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Volume:114 No.56, FEBRUARY, 10TH, 2017
PAINTING THROUGH THE PAIN - DEALING WITH GRIEF THROUGH ART: SEE WEEKEND
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Friday, February 10, 2017 culture entertainment film fashion music shoppi ng society
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Flying Fish Pages 8&9
Art therapy
Tragedy sparks painter’s creativity
Bid to intercept letters, emails
Art, pages 14&15
BRAN: I’D QUIT SENATE OVER LORETTA ROW
By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney yesterday dismissed recent assertions by Long Island MP Loretta Butler-Turner that he threw her “under the bus,” charging that if Mrs ButlerTurner feels so strongly about her accusations, he is “ready and willing” to resign as leader of opposition business in the Senate. SEE PAGE SIX
Bill tabled to allow THOUSANDS COME TO HEAR HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR’S TALE police to snoop on communications By TANEKA THOMPSON Tribune News Editor tmthompson@tribunemedia.net THE government has tabled a bill in the House of Assembly that aims to create a “single legal framework” that would allow the Commissioner of Police to obtain a warrant from a judge to intercept and examine a person’s communications from telecommunications operators, internet providers and postal services for a period of three months. According to the Interception of Communications Bill, 2017, which was tabled on Wednesday night, this would be done in the “interest of national security,” which is defined as
protecting the country from “threats of sabotage, espionage, terrorist acts, terrorism or subversion”. The legislation will provide for the “interception of all communications networks regardless of whether they are licensed as public or not”. The bill says this will include public telecommunications operators, internet providers and postal services. Intercepting, among other provisions, includes the use of a “monitoring device”, physically viewing/ inspecting the contents of any communication and diverting any communication from its intended destination, the bill notes. SEE PAGE SIX
EXTRA SEAT IN PLP STRONGHOLD ‘SHOWS DESPERATION OF GOVT’ By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net DEMOCRATIC National Alliance Leader Branville McCartney said yesterday that Prime Minister Christie’s addition of an extra seat in a perceived “PLP stronghold” shows how desperate the government has become. During a press conference at DNA headquar-
ters yesterday, Mr McCartney said Mr Christie can “change the boundaries and change the names all he wants” but he cannot change the fact “that the PLP will lose the election”. Mr McCartney’s comments came one day after Mr Christie tabled the House of Assembly Revision of Boundaries and Re-distribution of Seats SEE PAGE FIVE
HOLOCAUST survivor Eva Schloss, standing at left, looks out at the crowd of thousands that turned out last night to hear her talk at the Melia resort last night. She shared her memories of the holocaust and of her childhood friend, Anne Frank. Turn to page two for more photographs from the event. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
MINNIS THANKS BUTLER-TURNER - BUT SAYS WE MARCH LONG ISLAND DOES NOT BELONG TO HER ORGANISERS By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis took a swipe at his party’s former Deputy Leader Loretta-Butler Turner last night, telling supporters at a rally in Long Island that the constituency “doesn’t belong to her”. Last night’s rally was held to introduce attorney Adrian Gibson as the party’s
candidate for that constituency. During his speech, Dr Minnis also ratcheted up attacks against Prime Minister Perry Christie, calling him the most “disorganised prime minister in the history of The Bahamas”. The rally in Long Island comes weeks after the FNM rescinded its ratification of Mrs Butler-Turner, the island’s current MP. Dr Minnis referred to the Official Opposition leader during his speech yesterday,
saying: “I want to thank Loretta Butler-Turner for her service in Long Island. I wish her well in her future endeavours, but she must know that Long Island doesn’t belong to her.” He spent much of his speech imploring voters to keep their support in the FNM, portraying the Progressive Liberal Party as a group that has done little for the island. SEE PAGE THREE
WARNING OF ‘IMMENSE’ PROBLEMS FOR NHI By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net AS the Christie administration faces a time crunch to implement the primary care phase of National Health Insurance before Bahamians head to the
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polls this year, the government is challenged by “immense” logistical problems because public facilities are not structurally sound, a high level NHI insider has told The Tribune. According to the source, who is intimately involved with planning intricate
details of the healthcare scheme, the committee appointed to decide how the $24m catastrophic fund will be spent has also reached a stalemate because the plans in this regard are “horribly ambitious”. SEE PAGE SIX
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SEEK TO RAISE $120,000
By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net WE March Bahamas plans on staging 12 more “events and protests” throughout the Bahamas before the next general election, including candidates debates, and has launched a Go Fund Me page to raise $120,000 for these initiatives. We March Bahamas lead organiser Ranard Henfield has been at odds with the government since his group staged a massive protest on November 25, 2016, where more than a thousand people marched from Arawak Cay to downtown Nassau. SEE PAGE THREE
PAGE 2, Friday, February 10, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
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A CROWD of reportedly 2,600 people turned out to hear Eva Schloss, below, speaking last night at the Melia. The holocaust survivor, and step-sister of Anne Frank, shared her memories of life in Nazi Germany, and the horrors that she and friends and family had gone through. Jeff Lloyd was the moderator for the talk. Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, February 10, 2017, PAGE 3
WE MARCH ORGANISERS SEEK TO RAISE $120,000
from page one
A large group of protesters also occupied Rawson Square for 12 hours as part of the demonstration. The group has held another march on Majority Rule Day, January 10, which conflicted with the PLP’s march to cerebrate the 50th anniversary of the historic day. Progressive Liberal Party Chairman Bradley Roberts and Mr Henfield have also exchanged harsh words. Mr Henfield said We March still has a mission and will continue to “stay focused” despite “the tactics and anger of people that want to resist change.” He said We March will take its message to various islands throughout the country. On the group’s Go Fund Me page, We March said: “The Bahamian people are suffering from political corruption, victimisation, a frightening crime culture and the most arrogant administration in our history. Our organisation, We March Bahamas, picked up the baton on November 25, 2016 and began raising the awareness of the general population while demanding that the government account to the people and be
RANARD Henfield at the We March Bahamas protest. transparent in its dealings. “Additionally, We March has been inspiring the general public to stand up for themselves, to pay closer attention to the course our country is headed, to get involved in national discussions and to put country over petty politics. While We March has been most-
ly funded by the founder, we’ve been fortunate to have supporters purchase shirts to assist in covering the costs of the marches and public education exercises. Unfortunately, our limited funding means that we aren’t able to reach a large portion of the population to raise their awareness
Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff on what’s truly going on with our country. “Unless we raise their awareness, we as a country will continue to repeat the same mistakes while hoping for a different result. Please help us reach our goal of $120,000 so that we can host at least 12 more events prior to the elections from
Grand Bahama in the north to Inagua in the south. We would like to print 100,000 detailed brochures on the national issues and point out the solutions in addition to hosting town hall meetings, marches on the various islands and candidate debates on these islands.” After the demonstration on
Majority Rule Day, Mr Henfield also confirmed the group had more protests planned but did not give a specific date out of concern that the government would seek to hold a competing event. We March Bahamas has planned a debate between candidates in Abaco at the end of the month.
Candidate identifies failures to update register of voters By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net FREE National Movement candidate Reece Chipman yesterday blasted the Parliamentary Registration Department for its alleged failure to update its register with the names of more than 20 persons who registered at satellite registration sites some three weeks ago. Mr Chipman, the FNM’s
candidate for Centreville, lamented that the disparities he found on the updated register he received not only put his campaign at a disadvantage, but also throws the integrity of the process into question. He claimed that a number of persons who registered at Centreville Primary School and Palmdale Primary School on or before January 16 were not reflected on the voter register as of yesterday.
When contacted by The Tribune, Parliamentary Commissioner Sherlyn Hall said that he was aware of the concerns and had instructed Mr Chipman to write to the department concerning the dispute so that an investigation could be launched. Mr Hall told The Tribune that he could not give an exact number of registered voters at this time, but stated that the current total was now over 99,000.
Mr Chipman said: “It’s more than just an administrative problem with my campaign. We get an updated register every week and to have a register that was printed February 9 without people on it who have a receipt from November, something must be wrong with the process. “We have people registering in Centreville in the primary school, who have been registered some from November, December, Jan-
uary and still their names haven’t hit the updated registry. I have their voter’s numbers, the receipts, and anything could happen to these things. “I don’t want to speculate on what the problem is, because in a case like this I’m not sure if it’s getting from the school to the parliamentary registry. It has to be on them because they’re in control of the process but you cannot have a register not updated three weeks af-
ter someone registers.” He added: “I’m disadvantaged yes, and now the people don’t even know if they’re registered. If they don’t have the capacity to handle this sort of thing, then they need to do something. This is some serious stuff.” Mr Chipman questioned why the process wasn’t streamlined with an automated system that would network all satellite locations.
MINNIS THANKS BUTLER-TURNER - BUT SAYS LONG ISLAND DOES NOT BELONG TO HER from page one
“He (Mr Christie) simply cannot be trusted to uphold our Constitution,” Dr Minnis said. “And he cannot be trusted with the business of government. I am an organiser and a doer. Perry Christie is a talker, a shuffler and daydreamer. And he can’t stop talking even when he’s dreaming. Unlike me, Christie is a career politician. He has been running late his entire public life. For 40 years he has been late, again and again. “You know Emperor Christie did not have very
nice things to say about me last week,” he said, referring to Mr Christie’s comments calling him a “minor player”. “He tried to make me look small. And I will say about that is: small axe cut down big tree! David is getting ready to slay the man who thinks he’s Goliath. He must think that only some women in The Bahamas can born prime ministers. I have news for him: any child in The Bahamas can aspire to leading our Bahamas or offer for public service.” Dr Minnis dismissed the various political parties and associations seeking
to make an impact on the upcoming election, saying the contest is “between the FNM and PLP”. “Don’t mind the noise from other places. Our message is clear: If you sick and tired of the PLP, if you scared of five more years of the same arrogance and corruption, there is only one alternative to the PLP. That alternative is the FNM.” Regarding the FNM’s agenda for Long Island, Dr Minnis said the party would build a new international airport and protect the country’s waters from poachers.
“Unlike the PLP, we don’t want foreigners stealing our fish,” he said, although government and Royal Bahamas Defence Force officials say poaching has been on the decline since the government’s acquisition of new vessels. “You can’t trust the PLP with your land or your fish,” Dr Minnis said. His comments may have been a reference to a report last year that the Ministry of Agriculture had given the Bahamas ambassador to China the green light to have discussions on a potential agricultural and fisheries partnership in An-
dros. After significant public backlash to the proposal, Mr Christie said such a deal would not occur. “They are very ‘grabalicious’ group, the PLP. They keep taking and taking for them and theirs,” Dr Minnis said. Dr Minnis also promised to bring potable water to areas of the island that are struggling with supply. He also said: “We will modernise your healthcare facilities, which will be properly staffed and supplied. We will ensure that there is an ambulance in the south and in the north. The FNM will seek to
expand business ownership and job-creation. “ . . . We will discuss with local government officials, the private sector and others the creation of some type of adventure travel and heritage tourism centre near Dean’s Blue Hole. “The centre might have an educational component about blue holes, a gift shop and small eatery.” He said the party would ensure the extension of cable television further north in the island, improve roads and infrastructure in government offices and provide adequate staffing in terms of police and teachers.
