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VOLUME:114 No.93, APRIL 4TH, 2017
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WOMAN: SEEKING THE ‘REBIRTH’ OF BAHAMIAN WOMEN
‘Blindsided’ by carnival delay
PM: IT IS EASY TO ‘PISS AWAY’ PUBLIC FUNDS
By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net WHILE some observers continue to criticise the Christie administration over the way it handles government revenue, Prime Minister Perry Christie admitted yesterday that it could be easy to “piss away” public funds. Speaking to scores of people gathered at the University of The Bahamas using what he referred to as SEE PAGE NINE
Stakeholders face financial losses in postponement By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net THE postponement of Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival has “blindsided” key stakeholders, with one travel company yesterday expressing disappointment and fear over potential damage to the event’s brand, as well as financial losses upwards of $25,000 as a result of the date change. The Nassau leg of the event will now be held from May 18-20, a wellplaced source confirmed, two weeks after the heavily publicised initial date of May 4-6.
Last week, the Bahamas National Festival Commission (BNFC) announced the line-up of entertainers for the third annual event and made no mention of a planned delay in the controversial festival. However, Prime Minister Perry Christie confirmed yesterday that the date has been suspended in consideration of the upcoming general election. The BNFC did not release an official statement on the postponement up to press time. However, flyers with the new date were circulating on social media last night. SEE PAGE SIX
FESTIVAL TO BE MAY 18-20 AS PM CONFIRMS MOVE By AVA TURNQUEST Tribune Chief Reporter aturnquest@tribunemedia.net
LESS than a week after officials announced the event’s line-up, Prime Minister Perry Christie confirmed yesterday that the 2017 Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival has been postponed until after the general election. The news has “blindsided” key stakeholders and
vendors, who decried the confusion, likely damage to brand and reputation and potential financial losses resulting from the date change. The Tribune understands the event has been pushed back from May 4-6 to May 18-20 in Nassau. The new date was also circulated in a flyer by Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival’s Instagram account last night. SEE PAGE SIX
A LINE outside the Parliamentary Registrar Department for voter registration.
Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
QUEUES BEGIN AS VOTERS RUSH TO REGISTER By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net VOTER registration centres in New Providence experienced “long lines and wait times” yesterday as people rushed to have their names added to the election register a week before
it closes. Parliamentary Commissioner Sherlyn Hall said the increase in registration came because of Prime Minister Perry’s Christie announcement that Parliament will be dissolved and election writs will be issued on April 11. In a statement on Sunday,
Mr Christie implored those who have not yet registered to vote in the next election to do so quickly, because the current register will close on April 10. “For general information, especially for the benefit of all those persons who would like to vote in the forthcoming general elec-
tion but have not yet registered to do so, it is my intention to cause the present Parliament to be dissolved on Tuesday, April 11, and to cause writs of election to be issued the same day,” the statement from the Office of the Prime Minister said. SEE PAGE THREE
CHRISTIE ‘NOT CONFUSED’ OVER 19-YEAR-OLD WOMAN AMONG FOUR CHARGED OVER KILLINGS DATE OF GENERAL ELECTION By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net ALTHOUGH he has not announced the date of the 2017 general election, Prime Minister Perry Christie said yesterday he is not “confused” about when Bahamians can expect to head to the polls to cast ballots. Responding to a question from The Tribune over his decision to announce the date of the dissolution
of Parliament and not that of the impending election, Mr Christie said he not only wanted to advance democracy in the country, but it was his intent to give people the time needed to register to vote before this Parliament session came to a close. The Centreville MP further suggested that once this happens and Bahamians vote, he would accept the results of the election. SEE PAGE THREE
By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
A 19-YEAR-OLD woman was among four people to appear in Magistrate’s Court yesterday accused of having a role in a number of recent killings in the capital. Victoria Gibson, of East Street, stood before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt charged with murder contrary to Sec-
Nassau & Bahama Islands’ Leading Newspaper
tion 291(1)(B) of the Penal Code. It is alleged that on March 31, she intentionally caused the death of Terenora Stubbs. According to police reports, around 12.30am last Friday, a fight broke out among a group at Potter’s Cay Dock that led to Stubbs being stabbed. He was transported to hospital where he later succumbed to his injuries. SEE PAGE FIVE
PAGE 2, Tuesday, April 4, 2017 THE 2017 TRIBUNE THE TRIBUNE
VOTERS queue to register yesterday as the countdown is on for those wanting to be able to vote in this year’s general election.
Photos: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, April 4, 2017, PAGE 3
QUEUES BEGIN AS VOTERS RUSH TO REGISTER from page one
“This will mean that only those persons who would have registered to vote on or before Monday, April 10 would be able to vote in the forthcoming general election.” When The Tribune arrived at the Parliamentary Registration Department yesterday afternoon, dozen were outside braving the heat in an effort to register. Scores more were in a line inside. The average wait time, according to Mr Hall, was around an hour or more. However he said the process was going “very well”. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Tourism Harrison Thompson, the lead organiser of the registration centres, said because “Bahamians wait last minute” unfortunately
there will be long lines and a lengthy wait at all the registration centres. “The centres have been open from October, 2015, but Bahamians like to wait for last minute,” Mr Thompson said. “Now because of the Prime Minister’s announcement, there is a rush. We expected it and we tried to prepare as best we can. We are managing it but people will have to wait. It is unfortunate but that is the reality. There is a process you have to go through. “Once people know there is a deadline and people know the time is almost up there is a rush. Now that people know the deadline is the 10th of April people want to register to have their voice heard. That is what is happening. All of the distribution and registration centres are open and they will remain open
until the 10th. We expect the crowd to remain until Monday.” Despite waiting until the last week to register to vote, several in the line still complained that the process was taking “way too long”. One man, who did not want to be named, said he waited for four hours but he “did not mind” because he took the day off to “get this done”. “I have been waiting since 10am but it doesn’t bother me, I am a patient man. I need to get this done to vote the government out so I will wait here as long as I have to,” he told The Tribune. A woman who was also in the line, said this “kind of foolishness” should not still be happening in 2017. “I have to wait all this time for this piece of paper with my picture taped to it,” she said. “I mean,
really this makes no sense. Maybe if we had a different system and people were not still writing voter’s cards, no matter when I register it would be fast and efficient.” Mr Hall is reminding people who are registering late to bring the right documents. “You need your the passport, or the birth certificate if you’re born after 1973 along with your mother’s documents and a photo ID,” Mr Hall said. “The registration process normally takes about ten minutes with the proper documentation. Most of the time-consuming feature is ensuring that registrants have identified the correct address.” As of March 20, 141,698 people had registered to vote in the election. This is roughly 18 per cent less than the 172,000 on the 2012 voter registry.
VOTERS line up to register yesterday at the Parliamentary Registrar Department. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
Smith predicts PLP will win closest election since 1967 By TANEKA THOMPSON Tribune News Editor tmthompson@tribunemedia.net
THE upcoming general election is expected to be the closet poll since the vote in 1967, which ended in a tie, according to former Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) Cabinet minister George Smith. Despite expecting a very tight race, Mr Smith predicted that the PLP will pull off a narrow win in what he feels will be an acrimonious election. There was a tie in the 1967 general election with the PLP and the United Bahamian Party, the governing side, each winning 18 seats. The remaining two seats went to Randol Fawkes, of the Labour Party, and Alvin Braynen, an Independent, who both later put their support behind the PLP, leading to Majority Rule.
GEORGE SMITH “This is going to be the closest election since 1967 and whoever wins will win by very few seats,” Mr Smith, a former member of Parliament for Exuma, told The Tribune. “My prediction is it’s going to be a hard-fought election and I pray to God that there is no violence, but a lot of insults will be hurled back and forth and, again, I pray for calm.
