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GOVT SLAMMED OVER EXPANDED NHI PLAN
Pharmacy assoc chief calls out lack of key details and consultation
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter
lrolle@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas Pharmaceutical Association (BPA) slammed the government’s announcement of a plan to expand free medication coverage under the National Health Insurance (NHI) programme, calling it “insane” for lacking key details on cost, logistics, and stakeholder consultation.
Dr Marvin Smith, the association’s president, said Davis administration failed to consult the group and the wider pharmaceutical industry on its plans. His comments to The Tribune came after Health and Wellness Minister Dr Michael Darville announced last week that more than 160,000 NHI members with chronic
changes to worker’s leave could be ‘recipe for disaster’
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
DAYS after government announced plans to roll out major labour reforms this year, including extended maternity leave, Bahamas Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation President Leo Rolle said that while the proposed reforms “may sound good” in theory, economic impact assessments must be conducted before implementation. He warned that without a clear understanding of the economic impact, these reforms could place undue strain on businesses, potentially leading to job losses
Commissioner of Police: Brutality happens but sometimes exaggerated
By ERYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
POLICE Commissioner Shanta Knowles believes concerns about police brutality are sometimes exaggerated, though she acknowledged that instances of excessive force sometimes do occur.
Speaking on Our TV’s On The Record with Jerome Sawyer on Thursday night, Commissioner
Knowles said police must use “just enough force” to detain someone. She noted that officers receive ongoing training to understand justifiable force’s limits.
t wo murdered in weekend shootings
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
Junkyard fire brought under control overnight
TWO MURDERED IN WEEKEND SHOO T INGS
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A man believed to be in his early 30s was shot and killed in Munson Village last night in yesterday’s first murder incident.
Police said the shooting occurred off Boyd Road shortly before 7pm and was detected through its ShotSpotter technology.
Initially, officers reported the man was still alive. However, he was pronounced dead less than 30 minutes later.
Preliminary reports indicate the victim was at his residence when a lightcoloured Japanese vehicle pulled up. Two occupants exited the vehicle and opened fire, shooting him multiple time, before fleeing the scene.
“As we always do, we’re appealing to the wider community, especially those in this area—if you have any information in reference to
this matter, please contact the police so we can bring some closure to this matter,”
Chief Superintendent Sheria King told reporters at the scene last night.
Family members were inconsolable at the scene, with some relatives heard screaming, “That’s my brother. My brother gone.”
When asked what police are doing to address crime in inner-city communities, CSP King said officers are constantly on the ground, making their presence known.
“Just Wednesday, we did a walkabout and he was in these communities,” she added, “and we will continue to do that. I am saying that our officers will continue to carry out the mandate of the Royal Bahamas Police Force, which is to protect life and property of all those citizens of The Bahamas.”
A second murder occurred just before 11pm on Sunday in the Kennedy Subdivision.
Officers were alerted by Shotspotter technology and arrived at Oriole Court to find a man shot dead with a wound to his upper body.
Police said that a group of men was outside a residence when a dark Japanese vehicle pulled up and the occupants exited the car and opened fire.
A second man was also injured and taken to hospital where his condition was described as stable.
Police said both of the men who were shot were residents of the area.
Crowds of people gathered at the scene and could be heard crying in the aftermath of the shooting.
Chief Superintendent Sheria King said that officers from the East Street South police station had conducted a walkabout in the community on Wednesday, and urged anyone with information to contact 919, 911 or 502-9992.
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
FIREFIGHTERS battled through the night on Saturday to contain a massive blaze near the city dump, which sent thick smoke billowing across New Providence and was visible from every part of the island for hours.
The fire at Larry’s Scrap Metal Yard, which is across the road from the landfill, started after several derelict vehicles ignited, creating a towering plume that could be seen from miles away. While the smoke blanketed large areas, authorities assured residents there was no immediate danger to
surrounding communities.
Superintendent Demeris Armbrister, head of fire services, said the fire broke out around noon, prompting an immediate response from officers of the Royal Bahamas Police Force Fire Services at Ecology Park. As flames raged in the early hours of the fire, police issued an advisory urging caution in the area due to reduced visibility.
Heavy smoke caused significant traffic congestion along Tonique WilliamsDarling Highway and Fire Trail Road. Some residents voiced concerns on social media about their safety and contemplated leaving if the fire spread; others went about
their Saturday routine largely unfazed. Children rode bikes and played basketball in Millennium and Victoria Gardens, even as thick plumes of smoke loomed in the distance.
Supt Armbrister confirmed that firefighters worked through the night and contained the fire to the scrapyard by Sunday afternoon. Before the fire was controlled, firefighters had raised concerns about the possibility of gases igniting beneath the property, which could have intensified the situation.
Members of the press were denied access to the site on Saturday and were immediately turned away.
THE BODY of the second man who was shot and killed yesterday evening in Kennedy Subdivision is taken from the scene of the murder.
Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
A BLAZE at a scrap metal business near the landfill sent columns of smoke billowing across New Providence. The fire, at Larry’s Scrap Metal Yard, is at a site containing metal including car parts, industrial waste, batteries and more on Saturday.
Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
Commissioner of Police: Brutality happens but sometimes exaggerated
“Sometimes, I do believe that people sensationalise the actions of police officers,” she said. “We are required to use just enough force to detain someone. If someone forcefully resists, we are required to subdue that person without using excessive force.”
She said officers are regularly reminded of the appropriate use of force and handling firearms. We continue to talk to our officers on every
shift,” she said. “We educate them on justifiable force, the use of firearms, and policies. If they push the boundaries, they risk violating both our policies and the laws of the land.”
Nonetheless, Commissioner Knowles said some people are abusive toward officers and expect them to be “superhuman.” She stressed that officers come from the same communities as the public and share similar values. She urged mutual respect, highlighting that officers risk their lives
daily and hope to return home to their families safely. She encouraged the public to support officers in difficult situations rather than standing by or recording incidents.
Referring to a recent viral video, she said: “There was a video a few weeks ago of two officers trying to detain a mentally ill man. Instead of helping, people were laughing and recording. Those officers could have been injured. That man could have been injured. It tells us how insensitive some of us are
in our community.”
She called on officers to engage more with the public, get out of their stations and vehicles, and lead by example. She recalled walking through Bain Town on Wednesday, where she met a grieving mother. “As I ascended her stairs, she came down and embraced me,” she said. “She told me, ‘I’m not mad at you all.’ And I said to her, ‘We are not your enemies.’”
The woman was Beverly Lee-Rolle, the mother of Deangelo Evans, a
20-year-old killed by police in 2018. Mrs Lee-Rolle confirmed to The Tribune that she had spoken with the commissioner.
“It was very relaxing,” she said on Friday. “I’m glad I could speak with more ease. When the first commissioner spoke with me, I was much angrier. When she talked on Wednesday, there was no anger. It was more of a peaceful talk, and she even had the priest pray for me. It took a lot of relief off.”
Commissioner Knowles also revealed that a new
Inspection Review Branch has been established. We have already started inspecting stations, and integrity and ethics training has begun,” she said. “We have completed New Providence, Exuma and Eleuthera. This week, we’re in Grand Bahama, then moving to the other Family Islands.” She added: “We will continue to educate officers on ethics and policies and encourage them not to violate our policies — or more importantly, the law.”
Police officers prepare to take grievances to Commissioner of Police
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A LAWYER representing police officers has said they are preparing to take their grievances to the Commissioner of Police over forced early retirement and denied vacation entitlements.
