the Bahamas. “Nygard’s absence does not prevent an investigation continuing. There are many witnesses, many other victims, many other people
who worked at Nygard Cay who are prepared to cooperate and assist the police.” Mr Smith said: “Nygard was not alone. Indeed, the US indictment alleges conspirators, facilitators and supporters. We know that there were police, politicians, clergymen, immigration, customs and all manner of people in the Bahamas involved in the perversion of our paradise. “Dozens and dozens of young women were abused by Nygard. Where are the mothers? Where are the women’s rights advocates? Where are the icons of
CANADIAN fashion mogul Peter Nygard at an earlier court appearance in The Bahamas. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff society? Why were their voices not heard for decades? The attorney general cannot become the chair of FATF (Caribbean Financial Action Task Force) while the sordid underbelly of human trafficking, sexual abuse, rape of minors is also not exposed. “I call on the attorney
general and the prime minister to hold a commission of inquiry about the goings on at Nygard Cay since the 1980s. We need to have a truth and reconciliation commission to bring social justice to the savagery inflicted on our body politic by Nygard. We cannot chair an international financial commission
whilst we sweep under the carpet the rape of our young girls. We should not be known as the sex tourism capital of the Caribbean.” Nygard’s arrest came months after a class action lawsuit was filed in New York accusing him of raping numerous women, many of them Bahamians.
MAN INJURED ‘IN POLICE SHOOT-OUT’ A SUSPECT is in hospital after he was wounded during a shoot-out with police in New Providence on Friday. Police said shortly before 10pm, officers responded to a Shot Spotter alert at Woods Alley and Flint Street. As the officers approached the scene, they
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observed a man “engaged in an exchange of gunfire with an unidentified armed suspect,” a police report said. “The suspect, on seeing the police, directed his gunfire toward the officers. The officers returned fire, injuring the suspect and subsequently subduing him,” police added. Police also said a Glock 19 pistol was retrieved from the suspect. He was later taken to hospital, where he is listed in serious condition. An investigation into this matter continues.
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THE TRIBUNE
Monday, December 21, 2020, PAGE 3
PROTESTERS on Blake Road on Saturday.
‘Keep The Bahamas blue’ By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net PROTESTERS came out on Saturday at Blake Road to demonstrate against planned oil drilling in The Bahamas. Cars lined up along the road draped with signs that read “Keep it blue,” “Oil kills marine life” and “Oil drilling is killing” in the socially distant protest. Sam Duncombe, reEarth president, said the protesters were out on the street for about two hours. She estimated about 50 people, including several prominent activists, turned out over the course of the day. Some stayed the entire time while other people decided to pull over and join the protest. Some honked their horns in support as they drove past. “We are expressing our disgust with the fact that the government promised us that there would be no offshore oil drilling one year and then decided to proceed with it even after they had promised us that it would not happen. So we’re very upset about that,” the reEarth president told The Tribune. “We shouldn’t be doing anymore fossil fuel projects period... 85 percent of The Bahamas is five feet or less above sea level and you know when you burn fossil fuel you add to climate change and global warming
and all of these issues. “The prime minister went to the UN after Dorian and was begging for help,” she added. “We’re saying what The Bahamas needs to do is start practising some of the things that need to be done (to combat climate change), for example moving away from fossil fuel. “You can’t be allowing projects that actually harm the environment in particular with regard to climate change and then go and ask for money to help us deal with climate change. You have to do your part and then maybe the UN will help us do some stuff too.” Last week, several US congressmen and women urged the prime minister and the environment minister to reconsider the oil drilling agreement with Bahamas Petroleum Company (BPC). The letter noted the agreement was “directly contrary to the urgent call made at the United Nations just last year”. “In that speech, prime minister, you cited the contribution carbon emissions have made to the climate crisis and the devastating impacts this crisis continues to have on island nations like the Bahamas, including those wrought by Hurricane Dorian, rising sea levels, and natural barrier degradation,“ the December 17 letter stated. Ms Duncombe said she
was very grateful that the US congress representatives have reached out to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis explaining their position. “You have to remember that those Congressmen were responsible for getting a no-drilling, no oil-exploration ban put in place in Florida’s water. So as foreign neighbours and as a community of countries, we have to work together to do things in tandem so that what I do doesn’t affect your country and what you do doesn’t affect my country.” She also expressed disagreement with the prime minister’s explanation that his administration cannot get out of the oil exploration deal that was inked by the Christie administration. Ms Duncombe argued that if the government’s legal team could not find a way out of the deal, the Minnis administration should have sought external legal help. “When the prime minister talks about his legal team said no, that’s when you go to the country and you ask all the legal brains in the country help us get out of here instead of keeping it all in y’all little circle of people…... So this is a huge slap in the face and you know as a Bahamian citizen I am very insulted by this move,” Ms Duncombe said.
US CONGRESS MEMBERS URGE MINNIS TO SAY NO TO DRILLING from page one
The letter, dated December 17, was signed by Congressman Alcee L Hastings and supported by 16 other US Congress members in the letter to Dr Minnis and Mr Ferreira “expressing opposition” to BPC’s offshore drilling project, the Perseverance No 1 oil well. In the letter, it was stated the agreement should be reconsidered “to protect the beauty and longevity of our fragile and shared ecosystems, the economies that depend on them, and the future of our planet.” The letter continues: “Should BPC’s project move forward, we will be justified in fearing that the Atlantic coast is at risk of severe, even catastrophic, impact from any spills that might occur – essentially
THE STENA IceMAX off Andros on Saturday. undermining the recent offshore drilling ban extension from President Trump, and future offshore drilling restrictions. “It is unclear whether BPC has the capacity to help mitigate a serious
disaster, let alone prevent one in the first place. Should a calamitous event occur, the Bahamian government and BPC’s clean-up efforts will undoubtedly require financial assistance from neighbours, including the
United States, to address any spill that would spread throughout domestic and international waters. “What’s worse, the ship arriving on your shores to begin drilling has a track record of safety issues on previous jobs, including incidents in March 2016, September 2016, and October 2017.” On December 11, Dr Minnis told reporters he was “totally against” oil drilling in Bahamian waters, but was advised by the government’s legal department that “the commitment and everything was signed basically and we could not get out of it.” Amid these statements, activists and now the US Congressmen and women have increased calls for the oil drilling to be called off. “Unfortunately, we believe the agreement
reached between BPC and the Bahamian government is directly contrary to the urgent call made at the United Nations just last year,” the December 17 letter continued. “In that speech, prime minister, you cited the contribution carbon emissions have made to the climate crisis and the devastating impacts this crisis continues to have on island nations like the Bahamas, including those wrought by Hurricane Dorian, rising sea levels, and natural barrier degradation.” Congressman Hastings also sent a tweet to his followers about the proposed oil drilling in this nation. “I’m deeply concerned about the ramifications of the offshore drilling agreement between @ opmthebahamas & @ bpcplc on Florida, our
shared ecosystems, and our planet’s future. I urge for all leaders to reject #BigOil interests and instead address the immediate and growing #ClimateCrisis.” The list of US Representatives that joined Mr Hastings were: Kathy Castor, Darren Solo, Charlie Crist, Gerald E Connolly, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Lois Frankel, Nydia M Velázquez, Ted Deutch, A Donald McEachin, Al Lawson, Alan Lowenthal, Abigail D Spanberger, Chellie Pingree, Debbie MucarselPowell, David Scott, and Donna E Shalala. Their letter was copied to Mike Pompeo, US Department of State in Washington, and Stephanie Bowers, chargé d’Affairs at the US Embassy in Nassau.
PAGE 4, Monday, December 21, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
Leading the way
from page one When I didn’t have a reaction, they let me back to work. This is day three now and while there is soreness to the injection site which is normal, I’ve had no effects.” Receiving a vaccine would ordinarily not be newsworthy, but the COVID-19 jab has been the subject of intense misinformation for months which has discouraged many. Nurse Lee said for a while, even she was sceptical about the new drug. “I was a little sceptical at first to get it just because of all the information that has been circulating through the internet and social media,” she said. “It does put a fear in you. I was going back and forth with my husband about getting it and doing my own research to decide what I would do. I thought to myself, ‘should I wait, should I see what side effects are going to happen’ and I was like, I’m a nurse, I’m taught to look up evidencebased articles and research and see what’s out there. Why am I going to believe what someone on Instagram is telling me and they’re not even a medical expert?” Nurse Lee said she
encountered sceptics even among family and friends. “I had a lot of conversations with my immediate family,” she said. “The internet and social media have become a huge downfall for us in terms of correct knowledge and misinformation being spread. When I talked to family and friends about it, they said ‘oh they will inject microchips into you. Oh it’s the mark of the beast.’ How many things in the last 34 years have they said, ‘oh it’s the mark of the beast’?” A video of Nurse Lee receiving the shot prompted negative remarks on social media. “Some people say they don’t believe I got it because they don’t see the needle going into my arm,” she said. “A video I posted was put on a Bahamian Facebook page and people were saying they don’t see it injecting. Growing up in the Bahamas, we all have our immunisation cards. We’ve gotten the Tetanus shot, we get the Hep B shots, you get polio shots. Come on people, we’re trying to do better for each other. You can have your feelings, but you don’t have to spread negativity when it’s something that’s so groundbreaking.”
32 NEW CASES OVER WEEKEND THE country recorded 32 cases of COVID19 between Friday and Saturday. Data released by the Ministry of Health shows 19 cases were recorded on Saturday while 13 were recorded on Friday, bringing the nation’s toll to 7,765. Saturday’s cases included 10 in New Providence, seven in Grand
Bahama, one in Abaco and one in Eleuthera. Of those cases confirmed on Friday, nine were in New Providence, two in Grand Bahama, one in Abaco and one in Exuma. Up to press time, 16 cases were in hospital. The country’s death toll remains at 164, after a new death was recorded last week.
TOTAL CASES
TOTAL DEATHS
7,765 164
NEWLY CONFIRMED CASES SATURDAY 19 CASES NEW PROVIDENCE 10 GRAND BAHAMA 7 ABACO 1 ELEUTHERA 1
FRIDAY
13 CASES
NEW PROVIDENCE 9 GRAND BAHAMA 2 ABACO 1 EXUMA 1
TOTAL TESTS
49,112
HOSPITALISED
16
CASES IN ICU
0
RECOVERED
6,127
KEEP FOLLOWING ADVICE, EXPERT SAYS, AS NEW STRAIN APPEARS IN UK By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net WITH a new strain of COVID-19 spreading in parts of England, a Bahamian health official said the public should continue to follow recommended health measures to avoid infection as virus mutations can happen. According to the BBC,
the new COVID-18 variant in the United Kingdom is “spreading more rapidly than the original version, but it is not believed to be more deadly”. UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson noted that “it appears to spread more easily and may be up to 70 percent more transmissible than the earlier strain.” This new strain prompted a wave of new restrictions
in parts of England, throwing a wrench in Christmas plans for millions. Dr Nikkiah Forbes, director of the National HIV/ AIDS and Infectious Disease Programme at the Ministry of Health, sought to temper any anxiety over the news. She told The Tribune that there was no information to suggest a vaccine would not work against this new strain,
while urging people to follow recommended health protocols to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus. She said: “Scientists are studying it currently …(at the time) as it was reported there’s no evidence to say that it is more infectious at this time. So it can be postulated that there were changes in the spikes of protein in COVID of the SARS virus. It could become easier
for people to get it, but there’s no proof of that.” She added: “There is no information yet that vaccines won’t work against this new strain. There’s no information to say that for sure. However, we do know that in terms of usual adaptation, viruses can mutate and so that’s why persons should continue to follow public health precautions because there are new
strains out there that certainly people can get.” Dr Forbes said scientists have had reports “over the past few weeks” about the new strain of COVID19 in the UK. A number of countries, including Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, and Israel – have banned travel from the UK as a result of the new strain.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, December 21, 2020, PAGE 5
Scaled down Christmas visit by Governor General By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
GOVERNOR General C A Smith was in Grand Bahama for his annual Christmas visit and tour of Rand Memorial Hospital last week. The event – which is usually a big affair for the hospital and its staff – was scaled down significantly due to COVID-19 guidelines and restrictions. Mr Smith, and his wife, Clara, received a red-carpet welcome on their arrival
around 11am last Thursday at the grounds of the Freeport Community Clinic, where the event was held due to major renovations underway at RMH. Governor General Smith commended public healthcare workers in Grand Bahama for working under adverse conditions, while continuing to provide outstanding care and professional service to patients. “We are honoured to share this special occasion with you, the health professional and allied workers
who serve here on Grand Bahama Island,” he said. “We are all deeply cognizant of the extent to which the health infrastructure in Grand Bahama was decimated by Hurricane Dorian in September 2019, a mere 15 months ago. “For many of you, the loss from Dorian is still evident in your lives, as I am told that many of you still await assistance.” He noted that COVID19 pandemic placed additional burden on a hospital already dealing with wrecked infrastructure and
a distressed or reduced staff complement. He stated that many healthcare workers on the frontline have come face-toface with the “death-stare” of the fatal virus. “You have seen your own colleagues fight for their very lives following exposure and infection. You have willingly accepted the isolation and quarantine protocols of this pandemic, and you have sacrificed time with your families to serve the human family first,” said Mr Smith. He stated that healthcare
FOAM FEEDS 500
workers are real heroes in this crisis. “When we reflect on the damage spawned by Hurricane Dorian, we owe a debt of gratitude to the Public Hospitals Authority, the GBHS, and the RMH family for the considerable progress made in restoring healthcare infrastructure and services across the island,” he said. He also urged Bahamians to continue practicing COVID-19 measures, such as wearing a mask, frequent hand washing and sanitising, maintaining
social distance and limiting the number of in-person gatherings at social events, including Christmas parties and New Year’s celebrations. The governor general toured the renovations of RMH, along with Minister of State for Disaster Preparedness, Management and Reconstruction Iram Lewis. He also traveled into East Grand Bahama to visit staff at the community clinics in East End. On Friday, he visited centenarians in the Eight Mile Rock area.