“I predict that this will be the closest election since 1967 and I am still mindful that the Progressive Liberal Party will at the end emerge victorious, but it will be a close election and many constituencies will be determined by small numbers.” He said he is not concerned that close election margins may be challenged in Election Court due to concerns about voter fraud. Last Monday, Parliamentary Commissioner Sherlyn Hall told the media that several people have attempted to gain two voter’s cards by registering twice at different locations. Mr Hall told the media that the irregularities were picked up by the Parliamentary Registration Department’s computer database. He said a few people in New Providence, Grand Bahama and even some Family Islands have “misled” revis-
ing officers. A man was arrested last Tuesday and charged in connection with alleged voter fraud the next day. “I’m not too concerned about what they called voter fraud. People (may) attempt to do that but I believe the checks and balances in the Parliamentary Elections Act guarantees that no one can get away with that,” Mr Smith said when asked. “The officials are there, every candidate will have their poll workers, the police are out. I expect the election process to be fair, I expect for there to be some nail biters in a number of constituencies, the end result will be that of those who are registered, we don’t have registration up to a point where we can say the potential electorate are all registered, of those who are registered there will be a handsome turnout. “We will have outside monitors (from the inter-
national community) and there will be a number of nail biters and when the smoke clears in late evening on election day I am hopeful that my party will emerge as the governing party and performs to the level that we are capable of performing and live up to people’s expectations.” Despite criticism leveled at Prime Minister Perry Christie over his performance this term, Mr Smith believes the nation’s leader has an advantage over his rival, Free National Movement Leader Dr Hubert Minnis. “One of the things the PLP has going for it is the lack of great expectation of Minnis as an alternative in spite of all the criticism levelled at Mr Christie - he has the ability to rise to the occasion when it requires,” Mr Smith said. “The problem is both parties in a number of constituencies failed to nomi-
nate candidates who have the intelligence and temperamental capacity to deal with many of the problems facing the country. “When the people sit down and analyse the slate of candidates, the one thing that has always come to the fore is stability of the country, because that is paramount in the psyche of the Bahamian people, to make sure they vote for individuals that will keep the country stable. And that is why I believe at the end of the day the PLP will win.” In a statement released by the Office of the Prime Minister on Sunday night, Mr Christie revealed that Parliament will dissolve on April 11, setting the stage for the next election to take place. Mr Christie did not announce an election date; however some observers speculate that it will be held in early May.
CHRISTIE ‘NOT CONFUSED’ OVER DATE OF GENERAL ELECTION from page one
However Mr Christie again lambasted Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr Hubert Minnis, describing him as a public figure who “runs” and “hides” because he needs time to draft press statements in response to important matters of national interest. He spoke to reporters following the official renaming of Thompson Boulevard and the naming of corridor eight to University Drive and University Commons respectively. “Everything happens,” Mr Christie said. “I wanted to give people an opportunity to know that if they do not register they cannot vote. I wanted to advance our democracy. “We’ve had a lot of debate about putting more certainty into the process so the first thing I did was I said, ‘listen, even though the House of Assembly has been adjourned to April 10, we are going to be having a dissolution at a precise time and go back 24
hours and that’s when you could register’. We wanted that so no one has any doubts whatsoever. I’ve given them notice that if they want to vote in the upcoming election they must register by that date. “With respect to the date of election, they will get to know that very shortly. There is nothing, no confusion about me and my mind and my approach to this. “At the end of the day I’ve been in public life long enough to know that people will make a determination as to who will govern them and whether or not it happens in the way that I would like it to happen, they are going to make a determination. “You will have to have a real appreciation of your country to be able to understand it (and) to be able to accept it and to know that this is going to happen,” Mr Christie continued. Mr Christie revealed on Sunday night that Parliament will be dissolved on Tuesday, April 11, and election writs will be issued that day.
CLARIFICATION - ST GEORGE’S HIGH PAGEANT MARIAH Sherman, the winner of the Miss St George’s High Pageant in Grand Bahama (‘From tomboy to queen of the tiaras for pageant winner’, March 31), is not from
Cat Island as reported but chose to represent Cat Island from a selection of Family Islands offered to pupils in the contest. We are happy to make this clear.
In a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, Mr Christie implored those who have not yet registered to vote in the next election to do so quickly, because the current register will close on April 10. According to the Parliamentary Elections Act, an election must be held 21 to 30 days after election writs
are issued, meaning the next vote will likely be held in early May. “For general information, especially for the benefit of all those persons who would like to vote in the forthcoming general election but have not yet registered to do so, it is my intention to cause the present Parliament to be dissolved on Tuesday, April 11, and
to cause writs of election to be issued the same day,” the statement from the Office of the Prime Minister said. “This will mean that only those persons who would have registered to vote on or before Monday, April 10 would be able to vote in the forthcoming general election.” “I would therefore encourage all my fellow Baha-
mians to play their part in our democracy by registering to vote if they have not already done so, and to do so without further delay,” the statement continued. The statement was released a day after Mr Christie reiterated that the “time is very short” until he calls the next general election, again urging Bahamians to register as soon as possible.
PAGE 4, Tuesday, April 4, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
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Bahamians have a right to know PLP succession plan AS LONG lines formed at voter registration centres yesterday following Sunday’s announcement by the Prime Minister that he would dissolve Parliament on April 11, paving the way for the national election, the question on many minds was obvious - what is the date of the election? The date is an important question because Bahamians do not travel on election day. They stay at home, close to their voting precinct. Businesses and banks that will not be able to open have to make staffing arrangements. Schools or institutions that are converted into voting precincts have to prepare. So everyone cares about the date. It is an important question - but not nearly as important as another we believe urgently deserves an honest answer. What is the Progressive Liberal Party’s succession plan? That is the critical question. The current Prime Minister, Perry Christie, is 73. Yes, he has the energy of many a man much younger than he is. He can shuffle with the best of them and he still makes it out to Junkanoo on Boxing Day and at New Year. But he is not the man he was even a few years ago. You can see it in his eyes, in the way he sits, in how tired he looks. The day before he announced his intention to dissolve Parliament, he attended 11 events before flying to Abaco for a rally. This is a man propelled into perpetual action. He is driven by the ambition to create a legacy as the longest serving member of the House of Assembly in Bahamian history and the longest reigning Prime Minister, outdoing even his PLP predecessor Sir Lynden Pindling. That drive could destroy him as it turns him into a suit who sleeps little, worries incessantly and believes he can fight exhaustion through yet one more public appearance. Speech after public speech. Photo op after photo op. Ribbon-cutting after ribbon-cutting. Flight after flight. This is not about creating the best government for the people of The Bahamas. This is the action of a man hell-bent on leaving a legacy. He is a man for whom even the thought of retirement is anathema. In his mind, he was born to lead and being Prime Minister is his calling. It is not important whether we believe that what drives this Prime Minister is realistic, whether it is good for the country, bad or even relevant. What we believe is relevant is that in
all of his addresses he has not raised the important question: if something happens to him, and we hope it does not, who will succeed him if the PLP is returned to power? If age or infirmity or fatigue - all of which are reasonable and realistic scenarios - force him to quit, who will follow? The scenarios of his possible departure are plausible and his successor could lead the country for up to five years. The Bahamian public deserves to know who that surrogate would be. That decision could sway votes. Every party should designate the number two person. The people of The Bahamas deserve to know and we believe that there are only three possible explanations for why the Prime Minister is not revealing his choice. Either he believes he will be reelected and live happily in power until the end of the next term or he is concerned that the person he would like to succeed him will not be popular with the public. Not revealing his successor also keeps Cabinet hopefuls doing his bidding and dancing at his feet. Keeping the succession plan a secret is not a bad political ploy from where he sits but it is unfair to the Bahamian public, who have a right to know. Then again, it is true to form. A government in the dark that even keeps the succession plan of its well-meaning, but tired and driven 73-year-old Prime Minister a secret should be no surprise. We urge Prime Minister Christie to reveal the name of the person who would be king when and if he can no longer access the throne if he is re-elected. While we await the Prime Minister to name his favourite for an unelected prime ministerial role, we urge every Bahamian to register to vote. According to the Cook Political Report, six states in the 2016 presidential election in the United States were decided by two percentage points or less, including Michigan where 47.6 per cent of the population voted for Trump and 47.3 per cent for Hillary Clinton. In 2014, in a by-election following the death of a sitting MP, the Labour Party candidate beat the Liberal Party in the Parliament of South Australia by two votes. Yours could be the vote that decides the future of The Bahamas. If you have not already registered, please do. This is your chance to make your voice heard and your opinion count.
Minnis lacks passion EDITOR, The Tribune PRE-ELECTION rhetoric is in high gear and is, as always, mildly entertaining but lacking in substance. To date there are no clear, coherent, concise, commonsense suggestions or solutions from the official Opposition to many of the country’s ills. I have only heard patchy criticisms of the government’s many failures. The Bahamian people know what the problems are: what they require now is responsible, capable leadership with a plan to guide the country through its many crises. The most obvious thing to me though is the absolute lack of passion in the de fac-
to leader of the official Opposition. He obviously has a desire to become Prime Minister, but he lacks passion, conviction and a plan in areas of critical importance. Where is his passion on crime, education, healthcare reform, immigration and judicial reform? Where is his passion to jumpstart this economy or represent the Bahamas on a global stage? Does he have a passion or a plan to elevate the mindset of Bahamians while seeking to improve their daily lives? I see no indication of it. Aspiring to political office has become a high stakes game for the bored wealthy, those desirous to make deals
to improve their personal fortunes or those whose self worth is connected to the positions they hold. Gone are the days when politicians had the vision, character and/or integrity that inspired the people they lead. Nowadays, the people are simply a means to a self serving end for politicians. The Bahamian people as a whole seem to have a condition similar to battered woman syndrome, abused and used by politicians. They keep going back for more. Vision, passion and a true desire to provoke change is important in this election and, in my opinion, Dr Minnis lacks all three. JOHN BOWMAN March 31, 2017
Copper White paint, please theft EDITOR, The Tribune
EDITOR, The Tribune
Re: The Tribune, March 31, “Copper thieves blamed for fire”. When will the government ban the export of copper? PATRICK BETHEL April 1, 2017
WHY in God’s name would sensible people leave speed bumps the same colour as the road after installation? If undetected while driving, this highly dangerous combination can cause irreparable damage to your vehicle’s shocks, ball joints, rim and muffler. The roads in New Providence have been relentless
in causing damage to vehicles over the last several decades. Drivers certainly don’t need added issues to their already fragile vehicles. Can someone with responsibility for road works go to one of the many hardware stores on the island and buy some white paint? Pretty please? DEHAVILLAND MOSS Nassau, April 1, 2017.
