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PM: Mortgage relief for 350 Scheme has cut payments by a quarter

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net THE government’s revamped mortgage relief programme has assisted 350 Bahamian homeowners since it was reintroduced, Prime Minister Perry Christie revealed yesterday.

With less than five months until the next general election, Mr Christie said this facet of the government’s mortgage programme reduced the homeowners’ monthly payments by 25 per cent making them now affordable - where they were once unmanageable.

He called this a “significant” turnaround from the failings of the government’s first attempt at mortgage

JUVENILES BEHIND BARS AS SIX ARE ACCUSED AFTER SCHOOL STABBING

WHILE still not providing clarity to much of the country’s confusion surrounding the planned implementation of National Health Insurance, Prime Minister Perry Christie yesterday made a push to persuade Bahamians to trust the government in handling the healthcare scheme, in-

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

POLICE are investigating two homicides which occurred nearly 24 hours apart.

The killings marked 13 homicides in 23 days, according to The Tribune’s records, surpassing the eight people killed in the entire month of January 2016.

Last night, police again committed to increasing patrols and doubling resources in an effort to stem frequent killings.

The latest homicide occurred after 9pm Monday when a man was shot outside a residence in the SEE PAGE SIX

HANNA MARTIN BLASTS FLIGHT FEES STORY AS FAKE NEWS

relief. Assisting struggling homeowners was one of the Christie administration’s campaign promises ahead of the 2012 general election.

It was implemented early in this term, however the programme under performed, leading Mr Christie to admit in 2013 that only four or five homeowners were expected to receive assistance.

“The government, in a collaborative effort with the Clearing Banks Association, has launched a multifaceted mortgage relief programme,” Mr Christie said during his keynote address at the 26th Annual Bahamas Business Outlook yesterday.

SEE PAGE SIX

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

TRANSPORT and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna Martin yesterday refuted assertions in a Tribune article that accused the Progressive Liberal Party of being responsible for the country’s loss of millions of dollars in overflight fees, charging that this newspaper is engaging in “fake news” and a “perverse misrepresentation of the facts”.

Mrs Hanna Martin, during a press conference, said the headline of the article, “Hundreds of Millions in Flyover Fees lost by PLP” is “false”, as she said the PLP is the only government that has “assiduously pursued the realisation of the sovereign air space of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas”, as well as the “payment of overflight fees for the Bahamian people”.

SEE PAGE SIX

CHRISTIE SAYS NHI WILL BOOST NATION’S ECONOMY

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net

POLICE PLEA AFTER TWO KILLINGS IN 24 HOURS

sisting that NHI is expected to “boost the economy”.

Mr Christie said it is important that the government “removes the cobwebs, fear and concern” over NHI, but did not give any indication of a definite roll out date or whether his administration expected to meet its mark of implementing it ahead of the approaching 2017 general election.

SEE PAGE SIX JUVENILES accused of being involved in the Government High School stabbing outside court yesterday. The youngsters are aged 15-17.

By LAMECH JOHNSON are under 18, appeared be- curred during the school’s Tribune Staff Reporter fore Magistrate Constance first recess, according to ljohnson@tribunemedia.net Delancy facing a count each initial police reports. They of causing harm and caus- were taken to hospital for TWO juveniles were re- ing grievous harm stem- treatment of their injuries, manded to the Simpson ming from the brawl on police said.

Penn Centre for Boys yes- Thursday, January 19.

The school was immeterday after they were arThe causing harm charge diately put on lock down raigned in Magistrate’s was made under Section while police processed the Court in connection with a 266 of the Penal Code crime scene and spoke to recent stabbing incident at while the more serious witnesses.

Government High School. charge was brought under In a 30-second video, Four other juveniles were Section 270. taken during the fight and also charged with fighting The other 17-year-old posted on social media, sevrelated offences in relation accused was separately eral students appear to be to the same incident. charged with a single count hitting and punching each The first of two 17-year- of causing harm. other. olds, whose names have Three teens were injured SEE PAGE SEVEN been withheld because they during an argument that oc-

BOWE QUESTIONS PM’S BOAST OF 32,000 JOBS

By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net TAKING issue with Prime Minister Perry Christie’s job boast, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers Confederation Chairman Gowon Bowe regretted that policy makers and the wider public have fallen into a trap of sensational “punch line rhetoric”.

Mr Bowe questioned whether the nearly 32,000 jobs said to be created between 2012 and 2016 had SEE PAGE TEN

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Tuesday, January 24, 2017, PAGE 3

Ferguson: Talk is over, it’s time to take action

By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net TRADE Union Congress President Obie Ferguson hinted yesterday that extensive labour action could occur across the country in the coming weeks, as he spearheaded the platform merger of several of the nation’s unions in their respective grievances against the Christie administration.

During a lengthy press conference held at the House of Labour building on Wulff Road, Mr Ferguson, flanked by We March Bahamas organisers Ranard Henfield and John Bostwick II, declared that the “time for talk” had officially expired for the governing PLP as union leaders have now progressed toward “necessary, effective action”.

Mr Ferguson, who is also an attorney, urged the “working people” of the country to rally behind the actions to be proposed by the group moving forward, insisting that no great feat ever achieved in the Bahamas occurred without the efforts of that section of the country’s population.

Vowing that his words were not being made in jest, Mr Ferguson said action could come within hours of his declaration on Monday morning.

“Rest assured, as we leave this room, the working people (have had enough),” he said. “I repeat that, as you leave this room, leave this room with the understanding that the working people have had enough and enough is enough.

“We are not going to procrastinate and go on any longer. The working people want to see us do what we are required to do, to protect the interest of this Bahamian community and the working people of the county,” Mr Ferguson said.

“What I am prepared to say to you today (is), this is the end of the road. There is no longer speculation. I am certain this is the end of the

road today.

“So at any minute, from this point on there will be some action,” added the unionist. “Let me say this to you, whatever we do, it is going to be coordinated.”

He added: “But I can assure you as I speak, there will be action taken by this group. That is the decision we have made, it wouldn’t be a good trade union tactic to say (our plans); but I can assure you, we will (keep the public informed) and you will know the specific action.”

Labour issues This came after officials from the Bahamas Air Traffic Controllers Union (BATCU), Bahamas Nurses Union (BNU), Bahamas Hotel Maintenance and Allied Workers Union (BHMAWU), and Bahamas Customs, Immigration and Allied Workers Union (BCIAWU) all presented the press with accounts of the government’s lack of regard toward labour issues.

BNU President Amancha Williams said the post of principal nursing officer has not been filled for at least 10 years.

Mrs Williams said her union has been barred from holding needed promotional exercises, and as a result, been unable to fill key roles within the Department of Public Health.

In addition to that, she claimed the quality of healthcare administered by her members was being limited by the inaction of the government of many other issues.

“We have been pressing on the government to adhere to our needs and it has been past time - we have been asking and still no results,” she said.

Similar sentiments were expressed by BATCU President Hinsey McKenzie, who in a passionate plea urged Transport and Aviation Minister Glenys Hanna Martin to stay true to her word and resolve the long-standing issues facing that union.

Mr McKenzie said his union was still awaiting a risk assessment report promised to them from May 2016 - the report was commissioned after the group organised labour action in December of 2015.

In addition to that report, Mr McKenzie said continued efforts by the government to bypass agreed upon overtime payouts more than a decade old, respond to issues highlighted by the union on the treatment of employees by security personnel at the airport and attempts to present management bodies at the airport as the principal authority body at the airport facility; have all been endured by his union for far too long.

“It is ridiculous,” Mr McKenzie said. “The government is treating us like we don’t deserve nothing, we have to beg.”

Racquel Strachan, president of the BHMAWU, said her union was still reeling from the government’s action in the Sandals Royal Bahamian dispute last year which saw the dismissal of roughly 600 employees at the resort.

“The prime minister and his colleagues said they would fix the matter and we would be back on the job. It is now 2017, nothing has yet happened,” she said.

The resort did rehire roughly 600 workers after a brief closure and renovation last year.

Ms Strachan implored workers across the Bahamas to come together and vote in their best interest, contending that the PLP was laying siege to the country’s working class.

“We can see the prime minister shuffle and dance all he wants, the time for action is now,” Ms Strachan said. “Enough talk. It is action time. We have had enough, enough is enough.

It hasn’t happened to you, but it can happen to you later down.”

BCIAWU President Sloan Smith added that the Christie administration has also been silent on the

OBIE FERGUSON, President of the Trade Union Congress. promises it made to his un- have been persistent, deion prior to and since com- spite the PLP’s pre-election ing to office, noting that his pledge to address labour members were now in need concerns. of the “bird in the hand,” as Mr Henfield, We March the “two in the bush ain’t Bahamas leader organiser, cutting it.” yesterday said looming unHe said his union has ion concerns could have posubmitted all of its com- litical repercussions for the plaints to the government, government, stating that in some cases going as far Bahamians are “tired of as to draft resolution docu- begging.” ments in several of the inci“We refuse to beg anydents with the hope of them more,” the activist said. being adopted and adapted. “The people around us are Mr Smith said he was of prepared to take action and the view that the govern- we will take action until the ment was still looking to things that they have been punish his union for its asking for are taken care of. strike action in 2013.

We are tired of begging. It Throughout the Christie is our country and we are administration’s current tired of being second-class term in office, union issues citizens in this country.”

We March yesterday released a new shortlist of demands it wants the government to address in the coming months.

This list features calls for the enactment of Freedom of Information legislation, certification by the Supreme Court that the Cabbage Beach easement becomes a public right of way, an exact accounting of value added tax revenue, closure of Blackbeard’s Cay, and the unsealing of all document related to the sale of Baha Mar. The group didn’t indicate what could happen if these demands were not met, stating only that it was standing in support of the unions.