THE ORGANISATION FOAM (Families of All Murder Victims) held an event to feed 500 people at its headquarters on on Alexandria Blvd at the weekend as part of continuing activities by a number of groups to help people through the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Photos: Terrel W. Carey Sr/Tribune Staff
MITCHELL: WINNINGS TAX PART OF ASSAULT ON WEB SHOPS PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Chairman Fred Mitchell said the impending imposition of a winnings tax on web shop patrons will lead to reduced player participation and layoffs in a sector that employs more than 3,000 workers. In a statement issued yesterday, Mr Mitchell said while he understands how desperate the government is for revenue, the impending tax appears to be an “assault” on the web shop sector. He said: “Has the government really conducted or thought about the cost benefit analysis of the proposed imposition of the tax on Bahamian users of web shops and their winnings? “We understand the desperation of the FNM
government for revenue but does the FNM really at this time of economic and health crisis, want to impose a tax which will affect poor and middleclass Bahamians? The foreign visitor pays no taxes on their winnings. “Further, this appears to be a direct assault on businesses in the web shop gaming industry. “. . . We are advised that the revenue from this new tax will amount to some six million dollars,” he said. “What is six million dollars when compared to the more than $1.2 billion needed in this fiscal year to close the largest budget deficit gap the FNM has projected to incur in the country’s history?” However, Tribune
BEWARED OF $1,000 ONLINE FRAUD SCAM THE Financial Crimes Intelligence Branch of the Royal Bahamas Police Force has warned people not to participate in an online fraud scheme promising a $1,000 payout. In a statement released over the weekend, police said they are “aware of a voice note going around on social media inviting persons to a Zoom meeting and promising the disbursement of cash to those who participate. “The fraudsters are promising $1,000 to each participant in the Zoom call from a fake Central Bank account. Please be aware this is a scam and residents should not participate.” In September, the Securities Commission reissued warnings against falling victim to Ponzi and pyramid schemes that promise
large payouts after a person pays a sum of money under the guise of an investment plan. At the time, the commission said it was made aware there is an increasing presence on social media and other internet sites of advertisements or invitations to members of the general public to join purported financial programmes in which an individual pays a certain sum of money to join, then in turn must solicit and encourage other individuals to join in order to receive a large cash pay-out. The schemes, originated in the US, have made their way to The Bahamas, where people are particularly vulnerable due to the financial downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Business previously reported that the new winnings tax is projected to generate between $10m$15m annually in extra revenue for the Public Treasury. While a relatively small sum in the overall fiscal scheme of things, it will certainly shrink gamblers’ winnings at a time when they will be hoping to land every cent possible due to COVID-19 related high unemployment and income cuts, Tribune Business reported. “The last minister of finance, the disgraced Peter Turnquest of the FNM, made a huge mistake in raising the VAT and badly miscalculated the yield from the tax,” Mr Mitchell also said. “Now the new FNM finance minister is not
considering that when the tax is imposed it will cause not only a cut in player participation, but will lead to layoffs in an industry which hires 3,500 people. This action will further cut national spending and thereby negatively impact government revenues. “Where is the economic plan to really grow this economy instead of picnicking on the carcass?” Last week, Senator Kwasi Thompson, the newlyappointed minister of state for finance, told the Senate that the government plans to finally implement the longanticipated levy on gaming patron winnings from New Year’s Day onwards. “To help counter the revenue losses, starting on January 1, 2021,
the government intends to implement the gaming tax on winnings, passed in the House of Assembly in
2019 as part of the Gaming House Operator Amendment Regulations,” Mr Thompson revealed.
PAGE 6, Monday, December 21, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
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Let the courts rule on oil drilling OIL is the focus of attention across The Bahamas – and farther afield too, it would seem. As protestors put up their signs against oil drilling here, US politicians were putting pen to paper over there to write to Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis in objection. For his part, Dr Minnis has already declared his opposition to the drilling that is due to start soon with the drillship almost in position. Dr Minnis said earlier this month that he is “totally against” oil drilling in Bahamian waters. He said: “Unfortunately, we were saddled with an agreement that we met there. When we discussed it with the legal department, we were advised that the commitment and everything was signed and basically we could not get out of it. “But if we could’ve gotten out of it believe me, I am against totally drilling for oil in our waters.” Of course, we could do with more detail on that objection. Does he fear the risk of a spill? Is he concerned about the level of risk with this project? If so, are we sleepwalking towards a potential disaster? Of all the objections that matter, the ones that matter least are the ones from the US. This still remains a matter of Bahamian sovereignty and for Bahamians to decide. To that end, the correct avenue to resolve any difficulties would be in the courts. It seems odd, certainly, that private citizens are mounting a legal challenge where the government would not – but at the very least, we hope those activists who have put a case forward for a judicial review get the opportunity to do so. They need a court date, and they need a judge – and on a matter of such importance to our nation, we hope they get them. There is a lot of talk about the safety of this project, and of the level of risk it represents to our nation’s
environment – including the knock-on effects it would have on tourism in a worst-case scenario. We have already seen the impact on our economy if we have a significant blow to tourism in this pandemic year – we do not want to endanger it again. So to see these matters resolved in a court of law seems the best way forward. The best for the activists to be able to make their case. The best for the Bahamas Petroleum Company to show they have ticked every box and covered every risk. The government has its own answers to give – as Fred Smith, QC, makes clear in today’s Tribune – such as clarifying whether the oil explorer has been granted all the permits it needs for exploratory drilling under the Acts passed by Parliament. BPC of course want to get on with things – it has been a long time coming for them to get to this point. But for the good of all, wouldn’t it be best for a court to rule, rather than a case hanging over matters as it is now?
A fine example
Well done to nurse Ramanda Lee, who became one of the first Bahamians to get the COVID-19 vaccine last Friday – and was happy to show the world. While we here at home are not likely to see the vaccine until the spring, Ramanda was able to get it earlier thanks to working as a healthcare worker in Florida. There are plenty of scare stories circulating on the internet about vaccines, but Ramanda was able to reassure those with doubts – not least because those same stories had made her sceptical herself, saying “it does put a fear in you”. But in the end? “It was just like every other vaccination,” she said. So we applaud Ramanda for leading the way – and we hope that we can soon follow where she has led.
Nygard investigation EDITOR, The Tribune. IT IS my hope that the contents of this letter will not change my good relationship with senior management of our Royal Bahamas Police Force. It is intended to be constructive and to enlighten them of the inefficiencies that may exist in the area of criminal investigations. It is very important to our reputation to investigate accusations in the international media about corruption in our Police Service. The latter causes some embarrassment and concern to those who serve with Honour and Pride. The Peter Nygard report, that was published in The Tribune on the 16th of December 2020, reminded me of the promises made by the Minister and then Commissioner to investigate allegations, that complaints of sexual assault of three young women were made to the Royal Bahamas Police Force and nothing was done about it due to corrupt influences allegedly made by Peter Nygard. At the time, (February 19, 2019) I wrote letters advising the Police that there ought to be a thorough investigation to ascertain if the girls had made complaints here and the results of the investigation. I advised that the girls be located and interviewed with their parents or guardians, they would be able to identify the Police Station and the Police Officers who interviewed
them and took their report. They would also be able to describe the process that they went through during the course of the complaints. The Police would be able to confirm or deny their allegations to the foreign press, that complaints were made to the local Police. If the Police were satisfied that complaints were made, efforts had to be made to locate the file and records, eg written statements, doctors reports and most importantly, the interrogation of Mr Nygard and others involved. To date there has been no report from the Police on the promised investigations and our reporters apparently have not asked the hard questions. The allegations of corruption is again being made. Another promised investigation that we have not had any results is the disaster involving the Haitian boat with reportedly 97 persons aboard, that capsized and sunk in Abaco, February 2020. There were 18 survivors and 26 Haitian residents who identified bodies that were recovered. A total of 44 persons were to be interrogated for information in what was a massive people smuggling operation. Through efficient, effective and patient interrogation, law enforcement personnel should have been able to obtain information of the following: • The name of the capsized boat • Ownership of the boat
• Identity of Captain and Crew • Cost of the trip • Identify persons who were paid in Nassau and Haiti and who among the 26 the residents had paid to have relatives or friends smuggled into The Bahamas. A thorough investigation would have exposed persons involved. In people smuggling and those who aid and abet by paying the smuggling fees. Finally, the investigation of the allegations of bribery against two Members of Parliament were incomplete and should have been observed by the Director of Prosecution, his staff and the Queen’s Counsel. If the Police and the prosecution believed that large sums of money (shingles) were paid in several payments over a short period of time, totaling in excess of $200k. Efforts were not made to locate the money or its equivalent in assets during the relevant period, such as bank inquiries, home and abroad, search warrants executed to find receipts for large purchases, investments, and real estate. The acquittal was inevitable. Kendal Isaacs, Neville Smith and Langton Hilton would have returned the file to the Police with their directions. PAUL R THOMPSON, Sr. Ret’d ACP Nassau, December 17, 2020
Ingraham wary over fishing law EDITOR, The Tribune. AFTER reading what Peter Turnquest, the Deputy Leader of the Free National Movement (FNM), had to say about a discriminatory provision against spouses of Bahamian citizens in the Fisheries Bill during debate in the House of Assembly, I was moved to publicly support his position. I lament the position taken by the government on this matter. The provision excluding spouses of Bahamians from commercial fishing tarnishes the codification of the fisheries law. This offending provision with an obscenely outrageous penalty will overwhelmingly, if not exclusively, have a negative impact upon Bahamian women married to foreign nationals who are engaged in the fishing sector. It will have widespread ripple effects on human rights of persons legally present in our country with an unrestricted right to work. Long before I joined the FNM thirty years ago, Janet Bostwick, the first woman elected to the House of Assembly, was crying in the wilderness for equity for Bahamian women and their foreign-born spouses and children. I was pleased therefore that as a government, our party put in law a provision for Spousal Permits for such persons guaranteeing the right of the non-Bahamian spouses of all Bahamians, male and female, to be employed and or otherwise gainfully engaged in all endeavours and sectors of the Bahamian economy for 5 years. Thereafter they would qualify to obtain permanent resident status with the unrestricted right to work and later citizenship. And we ensured nationality or permanent resident
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net applications for the off springs of such marriages born overseas were routinely approved. While not the ultimate ideal, the spousal permit placed Bahamian women on a more equal footing with Bahamian men as regards the ability of their foreign-born male spouses to work in our country. I am therefore especially disappointed and distressed to learn that the party, likely caving to popular sentiment, stands ready to tarnish the Party’s distinguished record in support of equality before the law for all our citizens with the introduction of a pointedly discriminatory provision affecting the foreign-born spouses of Bahamian women. I am fully aware of legitimate concerns of some Bahamian fishermen particularly those from Spanish Wells and Long Island, with the non-sustainable fishing practices reportedly employed by some non-Bahamian spouses particularly with regard to but not limited to conching. And, I am aware of allegations that some contract marriages with Bahamian women to facilitate their employment in the fisheries sector for a season and soon leave without trace. I am however, not as aware of individuals charged before our courts for either of these infractions. Surely, there must be a better and more effective way for the government to monitor and enforce fisheries practices and to monitor marriages of convenience rather than indiscriminately excluding all non-Bahamian spouses of Bahamian citizens from being employed in an entire sector of the economy.
