04072025 NEWS by tribune242

House & HoMe

ROLLE ‘NAMED HIS KILLE R ’ AS HE DIED

Pilot denied bail as he faces murder and drug charges

By RASHAD ROLLE

Tribune News Editor

rrolle@tribunemedia.net

A MAN fatally shot at Lynden Pindling International Airport last year allegedly named his killer before dying, telling a witness: “This DJ, Nesha husband who shot me bey, please tell my kids, my daughter and my son, I love them.”

That chilling statement formed a central part of the Crown’s case against granting bail to 26-year-old pilot Donald Ferguson, who awaits trial for murder and multiple drug trafﬁcking offences. Supreme Court Justice Neil Brathwaite ruled that prosecutors had presented a prima facie case and

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

AFTER two harrowing days adrift in open waters without food, water, or communication, Huberto Miller, Sr, feared that he and his cousin, Kenroy Rolle, would never make it home. Their ordeal ended Friday morning, when they were rescued in waters off Bimini after drifting far off course during what was meant to be a routine boat retrieval.

Mr Miller, 35, and Mr Rolle, 28, both of Great Harbour Cay in the Berry Islands, were returning a vessel from Chub Cay

Pintard ‘asked Minnis to be part of FNM’s future - but not as candidate’

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

MICHAEL Pintard

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

POLICE said they are still investigating a Carnival Cruise Lines passenger’s claim that she was raped by a jet ski operator near Junkanoo Beach last week Tuesday.

The Tribune reported the matter, which has not been reported by police in its crime updates, on Thursday. Such matters are typically reported to

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

BAHAMIANS must “brace” for a potential global depression and repeat of the 2008-2009 economic contraction, which saw thousands lose their jobs, due to Donald Trump’s tariff policies, a local economist is warning.

During a press conference yesterday, he conﬁrmed The Tribune’s report last week that Dr Minnis will not be renominated in Killarney, the latest political setback for a man who, just ﬁve years ago, was prime minister and only the

said he has asked former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis to contribute to the Free National Movement’s future — not as a candidate, but as an elder statesman guiding strategy and offering insight into government policy.

A former senior IDB and CDB executive, told an Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG) seminar she is “not being dramatic, but realistic” about the likely fall-out the Bahamian economy and this nation’s citizens face as a result of the US president’s actions in starting a possible global trade war.

Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

honoured for their service at RBDF annual church

PRIME Minister Philip ‘Brave’ Davis speaks during the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) Annual church service at William Thompson Auditorium yesterday.

Photos: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff

Pintard ‘asked Minnis to be part of FNM’s future - but not as candidate’

second FNM leader to take the party to government.

“I’ve asked him to provide additional information that many times only prime ministers know, that will allow us to defend our record as a party,” Mr Pintard said. “I’ve also indicated to him that there is a role for him to play once we have taken government by the grace of God.”

Mr Pintard said Dr Minnis told him he would consult his family on his next move, adding: “We have not heard back from him, except through emissaries, and the party must do what we must do.”

Despite the longstrained relationship between Dr Minnis and Mr Pintard, some in the FNM had hoped recently that the former would make a conciliatory gesture — such as endorsing the party’s current leadership — that might pave the way for his renomination. But as weeks passed, no such move came, leaving the FNM — now ramping up its general election preparations — pressed to make a decisive call.

Denying Dr Minnis a nomination has not gone over well with the Killarney Constituency Association, where key ﬁgures have publicly warned the decision could cost the party the seat. In comments published by The Tribune last week, chairwoman Elaine Gomez said most executives still support Dr Minnis and would continue to back him — even if he ran as an independent.

Mr Pintard said party leadership, including the chairman, secretary general, national campaign coordinator, and himself, met with the Killarney Constituency Association to discuss concerns about representation.

“We did not want to, in any way, make any determinations without hearing their voice. Their voice is important to us. They are a part of this family,” he said.

“From the very ﬁrst meeting that we held recently, we have clear indication that we will enjoy the

support of the association executives, but even more importantly, we will enjoy the support of the people of Killarney.”

He said he also asked Dr Minnis to share his thoughts on who might be a suitable replacement for the seat.

Mr Pintard said Dr Minnis had not participated in recent party meetings or strategy sessions, and while he did not name him directly, he criticised members who do not align with the party’s leadership or message.

“Those persons who are not minded or are unable to consistently participate and make a contribution, or whose message, oftentimes we are unaware of what the nature of it, or it does not jive with what we are attempting to do, they put us in a very, very difﬁcult position,” he said.

“When we call on every member of our team to have message discipline, when we call on every member of our team to be integrated in the meetings that we hold so that we can be on the same page as we present a vision for the future, those are not unrealistic.”

On the broader general election candidate selection process, Mr Pintard said the party had completed vetting in all but three constituencies, with more than 75 percent of applicants interviewed. He said the full slate should be ﬁnalised by the end of this week, with announcements expected in May.

He did not conﬁrm The Tribune’s report that Long Island MP Adrian Gibson will not be re-nominated, saying only that decisions about a number of seats would be revealed later.

He also appeared to take a veiled swipe at former FNM MP Iram Lewis, who joined the Coalition of Independents last week, saying voters deserved honesty before elected ofﬁcials switch political sides.

“At a minimum, they deserve a conversation about where you are leading them,” he said. Dr Minnis did not return calls seeking comment up to press time.

“I’ve also indicated to him that there is a role for him to play once we have taken government by the grace of God.”

- Michael Pintard

Police still investigating cruise guest’s ra Pe claim

the US Embassay in New Providence.

Yesterday, Chief Superintendent of Police Sheria King, the press liaison, conﬁrmed the matter is under investigation.

The reported assault came just days after the United States updated its travel advisory for The Bahamas, speciﬁcally warning about unregulated watercraft operators and sexual assault reports involving jet ski vendors. The advisory prohibits US government employees from using jet skis or personal watercraft rentals from independent New Providence and Paradise Island operators.

Minister of Transport JoBeth Coleby-Davis responded to the renewed advisory by conﬁrming that the Port Department is reviewing current oversight of jet ski operations, especially in high-trafﬁc tourist zones.

While she noted regulations exist, enforcement

remains an ongoing concern — particularly with unauthorised activity outside designated launch sites.

Mrs Coleby-Davis said ofﬁcials recently held meetings to address the matter and are ﬁnalising a report to be submitted to Cabinet.

FORMER Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Killarney Dr Hubert Minnis

FNM LEADER MICHAEL PINTARD

Taxi drivers protest change to airport queue system at LPIA

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

DOZENS of taxi drivers staged a strike on Friday outside Lynden Pindling International Airport (LPIA), protesting being locked out of the commercial lane used to service arriving visitors.

The protest was led by newly elected Bahamas Taxicab Union (BTCU) president Tyrone Butler, who said he was informed of recent changes to the airport’s holding area — the designated queue for taxis waiting to pick up passengers.

Mr Butler claimed the Nassau Airport Development Company (NAD) had instructed that only two taxis be allowed in the queue simultaneously, down from the usual four. He said this change reduced the number of taxis available to serve guests and that many drivers were denied entry to the holding area, preventing them from accessing the commercial lane.

The strike caused trafﬁc congestion near the US

departures area, as taxi drivers parked their vehicles in the driving lane. Some drivers in the commercial lane also refused fares in solidarity with the union, leading to many guests being transported in private or livery cars. Police ofﬁcers were seen at the scene attempting to restore order.

Mr Butler said BTCU members were not informed of any changes by NAD’s Manager of Parking and Ground Transportation, Nicole Henﬁeld. However, during the protest, Mr Butler and other taxi drivers spoke with Ms Henﬁeld, who reportedly said she did not issue any instruction to limit taxi access.

Taxi drivers were eventually told they could return to the original call-back system at LPIA.

Despite the resolution, Mr Butler said the union would not be silenced or dismissed and announced that a follow-up meeting with NAD would take place on Tuesday to discuss ongoing concerns. He said the main issue for taxi drivers is sharing space

with livery drivers at the airport. Mr Butler argued that taxis should not be required to operate alongside what he called an “illegitimate” franchise.