Bahamian musical chairs EDITOR, The Tribune PLEASE allow me a space in your valued chronicle to dually vent and share as the General Elections loom. Arguably, the most momentous governance in recent Bahamian history was that of the then Free National Movement (FNM) “Government in the Sunshine” administration in 1992. It was then that a young, zealous Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham took the reins of a scarred international headline-making “Nation for Sale” Bahamas and led our island nation into the modern era of technology, communication and political transparency. The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) “Pingdom” had been toppled, winning only 16 seats to the Free National Movement’s 33. The shocking landslide was refreshing for those who craved free speech and opposed PLP hallmark partisan political influence and nepotism. From his cottage in Andros, Prime Minister Pindling conceded the contentious elections, ushering a new era in Bahamian politics. Nature even seemed to bless the news of concession with a light, brisk and breezy spat of rain. In the months to follow, the airwaves were opened and parliamentary proceedings became the people’s business in real-time. Prior to and post that momentous five-year progressive national jolt, the Bahamas has (for the most part and to my estimation) experienced substandard leadership stained with corrupt cronyism. Musical chairs has since become the norm: red - FNM today, gold - PLP tomorrow! In the musical chairs game, many dysfunctional Bahamian societal staples have remained constant: antiquated health care provision, a bloated and terribly inefficient civil service, an education system that produces more failed students than successful ones, a shrinking middle class and polarising poorer classes against the wealthiest. Moreover, a compromised infrastructure including roads, government offices, dwindling neighbourhoods and landmarks of national significance are among other derelict dynamics. For each of these presid-
LETTERS letters@tribunemedia.net ing ministries, high office keepers, Prime Ministers and accompanying cabinets - all have taken turns keeping these same two “seats” in the musical chairs game warm. Bahamians have been stuck with the same two players and have “perfected” the non-starter cycles five years at a time. Once in office, the Prime Minister makes all appointments unchallenged - more power than even the United States President. This Parliamentary system invites corruption because of the Prime Minister’s autonomy therein. To catapult to the highest functional office in the land, all a Bahamian Prime Minister must do is to coordinate the biggest party, supervise the catchiest slogan/song and draw the biggest crowds to his rallies. Of course, he is required also to appease the adoring tribal in attendance as he keeps in sync with perfectly choreographed jingles from the rally disc jockey (per every three sentences) to which the slavish crowd crescendos in a roar. When all is done, riled up supporters leave the grounds and compare numbers to the opposing party rallies the following day. What serial rallygoers readily agree on is that “it was good” - seemingly nothing of policy and the way forward matters. Let us call this all negative spin from a disgruntled and miserable voter tired of the same old - one who has voter apathy, and who is intent on throwing all under the bus to validate his own funk. Now, ask yourself what of the aforementioned is untrue, and how have the voting masses (perhaps you) empowered this game of Bahamian musical chairs that ends up producing more of the same? • How many constituency members fraternise with the people who take to the streets during campaigning on their behalf outside election season? • Skill set considered, does being issued a blue government licence plate and a chauffeur make a candidate-turned-Member of Parliament the authority on his/her Ministry?
• When is there ever a respectful and/or informative forum in which the voting public can compare policy positions of candidates? • Is it enough for you that perhaps the Prime Minister appoints ministers based on his own selfish motivation and political expediency? • What matters most to Bahamian voters - a charismatic candidate or a skilled and moral one? • Does it not disturb you that, for every election cycle, there are earmarked positions for some who have played musical chairs for up to 25 plus years in Parliament? Am I to understand that only they are capable of governance? • Is there more movement and engagement at the “changing guard station” than there is at the “people level” to which they are commissioned to protect? • Are you satisfied with the way successive governments seem only to remember you when in fact they need your vote? • What of paving four and a half-year-old derelict roads, pushing back bush, sprucing up constituency offices weeks before and after election only to shut down for another four and a half? • When I have applied for jobs in the past, I have had to argue my credentials. Are you happy with the effortless way that your representatives just slide in on a ticket without doing the same? • Babysitter and maid not working out? Do you fire both to save the house or just one? • Are you happy with the same 15 Bahamian families sharing all the wealth and monopolising the income potential for the ordinary citizen? • Is your vote just worth a few Blue Marlins and a tee shirt, cable or light bill (paid in full) perhaps? Just some thoughts. Change the outcome to change the hamster wheel that we call our governance - truly we are going around in circles. I’m dizzy … are you? If enough” spoiled” ballots make the records, perhaps we can elect to change the political model that keeps us watching the band of thieves’ game of millionaires and power from the sidelines. KIRKLAND H PRATT April 2, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
19-YEAR-OLD WOMAN AMONG THOSE CHARGED OVER KILLINGS
Tuesday, April 4, 2017, PAGE 5
from page one
Gibson will not be required to enter a plea to the charge until she is formally arraigned before a judge of the Supreme Court. She is scheduled to return to Magistrate’s Court on May 25 for the presentation of a Voluntary Bill of Indictment (VBI), which would fast-track the case to the higher court. In another arraignment, Terry Sweeting, 20, stood accused of murdering Leslie Rolle on February 25 while Philano Williams 28, and Kendrick Riley, 21, were accused of abetting the killing. According to initial reports, shortly after 8am, Rolle was sitting on a large rock at Ferguson’s Subdivision when a man pulled up in a silver coloured Nissan
VICTORIA GIBSON, 19. Primera and shot him four times before speeding off. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A VBI is scheduled to be presented in this case on May 24. Riley and Williams were then arraigned alongside 50-year-old Paulette McKenzie on two counts each of possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition stemming from
PHILANO WILLIAMS, 28. the discovery of a .40 pistol and 9mm pistol with 21 live rounds of ammunition at a home at Sunset Park, off Carmichael Road. Only Riley pleaded guilty to the charges. However, sentencing has been adjourned to April 18 pending the court’s receipt of a medical report from the Public Hospitals Authority concerning Riley’s medical
KENDRICK RILEY, 21. history. Riley was then accused of being an accomplice to 26-year-old Dennis Taylor, who was previously arraigned, to the October 27, 2016, murder of Rhoda Russell. According to police reports, officers received a call shortly after 6am that shots were heard in the Fire Trail Road area. When officers arrived on
TERRY SWEETING, 20. the scene, they saw a woman’s lifeless body lying in the driveway with gunshot wounds, it was initially reported. Like Taylor, Riley was not required to enter a plea to the charge due to the nature of the offence and was told that his case would be fast-tracked to the Supreme Court through the presentation of a VBI, scheduled for May 18.
Biometric technology to replace paper in bail system By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
NEW biometric technology allowing suspects to comply with their bail conditions using just their fingerprints is set to be embraced by the justice system, replacing the archaic paper-based registration, Attorney General Allyson Maynard-Gibson announced yesterday. The pilot programme will begin officially within the next 30 days. The system is expected to cut down on breaches of bail conditions by digitally tracking information. It will do a better job than the current system of preventing suretors from signing for bail for more than one person, for instance, and it will prevent people from signing registers at police stations in the place of suspects.