POWER OUTAGES AS COLD FRONT CONTINUES TO AFFECT THE BAHAMAS

By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE Department of Meteorology issued gale force wind warnings yesterday after a cold front brought 40 mph winds across the entire Bahamas beginning around 5am.

Chief Meteorological Officer Geoffrey Greene said gale force winds will gradually move over the northwest, central and southeast islands as a strong squall line, cold front and postfrontal trough moves over the area beginning at 8am.

The warning was in effect for Grand Bahama, Abaco, Bimini, Berry Islands, Andros, New Providence, Eleuthera and the adjacent water until 1am Tuesday.

However, the strong winds began to die down before noon in New Providence.

However, several communities lost electricity during the high winds and heavy rain. Bahamas Power and Light (BPL) blamed the outages on the inclement weather, but said crews were out “working to ensure supply is reconnected as quickly as possible.”

According to a statement from BPL last evening, strong winds were responsible for outages in a number of areas including Prince Charles Drive, Montel Heights, Englerston

and the Shirley Street/ Palmdale area on Monday morning. BPL said power was restored to these areas however, the company was working last night to restore power in other areas that were impacted yesterday morning.

BPL crews were last night working to restore power in Adelaide Village, Tropical Gardens, High Vista, Millers Heights, Nassau East South, Stapledon Gardens, Kool Air Subdivision, South Beach Drive, Southern Comfort Subdivision, Johnson Estates, and Nassau Village.

“Company officials maintain that strong gusts of wind could cause problems with power lines that may result in supply interruption to customers,” the company’s statement said.

“BPL reminds its customers that this is a particular vulnerability that exist with overhead power lines. Realising that potential challenges could result from the reported conditions, BPL temporarily increased the size of its response team to quickly address outages and restore power to impacted customers.”

The Met Office also issued a severe weather warning for South Eleuthera, Cat Island, Exuma and its Cays, San Salvador, Rum Cay and Long Island as the system moved southeastward.

Mr Greene said heavy showers and scattered thunderstorms were expected in the above named areas as well as winds up to 30 knots.

Some of the thunderstorms were expected to be severe at times causing strong gusty winds, dangerous lightning, heavy down-

pours, hail and possible waterspout or tornadic activity.

Mr Greene said a cold front is expected to sweep across The Bahamas today and tonight.

“The entire Bahamas was under a gale force warning because of the squall line,” Mr Greene said on Monday.

“So we expect it to be extremely windy. After the wind has passed a strong cold front is expected to follow across the northwest Bahamas. So on Tuesday we will still have some winds but it won’t be as strong and it will be much cooler. It should be in the mid to upper 70s in the daytime and

get down to the mid to low 60s, however the wind will make it feel a lot cooler.”

The Met Office warned that gale force winds can cause flying debris and bring down trees and power lines, it warned that people should be cautious and stay alert to their surroundings during and after storms.

PAGE 4, Tuesday, January 24, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

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Gangs win, we lose, time to stop talking and take action ‘We are an armed and dangerous country and we should be mightily afraid of what we have become…’

WHEN the fear of crime is so great that it keeps people locked behind doors afraid to go out after dark, imprisoned by their own burglar bars, the time for talking is over.

When crime is so great that headlines of yet another murder fail to arouse shock, indignation and fury, but elicit another ho-hum response as if a murder every day or two were to be expected, the time for talking is long past.

When gangs rule gathering places where young Bahamians hang out and where you can hire a hit for as little as $50, the time for talk is over.

When crime is what it has become in The Bahamas – all-invasive threatening every person and every household in the country at one level or another – the time for talk is long over. Like a product past its expiry date, current attempts at tackling crime have lost their effectiveness. What may have been palatable a decade ago is a joke by comparison to the severity of needs today. Why? Because a decade ago, The Bahamas was hardly an armed society. Two decades ago, many police officers did not even carry guns on a regular basis. Raising funds to equip officers with bulletproof vests was lauded as forward thinking and potentially preventative rather than an absolute must before any undercover officer or detective went out on routine duty.

We are a changed nation. We no longer have the requisite respect for the rule of law that any long-term successful society must embrace.

We have become an armed and dangerous country and we should be mightily afraid of what that portends. From the smallest infraction – a motorcycle that barely hesitates at a red light before running through and popping a wheelie – to the most heinous crime, a gang bang of a young girl or the taking of a child’s life caught in the crossfire of a drive-by shooting – the time for talk is over.

It is time to act and to do so with conviction, courage and determination to succeed.

Other cities and countries with far worse problems have done it. New York, once a city so crime-ridden that residents lived in fear, half a dozen dead bolts on their apartment doors, is now one of the safest places in the United States. In 1990’s Chicago, where gangs were creating mayhem on the streets, the governor appointed a 35-member commission on gangs comprised of police, health officials, clergy, legislators, federal and state prosecutors. Their conclusions – get tough. Gang violence and crime had to be handled differently and separately from other crime. Prosecution had to be faster, penalties greater. In Nevada, gang

members run the risk of forfeiting personal property. In Los Angeles, where at one time as many as 150,000 members belonged to gangs, no one tried to cover up the reality. The crackdown on gangs is challenging and it’s tough, but it is ongoing. In Jamaica, the prime minister started this year with a pronouncement that gangs would not be tolerated and there would be drastic action, including creation of crime zones where curfews could be enforced.

No one is blaming crime in The Bahamas on the police. The root causes are many, running the gamut from too little attention to children on a daily basis to a breakdown in traditional families, overly stressed single mothers trying to do it all, teen pregnancies, classes in government schools that are too large and teachers who have to spend too much time as disciplinarians instead of educators resulting in too many students graduating without the skills even to complete a job application form.

It is easy to see how such a confluence of factors gives rise to the appeal of gang membership. The gang becomes a new family. It provides an identity. A teen who cannot get a good job suddenly thinks he is a big shot if he’s packing. His walk changes from a slump to a swagger because he’s got metal in his pocket and a round of ammunition at his fingertips.

He’s a hot shot without a conscience.

How do you deal with that?

You stop talking and start acting. You get tough. You bring in law enforcement, prosecutors and judges from abroad unrelated to people here who can manipulate the system or make a statement disappear for a cousin or brother. Look at the example of former assistant commissioner of police Paul Thompson who now runs a private security company. Thompson is described as ‘the quintessential police officer’, an expert who has attained all but hero status. Was he born in The Bahamas? No, Paul Thompson, the quintessential police officer, was Trinidadian. He worked with a Bahamian commissioner of police, the late Capt. Edward Sears, just as new people would do now, adding expertise and impartial objectivity to local leadership. What about the late Stanley Moir, brought in from Scotland Yard?

Here we are in the age of globalization and The Bahamas is quick to accept the need for foreign direct investment, yet we turn our back on the greatest foreign investment of all – counsel and officers to help combat crime.

Until we accept the fact that we cannot do this alone and there is much we can learn from others who faced it before us, we will continue to be mired in a system where favours are granted for family and friends and where crime and the fear of crime will drive more of us to retreat behind burglar bars and prayer that we will survive another day.

Christie’s claim far from true EDITOR, The Tribune.

AFTER reading numerous articles in the daily newspapers, where the “jokiest” leader in the history of this country, the Right Hon Prime Minister Perry G Christie, had the audacity, the nerve, and the gall to say that his administration has done an “outstanding” job of governing The Bahamas, I felt compelled to write this letter.

“Outstanding Job,” Mr Christie? What “outstanding job” are you talking about, sir? What planet are you on? What dimension, parallel universe, or alternate reality are you living in?

Our economy has been downgraded to “Junk” status. Outstanding job?

We’ve recorded 11 murders in just the fourth week of the new year. Outstanding job?

The Baha Mar controversy has severely damaged our international reputation, with many potential

LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net visitors who booked reservations with the still unfinished resort writing very unflattering things about The Bahamas in numerous travel websites, evidently upset at having to cancel their reservations due to the many opening delays. Outstanding job?

Bahamians are now afraid to step out of their homes, and even send their children to school, because of the never ending crime and violence, which you pledged to eliminate in your last election campaign.

Outstanding job?

Power Secure, the company brought in to take over and manage the Bahamas Electricity Corporation, renaming it Bahamas Power and Light (BPL), is doing an atrocious job so far.

Literally every day, the electricity goes out, often for hours. Yet despite this,

long-suffering Bahamians are forced to pay sky high electricity bills, which they swear have gone up, even though Deputy Prime Minister, Philip “Brave” Davis says otherwise. And all because the powers that be refuse to see the potential of alternative energy. Outstanding Job? Unemployment remains in the double digits. Outstanding job?

The United States Embassy has issued numerous travel advisories against us, because of our high crime rate. Outstanding job?

If you are doing such an “outstanding job”, Mr Christie, why was there such a huge protest march by Bahamians from all walks of life, demanding change? It’s high time you and your government stop living in the “Matrix”, and start living in the real world.

SANDILANDS VILLAGE Nassau, January 23, 2017.

Lessons for our democracy Twisted Lime EDITOR, The Tribune.

EDITOR, The Tribune, RICHARD Coulson’s article in today’s Tribune was, as usual, exceptionally well done. His ending, on the message that our Bahamian Political Leaders would wisely pay attention to, is right on the money.

As I read this article this morning, the BBC was covering the left wing Primary in France, and ended with words to the effect that one of the three candidates running in the general election would certainly have a better chance of winning a General Election, than would all three.

Why are our political “leaders” so blind, or arrogant, that they cannot foresee the outcome of the Bahamas General Election,

mere months away now, if they continue with their stubborn egocentric antics.

One of the things that was more than clear, in both WeMarch events, was that the participants all held allegiance to one or other of our major parties or factions thereof including the Governing Party.

And, as is highly likely, they are enormously frustrated by the politics of our faction’s leaders. The thought occurs that maybe, like the Trumpers of America, and the Brexiteers of

LETTERS EXTRA See page eight

England, the Bahamian people don’t really give a damn about political parties, and may very well vote for a candidate, based on what that candidate can deliver.