EVANS SAYS ALIV WILL NOT STEAL MAJOR MARKET SHARE FROM BTC By NICO SCAVELLA Tribune Staff Reporter nscavella@tribunemedia.net BAHAMAS Communications and Public Officers Union President Bernard Evans yesterday dismissed assertions that newcomer Aliv will steal a significant market share from the Bahamas Telecommunications Company, charging that the former’s initial success is merely the result of “restrictions” placed on BTC by regulators to give Aliv “some advantage” to “get in the game”. Mr Evans, in an interview with The Tribune, said that while Aliv may appear to be “the best thing since sliced cheese,” the Utilities Regulations and Competitions Authority (URCA) made it so that BTC would have to “maintain certain price levels” prior to Aliv’s entrance into the market, effectively preventing BTC from “doing a lot of things to stifle” Aliv’s entry as the country’s second mobile services provider. This, Mr Evans said, was likely due to the government’s, as well as URCA’s, desire for Aliv to enter a
market “conducive” for it to be able to “thrive”, adding that both URCA and the government are attempting to foster “competition” in the mobile services sector. However, Mr Evans said the real measure of Aliv’s impact on BTC’s market share, as well as whether Aliv’s existence would prove detrimental to BTC’s mobile services, would come “once the gloves are off” and both entities are “allowed to compete head on,” which he surmised would take place within “a year or year-and-a-half”. NewCo, Aliv’s operating company, was awarded the second mobile operator license in July of last year. The new mobile provider was tasked with achieving 99 per cent network population coverage in New Providence and 80 per cent population coverage in (Freeport) Grand Bahama, within three months of its license award. URCA has already mandated that BTC allow Aliv to lease and utilise portions of its network infrastructure, until the latter completes construction of its own, so that competition
can be brought more rapidly to Bahamians wherever they are living in The Bahamas. “…URCA had to allow BTC to maintain certain price levels to allow Aliv to get in and underprice that so that it would encourage the entrant, and not to stifle them, because I don’t think they can compete giving the same prices and all that stuff,” Mr Evans told The Tribune. “So I believe that BTC was held at a particular standard just to allow the new entrant to come in, because competition in the end is what the government is seeking, what URCA is seeking, and so it’s trying to create that atmosphere
where you have a choice. “And in doing so, it had to give some advantage to the new entrant to get in the game. So initially (it) may look like Aliv is the best thing since sliced cheese or whatever, but I think that was designed. But once the gloves are off and BTC is allowed to compete head on, I don’t see BTC feeling much hit from that.” Mr Evans also said that Aliv’s immediate impact on BTC’s market share and losses in its mobile services will be “offset” by BTC’s emergence in the television business via Flo TV, as well as Aliv having yet to fully meet its nationwide coverage obligations. “…Until Aliv is fully
SUDDEN DEATH IN GB By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net GRAND Bahama police are investigating the sudden death of a young man at a residence in the South Bahamia area on Thursday. According to police,
shortly after 8am officers were called to a residence where a man was discovered unresponsive. EMS personnel examined the victim and found no signs of life. Police are awaiting the results of an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
rolled out from Sweetings tial loss they would get from Cay in Grand Bahama to Aliv. Mathew Town in Inagua, “But like (BTC CEO BTC wouldn’t feel the full Leon Williams) keeps saybrunt of it yet, even though ing for the most part, that this is the largest economic any new entrant you can centre in the Bahamas, expect full force to lose that being Nassau, and in about 15-20 per cent of Abaco and in Grand Ba- their market share to that hama where they are,” he new entrant. But I don’t see said. that happening just yet. It “I’m not concerned but would be interesting to see I’m sure people up at the the numbers after a year or top, the CEO, they have year and a half to see what’s certain benchmarks and going on. stuff to reach, and so they “…So there’s going to be may be challenged,” he a little bit of trade off, but added. “But like I said, I I think BTC is going to be think they’re offset some- okay. Most people that I’ve what by the introduction seen, even though they have of Flow television. And so an Aliv phone still have a that’s a new revenue stream BTC phone, so hopefully 10th February 2017be the status quo for BTC, and soFriday, hopefully that will that would offset any poten- going forward.”
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Worldwide concern over Trump’s foreign policy LESS THAN a month after the inauguration of President Donald Trump, it seems that increasing numbers of people are already concerned that their preelection reservations about him as a candidate for the US presidency are being realised. As an unorthodox figure with no political background or experience and controversial ideas amidst inflammatory rhetoric, his victory in last November’s election was a surprise to many. But, so far, in issuing a string of executive orders he has at least kept to his campaign promises, though he has been criticised for being too quick off the mark instead of weighing up new policies in a considered manner. These include the recent travel ban on seven mainly-Muslim countries which, in the eyes of his supporters, is simply fulfilling his announced commitment to secure the US borders during an overhaul of the nation’s vetting process for immigrants and refugees. It is clear, however, that the planning of this executive order was flawed and the roll-out and implementation down the track to immigration officers at airports was confused, with the result that it was seen as discriminatory and some people with proper visa documentation were refused entry. Inevitably, there has been a wave of protest both domestically and around the world. Critics see this as an ill-thought out and inept attempt to rush through a new policy without proper consultation. Moreover, President Trump’s subsequent disparagement of the independent judiciary in reaction to the suspension of the ban by a federal judge has been widely condemned as a refusal to recognise the importance of the separation of powers within the well-established system of checks and balances in America’s democracy. More generally, there seems to be widespread bewilderment and anxiety about his propensity, as an unconventional president, to ‘tweet’ his immediate reaction to events without careful consideration of an issue or consultation with others in his administration. People are now concerned that such dictatorial and erratic behaviour is unbecoming of a new president and that, combined with naivety and inexperience, does not augur well for future decision-making and handling of major policy issues, in particular in relation to international affairs which could have damaging consequences for the nation’s long-term security. Clearly, US foreign policy should not depend on personal considerations and, broadly, should be concerned with the
preservation of a rules-based and US-led global order which protects the integrity and sovereignty of the nation-state. The new president will be faced with myriad problems and complexities in relation to foreign affairs - to name a few, the challenge to world stability from Russian expansionism and from Chinese activity in the South China Sea in contravention of international law, the Iran nuclear deal and North Korea’s nuclear challenge, Syria and ISIS, Israel and the Middle East more generally, a possible break-up of the European Union following Britain’s departure, the future of NATO and a reordering of international trade relations. In handling these issues, the basic choice is appeasement or confrontation which will require a delicate balance between cautious negotiation, co-operation and the use of force. Appeasement has been discredited by history because of the failed Munich Agreement in 1938 when Britain and France seriously miscalculated Adolf Hitler’s long-term aggressive intentions. But it is a traditional diplomatic tactic used, in appropriate circumstances, to secure a broader strategic gain or objective. In determining a choice of action, there has to be a rational assessment of the balance of advantage against the likely damaging effects, and this requires a combination of knowledge, insight and good judgment while taking into account the possible ramifications. On the evidence so far, unless President Trump respects the views of his Republican Party colleagues and also relies extensively on the briefing, advice and guidance of his closest advisers, there is cause for worldwide apprehension about his likely foreign policy and actions in the international arena. On the face of it, what is required is a tough stance with Vladimir Putin on Ukraine, Syria, his threat to the Baltic states and hacking, but a more accommodating approach towards the Chinese (including avoidance of a trade war), together with vigorous action on the issue of nuclear weapons and engagement with the Middle East while strengthening relations with the US’s traditional allies and reassuring NATO about future co-operation. Given the proximity of the Caribbean region to the United States and our dependence on it for our security and prosperity, the way the leader of the free world interacts with other countries matters to us more than to others. So, we watch with concern how Mr Trump’s presidency unfolds in the fervent hope that any ill-considered actions on the international stage do not have an adverse effect on our own interests and way of life.
In tribute to C.A.P. Smith EDITOR, The Tribune.
I READ with considerable sadness of the passing of C A P Smith, a former Permanent Secretary. I extend my profound sympathy to his wife Rachel and his children, all of whom I know personally and who CAP loved beyond measure. CAP Smith, as he was affectionately called, had a profound affect and influence on the professional lives and development of many young Bahamians who entered the Public Service in the early 70s, including myself, and who went on to make a sterling contribution to the overall development of The Bahamas. The list would be too long to recite publicly but I am sure that those concerned could look back and account for his guidance, his generosity and his extraordinary bent to get the
maximum out of every individual. CAP Smith brought an edge of urgency to every task that he had to grapple with and his Obituary has listed some of them. He was a direct recruit to the Public Service as a Permanent Secretary and brought a keen sense of policy development and analysis to the various portfolios and Ministries in which he served. He tried his best to guide the various Ministers with whom he served and none of them could ever question his loyalty or professionalism. It is fair to say that as a Permanent Secretary he could be a maverick at times but in the end, it was the outcome of his efforts that counted for him not necessarily the process. Many of the trailblazing policies that we take as de rigueur in industrial rela-
tions, labour practices, social security (NIB), skills development at a time when there was no structured training programmes for job training, establishing youth and sporting policies redound to his credit. On a personal level, CAP was an affable man and a bon vivant and I, together with some of his close friends, were always buoyed by his presence. He loved life and had an intellectual curiosity that caused him to delve into many and varied subjects. Like all human kind, he had moments of adversity but I never saw him perplexed or overwhelmed by circumstances. The Bahamas has lost a wonderful public servant whose passing should not go unnoted and unappreciated. LUTHER E SMITH Nassau, February 9, 2017.
