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MPS REVEAL WHO FILED DISCLOSURES
‘FNMs met deadline’ as PLPs also report on fulfilling the law
By JADE RUSSELL
Tribune Staff Reporter
jrussell@tribunemedia.net
THE Free National Movement (FNM) said that all its parliamentarians met this year’s deadline for filing financial disclosures under the Public Disclosure Act. Several Davis administration officials told The Tribune they filed their disclosures, including Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin, Grand Bahama Minister Ginger Moxey, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe, Labour and Public Service Minister Pia Glover-Rolle, Energy and Transport
By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter lmunnings@tribunemedia.net
FOREIGN Affairs
Minister Fred Mitchell
said Bahamians complain weekly to his ministry about the immigration policies of the United States of America and the “tone and manner” in which local US Embassy personnel treat them.
“They complain about the decisions, which seem whimsical, arbitrary and unilateral,” he added in a voice note.
He also touched on the US decision to potentially impose restrictions on the travels of Caribbean ministers that allow their
‘Pray for Archbishop’ as he fights battle against cancer
ARCHBISHOP Drexel
Gomez, the former head of the Anglican Church in the West Indies, has been hospitalised and diagnosed with cancer.
Prime Minister Philip Davis acknowledged the clergyman’s illness in a
statement posted to social media yesterday, calling him a “guiding light” and “a steadfast shepherd to so many.”
“During this Lenten season, we lift him up in prayer, asking for strength, healing, and peace,” Mr
Davis said. “We are grateful for his wisdom, his faith, and the love he has shared with our nation.”
The prime minister emphasised the country’s support for the religious
By EARYEL BOWLEG
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
THE Bahamas has recorded six suicides less than three months into the year –– already matching 2023’s total and surpassing half of last year’s total of eight.
A man in his 20s was found hanging at a home in Star Estates off Prince Charles Drive on Friday.
Chief Superintendent Marcus Sands, head of the Eastern Division, said police received a report of the apparent suicide
‘concerned’ as suicides reach 2023’s total north a baco bush fire destroys vacant club
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
DAYS after spending $10,000 on repairs for his vacant Abaco nightclub, Omar Bodie watched on a video call from Grand Bahama as the building burned down.
The fire, which has been burning in the Treasure Cay area for days, reportedly started last Monday near Treasure Cay International Airport. Residents had noticed smoke rising a few miles behind the airport, and volunteers were
ARCHBISHOP DREXEL GOMEZ, the former head of the Anglican Church in the West Indies, conducts the funeral of Dr Perry Gomez in 2023. The Archbishop has been hospitalised with cancer.
Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
Don’t miss out
THE 19TH Annual Bahamian Music & Heritage Festival in George Town, Exuma, March 14-15, 2025.
Photo: Kemuel Stubbs/BIS
THE JUNKANOO Corporation of New Providence held a gala event on the weekend celebrating 20 years.
Photo: Nikia Charlton
MPs reveal who filed disclosures
from page one
Minister JoBeth ColebyDavis, Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Mario Bowleg, Social Services
Minister Myles Laroda, Central and South Abaco
MP John Pinder, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Leon Lundy, Health Minister Dr Michael Darville, Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis.
The Tribune could not reach many other elected officials.
North Andros and the Berry Islands MP Leonardo Lightbourne said his declaration should be completed by tomorrow at the latest, attributing his delay to being on bed rest for a medical issue.
FNM leader Michael Pintard has called for the Public Disclosures Committee chairman, Bishop Victor Cooper, to be more transparent about who has complied with the law.
Bishop Cooper told
The Tribune earlier this month that the committee’s office may have been affected by mould, which made the building inaccessible and delayed the processing of public officials’ disclosures.
“We’ve had people who’ve been affected by mould, we’re not going to have anybody else affected,” he reiterated yesterday.
“I can’t speak to what this one say and the next one say, we have an office that’s infected with mould, and so we are not accommodating anyone in there, because it’s not safe to be there.”
Bishop Cooper said the commission had temporarily relocated to the Cabinet office until a new, secure space could
be arranged. He stressed that documents must be stored securely and in an organised manner. Once the office is cleared to return to its original location, officials will do so, with plans to modernise operations. Under the Public Disclosure Act of The Bahamas, senators and
Members of Parliament must submit annual declarations of their assets, income, and liabilities. The deadline for submissions was March 1. Bishop Cooper has previously downplayed the committee’s role in publishing disclosures, stating that while it compiles reports, it does not have the authority to publish them in the Gazette. He suggested that this responsibility lies with the Prime Minister and the opposition. However, the Public Disclosure Act clearly states that the committee must publish a summary of the declarations once reviewed.
The law also requires the committee to report non-compliance to the prime pinister and opposition leader, who can escalate the matter to Parliament, the attorney general, or law enforcement. Last year, Bishop Cooper said that 90 percent of parliamentarians had met the March 1, 2024, deadline, though he acknowledged that several senators and senior public officials had failed to comply. The names of those who did not comply were never disclosed. Under the law, noncompliance can result in fines of up to $10,000 or two years in prison.
Mitchell: Bahamians air concern at US treatment
from page one
countries to participate in Cuba’s labour export programme.
He said: “These are extraordinary times in the common era when
countries and the whole question of rules, the question of the United Nations Charter, the Declaration of Human Rights, the commitment to territorial integrity, the recognition of self
determination, the inviolability of borders, the right to move from one place to the next throughout the world, all seem under threat for small countries like ours and the entire Caribbean.”
He urged the Bahamian government to uphold the country’s moral values and defend its sovereignty, linking these developments to historical independence movements across the
Caribbean.
“If we are unable in these circumstances, to exercise the one thing we have, which is our voice and we also have our moral values, then 1804 for Haiti. 1962 for
will mean absolutely nothing.”
Jamaica and Trinidad Tobago. 1966 for Barbados, 1979 for St Lucia and St Vincent. 1973 for the Bahamas. 1974 for Grenada, 1978 for Dominica
OPPOSITION AND FNM LEADER MICHAEL PINTARD
‘Mother of two was not suicidal’, says source close to the family
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
JUST moments before a car crash claimed her life, 23-year-old Shyann Pierre was on her way to pick up her children from a loved one who had been babysitting them. Following the fatal crash, speculation swirled about whether it was a suicide. However, someone close to the family insisted on Friday that Pierre had every intention of returning home to her two young children.
The source, who spoke to The Tribune anonymously, described Pierre as a hardworking and devoted mother to her one-yearold and two-month-old children. Pierre’s death shocked the country, as the accident was captured on camera and widely shared.