He warned that if the matter is not properly addressed, the union will consider further action.

“We’re not saying that we’re going to be disruptive,” he said. “But if we have to — because we believe that the government is an enabler of the foolishness that is happening at this airport. No way should

a government allow private franchises to come to this airport and solicit and offer their services, because the law only recognises taxis to be at an airport.”

In a statement on Friday, the Ministry of Transport and Energy expressed disappointment over the demonstration. The ministry said it was advised the protest was prompted by a rumour that taxi drivers would have limited access to pick up passengers at the airport. The ministry said NAD has since conﬁrmed the rumour was untrue and that the misunderstanding has been resolved.

“The ministry is aware that recent elections for The Bahamas Taxicab Union were held and that there was a change in leadership. However, the Ministry and Road Trafﬁc Department have not been made aware of any grievances by taxi drivers and have not met with the new executives of the union,” the statement read. The ministry acknowledged the valuable contributions of taxi drivers to the economy and said it looks forward to meeting with the new BTCU leadership as early as this week.

MARITIME REVENUE ENFORCEMENT TASK FORCE TARGETING COMPLIANCE ACROSS THE COUNTRY

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

ARMED government agents have inspected local businesses, and Americanregistered vessels face forfeiture near Paradise Island—signs of an escalating push by the government to recover lost maritime revenue. Economic Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis conﬁrmed that the islandto-island compliance sweep is ongoing, targeting marine-based enterprises across the archipelago.

from island to island. We think that’s a huge opportunity being spread out. You know, a lot of times you don’t have the proper handle that you should have in terms of a revenue perspective on what is going on in these islands.”

(MRETF), chaired by Commander Bertram Bowleg, was launched in July 2023 to recover delinquent revenue and implement structural safeguards to prevent future losses. In its ﬁrst three months, it recovered $1.2m.

“They continue to work,” he said. “They’re moving

The Maritime Revenue Enforcement Task Force

The task force’s work now spans Bimini, Abaco, the Berry Islands, and the Exuma Cays, with teams reviewing documentation, inspecting sites, and ﬂagging unpaid or underreported dues—particularly from businesses that expanded operations without updated government fees.

“What they’re doing is, they continue to move around, doing compliance and checking—not implementing anything new, but making sure people are operating within the conﬁnes of the law,” Mr Halkitis said.

He pointed to scenarios where businesses expanded marinas or other infrastructure without notifying the government.

“For example, someone might, just as an example, built a marina, and over

the years, they expanded it. Okay, you expanded—that means more revenue is due to the government for the space that you’re taking up,” he said. Mr Halkitis said the initiative supports a broader strategy of increasing revenue collection without raising taxes, while also advancing environmental protection goals.

“We have to make sure that the people of The Bahamas are getting a return on that activity through the proper fees, being collected so that we can do things like protection and conservation, etc,”

he said. Commander Bowleg, a veteran of the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, leads a task force that includes the Royal Bahamas Police Force, Marine Resources, Bahamas Immigration, Customs, the Port Department, and the Bahamas National Trust.

Though no updated ﬁgures were released, ofﬁcials described early results as promising.

In June 2024, CBS Bahamas said ten agents from the Revenue Enhancement Task Force, some heavily armed, conducted a surprise inspection at its South-West Plaza location—calling the visit an “eye-opening event” that signaled an “increasingly hostile environment for local businesses”

Last week, the maritime task force intercepted five American-registered vessels operating without permits near Paradise Island. Owners were given 30 days to provide valid documentation or risk having their vessels seized.

ECONOMIC Affairs Minister Michael Halkitis

TYRONE BUTLER (right), president of the Bahamas Taxi Cab Union (BTCU) spoke to the media during a strike action at Lynden Pindling International Airport on Friday. Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr

Cousins adrift at sea feared they would not make it home

after accompanying a captain back there. Once the captain disembarked, they were meant to bring the boat home — a task Mr Miller, an experienced boatman, had done many times before.

Expecting the trip to last no more than two hours, Mr Miller did not pack food or water. Though the fuel gauge showed full, they added 12 gallons of gas as a precaution because the meter seemed unreliable.

But the journey quickly turned into a nightmare. Midway to Great Harbour Cay, the boat began taking on water. There was no anchor on board. As rough seas battered the vessel, Mr Miller steered while Mr Rolle bailed water by hand.

“By the time we got control of the water situation, I had steered the course to get back to Great Harbour Cay. When I checked the gas, we were on E,” Mr Miller said. With the boat now adrift, they tried to signal for help by waving their shirts at passing boats — but no one stopped. Out at sea with no cellular reception, Mr Miller turned off his phone to conserve its 50 percent battery life.

As darkness fell, they braced themselves against the worsening conditions. Mr Miller watched through the night with the bayou lights on, focused on one thing: getting home to his wife and children. He said he had taken the trip to help a family member, expecting a short journey, but instead found himself in the worst situation he’d faced in 15 years of boating. Around 2am Friday, a faint signal gave them a lifeline. “I happened to see a tower and some blinking lights and I turned my phone back on –– and I was catching some service,” Mr Miller said. “I thought we drifted around Coco Cay area because I knew I was on my way home. But the wind switched in the night and I didn’t know it took me off to Bimini.”

He sent his location via WhatsApp to a local ﬁsherman from Great Harbour Cay. Mr Rolle also shared their coordinates with authorities in Bimini. The men were located and rescued in Bimini waters by ofﬁcers from the Royal Bahamas Police Force and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force.

Mr Miller said he was ready to jump overboard and swim

for land before help arrived, fearing the boat might drift again. Seeing the authorities approach, he said, brought a wave of relief and gratitude. Both men have since returned to the Berry Islands in good health. Mr Miller admitted the experience was a wake-up call.

He acknowledged his mistake in not checking for an anchor before setting off and called the ordeal a learning experience. He also said there were moments when he began to lose hope — especially after seeing only one boat the entire day. What kept him going, he said, was his faith, his compass, and the signs they were nearing shallow waters.

His wife, Sherkelia Miller, said she knew something was wrong when her husband — who told her he’d only be gone for two hours — didn’t return. She alerted authorities and relatives, fearing the worst.

She said she couldn’t bear the thought of losing the love of her life.

When Mr Miller ﬁnally returned, the ﬁrst thing he did was hug and kiss his wife and children. He said he had missed them deeply.

Community in Eleuthera mourns man killed in trafﬁc accident

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter jrussell@tribunemedia.net

THE Eleuthera community is mourning the tragic death of Ricardo Bell, who was killed in a traffic accident last Friday while attempting to tow a derelict vehicle in front of his home.

Mr Bell, 62, was recently promoted to Senior Superintendent in the Ministry of Works after serving the ministry for 44 years. He was a North Eleuthera District councillor, a church deacon, and widely known for his commitment to community service.

Scott Sawyer, area engineer for the Ministry of Works in North Eleuthera, said he had seen Mr Bell just an hour before the accident. The two had collected work equipment from a local mail boat and retrieved one of the ministry’s trucks that had been shipped back to the island.

Mr Bell dropped Mr Sawyer off near his home before the incident. Not long after, Mr Sawyer received a call from Mr Bell’s phone — his wife

was on the line, urging him to come quickly.

Mr Sawyer, a member of the local Volunteer Fire and Rescue team, said he rushed out immediately, even though his mobile service was down. At first,

he assumed Mr Bell was calling for help at another scene. “We tend to a lot of these things together. So to come up on the scene and realise it was actually him — that was pretty

shocking,” Mr Sawyer said.

The accident occurred shortly before 8.30pm on Queen’s H ighway near a bridge. Police found two damaged vehicles and an unresponsive man. According to initial reports, Mr Bell was pulling a derelict vehicle into his yard using a rope when a passing car, heading east, collided with it. H e was standing outside the truck when

the impact occurred and was fatally injured. A doctor later confirmed he showed no signs of life.

Mr Sawyer said he had grown close to Mr Bell and his family over the six years they had worked together.

“I just handed him a promotion two months ago. H e looked at me and said, ‘I think I might be able to retire finally,’” Mr Sawyer recalled.