This follows a consultation on Friday at Union Baptist Church, where officers raised concerns about being denied benefits they believe they are entitled to under the law.
Meanwhile, the Police Staff Association has criticised comments made by the attorney, who claimed the association was “lagging” in advocating for officers’ rights.
Romona FarquharsonSeymour, in an interview with The Tribune on Sunday, said she met with officers to discuss employment issues, including forced retirement, gratuity, and vacation time.
She said officers were looking to take legal action over their entitlements, particularly those concerning early retirement and the denial of five weeks’ vacation.
She questioned how the force determines who qualifies for five weeks of vacation, suggesting that the court ruling in the case of Kelsey Monroe against the
Commissioner of Police indicates that general orders, not force policies, should determine eligibility. The ruling found that vacation entitlement is based on salary, meaning that many officers who met the requirement had not received what they were owed. However, the Court of Appeal declined to extend Monroe’s ruling to other officers, leaving the issue unresolved.
Mrs FarquharsonSeymour stressed the importance of officers working together, noting that many had assumed the ruling in Monroe’s case would automatically apply to them. She said officers now realise they need to mount a collective effort to push for change. She added that many officers were hesitant to speak out due to fears of victimisation, but attitudes were shifting as more officers recognised they were being denied benefits to which they were legally entitled.
Mrs Farquharson-Seymour also highlighted concerns over forced retirement, saying some officers are being made to retire before reaching 25 years of service. She argued that many of these dismissals are based on a repealed 1960 Act rather than the 2009 Act, which allows officers to serve up to 30 years or until
the age of 55, whichever comes first. She questioned why some officers were allowed to work their full term while others were forced out early, calling it a disparity that needed to be addressed.
She said the consultation was well attended, with officers from the Family Islands joining virtually. Another session is planned after the Easter break.
The Police Staff Association issued a statement on the day of the consultation, rejecting claims that it had been slow to act. The association said it had already filed a representative action before the Supreme Court, with a hearing set for February 9–13, 2026. The association also pushed back against the suggestion that officers had not received assistance, stating that it had been actively working on their behalf.
Mrs Farquharson-Seymour, however, maintained that some officers had told her they did not receive help from the association. She said her only goal was to act in the best interest of officers, arguing that they had been mistreated for years. Regardless of the association’s stance, she said she would continue to represent officers who wished to take legal action.
Debris from SpaceX rocket that exploded has been recovered as govt assesses potential risks posed
By RAS HAD ROLLE Tribune News Editor rrolle@tribunemedia.net
DEBRIS from a SpaceX Starship rocket that broke apart mid-flight on March 6 has been located and recovered in The Bahamas, with officials conducting environmental assessments to determine whether the fragments pose any risks, the Office of the Prime Minister said yesterday.
The rocket, launched from SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas, was intended to re-enter over the Indian Ocean, but it lost communication and disintegrated about nine minutes into the flight. The event was visible from Florida, Cuba, The Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, and Turks and Caicos.
In the aftermath, OPM said the Bahamian government has been working with SpaceX to assess and remove debris from the country’s waters. A SpaceX recovery team arrived in The Bahamas on March 7 and began coordinating with officials. The Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) has taken the lead in overseeing the process to ensure that all operations meet environmental and public safety standards.
On March 8, the DEPP director and a SpaceX team conducted an initial assessment in Crooked Island, surveying deep and shallow
waters as well as the coastline. No debris was found that day, but reports of fragments near Ragged Island began circulating on social media, according to OPM.
The next day, March 9, senior DEPP officials joined SpaceX’s recovery team for further operations. Aerial reconnaissance successfully identified debris near Ragged Island, prompting recovery efforts that led to the retrieval of several items. Officials said work would continue in the area, with underwater recovery operations set to begin on March 10.
OPM said while US regulatory agencies have determined that the materials composing the rocket debris — stainless steel and silica-based heatshield tiles — do not pose risks to water quality, air quality, or marine life, Bahamian authorities have launched their own independent environmental assessments. These will include testing for toxic contaminants such as residual rocket fuel and assessing any potential seabed disruption caused by the falling debris. Water and air quality sampling will also be conducted.
The government has advised the public to exercise caution if they encounter any debris, warning that some materials may have sharp edges. Anyone who finds debris is urged to report it to local government officials rather than attempt to handle it.
SpaceX has committed to covering all costs associated with debris removal and environmental assessments, the government said. Officials said recovery operations would continue until all debris is accounted for and that final assessments and findings would be shared with the public once the process is complete.
OPM again stressed that the Starship is different from SpaceX’s Falcon-9 rockets.
OPM said: “Falcon 9 is a partially-reusable rocket used for missions which include launching satellites or bringing cargo to the International Space Station, with a long track record of success.
The Starship is a substantially more powerful rocket, intended for long-distance and long-duration missions, that is still in development, with operations falling under the jurisdiction of the US Federal Aviation Administration.
“The Bahamas’ agreement with Space X involves only controlled Falcon 9 booster landings in Bahamian waters, which are governed by the Bahamas’ Civil Aviation (Space Flight and Re-Entry) “Regulations, including planning, licensing, and monitoring requirements. Each separate Falcon 9 re-entry requires a separate license from the Civil Aviation Authority of The Bahamas.”
RBPF Commissioner Shanta Knowles and executive officers arrives at Pinewood where the RBPF marching band put on a performance for the community. Minister of Social Services Myles Laroda and Minister of Youth Sports and Culture Mario Bowleg were also in attendance at Pinewood Garden Park.
Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr
Govt slammed over expanded NHI plan
from page one
non-communicable diseases would soon receive free prescription medication.
Dr Smith told The Tribune that the move could have significant implications for the pharmaceutical industry, which may need to hire additional staff and address logistics to meet increased demand.
His views were echoed by other pharmacists, including former BPA president Shantia Heild-McBride, who told The Tribune that she heard the announcement simultaneously as everyone else.
Dr Smith said local pharmacies had written to Dr Darville twice last year requesting details on the transition plans for the Chronic Drug Prescription Programme but had yet to receive a response.
“It is tiresome,” he said. “All we’ve been asking from day one, let us partner with you to help you make what you’re trying to do the best possible thing for the Bahamian people and every single time, we have to beg and ask and almost go into the public media and embarrass them to the point where they have to talk to us.”
Mrs Heild-McBride commended the government for caring for Bahamians but emphasised the need for more details on the initiative.
She hopes the government will meet with the pharmaceutical industry to discuss the plans further.
Currently, 44,000 Bahamians –– primarily government workers and their families –– receive free medication under the NIB Chronic Drug Prescription Plan, which the
Ministry of Health currently manages.
Dr Darville told the House of Assembly last week that the government now plans to transfer the initiative to the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA). However, he did not disclose a budget or timeline for the programme, saying further details would be provided later.
“Is this,” Dr Smith said yesterday, “going to mean a tax increase in terms of contributions. Is this going to mean a tax increase somewhere else that is funding this because currently you’re running a deficit, and you’re only funded for 44,000 people?”
Meanwhile, Free National Movement Chairman Dr Duane Sands raised similar questions yesterday and called the PLP’s drug prescription
promise another “public relations gimmick”, suggesting the government would not be able to afford it.
He claimed that at least two major pharmaceutical vendors are not being paid and have cut off supplies to the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA), which is facing a shortage of medication across public health facilities.
Dr Smith said while payments to private pharmacies for the drug programme have been fairly good, there may be changes if the programme is transitioned to another agency.