Maybe this is what Renard Henfield has been called to do.

By leading, as he does so well, perhaps he and his WeMarch group can force a Rainbow of elected members to the House of Assembly.

It seems only at that point in time, would our party leaders, and wannabe leaders, realise that they have not in fact been anointed by God. BRUCE G. RAINE Nassau, January 23, 2017.

LAST evening January 21, 2017. I took my fiancée to dinner. We decided on Twisted Lime after not going there for about two years, from a bad experience, hoping to have an enjoyable evening.

On arriving at 8.30pm, and being seated, we placed our drinks order, followed by our appetizers, and our entrée, my fiancée ordered the Pennie Shrimp Pasta. I ordered the Rack of Lamb Medium, which when presented was not properly skinned of the fat.

On cutting my Lamb Chop, only to discover that it was well done, I called the waitress over and told her my order was wrong, that I had a well-done Rack of

Lamb and it was not what I ordered. I asked her to please bring her Supervisor over who I explained my dissatisfaction to, she then took it back, I then heard a staff member with some very uncomplimentary remarks coming from the kitchen.

I then asked for my cheque and decided to leave, realising that nothing had changed over the last two years.

I have followed in my father’s footsteps. Kelly Burrows, in acquiring the taste for fine dining who have made his mark in the Hospitality Industry, and I have adopted a lot of his traits in not settling for mediocrity, like him, I expect excellence in the service industry of which I am a part.

Being the Beverage Manager at the Atlantis Casino, I convey to my staff daily about excellence. Sad to say, it is a foreign language in most establishments today, and it’s sad, we being a tourist destination.

What happened to the days when customer service and satisfaction came first?

And the guest is, always right?

It’s obvious that a lack of training, of your personnel at Twisted Lime is in dire need.

I will never recommend it, and will never go back there again. I was sorely disappointed with the cavalier comportment that I experienced once again.

DILLON A BURROWS Nassau, January 22, 2017.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 24, 2017, PAGE 5

GRIMES DENIES TAXPAYERS PAID BILL FOR FLYING PLP SUPPORTERS TO EVENT BAHAMASAIR Chairman Valentine Grimes yesterday shot down questioning on whether taxpayers were footing the bill for Progressive Liberal Party supporters travelling on the airline to attend the ratification of Prime Minister Perry Christie and others last week.

Mr Grimes, a PLP trustee and former Cabinet minister, insisted that there was absolutely no truth to rumours, adding that such a practice had never been undertaken by the party in his lifetime.

He acknowledged that Family Island supporters used the airline to get to

the capital, but did so in the same capacity as they would on Sky Bahamas and Western Air. “There is absolutely no truth to that,” he said, “that doesn’t say there weren’t people who came down from Freeport and used Bahamasair. We had candidates from Grand Ba-

hama being confirmed and yes their family and friends came down, as an example.

There were people from different islands there but they also flew on Western, on Sky.” An insider, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, claimed to The Tribune that one the air-

line’s jets had been pulled from its US route and redirected to bring supporters from Grand Bahama to the capital ahead of the party’s mass ratification last Thursday.

To this, Mr Grimes said: “There has been nothing untoward with respect to their travel. That has never

happened in my lifetime in the Progressive Liberal Party.

“We are not made up of that, we have more respect for the government, for the people of The Bahamas to do that type of thing. As chairman of Bahamasair, nothing of that nature took place.”

SEARS REFUSED SLOT TO SPEAK AT PLP CONVENTION

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net

PRIME Minister Perry Christie, speaking at the opening ceremony of the Fifth Caribbean Sustainable Energy Forum (CSEF) held at The Hilton last night.

Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff

Christie backs probe of BTC

By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net PRIME Minister Perry Christie yesterday told his critics, who have questioned his administration’s take back of the majority stake in the Bahamas Telecommunications Company Ltd (BTC), that the government’s actions will be revealed in the results of Parliament’s select committee probe.

He said this investigation was ordered so there is evidence that the telecommunications provider is 51 per cent owned by the Bahamians people.

Responding to the naysayers, Mr Christie revealed that upon successfully negotiating the two per cent share transfer from Cable and Wireless Communications to a foundation, the company “put a million dollars in the bank to start us off”.

“I said I would negotiate two per cent,” Mr Christie said as he addressed industry professionals gathered during the Bahamas Business Outlook yesterday.

“It was not two per cent to control because that wouldn’t happen. That would be force or coercing them. It was two per cent economic interest. They (critics) said I haven’t accounted for it and that’s not true.

“BTC put a million dollars in the bank to start us off. (Labour Minister) Shane Gibson has a committee in Parliament and I have asked the committee in Parliament to get the necessary evidence and present it to the Bahamian people so that they can be positive of the fact that 51 per cent of BTC is owned by the people of the Bahamas two per cent, through the (BTC) Foundation.

“That has been agreed to and the new company Liberty that is taking over and purchasing, we are in the process of giving consideration to approving their application right now (for) whatever conditions that will be applied to the application for their continued presence in our country,” he added.

“But I think again we must learn from it. When we agreed to bring in a new cell (company) my government indicated that we wanted 51 per cent to be owned and blocked off for

distribution to the people of our country.

“Cable and Wireless was owning 49 per cent and managing it. Ultimately the pension funds and credit unions will be distributing the shares that we purchased and if in fact there is any difficulty then it will go to the retail market.

“But the problem is that we are not learning from the experience of BTC and its sale to be able empower more Bahamians in ownership.”

BTC was sold to Cable and Wireless in 2011 under the previous Ingraham administration.

Last November, the government moved a resolution in Parliament to establish a select committee to probe the controversial sale.

Suggesting the 2011 sale was essentially a “give away”, Mr Gibson at the time called the decision to privatise the telecommu-

nications provider “damaging,” as he pointed to BTC’s revenue generation abilities.

The Golden Gates MP was also adamant that some inconsistency might exist between the cost at which the then Free National Movement (FNM) government sold BTC and what its parent company CWC actually paid for it.

BTC was sold to CWC for $210m, but Mr Gibson highlighted that in CWC’s audited financial statement, the company said it purchased the company at a cost of $204m.

Earlier this month, the committee met, but without Official Opposition members.

Mr Gibson, who heads the committee, confirmed to The Tribune that the panel began its charge to investigate, examine and inquire into the circumstances and facts relating

to the privatisation of the company.

Committee members include South Beach MP Cleola Hamilton, and Tall Pines MP Leslie Miller, who are both members of the governing Progressive Liberal Party, and Montagu MP Richard Lightbourn and North Eleuthera MP Theo Neilly, who are members of the Free National Movement.

Mr Neilly advised the committee that he was travelling and could not attend, according to Mr Gibson, but said there was no response from Mr Lightbourn.

However Mr Lightbourn has said he was unaware of the meeting.

However, Mr Gibson has argued in Parliament that all members were notified, while admitting that the subject line of the email has the incorrect date when the meeting was to occur.

PROGRESSIVE Liberal Party Trustee Valentine Grimes yesterday said “no candidate” is allowed to speak at the party’s convention this week as he shot down reports that the PLP’s top brass was preventing leadership contender Alfred Sears from addressing delegates during the event.

Mr Grimes, who has responsibility for internal elections, told The Tribune that “no one is speaking to the convention as a candidate in any evening session or day session,” countering the story put out by Mr Sears a day before that the PLP is engaging in “acts of desperation” ahead of the three-day event, its first convention in eight years.

Regarding Mr Sears’ claims that the PLP had appointed hundreds of stalwart councillors just days before the three day event, Mr Grimes said: “It’s an internal party matter and ought to stay an internal party matter.”

Earlier this week, Mr Sears told reporters that he has been denied an opportunity to speak at the party’s convention by organisers and said he was told he would not get the full list of voting delegates until Wednesday, which is the day the party will vote on executive posts.

Mr Sears said that he wrote to PLP Chairman Bradley Roberts to ascertain “what night I would be scheduled to speak so that my campaign team can prepare ourselves to present our platform and speak to the delegates and be available for an ongoing conversation”.

However, he told the media that he was told in a reply from the PLP’s secretary general “that I would not be allowed or afforded the opportunity to speak as a candidate for leadership”.

In response, Mr Grimes told The Tribune: “No can-

didate has ever been allowed to address delegates in that capacity in any evening sessions. No candidate has ever been allowed to address convention in that particular manner, it’s an internal party matter and ought to stay an internal party matter. No one is speaking to the convention as a candidate in any evening session or day session.”

The PLP’s convention begins today and continues until Thursday, January 26. Prime Minister Perry Christie, the PLP’s leader, is scheduled to address the convention on the final night.

The PLP has not held a convention since 2009, although the party’s constitution mandates that such an event be held every year.

The event marks the first time Mr Christie has had a challenge to his leadership since National Security Minister Dr Bernard Nottage and attorney Paul Moss faced him in 2009.

Mr Sears has maintained that the party’s best chances of re-election are with him at its helm. He previously rebuffed suggestions that a leadership change would have a destabilising effect on the party so close to a general election.

However, PLP Deputy Leader and Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis has said he does not expect to see a change of leadership at the end of the event.

“I don’t see any new leader emerging from this convention,” Mr Davis said on Sunday. “I think that it is good that we can all gather all together in one place in conclave to chart the course for the next five years because this is not just a convention to elect leaders but also to set the course for the general election and to craft our plans for the next five years.

“I’m satisfied that we have been re-energised at the end of the day…this is about the PLP, it’s not about any individual and we will stay together.”

PAGE 6, Tuesday, January 24, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

PM: Mortgage relief for 350 from page one “One facet is an affordability programme, which today has assisted over 350 Bahamians in reducing their monthly payments to make their homes, which were previously unaffordable, affordable through a reduction of monthly payments of 25 per cent.

“Another element of the programme would be the introduction of a new Homeowners Protection Bill in the House of Assembly along with the Members of Financial and Corporate Services Act and the propagation of rules for money lending under the act.