Already the law requires that all fishing boats must be owned by Bahamian citizens. One would expect that the vessels’ owners must be responsible for dictating fishing practices employed by their employees on their boat. The observance and policing of our fisheries laws and regulations should not be limited to excluding a single category of individual from being gainfully employed in a sector of the economy particularly when such individuals hold an immigration status permitting their engagement in the economy without restriction. Removing and restricting rights of one particular class of person, to prevent possible infraction by some in that class is never acceptable. That is why governments are required and expected to police laws and policies to ensure their enforcement. And, it should not be lost on us that the potential harm to members of our society by the introduction of the proposed discriminatory provision in the Fisheries Act will not relieve the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force or our immigration authorities of their duty and responsibilities to enforce the laws of our country. Peter Turnquest, like a goodly number of others now or recently in the cabinet of the government of The Bahamas, entered front line politics as “captain’s picks” in the Australian sense. I am satisfied that Peter Turnquest who like Duane Sands and others whose names I choose not to record, represent our core values, and while no longer around the table, will continue to have their voices heard. HUBERT A INGRAHAM Nassau December 21, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, December 21, 2020, PAGE 7
Bannister: ‘No intention’ of meeting WSC workers By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net WORKS Minister Desmond Bannister said on Friday he has no intention of meeting unions representing the Water and Sewerage Corporation after union executives urged workers to take industrial action over grievances with the utility provider. This comes after Mr Bannister told Tribune Business on Tuesday that he had planned to meet with Water and Sewerage Management Union (WSMU) and Bahamas Utilities Services and Allied Workers Union (BUSAWU) officials on Thursday after they called on their members to block all phone calls from Adrian Gibson, WSC executive chairman, and Elwood
Donaldson, WSC general manager. The two unions, in a joint statement entitled “enough is enough”, also urged members to “immediately exit all Water and Sewerage Corporation WhatsApp chat groups” and “turn in all cell phones” belonging to the utility. On Friday, BUSAWU President Dwayne Woods hinted more action was on the way, as he called on government officials to resolve the issues “before we have to up the ante”. Asked how the meetings went, Mr Bannister told reporters he would not meet with anyone who takes industrial action before discussions are held. The deputy prime minister also said he thought unions would have understood the depth of COVID-19’s impact,
especially considering the fact that many Bahamians will not be able to feed their families this Christmas. He told reporters on Friday: “Listen, y’all live in the Bahamas. All of us have been in this pandemic with the lockdowns and everything this year. In my constituency in Carmichael, which is a middle-class community, there are people who don’t have food, all over this island. “I would have thought that any union that has mature leadership would have understood that and put all of their members together and say ‘listen, this is a national effort, let’s do something for the Bahamas. Let’s do something for Bahamians. This is Christmas time and let’s make a difference in the lives of Bahamians.’
“But, don’t say you want to meet with me and then you call industrial action. That makes no sense and I hope that the leadership of those unions and say ‘listen, let’s take a collection together and let’s go in some community in our country and let’s make a difference in the lives of some children and some people who may not be able to eat this Christmas and let’s talk about a Christmas bonus afterwards when there’s some money in the country.’ “So, no I’m not going to meet with anybody who calls industrial action before I meet with them.” The unions are upset with the water provider’s decision not to pay out Christmas bonuses this month, allegedly deviating from provisions set out
in the workers’ industrial agreement. Both bodies also pointed to the corporation’s alleged “failure” to complete and negotiate industrial agreements with each of them, as well as “unilaterally varying the terms and conditions of the industrial agreement with respect” to accrued vacation and “transferring day workers to shift workers without consultation and agreement”. Other concerns expressed by the unions are related to the alleged failure to “pay overtime associated with Hurricane Dorian for both unions”. Mr Gibson earlier this year said the corporation was facing a $30.8m “backlog” on payments due to vendors at end-August 2020, a sum that continues to grow, and a $15m-plus year-over-year decline
in revenue for the year to-date. “Frankly, the Water and Sewerage Corporation is in dire straits,” he said. “Our operating cash flow cannot sustain monthly payments for vendors and payroll. “These challenges have resulted in a backlog of supplier payments that are steadily growing, and there’s concern about monthly payroll for the balance of 2020. Our vendor payments backlog as at August 27, 2020, was some $30.8m.” Mr Gibson said this payable covered everything from monies owed to thirdparty contractors; vehicle and building insurance; and loans due to multilateral institutions such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and Caribbean Development Bank (CDB).
PRIME MINISTER OPENS PROJECTS IN LONG ISLAND By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
PRIME Minister Dr Hubert Minnis officially opened the Newton Cay Bridge and Monument Road in Long Island on Friday, noting the two major projects are part of the government’s efforts to promote economic growth on the island. Friday’s opening ceremonies were attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Works Minister Desmond Bannister and Long Island MP Adrian Gibson along with other officials, who all called the developments “historic” for the island. The new Newton Cay Bridge, which replaces the old one that was built in 1980, was completed in February and provides access across a small creek from northern Long Island to a beautiful beach of Newton Cay. Meanwhile, the Monument Road gives access to the popular Columbus Monument landmark, which was erected to remember Christopher Columbus’ landing on Long Island. The new road was recognised as a major improvement by both Long Islanders and visitors on Friday, who said the old one was in poor condition. “It’s a great improvement. Last time I was here, to get here was enough
DR Hubert Minnis at the official opening of Monument Road in Long Island. Photo: Yontalay Bowe/BIS work between the bush and the sandflies, but now it’s just so easy to get up here and see the real beauty of Long Island,” said Exuma resident Rebecca Knowles, who frequently visits Long Island. The development is also said to be a part of the government’s efforts to promote heritage and tourism for both Bahamians and tourists. On Friday, Dr Minnis described both projects as two very significant monumental events. Saying The Bahamas cannot only be “New Providence-centric”, the prime minister also stressed his administration’s commitment to ensure that every island in the country is equipped with the tools needed to improve residents’ livelihoods. “One of my greatest missions as prime minister is to ensure that every major island in our archipelago
has the infrastructure and amenities needed to improve your quality of life,” Dr Minnis said. “Such infrastructure is also essential for your economic and social development. This is why we are fighting for a better future for the Bahamas and for Long Island. Whereas other countries in the region have mostly one landmass to develop, we have a farflung archipelago, with many islands, cays and settlements. “This development challenge is also an opportunity and a strategic advantage for the Bahamas. This is why we cannot only be New Providence-centric. The Bahamas is an archipelago of possibilities and riches. Long Island is one of these riches.” Noting that the government is committed to the ongoing development in Long Island, Dr Minis also told residents that they can
expect to see more economic activity happening in the months ahead. His comments were also echoed by Mr Bannister, who revealed that more works are in the pipeline to further develop Long Island. However, he urged residents to be patient in the meantime. He said on Friday: “I know you’ve been waiting a long time for your roads. Contractors are now here in Long Island for your roads. They are going to build you asphalt roads. No more of what you normally see in Long Island and you’re going to have asphalt roads in Long Island. “But it is not going to come overnight. We’ve
had road contractors in Exuma since August and they’ve not been able to start paving yet because you have to put up an asphalt plant and there is a process. It’s not an easy process and so I want you to be patient. You’re going to get the best asphalt roads… but it is not something that’s going to happen overnight. “You’ve been patient and you’ve waited a while and I just want you to wait just a little bit longer. Similarly, I know what your request is and we had certain dates for that, but the pandemic has put that back a little but Long Island will get your airport. Be assured of that,” Mr Bannister said.
This point was also expressed by Mr Gibson, who told reporters that plans are already underway to construct a new international airport on Long Island. “I’ve spoken to the director of aviation and he’s indicated to me that his department and his ministry is in the process of preparing a tender and that tender would go out sometime in January for the international airport in Long Island,” he said when asked about more details into the project. “He’s not indicated to me if there’s any adjustment to that plan so I anticipate that happening in the next month.”
MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020
THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS
Before we talk about oil pollution, what are we doing about plastic? By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net AS The Bahamas prepares for the possibility of oil drilling and the risk of spillage, this archipelagic nation ranks among the top 30 per capita plastic global polluters, according to a Forbes Magazine report. It should be noted that as of January 2020 a ban on plastic products came into effect across The Bahamas. Kristal Ambrose, winner of the 2020 Goldman Environmental Prize, somehow convinced the government of The Bahamas to ban single-use plastic bags, plastic cutlery, straws, and styrofoam containers and cups. The ban was announced in April 2018 and, as said, came into effect in January of this year. Ms Ambrose and her group are doing their part, however clearly it is not enough as Forbes says, “Of the top thirty global polluters ten are from the Caribbean region. These are Trinidad & Tobago, Antigua & Barbuda, St Kitts & Nevis, Guyana, Barbados, St Lucia, Bahamas, Grenada, Anguilla and Aruba; and every year, these island nations generate more plastic debris than the weight of 20,000 space shuttles.” When Ms Ambrose examined the plastic waste, she realised that all the debris were things that were found in the home. She and her team found things like, plastic bags, styrofoam, plastic cutlery, straws. In 2013, she founded the Bahamas Plastic Movement to develop solutions to plastic pollution and educate Bahamian youth. “Across a sample of Caribbean countries, an estimated 322,745 tonnes of plastic goes uncollected each year, resulting in 22 percentof households discarding waste in waterways or on land where it can end up in waterways (World Bank),” the Forbes report continued. “According to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), 92 percent of marine litter in the Caribbean comes from land-based sources, as compared to the global average of 80 percent. “Much of the Caribbean’s pollution problem can be attributed to poor waste management. According to World Bank, an estimated
A COMMUNITY effort to clean up debris at Clifton in 2018. 322,745 tonnes of plastic goes uncollected in the Caribbean each year, leaving 22 percent of households to discard waste improperly. Most damaging, most of Trinidad & Tobago’s plastic debris is almost guaranteed to end up in the ocean due to improper disposal, amounting to more marine plastic originating in Trinidad & Tobago (per capita) than 98 percent of the countries in the world. (2010).” The report said these ocean-dependent economies of Caribbean communities will be disproportionately affected by the consequences of plastic pollution. This can be a direct disaster for The Bahamas. According to the report, some Caribbean countries have started to address the issue by banning single-use plastic bags and Styrofoam. However, as Forbes notes, significant change awaits improved waste management and waste infrastructure in the Caribbean. “In July 2019, NGO, ‘Parley for the
Oceans’ shared a video depicting alarming amounts of plastic off the coast of the Dominican Republic,” the report continued. “The video was captioned, ‘After three days of cleanups we have intercepted over 30 tonnes of plastic, but there is a lot more work to be done’. Between 2006-2012, UNEP marine clean-up data for the Wider Caribbean Region revealed a total of 3,990,120 plastic debris items that were removed from coastal and underwater sites, covering 2,317 miles.” “For a region that relies on the Caribbean Sea for more than $400 billion in income per year, the 18 billion pounds of plastic pollution that are disposed into the ocean each year is a real and dangerous threat. According to National Geographic, ‘the Caribbean Sea’s $5 billion annual trade, its 200,000 direct jobs, its 100,000 ancillary services, food security for 40 million coastal inhabitants, and over $2 billion in dive tourism are at risk’.”
As if China can take any more blame after possibly being the original home of the COVID-19 virus, the Forbes report is naming it the worst of the plastic bad guys, however, it said, some Caribbean countries are just as bad. “In absolute terms, China is the world’s largest plastic polluter, but a look at per capita plastic pollution across nations throughout the world paints a very different picture,” said the report. “According to Forbes, small coastal communities throughout the Caribbean region far outrank China and other large countries when it comes to per capita plastic pollution. Of the top thirty global polluters per capita, ten are from the Caribbean region. “The biggest culprit is Trinidad & Tobago, which produces a whopping 3.6 kilograms of waste per capita per day— which is nearly six times more than distant second place culprit, Kuwait. Other Caribbean nations among the top 30 per capita polluters are
Antigua & Barbuda, St Kitts & Nevis, Guyana, Barbados, St. Lucia, Bahamas, Grenada, Anguilla and Aruba.” St Lucia, is named as having produced the 6th largest amount of plastic waste per capita in the Caribbean and it is said to generate more than four times the amount of plastic waste per person as China, “the world’s largest plastic polluter in absolute terms and is responsible for 1.2 times more improperly disposed plastic waste per capita than China.” Apparently waste management companies can play a major role in curtailing this problem of plastic pollution. “The fact is, however, that the most significant change will be felt when waste management and waste infrastructure, such as garbage collection, recycling centres and secure landfills are improved,” the report continued. “According to a study published by the ‘Ocean Clean-up Foundation’, mismanaged plastic waste generated each year
could triple by 2060 if these systems are not brought up to scratch. Increases in plastic pollution will disproportionately affect the Caribbean. “After all, small coastal communities with oceandependent economies that are fraught with inadequate waste management systems are far more vulnerable to the impacts of plastic waste than their larger, more industrialized counterparts. Fourteen Caribbean countries have begun to address this threat by banning the use of single-use plastic bags and/or Styrofoam and by implementing civic education programmes.” The report concluded that ranking total plastic waste production per country masks global systems of inequality and overlooks the vulnerability of small, seemingly “insignificant” coastal communities. It said rather than vilifying individual countries, it must deconstruct systems of inequality that perpetuate plastic pollution and increase vulnerability among select populations.
