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TUESDAY, APRIL 11, 2017

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Grow GDP six times faster to ‘salvage ship’

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net The Bahamian economy has to grow “six times’ faster than it is today” to solve the country’s debt and unemployment woes, a governance reform campaigner yesterday questioning whether it was still “a salvageable ship”.

Robert Myers, a principal with the Organisation for Responsible Governance (ORG), told Tribune Business that the Bahamas needed to achieve Chinese-style GDP growth rates to pull out of its current stagnation.

Questioning where such growth would come from, Mr Myers argued that the $4.2 billion Baha Mar project “doesn’t move the nee-

Reformer: Bahamas needs China-style numbers Would take ‘four to five Baha Mars’ Warns Govt ‘spending us into oblivion’ Robert Myers dle enough”, suggesting the Bahamas needed four-five investment projects of similar scale.

And he reiterated warnings that the Government was “spending the Bahamas into oblivion” through its ever-increasing expenditure, with the still-rising $7

Web shop loses injunction bid against GBPA

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A web shop operator is appealing the Supreme Court’s refusal to prevent the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA) from potentially cancelling its license to operate in Freeport.

Carlson Shurland, attorney for Jarol Investment, which operates as Chances Games, confirmed to Tribune Business that “the appeal is filed” after Justice Petra Hanna-Weekes declined to grant the company’s application for an injunction against the GBPA. Chances had sought an injunction to prevent the GBPA “from interfering with and/or cancelling” its business license, and increasing its license fee, until the Supreme Court determined the main issue between the parties - who has regulatory authority for web shop gaming in Freeport.

Mr Shurland and Chances moved for an injunction after Fred Smith QC, the GBPA’s attorney, warned in December 2016 that the quasi-governmental authority planned to act against Freeport-based web shops “operating in breach” of their business licenses.

He told Tribune Business

Chances exposed to possible license cancellation Files appeal against Supreme Court verdict Judge finds ‘no issue to be tried’, as letter withdrawn this action could involve the GBPA cancelling the licenses of all Freeportbased web shops, unless they agreed to amend them and pay significantly higher fees.

Mr Smith argued that his client had little choice but to “bring some order” to a chaotic situation where Freeport-based web shops are not currently licensed by the GBPA to conduct gaming activities.

Chances is now exposed should the GBPA choose to act on Mr Smith’s warning, after Justice Hanna-Weekes, in a March 27, 2017, ruling, declined to grant the injunction sought.

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billion national debt becoming a “deeper and deeper hole” to get out of.

“I think people are fed up,” Mr Myers told Tribune Business. “They see the nation digging itself deeper and deeper into a hole and, soon enough, if not already, it will be too deep to dig

ourselves out of.

“It’s already too deep to get out of because we can’t grow fast enough to make that happen. GDP growth is hovering around 1 per cent; we need to have GDP growth of 6 per cent to deal with unemployment and the debt.”

The Bahamas’ annual GDP growth has averaged just 0.2 per cent over the past four years, placing it far away from this target. It endured two years of negative GDP growth in 20142015, with projected growth for 2016 around 0.3-0.5 per cent.

The IMF and the international credit rating agencies are forecasting GDP growth of around 1.2-1.5 per cent for 2017 and 2018, with See pg b4

Exporter targets live China lobster approval by Xmas

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

A Bahamian seafood exporter yesterday said it expects to receive approval to export live lobsters by air to China before Christmas, adding that this market could ultimately surpass the US as its largest.

Glen Pritchard, Tropic Seafood’s presiden, told Tribune Business the company has had an “excellent” success rate with flying live lobsters into Hong Kong.

“The Asian market is all about fresh seafood. We’re flying lobsters into Hong Kong right now. The success rate has been excellent. We have a better record than the Americans in terms of the numbers that survive,” said Mr Pritchard.

Prime Minister Perry Christie revealed last week,

Tropic wants to expand air supply past Hong Kong Believes mainland may become top export market Also spawning Grouper, yellowtail at the launch of the Bahamas Trade Information Services Portal, that Tropic Seafood was engaged in “major research” on farming lobsters and exporting them via air to China. This nation exports between $55-$80 million annually in lobster.

Mr Pritchard said: “We are working on a couple of See pg b6

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Bahamas Realty hopes 15% growth not hit by election

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net Bahamas Realty’s chief executive yesterday expressed hope the imminent general election will not stall the 10-15 per cent year-to-date growth in business, which comes on top of 2016’s 60 per cent gross sales rise.

Larry Roberts told Tribune Business that the real estate market was in “wait and see mode”, with highend Bahamian buyers watching for the election’s outcome and to gain a sense of policy direction from the new administration.

Speaking after Bahamas Realty unveiled an 80 per cent year-over-year increase in gross commissions for 2016, Mr Roberts said: “What we’re finding right now with the current market is that everyone’s wait and see.

“We’re seeing that the wealthy Bahamian has his See pg b5

Increase comes on top of 60% gross sales rise in 2016 Wealthy buyers ‘not doing anything’ before vote CEO can’t recall deal that ‘closed in required time’

Larry Roberts

DNA proposes 3% health payroll tax

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net The Democratic National Alliance’s (DNA) leader yesterday pledged that the party will “bring the economy back” so that Bahamians could afford its proposed 3 per cent payroll tax for financing universal health coverage (UHC).

Branville McCartney told Tribune Business that unlike the Christie administration’s National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme, a DNA government would partner with the private sector and offer Bahamians choice when it came to healthcare reform.

The party’s Vision2017

Party will ‘bring economy back’ to make affordable Pledges role for private insurers, consumer choice Contrasts transparency with Govt’s NHI plan platform, formally released yesterday, promised to amend the NHI Act within one year of taking government office to allow true participation by private See pg b4

PAGE 2, Tuesday, April 11, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Bahamas eyes aviation tourism opportunities The Ministry of Tourism and its hotel industry partners developed new leads and business opportunities at the six-day Sun n’ Fun International Fly In and Expo.

Sun N’ Fun is the largest aviation convention in Florida, and second biggest in the world, attracting more than 200,000 persons from

over 60 nations, including 500 manufacturers and exhibitors, pilots, campers and aviation enthusiasts.

“Based on the high level of exposure the islands of the Bahamas received through its prominent brand displays and strong partnership with Sun n’ Fun, along with numerous live radio

and television broadcasts, seminars, one-on-one meetings with pilots and other contracted business opportunities our hoteliers procured, we could not have been more pleased,” said Omar Isaacs, the Ministry of Tourism’s general manager of vertical markets.

“The fact that our ho-

teliers, new and old, are already planning to attend this expo in 2018 speaks volume of their excitement, confidence and knowledge of the importance of this Expo to their business development.”

Some 225 private pilots, interested in flying to the Bahamas participated in

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Photo/Kenneth Strohm special seminars on the policies, procedures and ease of coming to this nation.

The briefings were conducted by the Bahamas Flying Ambassadors, who are seasoned pilots with extensive experience in flying to these islands.

Jeff Todd, director of communications for GIV Bahamas, the largest owner of villas at Grand Isle Resort in Exuma, said he “has seen a tremendous growth in fly-ins to Exuma as a result of our first participation at Sun n’ Fun in 2016.

“We have some 64 COPA pilots flying into Grand Isle later this year, and we have established some new partnerships (with Heaven’s Landing) and exploring the possibilities of conducting our own air show in Exuma.”

First-time participant at Sun n’ Fun, Richard Keyworth, director of sales at Ocean Heights, a new hotel under construction in Long Island, said the “calibre of clientele at the Expo is exactly what our upscale property is targeting.

“This show has exceeded our expectations in every way and we are so very pleased with the turn out and level of interest shown in Long Island and our property,” he said.

Some of the other Bahamas hotels participating at the event included Small Hope Bay Lodge (Andros); Valentine’s Inn (Eleuthera); Fernandez Bay Village (Cat Island); Resorts World Bimini; Old Bahama Bay; Wyndham Viva Fortuna; and Flamingo Bay Hotel in Freeport.

Representatives from the Grand Bahama Island Promotion Board as well as three of The Bahamas’ fixed base operators, Banyan, Marathon General and Atlantic Aviation, also attended.

Now in its 43rd year, Sun n’ Fun’s chairman, Bob Knight, said: “This year’s event shattered all of our previous records.”

The six-day event, held in Lakeland, Florida, showcased daily aerobatic air shows. More than 10,000 aircraft movements were recorded during the event, which featured planes ranging from Warbirds and vintage bomber jets to light sport, home-built experimental aircrafts.

The Ministry of Tourism also hosted members of the international press, aviation performers, industry partners and executives of Sun n’ Fun to a dinner reception.

“Our relationship with the Ministry of Tourism continues to be strengthened, year after year, and we are excited about our projects with the Bahamas and to preserving the aviation industry” said Mr Knight.

Through the Bahamas’ partnership with Sun n’ Fun, pilots attending the show conduct fly-outs to various islands in this nation following the Expo.

In April 2016, the Ministry of Tourism along with Sun n’ Fun launched the first Grand Bahama Air Show. This year’s aerobatic air show is scheduled to take place on May 19-20 over the waters at Taino Beach.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 11, 2017, PAGE 3

Medical laboratories fear ‘unsustainable’ NHI fees

By NATARIO McKENZIE

yesterday announced the launch of laboratory services registration, encouraging laboratory facilities interested in providing services to sign-up online.

But Bonnie Culmer, a council member and former chairperson of BAMT, which is comprised of six medical laboratories, told Tribune Business that the association had only last week received feedback on reimbursement fees.

“They’re talking about registration, but we just got

some feedback last week on reimbursement fees,” she said. “We still have some concerns. We haven’t signed on as yet, but it looks like they are moving ahead.

“We all intend to stick together on this. In some instances the reimbursement is fine, but in some instances it is lower than what we can do and remain sustainable. We are still trying to negotiate on it. We still need further discussions.”

Ms Culmer added: “We are trying to stick together

Bran unveils ‘road map to salvage the economy’

which will put more money in the hands of the Bahamian people and help to expand the economy.”

Outlining the DNA’s fiveyear objectives, Mr McCartney added: “At the end of five years, the DNA will have expanded opportunities in the financial services sector; diversified our tourism product; added a 1 per cent of GDP surplus to our annual budget; reduced unemployment to 8 per cent; created new industries in technology; restructured the Immigration Department and cut wait times for permits and visas in half.”