“This compendium of

legislation will introduce for the first time in the Bahamas clear rules around the entire mortgage process from mortgage origination to foreclosure. It will set the establishment of responsible practices, which contributed to the mortgage crisis.”

He continued: “The final element of the mortgage relief effort will be the introduction of credit reporting with this legislation.

“This is extraordinary and will be significant and we will try as best we can during the final weeks to introduce the Homeowners Protection Bill because it is a landmark piece of legislation. We are supposed to have consultations with the

CHRISTIE SAYS NHI WILL BOOST ECONOMY from page one

Instead, the prime minister repeated that his government, like all administrations around the world, would not make any decisions that would plunge the economy into a “down spin”.

He said the government’s NHI consultants, KPMG, were willing to put its reputation on the line that NHI will improve the economy.

He made the comments during the 26th Annual Bahamas Business Outlook at the Melia Nassau Beach Hotel on West Bay Street.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” Mr Christie said, “this administration remains absolutely committed to healthcare reform and through the implementation of a health system strengthening branch to improve accessibility and affordability of basic medical services and laying the groundwork for universal health coverage and the implementation of National Health Insurance.

“Just let me say this with respect to one statement on National Health Insurance.

When we were reviewing National Health Insurance, my government saw that KPMG had in-depth consultancy with South Africa and argued persuasively that it’s a net positive to the economy as opposed to a drag on the economy (and) that the economy has gains as a result of the implementation and proper execution of National Health Insurance.

“My government commissioned KPMG to engage in a similar study, which has just been completed for the Bahamas. That study also will confirm and KPMG will put its reputation be-

hind it that the execution and implementation of National Health Insurance will prove to be a positive boost to the economy of the Bahamas.”

He added: “But it is important that we remove the cobwebs, the fear and the concern of what we are doing because no sensible government, I don’t care who it is, which party and which colour it is, will plunge unnecessarily the economy into a down spin. It’s just not going to happen.

“That is why I made myself the minister responsible for National Health Insurance notwithstanding the pre-eminence of the Minister of Health (Dr Perry Gomez) because as the minister of finance I wanted to guarantee the Bahamian people that the economy would not be plagued by our commitment in introducing a greater degrees of equity into the delivery of healthcare.”

Earlier this month, Dr Mark Britnell, the head of KPMG’s healthcare practice, and Dr Delon Brennen, NHI’s project manager, said primary healthcare will be introduced early this year. Though no specific date was given, Mr Britnell said primary healthcare will be available in the spring.

Officials are currently finalising the NHI regulations as well as selecting an institution to manage the public insurer.

Dr Brennen said it would not take long for the public insurer to get up and running after a manager is selected, given the experience the would-be company has in insurance management.

He described the NHI Secretariat’s interactions with potential providers as positive so far.

member of Parliament for Marco City who formed a new party. But we can tell you that we have had significant improvement.”

Last year, Mr Christie announced plans to revive the scheme, revealing that it would cost taxpayers $20m over four years.

During his last budget communication, Mr Christie said his administration designed a “comprehensive” mortgage relief programme in collaboration with the Clearing Banks Association to assist borrowers negatively impacted by the financial crisis.

At the time, Mr Christie said the revamped programme was expected to provide financial incentives

that will allow banks to offer borrowers who have some ability to pay, but have fallen behind, the chance to get back on track.

“Subject to programme eligibility criteria, banks will offer qualifying borrowers a minimum 20 per cent to 25 per cent reduction in monthly payments,” the prime minister said during his 2016/2017 Budget Communication last year.

“For their part, borrowers will be required to attend a financial counselling programme that will be established and run by the government.

“According to initial estimates, upwards of 1,000 delinquent borrowers, which are persons who are

90 days or more in arrears as of May 1, 2016, are anticipated to qualify initially for the mortgage relief programme. That number could, of course, go higher.

“The programme has been designed to make it as attractive as possible for eligible borrowers to agree to participate - eg, through large reductions in monthly payments, the ability to immediately start paying lower amounts prior to loan modification paperwork, etc,” he said.

“As well, the programme has been designed on the basis of the most current information from the banks’ own portfolios, thereby maximising the chances that programme participa-

tion will materialise. The total cost is estimated to be in the range of $20m over four years and will be paid by the government.”

Mr Christie said he was fully aware that the programme, although well structured, does not address the root cause of the mortgage crisis in The Bahamas, nor does it provide a guarantee that persons who may fall into financial difficulty are afforded a duty of care by their lender with respect to their home.

In this regard, he said the government is also discussing with the Clearing Banks Association guidelines on how to treat delinquent mortgagors.

THE SCENE of a murder in Kennedy Subdivision last night as a man was shot and killed in the front of a home.

Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff

POLICE PLEA AFTER TWO KILLINGS IN 24 HOURS from page one

Kennedy Subdivision. According to Assistant Commissioner of Police Stephen Dean, two men approached from a dark coloured vehicle and shot the victim.

The gunmen left the scene in the vehicle. The victim was pronounced dead on the scene.

“We are launching an appeal to members of the public who might have been canvassing this area, who might have been walking this area, if you have any information, as insignificant as it might seem, we want you to contact police,” ACP Dean told the media at the crime scene.

While acknowledging crime problems, ACP Dean said police have been doing good work as he lamented the number of “prolific offenders” who are on bail and committing crimes.

“Despite all the positive things we are doing, I can tell you since the year has begun police recovered a number of firearms off the streets, we are arresting a number of persons, we are still being blighted by these incidents of shootings resulting in death of young men,’ ACP Dean said.

“But I can tell you based on our analysis thus far that we have zeroed this in to just

NEIGHBOURS watch as police investigate the crime scene. a small grouping of persons. offenders coming in and out We are targeting a number of prison, officers will conof prolific offenders.” tinue to fight crime.

He asked the public to “We want to reassure turn in wanted suspects for members that we are comquestioning before some- mitted to our mandate of one else is murdered. prevention and detection “We are asking please of crime,” ACP Dean said, to turn these people in be- adding that police will infore we have another life crease patrols and double lost. We are very confident their resources. that if we bring some of A day earlier, a 29-yearthese prolific offenders. . . old father-of-two was killed people who are in and out after he was shot multiple of the system, a number of times while standing in yard these persons are on bail on Sunday evening. for serious crimes includThe killing took place ing murder, armed robbery shortly after 7pm off Kemp and rape. They have no in- Road and marked the fourth tentions of changing. They murder in the area for the are hell bent on committing year. Police as well as repcriminal offenses.” resentatives from Urban He said police are reso- Renewal and local pastors lute and in spite of prolific in Kemp Road scheduled a

walk about in the area for Monday morning, however the event was postponed because of inclement weather.

According to police, officers received information that shots were fired near Whites Addition. When officers responded to the scene they discovered the body of a man with multiple gunshots wounds on the ground. The victim was rushed to hospital where he later died of his injuries.

Police said the victim was standing at the back of his home when a man armed with a handgun approached him and shot him before fleeing on foot.

Police have not identified the victim but The Tribune understands he is Anthony Mather.

Mather was one of two men shot on Sunday.

In the second incident shortly after 10pm, police said a man was walking near a nightclub in the area of Fox Hill when he was shot by an unknown assailant.

The victim was taken to hospital where he is listed in stable condition.

Anyone with information on any of these incidents is asked to contact police at 911 or 919, the Central Detective Unit at 502-9991 or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 328-TIPS.

HANNA MARTIN BLASTS FLIGHT FEES STORY AS FAKE NEWS from page one

She also said the government’s recent announcement of the exemption of overflight fees for Bahamian aircraft which take off and land in The Bahamas is “the result of diligent, dogged and sustained efforts by the Bahamian government, led by a multiagency Bahamian negotiating team”.

Rather than the PLP, Mrs Hanna Martin suggested that the previous FNM administration was to blame for the amount of time it has taken to achieve this, as she said during that administration’s 2007-2012 term, “little effort, if any, was made to pursue the 2006 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposal,” which she said was on the table prior to the 2007 election.

The piece in question claimed that the PLP was to blame for the loss of “hundreds of millions” of dollars in overflight fees, due to the PLP’s alleged negligence

in responding to the FAA’s proposal to settle the matter some 11 years ago.

According to documents referenced in the piece, the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) had reportedly said that the FAA was only able to have the first official dialogue at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in March 2014, after having submitted its “Air Navigation Service Provider Proposal back in 2006”.

However, Mrs Hanna Martin said in 2006 during the first Christie administration, negotiations initiated by that government had “progressed as far as a request from the Bahamian government for the US government to submit a proposal for the payment to the government of The Bahamas of overflight fees.”

“The claim that The Bahamas, or in the words of The Tribune article ‘the PLP’ only initiated discussions on a Bahamian FIR in 2014 is therefore false,” she said. “Months following receipt of the FAA’s 2006

proposal, the Christie administration lost at the polls and the Ingraham administration was at the helm.

“It was during this 20072012 period there was a drastic shift in policy, to the extent that no less an individual than the then Prime Minister (Hubert Ingraham) asserted to the Bahamian people that The Bahamas would never control its own airspace. During that period, little effort, if any, was made to pursue the 2006 FAA proposal, which was on the table prior to the 2007 election.”

She added: “In 2012, the Christie administration recommenced with vigour the discussions which originally led to the 2006 proposal from the FAA, however it was clear that the figure was no longer relevant, and we were compelled to begin from scratch.

“The recent announcement of the exemption of over flight fees of Bahamian aircraft which take off and land in The Bahamas is the result of diligent, dogged and sustained efforts by the

Bahamian government, led by a multi-agency Bahamian negotiating team.”

Earlier this month, the Christie administration hailed as a “landmark accomplishment” its agreement with the FAA to exempt Bahamian aircraft operators from the payment of overflight fees for domestic flights.