Mr Bell was remembered as a devoted husband and father, deeply involved in his community. H e was helping one of his youngest sons prepare for further studies and had plans to support his wife — well known in the straw market community — in her craft business. H e had been looking forward to retirement and spending more time travelling with his family.

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RICARDO BELL

HU BERTO Miller (left), with his wife Sherkelia Miller (centre) and his cousin is Kenroy Rolle with big smiles after being reunited . The two men were adrift for two days at sea.

The Tribune Limited

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Publisher/Editor 1903-1914

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A lesson for this generation and the next

FOR those of us who ever spent any time in the Guides or the Scouts, there is something called the campground rule. Simply put, it urges us all to leave things better than you found them. It means you should not simply refrain from leaving your own debris behind, but also clear up what went before you, and make things better for those who follow you. Bit by bit, it elevates everything.

American writer Bessie Anderson Stanley wrote in 1911: “To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”

Think on that. The measure of success is to leave things better than you found them.

The founder of the Boy Scouts, Robert Baden-Powell, reiterated the point in his last message to the organisation. He wrote: “Try and leave the world a little better than you found it and when your turn comes to die, you can die happy in feeling that at any rate you have not wasted your time but have done your best.”

These are rules that can deﬁne every part of our lives – but we note them particularly in one context. Who are we leaving things better for? Well, it is as we note above – for those who follow us. Our children. The next generation. This month is Child Protection Month. In today’s Tribune, you can read about how we are protecting our children … or too often, how we are not doing so.

Between 2019 and 2023, more than 2,000 cases of suspected child abuse and neglect were reported in our country. Often, these are instances of neglect, but the annual numbers for abuse were between 130-180 each year.

On Friday, Social Services ofﬁcials talked about the need for prevention, early intervention and so on – and they are correct, that needs to be done.

But on a cultural level, we need to be looking to do all we can for the needs of the child.

Too often in The Tribune, we report on cases where children are sexually abused, sometimes even by members of their own family.

Too often, we hear of cases of neglect, and children somehow trying to ﬁnd a way to navigate the challenges of growing up without a steady roof over their head, without a uniform to wear to school, walking long distances to get there on busy roads.

Social Services also highlighted the cases we see of children selling things on the roadside, or approaching strangers for money. When we tell children to beware of strangers, we cannot at the same time accept them going up to strangers asking for money.

We get it. These are often children from families living in poverty. They are facing genuine hardship. This is whatever they can do to ﬁnd a way out. And this is where the rest of us should come in. To make the world a better place. To leave things better than we found them.

How we treat our children is the lesson we teach them for how they should be when they become our nation’s leaders. Are we teaching the right lesson? Or the wrong one?

If we are to elevate our nation, we must do so generation after generation. Or as Bessie Anderson Stanley said it, leave it “a bit better” so they can do the same. That truly would show that we have succeeded.

Keep our kids free from abuse Removal of Minnis by Pintard E fects of the market on property prices

EDITOR, The Tribune.

IN political life, decisions are often less about policy than about personality— less about the future than about settling unﬁnished business with the past. The recent announcement by Free National Movement (FNM) leader Michael Pintard that former Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis will not be nominated as a candidate in the next general election is one such decision. It says far more about Pintard than it does about Minnis. Let us dispense with the obvious: every party has the right to chart its own future, to decide who speaks for it, and who should carry its banner into the next election. But when the removal of a former leader and sitting Member of Parliament comes with no clear explanation—no articulation of principle or political strategy—the public is left to connect the dots. And in this case, the pattern is hard to miss.

Pintard could never quite get past his own insecurities where Dr Minnis was concerned. Whether it was the weight of Minnis’s political base, his record as a

sitting Prime Minister, or the shadow he continues to cast over party deliberations, Pintard seemed to treat Minnis not as a predecessor to be respected, but as an obstacle to be managed. What we witnessed this week is the culmination of a long, quiet struggle within the party—one that Pintard appears to have resolved not through leadership, but through elimination. But if this is a referendum on the Minnis administration, then Pintard must be willing to speak plainly: Was that administration a failure? If so, does he take any ownership of that outcome as a sitting Cabinet Minister during the period in question? Or does he intend to blame all of it on one man, while asking the public to pretend the rest of the FNM was merely along for the ride?

Political insecurity often disguises itself as party reform. But it is worth remembering: a leader who cannot acknowledge his role in past decisions cannot credibly claim to offer something new. The Bahamian people know what the last FNM term was—they lived it. They remember the curfews, the lockdowns,

the economic hardship, the communication failures. Pintard was not a spectator during that period; he was a participant. The attempt now to rewrite that history by isolating Minnis as the sole architect is not only disingenuous—it is deeply unserious. This is a moment that required statesmanship. Instead, we got strategy. A quiet, calculated removal of a political figure who—even with his flaws—commanded loyalty, held the confidence of his constituents, and remained a known quantity to the electorate. Minnis was not everyone’s idea of a polished politician, but he was elected. And re-elected. And in the FNM’s darkest hour, he still held his seat. That counts for something. Pintard may believe that with Minnis gone, the party can reset. But ideas—not removals—move nations forward. And until the FNM can offer a coherent vision, backed by credible leadership that isn’t haunted by its own past, voters will view these internal dramas as distractions rather than direction.

JANICE KEMP April 6, 2025.

EDITOR, The Tribune.

APRIL is Child Protection Month in The Bahamas—a crucial time for all of us to come together and protect our children from every form of abuse: physical, sexual, mental, verbal, and neglect. This month reminds us that it takes a village to raise a child, and every one of us plays a vital role in safeguarding our future generation.

Reﬂecting on our daily interactions, it is clear that many problematic behaviors we witness in adults have roots in childhood challenges. We were all once children—vulnerable and impressionable. For some, the scars of societal and familial struggles have evolved into behaviours that harm not only themselves but also the next generation.

When we interact with children, we are also shaping the adults they will become—a reminder that the care and attention we provide today will

inﬂuence the disposition of tomorrow’s leaders and community members which is why we must act with intentionality.

It is time we dispel the outdated notion that “children are to be seen and not heard”. Our children deserve to be both seen and heard. Their voices, dreams, aspirations and concerns are not just background noise—they are the heartbeat of our future. By listening to our children, we validate their experiences and empower them to contribute positively to society.

This shift in perspective can help break cycles of neglect and abuse, fostering an environment where every child is respected and valued.

Remember, even Jesus made time to demonstrate the importance of children,

welcoming them with open arms and showing us that their innocence and wisdom are treasures to be cherished.

I urge every member of our community to remain vigilant and proactive. Support one another—through faith, civil society, and open dialogue—to create an environment where every child feels valued. If you suspect that a child is being harmed, please call the National Hotlines at 322-2763, 711, or 422-2763 immediately. No matter how complicated the world gets, kids should be able to grow up unharmed, secure and healthy, and develop to the maximum extent of their potential. Together, we can make a lasting difference in the lives of our young citizens.

SENATOR MAXINE SEYMOUR Shadow Minister, Social Services, Information and Broadcasting April 2, 2025.

EDITOR, The Tribune. ACCEPT foremost market demands rise or lower property costs... no more no less. New Providence does not have hundreds of acres of available land for new construction given…go to Google Earth and see. Only the areas all Crown - Airport - W&S lands are seen today - limited. Housing for locals…Government policy for ages has been wrong has never appreciated there is very limited land...They continue to build small “villa style houses” on square footage which could contain two-three terrace-apartment units. Costs would reduce as there would be the automatic savings $20,000 plus for every roof. Shouldn’t we be concentrating on duplex’s-apartments four-stories high terraced houses? The misnomer property

buying by foreigners effecting house-land prices for us Bahamians... poppycock where the foreigner purchases has zero effect one is priced considerably higher than what the majority can afford and development location is not favorable to local interest. Do you see foreigners buying property for residences in Bain Town - Englerston - Marathon - South Beach - Sea Breeze? The economic impact of Lyford Cay initial and on-going million spent every year...employment etc. Albany and all other speciﬁc foreign residential developments...PI east of where the old airport was... calculate how many Bahamian contractors had work there - how many millions spent - duties and VAT spent to the Treasury and now living trickle down, employment - household expenses millions on

millions...surely this concept is ideal as there is zero taxes cost to us. Not in favour of adding taxes but where considerable value increase occurs in a short period after acquiring and selling these multi-million dollar homes a possible ‘transfer taxes’ based on original acquiring price and selling price, proﬁt, would be a logical new revenue approach. Beneﬁt from the positive market forces! If there is one issue concerning availability of local property is the use by the local owners to create investment revenue using AirBnB... Higher potential revenue against the norm rental which has driven thru market forces, scarcity of property availability to increase costs and property available... agreed.