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
INSIGHT
MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 PAGE 9
Are we doomed to always be a nation for sale?
PETER Nygard in this image from video in which he was seen walking on a Brazilian beach looking at women and saying to an interpreter to tell a young girl to “lie about her age”. Photo: Mega Agency By MALCOLM STRACHAN
you’re not in office to raise money because there are only a certain set of people EMBARASSED in inter- who have money in this national media, one of the country.” Oddly enough, Mitchell’s most glaring shortcomings of our democratic process proclamation was made was laid bare for the world in Parliament – the place to see in the recent indict- where politicians pass legisment of Peter Nygard. The lation. Interesting. Almost 14 months later, horrific allegations should come as no shock to those the Free National Moveof us who heard stories ment was given another about the infamous Nygard opportunity to bring this much needed legislation. Cay. His proximity to gov- Further impetus was given ernment officials, financial by the OAS Electoral support and audacious- Observation Mission’s recness speak to exactly why ommendation of the need for campaign The Bahafinance laws mas needs ‘As Canadian – legislation campaign media outlets many counfinance laws tries have – something are preparing been enacting our political to produce to safeguard leaders have their democbeen hesitant documentaries racies. Their to do, despite depicting The recommenhow they Bahamas as a dation also speak pubechoed the licly. Nygard’s sex trafficking one that they political con- haven where, if gave five years tributions, wealthy enough, earlier. dating back to And despite the early 90s, the government Prime Minisand admit- may turn a blind ted by Nygard eye to lawlessness, ter Dr Hubert Minnis’ elechimself in an tion promises audio record- our skeletons are bring ing released going to be pulled to forth camduring “silly out of the closet.’ paign finance season” leadreform, we ing up to the last general election, total have another administrain the neighbourhood of tion that refuses to make this $5m to the Progressive Lib- a priority. So what does it take? Another term for the eral Party. His first contribution to the PLP dated back to 1992 and was documented in a letter to then Minister of Agriculture and former Prime Minister Perry Christie where Nygard pretty much flaunted his support of $45,000 – equivalent to about $85,000 in 2020 – while asking for political favours. Millions of dollars and five administrations later, Nygard’s legend has grown without interference from any Bahamian government. Likewise, campaign finance laws are nothing but another political talking point. Former Foreign Affairs Minister and current PLP Chairman Fred Mitchell, while in Cabinet a year before being voted out by the Bahamian people, blamed the lack of campaign finance legislation in response to recordings of Nygard claiming he “pissed away” $5m supporting the PLP, only to get “fake promises” in return. Mitchell said: “My own view is yes (lack of campaign finance laws) is the root of this. How do you fund election campaigns? As it presently stands, you can accept donations from everywhere and we don’t have to disclose where those donations come from. It’s difficult if
Minnis administration? Isn’t this level of embarrassment on the global scale sufficient to understand that all that glitters is not gold – that all money isn’t good money when it’s coming from undesirable sources? While what has been outlined in the legal documents are only allegations at this point, to be associated with such filth is unbecoming of any administration – PLP or FNM. The messages that have been sent to our Bahamian mothers and daughters over the past 30 years say plainly that they do not matter. That they are mere beings to be objectified, used, abused and cast aside. Does it take reading it in an American media outlet for its impact to resonate differently? If so, I hope we are shamed until we can get our act together and do things the right way in this country. Each Bahamian will have to take some pride, fight their urges to be judgmental of the young women involved and challenge their Members of Parliament to ensure campaign finance laws is no longer a can being kicked down the road. When asked to comment, Police Commissioner Paul Rolle said the RBPF had received four complaints about Mr Nygard – four complaints over the course of three decades. He went on to say that when officers were dispatched to
Nygard’s home that he had already left the country and refused to return. While he did not note when the complaints came in or the time the police took to attempt to question Nygard, we can reasonably assume it would have taken place this year, or at the very least, since the Minnis administration has been in power. Three decades is a mighty long time, friends. Five administrations, five police
commissioners and four complaints. If that doesn’t speak to a nation being for sale, I don’t know what will. Ladies and gentlemen, our choices are few. We must clean up our country. If those desiring to lead cannot get with our programme – once we can agree on whatever that is - we must reject them outright. As Canadian media outlets are preparing to produce documentaries
depicting The Bahamas as a sex trafficking haven where, if wealthy enough, the government may turn a blind eye to lawlessness, our skeletons are going to be pulled out of the closet. The question for the Minnis administration now, however, lies in what sacrifices will be made, as well as what steps will be taken to mitigate the reputational damage the country is going to receive.
THE CLEARING BANKS ASSOCIATION announces
Christmas and New Year’s Day Holiday Banking Hours Thursday, December 24, 2020 Branch Operations Close at 1:00 p.m.
Friday, December 25, 2020 and Monday, December 28, 2020 CLOSED
Tuesday, December 29, 2020
Clearing Banks Operations Hours Resume
Thursday, December 31, 2020 Branch Operations Close at 1:00 p.m.
Friday, January 1, 2021 CLOSED
Monday, January 4, 2021
Clearing Banks Operations Hours Resume
PAGE 10 MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020
INSIGHT
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
Accommodating Guaidó sparks divisions at OAS World View
By SIR RONALD SANDERS
EVENTS at the Organization of American States (OAS) continue to reveal that, notwithstanding the efforts by some of its 33 member states, the Organization is the handmaiden of powerful governments which control it through various methods, including coercion. Nothing symbolises this more glaringly than a presumptuous assault on the Government of Trinidad and Tobago by the agent of one small political party, purported to be the Government of Venezuela. The sordid event occurred in the OAS Permanent Council on December 16. Some background is necessary. For various reasons, linked to the ambitions of political and business elites in certain countries, Juan Guaidó was selected as “Interim President” of Venezuela. The people of Venezuela had no say in Guaidó’s selection or in his adornment with the title of “Interim President”. Guaidó and his party cannot deliver any basic function of a government. They do not have the capacity to sell a one cent stamp to a Venezuelan, or to respond to governments that need to engage with the authorities in Venezuela. Factually, Venezuela
is not a member of the OAS. On April 27, 2017, the Venezuelan government properly notified the OAS Secretary-General of its withdrawal from the organisation in accordance with its rules. Consequently, the charter ceased to be in force with respect to Venezuela whose membership of the organisation ended on April 27, 2019. However, determined to exercise power over Venezuela, in April 2019, 18 governments – some willingly, others out of fear or by coercion – imposed Guaidó’s agent as the representative of Venezuela at the organisation, by a bare majority vote. In effect, a small political party was given equal standing with sovereign governments – an unprecedented and alarming event. The other 15 governments rejected this imposition, making clear that they would be bound by no declaration or resolution which is adopted by a majority that included the Guaidó agent. Further, they made it pellucid that no attention would be paid to anything he said in the organisation. The OAS is a house divided against itself. It is also financially bankrupt, in large part because, despite being regarded by
VENEZUELAN opposition leader Juan Guaidó holds hands with supporters during a visit to La Lucha neighborhood of Caracas, Venezuela, on Thursday last week. Photo: Ariana Cubillos/AP a few member states and governments – the place- contrary to natural justice that did not recognise the Secretary-General as ment on the agenda of the and democratic principles Guaidó’s agent, but rejected the “government” of Ven- Permanent Council of a since it denies a similar all his remarks. The Ambasezuela, Guaidó’s group has presentation by himself on opportunity to other politi- sador was clear that the Migration cal parties in Venezuela”. Inter-American Commission not paid a cent of the $3.3m “Venezuelan in membership fees for and Its Recent Tragic Con- Despite the efforts of the on Human Rights had stated 2019 and 2020. The record- sequences”, the delegation chair to ignore a call for a that the incident in which 16 ing of these monies as due of Antigua and Barbuda vote on the matter, one was Venezuelans had lost their from a country that is not a objected. The presump- forced under the evident lives had occurred “within member of the organisation tuousness of the request rules of the organisation. Venezuela’s jurisdiction”. The Guaidó supporters He pointed out that Trinidad is another of the fallacies of to place any item on the agenda of the Permanent barely secured a majority and Tobago - a small island the OAS. Against this background, Council by an agent of one of 18, including the vote State – has compassionately when Guaidó’s representa- political party in a country, of Guaidó’s agent. Had taken the unprecedented tive requested – on his own and the precedent it would Guaidó’s agent not been step of officially registering allowed to vote (as he and facilitating over 16,000 and with none of his patron set, had to be resisted. The agent’s intention should not have) on a migrants from Venezuela was to escalate an attack matter in which he had a to live and work in Trinidad on Trinidad and Tobago, vested interest, the bare and Tobago. This hospitallaunched by Guaidó on majority of 18 would not ity continues even as our November 24, regarding have been attained. Unfor- economy faces significant the recent deaths of 16 tunately, the representatives challenges that have affected Venezuelans who had left of three CARICOM coun- all of our own people.” Venezuela illegally in a boat tries – Bahamas, Haiti and There should have been that appeared to have cap- Jamaica – were part of the many shamed faces at the sized. In a public statement, 17 states that supported end of the Ambassador’s Guaidó stated: “The cruel this abuse. Nonetheless, response to the remarks by treatment to which they what was established is an agent with not one shred (Trinidad and Tobago) sub- that support for the Guaidó of authority to speak for the ject Venezuelans who have farce is weakening as more people and authorities of been forced to migrate as countries opted to divorce Venezuela. a result of the dictatorship themselves from the obviThis event reflects a is painful and inhuman”, ous abuse. perverse OAS no one and then he threatened, In his presentation, should want, and which “Parliament will initiate an Guaidó’s agent made base- ill-serves the people of the of The Heritage, Lumumba Road, will be investigation and the world less accusations against Americas. held on Wednesday, 23rd December 2020 at is watching the events in Trinidad and Tobago, • Responses and previthe Eastern Cemetery, Dowdeswell Street. Trinidad and Tobago”. claiming that “there have ous commentaries: www. Officiating will be Canon Atma Budhu, Consequently, Antigua been abuses and mistreat- sirronaldsanders.com assisted by Rev’d Rodney Burrows. and Barbuda told the Per- ment of Venezuelans in manent Council that, apart Trinidad” and demanding The writer is Antigua and from the fact that Ven- that “Trinidad and Tobago Barbuda’s Ambassador to Due to current Government regulations in ezuela is not a member of allow access to its territory the United States and the respect of Covid-19, attendance is limited. the OAS, “the purported and provide protection Organization of American representative of Venezuela to people coming from States. He is also a Senior She is predeceased by her Husband: J. Whyle Pessoa and her beloved is merely the spokesperson Venezuela, observing due Fellow at the Institute of Daughter: Valerie Carey Outten. for only one of many politi- process and the principle of Commonwealth Studies at cal parties in Venezuela. non-refoulement”. the University of London Left to cherish her memories are her Daughters: Patricia Carey Collins, Allowing the views and The Ambassador of Triniand Massey College in the Barbara Carey Burrows, Paulette Carey Jacobs, Dr. Earla Carey-Baines, positions of only one politi- dad and Tobago, Anthony University of Toronto. The Sheila (Shelley) Carey; Son: Thomas (Tommy) Carey; Sons-in-law: cal party to be expressed in Philips-Spencer, made a digviews expressed are entirely Douglas Collins, The Rev’d Rodney Burrows, Leon Jacobs; Grandchildren: any forum of the OAS is nified and robust response his own.
A Private Graveside Service for
SHEILA CAREY PESSOA, 89
Candace Jacobs Chacon, Cabral Jacobs, Julian Outten, Caitlin Outten, Chaka Outten Saunders, Rafik Baines, Orise Carey and Tevin Carey; Grandson-in-law: Pablo Chacon; Great grandchildren: Maya, Anabel and James Chacon, Evan Lunn Outten; In-laws: Gwenith Munnings and Family, Helen and Leon Smith and Family, Lorenza Carey, Sr. and Family, Elder Ruth Sands and Family, Rev. Kenris Carey and Family and Family of the late William Archie and Ivis Carey; Numerous nieces and nephews including: Dr. Harold (Harry) Munnings, Carol Munnings Misiewicz, Kaye Adderley Rankin; Godchild: Anthony Dean; Other relatives and friends including: Marcel Pessoa, Sr. and Family, Faith Myers, Leila and Alphonso Adderley and Family, Eleanor Butler, Janet Williams and Family, Keva Major Hylton and Family, Miriam Symonette and Family, Magnol Walker and Family, Valarie Wallace and Family, Samantha Bannister and Family, Family of the late Delegal and Mayrona Seymour, Family of the late Dorothy Albury, Family of the late Edmund and Grace Nottage, Family of the late Garfield and Evelyn Burrows, Robertha (Bobby) Sands and Family, Verna Musgrove, Margaret Rodgers, Revana Mason, Charles Wallace and Family, Beryl Campbell and Family, Maggie Wallace Major, Dr. Eslyn Jones and Family, Leslie Isaacs, Dawn Marshall, Justice Jeannie Thompson (Rtd.), Heather Thompson, Ellison (Tommy) Thompson, Daphne Haines, Rosemary C. Hanna, Eric Butler and Family, Marjorie Cheetham, Dwight Baines, Members of the African Violet Society, Management and Staff of Jamaica Freight and Shipping and the Clergy, Vestry and Anglican Church Women of the Anglican Church of the Epiphany; Special thanks to: Canon Atma Budhu and Mrs. Budhu, Canon Delano Archer and Mrs. Agatha Archer, Dr. Harold Munnings, Dr. Agreta Eneas Carey, Dr. Patrick Cargill, Dr. Kevin Moss, Nurse Khristine Wring, Marilyn (Marvie) Seymour Major, Edmund (Jerry) Nottage, Justice G. Diane Stewart, R & R Medical Supplies, Major Changes Rehab Centre, Hazel Stephenson, Jennifer Rhoden, Anne Marie Reid and Maurice Defonce; Sheila will forever be remembered by her family and friends. May her soul Rest in Peace! Friends may pay their last respects at Bethel Brothers Morticians & Crematorium, #44 Nassau Street on Tuesday, 22nd December, 2020 from 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.