He added that it will also have “increased the Gross Domestic Product by 5 per cent with projections to grow by another 10 per cent within the next five years; put in place a comprehensive mortgage relief and distressed property programme for consumers; created an average savings of 33 per cent on the cost of energy per consumer; increased the number of mobile service providers; increased the amount of broadband service providers; created more sustainable jobs in banking and in tourism, and much more”.

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Medical laboratories yesterday expressed surprise that the National Health Insurance (NHI) Secretariat had launched registration for the sector, disclosing that the payment structure being offered was unsustainable.

Members of the Bahamas Association of Medical Technologists (BAMT) called for further discussion

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net The Democratic National Alliance’s (DNA) leader yesterday said the party had unveiled “a road map to salvage the economy”, while denying that its campaign platform was making promises it cannot keep.

Branville McCartney told Tribune Business that, if elected to office, the DNA had “no other choice but to fix” the many ills plaguing the Bahamian economy and society, as it set out an ambitious, wide-ranging agenda for governing.

The DNA leader said the proceeds from a National Lottery, which the party would introduce during its first year in office, would go towards a promised $500 million economic stimulus plan.

He added that the party’s goal of reducing electricity bills by 50 per cent would return $18 million per month to Bahamian consumers, providing another element to plans to revive consumption spending - something economists believe drives two-thirds of national economic activity.

“We believe the country can be salvaged,” Mr McCartney told Tribune Business. “We believe we have the plan, the road map to salvage the economy, and

Concern proposals may undermine profitability Providers pledge to ‘stick together’ over NHI’s proposed fees, suggesting that - in common with many private doctors they could be forced to operate at a loss.

The NHI Secretariat

DNA pledges National Lottery, $500m stimulus Leader denies over-promising, too aggressive Slams Minnis’s tax free zones as ‘comfort to a fool’ that is outlined in our Vision.

“We can do it. We have no other choice but to do it.

These are things that must be done. These are things we have no other choice but to do it.

The DNA’s campaign platform offers something for everyone, seeking to appeal to the private sector by promising a ‘flat rate’ Business License fee, and workers by offering a 19 per cent minimum wage increase from $210 to $250 per week.

While some may suggest the party has little prospect of being elected to office, its Vision2017 document calls for energy sector and exchange control liberalisation; the passage of anti-corruption legislation; a two percentage point reduction in interest rates; an enhanced Public Disclosure

Act; the creation of a Land Bureau and Public Sector Management Corporation; and Junkanoo Carnival privatisation to all be accomplished within the DNA’s first year in government.

Asked whether the party was over-promising, and offering things it would be unable to deliver, Mr McCartney told Tribune Business: “This is do-able. This is possible.

“We are there to work.

We’re there to make a difference. We’re not just there to give promises like Dr Minnis. Dr Minnis indicated he’d have these taxfree zones in the inner city.

That’s a comfort to a fool.”

Mr McCartney said Vision2017 had outlined what the DNA planned to do and how, although the document - in common with many party campaign platforms - did not go into detail.

He added that combating crime and the fear of crime, together with reducing unemployment and getting Bahamians back to work, would be the DNA’s priorities.

“We must stop the wastage going on in government and make sure we collect the taxes we have now,” Mr McCartney said.

“We’re going to introduce a National Lottery that will go partly towards that [$500 million stimulus]. We will reduce electricity bills,

and see if we can get a reimbursement that is going help us remain viable. They kind of put us on the back burner and started discussing fees with us this year.

“We sent a final draft to them on some of the frequent tests that they need to look at. We have cut down on a lot, agreed to a lot, but there are some where you can only go so low to make a profit.”

Last week, the NHI Secretariat announced that more than 60 doctors in

the private sector have registered as primary care providers for the initial $100 million phase.

The registered doctors include general practitioners, family doctors, internists, obstetricians and gynaecologists, and paediatricians.

Provider registration will continue even though the first wave of registration ended on March 31, but the Secretariat is preparing to move into the next phase of its scheme, enrollment.

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DNA proposes 3% health payroll tax From pg B1 health insurance companies.

Touting its proposed healthcare reforms as different from those being implemented by the current government, the DNA promised that it will “ensure both public and private participation in the management and administration of the new Universal Health Programme”.

However, the centrepiece of its healthcare platform is a 3 per cent payroll tax that will be “mandated on all able-bodied citizens of the Bahamas” - meaning those active members of the workforce.

“That’s how we’re going to pay for it,” Mr Mc-

Cartney said of the DNA’s plans, contrasting the party’s transparency on its proposed tax with the Government’s failure to say how much NHI will ultimately cost.

“The PLP speaks of NHI, but can’t tell us how they will pay for it. If we’re going to have it, this is how we’re going to have to fund it.”

Few political parties issue election platforms that promise new or increased taxes, given that this is largely seen as a voter turnoff. Yet the DNA has broken this so-called ‘global rule’, with a seeming rush to transparency that may be welcomed by more discerning Bahamian voters.

The Christie administra-

Grow GDP six times faster to ‘salvage ship’ From pg B1 a ‘ceiling’ of 2 per cent depending on Baha Mar’s performance.

Yet even these economic growth rates remain well below the level deemed necessary by Mr Myers, with the IMF itself having said previously that a 5 per cent GDP expansion rate was required

between 2013-2018 to cut the unemployment rate in half and absorb all new workforce entrants.

Suggesting that many Bahamians were slowly coming alive to these issues, the ORG principal said every time $1 billion was added to the national debt, the required economic growth

THE TRIBUNE

tion’s NHI primary care phase has been given a $100 million budget, through a mixture of funds ‘repurposed’ from elsewhere in its spending Budget and tax revenues likely produced by Value-Added Tax (VAT).

However, it has yet to disclose how much NHI will cost should it be rolled out to its full extent, and who will finance it, with many Bahamians fearing new or increased taxes are inevitable to fund such an expensive social programme.

Under the DNA’s plans ‘basic care’ at the existing government hospitals and clinics “will remain free as they are now”, with the payroll tax financing “basic care and minor operations, including minor dental, for all Bahamians”.

The Vision2017 document adds that Bahamians will also be allowed to re-

tain their current insurance providers, and able to “top up to a premium benefits package” based on income and how much they are willing to pay for healthcare.

The DNA’s ‘Universal Health Programme’ pledges that Bahamians can voluntary increase their payroll tax contributions to 5-7 per cent of income earned if they wish to access the premium benefits package.

“The ‘Healthcare Tax’ will be earmarked primarily for the purchasing of medication, the upgrading of medical supplies and equipment, and the satisfying of claims to insurance companies and private physicians,” the DNA’s Vision2017 document states.

It calls for a Healthcare Council, formed from public and private sector representatives, and “spearheaded” by the Government and

private insurers, to oversee the ‘Universal Health Programme’.

“The Healthcare Council will have a mandate to cut administrative costs in the hospital system, increase and monitor efficiency rates, and manage the procurement system of supplies for our public clinics and hospitals,” the DNA said.

Mr McCartney emphasised the partnership with the private sector, telling Tribune Business: “We need to have the private sector in there, and bring in more of the insurance companies. It will give the consumer more options.”

Arguing that the Christie administration “doesn’t want to say” how much its NHI scheme will cost, Mr McCartney said increased economic and jobs growth would help to make the DNA’s healthcare plans af-

fordable.

“We intend to bring this economy back,” he said.

“We have no choice, and on the flip side people will be able to afford this” healthcare programme.

Mr McCartney added that under the NHI scheme, Bahamians would still be paying for the same facilities, care quality and treatment outcomes that they receive now, with no improvement in these indicators or ‘value for money’.

Many observers, including healthcare professionals, view NHI as a government takeover of the industry, with private insurers reduced to the role of Regulated Health Administrators (RHAs), offering the same products at the same price, and merely reimbursing doctors with funds provided by the NHI Authority.

rate increased.

Mr Myers said achieving GDP growth rates comparable to China’s would be extremely difficult for small nations such as the Bahamas, given their vulnerability to external economic forces and natural disasters.

“That’s a rarity to have growth like that in an economy like this,” he told Tribune Business. “We have no manufacturing, financial services is under threat, tourism is facing competitive pressures, and we have

high, unproductive labour costs.

“How do you change this dynamic? This is getting to the point where you have to wonder if this ship is salvageable.”

Mr Myers added: “I didn’t make this up; these are real statistics. The economy has to move six times faster than it is today. Where is that coming from? Baha Mar doesn’t move the needle enough.

“We need four to five Baha Mars if we’re going to rely on tourism and associated foreign direct investment. If that’s our only plan, then we need four-five Baha Mars and they don’t come along more than once every 15-20 years.”

Central Bank data placed the Bahamas debt-to-GDP ratio at just under 78 per cent at year-end 2016, meaning that the borrowings owed/guaranteed by the Government are equivalent to almost four-fifths of this nation’s annual economic output.

Adding in public sector debt not guaranteed by the Government takes this ratio to 87.4 per cent and, with to-

tal unemployment still stubbornly in double digits, and youth joblessness at 25 per cent, the extent of the Bahamas’ task is laid bare.

Mr Myers also warned the Government to rein in its recurrent (fixed cost) spending, which increased by 41.3 per cent in the six fiscal years to 2016-2017, expanding from $1.642 billion to $2.321 billion.

“There just aren’t enough checks and balances, and we’re spending ourselves into oblivion. It’s reckless, it’s irresponsible and it’s going to be our long-term death,” he told Tribune Business.

“The Budget shows it, the statistics show it, and there’s clearly a significant lack of management and vision overall for the country.

“That has got to change.

It emphasises the fact that this government, and future governments of the Bahamas, have got to be more inclusive because they don’t hold all the answers. They have already shown that they don’t have the management capacity and vision to do what is necessary for the country to right itself.”

Mr Myers said the Bahamas needed leadership and vision “to really make a difference”, and added: “We’ve got to work at this stuff. It’s not a magic wand.

The indicators are that we don’t understand or do what it takes.”

The ORG principal said the lack of public sector management talent was not irreversible, pointing to persons such as Simon Wilson, the acting financial secretary, who he praised for doing “a good job” in cracking down on tax cheats and trying to collect all revenues due to the Public Treasury.

“It’s not that there’s nothing positive,” Mr Myers emphasised, “but there’s not enough positives to outweigh the negatives. It’s not all doom and gloom, but we need to flip that.

“We just need more of the positives. We didn’t get here in five years; we got here in 50 years, and we have to get better people, better systems, more accountability and more checks.”