A harrowing video showed her car speeding through an intersection before plunging into the water at Yamacraw Beach around 2am on March 1. Speed appeared to be a factor, and Pierre died at
Pintard
the scene after her black Honda Fit was submerged. Pierre lived in New Providence with her children and their father, while most of her family resided in Eleuthera or the United States. She had dropped her children off at a loved one’s home the day before the crash, telling them she would return later that night to pick them up. Reports indicate she was still in contact with loved ones shortly before the accident, speaking with them about an hour before the crash to say she was on her way. That night, she had been out with friends, and according to the source, it was common for her to pick up her children around midnight after working a late shift at a bar or attending other engagements.
The source said Pierre often lingered at the bar after her shifts for drinks. While they were unsure what led to the crash, they wondered if drink may have been a factor in the crash. There has been no confirmation officially whether that was the case.
accuses govt of forcing GB officers from provided housing without alternatives
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter
FREE National Move-
ment Leader Michael Pintard has accused the government of forcing dozens of police officers in Grand Bahama out of government-provided housing with little time to secure alternative accommodations.
However, National Security Minister Wayne Munroe dismissed his claims as “reckless and misleading,” insisting the eviction notices reflect a routine administrative decision Police Commissioner Shanta Knowles made without interference by the Davis administration.
He said officers were given three to six months to transition to private housing, with the option to request more time if
needed; he claimed not a single officer had done so.
“The housing assessment applies to officers who have lived in government-provided rentals for at least five years — some for as long as two decades — at the expense of the police budget,” Mr Munroe said in a statement. Mr Pintard, who hosted a press conference yesterday near one of the residential complexes housing officers at Tripp Circle alongside Central Grand Bahama MP Iram Lewis, claimed as many as 50 officers had been given eviction notices, with some ordered to vacate their residences within two, three, or six months. He challenged the government’s position, saying many officers have extenuating circumstances, including financial hardship, medical challenges, and difficulties securing transfers
back to their home islands.
“We are asking the Ministry of National Security to have a heart and design a plan that will deal with officers based on their individual circumstances,” Mr Pintard said. “We had an opportunity to speak with more than ten officers who expressed concerns about the short timelines given and the lack of alternative solutions. These are officers who lived through Dorian and struggled.”
Mr Munroe, however, said the issue is about enforcing longstanding policy and ensuring that public funds are spent appropriately.
“The Commissioner of Police is now correcting this issue by enforcing the standard policy: once an officer is deemed domiciled, they must either assume responsibility for their housing costs or relocate,”
he said.
“Officers have been given six months to make these arrangements. The government has also forgiven the financial obligations that officers should have assumed long ago — a move that underscores fairness, not hardship.”
He accused Pintard of attempting to manufacture controversy for political gain, adding: “Pintard’s decision to ignore the facts proves that his goal was never to advocate for officers but rather
to manufacture controversy. This kind of reckless behaviour from the Leader of the Opposition is not just irresponsible — it is dishonest.”
Mr Pintard argued that officers have spent their own money to make some of the homes livable, particularly after Hurricane Dorian, and questioned why they are being removed now. He called for alternative solutions, such as allowing long-term occupants to purchase the properties or implementing
a rent-to-own programme.
“There is no shortage of buildings in Grand Bahama that the government can acquire and refurbish to accommodate officers,” he said.
“Furthermore, the government could facilitate officer homeownership through the Mortgage Corporation.”
Lewis added: “Many of these officers have families — wives and children who will be directly affected. All they are asking is to be a little more reasonable.”
of Lowe Sound, North Andros, passed away peacefully in Oklahoma on Wednesday, March 5th, 2025.
Left to cherish Rebecca’s fond memories are her Children: Karen Coakley, Vandeka & Kodero Stuart, Kenya Strachan and Shakeiva Hutcheson; Grandchildren: Quintel, Dominique, Kendia & Kario Evans, Valentino Rolle, Faith & Clyde Dwakins Jr., Alvarez & Deon Wilson, Ricardo Coakley Jr., Raymond Morley and Konner Colebrooke; Greatgrandchildren: Karlie Cox, Shaquille Woodside Jr. & Sasha Woodside, and Quintell Evans Jr.; Son-in-law: Ricardo Coakley; Bonus son: Edison Colebrooke; Sister: Helena Moss; Brothers: Hilliard (‘Shoemae’), Terveris (‘Preston’), Olgan & Elton Moss; Sisters-in-law: Rev. Sabrina, Bridgette & Sharon Moss, and Rev. Vyreene Bain and a host of other relatives and friends too numerous to mention.
Her Memorial Service will be held at Mt Calvary Baptist Church, Lowe Sound, North Andros, Bahamas, on Saturday, March 22nd, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. Reverend Dr. Ifll Russell will offciate. Interment will follow in Lowe Sound Cemetery, Lowe Sound, North Andros. Rebecca Delrea Moss, November 24th, 1962 – March 5th, 2025
A TRAFFIC fatality took the life ofShyann Pierre, a mother of two, at the intersection of Eastern Road and Prince Charles Drive on March 1, 2025.
Photo: Chappell Whyms Jr
FNM LEADER MICHAEL PINTARD AND CENTRAL GRAND BAHAMA MP IRAM LEWIS
‘Pray for Archbishop’ as he fights battle against cancer
from page one
leader, adding: “Archbishop, we are thinking of you, standing with you, and believing in God’s grace over your life.”
Archbishop Gomez, a towering figure in the Anglican Church, served as Archbishop of the West Indies from 1996 to 2009.
His influence extended beyond The Bahamas, shaping theological discussions throughout the Caribbean and the global Anglican Communion.
Leader of the FNM, Michael Pintard, last night said the party joins with his family, friends and the global Christian community in prayer for the Archbishop.
“Throughout his life, Archbishop Gomez has been a unifying voice within the Anglican Community, and a devoted servant of God whose impact reaches far beyond the Church.
“His leadership has been marked by a commitment to the spiritual well-being of countless people,” Mr Pintard said.
ARCHBISHOP DREXEL GOMEZ, the former head of the Anglican Church in the West Indies, conducts th funeral of Dr Perry Gomez in 2023. The Archbishop has been hospitalised with cancer.
North Abaco bush fire
destroys vacant club
later stationed there as the flames inched closer.
No homes were affected, but Mr Bodie, 44, was lost for words when his cousin video-called him around 2pm on Saturday, showing Club Mystic engulfed in flames. The club had been closed since suffering severe damage from Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
Mr Bodie said just last week, he had purchased $10,000 worth of lumber and materials to repair the roof, hoping to eventually reopen.