Racist rant must be challenged EDITOR, The Tribune. This in reply to “The Graduate”, editorial letter 8th Feb 2017. AS Ebenezer Scrooge angrily asked Marley’s Ghost, in Charles Dickens “A Christmas Carol”, “ Who are You?” “What are you?” and when the spectre asks him, “Why do you doubt your senses?” Scrooge scoffs that “...a little thing affects them. A slight disorder of the stomach makes them cheat. You may be an undigested bit of beef, a blot of mustard, a crumb of cheese, a fragment of an underdone potato. There’s more gravy than grave about you, whatever you are!” That was precisely my feeling, as I read the lambast of this lady/man/child/ robot, in this morning’s Tribune’s editorial pages. I don’t have much truck with snipers in foxholes, but The Graduate’s racist rant should not go unchallenged I think. Majority Rule Day MRD came at a huge and enduring price to the Bahamian people, and was only achieved by the similar garbage that you still spout today. The white man enslaved you for 300 years. The white man is the reason that you have nothing. The white man has stolen your birthright. Notwithstanding 50 years of Majority Rule the white man is still the bogey man. The Bahamas is however almost unique, in the Caribbean/Atlantic where there is a serious racial divide based on one’s skin colour, and sometimes even one’s hue or degree of blackness or whiteness. You don’t find it in Jamaica, nor Barbados, Bermuda, nor most of the Lesser Antilles. That was how Lynden Pindling was able to seize power, and
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net subsequently the Treasury, and the people believed what their Messiah had told them. When the majority were voting for the white man, prior to 1967, there were undoubtedly incentives offered and taken, perhaps starting with the four shilling note, and then a one pound note, and ultimately a five pound note. But the Black politicians learned quickly, that the majority black man would sell his future for a couple of bucks, and every election since 1967, including that one, there was always talk of vote buying, with many, many schemes of verification. Floating ballots seemed to be one of the more popular, but there certainly was a variety, including “I come to vote fa ma Antie, Cuz she gat swingin in da head”. What constantly irks me personally, however, is that as much as is made of Majority Rule Day, and it is a PLP thing for sure, is that as I drive around Nassau today, after the PLP “celebrating” the fiftieth anniversary of MRD, the Bahamian people still walk from their modest homes, to the water pumps that the white man (dare I say Colonialists) put there for them, back in the day. The out houses also are in full utility, in most of the black neighbourhoods, and I can only wonder “what has the Majority Black Elected Members done for the Majority Black Population” ? And particularly this year, on the fiftieth anniversary of MRD, the country had just had its Sovereign Credit Rating pegged as JUNK. But they still celebrated the day!
Perhaps you putting us in the same basket with South Africa was deliberate, but just Google “South African Sovereign Credit Rating”: Fitch Ratings has downgraded its outlook for South Africa’s sovereign credit rating to negative from stable on November 25th and affirmed the country’s ... Nov 6, 2016 ... In this case, “junk” refers to a downgrade of South Africa’s sovereign credit rating to below investment grade as the G-20 country has been ... Nov 25, 2016 ... JOHANNESBURG - Credit ratings firm Moody’s Investors Service kept South Africa’s sovereign rating unchanged at Baa2 on Friday, two levels ... Dec 2, 2016 ... South Africa received a reprieve as S&P left its assessment of the nation’s foreign -currency debt unchanged at one level above junk, while ... So yes, I guess we are in good company with South Africa. We may just have hit JUNK before them, by a few weeks. And this is all after successive majority black skinned politicians have been ruling the black skinned populace these last fifty years. So happy you didn’t bring up Zimbabwe. There are about two thousand white people left in this once extremely prosperous country and its currency is no longer accepted by anyone, including its majority black population. As my old friend Stafford Morrison often used to paraphrase St. Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians: “Now bullah ya know I don’t suffer fools gladly”. Go res’ yaself, Graduate. BRUCE G. RAINE Nassau, February 9, 2017.
Rebels without a clue EDITOR, The Tribune. “LIKE actors on a stage directionless”. That is how I perceive the present Leader of the Opposition in the House of Assembly and her band of rebels. It appears that the playwright did not complete the script and the actors
decided to launch the play without a suitable climax. As a result, they lost the audience who went in search of another production. If I were in the shoes of the Hon Leader, I would tender my resignation as Leader of Opposition business in the House of Assembly and urge my Senate
appointees to do likewise. The constant splitting of the Opposition forces is a great detriment to good governance and this is something which the country desperately needs. JEANNE I THOMPSON Nassau, February 9, 2017.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, February 10, 2017, PAGE 5
Minnis branded ‘inept’ for boundaries report criticism By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
DEPUTY Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis yesterday labelled Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis “politically inept”, in response to recent criticisms levelled by the Killarney MP at the Christie administration over delays in the recent tabling of the boundaries report. Mr Davis, one of two government members who sat on the Constituencies Commission, castigated Dr Minnis for his “stupid comments” on the status, progression and results of the report that was finally tabled in Parliament during the evening session on
Wednesday. Mr Davis spoke to The Tribune on the sidelines of an announcement ceremony for Bahamasair’s new executive management team on Thursday. Dr Minnis on Tuesday accused the Christie administration of “gerrymandering the constituencies” to gain the best footing ahead of a general election the FNM Leader said the PLP could not win. In response, Mr Davis said: “As it relates to the Constituencies Commission, we met, we had a judge, the senior judge that was on the committee; we had a member of the (Official) Opposition, Hubert Chipman and two members of the government party, which I was one of.
“We discussed, we reviewed what was happening, the trends in registration, we assessed the trends, the actual numbers that registered for the last election and we also looked at the potential demographic of future voters that was provided to us by the Department of Statistics. “We looked into all of that and as a result we came up with the boundaries that we did.” He continued: “So hearing his claims doesn’t upset me because it proves what we in this country are quickly starting to realise; he is not prepared to govern or lead, he is not fit. “Every concern possible was raised by representatives from his party; we resolved those issues and
pressed on. He went on about the time, we tabled it. Now his issue is something new? “He talks to hear himself. Never does it to resolve a matter. He likes to go on and talk. That is who he is.” The draft boundaries report called for the establishment of one new constituency, St Barnabas and the renaming of the Montagu seat to “Freetown”. St Barnabas, as constituted by the report, consists of two polling stations from Centreville, two from Bain and Grants Town, three from Englerston, one from Fort Charlotte, and three from Mt Moriah. The commission used data from the 2010 census that had been extrapolated in a 2016 report prepared
by the Department of Statistics, to guide recommendations. That report, prepared by the Census Section, projected a population increase of 6.9 per cent on New Providence. Mr Davis yesterday provided further context for the decision. He indicated that the aforementioned population rise occurred almost exclusively in those communities adjusted to give way for the new St Barnabas. He added that lower registration numbers in other constituencies to date, gave the impression that the creation of this new constituency would “balance the board”. This comes as registration numbers continue to
show several of these communities as far behind their registration numbers at this time during the 2012 election cycle. Despite that, however, Mr Davis said: “There was consideration for other places but the issue was again the low voter registration turnout in a lot of those areas. “We looked at the past registration numbers and we were unable to see the need to make any other changes. But those areas that make up the new constituency, the population shift provided a need for it. The number showed that we could stretch things out there,” added Mr Davis. Yesterday, Parliamentary Commissioner Sherlyn Hall said more than 99,000 have registered to vote.
MOST CHANGES TO BOUNDARIES IN THE EAST By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
MOST of the boundary cuts proposed by the Constituencies Commission, and tabled in a draft order, appear to be in eastern New Providence seats. The most drastic changes, however, appear to be in St Anne’s, Elizabeth and Fort Charlotte, the latter of which is where Progressive Liberal Party leadership challenger Alfred Sears is vying for candidacy. The Fort Charlotte seat was reduced from 13 polling stations to 11, with one polling station added from Mt Moriah and one polling station folded into neighbouring constituencies of Killarney, Bain and Grants Town, and the new St Barnabas seat, respectively. According to The Tribune’s review of the draft order, the St Anne’s seat gains two polling stations from Elizabeth for a total of 15 polling stations, and it’s eastern boundary now extends along the coast bounded by Yamacraw Hill Road and the sea - essentially wrapping around the Yamacraw seat. The Elizabeth seat has maintained 12 polling stations; however, two western polling stations have been folded into St Anne’s, and two polling stations have been added from Fox Hill in the north. Formerly bordered by Barrine Close and Pine Barren Road to the north, the Elizabeth seat now extends to Sea Breeze Drive and Prince Charles
Drive. To the northeast, Elizabeth’s boundary follows along the eastern boundary of St Andrews Beach Estate to the sea. Polling stations in Nassau Village, Pinewood, Seabreeze, South Beach, Southern Shores, Yamacraw, and Carmichael seats appear to be unchanged. On Eleuthera, the settlements of James Cistern and Hatchet Bay have been moved from North Eleuthera to South Eleuthera. Speaking to ZNS last night, Prime Minister Perry Christie explained that the move was meant to balance the number of voters between the two constituencies. The Bamboo Town seat still has 14 polling stations; however, one polling station was folded into Golden Gates, and another was added from Garden Hills. The Bamboo Town seat is now bordered by Baillou Hill Road and Zion Blvd in the southeast, and a portion of East Street and Soldier Road in the northeast. Englerston was reduced from 14 polling stations to 11, with three polling stations folded into Mt Moriah, and four taken to create the new St Barnabas seat. Englerston gained three polling stations from Centreville, extending the constituency to Wulff Road in the north; and one polling station from Garden Hills, bounded by Baillou Hill Road, Orange Blossom Ave, and Beaumontia Ave. The Fox Hill seat has a total of 12 polling stations, with two polling stations
taken from St Anne’s, and one taken from Marathon. To the north, Fox Hill is now bounded by Grasshopper Road, Johnson Road and Step St. Montagu, now to be named Freetown, was reduced from 14 to 12 polling stations, with two polling stations folded into St Anne’s. Freetown is now bounded St Andrews Drive and Village Road to the south. Tall Pines gained one polling station from Mt Moriah - bounded by John F Kennedy Dr, Eneas Ave, and Tonique Williams Darling Highway - for a total of 15 polling stations. Mt Moriah was reduced from 14 polling stations to 12. The new seat, St Barnabas, consists of two polling stations from Centreville, two from Bain and Grants Town, four from Englerston, one from Fort Charlotte, and two from Mt Moriah. It is bordered by Farrington Road, inclusive of Lightbourne Ave, Maxwell Ave, and Haven Ave, Wulff Road, East Street and Thompson Blvd. Mr Christie tabled the House of Assembly Revision of Boundaries and Redistribution of Seats Order 2017 during the evening session of the Lower House on Wednesday, but only six copies were distributed to parliamentarians due to a copying error. The Tribune was unable to determine whether the Killarney seat was affected, as the copy obtained by this newspaper of the area was unreadable.
EXTRA SEAT IN PLP STRONGHOLD ‘SHOWS DESPERATION OF GOVT’ from page one
Order 2017 during the evening session of the House of Assembly. According to the draft order, voters can expect a new constituency named St Barnabas in New Providence and the renaming of the Montagu seat to “Freetown”. St Barnabas consists of two polling stations from Centreville, two from Bain and Grants Town, three from Englerston, one from Fort Charlotte, and three from Mt Moriah. It is bordered by Farrington Road, inclusive of Lightbourne Ave, Maxwell Ave, and Haven Ave, Wulff Road, East Street and Thompson Blvd. Mr Christie explained that the Montagu name
was changed to reflect the ancestral history of a major part of the constituency, pointing out that the Freetown seat was included in the 1968 and 1972 elections. Mr McCartney said in his experience, parties that cut the boundaries right before elections usually “cut themselves out of office”. “To have 39 seats in a country that has less than 100,000 persons registered and a place that has less than 400,000 people is too much, that is 24 seats now for an island that is 21 by 7,” Mr McCartney said. “Both parties have done it this way and those parties in the last four election cycles who cut the boundaries, they ended up cutting themselves out of Parliament. This new constituency surrounds Englerston,
Bain and Grants Town and Centreville, they put it there to try and secure another seat within the areas they think are PLP strongholds. But I have news for them, the people don’t want the PLP right now.” Mr McCartney also said he believes the PLP changed the name of Montagu to “confuse voters”. “They changed Montagu to Freetown to try and change the minds of the people but the bottom line is the people have already made up their minds,” Mr McCartney said. “They already know how they are going to vote. The people are feeling it in their pockets, they are frustrated so you can change the boundaries and change the names but you cannot change how people are going to vote.”