At the time, Prime Minister Perry Christie said the deal, which could be the first step in The Bahamas regaining control of its own air space above 6,000 feet, would save the national flag carrier, Bahamasair, around $1m over a threeyear period.

Under international laws, countries require airlines and other aircraft to pay a fee for the right to fly over their airspace. The administration of those rights in The Bahamas has been performed by the FAA since 1952, meaning Bahamasair and other Bahamianowned carriers have had to pay the US for the privilege of flying over their own country.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 24, 2017, PAGE 7

Man denies he killed his mother over argument about his girlfriend

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

A MAN denied suggestions during his interview with police that he had physically attacked his mother and choked her to death because of an argument over money he had spent on his girlfriend, according to a video the jury saw yesterday.

Sergeant 527 Basil Evans told a Supreme Court jury on Friday that he had questioned 57-yearold Jerome Butler at the Central Detective Unit on February 12, 2015 concerning his alleged involvement in Princess Butler’s murder.

The homicide detective said that he conducted the interview with Corporal Keith Martin in the presence of Butler’s then lawyer Nathan Smith.

Butler is on trial before Justice Indra Charles accused of intentionally and unlawfully causing the death of his 81-year-old mother.

The victim was found dead in her home at Petersfield Road in Highbury

Park shortly after 8am on February 4, 2015.

An autopsy revealed that she died of asphyxia and as a result of finding facial bruises and internal injuries about her body, police launched an investigation.

Her son was arraigned in Magistrate’s Court 12 days later in connection with the death.

He pleaded not guilty to murder when formally arraigned in the Supreme Court three months later.

Butler has retained attorneys Ian Cargill and David Cash to defend him against the allegation.

Uel Johnson and Alicia Delancy are prosecuting the case for the Crown.

In yesterday’s continuation of Sgt Evans’ testimony, the jury was shown a video of the record of interview where Butler was cautioned in the presence of Mr Smith concerning the killing.

“Is Princess Butler your mother?” Sgt Evans had asked the suspect.

“Yes she is,” Butler answered.

“It is my information you and her are the sole occupants of the house, what do

you say to that?” the detective asked.

“That’s correct,” Butler answered.

“It is my information that around 7.30pm on February 3, your sister (Dr) Faith Butler-Cleare brought your mother home from church. What do you have to say to that?” the officer asked.

“I don’t know the exact time she brought her home from church, I was in my room so that could’ve been the time,” Butler answered.

“It is my information that your sister left the residence around 8pm,” Sgt Evans suggested.

“I don’t know when my sister left the residence,” the accused said.

“Did you see your mother at anytime that night?” the detective asked.

“I saw her 11.30 that night,” Butler said.

“Where was she?” the officer further probed.

“She was in the computer room,” Butler answered.

“Was your sister in the residence?” Sgt Evans asked.

“I didn’t see her, I don’t think so,” Butler replied.

The detective said: “It

DEVON STRACHAN, 26, left, and Christopher Joseph, 25, who are both accused of murder.

PAIR ACCUSED IN MURDER CASES

By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net

TWO men were remanded to prison yesterday after being arraigned in connection with two separate murders.

Devon Strachan, 26, of Peter Street was brought before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt accused of intentionally causing the death of Benjamin Rolle on January 1, and was charged with murder under Section 291 (1)(B) of the Penal Code.

A charge under this section does not attract the discretionary death penalty

if a conviction is reached at the end of trial.

Chief Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt informed the accused that he would not be allowed to enter a plea because his case would be fast-tracked to the Supreme Court.

This would occur through service of a voluntary bill of indictment, scheduled for March 7 at noon.

However, due to the nature of the charge, he was denied bail and remanded to the Department of Correctional Services.

He was advised of his right to apply for bail in the Supreme Court.

He was not represented

at yesterday’s arraignment.

In a second murder arraignment before Chief Magistrate Ferguson-Pratt, 25-year-old Christopher Joseph of Kemp Road was accused of intentionally causing the death of Lanero Alleyne on December 7, 2013.

He too was charged with murder under Section 291 (1)(B) of the Penal Code.

Joseph was also told that his case would be fasttracked to the Supreme Court for trial on March 7 and was remanded into custody without bail because of the nature of the charge.

He has retained attorney Ian Cargill to defend him.

JUVENILES BEHIND BARS AS SIX ARE ACCUSED AFTER SCHOOL STABBING from page one

One young man is seen on video with what appears to be a knife in his hand, running towards the fight.

In yesterday’s arraignment, the two accused, who were accompanied by their parents when called on to answer to the allegations against them, denied committing any crime.

They are schedule to stand trial before a juvenile panel on February 15.

Magistrate Delancy said they would have to be remanded into custody at the Simpson Penn Centre (SPC) until trial, as the Bail Act did not allow the court the discretion to consider or grant bail to them on the offences with which they were charged.

However, they and their guardians were advised of their right to apply for bail in the Supreme Court.

Four others, two 15, one 16 and one 17, were also arraigned before Magistrate Delancy, charged with the offence of fighting under Section 208 (6) of the Penal Code.

It was alleged that they, about 11.10am on the same date and place, “did disturb the peace by fighting.”

While the 17-year-old accused denied the offence, the other three minors pleaded guilty.

Magistrate Delancy exercised her discretion to grant $300 bail to each of them with a suretor and curfew until the conclusion of the matter before the juvenile panel.

Their parents were given the option of posting $300

cash bail if they were not in possession of job letters and a utility bill that would be needed for the bonds to be approved.

Magistrate Delancy warned them that if they were found wandering the streets unaccompanied by a responsible adult during their respective curfews, they would be taken into custody and remanded to the SPC. For the lone 17 year old who pleaded not guilty to fighting, he will stand trial on February 15 before a juvenile panel.

The magistrate ordered that social inquiry reports be prepared for the remaining juveniles for the juvenile panel’s consideration. They are also expected to return to court on February 15 to learn their fates.

is my information that you and your mother had an argument about you spending money on your girlfriend. What do you say to that?”

“There was no argument,” the suspect said.

“It is my information that during this argument you attacked your mother physically,” the detective further suggested.

“I never attacked my mother,” Butler answered.

“It is my information that you punched her in the face, beat her about the body and choked her,” Sgt Evans then said.

The suspect said he “didn’t know anything about that.”

“I have information that around 7am the next day you telephoned your sister to tell her your mother was dead,” the detective said.

“Yes,” Butler replied.

“Where was your mother’s body at the time?” the officer then asked. The suspect said it was in her bedroom.

“Did you call an ambulance?” the investigator asked.

“My sister called an ambulance,” Butler answered.

“That would’ve been how long after you called her?” the investigator asked.

Butler said around 15-20 minutes.

Sgt Evans then suggested that it was more than an hour and Butler said he could not recall the time.

“During the night did anyone else enter the home?” the detective asked.

“Not to my knowledge,” Butler said.

He was asked if his mother suffered from any illnesses and he said “not to my knowledge.”

“When you last saw your mother did she have any bruises or black eye?” the detective asked. The accused told Sgt Evans that she did not.

“She appeared to be in good health?” the investigator asked. Butler said yes.

He was asked if he made any report of a home invasion to police and he said no.

Butler was asked if he could explain how his mother received a black eye, injuries to her neck and internal organs. He said he could not.

“It is my information that you beat your mother to

death causing these injuries,” the investigator suggested. Butler denied the allegation.

“Can you say why you took photos of your mother dead before alerting anyone that she’d even died?” Sgt Evans asked.

“To show how I met the body just like that,” the suspect answered.

“Wouldn’t it be more rational to let someone know first?” the detective asked.

“Perhaps,” the suspect said.

He was asked how many photographs he took and he answered that he could not recall. He also said he could not recall making a video.

“I also have information that you were verbally abusive to your mother,” the investigator said.

“That’s not so,” Butler answered.

“How was your relationship between you and your mother?” the officer asked.

“We had a good relationship,” the suspect answered.

Sgt Evans asked if Butler wished to read over the written record and sign.

Butler said yes and did so.

The case resumes today.

PAGE 8, Tuesday, January 24, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Am I the only person who is deathly afraid?

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I AM concerned about the direction in which this country seems, almost irreversibly, to be headed. The latest Standard and Poor’s Report and consequent downgrade, the fourth in four years, despite all of the flowery language of the government in its own defence, simply means that we have been making too little and spending too much for too many years and it is all catching up with us.

Our problems are fundamental and point to our own inherent weaknesses as a people. We don’t work hard enough, we don’t create wealth, we don’t save and we spend too much.

We have little to no discipline or accountability in all our institutions, be they government, social, economic or religious.

If we were children, the assessment would be that we need discipline, parents who don’t let us have our way, but who lead by example and tough love.

Our governments, unfortunately, have been a reflection of ourselves, lacking any real vision or courage and looking only to their survival and the next election. Therefore, they pander to our irrational and excessive desires in their quest to secure our approval of them for the next election. We have shown that we are not difficult to please, requiring only that they provide us hams and turkeys, give us government jobs and party celebrations when things really get tough. After all, is there anything a little food and rum or a government contract can’t fix?

There seems to be a lack of courage, conviction or perhaps even desire on the part of our leaders to do what is right if there is any

LETTERS EXTRA risk of it being unpopular. This is evident from the Referenda which were brought to the people. In each case, there was no need to seek a referendum on any of the issues, the government and its leaders knew what should be done and sought to pass responsibility on to the people. Although our parliamentary system is modelled after the Westminster system in the United Kingdom, our Prime Minister, unlike David Cameron (who resigned after Brexit, a failed Referendum/Opinion Poll similar to our Gaming Referendum), lacked the courage, conviction or perhaps the ability to do what was right and resign after two ‘failed’ Referenda.