“I might have to break it down and start all over again,” he sighed.
Currently unemployed, he plans to fly back to Abaco today to assess the damage and determine his next steps.
Photos and videos shared with The Tribune showed thick white smoke covering the sky, while firefighters worked to contain the blaze.
Some residents reported being temporarily blinded by the heavy smoke while driving on SC Bootle Highway, while others, living miles away, said they could smell the smoke.
Another business owner, Jenson Edgecombe, who runs an Airbnb called Happy State and a car rental service in Treasure Cay, said his properties were spared. He credited using a tractor to push debris away from his fence with preventing the flames from spreading to his businesses.
Videos also showed an old, non-operational gas station affected by the fire. Stephen Wilson, Family Island administrator for North Abaco, said bushfires are not uncommon on the island. He explained that some residents light small fires to produce coal, not realising how quickly they can spread. While the exact cause of this fire is undetermined, he said this is a likely explanation.
Mr Wilson praised volunteer firefighters for their response, noting that Abaco has two fire engines in Treasure Cay and one in Marsh Harbour that were used to battle the flames. However, he said he plans to meet with government officials soon to request a tractor, heavy-duty equipment, and additional resources to improve fire response efforts.
Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
A VACANT structure burns as a bush fire in North Abaco sweeps through off SC Bootle Hwy and around the Treasure Cay Airport over the weekend.
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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We must act now to end violence
EDITOR, The Tribune.
HOW much more blood must be spilled before we finally say, enough is enough? How many more families must be shattered, how many more children must be left fatherless, before we realise that gun violence is no longer just a crime statistic—it is an all-out war against the safety and security of our people?
who aid and abet criminal enterprises for their own illicit gains. Corruption and complacency have no place in a nation fighting for survival.
trauma she will carry?
@tribune242 tribune news network
A salute to MPs following the law
WE would like to salute a number of parliamentarians in today’s editorial –for doing as the law asks of them. The law requires all parliamentarians to file financial disclosures by March 1 under the Public Disclosure Act.
It is, we repeat, the law. It is not an option. It is not a whim. It is a legal requirement.
That said, the law has been too often looked down upon in the past. So let us salute those who have lived up to their end of the deal.
The Tribune has contacted a number of parliamentarians to ask if they did or did not do so.
So, if all have done as they said, they deserve to be noted.
In that spirit, well done to the entireity of the FNM’s parliamentarians for meeting the deadline – including party leader Michael Pintard for getting his team over that finish line.
Well done to the Deputy Prime Minister, Chester Cooper.
Well done to Education Minister Glenys Hanna Martin.
Thank you to Grand Bahama Minister Ginger Moxey. To Energy and Transport Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis.
Applause to Wayne Munroe, National Security Minister, and Mario Bowleg, the Youth, Sports and Culture Minister.
Well done Public Service Minister Pia Glover-Rolle and Social Services Minister Myles Laroda.
A salute to Health Minister Dr Michael Darville and Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis.
And well done Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Leon Lundy, and Central and South Abaco MP John Pinder.
One MP, Leonardo Lightbourne, said his declarations would be ready by tomorrow – more than two weeks after the deadline – but he cited being on bed rest for medical reasons as an explanation.
You will note a number of names who we cannot applaud for following the law as yet.
Perhaps one is your own local constituency MP. Perhaps when they come knocking on your door or walking about in your community, you might ask them if they obeyed the law.
The Tribune will certainly keep asking.
For those who have not obeyed the law, perhaps someone will remind them that they risk a penalty of up to a $10,000 fine or two years in prison.
Meanwhile, the Public Disclosures Commission still seems to be having problems with mould.
The chairman, Bishop Victor Cooper, said: “We’ve had people who’ve been affected by mould, we’re not going to have anybody else affected.”
Given the lack of urgency in reporting previous years’ declarations, despite the legal requirement to do so, we imagine this mould crisis will be utterly debilitating to the prospect of reporting this year’s – again, despite it being the law.
That law states that the committee must publish a summary of the declarations once reviewed.
A lot of dust has gathered on the last lot of declarations to be published. Perhaps even some mould too.
Last year’s list of names was never disclosed, despite only 90 percent of parliamentarians having met the deadline. One in ten failed to comply. Who?
The bishop is not saying.
So given how the disclosures have been treated in the past, credit to those who have done their duty. Praise to those who have said it out loud, who declared as required, and who affirmed their declaration in public.
As for those who have been more reticent in saying whether they are lawmakers or lawbreakers, there is still time. Step right up. The public is ready to hear you speak.
The recent murder in Kennedy Subdivision is yet another gut-wrenching reminder that no place is truly safe. A new year has barely begun, and already, another life has been stolen, another family plunged into grief, another community left reeling in fear. But what is most horrific and unforgivable is that we, as a nation, seem to let these tragedies fade into silence—incident after incident, life after life, we move on as if these souls were not here, as if their dreams, their families, their futures did not matter.
Just days ago, a young father with a promising future was gunned down in front of his four-yearold daughter—his little girl, forced to witness the unimaginable, to watch her father’s life stolen in an instant. Can we even begin to fathom the
Can we truly accept that this is the world we have allowed to exist? And yet, here we are, letting this nightmare go quiet, waiting for the next tragedy to shake us, Gun violence is devouring our communities from the inside out. Here in New Providence, the streets we once called home now feel like battlegrounds. The fear is constant, the grief is endless, and the sense of hopelessness is growing. We are a people under siege, watching helplessly as criminals wreak havoc on our homes, our families, and our future. But we are not helpless. We must act now. We need leaders who have the courage to do what is right, not what is politically convenient. We need leadership that supports capital punishment for those who terrorize our communities without remorse. We need stiffer penalties—swift and severe consequences that send a clear message: if you take a life, you will pay the ultimate price. And we need to rid our country of leaders
Our children need us now. Our families need us now. Our country is hanging by a thread, and if we do not stand up today, we may not have a nation left to fight for tomorrow.
We cannot wait for another mother’s screams to echo through our streets as she mourns her murdered child. We cannot wait for another father to collapse in agony as he watches his son’s lifeless body covered in a blood-stained sheet. We must act today—before it is too late.
To our leaders: step up, or step aside. The people of this country will no longer sit back and watch as criminals run rampant, as our communities crumble, and as our children grow up in a nation that is no longer safe to call home.
The fight for our survival “MUST” begin NOW!
MANDEL MILLER Community Treatment Specialist and Each One Reach One AntiGun Violence Advocate and Coordinator Nassau, March 14, 2025.