Mr Myers said elements of all the major political parties were “starting to understand the message that we’ve been shouting from the rooftops for the past two years”.

He added: “There are people from these parties that understand the severity of it. The average man and woman is fed up. They’re paying more and more taxes, and getting less for it.

“I think change is definitely afoot. The question is can it happen fast enough, and can I find enough people to make it a reality.”

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THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 11, 2017, PAGE 5

Web shop loses injunction bid against GBPA From pg B1 contents had been completely “rescinded” by the GBPA and Mr Smith.

The web shop operator’s action was centred on a January 25, 2016, letter from the GBPA which called on Chances to apply for a provisional gaming license from it.

The GBPA cited the Gaming Act 2014, and associated regulations, as giving it the authority to make such demands. Chances, though, argued that such a demand was illegal because

it was the Gaming Board, not the GBPA, which had regulatory authority for the web shop industry in Freeport.

Raymond Culmer, Chances’ principal, alleged in an affidavit that the web shop chain believed it “had an excellent prospect of success” with its action on the basis that the GBPA had never been granted regulatory authority for gaming.

Justice Hanna-Weekes’ judgment disclosed how Mr Culmer described Chances’ as “contributing significantly to the economy of Free-

Bahamas Realty hopes 15% growth not hit by election From pg B1 money put aside and not doing anything with it at the moment. Hopefully, in another month or two, there’ll be a change and we can all look forward to increased business.”

A temporary decline in business and investment activity is fairly typical just prior to general elections, as companies and investors opt for caution and wait to see the outcome before embarking on capital projects.

With Bahamas Realty also enjoying a 60 per cent year-over-year increase in gross real estate sales for 2016, Mr Roberts said the firm was on track to match or exceed this performance in 2017, “unless the bottom drops out” or momentum stalls due to the election.

“We’re ahead of last year.

I would say I’m up 10-15 per cent over last year,” Mr Roberts told Tribune Business.

He attributed “hard,

hard work” by the entire Bahamas Realty team for the “significant” increase in sales, revealing that he could not recall a transaction that had closed within the period stipulated by the sales contract.

Pointing out most deals allowed for a 60-day closing window, Mr Roberts told Tribune Business: “With many of these sales, if you sign a contract today, you’d be lucky if it closed in three months.

“It’s a combination of coordination between the various attorneys working on the deal, and if there’s bank financing involved there’s often a delay with that.

“I cannot tell you the last time I had a sale close within the stipulated period.

There’s always an excuse,” Mr Roberts added.

“I remember my father saying to me: ‘You’ll work harder to close a sale than make a sale, and the reason will be the lawyers. You’ll

port and the quality of life of Bahamian citizens, especially its employees”.

Mr Culmer also alleged that Chances’ GBPA licenses were “for interactive gaming, which incorporates the use of computer software that allows customers to access games of chance”.

He also claimed, according to the judgment, that the GBPA was “aware of the services being provided to its customers, and at no time during the currency of the license did they invoke, complain, challenge or threaten [Chances] to ‘cease and desist’ or suffer sanctions for non-compliance”.

Mr Smith and the GBPA, though, pointed out that

they had subsequently withdrawn the January 25, 2016, letter that formed the entire basis of Chances’ case.

Their August 31, 2016, letter clarified that the initial missive had incorrectly stated that the GBPA was acting under the Gaming Act. Instead, it was using the Hawksbill Creek Agreement as its lawful authority.

The GBPA’s second letter said it was seeking to place its relationship with Chances “on a proper footing”, given that the company was licensed as an Internet cafe, rather than a web shop gaming provider. Accordingly, it wanted Chances to amend its license and pay a higher fee because of its

gaming activities.

Justice Hanna-Weekes said the second letter meant that the January 25, 2016, document “upon which [Chances] pegs its pleaded case has been completely overtaken by events”.

She added that the issue had now become whether Chances was breaching its license agreement with the GBPA, and if it needed to amend its license and pay a higher fee, as a result of its web shop gaming activities.

The dispute over whether the GBPA has any regulatory authority under the Gaming Act having fallen away, Justice Hanna-Weekes found: “By reason of the GBPA’s August 31, 2016, letter, any [issue] that may

have existed between the plaintiff and GBPA as a result of the GBPA’s letter of January 25, 2016, was effectively extinguished.

“A party to an action is bound by his pleadings. The plaintiff’s action is grounded in the demands made by the [GBPA] in the letter to it dated January 25, 2016.

There is no dispute between the parties that the letter was rescinded. The court must consider whether the matter ends there.”

Finding that it did, Justice Hanna-Weekes said that with the January 25, 2016, letter “having now fallen away”, there was no serious issue to be tried, and dismissed the injunction application.

have to stay on top of them right the way through the process’. That’s a general statement, but it’s so true.”

Identifying teamwork as a key factor behind Bahamas Realty’s success, Mr Roberts said: “We’ve been putting a lot of work into training our agents and being a lot more proactive.

That’s a great part of our success.

“There were also more significant transactions that we have been working on for some time, and which are not necessarily indicative of the market today.

“There were a lot of sales in the works, some of them for over a year, that finally came through [in 2016], especially the ones involving the Government.”

Mr Roberts described the

last six months as “very active” for Bahamas Realty and its realtors, with sales closes in high-end communities such as Lyford Cay, Old Fort Bay and Ocean Club Estates, even though not all were major transactions.

“We’ve been very pleased and fortunate to have done as well as we have, but it’s a lot of hard work in this market,” he told Tribune Business. “You just have to work twice as hard.

“We have a really good group of agents that have been working as a team.

That team spirit has really come through and brought us the results.”

Bahamas Realty has also invested in technology by offering 3D video tours that allow buyers to ‘walk’ through a property in virtual reality before they see it in person.

“This year has shown us that we are on the right path, and we are grateful to

our whole team and to our valued clients,” Mr Roberts said in a statement.

“We are delighted to see that sales increased so significantly this past year.

While the economy has been slow to improve, this tells us that there is still demand for housing and commercial property in the Bahamas.

“What we are seeing is that building a relationship of trust is key to consumer confidence.”

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•

•

•

•

•

Responsible for monitoring all financial transactions as it relates to the Banking Department Responsible for overseeing the efficient day to day operations, and ensuring the department is in Compliance with Regulatory and Operational Policies and Procedures.

Will oversee the professional development of the department Responsible for the preparation of Board Required Reports, as well as ensuring The Central Bank of The Bahamas and Securities Commission of The Bahamas Guidelines are adhered to, and the distribution of reports are done on a timely basis. .

The VP will also be responsible for ensuring IT requirements are being met, and that there is proper training and guidance to ensure the Department’s use of systems is following best practices.

The VP will be responsible for the management of all banking product lines, including, that the marketing and sales of products offered are being done in accordance with best practices.

The VP will also assist with the management of client relations and the facilitation of client related requests.

The VP is Responsible for the risk management framework of the Banking Department, focusing on a risk based approach to client building and operations management.

Ensuring the banking Department is in compliance with operational and security measures to ensure client confidentiality and Data Protection.

Skills 1. Outstanding Interpersonal skills 2. Excellent management skills 3. Effective communication skills 4. Be dependable and truthful 5. Have initiative and ingenuity 6. Brilliant business acumen 7. Good Leadership skills 8. Diverse departmental skills in marketing, sales, accounting, finance 9. Extensive Knowledge of the local, national and internal economy 10. Multilingual – more than one language inclusive of the English language 11. Proficient time, project and team management skills 12. Networking, negotiating, and problem solving skills

Education •

• •

Business or finance degrees. CPA, CFA and or the successful completion of the Series 7 Examination preferred 7- 10 years’ experience in banking/asset management with ongoing training.

Multilingual and have excellent information and communication skills.

Salary and benefits will commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Suitable candidates should submit resumes to: c/o The Tribune P.O. Box N-3207 DA# 113774 Nassau, Bahamas

PAGE 6, Tuesday, April 11, 2017

Exporter targets live China lobster approval by Xmas From pg B1 things. We are doing some fish experimenting, which is going pretty good. We are trying to get the Bahamas approved to ship direct to China.

“China has got the most people on the face of the earth. We are trying to promote sustainability. The Prime Minister is very big on the sustainability of Bahamian seafood, and we see this, bringing lobsters in whole and live, as a way of promoting sustainability while earning more for Bahamian fishermen.

“When they catch the lobster they kill it, and bring the tails. We hope to convince them to change their methods and bring it in live, and we will fly them into China - Hong Kong right now. We are in the process, too, of getting approved for China. By Christmas, the Bahamas should be approved for China,” Mr Pritchard added.

“Right now we’re experimenting with some fish - Nassau Grouper and yellowtail flounder - to see if it’s feasible to do them on a commercial basis, and some day grow a few million pounds to export. That’s what we are looking at.

“The Government has been very supportive in that regard. They have been working with us. The lobster are a bit difficult; the fish are easier. We have successfully spawned Nassau Grouper and, working with the University of Miami, we have fish in tanks there now live weighing between three to four pounds. It’s all in the experimental phase.”

THE TRIBUNE

Fed Chair Yellen says economy close to achieving Fed goals ANN ARBOR, Michigan (AP) — Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen said Monday that the central bank is close to achieving its goals on employment and inflation.

Her remarks could be seen as providing support for gradual increases in interest rates.

While expressing satisfaction with how the economy is performing, Yellen did voice concerns about moves in Congress to limit the Fed’s independence.

Yellen told an audience at the University of Michigan that unemployment is now below the point the Fed views

as full employment, dipping to 4.5 percent in March. A key inflation gauge is moving toward the Fed’s 2 percent target for price stability.

Yellen did not specifically address the timing for future rate hikes, but her remarks support the view that future hikes are coming. The Fed last raised rates in March, a quarter-point move that was the second increase in three months.

“We are doing pretty well” in terms of the Fed’s goals, Yellen said. “The economy is growing at a moderate pace.”

The Fed’s next meeting

is May 2-3 and most private economists believe a rate hike at that time is unlikely.

But they say rates could be raised at the June meeting and again in September.

In her comments, which came in the form of a discussion led by Susan M. Collins, dean of the university’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, Yellen expressed concerns about moves in Congress to limit the central bank’s independence.

She specifically mentioned legislation that would subject the Fed’s decision on interest-rate policies to review by

Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen speaks on stage as part of a conversation put on by the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan’s Rackham Auditorium in Ann Arbor yesterday. (AP Photo) the Government Accountability Office, the auditing arm of Congress. She also cited a proposal to require the Fed to follow a specific formula for setting interest rates with any deviation from that formula subject to GAO reviews.