K ALBURY Nassau, March 29, 2025.

Photo: Timothy Roberts

Rolle ‘named his killer’ as he died

determined that Ferguson posed a risk of ﬂight and reoffending due to his previous drug convictions and skills as a licenced pilot.

Ferguson was arraigned on January 21, 2025, on charges including the June 16, 2024, murder of Giovanni Rolle. Prosecutors say Rolle was gunned down at the airport and, before succumbing to his injuries, identiﬁed Ferguson as his killer by referencing Ferguson’s estranged wife, Tanisha Smith — also known as Nesha.

Smith conﬁrmed to police that she had been in a relationship with the victim and alleged that Ferguson had threatened and harassed her following their break-up.

In a separate string of incidents, Ferguson allegedly conspired between October and December 2024 to import a large quantity of drugs into the country. On

December 6, 2024, police in Spring Point, Acklins, reported that a small aircraft made two low passes before crash-landing on the runway. Two men ﬂed the scene, but authorities recovered 25 bales of suspected cocaine, one bale of suspected marijuana, and an iPad linked to Ferguson found in the cockpit. Ferguson was also charged in connection with the discovery of a quantity of marijuana at his home on January 18, 2025.

In court, Ferguson’s defence argued that the murder charge was based on weak evidence and suggested that the police only laid the charge months after the incident due to pressure from the victim’s family. They questioned the lack of security footage tying Ferguson to the scene and pointed out he had been released after his initial arrest.

They also argued that the iPad found in the drug

TWO T EENS CHARGED WI T H MURDER AND GUN POSSESSION

By JADE RUSSELL Tribune Staff Reporter

jrussell@tribunemedia.net

A 16-YEAR-OLD boy and a 19-year-old man were remanded to prison on Friday after being charged with murder and ﬁrearm possession in separate cases. The minor, whose name is being withheld, appeared before Chief Magistrate Roberto Reckley in the presence of his legal guardian. He is accused of causing the death of Kevin Cooper — also known as Kevin Carey and Kevin Evans — on March 30, 2025, on Fleming Street, off Market Street. Because of the nature of the charge, he was not

required to enter a plea. The case was adjourned to July 3 for the possible service of a voluntary bill of indictment (VBI). In a separate matter, 19-year-old Quintin Hart also appeared before Chief Magistrate Reckley, accused of murdering Jaheim Rene on March 29 at McCullough Corner, off East Street. He, too, was not required to enter a plea. His case was also adjourned to July 3 for the possible presentation of a VBI. Both accused were remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services.

Inspector Deon Barr prosecuted both matters.

H OMELESS MAN CHARGED FOR MULT IPLE COUN T S OF ARSON

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

A 34-YEAR-OLD

homeless man suspected of setting multiple fires across Freeport — targeting everything from a bridal shop to utility poles — was charged with arson and related offences in Grand Bahama’s Magistrate’s Court on Friday. Kevin Honore appeared before acting Deputy Chief Magistrate Charlton Smith facing one count of arson, two counts of endangering property by fire, and one count of causing damage by fire. He was not represented

26-YEAR-OLD

and appeared mentally ill. Prosecutors allege Honore ignited a ﬁre at Fritz’s Bridal in the International Bazaar on March 6. On the same day, he allegedly endangered property at the Princess Country Club. Weeks later, on March 28, he was linked to two more ﬁres — one near the Bahamas Agriculture Industrial Corporation and another that damaged Freeport Power utility poles. Honore was not required to enter a plea. He was remanded to Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre in New Providence until May 12.

CRI T ICALLY INJURED WHILE OPERAT ING HEAVY-DU T Y MACHINE

POLICE are investigating an industrial accident that left a 26-year-old man critically injured early Friday morning in the downtown area off Bay Street. According to initial reports, the man allegedly injured himself while operating a heavy-duty

plane was not sufﬁcient to

prove his guilt, as multiple people ﬂew the aircraft. The

possession charge, they claimed, was minor and blown out of proportion.

However, prosecutors

argued that Ferguson’s prior conviction in 2020 for drug

importation, conspiracy to import, and conspiracy to possess drugs with intent to supply demonstrated a pattern of criminal conduct. They also highlighted the seriousness of the offences and the alleged dying declaration from the murder victim, which, combined with motive and opportunity, amounted to cogent evidence.

The judge agreed that while a bail hearing is not the forum for a forensic analysis of the case, the Crown had presented enough to establish a prima facie case. He found that Ferguson’s previous conviction, combined with the nature of the current allegations, supported a reasonable belief that he may reoffend if released.

Of particular concern was Ferguson’s profession as a pilot. The judge noted that Ferguson’s aviation skills gave him the means to ﬂee the countr, and dismissed the argument that his past cooperation with police after the initial arrest meant he would remain compliant now.

“Conditions such as electronic monitoring or curfew would not sufﬁce,” the judge ruled. “They would neither prevent reoffending nor ensure the attendance at trial of a person with the skill set of the applicant who decides to ﬂee.” Ferguson was remanded to the Bahamas Department of Correctional Services. A trial date has not yet been set.

machine sometime after 2am. Ofﬁcers were alerted to the incident around 7.40am.

The victim sustained severe head injuries and was transported to hospital, where he remains in critical condition. Investigations are ongoing.

ISSING 85-YEAR-OLD MAN FOUND DEAD IN WES T ERN N EW P ROVIDENCE

POLICE said 85-year-old Daniel Thenor, who was reported missing on March 29, was found dead in western New Providence on Saturday. According to authorities, Thenor’s body was discovered on Saturday during a search in the area. Investigators later conﬁrmed his identity and noted that no foul play was suspected at this time.

Thenor, of Flamingo Gardens, reportedly suffered from a medical condition. His disappearance had prompted the Royal Bahamas Police Force to issue a missing person alert last week, including a ﬂyer that circulated widely on social media.

TWO HOSPI T ALISED IN SEPARAT E SHOO T ING INCIDEN T S ON S A T URDAY

TWO people were hospitalised following separate shooting incidents in New Providence on Saturday. The ﬁrst incident occurred shortly after midnight in the Arawak Cay area, where police said a confrontation among several men at an establishment escalated and someone opened ﬁre. One man was injured and taken to hospital, where he remains in stable condition.

Hours later, around 12.30pm, police responded to another shooting on Pigeon Pea Lane off Camperdown Lane. A 43-year-old woman was shot and robbed outside a home by an unknown gunman, who ﬂed the scene in a red-coloured jeep. She was also listed in stable condition at hospital. Investigations into both matters are ongoing.

marijuana

GIOVANNI ROLLE

THE STORIES BEHIND THE

What is the Creative and Performing Arts School?

By IAN PO IT IER, CAPAS Project Lead

FOR those thousands of Bahamians who’ve dreamt of a career on the stage or screen, the future’s just got a whole lot brighter.

With the recentlyannounced launch of ‘The Creative and Performing Arts School of The Bahamas’ – CAPAS

- The Bahamas is on the threshold of ushering in a new era for the Creative Economy.

Opening this September 2025, this new, tertiary-level institution will offer full and parttime professional training to international industry standard.

Performing arts courses will include acting, singing and dancing, while the creative arts training will cover writing, directing, choreographing and producing.

The production arts cover all the areas needed to present work on the

stage, screen and radio. These include hair and make-up, lights, camera, animation, sound, costume, location management, set-building etc. While this initiative is being developed by the government of The Bahamas, it is anticipated that CAPAS will quickly grow into a standalone institution, offering world-class training which, within a

few short years, will be recognised as the best in the region.

Investing in a new economic sector

The idea of the Creative Economy (or Orange Economy) is based on the principle that there is significant economic potential to be derived from the

commercialisation of talent.