Dont forget the needs of our men
EDITOR, The Tribune.
HAVE you noticed that when we discuss gender affairs, the focus is always on women and children, as if men are not the other gender who require attention for the challenges they face? It is a sign of how men and their needs are taken for granted in our society.
Our men are hurting. Regard being had for mental illnesses that can affect both males and females, today’s growing number of suicides and suicide attempts by men in The Bahamas suggests that our men are struggling to find their place and purpose, and are hurting in ways society is not giving them ample safe spaces to talk about and seek healing for.
Society is pretty heartless when it comes to a man’s struggles. Men are expected to be impervious. As such, our attitude toward a man’s pain and fears is that he should just suck it up, figure it out and go cry somewhere else because no one wants to hear a man whining about his issues.
Culture dictates what it means to be a man. With The Bahamas’ national crisis of fatherlessness (wherein far too many homes do not have a present and active father),
most boys are growing up lost. A mother, for all her love and support, cannot teach a boy how to be a man. Our boys are growing up confused about who they are, what manhood entails, and what to do if you fail to meet the standards of manhood one’s family and society have set.
And that failure can have grave consequences. When a man cannot adequately provide for his family, when society tells men their only value is in the money we get from them either as mates or fathers, and when a man cannot find meaning or success in his work or his place in society, he can develop feelings of uselessness - a leading feeling behind many male suicides.
Adding significant insult to societal injury are contemporary cultural shifts that demonize manhood, paint men as unnecessary, frame masculinity as toxic, and promote the view that men should be considered threats or miscreants by default. Additionally, western educational systems have structured schooling in ways that cater more to how girls learn and socialise. It would be instructive to analyse learning
experiences of boys and girls in our educational system to understand and address gender-based differences, as well as attitudes and gender stereotypes that could be negatively impacting learning and achievement levels of male students.
We are losing so many of our men to deadly violence. But we are losing even more of our men who are still alive, but feel dead inside. The pressure to measure up and be somebody can be intense. Many males are checking out because they feel powerless to change their circumstances. And many of them are lashing out or engaging in self-destructive behaviors because they do not know what to do with emotions they have never been taught by other men to channel in productive ways. Strong men and fathers are essential for a stable society. We must take a researched and compassionate look at our men and their needs. And we all need to pay more attention to the men in our lives, the pressures they face, and the pain they feel that is no less important or consequential than the pain of a woman.
SHARON TURNER March 16, 2025.
Carnival ‘too big an event for govt not to get involved’, says Tirelli
By RASHAD ROLLE AND EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporters
BAHAMAS Carnival Band Owners Association
chairman Dario Tirelli said he is disappointed that the Ministry of Tourism is not helping to subsidise Bahamas Carnival, arguing that the festival needs at least $250,000 in government
support annually. “It’s too big of an event for the government not to get involved,” he said. Introduced with fanfare in 2015 and supported by $9m from the Christie administration, Bahamas Carnival has lost momentum. There are fewer bands, fewer lead-up events, and fewer participants, raising concerns about its survival
over the next decade. Some believe it could survive on a smaller scale than its regional counterparts.
Mr Tirelli said most bands have been late this year in revealing their costumes. He said so far, only two — his own band, Rhythms, and the Bahamas Masqueraders, the largest group — have done so. He added that two other bands
Severe weather causes flight delays over the weekend
FLIGHTS from Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA) were disrupted over the weekend as severe weather in Florida caused delays for travellers heading to and from The Bahamas.
Jan Knowles, vice president of marketing and communications at the Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD), said 16 flights were affected by the storm. The Tribune understands that some flights were held up for as long as three hours. The storm system swept through Florida on Sunday, bringing tornadoes, damaging winds, and heavy rainfall. An EF2 tornado in Seminole County caused significant property damage and power outages, while severe weather forced temporary flight delays at Orlando International Airport. Tornado watches were also issued across multiple counties.
are in the process of unveiling their costumes, while there are nine registered and active bands overall.
As his committee works to bring back sponsors and rebuild momentum, Mr Tirelli said he has noticed increasing interest from foreign participants and believes this year’s event will have a bigger tourism impact than last year’s.
He said the lack of government funding has affected the song competition, once a key festival feature that helped support local artists and the creative industry.
On Friday, Tourism Minister Chester Cooper said Carnival is not part of his ministry’s portfolio and that his ministry is not involved. Youth, Sports and Culture
In
Minister Mario Bowleg also distanced his ministry from responsibility for the event, pointing instead to the Ministry of Tourism. He said Cabinet would have to discuss whether public funds should be used to support the festival.
2017, the Minnis administration withdrew government funding for Bahamas Carnival.
THE STORIES BEHIND THE NEWS
MONDAY, MARCH 17, 2025
Navigating a new frontier with keen responsibility
STRACHAN
THE recent failed test
flight of SpaceX’s Starship rocket has sparked conversation and understandable concern amongst Bahamians. As our nation deepens its involvement in the space sector, such events naturally prompt questions about the risks and responsibilities associated with this emerging frontier. While vigilance is important, it is equally crucial to maintain perspective and consider the broader context of innovation. For The Bahamas, this moment presents an opportunity for reflection and constructive dialogue on how we can balance progress with prudent stewardship.
Understanding the Difference: Falcon 9 vs Starship
It is important to distinguish between the Starship rocket and the Falcon 9, the latter being the focus of The Bahamas’ current agreement with SpaceX. The Falcon 9 is a proven vehicle, with over 300 successful launches and landings. Its reusable design has transformed the economics of space travel, supporting missions ranging from satellite deployments to cargo deliveries to the International Space Station. The Exumas, with their strategic location and expansive waters, have become an essential site for Falcon 9’s ocean landings. These operations are carefully coordinated, adhering to stringent safety and environmental guidelines. To date, these
activ-
ities have been conducted without incident, highlighting the collaborative efforts between SpaceX and Bahamian authorities.
The recent Starship test is a separate endeavour. Starship represents SpaceX’s long-term vision for space travel, including missions to Mars. Its scale and objectives differ vastly from the Falcon 9. While the test did not meet all its objectives, it provided insights that will inform future developments. Importantly, this test has no bearing on The Bahamas’ current agreements or the safety protocols in place for Falcon 9 landings.
Innovation and its challenges
...as we look to the future, it is critical that we remain guided by thoughtful consideration.
Space exploration is inherently experimental, and with experimentation comes the potential for setbacks. Each challenge offers a learn ing opportunity that brings the broader sci entific community closer to long-term goals. This is the reality of advancing new technology—progress is not always linear.