This tendency to pass the buck and failure to lead is evident in the recent efforts for a National Development Plan. While the idea is laudable and it is good that it is being pursued, I believe that it is being used by the Government to mask and excuse inaction. All of our leaders are aware of many of the things that need to be done and that discipline must be enforced but are afraid to do the necessary for fear of losing popularity.

to. We claim that the answer to this is to move the College of The Bahamas to University status. Whilst this is admirable, our children in public primary and high schools do not have books, sufficiently compensated and motivated qualified teachers, a safe environment for learning and oftentimes lack of electricity or water. When they go to their homes, the situation does not get any better. The policy of social promotion ensures that they will pass through the system whether they learn anything or not.

What good is the University of The Bahamas to them?

Crime Without a doubt, many of our young people are growing without a moral compass, an appreciation of right and wrong, or a respect for human life. There is also a sense of hopelessness. For the first time in our history, many children do not believe that their lives will be as prosperous as that of their parents.

The reality is that they will make less and own less.

For some, the idea of owning their own home is an implausible dream. We are now fearful of being on the streets at night and often alone in our own homes.

The people committing these crimes are our own, they are us. How have we lost them?

What is wrong? Education

Economy

Our educational system is failing, somehow we have come to accept grades of “D” or less as the norm.

“D” is now a passing grade!

Every year the educational system churns out a new batch of functionally illiterate children who have only unrealistic hopes to hold on

Our total reliance on banking and tourism has become a noose around our neck. Over the years we have taken too much for granted. Given the head start and advantages we have had in both areas it pains me to see that we have fallen in comparison

to many of our counterparts. We have been unable to adapt to the times and to remould ourselves to meet the demands of an ever changing market.

When I completed University in the 70s, it was rare to find that students studying abroad did not want to come home.

Often the only reasons they failed to return were because of marriage to a foreigner or pursuing a career for which there was little or no opportunity in The Bahamas. Now our young ones have no desire to return home if they can find any employment at all abroad. We often lament what we believe is a loss of nationalism. However, I believe it is more than that.

The truth was that back then we believed that the economic opportunities for us in The Bahamas were as good as they were anywhere else. That belief has been shattered.

We still import more than 90% of what we consume.

Where we are now is not the singular fault of the PLP or the FNM. They both bear responsibility. This country has been gradually deteriorating for years. Successive governments have sought to shift responsibility for the steady degeneration by blaming the other party or masking it by absorbing the loss, increasing expenditure, becoming employer of last resort and borrowing heavily to staunch the haemorrhaging. The problem is that we now have to pay the piper.

The present government, when in opposition, blamed the increase in crime on the then FNM government and even placed bill boards prior to the election prominently in high traffic areas where the same were viewed by tourists. Now that they are in power, they say that the issue is too big to blame on any one party or government.

We say that we abide by the Westminster system but, in truth, we honour it in the breach. By convention, when things go wrong, or a situation not corrected, someone has to take responsibility. Taking responsibility does not mean that I am a bad person or a failure, in fact it is the sign of an honourable man. At one time, it went without saying.

Remember the PVC pipes fiasco? How can those who minister over education, crime or the economy hold themselves out as successes? Now we believe that everything is a matter of message, how you spin it. I note that the present government says that the problem is only in getting their message out.

That the people do not understand what good they do.

We now have politicians who have learned to manipulate a gullible and trusting public. We believe that someone is a good MP, Minister, Party Leader or Prime Minister simply because the party machinery has said so. Recent events within both the PLP and the FNM illustrate that the party machinery is often more influenced by personal agendas rather than the common good. The belief is that there is no absolute right or wrong but, because of the electoral system, right is determined by what numbers you can convince.

I disagree, right and wrong are not a matter only of perception or a numbers game. As Henry David Thoreau said “One man right is a majority of one.

One opposition politician, some months ago made the comment that we are worse off now than we were in 1967. I waited with bated breath to see the reaction.

Surprisingly, notwithstanding his repeating this on at least two other occasions, no one bothered either to refute this or to comment on the effect of this if it is true. I often wonder if he

himself understood the full implications of this statement bearing in mind that his Party shares responsibility. It is just an example of how numb we have become. Whether his observation is strictly correct or not will be the subject of healthy debate.

However, the point that he was making, ie that we are in a sad situation is not for dispute.

An election approaches shortly and supposedly we have a choice between PLP and FNM each with their leader. For some time, I have held the belief that it is a false choice. Neither party shows any real vision or the moral fortitude to do what needs to be done. Neither party’s leadership shows the strength or will to take the necessary measures without fear of losing the next election. Neither party’s leadership has shown any real interest in getting us out of this morass.

I understand the frustration that drove Branville McCartney to start the DNA (which was the only successful effort to challenge the monopoly of the PLP and FNM by contesting every seat), Gregory Moss to create the UPM, that created the Gatekeepers, that spearheaded Alfred Sear’s bold campaign to take over the PLP, that gave way to the WE March, that caused the newly minted Dissident 7 from the FNM and which caused voter registration to be lower than it has been since the country got the majority vote. It is a recognition that we cannot survive doing business as usual.

We all know that something is drastically wrong.

We also know that the present system of successive PLP and FNM administrations is doing precious little to solve our problems. Unfortunately because of our deterioration and the persons we presently have as our “servants”, our standards have sunk so low that we believe that anybody can do it. That anyone can be Prime Minister, Minister, MP or Senator and now “anyone” wants to be.

We ourselves have become unthinking. We let others do our thinking for us and grab on only to headlines without concern for the details or any analysis beneath the surface. One reason for this may be our fear and a feeling of hopelessness or quite simply the pervasive laziness that has afflicted us as a people.

This is no time for petty divisions. Quite frankly, political identification means nothing to me. It really is all meaningless when you look at the obstacles and risks we now face. The truth is that there is little difference between the FNM and the PLP, philosophically or in practice, and we are forced to decide on the lesser of two evils. In the result, we move between the two each time hoping that one will miraculously change and bring us something they never did before. We need to find a way to put our differences and egos behind us, address what really ails us and do what is necessary to extract ourselves from the mire in which we are sinking.

We need a government which will attract our best and our brightest. A government not afraid of intelligence and competence but who will instead encourage these qualities.

A government with sufficient courage and conviction that is prepared to do what is right even if ‘right’ is not popular. One without ego and prepared to admit when it is wrong and to accept responsibility. We need a government which can encourage and inspire our most capable leaders both in the public and the private sectors and who will in turn not cater to petty jealousies and allow our greatest minds to express themselves and serve.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. We need a “unity” government in which all sectors of the

population can be represented. We need persons to serve not because of some claim to entitlement but because they have something to offer us. Who are not afraid to admit when they cannot do the job and are willing and able to surrender their positions should this be the case. We have too many people now in government who feel forced to compromise on principle because they cannot afford to lose their positions.

I am not saying only rich people should serve but I do believe that no one should run who cannot afford to walk away on principle.

Our earlier history abounds with people who though not rich took a principled stand even to their financial detriment. Carlton Francis is perhaps the foremost example of this.

We do have people in this country who are capable of this. This is where I challenge us to see beyond our limitations. For years, we have heralded Majority Rule which really we interpreted as black government. In previous years although black people were the majority, a minority white population through various devices controlled the vote in The Bahamas.

The crucial feature of Majority Rule is one man one vote and the determination of the government and institutions of the country by a majority of the citizens (comprised of white and black people). Contrary to what many of our present leaders would assert, it does not necessarily mean an allblack government, nor even does it mean a majority black government. The emphasis is that it is a government freely chosen by We, the People. We have this “bogeyman” our leaders have maintained through the years called “white Bay Street” meant to symbolise our oppressors. This was necessary in 1967. Is this still necessary or can we now see ourselves as Bahamians who are black, white and in between? Can we see that the problems we encounter today are of our own making? That our “oppressors” today look just like us? Or perhaps the dire straits in which we find ourselves necessitate that we stop catering to petty jealousies?

If you were to ask most of the intelligent and educated people in this country whether the best person to lead such a government was Brent Symonette the response would be fairly consistent. They would acknowledge that yes, he, a former Deputy Prime Minister is probably one of the savviest persons we have with the requisite experience in politics, government, business and law. He is intelligent and possesses keen judgment and intellect and a sense of compassion.

He is financially independent and therefore less likely to be tempted by opportunities for personal gain in a leadership capacity. He has shown that he can and will walk away where principle and convention so dictate. He is probably best able to command the respect of the diverse talents (both black and white) this country has and desperately needs to come to the fore.

Yet, these same educated and intelligent people will tell you, despite our supposed enlightenment and equality, he is white and the Bahamian people will never accept a white man especially one whose father led the old UBP regime. How horribly ironic that we eschew a competent, and arguably the best, candidate this country has to lead it, because of his colour. Is it 2017 or 1967?

Was the Quiet Revolution for naught? Can we finally be true to our motto “Forward, Upward, Onward Together”?

LUTHER H McDONALD Nassau, January 16, 2017.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, January 24, 2017, PAGE 9

Water & Sewerage loses court ruling on ‘double dipping’

By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net A SUPREME Court judge has ruled against the Water & Sewerage Corporation’s practice of docking the salaries of union members in a bid to end “doubledipping” in relation to sickness and maternity benefit claims, ordering that the corporation reimburse and/ or refund all monies taken from union members as a result of the “ultra vires” exercise.

Justice Gregory Hilton, in his January 6, ruling, said WSC’s attempts at eliminating the practice of receiving National Insurance Board (NIB) sick pay benefits and salary while on sick leave by withholding salary payments equivalent to the claims, was “constrained”

by Article 32.07 of its industrial agreement with the Bahamas Utilities Services and Allied Workers Union (BUSAWU), which speaks to “enjoyment of better conditions,” as well as Section 4 of the Employment Act (EA).

Furthermore, Justice Hilton noted that Section 51 (1) of the Industrial Relations Act (IRA) makes the

industrial agreement “binding” on both the BUSAWU, the plaintiff in the action, and WSC, the defendant, effectively putting an end to the deductions since the corporation started making them in late 2015.