ALFRED Sears is embraced by Picewell Forbes during the PLP convention. The former leadership challenger is runnin gin the Fort Charlotte constituency for the PLP at the next election - and that seat appears to be one of the most changed under the boundary revisions. Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
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PAGE 6, Friday, February 10, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
BID TO INTERCEPT LETTERS, EMAILS from page one
a prison term of up to four years. Under the new bill, the Attorney General will be mandated to table a report in both houses of Parliament outlining the number of warrants applied for to intercept communications, the number of warrants granted by the court, the
average period of the warrants, the number of warrants refused/revoked by the court, the number of criminal proceedings started from evidence gleaned from communication interception and those that resulted in a conviction, among other provisions. This must be done annu-
ally, within three months after the end of each year. The bill allows for the minister responsible to make regulations to support the legislation. The legislation would repeal the Listening Devices Act. It is unclear when debate on the legislation will begin.
LORETTA Butler-Turner with Branville McCartney. “As a matter of fact, we of messaging Mrs Butlersaid, and I specifically out- Turner via Whatsapp on lined, that by me going in Wednesday night about her that position, we will con- statements in the television tinue to move forward in report. “I was a bit concerned preparing for this election and promote the policies about the comments, if of the DNA. That is what she could tell me what it’s about,” he said. “The only we’ve been doing.” Mr McCartney said he thing I could say is that if had the “good fortune” Mrs Butler-Turner really feels that I’ve thrown her under the bus, I can certainly do, or if she wishes, I can certainly tender my resignation. “But I’ll like some explanation as to what do you mean by throwing you under the bus, because that is something that we didn’t do. But I am ready and willing if she wishes to take that route, (to) tender my resignation from the Senate.” When asked if there were any discussions to have Mrs Butler-Turner absorbed into the DNA fold, and whether he felt she should have been given a substantive position in his party, Mr McCartney said: “That was never discussed by Mrs ButlerTurner, that was never discussed. Mrs Butler-Turner has never offered herself to be a part of the DNA, as a t. 242.323.2330 | f. 242.323.2320 | www.bisxbahamas.com THURSDAY, 9 FEBRUARY 2017 matter of fact none of the BISX ALL SHARE INDEX: CLOSE 1,903.34 | CHG -1.93 | %CHG -0.10 | YTD -34.87 | YTD% -1.80 other persons have offered BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 52WK LOW SECURITY SYMBOL LAST CLOSE CLOSE CHANGE VOLUME EPS$ DIV$ P/E YIELD themselves to be a part of 4.38 2.70 AML Foods Limited AML 4.38 4.38 0.00 3,333 0.029 0.080 151.0 1.83% 17.43 17.43 APD Limited APD 15.85 15.85 0.00 1.002 1.000 15.8 6.31% the DNA. So that was never 9.09 8.19 Bahamas Property Fund BPF 9.09 9.09 0.00 -0.144 0.000 N/M 0.00% 3.56 3.50 Bahamas Waste BWL 3.55 3.53 -0.02 4,248 0.170 0.210 20.8 5.95% a question. And of course, if 4.70 1.77 Bank of Bahamas BOB 1.77 1.77 0.00 -0.130 0.000 N/M 0.00% 0.12 0.12 Benchmark BBL 0.12 0.12 0.00 0.000 0.000 N/M 0.00% they wanted to put that po7.20 3.80 Cable Bahamas CAB 4.10 3.90 -0.20 11,200 -0.030 0.090 -130.0 2.31% 8.50 8.15 CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank CIB 8.50 8.50 0.00 0.607 0.300 14.0 3.53% sition to the DNA, there’s a 6.10 5.50 Colina Holdings CHL 5.83 5.83 0.00 0.430 0.220 13.6 3.77% 10.60 7.72 Commonwealth Bank CBL 10.48 10.48 0.00 0.450 0.360 23.3 3.44% process. 15.48 11.00 Commonwealth Brewery CBB 11.93 11.93 0.00 0.110 0.490 108.5 4.11% 2.72 2.18 Consolidated Water BDRs CWCB 2.03 2.04 0.01 0.102 0.060 20.0 2.94% “I don’t act unilaterally, I 1.60 1.31 Doctor's Hospital DHS 1.55 1.55 0.00 0.080 0.060 19.4 3.87%
don’t act on my own. Anything that is done regarding the party I have to get the permission from the party, and it would have gone through the process. But that has never ever been a question. And in every meeting that we’ve had, most meetings even leading up to the Senate position, Chris Mortimer was there, other members of the DNA, they were present, and what I say is what transpired. Nothing more, nothing less.” Mr McCartney also hit back at Ft Charlotte MP Dr Andre Rollins for accusing him of using the Senate appointment solely to advance the DNA’s agenda. Earlier this month, Dr Rollins claimed Mr McCartney knew “full well” of Mrs Butler-Turner’s attempts to unify the two parties, and that Mr McCartney was “gung-ho about promoting this idea of a unification.” However, Dr Rollins said Mr McCartney backed out after “he received a lot of backlash from his supporters, many of whom threatened him with departure from the party if he gave it any further consideration.” Thus, Dr Rollins said appointing Mr McCartney to the Senate has “done nothing really”, and that Mr McCartney was merely about “propping himself up politically.”
Mr McCartney responded: “…I am the leader of the DNA - you want me to promote some other agenda? “I am the leader of the DNA. It was said from the beginning that we will promote the policies of the DNA. That was said from the beginning. Loretta Butler-Turner is aware of that. Andre Rollins is aware of that. “Andre Rollins also mentioned the other day that there was some arrangement and I wanted too much. Wanted too much from who? What was there that was offered? And who can offer us something that you don’t have? Let me put it as simple as that. Andre Rollins was talking out of his head when he said. He was not telling the truth.” Mrs Butler-Turner appointed Mr McCartney as leader of opposition business in the Senate in December, shortly after being appointed leader of the Official Opposition after she and six other FNM MPs, including Dr Rollins, moved to have FNM Leader Dr Hubert Minnis removed from that role. At the time, Mrs ButlerTurner said Mr McCartney’s appointment was the result of a “collaboration” between the two to rid the country of the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) in the next general election.
The bill also states that in order to obtain an interception warrant, the Commissioner of Police, or someone acting on his behalf, would have to petition the Attorney General to make an “ex parte”
application to a judge in chambers. To receive such a warrant, it must be proven that the information to be inspected cannot be acquired by any other means, the bill notes. The Attorney General would also have to be satisfied that the warrant is
needed in the “public interest or interest of justice”. The warrant would be valid for three months, unless renewed. The bill also states that a person who unlawfully intentionally intercepts a communication is liable upon conviction to a fine not exceeding $50,000 or
Bran: I’d quit Senate over Loretta row from page one
Mr McCartney, during a press conference yesterday, insisted for “the last time” that his discussions with Mrs Butler-Turner were only about having him appointed to the Senate in December, and that those talks were based purely “on the understanding that we would work as opposition forces, nothing more, nothing less.” Mr McCartney also said that he would like “some explanation” from Mrs Butler-Turner about her statements and her reasons for making them. On Wednesday, Mrs Butler-Turner broke her silence on the apparent rift between herself and Mr McCartney, stating to Our News: “I think it’s an open secret that Branville McCartney has thrown me under the bus, despite the fact that we clearly had discussions going on and a key in those discussions realised what we were trying to build.” During that television interview, she also admitted that her plans to shake up the political scene have not gone so well this far. “I admit that the most
powerful coalition that I thought would have transformed the landscape has pretty much fallen flat, but there are other individuals, Bahamians out there who want to come forward that want to be a part of change, that want to be able to serve their country,” she told Our News. This came after Mr McCartney, on several occasions, insisted that he is unaware of the “very powerful and bold” coalition the Long Island MP said she was building with the DNA that would “change the direction of the country.” Mr McCartney said yesterday: “With all respect, I truly don’t know what Loretta Butler-Turner is speaking about. For the record, and I’ll make this the last time I speak about this because I have said it over and repeatedly. When I was asked to be a senator, and in particular the leader of opposition business in the Senate, that was on the understanding that we would work as opposition forces, nothing more, nothing less. There was no type of plan, there was no type of coalition, there was no type of deal.