The Starship test is a reminder that innovation, particularly at the cutting edge, carries risks. However, the public’s concern is valid and should be met with transparent communication. A cautious yet forward-looking perspective is key to ensuring The Bahamas continues to engage responsibly with this evolving sector.
Environmental considerations and responsible recovery
Concerns about environmental safety are valid and must be taken seriously. The Bahamas’ pristine ecosystems are invaluable, and any potential threat must be addressed proactively. SpaceX has already initiated recovery operations to safely retrieve Starship debris and conduct environmental assessments. The company’s commitment to addressing potential risks is essential, and Bahamian authorities must continue to engage rigorously to ensure that these standards are upheld.
The track record with Falcon 9 landings in the Exumas provides some reassurance. These operations have been conducted with extensive consultations, environmental oversight, and a focus on minimising impact. Yet, as The Bahamas continues its partnership with SpaceX, it is vital that we remain vigilant. Regular reviews and independent assessments should be part of ongoing agreements to ensure our natural heritage is protected.
Opportunities and responsibilities
The potential benefits of The Bahamas’
partnership with SpaceX are significant. Beyond economic incentives, such collaborations position our nation as a partner in global scientific progress. They create pathways for investment in STEM education, promote technological innovation, and open new doors for future industries.
Yet, with opportunity comes responsibility. It is essential that The Bahamas approaches these partnerships with a clear framework that prioritises environmental integrity, community engagement, and transparency. Collaboration should be rooted in mutual benefit, ensuring that The Bahamas’ interests are always front and center.
The partnership with SpaceX can encourage national growth, stimulate technological education, and elevate The Bahamas on the global stage. However, these gains must be pursued thoughtfully, with constant reassessment of their environmental and societal impacts. Establishing advisory groups, enhancing community dialogue, and promoting open discussions about the implications of such partnerships can help build public confidence.
Navigating with prudence and vision
Looking ahead
The Bahamas’ engagement with SpaceX reflects our nation’s capacity to be part of groundbreaking innovation. Yet, as we look to the future, it is critical that we remain guided by thoughtful consideration. We must continue to ask questions, seek assurances, and shape agreements that prioritise our national interest.
We must also continue to build capacity, investing in education and research so that Bahamians are not just spectators but leaders in the evolving space sector. By fostering local expertise and promoting opportunities for young Bahamians, we can ensure that the benefits of these partnerships are inclusive and far-reaching.
In moving forward, let us embrace a balanced perspective. Let us celebrate the opportunities presented by progress while standing firm in our commitment to prudence and environmental stewardship. Let us engage with vision, responsibility, and an unwavering focus on securing a better future for The Bahamas. In unity with global advancements, The Bahamas will continue to navigate this new frontier—with eyes wide open and a firm hand on the helm.
Caution does not mean resistance to progress. Rather, it is about ensuring that as we navigate new frontiers, we do so with careful consideration and respect for our natural and cultural heritage. The Bahamas has an opportunity to shape how we engage with the global space industry—an opportunity to demand high standards, responsible practices, and genuine benefit for our people and environment. The recent Starship test, while drawing attention for its outcome, should be viewed within this broader narrative. It is one moment in a much larger journey. It is a reminder that progress is complex and multifaceted, and that true advancement requires openness to learning, adaptation, and resilience.
HAWTHORNE, CA, USA - May 10, 2022: The historic flown and recovered Falcon 9 rocket booster, a permanent vertical display at the SpaceX headquarters in Hawthorne, California.
Lessons never learned
IN 1492 when Christopher Columbus landed in the islands of The Bahamas, there was an estimated 30,000 to 40,000 Arawak Indians called Lucayans already inhabiting the region. Historians believe that the Lucayans populated the islands for at least eight centuries. They made pottery from burned conch shells and red clay. They grew crops like sweet potato, corn, pineapple, guava and cassava for personal consumption and to trade with neighboring countries like Cuba. In his journal, Columbus described the Lucayans as handsome and friendly but just 25 years after his landing, the Lucayan population was entirely decimated by slavery and diseases hitherto foreign to them like influenza, smallpox and malaria. Following this, the islands remained unpopulated for another 130 years until a group of English men from Bermuda known as the Eleutheran adventurers settled on the islands in 1647. Today, many Lucayan traditions remain intact. Though cooking methods and recipes have changed, Bahamians still grow crops the Lucayans and Tainos grew. We still savour meals prepared of fish, crab and conch. We remain God-fearing and religious and live in family-centric closely built communities. The Lucayans inhabited this land long before we did, but their traditions and lessons are soaked into the soil and encrusted in the salt of our ocean and the roots of our plants. Deeply encoded within our DNA, these traditions are invaluable portals to our past, passed down over successive generations, and fiercely guarded year after year by the same sun and stars.
Perhaps nowhere is it more critical in impact than in our continual trust in strangers who at first glance appear to be bearing gifts. It’s a lesson
By
we should have learned but managed with all our experience, technology and education to avoid. When we ignore lessons that could save our lives
and shun those with only short-lived resonance, we pay the price and we paid it heavily by ignoring our instincts and overlooking our traditions during the
COVID-19 pandemic. It was not that long ago when this country and many parts of the world were stagnated by government-enforced
lockdowns. The world economy was in a free fall and the fragility of life was omni-present.
This past week marked the fifth anniversary since the World Health Organization declared Coronavirus disease 2019 (abbreviated as COVID19) a pandemic. Given the timing, I wanted today’s report to reflect on the lessons the pandemic taught us - which it would appear we’ve unfortunately forgotten or, even worse, simply never learned.
On December 12, 2019, multiple patients in Wuhan, China began exhibiting atypical pneumonia-like symptoms that weren’t responding to conventional medication. On December 31, 2019, the World Health Organization tracked the source of their symptoms to the Huanan wholesale seafood market. The following day, the Chinese market was shut down and on January 3, 2020 there were about 40 cases of this atypical pneumonia. By January 19, there were 278 cases in China, two cases in Thailand, one in Japan and one in South Korea. The first laboratory confirmed case occurred in Washington on January 20, 2020 and on January 23, 2020 the city of Wuhan with a population of 11 million people was placed on lockdown.
On March 11, 2020 when the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 a pandemic, there were 4,291 deaths amongst 118,000 cases in 114 countries. The first confirmed case in The Bahamas was reported on March 15, 2020 in a 61-year-old woman with no recent travel history. By May 2023 when the World Health Organization declared an end to the pandemic, however, there were more than 38,000 cases and 844 deaths in The Bahamas alone. Worldwide 705 million people have been infected. Of those, there have been a staggering seven million confirmed
deaths and up to 33 million suspected deaths globally marking COVID19 as the fifth deadliest pandemic in the history of mankind.