Countries that have invested significantly in their creative industries, are enjoying the benefits.

In the UK, for example, a 2023 study indicates that UK theatre sector alone generates £2.39 billion in Gross Value Added. This sector supports nearly 205,000 workers and has

a total turnover of £4.44 billion.

In 2019, Jamaica’s film, animation, and music industries constituted 6.2 percent of its GDP, just under $1 billion.

While we do not have the data available to make accurate projections, there is a strong sense that The Bahamas has barely begun to exploit our creative potential.

Take tourism for example.

While The Bahamas continues to experience significant growth in the numbers of people visiting, there is not the corresponding rise in the amount of revenue derived from them.

Analysis suggests that this is not an issue of under-pricing, but largely a problem of supply. There simply aren’t enough opportunities for tourists to spend money. We lack places to go, things to see and do, and interesting stuff to buy.

The cultural and creative economy in general, and the performing arts in particular, have the potential to generate many more sources of revenue from the tourist economy.

We have so many advantages: The world’s largest market on our doorstep; The most successful tourism industry in the region; Membership in a Commonwealth of 56 nations; We have an opportunity to build a new creative industries economic sector, one that both celebrates our culture, and opens the door to new possibilities. As is true of every significant economic sector, in order to succeed, investment is needed in infrastructure, education and international partnerships.

CAPAS is that investment.

More than money

Since Independence, the creative community has craved and begged for the opportunity to receive world-class training in the creative and performing arts, right here at home.

Some have been able to gain professional training abroad and enjoyed much success. But these opportunities have been available only to a few. While significant support has been given to those in the ‘white-collar professions’ such as law, medicine, financial services etc, precious little has been given to those whose talent lie in the performing arts. This is more than just the fulfilment of personal

ambition.

It is also a projection of cultural conﬁdence.

The data is overwhelmingly clear that arts education in general, and performing arts training in particular, support creativity, innovation, discipline and team-working across society as a whole.

Our Bahamian culture is built upon the many peoples who have settled here over the centuries which include the Arawaks, Spanish, Chinese, Greeks, British, Americans and, of course, the Africans.

Blessed with an abundance of talent, our culture is vibrant, rich and diverse.

While “Bahamian culture” may be hard to deﬁne, our Bahamian identity and the personality of the Bahamian people is distinctive and easily recognisable.

We need to tell our stories in ways that are supported by technical excellence.

And while we beneﬁt from the many millions who visit us each year, there is even greater opportunity if we can show and tell our stories around the world.

Why now?

There are always good reasons not to invest in cultural development.

There always will be hungry children to be fed, patients who need complex care, homeless people, and unemployed people, all of whom rely on support from the public purse.

We also live in a time of great global challenge, where a Climate Emergency threatens to tip into a Climate Catastrophe, Hurricanes, Pandemics, Wars and now Trade Wars, seem to threaten everything.

I say that now, more than ever, CAPAS may not be urgent, but it is necessary.

In the face of adversity, it is in the creative industries in general, and the performing arts in particular, where we find moments of relief.

We can hold up a mirror and “laugh at we-selves” while simultaneously finding solutions, and imagining better futures.

We are not so very different from our earliest known ancestors, huddling in their caves, locked in a daily battle for survival.

They still made time to create paintings on their walls, to tell stories around the campfires, to sing and make music, and dance and make beautiful things.

These are the expressions of the soul, desperate to communicate, strengthening bonds through musical harmony, and giving meaning and understanding and joy.

This is who I am. This is who we are.

These are the things that make us human.

These are the things that make life worth the living.

CAPAS will be an incubator for ideas, talent and skill.

CAPAS will help us fulfil our “pledge to excel”.

CAPAS will soon be here.

IAN POITIER, CAPAS Project Lead

A call for US to revisit new tariffs on CARICOM countries

FOR decades, the 14 independent nations of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have helped sustain American prosperity by collectively importing far more from the United States than they export, creating an enduring trade surplus in Washington’s favour.

Yet, they have not escaped the tariffs that President Donald Trump has imposed on all countries of the world. Thirteen of the 14 CARICOM nations now face a ten percent tariff on all their exports to the US Guyana – a relatively large oil exporter – confronts a tariff of 38 percent.

Because CARICOM nations consistently favour US goods, American industries, farmers, and manufacturers have long found proﬁtable markets in our small economies. Meanwhile, our own exports remain modest and pose no threat to US producers, as conﬁrmed by the US Trade Representative’s annual reports to Congress.

Ensuring US energy security

There are, of course, exceptions that illustrate another form of partnership. Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago - two of our member states which do have trade surpluses with the US - provide vital supplies of oil and gas. This is not simply a commercial arrangement; it meets a core US need for secure, dependable energy sources. These exports have strategic importance. They ensure that the United States has nearby, friendly suppliers in times of volatility and hostility.

Impact on Haiti’s path to recovery

One especially delicate case for the CARICOM group now is Haiti, where the social and economic fabric remains under strain from political uncertainty and armed groups disrupting daily life. Imposing further tariffs on Haiti’s exports under the current circumstances, risks inhibiting the very progress the country so urgently needs. Deterioration in Haiti’s economic circumstances will only increase the Haitian

World View

By SIR RONALD SANDERS

impetus to seek refuge in the US.

Undermining the spirit of CBI and CBERA

Since 1983, under President Ronald Reagan, the US has recognised the importance of supporting Caribbean development - and, by extension, US security interests - through measures like the Caribbean Basin Initiative (CBI) and the Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA). These programmes opened new opportunities for our countries to participate more fully in international trade, while beneﬁting American exporters seeking markets for their products. Today’s tariffs, however, threaten to undo those gains by treating CARICOM countries as though they impose high barriers on US goods or run large surpluses at America’s expense.

Strengthening the case with data

We do not have to look far for evidence of CARICOM’s consistent support of the US economy. For instance, data from the US Census Bureau shows that, in 2024, the United States ran a $5.8 billion trade surplus with CARICOM as a whole. For a tangible illustration, Antigua and Barbuda’s imports from the US exceeded $570m, while its exports in return were a mere fraction of that totaldemonstrating a deep trade surplus in favour of the US. The same story is repeated across our member states, underscoring our loyalty to the US market.

The human and economic costs

While the new tariffs, announced by President Trump on April 3, will raise the cost of CARICOM products in the United States - and very

likely reduce exports and revenues for already challenged Caribbean economies - American consumers will also feel the effects. Increases in duty rates often translate to higher prices on store shelves. Thus, while Caribbean exporters lose potential income, US buyers face higher costs. Given limited resources in the majority of CARICOM countries, any drop in export earnings can hit local communities hard. This complicates broader recovery efforts for nations battling economic hardship. However, decline in the economic circumstances of these countries will also deprive US ﬁrms of markets where they have historically thrived.

Why CARICOM will not retaliate

Despite the harm imposed by these tariffs, CARICOM countries are unlikely to respond with reciprocal duties for one fundamental reason: we import 60 to 70 percent of our consumer products from the United States. Matching US tariffs with equally high barriers would only push up the cost of living for our own populations. Our economies cannot afford to engage in a tit-for-tat scenario that might escalate into a larger trade conﬂict, undermining stability in both our region and the broader hemisphere.

Avoiding a global trade war

The last thing our region wants is to exacerbate a global trade war. When powerful nations escalate tariff battles, the consequences ripple out to vulnerable communities worldwide - including our own.

CARICOM’s priority is a stable environment that beneﬁts all, including the

United States, by sustaining trade relationships that have proved beneﬁcial over many decades.

A constructive path forward

As the Ambassador of Antigua and Barbuda to the United States and Dean of Ambassadors of Western Hemisphere countries (including CARICOM nations), I respectfully urge a thoughtful review of the tariffs placed on our member states. We have faithfully supported US economic interests by purchasing American goods and welcoming American investors, and we stand ready to

China

continue doing so.

Reviewing these tariffs - particularly where they compromise CBI and CBERA objectives or burden countries striving to build resilience to disasters - would be a constructive move that strengthens our shared commitment to prosperity and security.