“Are the other processes going to remain the same?” he asked. “Or is this new move to NHIA going to mean different processes? Is the software going to remain the same? All of these things are critical
Changes to workers’ leave could be
from page one
or even closures.
He said extending leave without working closely with the business community is a recipe for disaster.
His comments came in response to Labour Minister Pia Glover Rolle’s announcement last week that the government plans to introduce several changes to labour laws this year, including extended maternity, paternity, and mental health leave.
She said the government is working on these reforms in close partnership with the relevant stakeholders, including union members and the business community.
Peter Goudie, the chamber’s labour division head, told The Tribune that while the chamber has met with labour officials, it has yet to see what the government is proposing.
Dr Rolle, expressing doubt that such reforms will be introduced this year, said: “We need to understand we can’t just throw things out there because it sounds good. We have to understand the impact
that it’s going to have on the business community and understand how this is really going to be done.”
The BCCEC has previously said that it does not support extending maternity leave beyond 12 weeks, warning that such an extension could hurt small businesses and drive up consumer prices.
Dr Rolle told The Tribune that the chamber’s position remains unchanged, highlighting the many expenses that continue to drive up business operating costs.
He emphasised that when an employee is on leave, the business must still pay all their benefits –– including pensions and bonuses –– and potentially hire a replacement.
“Businesses, most of them, are not making what people think they are,” he said. “I’m saying this not from the standpoint of passion because I see that
aspects that that that pharmacies need to know.”
The president also raised concerns about the impact on the workload of pharmacies, explaining that if the patient load for medication increases, the workload will also rise.
He said most 44,000 patients under the NIB Chronic Drug prescription plan currently receive medications from private pharmacies, adding: “What is the government going to do?”
He questioned whether Princess Margaret Hospital would participate in the revamped drug prescription programme. He expressed doubt, saying the government would need to purchase a year’s worth of supplies to make it feasible.
“They have the supplies management agency, but that’s not built for longterm storage for all of
these meds, for all of these people.” he said. “If you’re looking to cut the local distributors out and go and say you’re going to buy direct, buying direct means that they’re going to send you that stuff. They’re not looking to do no monthly orders on direct buying.”
The BPA president also expressed concern over the government’s reliance on the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) for medication supply, warning that the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) could significantly impact funding.
“It is clear that they have a misguided thought process if they believe any of those options can competently and efficiently provide medicines for the country given our size and geographical logistics,” the association said.
‘recipe for disaster’
people drag me most of the times when we talk about this because they’re passionate about the leave, but I’m speaking from a point of looking at the financial statements of these businesses.” Regarding paternity leave, Dr Rolle said that while some businesses already offer the benefit, it should remain an option.
“If they can afford it, fine,” he said, “but to enshrine that in law means that now it’s a blanketed approach across all businesses that can or cannot afford it, and that’s unfair to the business community.”
He questioned how officials plan to police the policy if implemented, noting that a father can have multiple children simultaneously.
“So are we,” he said, “suggesting then that as many children as a father has, he will have leave for?”
“Should the fella be married, or can I go and have a child with anyone?”
He said that while mental health leave sounds like a great idea because people need time to de-stress, there may be financial implications
associated with it.
He said understanding the cost is key and suggested that reforms be implemented in phases, starting with the government or larger companies that can afford it.
“I know that the government is hell-bent on getting the reforms done, and we believe that some of the reforms are quite needed because some of the labour laws are antiquated,” he said. “But we just think that it has to be done in tandem with the business community and understanding the challenges that ensue.”
BAHAMAS Chamber of Commerce and Employers’ Confederation President Leo Rolle.
The Tribune Limited
NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI
“Being Bound to Swear to The Dogmas of No Master”
LEON E. H. DUPUCH
Publisher/Editor 1903-1914
SIR ETIENNE DUPUCH, Kt., O.B.E., K.M., K.C.S.G., (Hon.) LL.D., D.Litt .
Publisher/Editor 1919-1972
Contributing Editor 1972-1991
RT HON EILEEN DUPUCH CARRON, C.M.G., M.S., B.A., LL.B.
Publisher/Editor 1972-
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FNM divisions still on show
THE continuing rift that appears apparent in the FNM – between party leader Michael Pintard and former leader and prime minister Dr Hubert Minnis – shows no signs of healing. Another former leader – this time of the DNA – commented on the situation. Branville McCartney, a former FNM and goodness knows what party allegiance now, said it would be unwise for the FNM to leave the former PM on the sidelines in the next election.
He said: “Why wouldn’t you want to run a man who is in Killarney, who’s been there. I think this is going to be his fourth or fifth time running, who’s well-liked, who will win? Why don’t you want to run him?”
Mr McCartney skipped over the part where Dr Minnis was roundly rejected by the electorate at the general election, and by the FNM ranks as leader, which overwhelmingly chose Mr Pintard ahead of him.
There do seem to be some manoeuvres in the background.
The FNM seems set on requiring training sessions for all potential candidates – even those such as Dr Minnis who have been there, done that for many years. Is this giving Dr Minnis a hoop to jump through solely for the purpose that you know he won’t do so? Thereby giving a reason to exclude him from consideration?
Mr McCartney, of course, may well have personal reasons for advocating for Dr Minnis. He had previously backed Dr Minnis in the failed leadership campaign, and had said he would return to the FNM if Dr Minnis won. That statement brought some pushback from long-time FNMs who felt some apprehension at someone who had run a whole party against the FNM only to come knocking back at the door.
Now he says he supports what is best for the country, even while pitching in on internal FNM matters.
It does appear that tensions between the former and current leaders continue to simmer. There is a feeling that there are moves afoot to sideline
Dr Minnis, there is a feeling that the current leader lacks the full-throated support of his predecessor.
Dr Minnis is now 70 years old – younger than the current prime minister but old enough that it is reasonable to consider the torch being passed to the next generation.
There comes a time when how you help the next person to lead is as important as how you led in the first place.
Whatever is going on behind the scenes, this rift will not help the FNM in its countdown to the next election.
After all, if a leader cannot unite his party, what likelihood is there they will unite the nation?
Resolving these tensions behind closed doors is a very important step in the journey towards the election for the FNM – and they should endeavour to do so promptly.
Turning words into actions
ON Saturday, it was International Women’s Day.
A lot of positive words were said about how important women are to the nation. Colleagues were lauded, friends supported, family members exalted.
Now the events to mark the day are over, we should note that there remain a number of areas under the law where women are still not equal.
Just as one example, how about the continuing disparity between men and women when it comes to passing on their citizenship to their children?
We have committed internationally to eliminating inequality for women. Women have been praised locally to mark the occasion.
How about now turning those words into action?
The next International Women’s Day is a year away. If nothing has changed by the time the next one comes around, question how much meaning is really behind those words.
Platitudes are not need. Action is.
Can we still rely on the US?
EDITOR, The Tribune.
ANY support to disarm or reduce military force endangers the whole of Europe and plays right into the play book of President Putin and Russia. Never forget his intent is to revisit the Tzarist time of the grande Soviets. If Trump/US are intent to not complying with their Treaties around the world then we have to revisit the complete military strategy of the west and
as is to have some form at least of counter force as if attacked the US are no longer reliable. In our case…Yes even The Bahamas. remember the Flamingo Incident - Cuba without provocation attacked our Defence Patrol craft strafed the water killing our marinessinking HMBS Flamingo. The US scrambled from Homestead, Fla and soon were over Inagua and sent the Cuban Migrants running home. Remember
PICTURE OF THE DAY
Empty political promises
EDITOR, The Tribune. H OW is it fair to the Bahamian people, going into another general election without the benefit of a new hospital, or at least a new prison and about the independence for the judiciary (the autonomy charter their own realities)?