EMAIL: insight@tribunemedia.net
INSIGHT
Be safe when you shop
THE holidays are always exciting with food, shopping, presents and family gatherings. However, criminals love the opportunities that this time of the year provides. While there’s no need to be afraid, you should keep the following holiday safety tips in mind, to avoid becoming a victim. Safety tips: Personal safety • Due to the implemented COVID-19 protocols, please practice social distancing. • Always sanitize and wear a mask. • Pay attention and be aware of your surroundings. • Consider shopping with others. There is safety in numbers. • Avoid walking alone in dark, isolated areas – such as back parking lots. • Keep your wallet or purse close to your body and remember to dress casual and comfortable. • While shopping avoid carrying too many bags or packages. Keep your hands as free as possible. • Avoid carrying large amounts of cash –use an ATM/Debit card when possible. • Consider using ATM machines during sunlight and preferably one that is located in the mall or shopping center. • Avoid using ATM machines located in isolated areas. • Young children should always be accompanied by parents while shopping and to the restrooms. • Teach your child their full name, phone number, and address. Keep your
Private Semi Military Service for
Retired ASP WILMORE CHRYSOSTOM DAMES, 83
of Mt. Pleasant Village, will be held on Tuesday, December 22nd, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at Lakeview Memorial Gardens and Mausoleums, John F. Kennedy Drive and Gladstone Road. Officiating will be Fr. Kendrick Forbes, assisted by Fr. Stephen Davies.
Police advice
By SERGEANT 3011 MAKELLE PINDER
child close to you at all times. • Never leave your purse in the shopping cart. • Do not leave your children in the vehicle alone. • Avoid wearing excessive valuable jewelry, such as heavy gold chains and bracelets • If you feel that you are being followed, drive to the nearest police station. Protect your vehicle: • Lock your doors, and buckle up while driving. • Beware of jewelry snatchers who may lurk on street corners. • Park in well-lighted areas. • Avoid parking in isolated areas. • Never leave your keys in the ignition. • Take all personal property out of your vehicle. • Properly hide valuable items that you may have to leave in your vehicle. • Do not approach your vehicle if suspicious people are nearby. Secure your home: • Ensure that windows and doors in your home are properly secured and have secondary locks. • Keep landscaping trimmed so that you can easily see around your property. • Flatten boxes and conceal merchandise pictures,
MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020 PAGE 11
when putting garbage on the outside. • Consider keeping gifts and expensive property out of plain view from the outside. • Keep ground level blinds and curtains closed while away from your home and at night. • Consider having a trusted neighbor or friend watch your home while you are away. • While out of town, ask a trusted neighbor to occasionally park their vehicle in your driveway. • Never open your door to strangers. Always find out who is on the other side of the door before answering. • Never let anyone know you are home alone. Remember people are watching and they know when you are at home alone. Should you need more information on personal safety or if you have information pertaining to any crime, please do not hesitate to contact the police at 919 or Crime Stoppers at 328-tips (New Providence), 1-300-8476 (Family Island or If you know of Individuals who may be in need of counseling and emotional support please contact the Department of Social Services hotline number at 322-2763.
Death Notice For John Keith Smith, 76 of Spanish Wells, The Bahamas, died at the Princess Margaret Hospital, Shirley Street, Nassau on Wednesday, 16th December, 2020. He is survived by his wife, Lorna Louise Smith; son, Shannon Keith Smith; grandsons, Cole Tyler Smith and Ian Luke Smith; grandaughter, Piper Addison Smith; uncle, Billy Kemp; daughter-in-law, Tracy Richardson Smith; sister-in-law, Jayne Smith and many other relatives and close friends. A funeral service will be held at Spanish Wells Gospel Chapel, Spanish Wells, (TODAY) Monday, 21st December, 2020. Arrangements by Kemp’s Funeral Home Limited.
Left to cherish Wilmore’s memories are his wife, Patrice. Sons: Wilmore C. Dames II, Hon. Marvin. H. Dames, Dennis, Deon, Neil and Mark Dames. Daughters: Sharon Rolle; Gail Smith, Jacqueline Perpall, Lenora Dames, Margo Cox, Laurie Dames, Tanya Moncur, Candia Dames, Monique Lewis, Montrea, Willma, Monasiah, Kristen and Karen Dames. Daughters-inlaw: Michelle, Stacey, Terry and Natasha Dames. Sons-in-law: Henry Rolle, Tyronne Perpall Sr., Lester Cox, Clyde Ferguson and Drenaud Moncur Sr. Grandsons: Hon. Shanendon Cartwright; Onan and Christopher Rolle; Raymond (Kim), Reo, Romel and Regan Smith, Wilmore C. Dames III, Ron Johnson, Wilshire Dames (Abimbola), and Jaleel Dames, Tyronne Perpall Jr., Joshua Dames, Zion Cox, Aaron Dames, Drenaud Moncur Jr., Johnathan Moncur, Benjamin Winter Bell, Dylan Smith, Mackannon, Anthony and Malachi Dames, Denash and Demere Dames and Donovan Lewis. Granddaughters: RayGail Smith; Tylen Perpall; Kai Dames; Tara and Terrelle Dames, Britney Williams (Corey), Eden Cox, Lauren Brown, Logan Dames, Devette Dames Finley, Diontish Dames, Donise Dames Adderley, Deotrell Dames, Danielle, Deasja and Dajah Brown, Laila McKenzie, Adonia Bain, Donesha Lewis and Edonique Lewis. Great grandchildren: Destin Jones, Sharyn, Shanead and Shanendon Cartwright Jr., Raymond Smith Jr., Rayven, Raynel Angel, Raynaj, Arianna, Shadae, Taeja, Azariah and Rajae Smith, Reo Smith Jr., Ariella Smith, Romel Smith Jr., Roel and Carmello Smith, and Regan Smith Jr., Willon Dames, Teron and Rohan Johnson, Olusola and Jaylen Dames, Maddison Finley, Raygean Williams, Dash Dallas Dames, Daylon, Sunae and Onyx Lewis, London Stevens, Adonia Bain and Liam Lewis. Sisters: Catherine Johnson, Cessorina Francis, Sylvia Rolle, Yvonne Johnson, Verona Bastian and Andrea Moss. Nephews: Glenville Jr. and Michael Johnson, Philmore Wagstaff, Corey, Brian and Nino Francis, Valachi Theophilus, Bruno, Ashley, Dwight and Nihon Glinton, Prince and Hector Hepburn, Kenneth and Peter Tracey, Henry, Sacha, Churton, Leslie, Richard, William, Devaughn, Shavron and Charlie Dames, Stephen and Sandy Rolle, Gerrad and Marciano McKay, Burlington Moss, Kevin and Darren Bastian, Leslie Thurston, Jerry Rolle, Todd, Brian, Stevie, Alphonso, Lester, Greg and Steve Beneby, Stanford, Glen and Brian Hanna. Nieces: Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Johnson, Vernique Journey, Katelee Varance, Vanria Warren, Norma Adderley, Sonia Duvalier, Sophia O’Brien, Antoinette Frazier, Mary Davis, Betty Rolle, Dr. Sonia Marshall, Wende Francis, Michelle and Sabrina Glinton, Vanessa Rolle, Charlene Stubbs, Judy Johnson, Karen Wring, Brenda, Sharran and Bridgette McKay, Sophia Swan, Shemeka Bowe, Phyllis and Syretta Dames, Candia Roach, Crystal Bethel, Christine Key, Patricia, Valencia, Barbara, Natasha, Christine and Theresa Hanna, Carol, Phillipa, Sheena, Lynn, Christine, Sabrina and Linda Beneby. Brothers-in-law: Harry Glinton, Basil Francis, Arlington Moss, Basil Beneby, Superintendent Robert Lloyd and Dwayne Lloyd. Sisters-in-law: Marina Dames, Nadine Beneby, Annie and Betty Lloyd, Sonia Miller and Tonia MillerCartwright. Other relatives and friends including: Louis Dames and family, Willma Burrows Marshall, Eddie Dames and family, Elizabeth Lockhart and family, Mervin Fines, Stephan Bastian, William Miller, Roscoe Ferguson, Eugenia Thurston and family, former Deputy Commissioner Keith Mason, Marisa Mason Smith and family, Honorable Henry Bostwick, Edward and Dale Thompson, Valarie Spence, McDonalds and Burger King Breakfast Crew, Royal Bahamas Police Force family, Mount Pleasant Village family, Crystal Williams, Stephen and Roland Heastie, Pam and Perry, Emily, Brendan and Rosie Foulkes, The Watkins Family, Vivian, Betty, Shervin, Vincent, and Charles Miller, Phillipa Newton, Beverly Bowles, Heastie, Tynes, and Hanna families and many others too numerous to mention. Viewing will be held in the “Serenity Suite” at Restview Memorial Mortuary and Crematorium Ltd., Robinson and Soldier Road on MONDAY (TODAY) from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.
PAGE 12, Monday, December 21, 2020
THE TRIBUNE
Threat of industrial action - but Gottlieb says he’s protecting jobs By TANYA SMITHCARTWRIGHT tsmith-cartwright@ tribunemedia.net AMID the threat of industrial action over money owed, executive chairman of the Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas Fred Gottlieb told the press that his only focus is to protect the jobs of staff. On Friday, the Bahamas Communications and Public Officers Union held a press conference on the grounds of BCB about money owed to workers. A few days earlier, BCB staff walked off the job causing a news show not to air at its regular time. It is claimed that a lump sum, increment and sick incentive payments were long past due and the staff simply ran out of patience. Presidents of the Water and Sewerage Management Union and Bahamas Utilities Services and Allied Workers Union were also present at the press conference held outside of the corporation’s main gate
FRED GOTTLIEB to show solidarity to the BCPOU and its president, Dino Rolle. “Here we are at the end of the year when there is another outstanding obligation that came to a head this month,” Mr Rolle said. “The union’s position has always been, if management was paying those long outstanding obligations in installments, they would not have been in the dire situations that they are right now. “So they continue to let those things pile up. So management wants to take the position where they do not want to say anything
to the union. You have an outstanding obligation this very month, but you don’t say anything to the union.” As Mr Rolle was explaining the issues at BCB, its general manager, Kayleaser Deveaux-Isaacs, approached the press pool in her vehicle, speeding, blowing her horn and not seeming to brake. Press members had to scurry to safety as she drove through the gate. Minutes later, chairman Gottlieb approached the area, also in a vehicle. He greeted the union and the press politely and promised to return to the gate, which he did. When he returned with the general manager, he first asked Mr Rolle if he had permission to conduct a press conference at the gate of the BCB, to which Mr Rolle said he didn’t need to ask permission. “I think you do, actually, but that’s another issue,” said Mr Gottlieb, responding to the BCPOU president. “I only have one thing to say, ladies and gentlemen. I speak, obviously, on behalf of the board as
the executive chairman and I also speak on behalf of executive management. We are trying to do everything we can in these difficult financial times that are very challenging for the government, and the country as a whole, to keep the corporation financially sustainable and thereby to insure that the staff continues to be employed. “I am only saying this once, so if you didn’t get it, you didn’t get it. To keep the staff employed! And, in that vein I would just like to point out that there are a lot of people that are unemployed in this country right now; a lot of whom can’t keep food on their table. So our focus is to keep the corporation financially viable, so that we can move forward and as I’ve said to protect the jobs of the staff that are currently working for the corporation. And, we will continue to do that, and that’s all I have to say.” However, Mr Rolle took Mr Gottlieb’s words as a threat and vowed that his members’ patience had run out. Earlier he indicated
that in the coming days, there might be industrial action. “The union will act responsibly, but we will not have our rights trampled on,” Mr Rolle said. “That will not happen. I sense there is a threat in Mr Gottlieb’s statement, but I am not swayed by that. My members have been exceptionally patient and that patience has run out. He has exhausted that patience and we will get together as a group and we will determine what our next move will be. “You have a contractual obligation to us and to our members. You also have an obligation to come and speak to the union. If you can’t meet your obligations, then you must come and speak to the employee representative and that’s us. Management failed to do that and my members here at the Broadcasting Corporation see it as a blatant disrespect and disregard over what they have endured over the past several months.” Meanwhile, president of
BUSAWU Dwayne Woods apologised in advance to the public for “any inconvenience caused” as he hinted towards combined industrial action. “We are here to join forces with them to fight a common cause. This is just a prelude to stage two as the BUSAWU would have announced over the past two weeks,” Mr Woods said. “We would like to apologise to the general public for any inconvenience caused as we try to get these matters resolved. We are looking forward to resolution and not war. “We will collaborate over the weekend and you will see the trade union movement coming out in a united force. I don’t want to preempt any action, but I will say we look forward to the government coming to the table and resolving these matters. We are not standing here in a threatening manner, but we are calling out the prime minister, to step up to the plate and resolve these humanistic matters of concern.”