For the American people, upholding strong trade ties with CARICOM delivers accessible, high-quality products and reliable export markets that, in turn, protect and create jobs within the United States.

For CARICOM’s part, we remain committed to buying American, as we have done for decades. I believe that, together, we can preserve and enrich the partnership that has brought so many beneﬁts to both sides. This will help strengthen America and ensure that the Caribbean remains a cornerstone of regional stability, economic growth, and goodwill—ultimately beneﬁting all, including the United States.

The writer is Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the US and the OAS. He is also the Dean of the Ambassadors of the Western Hemisphere Group accredited to the US. The views expressed are entirely his own. Responses and previous commentaries:www. sirronaldsanders.com.

condemns globally imposed US tariffs as ‘economic bullying’

By THE M INISTRY OF FOREI GN AFFAIRS

The People’s Republic of China

RECENTLY, the United States has imposed tariffs on all its trading partners, including China, under various pretexts. This severely infringes upon the legitimate rights and interests of all countries, severely violates World Trade Organization (WTO) rules, severely undermines the rules-based multilateral trading system, and severely disrupts the global economic order. The Chinese government strongly condemns and resolutely opposes such move. By taking such action, the United States defies the fundamental laws of economics and market principles, disregards the balanced outcomes achieved through multilateral trade negotiations, ignores the fact that the US has long benefited substantially from international trade, and weaponises tariffs to exert maximum pressure for selfish interests. This is a typical act of unilateralism, protectionism and economic bullying. Under the guise of “reciprocity” and “fairness,” the United States is playing a zero-sum game to pursue in essence “America First” and “American exceptionalism.” It attempts to exploit tariffs to subvert the existing international economic and trade order, put US interests above the common good of the international community, and advance US hegemonic ambitions at the cost of the legitimate interests of all countries. Such action will

Economic globalisation is the only way to human progress. The WTO-centred, rules-based multilateral trading system has been critical in promoting global trade, economic growth and sustainable development. Openness and cooperation are a historical trend. The world will not, and should not, return to mutual isolation or fragmentation. The whole world aspires for win-win cooperation. Economic bullying that shifts risks onto others will ultimately backﬁre. Making economic globalisation more open, inclusive, balanced and beneﬁcial to all is a shared responsibility of the international community.

Development is an inalienable right of all countries, not the exclusive privilege of a few. International affairs should be addressed through consultation, and the future of the world should be decided by all countries. There are no winners in trade or tariff wars. Protectionism is a dead end. All countries should uphold the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared beneﬁt. They should practice true multilateralism, jointly oppose all forms of unilateralism and protectionism, and defend the UN-centred international system and the WTO-centred multilateral trading system. We are conﬁdent that the vast majority of countries, committed to fairness and justice, will stand on the right side of history and act in their best interests. The world must embrace fairness and reject hegemonism!

inevitably face widespread opposition from the international community. China is an ancient civilisation and a land of propriety and righteousness. The Chinese people value sincerity and good faith. We do not provoke trouble, nor are we intimidated by it. Pressuring and threatening are not the right way in dealing with China. China has taken and will continue to take resolute measures to safeguard its sovereignty, security, and development interests. China-US economic relations should be mutually beneficial and win-win in nature. The United States should go along with the shared aspiration of the peoples of the two countries and the world, and, minding the fundamental interests of the two countries, stop using tariffs as a weapon to suppress China economically and stop undermining the legitimate development rights of the Chinese people. As the second largest economy and second largest market for consumer goods, China is committed to opening ever wider to the world, no matter how the international situation changes. We will continue to advance highstandard opening up. We will steadily expand institutional opening up in rules, regulations, management, and standards. We will implement highstandard policies for trade and investment liberalization and facilitation. We will foster a first-class market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized business environment. And we will share our development opportunities with the world to achieve mutual benefits.

PRESIDENT Donald Trump holds a signed executive order during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden of the White House, April 2, 2025, in Washington.

Photo: Evan Vucci/AP

After tough decisions, it’s time that Pintard unites and leads

By MALCOLM STRACHAN

THE news that FNM

leader Michael Pintard is not giving his predecessor, former Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis, a chance to run for the party at the next election has long seemed an inevitability. It has never seemed as if Pintard and Minnis got on –but Dr Minnis has hung in there hoping… well, who knows quite how high his hopes reached? He lost an election, lost two leadership contests, yet still there was a feeling that while the rest of the world had ruled out his hopes of leading the nation again, he still seemed to harbour hopes of such an outcome.

Pintard has done what he needed to do to present a united front as his party goes into an election – and if his decision seems cold, then there are two things to bear in mind. First, a leader has to make tough decisions. Second, he is simply asserting his authority in a similar way to Dr Minnis himself.

Back in 2012, Dr Minnis attracted plenty of headlines when he very pointedly declared that the “Hubert Ingraham era is over”. Back in 2022, after the FNM elected Pintard as its new leader, FNM chairman Dr Duane Sands said that the “Hubert Minnis era is over”.

Dr Sands was not quite correct – Dr Minnis persisted to the extent of trying, and failing, to be elected leader one more time.

In 2021, the man who Dr Minnis dismissed with such words, Mr Ingraham, said that he did not feel like his advice was wanted or appreciated by the FNM over the previous several years. Notably, however, Mr

Ingraham also said at the time: “I did not avail myself of any opportunity to get in the way of anyone.”

Leaders have to be their own men or women, but being able to draw on the advice of those who have walked the path before can be invaluable.

That can be a layer of wisdom that we overlook too often in our country. Take a look by comparison over at the House of Lords in the UK, the second parliamentary chamber, which includes many experienced names from the ﬁeld of politics who graduate to the Lords when their time in the elected House of Commons expires. It serves to examine legislation and often makes amendments or offers helpful guidance to the Commons. By contrast, our own second chamber too often serves simply to rubber-stamp the legislation rather than bring the experience of long-serving politicians to bear.

That kind of role could see the likes of Dr Minnis still continuing to serve, as a guide and advisor, though given his previous treatment of Mr Ingraham, it would be no surprise if he is left out in the cold too.

Pintard is not just cutting Dr Minnis from his roster of candidates, of course. Out too it seems goes Adrian Gibson, about whom we have heard more about his legal troubles than his constituency efforts.

And Iram Lewis was to be denied a nomination too – so he promptly quit the party, giving the FNM instant justiﬁcation for not wanting to keep him on in the ﬁrst place. They can simply say look, see how little loyalty he had? Jumping ship to the Coalition of Independents is a short cut

to political obscurity. Enjoy your remaining time in Parliament, Iram, you won’t be back.

Of course, all this now puts pressure on Pintard to deliver. He is shaping his own team, he is cutting out the in-ﬁghting – as best one can in any political organisation – and now he needs to lead. He needs to be at the forefront of public debate, his needs to be the voice holding the government to account. That is the glaring area where Dr Minnis has been sharper in the public realm than his successor. Minnis speaks with a sharper sense of exposing the government’s weaknesses than Pintard, a scalpel compared to Pintard’s broadsides.

That said, given the number of people who have not felt economic gain under the PLP, and the imminent potential impact of global tariff wars on our economy, an Opposition leader may well only need to seem somewhere approaching competent to capitalise on public dissatisfaction.

The government has failed to deliver on a number of issues such as campaign reform, transparency, equality, issues that matter to plenty of Bahamians – while getting embroiled in issues such as the Bahamas Moorings case where people still want answers while the prime minister has declared no such answers will be forthcoming. Selection issues are also likely to haunt parts of the PLP as we run towards an election. The ﬁgure of Shane Gibson particularly is on the horizon. In 2023, Mr Gibson had lined himself up for a tilt at the role of party chairman, but bowed out before the vote. He then also

offered himself as a candidate for the party for the by-election in West Grand Bahama and Bimini, only for Kingsley Smith to be selected instead. Mr Smith has seemed entirely anonymous since that vote, something that – like him or not – Mr Gibson has never been.

In that run-in, there was open resentment between Mr Gibson and party chairman Fred Mitchell – how will that play out now that Basil McIntosh has announced he will not seek re-election, while Mr Gibson eyes the spot instead?