MARKET REPORT
5.83 9.75 11.00 9.11 6.90 12.01 11.00
5.80 6.78 8.56 6.12 6.35 11.92 10.00
PREFERENCE SHARES 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00
900.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00
1.00 106.00 100.00 106.00 105.00 105.00 100.00 10.00 1.01
1.00 105.50 100.00 100.00 105.00 100.00 100.00 10.00 1.01
Famguard Fidelity Bank Finco Focol ICD Utilities J. S. Johnson Premier Real Estate
FAM FBB FIN FCL ICD JSJ PRE
Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 8 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Cable Bahamas Series 10 Colina Holdings Class A Commonwealth Bank Class E Commonwealth Bank Class J Commonwealth Bank Class K Commonwealth Bank Class L Commonwealth Bank Class M Commonwealth Bank Class N Fidelity Bank Class A Focol Class B
CAB6 CAB8 CAB9 CAB10 CHLA CBLE CBLJ CBLK CBLL CBLM CBLN FBBA FCLB
CORPORATE DEBT - (percentage pricing) 52WK HI 100.00 100.00 100.00
52WK LOW 100.00 100.00 100.00
SECURITY Fidelity Bank Note 17 (Series A) + Fidelity Bank Note 18 (Series E) + Fidelity Bank Note 22 (Series B) +
SYMBOL FBB17 FBB18 FBB22
Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2014-12-3Y BGS: 2015-1-3Y BGS: 2014-12-5Y BGS: 2015-1-5Y BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-3Y BGS: 2015-6-5Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y BGS: 2015-10-3Y BGS: 2015-10-5Y BGS: 2015-10-7Y
BAH29 BG0103 BG0203 BG0105 BG0205 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0303 BG0305 BG0307 BG0330 BG0403 BG0405 BG0407
BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing) 115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
113.70 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
MUTUAL FUNDS 52WK HI 2.03 3.92 1.94 169.70 141.76 1.46 1.67 1.56 1.10 6.96 8.50 6.30 9.94 11.21 10.46
52WK LOW 1.67 3.04 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.41 1.61 1.52 1.03 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57
5.83 9.75 10.95 9.00 6.90 12.01 10.00
5.83 9.75 10.95 9.11 6.90 12.01 10.00
1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 10.00 1.01
1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 100.00 100.00 100.11 100.00 100.00 100.00 10.00 1.01
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
CLOSE 100.00 100.00 100.00
CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00
105.82 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
-1.28 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
LAST SALE 100.00 100.00 100.00 107.10 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00
FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund FG Financial Preferred Income Fund FG Financial Growth Fund FG Financial Diversified Fund FG Financial Global USD Bond Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Equities Sub Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - High Yield Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Alternative Strategies Fund
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.11 0.00 0.00 0.00
3,000 1,000
VOLUME
NAV 2.03 3.92 1.94 168.44 141.76 1.46 1.66 1.56 1.07 6.96 8.50 6.30 9.80 11.13 9.63
0.300 0.520 0.960 0.820 0.294 0.610 0.000
0.240 0.400 0.000 0.330 0.140 0.640 0.000
19.4 18.8 11.4 11.1 23.5 19.7 0.0
4.12% 4.10% 0.00% 3.62% 2.03% 5.33% 0.00%
0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000
0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%
INTEREST 7.00% 6.00% Prime + 1.75%
MATURITY 19-Oct-2017 31-May-2018 19-Oct-2022
6.95% 4.00% 4.00% 4.25% 4.25% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.00% 4.25% 4.50% 6.25% 3.50% 3.88% 4.25%
20-Nov-2029 15-Dec-2017 30-Jul-2018 16-Dec-2019 30-Jul-2020 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2018 26-Jun-2020 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2018 15-Oct-2020 15-Oct-2022
YTD% 12 MTH% 4.30% 4.30% 3.82% 3.82% 2.73% 2.73% 3.95% 3.95% 6.77% 6.77% 3.56% 3.91% 2.22% 2.79% 2.80% 3.18% 2.99% 2.26% 4.35% 4.69% 4.13% 4.28% 4.22% 4.64% 6.19% 3.43% 2.77% 2.98% -3.66% -3.90%
NAV Date 31-Dec-2016 31-Dec-2016 31-Dec-2016 31-Dec-2016 31-Dec-2016 30-Nov-2016 30-Nov-2016 30-Nov-2016 30-Nov-2016 30-Nov-2016 30-Nov-2016 30-Nov-2016 30-Nov-2016 30-Nov-2016 30-Nov-2016
MARKET TERMS BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00 52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks 52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume Change - Change in closing price from day to day Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings
YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths NAV - Net Asset Value N/M - Not Meaningful
TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | FG CAPITAL MARKETS 242-396-4000 | COLONIAL 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225
WARNING OF ‘IMMENSE’ PROBLEMS FOR NHI from page one These issues among others, have put the success of NHI in question and the government’s intentions under great speculation, the insider said yesterday. “So if we take specifically the Abaco mini hospital,” the source said, “the floor in that facility is not usable and so they have had to contract somebody to replace the vinyl flooring. That contract was just done and it has a minimum eight-week time frame. “They are actively in the process of trying to get people to sign up or to consider signing up. They have certainly not even told the people what it is they are signing up for and what they are going to get. And so it is a real challenge now. “The catastrophic care committee, which is tasked with determining what and how to spend the $24m set aside for catastrophic illnesses, has not even finalised how it is
going to spend that money and what it is going to spend the money on. And the last time they met was Wednesday.” Asked to explain this delay, the insider continued: “Because it’s a horribly ambitious programme. You speak in general terms about catastrophic care, but they only have $24m to spend on it. So what is it that you are going to do with that money? “When you could exhaust that money with 100 patients or 50 patients. So do you define that benefit for John Brown that says if he has a stroke or a heart attack, does he get $50,000 or $75,000 or $100,000 from the government or do they say first come first served and say they are going to spend $500,000 on John and dog eat your lunch if you come after him? “These are issues that have to be resolved because once you start this programme then everyone is going to say their relatives have a catastrophic illness
and needs the money.” Last year, NHI Project Manager Dr Delon Brennen rejected criticism that the government’s $24m catastrophic fund is insufficient to cover those who fall under the specialised care category, as he stressed that the fund will be used in addition to the provisions already in use in the country’s public health system. However, he admitted that the government was still in the process of designing the best way to execute the catastrophic fund. Asked if it were possible that the catastrophic fund could be expanded once officials decide how it will be put in place, Dr Brennen said this is a policy decision that the government will have to make. Earlier this month Tribune Business reported that NHI’s $100m primary care phase has been pushed back to May 2017. However, Dr Brennen has said the launch would now take place during the first quarter of 2017.
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, February 10, 2017, PAGE 7
Two more years for Longley as Chief Justice By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net CHIEF Justice Sir Hartman Longley will continue as the country’s top judge for another two years, an announcement from the Cabinet Office confirmed yesterday. At last month’s opening ceremony for the new legal year, Sir Hartman announced that he and Justice Rhonda Bain were set to reach the mandatory retirement age in February and April respectively, adding that the latter had made an application for an extension to continue as a judge of the Supreme Court. Justice Roger Gomez retired from the bench on January 25 after receiving a two-month extension last November. A statement issued by Cabinet Office yesterday noted that in accordance with Article 96 (1) of the Constitution, Governor-
General Dame Marguerite Pindling, acting on the recommendation of Prime Minister Perry Christie, after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition Loretta Butler-Turner, has extended Sir Hartman’s appointment. There was no mention of Justice Bain’s application. On Monday, Justice Bain dismissed Mr Christie’s “no merit” recusal application which argued that she, while awaiting an approval of her application to extend her tenure as a Supreme Court judge, cannot be perceived to be impartial in hearing an ongoing judicial review into allegations that Lyford Cay resident Peter Nygard illegally increased the size of his property. Attorneys for the prime minister filed a motion in the Supreme Court on January 26 asking that Justice Bain recuse herself from the judicial review - or any other cases in which he is a party - on the basis that she
is set to attain the legal age for retirement in April. The motion was filed by Mr Christie’s lawyers in his capacity as minister responsible for Crown land and was argued on January 30. In her 40-page ruling on the recusal, Justice Bain reminded Mr Christie of the independence of the judiciary from the executive, stressing that cases are distributed by the Chief Justice - a role that cannot be “usurped by the prime minister.” The judge also said the prime minister should have immediately filed a motion seeking her recusal if he had concerns, instead of choosing to “sit back and do nothing for upwards of seven months” while other Nygard matters were continuing in court. No indication was given on Monday that the ruling would be contested and an appeal had not been filed to the Court of Appeal up to press time.
ATTEMPTED MURDER CASE DROPPED AS ALLEGED VICTIM CHANGES TESTIMONY By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net A MAN accused of attempted murder had the case against him discontinued yesterday after a complainant recanted particular details of his shooting. Prosecutor Viola Barnett entered a nolle prosequi before Justice Milton Evans indicating the Crown’s intention not to continue the prosecution of 20-year-old Terrance Rolle. He was charged with the March 7, 2014 attempted murder of Gino Whyms who was shot five times while outside his home on the date in question. The trial began on Wednesday when Mr Whyms took the stand and said that he did not know
who shot him and never gave police a statement implicating Rolle. After this, legal discussions were held in the absence of the nine-member jury and upon their return, the prosecutor asked him if he gave a statement to police about the shooting. “I guess so,” was the complainant’s response. “And the information that you are giving to us today, is this the same things that you said to police officers when you spoken with them?” the prosecutor asked. “I may have lied to them before. Honestly, the information I’m giving today is the truth, the honest truth. I told that to you earlier today that is not the gentleman that shoot me. I don’t know why we are still going on with this.”
Ms Barnett subsequently applied for the complainant to be treated as an hostile witness pursuant to Section 151 of the Evidence Act. The request was granted. However, when the matter was called yesterday, the prosecutor presented a nolle prosequi (no prosecution order) signed by Attorney General Allyson Maynard Gibson to the court. A copy of the order had been given to Rolle’s lawyer Terrel Butler. Justice Evans accepted the directive and told the accused man that regarding the current trial, the Crown would discontinue the case against him. However, the judge informed him that the Crown had the right to reintroduce the charge at a future date if they wished.
CHEF Emmannuel Smith will join the winning couple in the kitchen for an interactive dining experience featuring three amazing courses. “I think it should be fun to have this couple in the kitchen with me,” he said. Winners of the first ever Find Love Scavenger Hunt will have an opportunity to experience the Happiest Hotel from a totally different perspective. The lucky couple will be chosen via the hotel’s IG page by tracking the hashtag #HappyPelican. Photos courtesy of Mark DaChuna for Barefoot Marketing
SCAVENGER HUNT AT PELICAN BAY PELICAN Bay was one of a few Grand Bahama hotels which kept its doors open throughout and after the passage of Hurricane Matthew last October. In working to become the leading hotelier on the island for business guest and events, the boutique hotel also strives to give its visiting tourists a superior and happy experience. For Valentine’s Day, the hotel is offering its guests a first Scavenger Hunt in which the winners will help prepare their three-course dinner for two with Chef Emmanuel, Sabor and Conventions Head Chef. Through a renewed focus on social media, guests can interact with the property on a greater level as they celebrate Valentine’s Day. Pelican Bay recently
launched its new Instagram page and as part of this year’s celebration of love, one couple will have the chance to win a free night’s stay at the hotel as well as personally made interactive dinner for two with Chef Emmanuel. “I think it should be fun to have this couple in the kitchen with me,” said Chef Emmanuel. “I’m going to make them participate too - there’s nothing like eating food that’s been prepared by your loved one.” Contestants will have until February 10 to enter. To become eligible, guests must first follow the hotel chain @PelicanBayBahamas on Instagram, then take and post pictures on Instagram using the hashtag #HappyPelican. The photos need to feature three
things: picture with a front desk agents; a photo with a any entrée at Sabor and then a final cocktail shot at Bones Bar. Photos must tag the resort and then a winner will be chosen. “Pelican Bay Hotel is always about giving happiness but this Valentine’s Day we want to share the love with this fun Scavenger Hunt,” said Della Bridgewater, operations manager. “We are a small property with a lot to offer from our waterside rooms and happy meetings, to amazing drinks at Bones and tasty food at our Sabor Restaurant. But many only know the hotel side, we hope this hunt for love will make them see the work we’ve been doing to improve our hotel too.”
CHIEF Justice Hartman Longley.
Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
Funeral Service
MR. JEFFERSON WILLIAM “Bill” PINDER of Winton Estates, Nassau, The Bahamas, died peacefully at his home on Sunday Evening 29th January, 2017 at 9:30 p.m. After a long illness in the presence of his family. A Funeral Service will be held at St. Anne’s Anglican Church, Fox Hill Road, Nassau, on Saturday, 11th February, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. Reverend Father Hugh Bartlett will officiate and interment will be in St. Anne’s Cemetery, Fox Hill Road, Nassau. He was pre-deceased by his wife, Ethlyn Virginia “Jean” Pinder; his father, William Bertice Pinder and his Mother, Emma Remelda Pinder-Magraw. He is survived by his two sons, William Craig Pinder and Richard Perry Pinder; his grand-daughter, Alice; brother, David John Pinder; in-laws, Ruby Collins, Doris Anderson, Yvonne Knowles, Alexander C. Knowles Jr. Patrick A. Knowles, Geoffrey W. Knowles, Charlton V. Knowles, Deborah S. Knowles, Julianna Green, Richard Anderson Sr., Shirley Knowles, Amarylis Knowles, Patou Regent, Rosa Knowles and Linda Knowles; nephews, Stephen Collins, Colin Pinder, Richard (Rick) Anderson, Brian Anderson, Michael Knowles, Andrew (Andy) Knowles, James Knowles Jr., Roman Knowles, Olivier Knowles, Ryan Knowles, Christian Knowles, David Knowles and Mathew Green; nieces, Joanne Aranha, Cindy Woodward, Gina White, Lisa Butorak, Karen Leonard, Michelle Knowles, Trishka Wiethuchter, Vanessa Knowles, Bianca Carter, Daniela Knowles, Amanda Knowles, Kimberly Knowles, Brittany Green and Marissa Knowles. A host of other relatives and friends including, Ruth Moushabeck, Jean-Jacques Goulet, Marsha Stewart, Bruce Stewart, Karen Aliata, Robert and Linda Brown, Claire Brown, Julia and Steve Motti, Johnny Brown and Mary Knowles, Joanne and Thierry Lamar, Lori and Braden Dawson, Joan Albury and Wellington King. Beloved caregiver, Emily Ibasan Ramirez and beloved housekeeper, Delores Rolle. Bill had an extraordinarily colourful and diverse life. He was born on October 4th, 1931 to parents, William Bertice Pinder, a hospital Lab Technician and Later Bleach Manufacturer and Emma Remelda Pinder (Nee Darville) A Sunday School Teacher and Dress Shop Owner. Bill attended Queens College High School in Nassau where he was Head Boy and Excelled in many team sports such as Rugby, Softball and Swimming. A born athlete, he and his team won many rugby championships in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s. Bill married his High School sweetheart Jean, ( Nee Knowles) on December 26th, 1951 together they had two sons: William Craig Pinder and Richard Perry Pinder. Bill together with his father Bertice founded Blanco Chemicals Limited In 1950, a company that is still thriving today and run by son Perry. Bill’s diverse life included many extracurricular activities notably stage perormances with the nassau operetic society where he played many lead singing roles in reprised broadway musicals such as Carousel, Oklahoma and his most famous signature role as Tevye in Fiddler On The Roof. Bill was a skilled spearfisherman and spent many of summer weekends boating and diving with his closest friend the late Sidney Brown and Sidney’s sons Robert and Johnny. He will be dearly missed by all. With special thanks to the entire staff at Blanco Chemicals who Bill commanded so much love and respect throughout his life. Also a special thanks to his personal caregiver, Emily Ibasan Ramirez and his housekeeper, Delores Rolle who gave him such loving care during his long illness. A very special thanks to Dr. Ian Kelly, Dr. Duvaughn Curling, Dr. Theodore Turnquest, Renee Roth and her nursing team with a special mention of thanks to Melinda. Finally a very special thanks to the doctors, interns and nurses at Doctors Hospital who did an amazing job during his numerous hospital visits. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Dundas Centre For The Performing Arts, P.O. Box N-8808 or to St. Anne’s Anglican Church, P.O. Box N-1569, in Memory of Mr. Jefferson William “Bill” Pinder.
PAGE 8, Friday, February 10, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
The inevitable breakup of Branetta and spoilsport academics
A Comic’s View
By INIGO ‘NAUGHTY’ ZENICAZELAYA
A
NOTHER week, another round of crazy thanks to politicians and (surprisingly) professors alike. To be blunt, quite a few people with high profile platforms were “talking fool” over the past few days. If you missed most of this in the news, count yourself lucky - you probably saved some grey matter the rest of us lost trying to figure out what’s really going on. But just in case you’re still curious (and have some brain cells to spare), allow me to share two of the most cringeworthy quotes from the week that was. “Branville McCartney threw me under the bus; despite our conversations” - Loretta Butler-Turner, Opposition Leader Okay, we all knew that ‘Branetta’ wouldn’t make it six months. What we didn’t know was that even after we pointed out publicly the perilous position Mrs Butler-Turner had put her political career in (by teaming with Democratic National Alliance leader McCartney) she would allow herself to be painted as the victim again. Yet, here we are. And here LBT is, paintbrush in hand, body under the jitney. Even if I believe ButlerTurner’s latest ‘I was betrayed’ claim, the fact of the matter is she threw Free National Leader Dr Minnis under the bus for being a so-called ‘weak leader’ only
to allow an even weaker leader to toss her under the Big Green Machine. It begs the question: What strong leader would give away the keys to the bus in the first place? Suffice it to say Facebook is having a field day with this latest Branetta debacle. LBT’s career is officially on vacation, and Branville McCartney will most likely resign from Parliament for the second time, in as many terms, under two separate leaders. Are DNAs ready to acknowledge that perhaps their power-hungry leader may be a part of the problem? Probably not. In the word of Donald J Trump, ‘Sad!’ “Register. And spoil the ballot with me” - Professor Ian Strachan, University of The Bahamas Professors Dr Ian Strachan and Dr Nicolette Bethel, of the newly minted University of The Bahamas fame, reportedly advised apathetic Bahamians to summon the necessary strength (and wardrobe) needed to register to vote only to show up on Election Day, tote long voting lines and ... (wait for it) ... spoil their ballots. Yes, this actually happened. As I type this, both professors are being excoriated on social media for what some are calling the dumbest, most undemocratic idea ever to come out of COB ... er ... UB. In a short Facebook post,
HAPPIER days - when Loretta Butler-Turner sat alongside DNA leader Branville McCartney as she appointed him leader of Opposition business in the Senate. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff Dr Strachan defended his stance by labelling it a ‘protest’ vote. Has he been asleep at the wheel while the world has gone crazy the last few weeks? Bahamians have taken to the streets in marches to protest Christie’s policies. Americans have taken to the streets to protest Trump’s policies. Almost everyone in the world is marching for or against something. What they’re not doing is spoiling ballots.
Funeral Service For Maxine Louise King, 77
of Herbert’s Way, Joan’s Heights, formerly of Savanna Sound, Eleuthera, will be held on Saturday, February 11th, 2017, at 11:00 a.m. at Cousin McPhee Cathedral A.M.E., Carmichael Road. Officiating will be Rev. Ranford Patterson assisted by Rev. Ellison Greenslade and Rev. Howard F. Williamson. Interment will follow in Lakeview Memorial Gardens and Mausoleums, John F. Kennedy Drive.
It’s been 1,739 days since ‘Kool PC’ took over the government and started us on this rickety path to poverty. Do you honestly think after waiting four years, nine months and two days (so far) to get a do-over Bahamians are ‘fool enough’ to spoil their ballots? On purpose? March, boycott, agitate or corner your MP with your grocery cart in the supermarket - these are all better ideas than spoiling a ballot in protest. Truth be told, if the professors were really serious about affecting change, the University of the Bahamas would mirror some of the best universities in the US that release
polling data to help voters get a better picture of where things stand. Maybe, just maybe, if Bahamians had real hard data showing how the FNM/DNA split will affect the next general election better choices can be made. Simply playing the spoilsport or going to the beach is easy. Working towards change is hard. I haven’t decided who I will vote for yet but I’m sure it won’t be Harambe (may he rest in peace). The professors can do as they please, but for the sake of the ‘chirren’ please spoil your ballot by yourself. I refuse to have a defeatist attitude before I’m actually
defeated. And I refuse to wait another 248 weeks (and counting). In other words, there’s no way I’m spoiling a chance that comes around only once every half decade. • Inigo ‘Naughty’ Zenicazelaya is the resident standup comic at Jokers Wild Comedy Club at the Atlantis, Paradise Island, resort and presents ‘Mischief and Mayhem in da AM’ from 6am to 10am, Monday to Friday, and ‘The Press Box’ sports talk show on Sunday from 10am to 1pm on KISS FM 96.1. He also writes a sports column in The Tribune on Tuesday. Comments and questions to naughty@ tribunemedia.net
SMALL MAJORITY OF READERS SUPPORT SINGLE-SEX SCHOOLS IN The Tribune’s latest online poll, we are asking readers if they agree with FNM South Beach candidate Jeff Lloyd that boys and girls should be educated separately. At the time of going to press, 54 per cent of those voting were in favour of separating boys and girls. Forty-six per cent were against the idea. The poll is still open on The Tribune homepage, so
Special Thanks to: her caregivers: Victnell Sears, Latonya Rolle and Alexis Saunders
that fund to help better the people and The Bahamas. Okay.” John said: “Damn, if they could do it with $5m now, damn sure they could have done it with $5m before. Then they say it’s an attraction that is supposed to be a tourist draw but just two months out and no international advertising. What really is the state of the tourism plant and product today?” After Deputy Prime Minister Philip “Brave” Davis criticised the FNM’s intention to privatise Bahamas Power & Light, Sheeprunner12 asked: “Can Brave say with a straight face that BPL is an upgrade on BEC? BPL is a false, foreign hope because it retains the same old unionised, lazy staff and out-dated plant with no foreseeable plan to raise a BILLION dollars to pay off its debts and build new plants.” Tarzan had this to say: “A perfect PLP rant. ‘National Assets’??? BEC/ BPL loses millions every month and supplies unreliable power, at astronomically inflated cost to its customers. What kind of national asset is that? It is an ‘asset’ only to the corrupt cronies who profit off the pad. Sell it? Who would buy it? They need to find someone to take it off government’s hands at whatever cost.”
Friends may pay their last respects at Butlers’ Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Ernest and York Streets, on Friday, February 10, 2017 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and at the church on Saturday, February 11, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. until service time.
• Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.