ATTORNEY General Allyson Maynard-Gibson speaking at the launch of a bail management system yesterday with Director of Public Prosecutions Garvin Gaskin and Superintendent Dellareece Ferguson. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff The Bahamian firm, Mul- sign in using a pen,” Mrs timedia Technologies, will Maynard Gibson said. “As manage the system. It has a part of their condition on already begun the process bail, this led to problems of procuring the necessary including that if someone was unable to produce their software and hardware. Representatives of the driver’s licence or some company yesterday demon- form of identification they strated how the new system couldn’t sign in. “The company will be will work, highlighting its able to track everything in speed and ease-of-use. “Today we are making a relation to bail, from appliquantum leap in that we are cations to regular sign-ins, moving away from a situ- reports and to monitoring ation where people had to whether a suretor signed for
someone previously. This will support the enforcement of existing laws. It will ensure that in actuality and perception the door on bail will be shut.” Mrs Maynard-Gibson also revealed statistics yesterday showing a downward trend over the past three years in the number of people applying for bail, a fact she attributes to greater efficiency in the judicial system. There were 1,109 bail applications in 2014; 963 in 2015 and 888 in 2016, she said. For those accused of murder last year, 2.36 per cent of bail applications were granted. For those accused of attempted murder, manslaughter, abetment, causing harm and similar crimes against the person, eight per cent of applications were granted in 2016. Among people accused of armed robbery and
similar crimes against the person, 5.52 per cent of applications were granted and among those accused of unlawful sexual intercourse and incest, 2.03 per cent of applications were granted last year. During the pilot stage of the new bail management programme, kiosks will be available in some police stations, including Central Police Station, Mrs MaynardGibson said. When suspects report to stations to sign in with their fingerprints, their photographs will simultaneously be taken by the machine. If suspects do not adhere to the bail conditions set by courts, the new system will be prompted to send an alert to police, prosecution and to suretors. In the event of a disaster, the system will switch over to the Royal Bahamas Police Force’s (RBPF) disaster recovery site in Freeport.
TEENAGER CHARGED WITH GUNPOINT CARJACKING By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net
ALEXANDER FARRINGTON, 19, accused of armed robbery.
A 19-YEAR-OLD Fox Hill resident appeared in Magistrate’s Court yesterday accused of committing a recent gunpoint carjacking. Alexander Farrington was brought before Chief Magistrate Joyann Fergu-
son-Pratt to face two counts of armed robbery and a single charge of receiving stemming from an incident on March 29. It is alleged that, with a handgun, he robbed Kimberley Woodside of a handbag worth $60, containing cash and identification documents. He is also alleged to have robbed Ryan Rolle of a
2004 Nissan Tilda valued at $3,500. Farrington is further alleged to have dishonestly received the stolen car, which is listed as the property of Woodside. The accused was told that he would not be required to enter a plea to the charges until he is formally arraigned before a judge of
OSWALD POITIER III, 20, charged with a sex attack.
TWO ACCUSED OF SEPARATE SEX ATTACKS
By LAMECH JOHNSON Tribune Staff Reporter ljohnson@tribunemedia.net TWO men were remanded to prison yesterday after they were separately arraigned concerning sexual assault allegations. Oswald Poitier III stood before Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt facing a charge of rape, in which it is alleged that he, between March 27 and 28, had sexual intercourse with a 24-year-old woman against her will. Due to the nature of the allegation, Poitier will not be allowed to enter a plea until his case is transferred to the Supreme Court through the presentation of a Voluntary Bill of Indictment scheduled for May 18. He was remanded to the Department of Correctional Services to await trial. However, he can apply for bail in the higher court. In the second arraignment, 31-year-old Kevin Antonio Flowers was also accused of rape. It is alleged that he sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl on November 26, 2016. He, too, is scheduled to have his case fast-tracked to the higher court on May 18 and was also remanded to prison in the interim.
the Supreme Court after the case is transferred by the presentation of a Voluntary Bill of Indictment scheduled for May 23. Due to the nature of the allegations, Farrington was denied bail and remanded to the Department of Correctional Services to await trial. However, he has the right to apply for bail in the Supreme Court.
JOGGER FOUND LYING IN HER OWN BLOOD AFTER ASSAULT By RASHAD ROLLE Tribune Staff Reporter rrolle@tribunemedia.net
A HARROWING assault of a morning jogger has left the victim and her husband with a warning to Bahamians not to go jogging alone, even in crowded areas. With his Siberian Huskie by his side, Reginald Fox, 71, found his wife, Linda Fox, 53, lying on a sidewalk with blood streaming down her nose and lip yesterday morning in the vicinity of
the Sidney Poitier Bridge. They were taking their morning jog, although Mr Fox was well behind his wife at the time of the incident. Mrs Fox told The Tribune she was heading toward Montagu Beach when she alleged a man in a black jogging suit, his head covered by a hoodie, attacked her. “He was walking towards me,” she said, her nose covered in bandage strapped on by staff at Doctors Hospital. “When I saw that, I
went on the opposite side of the sidewalk and when I moved, he moved over and kept coming after me. I then knew I was in trouble. “He grabbed me in my front and I swung around to elbow him and that’s when he pushed me to the ground and ran off.” Although she had a bag, the man stole nothing from her, she said. “When he ran off, there was a guy coming towards me and another one coming from behind me,” she said. “The other walkers we
know and I think that might have frightened him off.” The two walk in the area every morning, but Mrs Fox said she will never again do so unless someone is by her side. Mrs Fox damaged the cartilage in her nose and also injured her knees and elbows. “You hear about violence but you never think it’s going to happen to you and then it does and it kind of wakes you up to reality of what we are living with right now,” she said, her eyes watery.
Mr Fox said he wished his wife had got a better description of her attacker, so he could have gone “looking for him”. “The danger is despite vehicles passing in the area, nobody bothered to stop,” he said, noting that there were lots of walkers and cars nearby.
KEVIN ANTONIO FLOWERS, 31, at court yesterday.
PAGE 6, Tuesday, April 4, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
‘Blindsided’ by Carnival delay from page one
Stephan Rolle, owner of Bluemonkey Bahamas, told reporters that any date change would negatively impact his business, Bahamas Carnival Cruise, which has booked more than 100 carnival-goers on an allinclusive weekend cruise from Miami to Nassau. He challenged Mr Christie to give the festival the same level of respect as the annual Junkanoo parades. He predicted the confusion would “put the nail in the coffin” for the controversial event and damage its international reputation. “(Travellers) they would have invested to come to Nassau for Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival,” he said, “so it’s not only disappointing, it’s scary at this point. You can imagine you telling Junkanooers that you’re going to postpone a month before? Give it that level of respect. If the Prime Minister said the whole idea behind Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival was to create entrepreneurs, I’m an entrepreneur, I’ve invested my own personal money into some-
THE BAHAMAS Junkanoo Carnival 2016 Road Fever Parade. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff thing and then you’re go- ing to be very scary. We’re “The Minister of Tourism ing to postpone it?” going to have to find some and the Festival CommisMr Rolle said: “The way to compensate them. I sion (have) been promoting Prime Minister has to be have a group traveling from that Bahamas Junkanoo a little bit more respectful Spain: they’ve purchased Carnival will happen May of the development of the tickets already.” 6, 2017. To tell people now economy and people he “To purchase airline a month before that we’re wants to assist. To postpone tickets from Spain to Nas- going to postpone it, at this at this point, I don’t know sau for Bahamas Junkanoo point I’ll have to consult what tomorrow is going to Carnival for an event that attorneys and figure out hold for me. When my trav- was promoted from Janu- what’s our next step.” ellers get wind of this it’s go- ary 2015,” he said. Mr Rolle underscored
that while his company has the support of the BNFC, and the Ministry of Tourism, the organisation has always been privately funded. He estimated more than $25,000 in losses for his company from marketing costs to securing the cruise vessel. As for his travellers, he projected their collective losses would exceed $150,000. “At this point, it’s extremely disappointing,” Mr Rolle said. “If you would have done any travelling before you would understand that once you have confirmed reservations, once you’ve paid for bookings, for hotels, flights, once you don’t make your flight, make your cruise, make your hotel, you pretty much lose what you would have invested in it. “And for us, I have more than 150 people coming for Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival alone from our own promotions. That would be a blow for our company and I think the reputation of not just The Bahamas but Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival.” Mr Rolle continued: “I think this would put the nail in the coffin for Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival ever
being anything meaningful ever again in The Bahamas. At this point it’s done, there’s been too much back and forth, too much talk. “We personally have international journalists and media houses coming down for Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival. When you have other carnivals in the region happening at the same time or a week or two before or after, no one is going to take Bahamas Junkanoo Carnival serious anymore.” An election date has not been set; however, the Office of the Prime Minister in a press statement on Sunday, announced that Parliament will be dissolved on April 11. Observers expect the election to be held in early May. Last night, The Tribune reached out to Bahamas Carnival Band Owners Association (BCBOA) President Dario Tirelli for comment on the matter; however, Mr Tirelli declined to speak until an official government statement was released. However, Mr Tirelli told The Tribune that the news had “blindsided” his association.