‘SLOW DOWN’ AFTER DEADLY YEAR By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net GRAND Bahama police say too many lives have been lost on the streets this year and are appealing to motorists to slow down. “We lost far too many lives on our streets for this year alone, our fatality count is in the double digits,” Superintendent Jeremy Henfield, the officer in charge of the Grand Bahama Traffic Division, said on Thursday. His comments came after the recent traffic deaths of an 11-year-old girl last Wednesday and a young man on Saturday December 12. “We had two fatalities within a matter of four to five days –- one on December 12 and another on the 16,” Supt Henfield said. “This is a very grave concern, not only to the Traffic Department, but to the Grand Bahama district. Because of this, we are again admonishing the motoring public to drive with due care and attention, within the speed limit.” On Friday, traffic police were out on the streets handing out flyers with safe driving tips to sensitise road users to the do’s and don’ts when driving a vehicle. Supt Henfield stressed that the streets are not racetracks. He is urging drivers to leave home with sufficient time to get to their destination safely. “Our streets are not racetracks where we are in some race to get to where we are going. We are asking people to be mindful of other road users; don’t overtake where there is a double solid line, curves, or hills.” The police official also noted that accidents are occurring near curfew time. “We have to ensure that we don’t lose another life,” he stressed. According to Supt Henfield, the traffic fatalities have occurred on almost all the major thoroughfares on the island, including Midshipman
Road, GB Highway, Warren J Levarity Highway, Queen’s Highway going to West End, and East Mall Drive. He added that the streets are busy this holiday season. “We expect the traffic volume to increase on Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year’s, and we do not want to lose another life.” Speeding and driving over the speed limit are a big concern for the police. Supt Henfield noted that speed was a major factor in the accidents last week. He said there was a fatal single-car collision that occurred on GB Highway last Wednesday where a vehicle overturned on the northern side of the road. “All the passengers were ejected from that vehicle. Four of them were taken to hospital by ambulance and one of the victims succumbed to injuries – and once again speed played a major factor in this accident.” And he noted that young drivers tend to speed on the streets. “Young drivers tend to think that the road is a racetrack to see how quickly (they) can get from here to there. As you know, the curfew is still in effect and we had a number of crashes at the curfew time. You cannot leave where you were partying and get to your residence in five minutes.” Supt Henfield said police want to reach out to younger drivers to drive with due care and attention. “The speed limit in the Bahamas is 45mph. We don’t have any speed limit over 45mph, and the law says where there is no speed-sign posted, the driver should take the speed limit to be 30mph. “Drivers have to be a bit more responsible. The responsibility lies with them, and they must ensure that when they get in a car and if you give someone a ride, you have to make sure they are buckled up, and follow the rules,” he said.
FOUR ACCUSED OVER DRUGS By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
FOUR men were charged with drug possession in the Freeport Magistrates Court recently. Kisnell George, 39, and Collin Bain, 48, both of Eight Mile Rock, were charged with possession of dangerous drugs with intent to supply, and Levi Missick, 36, also of Eight Mile Rock, was charged with possession of dangerous drugs. They appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbye Ferguson. The three pleaded guilty to the charge and were fined $850 or six months at the Bahamas Department of
Correctional Services. Joshua Oliver, of Grenada Avenue, Freeport, pleaded not guilty to possession of dangerous drugs with the intent to supply and was granted $1,500 bail with one suretor. The case was adjourned to March 1, 2021. In other court matters, John Marvin Gaitor, 41, of Riviera Village, Lucaya, was charged with two counts of stealing. He appeared before Deputy Chief Magistrate Debbye Ferguson and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He was granted $2,500 bail on each count, and the case was adjourned to the March 1, 2021.
THE TRIBUNE
Monday, December 21, 2020, PAGE 13
JOURNALISTS TARGETED BY SPYWARE DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Associated Press
TRAVELLERS wait for trains on the concourse at King’s Cross station in London yesterday. Millions of people in England have learned they must cancel their Christmas get-togethers and holiday shopping trips. Photo: Victoria Jones/PA via AP
More nations ban travel from the UK BERLIN Associated Press A GROWING list of European Union nations were banning travel from the UK yesterday and others were considering similar action, in a bid to block a new strain of coronavirus sweeping across southern England from spreading to the continent. France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium, Austria, Ireland and Bulgaria all announced restrictions on UK travel, hours after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that Christmas shopping and gatherings in southern England must be canceled because of rapidly spreading infections blamed on the new coronavirus variant.
Johnson immediately placed those regions under a strict new Tier 4 restriction level, upending Christmas plans for millions. France banned all travel from the UK for 48 hours from midnight yesterday, and officials said that would buy time to find a “common doctrine” on how to deal with the threat. They specified that “flows of people or transport to the UK are not affected”. Germany said all flights coming from Britain, except cargo flights, were no longer allowed to land starting midnight yesterday. It didn’t immediately say how long the flight ban would last. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo said he was issuing a flight ban for
24 hours starting at midnight “out of precaution”. Belgium also halted train links to Britain, including the Eurostar. “There are a great many questions about this new mutation,” he said, adding he hoped to have more clarity by tomorrow. Johnson said on Saturday that a fast-moving new variant of the virus that is 70 percent more transmissible than existing strains appeared to be driving the rapid spread of new infections in London and southern England in recent weeks. But he stressed “there’s no evidence to suggest it is more lethal or causes more severe illness,” or that vaccines will be less effective against it.
TRUMP CONSIDERS SPECIAL COUNSEL IN ELECTION FIGHT WASHINGTON Associated Press
PRESIDENT Donald Trump floated naming lawyer Sidney Powell, who was booted from his campaign’s legal team after pushing unfounded conspiracy theories, as a special counsel investigating allegations of voter fraud as he grasps for straws to stay in power. During a Friday meeting at the White House, Trump went as far as discussing getting Powell security clearance, according to two
people familiar with the meeting. That Trump is even entertaining the idea of installing Powell underscores the increasingly desperate steps he has been weighing as he tries to reverse the results of the Nov 3 election, which he lost to Democrat Joe Biden. Trump has been entertaining conspiracy theories and outlandish schemes to try to remain in office, egged on by allies like former national security adviser Michael Flynn and former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, the president’s personal attorney.
It is unclear whether Trump intends to try to move forward with the effort to install Powell. Under federal law, the US attorney general, not the president, is responsible for appointing special counsels. And numerous Republicans, from outgoing Attorney General William Barr to governors and state election officials, have said over and over again that there is no evidence of the kind of mass voter fraud that Trump has been baselessly alleging in the weeks since he lost.
DOZENS of journalists at Al-Jazeera, the Qatari state-owned media company, have been targeted by advanced spyware in an attack likely linked to the governments of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, a cybersecurity watchdog reported yesterday. Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto said it traced malware that infected the phones of 36 journalists, producers, anchors and executives at Al-Jazeera back to the Israel-based NSO Group, which has been widely condemned for selling spyware to repressive governments. Most unnerving was that iMessages were infecting targeted cellphones without the users taking any action — what’s known as a zeroclick vulnerability. Through push notifications alone, the malware instructed the phones to upload their content to servers linked to the NSO Group, Citizen Lab said, turning journalists’ iPhones into powerful surveillance tools.
THE PAINT DEPOT
PAGE 14, Monday, December 21, 2020
TRACK from PAGE 20 communication with the Competent Authority, giving them the assurance that we could do this and we could do this well.” Archer said the meet on Saturday was proof that they could host a safe and successful meet, so he was very happy with the outcome, considering that the athletes performed at a very high level. “I think what we know we have to look at is that our competition will have to be in a non-spectator environment and so we will have to absorb all of the expenses,” he said. “At the end of the day, I think we will have to wrap our heads around how we can deliver a safe meet for our athletes in readiness for regional and international competition.” With all indications that the CARIFTA Games might have to be pushed back from the Easter holiday weekend until the summer in Bermuda, Archer said they will have to concentrate on finding more meets for their athletes to sustain their training programme. Just before the Odd Distance Meet took place, the Blue Chip Athletics Club hosted a Throwers Meet at the original TAR Stadium where seven athletes attained the qualifying standards for CARIFTA. However, one of the athletes is only 13 years old and is not eligible for the games as athletes must be 15 years or older in order to participate. There were no qualifying standards for CARIFTA or any other international meets attained at the Odd Distance Meet, but for the most part, most athletes were just delighted to be competing again. Hurry Murray’s Breyana Kemp was one of them. She easily won both the girls’ under-17 600 metre race in one minute and 45.40 seconds over 4D Stallions’ Aliyah Brown, who did 1:51.69 and RedLine’s Sara Williams, who
was third in 1:54.67. Kemp, a 15-year-old 11th grader at St Augustine’s College, also captured the 1,000m in 3:21.27 with Ezthia Maycock of Red-Line second in 3:30.01 and Leahja Williamson of Fast Forward third in 3:45.75. “It’s good to be back. We’ve been out since March. No competition, so competing today was a good thing,” Kemp said. “Next year, I want to run my personal best in all my races and qualify for the national teams.” In winning his heat of the boys’ under-17 600m in 1:29.09, but placing third overall, T-Bird Flyers’ Amando Poitier too was thrilled to be back on the track. “I feel good. I came out here to participate and to do my best,” the 16-yearold Doris Johnson Senior High 12th grader said. “I felt very good. It was good to get back on the track.” Tyler Miller of Bahamas Speed Dynamics was the overall winner in 1:27.48, followed by Dion Major of T-Bird in 1:28.82. While the focus was on the younger athletes, some of the senior and elite athletes also competed. The open women’s long and triple jumps saw collegian Charisma Taylor surge to victory in both events, while placing second in the 150m. In the triple jump, Taylor, representing Leap of Faith, cleared 12.81m (42-0 1/2) for the victory over teammate Tamara Myers, who did 12.70m (41-8). Taylor also captured the long jump with a leap of 5.59m (18-4 1/4) with fellow collegian Andira Ferguson placing second with 5.20m (17-0 3/4) and college bound high school sensation Anthaya Charlton coming in third with 5.20m (17-0 3/4) as well. “On the whole, I think I did very well,” Taylor said. “It’s still early. It’s December, but I feel I’m in a good position for the season. “There’s still some things I need to work on, but it was a good meet. I still have some things to work on.” In August, Taylor returned to college and
SPORTS
ATHLETES compete on Saturday in the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ first track and field meet - at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium - since the coronavirus pandemic broke out in March. Photos: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff was training in preparation for competing at both the NCAA indoor and outdoor nationals, if they are contested, and going on to represent the country at the postponed 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan in July, 2021 in the 100m hurdles and the triple jump. “The hurdles have been going really good. My technique has gotten better, my approach has also gotten better, so I’m just looking forward to seeing how well I can do it at that event,” she noted. Myers, based here at home after graduating from college, said she was trying out a new technique and it turned out to be an indication of where she’s at in her training. “It could have been better, but considering all that has happened, I’m pleased,” Myers said. “I’m in good shape, I’m eating healthy, I’m training hard, so I feel awesome. I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Myers said she was looking forward to competing at the World Athletics’ World Indoor Championships, but that meet has been postponed due to COVID-19. “We will see if we can get into some meets before the outdoor season,” said Myers, whose goal is to make the Olympic team as well. “If not, we will wait outdoors and go for it.” Ferguson, currently at Fresno State in California, said she too was delighted to be home and competing. “It was good to get my feet wet for the outdoor season,” she said. “It was good to see where I’m at. I spotted the few things that I did wrong, so I know what I have to correct.” As for next year, the 22-year-old Ferguson said she is planning to see whatever senior meet she can qualify for, but there’s no major priority. Meanwhile, Charlton, who has already secured an
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SPORTS
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Monday, December 21, 2020, PAGE 15
TRACK from PAGE 14 athletic scholarship to attend the University of Kentucky next year, won the open women’s 150m in 18.25 with Taylor showing her versatility coming in second in 18.61. Laila Cleare of Fast Forward was third in 18.67. Home after graduating from the University of Nebraska in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in construction management and now working with his family plumbing/construction company, Kaiwan Culmer said it was good to compete in another Odd Distance Track Meet. Culmer, competing for Leap Of Faith, won the men’s triple jump with 15.26m (50-0 3/4). Keianno Rolle of the University of the Bahamas, was the only other competitor, placing second with 14.15m (46-5 1/4). “Instead of the full runway, we had to use an approach of 49 feet, which is not much,” Culmer said. “My usual approach is 131 feet, so it’s a significant amount of steps that I was losing out. “Other than that , I jumped 15.26 (50-0 3/4), which is pretty good. When I was in school, I did 14.9 (48-10 3/4) with 12 steps and in this meet, I had eight steps so that performance was pretty good.” The goal for Culmer next year is to qualify for the Olympics. “That’s the only thing I’m shooting for,” said Culmer, who celebrated his 24th birthday on October 25. “That’s the only reason why I’m out here.” Some of the other outstanding performances from the Odd Distance Meet came from some of the younger athletes, including the following: Daveigh Farrington on Hurry Murray, winner of the girls under-11 80m in 12.10 and Taree Forbs of Boost Athletics won the 150m in 33.49. Travis Rolle of the Bahamas Speed Dynamics in the under-11 boys 80m in 11.49
and Michael Ford of Spirit of Excellence in the 150m in 22.18. His team-mate Shekinah Johnson took the girls under-13 80m in 10.59 and she doubled up in the 150m in 19.76, while Darvinique Dean of the 4D Stallions emerged as the champion of the 300m in 43.13. In the under-13 boys division, Rolinny Labranche of the Star Trackers won the 80m in 10.45 and Tyler Frazier of the Red-Line won both the 150m in 18.32 and the 300m in 40.61. The girls under-15 division saw Nya Wright of Red-Line clinch the title in the 150m in 19.39; Malynte Clarke of Bahamas Speed Dynamics won the 300m in 42.26; Katia Archer of the Star Trackers took the 600m in 1:50.10 and Kristi Ford of Spirit of Excellence won the 1,000m in 3:28.15. On the under-15 boys side, Tumani Skinner of Red-Line captured the 150m in 17.29; Philip Gray of DTSP Wolfpack won the 300m in 37.57 and Breck Kemp of Hurry Murray won the 600m in 1:45.71 and the 1,000m in 3:06.97. D’Angelo Collie of RedLine won the long jump with 5.37m; Zion Evans of Xtreme Athletic took the shot put with 11.18m; Berkley Findley of Quick Step won the javelin with 11.19m.