It never changes, does it? And as each and every day existing in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas, poses a new set of challenges, but why? As in everything, and here is how the sacral scriptures answer the money query this way: ‘money answered all things, but the love of money is the root of all evil, quote, end quote! In qualifying the basis for the essay, I must make mention of several Bahamas government departments, ministries offices for the requisite assurances, for authenticity.
where is this writer taking you?
Very glad that you’ve garnered enough of an interest to pose the need for clearance. For the last several decades, politicians mounting the leaderships for this country have promised, still promising, to build a new prison, and I supposed going back the records number of years proceeds from our public treasury, were used to underwrite those initial costs, whether by way of collaboration, consultation, trips taken abroad to look at prison services (what, how and why, the mold, and could such an architect, a plan work for us, and I get that)?
when a Cuban helicopter flew over Inagua scaring the people? The US again reacted. Can we today 2025 rely on the US that they will send their jets to run-off any and all aggressors? Seems Not! This new foreign policy of the Trump administration is distressing - scary as can we rely on the US for our safety if attacked? Seems not.
M THOMPSON
Nassau, March 4, 2025.
1 Road Traffic Department, 2 Bahamas Customs Department, 3 Department Of Inland Revenue, 4 The Central Bank Of The Bahamas, 5 The Passport Office, 6 Registrar General’s Department, 7 Water & Sewerage Corporation, 8 Public Treasury Of The Bahamas the Consolidation Fund, 9 Bahamas Telecommunication Company, 10 Bahamas Power & Light Company Limited, 11 Bahamasair, 12 Bahamas Mortgage Corporation, 13 Bahamas Ministry Of Tourism, 14 Royal Bahamas Police & Criminal Records Office, 15 Bahamas Investment Board, 16 Bahamas Development Bank, 17 Bahamas Department Of Immigration,
18 the Port Department, 19 the nest egg for the Value Added Tax, 20 (inter alia)! Now, and I guess you might be wondering just
In conclusion, I call on the Honorable Chief Justice Sir Ian Winder, to make the case for the Independence of the Judiciary, given its own budget. And Sir when that happens as you connote the courtroom audit, and personnel to staff them, I assure you that the candidates can be appointed from among the legal body, and what do I mean by that? Those lawyers with ten years service in the practice have them undergo training for the magistracy, utilising 20 at a time and the way to know I humbly suggest is by dividing the backlog numbers into the number of courtrooms have, will give you an understanding what each court will have, and that could further be tweaked for mitigation?
Magistrates can be assigned to work the courts Saturdays Sundays (will only work these days), so that efforts will always be in motion. Of the first 20 magistrates recruited, you may need another two working backlog weekdays? This matter has been going on much too long, time to fully tackle it, for it must and shall end.
I turn my attention to the Appeals Court and all I will say is that there ought to be another two, you’ll have Appeals Courts one, two and three, advantage will be numerous, for one, so that the workload can be evenly spread among them, causing less wear & tear on the officiants.
But to date, there has been nothing available to the public for viewing, that yes, we are about to get this new prison facility, why? And if the lack of funds were the hindrance, the impediment, I invite the readers of The Tribune newspaper to just consider the 20 or so revenue streams, links to Bahamian people’s tax dollars, and it ought to become even more clearer, the objectivity or lack of a will-to-tackle (not in words, but indeed), that there is no query that the money to do all three of the items mentioned are there, and one need not be countrified in seeing the evidence for what it is, where there is a will, there is absolutely a way does ring materially truthfully? I also believe that because of the noncommittal along these lines, have caused an unnecessary and taxing load on the officiants of the judiciary, the continuously having process a convict for especially a crime of murder, only to be bailed, and in short weeks, back charged with allegedly another, being constrained by the laws on books, processed bail applications? But you know, much of the explanations proffered by the powers that be, seemed to suggest that there is nothing they can do, it is the law, even went to the extent to blame the judiciary, what utter garbage when it is the legislature whose mandate it is to tweak the law, have tweaked by repealing, referendum, etcetera?
FRANK GILBERT Nassau March 4, 2025.
Have a cool, fun, interesting, amazing photo? Have it featured here in The Tribune’s picture of the day! Email your high quality image to pictureoftheday@tribunemedia.net
A WOMAN sits on top of a vehicle in what appears to be a wedding dress during Equality Bahamas’ International Women’s Day march on Saturday. Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
‘Crucial’ evidence in incest case is missing
items were secured for safekeeping at the Abaco Police Station in 2021.
A Freeport man is facing five counts of incest. It is alleged that he sexually molested his daughter in 2015 when she was ten. The abuse continued into the girl’s early teens until 2019.
On Friday, Corporal 3653
Andrea Duncanson testified that she collected, properly labelled and secured a journal and cellular phone that were collected as evidence from the complainant and secured in an evidence drawer.
CPL Duncanson, now assigned to the Financial Intelligence Section in New Providence, was attached to the Criminal Investigation Department in Abaco in 2021. In May 2021, she was
transferred. The court heard that on March 26, 2021, CPL Duncanson reportedly received information around 5.15pm concerning a suspect and conducted investigations into the matter. The police officer, the complainant, the mother, and the accused visited three locations on April 1, 2021, including a duplex residence in Murphy Town, where the victim pointed out three areas: a front bedroom, hallway, and the front room where alleged sexual abuse occurred.
CPL Duncanson said they also visited another location in Murphy Town, in the front of a wooden structure, as well as a local resort where the victim claimed certain incidents had occurred. She said she was present
Trial date over voice note
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Chief Super-
intendent of Police Michael Johnson, attorney Bjorn Ferguson, and Police Sergeant 3726 Deangelo Rolle were informed on Friday
on April 2, 2021, when Sergeant 2937 Genisko Bullard conducted a recorded interview on April 2. Based on information received from the victim, the father was asked whether he had engaged in oral sex with his daughter, forced her to perform oral sex on him, told her that he wanted her to feel “sweet pain”, and then attempted to engage in sexual intercourse with the victim.
She said the defendant denied everything. Officer Duncanson said the father was also questioned about a voice recording on the victim’s cellular phone, in which he stated that he didn’t know what came over him when his daughter confronted him about his actions.
Corporal 2937 Bullard said the father was also
that their trial date for bribery charges will be set later this month.
They were also told the delay was due to a heavy court schedule.
Johnson is accused of stealing $90,000 from the $1.475m stolen during an airport bank security heist.
DEL AY IN T RI A L OF OFFICERS CH A RGED WITH KILLING E VA NS
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
TWO police officers facing manslaughter charges over the 2018 killing of 20-yearold Deangelo Evans in Mason’s Addition were told on Friday that the setting of their trial date has been delayed until late March.
In January, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) reversed an earlier decision not to charge any officers in the case.
Inspector Akeem Wilson appeared before Justice Dale Fitzpatrick on Friday as his manslaughter charge proceeded to the Supreme Court. His co-accused, Detective Corporal 3906 Donald Wright, pleaded not guilty before Justice Gregory Hilton a month
after Wilson had entered his plea. Both officers were informed that their trial date would be set before Justice Fitzpatrick on March 28.
K Melvin Munroe represented the accused.