FESTIVAL TO BE MAY 18-20 AS PM CONFIRMS MOVE from page one
It is unclear whether the Grand Bahama-leg of the festival, slated for April 28 and 29, has also been pushed back. Mr Christie was asked about the postponement on the sidelines of a ceremony to rename thoroughfares at the University of the Bahamas, after a report published in The Nassau Guardian indicated that the government had decided to delay the event. Mr Christie said: “I’m advised that the Carnival Commission has met and agreed that because of the
impending possibilities, to suspend or extend the date of (Junkanoo) Carnival. I don’t know the dates they had chosen but it is my understanding that that has been done.” Up to press time, the Bahamas National Festival Commission (BNFC) had not released a new date for the event, or an official statement on the postponement. When The Tribune contacted BNFC Chairman Paul Major, he said: “What we know is that we’re not going to conflict with the final say of Cabinet - once an official election date is set, then our dates are subject
to change.” Last Thursday, the BNFC announced Trinidadian singing stars Machel Montano and Bunji Garlin as event headliners. It was also confirmed that the event will be streamlined compared to past years because of financial constraints. The government will reduce its subsidy to the festival by as much as 50 per cent over last year, when taxpayers contributed about $8m, officials said. The 2016 event brought in $578,342 in revenue, costing more than $9.8m overall. In 2015, the government spent $11.3m on the inaugural festival, going over its in-
itial budget of $9m, with the rest covered by sponsors. The first Junkanoo Carnival cost $12.9m overall. Mr Major and BNFC CEO Roscoe Dames declined further questions, and advised that the commission would release further information today. The Office of the Prime Minister, in a press statement on Sunday, announced that Parliament will be dissolved on April 11. According to the Parliamentary Elections Act, an election must be held 21 to 30 days after election writs are issued, meaning the next vote will likely be held in early May. The last election was held
on May 7, 2012. In 2015, the inaugural festival took place on May 7-9 in New Providence, and the 2016 Junkanoo Carnival kicked off on April 1516 in Grand Bahama and on May 5-7 in New Providence. In February, Free National Movement (FNM) Deputy Leader K Peter Turnquest called for the government to postpone or delay the festival until after the general election, warning that the event could only be perceived as “vote buying” if staged during the election cycle. The Tribune reached out to Bahamas Carnival Band Owners Association (BCBOA) President Dario
Tirelli for comment on the matter; however, Mr Tirelli declined comment until an official government statement was released. Mr Tirelli told The Tribune that the news had “blindsided” his association. Stephan Rolle, owner of Bluemonkey Bahamas, told reporters that any date change would negatively impact his business, the Bahamas Carnival Cruise, which has booked more than 100 carnival-goers on an all-inclusive weekend cruise from Miami to Nassau. He challenged Mr Christie to give the festival the same level of respect as the annual Junkanoo parades.
DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT ‘AN END TO AN UNFORTUNATE EXPERIENCE’ By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
FREE National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr Hubert Minnis yesterday said the dissolution of Parliament next Tuesday will finally bring to a close the “unfortunate experience” endured by Bahamians, pledging that a government led by him would operate to “serve” the people of The Bahamas and not “take” from them. In a party statement yesterday, Dr Minnis urged potential voters hoping to bring the FNM’s “noble pursuits into reality” to get registered prior to the April 10 deadline. Prime Minister Perry Christie, in a statement released on Sunday night, announced that Parliament would be dissolved on April 11, and election writs will be issued that day - meaning that anyone planning to cast ballots in the next general election would have to be registered by April 10. Dr Minnis’ statement read: “Ringing the bell signals an opportunity for a referendum on the failed
government leadership that has been the unfortunate experience of all Bahamians over the last five years. “It gives rise to a new time for Bahamians, an era in which we can build upon the vision for a hopeful and prosperous future that all. “Bahamians will no longer have to suffer under a government that ignores the demand for transparency and accountability. With your vote, a corrupt government that cares more about lining their own pockets than supporting Bahamians can come to an end. “And by your vote, the FNM can begin rebuilding a nation that works for Bahamians - one that puts Bahamians back to work, one that will focus on quality education and one that will move quickly to make our communities and neighbourhoods safe and secure for everyone.” Dr Minnis added: “You will soon have the opportunity to bring these noble pursuits into reality and contribute to a new era in which the government serves its people and does not take from them. I encourage all Bahamians that
have not yet registered to vote to do so by Monday, April 10. “This is the people’s time and your vote for the FNM will bring about aggressive, positive reforms that will create a brighter future for ourselves, our children and grandchildren.” At this point before the last election cycle, Bahamians were still speculating as to when former Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham would call the 2012 election. Parliament did not dissolve until April 10, 2012, and the election date of May 7 was announced that night when Mr Ingraham gave a national televised address. Last Wednesday, the House was adjourned until April 10. As of March 20, 141,698 people had registered to vote in the election. This is roughly 18 per cent less than the 172,000 on the 2012 voter registry. According to the Parliamentary Elections Act, an election must be held 21 to 30 days after election writs are issued, meaning the next vote will likely be held in early May.
RETIRED SENIOR POLICEMAN FARQUHARSON DIES
By SANCHESKA DORSETT Tribune Staff Reporter sdorsett@tribunemedia.net THE ROYAL Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) yesterday announced the death of retired Deputy Commissioner of Police Errol E Farquharson. Mr Farquharson passed away on Monday afternoon. Assistant Commissioner of
Police Stephen Dean said the cause of death is still unknown. In a brief statement on the RBDF’s website, Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade extended condolences to Mr Farquharson’s family. “It is with regret and deep sadness that Commissioner of Police Ellison Greenslade records
the death of Deputy Commissioner of Police (retired) Mr Errol E Farquharson, who passed away on Monday April 3, 2017,” the statement noted. “Condolences are extended to his relatives and friends. Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. May his soul rest in peace.”
MARIJUANA FIELD DISCOVERED IN ABACO By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net A LARGE marijuana field, with nearly 700 illegal plants, was discovered on the island of Abaco over
the weekend, police have reported. According to Inspector Terecita Pinder, officers acting on information went to an area in Fox Town shortly before 1pm on Friday and discovered
the field, consisting of 692 marijuana plants. The estimated street value of the marijuana plants is not known. No arrest was made in connection with the discovery and police are continuing their investigations.
PAGE 8, Tuesday, April 4, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
Why? Why? Why? A time for inquisitive minds By NICOLE BURROWS
T
HE more news I read or listen to, the more questions I have. It has gotten to the point where, for the purpose of writing this column, repeating and interpreting what I see or hear is no longer enough to satisfy my need to feel as though I’m making a difference in the way Bahamians see their world up close and beyond their country’s borders. After the news reports, I still have many questions. And it feels to me as though the questions being asked lead only to more questions ... as if nothing ever gets answered properly enough to be meaningful or impactful. But maybe that’s because so few of us are asking the questions. I’ve always been a person who asks a lot of ‘why?’ I was that way as a child and I am the same way as an adult. There’s a certain curiosity I have about the way things are at any given time that leads me to constantly ask that question, ‘why?’, over and over again. I take it upon myself to motivate people to ask ‘why?’ And I’ve found when people are challenged to ask ‘why?’, and maybe even answer ‘why?’ for themselves, they make very clear, decisive choices. Any responsible citizen should ask important questions that demand sensible responses as answers ... and accountability of self and others. But you can be assured that if the questions are never asked, they are guaranteed to never be answered. I’m not sure if an inquisitive mind is something you have to be born with, or if it’s something you pick up along the path of being educated, or if it’s only a combination of both. But I feel almost certain that if, as a people, we asked more questions to repeatedly lead us into a new realm of discovery each time, we would be a far more intellectually, politically, economically and socially advanced nation than we are today. It has also crossed my mind that, for our nation, for the Bahamas, maybe the wrong people are always doing the asking. We rely on reporters to ask the
questions for us. But even when they do their jobs well, maybe that it is just not enough. It’s so important to know and ask ‘why?’ that we all have to be as reporters are, and then increase the level of our curiosities, so, when we ask a question and a response is given that is not satisfactory for us, we are relentless in our pursuit of a solitary, satisfactory response. Another thing to consider is that maybe the asking that is being done is too rote and too routine. Maybe the level of inquiry and the questions asked are so procedural, that the questions are asked and the rehearsed or standard answers are given, and it becomes second nature to ask once or twice and then be content with what you get as a response. Then you stop asking anything else, at least for the time being. But what we should have as second nature when we ask ‘why?’ is the characteristic of never letting up on asking our questions, even when answers are given. The nature of our development should cause us to always aim to know more and more things, and not to know them simply to hold them close to us, to keep them secret, and prevent others from knowing. We should seek to know all that we can for everyone else to be able to advance at the same time with the knowledge they acquire. Consider also that maybe not enough people are asking ‘why?’ or maybe not enough people are asking for the most accountable answers to the question ‘why?’ Prime Minister Christie just announced the dissolution of Parliament on April 11, with the implication that all who are not registered by April 10 will not be able to vote in the impending general election. You have a new government to elect in a rather short time from now. If you haven’t yet asked your questions of the people who want to govern you, get them asked now. Ask those who want to represent you, ‘why’? For everything they have done or not done - that displeases you, ask them ‘why?’, keep asking ‘why?’, and don’t
? ?
stop asking ‘why?’ until their answers reflect the accountability you require. Even the least educated person has an idea when they are being played, fleeced or lied to. I don’t think knowing the difference is the problem Bahamians have. I think the problem Bahamians have is knowing they’re being played, fleeced or lied to, and still giving support to the player, fleecer or liar, as if it did not happen, as long as there is some alternative benefit provided to them. In other words, too many people have a price at which they can be bought. If instead your main goal was to know ‘why?’, and in particular why you find yourself in a position to be bought, then maybe you would not be so easily bought to start with. If a politician’s response or answer to your question does not satisfy you, then your next step is to take your vote and put it only with the person who has no problem with you asking ‘why?’, or no problem with answering ‘why?’, with full accountability.