ATHLETES compete on Saturday in the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ first track and field meet - at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium - since the coronavirus pandemic broke out in March. Photos: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff
PAGE 16, Monday, December 21, 2020
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LEICESTER’S JAMIE VARDY, right reacts and celebrates after Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld, left scored an own goal for Leicester’s second goal of the game during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City at the White Hart Lane stadium in London Sunday. (AP Photo/ Frank Augstein)
MAN UNITED REVELS IN 6-2 WIN VS LEEDS, VARDY SINKS TOTTENHAM MANCHESTER United waited 16 years to play old rival Leeds in the English Premier League, and then made it look distinctly second-class. United charged to a 6-2 victory yesterday, though both teams could easily have scored more, as it roared back into the EPL title race in third. The easy win put United ahead of Tottenham, which swept United aside 6-1 in October but is now mired in problems of its own. A 2-0 loss to Leicester dropped Tottenham out of the Champions League spots and left Jose Mourinho’s team with one draw and two defeats in an eight-day spell. HIT FOR SIX Scott McTominay looked like one of the Premier League’s top scorers as Man United swept into an early lead over Leeds. Defensive midfielder McTominay — who hadn’t
scored in the EPL since March — netted in the second and third minutes after he was left plenty of space to run through the Leeds defense. Bruno Fernandes and Victor Lindelof extended United’s lead amid more static defending from Leeds, with more goals from Daniel James and Fernandes in the second half. Up against the allaction style of Leeds coach Marcelo Bielsa, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer credited his team with beating Leeds at its own game. “We had a plan to get after them and go forward when we got the ball, and Scott gets two goals in the first three minutes which is a great start,” Solskjaer said. “We had to earn the right to win it by running just as much or more than them, so that was a challenge against one of the fittest teams in the league.”
VARDY ON FORM Jamie Vardy’s hot form in away games in 2020 continued as he scored one goal and forced an own-goal in Leicester’s win over Tottenham. That took Vardy to 19 goals in his last 19 away games in the league. Vardy gave Leicester the lead in first-half stoppage time with a penalty after a foul by Serge Aurier, and set up the second when he headed the ball onto defender Toby Alderweireld, who deflected it into the net. “We came here with a game plan and we absolutely nailed what we wanted to do and it set us on the way to getting the three points we deserved,” Vardy told broadcaster Sky Sports. It was hardly the performance Mourinho would have wished for to prove Tottenham’s title credentials. The Portuguese coach claimed Wednesday that
the “best team lost” when Liverpool beat Tottenham 2-1. ALLARDYCE BEATEN Sam Allardyce is the coach Premier League teams turn to when they need to avoid relegation. But he didn’t have an immediate effect in his first game with 19th-place West Bromwich Albion in a 3-0 loss to Aston Villa. Four days after Allardyce replaced Slaven Bilic at West Brom, his new team was outplayed comprehensively by local rival Villa and played most of the game with 10 men after captain Jake Livermore was sent off for a mistimed tackle on Jack Grealish. Anwar El Ghazi gave Villa the lead in the fifth minute, off a pass from Bertrand Traoré, who scored the second with an assist from Grealish in the 84th. Four minutes later, El Ghazi scored again, this
MANCHESTER United’s Scott McTominay celebrates his side’s second goal during yesterday’s English Premier League soccer match against Leeds United at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England. (Michael Regan/Pool via AP) time from the penalty spot after Grealish was fouled. WAITING FOR A WIN Sheffield United’s start to the season is the worst of any team in Premier League history, and the misery continued in a 1-1 draw with Brighton which left Sheffield with two points from 14 games.
Sheffield played more than 50 minutes with 10 men after a red card for John Lundstram’s clumsy challenge on Joel Veltman, but still took the lead with a deflected shot from Jayden Bogle. With Sheffield minutes away from victory, Danny Welbeck scored in the 87th to level the game for Brighton, which stayed 16th.
CARIFTA from PAGE 20 the under-20 girls event with a heave of 47.15m (154-8), well over the standard of 38.39m (12511). Camitra Mackey also did the standard in the under-20 girls division with her second place mark of 38.53m (126-5). Kamera Strachan threw 34.47m (113-1) to go over the Under-17 girls’ standard of 34.39m (112-10), but she is too young to be eligible to compete at the games. Kaden Cartwright did 51.38m (168-7) for the under-17 boys’ standard of 50.65m (166-2) and Keyshawn Strachan, competing in the under-20 boys division, won with 64.45m (211-5) to surpass the standard of 60.94m (199-11). Blue Chip coach and meet director Corrington Maycock said there was a lot of excitement and a very impressive performance with seven qualifiers from the throwers in one meet. He called it highly successful. “We still had them practicing, although we had to obey the COVID-19 rules and laws,” Maycock said. “We were able to do so much with the kids. We worked a lot on their techniques and it paid off.”
SHOWN (l-r) are Calea Jackson, Tarajh Hudson, Keyshawn Strachan and Kamera Strachan. As of today, Maycock said his athletes will begin their weightlifting training in the gym so that they can get stronger as they prepare for 2021. “I expect better performances as we look forward to next year,” Maycock said. “For those athletes
who haven’t qualified as yet, we hope that by February or March, they will have done the standards.” Maycock, however, said there is a possibility because of COVID-19 that the CARIFTA Games could be pushed back from the Easter holiday weekend
in Bermuda to probably July. If it does, Maycock said the throwers will have more time to qualify, but the problem will be ensuring that they get into the various meets in order to achieve their goal. As for Saturday’s meet, Maycock said they did the
necessary temperature checks and ensured that the throwers did their hand sanitising and social distance. “It worked out pretty well,” he said. “Everybody wore their masks, including the throwers. They only took it off when they threw. Once they
finished, they put them on. “I think the BAAA did a good job adhering to the safety measures (put in place by the Ministry of Health and the Competent Authority). “It went pretty well and pretty smooth. We didn’t have any hiccups.”
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Monday, December 21, 2020, PAGE 17
Franco Miller Jr three rebounds shy of triple double By RENALDO DORSETT Tribune Sports Reporter rdorsett@tribunemedia.net FRANCO Miller Jr followed his worst game of the season with a career night to lead his FGCU Eagles to a dominant win that set several programme records. Miller finished just three rebounds shy of a triple double with 12 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds - all career highs - in the Eagles’ 112-39 win over Webber International Warriors Friday at Alico Arena in Ft Myers, Florida. As a unit, the Eagles scored the fifth-most points in the programme’s Division I and defensively, the 39 points allowed are the third-lowest in the programme’s Division I history. Miller finished scoreless in the Eagles’ previous matchup, an
85-69 loss to Radshad Davis and the FIU Panthers to begin the homestand. Eagles head coach Michael Fly said the entire roster needed to respond after the shortcomings against FIU. “I didn’t think we played like ourselves the other night so it was good to come out tonight with a performance like we had,” Fly said. “We were able to get a lot of the younger guys some significant minutes and were able to tinker a bit with some line-ups as well. “I thought they did a good job staying focused to close the game out whereas sometimes your natural tendency is to relax. Overall, we saw some good performances that will help prepare us for later in the year and also help us start to lock in on Georgia
FRANCO MILLER JR
Southern next Tuesday,” added Fly. In his first season with the Eagles, Miller, the redshirt sophomore guard, is averaging 7.3 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. Davis and the Panthers were unable to extend their winning streak and suffered a 103-99 loss to Georgia Southern Saturday night at the Ocean Bank Convocation Center in Miami, Florida. Davis finished with 14 points and four rebounds and and FIU dropped to 5-2 with the loss. Kai Jones and the No.11 Texas Longhorns began conference play in the Big 12 play with a 77-74 win over the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Jones finished with six points and four rebounds as Texas improved to 6-1.
Annya Moss continues to provide instant offence off the bench for the Mississippi Valley State Devillettes. She scored 12 points to help MSVU improve to 2-2 with a 73-58 win over Northwestern State yesterday. The sharpshooting guard was recruited to MSVU by head Coach Ashley Walker-Johnson after a successful two year stint at McLennan Community College. “High energy, high motor guard that can put the ball on the floor as well as shoot it from deep,” Walker-Johnson said. “Moss’s quick and savvy ball play will help us to play at a faster pace and will allow for exciting transition basketball. “Annya’s activity level also gives her the ability to do the things that don’t show up in the stats.”
TEAM THOMAS WINS PNC AS WOODS CELEBRATES MEMORY WITH SON CHARLIE By DOUG FERGUSON AP Golf Writer ORLANDO, Florida (AP) — Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods traded text messages on the eve of the final round at the PNC Championship, their teams tied for the lead and in contention. Neither mentioned winning. This was about Woods getting to play alongside 11-year-old son Charlie, watching him twirl the club after a good drive and yes, even deliver a fist pump in his red shirt yesterday. For Thomas, it was about competing with his father Mike, a longtime club professional in Kentucky and the only coach he’s ever had. Team Thomas birdied the opening seven holes and the father delivered a 5-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole that gave them a 15-under 57 in the scramble format and a one-shot victory over Vijay Singh and son Qass. They won the Willie Park Trophy. It only felt like the other 19 teams won a participation trophy. “Memories we’ll have for our entire lives,” Woods said after he and Charlie posted another 62 to finish seventh.