The number one lesson that we should have learned during the pandemic is that we all need one another. The forced isolation ironically reminded us that in order to thrive, the rest of the world had to unite. There were global shortages in masks, gowns, gloves, medical equipment, vaccines and other life-saving medication and supplies. So, thirdworld countries that don’t manufacture them or have the resources to purchase them in bulk became heavily reliant on external aid. If nothing else, it was a stark reminder that our public health sector requires tangible strengthening across the board from better ventilation and isolation wards to improved infection protocols and access to medication.
Were another pandemic to start tomorrow, I don’t see how our public healthcare facilities will fare much better. In fact, our resources today may be more strained than they were five years ago.
The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that wearing masks is useful in preventing the spread of disease but we no longer find them in airports, grocery stores and other public places were crowds gather, touch door knobs, stairway rails or pick up food at a salad bar. Even medical supply stores and pharmacies across the nation have short supply. Hand sanitizers at one point lined shelves in abundance but now a sudden blink and you’ll walk right past them where they can be found reduced to a discounted price of 50 cents per bottle; less than the price of some chewing gum and chocolate. There is only one
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DR KENNETH D KEMP
grocery chain that still fills its hand sanitiser container regularly and one popular ice cream shop on Cable Beach that is so diligent about hand sanitizer that the security guard reinforces the requirement to utilise it before picking up a cup to fill. Hundreds of other shops and offices have removed the dispenser from the wall, as if to say we are safe now, no problem. But the recent spate of flu tells us otherwise. It is imperative that we actively procure and stockpile personal protective equipment, diagnostic and medical equipment and expand our healthcare work force before another pandemic reaches our shores.
Studies have shown that obesity dramatically increased the risk of mortality from Covid19. A report released by the United Nations (UN) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in January of this year reaffirmed that close to 50 percent of the country’s adult population is obese. This is approximately three times higher than the global average. Despite this, Bahamians have not altered their diet and outside of work still remain relatively sedentary.
The economies of nations all around the world collapsed during the pandemic and livelihoods were largely buoyed by government-backed social services initiatives. It was a moment of self-reflection that should have made individuals realize the importance of saving for a rainy day. Once the pandemic ended, however, there was a knee-jerk return to status quo and Bahamians have universally shelved the significance of pension plans and living within our means.
Additionally, Tele-medicine was instrumental in helping patients stay connected with their health-care providers at a time when going to the clinic was far too dangerous particularly for immuno-compromised patients with multiple co-morbidities. I felt that this offered long-term health care opportunities especially for patients on family islands with limited access to regular health care but half a decade later, the infrastructure hasn’t been put in place to readily diagnose and treat patients remotely so
the onerous task of them traveling to Nassau for specialty doctor visits (not offered on most islands) still persists, though Eleuthera is an exception. Finally, there’s been a disturbing rise in suicide attempts in The Bahamas since the pandemic, with more than 50 suicide attempts reported in 2023 alone. We need to take mental health more seriously and enact measures that allow persons suffering with depression and suicidal ideations easier access to professionals who can help. Legislation and policing efforts that limit access to firearms and frequently abused medication is crucial in this fight but such measures have yet to be enacted and/or readily enforced.
In his journal, Columbus wrote that when he landed in The Bahamas, the Lucayans offered him and his men food and water and asked if they’d come from heaven. It wouldn’t be long for them to realise that these were not the saviors they initially believed them to be.
The march of civilisation has been bloody and painful. The Lucayans were decimated but the core elements of how they lived still thrive today in so many Bahamians. So, why do these traditions persist while others more recently embraced have quickly fallen by the wayside? I suspect it’s because there are some traditions and lessons that we innately hold on to because of familial bonds. We simply don’t hold the same reverence for others that are externally imposed. With this understanding, it becomes incumbent upon us as a nation to remember the lessons we learned from the pandemic, abide by those that saved our lives and pass them down to our children. Because if the sobering statistics highlighted herein aren’t a wake-up call, I don’t know what is.
This is The KDK Report.
Trump invokes 18th century law to speed deportations, judge stalls it hours later
Associated Press
PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Saturday invoked the Alien Enemies Act for the first time since World War II granting himself sweeping powers under a centuriesold law to deport people associated with a Venezuelan gang. Hours later, a federal judge halted deportations under Trump’s order.
The act is a sweeping wartime authority that allows non-citizens to be deported without being given the opportunity to go before an immigration or federal court judge.
Trump repeatedly hinted during his campaign that he would declare extraordinary powers to confront illegal immigration and laid additional groundwork in a slew of executive orders on January 20. His proclamation on Saturday identified Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang as an invading force.
US District Judge James E. Boasberg, who was appointed by President Barack Obama, blocked anyone from being deported under Trump’s proclamation for two weeks and scheduled a Friday hearing to consider arguments.
What is the Alien Enemies Act?
In 1798, with the US preparing for what it believed would be a war with France, Congress passed a series of laws that increased the federal government’s reach. Worried that immigrants could sympathise with the French, the Alien Enemies Act was created to give the president wide powers to imprison and deport non-citizens in time of war.
Since then, the act has been used just three times: during the War of 1812, World War I and World War II
During World War II with anti-foreigner fears sweeping the country, it was part of the legal rationale for mass internment in the US of people of German, Italian and
especially Japanese ancestry. An estimated 120,000 people with Japanese heritage, including those with US citizenship, were incarcerated during the war.
What brought this to a head on a Saturday?
T he American Civil Liberties Union and D emocracy Forward preemptively sued Trump late Friday in federal court in Washington, D C, saying five Venezuelan men being held at an immigration detention center in R aymondville, Texas, were at “imminent risk of removal” under the Alien E nemies Act. Boasberg blocked their deportation, prompting an immediate appeal from the Justice D epartment.
Almost simultaneously, the Trump administration agreed to pay E l S alvador $6m to imprison about 300 alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang for one year.
T he agreement with E l S alvador followed discussions between that country’s president, N ayib Bukele, and U S S ecretary of S tate Marco R ubio about housing migrants in E l S alvador’s notorious prisons. Bukele’s government has arrested more than 84,000 people, sometimes without due process, since 2022 in a crackdown on gang violence.
ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt said two flights S aturday may have carried people deported under Trump’s proclamation, one to E l S alvador and one possibly to Honduras. Boasberg said any such flights would have to be returned midair to the United S tates.