“Our independence is under some threat,” Yellen said, citing the various bills that have been introduced. She said these changes could end up harming the Fed’s ability to manage the economy to promote low unemployment and guard against accelerating inflation.

Conservative group’s health care ads target GOP moderates WASHINGTON (AP) — The conservative Club for Growth is launching TV spots pressuring moderate Republican lawmakers to support the party’s languishing health care overhaul drive, officials of the group said Monday in the latest salvo in the GOP civil war that derailed the House measure.

The ads press moderates to back a revised version of the measure that the Trump administration offered last week in talks with conservative legislators.

Under the changes, states could seek federal waivers from requirements under President Barack Obama’s health care law that insurers charge healthy and serious-

NOTICE A law firm, seeks to employ person(s) for the following position:

Filing Clerk

with at least Two(2) years experience.

Kindly send all Resumes to the following: Email: humanresourceslaw1@gmail.com

ly ill consumers the same premiums, and that they cover specified medical services like mental health counseling.

“Come on board. Keep the promise that you and our party have made to finally repeal Obamacare and lower health care insurance costs,” Club president David McIntosh told reporters.

The proposals drew mixed reactions from Republican moderates and conservatives alike. Congress left town last week without votes on the legislation in a major setback for the GOP. Club officials said they will begin a $1 million campaign Tuesday with national

ads on television and online. They said they will run ads starting Thursday in the districts of 10 House moderates, but would name only two: Reps. Chris Collins of New York and Adam Kinzinger of Illinois.

Collins and Kinzinger have both faulted conservative Republicans for wrecking the bill.

The ads could put indirect pressure on members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, who have opposed the GOP legislation for not aggressively repealing enough of Obama’s law. Several of them did not accept the revisions suggested last week by Vice President Mike Pence and other administration offi-

NOTICE International Business Companies Act No.45 of 2000

cials, saying they did not go far enough.

Also Monday, a liberal group said it was starting a $1.2 million TV ad campaign aimed at seven House Republicans it said had not overtly opposed the GOP legislation. Save My Care said it aimed its spots at GOP lawmakers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida and New Jersey.

The Republican bill would repeal much of Obama’s 2010 law, including tax penalties for people who don’t buy policies. It would provide tax credits that would be smaller than Obama’s for many lower-earning and older recipients, and would also cut Medicaid, which helps poorer people afford medical care.

The dueling ad campaigns were announced in the initial days of a twoweek congressional recess both sides are hoping to

DZ INVESTMENT FUND LTD. (the “Company”)

use to bring pressure on lawmakers.

Republicans are facing the prospects of raucous town hall meetings populated with liberal constituents and activists intent on pushing legislators to leave Obama’s law alone.

The Club for Growth ad features numerous shots of President Donald Trump as an announcer says Trump is working with conservatives “on a better bill.”

It ends with Trump saying during a speech, “We gotta get it done.”

Five of the seven Republicans targeted by the Save My Care ads are from congressional districts that Trump lost last November to Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton. One of them is Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif.

“Tell Issa — stop trying to repeal our health care,” the announcer says.

INSURANCE MANAGEMENT (BAHAMAS) LIMITED. INSURANCE BROKERS & AGENTS

Notice is hereby given that, in accordance with Section 138 (8) of the International Business Companies Act, No.45 of 2000, the Dissolution of DZ INVESTMENT FUND LTD. has been completed, a Certificate of Dissolution has been issued and the Company has therefore been struck off the Register. The date of completion of the dissolution was March 13, 2017.

Deadline for Application is 21st April, 2017

IS SEEKING TO FILL A VACANCY IN OUR

ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT We are looking for driven and self-motivated individuals with knowledge and experience in the Accounting field.

Requirements for a suitable candidate include:

Daniel Zagury Aizemberg Liquidator

• • • • •

Minimum 2 years of experience in the Accounting field A Degree in Accounting preferred Proficiency in Excel, Word, and processing Accounts Receivable/Payable Strong oral and written communication skills Able to work well as part of a dynamic team

Interested persons should hand deliver their resumes to: Human Resources Insurance Management (Bahamas) Limited Rosetta Street East Nassau, Bahamas

Or email to: hr@imbbah.com

PUBLIC NOTICE

INTENT TO CHANGE NAME BY DEED POLL The Public is hereby advised that I, CALVIN TALLIS SYMONETTE of Rosena Drive, P.O.Box SB-50352, New Providence, Bahamas intend to change my name to CALVIN TALLIS BROWN. If there are any objections to this change of name by Deed Poll, you may write such objections to the Deputy Chief Passport Officer, P.O.Box N-742, Nassau, Bahamas no later than thirty (30) days after the date of publication of this notice.

Legal Notice

NOTICE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN as follows: (a) LINCO LEASING & INVESTMENT COMPANY LTD. is in dissolution under the provisions of the International Business Companies Act Act 2000. (b) The Dissolution of said Company commenced on April 7, 2017 when its Articles of Dissolution were submitted and registered by the Registrar General. (c) The Liquidator of the said company is Zakrit Services Ltd. of 2nd Terrace West, Centreville, Nassau, Bahamas. (d) All persons having Claims against the above-named Company are required on or before May 8, 2017 to send their names and addresses and particulars of their debts or claims to the Liquidator of the company or, in default thereof, they may be excluded from the benefit of any distribution made before such debts are proved.

April 7, 2017 ZAKRIT SERVICES LTD. LIQUIDATOR OF THE ABOVE-NAMED COMPANY

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that LOUISANE MERTULIEN of Mathew St., Nassau Village, Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 4th day of April, 2017 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

NOTICE

NOTICE is hereby given that DERILIEN ALEXANDRE of Washington Street, Nassau, Bahamas is applying to the Minister responsible for Nationality and Citizenship, for registration/naturalization as a citizen of The Bahamas, and that any person who knows any reason why registration/ naturalization should not be granted, should send a written and signed statement of the facts within twenty-eight days from the 4th day of April, 2017 to the Minister responsible for nationality and Citizenship, P.O. Box N-7147, Nassau, Bahamas.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 11, 2017, PAGE 7

US stock indexes eke out tiny gains, led by energy AP Business Writer – U.S. stock indexes eked out tiny gains Monday as news of several corporate deals helped lift the market.

Energy stocks led the gainers as the price of crude oil rose for the fifth day in a row. Phone companies were the biggest laggard. Gold fell and the dollar weakened versus the yen and euro.

“There’s not a lot of impetus to move markets today,” said David Schiegoleit, managing director at the Private Client Reserve at U.S. Bank. “The market is just biding time until we get more data.”

The Standard & Poor’s 500 index gained 1.62 points, or 0.1 percent, to 2,357.16. The Dow Jones industrial average rose 1.92 points, or 0.01 percent, to 20,658.02. The Nasdaq composite index added 3.11 points, or 0.1 percent, to 5,880.93.

Bond prices rose. The 10year Treasury yield fell to 2.36 percent from 2.38 percent late Friday.

The major indexes veered lower soon after the market opened on Monday, but moved into positive territory by midday. They spent much of the afternoon drifting between small gains and losses.

Trading was mostly quiet ahead of the Good Friday holiday, when U.S. markets will be closed. In addition, no major economic reports are due out this week, though the next cycle of company earnings reports kicks off on Wednesday.

“There are a lot of things coming up on the horizon, with earnings, Fed-speak and things like that,” said Schiegoleit. “In terms of everything else, the market is in a wait-and-see mode.”

Several oil industry stocks got a boost from rising crude prices. Hess climbed $1.92, or 4 percent, to $49.97. Rig operator Transocean rose 32 cents, or 2.6 percent, to $12.75.

Benchmark crude oil closed higher for the fifth day in a row, adding 84

cents, or 1.6 percent, to $53.08 a barrel in New York. Brent crude, the standard for international oil prices, gained 74 cents, or 1.3 percent, at $55.98 a barrel in London.

Traders bid up shares in several companies announcing deals.

Among them were trucking companies Swift Transportation and Knight Transportation, which agreed to combine in an all-stock deal. Swift shareholders will own a majority of the company, which will be called Knight-Swift

Transportation Holdings.

Swift’s shares added $4.75, or 23.7 percent, to $24.77, while Knight gained $4.10, or 13.4 percent, to $34.75.

Straight Path Communications more than doubled after the wireless spectrum license company agreed to be acquired by AT&T in a deal valued at $1.25 billion. Straight Path’s shares gained $55.16, or 151.2 percent, to $91.64. AT&T slipped 21 cents to $40.38.

The whiff of a potential company sale also drew investors to buy up shares in Whole Foods Market.

a pedestrian walks past the New York Stock Exchange, in lower Manhattan.

Stocks are opening modestly higher on Wall Street, yesterday, led by gains in energy and industrial companies. Oil companies were rising along with the price of crude. (AP Photo)

NOTICE IN THE ESTATE OF GERALD LAWRENCE CHILLIAN PENNENMAN, Boiling Brook Terrace, Blue Hill Estates, New Providence, The Bahamas.

NOTICE is hereby given that all persons having any claims against or any interest in the above-named Estate are required on or before the 28th day of April 2017 to deliver their names, addresses and particulars of their debts, claims or interest to the undersigned and to come in and prove such debts, interest or claims, or in default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of any distribution AND NOTICE is hereby given that at the expiration of the date hereinbefore mentioned, the assets of the Estate of the said late, GERALD LAWRENCE CHILLIAN PENNERMAN, deceased, will be distributed among the persons entitled thereto.

DATED the 10th day of April 2017

Personal Representative of the ESTATE OF GERALD LAWRENCE CHILLIAN PENNERMAN c/o MITRE COURT Suite 227, 2nd Floor Island Lane Building Olde Towne, Sandyport Nassau, The Bahamas Attn: Attorney Hepburn

PAGE 8, Tuesday, April 11, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Vacancy

CLUB HOUSE MANAGER Essential Functions

The Club House Manager is responsible for providing leadership and management for the Beach Club Operations, including all Culinary, Restaurant, Beverage, Bar, Catering and Banquet Operations, and integrate its functions to serve. The Clubhouse manager will work closely with the Food and Beverage Director & the Outdoor Pursuits team. The number one focus is to ensure member satisfaction.

a Wells Fargo sign is displayed at a branch in New York. In the results of an investigation released yesterday, Wells Fargo’s board of directors has blamed the bank’s most senior management for creating an “aggressive sales culture” at Wells that eventually led to the bank’s scandal over millions of unauthorized accounts. (AP Photo)

Duties and Responsibilities • Coordinates the selection, purchasing, storage, inventory, maintenance and usage of all related food and beverage supplies and equipment according to Company guidelines.