The parents of Deangelo Evans arrived at the court complex later that day but missed the officers’ arraignment. They appeared visibly upset at missing the latest court proceedings.
Evans was killed on May 27, 2018, while officers were responding to an alleged armed robbery. A Coroner’s Court jury ruled in 2023 that his death was a homicide by manslaughter. Evans’ killing, which sparked outrage in Mason’s Addition, led to a vigil attended by hundreds demanding justice.
ATTEMPTED MURDER ACCUSED DENIED BA IL DUE TO PRIOR DRUG CH A RGES
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A MAN accused of a near-fatal drive-by shooting of a woman in Eleuthera last November was denied bail last week after a judge found he had seven prior drug infractions.
Justice Neil Brathwaite denied 29-year-old Rashad Albury bail for his pending charges of attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.
Prosecutors allege that while driving a silver vehicle, Albury attempted to shoot and kill Dawson Alcira with a handgun in North Eleuthera on November 16, 2024. Ms Alcira suffered gunshot injuries, and multiple shots were reportedly heard before the suspect’s vehicle fled the scene.
In his initial bail application, Albury claimed that while he had pending matters, he had no prior convictions. He also said he was self-employed before his incarceration and was the father of two children. He argued that being denied bail would hinder his ability to prepare his defence and support his family.
Ashton Williams, representing the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, opposed Albury’s bail, saying he
had received multiple conditional discharges for drug offences between 2019 and 2022.
Cassie Bethel, Albury’s attorney, argued that her client had strong community ties and was not a flight risk. While acknowledging that he had a pending firearm trial, she maintained that he was a suitable candidate for bail and noted that he had no prior convictions of a similar nature.
In his ruling, Justice Brathwaite said Albury had failed to disclose and had lied about his seven prior drug convictions in his initial affidavit. Given his criminal history, the judge determined that Albury would likely reoffend if granted bail.
Justice Brathwaite also noted that because the offence took place on a close-knit family island, no bail conditions could effectively prevent the defendant from interfering with witnesses. Out of concern for the safety of the witnesses and complainant, he denied Albury’s bail.
Albury will remain on remand at the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.
His voluntary bill of indictment (VBI) for attempted murder, transferring the case to the Supreme Court for trial, is set for service on March 25.
questioned about alleged incidents in Abaco in 2015 and 2016, an alleged incident in Freeport in 2018, and another in Murphy Town, Abaco, in 2019. During the 2019 incident, after engaging in oral sex with his daughter, he allegedly told her she ‘tasted good.’”
The defendant, he said, denied saying that or sexually abusing his daughter. Officer Bullard said he also refused to sign the record of interview.
During cross-examination, defence attorney Brian Hanna asked Officer Duncanson whether she had travelled to Freeport to investigate the alleged incidents by visiting the locations where they occurred. She said she had not conducted any
investigations in Freeport.
Mr Hanna then referred to a medical report from the doctor who examined the victim, which indicated that no sexual activity had taken place.
Ms Duncanson said the victim reported the defendant had attempted to have sexual intercourse with her, but that there was no penetration.
Mr Hanna also questioned the officer about the journal she had collected from the victim and its whereabouts.
CPL Duncanson explained that in May 2021, she was transferred from Abaco but had properly labelled and secured both the journal and the victim’s cellular phone, which contained recorded voice notes, in an evidence drawer in Abaco.
She said neither item could not be found.
The attorney further inquired as to whether the Ministry of Social Services had been notified about the alleged incidents involving the complainant.
The officer said a social worker was present during the investigation; however, when asked whether a social worker’s report had been requested, she could not recall.
Mr Hanna suggested that the police had no evidence other than the complainant’s statement, which his client denied in the recorded interview.
“Do you have any evidence to support the complainant’s allegations?’ he asked.
“No,” CPL Duncanson replied.
probe to be set at end of March due to busy courts
He appeared before Justice Gregory Hilton on Friday alongside Ferguson and Rolle.
Last month, Johnson pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery, stealing, and receiving. Prosecutors allege he conspired with others between November 3 and November 30, 2023, to solicit an advantage from Michael Fox Jr in exchange for
performing or refraining from his duties as a public servant.
He is also accused of stealing $90,000 from Akeil Holmes and receiving the money from Rolle on November 3, 2023, knowing it was obtained through theft.
Ferguson pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery. Prosecutors allege he conspired,
without lawful authority, to offer an advantage to a public servant as an inducement or reward for performing or abstaining from his duty.
Ferguson and Johnson also denied being accessories after the fact to conspiracy to commit stealing. They are accused of helping Fox between November 3 and November 30, knowing he was
involved in the conspiracy to commit theft, with the intent of helping him evade due process.
Meanwhile, Rolle pleaded not guilty to abetment to stealing. Prosecutors allege he aided and abetted Johnson in committing offences. The trio will return to court on March 28 before Justice Dale Fitzpatrick to fix their trial date.
McCartney: FNM would be foolish to not let Minnis run on their ticket
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
FORMER Democratic National Alliance leader Branville McCartney said the Free National Movement would be “foolish” not to let Dr Hubert Minnis run on its ticket, urging party members to set aside personal differences and focus on winning the next election.
Mr McCartney, a public supporter of Dr Minnis in recent years, said that while he is not an FNM member, it would be unwise to sideline the former prime minister and warned the
party would regret it if they did.
“Why,” he said, “wouldn’t you want to run a man who is in Killarney, who’s been there, I think this is going to be his fourth or fifth time running, who’s well-liked, who will win? Why don’t you want to run him?”
Mr McCartney was speaking during a recent interview on ZNS’ The Rundown with host Clint Watson.
His comments come amid uncertainty over Dr Minnis’ future in the party. FNM leaders have said all potential candidates must complete a training module as part of the
party’s selection process — including its former leader.
However, Dr Minnis has said the sessions contradict party procedure. Nonetheless, he is seeking re-nomination and appears to have the backing of the FNM’s Killarney Constituency Association, with some members saying they would not support any other candidate.
“I have four votes in my house and they will stay at home,” Melvita Collie, a council representative, told The Tribune. “It’s as simple as that.”
Mr McCartney said not running Dr Minnis would hurt the FNM and hand the
election to the Progressive Liberal Party.
“You need to come together and fight the next election,” he said. “Otherwise, dog eat your lunch. Brave will have you for lunch, no doubt about that.”
Mr McCartney, who endorsed Dr Minnis during the party’s convention leadership race last year, previously announced that he would return to the FNM if Dr Minnis won.
Asked if he supports the FNM, he said he supports what is best for the country, regardless of whether it’s the FNM, PLP or another party.
‘We march for our rights’
SUPPORTERS joined Equality Bahamas’ International Women’s Day MarchonSaturdayraisingawareness of their fight for women’s rights and issues including marital rape.Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
BRANVILLE MCCARTNEY
Govt’s weak response over rocket explosion
By MALCOLM STRACHAN
I PROMISED a return to local issues last week after the Ukraine-US debacle
– and yet then we see an interruption from space!
Elon Musk’s latest test
flight for his Starship vehicle ended in an explosion over The Bahamas, raining debris down from the skies.
If we needed a clear demonstration of the potential risks of allowing SpaceX to land rocket boosters in our waters, here it was.
Sure, it’s a different vehicle – a much bigger vehicle – but it is an indication of what we need to be aware of.
More worrying still was the shockingly weak response from the government.
Little to no guidance was immediately available for what to do if you encountered debris from the Starship – with the government finally issuing a statement late at night that read like a whitewash rather than a demonstration of being on top of the situation.