So far, Mr Gibson has been playing it straight, saying: “Yes, the residents have been calling for me but it’s up to the leader. I’m always available to serve.”

There are other PLP MPs who have underperformed who might not sit easy when it comes to securing a nomination again – and then there is the apparent unrest surrounding Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, with rumours of rifts with other members of his party.

There is one thing to remember, however, that come what may, the PLP always tends to come together and show a united front when it gets to election time. For all the disputes surrounding Mr Gibson last time, he cheered on the party to win that by-election. Will the FNM be able to say the same? We already see Iram Lewis having split off and who presumably will run for a seat under the COI banner. What about Dr Minnis? Will he run as an independent and be a spoiler in the election?

One thing is for certain, the election countdown is well and truly on.

FNM LEADER MICHAEL PINTARD

Social Services warns over using children to solicit money or sell goods

By KEILE CAMPBELL Tribune Staff Reporter kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

SOCIAL Services ofﬁcials are sounding the alarm over the continued use of children to solicit money or sell goods in public spaces, warning that the practice places minors at risk and violates national child protection laws.

Charlemae Fernander, director of Social Services, said the practice is not only illegal but exposes children to predatory adults and long-term harm.

Speaking during a Child Protection Month event on Friday, she urged the public to treat such incidents as red ﬂags for

potential abuse or neglect.

“People are sending their little boys and little girls to strangers to ask for money. And these strangers are not always scrupulous people. They say, yeah, I’ll give it to you, but I’ll give it to you if you dot, dot, dot,” Ms Fernander said.

“You are setting your children up, you’re teaching them to behave in a way that is just not safe for them. It’s not appropriate.” She warned that residents should treat every encounter with a child asking for money as a potential child protection concern.

“Anytime some little child approaches you for money, you should automatically — all the bells

in your, the back of your head should be going off,” she said.

“That is not the right thing to do, to put their children up like this. It’s not their job to solicit money to support the family. It is not their job. You’re only putting them in harm’s way. You’re putting them in harm’s way.”

Ms Fernander acknowledged that some parents, often driven by ﬁnancial hardship, are aware of the dangers but choose to ignore them.

“Their whole thing is, well, I need the money to take care of you, et cetera. And that is absolutely wrong. It is dangerous,” she said.

Acting Minister of Social Services Zane Lightbourne

shared a personal experience that reinforced these concerns. He recalled encountering a schoolaged girl selling handmade bracelets in downtown Nassau during school hours.

“I asked her, where are you, why aren’t you in school? You know, where are you coming from? And she was around the corner selling bracelets because she saw an opportunity, or her mother saw an opportunity to make money. She said her mother was around the corner also selling bracelets,” Mr Lightbourne said.

“But I had a talk with that parent because I made her understand that it’s not only against the law to have a child out of school

at that age, but... in using her daughter to assist, she was actually contributing to making their life longterm, on a long-term basis, worse.”

Under Bahamian law, children must attend school between the ages of ﬁve and sixteen. Ofﬁ-

cials said removing a child from school or using them to generate household income amounts to educational neglect and signiﬁcantly increases their risk of exploitation and abuse.

The government is urging residents to report any suspected abuse or neglect through its national child protection hotline, 711. The toll-free number can be accessed anywhere in The Bahamas

and can also be shared via text or social media.

“This is a key tool for reaching vulnerable communities,” Mr Lightbourne said. He reafﬁrmed the Davis administration’s commitment to building stronger systems for prevention and response.

“We are strengthening child protection systems, improving access to services and supporting initiatives that equip families with the tools they need to keep their children safe,” he said. These remarks were part of the government’s broader appeal under this year’s Child Protection Month theme, “Powered by Hope, Strengthened by Prevention.”

Over 2,000 cases of child abuse reported between 2019-2023

By LYNAIRE MUNNINGS Tribune Staff Reporter

MORE than 2,000 cases of suspected child abuse and neglect were reported in The Bahamas between 2019 and 2023, with social services ofﬁcials warning that too many cases continue to go unreported — and too many children are left unprotected.

As the Ministry of Social Services launched Child Protection Month on Friday, ofﬁcials stressed that prevention, early intervention, and public involvement are critical to stopping abuse before it is too late.

Neglect was the most commonly reported form of abuse, with 737 cases recorded over the ﬁveyear period. Annual ﬁgures hovered around 130 to 180 cases each year. Social workers said neglect includes failing to meet a child’s basic needs — such as education, food, or medical care.

“Neglect occurs when a parent does not send their children to school,” said Assistant Director of Social Services Gabriele Romer, noting that some children are kept home to babysit younger siblings, while others are left without essentials. “We do have a community support service programme,” she added, urging parents in need to seek help.

Sexual abuse was the second most reported form of abuse, with 537 cases.

The number of reports peaked in 2023 with 128 cases — the highest annual ﬁgure recorded in that category during the reporting period.

Physical abuse followed, with 420 cases in total. Reports rose sharply last year, from 73 in 2022 to 113 in 2023, raising concern among ofﬁcials about a possible resurgence in violent treatment of children.

Other forms of abuse included verbal abuse (44 cases), emotional abuse (19 cases), incest (23 cases), and abandonment (35 cases). A catch-all “other” category

accounted for 225 cases, dramatically dropping in 2023 after steadily increasing from 2019 through 2022.

Altogether, 2,040 suspected cases of abuse and neglect were recorded. The highest number was in 2019 with 430 reports, followed closely by 425 in 2021 and 410 in 2023. The lowest ﬁgure was in 2020, with 284 cases — likely reﬂecting pandemic-related reporting challenges.

Director of Social Services Charlemae Fernander urged the public to take responsibility by reporting suspected abuse, stressing that no one needs proof to make a report — just reasonable belief.

“The Child Protection Act says that any person who has reason to believe — you don’t need to be 100 percent sure. You just need to have reason to believe. You’re not being mischievous or trying to manufacture a story,” she said.

“It is the responsibility of the Department of Social Services and the police to prove if it’s true or not. The only thing that we ask of the general public is that they report matters if they have reason to believe. And if you have reason to believe, you cannot be prosecuted for making a referral.”

She warned that silence has real consequences.

“I have to tell you, many things go unreported, and children get harmed because somebody is too timid to report a matter. And oftentimes they have suspected something a long time before it comes out in public.”

Acting Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting Zane Lightbourne said this year’s Child Protection Month theme, “Powered by Hope, Strengthened by Prevention”, calls for more than awareness — it demands action.

“Hope fuels the belief that every child has the right to be protected and loved. Hope compels us to act and to create the systems of support that allow

children to reach their full potential,” he said. “However, hope alone is not enough. Prevention is the cornerstone of effective child protection.” He called for more

investments in education, community resources, and family support systems to stop abuse before it starts.

“Every single one of us has a role to play,” Mr Lightbourne said. “From

our families and neighbourhoods to our schools and workplaces, we all have a responsibility to protect the children in our communities.”

Ofﬁcials reminded the

public to report suspected abuse, neglect or abandonment by calling the Department of Social Services’ toll-free hotline at 711 — a single call, they said, could save a life.

Many GB students receive offers of scholarships by HBCUs at college fair

By DENISE MAYCOCK Tribune Freeport Reporter dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama student Cicara Smith was offered a $20,000 scholarship during a recent college fair featuring several Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

She was among the many students who attended the Think College, Think HBCU College Fair, the largest HBCU fair held outside the continental United States.

“The fair was great because it provided me an opportunity to meet with various college recruiters,” said Cicara, who said she received a $20,000 scholarship from Claﬂin University.

The event, which is in its fourth year, was held in-person for the ﬁrst time in Grand Bahama,

where ten institutions were represented, including the University of The Bahamas and the Bahamas Institute of Business Technology. The initiative is a joint effort between the Bahamas Alpha Phi Alpha Educational and Leadership Foundation and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc, Eta Psi Omega and Pi Upsilon Omega chapters, in New Providence and Freeport. Students from both public and private schools attended the college fair, which was held on Friday, March 28, at the St George’s High School gymnasium. Michelle Bowleg, deputy director at the Ministry of Education, brought brief remarks.