Justice Hilton especially noted that WSC’s submission that “double-dipping” is “contrary to the public interests and against public policy” did not “find favour with the court,” as he said if “this were indeed the case, it should and could have been expressly incorporated” in the industrial agreement signed between the two parties in August 2015.

Justice Hilton also said it is “not in dispute” that it was a “long standing practice and custom” for BUSAWU members to receive full salary in addition to sickness or maternity benefits from NIB, and that it was submitted by BUSAWU, “without challenge” by WSC, that “this was as a result of a negotiated position between the plaintiff and the government many years prior.”

Justice Hilton also said notwithstanding WSC’s previous discussions with the union regarding their intent to put an end to the “double-dipping,” the cor-

poration “must have been aware” of the union’s “objection or disagreement with the proposed change in policy” prior to the industrial agreement’s signing, but “for unspecified reasons did not have this change in policy made a part of the new industrial agreement.”

Proof of the union’s discontent with the proposed changes, Justice Hilton said, was evidenced in a letter signed by BUSAWU President Dwayne Woods on March 13, 2015, in response to a letter from WSC Assistant General Manager of Human Resources Cheri Hanna in October 2014, in which she informed the union of the proposed changes.

The union subsequently commenced the action against WSC via a writ of summons filed on March 10, 2016, asserting that the letter and the change in policy constituted a unilateral variation of the industrial agreement and the contract of employment for BUSAWU members, and in particular the relevant sections of the union’s industrial agreement, IRA, and EA. WSC filed an appearance

on June 27, 2016 and a defence on July 20, 2016, asserting that the deduction of monies from the salaries of BUSAWU members was lawful, relying upon the provisions of Sections 34 (1) and 39 (1) of the NIB Sickness and Maternity Benefit Claim Regulations, which gives WSC the right to change or modify the practice or policy relation to the payment of wages to an employee during sick or maternity leave by withholding such wages to the extent or in the amount received by the employee for sickness or maternity benefit.

“The court acknowledges that the provisions of Section 22 (1) (b) of the National Insurance Act and Sections 34 (1) and 39 (1) of the National Insurance (Benefit and Assistance) Regulations gives the defendant the right to change or modify the practice or policy relating to the payment of wages to an employee during sick or maternity leave by withholding such wages to the extent or in the amount received by the employee for sickness or maternity benefit,” Justice Hilton said.

“The court, however, is of the view that the defend-

ant’s rights to modify or change this policy is constrained by the provisions of Article 32.07 of the industrial agreement signed by the parties and by Section 4 of the Employment Act 2001; and could only be affected by mutual agreement between the parties.

“The defendant’ submission that the practice colloquially known as ‘double dipping’ is contrary to the public interests and against public policy (and as a result the claims of the plaintiff should be dismissed) finds no favour with the court as, if this were indeed the case, it should and could have been expressly incorporated in the new industrial agreement. “...The result is that I rule that the change in policy implemented by the defendant as reflected in the letter of October 27, 2014 and the subsequent deductions from the salaries of the employees amount to a breach of Article 32.07 of the industrial agreement.”

Justice Hilton subsequently ruled that WSC’s actions were a breach of the union’s industrial agreement, subsequently ordering that BUSAWU members are entitled to not only

the NIB sickness and maternity benefit claims, but that the union members are “entitled to be reimbursed and/or refunded the deductions which have been taken from their salaries.”

He also ordered that WSC is “restrained from continuing to make further deductions of salary from members of the plaintiff bargaining unit who have made NIB claims relative to sickness and maternity”.

BUSAWU President Dwayne Woods, when contacted for comment, told The Tribune that Justice Hilton’s ruling effectively exonerated the union from WSC’s accusatory stance that union members were engaging in double-dipping.

“We knew all along that we were correct in the fact that double-dipping doesn’t exist,” Mr Woods said.

“And the judge just took the agreement what we brought to the court, and he saw through the same eyes that the union saw through. So it’s definitely a victory for the people, and under no uncertain terms we try not to get some fame out of this, but to return the victory back to the people.”

PROPERTIES ‘DAMAGED’ BY SANDBLASTING AT BORCO

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net.

AT least two residents of Pinder’s Point claim that their properties were damaged because of sandblasting activities at the nearby BORCO plant.

The Tribune understands that one of the residents may be considering taking legal action against the oil company for the damage allegedly caused to their home and other personal property.

Greg Laroda, a local representative for Buckeye, confirmed that he had received a complaint on January 11 from a resident of Pinder’s Point concerning “dust” that was in his yard and onto the roof of his residence.

“They felt the dust was a result of us sandblasting one of our tanks and we were investigating it,” he said.

Mr LaRoda said that BORCO offered to clean the house, but was turned down by the resident, who then informed him that they were looking to take civil action.

SHUFFEL HEPBURN, who claims properties have been covered in paint dust.

“As it stands, the resident 8031. Mr Pinder’s residence burn, Mr Pinder’s new metsaid they plan to take civil is situated just southwest of al roof and his vehicle were the tank in question. action,” he said. covered with fine dark par“He was awakened by ticles that allegedly flew off Environmental advocate Shuffel Hepburn said the the loud noise of sandblast- the tank. properties of Lowell Pinder ing around 7am that mornHe claims that Mrs Poitiand Grace Poitier-Pinder ing and saw clouds of black er-Pinder’s property, which were covered with paint metallic dust descending is east of Mr Pinder, was dust on January 11 when on his yard and home, and also covered with off-white workers were sandblasting the nearby properties of his coloured dust particles neighbours around him,” from a different tank that an oil tank.

He said that work was be- Mr Hepburn claimed. was also being sandblasted.

According to Mr Heping done on tank number “A call was made to Buck-

eye’s vice president of public relations, Mr Laroda, who came and witnessed the damage to Mr Pinder’s home. A short time later, the sandblasting halted,” Mr Hepburn said.

Mr Hepburn claims that no redress had been made to Mr Pinder since his complaint.

He believes that the paint particles could be hazardous and was concerned that it could pose health danger to residents and children in the Pinder’s Point and Lewis Yard communities.

Mr Hepburn said that Mrs Poitier’s yard is near to the Church of the Good Shepherd compound, where the Lewis Yard Primary School students have been temporarily relocated because of hurricane damage at their school campus in Hunters.

“It is hazardous to residents, students, and teachers to be exposed to this sandblasting process.

Breathing these highly toxic particles can do irreparable damage to their lungs, not to mention the impact on their eyes and skin at the very least,” he said.

He said the residents of

the area do not know if the paint used by the company contains lead, which can be harmful to humans.

“When one considers the fact that Buckeye has sandblasted and repainted scores of their storage tanks in recent years, one begins to understand the seriousness of the damage already done to the residents around this industrial plant by this process alone,” Mr Hepburn said.

He claimed that over the years there has been no notice given to the residents in the area about sandblasting and repainting tanks.

“The residents have no idea whether the repainting process uses lead free paint or not. They have been given no information or notices which would allow them to protect themselves, their children and their properties,” he said.

The Pinder’s Point/Lewis Yard Environmental Committee, of which Mr Hepburn is a member, has been calling for the relocation of residents from the area because of ongoing pollution experienced, including chemical emissions and oil spills.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, January 24, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Workshop for IHIM launched on GB

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net GRAND Bahama Minister Dr Michael Darville told healthcare professionals at a workshop in Grand Bahama on the Integrated Health Information Management System that it is a “win, win for the Bahamian people” and plans are to implement it over the next 12 to 18 months.

Dr Darville said that after nearly three decades, a single digital platform linking all public hospitals and clinics throughout the Bahamas will soon become a reality.

“I am pleased to join you as we celebrate yet another historic milestone in the development of healthcare here in Grand Bahama and across the Commonwealth of the Bahamas,” he said.

A workshop for the official launch of the design start for IHIM is being held at the Pelican Bay Resort for doctors and healthcare professionals.

Herbert Brown, managing director of the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA), was also in attend-

GRAND Bahama Minister Dr Michael Darville.

Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff ance and brought remarks.

Dr Darville said the sysAn $18.4m contract was tem would allow doctors to signed last August by the have access to patient medigovernment with AllScripts cal records at their “finger and their partner, Infor tips.”

Lawson, for an Integrated He explained that if a paHealth Information System tient was seen at a clinic in (I-HIM) proprietor soft- Inagua, and on another ocware. casion was seen by a doctor

at the Rand Memorial Hospital (RMH) in Grand Bahama, their medical records would travel with them in a seamless digital fashion.

Dr Darville assured his listners that the system would have security features that would make it virtually impossible for a patient’s medical records to fall into the wrong hands.

When fully implemented, he said, it will enhance the procurement and delivery of life saving medications, and automatically alert physicians to a specific patient’s problems.

“As a minister of this government, but also as a physician who has practised in both the public and private sectors, electronic medical records that can be instantly accessed anywhere in the public health network on any island or cay throughout the Bahamas is a game changer,” Dr Darville said.

He believes the system will dramatically raise the standard of care provided to patients, elevate the potential for healthcare services and create a greater measure of efficiency, productivity, and patient safety.

“Sometimes in the

healthcare system we operate in silos; you have a physician in the clinic doing one thing and when the patient arrives in the hospital the physician (there) does another thing. And so, what we find is that we have duplication in the delivery of pharmaceuticals.

“We all know that when we bring patients to our office and we say bring the bag of medication and when you open the bag, you are about to fall out because the doctor at the clinic is giving medication, the doctor in the hospital is giving medication, and the pharmacy is giving medication.

And here we have three sets of medication for one month, a complete wastage and duplication, and loss of precious resources.”

In terms of improvements and renovations in healthcare, Dr Darville said that significant capital projects are underway in Grand Bahama.