“He’s not going to appreciate this at 11 years old. I didn’t when I was with my dad. As the years go by, you start appreciating it more.” Woods and his son dressed in his traditional Sunday red with black trousers. Charlie’s mother, Elin Nordegren, walked the final round at The Ritz-Carlton Club at Grande Lakes, her first time at a golf tournament since the 2009 Presidents Cup at Harding Park. The Woodses played the final six holes in 6-under par, too late by then to do anything about Thomas and his father. Thomas, a former world No. 1 and PGA champion, has grown close to the Woods clan and talked in the days leading up to this event about how badly Charlie wants to beat him. Mike Thomas said young Woods took $1 off him on the putting green Saturday afternoon and said with a laugh, “I’ll show him what I got here.” Mike Thomas specializes in working with juniors and spends time with Charlie when he’s in Florida. Thomas, who has multiple PGA Tour titles in each of his last four years,
TIGER Woods watches his son Charlie’s shot from the third fairway during the final round of the PNC Championship golf tournament yesterday in Orlando, Florida. (AP Photo/Phelan M Ebenhack) wasn’t about to compare this with with his PGA Championship, World Golf Championships or any other of his 13 tour victories. Even so, he called the PNC Championship “100 percent the most enjoyable.” When his father holed the birdie putt, he said he
knew there were 10 teams still on the course and it still felt as though the tournament was over. “A part of you didn’t care who won,” he said. “We were here as father and son to enjoy a special moment.” That’s what Alastair Johnston, the vice chairman
at IMG, had in mind when he created this tournament 25 years ago. It started as the FatherSon Challenge. It since has changed into major champions and Players Championship winners competing with a family member — son, daughter, father-in-law, grandson. The idea was that golf fans would be curious to see the children of great players. Throw in the 11-year-old son of golf’s biggest star, and interest surged to new levels. Charlie Woods delivered a great show, unfazed by the 250 spectators (mostly sponsor guests) or the national TV spotlight. “I’d like to find the right way to tell Charlie that thousands of kids watching at home will be inspired to want to play golf with their dads,” Johnston said. “He wouldn’t appreciate it now. But one day he might.” The PNC Championship has the strongest waiting list in golf, and it’s always been that way. Newcomers to the field this year included Woods and Thomas, Bubba Watson and Mark Calcavecchia. Calcavecchia played with his son Eric.
When they finished, the former British Open champion who has been trying to get in the tournament for seven years was asked how it went. “Nothing short of amazing,” Calcavecchia said. “I’m kind of sad it’s over. I feel like a little kid when the carnival leaves town.” That’s about how it felt for Woods. His son played from tee markers more than 100 yards ahead in some cases, and Woods often waited for Charlie to hit his drive. More times than not, Charlie would look back give him the thumbs-up and Woods didn’t even bother hitting his shot. “I’m proud of how he handled everything,” Woods said. He said it was “without a doubt” the most fun he’s had on the golf course this year. Woods played only nine times because of the COVID-19 pandemic and only once finished in the top 10. But he wasn’t about to rank the week with other big moments in his remarkable career. He said the idea was to enjoy the experience together, “and we did that.”
TOKYO OLYMPICS Q&A: COSTS, IOC, COVID-19, AND VACCINATIONS By STEPHEN WADE AP Sports Writer TOKYO (AP) — Much of the focus on the Tokyo Olympics has been on the unprecedented postponement because of the pandemic, and how the Olympics can be held in seven months. The focus leading up to Christmas falls on the budget and the increasing costs that are being shouldered by Japan. Tokyo organizing committee officials are expected to announce updated figures this week. The official costs published last year at this time were $12.6 billion. However, Japan’s National Audit Board last year said the costs are much higher than organizers say. Overall spending then was placed at at least $25 billion. All of this is public money except for $5.6 billion. Official costs this time are sure to increase by at least $2.8 billion. This is the cost organizers reported earlier this month for the one-year delay. Domestic sponsors are being asked to pay more to make up the shortfall. But most of the burden falls on Japanese government entities. The 2019 budget shows the Switzerland-based IOC contributed about $1.3 billion to fund the Olympics. Q: Why is it so expensive to hold the Olympics? A: The University of Oxford has a good study out in September that explains many of the questions. The study points out that every Olympics since 1960 has run over budget by an average of 172%. For instance, Tokyo organizers said the Olympics would cost about $7.3 billion when they were awarded in 2013. The cost now may be closer to $25 billion. The Oxford study says high costs are driven up by tight deadlines, having a new city organize the
Olympics each time, and by the fact that the IOC does not have to absorb the cost of budget overruns. These all fall on local organizers and governments. Q: We hear a lot about the IOC. What is it exactly? A: The International Olympic Committee is a not-for-profit organization based in Switzerland. The IOC, in its latest report, showed it generated 73% of its income from selling broadcast rights. Another 18% is from selling sponsorships. Total income in the last four-year Olympic cycle (2013-16) was $5.7 billion. The IOC says it redistributes 90% of its income to help stage the Olympics, promote the Olympics, and develop world sports. The IOC president is Thomas Bach. He is listed as a “volunteer”but has all of his expenses covered and receives an annual “indemnity”of $225,000. His Swiss taxes are also paid, amounting to $126,000 according to the latest report. Q: What is the level of support for the Tokyo Olympics in Japan? A: The latest poll, published this month by Japanese broadcaster NHK, shows wavering support. In a telephone survey of 1,200, 63% said the Olympics should be postponed or canceled. On the opposite side, 27% said the Games should be held. The poll was conducted on Dec. 11-13. This is less support than was documented in a a similar poll in October. At that time, 40% favored the Olympics going ahead and 48% said they should be canceled or postponed again. Local organizers and the International Olympic Committee have said the Games cannot be postponed again and must be held this time or canceled. Q: What is the COVID19 situation in Tokyo and Japan?
A: Tokyo reported a oneday record of 822 new cases on Thursday. The day before also set a one-day record. Almost 3,000 deaths in Japan has
been attributed to COVID19, a number that is still low by by many international standards. Japan has a population of 125 million.
More than 300,000 have died from COVID-19 in the United States, which has a population of 330 million. All COVID-19 numbers in Japan have been climbing
since the middle of November. The first vaccinations in Japan are expected to begin as early as March. The OIympics are to open on July 23, 2021.
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Monday, December 21, 2020, PAGE 19
BOC executives at the Island House, Lyford Cay.
MILLER from PAGE 20
sporting associations would follow, if they feel that particular president did a great job.” Miller, who was accompanied by his wife, Elizabeth, said it was a pity that the coronavirus pandemic didn’t allow the people to join in the celebration. While the event was limited to just their executive members, Knowles said as soon as the COVID19 restrictions have been released, the BOC will hold a banquet to honour the contributions of Miller. “His contribution to sports in the Bahamas, the region and the world is renowned,” Knowles said. “He single-handedly assured that the Bahamas won the bid to host the single largest event in our country’s history, that being the Commonwealth Youth Games. From those games, 100 athletes from around the Bahamas were able to represent their country. It’s the largest number of athletes ever assembled in our sporting history. The Bahamas went on to win a record 15 medals, again, the largest medal haul in international competition.” Knowles said Miller had a passion for developing small sporting bodies and that all Olympic sporting bodies, big or small, got their share due in the Bahamas.
HIGGS from PAGE 20 the Spanish League. The 25-year-old who stands 5-feet, nine-inches, attributes her success so far to her “mindset and being confident in the work that I put in, realising as much as I can the blessings God gave me and that helps.” Embutidos Pajariel Bembibre opened the game on a 6-0 run and extended it to 24-12 at the end of the first quarter. They continued to apply the pressure as they managed to surge ahead 40-24 at the half. The second half was a
BOC president emeritus Wellington Miller receives a plaque from vice president Clarence Rolle. “He was also known for his passion and commitment to gender equality within the movement,” Knowles said. “He was passionate about the Women in Sports Commission and he dedicated his life work to gender equality and women in sports got their fair and just rewards.” In thanking Miller for his contribution, Knowles called him an “ambassador extraordinaire” as he carried out his duties at meetings around the world.
“He was a man not that many words, but one full of passion for his country and the development of sports,” said Knowles, who will assume full responsibility for the role Miller played in his absence. “So while he’s on this sabbatical, we wish him well and we look forward to his continued advice and wise counsel and his representation locally and abroad when he returns.” As he takes a break from the day to day operation of the organisation, Miller
different story for Embutidos Pajariel Bembibre, who is on a three-game losing streak as they remain in 15th place in the league standings with a 2-13 record. “We lost by 12. We started off very well, but couldn’t get going in the second half,” Higgs said. “We didn’t try to be consistent with the energy and aggressiveness.” IDK Euskotren rallied to start the third on a run that cut their deficit to 46-41 and drew within one, 50-49, going into the fourth quarter. That is when IDK Euskotren took full control of the game and once
they went ahead, they never looked back as Embutidos Pajariel Bembibre seemed to have run out of gas down the stretch. “The first half we were both intense as well as focused and really locked in with the game plan,” Higgs stressed. “But in the second half, we lost focus. “I was disappointed (in the loss), but it’s something my teammates or myself can do well on. Have to keep it moving.” Embutidos Pajariel Bembibre will be back in action on Tuesday against Lointek Gernika before they close out the year on Sunday, December 27 when they play Spar Gran Canaria.
BOC President Romell Knowles presents immediate past president Wellington Miller with a self portrait. Photos courtesy of Kevin Major Sr said he intends to spend my hometown where I hope can hold onto the key to his more time in North Andros to do reactive sports down office as he’s welcome to come back and function in where he hopes to focus on there.” Miller thanked Knowles his capacity whenever he’s developing the Carl Oliver Track and the adjacent mul- for allowing him to func- ready to do so. tion on a daily basis in the “I will always cherish tiple purpose auditorium. “I haven’t had a private office and affording him those moments from the moment in my life for a the opportunity to sit in all celebrations because so long time because I was of their meetings, if he so many good things were said about my leadership so committed to sports,” desired. He noted that the offic- from the members,” Miller Miller said. “Oh, Andros. Here I come. I will be in ers all assured him that he summed up.
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WELLINGTON MILLER HONOURED By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
AFTER spending the past three years as the immediate past president of the Bahamas Olympic Committee, Wellington Miller will take a sabbatical to enjoy some private family time. The retired Bahamas Customs Officer was honoured on Wednesday night at the Island House, Lyford Cay, for his tenure in office on the board of the highest sporting body in the country. After being elected in 2002 as a vice president, the former president of the Bahamas Amateur Boxing Federation was elected as the BOC president in 2008, serving for two consecutive four-year terms. Due to the constitution, Miller was unable to contest for a third term in office as Romell Knowles emerged as the new president in 2017. Miller said it has been a smooth transition and he was pleased with his tenure in office. “In this life, especially when you are alive, people don’t honour you. They wait until your life has passed to honour you with some substance,” Miller said. “But the Bahamas Olympic Committee did it with class for me and I hope it’s a standard that other
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MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2020
Track is back
SEE PAGE 16
SEE PAGE 19
AN athlete competes in the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ first track and field meet - held on Saturday at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium since the coronavirus pandemic broke out in March. Photo: Terrel W Carey/Tribune Staff
Seven athletes qualify for CARIFTA By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net SEVEN athletes attained the qualifying standards for the CARIFTA Games at the Blue Chip Athletics Throwers Meet on Saturday as competitive track and field returned at the Thomas A Robinson Track and Field Stadium amidst the coronavirus pandemic. It was the first meet held since sports came to a halt in March
during day one of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture’s National Track and Field Championships at the adjacent TAR National Stadium. The throwers meet preceded the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations’ Odd Distance Track Meet, dubbed “Track is Back,” at the TAR National Stadium on Saturday as well. In the discus, Calea Jackson, who is in boarding school in the United States, threw 37.34 metres
HIGGS SCORES 22 IN LOSS
or 122-feet, 6-inches to surpass the under-17 girls’ standard of 36.88 (121-0). She was joined by Tarajh Hudson in the under-20 boys’ division as his winning toss of 53.66m (176-0) went above the standard of 52.13m (171-0). The other five qualifying performances came in the javelin. Collegian Rhema Otabor, home from her first semester as a freshman at Florida International, won
U
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HARBOUR Island native Lashann Higgs had another big game on Saturday, but it wasn’t enough to garner another victory for her Embutidos Pajariel Bembibre in the Spanish Women’s Professional Basketball League. On Saturday night, Higgs stayed red hot on the offensive end, matching game high honours with 22 points as Embutidos Pajariel Bembibre suffered a 69-58 loss to the IDK Euskotren at home in their José Antonio Gasca arena. In 35 minutes on the court, Higgs shot 8-for-20 or 40 percent from the field, was 2-for-3 (66.7 percent) from behind the three-point line and didn’t attempt a free throw. She also pulled down two rebounds with an assist and a steal, while committing one foul. “I felt as if I played well although I missed some shots that I would normally make,” said Higgs, who has turned out to be the team’s top performer in just her freshman season, averaging 15.4 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. “It’s a learning process. I just have to keep improving each game.” The University of Texas Longhorns stellar guard, who rebounded from a near career-ending injury in her junior year, is among the top 10 in scoring in
By BRENT STUBBS Senior Sports Reporter bstubbs@tribunemedia.net
nder the theme: “Track is Back,” the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations hosted its first track and field meet since the coronavirus pandemic broke out in March. The BAAA, in closing out what has been a dramatic year of postponements and cancellations of various local and international sporting events, staged the Odd Distance Track and Field Meet at the Thomas A Robinson National Stadium on Saturday. “We’ve been planning for the COVID-19 environment since the lockdown and we recognised very early that certain things had to be in place,” said BAAA president Drumeco Archer. “We’ve been in
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