• Coordinates and administers schedules, assigns daily work and prioritizes side-work to ensure guest satisfaction while maintaining costs.

• Assists in continuing a culture where all staff is committed to consistency understanding that “Everything Matters”.

• Hosts and participates in the service delivery of key parties and events • Responsible for training for all areas of responsibility – This is a key element to the success of the position • Develops and maintains effective communications between all operating departments.

• Possesses the ability to communicate with all levels of personnel and guests. Maintains a professional relationship with all personnel and guests while protecting the interests of the Company.

Wells claws back $75 million from top execs in sales scandal NEW YORK (AP) — The problems at Wells Fargo and its overly aggressive sales culture date back at least 15 years, and management had little interest in dealing with the issue until it spiraled out of control resulting in millions of accounts being opened fraudulently, according to an investigation by the company’s board of directors.

The bank’s board also clawed back another $75 million in pay from two former executives, CEO John Stumpf and community bank executive Carrie Tolstedt, saying both executives dragged their feet for years regarding problems at the second-largest U.S. bank. Both were ultimately unwilling to accept criticism that the bank’s salesfocused business model was failing.

The 110-page report has been in the works since September, when Wells acknowledged that its employees opened up to 2 million checking and credit card accounts without customers’ authorization. Trying to meet unnaturally high sales goals, Wells employees even

Minimum Experience Credentials • College degree in Business Administration or Management preferred.

• Five (5) years or more in the Food & Beverage industry.

• Excellent computer skills including mastery of Microsoft Word

and Excel programs • Must have good written and verbal communication skills.

• Must be able to think, speak and give instructions in a clear and concise fashion • Excellent time management skills • Strong budgetary, projections, cost control skills and understanding of financial statements • Must be self-motivated and results oriented.

• Ability to work cohesively with other departments and co-workers Interested applicants can forward their information to www.hr@bakersbayclub.com on or before Friday, April 14, 2017 Only applicants contacted will be responded to.

MARKET REPORT MONDAY, 10 APRIL 2017

t. 242.323.2330 | f. 242.323.2320 | www.bisxbahamas.com

BISX ALL SHARE INDEX: CLOSE 1,894.54 | CHG -0.02 | %CHG 0.00 | YTD -43.67 | YTD% -2.25 BISX LISTED & TRADED SECURITIES 52WK HI 4.38 17.43 9.09 3.56 4.70 0.12 7.20 8.50 6.10 10.60 15.27 2.72 1.60 5.83 10.00 11.00 9.30 6.90 12.01 11.00

52WK LOW 3.20 17.43 8.19 3.50 1.64 0.12 3.80 8.15 5.56 8.50 11.00 2.18 1.31 5.80 6.79 8.56 7.11 6.35 11.92 10.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

900.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00

PREFERENCE SHARES

1.00 106.00 100.00 106.00 105.00 105.00 100.00 10.00 1.01

1.00 105.50 100.00 100.00 105.00 100.00 100.00 10.00 1.01

SECURITY AML Foods Limited APD Limited Bahamas Property Fund Bahamas Waste Bank of Bahamas Benchmark Cable Bahamas CIBC FirstCaribbean Bank Colina Holdings Commonwealth Bank Commonwealth Brewery Consolidated Water BDRs Doctor's Hospital Famguard Fidelity Bank Finco Focol ICD Utilities J. S. Johnson Premier Real Estate Cable Bahamas Series 6 Cable Bahamas Series 8 Cable Bahamas Series 9 Cable Bahamas Series 10 Colina Holdings Class A Commonwealth Bank Class E Commonwealth Bank Class J Commonwealth Bank Class K Commonwealth Bank Class L Commonwealth Bank Class M Commonwealth Bank Class N Fidelity Bank Class A Focol Class B

CORPORATE DEBT - (percentage pricing) 52WK HI 100.00 100.00 100.00

52WK LOW 100.00 100.00 100.00

SYMBOL AML APD BPF BWL BOB BBL CAB CIB CHL CBL CBB CWCB DHS FAM FBB FIN FCL ICD JSJ PRE CAB6 CAB8 CAB9 CAB10 CHLA CBLE CBLJ CBLK CBLL CBLM CBLN FBBA FCLB

SECURITY Fidelity Bank Note 17 (Series A) + Fidelity Bank Note 18 (Series E) + Fidelity Bank Note 22 (Series B) +

SYMBOL FBB17 FBB18 FBB22

Bahamas Note 6.95 (2029) BGS: 2014-12-3Y BGS: 2015-1-3Y BGS: 2014-12-5Y BGS: 2015-1-5Y BGS: 2014-12-7Y BGS: 2015-1-7Y BGS: 2014-12-30Y BGS: 2015-1-30Y BGS: 2015-6-3Y BGS: 2015-6-5Y BGS: 2015-6-7Y BGS: 2015-6-30Y BGS: 2015-10-3Y BGS: 2015-10-5Y BGS: 2015-10-7Y

BAH29 BG0103 BG0203 BG0105 BG0205 BG0107 BG0207 BG0130 BG0230 BG0303 BG0305 BG0307 BG0330 BG0403 BG0405 BG0407

BAHAMAS GOVERNMENT STOCK - (percentage pricing) 115.92 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

113.70 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

MUTUAL FUNDS 52WK HI 2.03 3.92 1.94 169.70 141.76 1.47 1.67 1.57 1.10 6.96 8.50 6.30 9.94 11.21 10.46

52WK LOW 1.67 3.04 1.68 164.74 116.70 1.41 1.61 1.52 1.03 6.41 7.62 5.66 8.65 10.54 9.57

LAST CLOSE 4.38 15.85 9.09 3.54 1.77 0.12 4.50 8.50 6.00 10.48 11.86 2.30 1.55 5.83 9.75 9.00 9.25 6.90 12.01 10.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 100.00 100.00 100.40 100.00 100.00 100.00 10.00 1.01 LAST SALE 100.00 100.00 100.00 105.19 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

CLOSE 4.38 15.85 9.09 3.54 1.77 0.12 4.50 8.50 6.00 10.48 11.86 2.28 1.55 5.83 9.75 9.00 9.25 6.90 12.01 10.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 -0.02 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1000.00 1.00 100.00 100.00 100.40 100.00 100.00 100.00 10.00 1.01

0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

CLOSE 100.00 100.00 100.00

CHANGE 0.00 0.00 0.00

105.12 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00

-0.07 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

FUND CFAL Bond Fund CFAL Balanced Fund CFAL Money Market Fund CFAL Global Bond Fund CFAL Global Equity Fund FG Financial Preferred Income Fund FG Financial Growth Fund FG Financial Diversified Fund FG Financial Global USD Bond Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Secured Balanced Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Targeted Equity Fund Royal Fidelity Bahamas Opportunities Fund - Prime Income Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Equities Sub Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - High Yield Fund Royal Fidelity Int'l Fund - Alternative Strategies Fund

VOLUME 115

1,000

VOLUME

5 NAV 2.03 3.92 1.94 168.44 141.76 1.47 1.64 1.56 1.04 6.96 8.50 6.30 9.80 11.13 9.63

EPS$ 0.029 1.002 -0.144 0.170 -0.130 0.000 -0.030 0.607 0.430 0.450 0.110 0.102 0.080 0.300 0.520 0.960 0.820 0.294 0.610 0.000

DIV$ 0.080 1.000 0.000 0.210 0.000 0.000 0.090 0.300 0.220 0.360 0.490 0.060 0.060 0.240 0.400 0.000 0.330 0.140 0.640 0.000

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000

P/E 151.0 15.8 N/M 20.8 N/M N/M -150.0 14.0 14.0 23.3 107.8 22.4 19.4 19.4 18.8 9.4 11.3 23.5 19.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 6.25% 7.00% 6.50%

INTEREST 7.00% 6.00% Prime + 1.75%

MATURITY 19-Oct-2017 31-May-2018 19-Oct-2022

6.95% 4.00% 4.00% 4.25% 4.25% 4.50% 4.50% 6.25% 6.25% 4.00% 4.25% 4.50% 6.25% 3.50% 3.88% 4.25%

20-Nov-2029 15-Dec-2017 30-Jul-2018 16-Dec-2019 30-Jul-2020 15-Dec-2021 30-Jul-2022 15-Dec-2044 30-Jul-2045 26-Jun-2018 26-Jun-2020 26-Jun-2022 26-Jun-2045 15-Oct-2018 15-Oct-2020 15-Oct-2022

YTD% 12 MTH% 4.30% 4.30% 3.82% 3.82% 2.73% 2.73% 3.95% 3.95% 6.77% 6.77% 0.40% 4.04% -1.76% 1.06% -0.34% 2.70% -0.95% 1.55% 4.35% 4.69% 4.13% 4.28% 4.22% 4.64% 6.19% 3.43% 2.77% 2.98% -3.66% -3.90%

NAV Date 31-Dec-2016 31-Dec-2016 31-Dec-2016 31-Dec-2016 31-Dec-2016 31-Jan-2017 31-Jan-2017 31-Jan-2017 31-Jan-2017 30-Nov-2016 30-Nov-2016 30-Nov-2016 30-Nov-2016 30-Nov-2016 30-Nov-2016

MARKET TERMS BISX ALL SHARE INDEX - 19 Dec 02 = 1,000.00 52wk-Hi - Highest closing price in last 52 weeks 52wk-Low - Lowest closing price in last 52 weeks Previous Close - Previous day's weighted price for daily volume Today's Close - Current day's weighted price for daily volume Change - Change in closing price from day to day Daily Vol. - Number of total shares traded today DIV $ - Dividends per share paid in the last 12 months P/E - Closing price divided by the last 12 month earnings

YIELD 1.83% 6.31% 0.00% 5.93% 0.00% 0.00% 2.00% 3.53% 3.67% 3.44% 4.13% 2.63% 3.87% 4.12% 4.10% 0.00% 3.57% 2.03% 5.33% 0.00%

YIELD - last 12 month dividends divided by closing price Bid $ - Buying price of Colina and Fidelity Ask $ - Selling price of Colina and fidelity Last Price - Last traded over-the-counter price Weekly Vol. - Trading volume of the prior week EPS $ - A company's reported earnings per share for the last 12 mths NAV - Net Asset Value N/M - Not Meaningful

TO TRADE CALL: CFAL 242-502-7010 | ROYALFIDELITY 242-356-7764 | FG CAPITAL MARKETS 242-396-4000 | COLONIAL 242-502-7525 | LENO 242-396-3225

created phony email addresses to sign customers up for online banking services. “(Wells’ management) created pressure on employees to sell unwanted or unneeded products to customers and, in some cases, to open unauthorized accounts,” the board said in its report.