Pre-deceased by her husband: Simeon King; parents: George and Luella Clarke; son: Ricardo King; brothers: George and Alfred Clarke; sisters: Edith McKenzie and Evelyn Knowles; grandson: Ryan King. Left to Cherish fond memories are her two sons: Ronald and Randy King; four daughters: Janet, Charmaine and Rosenell King and Ann Fife; one adopted sister: Charity Brennen; one adopted son: Frank Saunders; twenty four grandchildren: RBDF Able Seaman, Marco King, Jamaro King, Donavon Rolle, Davano Rolle, Davaro Saunders, Antonio Rolle, Devan King, Eldiseo King, Rashad King, Jason King, Devon King, Chevron King, Victenell King-Sears, Cynteche King, Lavonnia Rolle, Lavern King, Latonya Rolle, Shanay McPhee, Lakera King, Shantera Fife, Shonell King, Lathera Fife, Alexis Saunders, Shameka Fife; twenty great-grandchildren: Seth, Jermaine, Joshua, Mheki, Dejanni, Serenity, Zion, Jaycee, Rakeen and Rashad King Jr., Divine and Davaro Saunders Jr., Kenniyah and Kenneth Sears III, Kayden Deveaux, Leyah Seymour, Layla-London Henderson, Alana, Romer, Amari McQueen, Thorn Curry Jr., Antonio Rolle Jr.; two sons-in-law: Lloyd Fife, Wayde Rolle; one daughter-in-law: Ethel King; one grandson-in-law: Kenneth Sears II; two granddaughters-in-law: Leshan Saunders, Vanessa Richards-Rolle; sisters-in-law: Winifred Clarke of Savanna Sound Eleuthera, Muriel Clarke of Freeport, Grand Bahama, Cynthia Stubbs, Albertha Hall, Pearl Adderley, Ethlee Gibson, Nora Newbold, Williame Minnis, Marge and Joyce King; brothers-in-law: Kenneth Knowles, Edmond Stubbs, Joshua Newbold, Charles Stubbs, William Adderley, David Gibson; nieces and nephews: Sandra, Jennifer, Deloris, Suzette, Bridgette, Kim, Williamae, Dwight, Rev. George, Clarke, Clint, Patrice, Kaywanna, Kendall, Keith, Kevin, Michael and Winnie McKenzie of Fort Lauderdale, Ken, Paulette, Caulette, Cleo, Valarie, Mikilla, Sherell, Shanique, Aldeka, Tamike, Tamara, Lakeisha, Glenalee, Aldena, Tricke, Angela, Charlene, Michelle, Shera, Harriot, Sonya, Jackie, Pammy, Vonnie, Joanne, Belinda, Marilyn, Anthony, Neville, Martin, David, Lawrence, Clement, Omar, Janad , Jerome, Lil Wellie, Gladstone; other relatives and friends including: Rev. Ellison Greenslade and family, Bible Truth Ministries, Rev. Howard F. Williamson and family, Robinson Morris Chapel, Rev., Ranford A. Patterson and family; Cousin McPhee Cathedral, Mr. and Mrs. Gay and family, Linda Sands and family, Mary Ferguson and family, Eulla Sawyer and Family, Basil Coney and family, Benjamin Fife and family, Ida Rahming and family, Rowna Heild and family, Nicole Albury and family, Antionette Bain and family Terri Ferguson and family, The Ranking, Knowles, McKenzie, Hinsey and Richards families, Terrance Perigord and family, Yuri Seymour and family, William Henderson and family, Sean Deveaux and family, Travis Romer and family, Sheila Sands and family, Thorn Curry and family, Jerry Gould, and family, Sharlyn and family, Coralee Sturrup and family, Lamar Evans and family, Carla Johnson and family, Lamont and Debbie Saunders and family, Solomon Knowles and family, The Maple Street family, Hillcrest Academy, The Joan’s Height family, Carmetta Hart and Family, Althea and family, Beryl Albury and family, Antonia and Andre Ferguson and family, FYP, Finger Licking’s Take-Away, Island Wholesale, The entire Settlement of Savanna Sound Eleuthera and many others too numerous to mention.
don’t miss your chance to cast a vote. Readers have also been posting their views on the stories making the news this week: The government has reduced the budget for Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival to $5m this year prompting Viewersmatters to say: “The government has the heart and guts to spend $5m of the people’s money on garbage instead of using
THE TRIBUNE
Friday, February 10, 2017, PAGE 9
New Bahamasair head office could cost govt up to $7m By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net EARLY talks are underway on plans to construct a new head office for Bahamasair, with Minister of Works Philip “Brave” Davis saying this could cost the government $5m to $7m. He also added that while the Christie administration had given thought early in its term to privatising the national airline, efforts by the company’s executives are proving to be fruitful enough to sustain the airline moving forward. His comments came during a ceremony where Bahamasair unveiled its new executive management slate, with airline and government officials tasking the team with broadening and improving the national airline’s revenue base. In his address to the newly minted executive team, Mr Davis said while the government has continued the effort to propel Bahamasair back to profitability, the revenue marks are still not where they should be. “At the start of this administration’s term Bahamasair’s accumulated debt exceeded $514.5m and the annual deficit averaged some $24m,” Mr Davis said.
DEPUTY Prime Minister Philip Davis, pictured yesterday. “Its negative financial position was exacerbated by an aged fleet of aircraft. This level of losses was unsustainable and comprehensive strategies were and are being implemented to make Bahamasair profitable and relieve the Bahamian taxpayers of this financial burden. “Today Bahamasair is making good steps toward profitability.” He added: “Our strategic
Photo: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff
plan for Bahamasair is now addressing a restructuring of the domestic routes and the potential of outsourcing low density routes to reduce the airlines losses. As well, Bahamasair is exploring expansion of the international routes to open up new markets to service our tourist economy. “Expansion of routes into the West Coast of the United States and Canada is being explored along with
more direct flights between the Family Islands and Florida. “Development of a strong partnership with Baha Mar is being explored to provide airlift support for the resort. Expansion of the international routes has begun with the reintroduction of service into Haiti.” Mr Davis, the minister with responsibility for Bahamasair, said these along
with other positive steps have ended debate over whether or not the airline should be privatised moving forward. Additionally, Mr Davis indicated that a new corporate office could be on the way for the airline in the coming months, instructing Ministry of Works officials who were present to begin the process of designing and constructing a new building. Mr Davis told The Tribune that while discussions remain in their infancy stages, he is prepared to allocate roughly $5m to $7m at this time for the needed construction. The current office building has been in use for more than 50 years, according to airline officials. Meanwhile, the new management team is made up of 32-year industry veteran Tracy Cooper, the airline’s new managing director, replacing the late Henry “Trottie” Woods who died last September while occupying the post; John Fowler, who has spent 17 years with the company and Prince Fowler, noted maintenance executive in the flight service industry. Mr Fowler was named senior executive director, while Mr Storr was pro-
moted to the post of maintenance manager. Valentine Grimes, Bahamasair’s chairman, yesterday called the moves a culmination of an effort that started last September. Noting that the moment was an important day in the life of the airline, Mr Grimes acknowledged the service of all three men who were officially promoted on Thursday. Mr Grimes said Mr Storr was the only employee at the airline involved with every aspect of the acquisition of the airline’s costly new fleet. Of Mr Fowler, Mr Grimes said his service has positioned him as the perfect person for his new post. Lastly, of Mr Cooper, Mr Grimes said his resolve during a difficult time in the airline’s history proved that he was more than ready to step into the lead role at the airline. In 2015 the Christie administration and Avions de Transport Régional (ATR) signed a $100 million contract for the purchase of five ATR 600 planes to replace Bahamasair’s aging Dash 8-300 fleet. The contract finalised the sale of three 50-seat ATR 42-600s and two 70-seat ATR 72-600 planes.
MILLER TAKES OVER FROM MCINTOSH AS BCP LEADER THE Bahamas Constitution Party has announced that it has a new leader, Colin Miller, who has replaced S Ali McIntosh. According to a press release from the fringe party, Ms McIntosh held the post for 19 years. Mr Miller previously served in the post of deputy leader for the past six years, the party said. In a press release, BCP Chairman Dwayne Huyler said Ms McIntosh will retain the post of servant leader emeritus. The party also announced that Kathleen Knowles, a long-time Abaco resident, will be the party’s standardbearer for the North Abaco constituency. The party ran five can-
didates in the 2012 general election and collectively received less than 100 votes. Ms McIntosh and Mr Miller ran unsuccessfully in 2012 for the Englerston and Exuma/Ragged Island constituencies respectively. However this year the party said it will run a full slate of candidates and will host a convention in March. The BCP has announced the following objectives if elected to office: “To establish a government that will be guided by the laws of God, in keeping with the wording of the Preamble of the Constitution of the Bahamas, which render us a Christian nation government by spiritual values, under the Suprem-
acy of God.” The party also wants to “establish a new economy, one in which the wealth of this Commonwealth will be made common; redirected, diversify and broadened to include and empower the masses. “To partnership with and empower the church to play a major role in the socioeconomic development of our nation. To introduce a new community and social order, that will reproduce programmes, that are predicated on prevention rather than cure. “To introduce a Republic system of government, that will allow the Bahamas to move away from the inefficiencies of the Westminster system of governance.”
‘The Bahamas’ own street philosopher’
PM GREETS 100-YEAR-OLD ON HER BIRTHDAY
PRIME Minister Perry Christie congratulates Doris Treco-Dean at her 100th birthday celebration at her Pinewood Gardens residence on Wednesday. Photo: Eric Rose/BIS
WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP COURSE HELD AT UNIVERSITY OF THE BAHAMAS WOMEN from a crosssection of Bahamian society came together for two days to participate in the Women in Leadership and Decision Making Course at the University of The Bahamas. This is the first official course hosted at the university since morphing from a college. About 20 women participated in the course this past weekend, ranging from professionals from the banking, medical, trade union and other fields, to UB students and homemakers. “This course, designed to promote women, will look at how do we actually transform ourselves first,
and then others that we have been called to lead,” Gaynel Curry told those gathered for the opening ceremony on Friday, February 4. Ms Curry, director of the Department of Gender and Family Affairs of the Ministry of Social Services and Community Development, was elated to announce that the ministry had successfully partnered with the Caribbean Institute of Women in Leadership (CIWIL) to present this course. Anande TrotmanJospeh, who represented CIWIL, called for women to “find common ground even though we may be in different sea-
sons in our lives.” “We are women; we are sisters; we are Caribbean, and in this part of the world, we are holding up more than half of the sky,” she said. In leadership, she added, it is important “not to acknowledge the ego in leadership, but become transformational leaders knowing your purpose, what you faced, and what you were able to overcome.” Keshelle Kerr hosted the opening ceremonies, held at the Harry C Moore Library at UB. Ms Kerr, a write who plans to release another book this year, reminded women in leadership that saving and investing in ven-
tures together is also empowering. Paulette Adderley-Zonicle, the first female consul general to be appointed to Washington, DC, by the Bahamas government, delivered the keynote address, calling on Bahamian women to consider themselves as leaders no matter what position they are in. Having grown up in the Grove, Ms Zonicle said that she watched her mother and other mothers in the area serve as leaders in their households and communities, being the very life blood of them. She encouraged those attending to consider themselves a leader in whatever capacity they
are in, whether they are a boss or not. She recalled when first given the assignment of consul general, Prime Minister Christie encouraged her with words she would never forget: “You are representing a country and a people.” Therefore, she said, every Bahamian woman, in whatever goal they strive after in life, must remember that they are not only representing themselves or those in their circle, but an entire nation. “True leadership is a product of inspiration; genuine leadership is an internal disposition which emulates self-worth,” she said. Minister of Transport
Glenys Hanna-Martin spoke on behalf of Minister of Social Development Melanie Griffin, who was travelling. She was impressed at the cross section of Bahamian women who signed up for the course, some having been financed by a scholarship. She noted that The Bahamas has some gains in the development process, particularly with equal access for women and girls in education, health and employment. In education, for example, girls continue to out perform boys at the secondary levels and at the tertiary level, UB indicated that 77 per cent of its 2015/ 2016 graduates were females.