The US isn’t at war, is it?
For years, Trump and his allies have argued that America is facing an “invasion” of people arriving illegally. Arrests on the US border with Mexico topped two million a year for two straight years for the first time under President Joe Biden, with many released into the US to
pursue asylum. After hitting an all-time monthly high of 250,000 in December 2023, they plunged to less than 8,400 this February — the lowest levels since the 1960s.
The act, Trump said in his inaugural address, would be a key tool in his immigration crackdown.
“By invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, I will direct our government to use the full and immense power of federal and state law enforcement to eliminate the presence of all foreign gangs and criminal networks bringing devastating crime to U.S. soil,” he said. “As commander in chief, I have no higher responsibility than to defend our country from threats and invasions.”
Critics say Trump is wrongly using the act to target non-state actors, not foreign governments. Invoking it in peacetime to bypass conventional immigration law would be a staggering abuse,” the Brennan Center for Justice wrote, calling it “at odds with centuries of legislative,
presidential, and judicial practice.”
“Summary detentions and deportations under the law conflict with contemporary understandings of equal protection and due process,” the Brennan Center said.
Does illegal immigration constitute an invasion?
I t’s a new and untested argument. Trump has warned of the power of Latin American criminal gangs in the U S , but only a tiny percentage of the people living illegally in the U S are criminals.
Trump, in his wartime declaration on S aturday, said Tren de Aragua “is perpetrating, attempting, and threatening an invasion of predatory incursion against the territory of the United S tates”. He said the gang was engaged in “irregular warfare” against the United S tates at the direction of Venezuelan President N icolas Maduro.
Tren de Aragua originated in an infamously lawless prison in the
central state of Aragua and accompanied an exodus of millions of Venezuelans, the overwhelming majority of whom were seeking better living conditions after their nation’s economy came undone last decade.
Last month, the Trump administration designated Tren de Aragua and seven other Latin American crime organizations as “foreign terrorist organisations,” upping pressure on cartels operating in the U S and on anyone aiding them.
Congress’ research arm said in a report last month officials may use the foreign terrorist designations to argue the gang’s activities in the U S amount to a limited invasion. “ T his theory appears to be unprecedented and has not been subject to judicial review,” the Congressional R esearch S ervice said. T he Venezuelan government has not typically taken its people back from the U S , except on a few occasions. Over the past few weeks, about 350 people were deported to Venezuela, including some 180 who spent up to 16 days at the U S naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Embassy of Antigua and Barbuda responds to report of possible US travel restrictions
THERE have been reports that the administration of US President Donald Trump is considering issuing travel restrictions for dozens of countries, prompting widespread reaction.
An internal memo seen by Reuters has listed 41 countries divided into three groups - including a number of nations in our region.
The first group of ten countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba and North Korea among others, would have a full visa suspension, while the second group of five countries - Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar and South Sudan - would get partial suspensions that would affect tourist, student and other immigrant visas with some exceptions.
The third group of 26 countries has been reportedly put on a “yellow list” that will see them considered for a partial suspension if their governments do not make efforts to address deficiencies within 60 days.
Reportedly, the memo has yet to be approved by the administration and could be amended, according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Among the countries listed in the third group are Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and Antigua and Barbuda.
The Embassy of Antigua and Barbuda in Washington has written to the US State Department in the wake of the articles circulating.
The letter reads: “The Embassy expresses its deep concern about these reports and respectfully requests clarification regarding whether the Department of State has, in fact, drawn up such a list naming Antigua and Barbuda. The Government of Antigua
and Barbuda has received no prior notice from any branch of the US government regarding this matter, and thus, would be grateful for any official information the Department of State can provide.
In the event that the information in the article is accurate, the Embassy, mindful of the mutually beneficial relations between our two countries and determined to uphold these close ties, kindly requests details of any “deficiencies” perceived by agencies of the United States so that they may be promptly discussed and remedied.
The Embassy takes this opportunity to reaffirm that the Government of Antigua and Barbuda maintains a sanctions policy fully aligned with that of the US Treasury in all financial matters. Furthermore, in relation to the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP), Antigua and Barbuda does not accept applications from any country that is currently on a US banned list. All applications are rigorously vetted by recognised international agencies, including INTERPOL, to ensure that no applicants with a criminal background or current charges (including terrorism) are considered.
“The Embassy of Antigua and Barbuda would welcome a timely response from the Department of State so that we may continue to advance and safeguard the valued cooperation between our two countries.” The memo comes in the wake of an executive order on January 20 which directed Cabinet members to submit a list of countries for partial or full suspension because of supposed deficiencies with vetting and screening.
REPUBLICAN presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks along the southern border with Mexico, on August 22, 2024, in Sierra Vista, Arizona.
Photo: Evan Vucci/AP
as suicides reach 2023’s total number
sometime after 4pm. He said a family member made the discovery.
Officers found the man hanging in the kitchen area of the home. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) pronounced him lifeless. An autopsy will be performed.
The death marked the second alleged suicide last week.
“This is definitely concerning to us,” CSP Sands said. “We can’t say the cause of this particular one.”
According to police statistics, there were eight suicides in 2024, up from six in 2023.
Consultant psychiatrist
Dr John Dillett told The Tribune on Friday that every suicide case is different and requires thorough investigation to determine the underlying causes.
He noted that a growing sense of hopelessness appears to be affecting many people, something he has observed in both his patients and general conversations. According to him, factors such as financial struggles, mental health challenges, and domestic issues contribute to feelings of despair.
Dr Dillett also pointed to the stigma surrounding mental health, which prevents many from speaking openly about their struggles. He said the country’s mental health resources remain inadequate, a situation made worse by the effects of the pandemic and years of limited investment in care.
Although men and women experience depression at similar rates, Dr Dillett said men are more likely to die by suicide because of the methods they use. He added that women tend to express their emotions more freely and seek support, whereas men often feel pressured to suppress their struggles. He also warned that economic pressures, crime, and lingering affects of the pandemic have led to increased anxiety and depression. As more people turn to substance use as a coping mechanism, he said, impulsivity rises, which can increase suicidal thoughts and actions.
Dr Dillett said the rising suicide numbers are alarming, adding that each case can have a ripple affect, reinforcing suicidal thoughts in others who are struggling.