Many current and former employees have talked of intense and constant pressure from managers to sell and open accounts, and some said it pushed them into unethical behavior. The Monday’s report backs up those employees’ stories.

“It was common to blame employees who violated Wells Fargo’s rules without analyzing what caused or motivated them to do so ... (or determine) whether there were responsible individuals, who while they might have no directed the specific misconduct, contributed to the environment (that caused it),” the board said.

The report also says that problems in the bank’s sales culture date back to at least 2002, far earlier than what the bank had previously said. And that Stumpf knew about sales problems at a branch in Colorado since at least that year.

Wells Fargo’s CEO, Tim Sloan, said in a conference call with reporters it was “frustrating” to hear that the bank may have had sales problems dating back so long ago.

The bank has already paid $185 million in fines to federal and local authorities and settled a $110 million class-action lawsuit. The scandal also resulted in the abrupt retirement last October of Stumpf, not long after he underwent blistering

able to accept scrutiny from inside or outside her organization.

The board also found that Tolstedt actively worked to downplay any problems in her division. In a report made in October 2015, nearly three years after a Los Angeles Times investigation uncovered the scandal, Tolstedt “minimized and understated problems at the community bank.”

When the scandal first broke, Wells said it had fired roughly 5,300 employees as a result of the sales practices. But when that figure was revealed it was the first time that the board of directors had heard the sales practices problems were of such a large size and scope.

According to the report, as recently as May 2015, senior management told the board that only 230 employees had been fired for sales practices violations.

Tolstedt declined to be interviewed for the investigation, the board said, on advice from her lawyers.

Tolstedt did issue a statement to the media, however, disputing the board’s conclusions.

“We strongly disagree with the report and its attempt to lay blame with Ms. Tolstedt. A full and fair examination of the facts will produce a different conclusion,” said Enu Mainigi with the law firm Williams & Connolly.

Stumpf also received his share of criticism. In its report, the board found that Stumpf was also unwilling to change Wells’ business model when problems arose.

“His reaction invariably was that a few bad employees were causing issues ... he was too late and too slow to

“It was common to blame employees who violated Wells Fargo’s rules without analyzing what caused or motivated them to do so ... (or determine) whether there were responsible individuals, who while they might have no directed the specific misconduct, contributed to the environment (that caused it)” questioning from congressional panels. The bank remains under investigation in several states and by federal authorities.

The board’s report recommended that Stumpf and Tolstedt have more of their compensation clawed back for their negligence and poor management. Tolstedt will lose $47.3 million in stock options, on top of $19 million the board had already clawed back. Stumpf will lose an additional $28 million in compensation, on top of the $41 million the board already clawed back.

Along with the millions clawed back from other executives earlier this year, the roughly $180 million in clawbacks are among the largest in U.S. corporate history.

The board was unrelenting in their criticism of Stumpf and Tolstedt, saying that both, when presented with the growing problems in Wells’ community banking division, were unwilling to hear criticism or consider changes in behavior. The board repeatedly faulted Tolstedt, calling her “insular and defensive” and un-

call for inspection or critical challenge to (Wells’) basic business model,” the board said.

Stumpf, however, did not seem to express regret for how he handled those initial weeks after the bank was fined, including where he initially levied most of the blame on low-level employees for the sales practices problems instead of management, said Stuart Baskin, lawyer with Shearman & Sterling, the firm that the board hired to investigate the sales scandal The investigation found that Wells’ corporate structure was also to blame. Under Stumpf, Wells operated in a decentralized fashion, with executives of each of the businesses running their divisions almost like separate companies.

While there is nothing wrong with operating a large company like Wells in a decentralized fashion, the board said, the structure backfired in this case by allowing Tolstedt and other executives to hide the problems in their organization from senior management and the board of directors.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 11, 2017, PAGE 9

b o dy an d m in d

Winner of the ‘Biggest Loser’ fitness challenge Kevin Bagnold receives a cheque for $1,000.

Second place finisher Charon McKenzie walked away with $500.

Crowning the Bahamas’ ‘Biggest Loser’

By JEFFARAH GIBSON Tribune Features Writer jgibson@tribunemedia.net AS advocates against obesity and founders of a local weight loss company, the husband and wife duo of Reginald and Santoya Edgecombe saw it fitting to team up with the Bahamas Medical Centre (BMC) for a fitness challenge that would jump-start more than two dozen persons on a path to a healthier life.

Platinum Weightloss Solutions is jointly owned by the Edgecombes, who have been distributing their own brand of weight loss products since October 2012.

According to the couple, the products are safe and all natural, and are mostly fat burners and appetite suppressants sold in several Nassau and Family Island stores.

While the recent ‘Biggest Loser’ fitness challenge marked the fourth year the event was hosted by the

company, it was only the second time it was held in collaboration with Doctors Hospital’s BMC. The challenge lasted for six weeks.

“This was done in our effort to ensure a more holistic and realistic approach to weight loss and physical fitness. It was also in recognition of the fact that the true, long lasting successful weight loss can only be achieved in combination of proper diet and exercise,” Mrs Edgecombe told Tribune Health.

Twenty-five people participated in the fitness journey and are expected to experience a lasting impact on their health.

Trainers from BMC conducted a full fitness assessment on each participant.

This initial assessment included 12 minutes on the treadmill and several timed exercises like push-ups, situps and squats.

“The numbers achieved were recorded and then participants stepped on the

centre’s special ‘In Body’ scale. The scale gave a reading for their weight, total body fat percentage and their BMI. Lastly, the trainers recorded the participant’s body measurements, blood pressure and then took before photos of each of them. As a final step, the challengers were then armed with a daily supply of one of our best fat burners and appetite suppressants and a detox tea,” said Mrs Edgecombe.

At the end of the six gruelling weeks’ worth of circuit training and daily workouts with a trainer, a final assessment was conducted on each participant and they were given an overall score based upon the points they achieved in each of the following four categories: fat loss (30 per cent of score); weight loss (25 per cent of score); fitness levels improvements (25 per cent of score), and BMI (20 per cent of score).

Points were given based

Portia Cooper placed third and received $250. on any increases in the numbers between their initial and final assessments.

The highest three overall scores determined which finalists were selected for the first, second and third place cash prizes. Also, the individual categories were grouped into two and then those scores were used to determine the winners of the gold, silver and bronze medals.

In addition, the person who achieved the highest score in each category received an overall trophy award.

First place finisher was Kevin Bagnold, followed by Charon McKenzie and Portia Cooper in second and third place, respectively.

“Regardless of what score they were given, as a result of increasing lean muscle which by the way has its own ability to burn fat, along with learning about proper nutritional guidance, it is expected that these participants will be able to fully maintain their weight loss efforts for the long term,” said Mrs Edgecombe.

In addition, due to the tremendous results experi-

enced by each of their participants, the husband and wife team said they are motivated to continue to advocate against the obesity epidemic within the Bahamas.

“We would also love to be able to conduct more than one challenge every year, but because the signup fee doesn’t adequately cover running costs. Our attempts to secure additional sponsorship from elsewhere has proven to be a very daunting and difficult task,” she added.

Proven ways to fall asleep faster...and enjoy a deeper sleep in the process Most of us know how it feels after we’ve had a great night’s sleep. For me, the world becomes a better place and those first few breaths of fresh morning air are exhilarating. We sometimes deprive ourselves of this very basic need, and it’s not always intended.

Our lives are full of distractions and these days smart devices may by the biggest culprits.

The National Sleep Foundation defines a good night’s sleep as follows: You take an hour or less to fall asleep.

You wake up no more than once per night.

When you do wake up in the middle of the night, you fall back asleep within 20 minutes.

You’re asleep for at least 85 per cent of the time you spend in bed.

Based on the above parameters, there aren’t many of us that experience a good night’s sleep every night.

According to Dr Mark Muehlbach of the Clayton Sleep Institute, much of this sleep disruption is the result of a “go, go, go” society. People feel they have too much to do.

“What did people do before all this technology? They got more sleep! Now I think we’re sleeping less and we’re more tired during the day, so we have to drink more caffeine and energy drinks.”

At a more biological level, snoring can be a factor of disrupted sleep. Dr Michael Gelb of New York’s Gelb Centre specialises in sleep disorders related to blocked

bach. As well as a cool room, Dr Gelb suggests using a humidifier for better air quality, good sheets, and a pillow that props your head at a 45-degree angle.

Keep your nasal passage clear

Bettyjoe Cooper airflow. He blames the common, but rarely-discussed, issue of having a narrow airway.

Below, these two experts make recommendations on resetting your sleep environment. These proven strategies should help you achieve your “restful sleep goals” and wake up more invigorated.

Prepare your environment Cut out the factors that keep us awake. Get rid of blue light before bedtime, generally emitted from anything with a screen such as a TV or smartphone. Also cut out natural light and external noise.

I have used sleep masks and ear plugs, particularly if I’m trying to sleep on a flight. Temperature is also important.

“Having the room temperature somewhere between 65 and 68 is better than in the 70s because our body does tend to sleep better when it’s cooler,” says Dr Muehl-

“When a lot of people fall asleep they actually get even less oxygen than when they’re awake and as a result, have more disturbed sleep,” says Dr Gelb.

Blocked airways are “epigenetic” traits that are becoming more common due to environmental factors like pesticides, pollutants and preservatives. Having treated many clients with this condition, Dr Gelb recommends maintaining an open airflow with a device. One such new product is “Mute” which designed for insertion into both nostrils. The design makes them reusable. In contrast the “Breathe Right” strips stick to the outside of the nasal passage.

Maintain a regular sleep schedule Keeping a steady sleep schedule is one way to go to bed earlier and wake up earlier. Even during the weekends when you may want to sleep in or go out partying. Dr Muehlbach recommends regular exercise to fall asleep faster. If you want to reset your body clock, take melatonin a few hours before you want to sleep until you’ve established the routine. Dr Gelb agrees, but cautions that melatonin should only be used for deal-

ing with problems like jet lag and circadian rhythm disorder, but not for general insomnia.