PAGE 10, Friday, February 10, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
PHOTOGRAPHER TURNS HIS LENS ON PEOPLE OF CAT ISLAND THE ITALIAN author of ‘Catch da Cat’, a glossy, limited edition, photographic book about Cat Island, will be among a group of contributors, featured residents and visitors at a celebration of the book at Fernandez Bay Village on Saturday night. Alessandro Sarno said Garth King, from Smith’s Bay, who contributed to the book, will be reading many of the 31 poems from it while Andrew Jones and his band will perform live the songs included in the book, such as “Precious Light” and “Billy Goat”. Mr Sarno said Pam Armbrister, owner of Fernandez Bay, and Leslie Kennedy, from Pigeon Cay, have been enthusiastic supporters of his book as they consider it a great promotion for the SOME Cat Island residents featured in ‘Catch da Cat’ will be at Fernandez Bay on Saturday. Photo: Alessandro Sarno island. Cat Island Admin-
NOTICE FERRIBY INVEST LTD. NOTICE is hereby given as follows: (a) Ferriby Invest Ltd. is in Voluntary Dissolution under the provisions of Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000. (b) The Dissolution of the said Company commenced when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. (c) The Liquidator of the said Company is Beatus Limited, P.O. Box N7776-348, N.P., Bahamas. Dated this 7th day of February, 2017. Beatus Limited Liquidator NOTICE FAIRGROUP INVEST LTD. NOTICE is hereby given as follows: (a) Fairgroup Invest Ltd. is in Voluntary Dissolution under the provisions of Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000. (b) The Dissolution of the said Company commenced when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. (c) The Liquidator of the said Company is Beatus Limited, P.O. Box N7776-348, N.P., Bahamas. Dated this 7th day of February, 2017 Beatus Limited Liquidator NOTICE DUKEWOOD LTD. NOTICE is hereby given as follows: (a) Dukewood Ltd. is in Voluntary Dissolution under the provisions of Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000. (b) The Dissolution of the said Company commenced when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. (c) The Liquidator of the said Company is Beatus Limited, P.O. Box N7776-348, N.P., Bahamas. Dated this 7th day of February, 2017. Beatus Limited Liquidator NOTICE ARCANGELA LTD. NOTICE is hereby given as follows: (a) Arcangela Ltd. is in Voluntary Dissolution under the provisions of Section 138(4) of the International Business Companies Act 2000. (b) The Dissolution of the said Company commenced when the Articles of Dissolution were submitted to and registered by the Registrar General of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas. (c) The Liquidator of the said Company is Beatus Limited, P.O. Box N7776-348, N.P., Bahamas. Dated this 7th day of February, 2017. Beatus Limited Liquidator
istrator, Jackson Mcintosh, and Old Bight High School principal Jerome Forbes, along with some of the people photographed in the 140page book, will be present for the event, which takes place from 5.30 to 7.30pm. The foreword to the book has been written by Pamela Poitier, Cat Island resident and daughter of Sir Sydney Poitier. “Oh Cat Island, Cat Island! My mystical island paradise,” she wrote. “The land of my forefathers and foremothers who collectively brought me back home to the beauty, tranquility, and the peace that Alessandro has captured in his photographs. His images remind me what it feels like to be human; to be in nature; to be in the arms of God and know my true purpose on earth: to help others. “Alessandro’s seascapes titillate my eye. The land-
scapes uplift my spirits. He illuminates the kindness, generosity, and love of a people who believe that God loves us all and protects us on this jewel island in a crown known as The Bahamas. “When asked ‘How you doing?’ Cat Islanders always answer: ‘Thank God for Life!’ I add, thank God for Alessandro who sees Cat Island for the gift it is!” Mr Sarno, an Italian with a passion for travel and, now, for photography, first came to The Bahamas in 2008 and has been coming back every year since. Inspired by the life and natural beauty he has found in the islands of the archipelago, he is hoping his images will encourage visitors and Bahamians to travel beyond Nassau to the Family Islands. For details of ‘Catch da Cat’ visit www.thelonesomephotographer.com/books
Bahamas National Trust & Generali Bahamas National Trust. - Generali Worldwide is partnering with the Bahamas National Trust this year for “Da Market”, the first of which will be held at the Retreat on Village Road on Saturday, from 8am to 1pm. You can purchase locally grown produce, including salad greens, fresh pork and mutton, fresh chicken and eggs, fresh baked bread, pastries, freshly squeezed juices and more. The first 50 Generali Worldwide members who show up and register at the desk with their ID card will receive a bag filled with goodies, including a little something to promote healthy eating habits!
Kiwanis Club of Nassau A.M. Kiwanis Club of Nassau A.M. - The Kiwanis Club of Nassau A.M Youth Services Committe implemented a weekly breakfast programme at the Palmdale Primary School. This programme runs
TO ADVERTISE IN THE TRIBUNE, CONTACT 502-2394
THE KIWANIS Club of Nassau A.M. has started a weekly breakfast programme at Palmdale Primary School. every Wednesday morning between the hours of 8-8:30am and those persons willing to make a contribution can e-mail Kiwanisnassauam@gmail.com.
JOIN THE CLUB OUR Clubs and Societies page is a chance for you to share your group’s activities with our readers. To feature on our Clubs and Societies page, submit your report to clubs@ tribunemedia.net, with “Clubs Page” written in the subject line. For more information about the page, contact Stephen Hunt on 5022373 or 447-3565.
PAGE 12, Friday, February 10, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
Ministers at international education conference
BAHAMAS Minister of Education, Science and Technology, and host minister and chair of the 9th IAMME, Jerome Fitzgerald. Photo: Peter Ramsay/BIS
PRIME Minister Perry Christie opened the 9th Inter-American Meeting of Ministers of Education on Thursday, stressing the need for greater emphasis to be placed on education going forward. “Unequivocally, greater emphasis must be placed on education; not simply at the policy level, but to ensure that the policies exceed expectation on paper but do not translate into substantive meaningful action that can transform the lives of our children,” Mr Christie told those attending at the Atlantis resort. “I am certain that the challenges my country faces
as it relates to education are similar to many of the countries represented here this morning. Each level of education – be it pre-school, primary, high school or tertiary - has its unique set of challenges. “However, if we are able to build alliances and advance towards the Sustainable Development Goals, much can be accomplished to elevate the value that our citizens place on education,” Mr Christie said. Minister of Education Jerome Fitzgerald also called on education ministers attending the opening ceremony to ensure that their nations’ schools are as good as they can be, and that teachers have the support, education and resources required to not just educate, but to change and in some cases save lives. Mr Fitzgerald said the way forward requires a commitment to “partnership” and “alliance-building.” He expressed optimism that the presentations and dialogue today and tomorrow would strengthen relationships and form the basis for cooperation in the future. Education officials from the Organization of American States (OAS) have gathered to discuss the state of education in the 35 states, and observer states, during the two-day ministerial forum. Mr Fitzgerald said the
conference provides an “extraordinary” opportunity to chart the course for education in OAS countries. “When we come together and we share lessons learned, and ideas and strategies for the way forward, we all grow stronger,” he said. “There is a lot of expertise and a lot of passion in this room, and I know we are all ready to harness that energy and channel it into new policies and collaborations that will make a real difference to the students and educators whom we serve. “Many of us spend a great deal of our time thinking about the children who are most vulnerable in our countries - who seem to begin their lives with the deck stacked against them. We know that for many of these children, school can be not just life-changing, but lifesaving,” he said. Mr Fitzgerald reminded the education leaders that goal four of the Sustainable Development Goals - which is specific to education mandates them to “ensure inclusive and quality education for all and to promote lifelong learning.” In his capacity as host minister and chair of the 9th IAMME, Mr Fitzgerald welcomed the delegates and assured them that the Bahamas would do its best to make the meeting a success.
MORE THAN HALF OF VOTERS ARE REGISTERED IN GRAND BAHAMA RENO Smith, assistant parliamentary commissioner in the Parliamentary Registration Department, has said that more than half of the eligible voters in Grand Bahama have registered for the upcoming general election and he is expecting that number to increase over the next few weeks. According to a release from Bahamas Information Services (BIS), Mr Smith said he was pleased with the process of voter registration in Grand Bahama. “As of (February 1), our numbers of those who have registered for this upcoming general elections were 16,801,” Mr Smith said. According to BIS, these figures have since increased. “So, we have passed the 50 per cent mark and there is a possibility of some 30,000 persons being registered here in Grand Bahama. We are hoping that in the month of February we would have even more people come in to be registered. “We in the Parliamentary Registration Department are doing everything humanly possible to get people to register to vote.” A part of that effort includes the establishment of a number of substations around the island, making it easier for residents to walk into a substation that is closest to them and register, BIS said. These substations supplement the work being done by the main Parliamentary office, which is located in the Regent Centre, downtown. Substations are located in West End, Eight Mile Rock, East Grand Bahama, at Christ The King Church, and at the various government schools in the Freeport area. The substations are open from 9am until 8pm and the main registration centre, from 9.30am
until 8pm. Special mobile registration takes place on Saturdays, catering to those who have physical disability, making it difficult for them to get to one of the substations. “We want to encourage Grand Bahamians not to wait until the last minute to register,” added Mr Smith. “No one knows when the date of election will be. Only one person knows when the election will be called, so if you wait for the last minute, you could find yourself standing on the outside unable to cast a ballot in the 2017 general elections.” Mr Smith noted that for those who may be concerned that the process of registration would take up a lot of their time, he pointed out that the average wait time in getting registered is 15-20 minutes. However, he warns that once the registration process picks up, all of those people who have waited for the last minute may find their wait time to be much longer. There have been some concerns expressed by those going in to register about the form they must fill out as a part of the registration process, BIS said. Mr Smith clarified that the form is not an application form because one does not have to apply to register to vote. “Because of how this office is set up, there is not that much privacy, and so instead of asking people openly for their address, cell phone, home phone number and other private information, we ask them to fill out the short form that supplies officers with this information without having to ask out loud,” explained Mr Smith. “In fact, filling out the form even speeds up the process.”