THE EXUMA Independence Committee, in conjunction with Local Government Month, held a Time Capsule Concealment Ceremony on Friday on the grounds of the administrator’s residence. In a Post-50th Independence Anniversary activity there have been time capsules, filled with items reflecting pertinent aspects of Bahamian history, placed and sealed in various locations of The Bahamas. Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation Chester Cooper brought remarks. Pictured are: Cristian Palacious, Family Island Administrator for Exuma and Ragged Island; Glen Davis, Chief Councillor of Exuma District Council; Rev Chitan Darling, Rector of St Andrews Anglican Church; Rev John Rolle, past president of the Exuma Christian Council; Lavade Darling, Susan Jolly, Basil Minns; students of LN Coakley High School and St Andrews School, Exuma, participated in the Time Capsule Concealment Ceremony.
Kemuel Stubbs/BIS
JUSTICE Gregory Hilton was administered the Oath of Allegiance and the Judicial Oath, and presented his Instrument of Appointment as acting Justice of the Court of Appeal by Governor General Dame Cynthia ‘Mother’ Pratt during an Appointment Ceremony in the Ballroom at Government House, on March 10, 2025.
Letisha Henderson/BIS
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Environmental activist renews concerns over mangrove destruction in Grand Bahama
By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net
ENVIRONMENTAL
activist Captain Daniel Murray is raising concerns over renewed bulldozing and land clearing at a site off Queen’s Highway, where mangroves are being threatened.
Mr Murray, who initially sounded the alarm about mangrove destruction last July, questions whether authorisation has been granted for the work to resume.
Land development on Queen’s Highway was halted last July after the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP) issued a cease-and-desist order in response to concerns over the destruction of acres of mature 20-foot red mangroves. The area had been covered with tons of dirt and aggregate.
In early February, Capt Murray observed that work had allegedly resumed. He captured video footage showing heavy equipment operators at the site.
“I am devastated and heartbroken because the EIA said there are going
to be protected areas, and none of that has been explained to anybody,” he said. “I know there is some ongoing work going on there where they are putting in a new container port and cruise port for cruise ships.”
The East Harbour Expansion Project is underway at Hawksbill Creek/ Billy’s Cay off West Queen’s Highway, where the Freeport Harbour Company is developing the area for significant expansion.
Capt Murray, who has reviewed a copy of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), said it includes provisions for buffer zones to protect the mangroves.
“I don’t think they should be allowed to start work again. The EIA should have been scrutinised a lot more because there are a lot of things they promised they were going to do but did not do,” he claimed.
He noted that environmentalists were pleased when DEPP initially halted the work.
“Everybody planting mangroves and fighting for the environment was pleased, and we wondered what the outcome
would be from that, but we never heard back. But now, all of a sudden, there was movement of dirt and bulldozers moving again.
“We want to know if they are doing work without authorisation from the government. We also want to know what was the outcome of the government’s review that led them to stop the work in the first place.”
In 2019, Hurricane Dorian destroyed nearly 70 percent of Grand Bahama’s mangroves. The site off Queen’s Highway is one of the few remaining areas with healthy mangroves, where environmental groups collect seedlings for restoration projects across the island.
The area was also previously preserved as a nature park and trail for residents, visitors, and avid bird watchers.
Capt Murray stressed that the government, the public, and the Grand Bahama Port Authority all have a role to play in protecting the environment.
“We all have to work at the end of the day and direct our efforts towards preserving our environment, which is irreplaceable,” he said.
Man faces charges of indecent assault and cruelty to children
By EARYEL BOWLEG Tribune Staff Reporter ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
A 31- Y EAR - OLD man appeared before the Magistrate’s Court on charges of indecent assault and cruelty to children.
Development company makes donation of medical equipment to clinic in Exuma
By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net
The case will proceed by Voluntary Bill of Indictment. Demothene is scheduled to return to court on Monday for a bail application.
James Demothene appeared before Assistant Chief Magistrate Carolyn Vogt-Evans on Friday but was not required to enter a plea. Prosecutors allege that between June 20 and December 31, 2022, and February 2023, in New Providence, he indecently assaulted the victim. He is also accused of causing the victim unnecessary suffering or injury to her health while she was in his care.
A COMPANY developing a luxury resort in Exuma has donated medical equipment to support a temporary clinic while the local healthcare facility undergoes repairs.
Yntegra Group, a privately held investment firm involved in resort and real estate development in Exuma, provided items including wheelchairs, hospital beds, stretchers, weighing scales, air conditioning units, office furniture, and other essential supplies.
Nurse Elizabeth Boatemaa, who works at the clinic, said the equipment will improve conditions for staff and patients. She noted that air conditioning has made the
space more comfortable and that the new beds and medical tools will assist in providing care. Felipe MacLean, Yntegra Group’s principal, visited the clinic last month and was told the facility needed additional resources. He asked Nurse Boatemaa to compile a list of priority items, and the company later delivered more than 130 requested supplies.
In addition to the clinic donation, Yntegra provided new playground equipment for the Black Point AllAge School. The company purchased and installed commercial-grade play structures, repainted existing equipment, and donated laptops. Acting Principal Ethenique Rolle said the new playground is a valuable addition for students.
Yntegra is leading the development of the $200m
Rosewood Exuma resort, which is expected to open in 2028. Plans include 33 beachfront suites, a luxury spa, six dining venues, and two marinas aimed at attracting high-networth visitors. The project is under review by The Bahamas’ Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP). The company has faced opposition from Turtlegrass Resort & Island Club, which has raised environmental concerns. Turtlegrass, whose own development was approved before Yntegra’s, argues that elements of the Rosewood project — including docks and marinas — could disrupt its operations. The company has called for further environmental studies and warned that the impact of dredging could threaten marine ecosystems.
SCREEN captures from a video taken by Capt Daniel Murray in early February showed the site off Queen’s Highway, where mangroves have allegedly been buried and destroyed under tons of dirt.
YNTEGRA Group Founder & CEO Felipe MacLean and nurse Elizabeth Boatemaa speak to reporters at the temporary public clinic during a press trip hosted by Yntegra to Black Point, Exuma where the group touted donations made to the clinic on Friday.
Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
Scene S from Queen’S c ollege School fair
QUEEN’s College held it’s annual school fair on Saturday with loads of fun and entertainment for the whole family. Photos: Stephen Hunt
GB police celebrate 185 years with 5k Fun Run, Walk and
THE ROYAL Bahamas Police Force celebrated 185 years of courage, integrity and loyalty with a 5K Fun Run, Walk & Ride from the police station at the Obie Wilchombe Complex in Pine Dale, Eight Mile Rock to the Eight Mile Rock corner and back. West Grand Bahama MP Kingley Smith, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Avardo Dames were among those taking part in the event.
Photos: Vandyke Hepburn