Quiet restless thoughts An over-active mind at bedtime can be a sleep deterrent. According to Dr Gelb, some people develop the anxiety due to a lack of oxygen (known as hypoxie).

Chronic insomnia from breathing issues can cause people to develop a fear of choking while sleeping.

Dr Muehlbach recommends winding down before bedtime without worrying about messages and tomorrow’s agenda. Beyond using aids like the Mute, he also suggests meditation and deep breathing exercises. The advice for those middle-of-the-night insomnia episodes might seem counterintuitive: “Get out of bed, do something really relaxing, and then get back into bed. You don’t want to spend a lot of time awake in bed because your body gets used to thinking the bed is there for lying awake,” says Dr Muehlbach.

Find the Goldilocks mattress Finding the right mattress can be an arduous task. So, when you come to choosing one for yourself, think like Goldilocks did when she found herself sleepy in the three bears’ home.

I am in no way advocating porridge theft or disturbing a bear’s natural habitat. In fact, I am referring to a logical comparison when it came to the choice of bed in

which she wanted to settle.

Goldilocks had a choice of three mattresses, and the twist in the tale came in that she chose the smallest and most intimate bed over the grand mattresses of the bigger bears. This shows that choosing a mattress is a very personal choice, and what may seem comfortable to some people may not be comfortable to you.

Both Drs Muehlbach and Gelb recommend beds where each person can control their angle of incline for improved airflow and back support. In other words, it’s about personalisation. As Dr Muehlbach says, “the best mattresses are the ones you feel the most comfortable on.”

Experts suggest that a mediumfirm to firm mattress provides more support for your lower back.

Using a bed frame with shorter legs and a solid foundation can make all the difference since it’s relatively noiseless and helps to distribute weight evenly.

• Bettyjoe Cooper is a self-published author and the founder of Brand New Mattress Co, a retailer of bedding products located in the Hummingbird Plaza, Coral Harbour Road, Nassau, Call 698 4609 for more information.

PAGE 10, Tuesday, April 11, 2017

THE TRIBUNE

Kidney Centre brings awareness to the importance of our kidneys

D

iabetes, obesity and high blood pressure are major risk factors for chronic kidney disease. In the Bahamas, these three non-communicable diseases are widespread throughout the islands.

The Kidney Centre hosted a number of events in March (National Kidney Month), aimed at raising awareness of these potentially debilitating illnesses, and promoting healthy lifestyles for healthy kidneys.

The Kidney Centre programme began the month by taking the awareness message to schools through its sponsorship of a poster competition.

Under the theme ‘Kidney Disease & Obesity: Promoting Healthy lifestyle for Healthy Kidneys’, T A Thompson Junior High School and St John’s College Junior High School, neighbouring schools to the centre, To make Bahamians aware of just how important kidney health is, the The Kidney Centre hosted a month of events, were invited to participate. including a walk-a-thon, a partnership with schools and a poster competition.

To increase understanding of kidney disease, the centre organised a brief session in which kidney specialist Dr Ilsa GrantTaylor gave a talk to students at the participating schools. In addition to its youth outreach, the Kidney Centre held a walka-thon, which included kidney centre patients and members of the community. The fun-filled jaunt was planned to promote the three-part message of kidney health – exercise, knowledge and smart eating habits.

Even the gift bags participants received spoke to healthy, kidney-saving habits. Walkers were treated to kidney-friendly fruits, juice and water, kidney-oriented brochures and a T-shirt.

The winners of the poster competition were also announced at the conclusion of the walk-a-thon. Crowned champion was Kamara Stubbs of St John’s College. In second place was Bethany Williams, also from St John’s College.

The attention the very popular kidney T-shirts received, caught the eye of the teachers of Uriah McPhee Primary School, who closed out the month showing

support to a teacher’s family member by wearing shirts.

Aimed at encouraging patients and staff to worship together in mutually sustaining fellowship, the Kidney Centre included in Kidney Month a service at St Francis Cathedral.

To send their all-important health message throughout the archipelago, representatives of the Kidney Centre appeared on Bahamas@Sunrise and the Morning Blend radio show during the month of March.

Dr Monique Pratt and nutritionist Jourdan Bowe from the Kidney Centre in Freeport, as well as Dr Omala Ablack from the Kidney Centre in Nassau, made contributions on the popular morning TV show and radio show. Their input centered on the centre’s dedication to providing optimal patient care through evidence-based practices, research and the use of state of the art technology.

During Kidney Month, staff at the Road Traffic Department partnered with the Kidney Centre in support of two employees who suffer from kidney disease, one being a patient at the Kidney Centre. To show their support, they all wore Kidney awareness T-shirts.

With branches located in Nassau, Freeport and Abaco, the Kidney Centre, internationally recognised as a premier dialysis facility, has a team of doctors who work with patients in individually tailored programmes to produce the best results.

March of each year is recognised as Kidney Month internationally. The aim of this period is to inform, educate and raise awareness of the emerging epidemic of kidney disease worldwide. The principal goal is to engage local and national health authorities to assist in planning measures that can be taken to treat or prevent kidney disease or renal failure.

Paint it pink – APD supports breast cancer awareness in a big way A powerful symbol of Nassau at work, the three Liebherr cranes at the Nassau Container Port (NCP) on Arawak Cay welcome vessels entering the harbour with their massive, mechanical beauty.

APD Limited, owner and operator of NCP, recently made one of these giants even more beautiful for a worthy and urgent purpose — promoting breast cancer awareness among Bahamians to save lives through preventive measures.

“We have painted our L3 crane a bright, eye-catching pink and put a pink ribbon on it in support of breast cancer awareness. Our HEO department did a fantastic job of painting the entire massive structure. Their contribution is symbolic of how deeply the entire APD team cares to make a difference. The SignMan did a great job putting the pink ribbon on the crane for it, so that there is no doubt about the purpose of the

initiative,”said Mike Maura Jr, APD’s president and CEO. APD’s contribution to breast cancer awareness has been multi-faceted. The company made a donation to the Cancer Society of the Bahamas and sponsored and participated in the Society’s Stride for Life Walk/ Run. APD Chairman Jack Sands was on hand to present a cheque to Melissa Major of the Society.

“Researchers tell us that the Bahamas is among the top 20 countries in the world in terms of the number of women with breast cancer. That figure is much too high. The good news is that there are preventative measures Bahamians can take to reduce the possibility of getting the disease.

APD considers it our duty to take part in spreading this important message,” said Mr Maura said.

Melissa Major of the Cancer Society said that “42 is

the average age of the women diagnosed with breast cancer in the Bahamas.

Also more than 44 per cent of women diagnosed with breast cancer in the Bahamas present with late stage 3 or stage 4 breast cancer.

Twenty per cent of women under the age of 40 are presenting with breast cancer.”

She added: “The Cancer Society of the Bahamas is urging women to take their screening guidelines seriously. Have an annual mammogram starting at age 40, if you have a family history talk with your doctor because your screening guidelines could start earlier than 40 years of age, especially if you have a family history of the BRCA gene.

If you are under 40 make sure have your annual clinical breast examination. We also encourage women to do their breast self-examination monthly. Early detection save lives!”

The Arawak Port Development, who sponsored and participated in the Cancer Society of the Bahamas’ Stride for Life Walk/Run, hand-painted their L3 crane pink and put a pink ribbon on it in support of breast cancer awareness. The photo shows Chairman Jack Sands presenting a cheque to Melissa Major of the Cancer Society.

Are you improving your personal performance?

Regular performance appraisal is a method by which an employee’s job performance is documented and evaluated. Even though performance evaluation can be somewhat stressful, they offer a opportunity for employers to determine if you are performing adequately and it also gives you a chance to evaluate yourself.

It is the latter that is most often ignored. Ongoing self-evaluation is the only surefire way to assess your personal performance.

So often, many employees allow their personal performance to be shaped by the limits of their job descriptions. In other words, they perform just to get pass the evaluation, which is often motivated by promotions or increased benefits.

This approach often result in many individual’s personal performance being appraised as ‘ordinary’, ‘average’, or worse, ‘below average’. The fact is, you have the power within you to determine how you want to show up in the world. While the employer gives

Michelle Miller Motivationals

Michelle M Miller you an job function, you are responsible for the degree to which that job is executed with excellence.

To give excellence you have to be a person of excellence. This is a quality that you can develop as your own gold standard. In the beginning of my working years, not

having a college education, I challenged myself to develop those qualities that would make me stand out as an outstanding employee. I knew that I didn’t want to just fit in. So I invested time and effort building a pleasant attitude, taking initiative, establishing good work ethics and assisting beyond my job description.

Over time, I found myself invited to be part of many successful teams and organisations, not because I was the most paper qualified, but because I was committed to improving my personal performance. I was fully responsible.

While my employer was responsible for setting my job description, I alone was responsible for the quality of my work and my level of productivity. The same is true for you. Only you can determine how well you perform.

At a motivational seminar, the following question was asked about recently retired NBA player Kobe Bryant: If Kobe was fired from the Lakers, was it likely that

he would easily get another job with another team? The answer was of course he would. The bigger question was, would Kobe Bryant get that job with another team simply because he ‘played’ for the Lakers or because ‘performed’ for the Lakers? Needless to say, Kobe Bryant’s personal performance was what set him apart from the rest. Who do you think was responsible for Kobe’s performance?

Similarly, there’s a difference between ‘working’ for a company and ‘performing’ for that company. You, and only you, are responsible your performance. You must ‘own it’. High-performance individuals recognise that their performance also hinges on having the right attitude. Attitude matters. You can have the qualifications to get the job but keeping the job depends on the right attitude. No matter your how prestigious your qualifications, nobody wants to work with you if you have an unpleasant attitude.

Leader to leader, recognise that you alone are responsible for improving your personal performance. Find ways to self-assess and build a winner’s attitude.

From time to time take initiative, arrive early, stay late and find creative ways to be a team player.

The ball is in your court. You can choose to improve your personal performance or you can stay stuck in the same ole same ole.

The aim of the game is total commitment to the process of becoming a better you. When you get better at your personal performance, you better position yourself to live an empowered life.

Yes, you can do it!

What do you think? Please send your comments to coaching242@ yahoo.com or call 429-6770.