BTC DEFECTIONS BTC is now running an advertisement that describes new mobile service offerings or plans for wireless phone and data services to prepaid subscribers. They announce at the bottom of the display ad that postpaid subscribers will also have special plans available to them come April, 2017.
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And it makes you won- vices with BTC, after 50 der, doesn’t it, why (yes, years of service, because you see, ‘why?’ again) it is of a lack of quality phone that they can suddenly offer service and an even greater these wonderful rates and lack of good quality cusservices to us now when tomer service. This year, they didn’t before. Surely within my closest circle of their profit margins didn’t relatives, more than half sky rocket within the past have already switched momonth to accommodate bile phone service providsuch a change. ers - they have become The reality is, BTC could BTC defectors almost all have given you at once, and it better plans, ‘You have a new has been a long better pricing government to time coming. and probably So long have better products, elect in a rather Bahamians too, all along. short time from waited for this But it wasn’t un- now. If you day that BTC til you, the cusis experiencing tomer, demand- haven’t yet asked a deluge of dised it, that they your questions connections. offered it. Not One of my of the people until you, the relatives went customer, had who want to into a BTC another option govern you, get outlet, and refor wireless serquested disvices did BTC them asked now.’ connection of find it necessary mobile service, to offer you the prices and as the agent held a thick services they could have stack of service disconbeen offering you for a long nect requests in her hands. time now. But BTC will tell you they Not until BTC finally are not losing customers ... got the competitive market or that customers are subforces they deserved did scribing to the new comthey see that customers are petitor’s services while still not loyal to BTC just to be maintaining their BTC loyal to BTC. Customers services. They have been operate as individual busi- fleecing Bahamians for a ness units too, and they long time, and they are still want the best deals, prices trying to do it in the face of and services, as incorpo- obvious, significant comperated businesses do. But for tition. Ask them ‘why?’. BTC, it took the mass exoIf BTC cherished their dus of clientele to the com- customers, appreciated petitor - which, by the way, their business and respectthey are still denying - to get ed their feedback, they them to really respond to would have placed that new their clients’ needs beyond ad at least a year ago. If throwing out a few peanuts BTC wanted to treat their at them here and there. customers right, they would Last year, my household have done it many years disconnected landline ser- ago, in a more decisive way,
not piecemeal as they have. Ask them ‘why?’ that is. On the one hand, it could be because you didn’t demand better. On the other hand, it could be because they could get away with it, but that’s also because you didn’t demand better sooner. I think when you start asking ‘why?’ and continue asking ‘why?’, the answers become clearer even when you don’t get any answers. The asking changes your perspective to a mindset that expects better. In the process of asking ‘why?’, you may find out some others things you did not care to know, as there are some things that are just downright hurtful or insulting to know, as reality goes. But, when you ask ‘why?’, you also find out things that you didn’t realise at all before, or things you didn’t realise you wanted or really needed to know. ‘Why?’ is a very powerful question. It’s more than a simple question. It’s an extremely useful tool. It’s a weapon in a social arsenal. It can change your entire life perspective; it can change your government, or it can change your ability to communicate with the world. Start asking ‘why?’ more often. And don’t stop asking until you find out what you need to know, whether it’s from your (current or hopeful) member of parliament, or from your phone company. The answers to ‘why?’ could change your life. Comments and responses to nburrows@ tribunemedia.net
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, April 4, 2017, PAGE 9
Gibson denies last-minute labour laws are a political manoeuvre By RICARDO WELLS Tribune Staff Reporter rwells@tribunemedia.net
MINISTER of Labour and National Insurance Shane Gibson yesterday continued his defence of the government’s decision to present, delay and then pass labour law amendments in little under two weeks, insisting that the series of moves was not politically motivated or driven. Speaking as a guest on “The Real Deal” with host Ortland Bodie, Mr Gibson moved to clarify what he termed a continuous push to present the Progressive Liberal Party (PLP) as manoeuvring to win over unions, claiming that his ministerial agenda had always viewed the amendments first presented to Parliament late last month as “major pieces of labour legislation”. The Golden Gates MP, in response to questions over the rushed nature of the amendments, argued that the stigma was only being pushed by disgruntled employers who “gained their success riding on the backs of employees”. Mr Gibson maintained that the changes were being criticised to give the perception that the Christie administration “deceived or short-changed” employers. He accused some employers of intentionally trying to delay the “necessary and essential” changes, implying that at every step of the process, he and other officials attempted to facilitate demands and concerns
MINISTER of Labour and National Insurance Shane Gibson. raised by the group. “What should we do? Say we are not going to pass the bills? If you watched the news over the past year, every time they interviewed me and asked when was this legislation (was) coming, I said as soon as I get it form the Tripartite Council. “And so the minute we got that, we had to have them draft (the amendments) properly, we had
to send it to the Attorney General’s Office, we had to allow it to go to Cabinet so that Cabinet could agree to it; and of course we had to table it in Parliament and review it before you debated it,” Mr Gibson said. “My point is this … it was the employers, who last year around September, asked me for an additional three months because they wanted an opportunity to
really get all of their references and look at what was happening in the region as to how we should modify and amend the Employment Act and the Industrial Relations Act. “(They) asked for the extension, so I accommodated them. And now, I am being asked why would you rush this? These are major pieces of legislation and so my point is, it only happen (this
slowly) because this is when we got them,” the former unionist said. Enshrined in former legislation was language that loosely suggested that private sector employers adhere to industrial practices laid out by the government. The new legislation now mandates those terms and practices. Mr Gibson said this change ensures that employ-
ers now have to give “proper notice” before moving to make employees redundant. He said: “You know what it is for workers, after working 25-30 years or a year, to wake up one morning and to be told that effective today that you may be made redundant? So now you have to sit down with the union at least a week in advance. You have to sit down with the government at least two weeks in advance.” Initially, the government sought to address redundancy pay to employees; options for rehiring in times of redundancies; and the implementation of provisions that protect employees in the event of being made redundant. Those proposals resulted to serious push back by private sector employers. Ultimately, the government relented on its attempt to alter the redundancy ‘cap’, leaving it as originally stated due to uproar. Addressing that push back last week, Mr Gibson said he expected everything that came with the process and was prepared for every possible outcome. Many of the issues addressed in the government’s slate of labour amendments corresponded with issues contested by unionists for much of the last decade. Several observers have suggested that these moves by the government came in response to the mass redundancy carried out by Sandal Royal Bahamian last year, when 600 lost their jobs. The Senate passed the amendments yesterday.