Indeed, it almost read like the government was
‘...Turks and Caicos gets a warning not to touch the debris, and we get told that the debris is not toxic and will not cause any impact to our waters.’
more concerned about SpaceX than the Bahamian people. The statement was full of deflection. After noting the loss of contact with the spacecraft and the sight of debris “observed streaming over The Bahamas”, it said: “The Bahamas has no regulatory authority under The Bahamas’ Civil Aviation (Space Flight and Re-Entry) Regulations, 2025 over SpaceX’s Starship operations and this incident is not part of The Bahamas’ existing relationship
with SpaceX’s Falcon 9 programme, which involves controlled booster landings in Bahamian waters following launches from Kennedy Space in Florida. The FAA issues the launch licence for Starship exercises.”
You can safely read that section as “hey, we didn’t have anything to do with it”. It went on to note that a notice to mariners was issued as required by treaty (although that notice was not sent out to the regular media). It then said
that debris “fell into our airspace in the Southern Bahamas”.
This prompted “SpaceX contingency measures, which includes immediate and continual communication with Bahamian officials”.
The statement said SpaceX “has assured the government” that the debris contained no toxic materials, and no significant impact on marine life or water quality is expected.
Oh, well, if SpaceX says their rocket that blew up in our skies is not a risk, that must be true. I’m sure we can accept the word of all other potential polluters just the same.
The only trouble with that is this is not SpaceX’s first explosion to deal with – it’s not even the first one this year. A month ago, ahead of the first landing in The Bahamas of the Falcon booster, I wrote about the explosion that took place on January 16 over the Turks and Caicos Islands.
That explosion too could be seen from The Bahamas – but it was the Turks and Caicos where the debris rained down.
People found debris in the streets, on the beach –one car was struck by the falling debris.
At the time, SpaceX warned people not to touch the debris, and to contact SpaceX about it instead.
This was the exact same vehicle as exploded over The Bahamas – yet Turks and Caicos gets a warning not to touch the debris, and we get told that the debris is not toxic and will not cause any impact to our waters.
The concern over the debris in Turks and Caicos was that some parts of fuel tanks could be unstable and potentially blow up – or that some chemicals might remain on the debris. So what is different now?
At the time last month, I asked: “Should there be a ‘rapid disassembly’ and our waters be filled with fuel and debris, what will the cost of clean-up be?”
No answer was given at the time – and I take no pleasure at having asked the question only to see the event come to pass.
The government went on in its statement to “emphasise that this Starship is not a part of The Bahamas’ Falcon 9 programme”.
So what? There is not one extra safety procedure for the Falcon landings that is not being conducted for the Starship programme, is there? Just because it is one space vehicle blowing up and not the other, they are both from the same company.
And it is not as if the Falcon 9 programme is without mishaps. This very month, one of the boosters was lost after landing.
On March 2, a booster landed on the same dropship that caught the booster in the Bahamian landing, only to topple over after touching down.
During its flight, it suffered a fuel leak that triggered a fire.
The director of NASA science missions at SpaceX, Julianna Scheiman, said a fire broke out less than a minute after landing.
She said: “That fire eventually resulted in the deterioration of the structural integrity of the
landing leg in that booster and toppled over.” Engineers at SpaceX were still trying to identify the source of the leak –with SpaceX vice president of build and reliability Bill Gerstenmaier saying: “It’s pretty difficult to determine what was cause and what was effect from the fire. The fire was pretty extensive. It melted a lot of aluminium components, so it’s difficult to see.”
The leak had begun after liftoff – but only caught on fire on touchdown having had no oxygen in the compartment in the air.
So there has been a succession of incidents – and yet we do not seem to be striking a firm tone in our response.
The government went on to say SpaceX teams would be in The Bahamas “to conduct full debris recovery and cleanup efforts”, observed by Bahamian agencies. The statements said the government “will continue to monitor the situation to ensure proper recovery actions are carried out”.
No word of fines. No call for people to report debris as it is found. We get a sterner response when a cruise ship discharges waste in the sea.
Still, perhaps I should not complain too much.
A fire at a scrap yard sent clouds of smoke containing goodness knows what across New Providence on Saturday – and there was even less of a response from the government by the time I sat down to write this article. We talk a lot about being custodians of the environment. It would be nice if we lived up to our words.
BURNING debris from SpaceX’s Starship which exploded after launch on March 6 seen falling across the sky in The Bahamas.
If Guyana’s President Ali is the ‘Zelensky of the Caribbean’, who is the Putin?
IN the latest round of barbs with which Venezuela has responded to events surrounding its claim to the Essequibo region of Guyana, Guyana’s President, Irfaan Ali, was described as “the Zelensky of the Caribbean.” This characterisation begs the question: If Ali is the “Zelensky of the Caribbean,” then who is the “Putin”?
However, posing and answering that question is as unhelpful to resolving the border controversy peacefully as is describing Ali as “Zelensky.” It is far more constructive to focus on facts and to work toward a peaceful solution to Venezuela’s claims in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.
The most recent incident that inflamed the situation between the two countries occurred on 1 March 2025, when a Venezuelan military vessel approached and accosted Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) platforms, operated by the US company Exxon, in an area that Guyana considers its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). It is important to note that, because of the land boundary contention still before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Guyana and Venezuela have not yet formally delimited their maritime boundaries. Both countries claim the waters in question. However, under a December 2023 Order of the ICJ, Guyana has administrative control over the disputed territory pending the Court’s final judgment. Consequently, Guyana is entitled to authorize lawful activities in the
World View
By SIR RONALD SANDERS
EEZ, including those undertaken by the FPSO platforms operated by Exxon.
While the right of navigation through contested waters is recognised under customary international law, that right does not extend to confronting or intimidating entities engaged in legally authorised activity. Although the Venezuelan patrol boat did not use force, its actions arguably violated the spirit of both the ICJ’s 1 December 2023 Order and Clauses 1 and 6 of the Argyle Agreement, which collectively demand that neither side take steps that might aggravate or extend the dispute. Hence, instead of exploring the implications of who is a “Zelensky” or a “Putin” in this matter, it is far more constructive for the government and peoples of both countries to maintain their focus on the arbitration of the controversy before the ICJ. At the same time, they should abide by the terms of “The Joint Declaration of Argyle for Dialogue and Peace” (the Argyle Agreement), which they signed on 14 December 2023.
In adhering to the Argyle Agreement, Venezuela should recall Clause 1, which states that both parties agreed “directly or indirectly” not to threaten or use force under any circumstances, and Clause 6,
which states that both parties committed to “refrain from escalating any conflict or disagreement arising from any controversy between them.”
In this regard, the Venezuelan authorities should reflect on whether taking over Ankoko Island (divided between the two countries) and placing military assets on it constitutes a threat of the use of force. Consideration might also be given to Venezuela’s declared intent to hold local elections on 27 April 2025 in Guyana’s Essequibo region, asserting it as “Guayana-Esequiba,” complete with a parallel governance structure — an action that directly challenges Guyana’s sovereignty.
The leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries have publicly described these plans a breach of international norms and of the ICJ’s provisional measures. Importantly, CARICOM has not forcibly inserted itself into the border issue. Instead, both the governments of Venezuela and Guyana solicit CARICOM’s mediating role, and to the credit of its leaders and the Secretariat’s staff, the organisation has tried to play a steadying role. It is all the more unfortunate, therefore, that the Venezuelan Vice President labelled officials of the CARICOM Secretariat as
“third-rank bureaucrats of CARICOM, who act behind the backs of Heads of Government.” Anyone who knows how the Secretariat operates would confirm that it issues no public statement without the unanimous support of CARICOM governments.