He mentioned the soon to be completed expansion of the West End Clinic, that renovation and expansion will commence early this year at the High Rock Clinic, and that renovations

and expansion are already on the way at the RMH. “These projects undertaken do not only reflect a commitment to improve health care infrastructure across Grand Bahama, but is positive proof that this government is committed to making the necessary investments to improve the health and well being of all Bahamians prior to launch of universal health care through NHI,” he said.

Dr Darville also stressed his commitment to a new multimillion-dollar stateof-the-art clinic in Freeport.

“I am pleased to share that the PHA is preparing to move forward with ground breaking of the construction of the much anticipate 62,000 sq ft Freeport Community Clinic,” he said.

“Once final approval has been given, residents will shortly be able to access quality primary healthcare and oncology services at this state of the art, singlestory, comprehensive public healthcare facility located in a new 50-acre greenfield site just off East Sunrise Highway,” he said.

BOWE QUESTIONS PM’S BOAST OF 32,000 JOBS from page one

improved conditions for the average job seeker, and whether this figure took into account the quality of those jobs and their permanence.

Mr Christie highlighted official figures released by the Department of Statistics during his speech at a prayer breakfast on Sunday to mark the start of the Progressive Liberal Party’s 52nd national general convention. The figures indicate that there has been an increase of 31,735 employed persons this term, a point Mr Christie said evidenced that the country was on the path to recovery.

Yesterday, Mr Bowe called for the establishment of monthly Cabinet briefings for the media and wider public, replete with resource materials that provided for informed discussion and potential challenge on issues.

He pointed out that unemployment rates were stubbornly high despite the thousands of jobs created.

“When we talk about 32,000 jobs being created,” Mr Bowe said, “what does the number represent? Is that a net increase versus a growth increase, is it representative of recycling of jobs that happen every year as opposed to new sustainable jobs over a period of time?

We know that (Junkanoo) Carnival employs a number of persons every May and the persons that work for that event may not work again until the next May.” He added: “It lacks clarity

in the composition, it has to be put into context of what the average man is feeling as it relates to the ability to find jobs and to feed families. In the absence of those jobs, conditions would be much worse for sure, but are we at the point that we should be bragging about job levels if we are in a situation where we still need jobs.

“When you put job creation into context, how bad must the rest of the economy have been to still have (nearly) 12 per cent unemployment with the creation of that many jobs? That’s not a criticism of one government, but of the way we have evaluated information in the past. It has always been by punch line rhetoric.”

According to official figures released by the Department of Statistics, the number of employed persons grew from 160,650 in May 2012 to 192,385 in October 2016, the last time the Labour Force Survey was carried out, representing an increase of 31,735 employed persons.

The latest Labour Force Survey, released last month, also indicated the unemployment rate between October 24-30, 2016 was 11.6 per cent, a 1.1 per cent decline from the last review in May of that year.

Mr Bowe spoke on the sidelines of the Chamber’s annual Bahamas Business Outlook.

He underscored that the figures do not show how many businesses have closed due to economic strain, tax compliance and the introduction of a new tax system, or jobs lost

from widespread outsourcing in the financial services industry.

“We know that there are new enterprises that have come on stream in the past but how many businesses have shuttered as a result from economic hardship just because of the recession or from doing business in The Bahamas, tax compliance introduction of new tax system, how many jobs lost to outsourcing . . .

“There are three questions: does it represent the creation of jobs fast enough to make a significant dent in structural unemployment, or long term unemployment rates, not the one done at points in time,” Mr Bowe said. “Secondly, raising questions of what is the true loss of jobs as a result of external factors and also internal factors like the ease of doing business. And third, is it really demonstrating where we are strategically making best use of resources…towards the goal of Bahamian owners of businesses employing Bahamians?

“We really have to now elevate discussion and debate, and there is no need to point fingers but to look in the mirror and ask ourselves are we participating by making sure we elect the best people to the House, are we sitting down and understanding national development goals? How do we own our economy if we stay consumer-based, are we trying to become owners of our own society instead of just participators on the fringes?”

THE TRIBUNE

‘We must not criminalise our young’ after school stabbing

By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net

A YOUTH justice organisation that is set to enter into a partnership with the Office of the Attorney General is speaking out against the idea that militarisation of schools is an antidote to behavioral problems affecting young people.

In the wake of the stabbing incident at the Government High School campus last week, some Bahamians have called for tougher policies.

Among others, Marvin Dames, the former deputy commissioner of police and the Free National Movement’s candidate for Mount Mariah, said Sunday that metal detectors should be placed at entrances into junior and senior high public schools and called for the presence of additional security guards on campus.

However, Project Youth Justice (PYJ), a legal aid service organisation for youth in conflict with the law, said actions like these will prove counterproductive amid a justice system that often inflicts overly harsh punishment on youth.

In a press statement yes-

terday, the organisation said: “While responses to these kinds of incidents must be firm, it is important not to criminalise our young people or to militarise our schools, turning them into maximum security compounds, especially when our juvenile system does not currently provide restorative justice or alternative means of sentencing as interventions.

“We must avoid transforming our public school system into a pipeline that funnels our young people into the formal criminal justice system to be abused by adult inmates and conditioned into hardened criminals.”

Indeed, the organisation noted that University of the Bahamas research shows that most students feel safer on school campuses than away from them, and most fights take place outside school hours rather than during school hours.

The flagship element of PYJ is its a Teen Court Pilot Programme, which is funded by the US State Department’s 2016 Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) and has the support of the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Legal Affairs.

Tuesday, January 24, 2017, PAGE 11

‘The Bahamas’ own street philosopher’

“Teen Court is a diversion programme for juveniles that have been arrested and have admitted guilt for their crime,” the organisation said. “Those teens chose to be sentenced by a jury of their peers instead of going through the formal criminal justice system. Teen court assigns constructive consequences that are designed to help the defendant understand why their behaviour was wrong, repair the harm they caused, and help them make better choices in the future. Case studies of this programme and other intervention programmes like it have shown remarkable results in changing the behaviour of young people.

“We have been working closely with the AttorneyGeneral Allyson Maynard Gibson to realise this pilot programme. The Office of the Attorney General has committed in writing to identifying a representative to sit on the board of directors for the programme and to work to establish a system to review and refer cases that might be best disposed of through the pilot programme. Eventually, we also hope to engage the Ministry of Education and the Royal Bahamas Police Force.”

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PAGE 12, Tuesday, January 24, 2017

Lifting students’ burden through scholarships

By SHANTIQUE LONGLEY THE fight to get an education has not been easy for Kwanzaa Clarke. Before becoming a recipient of the Sol and Friends’ Scholarship, the 24-year-old spent most of his time working incredibly long hours just to be able to afford his tuition and supplies. And having a young daughter to support did not make the challenge any easier.

Being awarded the scholarship to attend the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) has taken a burden off Mr Clarke.

Instead of investing so much of his energy into work, he now invests that time into school and his three-year-old daughter.

“To see that we have persons who we consider to be accomplished, who are down to earth enough to turn around and help give persons like myself and other mentees an opportunity,

I’m really grateful for it,” said the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning major.

Mr Clarke said he will always speak highly of the scholarship programme for making this opportunity possible for him. Sol Petroleum Bahamas Limited - the exclusive licensee of Esso branded fuels in the Bahamas - has once again teamed up with its New Providence Esso dealers and vendors to support BTVI’s students and promote its programmes.

The scholarship and mentorship programme has offered 13 students up to twoyear scholarships at BTVI. Eleven of those students are currently enrolled. In addition to the scholarships, the recipients will also be mentored by participating Esso dealers and the Sol vendors.

Mr Clarke said the mentorship programme will keep his feet to the fire; he believes it’s an excellent way to motivate the mentees to stay focused and on track.

“Being a young man in society I could be doing so many things, some of which could be negative. To actually have this opportunity encourages me to make the most of it and improve myself,” he said.

“People don’t usually get these kinds of opportunities and Sol is really supporting us. It’s great to have persons in such prestigious positions make themselves available to help us solve our problems. I’m sure they want to see us in the same positions they’re in one day or even further,” he continued.

During their first encounter at the recent mentorship training programme, BTVI President Dr Robert Robertson had a chance to sit and chat with the recipients one-on-one. He expressed how pleased he was with their attitudes and eagerness towards an education.

“I’m really confident that you have a good programme and you’ve got some really good students. We’re just

FROM left, Freeman Deveaux of AFD Management and his mentees getting to know one another.

THE TEAM at BTVI with students. pleased to be a part of it,” been a banker and changing careers after discoversaid Dr Robertson.

Agreeing with Dr Rob- ing her passion and fulfilling ertson was Sol Petroleum’s her dreams at BTVI. She is General Manager Keith now an entrepreneur, using Glinton who was thrilled the carpentry skills she acto see the group’s maturity quired from BTVI. “This is an incredible and focus.

Mr Glinton encouraged institution that allows you the mentees to embrace the to add value to society immentorship programme so mediately after you finish,” they can make significant said Mr Glinton.

For 24-year-old D’Andra things happen.

Not only does Mr Glinton Rolle, being a recipient of believe in helping the youth this scholarship has given of the nation, he specifically her a chance at a brighter believes in helping them future. Her sister Aimee obtain an education from Rolle is also a recipient.

“It shows a lot of confiBTVI. Both his wife and son have graduated from the in- dence in what our commustitution with his wife having nity could produce. It’s nice

THE TRIBUNE

Photos: Shantique Longley to have that kind of motivation behind you,” said the electrical installation major.

Meanwhile, Esso dealer, Lawrence Bascom, who is in charge of the Winton and Bayshore service stations, mentors Brandon Bodie, Kalin Roker and Tyrese Smith.

“For me it’s about doing for someone else what others did for me,” said Mr Bascom.

Both he and Arnold Heastie, of Heastie’s Service Station, agree that the scholarship is beyond grades and that mentorship plays a vital role in shaping the lives of those tutored.

FROM left, Sol Petroleum and Friends’ recipient McGrergo Woodside; dealer Arnold Heastie and recipient Mark Rose during a mentorship session.