ROADS RENAMED IN HONOUR OF UNIVERSITY By KHRISNA VIRGIL Deputy Chief Reporter kvirgil@tribunemedia.net THE University of the Bahamas (UB) yesterday celebrated the renaming of two major nearby thoroughfares in honour of the country’s tertiary learning institution. Deputy Prime Minister Philip Davis announced that Thompson Boulevard, from the six-legged roundabout to the roundabout at the intersection of Carter Street and Poinciana Drive, is now officially known as University Drive. And corridor eight, the two-lane road that links University Drive and the Moss Road intersection to the Baillou Hill and Cord-
eaux Avenue intersection, is now named University Commons, Mr Davis, who is also Minister of Works said. During the short ceremony, University President Dr Rodney Smith added that he had been anticipating this “historic” name change for some time. Prime Minister Perry Christie and other government officials attended the event. “This is no small gesture,” Mr Davis said. “This is especially important to UB as the address University Drive publicises the property to which UB leads. What’s important to all of the Bahamas to note is the fact that by its address this property is an efficient
means to locate others. Beyond that the world will now know that our nation is being built around the university. “Ladies and gentlemen, the building of this university is no accident. The Education Act of 1962, Majority Rule of 1967 and (achieving) independence in 1973 are all landmark developments in the Bahamas which paved the way for today’s advances.” He continued: “Recent and today’s events are the culmination of an idea at birth in the mind of Mr Arthur Dion Hanna, whose contribution to education is often forgotten and whose advancements for Bahamians is unparalleled. “As the first Minister of
Education in the post Majority Rule era, ‘AD’ as he is affectionately called, had responsibly for ensuring that scholarships were widely awarded to secure education for Bahamians of all colours to qualify them for leadership,” Mr Davis said. For his part Dr Smith said the road renaming signified another step in the creation of a university zone. He said: “I have been anticipating this historic name change for some time. For us it represents another step towards the creation of a university zone. It will serve as another visible marker for those who live in this community and for those in the country that we are a growing university. Not just
to impact and exist behind these walls, but to engage and impact the neighbouring community and our country as a whole.” The University of The Bahamas was chartered at the Thomas A Robinson stadium last November. Mr Christie at the time said the country will look to UB to play an important role in national affairs. “Students must have the proper facilities to work in and this should include a modern, state-of-the art performing arts theatre; a musical conservatory; and ample studio space,” he said in 2016. “The nation will increasingly be looking to the University of The Bahamas to provide the public with a
robust and active arts calendar. There is growing appetite for more musical concerts, dance performances, plays, poetry recitals, book readings, and art shows, to meet our need for these finer pleasures. The civilising effect that such experiences can have on the nation should not be underestimated.” He added: “The university must be a place of relevance within both the national and global contexts. It is, therefore, critical that (the) university not only respond to national needs but also engage the country in meaningful discussions. The university must continue to have a voice in matters of national and global importance.”
from page one
ty (PLP) rally. Mr Christie later expressed regret for the action. “Prime Minister Christie is at it again,” Dr Minnis posted. “On what should have been a memorable day in the history of the University of The Bahamas, Christie’s colourful language is again on display. After ‘flipping’ the country a few weeks ago, one would think that he should be advised to be more careful and conduct himself in a manner of a Prime Minister during his remaining days in office. ‘Loose lips, sink ships’ and this PLP ship is sinking deep in a red sea.” Last week in the House of Assembly, Mr Christie was adamant that the $1.14bn in Value-Added Tax (VAT) revenue collected by the government in 2015 and 2016 had not been “frittered away” or spent “surreptitiously”. He gave an extensive explanation of VAT revenue since the matter was reignited following the PLP’s convention in January, when Mr Halkitis made his controversial “Where the VAT money gone” speech. Mr Christie told members of Parliament it was a “worrisome” and nonsensical misconception that his administration mishandled VAT money. This issue, he said, needed to be put to rest once and for all.
VAT was implemented on January 1, 2015, at a rate of 7.5 per cent on most goods and services. Mr Christie said while VAT collections are automatically sent to the Consolidated Fund, where revenue is “indistinguishable” and not earmarked for any one purpose, it goes toward three categories of
reduction. These include tax reduction, funding of expenditure and deficit and debt reductions being the residual outcome. He was adamant that the government had been “crystal clear” from the outset that the administration’s programme for tax reform had manifold objectives.
Despite VAT yielding more than $1.1bn, Mr Christie said there was a vast impact on recurrent government revenue due to the elimination of the hotel occupancy tax, VAT refunds and other tax reductions. These amounted to a total reduction of $344m in revenue foregone since the introduction of VAT,
but the net impact on revenues to the government was $756m. He told the House that in summary, 40 per of the VAT revenue went towards reducing the deficit, 30 per cent replaced revenue foregone from tax reductions and the remaining 30 per cent went towards general expenditure.
PM: IT IS EASY TO ‘PISS AWAY’ PUBLIC FUNDS “rich” language, Mr Christie used the “very graphic expression of annoyance” as he insisted that his government is not wasting tax dollars. “Those of us in public life must be accountable for the positions we hold and have the capacity to be able to do it,” he said during an address at an event to commemorate the renaming of two thoroughfares surrounding the university. “And so if I am described as the Minister of Finance you want to believe that I made myself understand that. “Even though I have a brilliant young man in (State Minister of Finance) Michael Halkitis, a graduate of the College of the Bahamas, I have to be able to challenge him. Because it is so important to recognise how easy it is to piss away money. “Excuse me for the language. That’s what you call rich language and one day you will have to teach it as a very graphic expression of annoyance by definition,” Mr Christie continued. In a statement posted to his Facebook page, Free National Movement (FNM) Leader Dr Hubert Minnis chastised Mr Christie for his choice of words, which came weeks after he stuck his middle finger up while on stage at a Progressive Liberal Par-
PAGE 10, Tuesday, April 4, 2017
TRIBUNE reporter Rashad Rolle is put through his paces in a physical test.
THE TRIBUNE
Photos: RBDF
Seafarers fit for service Sacrifice and camaraderie are just two contrasting elements of life at sea with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. Rashad Rolle immerses himself with the crew of the HMBS Arthur D Hanna. FOR the 24 membercrew of the HMBS Arthur Dion Hanna, life as a defence force marine or officer involves a plethora of sacrifices: newborn babies can grow inches absent from the watchful gaze of their father, birthdays and anniversaries can be celebrated in a ship miles of the coast of Inagua rather than a swanky restaurant in Nassau, and every time they set sail, they know the risks to their safety are greater than those faced by the average person. These men and women spend more than six months at sea each year, searching for anything suspicious, from illegal migrants to poachers to drug and firearm traffickers. Last month, The Tribune was among the media groups invited to experience a slice of what life is like in their world as the Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) continues to celebrate its 37th anniversary this year. The anniversary comes at a time of expansion for the RBDF, with the government’s Sandy Bottom Project facilitating its acquisition of nine world-class vessels - the first of which was the AD Hanna - that aim to increase its capacity to cover the country’s 100,000-plus square mile maritime domain.
The HMBS Arthur Hanna is commanded by Acting Lieutenant Commander Berne Wright. Only he knows what the crew’s schedule will look like from month-to-month, although crew are usually given ample time to prepare for the ship’s evolution. Vicissitudes of the job mean emergency trips are sometimes required, however. “Once, I was home sleeping, very tired, and a call came in and told me to get dressed and to turn into Coral Harbour at 10pm because they required my speciality as a driver,” Chief Petty Officer David Fernander, the chief engineer on the vessel, told us. Indeed, as a standing operating procedure, seamen must always have a three-day supply packed and ready to go. They are expected to prepare for a ship’s evolution at a moment’s notice. After all, poachers, drug traffickers and potentially tragic accidents don’t happen at a crew’s convenience. The Commanding Officer is aided by a crew that includes the executive officer, the operations officer, the navigation officer, the deck officer, the supply officer, the coxswain, the chief engineer, general mechanics and engineers and the seamen. Junior seamen and seawomen typically
RASHAD Rolle (centre) and fellow media ‘recruits’ find out how to keep the HMBS Arthur D Hanna sparkling and shipshape get their feet wet by doing mon. out to sea in is the same activities like cleaning and “I don’t care if you’re condition I expect to bring cooking. On average, they Michael Phelps,” Tamiko you back in.” are at sea for two weeks. Johnson, a senior lieutenThe importance of safety Sufficient food ant who is and obeying instructions is taken to ‘Marines are the ship’s became clear to the media provide each executive of- ‘recruits’ when we were expected to of them with ficer, told us. confronted with the speed at least three prepare for a “Just because in which circumstances meals per day. ship’s evolution you can swim can change for the worse at Everything doesn’t mean sea. I suffered the embarone would at a moment’s you’ll be able rassment of falling in the find in a kitch- notice. After all, to swim based water while attempting to en is found on poachers, drug on how you transition from a dory to a board ship: enter the wa- cay during a cay search, for bread and bas- traffickers and ter. You might instance. Not long after, on ket items like potentially tragic slip and fall return to the main vessel, egg and milk, accidents don’t and injure the dory’s radiator overice cream yourself. That heated, releasing smoke and different happen at a crew’s renders your that thrust us into a real life kinds of meat. convenience.’ skill-set moot emergency. Emergency sitSafety, howso before we uations happen frequently, ever, is parado anything Commander Wright said. mount. Life vests are worn we want to make sure the Thankfully, with the at all times when on deck. risk to persons and equip- expansion of the defence Fire drills and man-over- ment is minimised. The force’s fleet, some harrowboard drills are also com- same condition I took you ing experiences - like being left on an uninhabited cay for days - are increasingly a thing of the past. CPO Fernander recounted: “About 20 years ago I was with a team that had to do a cay search of Anguilla Cay. We had to do a fourhour cay search before another team would take over. But the craft that dropped us had an emergency and didn’t come back for us until like like days later. We had to kick into survival mode. The man who was in charge was an able hand. Being more experienced, he controlled our rations so we wouldn’t eat it all up. There was an incident where a younger marine started to hallucinate and go in and out. We had to find ways to calm him down and tell him things would be okay.” The Arthur D Hanna is a sleek, 138ft long and 23ft wide vessel. It’s as attractive on the inside as it is on the outside. With a maximum speed of up to 20 knots, the ship features the latest in navigation and radar technology. Registered ships often show up as a triangle on its radar. But because of