Following the 1 March incident involving the Venezuelan military vessel and the FPSOs, Guyana’s President reported the matter to the Interlocutors of the Argyle Agreement, seeking “appropriate” action. In response — and while affirming in a 1 March 2025 statement that “The Essequibo is and will remain an inseparable part of Venezuela” — the Venezuelan Foreign Minister added that Venezuela will urgently activate the Argyle Mechanism to pursue peaceful dialogue.
Thus, President Nicolás Maduro requested
an immediate meeting with President Ali under the chairmanship of the Argyle Interlocutors. For his part, while stating that he remains “fully committed to dialogue, particularly when it serves to reinforce international law and the peaceful resolution of disputes, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations,” President Ali proposed a preparatory meeting of the two countries’ foreign ministers.
President Ali’s proposal is wise — not only because it allows time to diffuse heightened emotions ignited by recent events, but also because it permits careful preparation for such an important encounter.
Ultimately, the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean have committed themselves to remain a Zone of Peace.
By respecting the ICJ’s judgment on the border contention, once it is delivered, and the guiding principles of international law, Guyana and Venezuela can resolve their differences to the benefit of their peoples and regional stability.
A lasting solution lies not in epithets over who is the “Caribbean Zelensky” or “Putin,” but in deference to the legal frameworks upon which the peace and prosperity of all nations depend.
The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS. He is also a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies, London University and Massey College, University of Toronto. The views expressed are entirely his own. Responses and previous commentaries:www. sirronaldsanders.com.
GUYANA’s President Irfaan Ali (top left) and Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy (top right). Photos: AP
CHAIRMAN of the Special Commission for the Defense of Guyana Essequibo Hermann Escarra, stands next to Venezuela’s new map that includes the Essequibo territory, a swath of land that is administered and controlled by Guyana but claimed by Venezuela, during an unveiling ceremony in Caracas, Venezuela, December 8, 2023.
Photo: Matias Delacroix/AP
Dual enrolment: A pathway to earning college credits
FEW students can boast of earning college credits while still in high school.
Ansellia Ferguson is one of them.
The 12th grader is one of nine Alpha Preparatory Academy students who is also a student at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI). Since Fall 2023, this 16-year-old balanced the rigours of the college-level courses, while juggling high school.
GAIN AN EDGE
“Some of my courses included Basic QuickBooks, Business Law and Public Speaking. The courses offer the opportunity to bring innovative ideas to life and in Business Law, we dealt with real-world problems by solving cases. It’s made me an analytical thinker,” said Ansellia.
Like her classmate, Naseem Smith, she added Basic QuickBooks to the schedule this semester. Naseem who dreams of owning a carpentry business, said these courses were a good fit for him. “I wanted to learn
about the different types of businesses like corporations and partnerships. I also figured I’d gain more knowledge about starting my own business,” said the teenager. With parental consent, dual enrolment students
get a head start on their technical or vocational careers, armed with employability skills upon high school graduation and the opportunity to matriculate directly into a BTVI certificate, diploma or degree programme.
BTVI’s acting vice president of academic affairs, Dr Pleshette McPhee, lauded the dual enrolment pathway, stating that it provides early exposure to industry-relevant skills.
“The dual enrolment pathway helps students transition smoothly into the workforce or further studies. The pathway enhances career readiness by offering hands-on training in various trades. Ultimately, it bridges the gap between high school and post-secondary education, fostering a skilled workforce,” said Dr McPhee.
According to Dr McPhee, the schedule is determined by the agreement established between BTVI and a student’s school, ensuring students are only at BTVI during times that do not interfere with their high school classes. In fact, Naseem said he balanced dual enrolment by creating a separate schedule for Mondays and Wednesdays and being disciplined to stick to it. In the Fall, dual enrolment will continue for him as he intends to study Carpentry at BTVI and Electrical Engineering at University of The
Bahamas.
Alpha Preparatory Academy Principal, Sharon Fox, highly praised BTVI’s head of department for business trades, Kerima Smith and her team.
“It provided our students the opportunity to earn college credits, but also to learn about critical workplace skills. The Business Trades team’s support was impeccable. Moreover, it helped us in transforming the minds of our students,” said Ms Fox.
Ms Smith acknowledged that the partnership took a lot of dedication, but her team always aims to achieve goals that remind them of their purpose as nation builders.
“That ultimately keeps our passions alive. As I reflect, just to know that we are playing a small part in making someone’s dream of being a business owner a reality is a tremendous accomplishment and I am truly grateful to God that their successful completion will come to fruition,” said Ms Smith.
“Gain An Edge” is a collaboration of Lyford Cay Foundations, the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute and the University of The Bahamas aimed at promoting a national dialogue on issues surrounding education. To share your thoughts, email gainanedge@tribunemedia.net.
BTVI dual enrolment students, who are also students of Alpha Preparatory Academy at the BISX Invest Fest Bahamas Conference.
Photo: Invest Fest Bahamas
Police warn against making false threats after Doctor’s Hospital bomb scare
By LEANDRA ROLLE Tribune Chief Reporter lrolle@tribunemedia.net
POLICE warned the public against making false threats after a bomb scare at Doctor’s Hospital forced dozens to evacuate on Friday afternoon.
Police said an anonymous caller phoned the health facility around 3pm, claiming there was a bomb in the emergency room.
Officers responded immediately, cleared the area, and blocked off sections of Shirley Street.
When The Tribune arrived, staff were standing
outside in designated zones.
Doctors Hospital president and CEO Dr Charles Diggiss said the threat prompted officials to evacuate the entire Emergency Room floor.
Between 50 and 70 staff members left the building, while five patients were moved to the hospital’s western facility or Paradise Island location. Others were discharged.
An all-clear was given around 5pm after checks of the hospital and surrounding areas found nothing.
Dr Diggiss praised the staff and police for their
swift response. “We would like to think at any point of time that our associates, if this were to reoccur, would respond in a similar manner,” he told reporters. “They were prompt. They were appropriate. They followed the policy, and the police response was more than impressive.”
“So overall, the report in this instance, even though nothing materialised, was impressive.”
Inspector John Roker of the Police AntiTerrorism Unit said investigations into the incident will continue, but
he warned against making false threats.
He noted that such hoaxes, especially at a medical facility, could cost lives by forcing the relocation of staff who may be needed for life-saving care.
“There’s a lot of resources that goes to responding to calls such as this,” he said. “It is very sensitive. You have patients involved. You can cause somebody’s death by the number of evacuations if you have doctors and nurses leaving the compound and it’s against the law and investigations will be ongoing.”
Foot Fest initiative treats nearly 1,000 people for a variety of conditions
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
NEARLY 1,000 people were treated, and ten critical surgeries were performed this month through the Ministry of Health’s efforts to provide free healthcare services to those suffering from foot issues related to diabetes or other health conditions before the Foot Fest initiative ended on Friday.
For the fourth year, The Ministry of Health partnered with Barry University to launch the annual Foot Fest. The initiative was held March 2 to March 7, with free health screenings, foot exams, and surgeries available at locations across Nassau, Exuma, and the Good News Seventh-day Adventist Church.