The fair was also held in New Providence on Saturday, March 29, at the Children’s Chapel at the Church of God of

Prophecy on East Street.

Some of the institutions that came to Grand Bahama were Stillman College in Alabama, Claﬂin University in South Carolina, Southern University, and Texas Southern University.

Other institutions that participated were Benedict College, Huston-Tillotson University, Langston University, Morris Brown College, Paine College, Southern University and A&M College, and Virginia Union University.

Zoe Gibson-Bowleg, of Pi Upsilon Omega Chapter and one of the organisers of the college fair, said the aim was to expand educational opportunities for Bahamian students and expose them to the beneﬁts of attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

The idea for the HBCU

College Fair originated in 2018 at the 31st Alpha Phi Alpha Honours Day Convocation at Government House in New Providence.

Dr Roderick L Smothers, the then president of Philander Smith College, was impressed by the exceptional academic achievements of Bahamian high school students. However, he noted that very few students considered HBCUs their first choice for higher education. Since its inception, the Think College, Think HBCU College Fair has grown significantly. The first fair was held in March 2019 in New Providence, showcasing Fisk University, Harris Stowe State University, Philander Smith College, Virginia Union University, and Florida Memorial University. Over four days, more than 1,000 students

attended, and $3.5m in scholarships were awarded to Bahamian students.

In 2020, the numbers signiﬁcantly increased and over 10,000 students had registered to attend the fair, which was set to expand to Baha Mar. However, the event was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We had to a take a break during COVID, but two years ago we came back with a virtual fair, and now we are back inperson where recruitment ofﬁcers come down and give scholarships on the spot,” said Ms Bowleg.

Over the past three fairs, she said more than $10m in scholarships have been awarded to students in The Bahamas.

She said this year’s fair in Grand Bahama provided students in the Northern Bahamas with direct access to the opportunities

to meet with recruiters at the various HBCUs there were represented.

“The success of the Think College, Think HBCU College Fair would not be possible without strategic partnerships,” she said. “The Bahamas Alphas Educational and Leadership Foundation and the Sisters of the Eta Psi Omega, Pi Upsilon Omega & Tau Nu Chapters have worked closely with the Ministry of Education – Scholarship and Loans Division, ensuring that students receiving partial scholarships can access additional funding.

“Our collaboration has also included Black History Month programming, featuring Bahamian HBCU alumni on Bahamas At Sunrise, and strong support from Corporate Bahamas to help fund and promote the fair.”

Position Available:

The Property Manager is responsible for ensuring that cost-effective, environmentally sound and sustainable operation of the Bahamas Property Fund Buildings. This is both a technical oversight and relationship management role for the self-motivated individual who also performs administrative tasks as necessary or assigned.

The areas of responsibility include all equipment and materials involved with lighting, ventilation, air-conditioning, electrical distribution, water supply, plumbing, sanitation, public health, fre protection, safety systems, elevators and the aesthetic upkeep of the building. To facilitate these procedures, a maintenance program needs to be established and maintained.

This position is a highly visible one that is responsible for the total upkeep of the premises, ensuring all areas of the facilities function as they were designed and all services are available as required.

Key Responsibilities:

Building Management

• Plan and schedule all routine maintenance in order of priority

Maintain all time and cost records for service procedures

Conduct monthly inspection of all maintenance and system processes.

• Diagnose all problems and initiate all necessary action

Direct all work order requests to be performed by independent contractors

• Maintain all materials and equipment inventories

Supervises all routine painting assignments and secure quotes for larger projects

• Recommend replacement of expired or expiring systems

Performs inspections of all restroom facilities as required several times daily

• Ensure that safety regulations are adhered to and liaise with Government bodies to verify compliance

• Conduct Vendor performance review and submit recommendations

Manage the budget to ensure that value is received for money invested and that all work is completed in a timely manner

Vendor Relations

• Assists in the negotiation and development of all service contracts with service providers under the direction of the management company

Establish and maintain a system that tracks invoices and payments

• Conduct due diligence check and signoffs on completed work

Report inconsistencies and potential concerns to Senior Management

Interfacing with Clients

Establish and maintain communication and effective working relationships with all tenants and the general public

• Triage, address and escalate client concerns and complaints as necessary

Review, update and maintain Client Agreement records

• Conduct routine client check-ins

Provide support when necessary in leasing negotiations and activities.

Administration

Complete and submit monthly report on lease payments and related billings

• Supervises all building employees employed by the Bahamas Property Fund and conduct payroll reporting

• Complete parking ticket reconciliation and submit report Responsible for any additional duties assigned by Management

Qualifcations and Skills:

A Bachelor’s degree in Real Estate, Property Management , Business Administration or a related feld preferred

• Property management certifcation such as Certifed Property Manager (CPM) is a strong asset.

• Experience working with rent rolls, tenant billing, and real estate accounting is a plus.

At least 3-5 years proven experience in property management, preferably at commercial real estate property, hotel or property management frm. Familiarity with different property types (offce buildings, retail spaces, storage facilities)

• Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks.

• Attention to detail and accuracy in all aspects of work. Ability to negotiate contracts, address tenant issues and provide clear reports to management

• Profciency in building management software (e.g., Yardi or AppFolio) and Microsoft Offce Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook).

• Strong understanding and management of property budgets and cash ow nowledge of lease agreements and the ability to read fnancial statements Effective communication and interpersonal skills.

Please apply online at: https://www.rfgroup.com/careers Deadline to Apply is Friday, 11th April, 2025

Position Overview:

We are seeking a detail-oriented and organized Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper to join our team at The Bahamas Property Fund, a Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT). The ideal candidate will be responsible for handling key fnancial and administrative tasks, ensuring smooth operations and accurate record-keeping. This role requires exceptional attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial and Bookkeeping Tasks

Prepare and issue invoices to tenants for rent, utilities, and other charges.

Maintain and update rent rolls, ensuring accuracy and timely reporting.

• Process and pay invoices from vendors and suppliers, adhering to payment schedules and verifying amounts.

Monitor and reconcile cash balances at the bank, ensuring adequate funds are available for operations.

Monitor, pay and maintain Real Property Tax records for the fund while also ensuring that all Tax Compliance Certifcates are current.

• Record and categorize fnancial transactions in the accounting system. Assist with month-end and year-end fnancial reporting and reconciliations.

Administrative Duties

Maintain organized records of contracts, leases, and correspondence with tenants and vendors.

• Assist with preparation of tenant statements and fnancial summaries. Handle correspondence related to billing inquiries and resolve issues promptly.

• Support the management team with scheduling, fling, and other administrative tasks as needed.

Compliance and Reporting

Ensure compliance with regulations and internal policies related to fnancial management.

Assist in preparing documentation for audits or fnancial reviews.

Qualifcations and Skills:

Minimum of an Associate degree in Business, Accounting or Related feld 3+ years proven experience as a bookkeeper or administrative assistant, preferably in real estate or property management.

Profciency in accounting software (e.g., QuickBooks, Yardi, AppFolio) and Microsoft Offce Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook).

• Strong understanding of bookkeeping principles, fnancial processes and the ability to read fnancial statements.

Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize tasks. Attention to detail and accuracy in all aspects of work. Effective communication and interpersonal skills.

• High level of integrity and ability to handle confdential information.

ZOE GIBSON-BOWLEG, a member of Pi Upsilon Omega Chapter, Freeport (far left), one of the organisers of the college fair, and Sasha Rolle, chapter president, are seen with two students at St George’s High Naomi Simmons and Cicara Smith. Smith was among several students offered a scholarship during the fair.

Position Overview:

Assistant Property Manager

Ministry of Health fair encourages students to choose career paths in the medical

THE MINISTRY of Health held a medical career fair for students on Friday to encourage students to pursue careers in the medical field. Professionals Spoke to students about their experiences and various possibilities in the field.

Photos: Chappell Whyms Jr

Locally grown and produced food showcased at Agri-Expo

THE MINISTRY of Agriculture hosted an Agri-Expo on Gladstone Road over the weekend. The event featured locally grown fruits and vegetables as well as other locally made food products. A variety of farm animals such as pigs, goats, docks and more were alson on display.

Photos: Stephen Hunt