their size, Haitian sloops often don’t show up at all, making them difficult to intercept. Officers typically engage in a process of elimination before deciding to interact or make contact with a ship that appears to be off the grid. Ships that fail to respond to attempts at communication would raise the crew’s suspicions, as would ships that move particularly fast. Nonetheless, spending so much time at sea fosters camaraderie between crew members. Despite the seriousness of the potential challenges they face, the crew finds time for fun and entertainment. “This is a dry ship, meaning there’s no alcohol on board,” Commander Wright said. “We do, however, have a patented AD Hanna game show involving academic questions about defence force history - Acts and regulations, social studies, world history, sports and even cinema. We do karaoke. We watch music videos. And we have a ship’s dictionary where we make fun of people who speak out of context.” Preparation for life at sea never truly ends for the crew members, even when on land. Commander Wright, for instance, said he works out twice a day for a least a week before a scheduled evolution. “There’s also a pampering process where members would have manicures, pedicures, facials to pamper themselves prior to sailing,” he told us. Crew members conduct extensive inspections prior to departure to determine if equipment is up to standard and to make sure the crew is in position. “There are times when people may either be on vacation or sick so you may need replacements,” Commander Wright said. “You have to ensure that stores and supplies are in position or transition for the day of sailing.” Life at sea is not for anyone who isn’t prepared to make sacrifices. “For those interested in joining the defence force, now is the perfect opportunity,” said Pedro Rolle, a Petty Officer who is the coxswain of the ship. “The sky is the limit. It calls for a lot of sacrifices. From time to time you’d be called upon to leave home and for most people that’s the hardest thing to do. But the people on a boat or a ship become your family too.” • Comments and respones to rrolle@tribunemedia.net. Visit www.tribune242.com for Ava Turnquest’s account for her day on patrol with the RBDF
THE TRIBUNE
Tuesday, April 4, 2017, PAGE 11
MINISTER of Social Services Melanie Griffin, Director of Social Services Melanie Zonicle and other members of the Ministry of Social Services and The National Child Protection Council are pictured with students of Uriah McPhee Primary School at a pinwheel that has been placed on Montagu roundabout. Photo: Shawn Hanna/Tribune Staff
Darville points to $50m investment across GB By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net MINISTER for Grand Bahama Dr Michael Darville has highlighted nearly $50m in government capital projects and upgrades underway throughout the island of Grand Bahama. Dr Darville and his team took the media on a tour of the various projects on Friday in Freeport and in East Grand Bahama. The tour to East End also included a boat-trip to the Deep Water Cay fishing resort, which has signed a heads of agreement with government for major expansion. There was also a quick stop at the proposed site for a new $200 million cruise port which has been approved by government. In March, Prime Minister Perry Christie said that a heads of agreement with Carnival Cruise Lines is almost concluded.
Dr Darville said that the projects are “tangible proof” of the government’s commitment to Grand Bahama. The tour started in Freeport, stopping first at the C A Smith Government Complex, where a contract was awarded for $1.2m storage facility. Dr Darville said the 12,000sq ft storage facility was built by Michael Edwards, of Pinnacle Construction, and will reduce storage fees for each government ministry and/or department. The next stop was at the Rand Memorial Hospital (RMH), where upgrades and expansions are underway. Two contracts, totalling $5m, were awarded for upgrades to the hospital: one with Landstar Construction Company Limited for relocation, as well as kitchen and cafeteria and construction of the same at the adjacent Freeport Inn property.
The other contract with Pinnacle Investment Construction Company Ltd is for construction of a secure, covered corridor between the existing RMH campus and the new cafeteria in the adjacent Royal Palm Resort structure, formerly known as the Freeport Inn. Work is estimated to take some 30 weeks, Dr Darville said. “Under the leadership of this government, in particular the Ministry for Grand Bahama along with our public and private sector partners each and every single public healthcare facility on the island of Grand Bahama has undergone extensive upgrades to its infrastructure and technology, all in preparation for the introduction of National Health Insurance, a commitment this government made to the Bahamian people and one that will be kept this term,” he said. “This project, like other health improvement pro-
READERS REACT AS ELECTION NEARS AFTER Prime Minister Perry Christie revealed that Parliament will be dissolved on Tuesday, April 11, and election writs will be issued that day, readers on tribune242.com predicted the outcome at the polls. John said: “The PLP is predicting they will win the election 20 to 17, to commemorate the year 2017. They claim two seats will be independent and/or one will go to the DNA. I think it will be reversed. The FNM will win 21 seats, PLP 17 and Loretta ButlerTurner will win her seat as an independent candidate. If this happens, I foresee her re-joining the FNM at some point and getting a high profile post with that party. At some point it was thought that Branville McCartney may have won his seat as leader of the DNA, but his charade with LBT, where he prematurely accepted a post as Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, then also abandoned that post abruptly and prematurely, has put question to his success in the election.” Seaman referenced the postponement of Carnival: “They need them millions to spend in Abaco, where they had a very poor turn out Saturday night for the candidates for the North and South. The PLP needs that cash to spend in the Mud and the Pea, Crossing Rocks and elsewhere. Money will not do them any good this time. People say they will take their money and still vote them out.
Bush crack ... Perry gone. Ps ... Edison Key also gone ... out and stay out. Sheeprunner (another website poster), tell LBT to pack her bags and run for the FNM in North Eleuthera. She can easily win that seat, that way she can come back to the FNM party.” Readers also responded to the PLP’s recent criticism of Dr Hubert Minnis, in which the party claimed claimed the FNM leader was “unprincipled, ineffective and ill prepared”. DDK had this to say: “PLP seem to be taking a page from the recent US presidential election campaign. LIE! LIE! LIE! Run down your opponent so often the public may just begin to believe it. What a bunch of sickos! Desperate times call for desperate measures. They are pleading and pleading for their people to register. Unheard of on such a great scale in past elections!” Justthefactsplease said: “The only thing that scares me more than a Minnis government is a Christie government.” Themessenger criticised the Prime Minister: “Mr Christie, you of all people should hang you head in shame for having the gall to call anybody, other than most of your Cabinet, un-
principled.” But Well_mudda_take_ sic offered this view of Dr Minnis: “There is a reason Minnis fears a publicly televised debate with Christie and/or McCartney. He is incapable of thinking quickly and sensibly while standing on his own two feet and has great difficulty in stringing together more than a few words at a time, without resorting to angry outbursts grounded in irrational thought. These serious weaknesses are soon revealed whenever Minnis finds himself caught in a situation where he must react with some spontaneity. He therefore avoids such situations as much as possible, preferring instead to deal with most matters behind the scenes in a closed setting of his choosing; hence his penchant for subterfuge. His ability to get along with people who are quite capable of thinking for themselves and who are unafraid to voice their concerns or opposition to his ideas is therefore very limited. His track record as a politician is replete with failures and no successes. Christie’s abysmal failure to rein in the corruption of the PLP government is the only reason Minnis has survived thus far in active politics. But the level of corruption Minnis would likely rise to as PM would far eclipse anything we have experienced in recent history ... and that’s truly frightening!” • Don’t miss your chance to join the debate on tribune242.com.
jects on the island, falls under the umbrella of our National Health Systems Strengthening initiative. This initiative has vastly improved health facilities, services, equipment, recruitment and management across our nation, including right here on Grand Bahama.” He took the media next to Farmer Market in down-
town, Freeport. A $390,000 contract for the refurbishment work was awarded to SRA Construction Company Ltd. There are 28 brightly coloured stalls and a gazebo, which were refurbished and completed. He also visited the new $6.2m fire station on Settler’s Way. Work on the facility began shortly after the government entered
into a contract with Patrick McDonald Construction Company on July 28, 2015. The two-storey 16,000 sq ft building is located on three acres, finished on schedule in Spring 2017. Dr Darville said that a $1.2m contract has been awarded and work is presently being done to upgrade The Grand Bahama Sports Complex.
PAGE 12, Tuesday, April 4, 2017
THE TRIBUNE
Sun and fun at the regatta
AN AERIAL view of the Regatta celebrations along the shore at Montagu at the weekend.
Photo: Abraham Adderley/oneturbomedia
IT WAS Regatta time again at the weekend with the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, sailing champs, food, smiles and more. The festivities were held at Montagu. Photos: Terrel W. Carey/Tribune Staff