“We came here with a mission to bridge the gap in podiatric care, to stand in the way of diabetesrelated complications, and to fight for limbs and to save lives,” said Dr Shanika Hill, associate dean of Barry University’s School of Podiatric Medicine and co-founder of the Foot Fest.
Dr Hall said that up to Friday, volunteers and doctors were still treating patients to meet their goal of treating 1,000 patients. She said that the initiative had impacted 944 patients. The Foot Fest initiative has treated 4,000 people over the last four years through the partnership between Barry University and the Ministry of Health.
The Foot Fest’s closing ceremony was held at the Ministry of Health on
Friday to celebrate the efforts of the over 50 volunteers who came together to offer podiatric care to Bahamians. The Bahamas faces a critical shortage of podiatrists, with only four practitioners serving a population of nearly 400,000 people. This shortage is even more alarming, considering nearly 20 percent of Bahamians have diabetes, a major contributor to foot-related health issues.
Minister of Health Dr Michael Darville told reporters that most patients treated through the initiative were elderly. He said some geriatric patients may have chronic vascular disease and chronic diabetes over the age of 50.
“Most of our diabetics they lose sensation in their feet, and sometimes they
WOMAN ACCUSED OF S TABBING POLICE IN CHEST
By PAVEL BAILEY Tribune Staff Reporter pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A WOMAN was granted bail on Friday after being accused of stabbing a police officer last week while he tried to break up a bar fight.
Senior Magistrate Anishka Isaacs arraigned 21-year-old Ashantee Burrows on a charge of grievous harm. Her co-accused, 31-year-old Frederick Heastie, was charged with
aggravated assault. Prosecutors said police responded to a disturbance outside the Secret Spot Bar on Charles Vincent Street on March 4. While Police Constable 4379 Varence was trying to de-escalate a physical altercation in a crowd, Heastie allegedly assaulted him. During the same incident, Burrows allegedly stabbed PC Varence in the left chest with a knife.
The officer was treated
in the hospital and later discharged.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty. Burrows was granted $4,500 bail, while Heastie was granted $2,500 bail, each requiring one or two sureties.
As part of their bail conditions, they must sign in at the Grove Police Station every Tuesday by 7pm.
The trial is set for May 14. Assistant Superintendent of Police Bould prosecuted the case.
walk around barefoot, and they can be stuck with an object and don’t even really know it’s there,” he said.
He noted that severe feet-related health issues
sometimes result in amputations of toes or the feet themselves if not treated.
Several volunteers who participated in Foot Fest this year highlighted the knowledge they received by providing health care in The Bahamas. Many also fondly recounted the bonds they built with patients, especially by teaching patients healthy lifestyles and habits.
FIRE personnel block the road as they evacuate Doctor’s Hospital due to a bomb threat on Saturday.
Photo: Leandra Rolle/Tribune Chief Reporter
Syria’s worst violence in months reopens wounds of the civil war
Associated Press AN ambush on a Syrian security patrol by gunmen loyal to ousted leader Bashar Assad escalated into clashes that a war monitor estimates have killed more than 1,000 people over four days.
The attack Thursday near the port city of Latakia reopened the wounds of the country’s 13-year civil war and sparked the worst violence Syria has seen since December, when insurgents led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, overthrew Assad.
The counteroffensive against the Assad loyalists in the largely Alawite coastal region brought havoc to several cities and towns.
Rights groups reported dozens of revenge killings resulting from Sunni militants targeting the minority Islamic sect, regardless of whether they were involved in the insurgency.
Here’s a look at the latest violence in the warwracked country: WHAT STARTED THE VIOLENCE?
Tensions have been on the rise since Assad’s downfall following sectarian attacks against Alawites, who ruled Syria for over 50 years under the Assad dynasty. The assaults continued despite promises from Syria’s interim president that the country’s new leaders will carve out a political future for Syria that includes and represents all its communities.
In their ambush, the pro-Assad Alawite gunmen overwhelmed government security forces and later took control of Qardaha, Assad’s hometown, as Damascus scrambled to bring in reinforcements.
Defense Ministry spokesperson Col. Hassan Abdel-Ghani said Sunday that security forces have restored control of the region and will continue pursuing leaders of the galvanized insurgency.
But despite authorities calling for an end to the sectarian incitement, the clashes turned deadly, and many civilians were killed.
WHO ARE THE DE AD?
Most of the dead are apparently members of the Alawite community, who live largely in the country’s coastal province, including in the cities of Latakia and Tartous. Rights groups estimate that hundreds of civilians were killed.
The Alawite sect is an offshoot of Shia Islam, and it once formed the core constituency of Assad’s government in the Sunni-majority country.
Opponents of Assad saw Syria under the family’s rule as granting privileges to the Alawite community. As the civil war intensified, militant groups emerged across the country and treated Alawites as affiliates of Assad and his key military allies, Russia and Iran.
Syria’s new interim government is under Sunni Islamist rule. Interim President Ahmad AlSharaa, a former HTS leader, has promised that the country will transition to a system that includes Syria’s mosaic of religious and ethnic groups under fair elections, but skeptics question whether that will actually happen.
Little is currently known about the Alawite insurgency, which is
composed of remnants of Assad’s web of military and intelligence branches, and who their foreign backers might be.
WHY WERE THE AL AW ITES TARGETED?
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 745 civilians killed, mostly in shootings. In addition, 125 members of government security forces and 148 militants with armed groups affiliated with Assad were killed. Electricity and drinking water were cut off in large areas around Latakia, the group added.
Meanwhile, the Syria Campaign and the Syrian Network for Human Rights, which both advocated against Assad after the civil war began in 2011, said Saturday that both security forces and pro-Assad gunmen were “carrying out mass executions and systematic killings.”
The SNHR estimated that 100 members of the government’s security forces were killed Thursday, while 125 of an estimated 140 civilians were slain over the weekend in “suspected revenge killings.”
The Associated Press could not verify those numbers, and conflicting death figures during attacks in Syria over the years have not been uncommon. Two residents in the coastal region said that many homes from Alawite families were looted and set on fire. They spoke from their hideouts on condition of anonymity, fearing for their lives.
Damascus blamed “individual actions” for the widespread violence against civilians and said government security forces were responding to the gunmen loyal to the former government. CAN DAM ASCUS RESTORE CALM AFTER THE CL ASHES?
Damascus has struggled to reconcile with skeptics of its Islamist government, as well as with Kurdish-led authorities in the northeast and the Druze minority in the south. Al-Sharaa has lobbied to convince the United States and Europe to lift sanctions to pave the way for economic recovery to pull millions of Syrians out of poverty and make the country viable again.
Washington and Europe are concerned that lifting sanctions before Syria transitions into an inclusive political system could pave the way for another chapter of autocratic rule. Al-Sharaa appealed to Syrians and the international community in an address over the weekend, calling for accountability for anyone who harms civilians and mistreats prisoners. Such human rights violations were rampant under Assad. Blaming remnants of the former government for the outbreak of violence, and certain foreign parties supporting them, Al-Sharaa also formed a committee composed mostly of judges to investigate the violence.
In a statement issued Sunday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio urged Syrian authorities to “hold the perpetrators of these massacres” accountable. Rubio said the US “stands with Syria’s religious and ethnic minorities, including its Christian, Druze, Alawite, and Kurdish communities.”
RELATIVES and neighbours attend funeral procession for four Syrian security force members killed in clashes with loyalists of ousted
President Bashar Assad in coastal Syria, in the village of Al-Janoudiya, west of Idlib, Saturday, March 8, 2025.
Photo: Omar Albam/AP