• Michelle M Miller is a certified life coach, communication and leadership expert. Visit www. talktomichellemiller.com or call 1-888-620-7894; mail can be sent to PO Box CB-13060.

THE TRIBUNE

Tuesday, April 11, 2017, PAGE 11

Things overdue pregnant women don’t want to hear

M

y sister-in-law is preparing to give birth to her second child.

She’s almost 40 weeks and it’s very obvious she’s ready to get on with it.

Can’t say that I miss those days, and just like many women, being pregnant for 40 weeks is more than enough.

By the end of the third trimester a lot of women experience lots of discomfort. They’re feeling heavy, their mobility has slowed.

Some have very swollen feet.

They’re probably finding it very difficult to get comfortable when they sleep or they can’t sleep, and they’re still plagued with the dreaded heartburn.

What’s not to love, right?

The best thing is to allow your baby to come naturally, thus many doctors will allow women to go past their due date. Your due date is not an exact science in any event. It is a calculation based on a few pieces of information and measurements in order to pinpoint when you conceived.

Here are a few things overdue women don’t want to hear:

• You’re going to miss being pregnant, so just enjoy it While that may be true, it may be hard for a woman to truly accept and understand that concept in her state, especially given her probable discomfort and eagerness to see her feet again! It’s similar to when people ask you right after giving birth if you want more children. Most people need some time to heal and forget.

• Talking about your own birth experience

Bun In The Oven

Bianca Carter C-section will certainly be done.

Many women give birth naturally after being overdue.

Going over your due date is usually not a problem and need not cause you serious worry.

People love to share stories.

Pregnancy experiences and birth stories love to be shared, but there is a time and place for that.

Breaking it down for a mom that is about to deliver her baby is not the best idea. You don’t want to add to her anxiety or cause unnecessary worry. Wait until after the baby is born, then you can both share your experiences.

• Just keep ‘doing it’ Although it may be scientifi-

cally proven that those types of encounters may bring on labour at the end of pregnancy, sometimes it doesn’t, and moreover, some women are so uncomfortable it’s not a lot of fun for them.

• Just get induced This may be said in the most loving and respectful manner, but many women don’t want to have to medically bring on labour. The best case scenario is for the baby to come naturally, when it’s ready.

But in some cases the doctor may

Cheerleaders for Team Bahamas at the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship in Nassau in February.

decide that induction is the best method to make sure both the mother and baby do fine.

• You may need a C-section if the baby gets too big C-sections are major medical surgeries that can pose many risks to the mother and baby. It’s not something that doctors take lightly and many women can be fearful of such an invasive procedure. Just because a woman is past her due date doesn’t mean a

Typically, going over your due date is not a problem and you shouldn’t worry too much about it, but if you have any questions or concerns regarding your pregnancy and due date, always speak to you health care professional. Safe delivery!

Love and hugs!

• Bianca Carter is a certified lactation counsellor and founder of Bun in the Oven.

For more information, e-mail her at info@babybunintheoven.com.

Follow BITO on Facebook at babybunintheoven, and check out the BITO Blog every Monday and Thursday at http://babybunintheoven.com.

Bahamian dancers audition for cheerleader positions. Photos/Lea Weil

Bahamian dancers join cheerleaders for FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamian talent and culture will be on full display during the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017, thanks to a new and exciting addition to the tournament’s entertainment lineup.

Local dancers from the host country will take to the sand with the professional beach soccer cheerleaders. A special casting was held in Nassau in February during the CONCACAF Championship, and eight talented Bahamian dancers got the chance to audition for the opportunity of a lifetime.

Cheerleaders coordinator Idaira Rodriguez conducted the casting in two parts. For the first part, the Bahamian dancers were taught a short choreographed piece. To complete the auditions, the dancers were asked to “freestyle” and show off their unique styles and Bahamian rhythm.

“I was highly surprised by the outcome of the casting. I am very happy

with the result, and I am looking forward to working with the girls. It will be a great experience for everyone. I can’t wait for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup to begin,” said Ms Rodriquez.

Cheerleader Marta Plasencia, who taught the choreography, noted that she was pleasantly surprised by the talent.

“First, because of the level they have and also because we saw different styles that can add a special touch and enrich the whole crew,” she said.

Cheerleader Giovanna Lee added: “I think that it will make for an explosive combination since the Bahamian girls obviously have a different look and a different dancing culture.

I’m sure we will learn a lot from them.”

Bahamian dancers Kieasha Adderley and Myrkeeva Johnson were chosen on the spot. Two additional dancers will be surprised in the coming weeks when they are added

to the dance team that will compete during the tournament scheduled for April 27 - May 7. The performances will broadcast live to millions of viewers all over the world.

“It was wonderful. I am so excited to have this type of opportunity because it doesn’t come around that often since we are from such a small country. To be chosen for something big and international like this and to be chosen right on the spot is amazing,”said Ms Johnson.

“It was a wonderful experience! I’ve been dancing for so long and I haven’t had a chance to experience anything like this. To audition for something as big as this, I’m just very ecstatic about the opportunity,” Ms Adderley added.

Admission to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Bahamas 2017 is free for the entire competition. VIP packages are also available for purchase. For more information, visit www.

BahamasFA.com.

Cheerleaders coordinator Idaira Rodriguez conducted the casting for Bahamian dancers in February in Nassau.

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SECTION b

tuesday, april 11, 2017

Rosamunde Carey with BAAA Head Coach Ronald Cartwright.

Blazing a trail

Rosamunde Carey paves the way for women as CEO of the IAAF World Relays 2017

By ALESHA CADET Tribune Features Reporter acadet@tribunemedia.net

Rosamunde Carey making a medal presentation at the High School Nationals 2016.

I

T’s been a year and a half since Rosamunde Carey made history by becoming the first woman to head the local governing body of athletics in the Bahamas.

Today, she not only sits in the main seat of the Bahamas Association of Athletic Associations (BAAA), but is also responsible for one the country’s biggest sporting events – the IAAF World Relays.

So far, the experience of holding both of these very important positions has been exhilarating and humbling, she told Tribune Woman.

“When we were campaigning, we weren’t focused on the gender, but on the capabilities of holding office and transforming the federation. I do believe that some took me for granted as a female. The challenge has been proving that a woman, though none has held this position before, is proficient, dedicated and capable of loving the sport,” said Mrs Carey.

The Abaco native first became interested in track and field in 1993 when her sons joined the Strider Track Club. She loved the spirit of camaraderie at the club and became involved in its events.

“It was Doris Woods who ask me to help them administratively in the BAAA’s office. I became a Council Member in 2000 and treasurer under Desmond Bannister’s administration in 2002. I held that position until 2009. What I like is the diverse talents that so many athletes possess. The positive traits that they develop due to their training – traits like disciple, dedication, perseverance and a strong belief in oneself and abilities,” she said.

Now, Mrs Carey turns her attention to the highly anticipated IAAF World Relays 2017, of which she is the CEO. She said she is proud of the women who have paved the way for her and who made her holding this position possible.

Mrs Carey pointed out that while she is the first female president of the BAAA in its over sixdecade history, women have long since played pivotal roles in track and field in this country.

One such example is “Golden Girl” Pauline Davis-Thompson, who was not only instrumental in bringing the IAAF World Relays to the Bahamas, but is also the first Bahamian woman to be elected as a IAAF Council member.

“I do believe that some took me for granted as a female.

The challenge has been proving that a woman, though none has held this position before, is proficient, dedicated and capable of loving the sport.”

Rosamunde Carey with her

oldest grandchild.

Photos/Kermit Taylor/Bahamas Athletics

Mrs Carey said the Olympian’s influence has ensured a successful transition for her into the role of CEO of the IAAF World Relays.

The two have an excellent working relationship and have bonded over their love for the sport and their role as women carrying the tremendous responsibility of representing their country.

“She and I are co-chairs of the IAAF event. Pauline keeps me

current on the relevant IAAF issues as they relate to the IAAF World Relays. She has been a guiding figure in the strategic planning of the IAAF. Moreover, one of our biggest and most powerful federations was headed by a female for eight years. I hope that as a federation we support the females in our country that love athletics by having more females in the position of president in

years to come,” said Mrs Carey.

As the CEO of the IAAF World Relays, she is responsible for the management of the local organising committee, the oversight of all divisions of the organising committee and has direct responsibility to ensure that the event proceeds smoothly and that the IAAF requirements are met.

The positions of president of the BAAA and CEO of the World Relays, she said, call for the same skill set: keeping her agenda up to date, maintaining a level head and sense of fairness, and of course, a love for the sport.

“There are instances where my positions overlap, but I ensure that the BAAA’s interest as a tripartite partner in the event is protected,” she said.

“My advice to the young girls that are coming up in track in field is to always keep your eye on the prize. There will be days when you

doubt yourself and your ability to accomplish your goals. Don’t allow those days to determine if you achieve your goals or not. Don’t stop because you’re uncertain, or because it’s never been done by a woman before. I want young girls to know that their time is always that moment they decide they’re going to give their best despite the odds. I encourage young girls in sports to firmly set their goal in front of them, and continue to relentlessly pursue that goal no matter what,” she said.

Mrs Carey believes her winning the presidency of the BAAA is also a testament that the focus is not always on gender, but on the individual and his or her abilities.

This was borne out by the fact that gold medallist Tonique Williams was elected as the first female BAAA vice-president in the same year.

“Initially, it was said that a male-dominated sport like track would not want to have two females at the helm, but we proved that to be false. Women have always played a pivotal role in track and field. However, we would like to see more women moving higher in the technical field. For instance, we only have one female international technical officer (ITO) in the Bahamas. We need to empower more females in that area.

Additionally, we would like to see more women with higher coaching credentials,” said Mrs Carey.

As a mother of five – and now grandmother of six grandchildren – Mrs Carey has never let her gender limit her.

She has worked in various capacities of hotel management and in the insurance industry. She is presently the CEO of Health Care Management and senior consultant at the National Workers Health Plan Network.

She is a Christian woman who is passionate about sports, baking, travelling, but her family owns her heart.

“I’m a dedicated wife, mother, sister, aunt and friend. I am a Bahamian woman who loves her country. My father, Peter Campbell Sr, is and always will be the biggest influence in my life. He worked extremely hard to provide for his family. He was revolutionary and a visionary in his thinking. He ensured all of his children were well-educated because he believed in education as a tool of empowerment. My father was the type of man that always had a listening ear, and as I grew, my relationship with him developed.

He was a valued friend and confidante,” she said.